Daily WHUFC News - 17th January 2015

Alpari (UK) Limited statement
WHUFC.com
West Ham United has issued a statement in relation to Alpari (UK) Limited's
situation
16.01.2015

West Ham United has enjoyed a good working relationship with Alpari (UK)
Limited since 2011 and is therefore saddened by today's news that it has
entered into insolvency. The Club would like to offer its sympathies to any
Alpari staff affected by the announcement, particularly those that have
worked closely with us over the past few years.

The Board would like to reassure supporters that Alpari (UK) Limited's
situation will have no impact on West Ham United. The Club remains in a
strong financial position and just last month published accounts showing
record revenues and a group profit of £10.3m before tax.
The Club has received huge interest and is already in advanced discussions
with potential new shirt sponsors for next year.

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Chadwell Chatter
WHUFC.com
James Collins blogs for whufc.com on the excitement of Tuesday and Sunday's
game against Hull
16.01.2015

Hello everyone,

Tuesday was a great game to be involved in. It was a typical FA Cup game
which you saw a lot when I was growing up, but not so much anymore. To be
involved in one at Upton Park was great and to get the win after penalties
made it extra-special. I'm not good at watching penalties, even when Nobes
takes them in normal play I don't tend to look at them because I do get a
bit nervous, but I had every faith in the lads. Adrian's very good at saving
penalties and he showed that he can score them as well. The boys who took
them, all took them very well under such pressure. I would never have had
Stewart Downing to miss, I think I said at the time I would have had my life
on him, but we got through and everyone who stepped up did very well. The
changing room was buzzing after the game and the Gaffer said going into
extra-time that we've come so far that to go out would be a real shame. We
had to dig in with them going 2-1 up, but we've had a good couple of days of
recovery and we're looking forward to Hull now.

I wasn't going to play on Tuesday initially as I was suffering with a little
calf injury from Swansea, but with Winston being injured we had a few
discussions with the medical staff and the Gaffer and we decided to give it
a go. Luckily it was the right decision because I've come through it
unscathed and it's okay now to go for the weekend. I was happy with the way
I played, although he did score again. Lukaku's got a great record against
us and it was a shame when he did score because we spoke about it
beforehand. Sunday is a massive game for us. I think they're struggling with
a few injuries but we're looking strong and with the crowd behind us we'll
be looking to get the three points with a good performance.

We'll be looking to get back to winning ways in the league and hopefully the
confidence we'll take from Tuesday will help us do that.
See you on Sunday

Ginge

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Big Sam on: Hull City
WHUFC.com
The manager speaks to the press ahead of Sunday's game against Hull City
16.01.2015

Sam Allardyce is expecting a stern examination of his side's credentials
from Hull City on Sunday, despite the Tigers' struggles this season. The
Hammers battled out a 2-2 draw at the KC Stadium in September, but this time
Big Sam has his eyes firmly on three points this time. He faced the media in
his weekly press conference on Friday, answering questions on Hull, injury
news and more.

On Sunday's game, what are you expecting from Hull? They've lost a couple of
strikers to injury, how do you think they will set out their stall?

SA: "It's difficult to say at the moment because when a team is struggling
and when you've got so many injuries, you try different ways of playing with
the players you have available. I'm not so sure whether Steve will favour a
back three or a back four, we'll have to wait and see. "He's had some great
success with a back three, especially last season, and away from home it can
be difficult to break down, so perhaps that might be the way he goes. Based
on the players he has available and the injuries, we're not so sure which
way he'll go but as always, even though they're struggling, like any Premier
League game it'll be a difficult football match. "I think he'll be very
disappointed that last week he went to West Brom and a silly back pass to
the goalkeeper has cost him the game, otherwise he would have got a precious
point. It shows how difficult they will be to break down and defeat."

Sam, it's been a little while since you've won a league game. Is that a
concern?

SA: "It is. I think it's our lack of defensive unity or whatever you want to
call it, but we've lost our clean sheet ratio. We've been free-scoring and
right at the top end in the goals we've scored, but we've only got four
clean sheets and because of that it's cost us the 1-0 wins you look for when
the games are tight. We've been leading against West Brom, we've been
leading against Swansea and you'd have expected at least one of those would
have ended in a 1-0 victory. "If we're going to start winning football
matches again, we can't rely on needing to score more than once. It's the
difference between us and Southampton - they've got eleven clean sheets but
we only have four."

Is a home match against Hull one of those games you look at and say you
should be winning?

SA: "You always target the teams below you to do our very best to try and
win, and if you can't make sure you don't lose. At this moment in time the
only team we've lost to under us is Everton. Hopefully by the end of Sunday
that will be the same, and we would have gained hopefully three points.
"Everyone expects us to win because of how well we're playing at home, but
the Premier League is very unpredictable and if at any stage we're not at
100 per cent top form it will be difficult to beat Hull."

You were without Winston Reid on Tuesday, is he available?

SA: "Winston and Guy Demel have started light training so at the moment it
looks like they have a chance of being available and I'll know more tomorrow
morning."

When you saw James Tomkins and Mark Noble have their disagreement on
Tuesday, secretly deep down do you like that as a manager as it shows how
much they care?

SA: "I think you have to be careful in today's world, where people frown
upon something which, let's face it, was just a scuffle. If it was in rugby
it would be laughable, but in football it goes almost as far as should they
get banned? "It was a disagreement between two players, the emotion of the
evening was very high and they had a little bit of a scuffle. They are two
lads who have grown up together at West Ham, are West Ham through and
through and that'll be the end of it. They've probably had a laugh and a
joke about it the last couple of days."

Everyone goes transfer-mad this month. Are there any updates on Winston
Reid's situation?

SA: "I've had no conversation with the Chairmen regarding any progress on
that one way or another, so his situation stays the same."

Who would you have voted for in the Ballon D'Or?

SA: "I think I probably would have voted for Ronaldo. It was nice to see
Neuer nominated and I wouldn't have been too disappointed had he won it
based on a goalkeeper rarely has the chance to win it. He had such a great
year, as the ultimate goalkeeper. He's an outfield player outside the box
and he's an unbelievable goalkeeper when he's inside his penalty area."

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Cullen: "It's great to be back"
WHUFc.com
Development Squad midfielder Josh Cullen was delighted to return to action
against Everton
16.01.2015

West Ham United Development Squad midfielder Josh Cullen said it was good to
be back playing again after several months out due to a serious ankle
injury. The 2-0 defeat by Everton was the 18-year-old's first game since
picking up the injury against Fulham in September.
The Blues secured the victory with second half goals from Conor McAleny and
Callum Connolly. Speaking after the match, Cullen said: "It's a great
feeling to be back playing. It's a shame about the result but for me
personally I've spent a lot of time in the gym getting back to fitness. It's
a positive to get 30 minutes under my belt and come through it without any
problems. "My ankle felt ok, I've been training properly for about a week
and a half now. To be back in the squad and playing felt good."

Cullen came on in place of fellow midfielder Kieran Bywater who was replaced
after being on the end of a hefty challenge. Prior to his ankle injury,
Cullen, the Republic of Ireland U18 international, had started every game
for the Dev Squad. "Obviously everyone is down. The message at half time was
to try and keep a clean sheet but we came out and conceded early on which
made it difficult. They came on strong and made the most of the wind which
made it very difficult for us. "Everton are a good side, every time I've
played them they've been decent. They played well in the second half, I
think they used the wind better than we did. Their first goal is a shot from
range which the wind has got behind and it flies in. I think had we been on
our game we would have won."

Up next for the Dev Squad is a tough home game against Chelsea at Rush Green
on Friday 23 January. Looking ahead to the London derby, Cullen said:
"Chelsea are one of the best sides in the country, and it'll be one of the
toughest games we play all season. But there's not a better game to go out
and get a result because that will give us a lot of confidence. If we do
that, then things will change."

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Westley disappointed with defeat
WHUFc.com
Academy Director Terry Westley was disappointed with the Dev Squad's 2-0
defeat
15.01.2015

West Ham United Academy Director Terry Westley was disappointed with the
Development Squad's performances as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat away at
Everton on Thursday 15 January. In a goalless first half, the Dev Squad
started the stronger yet they couldn't find a way through a resolute Everton
backline. Striker Conor McAleny opened the scoring for the Blues on 50
minutes as his shot from the edge of the box beat West Ham goalkeeper
Raphael Spiegel. The victory was sealed just a few minutes later as Callum
Connolly's shot was adjudged to have gone over the line despite replays
suggesting otherwise. Speaking after the game, Westley said: "It was a tough
game, it was made even harder by the conditions. Everton are never easy to
play against, especially away from home. "They are a strong side and the
conditions made it even harder. That's not an excuse as they had to deal
with the same conditions but we had to be more competitive. "The second goal
was disappointing because at 1-0 you are always in it. For their second goal
the linesman has said it was over the line, after looking at the DVD you can
see it's not over the line. "Putting that to one side, collectively and
individually we haven't done enough tonight. You have to be competitive to
make a living in this game, you have to show real commitment and desire.
Those are the things that should be guaranteed every time we walk out onto
the pitch. For the first time tonight I didn't feel we got that."

Despite the result there were several positives for the Hammers including
midfielder Josh Cullen's return to action after several months out with an
ankle injury. Another plus was new signing Doneil Henry who impressed in his
first 65 minutes in a Claret and Blues shirt. As Westley continued: "On the
positives, Elliot Lee played 65 minutes. Doneil Henry played at the back for
the first time for us and Josh Cullen has come back into the team."

The Dev Squad's next game is at home to Chelsea on Friday 23 January, kick
off is 7pm at Rush Green.

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West Ham v Hull
KO 13:30
West Ham goalkeeper Adrian
16 January 2015
By Steve Wilson
BBC Match of the Day commentator

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Upton Park Date: Sunday, 18 January

TEAM NEWS

Alex Song overcame illness to play in West Ham's FA Cup win over Everton and
is set to return to league action. Winston Reid and Guy Demel are back in
training after injury and could be involved on Sunday.

Hull are hopeful of having Gaston Ramirez and Sone Aluko fit to play, with
the pair returning to training on Friday morning. Abel Hernandez and Nikica
Jelavic both limped off during last week's defeat by West Brom and face
lengthy spells out.

MATCH PREVIEW

It could have been worse, Adrian might have lofted his penalty over the bar
and West Ham could have lost, but two hours of thrilling cup football and a
shoot-out against Everton is not ideal preparation for a Premier League game
which the Hammers will feel they should win.
They're due a win too; that penalty shoot-out success is the Hammers' only
victory since Christmas. Defeats against Chelsea and Arsenal were hardly
unexpected, but taking only two points from games against West Brom and
Swansea is disappointing for a side whose aspirations have been completely
transformed. This time 12 months ago Sam Allardyce was the object of
derision from West Ham fans after cup thrashings at the hands of Nottingham
Forest and Manchester City and the owners deserve credit for not bowing to
the intense pressure to sack him. Their reward has been a much better brand
of football and a genuine push for European football, which they last
experienced at the Boleyn Ground in 2006. "Injuries to Nikica Jelavic and
Abel Hernandez mean Hull are short of strikers. The Tigers will still be
very competitive but you cannot see where their goals are going to come from
without that pair."

Hull's first ever European adventure seems a long time ago now. The Tigers
defeat over two legs to Belgian side Lokeren has set the tone for an
immensely disappointing campaign so far. Abel Hernandez, Mohamed Diame,
Gaston Ramirez, Hatem Ben Arfa, Robert Snodgrass and Thomas Ince were all
signings designed to make Hull an attacking force to be reckoned with. It
hasn't worked, with Hull failing to score in ten of their last 14 games in
league and cup. Ben Arfa has left, Ramirez has played 90 minutes only once,
Diame and Snodgrass are injured, Ince has been out on loan and Hernandez has
faltered and now got injured after a bright start. Throw in an injury to
Nikica Jelavic and suddenly Hull are looking terribly vulnerable. This is
all very hard on Steve Bruce, who guided Hull from the Championship to the
top flight and the FA Cup final, but that's football. Like Allardyce a year
ago, Bruce is a manager hoping his bosses have nerves of steel.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
West Ham have won the last five league meetings at Upton Park.
Hull have recorded just a single victory in the last eight encounters home
and away.
West Ham United
West Ham are winless in four league games (D2, L2), having won four of the
previous five.
The Hammers have taken the lead in each of their last four league and cup
games but failed to win any of them (excluding a penalty shootout).
They have kept just one clean sheet in their last eight Premier League
matches.
Stewart Downing has been involved in as many Premier League goals this
season (11 - four goals and seven assists) as he managed in his previous
three campaigns combined.
Hull City
Hull will be without their top three scorers this season, with Nikica
Jelavic (6), Mohamed Diame (4) and Abel Hernandez (3) all out injured.
Defender James Chester (2) is the next top scorer.
The Tigers have recorded just two victories in their last 14 league games
(D4, L8).
They have never scored a Premier League away goal in January, losing seven
of eight games on the road in that month.

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Alpari UK currency broker folds over Swiss franc turmoil
BBC.co.uk

West Ham football club sponsor and currency broker Alpari has shut its UK
arm following the Swiss National Bank's decision to end its capping of the
Swiss franc against the euro. The foreign exchange broker said in a
statement that the move had created "exceptional volatility and extreme lack
of liquidity". As a result, the majority of Alpari clients had "sustained
losses". The euro rose 1.2% on Friday to buy 0.9869 Swiss francs. Thursday's
euro-franc close was 0.9755, well above its lowest point of 0.85 following
the sudden removal of the cap. "Where a client cannot cover this loss, it is
passed on to us," it said. "This has forced Alpari (UK) Limited to confirm
today that it has entered into insolvency." The Financial Conduct Authority
said it was "working closely" with the company. West Ham said Alpari's
collapse would not affect the club, which was in talks with potential new
shirt sponsors for next year. The SNB shocked markets on Thursday by
reversing a three-year-old policy. The bank had previously capped the value
of the franc at 1.20 per euro.

FXCM shares suspended
At one point on Thursday, following the decision to abandon the cap, the
franc soared more than 30% against the euro. Derek Halpenny, a currency
strategist at Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, described the currency move as
"unprecedented". The euro regained some ground on Friday, rising 2.5% to
1.01 francs. Alpari, which signed a £3m, three-year deal with West Ham in
2013, is one of a number of companies to be affected by the volatility
caused by the SNB's action. Shares in US forex trading group FXCM were
suspended shortly before trading began in New York on Friday after the stock
plunged by 90% in pre-market dealing. FXCM said on Thursday it might not be
able to meet certain regulatory capital requirements due to "unprecedented
volatility" after clients suffered losses of $225m. The US market regulator,
the National Futures Association, said it was in "constant contact" with
FXCM. "We've been watching the volatility in light of the activities that
occurred early yesterday morning, so we are monitoring all of our firms," a
NFA spokesperson said.

The Swiss National Bank's decision on Thursday to abandon attempts to fix
the Swiss Franc against the euro resulted in the "Swissie" rising by 30%. It
was probably the largest one-day movement by a major currency since the
First World War. The reasoning for the move were fears that the eurozone
will soon start printing money. That is almost certain to cut the value of
the euro and boost that of safe haven currencies, such as the franc. In
short, the Swiss could no longer afford to hold the line. The consequences
are just beginning to be felt. Alpari, one foreign exchange broker, has gone
bust, while another has lost £30m. Yet it is the Swiss who have lost most,
as the cost of their exports will now soar. If you were thinking of treating
yourself to a nice Swiss watch for the new year, you might want to check
your bank balance first. It is likely to be 15% more expensive than it was
on Wednesday.

New Zealand foreign exchange dealer Global Brokers NZ was also forced to
close due to hefty losses incurred from the currency turmoil.
Following the closure, New Zealand's Financial Market Authority said it
would "be seeking assurances that the client funds have been protected and
segregated." Other forex companies also suffered losses. IG Index said it
would lose some £30m following the turmoil. CMC Markets also recorded
losses, but chief executive Peter Cruddas said the overall impact had not
materially affected the group. "It's business as usual," he said.

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Alpari enters insolvency, West Ham lose another sponsor
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 16th January 2015
By: Staff Writer

One of West Ham United's key financial partners, Alpari (UK), has entered
into insolvency following an unexpected surge on the Swiss Franc. It was
revealed on the KUMB Forum this morning that huge losses sustained by the FX
trader within the last 24 hours has caused the firm to file for insolvency.
A statement released later in the morning on the company's website confrimed
the news. "The recent move on the Swiss franc caused by the Swiss National
Bank's unexpected policy reversal of capping the Swiss franc against the
euro has resulted in exceptional volatility and extreme lack of liquidity,"
it read. "This has resulted in the majority of clients sustaining losses
which has exceeded their account equity. Where a client cannot cover this
loss, it is passed on to us. "This has forced Alpari (UK) Limited to
confirm today, 16/01/15, that it has entered into insolvency. Retail client
funds continue to be segregated in accordance with FCA rules."

Hundreds of millions of pounds of losses were incurred in the financial
markets yesterday. KUMB member Iron George, who works as a trader, said: "It
was totally bonkers yesterday - the busiest five hours I can remember in my
31 years in this game." Yesterday the Euro, to which the Swiss Franc was
previously linked, sustained a major fall in relative value. This led the
Swiss National Bank to 'decouple' itself from the currency, which
subsequently led to the Franc soaring in value - a decision Alpari Chief
Market Analyst James Hughes described as "irresponsible".

Whilst that in itself was great news for those holding Swiss Francs, it was
the opposite scenario for traders who has previously purchased future
options to sell the currency at it's old rate. For Alpari, who are
resposible for its clients debts, this meant curtains.

Or, as in the words of another trader posting on KUMB this morning:
"Basically people had taken a punt and lost big time. " The immediate effect
on West Ham United is that all contracts between Alpari and the club will
become void. The two parties entered into a three-year, multimillion-pound
deal in February 2013. This means that as per with XL Holidays back in 2008,
when they too folded almost overnight, West Ham are likely to be without a
short sponsor for the rest of the current season. Meanwhile the company's
association with the Boleyn Ground's West Stand is also likely to end.

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Sam pleads poverty
WHUFC.com
Filed: Friday, 16th January 2015
By: Staff Writer

In the same year that West Ham United received circa £75 million from TV
companies as part of the new Premier League sponsorship deal, Sam Allardyce
has revealed that the club are unable to spend in the January transfer
window. West Ham may have received the bumper increase in funding last
season, allowing the club to report a profit in last month's annual accounts
- but manager Allardyce is unlikely to see any of it until the summer, at
least. That, according to Allardyce, is the result of the Financial Fair
Play (FFP) ruling that limits West Ham's wage bill to a sustainable figure,
according to UEFA. Responding to a question regarding the possibility of
making Alex Song's season-long loan deal permanent, Big Sam replied:
"There's a considerable amount of funds available next season. "They can't
be spent this season because we're at the extreme of that budget, but next
year is a completely new budget. We're Financially Fair Played with no money
available at the moment. What money we do have available is only for wages.
"If a player pops up within that wage structure and we feel it's somebody
who could have an immediate impact on the team then we will pursue it, but
we think that's highly unlikely in this window. "You never know what turns
up. We will never say never, but it's probably highly unlikely."

FFP Q&A

What is FFP?

FFP was introduced by UEFA to prevent member clubs from spending beyond
their means, which many within the game feel is an unsustainable practice
which leads to the closure of some clubs.

How limited are West Ham by FFP?

The initial FFP ruling was based upon club's accounts for the financial
years 2011/12 and 2012/13. Each club is allowed to increase their spending
by $5million (£3.9million) per year. Clubs are now assessed over a rolling
three-year period.

What is covered by FFP?

All football-related expenditure - the largest component of which is wages.
In their latest accounts, released last month, West Ham's wage bill was
circa £64million - up from £56.5million in 2013.

What happens to clubs in breach of FFP?

Clubs can be hit by a number of sanctions including a ban on player trading,
warnings, fines, withholding prize money and points deductions.

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Ex-Academy star makes Tractor Boys switch
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 16th January 2015
By: Staff Writer

Former Hammer Freddie Sears has joined Championship club Ipswich Town for an
undisclosed fee. The 25-year-old emerged from the junior ranks at the
Academy to score on his first team debut for West Ham United against
Blackburn Rovers in 2008, under the stewardship of Alan Curbishley. However
he was sold to Colchester United in the summer of 2012 having failed to make
the breakthrough at the Boleyn, despite being given numerous opportunities
to do so. Although his first season with the U's was fairly uneventful -
eight goals in 37 appearances being little to write home about - Sears
improved the following season (12 in 32) before averaging a goal a game in
the opening half of the current campaign (14 from 29).

And with Colchester having failed to offer him a new contract, Sears has
decided to move a few miles up the A12 to Championship side Ipswich having
put pen to paper on a two-year deal. "Mick McCarthy has added to his squad
with the signing of Freddie Sears from Colchester for an undisclosed fee,"
read a brief statement on itfc.co.uk. "The 25-year-old striker has put pen
to paper on a contract that will keep him at Portman Road until June 2017
and will travel with the Town squad to Millwall for Saturday's game."

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West Ham host Hull City at Upton Park live on Super Sunday.
Last Updated: 16/01/15 4:30pm
SSN

West Ham welcome Hull City to Upton Park hoping to get back to winning ways
in the Premier League. Sam Allardyce's side have gone four games without a
win in the league which has seen them drop down to seventh in the table.
However, the Hammers will be confident of victory back in front of their own
fans – they have lost just one of their last nine at Upton Park - and
against a Hull side they have won their last five home matches against.
Steve Bruce's Hull have suffered differing fortunes to West Ham so far this
season and find themselves in the relegation zone, just two points off the
bottom. Bruce's injury-hit side have struggled on the road, winning just one
of their last 10 league matches away from the KC Stadium and face an uphill
battle for a positive result bearing in mind their dismal record in east
London.

Team news

Allardyce is hoping for a double defensive fitness boost ahead of the visit
of Hull. Hull manager Steve Bruce says that he made an enquiry about
Blackburn striker Remy Gestede, but that the deal is a 'non starter'.
Winston Reid (ankle) missed the FA Cup third-round replay win over Everton
on Tuesday but is now back in training, as is full-back Guy Demel who has
been sidelined since the turn of the year with a muscle problem. That means
only top-scorer Diafra Sakho (back) and Cheikhou Kouyate (international
duty) are definite absentees. Hull are hoping Gaston Ramirez and Sone Aluko
will be fit to play some part, with the pair returning to training on
Friday morning. Abel Hernandez and Nikica Jelavic limped off during last
week's defeat to West Brom and both face lengthy spells on the sidelines.

Opta stats

West Ham have won five and lost just one of the last eight league meetings
with Hull City.
Hull have cleared seven shots off the line in the Premier League this
season, more than any other side.
The Hammers have scored the most headed goals in the Premier League this
season (14).
Only Aston Villa (56) have fired in fewer shots on target this season than
Hull City (61).
Allardyce's side have kept just one clean sheet in their last eight Premier
League matches, but they have also only failed to score once during this
run.
Hull have conceded eight goals in the opening 15 minutes of matches, more
than any other team.

Merson's prediction

I worry for Hull. They weren't letting in any goals last season. They were
solid. But I look at them now and they don't look like scoring goals - Bruce
has got two forwards out for six weeks. They're another team who I thought
would have gone for Jermain Defoe. I don't know if it was the money or the
wages but they need a goalscorer and I don't see them beating West Ham. If
they lose another game and the teams around them win, they'll be deeper into
that bottom three. I think West Ham are a decent team, and they've been
under-rated to be fair and they went through in the FA Cup against Everton.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet odds 6/1)

Super Sunday: West Ham v Hull City.

West Ham are odds-on with Sky Bet to see off 4/1 shots Hull in Super
Sunday's early kick-off. The Hammers (7/10) will be looking to get back to
winning ways after successive league draws with West Brom and Swansea,
having drifted out to 11/2 to secure a top-six finish this term. Allardyce's
side also have a great record against the Tigers and won the last two
meetings at Upton Park 2-1, a 13/2 shot this time. The in-form Andy Carroll
is 4/1 to net the opener, while the visitors could struggle for goals
without injured strikers Jelavic and Hernandez, making the Hammers to win to
nil attractive at 7/4.

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Sam Allardyce confident West Ham can afford to sign Alex Song
Last Updated: 16/01/15 5:14pm
SSN

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is confident West Ham will be in a position to
sign on-loan Barcelona midfielder Alex Song on a permanent deal this summer.
The 27-year-old has established himself as a key player in West Ham's
midfield after joining on a season-long loan at the beginning of the season.
Song is thought to be attracting interest from Liverpool and former club
Arsenal, but Allardyce is hopeful West Ham will be able to conclude a deal
for the Cameroon international. "I think that next year is next year's
budget and there's a considerable amount of fund available next season," he
said when asked if West Ham could be priced out of a move. "So, affordable?
It depends on what Barcelona are looking for and what Alex is looking for,
that negotiation will happen at some stage in or around that period." "They
can't be spent this season because we're at the extreme of that budget but
next year is a completely new budget. "So, affordable? It depends on what
Barcelona are looking for and what Alex is looking for, that negotiation
will happen at some stage in or around that period."

'Available'

Allardyce casted doubt on any potential incomings at West Ham during the
January transfer window as the club tries to comply with Financial Fair Play
regulations. "We're Financial Fair Played with no money available at the
moment," he said. "I think what money we do have available is only wages so
if a player pops up within that wage structure with what we've got left with
financial fair play - and we feel it's somebody who could have an immediate
impact on the team – then we will pursue it but we think that's highly
unlikely in this window. "But you never know what turns up in the next two
or three weeks. We will never say never but probably highly unlikely." A
shoulder injury sustained by Arsenal's Mathieu Debuchy last weekend has
prompted speculation the Gunners may try and recall Carl Jenkinson from his
loan spell at West Ham. But Allardyce does not believe Arsenal can recall
the player under the terms of his season-long agreement. "I'm 99 per cent
sure he's ours for the season to be fair," he said. "I don't think there is
a call back clause in this month."

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West Ham confident Liverpool transfer target Alex Song WILL opt to make
Hammers loan permanent
Jan 15, 2015 22:30 By Darren Lewis
The Barcelona midfielder has a deal on the table at Upton Park but Reds hope
to exploit his desire to play in the Champions League next season
The Mirror

West Ham are confident that Liverpool will not beat them to the signing of
Alex Song. The 27-year-old midfielder - who spoke earlier this season of
growing up idolising Kop hero Steven Gerrard - has been hugely impressive
since moving to Upton Park on loan from Barcelona in the summer. So much so
that the Hammers already have a lucrative deal on the table to entice him to
commit his future to the club. Song, however, wants to play in the Champions
League next season and is delaying his decision until the end of the current
campaign. That has allowed the Anfield giants to express their interest.
West Ham are four points off the top four in seventh with Liverpool a point
behind them. But the Londoners remain confident - despite their recent dip
in League form - that they will be able to sustain a challenge. They are
also heartened by the fact that Song enjoys living in London and that his
wife is also happy in the capital.

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Andy Carroll: officially TWICE as good in the air as any other Premier
League player
Jan 16, 2015 15:50 By Richard Innes
You might know that Andy Carroll is good at heading. But until you see these
stats, you won't know just how much better than everyone else
The Mirror

Saying Andy Carroll is good in the air is a bit like saying Floyd Mayweather
is half-decent at boxing, or Cristiano Ronaldo isn't too bad at football. In
short, the West Ham centre-forward knows a thing or two about heading a
ball. Even so, we have found some stats on the ponytailed Geordie's aerial
prowess which make pretty remarkable reading. If you measure the aerial
duels won by every Premier League player this season, it's not that
surprising to see Peter Crouch and Carroll topping the list. But a closer
look at the numbers is very revealing. The player in 10th wins 4.2 aerial
duels per game. The player in second (Crouch) wins 5.7. Carroll wins an
astonishing 9.2.

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No return for Jenkinson
Posted by Sean Whetstone on January 16, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham chairman David Gold has been quick to rule out a January recall for
Carl Jenkinson to Arsenal after the news that Gunner Mathieu Debuchy is out
injured for up to three months. Speculation started after Jenkinson himself
admitted to Sky Sports he didn't know the details of his own loan deal to
West Ham. David Gold quickly took to twitter when asked by West Ham fan Ray
Stokes "Can Arsenal take Jenkinson back this month, after injury to Debuchy'
replying "No, he's contracted to us till the end of the season. dg" The
right back has made 14 full appearances, 3 substitutions and two FA Cup
appearances for West Ham including two assists this season.

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Legend Parksey: "Adrian has much to learn"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 16, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham's former goalkeeping legend Phi Parkes has told current hero
Adrian: "You still have much to learn." Parkesy enjoyed our Spanish
stopper's penalty taking effort as much as anyone on Tuesday night but said:
"It was just as well because the Everton goal from the free kick was down to
him. "He was worrying too much about a cross and left far too much space for
Kevin Miralles to score. He will have known he got it all wrong but I'm
really glad for him that he made up for him later. "I think we all need to
remember that he's 28 but has only had around 49 games for us and about 40
for the Betis first team so he's really still a novice at the highest level.
He will get better and better. He has a lot of attributes but like most
Premier League goalkeepers he doesn't come for crosses and that's something
he needs to add to his game. "Having said all that, he is strong and getting
better. I believe he could be in line for an international call-up and I see
no reason why they shouldn't play him in a friendly."

Parkes does not see a win against Hull City as a given on Sunday declaring:
"They are scrapping for their lives and it won't be easy. We have to get a
win from somewhere or life could get tricky. "Personally I want to see
Valencia with Sakho again when the two are available. That's what brought us
all our early success and it's inevitable if you are going to play Andy
Carroll every week then our game will go longer."

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Alpari crash: Irons talk to possible new backers
Posted by Sean Whetstone on January 16, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham United are already talking to three potential new sponsors
following the collapse of Alpari. The company's crash has created a £4
million hole in the club's finances but that could quickly be replaced. The
club's success on the field and progress in the FA Cup is a boost to finding
new backers. ClaretandHugh was told this morning that discussions are
underway with three companies to replace Alpari as shirt sponsor for next
season. A well placed club insider said: 'It will cost the club £4m, but it
is already in discussion with three companies to replace Alpari for next
season. Sadly, however, we'll lose out on unpaid money this season" Alpari
signed a new three-year in February 2013. The agreement added to the
existing naming rights of the Alpari Stand (West Stand) and branding at the
Boleyn. Alpari initially became a sponsor of West Ham in 2011, before
extending their relationship to the current level.

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Davids celebrate five years in charge on Monday
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 16, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

David Gold and David Sullivan celebrate their fifth anniversary as West
Ham's owners on Monday and a win against Hull City on Sunday would be the
perfect way to celebrate. And as the pair come close to their January 19
takeover day both spoke exclusively to ClaretandHugh about their feelings as
owners and their plans for the future. Sullivan said: "The five years have
absolutely flown. We did plan not plan on relegation but we think we have
got things back on track "We are very optimistic for the future. Our aim,
and we know it's a tough target, is Champions League football." And David
Gold agreed saying: "Has it really been five years? Doesn't seem possible.
The ownership of West Ham is the greatest achievement of my business life.
"Relegation meant we had to plunge a lot more money than we would have
expected into the club but despite that all the 'hard' debt is gone and we
are back on track. "The biggest high of our time in charge was our return to
the Premier League. It wasn't just about money but the pride felt by
everybody particularly out supporters." He added: "For me and David to be
West Ham's owners is an emotional experience. We are from the area and long
term supporters. We love this club with a passion and to own it is the
culmination of our business careers." Takeovers are never straightforward
but the rescue mission they mounted on behalf of the club was brought about
by a lifelong love of the club which had made it a near inevitability. They
had taken on £105 million debt from Icelandic owners who had taken the club
close to the knackers yard. At the time Sullivan said: "We are deeply and
passionately involved in West Ham. It is where I have wanted to be for 20
years. "We have done [what we have done] in a way that is good for
Birmingham and we have got the club we wanted. Over the next seven years we
will spend a lot of money." And even back then he knew where he was going
with the cash strapped club adding: "Sullivan said that move from Upton Park
to the Olympic Stadium was part of their future adding: "It is the natural
home for West Ham. Sullivan and Gold became the favourites to buy the east
London club after their rival Tony Fernandes, chief executive of AirAsia
pulled out of the race. The former Birmingham City owner said: "West Ham is
a bigger club with bigger aspirations and I appreciate that we have to
achieve a lot more.
"It will be an immense privilege to lead this great football club and more
importantly its supporters."

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