Daily WHUFC News - 14th February 2015

Preview - West Bromwich Albion
WHUFC.com
Everything you need to know about Saturday's FA Cup game with West Bromwich
Albion
13.02.2015

WEST BROMWICH ALBION v WEST HAM UNITED
FA CUP FIFTH ROUND TIE
THE HAWTHORNS
SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2015
KICK-OFF: 12.45PM
REFEREE: MARTIN ATKINSON

In brief
West Ham United travel to the Black Country to face West Bromwich Albion for
the second time this season as the Hammers look to continue their FA Cup run
against the Baggies. In previous rounds, the Hammers had to overcome Everton
thanks to Adrian's penalty shootout heroics before beating a determined
Bristol City 1-0 away.

The Baggies, who sit in 14th in the Premier League table on 26 points, are
enjoying a resurgence of form as Tony Pulis looks to have had an impressive
impact since joining in January. The Baggies dispatched non-league Gateshead
7-0 before beating fellow Midlands club Birmingham City 2-1 at St. Andrews.
Sam Allardyce's men enjoyed success at the Hawthorns earlier in the season,
coming from a goal down to win 2-1. The Baggies went ahead through Craig
Dawson before goals from Kevin Nolan and James Tomkins secured the three
points.

Who are they?
West Bromwich Albion were formed in 1878 out of workers from Salter's Spring
Works in West Bromwich. They recorded their biggest ever win over Coseley in
1882, by an impressive 26-0 margin, and went on to win the Staffordshire
Senior Cup, their first trophy, the next season.
West Brom were one of twelve founding members of the Football League in
1888. That same year they won the FA Cup for the first time.
The Baggies won their one and only Division One title in 1919/20. Other
honours include winning the FA Cup a total of five times, most recently in
1967/68, as well as a League Cup title in 1965/66. More recently, they have
established themselves as a Premier League club after being promoted back to
the top flight in 2010.

Team news
West Ham United
The Hammers will be without England striker Andy Carroll for a number of
months after he suffered a knee injury in the 0-0 draw away at Southampton.
Midfielder Mark Noble has recovered from illness while Kevin Nolan is back
in contention having overcome a foot injury sustained against Manchester
United. Cheikhou Kouyate looks set to continue at centre-back while Doneil
Henry and Guy Demel are available having recovered from injury.

West Bromwich Albion
The Baggies will have to wait on Victor Anichebe who is suffering from a
groin strain. Youssef Mulumbu is out with a hamstring injury while Jonas
Olsson is also out.

Referee
Saturday's referee is the experienced Martin Atkinson. Hammers fans will be
pleased to hear that in the three games Atkinson has officiated this season
involving their side, West Ham remain unbeaten. They include the impressive
2-1 win over Manchester City and the 3-0 home win over Hull City. In the FA
Cup, Atkinson has been involved in Southampton's 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town
and Stoke City's 4-1 win over Rochdale. The assistant referees are Gary
Beswick and Stephen Child, while Chris Foy is the Fourth Official.

One to watch
West Ham United
25-year-old central defender James Tomkins has been in excellent form
recently, which has been recognised in the form of a five-and-a-year
contract. The Academy graduate has made 20 appearances this season, scoring
the winner against West Brom at the Hawthorns in December.
West Bromwich Albion Livewire Saido Berahino could prove to be a real
handful after returning to form against Swansea City in midweek with a
powerful finish to secure a vital win for the Baggies. The 21-year-old
striker has scored 15 goals already this season, leading to speculation
about his long term future at the Hawthorns.

TV coverage
Saturday's game is live on BT Sport 1, kick off is 12.45pm and coverage
starts at midday.

Tickets
Tickets are now sold out. Tickets for the Hammers' next home game with
Crystal Palace on Saturday 28 February are available here.

Travel
For all the information on how to get to the Hawthorns, click here. Please
note that with replacement buses operating on the Chiltern Line out of
London Marylebone, engineering works which were due to affect the London
Euston-Birmingham New Street route have been postponed.

Weather
Saturday afternoon is due to be an overcast day with temperature at kick off
forecast to be 6C (43F).

Last away meeting
West Bromwich Albion 1-2 West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
2 December 2014
The Hammers recorded an important 2-1 win away at the Hawthorns to maintain
their good run of form. Craig Dawson headed then manager Alan Irvine's side
into a ten minute lead before Kevin Nolan pounced in the six yard box to
equalise. On the stroke of half-time James Tomkins rose highest at the back
post to head home Stewart Downing's floated corner.

West Bromwich Albion: Foster, Lescott, Baird (Ideye 83), Dawson, Wisdom,
Sessegnon, Gardner (Varela 65), Brunt (Mulumbu 45+3), Dorrans, Anichebe,
Berahino
Subs not used: Myhill, Gamboa, McAuley, Samaras
West Ham United: Adrian, Reid, Tomkins, Cresswell, Jenkinson, Downing,
Amalfitano (Collins 65), Nolan, Kouyate, Carroll (Valencia 65), Zarate (Cole
78)
Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, Jarvis, O'Brien, Demel

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Chadwell Chatter
WHUFC.com
Carlton Cole would love to make a Wembley return with West Ham United
12.02.2015

Hello everyone,

There was a time a couple of weeks ago where it looked like I might be with
Saturday's opponents West Bromwich Albion rather than still here at West Ham
United. As you know, I was up at West Brom on transfer deadline day but the
deal didn't go through. These things happen and you just have to get on with
it. A bit was written about what happened but they are things in the past
and I am looking to the future. Because I hadn't been playing much here, it
is normal when a team shows interest in you and offers you game-time that
you are going to react a certain way if it doesn't go through, but obviously
the manager here has talked to me since that and we have moved on from
there.
It was nothing personal, I just felt a little bit hard done by, but these
things happen in football. I just have to be a professional and get on with
it and wait for my chance to come, which came at Southampton and I am
thankful for that.

The gaffer here kept faith in me by playing me at Southampton on Wednesday
night. I didn't expect to start and he knows that I am going to put in a
solid performance out there and try and influence the game as much as I can.
He knows what he is getting from me and that is probably what Tony Pulis saw
in me too. I didn't really get a chance to score on Wednesday, but when it
comes, hopefully I can take it.
Mark Noble and Kevin Nolan have both said to me that scoring at West Brom
would be something else after what happened. These things do happen in
football and I want to have more influence and build on my performance at St
Mary's.

Concentrating on Wednesday's game for a moment, the boys played with a bit
of fatigue in the team. A few of them were tired, but they have put in a
good shift. I just tried to put myself about, I didn't really get any
chances to score, but we tried to do our best and we have to respect the
point. I knew when Jussi came on he would be solid. He has got vast
experience in the Premier League, so I would have had faith in him all the
time. It was like a win at the end. We needed to get some sort of result
coming away from home against a team so high in the league. It is a great
point and I thought we fought well and at the end I was watching from the
bench anxious that they didn't score. The boys had a massive influence with
their defending which shows what we have been doing. Cheikhou Kouyate was
not really known as a defender in the Premier League, but he is now. He has
done brilliantly and I am really happy for him. He was awesome on Wednesday,
he was all over the field and it just shows you that we have the heart and
the spirit and the solidarity to go forward as well. As I said earlier, we
are all looking forward now and we have an FA Cup fifth-round tie to prepare
for.

I've obviously played for West Ham at Wembley before and we are not that far
away from going back. We just need to stay solid as a unit. We got the
result up there before, so we need to do that again and put in a proper,
solid performance. We will have some players back from injury as well which
will boost us. I know we can get a result up there. Everybody dreams of
scoring at Wembley and I have done that. For West Ham it was one of my best
moments and it will be a privilege for me to get into that position again. I
know you would all love another day out at Wembley too, so let's keep
working together and see what we can achieve!

Coley

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Carroll injury update
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll will have surgery on his injured knee on Tuesday
13.02.2015

Andy Carroll will have surgery on his injured knee on Tuesday following
assessment by a specialist on Friday afternoon. The England international
injured his left knee during the second half of Wednesday night's 0-0
Barclays Premier League draw at Southampton.
The recovery phase is expected to keep Carroll out for the remainder of the
2014/15 season.

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Hammers successful in Adrian appeal
WHUFC.com
Adrian available to play at West Bromwich Albion after successful appeal
13.02.2015

West Ham United are pleased to confirm that their appeal over Adrian's red
card at Southampton has been upheld. An Independent Regulatory Commission
heard the appeal on Friday and decided that the Club were correct in
challenging the dismissal for denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity.
His one-match suspension has, therefore, been withdrawn with immediate
effect and the 28-year-old goalkeeper is now clear to play in Saturday's FA
Cup fifth round tie at West Bromwich Albion.

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Cheik keen for FA Cup glory
WHUFC.com
Cheikhou Kouyate wants to add to his medal collection by winning the FA Cup
13.02.2015

Cheikhou Kouyate is dreaming of adding another winner's medal to his
impressive collection by lifting this season's FA Cup. The West Ham United
No8 won seven trophies during a triumphant five-year spell with Belgian
giants RSC Anderlecht, before moving to east London last summer. Now, the
Senegal star is preparing for an FA Cup fifth-round tie at West Bromwich
Albion, knowing the Hammers are just three victories from a Wembley final.
"In Senegal I was a little boy and I looked at the FA Cup all the time on
the TV," said the 25-year-old. "I remember some Senegalese players like
El-Hadji Diouf and Papa Bouba Diop playing in the FA Cup and I liked that a
lot. "My ambition is to go to the final. If we go to West Brom and fight for
90 minutes for the qualification, we can do it and it's very important. I am
very ambitious and it's my dream to go to the final. "This is football and
it's very possible that we can win it - you have to have that in your mind.
This a cup and one or two wins and you can go to the final. We'll all be
fighting for it."

With James Collins and Winston Reid struggling with injuries, Kouyate is
expected to fill a central defensive role again at The Hawthorns - a role
he has filled with aplomb in Barclays Premier League draws with Manchester
United and Southampton. After blunting the likes of Robin van Persie, Falcao
and Graziano Pelle, the Hammers favourite will join forces with James
Tomkins again this Saturday, when the pair will face rising star Saido
Berahino and Nigeria powerhouse Brown Ideye. "Brown Ideye is a very good
striker, he is strong and speedy," Kouyate observed. "It's the same for
Berahino, who has strength, speed and very good technique. They are very
good strikers, but will fight them and I am not worried. "We've had two very
big, very hard games. Against Manchester United, we were unlucky because
they scored in the last minute, which was very frustrating. This is
football. "On Wednesday at Southampton, I loved the fighting spirit of the
team because it wasn't easy to play with nine men for 20 to 25 minutes. It
was very hard but we got a good point. "We played with great spirit and
mentality with all the players fighting all the time and fighting together.
This is a very good mentality for the team."

While their partnership may be just two games old, Kouyate and Tomkins
already look like they have played together for years. The Dakar-born player
may prefer a more advanced position, but he has taken to his defensive role
with admirable commitment and no little ability.
"I am a little experienced at centre-back. I played there for one year for
Anderlecht, including six games in the Champions League, so it's not a new
position for me. "Centre-back is a crucial position because you need to
concentrate all the time. If you lose one ball, it is very dangerous for the
team. You have to concentrate, play simple and keep a clean sheet if you can
- that's the aim for a defender.
"Tomkins is a good player, he is a very good defender. He makes it very easy
for me to play with him because he is helping me and talking to me all the
time."

While Kouyate's primary role will be to stop West Brom, he will also be
looking to make his mark at the attacking end of the pitch, having scored
twice in his last four West Ham appearances. After netting a header against
Arsenal and a right-foot volley against Manchester United, can he complete a
perfect hat-trick against the Baggies? "Ha! My left foot is very average! I
scored one time with my left foot in Belgium, but all things are possible in
football, so wait and see!" Perhaps more likely is a goal from Kouyate's
compatriot and close friend Diafra Sakho, who has ten to his name in just 18
appearances this season. "Diafra Sakho is a score-boy! He is Diafra-goal!
This guy is crazy, he is very hungry and all the time he sees the goal. All
the time he comes to me and says 'Cheik, tomorrow I'm scoring a goal' and
this guy is unbelievable and this guy is fantastic."

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Phillips targeting Villa victory
WHUFC.com
West Ham United U18s coach Mark Phillips is looking to beat Aston Villa on
Saturday
13.02.2015

West Ham United U18 coach Mark Phillips is looking ahead to Saturday's game
away at Aston Villa as the Hammers look to bounce back from a 3-2 defeat
last weekend by Fulham. After a slow start, the Academy side found
themselves 2-0 down and despite a much improved second half, left themselves
too much to do. Speaking ahead of Saturday's game with the Villains,
Phillips said: "Aston Villa will be a tough game, unfortunately they beat us
3-1 earlier in the season. They came to Little Heath and played pretty well.
"They're currently second in the league so it will be a tough game. We want
to bounce back after losing to Fulham last weekend. It was disappointing to
lose but I thought overall we played well. We had a lot of school boys
playing for us and I thought they did well."

With just three league games left of the season until the play offs,
Phillips is targeting a top four finish for the U18s. Currently fourth in
the Barclays U18 Premier League South Division, with 28 points from 19
games, they are on course to do just that. "We want to finish in the top
four for the play offs. Finishing in the top four is much more prestigious
and would be a harder test for the players which is exactly what we want.
"If we do get into the top four we'll play the likes Manchester United,
Manchester City and Everton, so that would be great."

With the Development Squad not in action for a few weeks, Phillips suggested
a number of those who were involved in the impressive 2-1 win over Fulham
last Friday at Rush Green would feature for the U18s this weekend. "We will
be utilising all the players we have available, including the players who
were involved with the U21s successfully last week. "They really played
well, it was an excellent performance from start to finish, by everyone.
Fulham had two experienced professionals in their side, a 27 and 28-year-old
whereas our team was predominantly youth team players. "It undoubtedly helps
that they have grown together for a number of years. I think almost everyone
playing against Fulham last week played in the youth cup last year. There's
a good team spirit and camaraderie and I think it showed on the pitch.
"After the U21s won on Friday, Neil McDonald came into the dressing room and
said with the first team in a secure position they hope to give younger
players a go before the end of the season. That's a great incentive for all
of the players."

Some of the youth players have already made that step as Reece Oxford, Reece
Burke and Elliot Lee were al on the bench for the Hammers' draw away at
Southampton. "It's a very proud moment for everyone when you see youth
players involved with the first team. It was fantastic to see all three on
the bench. It's a shame they didn't get on but the circumstances of the game
didn't allow it really."

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West Brom v West Ham
KO 12:45
13 February 2015
Last updated at 15:32

FA CUP FIFTH ROUND
Venue: The Hawthorns Date: Saturday, 14 February Kick-off: 12:45 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, BBC local radio, Final Score
and Match of the Day

West Brom will have Chris Brunt as captain for the FA Cup fifth-round tie
with West Ham as midfielder Darren Fletcher is cup tied. Striker Victor
Anichebe is a doubt with a groin strain, but goalkeeper Boaz Myhill may play
after a finger injury.
Midfielders Kevin Nolan and Mark Noble could return for West Ham after
missing the goalless draw with Southampton. Nolan had a foot injury while
Noble had a virus. Striker Andy Carroll is likely to miss the rest of the
season.

West Brom have beaten Gateshead and Birmingham City to reach the fifth
round.
Lawro's prediction : "I hope this is an open game where both sides go for
it. It will be close, though. They are both in decent form - West Brom have
only lost one of their last eight games, and for West Ham it is one defeat
in nine." The Baggies are four points above the relegation zone but manager
Tony Pulis is keen to steer the club to Wembley. "We are a couple of games
from Wembley with the semi-finals staged there," he said. "If we can get
through this challenge and get a favourable draw...who knows what might be
ahead? "It is the excitement of the cup and I know this club has a great
history in the competition."
West Ham, have overcome Everton and Bristol City in this season's FA Cup,
and boss Sam Allardyce is also targeting a run to Wembley.
"We're safe in the league so we can really concentrate on doing well in the
cup," he said.

MATCH FACTS

This is the sixth time these sides have been drawn together in the FA Cup,
with West Ham progressing four times and West Brom just once previously.
West Brom have won the trophy on five occasions, though not since 1968.
West Brom head coach Tony Pulis guided Stoke to the final in 2011, where
they were beaten by Manchester City.
West Ham won the FA Cup three times, though not since 1980. They were more
recently beaten on penalties by Liverpool in the 2006 FA Cup final in
Cardiff.
West Ham beat West Brom in the Third Round on their way to their last FA Cup
trophy in 1980.

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We need to replace Carroll, says Sullivan
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 14th February 2015
By: Staff Writer

David Sullivan revealed tonight that West Ham are in the hunt for another
striker following the news that Andy Carroll will miss the rest of the
season. The club confirmed on Friday that the injury sustained by the
26-year-old against Southampton in midweek would rule him out for the rest
of the campaign. And co-owner Sullivan told LBC's Iain Dale tonight that he
was exploring all avenues as he seeks to redress that imbalance. The
66-year-old also confirmed that West Ham had agreed to pay the London living
wage - following a request last year from the capital's mayor, Boris
Johnson. "We said to him at the time that if we survive in the Premier
League, we will pay it. We're now in a position where we're virtually
certain to survive - and hopefully do a lot better - so we've announced
today that we're going to do it.
"The problem with football is that all the money goes to the players and the
agents. But we think as a company we can afford to pay the living wage and
it's something I strongly support. "It's very difficult for people in London
and it's right that should earn more than the minimum wage. It might work if
you live in Accrington - it doesn't work if you live in London or Essex."

The Premier League's chief executive, Richard Scudamore, insisted 48 hours
earlier that it is not his organisation's responsibility to ensure member
clubs pay their staff a living wage. "At the end of the day there's a thing
called the living wage but there's also a minimum wage," he said.
"Politicians have the power to up that minimum wage. That's entirely for the
politicians to do; that's not for us to do." West Ham are the second Premier
League club to commit to paying the living wage, following on from Chelsea's
lead.

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#justiceforjeff
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 13th February 2015
By: Staff Writer

West Ham supporters travelling to the Midlands tomorrow are being asked to
join Albion fans in a round of applause in memory of Baggies legend Jeff
Astle. The former England striker died aged just 59 in 2002 as a result of
head injuries sustained by heading heavy footballs during his career, which
spanned nearly 20 years. Since then, Astle's family have been campaigning to
raise awareness of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a brain condition
commonly seen in former boxers who suffered serial blows to the head.
Tomorrow, during West Ham's 5th Round FA Cup tie at the Hawthorns, West Brom
fans will play their part by staging a round of applause for ex-centre
froward Astle in the ninth minute. And KUMB have been asked to raise
awareness of the momentary applause by Claire Astle, Jeff's daughter who
runs the #justiceforjeff campaign.

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Boo! West Ham charged for Soton spat
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 13th February 2015
By: Staff Writer

West Ham have been charged for failing to control their players during
Wednesday night's goalless draw with Southampton. The FA - who also
confirmed that Adrian's red card had been overturned - announced that West
Ham have five days to respond to the charge, which appears to be the result
of a melee that occurred at the time of the goalkeeper's sending off. "West
Ham have been charged by The FA for failing to ensure that its players
conducted themselves in an orderly fashion in or around the 61st minute of
this game", read an FA statement.
"The club have until 6pm on 18 February 2015 to respond to the charge."

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West Brom and West Ham eyeing FA Cup glory at the Hawthorns
Last Updated: 14/02/15 6:22am
SSN

West Bromwich Albion entertain West Ham United in the FA Cup fifth round at
The Hawthorns on Saturday afternoon in a meeting of two clubs who have won
the competition eight times between them. However, with the home side's last
triumph coming way back in 1968, and the visitors' in 1980, this tie
represents a great opportunity for both to move a step closer to getting
their hands on the famous old trophy. West Brom will be confident of
advancing to what would be a first quarter-final appearance since 2008 after
losing just once in seven games in all competitions since Tony Pulis took
charge on January 1. Sam Allardyce's team won 2-1 at the Hawthorns when the
two met in the league in December, while West Ham also beat the Baggies on
the way to winning the cup 35 years ago.

Team news

West Brom striker Victor Anichebe will have a late fitness test after
missing Wednesday's win over Swansea with a groin problem, but both
midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu (hamstring) and defender Jonas Olsson (calf) are
absent through injury and captain Darren Fletcher is cup-tied.

Meanwhile, West Ham frontman Andy Carroll has been ruled out for between
four and six weeks after tearing a medial ligament in his knee at
Southampton in midweek, although goalkeeper Adrian features after having his
red card in that match overturned. But Allardyce will also be without
centre-backs Winston Reid and James Collins with hamstring problems, while
midfielders Kevin Nolan and Mark Noble (illness), as well as right-back Guy
Demel, all face late fitness tests.

Sky Bet make West Brom 7/5 favourites for the victory with West Ham 19/10 to
progress in 90 minutes. However, with the draw a 23/10 chance, the Hammers
are actually just 5/6 to book their place in the quarter-finals, be it on
Saturday or via a replay.

Saido Berahino is the 5/1 favourite to score first followed by Brown Ideye
(11/2), while Diafra Sakho and Andy Carroll are considered the visitors'
biggest threats at 6/1 apiece.

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West Brom boss Tony Pulis says no hard feelings with West Ham over Carlton
Cole
Last Updated: 13/02/15 11:31pm
SSN

West Brom head coach Tony Pulis has revealed clear-the-air talks were held
between West Ham chairman David Sullivan and Baggies counterpart Jeremy
Peace following the recent collapse of a deal for Carlton Cole. Cole was
poised to join Albion on transfer deadline day having agreed terms and
passed a medical, with the Hammers in turn ready to tie up a deal for
Tottenham's Emmanuel Adebayor. But as that deal fell through at the last
minute, so West Ham pulled the plug on Cole's move to the Hawthorns. Less
than two weeks later, Cole is now likely to figure for West Ham in
Saturday's FA Cup fifth-round tie. Pulis said: "That's the way it spins at
times. There was never a deal to be done unless West Ham agreed to it, which
was right through to the last minutes of the negotiations. "West Ham had
said right from the start - they were very up front and very honest - they
had to bring someone in before they would let Carlton go, and we understood
that. Both clubs thought it was going to be done at one stage, but it
wasn't, which is no fault of West Ham's whatsoever.

Player Profile
Carlton Cole
Appearances 5 (10)
Goals 3
Assists 0
Yellows 2
Reds 0

"David Sullivan even called our chairman (Peace) and spoke to him, and that
shows you how disappointed both parties were. "But there was never any
secret as to what the situation was. If they (West Ham) had brought someone
in Carlton would have been available. "If they didn't he was going back,
which was made clear, so that was fine. I've always thought he's a good
player who gives you different options. On his day he's a handful, whilst
his goalscoring record - when he plays - is decent. For us, he would have
been different to what we have."

Sam Allardyce may have been ready to sell Cole last month but now he is
backing the former Chelsea striker to make his mark in claret and blue -
particularly in light of Andy Carroll's injury setback. Cole is out of
contract in the summer but he started Wednesday night's 0-0 draw at
Southampton and is expected to be handed another start in this Cup tie.
"He's a very important player for us," said the West Ham manager. "Certainly
he comes more into focus now that Andy is out for a few weeks as well. "The
fact he is there for us, he has never let us down. If needed on Saturday,
hopefully he comes up with the goal. that would be very nice for us and him.
"His character is such that he loves training and he loves football. He is a
very pleasant, very bubbly character and he is one of those lads that
doesn't throw the toys out of the pram for too long. He comes in and enjoys
his life, enjoys training, enjoys playing football. He had a big
disappointment but he hasn't let that affect him too much, which I'm very
pleased about."

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West Ham admit Andy Carroll's season ending knee injury is "a huge blow" to
their ambitions
22:30, 13 February 2015 By Darren Lewis, Neil McLeman
Luckless England striker who missed the first half of last season and only
began this campaign in November following ankle surgery needs another op
The Mirror

David Sullivan has admitted West Ham have been left reeling by the news Andy
Carroll is out for the rest of the season. England striker Carroll will have
a knee operation on Tuesday after picking up an injury in Wednesday's 0-0
draw at Southampton. Chairman Sullivan said: "It's a huge blow for Andy and
a huge blow for us. He is a fantastic player who has proven to us just how
important he is since he has come back into the team. "We know that he will
come back stronger from this and we are continuing to support him." Carroll,
who will have the surgery in London, is understood to be "devastated" at the
news. The setback is the FIFTH major injury for the luckless frontman - West
Ham's record signing at £15.5million - in his two and a half years at the
east London club. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce said: "It is a big blow for him
and it is a big blow for us. It is traumatic when someone is going through a
period where you overcome one injury and another occurs. "It is very
depressing for Andy but he knows the process and he has to be very strong in
terms of overcoming this injury and coming back as quickly as possible. "He
just have to do what he has been doing far too often. He has to get his head
down and focus on recovery."

The Hammers are now even more annoyed that Spurs frustrated their bid to
take Emmanuel Adebayor on loan on transfer deadline night earlier this
month. To rub salt into the wound, Adebayor has been left out of the last
two Tottenham squads as the club look to freeze him out.
Carroll, 26, damaged his left knee on Wednesday in a clash with Saints
defender Maya Yoshida but had to play on because West Ham had used all their
substitutes. It is felt, however, that the damage had already been done by
them. It is particularly galling for West Ham - away to West Brom on
Saturday in the fifth round of the FA Cup - and the player, as Carroll only
started his season in November after being sidelined for four months
following ankle ligament surgery last July. This new blow means he will fail
to make 15 starts for the Hammers for the second season running, since being
bought from Liverpool. Carroll managed just 13 last year and his season been
cut short prematurely this term with just 14. Only once in his
injury-plagued nine seasons as a professional has Carroll managed more than
30 starts - in 2009-10, when he racked up 35 during Newcastle's
Championship-winning campaign.

* WEST HAM goalkeeper Adrian has had a one-match ban overturned following
his dismissal in the Southampton match.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Darren Fletcher transfer interest sparked pay-scale grumbling
among their players
22:30, 13 February 2015 By Darren Lewis
Midfielder who ended up joining West Brom from Man United would have become
the Hammers' second highest earner after Andy Carroll on £75k a week
The Mirror

West Ham players believe the club were right to pull the plug on their
£75,000-a-week move for Darren Fletcher. Midfielder Fletcher, 32, joined
West Brom on Deadline Day after the Hammers ended their interest two days
previously. Fletcher went on to help the Baggies come from 2-0 down to earn
a point at Burnley last Sunday. West Ham wanted to back boss Sam Allardyce
with the ex-Manchester United midfielder.
They felt the respected Fletcher - who lifted five titles at Old Trafford -
would have brought even more quality to the squad. But Mirror Sport has
learned some Hammers stars were shocked by the proposed package for the
Scotland international who made just five starts for United since Louis van
Gaal took over last summer. Talks between Fletcher - who has recovered from
ulcerative colitis - and West Ham broke down after the east Londoners
decided against a permanent deal and opted for a loan instead. The player's
Upton Park salary would have made him the club's second-highest earner
behind £100,000-a-week Andy Carroll. The Irons' star defender Winston Reid
is on just £25,000-a-week and has so far been unable to agree a new deal at
the club with less than six months of his contract left to run. Fletcher's
earnings would also have been more than vice-captain Mark Noble, who is on
£40,000-a-week.
Skipper Kevin Nolan is on £50,000-a-week, the same as in-form Stewart
Downing - among the most improved players in the Premier League this season.
While there is no animosity felt towards Fletcher whatsoever, some players
felt the expenditure was not justified when they have worked hard to keep
the club in contention for a shock European place. Before the West Ham move
fell through over the weekend, the impending deal - and the implications for
the other players - had been the talk of the squad as they travelled up to
Merseyside for their Premier League game at Liverpool. Meanwhile, Mirror
Sport understands West Ham failed in audacious deadline day moves for Paris
Saint-Germain forward Ezequiel Lavezzi and Marseille hitman Andre Pierre
Gignac as they searched for alternatives to Emmanuel Adebayor. As we
revealed on deadline day, Spurs blocked the Hammers' attempt to take
Adebayor on loan for the rest of the season as they did not want to
subsidise his wages.West Ham instead tried for 29-year-old Lavezzi,
disciplined and frozen out at PSG for missing a winter training camp. The
Argentinian, however, rejected the move. France international Gignac has
been in fine form this season with 14 goals in 23 appearances for Marseille.
He is out of contract in the summer, but he too decided to stay with his
club.

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West Brom's Pulis warns West Ham boss Allardyce: We're BOTH stuck with
long-ball merchant tag
22:30, 13 February 2015 By James Nursey
The Baggies' former Stoke boss hasn't shaken a reputation for route-one
football and feels his FA Cup fifth round opponent is in the same boat
The Mirror

Tony Pulis has warned Sam Allardyce he will NEVER shake off his reputation
form playing direct football. Dutchman Louis Van Gaal bristled at West Ham
boss Allardyce's description of his Manchester United side as "long-ball"
and produced a dossier in rsponse. And ahead of Saturday's FA Cup visit from
Big Sam's Hammers, West Brom manager Pulis - who hasn't been able to lose
the route-one merchant label he acquired in his days at Stoke - insisted:
"Perception is a big thing and the perception will always be there with Sam.
I don't think you lose that. "But I don't think Sam takes it personally now.
He can't at his age, or can he? You get on with it. It is my life and
football is Sam's life as well and Van Gaal's life. "I don't know what has
happened between the two of them, I will let them get on with it. "It is not
a long ball when Manchester United play it, it is a long pass. I watched a
bit of the game and the last 20 minutes Manchester United brought on
Marouane Fellaini and they looked as though they did hit some long balls
into him. "Whether it is long balls or long passes, both teams have
tremendous ability – West Ham and Manchester United. Football is a game of
which there are variations and there should be variations in systems and the
people play. "I have watched West Ham on tape this morning and they play
some fantastic football. They move the ball back through midfield and up to
their strikers and play some good football. "They have some outstanding
players. Stewart Downing is having an outstanding season and has really made
them tick."

The Hammers are eighth in the Premier League and West Brom 14th. Pulis
added: "We know how tough it will be. When the draw was made it was lovely
to play at home but we knew West Ham would be one of the toughest games."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce presented with Louis van Gaal's dossier - but insists he's
moved on from long-ball row
13:03, 13 February 2015 By James Whaling
The Hammers chief held his media briefing ahead of their clash with West
Brom tomorrow, but said there was 'no point' in going further into the
matter
The Mirror

Sam Allardyce was presented with Louis van Gaal's long-ball dossier at his
press conference this morning, but insists he has moved on from the row.
Allardyce accused the Red Devils of snatching a late point off his side by
using a direct style of play, a jibe which clearly hit a nerve with the
Dutchman, who compiled a four-page document for journalists at his press
conference earlier this week. A reporter handed Allardyce the sheets at his
media briefing today, but the 60-year-old Irons boss was reluctant to go
over old ground. "I shall have a look at that when I get the opportunity,"
said Allardyce. "Thank you very much. "I don't think there's any point in me
going into it again, it is what it is and he's made of it what he's made of
it. "I said what I saw on the day but we've moved on – we've played another
Premier League game since then and the focus for us now is on the FA Cup and
trying to progress to the next round."
Van Gaal had requested at his news conference before the Burnley game
earlier this week that the document be given to Allardyce today.
He said: "When a colleague of mine is saying this kind of thing, then you
have to see the data and you have to put the data in the right context, I
believe. "So I give you this, you can see this also. I give it to you and
maybe you can go Big Sam and show it to him." The Hammers take on West Brom
in the FA Cup tomorrow, while United travel to Preston on Monday evening.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sullivan: "We are looking for a striker"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 13, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

David Sullivan has admitted the club is hunting for an out of contract
striker to provide additional cover following Andy Carroll's season ending
knee injury. With only Diafra Sakho, Enner Valencia and Carlton Cole
available the Irons will be looking at what's available among the out of
contract players. He has not given any names but admitted in an interview
this evening on LBC that the club was now actively looking for a players.
Mauro Zarate is unable to return from Queens Park Rangers where he is on
loan until the end of the season and with Diafra Sakho suffering a recurring
back injury, the situation could get difficult. Sullivan – speaking of
Carroll's injury – said: "That's football. You have to cope with it. We are
looking for a striker as cover now."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gold: Irons have an edge on West Brom
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 13, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

David Gold believes the Irons will be in a totally different place mentally
to West Brom when the two sides clash at the Hawthorns in the fifth round FA
Cup clash. The co chairman believes the club's points total frees them
completely to concentrate on the job in hand rather than worry about league
position. But he believes the same is most certainly not true of Tony Pulis'
Baggies who may still be worrying about staying out of the relegation
places. Gold told ClaretandHugh: "We are really up for the Cup this year and
can give it 100 per cent concentration. The same may not be true of Tony
Pulis and who will surely be looking over his shoulder. "We have the luxury
of knowing we are safe and that should give us a big psychological
advantage. If we drop a couple of points it is no where near as big a deal
as West Brom doing the same. "This is a wonderful opportunity for us to
advance on Wembley. I want to finish the tie up there but if not we have no
worries about bringing them back under the Upton Park lights for a replay."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce confirms Diarra problem
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 13, 2015 in Whispers
Claret 7 Hugh

Sam Allardyce looks ready to move in on Lassana Diarra again at the end of
the season…and blames himself for wasting time trying to sign him over the
last three weeks. ClaretandHugh revealed exclusively earlier this week that
the player and his club Moscow Lokomoitiv had unresolved financial issues to
be solved before the player was free to move on. And with Fifa still
probing the situation it was never likely to be possible for the player to
move to Upton Park, Allardyce came close to confirming all of that in his
London Evening Standard column today saying: "The fact we couldn't get the
Lassana Diarra deal across the line was probably more my fault than his. "I
thought it was a simple contract cancellation – but it wasn't as
straightforward as that. Maybe I should have investigated the circumstances
more thoroughly before we negotiated for more than three weeks. "It turned
out it wasn't a mutual contract cancellation between Lassana and his
previous club, Lokomotiv Moscow, and didn't fulfil the Fifa criteria on
signing players outside the transfer window."

Now the player will clearly be a target in the summer for as again revealed
by this site he enters the last year of his contract with the Moscow club
and can walk away if he chooses under Fifa rules. However, the Irons boss
intimated that he could resurrect a deal for Diarra at the end of the
season, when he is expected to be available free of hassle. Allardyce said:
"We may well return to him in the summer. Lassana is a fine player who needs
to resurrect his career and re-establish himself as the player he used to
be.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham charged by the FA
Posted by Sean Whetstone on February 13, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham have been charged by The FA for failing to ensure that its players
conducted themselves in an orderly fashion in or around the 61st minute
against Southampton at St Marys on Wednesday 11th February. The standard
fine for this offence is £20,000 if the club admit breaching FA Rules in
relation to player conduct. West Ham and Everton were each fined £20,000
after the clubs admitted breaching FA Rules in relation to player conduct
back in November last year. The club have until 6pm on 18th February 2015 to
respond to the charge.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carroll saga – is this a problem too far?
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 13, 2015 in Whispers
Calret & Hugh

It's seriously hard to work out where the Andy Carroll/West Ham saga goes
next. The big striker's injury problems have taken on "Shakespearian
tragedy" proportions with the facts reading:

Transfer fee: £17.5 million appx
0 2014-15: 16 played – five goals
O 2013-14: 16 played – two goals

The club have just revealed he's out for the rest of the seas picking up an
entirely new injury to his knee with David Gold wondering in an interview on
this site just how unlucky can one guy be? I take absolutely no pleasure
from player injuries. However, this again represents an opportunity to team
up what many believe is our best partnership – Diafra Sakho and Enner
Valencia – but there is a big worry.

With Sakho's back a problem – and I understand there are some out there that
are cynical – what happens now in the event of an injury to one of the other
of them?

Sam Allardyce appeared to have the Carroll dilemma nailed early doors when
explaining that the player goes into too many risky challenges
Here's what he said only in December: "I have said I want him to be careful
with the way he goes in at times but ultimately it will be Andy who makes
that decision. You have to remember that although Andy has been around for a
few years, sadly too much of the time he's been on the treatment table.
You're not gaining the experience if you're injured."

Less than two months later the big fella is back on the same treatment table
and there are deep concerns within the club. With four months left on
Carlton Cole's contract there are big decisions to be made on the Carroll
cover position – does the club's long time servant get a new deal or do the
club invest decent money in a new long term target man?

The other two major questions in all of this is whether we will need such a
player should Sam Allardyce not be offered a new deal and whether the club
should cash in on Carroll should they be offered let's say £7 million or
above. The other alternatives are to stick with him or pay up his contract
and start again. I want to make it crystal clear that all my sympathies are
with Andy Carroll who has suffered more than enough but the imponderables
build relentlessly For me, it's too early to say but we have great respect
for our readers on this site and throw it open to every one of you such is
the importance of the issue.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com



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