Daily WHUFC News - 4th March 2015

Preview - Leicester City
WHUFC.com

In brief

West Ham United travel to Leicester City on Saturday to face a team who find
themselves at the wrong end of the table. Having beaten Sunderland 1-0 in
their last game before the international break, the Hammers will be looking
to keep the momentum going by picking up three valuable points.

Sam Allardyce's men are currently ninth in the Barclays Premier League and
are on course for the highest points total since they were promoted back to
top flight status in 2012.

Nigel Pearson's Leicester have struggled to pick up points this season
despite some impressive performances. Currently propping up the league with
19 points from 29 games, they nonetheless showed great fight against
Tottenham Hotspur in their recent 4-3 defeat and were unlucky to come away
from White Hart Lane empty handed.

Earlier in the season, West Ham recorded a 2-0 win over Leicester at the
Boleyn Ground courtesy of goals from Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing.

Who are they?

Created in 1884, originally known as Leicester Fosse, they won their first
ever game 5-0 against Syston Fosse on 1 November 1884. In 1890 they competed
in the FA Cup for the first time, losing 4-0 to Burton Wanderers. Fosse
joined the Football League in 1894.

The Foxes won their one and only league title way back in the 1928/29
season, however they have had more success in the FA Cup winning it four
times – 1949, 1961, 1963 and 1969.

More recently, the Foxes' silverware has come in the League Cup, winning
that competition in 1997 and 2000 as well as being runners up in 1999.

Having being relegated from the Premier League in the 2003/04 season they
are back in the top flight after a decade away.

Team news

West Ham United

The Hammers are boosted by the return of defensive rock Winston Reid. The
New Zealand international could go straight into the starting XI having been
out of action for a month following an injury picked up against Chelsea.

Enner Valencia's laceration in his big toe has healed and he started to
train in his boots again on an individual basis on Monday. Valencia is
unlikely to feature on Saturday but he could be back for next weekend's tie
with Stoke City.

James Tomkins and Doneil Henry are continuing with their rehabilitation from
shoulder and hamstring surgery.
Leicester City

Leicester's chances of survival are boosted by a relatively clean bill of
health. The only absentees for Pearson's side are former hammer Matthew
Upson and Dean Hammond. Both are suffering calf injuries.
Referee

Saturday's match referee is Mark Clattenburg. The Durham based official made
his Premier League debut in 2004. Eleven years on, the FIFA accredited
referee has taken charge of 232 games, dishing out 767 yellow and 38 red
cards.

This season Clattenburg has refereed three West Ham games – the 3-1 victory
away at Crystal Palace, the 2-1 defeat by Everton and the 1-1 draw with
Manchester United.

In addition, the 40-year-old has taken just the one Leicester game – their
famous 5-3 win over Manchester United.
One to Watch

West Ham United

James Collins

The central defender is likely to continue to hold the fort in defence as
Big Sam has to decide whether to stick with Cheikhou Kouyate or welcome back
Winston Reid.

The 31-year-old centre back has been in great form this season, particularly
in recent games. Having played in Wales' 3-0 win over Israel he will looking
to continue his collection of successive clean sheets, having played a key
role in the 1-0 over Sunderland.

Leicester City

Jamie Vardy

The 28-year-old striker may have only scored twice this season however his
blistering pace and impressive work rate could prove to be a handful on
Saturday afternoon.

Vardy played a key role in getting the Foxes promoted last season, scoring
16 goals in 41 appearances.
The striker has had an intriguing career path, only turning professional in
2011 when playing for Fleetwood Town. Four years later he's playing in the
Premier League. Having scored against Tottenham last time out he'll want to
get on the scoresheet again.
Tickets

Tickets for Saturday's game have all SOLD OUT.
Travel

For all travel information on getting to the King Power Stadium click here.

For fans travelling by public transport, there is a good train service from
London St Pancras International, with journey times of little over an hour
both ways. Click here for the National Rail website to book trains.
Weather

A cloudy day with sunny intervals is expected on Saturday, with temperatures
of 9C (48F) at kick-off.
Last away meeting

Leicester City 1-2 West Ham United
Championship
Saturday 23 April 2012

Leicester City: Schmeichel, Peltier, Konchesky, Bamba, Morgan, King (St
Ledger 46), Drinkwater, Wellens (Dyer 22), Marshall, Beckford, Nugent
(Waghorn 65)
Subs: Howard, Vassell

West Ham United: Green, Reid, Tomkins, Demel (Faubert 76), Nolan, Collison
(Lansbury 88), Taylor, Noble, O'Neil, C Cole (D Collins 81), Vaz Te
Subs: Diop, Baldock

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam on: Leicester City
WHUFC.com

Big Sam faced the media ahead of Saturday's game with Leicester City. The
West Ham United manager answered questions on Winston Reid's fitness, the
difficulties that Leicester will pose and keeping players focused for the
last part of the season.

Good afternoon Sam, what have you been up to over the last fortnight?

SA: "We've been looking after the players mainly, they've had a bit of time
off to spend with family and friends. We were waiting on one or two players
to come back from international duty and thankfully they've all come back
fit and ready, Cheikhou was the last one to come back.

"Winston is back in full training, in the end he didn't go on the New
Zealand trip because he hasn't played for a while. It's been good for him
because he has been able to work on his fitness rather than do all that
travelling.

"I don't think Enner Valencia will make it for Saturday but he is back in
light training which is good. Apart from that we are all fit and ready for a
very difficult game away at Leicester."

How far away is Winston would you say?

SA: "He's OK now, he's in full training. He'll be available for selection,
he's had seven or so days of full training. He might be a bit short of match
sharpness but it's obviously great to have him back."

After beating Sunderland, do you think the international break came at a bad
time?

SA: "No, not really. We wouldn't have had Winston fit or Enner available so
now we're in a stronger position than we would have been if we had had a
game last weekend."

With eight games to go, are you still hoping for a European spot or looking
to consolidate a top ten spot?

SA: "Looking at the table, it's very tight between eighth and tenth. We have
a reasonable run in, some games are certainly more winnable than others. No
game is ever easy, Burnley beating Manchester City showed how difficult it
is.

"I thought Leicester did enough to get something from the Tottenham game, it
just hinged on a decision that went against them. For us, it's about getting
as many points as possible, hopefully we'll build on our win over Sunderland
last time out."

Leicester are bottom, but if you look at their results, they've haven't been
turned over by anybody, they've always been pretty close games, haven't
they?

SA: "Nigel must be pulling his hair out and thinking why haven't we got more
points that we do. On occasion, they've been good enough to win or score but
not quite managed to do so. At this level you get punished for that.

"It's a result business and they haven't gone as well as the performances
merit. At this stage of the season teams at the bottom can go on a good run,
last year it was Sunderland. We've got to make sure that doesn't happen
against us."

Leicester are eight games without a win, before the win over Sunderland you
were on a similar run, can you sympathise with Nigel Pearson?

SA: "Absolutely, our performances in that run we're some of the best we've
had this season. We know what to expect, Leicester will be up for it and I
think they've got great hope that they stay up. It's happened before, Alan
Curbishley did it here a few years ago. I did it at Bolton early on,
Sunderland did it last year, Roy Hodgson did it at Fulham. When you're
fighting for Premier league survival it can bring out the best in players."

Nigel Pearson has been under a lot of scrutiny this season, how do you think
he's handled that?

SA: "I think he's done OK. He's his own man with his own methods, he
believes in what he's doing. Like everyone under pressure he said one or two
things but that's normal, football managers are only human.

"In general he's done an unbelievable job as a manager, not just at
Leicester, but overall. They'll be disappointed about where they are but
they'll be happy with their performances."

How do you make sure that players remain focused for the last part of the
season?

SA: "It is a concern as a manager because you can't afford to switch off the
gas, no matter where you are in the table. We have to create as much revenue
as possible and it's about a £1 million more per place you finish so each
position does what a difference."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jarvis keen to build momentum
WHUFC.com

Matt Jarvis and his West Ham United teammates are desperate to build on
victory over Sunderland when they take on Leicester City on Saturday. The
Hammers ended an eight-game wait for victory with that success against the
Black Cats and, with a trip to bottom-of-the-table Leicester next on the
agenda, three points is the aim once again. Jarvis has had to be patient
this season with appearances limited, but having started the last two
fixtures, is keen to help out again. He said: "It was a massive win against
Sunderland. We needed to get some points on the board, particularly at home
with the fans behind us and hopefully it's the start of a good run. "The aim
is to get back to the sort of form we were showing at the start of the
season. Other than Man City, everyone else we're playing is below us, but
that will be tough too because those teams will be fighting. "It will be a
tough end to the season but one that we'll be looking to pick up a lot of
points from to push us right up the league again. "The manager was
disappointed with results up to the Sunderland game, not picking up as many
points as we should have done, but it was about staying positive, keep
trying to do the basics. We did that against Sunderland and picked up the
three points, now we need to carry that on. "Leicester will be looking to
have a fast start and get the crowd up. They need to go for it so we know it
will be an extremely tough game. "They work hard as a team and create a lot
of opportunities. They've shown their quality in parts of games but you get
punished in the Premier League and that's what's happened to them."

Jarvis is happy to have been given his chance in the starting XI, but knows
how intense competition for places is at the Boleyn Ground.
He added: "We've got a fantastic squad and we have been playing well this
season so it's nice to get back in and play the last two games. Hopefully it
continues. "The thing about having a great squad is that it gives the
manager a headache and it pushes everyone else. That's why I'm sure we're
doing well this season."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
On this day - 4 April
WHUFC.com

Anniversary

Name: Samassi Abou
Born: 4 April 1973, Gagnoa, Ivory Coast
Clubs: FC Martigues, Olympique Lyonnais, AS Cannes, West Ham United, Ipswich
Town (loan), Walsall (loan), Troyes (loan), Kilmarnock (loan), AC Ajaccio,
FC Lorient

Ivorian striker Samassi Abou is today celebrating his 42st birthday. He
spent three years as a Hammer between 1997 and 2000, although his
involvement with the first team was largely restricted to the first of those
campaigns. He netted six goals for the club in the 1997/98 season, including
two in the final day 4-3 Premier League victory over Leicester City at the
Boleyn Ground. Abou was loaned out to Ipswich the following campaign, then
Walsall, Troyes and Kilmarnock before returning to France - the country
where he spent the majority of his career. Prior to his spell with the
Hammers, Abou turned out for Martigues, Olympique Lyonnais and Cannes, then
his career closed with spells at Ajaccio and Lorient. In total, he played 31
games for West Ham, scoring six goals.

Classic match

Tottenham Hotspur 1-4 West Ham United
Premier League
4 April 1994

The Hammers gained sweet revenge for a 3-1 defeat suffered to Tottenham
Hotspur earlier in the 1993/94 season with a fine 4-1 victory in the return
fixture at White Hart Lane on this day 21 years ago.

Teddy Sheringham, who would go on to feature for the Hammers, notched from
the spot for the home side, but his strike was to count for little as West
Ham swept their hosts aside with a display of goalscoring power.

Trevor Morley scored twice, including a penalty of his own, while the other
goals came from Mike Marsh - who will be on the bench against Liverpool on
Sunday as the Reds' first-team coach - and substitute Steve Jones.

The thumping victory helped Harry Redknapp's side finish above Spurs in the
table, as the Hammers ended in 13th place with 52 points - two positions and
seven points clear of the north Londoners.

Complete record - 4 April

1925 West Ham United 1-1 Bolton Wanderers (Division One)
1931 Leicester City 1-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1936 West Ham United 0-0 Fulham (Division Two)
1947 Bury 4-0 West Ham United (Division Two)
1953 Swansea Town 4-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1958 West Ham United 3-1 Notts County (Division Two)
1959 West Ham United 3-2 Everton (Division One)
1964 West Ham United 2-4 Bolton Wanderers (Division One)
1967 West Ham United 0-2 Sheffield United (Division One)
1970 Arsenal 2-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1972 Stoke City 0-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1977 Queens Park Rangers 1-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1981 West Ham United 2-0 Bristol Rovers (Division Two)
1988 West Ham United 0-0 Everton (Division One)
1990 West Bromwich Albion 1-3 West Ham United (Division Two)
1992 Chelsea 2-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1994 Tottenham Hotspur 1-4 West Ham United (Premier League)
1998 Aston Villa 2-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
2009 West Ham United 2-0 Sunderland (Premier League)
2010 Everton 2-2 West Ham United (Premier League)

Played 20, Won 6, Drawn 6, Lost 7, Scored 27, Conceded 29

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Chadwell Chatter
WHUFC.com

Hello everyone,

I'm just back from playing three friendlies with the Uruguay U20s and it was
a good experience. I was a bit nervous about meeting a completely new group
but everything went well and all the lads were great with me.

There were three games and we didn't get the results we wanted but at the
end of the day it was about trying some new players ahead of the U20 World
Cup in the summer.

Most of the boys knew each other because they'd been part of all the ages
growing up but for players like me and a few others it was new, so it was
good to bring the whole group together.

The World Cup is an aim for me. As soon as I heard that I could play in
these friendlies it became one, but it's early days, there's still a way to
go.

It was a tough decision to take to play for Uruguay over England. It was a
new group for me to join, whereas with England I knew a lot of the players,
growing up with them and playing against them.

England is England and I've grown up here as well, but lately, in the last
year or so, I've said to both of them that I'd rather stay away until I made
the decision, and now I've decided to play for Uruguay.

We're now preparing for Leicester and it's a good game for us. They
obviously need the points as well but we can go there and hurt them if we
play to what we're capable of.

With the international break, most players are back fit so it might push me
back a bit, but being part of the group and just travelling with the boys in
my first season here Is more than enough for me. I'm very happy.

I'm very calm. I knew it was going to be a lot harder as soon as I joined
West Ham last summer, and I'm calm about things. I've got to learn my trade,
learn from the players who play week-in, week-out and see what the league's
about.

Hopefully in the future I'll get my chance and then can stay in the team.

Diego

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Leicester v West Ham
KO 15:00
3 April 2015
Last updated at 13:09
By Alistair Mann

BBC Match of the Day commentator
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: King Power Stadium Date: Saturday, 4 April

TEAM NEWS

Leicester will be without injured pair Matthew Upson and Dean Hammond, while
Jeff Schlupp will be assessed after playing for Ghana in midweek. Defender
Liam Moore has returned from a loan spell at Brentford. West Ham have
Winston Reid available after a month out with a hamstring injury but Enner
Valencia is unlikely to be rushed back after a toe problem. Forward Andy
Carroll and defenders James Tomkins and Doneil Henry are all still sidelined
by injury.

MATCH PREVIEW

Of all the great footballing escapes that have occurred in recent times,
Sunderland's last season ranks among the most impressive in Premier League
history.
Seven points adrift of safety with just six games left to play, the
suggestion by then-head coach Gus Poyet that "only a miracle" could save
them seemed a realistic assessment.
Twelve months later it's Leicester with the seven-point gap to make up,
ironically with Sunderland the club in their sights.
Lawro's prediction
"Leicester are on the brink and, realistically, it is hard to see them
staying up. Nigel Pearson's side have got 19 points from their first 29
games, and are seven points adrift of safety. I don't know exactly what they
will need from their last nine matches to survive but even if they get
another 19 - which is not going to happen - that still leaves them short of
the magic 40-point mark."
Predictions: Lawro v Phil 'The Power' Taylor
The Black Cats' turnaround is just the kind of example that Nigel Pearson
can quote while others are writing his side off - he could also point to the
fact that they currently have nine games to plot their unlikely route,
rather than just six.
In the hunt for further positives there's no side in the top division with
as many as six home games left, while their three remaining away matches are
against relegation rivals.
In truth, though, the current statistics don't make pleasant reading for
even the most optimistic Foxes fan. Bottom since November, just four wins
all season, they must now realistically find more victories in the remaining
quarter of the campaign than they've managed in the first three quarters of
it.
If they are to defy the odds, this weekend's fixture seems to offer an
opportunity to begin their ascent, with West Ham in almost as poor form. The
Hammers' tally of just six points from a possible 24 recently has left
European qualification well out of reach. They were just four points off the
Champions League places prior to it.
While making predictions at this stage of the campaign can be foolhardy, if
Leicester succumb to their 19th league defeat on Saturday even a miracle may
not be sufficient to prevent their immediate return to the Championship.
MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
West Ham are unbeaten in their last seven matches against Leicester, winning
the last three.
The Foxes' most recent win over West Ham was a 2-1 Premier League triumph in
December 2000.
Leicester
Leicester have the Premier League's worst home record, having taken 11
points from 13 games (W2, D5, L6).
The Foxes are without a home goal in five hours and 15 minutes since Paul
Konchesky's 45th-minute winner against Aston Villa on 10 January.
Nigel Pearson's side have kept only one clean sheet in eight league games
and conceded 15 goals in the process.
Only 30 goals have been scored at the King Power Stadium this season - the
equal fewest, along with Villa Park.
Three of Leicester's four league wins have been by 1-0.
Leonardo Ulloa scored five goals in his first five Premier League
appearances but has since managed only two in 23 appearances.
West Ham
The Hammers have won only twice in their last 13 league games (D5, L6).
They are without an away league victory in seven attempts since beating West
Brom on 2 December (D4, L3),
Sam Allardyce's side have kept only one away clean sheet, the equal-fewest
in the league.
No side has scored more goals in the 15 minutes after half-time than West
Ham, who have scored 11 times.
The Hammers have scored a league-high 15 headed goals, while Diafra Sakho
owns the individual highest tally with five.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce wants West Ham to achieve best ever Premier League finish
Last Updated: 03/04/15 3:05pm
SSN

Manager Sam Allardyce insists everyone at West Ham is determined to ensure
the club finishes this season with a flourish. West Ham are ninth in the
Premier League and recorded their first win since January with a 1-0 victory
over Sunderland in their last match before the international break. The
Hammers, who looked in contention to qualify for Europe earlier this season,
travel to bottom club Leicester on Saturday and Allardyce is confident his
players are not in holiday-mode just yet. "It's sometimes a little bit of a
concern for any manager, but the reality is at this level, you cannot switch
off the gas," he said. "You have to be spot on no matter where you are in
the table. There is always emphasis on the size of the financial pot for the
football club. "If we want to get better we have to create more revenue -
and one of the ways is by finishing as high as possible. It's nearly a £1m a
place. That's not in the players mind but in terms of the club's. "For the
players it is a case of finishing the season with the best season we have
had since getting back into Premier League. That is the ultimate goal.
"Having finished better than 10th, finishing with more points, is very
important to us in last few games."

New Zealand centre-back Winston Reid is set to return for West Ham after
missing the last two games with a hamstring injury. James Collins is likely
to partner Reid at the heart of West Ham's defence and the Wales
international has his sights set on a record 8th-place Premier League finish
for The Hammers. "You can't take your foot off the pedal, we want to win
every game left, that's enough of an incentive," he told the club's official
website. "Realistically, eighth is the best we can do looking at the table
and that would be a fantastic achievement. We've got three home games left
and we are certainly looking to win them. Since we've been promoted, tenth
is the best we've done so to better that would be great."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Leicester v West Ham preview: Time running out for Foxes survival bid
Last Updated: 04/04/15 7:16am
SSN

Leicester host West Ham in the Premier League sitting bottom of the table
with just nine games remaining. Nigel Pearson's side are seven points from
safety with a game in hand over their opponents, but are without a win since
January 10, losing six of their last eight games.
West Ham ended a seven-match winless streak in the league by beating
Sunderland 1-0 before the international break, but look consigned to
mid-table, sitting 11 points off seventh place but six points clear of the
bottom half. Sam Allardyce's Hammers won the return game earlier in the
season 2-0, thanks to goals from Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing.

Team news

Leicester welcome Liam Moore back to their squad after recalling the England
U21 defender from his loan spell at Brentford, but Dean Hammond (calf) and
Zoumana Bakayogo (knee) are still out.

West Ham have Winston Reid (hamstring) back, although Enner Valencia is not
fit to play as he is still recovering from a toe injury.

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says Leicester will be tough opposition to
play against as they look to avoid relegation

Opta facts

Leicester have won just one of their last 10 Premier League home matches (W1
D3 L6).
West Ham United are unbeaten in their last seven league games against
Leicester City (W4 D3 L0).
Allardyce's team have won none of their last seven Barclays Premier League
away matches (W0 D4 L3).
After scoring five goals in his first five Premier League appearances for
Leicester City, Leonardo Ulloa has scored only two in his 23 apps since.
Leicester manager Nigel Pearson believes home form will be key to their
survival
Diafra Sakho has scored a league-high five headed goals this season, while
only Graziano Pelle (25) has attempted more headed shots than the Hammer
(23).

Merson's prediction

This is Leicester's cup final. They just have to win. If they don't I think
that will be it and they will be relegated.

With six out of their last nine games at home Pearson's side definitely have
a chance of survival but they must beat West Ham. A draw is just not good.

But, backed by their home support, I think they can get the result they need
and I'm backing them for a 2-1 win against a West Ham side who have just one
win from their last eight in the league.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (8/1 with SkyBet)

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers get a Foxes warning
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 3, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson has warned West Ham the Foxes "must make
their move now" if they are to esacape relegation from the Premier League.
The Irons arrive at the King Power Stadium tomorrow as City start bid to
breach a seven-point gap within nine games.
Pearson said: "We have got to win games. Drawing games is not good enough
now. It will be really important for us to remain positive."
Victory could see the hosts move off the bottom of the Premier League for
the first time since November and Pearson said: "I think it would be a big
lift. But we need to keep our focus on what we are doing and not get
involved in the tug of war that people like to ramp up at this stage of the
season. "We are coming up against a West Ham side that is very underrated.
Sam (Allardyce) has done a very good job there, I know him well, and I've
worked with him." "It is always striking the balance between being positive
in a game, and not setting yourself up to be caught out. "We can talk about
staying in touch, but we have got to make a move. We have got to keep our
focus on the fact we cannot affect other results. "It remains a huge
challenge for us, but it is one that I know the players are looking forward
t
"Is the pressure off us? Maybe a little bit. I think the teams we are up
against have a healthy respect for us. I don't think other teams expect an
easy game just because of our league position. There is plenty of fight left
in us."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Leroy: Lots of brave talk but season looks over
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 3, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Let's be 100 per cent up front about it – the Hammers bubbles have been
bursting at a rate of knots and I can't fancy them to beat Leicester City
tomorrow. The season looks all over to me. Of course there will be a lot of
brave talk about finishing with a flourish but once you have hit the sort of
run we have been on, that's what it usually is …TALK! Despite their results
– and they were well unlucky to get beat by Spurs 4-3 – City have been
playing some great stuff. We haven't. And with no Enner Valencia available
it's all gonna be on Diafra Sakho's shoulders again which will be a real
test for the lad – good as he is. City – as Rob Savage said here yesterday –
have nothing to lose and I expect Nigel Pearson to go two- up as the Foxes
go in search of a win and a miracle. As for us, we are playing for pride now
and those players who are close to Sam Allardyce may be concerned for their
futures. I said in a previous piece on the site that players don't care who
the manager is so long as they are playing but those Sam likes may not be if
he's not around next term and that will be preying on their minds. Hugh said
yesterday he'd like to see Nene get a run-out. So would I because whenever
he's appeared he's shown flair and ingenuity. I'm not sure he'll get on of
course but he should – good player. It's all been very disappointing after
such a start to the season and the team have a long way to come to retain
that level of performance. For me tomorrow it looks like 1-1 AT BEST!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce: Threatened teams can go on a run!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 3, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Sam Allardyce has warned Hammers fans that whilst the Irons have a
reasonable run-in, Burnley's recent win over Manchester City showed how
difficult life can be. And of our game against Leicester City tomorrow he
said: "It's a result business and they (Leicester) haven't gone as well as
the performances merit. "At this stage of the season teams at the bottom can
go on a good run, last year it was Sunderland. We've got to make sure that
doesn't happen against us." "Looking at the table, it's very tight between
eighth and tenth. We have a reasonable run in, some games are certainly more
winnable than others. No game is ever easy. "Leicester will be up for it and
I think they've got great hope that they stay up. It's happened before, Alan
Curbishley did it here a few years ago. I did it at Bolton early on,
Sunderland did it last year, Roy Hodgson did it at Fulham. When you're
fighting for Premier league survival it can bring out the best in players."
"I thought Leicester did enough to get something from the Tottenham game, it
just hinged on a decision that went against them. For us, it's about getting
as many points as possible, hopefully we'll build on our win over Sunderland
last time out."
And commenting on how to keep the team focused given there's not too much
tpo play for at top or bottom of the table Allardyce said: "It is a concern
as a manager because you can't afford to switch off the gas, no matter where
you are in the table. We have to create as much revenue as possible and it's
about a £1 million more per place you finish so each position does what a
difference."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bring the swagger back …and no excuses
Posted by bubbles fanzine on April 3, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
By Richard Oses

Founder of Bubbles Fanzine Richard tells the Irons to finish with a flourish
as the finishing line comes into sight. Find Bubbles Fanzine
@https://www.facebook.com/bubblesfanzine?

The difficult run is over!

We have all accepted that West Ham were not good enough to pick up a string
of wins against the league's elite. Some would even say we did quite well to
draw against the likes of Man Utd and Spurs.

Whichever way anyone look at it we didn't win enough games, end of story.

So now the Hammers face an easier run of games but Sam Allardyce has already
put the stoppers on high expectations by stating that Leicester are too good
to be relegated and are simply unlucky.

Considering the majority of our remaining fixtures are versus teams fighting
for survival or for honour (Man City away) it leaves us as the only team
with nothing left to play for.

Where exactly does that leave us then? Are the other teams we face set to
put us to the sword because they need the points more?

Do we hold our hands up to the fact that by starting the season in such
spectacular fashion set us up nicely for a top ten finish therefore we can
all look ahead to next season with nothing to fear?

Absolutly not! Not in my books and I trust most certainly not in yours. That
early mentality; whoever we play, whatever the outcome we shall fight till
the bitter end for those three points or die trying needs to come back!

That swagger and confidence displayed by the Hammers is the stuff champions
are made off.

No, I do not think we should have been in the top four, but at the same
time, I think every game is a potentially winnable game if the attitude is
right.

This last month and a half of the Premier League that is left to play should
highlight and showcase how good this side really is and how no matter who we
play or why THEY need the points, we are not here to make up the numbers, we
are here to win!

No more half hearted attempts riddled with excuses please.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

http://vyperz.blogspot.com



---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
http://www.avast.com