Daily WHUFC News - 8th February 2015

Preview - Manchester United
WHUFC.com
All you need to know about Sunday's match against Manchester United
07.02.2015

WEST HAM UNITED v MANCHESTER UNITED
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
BOLEYN GROUND
SUNDAY 8 FEBRUARY 2015
KICK-OFF: 4.15PM
REFEREE: MARK CLATTENBURG

In brief

West Ham United host Manchester United this Sunday looking to bounce back
from a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Liverpool last Saturday.
The Hammers are looking for their second league win of 2015, having beaten
Hull City 3-0 last month.
Meanwhile, Manchester United look to be finding their feet after an initial
slow start to the season.
Currently sitting third in the Premier League, with 36 points from their 23
games, the Red Devils are looking for to complete the double over the
Hammers having beaten them 2-1 at Old Trafford earlier in the season.

Formed in 1878, Manchester United are one of the most successful clubs in
English football. Having won the record amount of league titles - a
staggering 20 times - they have also won eleven FA Cups, four League Cups
and three European Cups. However, since the retirement of manager Sir Alex
Ferguson at the end of the 2012/13 season they have struggled somewhat.
David Moyes' tenure lasted less than a season as the Red Devils finished
seventh in a poor year. Former Barcelona, Ajax and Netherlands manager Louis
van Gaal has since taken the reins. The Dutchman has spent over £150m on new
players including the likes of Angel Di Maria, Daley Blind and Luke Shaw,
the Manchester club are yet to hit their best form but there are signs that
the United of old are not far from returning.

Team news
West Ham United
Big Sam has a few defensive issues to ponder as Carl Jenkinson, James
Collins, Winston Reid and Guy Demel all face late fitness tests.
Additionally, Andy Carroll suffered a knee injury against Liverpool and is a
doubt, while youngsters Diego Poyet and Doneil Henry are also struggling to
be fit. Cheikhou Kouyate has returned from international duty following
Senegal's elimination from the African Cup of Nations, and is available to
play.

Manchester United
In contrast to Sam Allardyce, Louis van Gaal has an almost full bill of
health as Michael Carrick is the only absentee. The Dutchman has had several
injury problems to deal with this season but they look to be easing.

Referee
The man in the middle for Sunday afternoon's game will be Mark Clattenburg.
The Durham based referee has taken charge of two West Ham games this season
so far, the Hammers' 3-1 win away at Crystal Palace and the 2-1 away defeat
to Everton.

One to watch
West Ham United
Cheikhou Kouyate could make his first appearance for the Hammers since
returning from international duty. The energetic midfielder missed the
Hammers' 2-0 defeat by Liverpool last weekend through injury, which he has
since recovered from. With a number of injuries to deal with, Sam Allardyce
may well turn to the Senegalese international who has played at centre-back
for his national side.

Manchester United
Having scored a brace in the same fixture last season, Wayne Rooney will be
hoping to add to his goal tally of eight league goals.
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has deployed the England captain as
a central midfielder as he tries to accommodate the 29-year-old alongside
Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao.

Tickets
Tickets for Sunday have all SOLD OUT.

Travel
For all planned tube closures, including work on the Circle, Hammersmith &
City and Jubilee lines, please click here.

Weather
The forecast for Sunday is predicted to be a cloudy, cold but dry day with
temperatures around 8C (46F).

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Special day for Sheringham
WHUFC.com
Teddy Sheringham looks forward to Sunday's visit of his former club
Manchester United
07.02.2015

Sunday's Barclays Premier League visit of Manchester United will be special
for Teddy Sheringham. The West Ham United attacking coach spent four seasons
at Old Trafford as a player between 1997 and 2001, winning three Premier
League titles, the FA Cup and scoring in the Red Devils' 1999 UEFA Champions
League final victory over Bayern Munich. Sheringham sat down with West Ham
TV to discuss his time at Manchester United, his thoughts on their current
form and to assess Sunday's showdown.

Teddy, Manchester United is always one of the biggest fixtures on the
calendar and this season is no different?

TS: "Always. I think for any club that's in the Premier League, it's the
first game they look at because it's when the big crowds come."

Sunday's game will be interesting, as West Ham are seeking to regain their
best form, while Manchester United seem to be winning every game they play…

TS: "I think from the outside looking in, I don't think Manchester United
have been fantastic this year, but they've ground out nice results,
especially recently, getting wins when other teams might only get a draw.
That's the sign of a good team, because when they do click everyone could be
in trouble."

Looking at Manchester United's front six, it is arguably the best front six
in the Premier League, but it hasn't quite come together yet. Would you
agree?

TS: "Yes, exactly. I don't think it always works out like that when you have
so many strikers all vying for the same positions, but it looks like it is
working out at the moment. I think when the big games come around for them
against the top two or three in the division, that's when you'll be able to
tell if you have a well-rounded team or if it's just top-heavy."

There is a weight of expectation at every club, but at Manchester United the
expectation is that you will challenge for the title every season. So, has
there been a change in mind-set up there, or are they still expecting the
same level of success?

TS: "I still remember the first words Sir Alex Ferguson said to me when I
joined Manchester United and they were 'You won't believe what it is like to
play for Manchester United and how many people want to beat you' and I still
see it as being the same.
"Perhaps the expectations in and around the club aren't quite so high
because of last season, when they finished seventh, and their aim is to get
back into the Champions League. It's not quite as high as looking at winning
the title, but when you have top players in the club, they are used to
winning things and they want to get back to the top as soon as possible."

You spent four great seasons at Manchester United. Can you sum up what it
meant to you to play for them?

TS: "For me, it is still the biggest club in the world, up there Barcelona
and Real Madrid as the biggest club in the world. Wherever we went there
were thousands of people who wanted to see Manchester United players and I
think that still remains the same. When you go through a winning period like
they did under Sir Alex, that grows even more so with the more you win.
"It was great to play for them and it was a real eye-opener. When you played
at teams like Leicester, Middlesbrough or Nottingham Forest, you went to
their ground and they were absolutely delighted with a goalless draw, and
that doesn't happen with any other club.
"With Manchester United, for any team to take points of you meant a huge
amount to them up and down the country. Until you have played in that, you
don't realise how much pressure is on you to win every game."

So how do you create that environment? How do you change the mind-set at a
club like West Ham to one where you go into every game with the expectation
that you will win it?

TS: "We've got a steady team here. We're down to the bare bones a bit at the
moment, but when we have our first team out there it's a formidable team. I
think the lads can look around inside the dressing room and think 'I don't
mind playing against Manchester United or Liverpool with you alongside me'.
The more you look around at the players in your team and think 'We've got a
chance of doing well here' that's fantastic, and the expectancy levels have
risen. "We brought in a few good players at the start of the season and
they've hit the ground running, they've done very well and they've gelled in
with the rest of the team. That makes it fantastic for West Ham fans, who
expect us to win, especially at home."

How does that change in confidence manifest itself in the way you play?

TS: "It definitely puts pressure on you. It's fantastic to know that you all
expect to win and are going for a win. When you're going forward in the last
five minutes, you put a cross in and instead of having one person in the
middle, you have three or four in the box and a fifth arriving. You have a
better chance of scoring and that was the difference playing for Manchester
United - with five or two minutes to go, you knew you'd be pushing everybody
forward to try and get that winning goal. "If we didn't get it, everyone got
back in position to ensure we'd get another chance after that. It was truly
fantastic to play with all those top players and all be on the same
wavelength."

So, looking forward to Sunday's game, West Ham are more confident on home
turf and Manchester United are winning virtually every game - should we
expect a classic or a cagey affair?

TS: "I would expect goals. Both teams have got good firepower. Manchester
United's defensive difficulties have been speculated about a lot this year
and they've found players to come in. They're winning games so they'll be
confident coming to Upton Park and expect to win again, but we're a
formidable team with big firepower, so I expect goals and, sorry Manchester
United fans, but I expect us to edge it by one!"

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Song happy to take his chance
WHUFC.com
Alex Song is grateful to West Ham United for giving him the platform to
shine again
07.02.2015

Alex Song is not about to rest on his laurels having made a big impact
during the first five months of his loan spell at West Ham United.
Song made just 19 La Liga apperances for his parent club Barcelona last
season, but it already just three short of that figure this term and is
making the most of playing regular football once again. The Hammers take on
Manchester United at the Boleyn Ground on Sunday with Song eager to play his
part in what promises to be a fine Boleyn Ground occasion. He said:
"Everything has gone very well for me here and the fans, the Club and my
teammates have helped me a lot. I'm happy, my family is happy and I just
want to perform to pay them back.
"it was frustrating last year. The thing that hurt was my kids not being
able to see me play every week. My boys say to me 'Daddy why aren't you
playing' and it's hard to explain how it's not easy at Barcelona, there are
a lot of good players and I have to improve myself. "That's football,
sometimes you go somewhere and the people don't like the way you play. You
have to keep believing - I've come back to England and I just have to keep
going. "I had a lot of opportunities and it wasn't very hard to make the
decision to come here. I wanted to come to England, I spoke to the Gaffer
and he asked if I'd like to go to West Ham. "I asked how we would be playing
because if I went to a team who doesn't play football I would be lost. He
said we're playing very well, and I said to my wife, ok, what shall we do?
"She was telling me we had to come to London as well. So I said we'll go and
today I think she's right to tell me to come here."

Looking at Sunday's game, Song is expecting a tough test from Manchester
United, but one his team could overcome should they hit their best form. He
added: "It will be a very good game for us on Sunday. They're a big team and
a big club and it's a big week for us.
"We have a lot of players injured, but we just have to fight with this team.
I played against Di Maria when I was at Barcelona and he's a good player,
but it's not just him, they have good players. "We don't focus on one
player, we focus on the team. We know the danger can come from everywhere.
We need teamwork and with that we can get results."

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Big Sam forced to shuffle pack
WHUFC.com
The manager will look to overcome a lengthy injury list when the Hammers
take on Man Utd
07.02.2015

Sam Allardyce and his West Ham United team will grin and bear it as they
face up to their injury worries ahead of Sunday's game against Manchester
United. The Hammers have a lengthy list of potential absentees with Winston
Reid, James Collins, Doneil Henry, Guy Demel, Diego Poyet and Andy Carroll
all missing training this week. It gives the manager a particular headache
in defence, but he says his team will get on with the task at hand as they
aim to topple the Red Devils at the Boleyn Ground. He said: "It's always the
same in the modern game today which is why we work so hard to try and
prevent this kind of situation. "I think it's nearly impossible for any team
to go through an entire season without going through a spell of this nature.
"It's how well can you cope with it? How hard can the medical staff work to
reduce the length of those injuries and get the players back in the team as
quickly as possible? "We'll soon find out by the end of this week how well
we can cope with these injuries and it falls at a particularly unfortunate
time for us in a week when there's three games. "We just have to cope as
best as we can, and the particular problem is at central defence. Everywhere
else I think is ok to cope with, but certainly we're going to have to play
somebody who's not used to playing at centre back in the Barclays Premier
League there. "If we get two or three of those players fit we would be
absolutely delighted."

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Alex Song admits he would be happy to stay at West Ham
Last Updated: 08/02/15 8:33am
SSN

West Ham fans have seen their hopes of signing Alex Song given a boost after
the midfielder revealed his children have fallen in love with the club. The
27-year-old is enjoying a season-long loan spell at Upton Park and has
admitted he would like to quit parent-club Barcelona and seal a permanent
move back to the Premier League in the summer. With reported interest from
Liverpool and former club Arsenal, Song will not be short of options at the
end of the campaign but insists his first-choice would be to keep his two
sons happy by staying at West Ham. "They are more than happy," he said of
his children's mood at returning to England. "My boys were saying yesterday
"Daddy I don't want to leave here any more, you have to stay. They love
London. "They are very happy here and for my family, the most important
thing is happiness, all they want me to do is perform to make them happy.
"The thing that hurt me the most was my kids because they were seeing me
play every single game, every single week at Arsenal. "Then when I left my
boys one day were coming to me going, 'Daddy why aren't you playing? Is it
because the manager doesn't like you?' It was hard for me to explain to them
that it isn't easy at Barcelona."

Song also revealed he has fallen back in love with the game thanks to the
fans in the east end of London. "When I wake up in the morning I'm more than
happy because I know I have the opportunity to play and I do what I love to
do - play football," he added. "I enjoy it and make people happy, make the
fans happy. If the fans are happy with the way we are playing I'm always
happy. "I want to just perform to give them something back. When you come
somewhere and people give you the love, what do you want to do? If I'm a
football player it is to just perform. "I will put everything together and
at the end of the day I will choose what I want to do. I was in Barcelona
and I was not playing. "I did not have the opportunity to play (at
Barcelona), but I just kept believing because I know what I can do. Then I
had the opportunity to come to England and I have to continue improving my
game, which I was doing before."

Hammers boss Sam Allardyce wants to thrash out a permanent deal for Song and
the player revealed he was sold on West Ham after chatting to the
60-year-old. Song said: "I was at home and I was trying to choose where I
wanted to go. I had a lot of opportunities, for me it was not very hard tot
take the decision. "I didn't want to go to Italy, I cancelled it straight
away. I wanted to come back, I have friends here. One day I spoke with the
manager and the gaffer said "would you like to come to West Ham?" "He said:
"we are playing very well, come and see." My wife was telling me we had to
come to London as well, so I said "okay" and now today she is right for
telling me to come here. "I am sure in the next five years West Ham will
challenge with clubs like Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea. Then when
they jump to the new stadium I think more players will come in and the club
will look different. "Now we just have to finish very well this season and
then we'll see. I think everything is going well, we just have to continue
improving and if we play very well at the end of the season I think more
players will come in and the project will get going."

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RAVEL MORRISON CONTRACT TERMINATED
By Sean Whetstone 7 Feb 2015 at 10:33
West Ham till I Die

Ravel Morrison has had his contract terminated by mutual consent after West
Ham paid up a percentage of his £330,000 wages in advance.
It had been hoped the club could loan him out to a Championship club for his
remaining six months using a FA loophole to save on some or all of his
wages. The football league loan window opens again on Monday. Unfortunately
nobody in the Championship wanted to loan him on his £15,000 per week wages.
They would have wanted a discount on the wages and only paid them to last
day of the season in May when his contract runs to June 30th.

Morrison has signed a pre contact with Lazio on a four year deal. Sam
Allardyce was confident he could tame the youngster when he signed him in
2012 after Sir Alex Ferguson's patience finally snapped but, like his close
friend, he has failed to get the best out of the player for any sustained
period of time.

Morrison made just 12 league starts for West Ham and 6 sub appearances
scoring 3 goals. he made 5 Cup starts and one sub scoring another two goals.
He made 25 starts for Birmingham while on loan from West Ham, 14 for QPR and
just 1 for Cardiff.

He cost West Ham an initial £650,000 transfer fee from Manchester United but
that climbed to £1m after £25,000 per first appearance clause was fulfilled.
He signed a three and a half year contract on the 31st January 2012 earning
him £2.7m in wages some of which was offset by loaning him out.

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West Ham will be fighting for the TITLE within five years, reckons Alex Song
23:00, 7 February 2015 By Rob Burnett, Will Burton
"I am sure that in five years time West Ham will be challenging with
Manchester City and Chelsea," says former Barca and Arsenal midfielder
The Mirror

Alex Song says West Ham will be competing for the title within five years -
and has hinted he wants to make his loan deal with the Hammers permanent.
Song has made 12 appearances in claret and blue so far this season, making
his debut as a substitute in a 2-2 draw with Hull City. The 27-year-old said
his family have settled well in the capital and he does not regret the
switch from Barcelona. "I'm very happy here," said the midfielder. "I like
the way everything is going and I think my future will be in England. "My
family love it here in London. My boys are saying they do not want to leave,
they say to me you have to stay. "This project at West Ham is unbelievable
and it's good for me to be part of that story. "We want to be one of the
best clubs in England. I am sure that in five years time West Ham will be
challenging with Manchester City and Chelsea." Song arrived at Upton Park on
a year-long loan in August having been limited to just 39 appearances for
Barcelona since his move from Arsenal in 2012. "At Barcelona I wasn't
playing. Football is like that sometimes, you go somewhere and you don't
play all the time. "But now I am happy at West Ham because I am getting the
chance to play." Hammers' boss Sam Allardyce tried to sign Song's former
teammate Emmanuel Adebayor in the January transfer window but Spurs wouldn't
sell the striker to a top four rival. "Ade is a great player and a great
guy," said Song. "I know he could have helped us, but now I just want to
wish him good luck."

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Alex Song: I would love to stay at West Ham next season – but decision must
wait until the summer
22:30, 7 February 2015 By Steve Stammers
The midfielder has been linked with a switch to Liverpool at the end of the
campaign but insists he is happy in east London
The Mirror

Alex Song has given West Ham a significant boost ahead of Sunday's clash
with Manchester United at Upton Park. The midfield player has played a huge
part in West Ham's impressive season in which they have established
themselves in the top half of the Premier League and reached the fifth round
of the FA Cup. He is currently on a year's loan from Barcelona – but has
indicated that he could well be at West Ham for the long­-term. The
27-­year-­old is thriving on life in the East End and has revealed that he
would relish a return to London on a full-­time basis – with West Ham a
potential destination. Manager Sam Allardyce has made it clear he wants the
Cameroon international to stay. Now Song may grant that wish. He spoke of
his frustration at the lack of playing time at the Nou Camp – but he wanted
re-assurance from Allardyce about the West Ham style of play before he
committed himself to a year at Upton Park. Offside Sports PhotographyAlex
Song of West Ham plays a 'Rabona' pass in the penalty areaInspired: Song has
got his groove back at Upton Park this term
Song had been used to the passing game of Arsenal and Barcelona and recalled
the conversation with Allardyce. "I asked him how he played here because if
he played different football, I would be lost," said Song. "He said: 'No,
no, no – we are playing very well.' I talked to my wife and she said: 'You
have to go to London.' And she was right to tell me to come here. "It was
frustrating at Barcelona. What hurt me was my kids. They saw me play every
single week at Arsenal and then when I left and joined Barcelona my boy
Nolan said to me: 'Why are you not playing? Does the manager not like you?'
"It was hard for me to explain to him that at Barcelona it is not easy. The
children are happier now. They told me last week they don't want to move any
more, that I have to stay. They love London." As for the future, Song, who
has two years left on his contract at Barcelona, said: "I am very happy here
and my family is very happy here. And the most important thing is happiness.
"I would love to stay here at West Ham but I will choose at the end of the
season." Also on the horizon is the incentive of playing in the re­vamped
Olympic Stadium where West Ham will move in 2016. Song added: "West Ham want
to be be one of the best clubs in England in the next five years. "When they
get in the stadium, more players will look and want to come here and join
the project."

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West Ham to offer Diafra Sakho new double-your-money contract at Upton Park
22:30, 7 February 2015 By Dean Jones
The 25-year-old Senegalese striker has scored 10 goals in 16 appearances
since signing for Sam Allardyce's side in the summer
The Mirror

West Ham are ready to show just how much Diafra Sakho means to them – by
handing him a new contract, writes Dean Jones in the Sunday People. This
week the club were fined £71,000 for fielding Sakho in an FA Cup tie against
Bristol City after FIFA claimed the player was ineligible as he had been
declared unfit for international duty with Senegal. It has infuriated club
officials but now they are more determined than ever to prove how valuable
he is to Hammers. The striker has been in negotiations with the Londoners
for months over the possibility of improved terms at Upton Park. And he is
now set to be rewarded for the 10 goals he has scored since joining from
Metz in the summer. He signed a four-year deal worth around £15,000 a week
in August but that figure is set to double.

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West Ham call up teenage defender Reece Oxford for Manchester United clash
amid injury crisis
21:13, 7 February 2015 By John Cross
Oxford only turned 16 in December but could be thrown in by Sam Allardyce
due to injury doubts over Carl Jenkinson, james Tomkins, Winston Reid and
James Collins
The Mirror

West Ham teenager Reece Oxford could make his senior debut against
Manchester United on Sunday. Defender Oxford, who turned 16 in December, has
been called up to the first team squad after an injury crisis and will at
least be on the bench at Upton Park. Oxford, who recently committed himself
to a long term contract , would become West Ham's youngest player should he
get on the pitch. West Ham face fitness doubts over Carl Jenkinson, James
Tomkins, Winston Reid and James Collins. The Hammers have won just one of
their last six Premier League matches and haven't beaten United in the
top-flight since December 2007.

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Wayne Rooney insists Manchester United must beat ''aggressive'' West Ham to
keep top-four push on track
09:20, 7 February 2015 By David McDonnell
PLUS The England captain believes David Beckham's 1996 wonder goal at
Wimbledon eclipses his own gem from the halfway line at Upton Park last
season
The Mirror

Wayne Rooney has admitted Manchester United must win at West Ham tomorrow to
maintain their push for a top-four place. United, currently third, are
eyeing an immediate return to the Champions League after a disappointing
seventh-placed finish last season under former boss David Moyes. Victory
over the Hammers at Upton Park on Sunday would consolidate Louis van Gaal's
side 's position, with Rooney underlining the importance of taking three
points against Sam Allardyce's men. "They're always important games and
obviously the most important one for us is our game against West Ham," said
Rooney. "We have to try to focus on getting three points there. "It's the
end of a big week for us. We knew going into the Leicester game that the
next three games - Leicester, Cambridge and West Ham - it was going to be an
important week for us. "It's a difficult place to go and win, especially
this season, you can see they're playing some good football as well.
"They're aggressive, they get in your face, so it's a tough place to go, but
we have to be ready for that, ready for the battle, and hopefully show our
football."

Rooney was sent off at Old Trafford against West Ham earlier this season
after kicking out at Stewart Downing, earning him a three-game ban. But the
England captain has an excellent record against the Hammers - 12 goals in 14
starts - including a wonder goal from the halfway line at Upton Park last
year in a 2-0 win for United. The goal was reminiscent of former United and
England skipper David Beckham's strike against Wimbledon at Selhurst Park
back in 1996. But Rooney reckons Beckham's effort eclipsed his own. "I just
caught the goalkeeper out of position a little bit and had a go," Rooney
told MUTV. "Sometimes it goes over, or wide, but thankfully, on this
occasion, it went in. "They're obviously two good goals, but his [Beckham's]
one is probably a bit better than mine one, I'd say.
"West Ham are a team I enjoy playing against and, thankfully, I've scored
quite a few goals against them over the years and hopefully I can get
another one this weekend. "You don't really think about what's happened in
the past at stadiums, whether you've won or lost, you just focus on that day
and that game, and trying to do well on that occasion. "But I've done well
at their stadium and scored a few goals."

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Sakho's new deal close
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 8, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Diafra Sakho is close to agreeing new terms with the Irons which will see
him double his money to around £30k a week basic. We first reported several
weeks ago that the player would be rewarded personally by co chairman David
Sullivan for his excellence and we understand terms are now close to being
agreed. Until now a percentage of Sakho's wages has been paid on appearances
but the new deal will see him with goal and appearance clauses. Initially
the new deal was planned after 25 games but it could now kick in before
that with the player having made 14 league and two Cup appearances.

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Be brave Sam – time for Reece Oxford
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 8, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Media reports that Reece Oxford could make his senior debut against
Manchester United may not overly pressure manager Sam Allardyce but how we
would all love to see the kid start his first team career later today. This
is one of our own – who recently signed to a new deal amid fierce
competition from the likes of United, City, Chelsea and Arsenal – ready
willing and able to make everybody's Sunday.

Oxford, who turned 16 in December, has been called into the first team squad
after an injury crisis and so the chance is there… however small. It almost
recalls the days when a certain R Moore was blooded into the first team
after Malcolm Allison turned to manager Ted Fenton following illness and
uttered the words written into Boleyn immortality: "Play the kid." Bob was
17 years old! Oxford's current reputation as one of the greatest young
talents on the world footballing landscape bears the comparison. The big
question is whether Sam will be brave and launch the kid upon us in the
biggest game of the young man's life and my question would be: "Why not?" We
are "safe" and there is little reason why in these circumstances the kid
shouldn't be handed the opportunity with all those inside the stadium being
able to say in years to come: "I was there when ….." The Hammers have won
just one of their last six Premier League matches and haven't beaten United
in the top-flight since December 2007.

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Gold: "We can overcome injury worries"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 7, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Upbeat David Gold believes the Irons will have a real go against Manchester
United tomorrow and said: "Injuries or not we have a real chance." The co
chairman is unfazed by the recent wins to games played ratio ( three from
ten) told ClaretandHugh: "Whatever you want to say this is not the United of
old and we have fantastic win record at Upton Park. "I will go to my seat
on Sunday expecting to win the game as will most of our fans. Yes, we have
some injuries at the back but that's part of the business. You have to
overcome that.
"It will be interesting top see who gets the shout up front as I am aware
many fans would love to see Diafra (Sakho) and Enner (Valencia) back
together. "That's the manager's decision and we'll have to wait and see but
they are both fit so the opportunity is there. "It's a always a great day
when Manchester United come to the Boleyn and I'm looking for the win as
they are a good team to beat and after this we have a tough league programme
coming up."

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The one that got away
Posted by Sean Whetstone on February 7, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Last summer Arsenal raided West Ham's academy to poach promising young
midfielder Ben Sheaf. Sheaf immediately signed scholarship forms with
Arsenal and became be part of their U18 squad. At the time the midfielder
has been capped twice by England at U16. West Ham are thought to have
received next to nothing in compensation.

This week Ben Sheaf his first professional contract with Arsenal after he
turned 17 on Thursday. Sheaf has made 12 appearances in the Under-18 Premier
League for Arsenal this season and has also featured for the north
London-based outfit in both the FA Youth Cup and UEFA Youth League. The
midfielder is renowned for his range of shooting and passing ability in the
middle of the park, and has been tipped to make a big impact at Arsenal in
the coming years.

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Sunday morning tests for Irons big three
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 7, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham's trio of injured defenders all face fitness tests on Sunday
morning with hopes rising that "at least one of them will be fit to start."
It seems that James Tomkins is edging the race for fitness with both James
Collins and Winston Reid rated at "50/50."
Chiek Kouyate is very possible to take one of the central defensive
positions although Joey O'Brien is also in manager Sam Allardyce's
thinking. O'Brien's possible involvement is likely to rest on the outcome of
the fitness tests on Winston Reid. Tomkins and Collins.
A Hammers source told ClaretandHugh this afternoon: "There will be no
decisions until the three have been put through their paces in the morning.
It's difficult to see which is the most advanced, James may just be edging
it. with the other two rated 50/50 "It will be very disappointing of at
least one of them isn't fit to line up from the start against United but
with two more games coming up next week no chances will be taken."

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Hammers top Premier League table
Posted by Sean Whetstone on February 7, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Believe it or not, within the Premier League there is another league. A
league which any team can win, a truly level playing field in which any side
– no matter the wage budget, the stadium or the resources – can come out on
top. The Fair Play League. Of course, nobody takes any real interest in it –
but nevertheless the Fair Play League serves an important purpose. Teams may
not actively try to "win it", but nobody wants to come bottom either. The
Fair Play Table endures, now run by the Premier League, with it's own unique
system of separating out the good guys from the bad, those that play fair to
those that play rough. West Ham currently top the Premier League fair play
league! The UEFA Fair Play League puts England in third place. The top three
countries who finish in the UEFA Fair Play league get a space in the Europa
league. As it stands if the season were to finish today West Ham would
qualify for Europe through the fair play route for topping the Premier
League table.

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Championship snubs departing Ravel
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 7, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Ravel Morrison – unwanted by any Championship club on loan – has been paid
up by West Ham United as a result! The Hammers came to a deal with the
midfielder which has allowed him to leave the club ahead of his summer move
to Lazio. The Irons were ready to allow the 21 year old to move to another
loan club on loan in the window that opens on Monday. But it quickly became
clear there were no clubs out there for the player and that even had there
been he would have been wanted on a bottom of the barrel cut price deal. A
source said: "We have paid him up. We came to an agreement. Nobody in the
Championship wanted to loan him and they would have wanted a discount on the
wages had there been. "That would have seen them only paying them them to
last day of the season, when his contract runs to June 30th.

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Hammers rise up sponsorship league
Posted by Sean Whetstone on February 7, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham's new £20m sponsorship deal raises them to eighth place in Premier
League value terms, leap frogging above Sunderland and Aston Villa. Although
it is a big step in the right direction it remains a fraction of what the
bigger clubs earn in sponsorship.

1st: Manchester United Chevrolet: 8 year deal worth £315m at £45m per
season
2nd Manchester City Etihad 10 year deal worth £400m at £40m per season
3rd Arsenal Fly Emirates 6 year deal worth £150m at £30m per season
4th Liverpool Standard Charted 4 year deal worth £80m at £20m per season
(just about to do new deal at £30m per season)
5th Spurs AIA 5 year deal worth £80m at £16m per season
6th Chelsea Samsung 3 year deal worth £41.4m at £13.8m per season
7th Newcastle Wonga 2 year deal worth £16m at £8m per season
8th West Ham Betway 3.5 year deal worth £20m at £5.75m per season

Villa have a deal with DafaBet worth £4m per season while Sunderland have a
deal with Bidvest at £5m per season. The surprising deal is Everton's 10
year deal with Chang in 2014 which earns them just £1.6m per season.

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"Warrior" Ginge may rush to rescue
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 7, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Sam Allardyce looks set to have to decide whether he needs to lose Alex
Song's creativity or Cheik Kouyate's energy from the Irons midfield for the
clash against Manchester United. With problems at the back in involving all
three central defenders, one of the two look set to be pressed into
emergency defensive duties. James Collins looks the more likely to partner
one or the other of the two at the back although both James Tomkins and
Winston Reid will be tested before the game. A source told ClaretandHugh:
"Ginge is a real warrior and if it's obvious we have a real problem he's the
one I'd be backing to come to the rescue even were he to need a pain killing
injection to get through it." "However, should that not be the case we
appear to be looking at the Joey O'Brien option in the centre of defence
with Carl Jenkinson returning at right back." He added: "The injury
situation is pretty bad but we can put out a semi-ok team."

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