Daily WHUFC News - 25th January 2015

Preview - Bristol City
WHUFC.com
All the need-to-know information ahead of Sunday's game against Bristol City
24.01.2015

BRISTOL CITY v WEST HAM UNITED
FA CUP FOURTH ROUND
ASHTON GATE
SUNDAY 25 JANUARY 2015
KICK-OFF: 2PM
REFEREE: LEE MASON

In brief

The Hammers return to FA Cup action this weekend when they travel to play League One high flyers Bristol City in the fourth round.

The Robins have been in superb form this season, currently sitting second with 54 points with a game in hand. Should they win that game, they would leapfrog lead leaders Swindon Town.
Steve Cotterill's men go into Sunday's game on the back of a fruitful run of games which has sees them unbeaten in seven, winning ten of their last 12 matches.
Having come through that epic third round replay against Everton with Adrian's winning penalty, the Hammers went on to beat Hull City 3-0 at the Boleyn Ground on Sunday 18 January.
Sam Allardyce's men are currently enjoying a record points total at this stage of the season, with 36 points from 22 games, lying seventh in the Premier League table.

Related Stories

Big Sam on: Bristol City
Chadwell Chatter
Betting Preview
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Who are they?
Founded in 1894 as Bristol South End Football Club, they were renamed Bristol City is 1897. In 1900, they became a professional outfit having merged with Bedminster FC, moving to Ashton Gate in the process.
The Robins recorded their highest ever league placing in 1907, finishing as runners-up of Division One.
The closest they have come to winning the FA Cup came two years later when they were runners up in 1909. The Robins managed to get their hands on some silverware when they won the Football League Trophy in 1985/86 and 2002/03.

Currently, Ashton Gate is undergoing major refurbishment. Incidentally, the East Stand at the Boleyn Ground was opened for the only previous FA Cup meeting with Bristol City in January 1969!
After a delay of one week, due to icy weather conditions postponing the Hammers' final home League game of the year, the new East Stand was used for the first time for the visit of Bristol City on Saturday 4 January 1969 on the occasion of the FA Cup third round tie and the attendance of 32,526 produced then record receipts of £11,058.
It's cantilever style construction made the Stand one of the most modern in the Football League. It cost £170,000 to build and with no pylons to obscure the view of the pitch the Stand was an outstanding example of current constructional engineering.
The new feature of Boleyn Ground replaced the primitive building made of timber with a corrugated iron roof and sides which had stood on that side of the pitch for many decades and was affectionally known as "The Chicken Run."
Team news
West Ham United
James Collins is unavailable having suffered a back injury in the 3-0 win over Hull City. In his place, the Hammers could welcome back Winston Reid after he made his return to first team in the victory over the Tigers. He is likely to play alongside the in form James Tomkins.
Diafra Sakho (back) is still out, while Cheikhou Kouyate is away at the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal.
Bristol City
The Robins will be without prolific striker Aaron Wilbraham who has an injured hip. The former Crystal Palace man has scored 13 goals this season.
Kieran Agard is also struggling with an ankle problem. James Tavernier is cup-tied having played for Wigan in the previous round.
Referee
Sunday's referee is Lee Mason. The Lancashire based referee has taken charge of one game involving West Ham this season - the Hammers' narrow 2-1 defeat by Manchester United. Wayne Rooney was sent off for a rash challenge on Stewart Downing before Kevin Nolan's late equaliser was ruled out dubiously for offside.
Mason's previous involvement in the FA Cup this season was Leicester City's 1-0 win over Newcastle United in the third round.
The assistant referees will be Stuart Burt and Marc Perry, while Roger East is the fourth official.
One to watch
West Ham United
Andy Carroll scored his fifth goal of the season when he opened the scoring against Hull City last Sunday. The England international has been in superb form recently and will be looking to open his FA Cup account this weekend.
Bristol City
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has been in great goalscoring form recently, netting four goals in his last three appearances. The former Arsenal youngster will come up against Aaron Cresswell, who were teammates at Ipswich Town.

Television Coverage

Sunday's game will be shown live on BBC One, kick off is at 2pm.
Tickets
Tickets for this match have SOLD OUT.
Travel
For all your travel information on getting to and from Ashton Gate, click here
For the latest news on National Rail disruptions, click here.
Weather
Sunday is expected to be a cloudy but dry day. Temperature at kick-off is predicted to be 9C (48F).
Last meeting
Bristol City 1-1 West Ham United
English Championship
Tuesday 17 April 2012
The Hammers took the lead through a James Tomkins header from Mark Nobles' deep free kick. Their lead did not last long as Cole Skuse equalised for the Robins just four minutes later.
The draw virtually ended the Hammers chance of an automatic promotion place, meaning they would have to go through the play offs.
Bristol City: Gerken, Fontaine, Foster, Bikey, McGivern, Skuse, Cisse (Woolford 69), Pearson, Stead (Carey 88), Bolasie (Adomah 69), Wood
Subs not used: James, Kilkenny
West Ham United: Green, Reid, Tomkins, Demel (Faubert 74), Collins (Carew 63), Nolan, Taylor, Noble, Lansbury, Maynard (Collison 74), Vaz Te
Subs not used: Henderson, Diop

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Downing's up for the cup
WHUFC.com
Stewart Downing wants to continue his terrific form against Bristol City in the FA Cup
25.01.2015

West Ham United midfielder Stewart Downing has been enjoying a great season, scoring five goals in 2014/15 as well as contributing seven assists.
The 30-year-old midfielder has largely played in a more central position, at the tip of the diamond formation that manager Sam Allardyce has favoured for the majority of this campaign.
With the Hammers currently in good form, sitting in seventh in the Premier League with 36 points, Downing is hopeful that his teammates can bring their good league record into their FA Cup fourth round tie with Bristol City.
Speaking ahead of the game, Downing said: "This season has been very enjoyable. Maybe we've surprised a few people, but in this building itself this is what we wanted. We all believe in the ability of the squad and we've proved it. We lost the first game but from then on the way we've played has been really pleasing. I think we deserve to be where we are.
"I spoke to the manager in pre-season, even when I signed we talked playing in the middle in a three or off the frontman. I don't think he's had the luxury of doing that until now. This season he can mix it about which has helped me out massively but also the team.
"The new role really suits me. Playing with really good players obviously helps. The lads behind me do a lot to get me the ball and get into dangerous positions. I'm really enjoying it, the way we're playing especially at home has been really good. You can sense that the confidence in the team is high, and mine certainly is too."
Sunday's opponents Bristol City have also been in great form as they seek promotion to the Championship. Currently, Steve Cotterill's men are second in League One with 54 points and Downing knows that the Robins will provide a stern test.
"We will approach the game the same way we would if we played Chelsea. Playing at their place it is going to rocking. Obviously they play differently to a Chelsea but it will still be difficult. I've played there before with Middlesbrough. They made it hard for us, it finished 2-2 and we finally beat them on penalties. Cup games are never easy.
"I think you have to treat every game the same. If you don't then you can be punished. It's massive for them and I'm sure they'll treat it as a cup final.
"I've been there a few times, it is a difficult place to play at. The pitch wasn't great and the noise was loud. Sheffield United proved that playing lower league teams is never easy when they beat us at home."
Since the midfielder joined the Hammers in 2013, Downing has experienced two very contrasting seasons. While the Hammers struggled last term due to persistent injury problems, the former Liverpool and Aston Villa man praised his manager, Sam Allardyce, for the way he handled the pressure.
"The manager gives us a lot of confidence. When we were struggling last season he kept on saying keep on doing the right things and we'll get out of it. He an enthusiastic person and he gets in among the lads.
"Last year he was under a lot pressure but he helped to take it off the lads and shouldered it himself. Where we are in the league is very good but we have to keep on going.
"Deep down he must be enjoying this season. The lads are playing well and performing for him. I think picking the team must be difficult because everyone is doing well. The big thing is flexibility, he's got the numbers and the options to change things around when necessary.
"When I joined West Ham I was hoping we would do something like this. It didn't really click in until the last few games. This season, we've kept fit and shown everyone what we can do. We're not there by luck or fluke, we've beaten some of the teams around us."

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U18s clip Seagulls
WHUFC.com
A goal in each half saw West Ham United U18s edge out Brighton at Little Heath
24.01.2015

West Ham United grabbed a deserved three points as they saw off Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 in the Barclays U18 Premier League at Little Heath. The home side opened the scoring on 26 minutes when Anthony Scully's right-wing cross was headed home by England U17 international striker Jahmal Hector-Ingram, before Connor Tighe levelled from the penalty spot minutes before half-time. After the break, the Hammers sealed the victory when Jerry Amoo (pictured) was well-placed in the six yard box to stab home from Joe Powell's cross. The Hammers made three changes to the starting XI which lost 2-0 at Southampton the previous weekend. Jake Eggleton, Kieran Bailey and Joe Powell were given the nod to replace Alex Pike, Grady Diangana and Vashon Neufville. Noha Sylvestre dropped into right-back, allowing Bailey to partner Matt Carter in the centre of midfield, while Scully took up a more central role in attack. Both Powell and Carter featured for the U18s after getting important minutes under their belts for Steve Potts' U21 squad against Chelsea on Friday evening. After suffering a heart-breaking defeat by the Saints, where they created and missed a host of chances, the Hammers may have been worrying about a similar outcome after wasting several opportunities in the opening 20 minutes against Brighton. It was Hector-Ingram who had his head in his hands after just three minutes when Carter raced towards the byline and supplied a low cross, only for the striker put the ball high over the bar.

Brighton came back strong and were only denied an opening goal of their own by an outstanding acrobatic save from Hammers goalkeeper Sam Howes. After Tunji Akinola lost the ball in the defence, Brighton winger Tighe attempted an audacious lob from 40 yards out, but Howes managed to get enough of a hand to it to clear the danger. West Ham raised the tempo and began to control the game. Bailey and Carter worked hard in the midfield to open up attacking opportunities, but neither Amoo, Scully nor Powell could keep their efforts on target.
The Hammers did eventually break the deadlock, however. Sylvestre spotted the run of Scully down the right touchline and, after picking up the ball and shrugging off his marker, the schoolboy midfielder picked out Hector-Ingram in the penalty box and the cutest of headers put the hosts ahead.

It was a deserved lead for the Hammers and they continued to dominate for much the remainder of the opening 45 minutes. Just three minutes before the break, though, Brighton dragged themselves level. Emmanuel Onariase got the wrong side of his marker in the penalty area and committed a foul, allowing Tighe to step up and bring the visitors back into the game from the spot. On 48 minutes, the Hammers regained the lead when Powell's cross fell perfectly at Amoo's feet at the back post, with the speedy winger tapping in under pressure from a number of Brighton defenders. West Ham got stronger as the game continued, looking for a third goal to kill the game off. Powell narrowly shot wide of the post before Hector-Ingram fired straight at Brighton 'keeper Bailey Vose and Scully also blazed over from just yards out. Brighton struggled to get a foothold back in the match in the final stages and the Hammers held on to take the three points.
"I said to the players last weekend that their performance against Southampton was fantastic, but they just didn't score," revealed caretaker manager Mark Phillips. "This week, we created less chances in front of goal and had less possession but got the three points. I suppose that's football sometimes. "Having said that, I still think that we deserved to win the game against Brighton and I feel that maybe a victory by the odd goal is a fair result based on the way the game played out. "Brighton came back into it during the second half but I think that might've been down to the fact that we were a very young team that started to fatigue. "We had several U16 players and even U15 players on that pitch in the second half so perhaps Brighton thought that they could exploit that and work their way back into the game. "Overall, I'm very happy with the result and we will prepare ourselves again for the trip to Arsenal next weekend."

The Hammers travel to Arsenal's London Colney Training Centre on Saturday 31 January 2015, with kick-off scheduled for 11am.
U18s: Howes, Sylvestre (Kanu), Onariase, Akinola, Eggleton, Carter (Rice), Bailey, Scully (Morris), Amoo, Powell, Hector-Ingram
Subs not used: Boness, Trialist

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Lletget: "It was a good lesson"
WHUFC.com
Sebastian Lletget said a youthful Dev Squad did well against a tough Chelsea side
24.01.2015

West Ham United Development Squad midfielder Sebastian Lletget was pleased to score his first goal of the season in a 3-1 defeat by league leaders Chelsea. The Blues, who named a strong side, took an early lead when Kasey Palmer's impressive flick nestled in the far corner. The west London outfit took a commanding lead into the break when Dominic Solanke scored twice, despite his first looking as though he had come back from an offside position. Nevertheless, the Dev Squad, in Steve Potts' first game since being appointed U21s coach, rallied when Lletget bundled in Djair Parfitt-Williams pinpoint cross. Speaking after the game, Lletget said: "It was a tough game, Chelsea always are. I thought we prepared well under Steve Potts, it was his first game tonight. I thought we did OK but its our first game really. "It was nice to score. I've been practising my movement in the box and finally it paid off. Djair did really well to set the cross up and I just had to put it away."

The win sees Chelsea go top of the Barclays U21 Premier League, however Lletget insisted the game would be a good lesson for the Hammers, who included ten U18s in their squad. "I thought they did well, considering Chelsea is always a very tough game. They're up at the top of the league so it was a tough game but it was a good lesson. "We let a couple of goals in in the first half but the important thing is that we came back in the second half, we didn't crumble and we'll take that from the game. "They were definitely up the there with the best teams we've faced this year, especially in terms of moving the ball around, they were outstanding."

January has been a busy month for the Dev Squad and their fixture is on Monday 26 Janaury, away at Southampton: "We've got just two days to recover and then we're back at it against Southampton on Monday. Hopefully we will get a win because we really need a win." The Dev Squad's next home game is Fulham at Rush Green Stadium on Friday 6 February, kick is 7pm.

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West Ham striker returns to Accrington Stanley
BBC.co.uk

West Ham striker Sean Maguire has rejoined League Two side Accrington Stanley on an initial month-long loan. The 20-year-old scored four goals in 16 appearances during a four-month loan at Accrington, which expired last week. Maguire is now available for another seven games, with his latest loan deal running until February 22. "I'm sure he can be as much of a success for us as he was first time around," Accrington manager John Coleman told the club website.

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Sakho back for Liverpool trip
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 24th January 2015
By: Staff Writer

David Gold has revealed that he expects leading goalscorer Diafra Sakho to be fit enough to face Liverpool on January 31. The Senegalese striker was forced to miss out on the African Cup of Nations after aggravating a back injury originally sustained at the tail end of 2014 against West Bromwich Albion on New Year's Day. However co-owner Gold, speaking via Twitter revealed that the 24-year-old should be back in time for the trip to Anfield - where West Ham will be seeking their first win since 1962.

David Gold ✔ @davidgold
"@whu333: Any truth that Sakho could return against Liverpool
I am hopeful he will be available for selection against Liverpool. dg

The 78-year-old, who celebrated five years at the helm of West Ham last week also revealed that the club are hoping to expand their squad ahead of the transfer deadline, which is just ten days away. When asked whether supporters can expect to see any new signings before the closure of the window, Gold said: "Our intention is to strengthen the squad."

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Cav for Rav swap mooted
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 24th January 2015
By: Staff Writer

West Ham are keeping tabs on Lazio's Belgian youth international defender Luis Pedro Cavanda. The 24-year-old right-back - who can also play on the left side of defence - was born in Angola but moved to Europe at an early age, since when he has represented his new country at Under 18, Under 19 and Under 21 level. And according to Tutto Mercato Web this afternoon, West Ham - who would prefer to make Carl Jenkinson's loan spell permanent but have baulked at the £8million asking price - have made tentative enquiries into his availability.
One player Cavenda could be replacing at West Ham is Ravel Morrison, who is on his way to Italy at the end of the season on a free transfer according to reports this morning.

A fortnight ago we revealed that the out-of-favour midfielder, who was recently cleared of all charges relating to an incident with an ex-girlfriend and her mother, could be on his way to mainland Europe. And with no UK-based club willing to make the troubled Morrison a suitable offer, it appears that the 21-year-old has opted for a spell in Serie A with Lazio who are said to have reached agreement with the player over a permanent contract.

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Ravel Morrison is to join Lazio at the end of the season
Last Updated: 24/01/15 2:02pm
SSN

Sky sources are reporting that West Ham's Ravel Morrison has agreed to join Italian side Lazio on a free transfer at the end of the season. Morrison's deal expires in the summer and he has agreed a contract with the Serie A side, although he has not formally signed yet. A very skilful performer, Morrison was a hot property as a youngster at Manchester United and has represented England at U16, U17, U18, and U21 level. He was signed by the Hammers on a three and a half year deal in January 2012 but his career has stalled a little since his arrival and he has been sent to three different clubs on loan. The 21-year-old spent time in previous seasons at Birmingham and QPR, featuring regularly for the London side towards the end of last season, although he was an unused substitute for their play-off final win over Derby. This term he joined Cardiff on a three-month loan switch in September but he returned early in December. Several clubs in Europe have reportedly expressed an interest in signing Morrison during the current transfer window but it looks like he has opted to let his contract expire before departing Upton Park.

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ARE THE NEXT FEW GAMES 'MAKE OR BREAK'?
By Iain Dale 23 Jan 2015 at 08:00
West Ham Till I Die
Guest Post by Benjamin Cronin

With a convincing second half performance that led to a comfortable victory against a struggling Hull side, talk of Europa League and (don't say it too loud) Champions League football is on the lips of many a West Ham fan once again. We're creeping closer to the the business end of the season and rather than concerning ourselves with those fabled relegation six pointers, Big Sam is looking up and thinking positive as he takes his side into possibly the most important seven games of the season. Granted, a good start or strong finish can always save a team or salvage one of those top four places. But what will these next few games tell us about West Ham?

Within the next month or so, The Mighty Irons will host Manchester United and the current leaders of the Premier League, Chelsea, as well as travelling to another three of the six sides who sit above us in the table; Southampton, Tottenham and Arsenal. As if this task didn't seem daunting enough, it all kicks off with a trip to Anfield to face a side who sit just one place and one point below us. So, will the bubbles streaming from the Boleyn soon be burst or will even the most optimistic of Hammers fans be in for a shock come 24th May?

With Liverpool seemingly creeping towards their form of last year (albeit still a long way off), the trip to Anfield will be a lot more of a challenge than it would have appeared only a few weeks back, or certainly more than the reverse fixture when we had them beat within the first ten minutes in September. The Reds League Cup success could both help and hinder The Irons, another positive performance against Chelsea could see them reach the final and boost morale ahead of the encounter but a loss could deflate the side who will also be left with fitness concerns (assuming Rodgers plays Gerrard, it's most likely he would need to be rested for the following game) after the second leg of their tie. In a game that is sure to be a close run thing, the likes of Carroll and Downing can return to what will undoubtedly be a frosty reception at Anfield and prove they do have the ability that earned them big money moves to Merseyside. As Liverpool currently sit second in the leagues form table, I would be looking for a strong defensive performance with avoiding defeat perhaps more important than trying to steal a win. Big Sam and the boys coming back to the East End with a point would be a positive but there's always a chance of nabbing all three if we keep it close.

Next is a home game against Manchester United, which, bar the last two seasons, would usually only go one way. Although we've had numerous 'big results' back in the days of Ferguson, United would always seemingly scrape through (or score a 50-yard half volley) and get a result. They've had a few moments where they've played well and shown how Van Gaals much publicised 'football philosophy' could potentially work but there's still no caparison to the side who, under Ferguson, could play terribly and come away with a 3-0 win. It tense game at Old Trafford, when two early goals put United in the driving seat and they managed to cling on for a win. It's another game that I'd like to see the side of Allardyce that had many calling for his head last season. Defence should be given priority (as I'm sure it will with concerns over clean sheets coming to the fore over the last few weeks) and providing we take the chances that will undoubtedly be created, a win wouldn't be a shock but again, I'd settle for a point.

Trips to St. Mary's and White Hart Lane are always going to be difficult with both teams showing consistent form. Although no one can deny how impressive Southampton have been this season, Tottenham aren't exactly cruising to victories (with a late 2-1 apparently popping up every week). Spurs are perhaps more accustomed to their current position but have a completely new squad to the one that reached the Champions League and have been there or thereabouts since, as well as a new manager who after a good few seasons in the Premier League still appears to divide opinion. With Crystal Palace following these two fixtures I would expect a minimum of four points out of the three games but between six and nine wouldn't come as a surprise.

Southampton are perhaps one side who have come to the Boleyn this season and actually outplayed West Ham. Another side who have the potential to do the same is the current leaders and favourites for the title, Chelsea. In all honestly, West Ham were lucky to come back from Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day without being embarrassed like Swansea last weekend. Mourinho's men ran the game and it was only thanks to Adrian that the deficit wasn't more than two. If Chelsea turn up and play well, The Hammers will have to be at their resolute best for the entire 90 minutes to keep them out. Although the Blues have been by far the best team in the league this season, they have shown instances of struggling through games. Big Sam will be hoping that Jose and his team aren't at their sleek and stylish best (an exit from the League Cup could help this) and that the crowd and our impressive home form can get us a result.

A trip to the emirates brings an end to this run of crucial fixtures and come mid-March, we could be expecting rather than speculating about the prospect of European football. It certainly doesn't feel like it was eight-years ago that Bobby Zamora scored the goal that helped West Ham, then led by Curbishley, to be the first side to win at the Emirates, but in that time a lot has changed. We've been down and up and now, on the verge of our own 'big move', are a completely differently club. After Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher apparently jumped ship and started supporting Arsenal following their performance against City, I'm still yet to be convinced. City were far from at their best and although Arsenal took advantage of it, I'm sure Neville and Carragher will be picking holes in the Gunners defensive frailties in the not too distant future. It's another game in which our multi-faceted approach could be key. A strong, physical defensive performance tends to result in Arsenal struggling and that, paired with Carrol and Valencia putting pressure on a notoriously (despite the pundits drastic change of opinion) defence, a positive result isn't out of reach. Again, avoiding defeat must be given priority but it's a game I can see us growing into and taking three points from.

The likes of Adrian, Cresswell, Jenkinson, Song, Downing and Carroll have stood out for me this season but I feel the next few games will be decided by smart tactics and Big Sam can show just what a great manager he can be. The much maligned solid and compact system from last year may well return over the next few weeks and although many fans would like to see us continue our attacking football against the likes of; Liverpool, Manchester United, Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea it will instead be the ability to provide disciplined defensive performances that will define our season. If the side manage to get through the next month or so with only one or two extra losses on the record, there is a great possibility of kicking on and finishing the season strongly. The consistency of the first half of the season must remain, those influential players previous mentioned need to avoid the inevitable injuries and with a little bit of luck (turning draws against the likes of Swansea and West Brom into victories), The Boleyn could be hosting some of Europe's finest next year.

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AND MY PLAYERS OF THE SEASON SO FAR ARE...
By Iain Dale 24 Jan 2015 at 08:40
West Ham Till I Die
Guest Post by Banjo

You will be delighted to know I am not intending to make a habit of this but I thought I would offer this as a Guest Post because me and my droogs spent a whole journey to the Academy and back debating the subject and we could not agree between the five of us. We ended up allowing each person to choose a top three, strictly in order, with 2 honourable mentions (2 because no one could limit it to one!)

We spent the whole journey on Sunday, both ways, on this subject and summing up took place on the back of paper napkins late in the evening in the local curry house. Here was my entry and subsequent reasoning;

1. Andy Carroll – I know the front 2 divides opinion but I just love it when the big man plays. I see the pain on the defenders faces during the match and the relief as they walk off after 90 mins knowing they will not have to play him again for 6 months. All 3 main strikers have played nearly the same number of matches this season ( Valencia 12 and Sakho and Carroll 11 each) so whilst I hope the distribution of starts continue, the big man is my first choice. I love it when he scores, love his big smile and when he blows a kiss to Billie. I know some have been critical of his lifestyle in the past but he really seems to be in a good place right now.

2. Aaron Cresswell – for me the buy of the pre-season. At last a player that can fill Julian Dicks boots and wear the no. 3 shirt. I feel assured when he is defending, I love it when he gets forward and his crosses into the box are as good as any. I also think he is making free kicks in a certain position his own. He has been ever present since joining us, he is loving it, and it shows.

3. Alex Song – the first 2 were easy, this was the tough one. Either of the honourable mentions could have had the 3rd birth but I went for Alex Song because I think he has been key to our success. So much that we do goes through him and perhaps if he was really ours he might have got the top spot. I love it when he makes a pass through a gap and the defenders watch it thread through them in the knowledge the next boot it will find will belong to a West Ham player. Suckers!

Honourable mentions – again this was really tough and both could have made the top three, how lucky are we this season? But I went for Stewart Downing, without doubt the most improved player this year with 5 goals, most assists and like Cresswell ever present. And of course Diafa Sakho, how I can mention him last after 8 goals is lunacy but there you go.

Adrian, Collins and Jenkinson all featured on my pals list and if I am honest I couldn't disagree with any of their choices and reasoning.

My wife word checked this to remove my "annoying" abbreviations so I hope it passes the reasonable grammar test.

There are no rules, and even if there were I wouldn't change them half way through the post, so no one is right or wrong so need to argue :)

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MATCH PREVIEW: BRISTOL CITY
By Dan Coker 24 Jan 2015 at 13:29
West Ham Till I Die

Blast from the past

Today's blast from the past features our only previous FA Cup encounter with this weekend's opponents, Bristol City. It was a third round tie on the 4th of January 1969, a 3-2 win for West Ham United at the Boleyn Ground in front of 32,526 spectators.


Harold Wilson was Prime Minister, The Beatles' White Album topped the album charts and the top-flight Hammers began their 1969 FA Cup campaign against the Second Division Robins. John Galley gave the visitors the lead after 11 minutes but Martin Peters levelled with a header from Harry Redknapp's corner just four minutes later. That's how the game remained at half-time but the hosts led within seven minutes of the restart after Geoff Hurst hooked the ball over Mike Gibson. Peters notched his second of the game on 64 minutes but Alan Skirton reduced the deficit by scoring with two minutes remaining.

The Hammers would go on to win 2-0 at Huddersfield in the fourth round but would be knocked out in a 3-0 reverse at Third Division Mansfield in the fifth round. The FA Cup was won by Manchester City in 1969 as they defeated Leicester City 1-0 in the Final at Wembley. In doing so they became, behind West Ham United in 1975, the second-last all-English team to win the FA Cup.


West Ham United: Bobby Ferguson, Billy Bonds, Bobby Moore, Alan Stephenson, John Cushley, John Charles, Harry Redknapp, Ronnie Boyce, Jimmy Lindsay, Martin Peters, Geoff Hurst.

Bristol City: Mike Gibson, Trevor Jacobs, Alec Briggs, Ken Wimshurst, Jack Connor, Gordon Parr, Alan Skirton, Chris Garland, John Galley, Bobby Kellard, Gerry Sharpe.

Club Connections

A reasonably large list of players have turned out for both Bristol City and West Ham United over the years. These include: Fred Harrison, Ray Atteveld, David Noble, Marlon Harewood, Jordan Spence, Paul Allen, Hugh Monteith, Jack Landells, Fred Corbett, David James, Bobby Gould, Leroy Rosenior, George Parris, Albert Carnelly, Nicky Maynard, Gavin Williams, Joe Durrell, Steve Jones, Hogan Ephraim, Eamonn Dolan, William Ingham, Ralph Milne, Stephen Henderson and Sam Baldock.


Today's focus though is on a forward who came through the youth system at West Ham and went on to enjoy goalscoring success with Bristol City. Nicky Morgan was born in East Ham on the 30th October 1959. He began his career at his boyhood club, West Ham United, starting as an apprentice before earning a professional contract in 1978. He made his first-team debut in a 1-0 Second Division victory at home against Luton on 9th April 1979, following that up with another appearance the following month in a 0-0 draw at Cardiff. Morgan made seven appearances in 1979/80, scoring his first goal for the club in the 4-1 win over Charlton on 5th May 1980. He came on as a substitute at Wembley in the 1-0 Charity Shield defeat to Liverpool in August 1980 and went on to make six appearances in the promotion campaign of 1980/81, scoring the winner in the 1-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday on 8th May 1981. He also experienced European football, turning out three times in the European Cup Winners' Cup – Morgan played in both legs against Castilla and in the home leg against Poli Timisoara.

Morgan spent the 1981/82 season on loan with Den Haag, scoring 6 goals in 20 appearances, but the Dutch club were relegated at the end of the campaign. He returned to east London to play in seven First Division matches in 1982/83, although he didn't score, and the 1-1 home draw with Stoke on 19th March 1983 would transpire to be his last outing in claret and blue. Having scored 2 goals in 26 Hammers outings, he left for Portsmouth later that month.

Morgan enjoyed three full seasons at Fratton Park, spent almost exclusively in the second tier, before joining Stoke in the early part of 1986/87. After almost four full seasons with the Potters, he dropped down to the Third Division to sign for Bristol City in April 1990. Morgan scored four goals in seven matches for the Robins as they secured promotion to the Second Division, ironically swapping places with the team he had just departed. He scored 17 goals in 1990/91, his highest return in a season for any of his clubs, as City ended the campaign in ninth place. He dropped out of the first-team picture at Ashton Gate in 1991/92 however and spent a short spell on loan at Bournemouth in 1992/93. He left Bristol City permanently in August 1993, signing for Exeter City having scored 29 goals in 89 appearances in all competitions for the Robins. After 4 goals in 12 matches with Exeter, Morgan decided to retire from professional football.

Referee

Sunday's referee will be Lee Mason from Greater Manchester. Mason refereed four of our games last season, sending off two of our players (Mark Noble against Everton and James Tomkins at Cardiff) and disallowing a perfectly good Stewart Downing equaliser at Crystal Palace. He has officiated in one Hammers match this term, that being the 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford when he sent off Wayne Rooney, denied the Hammers a penalty when Morgan Amalfitano's cross struck Radamel Falcao's arm and disallowed Kevin Nolan's last-minute strike for a marginal offside.

Mason was also the ref for our home fixture with Manchester United in 2011. He awarded West Ham two penalties, both converted by Mark Noble, but then failed to give Nemanja Vidic a red card for a professional foul on Demba Ba with the score at 2-0 to the Hammers. United went on to win 4-2, with their crucial third a very controversial penalty for handball against Matthew Upson, which Rooney converted. Mason also sent off Noble at Birmingham the season before.

Possible line-ups

Bristol City are currently second in League One under Steve Cotterill having battled against relegation for much of last season. The Robins also seem set for Wembley in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy having established a first-leg lead over Gillingham in the Southern Area Final. Sunday's game at Ashton Gate, however, will be the first time the club have appeared in the FA Cup fourth round since 2007. Striker Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has scored seven goals in his past eight Cup matches while fellow forward Matt Smith, on loan from Fulham, has nine goals in his last seven matches. Bristol City have doubts over striker Aaron Wilbraham, who is struggling with a hip problem and has not featured for the Robins since December, and Kieran Agard who last played on Boxing Day. Defender James Tavernier is cup-tied after playing for parent club Wigan in their 1-0 defeat to Bolton in the previous round. City defender Aden Flint stands at 6'5 – he is likely to be marking Andy Carroll. Cotterill has largely employed a 3-5-2 system this season.

West Ham United are unbeaten in their past 10 meetings with Bristol City in all competitions in a run stretching back to February 1978. Sam Allardyce has ruled out Welsh international defender James Collins, while fellow centre-back James Tomkins also limped out of last week's victory over Hull with a hamstring strain. Should a decision be made not to risk Tomkins, Joey O'Brien is likely to fill in at centre-back after Reece Burke played 90 minutes for the Development Squad on Friday. Morgan Amalfitano scored and impressed from the bench last week and could claim a starting place ahead of Mark Noble, who put in a rare below-par performance last time out.

Possible Bristol City XI: Fielding; Ayling, Flint, Williams; Little, Elliott, K Smith, Freeman, Bryan; Emmanuel-Thomas, M Smith.

Possible West Ham United XI: Adrian; Jenkinson, O'Brien, Reid, Cresswell; Song, Nolan, Amalfitano; Downing; Carroll, Valencia.

Enjoy the game – Come On You Irons!

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Gold confirms Sakho recovery
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 24, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

David Gold has confirmed that Diafra Sakho is back in the selection frame for the Irons. ClaretandHugh revealed exclusively a few hours ago that the striker had an outside chance of making the bench for tomorrow's fourth round FA Cup clash at Ashton Gate adding that next week's match against Liverpool at Anfield was a real target. And the co chairman has confirmed that is the case in responding to a follower who asked if there was "any truth" in the story. Gold declared: "I am hopeful he will be available for selection against Liverpool." A source told us: "There remains a small chance he'll make the bench tomorrow. He has recovered quicker than expected."

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Sakho back in the selection frame
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 24, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Diafra Sakho has an outside chance of making it onto the Hammers bench against Bristol City although in the last few minutes we have been told it's more likely he'll feature at Liverpool next week! Whewther it's tomorrow or next weekend , the Hammers will have no hesitation in thrusting him into FA Cup action despite earlier threats from the Senegal Football Federation. They had claimed after his back injury against West Brom that should he return to Premier League action before the end of the African Cup of Nations they would throw the Fifa rule book at the Irons. However, they ,may find that difficult given that Leicester City's Jeffrey Schlupp who missed joining the Ghana squad with a knee injury was fit to play against Stoke City last week.

Foxes Boss Nigel Pearson revealed that he had acted entirely within the rules by telling Ghana the player would be out for between 10-14 days just as the Hammers did Senegal over Sakho explaining it could take up to four or six weeks. ClaretandHugh was told exclusively this morning: "Diafra has made a quicker than expected recovery and may feature on the bench at Ashton Gate – we will see. However, it could be we will give him another seven days. "There's less than a 50 per cent chance of Senegal taking action given the Leicester City precedent and should the player be fit, we'll take our chances!"

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Central defender NEVER a target
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 24, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Nigerian defender Azubuike Egwuekwe is not in London and has never been a West Ham target! Sam Allardyce has confirmed the ClaretandHugh story of several weeks ago when we revealed that the player was not remotely on the club's radar. In talking up the possibility of a Darren Fletcher switch to the club, the manager let it be known that the 25 year old central defender was not a target for us. And that suggests Winston Reid is set to stay with the club at least until the summer with a source telling us: "There have still been no inquiries for the player." Allardyce revealed: "We have not taken a Nigerian defender. It is not the case that he has flown in."

And on the Darren Fletcher situation he added: ""I don't know what the timeline is going to be but for me if any of the other packages we have offered are accepted then we will accept that. "If someone else accepts and the other one hasn't made their mind up, or they are negotiating somewhere else, then that would be it because we couldn't wait for ever. "At this stage of the window if you do get something nailed on you must take it because you might very well end up with nothing if you don't."

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Hammers update signings situation
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 24, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham's chiefs have told the fans not to hold their breath on January signings! Unless the board is 100 per cent convinced a new signing will "definitely improve the squad." they will be keeping the coffers firmly shut. Last year's moves for striker Marco Borriello,midfielder Antonio Nocerino (pictured above) and Colombia left back Paolo Armero – brought in on top wages – were all released after deeply disappointing spells. Thirty four year old Dirk Kuyt is the latest veteran to be linked with the club after a week in which Darren Fletcher was been at the centre of the club's thoughts. But this morning an insider told ClaretandHugh:"There's been a lot of talking going on all week but nothing has been concluded. It's a time to look around of course but in the main January buys are never good buys. "We are in a good position to only buy players who we really believe will improve the team, either short or long term.
"If you look at the money spent over previous January windows, the cost has run to tens of millions with fees, agents fees and wages and very few of the players had any impact. Our position is very healthy."

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Bristol City show real class to us Irons
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 25, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Bristol City is a very likeable club. I've spent many afternoons inside Ashton Gate reporting games over the years and it has always been a hospitable , media friendly place where people know how to behave and respond. So it came as absolutely no surprise to find that The Robins had decided to allow the Irons to take their bubbles machine to the ground this afternoon on the basis that they want "everybody to enjoy themselves." I'm an Iron to my backbone but credit where it's due. Chairman Steve Lansdown and his team have shown real class and Claretandhugh would like to say 'thank you' on behalf of all our fans who we believe will have a winning afternoon out. Football is full of measly and miserly-mouthed individuals without a thought in their heads for anyone but themselves. And although it's only a tiny gesture in the great scheme of things it shows some much needed qualityand our co chairman David Gold was quick to offer his thanks to the club. He told ClaretandHugh: "Well done Bristol City – that is absolutely brilliant and shows real class. We're grateful." A shower of bubbles over Ashton Gate following a day of incredible FA shocks will give the lads a lift as they take to the field. Thank you City and "COME ON YOU IRONS!"

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DG: "Cup shocks best team talk ever for the lads"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 24, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

David Gold claimed this evening that the FA shocks of this afternoon will have a greater impact on the West Ham players than any pep talk Sam Allardyce can give them. DG sat at home this afternoon watching like most of us in disbelief as Chelsea, Manchester City and Spurs were kicked out of the FA Cup. And he told ClaretandHugh: "It's a massive warning of what can happen and the players will be sitting in their hotel saying: "We can't let that happen to us." And he roared with laughterwhen he declared: : "Of course, I'm absolutely heartbroken for Tottenham Hotspur!" "It will help that we have set our stall out since pre-season as far as this competiton is concerned – it has always been very high on the priority list but everybody inside the club and every player will be aware of what can happen if we are not bang on our game after today. "I believe we have learned our lesson in the past. We will put possibly our strongest team out and so long as we are at our best we can get the result. "It's all about Wembley – we want to go to Wembley for the semi-finals and the Final and with these massive clubs now out of the competition our chance is clear. "There's a balancing act for the players – they can see the chance but must make sure they don't suffer the same fate. They will be prepared and ready, "It will be an exciting and I believe a winning afternoon in Bristol. We can't fail."

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Man U's Fletcher: more deal details revealed
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 24, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & hUgh

Sam Allardyce is keen to take Darren Fletcher on loan for six months with the offer of a two and half year deal at the end of it! The manager is the driving force behind a deal which remains very much in the balance as the Manchester United midfielder studies options he has received from us and West Bromwich Albion. Others inside the club are cooler are on the player but are backing the manager up to a point as they wait to hear back from Fletcher. Allardyce this morning in outspoken national newspaper comments attempted to pile pressure on Fletcher to sign and ClaretandHugh – as a result – spoke to club contacts about the forces driving the deal. At 30 years of age the player sits outside the board's stated policy of taken no players older than 27 but it seems the manager is seeking an exception is made in the case of a player he rates highly. And he's ready to agree terms that would take Fletcher up to beyond his 33rd birthday as a medium term replacement for captain Kevin Nolan.
Our source said: "Sam wants this deal. Bizarrely, a clause is wanted which says he stays on if we remain in the Premier League which is a given anyway. "Some of the staff have worries about his injury record. The last thing we want is a player on a two and a half year deal who isn't available for periods of time. "Everybody has a high regard to how the player has overcome serious health problems but clubs can't be overly sentimental when a lot of money is onvolved."

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