Daily WHUFC News - 22nd December 2014

Downing - 'It's a big win'
WHUFC.com
Midfielder thrilled to get Christmas programme off to the perfect start
21.12.2014

Stewart Downing was thrilled to get the festive season off to the perfect
start with victory over Leicester City on Saturday. The Hammers prevailed
2-0 after Downing's fourth goal of the season added to Andy Carroll's 24th
minute opener. Three points ensured Sam Allardyce's team would be spending
Christmas Day in the fop four of the Barclays Premier League and Downing is
loving the look of the league table at present. He explained: "It was a big
game for us on Saturday, with Chelsea and Arsenal coming up over the next
week. We needed to win on Saturday and it was difficult for us. "They made
it hard for us and it was frustrating for large periods, but in the end we
got the win and that's the main thing. "The goals came at good times. Andy's
killed them a little bit because they were passing it around and gaining
confidence. We weren't really at the races for the first 20 minutes, with
sloppy passing. "We had to come out for the second half, start well and get
the second goal. It was a good move that led to the goal, and we got the win
and another clean sheet as well, so we're happy."

Downing has, in just 16 league appearances this term, already eclipsed his
goal tally for the last three seasons combined and the 30-year-old is
delighted to have added that important string to his bow. "I was happy with
the goal," he continued. "It was a great knockdown from Sakho and that's
what I was trying to do in the game, get knockdowns from Andy and Sakho.
That was the only one that fell to me, so I was happy to score. "I just had
the sight of the keeper and thought 'hit it, why not?' It went in and the
game went flat for them after that. Even so, Adrian made some good saves and
overall we deserved the win. "I wanted to score more goals this year. Last
season was difficult for us, not just for me but for all the lads. Sometimes
we had to play without a striker, but this year we're free-flowing and we've
got goals coming from throughout the team. "That's a plus for the manager
because he's got options were he can chop and change. I'm happy with my
goal, but as long as the team's winning and we're all contributing then
that's the main thing."

West Ham now head into Christmas facing three vital league games against
Chelsea, Arsenal and West Bromwich Albion and Downing is glad that the
manager will likely have a full squad to choose from. He said: "We've got
pretty much a fully fit squad and that will be needed with two games so
quickly. I don't know if the manager will freshen it up, it will probably
depend on the results and how players are, but the squad will be needed.
"We've got a cup game in January too, so it's about keeping people fresh and
recovering for the games because we want to have a good start to the New
Year and stick in and around the European places. "Everyone will be talking
about us and asking can we keep it up. For us, the manager will keep on
stressing that we'll take each game as it comes. We weren't expected to be
in fourth, so there's no pressure on us really. We can just keep going but I
think the European places is a realistic target with the way we've been
playing. "January is a big month for us. We could lose a few of the boys to
the Africa Cup of Nations. We'll need to keep everyone fit and the lads who
come in will have to produce the form of the lads who have been playing.
"The strength-in-depth is really good and we've got quality for quality to
swap, so I'm confident we can stick around those places."

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McCallum up for the Cup
WHUFC.com
Development Squad striker Paul McCallum is raring to play against Newcastle
in the Cup
21.12.2014

West Ham United Development Squad striker Paul McCallum is relishing the
Premier League Cup Round of 16 tie with Newcastle United on Monday. McCallum
capped his return from a six month injury layoff with a brace against Fulham
in his first 45 minutes of competitive football this season. Speaking of his
excitement to be back playing for the Hammers, McCullam said: "To score
twice on my first game back was a bonus really, to be playing at all was
great. "To get 45 minutes under my belt was great, and hopefully they'll be
more soon. I was out for about six months with a stress fracture on my
spine. It was building up for a while and I was told in pre-season, it was
disappointing."

Despite the 21-year-old's best efforts, the Dev Squad's 3-2 defeat by the
Cottagers knocked them out the Premier League International Cup, a factor
the striker believes will give the Hammers an extra incentive to progress to
the quarter-finals. "There's something more in a cup game because everyone
wants to win a little bit more and get into the next round. In a cup game,
anyone can beat anyone on their day, hopefully we will on Monday. "I'm
looking forward to playing against Newcastle, I don't know that much about
them to be honest. Hopefully we'll go through to the next round of the cup."


Having missed the vast majority of the season, McCullam is eager to make up
for lost time: "I want to play as many games as I can. With the first team
doing so well, realistically my chances are limited so we'll see in January
whether a loan would be the best option. I just want to show everybody what
I know I'm capable of."

The Dev Squad play Newcastle United away at the Northumberland FA on Monday
with kick off at 1pm. In the New Year, the Dev Squad's next home match is
against Leicester City on Monday 5 January. Kick off that day is at 7pm at
Rush Green.

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Sam slams unreasonable demands
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 21st December 2014
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce has hit out at supporters' unrealistic demands almost a year
to the day since he faced calls for his dismissal. This time last year
Allardyce was fighting to stay in his job after a large minority of Hammers
fans called for his instant dismissal, following a run of poor results
(exacerbated by a crippling injury situation). Those same fans have been
proved wrong on almost every count since and the days of seeing banners
proclaiming 'Fat Sam Out!' are long gone. However the situation has clearly
left a sour taste in Big Sam's mouth, as he spoke out to condemn the demand
for instant gratification which is prevalant amongst modern day soccer fans.

"It was a period where we had to try and scrape through and get to the other
end," Allardyce told Goal on Sunday's Ben Shepherd and Chris Kamara. "We
also got to the semi final of the Capital One Cup but the players got no
credit for that at all. It didn't matter what we did, the players were
getting criticised. "The players felt it didn't matter what they did or how
they went about their job, so we just stuck together really. "Fans can't
keep asking football clubs to be instantly successful overnight and keep
signing seven, eight, nine players every year. That seems to be the norm
now. We've done well by settling them in, but how many managers have lost
their job by doing that? "Paolo Di Canio at Sunderland, he bought 11 in and
they didn't gel. Tottenham, they didn't gel and Liverpool haven't gelled so
everyone's asking what's going on. "Bringing so many new players into a
football club [at once] means a mammoth task to get the best of out them
instantly but everybody expects that - and that's why impatience stops
growth at football clubs. "It stops development and ultimately it stops
managers doing a good job at a football club because there's too many
sackings. Not in the Premier League this year but everywhere else they're
getting fired left, right and centre. There's such a lack of stability there
that stops sustainable success."

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Doneil Henry to boost defensive options
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 21st December 2014
By: Staff Writer

Canadian international Doneil Henry is poised to complete a move to West
Ham, subject to the approval of a work permit application.
The 21-year-old defender spent two spells on trial with West Ham last season
when he is said to have impressed Sam Allardyce and is expected to complete
a move to England imminently, according to Canadian sources. However there
appears to be one or two issues that may prove problematic. Firstly, Henry
may not fulfil the criteria for international players due to Canada's low
standing internationally.

And secondly, the appears to be some confusion as to which club holds the
player's registration; Toronto - for whom Henry still plays - were reported
to have sold the central defender to Cypriot side Apollon Limassol before
loaning him back, although for reasons unknown neither club would confirm
the transfer.

Former Toronto manager Ryan Nelsen spoke highly of the Ontario-born defender
recently. "He'll go to the top," he said. "I had to buy Sam Allardyce a
couple of bottles of red just to get him back, to tell you the truth. No
he'll go to the top, there's no question about that. He's got all the
tools."

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Allardyce on... Leicester City
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 21st December 2014
By: Staff Writer

Big Sam arrived for his post-match presser full of apologies for having kept
everybody waiting (he'd been otherwise engaged talking shop with Nigel
Pearson). Formalities out of the way, it was down to business as he
reflected on yet another home win...

Sam: Two quality finishes to get the points?

Yes. A very composed finish from Andy in a one-on-one. I was very pleased
that he put that in on the basis that he missed an easier chance before
that. He showed how quick he is over the ground; when he latched on to that
back pass there was a defender chasing him. He never allowed the defender to
get close to him which gave him the opportunity to score.

Our most creative and best player by far scored the second goal. His
outstanding contribution, on a consistent basis, has been a revelation for
us this season. The whole team is playing really well but Stewart crowned
off a very good performance again with another goal. That's two [goals] in
two [games] now and he's got four this season - I think he's our second
highest leading goalscorer. It's not only the goals he's scoring, it's all
the chances he creates for the rest of the players.

So, we've had a very good day. It's been difficult in terms of everybody
expecting us to win. Now everybody goes on because we have won and that
gives us a bit of a leeway for the next two that are coming up.

The last time West Ham were in the top four on Christmas Day they went on to
finish third, their highest ever league finish.

Did they really? Uh.. [laughs] I didn't want that question today, thank you
very much! We've sustained our position between sixth and fourth in recent
weeks over a considerable number of games. By the end of January we'll know
what we can possibly achieve.

Trying to stay where we are is an extremely difficult task because when you
win a game at the lower end [of the table] you move up three or four places.
If you win a game at this end and continue to win you rarely get too far
away from the other teams because they win as well. So it's about the
consistency of winning and that is what we've got to challenge ourselves to
try and do.

You can't afford to slip up too many times. If you've played well and you
don't win, you'll end up slipping away and out of that elite end of this
league. At the moment we're living with it, we're enjoying it and the
players, who have applied themselves magnificently all season, are reaping
the rewards.

You can sense in the stadium there's a real good feeling amongst everyone at
the moment?

So there should be! It's not often a team are breaking the barriers nobody
else expects them to. I think you should enjoy the time, you should enjoy
the moment and continue to enjoy it for as long as it lasts. Hopefully it'll
last for a good while yet.

We all get the negative and the down side of this league at times, when you
don't quite do as well and you lose a few games. So whilst it's going well,
really enjoy it - absorb the moment, be very positive and try to continue to
sustain the level that you're at.

It came across as a routine win and a comfortable win and yet your goalie
made three world class saves. A word about him?

Well that's what he's there for. When not being tested, or not too busy, the
concentration level of a goalkeeper is critical when needed.

I was listening to Gary Neville on Monday night football, which is my life
so I watch it every time I can. My wife's sick of it, but there you go.
[laughs] He did a piece on De Gea at Manchester United and because he's from
Spain there's a lot of similarities in how the pair of them keep goal. He's
made a couple of saves today, maybe three, that have been at exactly the
right time for us and managed to contribute to the victory we've got today.

I think it would have been a bit harsh had we not won this game today but
that would have been a possibility had he not saved those two, particularly
late on.

A word on Andy's goal? It was a fantastic finish, wasn't it.

Yes. He's match fit now at last isn't he, so I can't say he's not match fit
any more and I can't say we've got to wait for him to catch up. He's there;
you can see he's there. Everybody can see he's there.

I think him and Sakho will develop a good partnership. If it's not him and
Sakho, it might be Enner Valencia. If it's not Andy Carroll it might be
Valencia and Sakho, who did brilliantly before Andy got back. My options are
fabulous at this moment in time. It might be the reason, with Carlton Cole
and Mauro Zarate as well, that we've stayed where we are - because when they
do get in they know they're going to have to score and if they stop scoring,
they're not going to stay in.

That's the bottom line at the moment; we've got goalscorers all over the
field but those guys are scoring goals on a regular basis for us - including
Stewart Downing now. I think we're the fourth-highest goalscorers in the
Premier League which suits the position we're in and long may that continue.

How's James Tomkins and how concerned were you when Andy went into the
advertising boards?

Well I was extremely concerned when he slipped into the boards and we were
all relieved when he came out of there unscathed. It could have been a nasty
incident but that's probably down to his commitment, trying to win the ball
back for us at that particular time. We were glad to see he was okay.

Tomks has got a slight hamstring but that in the end it was precautionary to
bring him off in case he made one more sprint and that went to a serious
hamstring. It's not a serious one.

You know your players; do you feel they can maintain this momentum?

I hope so. Like I said, given the quality of goalscoring players we have
there's a possibility they can continue to turn games in our favour even
when we're perhaps not playing quite as well as we are at the moment. If
that's the case, we all know that if you're going to stay there it's about
winning games when you don't play that well.

I watched Manchester City beat Leicester - because we were playing them
today - and what a game Leicester gave them. Manchester City were quite
lucky to win that game and it was only the old stager, Frank Lampard, who
popped up as substitute to win them the game that day. Leicester had plenty
of chances to upset Man City but Manchester City won it.

That's what staying at this level is all about; not playing quite as well as
you have done previously but still winning games of football, with everybody
saying you didn't deserve to win. That doesn't really matter when you've won
it; that keeps you where you want to be.

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Sam Allardyce says finances restrict West Ham's top-four hopes
Boss outlines transfer plans on Goals on Sunday
Last Updated: 21/12/14 4:12pm
SSN

Speaking on Goals on Sunday, Sam Allardyce claimed a top-four finish for
West Ham is unlikely due to the financial power of other teams
West Ham's hopes over finishing in the top four are hampered by their
inability to compete financially with the Premier League's top sides, Sam
Allardyce told Goals on Sunday.

The Hammers are currently flying high in the Premier League, with their 2-0
home win over Leicester on Saturday maintaining their fourth-placed
position. "If we carry on the way we are, we're predicted a top-four finish.
But whether we will or whether we won't is another matter."

However, West Ham boss Allardyce warned it would not be easy for his team to
remain in the Champions League qualifying spots for the rest of the season,
as teams with bigger spending power are likely to step up their own
challenge. He did suggest, though, a top-six spot - which would secure a
shot at European football –- could be in West Ham's reach. "The top four in
the Premier League is very difficult to break into if you haven't got the
same spending power as them," said Allardyce. "Lots of us have lived on the
fringes in the past, I did the same at Bolton for the last two or three
years. To try and get there is something that would have been beyond the
club's owner's will at the time, for the spending power you need to fund for
it. "For us this season, it's just enjoying the position we're in and seeing
at the end in January whether we reset our own goals and say 'can we finish
in the top six, is it possible?' "If we carry on the way we are, we're
predicted a top-four finish. But whether we will or whether we won't is
another matter."

Asked about the prospect of strengthening his squad in the January transfer
window, Allardyce insisted he was happy with the players at his disposal -
but Financial Fair Play (FFP) restrictions prevent him from making too many
high-profile acquisitions anyway. Instead, he may look to offload one of his
players, should a top replacement become available. "Everybody has to
understand we are well into the second year of FFP so we are all in a much
more difficult position when every window comes, with the limit on spending
power, not just transfer fees but wages. And that's across the board now,"
he said. "When it comes to January, it's not about asking the owners to go
and find this amount of money or that amount of money, even if they wanted
to. They could perhaps do it but at the end of the season, they'd get a
hefty fine. We've got those restrictions.

Speaking on the Sunday Supplement, the Daily Telegraph's Paul Hayward says
he has been impressed with Sam Allardyce's team "So I'd say one top player,
if he became available, would be something we'd pursue - but someone may
have to leave to fund that. There's no point in bringing in anybody less
than a top player because what we've got now is top drawer at the minute.
We've got 22 players all fighting for places in the team and playing really,
really well. "I think we've covered all positions this year; we've never had
as many front men and we've changed the system so we don't need too many
wide men. The ones in the team at the minute keep the shirt but they know
they have to play their best because the ones waiting to take their place
are eager to do that. "At the moment the squad looks really tight, there's
good camaraderie - but if somebody came in January, that was an outstanding
player then yes."

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Young talented signing identified – The ExWHUemployee Column
By Liam Spencer on December 21, 2014 in ExWHUemployee column
Ironviews.com

I joked on my Twitter account that I wanted a league table for Christmas,
but the reality is I find myself using any spare moment to look at the
current standings on my smartphone. To be fourth going into Christmas really
is amazing. Of course we face two tough games now with the visit to Chelsea
and the home game against Arsenal and this will be a real test. I am pleased
that Chelsea will play their game tomorrow night so they will have less time
to recover – maybe they could pick up the odd knock and suspension to help
further. We should not fear Arsenal and if league position + form is
anything to go by we should be considered favourites.

A solid victory

The performance on Saturday wasn't our most impressive but we still got a
comfortable win in the end. I thought our forwards were a constant threat
and the more they play together the more this partnership can only get
better. Alex Song, as usual, controlled the midfield and is such a class
act. You can tell this by the fact that the opposition spent most of the
first half fouling him. I thought Winston Reid had one of his better games
recently and Adrian made three world class saves. The keeper has been
brilliant in recent months and his shot stopping has to be right up there
with some of the best in the league.

Henry could be joining soon

As I explained in last week's column, and has since been confirmed by Sam,
we will probably only sign younger players on a low wage if we sign anyone
in January, unless other players leave. I mentioned we would be signing
players that we could develop and this is the case with Doneil Henry – a
Canadian 21-year-old centre back. He has been on trial with us a couple of
times in the past and was recommended to Sam by his former player at
Blackburn, Ryan Nelsen, who manages Toronto. The player is 6 foot 2 and seen
as a potential long term replacement for the departing Winston Reid. The
main problem with the deal is whether he will secure a work permit and there
is some complications over his ownership as well. All in all this is the
sort of signing I think we should be going for, if the squad remains the
same we do not need many news players unsettling things. Henry is a player
with potential and will be unlikely to feature this year unless injuries say
otherwise.

We need a new centre back to cover which Henry will provide and I think we
need a new goalkeeper lined up to replace Jussi when he inevitably departs
at the end of the season. I would also like us to loan (if we cannot buy)
another midfielder. With Song and Kouyate potentially going to the African
Nations I think it leaves our midfield a little short. I am not a Nolan
hater like a lot on here but he really was our weakest link against
Leicester and I do not think we can rely on him for the whole of that
African Nations period. Our squad is strong; to think the likes of Jarvis,
Vaz Te, Demel and Poyet cannot make the bench shows our strength so we do
not need major purchases.

Merry Christmas!

I wrote a tweet saying which stories to not bother reading over and over
again and unfortunately there will be a lot of this over January. There
isn't likely to be many stories that are accurate regarding transfers, but
of course it is transfer news which gets retweets and visits to websites.
Whether they are accurate or not they will be reported over and over again.
This is not what I, or Liam at Iron Views, stand for. We try to report on
what we know has substance rather than to create interest without fact. I am
approaching almost two years on twitter now and have enjoyed interacting
with everyone a great deal. I would like to wish all Hammers reading this a
great Christmas and unless there is any breaking news before I shall write
the next column on Boxing Day, after our top of the table clash!

COYI

ExWHUemployee

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West Ham keeper: 'I'm just doing my job'
19:00 21 December 2014
Dave Evans
London24

Almost exactly a year ago, Spanish goalkeeper Adrian was given his first
league start for the Hammers at Old Trafford with West Ham sitting
perilously close to the relegation zone. Twelve months on and what a
difference in the Hammers. No longer strugglers, they sit fourth in the
Premier League table after their latest win over Leicester City and Adrian
has established himself as one of the most consistent keepers in the league.
Saturday's 2-0 win sounds like a routine one, but it was anything but in
reality as Adrian made one good save in the first half and then two superb
ones at the death as the visitors threatened to make a come back.

For the modest West Ham stopper though, it was just another day at the
office. "I made saves, but that is my job," said the 27-year-old who is
ever-present in the Premier League this season. "I am the keeper and against
Leicester I could help the team. We got the three points and the clean
sheet, which is very, very important to us."

Sounds simple when he says that, but it was far from it against a gallant
Leicester side who fought to the end. He had already tipped over a
first-half effort from Riyad Mahrez, but the real tests came in the last 10
minutes. First, he made a stunning stop from David Nugent's volley, then he
dived to his left to keep out a header from Leonardo Ulloa to keep the
visitors at bay and hold on to that precious clean sheet. "It was a good
moment for me because we did not want them to score in the last five
minutes, so it was important to keep them out. "It was a good save, but it
was just my job. I try every game to help the team and in this one I did
it."

So which of his three stops was his favourite? At last the Spaniard
elaborates. "I think the first one in the second half from Nugent, when it
came at me on the volley from close range, because I did not have time to
think, just to react," he explained. "I think that was the best save for me,
but all saves are difficult and all saves are good."

Cast your mind back to last January and that magnificent backs-to-the-wall
performance at Stamford Bridge, where Adrian helped the Hammers to keep a
clean sheet. West Ham go to Chelsea on Boxing Day and the keeper can't wait
to get back there. "Oh yes," he smiled. "I have a good memory of that game.
"This is a different match. Last season we were in the relegation zone, this
time we play at the top of the league. "I think it will be a good game for
us and a big game for the fans." West Ham go into that game sitting in the
Champions League positions. So does Adrian think they can stay up there? "We
are capable of that," he said. "We will play it game by game. "We don't
think too far into the future as to the position we want to be in, but we
are playing well and having some good times at the moment."

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Andy Carroll and Co are learning from Teddy Sheringham's experience, claims
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce
Sam Allardyce believes his West Ham strikers are learning well from former
frontman Teddy Sheringham
Sheringham has been putting on coaching session for the likes of Andy
Carroll during West Ham training
Allardyce claims Sheringham should take credit for club's form
By ASHLEY CLEMENTS FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 12:47, 21 December 2014 | UPDATED: 13:58, 21 December 2014

Sam Allardyce has revealed that his West Ham strikers are enjoying working
with retired frontman Teddy Sheringham. The Hammers boss, who employed
Sheringham as a coach during the summer, believes the former England
international is handing down invaluable insight to Andy Carroll and Co.
Allardyce told Sky Sports Goals on Sunday: 'He (Sheringham) is in for a
couple of days a week and the lads enjoy what he does. 'I like Teddy to talk
about the finer things a striker needs to do. We can all do things like
shooting practice, but passing his experience on in terms of when you're in
the box is what's important. 'If he talks to them about that. How are you
striking the ball, timing or runs - all that sort of stuff. The one on one
stuff is more important for him to give to them. When asked if Sheringham
has been important to West Ham's sensational start to the Premier League
season which has seen Allardyce's side storm into fourth spot after 17
games, the 60-year-old added he can't be the only to to take credit.
Allardyce said: Of course, Teddy has had an affect because every member of
staff has to take credit for what we have been doing this season.

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DG: "Downing is priceless to us"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 21, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

David Gold is vastly relieved that the Irons avoided a potential banana skin
in the form of Leicester City. The co chairman – like many fans – went into
the game a little nervously believing this was exactly the type of game
which could provide a slip-up. But he said: We were incredibly professional
whilst again not being at our best with Stewart Downing's goal "worth the
price of admission alone." He said: "There have been so many special
features to the season but the transformation of Stewart has been the most
amazing perhaps. He's turning into the best £5 million worth anybody could
imagine. How much is he worth now? Doesn't matter we'd never sell him! He's
priceless to us "But it's a little hard to process the fact that we bought
nine players and every one of them has lived up to or exceeded all
expectations. "Even on a day when we were down on our level of performance
we were more than good enough to get the job done in what was never going to
be an easy game."

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Raise your glasses – Boleyn peace at Christmas
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 21, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Let me quote you some stats before we go any further:

- four wins and a draw from the last five home games.
- one defeat in last 11, away to Everton.
- six wins and a draw from the last seven home games

A very happy Christmas to you all! The Boleyn is at peace in December –
Hallelujah! Miracles happen! Nobody could have dreamed of those stats at
the start of the season – they are figures we attach to the likes of Chelsea
and Manchester City and I have to rub my eyes every time I look at them. But
beyond the stats is the realisation when watching the team that we aren't
very likely to get beaten whatever the circumstances.

It's another extraordinary fact of life that a team which we gave up on this
time last year when they fell behind we now see as being at their most
dangerous.

If I'm totally honest I still can't quite process what's happened. Ok I
understand diamonds, two up and all the rest of it but that in itself is not
an explanation.

So perhaps the answer is much simpler. It's not about systems – it's about
players and between them Sam Allardyce and the board have led us to a place
where Christmas turkey will never have tasted so good.

There were plenty of moans when the Davids made it clear they were taking a
closer c0ntrol over incoming and outgoings players. It was widely
interpreted as being the first nail in Sam's coffin or at the very least…a
serious undermining of his position .

In fact it turned out to be nothing of the sort. Rather it was a top piece
of decision making by a board which is finally beginning to receive the
approval it thoroughly deserves.

I for one will be raising a glass to them, the manager and the players on
Christmas Day. It's been great and as a regular on our Christmas TV screens
will be saying again no doubt: "Can I have some more please."

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Dazed and confused Nolan has to go!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 21, 2014 in Whispers
Harry Sherlock

Harry Sherlock of Goal.com is becoming a Boleyn regular this season and
following yesterday's game against Leicester City takes a look at the
growing problem he believes West Ham are struggling with – the all too
regular appearances of Kevin Nolan. He writes that everything we are
achieving is being managed with 10 men and reckons pour Euro chances will be
handicapped by the player's constant involvement.

In amongst the superb results, amazing league position and often outstanding
football , there has been something quite remarkable about West Ham's season
to date. They have beaten the champions, strung together a five-match
unbeaten run and are firmly entrenched in the top four ahead of the busy
festive period. And all this has been achieved while playing with 10 men.

Kevin Nolan, while not quite the 'captain, leader, legend' figure that many
may have expected him to become, appears to be indispensable under Sam
Allardyce. Yet on Saturday and in several other games this season he turns
in performances bereft of inspiration. Against Leicester City on Saturday he
was a passenger as the Hammers picked up a comfortable three points against
the Foxes relegation fodder.

Where Stewart Downing zipped from side-to-side, occasionally dropping deep,
and scored a brilliant goal, Nolan appeared dazed and somewhat confused.

It is not like Allardyce doesn't have other options; Mauro Zarate continues
to sit on the bench following his summer arrival, while Morgan Amalfitano
has also seen his role diminish after a fluid start. And yet one can't help
but feel the Argentine would be a better option.

It is clear that Nolan prefers to play as an attacking midfielder, off the
striker, even if that means disrupting Downing's rhythm, yet Zarate is a
specialist in that position, as evidenced by his superb performance against
QPR earlier this season. But it is Nolan who has appeared 13 times this
season accumulating 616 minutes on the pitch whilst Zarate has 415 minutes
to his name, from seven appearances.

That Nolan is a manager's favourite should come as no surprise; he appears
almost to be the son Allardyce wished he'd had, and the relationship between
the two was the fulcrum of the Hammers' title charge when they dropped into
the Championship. Nolan was inspirational as the Hammers recovered.

But, much like a similar player of his ilk, Scott Parker, Nolan's legs have
begun to go. He is an impact player but that is nullified when he starts..
He thrives on arriving late into the box and smashing a shot at goal as
defences fail to track him when they begin to tire. This then is the
dilemma.

While Nolan is still a good player – he remains the captain of a Premier
League club, after all – he cannot be allowed to dictate the destiny of the
Hammers' European tilt. At 32 he is no longer the match-changing No.10 he
once was; he has created just six chances this term and, despite scoring
once, has provided only one assist.

Even if he were to drop deep – as Steven Gerrard did so successfully as
Liverpool chased an unlikely Premier League victory in 2013-14 – the
statistics suggest he would still struggle. He wins just 36% of his duels
and his immobility would leave Winston Reid and James Tomkins stranded were
he to be bypassed in midfield.

In 200 less minutes, Zarate has provided the same number of assists as
Nolan, but has scored twice, whilst creating one more chance. Where Nolan's
goal came with his head, Zarate's two have come with both feet. A dynamic,
explosive presence, Zarate, at 27, has a point to prove in the Premier
League and has impressed when appearing this season. Not an out-and-out
striker, he supplements the significant, pacey threats of Diafra Sakho and
Enner Valencia and also provides a willing runner for Andy Carroll. Though
not perfect – he has conceded 10 fouls to Nolan's six – Zarate is the kind
of player West Ham fans crave.

Truly two-footed, his dribbling ability is remarkable and to see him play is
to be reminded of Carlos Tevez – his low centre of gravity offers defenders
an option to either scythe him down or be fooled by his trickery. Nolan
offers none of that. While previously a fan favourite, the Upton Park crowd
is turning. Throughout the 2-0 win over Leicester yesterday there were
vociferous cries for Nolan to be replaced.

For West Ham's sake, those supporters must hope that Allardyce swiftly
rescinds his head boy's starting spot. Zarate is the better option and, if
the Hammers are to continue their top-four tilt, a change must be made
sooner rather than later.

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Irons confirm interest in African
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 21, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham have this afternoon confirmed their interest in a January loan deal
which would see hardman Senegalese Stephane Badji. The club will try to
bring the 24 year old in on a loan with an option to buy at the end of the
season when he would join fellow Senegal international Diafra Sakho and
Cheik Kouyate. A Hammers source revealed to ClaretandHugh: We would be
interested in doing a loan deal with an option to buy and it wouldn't be
expensive."

Like Diafra Sakho and Cheik Kouyate, Badji is set to play in the African
Nations Cup and the midfielder is seen as a player to reinforce an area
where Alex Song's future is still open to question. Badji plays for Brann
Bergen in Norway and is believed to be keen to get his future sorted out
before leaving for Africa.

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DG hoists a Ravel olive branch
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 21, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

David Gold has told Ravel Morrison he could have a West Ham future but it's
entirely in his own hands. The co chairman refuses to accept the
midfielder's Irons career is definitely over and in an exclusive interview
with ClaretandHugh has given his reasons why. He said: Things are the same
as they always have been and what people need to know is that Ravel is a
hugely talented footballer who at his best can be a great player at any
club. We'd love that to be West Ham. "Everybody wants the boy to be a
success. He has his history of course but it's not too late. He has the rest
of the season to show that he can settle down and is ready to kick on with
us. "He really is a very nice kid. People have the idea that he has problems
but he isn't a drinker or a guy who goes to night clubs. At heart he's a
really really nice person and I want to see him settle down and fulfill his
amazing potential. "It was only a year ago we were talking about him as a
World Cup possible. He's 21 and thinks he will never be 35 but it happens so
quickly and I'd hate him to look back on what might have been. "However,
it's entirely down to him. Everything is in his hands. He needs
determination, courage and focus. It's still all out there for him."

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