Hammers held at home by Villa
WHUFC.com
West Ham United are held to a goalless draw by a stubborn Aston Villa outfit
on Saturday afternoon
08.11.2014
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United 0-0 Aston Villa
West Ham United were held to a frustrating goalless draw by a resolute Aston
Villa side at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday, as the Hammers extended their
unbeaten Barclays Premier League run to five. The in-form Stewart Downing
was foiled by a fabulous one-handed Brad Guzan stop prior to the interval,
before Diafra Sakho twice failed to hit the target with golden headed
chances in the latter stages. The returning Andy Carroll was introduced late
on and came so close to snatching all three points for the hosts, as his
back-post header produced another fine save from the Villa stopper. For
their part, Villa saw Andreas Weimann smash one straight at Adrian, while
Tom Cleverley's drive flashed inches over the top in the opening exchanges
of the second half. The stalemate sees the Hammers temporarily climb back
above Arsenal into fourth, with the Gunners away at Swansea City on Sunday.
As expected, Barclays Player of the Month Diafra Sakho made his return to
the starting XI following a shoulder injury, with French midfielder Morgan
Amalfitano the man to make way. Elsewhere, Carroll was restored to the
matchday 18, having come through a behind-closed-doors friendly against
Southend United unscathed.
In a low-key start at the Boleyn Ground, Mark Noble headed Carl Jenkinson's
right-wing cross over the top, before Gabriel Agbonlahor showed James
Collins a clean pair of heels and promptly blasted an effort into the Bobby
Moore Stand.
But West Ham were soon to up the tempo and see several a chance go begging.
Brad Guzan got down smartly to smother Collins' near-post header and then
Ron Vlaar's desperate intervention prevented Enner Valencia latching onto
Sakho's centre.
Valencia himself made inroads down the left and his centre eventually came
to Noble, via Collins, with the skipper's shot blocked at close quarters.
Sam Allardyce's men continued to pile on the pressure and so nearly struck
via the trusty combination of Aaron Cresswell and Sakho. The left-back's
cross hung high in the Villa box and though Sakho beat Guzan to it, his
header drifted a yard or two wide of the far post.
And so it went on. When another Sakho centre fell kindly for Downing, Guzan
produced a stunning right-handed stop to keep the scores level.
But the Hammers were not having it all their own way. Charles N'Zogbia was
afforded too much space on the left-hand side and duly skipped inside to
pick out Andreas Weimann 12 yards from goal. The Austrian smashed it
goalwards but, thankfully, straight at the waiting Adrian who fisted it
clear.
There would be one last chance for the hosts before the interval and a good
one it was too. Alex Song picked out Downing in space on the left edge of
the box, but the in-form No11 skewed it high and wide of the angle of post
bar.
Villa, however, went close themselves within just 20 seconds of the restart,
as Agbonlahor picked out Tom Cleverley, whose strike from the edge of the
box brushed the top of the net as it whistled behind.
At the other end, Cresswell's inviting centre flicked off the head of
Valencia and into the path of Jenkinson. The England U21 international opted
against teeing up Sakho and instead drove it across the face, with Vlaar,
again, coming to Villa's rescue.
With 64 minutes on the clock, Carlos Sanchez slalomed into dangerous
territory, but his shot was a tame one and comfortably gathered by the
Hammers' Spanish stopper.
Big Sam then shuffled his pack, with Kevin Nolan replacing the unusually
quiet Cheikhou Kouyate. It should have had the desired effect, with Sakho
looking set to play Valencia in on goal, but the pass was a heavy one and
the Ecuadorian failed to collect.
But Villa nearly profited from the Hammers making heavy weather of clearing
a corner, with Nolan's attempted clearance cannoning into Sanchez and
forcing Adrian into an excellent reaction stop.
Arguably West Ham's best chance came and went with 12 minutes left to play,
when substitute Carlton Cole picked out Sakho, but the usually reliable
Senegalese directed his header wide of the right-hand upright. And Sakho
passed up another presentable opportunity seconds later, this time
connecting with Downing's centre, but sending it sailing over Guzan's
crossbar.
Still West Ham poured forward and, following the introduction of Carroll,
might have snatched it in the game's dying embers. Downing stood up an
inviting cross to the far stick and there was Carroll to meet it, only for
Guzan to deny the Hammers man a fairy tale return and earn his side a
battling point.
West Ham United: Adrian, Reid, Cresswell, Kouyate (Nolan 66), Downing,
Sakho, Noble (c) (Carroll 90), Jenkinson, Collins, Song, Valencia (Cole 75)
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Tomkins, O'Brien, Amalfitano
Aston Villa: Guzan, Baker (Senderos 88), Vlaar (c), Cleverley, Weimann,
Agbonlahor, Westwood, Cissokho, Sanchez, N'Zogbia (Clark 90), Lowton
Subs: Given, Bacuna, Cole, Richardson, Bent
Booked: Cleverley, Weimann, Agbonlahor
Referee: Jonathan Moss
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Hammers mark Remembrance Day
WHUFC.com
West Ham United will be marking Remembrance Day at the Boleyn Ground on
Saturday
08.11.2014
West Ham United marked Remembrance Day and commemorated the centenary of the
outbreak of the First World War with a host of special events at today's
game. Soldiers from G Company 7 Rifles, based at the Army Reserve Centre in
West Ham, will form a guard of honour surrounding the Boleyn Ground pitch
before representatives from the Royal British Legion (East Ham Branch) are
presented to the crowd. A wreath-laying ceremony will then take place in the
centre circle led by Joint-Chairman David Gold, Mayor of Newham Sir Robin
Wales and Aston Villa chief executive Tom Fox. This will be followed by a
minute's silence that will begin and end on the sound of the referee's
whistle. West Ham's players will join those from their 19 fellow Barclays
Premier League clubs by wearing shirts emblazoned with the special 'Football
Remembers' poppy. Prior to kick-off, representatives Diane Hannan and Bill
Daly from bus operators Stagecoach (London) will also present a cheque for
in excess of £5,000 to Ken Hill, secretary of the Royal British Legion (East
Ham Branch). The funds were raised by the sale of a special badge designed
by a member of staff at Plumstead Garage, which was then distributed and
sold through the nine garages that form Stagecoach (London).
The company provided the 'B' bus purchased by the War Office in 1914 and
used in France and Belgium throughout the Great War as a troop carrier. The
bus has recently been returned to its wartime livery and is taking part in
Remembrance ceremonies in Britain, France and Belgium.
Every year, the Hammers support the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal by
wearing match shirts with the official Poppy on them. For Remembrance Day
2014, the Royal British Legion has approved a one-off Poppy with the
citation '1914-2014 Football Remembers'.
The Royal British Legion is the UK's leading Service charity providing care
and support to serving members of the Armed Forces, veterans of all ages and
their families. Fans can donate to the Poppy Appeal in a variety of ways:
• By phone on 0845 845 1945
• By mobile. To donate £3, text POPPY to 70020* (*Cost £3 plus standard
network charges - typically £2.97 goes to the Poppy Appeal). To donate £10,
text POPPY to 70111* (*Cost £10 plus standard network charges - typically
£9.92 goes to the Poppy Appeal).
• By post to The Royal British Legion, FREEPOST SN1457, Melksham SN12 7BR.
Further, to mark the 100th anniversary of the famous Christmas Truce matches
played between British and German soliders in December 1914, band The Farm
have released a new version of their single All Together Now, with two U12
players from English and German clubs serving as the backing choir.
West Ham youngsters Thomas Salter and Kallum Cesay joined their counterparts
from 18 Premier League and eleven German clubs to take part in the recording
of the single. After recording at Liverpool's Parr Street Studios, the
players were invited to train at the Liverpool and Everton Academies,
meeting Toffees manager Roberto Martinez.
Proceeds from the sales of the single, which was originally released in 1991
and will be released in its new form on 15 December, will go to the British
Red Cross and the Shorncliffe Trust, who are building a national education
centre and heritage park in Kent to tell the story of the social impact that
military life has on servicemen and women, their families and their
communities.
The two young Hammers singers will join their U12 teammates at the Christmas
Truce Qualifying Tournament in Ypres, Belgium on 14-16 November. U12 sides
from every Premier League club are heading to Ypres for a weekend of
competitive football and education. The event also acts as the official
opening of the 3G pitch that the Premier League is donating to the city of
Ypres.
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Big Sam frustrated by Villa stalemate
WHUFC.com
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce felt his side did enough to claim all
three points on Saturday
08.11.2014
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce admitted to feeling a sense of
frustration after watching his side draw 0-0 with Aston Villa at the Boleyn
Ground on Saturday. While a second clean sheet of the campaign meant the
Hammers extended their unbeaten run to a sixth game, he felt the home side
had done more than enough to turn one point into three. That they did not
was down to a mixture of wasteful finishing and the fine form of Villa
goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who made outstanding saves from Stewart Downing in
the first half and from Andy Carroll at the death. Still, the point gained
took West Ham back into the Barclays Premier League's top four and Allardyce
could reflect on a good performance from his team, even if it did not yield
maximum reward. "It was frustrating," he admitted. "We've not seen that
super-clinical finishing side of our game today. I think that left us hugely
frustrated and when we did get a proper finish on target the goalkeeper was
on top form. "There's nothing more we could have done today to try and win a
game of football but ultimately the clinical finishing has deserted us. It's
our second clean sheet of the season so we only needed the one goal, but we
just couldn't find it. "I felt today that if we'd found one, we'd have found
many on the back of Aston Villa losing six or seven on the trot. I think
their heads would have gone down and we'd have opened them up even more. "It
was a terrific effort. We opened them up in the first half but couldn't find
a goal. We had a lull in the second half but changed the way we played, and
putting Stewart Downing in a wider position - where we haven't seen him much
this year - turned the game in our favour, by putting quality ball into the
box and [forcing] all those chances towards the end. "We kept going right to
the end, but I felt a 1-0 would have been a fair result for us and would
have given everybody a massive lift to reach 20 points from eleven games.
While we respect the point and the lads have done a good job on Aston
Villa's counter attacking, I thought we'd be more frustrated by Villa today
than we were. "But we weren't because we were so good. They had nine or ten
behind the ball for nearly all the game, but some poor finishing from us and
not a lot of help from the referee when we needed it {kept us out]."
One huge positive was the return of Andy Carroll following a lengthy absence
with an ankle injury. He came off the bench in the closing stages and went
so close to forcing a winner when he drew a fine save from Guzan. The
manager added: "I wanted to bring Winston Reid off because he was feeling
his thigh a bit, but at that point I just felt he had to stay on for us to
go and get the winner. I wanted to put Andy on rather than change Reidy for
James Tomkins, so I hope Winston's alright. "We changed the shape and the
shape changed the way we were playing. The way we were playing got better
and the oohs and aahs that went around the ground in the last five to ten
minutes were unbelievable. "People were jumping around with what looked like
was going to be the ultimate excitement with scoring a goal."
With a two week break before the next fixture away at Everton, Allardyce
says the Hammers will take stock after a hugely encouraging start to the
campaign, with the strength in depth of his squad plain to see. "I think
it's been a very good first phase of the season," he explained. "We're on a
undefeated run of five games, we've got a fantastic team in terms of not
just the eleven we pick, but the eleven or 12 behind it. "That's proven
today by Carlton Cole, Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan coming on and making a
big effort to go and win the game. When Enner and Mark Noble had run their
legs off, these lads come on fresh and with the quality they've got you can
see what happened in the last ten or 15 minutes. "We need that squad going
into the back end of November and December - over Christmas we'll have
something like four games in eight days, and that has been a test for us in
my entire time at the Club. "We have to get through this test with this
squad and continue to get results in that period. Steering clear of injuries
is the big question - we can cope with injuries at this time of the year
because of the international breaks, but we can't cope with too many
injuries when you go into November, December and January.
"The squad's getting bigger and fitter, so long may that last."
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'You've got to respect the point'
WHUFC.com
James Collins felt the Hammers deserved a great deal more than the goalless
draw against Aston Villa
08.11.2014
James Collins reckons that the Hammers' disappointment with Saturday's
goalless Barclays Premier League draw against Aston Villa is a sign of how
far West Ham United have come in recent weeks and months.
Saturday's stalemate saw the Hammers extend their unbeaten run to five,
having taken an impressive eleven points from the last possible 15, and yet
Collins admitted that failure to bag a fourth successive win at the Boleyn
Ground felt more like a defeat.
That said, the Wales international will never turn his nose up at a clean
sheet and so will bedrudgingly accept the point on this occasion. He told
West Ham TV: "We're obviously disappointed, it feels a bit like a loss but,
it's one of those things. It's a sign of the times that we are disappointed
drawing 0-0 at home. We created enough chances so hopefully we can take the
positives out of it. "We felt we deserved a goal and we tried our hardest to
get it. I think we probably should have had a late penalty on Alex Song. We
are disappointed but, again, as the gaffer said you've got to respect the
point sometimes when the team comes and defends how Villa did."
Collins went close to breaking the deadlock himself after just 14 minutes,
meeting Stewart Downing's corner with a firm near-post header, only to see
the excellent Brad Guzan keep it out. The 31-year-old last scored in 2-0 win
over Norwich City in February and expected to see the net bulge this time,
too. He continued: "I thought it was going in to be fair. Guzan's done well.
It's one of those, I got it on target, so sometimes they go in and I think
it was Brad's day on Saturday, he played very well."
While the Hammers then laid siege to the Villa goal in the latter stages,
the visitors only ever threatened the Hammers goal intermittently and
Collins explained that they were well prepared to deal with the Villans'
threat on the break. "We knew that's how they were going to play," he
confirmed. "They're on the back of some bad results, so we had to be on our
toes at the back. The only chances I can really remember them getting were
from us maybe being a bit too comfortable on the ball and a bit sloppy.
"In the second half, we had to defend for a bit early on and we didn't come
out the blocks too well. But it's a clean sheet and as a defender, you're
always happy, but obviously disappointed we didn't win the game."
Saturday's disappointment aside, Collins insists the Hammers are in
excellent shape heading into the latest international break and can,
overall, reflect on a job well done in the past month or so. As for his own
form, the centre-half has taken his latest opportunity with both hands and
wants more of the same when the Hammers reconvene at Goodison Park in a
fortnight's time.
"It's been great. We've got a lot of points, we're fourth in the league, as
it stands on Saturday. We are happy, there's a lot of confidence in the camp
at the minute, hopefully the boys can go away on internationals, stay fit,
come back and look forward to Everton.
"I am loving it. It's great to be back in the team. Unfortunately Tonks
[James Tomkins] got injured. That was my chance to come back in and I'm
happy with the way I've performed since. I'd have liked to have got a goal
on Saturday against my old club and got the three points, but we've got the
clean sheet and I'm looking forward to Everton."
Before the Toffees, however, Collins has the small matter of a European
Championship qualifier for Wales in Belgium to focus the mind. Having missed
the last two international meets owing to injury, he is right up for the
challenge.
"It's a big game, to be fair, we've got Belgium away. It's going to be a
tough game as they're one of the best teams in the world, but we've got a
young, vibrant, exciting squad there, so we'll go there and have a right go.
"I can't wait, I had two injuries for the first three games, so I'm looking
forward to getting back involved, seeing the lads and hopefully contributing
to a good result away from home."
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West Ham 0 Aston Villa 0
8 November 2014
Last updated at 18:58
By Steve Canavan
BBC Sport
West Ham striker Andy Carroll was denied a goalscoring Premier League return
as Aston Villa clung on to halt a run of six successive defeats. Carroll,
making his first appearance of the season after an ankle injury, had two
late headers saved after coming off the bench at Upton Park. The Hammers
created numerous chances, especially during a frantic finale, but could not
force a breakthrough. For Villa it is a first point since victory at
Liverpool in September. The result may be a relief for boss Paul Lambert,
who signed a new four-year contract at Villa in mid-September but has not
seen his team claim a win since. Lambert had acknowledged before the match
that he was not "bomb-proof" and was aware he needed to halt the miserable
sequence of defeats. A lack of goals continue to be a problem for his side.
They have hit the target just once in almost 12 hours of football, Andreas
Weimann's strike in last weekend's 2-1 home defeat to Tottenham.
In contrast West Ham had plundered 19 in their opening 10 games - their best
goalscoring start to a top-flight campaign for 28 years, and the kind of
form that earned Sam Allardyce October's manager of the month award. The
Hammers are now unbeaten in five but could not force a breakthrough, even
with Diafra Sakho back in the side after the shoulder injury which kept him
out at Stoke. Sakho, a £3.5m signing from French side FC Metz, had been
aiming to become the first player to score on each of his first seven
Premier League starts. He had three headed chances but failed to get any on
target and suffered a frustrating afternoon. It was the same all over the
pitch for the Hammers, as they made the majority of the running but could
not force the ball past Villa's in-form keeper Brad Guzan. Starting his 85th
Premier League game in a row, the American made good first-half saves from
ex-Villa men Stewart Downing and James Collins, and twice denied Carroll
late on by stopping close-range headers.
It meant there was no fairytale return for the Hammers £15m record signing,
who was making his comeback after tearing his ankle ligaments in the summer.
Villa, who had defender Nathan Baker stretchered off, had their moments. The
lively Gabriel Agbonlahor - in for the suspended Christian Benteke - created
and missed an early chance and Weimann brought a fine save out of Adrian
with a drive from 12 yards.
But in the end, neither side could find a way through and it is Villa who
will be more content with a point.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce: "It was a terrific effort that we gave. When
we lulled a little bit in the second half the changes we made gave us that
exciting all-important finish and our fans the chance to see another win
here. "The sad thing was that when our finishing was good, the goalkeeper
was even better. We have got to respect the point and it's our second clean
sheet, which is good. "Aston Villa are a frustrating team to break down, but
we broke them down several times apart from the keeper. "It was nearly a
fantastic end to the game and we are very disappointed we didn't get the
three points."
Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert: "I thought we were excellent, resolute,
everything you need to get anything from here. "West Ham have been on a rich
vein of form. They have been playing really well, so to come here and get
something is a big result for us. "I thought we were first class. It was a
massive point for us. "I thought in the second half we looked comfortable up
until the last five minutes or so when they put their big lads on. Guzan has
made a world-class save towards the end."
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Lambert on ... West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 8th November 2014
By: Staff Writer
A satisfied Villa boss shares his post-match thoughts with the media. Here's
how Paul Lambert saw this afternoon's goalless draw at the Boleyn...
Paul: That must feel like a win after the run you've been on recently?
It's a great point. A really great point. We've come to a ground where
they've been playing really well; they've beaten City and Liverpool not that
long ago and to come here and play as we did and be resolute was first
class.
A word on your 'keeper? Especially at the end there? Phenomenal?
That's what he's paid for...
What do you pay him then? [laughs]
He's overpaid! No, to be fair his save at the end was world class. Top guy,
top pro and I'm delighted for him. Really pleased for him.
Your centre backs had to be strong as the West Ham strikers have been
terrific. Vlaar and...
Nathan [Baker], yeah - excellent. We knew before the game, we've spoken
about it all week - balls are going to rain down on you so be ready to deal
with it - and I thought they coped fantastically well.
In the second half I thought we were comfortable up until the last five
minutes or so when Andy Carroll came on with Sakho up there and the other
lad, Carlton Cole. We're not the biggest of teams but defensively we put our
bodies on the line and it was a massive point for us.
Do you think that with a bit more confidence you could have made more of the
breakaways you had?
I thought we looked a threat, in the second half especially. Gabby had a
great chance to put up one-up in the first half and then Andy [Weimann] had
a chance as well. So we had chances. That's one thing about us - we can
exploit spaces. Credit to the team, they've taken a lot of stick at times
but well done today.
You didn't have Benteke; that might have made a big difference?
I thought that Christian was unplayable against Spurs and him being out was
a blow, there's no two ways about it. He's back to his best. But Gabby, up
top, ran his heart out for the team which was great. N'Zogbia's playing ever
so well and is dangerous, but that's the way it is - the red card hurt us
last week.
Is there any more news on Nathan's injury?
Not at the minute. I hope it's not as bad as first feared, but we'll see.
He's got another 16 days or so to recover after the international break so
we'll see how he is.
You've come to a difficult ground, against a team in form and got a very
hard-earned point. What does that mean to the team's confidence?
Well I think the confidence was there at Spurs. The Benteke incident changed
the course of that game; if Christian stays on the pitch that night we win
that game. Or w certainly don't lose it, that's for sure. So I knew
confidence was high from the way we played the other night.
I knew we were confident coming into this game and I knew we had to defend
really strongly. I thought that was a point well-deserved.
And is it good now to have a break, take stock and get Nathan fixed up - or
is it a bad thing that you've got this point but can't carry straight on
with it?
Well with Nathan, we'll see how he is. I think Alan Hutton will be back
after the national games. Christian has got another three weeks to go but
we'll hopefully get one or two lads back fit.
Senderos will be with his national team and that'll give him game time, so
it probably comes at the right time for us, regarding injuries.
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Allardyce on ... Aston Villa
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 8th November 2014
By: Staff Writer
A frustrated Big Sam reflects on what he saw as two points dropped in today'
Premier League clash with Aston Villa at the Boleyn...
Sam: It was a bit like the Alamo at the end there. It was nice to see Andy
Carroll come on; it's easy to forget how good he is in the air and he nearly
nicked the points for you at the end?
I think it was a terrific effort. It goes down to the strength and depth of
the squad because when we hit a lull in the second half the changes we made
- one, the system and two, the personnel - gave us that exciting finish and
our players and fans the chance of seeing another win here.
The sad thing was that when our finishing was very good the goalkeeper was
even better. Some of the time I was a bit disappointed with our finishing
considering how good we've been this season.
So we've got to respect the point and our second clean sheet, which is good.
Everything the lads did today they did very well. Villa were a frustrating
team to break down; we broke them down several times but we couldn't beat
the 'keeper today.
It's a bit frustrating for us but as it was nearly a fantastic end to the
game and I'm obviously disappointed that we didn't get the three points.
Stewart Downing still looks very much an England player, doesn't he?
We changed the shape with Stewart today. Stewart looked better when we went
to a 4-2-3-1 rather than the diamond; he started getting more and more
service in wide areas and he was the main reason we got so many chances in
the final throes.
Actually, I think the best chance fell to Carl Jenkinson with a free header
six yards out but unfortunately he heads it straight into the 'keeper's
hands.
But Carroll, Sakho and Coley coming in on those crosses... You can see how
excited it was getting the fans when we were getting up and heading that
ball at goal. I think people can forget how exciting crossing and heading
the ball in the back of the net is these days. It's still a great thrill to
watch and see. Sadly for us, we didn't see it in the back of the net today.
Were you tempted to bring Andy Carroll on earlier?
I thought we were going well enough and creating [chances]. Before Andy came
on Diafra had had two headers - I'm not sure if they were from Cresswell
crosses or Downing crosses, but he had two free headers in the box and
they've gone over the bar.
We had shouts for a couple of penalties as well that didn't go our way but
that shouldn't have mattered to us today with the number of chances we
created. We're a little frustrated but we couldn't do any more than we've
done in terms of chances created and how well we've played and finished the
game.
Thank you.
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West Ham striker Andy Carroll keen to put injury nightmare behind him
Last Updated: 08/11/14 8:55pm
SSN
West Ham striker Andy Carroll hopes he can put his injury hell behind him
and re-establish himself as a regular starter at Upton Park.
The former Newcastle frontman came off the bench against Aston Villa to make
his first appearance of the season following a lengthy absence after
undergoing ankle surgery in the summer. And Carroll, who joined Sam
Allardyce's side for a club-record fee of £15m in June last year, is eager
to kick-start his career with West Ham. "It's obviously a great feeling to
be back on the pitch where I think I belong," he said. "It's better than
being in the gym. "It's been a nightmare. It's been a killer to be honest,
coming back from the end of last season and in the first week of training I
find out I need surgery. "It's been disappointing and devastating and now
I've just got to forget about everything that's been going on for the last
few months." The England striker paid tribute to the medical team at West
Ham and hopes he can now consolidate his fitness during the international
break. "The medical staff have been a great help," said Carroll. "I've been
working with them as a team and individually. We've worked outside of the
club as well and they've been coming to my house. "It's a credit to them to
get me back fit so quickly given the injury and the surgery that I had.
They've got me back as quick as possible and I'm happy with my recovery."
On his plans during the international break Carroll said: "It's a chance for
me with no games to train hard - and harder than I have been ahead of the
games coming up in a couple of weeks' time. Hopefully I'll have a game
behind closed doors so I can get my fitness up in that as well."
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Stewart Downing not making up numbers in Roy Hodgson's England squad
Last Updated: 08/11/14 9:54pm
SSN
Stewart Downing is relishing the prospect of playing for England again and
believes he still has an important role to play for Roy Hodgson's team.
Downing, who was recalled to the England set-up for the European qualifier
with Slovenia and the eagerly-anticipated friendly with Scotland, will join
up with Hodgson's men for the first time since their trip to Norway in May
2012. And while delighted at being handed an international life-line,
Downing insisted he had no plans of joining the squad to simply make up the
numbers.
Excited
Speaking after the Hammers' goalless draw with Aston Villa on Saturday,
Downing said: "I'm very pleased. Hopefully I'll play or be involved that's
the main thing. "If I get picked I want to be involved, and not just go
there to make up the numbers. So I'm looking forward to it, it's a chance
and there are places up for grabs. I'll go there, enjoy it and hopefully get
a start or, if not, hopefully be involved.
Saturday's draw with Villa extended West Ham's unbeaten run in the league to
five games – a run of form which has become somewhat reliant on the
new-found form of the midfielder.
Despite having only scored twice in the league for the Hammers this season,
Downing's noticeable improvement has come with his ability to turn into a
provider for his team-mates.
"Roy had gone with other options and to be honest I didn't think I'd be
picked. So I'm obviously over the moon to be picked and hopefully I don't go
to make the numbers up, I want to be involved and play some part."
Wind-up
And Downing, who believed he would never put an England shirt on again,
admitted his recent form must have been crucial to Hodgson making the call.
"He (Roy) is obviously looking at players and I hadn't been picked for a
while. Roy had gone with other options and to be honest I didn't think I'd
be picked," Downing added. "So to be picked I'm obviously over the moon and
hopefully I don't go to make the numbers up I go to be involved and play
some part. "I spoke to Roy a couple of weeks ago when he came for the Man
City game and he said he'd been watching me so I knew he'd been watching the
games. "When I spoke to the woman at The FA I knew it wasn't a wind-up. I've
been involved in squad's before but I'm obviously pleased to be back in."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Aston Villa hold West Ham to 0-0 draw at Upton Park
Last Updated: 08/11/14 8:56pm
SSN
Aston Villa stopped the rot after six consecutive defeats with a hard-earned
goalless draw against West Ham at Upton Park. Goalkeeper Brad Guzan was the
Villa hero after a string of fine saves including an sensational reaction
stop to deny substitute Andy Carroll in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
Stewart Downing also came close for the Hammers, who still manged to inch
above Arsenal into fourth place, despite the draw.
Best of the Match:
Man of the match: Brad Guzan – The Villa goalkeeper pulled off a number of
outstanding saves to deny West Ham.
Save of the match: Late substitute Andy Carroll was denied the winner from a
flying one-handed save by Guzan.
Moment of the match: Carl Jenkinson's point-blank header fell straight into
the grateful hands of the busy Brad Guzan between the Villa sticks.
Performer of the match: Stewart Downing - The winger celebrated his England
call-up with another virtuoso display in West Ham colours.
Stat of the match: The Hammers have won just five of the last 28 Premier
League meetings with the Villans (W5 D14 L9).
Talking point: Now that Villa have stopped the rot after six consecutive
league defeats can they push on? Will West Ham be happy with a point?
Gabby Agbonlahor and Andy Weimann posed a threat for Paul Lambert's side as
they finally ended their losing streak since winning at Liverpool in
mid-September to pick up a valuable share of the spoils. Villa had set
themselves up to be hard to break down, while also offering a forward threat
through Weimann and Charles N'Zogbia, supported by Agbonlahor, who came in
for Christian Benteke, the Belgian starting a three-match ban after his red
card against Spurs. The former England man darted into the West Ham box past
James Collins, but then lifted his shot over the crossbar.
At the other end, the Irons defender then sent a powerful header goalwards
from a corner, which was straight at a grateful Guzan.
West Ham maintained the pressure as the quarter-hour mark approached, but
then almost hit the self-destruct button on 18 minutes as Winston Reid
overhit a backpass, which goalkeeper Adrian mis-controlled and the ball
almost rolled inside the far post. It was then the turn of Guzan to enjoy a
slice of fortune as he came out to punch a highball into the box from Aaron
Cresswell, but clattered into Aly Cissokho as he challenged with Diafra
Sakho, the ball dropping wide. The American, though, showed good hands
moments later as he beat away a fierce, angled drive from Stewart Downing,
the one-time Villa midfielder just recalled to the England squad.
Villa remained dangerous on the break, and went close on 38 minutes.
N'Zogbia ghosted into the left side of the West Ham penalty area, and rolled
the ball back to Andreas Weimann, who moved inside before drilling a 15-yard
strike straight at Adrian. In first-half stoppage time, West Ham worked the
ball well from the right along the Villa penalty area out to Downing on the
left - but the midfielder could only skew his shot into the side netting.
Weimann threatened for Villa just after the restart, lifting a rising shot
over following more positive approach play from Agbonlahor.
Allardyce sent on captain Kevin Nolan after 65 minutes, replacing Cheikhou
Kouyate. Tempers were rising, with Villa midfielder Tom Cleverley booked for
clattering into Diafra Sakho, fit again following a shoulder injury, before
Weimann was shown a yellow card for dissent. Adrian was alert to kick the
ball away after Nolan's clearance ricocheted back into the six-yard box.
West Ham broke away down the right on 78 minutes through substitute Carlton
Cole, who chipped the ball across to Sakho waiting on the penalty spot, but
the usually clinical Senegal forward dropped a header wide.
There was a stoppage when Villa defender Nathan Baker went down in his own
penalty area after clattering into Cole, with referee Jon Moss awarding a
free-kick against the West Ham striker - much to the frustrations of home
players and fans alike. The injury, though, was serious enough for the Villa
man to be carried off on a stretcher, replaced by Philippe Senderos. West
Ham looked for a winner, as full-back Carl Jenkinson headed straight at the
keeper, with Guzan then denying Carroll - back from an ankle injury - as he
palmed away a point-blank header from the England forward to earn Villa a
well-deserved point.
Charlie Nicholas' verdict
In the initial 20 minutes, Villa looked really nervous at the back and
managed to get away with a lot of situations but they gradually crept into
the game. The big problem for Villa is expressing themselves. They have got
to have better quality when they get the ball because it's hard enough to
get it. They had no Christian Benteke and Gabriel Agbonlahor never really
threatened much, but he should have scored in the first half. In the second
half they had great spells in the game.
West Ham made plenty of opportunities. Sakho didn't get many opportunities
until the final 20 minutes and Guzan had an absolutely outstanding day. It
was a thoroughly enjoyable 0-0, it really was. It was a very exciting game
with plenty of chances created and Aston Villa should take a lot of credit.
It was an enjoyable point for Paul Lambert, but Sam Allardyce will be
frustrated.
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Zarate becoming the Irons forgotten man
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 8, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
I came away from the game confused, entirely frustrated and annoyed that a
team that was there for the taking had been let off the hook!
Ok, I'm realistic enough to know it's not always gonna go for us but then I
looked at the stats which showed we had 21 shots at goal with five on
target whilst Villa had four on goal from 12. With the strike force we have
available that is disappointing and I was also a tad concerned at how we
allowed Villa to dictate for various periods particularly immediately after
the break. At one stage we really were at panic stations at the back against
a team that so far hasn't exactly shown itself to be the most potent force
in the division.
These though are small moans and we continue to play with panache and style
which is great and we are gonna win more than we lose.
However, one thing does concern me and his name is Mauro Zarate – a player
who looks ideally suited to the style of play we are currently employing.
Before anybody shouts about his availability I can assure you he's fit but
couldn't even make it onto a bench which was loaded up with the likes of
Carroll, Cole, O'Brien and Nolan. There have been whispers for a long time
that the player is not really Sam's cup of char but I couldn't help feeling
today that he would have been exactly the right individual to throw on as he
has the sort of ability which is required to open up defences such as
Villa's. Nolan or Zarate? It's not really and proper question is it? I fear
that the Argentinian could soon become the forgotten man of Upton Park as
many predicted at the outset of the season. And if that becomes the case it
really will be a very great shame!
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Sam: "That was Carroll's first pre-season game"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 8, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Andy Carroll will not be launched back into first time starts for about six
weeks! The injury-plagued striker returned to the fray today after another
long lay-off but manager Sam Allardyce isn't even tempted to shove him into
ma double quick return. He gave an emphatic 'no' when asked if the big
striker could start against Everton following the international break making
it clear it will be a long haul back for the club's record signing. He said:
"He ios now having his pre-season and the first outing was this afternoon
for just a few minutes. Like every other player his pre-season will take at
least six games and there will be no rushing him back into action."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Noble's gutted but loves the Carroll option
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 8, 2014 in Whispers
Clart & Hugh
Mark Noble declared himself "gutted" at failing to inflict a seventh
successive defeat on Aston Villa at Upton Park this afternoon.
He realised that most approached the game seeing it as a home banker but
said: "The Premier League is not like that. I'm gutted but at the same time
it was an important point. "We knew that Villa had some top players but we
thought they would come and sit in order to frustrate us. We could have had
three or four in the first half but it just wasn't to be." Noble though was
thrilled with Andy Carroll's return – albeit for just a few minutes at the
end – and said: "He's been out for a long time but he showed he can create
mayhem. "He could have had three goals in three minutes and is a fantastic
addition up front for us. He's good in the air and good on the floor – we
have a great front line of options."
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Allardye tells why Irons didn't win!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 8, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Sam Allardyce was disappointed to find Aston Villa keeper Brad Guzan in top
form as the Hammers failed to find the net in a goal-less draw against Aston
Villa. The Irons boss watched his team create a host of chancesbefore being
left to" respect the point." He said: We're disappointed given the amount of
chances of excellent quality we created but the keeper was in a fantastic
mood. It was unfortunate and disappointing for us to come out with just a
point." Allardyce then gave a litany of opportunities and setbacks which on
another day might have gone the way of the Irons. He said: "There was a
definite penalty on Alex Song and a handball which may have given us
another. Then one of theirs came off with injury when it was Carlton Cole
who had been fouled and that could have been another penalty. "We have
dominated in the latter stages and the first half was ours so it was all
very frustrating. I really thought the goal would come but then Guzan
produced a wonderful save near the end."
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