From the Academy
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Academy Director Terry Westley updates us on all things Academy
11.02.2015
Hello everyone.
It has been a while since I've had the opportunity to update you on all things related to the Academy. As I'm sure you've all noticed, a few of our most exciting talents have been involved with the first team recently, so now is as good a time as any to tell you more about them. Sixteen-year-old defender Reece Oxford was named on the bench against Liverpool and Manchester United. Had he come on, he would have been the youngest-ever Premier League debutant, an outstanding achievement. Elliot Lee and Reece Burke have also been on the fringes of the first-team this season. While some people may point to injuries to first-team players, these are the opportunities and the breaks you need as a young player.
In my 36 years in football, that is always the case. When the opportunity arises, the player then needs to take it. It's our job to give the player all the tools to do well. If for any reason the player is short in any department - tactically, mentally, physically - they'll eat you alive in the Premier League.
I think for everybody involved with the Club it really is fantastic to see young players doing well. For Sam Allardyce to be brave enough to include them, first of all, is a big step. The good thing with the young players who are in the squad for Wednesday night is the fact that they are all training with the first team regularly.
The first team and the Academy are both working together and pulling in the same direction. We now have good communication. Ian Hendon is an important link, telling us what they've been working on and Neil McDonald is also heavily involved, coming to every U21 home game. I truly believe it is only a matter of time before this system bears fruit.
Everyone enjoys cheering on home grown players that bit more, there is sense of pride that comes with a local player coming through the ranks. With that in mind, it was great to see Academy graduate James Tomkins sign a long-term contract with the Club, but we need to make sure this happens more regularly.
There is now a real belief that these players can follow in the footsteps of James and Mark Noble. What we are trying to achieve is incredibly difficult, there is no formula or exact science behind producing Premier League players. One thing it does require is hard work, from not just the player, but his family and all the support staff at the Academy. Take Reece Oxford for example. A lot of people have worked with him, probably the current U18s coach Mark Phillips more than anyone. Head of Academy Recruitment Dave Hunt has put hours and hours of work tracking and following him, going abroad with him. The scout who was on the pitch with him when he signed, as well - they're all important people in helping to secure talented young players stay at the club. The next step is that he needs to play, and it shows all the other younger players - Joe Powell, Antony Scully, Reece Burke, Josh Pask and Vashon Neufville - that they can be involved at that kind of age, they're thinking 'Blimey, he's on the bench'. It's a big plus for all of us, it really is.
On the flip side is the unfortunate reality that most Academy players, up and down the country, don't make it to the first team. It's been a tough week because a group of players have been released. For the released players, it's our challenge to find them new clubs and help them forge a career somewhere else. We don't just discard them and throw them out. We're playing in the hardest league in the world and we're about to move to the Olympic Stadium. The club wants to be around the top six, and to do that you've got to be some player. Our next opponents Southampton have had a terrific turnover of world-class graduates in recent years - Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott and Luke Shaw to name just three. When you look at the system and culture they have in place, it's no fluke. They have a clear pathway to the first team, and it is working for them. We want to get to that level of productivity, and I believe we've taken the first steps in the that direction.
All the best,
Terry Westley
Academy Manager and Head of Coaching and Player Development
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Southampton 0 West Ham 0
11 February 2015
Last updated at 22:17
By Luke Reddy
BBC Sport
West Ham had goalkeeper Adrian sent off but frustrated Southampton by holding on for a goalless draw at St Mary's. The keeper was red carded when he handled outside his box under pressure from Sadio Mane after a clumsy touch. Mane was denied by a goal-line clearance earlier and Saints pushed for a winner but Maya Yoshida headed over as the Hammers defended bravely. West Ham's point came despite an injury to substitute Andy Carroll who was hobbling badly in the closing stages. The Hammers' first clean sheet in 18 away games means Southampton dropped to fourth, a point ahead of Arsenal. Few Saints' fans could have dreamt their side would be pushing for a top-four finish when players such as Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw and Dejan Lovren left in the summer but this latest result will feel like a missed opportunity.
Ronald Koeman's side failed to create clear-cut chances before Adrian was dismissed but they dominated the remaining 30 minutes without adding the end product to their approach work. Striker Graziano Pelle, now without a goal in eight league games, glanced a header wide in added time and in a frantic finish Dusan Tadic was denied by a Jussi Jaaskelainen save.
West Ham played the closing stages with Carroll limping, effectively reducing them to nine capable players but their determined display leaves them eighth, eight points behind their hosts. Their manager Sam Allardyce this week told reporters "no coach was more sophisticated" than him in the Premier League and he had to make late adjustments to his side, admitting before kick off his staff "haven't had any real practice with those available" since Sunday's draw with Manchester United. Despite being without the injured Kevin Nolan and unwell Mark Noble in midfield, they were still organised throughout. Aside from Mane's run and shot which prompted a Carl Jenkinson clearance in the first half, Adrian was relatively untroubled until the hour mark, where the first sending off of his career arrived.
It was a clear dismissal as his decision to try to wrong-foot Mane backfired, prompting panic which ended with the Spaniard falling on the ball and striking it with his hand. The home side sensed a seventh win in nine league games and introduced January signing Filip Djuricic for his debut but neither he nor fellow substitute Tadic could break the resistance. Southampton attacked in waves and Aaron Cresswell's brave block prevented Nathaniel Clyne's powerful volley, before Yoshida headed over when well placed. Koeman's side have now failed to win at home in five of their last seven league games but have only dropped out of the top four for two weeks since September.
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman: "If you play 30 minutes 11 against 10 then you have to score the goal but we didn't. Everybody was running and we didn't make the pitch wide to make the space. Too many crosses and I think that is the easy way for them to defend. "I said at half time if we kept the organisation the front players have to win the game tonight but they didn't. You have to react and work harder and be sharp in the box."
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce on Adrian's sending off: "It's a foul on the goalie. Two hands around him, two around his back. It's bizarre why they cant see it but this is what we have to stomach today and it nearly cost us dearly. It lost us the opportunity to win the game and we had to battle with nine in the end when Carroll got injured to get an unbelievable point."
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Allardyce admits defeat in Diarra bid
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 11th February 2015
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's attempt to sign 'free agent' Lassana Diarra has been ended by a considerable amount of very messy, red tape. The former Real Madrid and Arsenal midfielder has been training with West Ham for a number of weeks, as reported here on KUMB last month, with view to sealing a contract after a planned move to Inter fell through. However the Hammers' attempts to resolve the legal issues Diarra has with his former club, Lokomotiv Moscow, have proved fruitless - with Allardyce conceding tonight that he will not be able to sign the player this season. "It's not going to happen due to administration reasons, which is a real shame," Allardyce revealed in tonight's post-match press conference. FIFA regulations, apparently. "To get a player of his quality, with a lot to prove, would have been a huge bonus for us," he added.
Allardyce was left without a recognised central midfielder on the bench at Southampton tonight, with neither Kevin Nolan nor Mark Noble able to play. Further injury concerns in defence - with Winston Reid and James Collins still sidelined - led to Cheik Kouyate filling in at centre half at St Mary's for a second consecutive match.
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Andy Carroll leaves St Mary's on crutches
KUMb.com
Filed: Wednesday, 11th February 2015
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's Andy Carroll left Southampton on crutches tonight following United's goalless draw with Southampton. The striker entered the fray as a second half substitute but pulled up with what appeared to be a re-occurrence of his ankle injury shortly before full time.
As Sam Allardyce had already used his three permitted substitutes, Carroll was forced to remain on the field - although as a passenger, being barely able to move. West Ham - who had already been reduced to ten men following the dismissal of goalkeeper Adrian for deliberate hand ball - will scan the injury tomorrow morning, whilst Carroll must now be considered a major doubt for this weekend's 5th Round FA Cup tie at West Brom.
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Ten-man West Ham hold Southampton to a goalless draw at St Mary's
By Natasha Henry. Last Updated: 11/02/15 10:35pm
SSN
Ten-man West Ham earned a hard-fought point after holding Southampton to a 0-0 draw in their Premier League clash at St Mary's. Adrian was sent off on the hour mark after Sadio Mane got the better of him and he handled the ball outside the area, as the striker attempted to round him. It looked like the home side may get the winning goal their possession deserved but two late saves from substitute Jussi Jaaskelainen left Saints with their first goalless draw since August. Sam Allardyce will be happy with the point but concerned as Andy Carroll, having only returned from injury at the weekend, limped through the last 10 minutes of the game. Southampton started the game like a side keen to cement themselves in the top four of the Premier League and West Ham spent the first 20 minutes with their backs to the wall. It was Saints midfielder Victor Wanyama who had the first chance from 25 yards out, but he swung at the ball and it flew yards over the bar.
Mane followed that up in the 15th minute when he collected Steven Davis' cross from the right and ran into the box. He managed to knock it past Adrian at his near post but Carl Jenkinson was there to clear it. It was the start of a very bad evening for the Spanish goalkeeper. Mane had another chance just moments later and this time Carlton Cole saved his teammate after Adrian completely missed the ball when he came out to clear. Eljero Elia was the next forward to have a go as he beat the offside trap, but Jenkinson was alert to the danger and after being closed down, the Dutch international sent his shot wide. Allardyce made the first changes; bringing on Matt Jarvis for Enner Valencia after the break even though the summer signing had got the Hammers' only shot on target. The visitors altered their shape and it looked like the plan was to send longer balls in for Carroll, who replaced Diafra Sakho in the 55th minute, but the striker spent more time clearing the ball out of his own area. West Ham's chances came on the break, as Adrian's long free-kick found Stewart Downing but he could only send his shot over.
Thirty minutes before the end came Adrian's rush of blood to the head. Mane, who had been lively all game, nicked the ball from his hands. Adrian tried to tackle him and when that didn't work he leapt on the ball as it trickled outside of the area. Jaaskelainen came on in place of Cole and exuded experience as he saved from Graziano Pelle twice. Then on the stroke of full-time he pulled of a low save from Jose Fonte at his right hand post. The result sees Southampton drop one place to fourth on 45 points, but ahead of Arsenal on goal difference. The Hammers stay eighth and have 38 points on the board after 25 games.
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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce claims he is as good as any other manager in the Premier League
Last Updated: 11/02/15 1:00pm
SSN
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce says he is as good as any other manager in the Premier League. Allardyce takes his team to Southampton on Wednesday night where he comes up against Saints boss Ronald Koeman - who has been widely praised for how well he has taken to managing in England. Koeman's fellow Dutchman Louis van Gaal was accused by Allardyce of reverting to direct tactics as his Manchester United side took a last-gasp point from Upton Park on Sunday, as he labelled the Red Devils as "long-ball United" – a tag the Hammers boss has had to live with himself for some time. The accusations of adopting a long-ball policy left van Gaal handing reporters a detailed pamphlet loaded with statistics to rebuff those suggestions ahead of his pre-match press conference on Wednesday, whilst Allardyce chose to look ahead to the trip to St Mary's. And the man who once famously said he would have landed a top European job had he had a name such as 'Allardychi', feels his longevity in the top flight set him aside from all comers. "I don't think there is any coach more sophisticated than me any more," said Allardyce. "That's not trying to criticise any other coaches but there is only Arsene who has done it longer than me. "They may well have gained more experience by managing abroad like Louis van Gaal, Ronald Koeman and people like that but in this country, with the experience they've got I don't think there is any coach that would be in that position (of being more sophisticated than me). I'm just as good as everybody at this stage. "That comes from the amount of time you do the job, how much experience you gain in the job and how much knowledge you strive for on a regular basis to keep the cutting edge. "The cutting edge is what's new in football, what's the next level, where is it going to be, how can you find it, how can you implement it into your club? "I've always been that way inclined. I've never stood still and it's probably why I am still here managing in the Premier League for the last 13-14 years." Allardyce was full of praise for Koeman's work at St Mary's and feels that the Dutchman would be in line to be named manager of the year if he can guide Southampton into the Champions League. "Everybody would see it as such a great achievement and with it being your first appointment in this country, even more so," he said of a potential top-four finish for Saints. "There has been some really good recruitment in new players and that is the key element for us all as managers. We are only as good as the club's recruitment policy and when you get that policy right you improve as a manager because better players come to you. "If you get it wrong, the club declines and you get sacked - it has always been the same, recruitment is the most important thing at the football club. "That player that arrives has to be better than the player that leaves, especially at this level and that is not an easy task by any stretch of the imagination."
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Southampton 0-0 West Ham: Saints fail to take advantage of Adrian red card as Hammers hold on
22:13, 11 February 2015 By Neil McLeman
The Hammers stopper was given his marching orders for handling outside the area, but Koeman's side could not take the initiative
The Mirror
Ten-man West Ham hung on for a point after the dismissal of goalkeeper Adrian for handling outside his box. The Spaniard was shown the red card after 61 minutes when he failed to dribble around Saints striker Sadio Mane and then fell on the ball. But despite fierce pressure on the Hammers goal in a frantic finish - and the odd long ball into the box - Southampton could not force a winner. Not even the late introduction of new loan signing Filip Djuricic could break the deadlock in a poor game which only caught alight in the closing stages.
Ronald Koeman's side, who slip down to fourth place behind Manchester United, have now not won at St Mary's in the Premier League since the New Year's Day victory over Arsenal. Sam Allardyce's team have won only one Premier League game in eight but this was their first clean sheet away from home in 18. The first half had started full of promise before petering out. Steven Davis set up Mane with an audacious backheel before Carl Jenkinson cleared his cross while the Northern Ireland midfielder then retreated to head away an Amalfitano shot away. But with referee Craig Pawson having a stinker, the game sank to his level with Jose Fonte getting booked for handling an Aaron Cresswell cross the highlight of the rest of the half. Allardyce reacted at the break by sending on Matt Jarvis - and soon after Andy Carroll - as the match opened up. Graziano Pelle forced the first of the match from Adrian after 54 minutes from a Mane pass. The Senegal striker, who was booked for a first-half challenge on Alex Song, was then lucky to escape a red for another naughty tackle before he was involved in Adrian's careless dismissal. While Jussi Jaaskelainen immediately came on for the Hammers, Koeman sent on Dusan Tadic to take the free kick which was deflected over the bar. The Finn pushed away shots from Fonte and Tadic and Pelle headed wide during five minutes of stoppage time.
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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce says he is the "most sophisticated" manager in the Premier League
16:44, 11 February 2015 By James Whaling
Big Sam has fanned the flames on his row with Manchester United chief Louis van Gaal after accusing the Red Devils of being a long ball team
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce has stepped up his row with Louis van Gaal, claiming he is the most sophisticated manager in the Premier League. The West Ham chief angered the Dutchman after the Hammers played out a 1-1 draw with Manchester United at the weekend, claiming it was their long ball tactics which ultimately led to Daley Blind's late equaliser. It prompted Van Gaal to hit back in a rather bizarre press conference yesterday, armed with a dossier of statistics to hand to members of the media to try and disprove Big Sam's claims. However, Allardyce has one one step further, claiming he is the furthest ahead of ALL the Premier League bosses with his managerial nous. "I don't think there is any coach more sophisticated than me anymore," said Allardyce. "That's not trying to criticise any other coaches but there is only Arsene Wenger who has done it longer than me. "They may well have gained more experience by managing abroad like Louis van Gaal, Ronald Koeman and people like that but, in this country, with the experience they've got, I don't think there is any coach that would be in that position as more sophisticated. I'm just as good as everybody at this stage. "That comes from the amount of time you do the job, how much experience you gain in the job and how much knowledge you strive for on a regular basis to keep the cutting edge. "The cutting edge is what's new in football, what's the next level, where is it going to be, how can you find it, how can you implement it into your club.
"I've always been that way inclined. I've never stood still and it's probably why I am still here managing in the Premier League for the last 13-14 years." West Ham travel to Southampton this evening, looking to stay in the hunt for European football, while United host Burnley at Old Trafford.
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Villa could be tempted by Allardyce
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 11, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Sam Allardyce's name is tonight in the frame for the Aston Villa job after Paul Lambert was sacked. The West Ham chief – still without a new offer from the West Ham board – is seen as the man to save Villa from the drop by several inside the Villa Park boardroom. Villa released a simple one line statement statement confirming the manager's exit declaring: "Aston Villa Football Club has parted company this evening with manager Paul Lambert." Locally-born Allardyce with just a few months left on his Hammers contract could become a target along possibly with David Moyes. ClaretandHugh was told several weeks ago that were Lambert to be fired Allardyce – who is believed to have held an ambition to manage the club a couple of years back – could easily be in the frame. We were told by several decent midlands sources that he had to be on the short list because it's all about surival and that's Sam's game. We were told: "He's local and those who know him well have always claimed he has a feel for Villa. It will be all about who is advising the owner Randy Lerner."
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Adrian off but Hammers show true grit
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 11, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Saints 0 Irons 0
Adrian was red-carded but the Hammers battle for over half an hour with ten men. The keeper made a real ricket when trying dribble round Saints dangerman Mane who half tackled him as the Spaniard flopped onto the ball 'hands first' outside the area. There was a suspicion of a foul from the Saints striker but in the end referee Craig Pawson appeared to have few options but to point to the dressing room.
However, Jussi Jaaskalainen – coming on for Carlton Cole – made some important saves as he made his first appearance since New Year's Day, 2014 to ensure we came away from the south coast with a precious point. There had been no alarms in the first 45 minutes which ended with the home fans booing their team off. That was a tribute to the Irons strong defensive performance which kept the third placed team at bay with relative ease.
Saints went close after 13 minutes when Mane received Davis' pass, drove past Tomkins and clipped towards goal from an acute angle but Jenkinson was well positioned to clear. The hosts followed that three minutes later with a set piece which saw Adrian leave his line but failed to punch clear and a Gardos header was cleared by Cole. Kouyate was again composed at centre half again and turned away very cleverly from Pelle when facing his own by-line. Pelle comes back with a strong but fair challenge but Kouyate had the better of him.
Mane had a real chance as half time approached but his curling effort sailed a couple of feet wide of Adrian's left hand post. Valencia had worked hard and, finding some space to shoot for the Hammers, saw his effort blocked as the half came to its end. There was nothing in it at all until Adrian's departure saw Saints charge forward with real purpose. Pelle had a couple of chances, thrashing over the top before a looping effort was held by JJ. For all their pressure the hosts didn't create a real chance until Jaaskalainen saved well from Fonte low to his left and claimed a clipped ball into the box. Tadic then found space on the right and crossed towards Pelle who got there but saw the ball slid off his forehead and wide. Jaaskalainen topped a fine 30 odd minutes right at the end when he did brilliantly to sharply push away a low Davis drive to safety. It was a scrappy affair from the start and in the end a draw was probably a fair result as the Irons showed real grit.
Adrian 4 Jenkinson 7 Tomkins 7 Kouyate 7 Cresswell 7; Song 7 Amafitano 6, Downing 6, Valencia 5, Sakho 6, Cole 5
Subs: Jaaskalainen 7 Jarvis 5 Carroll 5
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Diarra move blocked by FIFA
Posted by Sean Whetstone on February 11, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Lassana Diarra has claimed his move to West Ham has been blocked by FIFA In a series of three tweets, Diarra announced: "Thanks to the FIFA again you did a great job you don't let me play in France, Germany, Italy and England so maybe in Jamaica you will…In fews days I will explain everything the real story with my ex-team with the FIFA everything not the fake version since the beginning of this story I received a lot of support from you guys thanks a lot i really appreciate one love G5″
The tweets have since been deleted by the player.Just a few days ago Sam Allardyce told a press confrence "I'm not so sure we've finalised a deal yet, but he has been doing a little bit of training with us and a deal is very close. On the basis where we are at the minute with our squad picking up a few injuries, as soon as we get him fit he would be a very good addition based on his previous record. He won't be in the right state in terms of being fit for the Southampton game, or for Saturday's game against West Brom, but I certainly hope with a good few days training with the lads, he'll be close within seven or 10 days if he finally signs the contract."
The 29-year-old French man who has been training with the Hammers for a few weeks previously played for Chelsea, Arsenal and Real Madrid but is now a free agent.
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West Ham are 21st richest club in the world
Posted by Sean Whetstone on February 11, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham are the 21st Richest club in the world. In it's 18th edition Deloitte profiles the highest earning clubs in the world in the Football Money League.
1. Real Madrid – £459.5m
2. Manchester United – £433.2m
3. Bayern Munich – £407.7m
4. Barcelona – £405.2m
5. Paris Saint-Germain – £396.5m
6. Manchester City – £346.5m
7. Chelsea – £324.4m
8. Arsenal – £300.5m
9. Liverpool – £255.8m
10. Juventus – £233.6m
11. Borussia Dortmund – £218.7m
12. AC Milan – £208.8m
13. Tottenham – £180.5m
14. Schalke 04 – £178.9m
15. Atletico Madrid – £142.1m
16. Napoli £137.8m
17. Inter Milan – £137.1m
18. Galatasaray – £135.4m
19. Newcastle United – £129.7m
20. Everton £120.5m
21. West Ham United – £105.3m
22. Aston Villa – £101.9m
23. Marseille – £100m
24. Roma – £97.7m
25. Southampton – £97.3
The full report can be downloaded from the link report
http://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/uk/Documents/sports-business-group/deloitte-football-money-league-2015.PDF
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