Daily WHUFC News - 8th March 2015

Westley expecting tough Black Cats test
WHUFC.com

West Ham United Academy manager and head of coaching and player development Terry Westley is expecting a tough away trip to the North East as the Hammers face Sunderland on Monday. The Development Squad are looking to continue to extent their good run of results after they beat Fulham 2-1 in their last game, a little over a month ago. The vital win over the Cottagers at Rush Green came courtesy of early goals from Josh Cullen and Jordan Brown, both headers at the back post. Speaking ahead of the Hammers' journey to Wearside, Westley said: "We're all looking forward to the game. It's an overnight game, travelling up on Sunday and then give it a right good go on Monday."

Back in September, the Hammers secured their first win of the season with a 2-0 win over the Black Cats, thanks to a brace from top goal scorer Elliot Lee. Come Monday evening, Westley will be hoping for a similar result as they Hammers aim to avoid relegation. "Having beaten them once before this season, that gives us confidence as does the win against Fulham in our last game. "The way we played against Reading should also give us confidence. If we play to our attributes I'm sure we will give Sunderland a game. "As their first team aren't doing so well, you'd think their U21s would be doing all they can to catch the manager's attention and get involved in first team football. I expect them to be very competitive, and to try and impress Gus Poyet to try and get positions in their first team."

The break in games follows a hectic schedule for some of the players who have been also been heavily involved in the U18s, most recently in an impressive 4-0 win over Reading last weekend. "I was really pleased with the U18s' performance against Reading, I thought they played particularly well. We held a great team shape, individually and collectively the team did very well. "Now the focus is on the U21s for Monday, making sure our players, who are all relatively young are able to compete to their best at this level. "The break in fixtures has given us the chance to nail down some individual work and some double sessions. As we're using such young players that brings its own restrictions, particularly some muscle injuries."

Those players who are unlikely to feature include Reece Oxford and Djair Parfitt-Williams, while Elliot Lee and Raphael Spiegel have gone out on loan to Luton Town and Carlisle United respectively. However, while they are missing a few players, the Dev Squad can welcome full-backs Lewis Page and Kyle Knoyle who are both back from injury. "Kyle is back fit and raring to go and we welcome him back. Lewis has done particularly well this season and he's been rewarded with an extension to his current contract. He's been injured for a while, so we're looking forward to having him back."

While Lewis Page's impressive displays have earned him a new contract, Academy prospects Reece Oxford and Joe Powell have also put pen to paper. Westley continued to praise the board's support in producing home grown players. "Reece Oxford has decided to stay with us, when every man and his dog was after him but he decided to sign here, as has Joe Powell. It shows the intent of the board and the club as a whole. "We're delighted to have kept Lewis Page, Reece Oxford and Joe Powell. I've said from the day I got here, we have some talented players here. It's now about finding a pathway into the team for them."

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Ladies look for Devon delight
WHUFC.com

West Ham United Ladies are determined to mark International Women's Day with victory at Plymouth Argyle on Sunday. The Ladies will hope to bounce back from the disappointment of their FA Women's Premier League Plate semi-final defeat at Preston North End by pulling off a win in Devon. This time around, the game is for FA Women's Premier League Southern Division points, with Julian Dicks' side sitting fifth in the table, but with matches in hand on those above them. "The girls have done well and just got through to the final of the London FA County Cup by beating QPR 2-0 in the semi-finals, but unfortunately we lost out at Preston last weekend," the manager began.
"We haven't got a big squad, but the girls have worked incredibly hard, especially considering how things went last season. When I went in there, the girls found it like a holiday camp until I strolled up and let them know what it is all about! They have responded well.
"I have had a few players leave because they can't get in the side but, as I've said to them, if the team are winning then they aren't going to get in until someone is injured. They just have to wait their turn and prove to me what they have got, but some left before getting that opportunity. "It has been hard, but I've got 14 players, including two goalkeepers, so it's like the old days! You just have to get on with what you have got."

One player who has impressed Dicks since the very start was the one whose approach on Twitter led to his appointment – captain Stacey Little. The skipper broke her hand in the semi-final win at QPR, ruling her out of the defeat at Preston, but the manager is hoping to welcome her back before the season is out. "She was closing down the 'keeper and put her hand across her stomach, the ball has hit her and it has bust her hand in two places," Dicks explained. "She has a little cast on, but I'm sure she'll be OK! "Stacey typifies what I want from my players – she works hard, puts a tackle in and gets onto the players when they're not doing their jobs. "She dragged me into this place and it's been good. When you have people like Stacey and one or two others, it makes it an enjoyable place to work."

Little herself may be unable to play at present, but she remains upbeat about how the Ladies have been performing this season. "We're enjoying a really good season compared to the last one," she agreed. "It could only get better, and Julian has come on board and changed the way we play and the way we work. "It has been a good season and we're through to a final already and came close to making a second one. "Julian treats us as he would a men's team. All he wants from us is hard work. If we play for 90 minutes and make it tough for the other team, we've always got a chance of getting a result, and I think the girls needed a shake-up, me included. "I think the girls respect him and know what he wants from us. We also know he will give us a right ticking off if we don't work hard."

Having been denied the chance to defend the Essex FA County Cup for administrative reasons, the London FA Capital Cup offers the Hammers their best chance of silverware, with Charlton Athletic providing the opposition at Haringey Borough FC on 6 May. "We wanted to defend the Essex Cup, but these things happen," Little continued. "We can go for the London Cup, even though it won't be an easy game against Charlton because they're a decent side. "If you want to win cups, you've got to beat the best teams around and that's what we'll be trying to do."

Before then, the Ladies head to Devon to face Plymouth at Elburton Villa FC on Sunday, with kick-off at 2pm.

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WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR KEVIN NOLAN?
By Sean Whetstone 7 Mar 2015 at 17:18
West Ham Till I Die

Kevin Nolan has revealed that he is considering his Hammers future after giving an interview to Dave Evans on London 24 after Wednesday's match.

"I have been considering my future, without a shadow of a doubt, I am not one who wants to sit here on the bench, I won't continue to do it, just for the fact that if you are not good enough for one club you move on and you prove to someone else you are. I am not thinking about anything else except West Ham at the minute. I have had a fantastic time here; I love the club and the place. I have got such a great affiliation with everyone at the club and I want it to continue." Said Nolan
"All I have got to do is get the chance to play and I will be happy and we can go on from there. Sometimes you can't make everyone happy and you have to take that on the chin. It has been hard I am not going to deny it, but at the end of the day the only thing I have ever known is playing football, week in week out, so it has been difficult so when I get my chance I am going to try and take it, that is the only thing I can do now.
"I have got nothing to prove to anyone. I have done a lot in my career and a lot of what has been said has been unfair, but that is life. I have come to the stage in my career with all the negativity surrounding me, I have just gone and take it on the chin. It is water off a duck's back for me. Sometimes it hurts of course, but I have got a fantastic family, fantastic support system and not just with family and friends but also within the club. I have just got to keep working hard on the training ground and hopefully I will get a chance"
Maybe he has a point Claret and Hugh have quoted a West Ham source this morning as saying

""It's hardly the most surprising interview in the world.Obviously everything is up for review at the end of the season and all things come to an end. Kevin is a magnificent captain and has been brilliant for us. He's clearly being entirely realistic over everything ahead of the summer which will be a very big one for the club."
Previously Claret and Hugh have quoted a source saying:

"We are looking to the future and will be looking to sign young energetic players. Kevin has been a great player for the club but the summer will be a critical time for various members of the squad – nothing is for ever!"
Nolan turns 33 in June at which point he will have just one year remaining on his contract. Nolan was signed from Newcastle on a five year deal worth a reported £50,000 a week which over five years would have grossed him £12 million. The transfer fee involved was £4 million.

Is it time for Kevin Nolan to move on this summer or has he still got a role to play at West Ham for the final season at the Boleyn ground?

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IT WILL BE AN INTERESTING SUMMER
By Iain Dale 7 Mar 2015 at 11:28
West Ham Till I Die

It seems that the higher echelons of the club are turning their minds to next season already. An 8-10th finish will be seen as a slight disappointment bearing in mind how we started the season and the quality of signings we made, but in the end, it gives us a good springboard for next season. The fact that we have now signed Noble, Tomkins and Reid on very long term contracts is a real positive. If we go from the premise that a good side has to be built from the back, I reckon we need another top class central defender and a goalkeeper to compete with Adrian, who I am still not convinced by. I can't think Jussi will last another season. It may well be that Guy Demel moves on as he's reached a bit of a ripe old age, so it's very important that we make it a priority to sign Carl Jenkinson who would be in my top three for Hammer of the Year so far. And having signed Winston Reid for another six years we should have the money to do it.

In midfield I think it will be curtains for Kevin Nolan and he will move on, and he seems to recognise that himself. The big question is whether we sign Alex Song. His form in the first half of the season was superb but lately he's been a liability. The fact that he was dropped last Saturday said it all. His head seems to be elsewhere. I understand he turned down an offr of £85k a week to sign and since then has deleted all West Ham mentions from his Instagram account. Make of that what you will.Can Diego Poyet step up to the plate? Maybe, but it's in midfield that we need to sign two top class players, I feel.

Up front, Sakho has done well, Carroll looked good when he came back, but he's clearly never going to last a full season. Valencia has shown flashes of brilliance, but sometimes fades from games. I still think he will come good but I wonder whether he could be sacrificed if Chelsea really do want to pay completely over the odds for him. I would seriously consider some sort of swap deal for Loic Remy. We still need a goalscorer in the Remy or Defoe mode.

So, one central defender, one right back, a goalkeeper, two midfielders and a striker. And all for £20 million :).

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West Ham considering Marcelo Bielsa if Sam Allardyce leaves the club this summer
22:30, 7 March 2015 By Dean Jones
The eccentric Argentine has been called "the best coach in the world" by Pep Guardiola, and plays the attractive brand of football desired by the Hammers owners
The Mirror

Marcelo Bielsa is on West Ham's radar - if the club do not agree a new contract with manager Sam Allardyce. The Upton Park board plan talks over Allardyce's future at the end of the season. But West Ham have won just one league game since Christmas and Marseille boss Bielsa will be of the names seriously considered for the job if Big Sam leaves the club. Co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan are keen that whoever is in charge next season will encourage an exciting brand of football. And 59-year-old Bielsa, who lit up the World Cup with Chile in 2010, fits the bill. He has been labelled "the best coach on the planet" by Pep Guardiola and his attacking philosophy would bring a new edge to the Premier League. Bielsa is has been doing well in charge of Marseille this season, but his contract situation in France beyond this season remains unclear. Real Sociedad boss David Moyes has been touted as the top target for the East Londoners if they search for a successor to Allardyce but Sunday Mirror Sport understands he would not be interested in moving to West Ham. Slaven Bilic, Michael Laudrup and Gus Poyet have also been linked with the Hammers.

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West Ham striker Diafra Sakho should probably stick to football - because he's awful at tennis
15:04, 7 March 2015 By Liam Corless
The Hammers hitman has found the net 11 times for West Ham this season but we're not sure whether he knows that the rules are different in tennis
The Mirror

It should probably come as no surprise but we can quite confidently inform you that Diafra Sakho is not as good at tennis as he is at football. The West Ham striker posted a video onto his Instagram page of him donning a questionable vest and a pair of ridiculously short shorts while floundering around the court with a racket in hand. Despite his obvious enthusiasm for tennis, the 25-year-old clearly lacks the technical skill to, erm... simply hit the ball over the net. The footage of Sakho was shot in Dubai where West Ham are currently taking a mid-season break in a bid to refresh themselves ahead of the end-of-season run-in. The Hammers are in woeful form having won just one of their last 11 Premier League games. West Ham assistant boss Neil McDonald spoke of the importance of giving the players a chance to recuperate. He told the club's official website: "Since the start of December it's been full on and we're only just coming up for air at the start of March. "It's been a tough couple of months but what we normally do is go away so the lads can get a bit of sun on their backs. "We do a bit of training in the gym and along the beach, as well as having a couple of football sessions. It's more important that they have a bit of relaxation time and get the sun on their backs. "In the last two or three months everyone's had their tracksuit tops, gloves and hats on and it'll be great to go across there and we'll still be working, but special for the boys that it's in the heat."

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Reid to sponsor grass roots football
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 7, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Wellington Phoenix Football Academy in New Zealand have announced that Hammer Winston Reid will sponsor two scholarships a year to the Phoenix' Academy beginning in 2015. One scholarship is for a full football and residential scholarship at Scots College in Wellington and the other is for school and football tuition at any of the three schools in the Academy programme.

Wellington Phoenix General Manager David Dome said the partnership had its genesis in the Hammers Football United New Zealand Tour. "When Winston was here with West Ham in July last year he expressed an interest in giving something back and helping promising New Zealand football talent. At that time, we made contact with Aotearoa Football Charitable Trust that he and Leo Bertos have an association with. We started a relationship then and have an on-going association with them and will continue to support them and the excellent work they do in Maori football. These scholarships will draw on that programme and will look at any other promising players from around the country who may need some financial assistance to be part of our Academy. If we find the next Winston Reid out of all this then we'd all be very happy!"

Winston Reid said : "I am very proud of my heritage and country of birth. I've worked hard to get where I am, but I've also been blessed in my career and this is in a small way is my chance to give something back. I want to encourage and give a bit of a hand to those football players who don't have too much and need a little bit of assistance along the way.We talked about this with the Phoenix when I was in New Zealand last July and I'm really pleased to be able to announce this now."

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"Bizarre" Bielsa still on Hammers list
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 8, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Marcelo Bielsa remains high on the list of candidates to replace Sam Allardyce as Hammers boss at the end of the season. The Sunday Mirror has this morning confirmed what ClaretandHugh reported in the middle of February – that the Marseille boss is very much in the frame for the Upton Park job. With just one win since Christmas Sam Allardyce, despite watching the team play some fine football at times, remains on the edge. Bielsa has a reputation for producing great footballing teams and has led Marseilles into thrird position behind PSG and Lyon this season. However, he is very much a hands on boss who broaches no interference from above and is considered whacky and a "bit off the wall." A source told ClaretandHugh: "He has had a very strong case made on his behalf and is one we are looking at but he is a guy with a reputation for the bizarre."

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Has Song found the West Ham love again?
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 7, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

There was much speculation when Alex Song deleted all West Ham related posts from his Instagram account ahead of him being dropped to the bench against Chelsea last week about his future. There were rumours he had a big fall out with Sam after he learned he was to dropped after a poor run of form. And it was also doing the rounds that the club were not keen to offer him a permanent deal in the summer with one report claiming he was asking for as much as £100,000 per week to stay.

Whatever the reason, the Barcelona on loan midfielder seems to have found his love for West Ham again by posting a photo of his West Ham shirt on Instagram today to his 635,000 followers. However he is not thought to have travelled with the first team to Dubai for warm weather training.

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Hammers talk on Derby defender
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 7, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham have knocked down speculation that they are poised to make a bid for highly impressive Derby County full back Cyrus Christie.
The 22 year old has been a real hit for the Rams since his move from Coventry and although the Irons have watched the player he's unlikely to become a realistic target for the club. The 6ft 2in Republic of Ireland international defender has had rave reviews all season as County have risen to third place in the Championship one point behind joint leaders Bournemouth and Middlesborough. A Hammers source told ClaretandHugh this morning (Sat): "He will cost a small fortune anyway but were Derby to go up he wouldn't be for for sale anyway. He's one we like but then we are monitoring up to 50 players at a time."

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Irons respond as Nolan muses future
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 7, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Kevin Nolan – having brought his West Ham future under the spotlight in a nationally reported interview – will be allowed to move on in the summer should the club get the right offer. With Sam Allardyce's future looking very much on the line anyway, the captain is certain to move on should the manager complete his expected departure. Thirty three years old in June, both Nolan and Guy Demel's future are very much on the line with the captain admitting: "I have been considering my future without a shadow of a doubt. if you are not good enough for one club you move on and you prove to someone else you are."

And that brought an immediate response from a very well placed Hammers insider who told ClaretandHugh this morning (Sat): "It's hardly the most surprising interview in the world. "Obviously everything is up for review at the end of the season and all things come to an end. Kevin is a magnificent captain and has been brilliant for us. "He's clearly being entirely realistic over everything ahead of the summer which will be a very big one for the club."

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Jenks making all the right noises
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 7, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Carl Jenkinson's attitude towards all things West Ham suggest he WILL become a permanent fixture at the club next season. All season his enthusiasm and readiness to hold a view on the possibilities for next season appear to show a deepening attachment to the club. And with Arsenal – as reported previously on this site – well placed for right backs it will be a surprise if he doesn't become a full time Hammer next season. Sources inside the club have made it clear that Guy Demel can leave and a £6 million deal seems well on the cards for Jenkinson. The Arsenal loanee's latest pronouncement on the teams position remains relentlessly upbeat despite the disappointing run of results. "It's time to regroup and we've still got a very important run-in until the end of the season. A European place is what we've targeted up all season and that's still the case. I think that's realistic. "Our luck will change and things will start going for us, hopefully. And when they do, we'll get some points on the board."

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Roman Abramovich barred himself from West Ham's boardroom - for wearing jeans
Chelsea owner chose not to join fellow directors at Upton Park as he was worried about breaking rules on dress code
By Telegraph Sport
11:01AM GMT 07 Mar 2015

Roman Abramovich refused to go into West Ham's boardroom for Chelsea's Premier League game at Upton Park last week - because he was worried about breaking the dress code. The Russian billionaire's dress sense - or lack of it - has been a talking point ever since he first arrived in English football in 2003. The millions he has in the bank would presumably allow him the pick of designer suits, but the Chelsea owner's preferred look remains steadfast: stone-washed denim, baggy coats and unkempt facial hair.

And his lack of sartorial airs and graces meant he decided to stay outside the Upton Park boardoom, as he did not want the embarrassment of being turned away for not being smarter. It took a personal invitation from West Ham vice-chairwoman Karren Brady to persuade Abramovich to change his mind. Writing in her column in The Sun, Brady said: "He'd arrived at Upton Park and it turned out he was sitting in the cold as he had not wished to enter our boardroom because his flight had been delayed and he was wearing jeans, which is against etiquette. "'I do it often,' I tell one of his security team and Abramovich joins us."

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Karren Brady on Winston Reid signing a new contract at West Ham United
HITC
Subhankar Mondal

Winston Reid signed a new contract with West Ham United earlier this week. West Ham United vice-chairman Karren Brady has admitted her relief in The Sun at Winston Reid signing a new contract earlier week. The New Zealand international defender signed a six-and-a-half-year deal with the Hammers, as confirmed on the club's official website. Reid's original contract was due to run out at the end of the season, and Premier League duo Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur were both interested in the centre-back, according to The Sun. Brady has conceded her relief at Reid finally put pen to paper on a new contract, and credits club co-chairman David Sullivan for making the deal happen. "Winston Reid helps lift the mood around the Boleyn Ground by signing a new 6½-year contract," Brady wrote in her football diary in The Sun. "It feels as though negotiations have been going on for nearly that long, so I must credit my chairman David Sullivan who has played a leading role in seeing the Kiwi captain put pen to paper despite interest from other top teams. "It is a good deal for Winston and a great deal for West Ham as we continue building a side fit to grace our stunning new home next year in the Olympic Stadium."

Good move for both club and player

Reid is rated as one of the better centre-backs in the Premier League, and him remaining at West Ham for the foreseeable future is certainly a boost to the club. SEE ALSO: SkySports pundit explains how West Ham's £19.5m decision has saved them money The London outfit are having a good season in the English top-flight and have ambition of playing European football in the coming years. Keeping hold of a key player is a statement of intent from West Ham, and Reid gets to represent an ambitious club where he is guaranteed playing time

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Karren Brady hints she wants Sam Allardyce to stay as West Ham United manager
HITC
Subhankar Mondal

West Ham United vice-chairman Karren Brady suggests that she does not want manager Sam Allardyce to leave in the summer. West Ham United vice-chairman Karren Brady has suggested in The Sun that she will not allow Sam Allardyce to leave the club in the summer. Allardyce's current contract with West Ham runs out at the end of the season, and there have been no talks over a new deal. In fact, all negations over a new contract will happen only at the end of the season, and this has sparked speculation that the Englishman could leave the Boleyn Ground at the end of the season. The Express reported last month that Sunderland manager Gus Poyet would love to succeed Allardyce at West Ham. However, Brady has now suggested that Allardyce will remain as the West Ham boss beyond the summer. "Dinner with a bookmaker," the 45-year-old wrote in her football diary in The Sun. "He would hate that term, probably prefer statistic entrepreneur! "Anyway, he tells me he is currently working out odds on the end-of-season managerial roundabout. His lowest odds are Steve Bruce moving to Fulham (or sightly longer to Wigan), Steve McClaren to Newcastle and another high-profile manager to Sunderland. "I have no idea at all about all this. Except I suspect the boss moving to Sunderland won't happen, especially if I have something to do with it!" Brady does not explicitly say if the 'boss' in question is Allardyce, but she certainly gives a strong hint that it is. If so, then it seems that the West Ham official wants the 60-year-old to remain at the Hammers for the foreseeable future. Allardyce has done a truly brilliant job at West Ham, bringing the club from the Championship and making them competitive in the Premier League. The problem is that the Englishman has not proven himself to be a manager who can take clubs to Europe. West Ham have ambitions to feature in continental competition, and the question is whether Allardyce can take them there.

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David Gold drops hint over permanent West Ham deal for Carl Jenkinson
HITC
Olly Dawes

David Gold's tweets often catch the attention of West Ham fans, and tonight's are no exception. West Ham United co-chairman David Gold is often active on Twitter, responding to questions from Hammers fans on a regular basis. Tonight, he received a question about whether right back Carl Jenkinson could play against Arsenal next weekend, given that the right back is on loan from the Gunners - and his response has caught the eye of West Ham supporters.

David Gold ✔ @davidgold
"@juliansheasport: Is Carl Jenkinson available to play v Arsenal or does loan forbid it?
He will not play against Arsenal. This year. dg

As per the Premier League rules, Jenkinson can't face his parent club whilst he is on loan from them, meaning West Ham will need to find an alternative for that game at the Emirates Stadium. However, the interest part is where Gold says he can't face Arsenal this year - with the obvious implication that he would be able to next year. That comments hints that Jenkinson could be set for a permanent stay at Upton Park this summer - even though the Daily Mail recently reported that Arsenal wanted £12m to part with the 23-year-old right back. The tweet naturally set West Ham fans into a frenzy, all picking up Gold's not-so subtle hint that Jenkinson could be staying in East London for good. The performances of Hector Bellerin for Arsenal this season could tempt Arsene Wenger's men into selling Jenkinson this summer - and whilst Gold's tweet is far from confirmation that he'll be staying, it does appear to be a very big hint that a deal could be struck.

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