Daily WHUFC News - 9th April 2015

The Big Interview - Kevin Nolan
WHUFC.com

Kevin Nolan has his eyes on his 100th career league goal – and wants to
reach the landmark this Saturday against Stoke City. The West Ham United
skipper has been stuck on 99 since nodding the Hammers level in December's
2-1 victory at West Bromwich Albion and is ready to end the wait.

We caught up with him at Tuesday's Open Training day for this week's Big
Interview…

Looking back at Saturday, clearly a frustrating result but on reflection was
it a game that could have gone either way?

KN: "Yes, definitely. That's the most frustrating thing because we thought
we did enough to at least get something out of the game and we should have
won. It's the old chestnut of if you don't put your chances away, you could
succumb to a defeat. That's what happened to us, we missed chances where
earlier in the season they would have gone in for us. That's what we have to
get back to."

There has been a few late goals recently in either net. Can you put a finger
on why that's been the case?

KN: "You can never put your finger on it. It's just that time of year now.
Everyone's battling for their lives and going for things. Leicester are
battling to stay in the Premier League. Over the last few months it's been
difficult to have that run, but it's something we want to put right and
we're working hard to make the fortunes change."

For yourself you came close to that 100th goal in the first half. It's
coming isn't it?

KN: "Yes. I'm glad I got a couple of chances on Saturday and I'm hoping that
the next chance goes in. It's starting to become a bit of a burden as people
are starting to mention it a bit more. I've just got to keep working hard
and hopefully something will fall for me. Hopefully one will go in off my
backside or something!"

It would be nice if it came against Stoke as they're a team in a similar
position to us…

KN: "Yes. It's a home game where we feel we can beat everyone. It's a
massive game as if we beat them we can put three points into them. It's all
on us and we've got to keep going and doing what we're doing."

The manager has spoken of the target of beating our highest points tally
since returning to the Premier League. How big a target is that for you?

KN: "It's massive. We want to have the best season we've had since we've
been back in the Premier League. I think we deserve it after the start we
had. It will be a disappointment if we didn't hit that target, but we're all
very confident that we will."

We've had Open Training this week with a big turnout – it's always great to
see so many young kids supporting the team isn't it?

KN: "It's brilliant. It's been a fantastic day and it's always nice when the
weather is as good as it has been so the kids can stay around. I've had a
few of these when it's been a bit rainy and you feel sorry for them sitting
there watching us in that weather.

"But Tuesday was a fabulous day and these kids are the future of what
hopefully will be a successful period for the Club as it moves to the
Olympic Stadium.

"It's nice to give something back and all the lads were really happy with
how it went. They've all gone out of their way to make sure the fans got
what they deserved.

There's been a few events this Easter – shop signings, this and a Fans'
Forum – so the Club are giving fans plenty of chance to get involved.

KN: "That's important, because at the end of the day they're the ones who
matter to us most. We're all more than happy to do it."

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View on the Visitors - Stoke City
WHUFC.com

Stoke Sentinel's Stoke City reporter Peter Smith lifts the lid on Saturday's
visitors.

What have you made of Stoke's recent form?

"It's been a bit up and down really. While they've lost the last three games
they haven't played that badly. They were unlucky against Crystal Palace, a
few decisions went against them and they played very well against Chelsea."

Mark Hughes has recently a new contract at the club, do you think that was a
good move?

"Yes, I think it's been a long time coming as the negotiations started in
January. I think he has done a very good job, they're playing good,
attacking football and getting results at the same time. The news has gone
done really well with the fans. There's a sense he is just at the start of
his journey with Stoke."

Which players have stood out this season?

"Every player who started the season well then got injured. Steven Nzonzi
has been the key man in the middle. I think he is very likely to win the
Player of the Season award, he's played every game and has done well
throughout the season.

"Jonathan Walters has also done well recently. He fell down the pecking
order at the start of the season but he has won his place back. His attitude
and work rate is superb and you definitely notice the impact when he doesn't
play."

It was a 2-2 draw in this fixture at the Britannia, what do you remember
from that game?

"I remember Stoke played well that day. Even at 2-0 they were still
attacking which left them vulnerable and West Ham capitalised. After the
game Mark Hughes was furious that his team had let a 2-0 lead slip when they
were on top and probably should have won the match."

What have you made on West Ham more generally this season?

"They certainly started with a bang and I've been very impressed with Diafra
Sakho and Enner Valencia up top. It's sort of fizzled out in recent weeks
but overall I think they've done well."

What is your prediction for Saturday's score?

"I'd take a draw as Upton Park is always a tough place to come to. Both
teams can score goals, so I'll say 2-2 again."

Where do you think Stoke will finish come the end of the season?

"I think they'll finish eighth, top of this mini league with Swansea in
tenth and West Ham in ninth. Eighth would represent a very good season."

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From the Treatment Room
WHUFC.com

Hello everybody,

We start with Enner Valencia, who has returned to full training with the
first-team squad this week, as those of you who attended the Open Training
Day will have seen! Enner will be available to be selected to play against
Stoke City on Saturday.

Andy Carroll (knee), James Tomkins (shoulder) and Doneil Henry (hamstring)
are continuing their rehabilitation following their respective surgeries.

Stijn Vandenbroucke
Head of Medical and Sports Science

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Tomkins hails successful surgery
WHUFC.com

James Tomkins is hoping to return to action before the end of the season
after undergoing successful surgery to repair his dislocated shoulder. The
No5 suffered the injury in a freak incident while in training at Chadwell
Heath, putting a spanner in the works of what had been a fantastic campaign
for the centre-back. However, the defender is remaining positive and would
love to pull on a Claret and Blue shirt at least one more time before
2014/15 draws to a close. "I was in the gym doing some exercises like I
normally do, but just went a bit too far with one of them and unfortunately
I dislocated my shoulder," confirmed Tomkins, who dislocated his shoulder
once before as an Academy player. "I'd have been frustrated if I had done it
on the pitch, so to do it in the gym made it even more frustrating. "I had
the operation about two weeks ago and it has settled down. I'm progressing
with my rehab and getting more movement and hopefully I can get back as soon
as I can. "I am pleased the surgery went well. I went to see a top surgeon
who has done a lot of operations on other Premier League footballers and it
went well for myself, so hopefully this time it will stay in place for good.
It's even stronger than it was before now and fingers crossed it all goes to
plan. "I never thought about it when I was going out to play and I became
more and more confident with every game I played after it happened before. I
was always confident after training and I know when I come back this time I
will be the same. "Hopefully it will not set me back and I will be able to
play a couple of games before the end of the season, you never know. It
depends on how well it goes. I'm preparing myself mentally that I won't play
again this season, so if I come back earlier then it's a bonus."

Tomkins' injury came at an inopportune moment for both the player and the
team, with the Essex-born youngster enjoying arguably his most dominant
season yet in the Barclays Premier League. One statistic revealed that the
defender has not made a single mistake this season that led to the
opposition scoring – one which put a smile on Tomkins' face. "That makes me
feel a bit better, actually!" he said. "It's depressing knowing that you are
out, so those sort of stats are always nice to hear. I felt my season was
going well before I got injured. "I'm gutted for myself that I couldn't
progress because who knows where I could have got by the end of the season.
That's depressing, but those stats will keep me in good stead for next year.
"When I have played, I felt I have been very consistent and that's the main
thing I wanted to get in my game this year. I felt that I did that and I was
getting better and better. "Setbacks like this happen in football all the
time, but it won't hold me back too much. Hopefully I'll kick-on next
season."

While he may not be available, Tomkins hopes his teammates can finish the
season strongly. "When you look at the fixtures, we have got quite winnable
games, so I am confident the lads can get a lot of points from them with the
squad we have got. "I hope the lads stay injury-free and can push on and
secure at least a top-half finish – that's definitely our aim."

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Joint-Chairman 'spellbound' by new Stadium
WHUFC.com

Joint-Chairman David Gold is no stranger to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park,
even if it is utterly unrecognisable from the place he knew so well as a
young man. Mr Gold was a regular visitor to Stratford in his formative
years, whether for work or, to his mother's dismay, for a summer swim in the
waterways. It is a markedly different affair these days, with the former
Olympic Stadium taking centre stage in spectacular surrounds. Even so, for
this Stepney-born Hammer there remains a poignant resonance with his east
London beginnings. "As a young boy I can remember going and swimming in the
canals and I remember when my mother found out, thinking I'd catch some
terrible disease because they were filthy, terrible places," he recalled.
"But to me, on a hot summer's day, to go and swim there was just fantastic.
"I remember as a young man, in my teens, working down Stratford Market. It's
just amazing when I think of it. We considered it a quite terrible place and
it certainly needed regeneration, though I probably didn't consider that as
a young person. "But the change is so dramatic, all because of the Olympic
Park and the Olympic Stadium. The area is just amazing. Now when you go
there you're impressed with the beauty of the place, even ignoring, for the
moment, the actual Stadium itself. "With the waterways and the gardens, it's
just a stunning, stunning place to be. And of course to have the Olympic
Stadium, West Ham's Stadium, is special for me, because of those memories."

Mr Gold was back at the new Stadium this week to celebrate the Club's latest
partnership deal with Lycamobile and paid tribute to their continued backing
at a pivotal juncture in Hammers history. He explained: "They've been
fantastic supporters of the Club, we've been very fortunate to have such a
great partner, particularly at such an important time for the Club. Not only
the last year at Upton Park coming up but also the opening of the new
Stadium. "Everywhere you turn, West ham values are clear in our partners.
It's very valuable and important that they feel the same things that we do.
We're very fortunate."

As for the Stadium itself, the Joint-Chairman continues to be amazed by the
progress and expects supporters to be absolutely bowled over when they set
foot in their new Stadium for the very first time. "The roof is coming along
remarkably quickly, and I hope the fans get to see this because once they
see it I'm sure they'll love it. "This is going to be the most iconic
Stadium in the world, in my view. I am so proud to be part of it and I know
that when the fans see it, they'll be proud too. Every time I visit, I am
overcome with excitement and pride at what we are achieving. "I'm seeing a
little bit here and a little bit there. For somebody that actually walks in
there for the first time, they are going to be spellbound. "2016 can't come
quickly enough. The players were saying they wanted to play here next week!
Every time I come I am overwhelmed by the enormity and the grandeur of it,
it's absolutely fantastic."

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Westley: "It was a good performance"
WHUFC.com

West Ham United's Sam Westley said the Development Squad can take a lot of
confidence from their performance against Manchester United on Tuesday
night. Despite losing 3-2, the Hammers put in an impressive display and were
unlucky to come away from the match with no points to show for their
efforts. Speaking after the game, Westley said: "It was a very good
performance, we're disappointed to lose really. The first twenty minutes I
don't think they created anything. We did well to score on the counter
attack, overall it was a good performance.
"All week we've been focusing on work rate, and a high press and really
getting into them. I thought we did that really well. Defensively, I thought
we were very solid."

The win sees Manchester United go top of the Barclays U21 Premier League who
named a strong side including the likes of James Wilson, Adnan Januzaj and
Rafael da Silva. Speaking about the experience of playing against
established Premier League players, Westley continued: "I thought they were
a very good side, it was a great experience to play against first team
players. "At the end of the day, that's the level we are all trying to get
at. It was a good experience and a great challenge."

Up next for the Dev Squad is a tough match with Norwich City on Friday 17
April at Rush Green. Earlier in the season the Canaries secured a 1-0 win,
however Westley insisted his side would approach the game with confidence.
"Tonight's performance will give us a lot of confidence for our next match
against Norwich City, we need to pick up some points. Even though we lost we
can be proud of the performance."

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Potts delighted with Dev Squad performance
WHUFC.com

Development Squad coach Steve Potts said he was delighted with the effort
and performance of his side in their 3-2 defeat away at Manchester United.
The young Hammers started brightly and took a deserved lead when Reece
Oxford headed home Josh Cullen's free kick.
Midway through the first half the hosts rallied through a quickfire double
from Josh Harrop and Joe Rothwell. Jordan Brown equalised just before half
time however Harrop's second of the game sealed the three points for the
hosts. Speaking after the game, Potts said: "I was very pleased, the boys
performed very well. I'm disappointed with the result but it was a great
effort from the boys. "We worked on being more solid, I thought we were very
naïve against Liverpool so it was a massive improvement tonight. In the
first 20 minutes we were excellent, we scored and they didn't have a shot."

In an outstanding team performance, one of the best this season, the Dev
Squad took a deserved lead through Oxford's header, his second goal in
recent games after scoring for England U17s. Having fallen behind, the Dev
Squad got back level thanks to Jordan Brown. His work rate and desire to
chase down what seemed to be lost causes paid off as he netted his second
goal of the season. "It's great for both of them. Jordan was a constant
threat in behind the defence all game and Reece is always an outlet with his
height. "Man United were a great challenge for us with the team they
fielded. They're a good side, top of the league. To play against Adnan
Januzaj and James Wilson and a few others who have been involved in the
first team is a great test."

The Dev Squad's next game is another tough encounter against Norwich City at
Rush Green on Friday 17th April. Potts continued to say that a similar level
of performance would be needed in order to secure maximum points. "We
have to take a lot of positives into our next match against Norwich. The
goals we conceded, aren't good goals to concede, but overall we did very
well. "You'd like to think that if we play like we did against Norwich than
we'll have a good chance of winning. There's still room for improvement, but
we can certainly build on tonight. We were very solid defensively and with
the ball, but we can use it better and carry more of a threat."

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Alou Diarra takes a swipe at West Ham manager Sam Allardyce and his style of
play
Last Updated: 08/04/15 11:39am
SSN

Alou Diarra has taken a swipe at West Ham manager Sam Allardyce and said his
style of play "just wasn't football". Former France midfielder Diarra spent
an unhappy two years at Upton Park, making just 14 appearances before he was
released in the summer.
The 33-year-old joined Charlton in February and has just agreed a new
contract until the summer of 2016. He told the club's matchday programme:
"My first experience in England was frustrating because I didn't play many
games at West Ham. "I did well in training but it just wasn't football. They
played a lot of long balls but for me that is too easy. I've always played
hard stuff. I like to get into position with pressure. "If you are not first
choice with the manager you have to wait for injuries or suspensions to get
your chance and even then I didn't get it. But that's in the past for me
now. "I didn't learn anything during my two years at West Ham. I've learned
more in the last month at Charlton because we try to play football. We try
to keep possession and win every game and for me that is football.
"It's about ambition. I'm a competitive guy and I need to win every game,
not only some games."

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Hull enter Alex Mowatt transfer chase and prepare £7million summer bid for
Leeds starlet
22:30, 7 April 2015 By Bill Cooper
The Tigers have joined Liverpool, Everton and West Ham in pursuit of the
England U20 midfielder after watching him score an Easter Monday cracker
The Mirror

Hull City are planning a summer swoop on Yorkshire neighbours Leeds United
by making a £7million summer offer for Alex Mowatt. Tigers boss Steve Bruce
has joined Liverpool, Everton and West Ham in the race to sign Mowatt, 20,
at the end of the season. Relegation candidates Hull have been tracking the
Doncaster-born midfielder since January and can't fail to have been
impressed following their latest check on him in the Elland Road outfit's
4-3 defeat at promotion-chasing Wolves on Monday. Bruce sent scout John
Rudge to Molineux to watch Mowatt deliver the latest in a series of
impressive displays for the troubled Whites this season. The England
Under-20 international impressed former Port Vale manager Rudge with a
commanding performance, which he capped by scoring a stunning ninth goal of
the campaign. Mowatt has two years left on his deal and Leeds are keen to
tie him down on a new deal - along with fellow prospects Sam Byram, Lewis
Cook and Charlie Taylor. Elland Road chairman Andrew Umbers insisted: "Our
young players are not for sale. Contract negotiations are foremost in our
minds." But Leeds are in turmoil off the pitch, and the Tigers believe they
can take advantage of their Yorkshire neighbours' problems by tabling an
offer for Mowatt that they would find hard to refuse.

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Angry West Ham fan grills players about recent trip to Dubai
14:17, 8 April 2015 By Lee Thomas-Mason
West Ham midfielder Stewart Downing was left to answer an awkward question
from an irate Hammers supporter at a fans forum last night
The Mirror

To be fair, summer is on the way and the weather is improving in London so
warm weather training makes sense for the Hammers, right?
Well, one particular West Ham fan really doesn't agree with Big Sam's jolly
over to Dubai and decided to raise the issue at a fans forum last night,
leaving poor Stewart Downing left to answer the question. As you can see in
the video above, he really, really, really, really, REALLY doesn't agree.
Maybe the angry supporter in question was onto something.

Having seen their incredible early season form tail away since the turn of
the year, the Hammers took their trip away during a weekend they had fixture
free weekend (thanks to being knocked out of the FA Cup at the hands of West
Brom). Thing is, the warm weather training hasn't really helped things at
Upton Park. West Ham have won one and lost two on their return from Dubai.
Ah well, at least they got a nice tan.

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Manchester United are the dream team to manage, says West Ham boss Sam
Allardyce
16:47, 8 April 2015 By Aaron Flanagan
Allardyce also opened up about the disappointment of not being named as
England manager after losing out to Steve McClaren
The Mirror

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says that Manchester United are the dream
team to manage in the Premier League. But he insisted that managing West Ham
is a 'dream' job too - admitting he would have got a plenty of stick from
Hammers fans if he didn't say so. Speaking on the Clare Balding Show, which
is shown on BT Sport and the BBC, he said: "If I didn't say West Ham were
the dream club to manage then I'd be in trouble with West Ham fans... but it
has been a dream club to manage. "There has always been one [dream club] -
and that is Man United. "Playing at Old Trafford myself and then going back
there as a manager, so I think probably in this country, they are the one."

When asked what his biggest managerial disappointment was, he revealed it
was missing out on the job of England manager. After Sven-Goran Eriksson
left the national team, Allardyce appeared to be the favourite for the
position. He said: "The biggest disappointment for me was not being the
England coach when it became touch-and-go between me and Steve McClaren at
the end." Allardyce also revealed that he had two interviews for the post of
Three Lions boss and it was after them that he was told that it was between
him and McClaren. But he knew that McClaren had been given the job as he had
not been given the phone call before Bolton's match with Middlesbrough in
the Premier League.
The full interview can be seen on BT Sport on Thursday evening and the BBC
on Friday.

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Simple! Moyes is the man
Posted by Sean Whetstone on April 8, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
By CandA Associate Editor
Sean Whetstone

The top five names to be regularly linked as West Ham's next manager are
Benitez, Bilic, Bielsa, Moyes and Howe. But for me it's no contest with
David Moyes the only sensible choice. In our final year at the Boleyn ground
we need to build on the stability Sam Allardyce has created for our club in
the past five years and we need Premier League experience to guarantee
survival. It is not the time to be taking big gambles with managers with
little experience or language barriers. For me it is not just about Premier
League experience and a safe pair of hands, David Moyes offers a lot more
and people often forget what he achieved at Everton and focus just on his
disastrous reign at Manchester United.

Moyes completely rebuilt Everton from within, lowering the average age of
the squad, replenishing it on modest means and helping to establish a youth
system that still flourishes today. He encouraged the board to invest in
Everton's £8m training complex with it's youth academy on-site.

He showed an emphasis on youth development and playing youngsters while at
Everton. At his first board meeting as Everton's manager, Moyes told
directors they had erred with an aged transfer policy and needed to start
again. I see him working well with his old mate Tony Henry who was his chief
scout at Everton. During his 10 successful years at Everton he took them
from relegation candidates to top-six regulars in the league.

In the 10 seasons before Moyes's first full campaign, in charge Everton
finished 13th, 17th, 15th, sixth, 15th, 17th, 14th, 13th, 16th and 15th. In
the 10 years after he took over they have finished seventh, 17th, fourth,
11th, sixth, fifth, fifth, eighth, seventh and sixth.

When Moyes arrived at Goodison Park from Preston North End in March 2002,
Moyes picked up 13 points from nine matches to lead Everton to safety – they
had only won one of their previous 13.

Working largely on a tight budget living within Everton's board means, Moyes
set about rebuilding the squad which qualified for the Champions League one
season and regularly reached the Europa League.

He's gets my vote!

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'Manny' signs up for Irons
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 8, 2015 in Whispers
FA Youth Cup 3rd Round: Southampton v West Ham United
Clreat & Hugh

The official website at www.whufc.com has revealed the centre-half signed
earlier this week after a top season. Eighteen year old 'Manny' – who was on
the bench at Arsenal – said: "I'm grateful because it's amazing," The club
has done so much for me and I've improved so much here, so I just need to
get to the next level now and keep on excelling. "It's gone from almost zero
to 100 this season, but that's football. People get injured and you're the
next in, so you have to stay on your game and always be ready." He is now
hoping for further opportunities saying: "To be involved (against Arsenal)
was amazing and I want to thank all the first-team players for making me
feel welcome and creating a great atmosphere. "The Club obviously has faith
in me, so now it's about going out on loan and getting first-team
experience, then coming back and seeing how things go." Writing in his
regular From the Academy blog, Academy Manager Terry Westley said:"It is a
fantastic achievement for him and a proud day for everyone who knows him. Of
course, it's a proud moment for everyone at the Academy and it is a sign
that we are going in the right direction.

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Hammers yellows hit Europe chances
Posted by Sean Whetstone on April 8, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham -currently leading the Premier League Fair League – saw their
European qualifying chances dented by three yellow cards in the Leicester
defeat. The winner of this season's league is likely to qualify for Europe
with England sitting third in the UEFA fair play rankings at the half way
point. Saturday's disappointing result against Leicester has narrowed the
gap in the Fair Play league with the Irons picking up three yellow cards
after Reid, Cresswell and Jenkinson were all booked. The Hammers were just
eight points ahead of second place Burnley before the weekend and nine
points ahead of third place Liverpool but the Reds lost points after Emre
Can was sent off for his second yellow card against Arsenal. It means it
will be a very tight finish in the Premier League Fair League this season
with with the eventual winner coming from the top three of West Ham, Burnley
or Liverpool. However, the winner could still could be denied European
football by the ill-discipline of their Premier League rivals which could
still push England out of the third place position in Europe. Entry is at
the first qualifying round of Europa League on July 2h would reduce the
summer time to prepare for a new season but clubs can refuse the offer. In
that instance the FA would lose their extra allocation. As from the 2016/17
season there will no longer be a Europa League prize for the top three
nations in Fair Play. Instead, a financial bonus will be paid to the best
Fair Play association, the most improved and the nation with the best
behaved spectators.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com



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