Daily WHUFC News - 24th February 2015

The new whufc.com coming soon
WHUFC.com
West Ham United will soon be launching a new-look website
23.02.2015

West Ham United are delighted to announce that they will soon be launching
an all-new whufc.com The new-look website is set to launch in the coming
weeks and will represent a major step forward for the Club's online
presence. A fully responsive design will allow supporters to keep abreast of
the Hammers news wherever they are, on desktop, tablet or mobile, with a
whole range of new features to enjoy. For the first time, supporters will be
able to view West Ham TV videos for free, with match highlights from the
first team, Development Squad and Under-18s, interviews, behind the scenes
features and more available to watch on demand. An interactive social hub
will sit at the centre of the new site, giving a dedicated platform for
conversation on all things West Ham throughout the day, while on matchdays
an improved match centre will provide all the information you need to follow
the game. Including free live audio commentary, live stats, photo galleries
and comment, the match centre will be the one stop shop to keep up to date.
Away from matches, the new whufc.com will be home to more opinion, with
blogs from fans, former players and media personalities keeping the Hammers
conversation ticking over all week long.
With all this and much more besides, our first website redesign since 2008
is set to provide supporters with a richer online experience following their
Club, so keep an eye out for the new whufc.com, coming soon!

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Sakho seeks capital gains
WHUFC.com
Diafra Sakho wants Sunday's derby-day goal to be the first of many in the
coming weeks
23.02.2015

Diafra Sakho is gunning for West Ham United's London rivals, after he
notched against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday in the first of a quartet of
capital clashes. Sakho's ninth league goal of the campaign doubled the
Hammers' advantage shortly after the hour mark at White Hart Lane, after his
compatriot Cheikhou Kouyate had earlier headed the visitors in front. But
the Senegal striker's joy was short-lived as Danny Rose and, in the sixth
minute of added time, Harry Kane completed an improbable Spurs revival. So
while Sakho and co would have to settle for a point, the 25-year-old was
still pleased to get back on the goal trail.

"It made for a real moment," he told West Ham TV. "I'd not scored in the
league [for some time] - I'd only scored in the cup. I hope as well that
it's the start and that I'm going to score again in the derbies to come. "We
know that all the games are important and we've got Palace on Saturday, when
I'll be trying to score again. I hope come the end we'll have won the game."


Sakho's strike on the day was arguably the tougher of his two second-half
chances, having earlier tried and failed to beat Hugo Lloris' defences at
his near post. But when Mark Noble's deep cross picked out the No15, Sakho
squeezed home from the acutest of angles. "I'd had one earlier chance that
was a lot easier that I'd missed, so there I was thinking I've at least got
to hit the target," he continued. "Fortune smiled on me and I scored. "It's
a derby and an away one too. I came here having not played in one [against
Spurs]. It was great for me, as a forward, and important for me to score a
goal like that against Tottenham and, for sure, I'm happy with it."

But two points dropped in such dramatic circumstances obviously rankle with
the striker, who said his side need to find a way to close out matches. The
Hammers suffered a similar fate against Manchester United a fortnight ago
and Sakho wants this to be the end of it. He added: "It's difficult to take,
particularly because that's the second time [it's happened], against
Manchester United as well it was the same. We lead until the last minute and
then conceded. It's becoming a habit! Now it's for us to rid ourselves of it
and manage the game, as a group, until the end. "I think we lacked a bit of
concentration at the end, but that can happen at any given moment. It's down
to us to make sure it no longer happens, because as a result we've lost four
points over the two games. And at the end of the season, all those points
are important. I think that with the performance we produced on Sunday, even
though we're frustrated to have drawn it, we can still reflect on a good
game overall."

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Loan round up
WHUFC.com
See how the four West Ham United loanees fared this weekend
23.02.2015

Elliot Lee scored on his debut for Luton Town on Saturday, just four minutes
after coming on as a substitute. Lee's goal appeared to have salvaged Luton
a vital point until David Connolly's last minute winner secured Wimbledon a
3-2 win.

Raphael Spiegel made his debut for Carlisle United in a 3-2 home defeat to
Wycombe Wanderers. The visitors took a commanding 3-0 lead through goals
from Aaron Pierre, Fred Onyedinma and Matt McClure before the hosts rallied.
First Kyle Dempsey curled a shot in before Danny Grainger's penalty ensured
a nervy final eight minutes. Despite their best efforts they couldn't find
the equaliser and the score remained 3-2.

Modibo Maiga played the full game in FC Metz' 0-0 draw away at Reims. The
draw gives the French outfit a valuable point as they try and get off the
bottom of Ligue Un.

Sean Maguire came on for the final eight minutes as Accrington Stanley drew
1-1 at home with Cheltenham Town. The visitors opened the scoring on 31
minutes with a looping header from Wes Burns before Shay McCartan's
second-half strike levelled the proceedings.

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Anti-Semitic chanting before West Ham match probed
BBC.co.uk

Video footage has emerged of a group of men, thought to be West Ham fans,
chanting anti-Semitic abuse on a train in north London. Anti-discrimination
group Kick It Out has contacted police over the footage, filmed on Sunday.
The video appeared on social media showing fans on the way to the 2-2 draw
with Tottenham at White Hart Lane. West Ham said it had a "zero-tolerance
policy" and perpetrators could be banned from the club's ground for life. It
had warned fans before the match that "any form of discriminatory behaviour"
would not be tolerated. Most Spurs fans are not Jewish but the club has a
historical association with London's Jewish community. The latest
controversy comes after Chelsea supporters were filmed pushing a black man
from a train on the Paris Metro last week.

Police are also investigating racist chanting at St Pancras station by men
thought to be Chelsea fans returning from the Champions League match in
Paris. The latest footage was uploaded to Twitter by Spurs fan @RomanGeezer,
who tweeted: "On the train on the way to the game, West Ham fans break into
song in Stamford Hill, a Jewish area, scum." A British Transport Police
spokesman said: "We are encouraged the public has the confidence to report
incidents of inappropriate and offensive football-related behaviour to us.
"We take these incidents very seriously, and it is clear what happened on
the Paris Metro and at St Pancras the following night were not isolated
events."

A West Ham spokesman said: "If any individual is found to have behaved in an
inappropriate way, the club's simple, zero-tolerance policy dictates that
they will face the strongest possible action, including the option of a life
ban from the Boleyn Ground." Tottenham said it hoped those involved would be
identified and dealt with seriously. A spokesman for the club said:
"Anti-Semitism in any form is wholly unacceptable and we support all efforts
to kick it out of the game. "We hope that those individuals responsible for
this vile behaviour are identified and dealt with in the strongest way
possible."

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Alou Alou! Diarra returns to London
KUMb.com
Filed: Monday, 23rd February 2015
By: Staff Writer

Former West Ham midfielder Alou Diarra has signed for Championship side
Charlton on a short-term contract. The 33-year-old defensive midfielder
joins the Addicks seven months after he was released by West Ham following a
stormy two years at the club. "He will add some height, experience, and most
of all, quality to the midfield," said Charlton boss Guy Luzon. "It's a
coup for us that we can attract a player with so much international
experience and I'm sure he will be fantastic for us." The former French
international made a total of just 14 appearances for West Ham during his
spell at the Boleyn. Signed from Olympique Marseille in the summer of 2012,
Diarra was in the news for his continuous complaints more often than for his
efforts on the pitch during his spell at West Ham.

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Tottenham's Nabil Bentaleb hits back at West Ham boss Sam Allardyce
Last Updated: 23/02/15 2:13pm
SSN

Tottenham midfielder Nabil Bentaleb has hit back at Sam Allardyce after the
West Ham manager claimed Spurs should not have been awarded the penalty that
led to their equaliser on Sunday. Allardyce bemoaned the decision of referee
Jonathan Moss after Alex Song brought down Harry Kane deep into stoppage
time at White Hart Lane. The former Bolton and Blackburn boss said Tottenham
were "desperate" and suggested their players went down too easily throughout
the game. But Bentaleb said: "This is football. Sometimes the referee makes
decisions and you just have to shut your mouth and not complain. "Of course
it was a penalty - there's no doubt about that. Maybe it's because we scored
from the penalty in the last minute; I can understand if he's a little bit
angry about this. "He can say whatever he wants but if he wants to argue
maybe we could say Mark Noble should have been sent off. "The positive thing
we can take out of this game is that we believed until the end and once
again we scored in the last minute and managed to get that point." The 2-2
draw kept Spurs within touching distance of the top four – with third to
seventh separated by just four points - while West Ham remain five points
below their rivals in eighth.

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West Ham manager Sam Allardyce confirms Nene ready for debut
Last Updated: 23/02/15 3:18pm
SSN

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has confirmed that new striker Nene will make
his debut against Crystal Palace on Saturday. The 33-year-old Brazilian
failed to make the squad for Sunday's 2-2 draw with Tottenham but will play
some part against the Eagles after Carlton Cole picked up a hamstring
problem at White Hart Lane. Allardyce said: "Nene would have probably
featured anyway but he will definitely be involved now because we're down to
the two strikers with Andy Carroll's injury and Carlton Cole's new hamstring
problem. "Nene would have probably featured anyway but he will definitely be
involved now because we're down to the two strikers with Andy Carroll's
injury and Carlton Cole's new hamstring problem." "Enner Valencia and Diafra
Sakho did a fantastic job - like the whole team - against Tottenham. It was
just a shame we were not all going out celebrating another victory against
Tottenham." Former PSG and Monaco forward Nene was released by Qatari side
Al-Gharafa at the start of the year and arrived at Upton Park on a free
transfer.

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West Ham warn fans on racism as probe into anti-Semitic chants gets under
way
Last Updated: 23/02/15 2:51pm
SSN

West Ham supporters have been told they face life bans for inappropriate
behaviour as an investigation is launched into anti-Semitic chants. A video
showing people thought to be West Ham fans singing racist songs was reported
to Kick It Out over the weekend with the anti-discrimination group probing
the incident with the help of the British Transport Police. The video,
filmed on the London Underground, emerged on Sunday following the 2-2 draw
at White Hart Lane between the Hammers and Tottenham. A Kick It Out
statement said they had "received several reports via social media about the
footage". They also added they had been informed of a "number of
anti-Semitic tweets which we are reporting to the Police". "If any
individual is found to have behaved in an inappropriate way, the Club's
simple, zero-tolerance policy dictates that they will face the strongest
possible action."

West Ham statement
The incident came two days after West Ham wrote to all fans going to the
game reminding them of the club's zero-tolerance attitude to racism and
possible stadium bans. On Monday, the club responded by issuing a warning to
any fan found guilty and requested information from anybody who knew
anything on the alleged incident. A West Ham United spokesman said: "The
club emailed every supporter who had bought a ticket to Sunday's game to
remind them that they were acting as ambassadors for West Ham United. "If
any individual is found to have behaved in an inappropriate way, the Club's
simple, zero-tolerance policy dictates that they will face the strongest
possible action, including the option of a life ban from the Boleyn Ground.
"If anyone has any information on such behaviour we would urge them to
report it to the Club, Kick It Out or the police so it can be investigated
thoroughly."

Lord Ousley, chairman of Kick It Out, was hugely critical of the response by
football's governing bodies, including the Football Association, the
Football League, Football managers' Association and the Professional
Footballers' Association. "We cannot go on like that because the problems
will continue," he told Sky Sports News HQ. "The people who own and run
football, they must do something about it. They are not doing enough – they
are hardly doing anything." The letter, published on the West Ham website
and signed from owners David Gold and David Sullivan, ahead of Sunday's
match with their London rivals said: "We would like to remind all fans
attending the match at White Hart Lane that they will be acting as
ambassadors for West Ham United and their behaviour should reflect the
values and standards of our club.

Tottenham statement
"Working with the Metropolitan Police, the club will continue to adopt a
zero tolerance policy towards any form of discriminatory behaviour and any
fan found to be acting inappropriately - including racist, anti-Semitic and
homophobic behaviour - will be punished to the full extent of the law and
banned from attending matches. "We are rightly proud of our world-famous
support home and away and we look forward to the famous Claret and Blue Army
once again getting behind the team with all their heart and showing the
world that following the Hammers means supporting with pride, passion and
respect."

British Transport Police issued a statement asking for information or
footage on the incident, which occured at Stamford Hill in north London. It
read: "We take these incidents very seriously, and it is clear what happened
on the Paris Metro and at St Pancras the following night were not isolated
events. "Anyone who has information or video that would help us our
investigation should contact British Transport Police on 0800 405040, by
text, on 61016, quoting reference 420 of 22/2/15."

A Tottenham spokesman added: "Anti-Semitism in any form is wholly
unacceptable and we support all efforts to kick it out of the game.
"We hope that those individuals responsible for this vile behaviour are
identified and dealt with in the strongest way possible." Last week, Chelsea
fans were filmed on the Paris Metro appearing to push a black man off the
train in an alleged racist incident.

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Tottenham label West Ham fans' anti-Semitic chants VILE and call for
"strongest possible action"
12:14, 23 February 2015 By Joe Mewis
A clip emerged online which claims to feature a group of Hammers fans
chanting on the train as they travelled to White Hart Lane on Sunday
The Mirror

Tottenham have called for strong action over a video apparently showing West
Ham fans chanting an anti-Semitic song. The footage first emerged on Twitter
and claims to show supporters travelling on a train through Stamford Hill, a
well-know Jewish area in London singing: "I've got a foreskin, how about
you? F****** Jew." And now the North London club have said they hope
appropriate action is taken against those responsible for what they call
"vile behaviour". A Spurs spokesman said: "Anti-Semitism in any form is
wholly unacceptable and we support all efforts to kick it out of the game.
"We hope that those individuals responsible for this vile behaviour are
identified and dealt with in the strongest way possible."

West Ham said they had emailed every supporter who bought a ticket to
Sunday's game to remind them they were acting as ambassadors for the club. A
spokesman said: "If any individual is found to have behaved in an
inappropriate way, the club's simple, zero-tolerance policy dictates that
they will face the strongest possible action, including the option of a life
ban from the Boleyn Ground. "If anyone has any information on such behaviour
we would urge them to report it to the club, Kick It Out or the police so it
can be investigated thoroughly."

The game at White Hart Lane finished 2-2, with Spurs netting a last gasp
equaliser though Harry Kane.

Anti-discrimination group Kick It Out have also called on the authorities to
step in and steps to be taken to tackle the issue of anti-Semitism in the
game. "Once again, the weekend has been marred by a number of abusive
incidents further demonstrating the high levels of prejudice and
discrimination within football and wider British society," a statement from
Lord Herman Ouseley. "The reality is that this barely scratches the surface
of what is a widespread issue continuing to blight the game across the
country and English football's image abroad. "We received several reports
throughout the course of yesterday (22 February) afternoon bringing to our
attention video footage of West Ham United fans leading antisemitic chants
on a train heading towards White Hart Lane for their Premier League fixture
against Tottenham Hotspur. The statement added: "What would have happened if
we hadn't seen this footage or it hadn't been reported? We need to give
people the confidence to challenge discriminatory and abusive behaviour, and
this can only be reinforced by action being taken by the Police and within
football by the clubs and authorities. The Community Security Trust issued
statistics earlier this month showing record levels of antisemitism since it
started monitoring incidents in 1984. Our own statistics from the 2013/14
season highlighted antisemitism as the second most common form of
discrimination reported to us. "Antisemitism must be tackled with the same
vigour as all other forms of discrimination. There is a heightened level of
concern within the Jewish community about antisemitism with some feeling
unable to live their everyday lives without fear of harassment, abuse and
violence. "Theresa May, the Home Secretary, said last month that the UK
'must redouble its efforts to wipe out antisemitism'. Antisemitism which
occurs within football should not be treated differently to any other
discriminatory incidents. This type of behaviour is all interlinked and it
must be stopped. "Football across the board, and that includes everyone
involved in the game, especially at the highest levels, need to take
responsibility and start asserting themselves by condemning this behaviour
and acting upon it when it occurs. "All too often there is silence or
half-hearted statements made by those with power and influence when it comes
to countering discrimination within the game. This must change now if we are
to make a difference. We cannot go on any longer operating with a silo
mentality in which everyone looks to someone else to take responsibility but
never does so themselves."


This comes in the wake of the video recorded on the Paris Metro last Tuesday
that showed a group of Chelsea fans singing racist chants while not allowing
a black man to board a train as they chanted: "We're racist and that's the
way we like it."

On Saturday, ahead of their draw with Burnley, Chelsea fans at Stamford
Bridge sent out a strong anti-racism message in response to the incident.
Police confirmed on Sunday that they were talking to three men about the
alleged racist incident. A separate group of Hammers fans had earlier
parodied the incident by producing a video showing a black West Ham fan
being given a jovial welcome onto a train carriage.

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Kick It Out contact police over West Ham fans' pre-match 'anti-Semitic'
songs
11:04, 23 February 2015 By Joe Mewis
The Mirror

Police have been contacted over a video that appears to show West Ham fans
singing anti-Semitic songs as they travelled to the club's game with
Tottenham on Sunday. The footage first emerged on Twitter and claims to show
supporters travelling on a train through Stamford Hill, a well-know Jewish
area in London singing: "I've got a foreskin, how about you? F****** Jew."
And now anti-discrimination group Kick It Out have called on the authorities
to step in. "Kick It Out has received several reports via social media about
the footage and will be liaising with British Transport Police on the
matter," read a statement. "In addition, we have been informed of a number
of anti-Semitic tweets which we are reporting to the police." The game at
White Hart Lane finished 2-2, with Spurs netting a last gasp equaliser
though Harry Kane. This comes in the wake of the video recorded on the Paris
Metro last Tuesday that showed a group of Chelsea fans singing racist chants
while not allowing a black man to board a train as they chanted: "We're
racist and that's the way we like it." On Saturday, ahead of their draw with
Burnley, Chelsea fans at Stamford Bridge sent out a strong anti-racism
message in response to the incident.
Police confirmed on Sunday that they were talking to three men about the
alleged racist incident. A separate group of Hammers fans had earlier
parodied the incident by producing a video showing a black West Ham fan
being given a jovial welcome onto a train carriage.

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Allardyce admits to a 'West Ham Way'
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 23, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Sam Allardyce has regularly declared there is no such thing as the 'West Ham
Way.' Back in 2012 at a press conference he declared: "There has never been
a 'West Ham way' shown to me, not by anybody that's worked with West Ham who
I have inherited. "I've spoken to them all and none of them can tell me or
define what the West Ham way is. So it is a bit of a delusion."

Yet only a year earlier as he marched into the Boleyn as the new boss he was
preaching a very different message. In an interview – with the Evening
Standard on his arrival at the club as manager – he had declared: "When I
was a player I always wanted to come and play at Upton Park. "The legacy
always impressed me as a young man – Bobby Moore, Martin Peters and Geoff
Hurst and then players like Trevor Brooking and Billy Bonds. "It was a
pleasure and a privilege to play against players like that although I
wouldn't say I enjoyed it too much because we didn't win too many. "As a
manager coming back to Upton Park, the plan was always to stop the way West
Ham wanted to play – the West Ham 'way'."That used to frustrate the fans and
the players and then we were able to take advantage of that. So finally, the
truth is out – Sam has known about the 'West Ham Way for close on for a very
long time! Glad we could clear that one up for you!

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FIFA rules broken with penalty rebound
Posted by Sean Whetstone on February 23, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

FIFA rules suggest referee Jonathan Moss should have blown his whistle after
Harry Kane's first penalty kick was taken thus denying him his follow up
chance on the rebound.

The rules suggest:

When a match is extended at full-time, to allow a Penalty Kick to be taken
the extension shall last until the moment that the Penalty Kick has been
completed and the game shall terminate immediately the referee has made his
decision.

After the player taking the Penalty Kick has put the ball into play, no
player other than the defending goalkeeper may play or touch the ball before
the kick is completed.
When a Penalty Kick is being taken in extended time:
The provisions of all of the foregoing paragraphs, except paragraphs (2)(b)
and (4)(c) shall apply in the usual way, and
in the circumstances described in paragraphs (2)(b) and (4)(c) the game
shall terminate immediately the ball rebounds from the goalkeeper, the
cross-bar or the goal-post.

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Irons cool on Manchester City defender
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 23, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham are unlikely to become embroiled in an auction for Manchester City
defender Micah Richards The on loan Fiorentina right back s has admitted he
wants to come back to the Premier League but probably not with Manchester
City. Speaking to Sky Sports he said: "I don't think [I'll go back to City].
I think it's in the past now.Obviously I'd love to play for them again, but
they have so many players, the budget is so high." "It's a lot more
defensive (In Italy), teams just come and try and get a point. The Premier
League is more fast and furious, a bit more entertaining. Here some teams
just accept defeat." West Ham were reported to be chasing the player last
summer but a well placed source told ClaretandHugh today: "He's expensive at
around £70k a week remembering that he hasn't played that much and has been
injury prone. "Obviously we will be linked with central defenders given
Winston Reid's position but it's too early to discuss really."

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West Ham TV to be free for all
Posted by Sean Whetstone on February 23, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

The club have confirmed that West Ham TV containing videos and content such
as match highlights from the first team, Development Squad and Under-18s,
interviews and behind the scenes features will be free of charge from March.
The service also includes free live audio commentary for every match.

The West Ham TV service has over 2,000 subscribers paying up to £4.99 per
month each but the plan is to bring the content to a much wider audience
with the launch of the new WHUFC.com website in March.

West Ham TV subscribers received an email saying "We would like to thank you
for subscribing to West Ham TV and we hope you enjoyed the service, but you
will now be able to access it free of charge from March 2015. You will
shortly receive an email from West Ham TV with details of refunding the
balance of your account where appropriate."

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Carlton in twitter bother again!
Posted by Sean Whetstone on February 23, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Carlton Cole faces a dressing down from the FA and or West Ham after telling
one Spurs season ticket holder to "F off you c***" on social media after
yesterday's draw. The message sent by Carlton just after 6pm on Sunday
evening was in response to a tweet by Spurs fan Stuart Hardy who directed
his message at Cole saying "Hi @CarltonCole1 when your own team mates don't
kick the ball out when your'e lying injured for 2 mins, you think it's time
to call it a day?" The message has since been deleted by Carlton Cole. In
2011 Carlton Cole was fined £20,000 by the Football Association for comments
he made on Twitter during England's friendly with Ghana. It remains to be
seen whether the FA will accuse Carlton of bringing the game into
disrepute.

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Leroy: "Sam these are your problems alone"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 23, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

First things first – we are a far better team without Kevin Nolan. We
deserved more yesterday but the simple fact is the players are losing belief
when victory is in sight and that is an issue this manager – or whoever
comes next – has to solve. Sam Allardyce has claimed various reasons for
likely victories becoming draws but having watched all our games to me the
answer is clear – the players are falling back 20 – 25 yards when the other
team starts to have a real go. The manager is making defensive substitutions
as a result but the truth is he has to convince the team they are now a very
decent time who can mix it and beat the best.

The players instead are getting nervous and conceding. At the end of the day
that's a managerial problem, Sam has to convince them they are good enough
to beat these teams and until he does that this situation will keep
repeating itself. The tragedy yesterday was that we had played so well for
so long and Nolan's absence for Cheik Kouyate had an awful lot to do with
that.

Most of the supporters have been saying for a long time that the captain is
slowing everything down and they are right. We were excellent and the
football on display for a long time was excellent. It was a shame that Mark
Noble had to go off for his own security from a red card because he was
utterly outstanding and we lost our grip in part when he disappeared. But
the lads lost their conviction that they could win and however much Sam
tries to explain it away, this is his or the next manager's problem.

I don't take sides but who do you blame when a team loses it's belief? The
manager! He has to address it, I had the same problems at times as a boss
and had to accept it was my dilemma. No one else's. There's been much talk
about an imminent departure for Sam and if that happens then it will mean
things have come to a natural end. But he has to stop this draw rot and
convince this team it is the top six side I believe it to be before he does.

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Kevin Kilbane lodges complaint to FA after West Ham fans sing sick song
mocking the disabled against Spurs
22:30, 23 February 2015 By Colin Young
Match of the Day pundit and former Ireland star hopes authorities will act
over 'Harry Kane talks like a mong and plays like one too' chant
The Mirror

Kevin Kilbane has made an official complaint to the FA after vile West Ham
fans chanted offensive songs mocking the disabled on Sunday.
The Match of the Day pundit contacted the FA after a close friend reported
West Ham fans sang 'Harry Kane talks like a mong and plays like one too'
during the 2-2 draw at White Hart Lane. The word 'mong' is a derogatory term
for people with learning disabilities.

And Kilbane, whose 10-year-old daughter Elsie has Down's Syndrome, has been
told the FA is launching an investigation into his complaint.
The former Ireland star, a patron of the Down's Syndrome Association
charity, said: "I am sure they understand they are causing offence. You
cannot sweep it under the carpet and label it as ignorance. "It is visible
and clear and like racist or homophobic chanting, it is intended to cause
offence. I want to be able to take my kids to football matches and when
Elsie gets older she will understand about her condition and I would not
want her to hear that kind of chanting. If her sister Isla heard it, she
would be devastated too, as my friend's sons were. "I spoke to him and he
was extremely upset and I felt I had to report it. No family should have to
put up with it at football matches. "It is also extremely offensive towards
Harry Kane, who is only a young lad, starting out in the game and who does
not deserve that kind of disgusting abuse just because he is a footballer.
"It was very clear and sadly it appeared to be from a large number of West
Ham fans in the ground. This was not isolated to a handful of people. "This
is a wider society problem, not just a problem with football and idiots are
using football as a tool to show their ignorance and discrimination. "I have
spoken to the FA and they have assured me they will investigate it
thoroughly. In all my time playing and watching football, I have never heard
this before. Hopefully we can do something to make sure it isn't again and
this awful chant does not spread."

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com



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