Daily WHUFC News - 30th January 2015

Big Sam on: Liverpool
WHUFC.com
The manager faces the media ahead of Saturday's trip to Liverpool
29.01.2015

Sam Allardyce faced the media on Thursday morning ahead of the weekend's
Barclays Premier League trip to Liverpool. The Hammers are looking for a
first win at Anfield in over half-a-century, but Big Sam revealed that he
has some injury concerns.

Good morning Sam, do you have a clean bill of health for Saturday's game
with Liverpool?

SA: "No, we've got a few knocks and bruises. One or two lads have been
receiving treatment this week, particularly Alex Song, James Tomkins and
Carl Jenkinson. We're also waiting on James Collins so hopefully they'll be
fit for Saturday but we're going to have to wait patiently. Everyone else is
OK."

Are any of those four definitely out?

SA: "Not definitely. Carl Jenkinson and James Tomkins are touch and go.
James Collins is joining in with training today so if there's no reaction he
should be OK. Joey O'Brien has had a slight hamstring issue so we'll have to
wait and see tomorrow."

How will Diafra Sakho be travelling to Liverpool?

SA: "How do you think?"

In a nice comfy limousine?

SA: "Yes, just like the one he went to Bristol in, the same chauffeur too."

Are you worried at all that he could face a ban?

SA: "No, I'm not worried at all about it. We've stuck to every rule and
regulation in the book by the FA and by FIFA. We haven't broken any rule or
regulation whatsoever. We're extremely disappointed in Senegal's reaction,
it's not like they haven't had Cheikhou Kouyate."

How's Diafra coping with the situation?

SA: "He's coping fine with it because he's got nothing to burn his bridges
about. The situation is between the Club and Senegal not with Diafra.
They've fallen out with us, not us with them, although we could have done.
We've kept a professional level like we always do."

Is Stephen Hendrie is having a medical here today with a view to move in the
summer?

SA: "It's with view to a move in the summer yes. He's one for the future,
not for now."

What is the situation with Darren Fletcher?

SA: "It is still a possibility. It's not dead yet, so it still could
happen."

Is it frustrating that you haven't managed to get it over the line?

SA: "You have to patient sometimes. We're not desperate, as we've got
several good options in midfield but we want to add to that if we can."

Is there any truth in the rumour that your interested in Bafetimbi Gomis?

SA: "No."

Another name mentioned was Danny Ings, any movement there?

SA: "No, with us having Andy Carroll, Diafra Sakho, Carlton Cole and Enner
Valencia we have more than enough front men to cope with the demand for the
rest of the season. In the summer we'll reassess our aims and the squad but
for now we're fine with the four options we've got."

I'm sure you were pleased to see Liverpool play 120 minutes in midweek?

SA: "Yes, it was a fantastic game actually. I think they'll be very
disappointed that they lost. They were the team with most of the chances and
in the end they were punished. Like for all us it doesn't matter how well
you play, it's all about the final result. Over the two legs against Chelsea
I don't think they could have played much better but it came down to missed
chances, like it always does."

When do you expect Cheikhou Kouyate to be back?

SA: "Later today."

So could he play against Liverpool?

SA: "He could, yes."

Is getting results away at places like Liverpool the next step in West Ham's
evolution?

SA: "I think we're still a way off from there. But on any given day we have
a chance, plus the fact they played 120 minutes in mid-week. I think
Liverpool are in the best form of the season at the moment. The way they are
now playing is up there with the level they were at last season. They
obviously don't have the massive goal threat that they had last year with
Suarez gone and Sturridge injured. It sounds like there is a good chance
Sturridge will feature against us whether off the bench or not. I think they
are at the top of their game at the moment so it will be a very difficult
game. But with the position we're in, it's a game we should be looking
forward to. We'll give it our best shot and hopefully we'll get a result. We
beat Liverpool earlier in the season, that was a major shock at the time."

It's been a long time since West Ham last beat Liverpool at Anfield. Bearing
that in mind, do you approach the game any differently?

SA: "We drew at Anfield a couple of seasons ago so we know we can go there
and get a result. Having beaten them before this season we know what we're
capable of. I think it will come down to taking the chances you get, because
you don't usually get many at Anfield. Having said that, we know we can
score goals. The slight concern is that we have finally forged a defensive
unit, with two successive clean sheets, now we might have to mix it around
due to the injuries. We know we'll have to defend well not many teams score
more than one goal."

Andy Carroll is going back there for the first time since his departure, do
you think he will be a key player in this match?

SA: "I hope he doesn't try too hard because that can put you off your game.
But football is a team game, so we want everyone to do well and help each
other out. I'm sure Andy would like to score and we'll certainly do what we
can to try and help him do that. I certainly don't think he has anything to
prove, everyone knows how good he is. He just needs to focus and prepare
like he does for every game, keep and calm head and play his normal game."

Having beaten them once, does that help with your team talk and preparation?

SA: "That win was a while ago now, the challenge now is to get a result away
from home. Getting results away at the big boys is a key challenge for
ourselves. We need to rise to the challenge. Doing the double over one of
the best teams doesn't happen very often in life but it is a possibility.
We'll have to be in top form and every player at 100% and then take the
opportunities we do get."

Andy Carroll has scored more goals than Liverpool's strikeforce this season…

SA: "It makes a nice change because I think Suarez outscored our whole team
when we went up there last season. I'm not surprised considering the absence
of Suarez and Sturridge. Brendan lost two fantastic goal threats. Rickie
Lambert hasn't quite hit it off and their lack of goals has been their major
problem this season. When you sign as many players as they did, it takes a
while to settle in but they look like they have done now."

There's been some reports that Chelsea have sounded out West Ham over Diafra
Sakho and Enner Valencia…

SA: "By email, text or phone? How have they sounded us out? The only way it
has been sounded out is through the media, certainly not through club to
club."

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Nolan thrilled for pal Andy
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan is delighted to see Andy Carroll return to his best form
following injury
29.01.2015

Andy Carroll is showing signs of returning to his very best form, according
to the player who knows him better than most. Carroll and Kevin Nolan formed
deadly partnerships both at Newcastle United and West Ham United, and after
a couple of years dogged by injury for the No9, Nolan is delighted to see
him thrive this term. The Geordie has five goals to his name since returning
to the side in November, but it is not just in his goals that the Hammers
are seeing his ability. He is also a selfless worker for the team, and that
was evidenced superbly by his goalline block at Bristol City last Sunday,
before laying on the winner for strike partner Diafra Sakho. "That's what
Andy's about," Nolan explained. "People obviously see him for his aerial
ability, but he's got a lot of ability on the floor and you've seen that in
a couple of his goals - Swansea and the finish against Leicester. "Now he's
getting to full fitness everything is going really well for him and I'm
delighted. After the tough time he's had with injuries he's come back with
hunger and desire. "A lot of people sat there and gave him a lot of stick,
but he's starting to show what he's all about. Now everyone's talking about
him for the right things."

Reflecting on that Bristol City success and progress to an FA Cup fifth
round tie at West Bromwich Albion, Nolan was satisfied with the job done by
his side. He added: "You could see on Sunday why Bristol City have been so
good this season. It was always going to be a difficult one - they were
going to raise their game and we had to be professional and do the right
things. "I think we limited them to not too many chances and then we got the
goal we needed at the end. It wasn't the greatest performance but sometimes
when you want to go on a run you just need to get in the next round."

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Cup draw conjures Parkes memories
WHUFC.com
Phil Parkes was in outstanding form when the Hammers faced West Brom in the
FA Cup back in 1980
29.01.2015

For Phil Parkes, West Ham United's FA Cup fifth-round draw away at West
Bromwich Albion conjured memories of arguably his finest day in a Hammers
shirt. The goalkeeper was just eleven months into his 12-year West Ham
career when John Lyall's side headed for The Hawthorns for a third-round tie
on 5 January 1980. At the time, West Ham were in the old Second Division,
while Ron Atkinson's Baggies were in the top flight and firm favourites to
go through to the next round. Thanks in large part to Parkes, who made a
succession of wonderful saves, the Hammers held their hosts to a 1-1 draw
before prevailing 2-1 in a replay at the Boleyn Ground. The rest, as the old
saying goes, is history. "I was watching the draw and I could not believe it
when we drew West Brom away!" said Parkes. "Back in 1980 we were in Second
Division, while they were in Division One and had a really good side with
players like Bryan Robson, Gary Owen, Lawrie Cunningham and Cyrille Regis.
"Everyone had written us off and was saying we were just making the numbers
up, but it was one of those days when everything went right for us, and for
me in particular. "I can still remember a lot of the saves I made that day,
but my favourite was one I made from a free-kick from Gary Owen than
deflected off Ray Stewart. I was already diving, but I managed to change
direction in mid-air and keep it out."

With Parkes in outstanding form, the Hammers took an unlikely early lead
through Stuart Pearson. Just 45 minutes into their FA Cup run, Parkes
revealed that Billy Bonds was already confident that West Ham would lift the
trophy. While the Baggies did net an equaliser, the Hammers won the replay
and five months later the captain was proved correct when West Ham upset
Arsenal 1-0 at Wembley. "Billy Bonds said to me at half-time 'We should be
6-1 down, but instead we're 1-0 up, so you never know, our name could be on
that cup' and he was right!" Parkes recalled. "You need a bit of luck in any
cup run and we had lots that year - not only up at West Brom but when Ken
McNaught handballed with five minutes to go up at Aston Villa, and why was
Frank Lampard up there to dive and head the winner against Everton in the
semi-final?"

Fast forward 35 years and West Ham will hope for similar good fortune at The
Hawthorns. However, Parkes says the modern-day Hammers will need to get the
better of one of his former team-mates if they are to reach the
quarter-finals. The goalkeeper played alongside Gerry Francis for Queens
Park Rangers prior to his world-record move to West Ham in February 1979.
Francis went on to enjoy a successful managerial career with, among others,
QPR and Tottenham Hotspur, before joining forces with Tony Pulis at Stoke
City, Crystal Palace and now West Brom. "Not only does the draw bring back
memories of 1980 but an old friend of mine, Gerry Francis, has recently gone
there as a member of Tony's backroom staff," he confirmed. "I played with
Gerry for QPR and England and he knows the game. He went into management and
now he sits in the Directors Box for Tony and goes down at half-time and
full-time and points out anything he thinks needs changing.
"Gerry is an important part of their backroom staff and he has been
everywhere with Tony."

After a difficult opening half of the season under Alan Irvine, West Brom
appointed Pulis on New Year's Day - the same day the Baggies secured a 1-1
Barclays Premier League draw at West Ham. The Baggies have yet to lose under
the Welshman and Parkes knows the Hammers face a difficult task to emulate
their achievements of 35 years ago. "They are a different proposition than
they were when we went up there in the league," Parkes continued. "Tony has
a totally different style and he doesn't mind who he upsets. Tony tells it
how it is and he will have them up for this game and they will be tough
opposition. "He wants players who will listen to him and that's why he was
Manager of the Year at Crystal Palace last season, where what he did was
amazing. Now, we can see him doing the same thing at West Brom."

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Darren Fletcher deal still on says West Ham boss Sam Allardyce
BBC.co.uk

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says a deal to sign Darren Fletcher from
Manchester United is "not dead yet". Scotland captain Fletcher, 30, has been
granted a free transfer to allow him to move to another club during the
mid-season transfer window. "It's still a possibility. But it's not
absolutely certain," Allardyce said. The West Ham manager, though, dismissed
reports that he was looking to sign Swansea striker Bafetimbi Gomis or
Burnley forward Danny Ings. Asked if there was any truth in reports linking
him with either player, Allardyce said: "No. I think that with us having
Enner Valencia, Diafra Sakho, Carlton Cole and Andy Carroll, I've more than
enough frontmen to cope with the demands of the rest of this season. "In the
summer, we'll see what happens but certainly at the moment we're fine with
the four options we've got up front now." Allardyce indicated on Tuesday
that the signing of Fletcher would depend on whether the midfielder wanted
to make the move. Speaking on Thursday, the manager added: "We'd like a
quality player of Darren's talent, if that's at all possible, but if it
doesn't happen, we're not in a position where we desperately need players."

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Diafra Sakho: West Ham confident player will not be banned
BBC.co.uk

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is confident striker Diafra Sakho will not be
banned from playing for the club despite a row with Senegal.
Senegal have reportedly complained to Fifa after Sakho missed the Africa Cup
of Nations with a back injury, but then played for his club. Fifa rules say
a player cannot play for a club if he was meant to be on international duty.
But Allardyce said: "We've stuck to every rule and regulation in the book."
He added: "I'm not worried at all that he could be facing a ban whatsoever.
We have not breached any rules and regulations whatsoever and I have to say
I'm extremely disappointed by Senegal's reaction." Sakho, 25, withdrew from
the squad before the tournament and Senegal were told he could not fly to
them for assessment because of his injury. He then played - and scored the
only goal - in Sunday's 1-0 FA Cup win over Bristol City which led to
Senegal boss Alain Giresse claiming that West Ham had "set a dangerous
precedent".

Senegal have since been knocked out of the tournament, and Allardyce is also
not happy with the handling of midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate, who was with the
squad and is now free to return to West Ham. "Kouyate has been difficult to
find over the last 48 hours," Allardyce said. "We know where he is but we
have had trouble finding him. We are expecting him back today after chasing
him down for the last 48 hours. He could play against Liverpool on
Saturday."

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Sam Allardyce: No chance West Ham striker Diafra Sakho will be banned
Last Updated: 29/01/15 5:25pm
SSN

Sam Allardyce says he has no concerns Diafra Sakho might be banned for
missing the Africa Cup of Nations. The West Ham striker withdrew from
Senegal's squad with a back injury but returned to score the winner in last
weekend's FA Cup tie against Bristol City. Sakho defended himself against
criticism on social media, while West Ham stand by an independent medical
assessment that said the player was unable to fly for six weeks. Under FIFA
rules players can be banned from playing for their clubs if they dodge
international call-ups, and Senegal coach Alain Giresse said Sakho's casse
set "a dangerous precedent". But Allardyce, speaking at a press conferece
ahead of Saturday's trip to Liverpool, said: "I'm not worried that Sakho
will face a ban whatsoever. We have stuck by every rule and regulation in
the book." Sakho's availability and Andy Carroll's return to full fitness
means Allardyce has ruled out looking for a striker before the transfer
window closes, but his pursuit of Manchester Untied's long-serving
midfielder Darren Fletcher remains ongoing. "Fletcher is still a
possibility," he said. "The move isn't dead yet, but we'll see."

The Anfield trip, meanwhile, represents another chance for Carroll to score
against Liverpool for the first time since he was deemed surplus to
requirements by Brendan Rodgers. Allardyce said: "I'm sure Andy would like
to score at Anfield, but we don't want him to get over anxious about going
out to prove anything." James Tomkins and Carl Jenkinson are "touch and go"
for the weekend, according to the manager, who expects to have James Collins
fit.

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WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN
By Bianca Westwood 29 Jan 2015 at 13:00
West Ham Till I Die

I had a bit of a shouting match with the fam on Sunday. It's always a bit
fraught and tense watching football with the men in my family, especially if
the Hammers don't have a great start from the moment the referee puts the
whistle to his lips. Firstly, because they're the most impatient, touchy,
critical sods on the planet during the game and secondly they think they
know everything.

Right from kick off my youngest brother Billy was annoying me with his
moaning. It takes all of the enjoyment out of watching, not that there was
too much enjoyment to gain from that first half if I'm honest. But both him
and my step-dad have got it in for Kevin Nolan and it was really doing my
head in. Every single time he touched the ball, lost the ball, went in for a
challenge, mistimed a tackle, hit a pass (stray or not), they were up in
arms. "He's useless!" "What is he even doing on the pitch?!" "Sam has to
drop him!!" "Why didn't he start Poyet instead?!" Blah, blah, blah it went
on and on. I lost it in the end and we ended up shouting at each other for a
second or two until my brother wheeled out his go-to phrase "Bianca, this is
men watching football!"

Say what now?? Hold on, wait a moment, breathe, count to ten before
answering…

"Excuse me? So men watching football means you have to whine like little
bitches for 90 minutes? Ranting on at the TV about a situation that, as far
as I can tell, isn't going to change any time soon? What's the point? Get
over it!"

Bearing in mind I was watching football and going to matches when Billy was
still a mere glint in my step-dad's eye he's got a bloody cheek. Anyway it
went on like this for the entire game until the 88th minute when Super Kev
(as I am calling him from now on just to wind my brother up) was
substituted. Cue cheers from the "men watching football".

To a certain extent I understand where my brother is coming from. These are
the arguments against…

Nolan is no longer the player he was. I think he'd even admit that himself.
West Ham isn't the team it was a few months ago…the glory days of late 2014.
As the season commenced injuries forced Sam's hand, no Nolan or Carroll, so
the new boys had to be tried and tested, Downing was shifted, experiments
were made and risks taken. Somehow it worked and the pundits, bloggers,
fans' forums, and hacks with their headlines dedicated hours on gushing
words of appraisal and outbursts of pleasant surprise. A light shone on
Upton Park and it felt good.

However, old habits die hard and since Nolan and Carroll's return we have
reluctantly watched the slow drip drip drip back to the old ways, revisiting
former formations and moving players to accommodate them. For Carroll he has
flourished at times, finding ways to adjust, make his mark, rediscover his
form and fitness, to get in the game! For Nolan it has been harder and
unsurprisingly he has sometimes floundered. The team has moved on, at a much
faster pace, and some have suggested he has struggled to keep up. So instead
the team has found itself slowing down to adapt. It's more functional, less
fluid, more systematic, less dynamic. Apart from his offering at the
Hawthorns he is failing to do what he used to do best, score goals from
midfield. At the moment there is no final product, so the question has been
asked, if he's not scoring what is he there for?

In the past few weeks our midfield has become steadily less effective, it is
frequently being bypassed, our creativity has subsided, there's a lack of
vision. When Song and Noble sit deep, they need a certain type of player in
front of them, one with vim and vigour, who can work the ball, lots of
movement, pace, who can seek out the runs in behind, split defences, make
pin-point passes, run at defenders even. I lost count of the number of times
the word 'revelation' was used to describe Downing in this role. But in the
first half against Hull and again against Bristol City he was pushed out
wide where he becomes the forgotten man.

So yes, I understand the frustrations. But, come on, the yawnfest at Ashton
Gate wasn't all down to Nolan. Alex Song had a bad game and was hauled off,
Downing as I said was marginalised, Noble wasn't at his best either. The
midfield was pretty ineffectual for the first half. Up front Carroll hustled
and bustled in vain and Valencia couldn't hold on to the ball or held on too
long. It was messy. Dire in fact. Credit to the Robins they worked hard and
created good chances. Allardyce changed tack against Hull and again at
Bristol City. He recognised what wasn't working and made the necessary
alterations. He didn't take Nolan off though…so there's a case to argue that
it's the plan and not the man that's the main problem. If Big Sam knows
what's wrong and can identify our best approach only he can tell you why he
doesn't start with it. I can't answer that one.

What grates with the fans is that, in or out of form, Nolan seems to be a
shoe-in, the managers son, Sam's man who walks into the team as and when,
guaranteed a place in the starting XI.

I disagree!

I'm not having it. It's not as black and white as that. In actual fact apart
from Chelsea (and I've already expressed my feelings on that team selection)
Nolan has only played when one or more of the regular first team midfielders
has been out. When Kouyate, Downing, Noble and Song have been available they
have all got the nod. With the added bonus of Amalfitano sprinkled here and
there. Super Kev hasn't started every game since coming back. Allardyce has
tinkered with the midfield be it because of injury or the AFCON, so, with
that in mind, how can we argue that Nolan's name is automatically first on
the team sheet?

We all think we know what's best for the team. We all think we know who
should play where and when. Certain supporters just do not like the style of
football played when Nolan is in the team. I get it. They pay their money
they're entitled to vent…yet sometimes I feel he's not given a fair crack of
the whip.

Obviously I'd prefer to watch the West Ham of earlier this season too. All
the time! But is that really sustainable? Can any team maintain that level
of energy, tempo and creativity consistently without a break? Sometimes
games are stagnant, sometimes players' levels drop (nice holiday Raheem?)
sometimes buses are parked by the best managers in the world (yes Jose even
you!)

Maybe we're not always going to get that exhilarating, pulsating,
barn-storming style of football when Nolan plays. I thought the second half
of the Hull game was pretty decent though and a cup win is a win however it
comes…as I said earlier, Nolan was still on the pitch for those. He does a
job. There were some big scalps taken by lower league teams at the weekend.
West Ham wasn't one of them and Nolan was part of our progression to the
next round. It wasn't pretty and I was half asleep by the end of it but he
was there!

Consider this, he's one of the hardest working members of the team, he
clocks up the miles, his stats stand up to, and often surpass, any of his
teammates. Ok there's not always an end result and we sometimes see headless
chicken instead of funky chicken but he's an example to others that graft
matters. He cares!

He's been a fine servant of the club, he dropped down a league to join a
Championship club in disarray, which at the time was a monumental decision.
He helped get us up and keep us up, yes I grant you his remuneration has
been more than sufficient but he's no mercenary. I don't believe he did it
just for the money. It's a two way street. You give your services you get
paid for them and like it or not that's how much players earn. You get what
you pay for. It was the owners shout, funded by you to the tune of £4m plus
salary…haven't we got our money's worth?

He's given us goals, important goals and he helped lift a dressing room that
was on its knees. A dressing room that is now unrecognisable. He has been a
valued representative for his team and a positive influence at the training
ground. Priceless.

During his career he's scored 99 league goals and only four central
midfielders have scored more Premier League goals than him…Steven Gerrard,
Frank Lampard, Paul Scholes and Gary Speed (stat via The Telegraph). I'm not
saying he deserves a place because he WAS a good player, but I don't agree
that he is no longer a good player. I've also seen a couple of blogs and
articles slagging him off…listen he is our club captain and deserves a bit
of respect. We've only lost five of the games he's been involved in and two
of those were Chelsea and Arsenal. Spurs we should have won, Man U we were
unlucky and the other was our bogey team. So give the guy a break. You know
who you are. BILLY!

When Kouyate returns and Sam has a fully fit midfield to choose from that
will be the true litmus test. I suspect Nolan will make way. His starts will
stop. An incoming Darren Fletcher would further seal his fate.

We've got some tough fixtures coming up. The next few weeks will reveal how
good we really are and how adept a manager Sam Allardyce can actually be at
West Ham. Nolan would be far more suited as an impact player coming off the
bench. For me he's still got a significant role to play. He remains an
asset. 99 goals and counting…I'd love a century at Anfield.

Come on you Irons!

B x

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BAFETIMBI GOMIS TO REPLACE ENNER VALENCIA - SURELY NOT!
By S J Chandos 29 Jan 2015 at 08:00
West Ham Till I Die

There was a report yesterday evening, by Sports Mail online, that the club
management are supposedly concerned at losing Enner Valencia and are in the
process of lining up Swansea's Gomis as a possible replacement. We always
have to take news from that source with a pinch of salt, but if it is true,
I really do dispair. How is Gomis an appropriate replacement for Valencia?
It is not exactly replacing like-for-like, is it?

I personally disagree with swapping Valencia for Remy, but that is at least
a reasonably viable proposition. Gomis replacing Valencia is a retrograde
step for the club. It is such a unlikely move that I can only assume that it
is an erroneous news story. But regardless, it still fills me with a certain
degree of apprehension. One can only hope that the board rejects any Chelsea
bids for Valencia and, if necessary, blocks any questionable incoming
transfer deals. After all, the current manager is in the final year of his
contract and we are not yet 100% certain that he will be in charge next
season. In that situation, it is surely legitimate for the board to
especially scrutinize and approve any major transfer moves in this January
window.

It has also been reported that Stephen Hendrie will today be signing a
pre-contract agreement with the club, His contract expires in June and David
Sullivan has apparently smoothed Hamiliton's ruffled feathers with a £1m
compensation package. This, of course, means that Hendrie will see out the
remainder of this season with Hamiliton and join West Ham for pre-season
training. There are good reports on the youngster's ability/potential and he
is obviously being brought in to increase competition/cover at left-back. At
a fee of £1m, the player is well worth a punt. It may, however, mean the end
of Danny Potts' tenure at the club. There are strong rumours of an approach
by Blackpool FC to sign Potts. We shall see if that materialises before the
window closes.

Elsewhere, Arsenal's alleged interest in Winston Reid may have ended with
their signing of Villrreal defender, Gabriel Paulista. So, if that is the
case, that probably reduces Reid's alternative London based options to just
Spurs. Surely, in footballing terms, Reid would be better off signing the
alleged £60k a week deal on the table to stay with the Hammers. Financially,
it is obviously a different matter, with a Bosman move being very lucrative.
The likes of Liverpool, Man Utd and Everton could still be interested.
However, the much publicised north London interest could prove to be a red
herring. Perhaps Reid has a a pre-contract agreed with a continental club?
Do not be surprised if that is how it transpires. If Reid does leave
(whatever his destination) it will be a great shame, but the club need to
respond in the right way and just keep pushing forward. No player is bigger
than the club and that is certainly the case with Winston Reid.

Finally, there are reports of a wholesale clear out of youngsters at U-21
level in the Academy. The U-21s have not performed well this season and
there is obviously a process afoot to clear out the deadwood and create
opportunities for the talent at U-18 and below to come through and develop.
Considering that we have prospects like Oxford and Borg amongst that younger
age group, that is perhaps an understandable move.

SJ. Chandos.

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West Ham flop Ravel Morrison agrees four-year contract with Serie A side
Lazio, starting this summer
12:47, 29 January 2015 By John Cross
The 21-year-old former Manchester United trainee will move to Italy at the
end of the season when his contract at Upton Park expires
The Mirror

Ravel Morrison has signed a four-year contract with Lazio. West Ham
midfielder Morrison, 21, is out of contract at Upton Park in the summer and
has signed a pre-contract to join the Italians from next season. England
under-21 starlet Morrison is regarded as one of English football's biggest
talents but has yet to fulfil the early promise he showed at Manchester
United. Morrison has had spells at Cardiff, QPR and Birmingham before his
career at West Ham went sour. He has fallen out of favour at West Ham but
they eventually gave him permission to go to Rome to sign after an initial
hold up.

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West Ham deny any wrongdoing over Diafra Sakho injury row as Senegal lodge
FIFA complaint
15:44, 28 January 2015 By Darren Lewis
The 24-year-old withdrew from the Africa Cup of Nations only to feature
against Bristol City last weekend as the club vs country row continues
The Mirror

West Ham insist they will be vindicated in the escalating club v country row
over striker Diafra Sakho. Sakho, 25, is facing a ban after his country
Senegal made an official complaint to FIFA about him playing in the FA Cup
for West Ham. The Lions, knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations on
Tuesday, remain angry that Sakho withdrew from their squad before the
tournament with a back injury. Senegal officials are particularly upset at
not being able to examine the frontman themselves because West Ham insisted
he could not fly. The Hammers, however, strongly deny any wrongdoing and
insist they have not pulled a fast one. Co-owner David Sullivan has stressed
they have been acting solely on the advice of leading medical professionals.
He said: "Any FIFA hearing will vindicate us. The player missed four games
as a result of injuries incurred whilst playing for Senegal. We have done
nothing untoward." To prove their point, Sakho will be driven north by West
Ham while his team-mates are flying to Merseyside to play against Brendan
Rodgers' men on Saturday. Senegal national team coach, Alain Giresse, saw
red after Sakho played against Bristol City on Sunday and insisted the
Hammers are opening the door for other players to follow suit. Giresse
fumed: "This sets a dangerous precedent because you're going to have players
claiming they cannot catch planes to Africa but who can still play
football." Sakho came on in the 57th minute of the FA Cup Fourth Round tie
and scored the winning goal. Giresse said afterwards: "I'm surprised to
learn he played."

Sakho was also criticised in his homeland and took to social media to defend
himself, writing: "Never doubt the lion sleeping in me, as I never doubt the
passion that burns within you.". West Ham, however, maintain they are
following the advice of leading specialists who have warned that the player
is prohibited from flying. As such, Sakho also travelled to Bristol by road
on Sunday while his team-mates were flown from London. But Giresse said:
"When you cannot fly for six weeks and then suddenly you're playing a
football game, there must be miraculous medicine in England."

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Fletcher: A four day silence
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 29, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham have had no contact with Darren Fletcher's advisers for four days.
And the assumption at Upton Park is the player and his agent may be trying
to do a deal with West Bromwich Albion. Sam Allardyce insisted earlier
toiday that the deal was not dead and "that sometimes you have to be
patient" but time is ticking down. And this evening ClaretandHugh was told:
"We've heard nothing and if we are to it will need to be in time for a full
and very stern medical. "It's impossible to say what will happen from here
but it's significant to us that we have heard nothing which suggests they
are trying to do a deal elsewhere. West Brom are interested so that may be
the situation but we'll need to talk soon if anything's to happen at West
Ham."

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Sakho and Valencia are under lock and key
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 29, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & hugh

I have no doubts whatsoever that Chelsea are sniffing around out better
players – the only shock would be if they weren't! I am equally convinced
that neither Enner Valencia or Diafra Sakho will be moving this winter and
the latter could be around for a long time time come. Nobody can yet vouch
for the truth of our so called bid for Swansea's Bafetimbi Gomis although I
fully expect more to become clear on that over the next few days. Sam
Allardyce has denied such a bid has been made but Sun journo Alan Nixon is
no 'chancer' and was the guy who initially broke the Sakho for West Ham
story. We'll wait and see. More will soon become clear. I can guarantee that
and you'll read about it first here. What I do like about all this is that
it proves we aren't kidding ourselves when we speak so highly of out summer
signings – it's been a long time since we have found ourselves in this
position. Enjoy it! And remember this, Chelsea have no chance of stealing
either the Senegal or Ecuadorian international away on the cheap because
neither has an escape clause in his deal – both of them are under lock and
key for the duration of their deals. The deals are watertight. Many lessons
have been learned at Upton Park over the last couple of seasons and escape
clauses are a thing of the past. Sakho is going nowhere, Valencia? There's a
tiny chance but if he does and Chelsea are the buyers they will have to pay
right over the top!

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It's Ravel 4 in new Rome home!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 29, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Ravel Morrison has signed for Lazio and immediately released a picture of
his new shirt. Hopefully he has developed a taste for Italian grub and that
life in one of the world's great cities will help him mature as a man and a
footballer. All at ClaretandHugh wish him well!

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Sakho "is going nowhere"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 29, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Diafra Sakho will not be leaving West Ham for Chelsea or anywhere else! And
there remains only the tiniest chance that Jose Mourinho will be able to
prise Enner Valencia away from Upton Park. Morning reports that the two
players interest the Premier League leaders have not been denied by West Ham
but ClaretandHugh has been told emphatically Chelsea's inquiry is getting
short shrift inside the club. It was reported this morning that the duo
interested the south west London club but it is Valencia who really appeals
to Mourinho. And we have just been told by a top Hammers insider: "There is
absolutely no chance of Diafra Sakho leaving the club. "We are aware of the
interest in Valencia but there is only the tiniest chance of him moving."

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Newcastle and West Ham club together to fly players home from Africa
• Sides want Cheikhou Kouyaté and Papiss Cissé for weekend
• Communication difficulties after Senegal are knocked out
Louise Taylor
Thursday 29 January 2015 22.30 GMT
The Guardian

Newcastle United and West Ham have initiated an attempted 'airlift' of
Premier League players from Equatorial Guinea. With Senegal now out of the
Africa Cup of Nations, Newcastle are keen to have Papiss Cissé back in time
to play at Hull City on Saturday and West Ham United would like Cheikhou
Kouyaté back for the trip to Liverpool the same day.

The two clubs are sharing the cost of chartering a private plane to fly the
pair home from Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea – the going rate is
around £65,000 – with the only problem now being ensuring their players
board it. "We have got together and we're trying to put a plane on to bring
them back," said John Carver, Newcastle's interim head coach who is seeking
his first win since succeeding Alan Pardew in a caretaker capacity.

"The Senegal FA haven't been too helpful and we're not happy about that," he
added. "But hopefully Papiss will be back on Friday, meet us at the hotel on
Friday night and be involved at Hull on Saturday. Papiss is our top scorer
and the only way you're going to win matches is by having your top scorer
around."

Cissé, however, is proving slightly elusive at present. "We've been trying
to get in touch with him and it hasn't been easy," said Carver. "But I've
spoken to his agent and left a message with Papiss. Lee Charnley
[Newcastle's managing director] has spoken to the Senegalese FA but they
haven't been very helpful."

Sam Allardyce is not surprised. "We've had to take responsibility and sort
it out," said the West Ham manager. "We've got together with the other clubs
and stumped up for a private jet for the players to all come back together.
The chairmen have been good enough to stump up and split the costs to make
sure we get them back for this weekend. "I think Senegal are not quite as
organised as we are. There's a lack of organisation, a lack of booking
people's flights to come back. I've experienced it many times before but
when it's right in the middle of the season you want your players back as
quickly as you can. We've taken the right route."

Considering that Africa Cup of Nations regulations state that players will
be returned to their clubs within 48 hours of their elimination, Senegal's
disorganisation is a source of annoyance for Allardyce. "It lies with the
association of that particular country to sort it out," he said. "It's not
just that, though. Players will try to sneak a couple of days. That's what
they normally do. I learnt that at Bolton."

It seems Southampton and Stoke City have had a happier experience
transporting their Senegal internationals, Sadio Mané and Mame Biram Diouf
respectively, from Equatorial Guinea. Stoke say Diouf is en route
independently and Southampton say they felt no need to become involved in
hiring the plane.

Carver meanwhile is happy to work purely as a head coach with no input in
transfer business. "I don't think anyone is going to come in this window,"
he said. "But I'm not interested in who is coming or who is going out. My
role is to get the team right, pick the team and get results, not to get
involved in anything outside of that. I don't have a problem with that. I'm
comfortable with it.

"You will not hear me making an excuse saying‚ 'They haven't got me the
right players'. You won't hear me say that, I will never, ever say that. You
have to got to believe in your own ability. You have got to trust people to
bring the right people in, for me to work with, to get the right results."

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Furious West Ham and Newcastle consider joining forces to bring players back
from African Cup of Nations
Both clubs having trouble locating their Senegalese internationals
Sam Allardyce unable to track down midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate
John Carver has not been able to speak to striker Papiss Cisse
By SAM CUNNINGHAM FOR MAILONLINE and CRAIG HOPE FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 22:32, 29 January 2015 | UPDATED: 22:32, 29 January 2015

West Ham and Newcastle are furious with the Senegalese Football Association
for their lack of assistance in returning their players from the Africa Cup
of Nations and on Thursday were considering joining forces to charter a
private jet. The two clubs were desperate to get their players back from the
tournament, after they were knocked out on Tuesday, so they would be
available for this weekend's league matches. In the past two days, West Ham
have had difficulty locating midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate and Newcastle were
trying to find striker Papiss Cisse. West Ham travel to Liverpool and
Newcastle to Hull on Saturday and faced a race against time to get their
players back. They, and another unspecified club, were exploring the option
of hiring their own plane, but eventually shelved the plans. Clubs found
Senegal particularly unhelpful in arranging the return of players to England
following their exit from the competition on Tuesday.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce said: 'There's been a lack of organisation
booking people's flights to come back. We've had to take responsibility and
get it sorted out. 'We and two other clubs stumped up for a private jet for
a group of players to come back on the same plane. 'The chairman – as well
as the ones from the others clubs – was good enough to split that cost to
make sure we get them back for this weekend.'

They eventually managed to find a separate flight back for Kouyate, but
Allardyce added: 'I've experienced it many times before. I've been good
enough in the past, particularly at Bolton, to send out medical staff and
masseurs to travel around with the players. I think they're not quite as
well organised as we are. 'When it's right in the middle of the season you
want your players back as quickly as you can. We've taken the right route to
make sure our players are available. Hopefully by the time Kouyate gets back
he's not too fatigued or there's no injury. We don't actually know the full
extent yet.' Newcastle manager John Carver is frustrated with the Senegalese
FA for their lack of assistance when they attempted to track Cisse down.
'We've been trying to get in touch with him and it hasn't been easy,' Carver
explained. 'I have spoken to his agent and I have left a message with
Papiss. 'Lee Charnley (managing director) has spoken to the Senegalese FA
and they have not been very helpful. There is a group of clubs with their
players who have got together to put a plane on to bring them back.
Southampton, West Ham and Stoke are also trying to get their players back.'
Newcastle were also able to find a scheduled flight for Cisse to return by
himself, which arrives on Friday.

Allardyce blamed the African countries involved for the confusion, but
admitted that players often try to squeeze in extra time off from their club
duties. He said: 'Responsibility lies with the association of that
particular country to sort it out. It's not just that though. Players will
try to sneak a couple of days. That's what they normally do. I learnt that
in 2004 at Bolton with El Hadji Diouf and Abdoulaye Faye when they got
delayed in Paris for some reason.' Southampton, Stoke, Cardiff, Bournemouth,
Charlton and Doncaster are all due players back from the tournament. Stoke,
who have Mame Biram Diouf returning, and Southampton, who were waiting on
Sadio Mane to come back, deny being part of the trio considering chartering
the jet.

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