Hammers quartet entertain fans
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's disabled supporters enjoyed a good-humoured evening at the Boleyn Ground
19.11.2014
West Ham United's disabled supporters were treated to an entertaining evening at the Boleyn Ground on Tuesday, as assistant manager Neil McDonald, Club ambassador Tony Carr MBE and first-teamers Carlton Cole and Joey O'Brien took the floor at the latest fans' forum. The fans in attendance made the most of the opportunity to quiz the Hammers' coaching and playing staff on an excellent start to the season and the prospect of more of the same between now and the campaign's end. And while matters on the pitch naturally dominated proceedings, discussion also ranged from the popularity of James Collins' dressing room playlist to Academy graduate Jimmy Bullard's 'I'm a Celebrity' jungle diet!
Macca, meanwhile, spoke at length of the confidence in the camp and the positive impact of competition for places, and was only too glad to share his assessment of things with West Ham's loyal supporters. "It was really good fun," he told West Ham TV. "With the situation at the football club at the moment, it's on the up, everybody's enjoying themselves, everybody wants to hear a little bit of a story and hopefully we've entertained them. We've given them a little bit of information on how we're trying to do things, what's in the pipeline and I hope they've got something out of it, which is great."
Sentiments echoed by Hammers full-back Joey O'Brien, who had to field his fair share of testing questions too, and hoped the supporters had taken as much from the experience as he had. "That's part and parcel of why it's so good coming to these events, you don't know what you're going to be asked," he added. "You've got to be on your toes up there answering the questions! "It's really good coming to these events, the heartbeat of the football club is the fans and for us to come in and have a bit of a laugh and answer some questions, give them a bit of an insight into what we do behind the scenes, makes for a great event."
Elsewhere, Sanjay Chadha, a Season Ticket Holder in the Alpari Stand Lower, was impressed with the Hammers panel on the night, not least with the Club on the crest of a wave just now. "At the moment, because we are so exciting, because we are so positive, it vibrates throughout the fans and long may it continue," he said. "The trick now is for us to keep it up and maintain this vibrancy and this excitement. But the fans' forum in particular, is a very special time for the Club's disabled supporters "It was a chance for supporters that go week-in, week-out to get an insight into how the players and how the management structure is approaching the Premier League this season, particularly with the new attacking formation that we're playing. I think it's been a very positive evening, from the point of view of having someone like Tony Carr, right up to the players, and with the assistant manager, I think it was an all-round good representation of the team approach that we've had this year."
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FT: Dev Squad 2-1 Jong PSV
WHUFc.com
Coverage as the Dev Squad come from a goal down to beat Jong PSV 2-1
19.11.2014
DEVELOPMENT SQUAD v JONG PSV
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL CUP
BOLEYN GROUND
WEDNESDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2014
KICK-OFF: 7PM
REFEREE: ALAN YOUNG
FT: Dev Squad 2-1 Jong PSV
FT: The Hammers have done it. A superb performance to come back from a goal down to win 2-1. The best performance of the season by quite a margin. We'll have reaction for you shortly.
95: More great work from Mavila who has looked lively since coming on. He beats his man all ends up but the shot is tame.
94: Superb work from Mavila as he takes the ball the length of the pitch. He feels he should have a corner for his efforts but the ref rules it a goal kick.
93: Vloet misses a great opportunity in the final minutes. His shot from the edge of the box is skewed wide.
91: Another huge challenge from Pike. Mavila now has the ball in the corner. Last chance saloon for PSV.
90: Goalscorer Kieran Sadlier is replaced by Nathan Mavila. Sadlier deservedly gets a huge round of applause.
89: The Hammers have got the ball in the corner winding the clock down. Just a few minutes to go.
87: Alex Pike, making only his second U21 appearance, puts in a fantastic challenge to clear the danger.
85: Into the last few minutes here at the BG. The Hammers are ready for the final whistle but PSV haven't given up yet. Oxford his marshalling his side admirably. Final push needed.
83: Good opportunity for PSV as Vloet fires his free kick just wide.
81: Sam Westley is replaced by Alex Pike.
80: Huge let off for the Hammers as Nasha's stray sets up van Overbeek. The substitute really should score but Spiegel saves majestically. Nasha has his head in his hands even though the chance went begging. A lifeline for the Hammers.
78: Some tired legs beginning to show out there now.
77: Inch perfect tackle from Nasha on the edge of the box as Schaars was winding up to shoot. Nasha had to get the tackle right otherwise he would've been in serious trouble.
75: More good work from Lletget. He's held ball up fantastically well all evening. Great performance.
73: Smart save from Spiegel to deny Sanoh. The pressure is building. Can the Dev Squad hang on?
71: Substitution for the Hammers as Danny Whitehead is given a well deserved rest. He is replaced by Amos Nasha.
69: The game is getting a bit scrappy with a string of fouls. PSV are desperately pushing for an equaliser while the Hammers are trying to cling on to a valuable win.
65: Reece Oxford, tonight's captain, is on his haunches after having the wind knocked out of him by a shot. After a bit of treatment the defender is ok to continue.
62: Bywater gets the bend and accuracy right but it was just lacking enough power. Bertrams collects gratefully.
61: Free kick in a superb position for the Hammers. Whitehead was closing in on goal before being hauled down. This is a great chance.
58: Substitution for PSV as Elvio van Overbeek replaces goalscorer Andjelo Rudovic.
55: Free kick for PSV from distance. It looks as thoigh Vloet will shoot...And he does, he shapes up Ronaldo-esqe but the shot goes wide.
52: Going a goal down as woken PSV into life. Andrija Lukovic's had Spiegel beaten but his shot hits the post.
50: Bywater buys a foul off Tamata who clumsily bundles him to the floor. Clever work from the midfielder, he's been excellent all evening.
48: GOAL! 2-1! Kieran Sadlier wheels away in delight after slotting past Jesse Bertrams. An excellent ball from Lletget split the defence wide open.
46: We're back under way here at the Boleyn Ground. A fascinating 45 minutes ahead of us.
HT: Half-time here at the Boleyn Ground. A great team performance so far from the Dev Squad. They could, perhaps should, be ahead with some of the chances they've had.
45: More superb work from the Hammers this time from Sadlier. His shot from distance is swerving all over the place and Bertrams gets a finger to it and pushes it over.
44: Sanoh works it Vloet inside the box. The striker has looked hungry all night but Makasi is there is sweep up the danger.
42: Superb shot on the turn by Lletget which forces a wonderful save from Bertrams. Superb work from the American midfielder.
40: Sanoh tries his luck from long range however Spiegel see it from a long way and catches comfortably.
37: GOAL! 1-1! What a goal! Kieran Bywater smashes a shot on the edge of the into the top corner. Unstoppable. Game on!
33: Rai Vloet shoots from distance and it swerves and dips just in front of Spiegel. The big 'keeper does well to steer it out for a corner.
30: PSV are not happy at Oxford's challenge. It was hard but fair and referee rightly plays on. Seconds later Makasi rides a similar tackle from Clint Leemans.
26: A superb ball from Hermannsson sends Sanoh free down the wing. Pask does to cut the cross out. A flash of what the visitors can do.
22: Execellent play from Kieran Sadlier. He almost finishes the move he started after winning the ball off Menno Koch. Sadlier sprays the ball wide to Bywater who floats a cross to the back post. Marlow lays it to Sadlier who twists and turns in the box forcing a corner. Josh Pask's header fires agonizingly over the bar.
20: More good work from the Dev Squad as they push for an equaliser. Lletget's skillful turn wins him a corner which Ben Marlow connects to with a fierce half-volley whch goes wide of the right-hand post.
18: Moussa Sanoh gets down the right wing and drills a cross to the near post. A sliding block from Oxford cuts the ball out for a corner. The resulting corner is flicked over harmlessly.
15: Further pressure from the Hammers leads to an opportunity as Lletget closes the 'keepers clearance. He tries to connect to the rebound but the PSV defence scramble it away.
13: Patient build up play from the Hammers as they search for an equaliser. Eventually their pressure yields a free kick which Bywater lofts in. Goalkeeper Jesse Bertrams rises highest to collect calmly.
11: Moses Makasi takes a boot to face as he stoop for a header but the tenacious midfielder battles on.
8: The Hammers have responded well since going down. Danny Whitehead and Ben Marlow are looking to set up counter attacks but can't quite find the through ball.
5: PSV go close again as Vloet connects at the near post yet Spiegel produces a great reaction save from point blank range.
3: Not the start the Hammers had in mind. Andrija Lukovic holds the ball up and lays it off for Andjelo Rudovic to slot home. 0-1.
1: A stoppage in play almost immeditely as Abel Tamata is on the deck. Kieran Bywater's eagerness to press the ball got the better of him.
The teams are walking out onto the pitch. The Hammers led by captain Reece Oxford. Pre-match handshakes and coin toss complete and we are about to kick off!
Ten minutes to go until kick off. Both teams disappear down the tunnel for some final words of encouragement before we get started.
Both teams are out of the pitch warming up. The Hammers have been out for some time, both sides are doing intricate passing drills.
Jong PSV got their European campaign off to a great start by beating the Bilbao 1-0. Therefore the Dutch side will qualify for the knockout stages should they win tonight. On the overhand, the Hammers must get a result if they are to keep their European aspirations alive. The next fixture in the tournament is against Fulham on 8 December 2014 at Rush Green.
To bring you up to speed with the Premier League International Cup, this is the Hammers' second game of the tournament after narrowly losing 5-3 to Athletic Bilbao in a thrilling game at the Boleyn last month.
West Ham United: Spiegel (GK), Westley (Pike 81), Fanimo, Makasi, Pask, Oxford (c), Bywater, Marlow, Lletget, Whitehead (Nasha 71), Sadlier (Mavila 90)
Subs: Bogard, Tombides, Onariase, Gordon
Jong PSV: Bertrams (GK), Hermannsson, Kock, De Wijs, Tamata, Schaars, Sanoh, Leemans, Vloet, Lukovic (Rommens 65), Rudovic (van Overbeek 58)
Subs: Rommens, Loof, Heesakkers, van Overbeek, de la Paz
The teams are in! Starting with our visitors...
Just over an hour to go until kick off on a chilly night at the Boleyn Ground, we'll be bringing you the teams news very shortly...
Hello and welcome to live coverage of tonight's Barclays Premier Leaue International Cup match between West Ham United's Development squad and PSV Eindhoven's Jong PSV.
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Date set for Youth Cup tie
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's Under-18s will travel to Southampton for their FA Youth Cup tie on 9 December
19.11.2014
West Ham United's FA Youth Cup third round tie away at Southampton will be played at St Mary's Stadium on Tuesday 9 December, kick-off 7pm. Steve Potts' side will be looking to better their experience in this competition from last year, when Accrington Stanley ended their participation at this stage. The Hammers are currently third in the Barclays U18 Premier League South table, while Southampton are seven places worse off. West Ham enjoy a fine tradition in the FA Youth Cup, having lifted the trophy on three occasions - 1963, 1981 and 1999.
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Bankrupt keeper David James: Football memorabilia sold off
BBC.co.uk
Former England goalkeeper David James' football memorabilia has been auctioned off after the star went bankrupt. James, 44, who played for Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham, Manchester City and Portsmouth, was declared bankrupt in May despite earning around £20m. Signed shirts, shorts and balls were amongst the items sold by auctioneer Hilco at a sale registered in Kent. An England shirt the player wore in the Three Lions' 1-0 World Cup win over Argentina in 2002 fetched £672. A Liverpool FC goalkeeper's jersey worn during the Reds' 1995/96 season sold for more than £160 while a Portsmouth No 1 top James wore in 2008 went for £480. An England home kit signed by the team and a Portsmouth goalkeeper's jersey were among the items sold Hilco's Spencer Chapman said there had been "interest from around the world with more than 1,000 registrants across the 10-day sales period". "We've not really dealt with a sale on behalf of a sporting celebrity like this before and clearly that had added some value to the lots," he said. "Sports memorabilia is a very popular market and signed shirts are the kind of items you can't really put a price on, but there were also some very quirky lots in there too. "There were more than 1,800 vinyl records, DJ decks and a customised Vauxhall Astra van, which attracted a lot of interest and sold for a very reasonable price."
The lots also included a chainsaw, an exercise bicycle, a Korg synthesiser, a giant I Love NY mug sculpture and three flat screen televisions. The star, who now plays for and manages Kerala Blasters FC in the Indian Super League, won 53 England caps during a career that also saw spells at Watford, Bristol City and Bournemouth.
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Sakho sustains back injury
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 19th November 2014
By: Staff Writer
Diafra Sakho is out of Senegal's clash with Botswana in Dakar tonight - and a concern for this weekend's trip to Everton. The 24-year-old striker confirmed tonight that he had suffered a back injury ahead of the game, although further details are currently few and far between. Sakho - who has scored seven goals already this season for West Ham - missed out on the recent trip to Stoke with injury but was back the following week for the goalless draw with Aston Villa. Hammers fans will be hoping this latest stepback is no more serious, whilst Sakho will not be fully assessed until returning to England.
Diafra Sakho ✔ @iamdiafrasakho
Dear fans, unfortunately my back pain makes me unfit for the game I'm as devastated as you are, but i'll be back!
Thanks 4 your support!
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Essex boy
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 19th November 2014
By: Staff Writer
George Moncur has completed a permanent switch to Colchester United. Moncur, who has effectively been on trial with the Essex club since the beginning of the season put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half year contract yesterday, ending his long association with West Ham.
And the combative 21-year-old midfielder admitted that whilst he was sad to be leaving West Ham, he was equally excited by the challenge his move brings. "There is some sadness about leaving West Ham because I was there for a good few years and I had some great times there," he told cu-fc.com. "My Dad spent a few years there as well so I'll miss it, but I've got a new challenge in front of me now. "I have got to thank the people at West Ham, especially Nick Haycock and Ian Hendon who spent a lot of time with me and improved my game. I'm now looking forward to life with Colchester United and progressing my career."
Goerge's father John will no doubt be delighted at his son's move; speaking exclusively to the KUMB Podcast recently, Moncur Snr felt that a permanent move away from West Ham was the best scenario. "It's been a terrible year for him [George] after what happened at Nottingham Forest," he said. "I think it was unfair. I'm not bitter, but what happened there to the kids was ridiculous. "If you like a player and have high hopes for him you blood them into good teams, like all good clubs and managers do. Basically, that was just throwing them to the lions. So he's had to put up with that and all the stick they got."
Elliot Lee ✔ @ElliotLee9
Gutted to lose my best mate at the club! All the best to my bro @georgemonkz8 on his new chapter!Tear it up son!😪🔥⚽️
5:19 PM - 18 Nov 2014
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In form, out of position
KUMb.com
Filed: Tuesday, 18th November 2014
By: Staff Writer
Stewart Downing finally got his first start for England after nearly two years in the international wilderness - only to be hauled off at half time. Downing won a place back in Roy Hodgson's squad following a string of notable performances for West Ham this season at the tip of Sam Allardyce's 442 diamond formation, playing immediately behind the strikers. However his return to the international arena - in England's 3-1 win over Scotland at Celtic Park - was to last just 45 minutes after he was replaced by Adam Lallana at the break, having played the entire half in left midfield. Quite why manager Hodgson decided to re-introduce the in-form Downing only to play him away from his most effective position only the 67-year-old will know, but his choice of personnel proved effective enough as England strolled past the Scots in the first meeting between the two neighbours for nearly 15 years. England took the lead on 32 minutes when Arsenal's Oxlade-Chamberlain scored with a deft header. Minus Downing, England doubled their lead just 90 seconds after the restart through Wayne Rooney.
The hosts gave their supporters faint hopes of a comeback when Robertson scored seven minutes from time. However England - and Rooney - had other ideas and the Manchester United hitman restored England's two-goal advantage just two minutes later.
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WEST HAM: THE SEASON SO FAR
By Sean Whetstone 19 Nov 2014 at 09:30
West Ham till I Die
I was recently asked to complete a Q&A on West Ham's season so far with Turnstyle Football HERE
How would you summarise West Ham's season so far?
Fantastic! We are in fourth place, in a Champions League qualifying spot and three points behind the reigning Premier League champions Manchester City. We have had five wins and three hard-fought draws plus a narrow defeat at Old Trafford. It is a great start to the season considering we were in 16th place, one point off the relegation zone this time last year.
What has been the secret to Allardyce's early season success?
Simple, some great transfer buys over the summer together with a new style of playing. Last year we seemed to create a team around Andy Carroll with the sole purpose of knocking it up to him. When he wasn't available we had no Plan B. Playing Chelsea last year we used a false nine tactic to grind out a draw by parking the bus. This season we have two up front with Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia and Stewart Downing is in the form of his life in a new diamond formation.
Has Sam Allardyce won over his critics?
This is a difficult question to answer. We have all come a long way since the dark days of last season. The owners refused to be swayed by fan protests and stuck with their manager but they did insist on changes and bought extremely well in the transfer window as they took a greater control over the recruitment policy. It was never personal against Sam, just his style of play with no Plan B which annoyed many West Ham fans.
This season we look forward to the excitement of forthcoming matches. While the style of play and the results continue, who could have a problem with Sam? Whether he gets a new contract at the end of the season or leads us into the Olympic Stadium remains to be seen.
How would you rate the summer arrivals?
What Hammer couldn't be anything but delighted with our signings? Sakho cost £3.5m and has scored seven goals already although the deal with Metz can reportedly rise to £7m after 140 appearances. Aaron Cresswell was a £3.75m buy from the Championship which could raise to £7m. We've signed World Cup star Enner Valencia at £12m, Cheikhou Kouyate at £7m plus Carl Jenkinson and Alex Song on loan. Diego Poyet and Mauro Zarate are also useful additions to the squad. I haven't got a bad word to say about any of the new arrivals or transfer policy this season.
Which player has surprised you the most?
The obvious answer is Sakho. We all dreaded another Modibo Maiga so our hopes were not high but chairman David Sullivan had confidence in the striker after months of scouting and pushed through a deal at the expense of signing Connor Wickham. Our only problem now is keeping hold of him as I am sure he will attract interest from the poor performing so-called top six clubs in the January and summer transfer windows.
Honourable mentions need to go to Downing who has surprised many. He is like a new signing and the £6m we paid Liverpool seems a bargain now. Finally a mention must go to Cresswell. It is so hard to make the jump from the Championship but this guy has proved many doubters wrong. Not enough Championship players get the chance to play in the Premier league.
What is a realistic finish?
I have supported West Ham long enough to know not to get carried away with our early success and form, it is a long season. Injuries will take their toll and the bigger clubs have more quality in their squads to cope with this. A top four finish is completely unachievable, a top six has a remote outside chance but top eight is achievable. My prediction is a finish somewhere between seventh and ninth.
Has Andy Carroll still got a place in the team?
I think he showed against Aston Villa in his short substitute appearance that he can be an effective super sub whilst Valencia and Sakho are fit. He can be used to change a game and offer something different. It would be interesting to see him partner Sakho or Valencia for a whole game if one of them is injured or their form dips. I would hate to see Allardyce revert to Carroll as the lone striker and bang long balls up to him. Yes he is an expensive super sub, given his reported wages, but if we can afford him I would rather have him in our club than playing against us.
Are you confident Winston Reid will stay at the club and can you find a decent replacement?
It is looking increasing likely that Winston Reid will leave when his contract expires at the end of the season. He has been offered a new contract to stay but he appears unwilling to commit his long-term future to us. The situation reminds me of Matthew Upson, who thought he was bigger than West Ham and refused to sign a new contract. He is currently an un-used squad player at Leicester City following stints at Stoke and Brighton. Time will tell with Winston but he is free to sign a pre-contract with a foreign club from January.
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Room for one Morrison?
KUMb.com
Filed: Wednesday, 19th November 2014
By: Nicky Hawkins
It was the 6th of October 2013, we were 2-0 up and cruising at the Lane. Mo Diame gave the ball to Ravel Morrison just inside his own half. As he took the ball in his stride with close control, jinked in between two Tottenham defenders, accelerated away with a turn of pace into the box, then deftly dinked the ball over the oncoming Lloris, I was open jawed. The ball trickled in and Morrison wheeled away to celebrate. It drew comparisons immediately to an 18-year-old Michael Owen at the 1998 World Cup in France and the impact that goal had on the world.
I thought that was it; this was the point in this troubled youngster's career that highlights to everyone in England the potential this kid possesses. This is the goal that will prove that he is not just another over-hyped youngster and that the comparisons to a young Paul Scholes, by his former manager Alex Ferguson, were justified.
This was the coming of age, the day when he turned his life around, put all the troubles of the past behind him and realised he has a real shot at becoming a superstar! On that day, the kid had a real shot at being a wild card pick for the 2014 World Cup Finals.
Four days later, Morrison was in an England shirt scoring again - this time for the Under 21s. A video of an audacious volley scored in England training left me (and many others) salivating!
Fast forward to the present day and since then, Morrison has been involved in a half-hearted attempt at an on-pitch fight with Wilfred Zaha and had a couple of fall-outs with the manager. There have been pictures of him doing his best to pollute his lungs and another riding around in an open-top car wearing a rival's colours published in the papers.
Additionally there was a story linking him with a move to the doomed Fulham, which appeared to have been engineered by himself, his agent and René Meulensteen - something denied yet very, very suspicious. Oh - and a handful of deleted tweets criticising staff at the club.
Then there was a loan move to Queens Park Rangers in which Harry Redknapp, who has made a career of picking up cheap troubled footballers and turning seemingly-dead careers back into blossoming ones, has admitted that the kid is beyond help. Plus there was the small matter of an arrest on suspicion of domestic violence.
I cant help but to think that Ravel's skills clouded my judgement. His talent is undeniable, he is blessed, but unfortunately his attitude stinks to high heaven. He was a shining light at the beginning of last season, but a light always shines brightest in the dark.
This season a bunch of new signings have arrived, each shining as bright as the next, strengthening our squad in every department, and team spirit seems to be at an all time high. Could Ravel's style of play fit into our new found high tempo, attacking style of play?
Of course it could! His talent would shine once again, but sadly it's no coincidence that just as the new signings were arriving, Ravel was packing his bags for another stint in the Championship.
He is a bad apple and Big Sam, despite the owners backing the youngster, perhaps with the same clouded judgement as some of us fans had, recognises this and knew that West Ham is a better place without him around.
Sadly for Ravel - and even more so for his talent - I fear he has run out of chances at West Ham. He has overstepped the mark too many times for Big Sam's liking and with his contract rapidly coming to its end, unless a Christmas miracle occurs and he comes reborn as Mother Theresa, it will not be renewed.
It is with a heavy heart - and a huge slice of humble pie - that I agree that this would be best for all parties. Maybe he will get that move to Fulham after all...
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West Ham loan target described as 'anonymous and lazy' by his own fans
HITC
Olly Dawes
Borussia Dortmund fans don't appear to be fans of reported West Ham target Tim Vayrynen. Having picked up five wins from the first 11 games of the season, West Ham sit in fourth place in the Premier League, and will be looking to secure European football this season.
In order to do that, manager Sam Allardyce will need to bring in a couple more signings in January, despite snapping up a whole host of players this summer. Aaron Cresswell and Alex Song have impressed, but the star attractions from Allardyce's summer shopping trolley are strikers Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia. The duo have hit nine Premier League goals between them, yet despite impressing, it's believed that Allardyce is still in the market for another striker. Sunderland's Connor Wickham continues to be linked with the club, especially with Andy Carroll only just back from injury and question marks over the futures of Mauro Zarate and Carlton Cole. The latest name to be touted for a move to Upton Park is Borussia Dortmund youngster Tim Vayrynen, and a possible loan deal is on the cards. The 6ft 3in centre forward is one of the rising stars of Finnish football having hit 34 goals in 81 games for FC Honka, which earned him his big move to Dortmund earlier this year.
However, he's only spent time in the Dortmund second team, and as In Bed With Maradona assess their top 100 players - which Vayrynen was included in - they have received strong criticism for Vayrynen from Dortmund fans. "He has been used sparingly but when the chance to play has arrived the Dortmund fans we spoke to have been utterly scathing in their assessment: 'useless', 'anonymous', 'lazy', 'how can he be an international?", they write. He is just 21 so has time to learn and grow, but those comments from Dortmund fans is a big concern for Hammers fans, who may well be seeing the Finland international in claret and blue soon.
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Quiet January to signal growing status
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 19, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham's growing status as a "top club" will be reflected in the January window which is likely to be the quietest ever in the two Davids' time in the game. Unless injuries intervene it's highly unlikely that the club will buy or even loan anyone which is a signal of their growing status in the Premier League. A well placed source old ClaretandHugh: The two Davids have never failed to do business in January during their time at Birmingham and Upton Park. It's almost a given. "But such was the depth of their activity in the summer window we are looking very good across the squad. The big clubs rarely buy in January" "New arrivals remain a possibility as someone may go and a replacement would be needed and there's always the possibility of injuries in one position. "However, it has to be remembered that the entire wage budget is used, so unless somebody goes we don't have a wage budget for a replacement."
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Roy made Downing look like a fish out of water
Posted by Sean Whetstone on November 19, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
I felt incredibly sorry for Hammer Stewart Downing as I watched the match against Scotland last night – the poor guy looked like a fish out of water thanks to England manager Roy Hodgson.. Downing was played out of the position which has proved so fruitful this season for West Ham leaving the question as to why Hodgsen even bothered to start the guy. To add to his problems Stewart hadn't trained all week so lets cut him a load of slack. He looked lost at times and not knowing what was expected of him or what his role was supposed to be.
To a neutral he would have appeared as as outsider as the others England regulars celebrated the first half goal. I hope this appearance wasn't a token gesture by the manager in a bid to throw him a bone on the back of his amazing Premier League form. It was no surprise when Downing was replaced at half time by Adam Lallana. Some newspaper reports have suggested that Downing blew his second chance for England and that his first touch was inconsistent and he had poor control but I think his subdued performance was more to do with the non existent role he found himself in. Downing last played for England before last night in May 2012 in an England team that included past and present Hammers of Robert Green, Scott Parker, Andy Carroll and Jermain Defoe. That game against Norway was won 1-0. Let's hope it doesn't knock his club form for Saturday against Everton away.
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Young Irons floor the Dutch
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 19, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham Development squad came from behind to beat PSV Endhoven Jong 2-1 at Upton Park and in the Barclays Premier League International Cup match. The Hammers' were brilliant in their second game of the tournament afterlosing 5-3 to Athletic Bilbao in a thrilling game at the Boleyn last month. Jong PSV got their European campaign off to a great start by beating the Bilbao 1-0 and would have qualified for the knockout stages had they won this evening. But it was the Irons who got the result which kept their European ambitions alive. The next fixture in the tournament is against Fulham on 8 December 2014 at Rush Green. The Hammers got off to the worst possible start when after just three minutes the visitors scored after Andrija Lukovic held the ball up and laid it off for Andjelo Rudovic to slot home. But we were level after 37 minutes when Kieran Bywater ([pictured) smashed an unstoppable shot into the top corner before Kieran slotted past Jesse Bertrams after an excellent ball from Lletget split the defence wide open.
IRONS: Spiegel (GK), Westley (Pike 81), Fanimo, Makasi, Pask, Oxford (c), Bywater, Marlow, Lletget, Whitehead (Nasha 71), Sadlier (Mavila 90)
Subs: Bogard, Tombides, Onariase, Gordon
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Injury woes set to put squad to test
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 19, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
This isn't the way international breaks are supposed to work! Diafra Sakho tweets that he's out of tonight's international – just three days before a crucial clash at Everton and Winston Reid is likely to be missing until November 22 according to www.physioroom.com. We understand too that there are other injuries in the squad which were picked up in the games at Stoke and against Aston Villa and from which the unnamed players may or may not recover.
No names have been given to ClaretandHugh but it is very clear from the way the news was passed to us that there are some real concerns that we could be looking at a very different side for Goodison. Stewart Downing is an almost certain starter despite the bang he took with England but beyond that we are into guesswork. James Tomkins claims he is fit and Kouyate is available to cover in central defence should he be required – always assuming there are no injury problems sustained against Botswana. Much has been made of the depth of our squad this season. It seems we are about to find out a little too early just how good it is.
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Sakho injured and may miss Everton
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 19, 2014 in Whispers
Claret &hUgh
Diafra Sakho has pulled out of tonight's international between Senegal and Botswana and could be out of the weekend clash against Everton. The news came just half an hour after ClaretandHugh broke an exclusive story on a growing Hammers injury crisis in which we suggested Sakho had a problem. And within a few minutes Sakho tweeted news of the problem. We had written: "The most worrying rumour came this morning with the grapevine claiming Diafra Sakho was in a fitness race and if true that could put Andy Carroll into the frame earlier than expected. We were told: "We hope Diafra will be ok but we certainly expect Stewart Downing to be avaialable after his recent injury worries with England." A Hammers source repeated this evening that one or two players were struggling for fitness but declared: "We won't give up on Diafra. We remain hopeful. "But it's clear that Andy Carroll may get longer than was expected if things can't be sorted for Diafra in time."
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Senegal squad get the Irons habit
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 19, 2014 in Whispers
Clret & Hugh
We all know that Diafra Sakho and Chiekhou Kouyate are Hammers to their backbones! But the brilliant duo taking things to a whole new level whilst on international duty it seems as they indoctrinate their team mates into the Irons lifestyle. Senegal take on Botswana this evening and the question is will the line-up crossing their arms at the same time. As for the African Nations Cup, there's only one team any self respecting Hammer can support these days!
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