Daily WHUFC News - 27th January 2015

Hammers drawn at West Brom
WHUFC.com
West Ham United will travel to West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup fifth
round
26.01.2015

West Ham United have been drawn away at West Bromwich Albion in the fifth
round of the FA Cup. The Hammers will travel to the Hawthorns on the weekend
of 14/15 February in their bid for a quarter-final spot. Big Sam's men have
already triumphed once at the home of the Baggies this term, when Kevin
Nolan and James Tomkins hit the target to secure a 2-1 Barclays Premier
League victory in December. West Ham have defeated Everton and Bristol City
to reach this stage of the competition, while Tony Pulis' side have seen off
non-league Gateshead and Championship side Birmingham City so far. The
Hammers have been drawn against the Baggies on five previous occasions in
the FA Cup, winning four of those ties, including in the third round in 1980
- the year they won the competition for the third time.

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Noble aiming for Wembley return
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble would love nothing more than to reward West Ham United fans with
a return to Wembley
26.01.2015

Mark Noble is determined to reward the loyalty of his fellow West Ham United
fans by giving them a day out at Wembley. The lifelong Hammer has run out in
Claret and Blue at virtually every major stadium in the country, including a
2012 Championship Play-Off final victory over Blackpool at the Home of
Football. The No16 helped his boyhood Club win through to the last 16 of the
FA Cup at Bristol City on Sunday, meaning the Hammers are now just two
victories from a semi-final date at Wembley. "I wouldn't mind a trip to
Wembley," said the midfielder, who was not even born the last time West Ham
played in a major final at the national stadium back in the 1981 League Cup
final. "It will be a great occasion. The semis are there as well so we are
only two games away from a trip to Wembley, so hopefully we can do it this
time. "To be honest, in this FA Cup we have got as good a chance as anyone.
We have beaten some top teams this year already, so we can beat anyone on
our day. We'll look forward to the draw and see how we got on."

For Noble, an FA Cup semi-final would also give West Ham the opportunity to
erase the memory of last season's 9-0 aggregate defeat by Manchester City in
the last four of the League Cup. "Do you know what, I was only talking to
the boys on Saturday in training about that," Noble revealed. "I know we
lost 9-0 to City last season and that was the semis as well. "That is what I
mean, we had no squad last season, we had a lot of injured players and I
know we got smashed, but we did get to the semis last year. So it was good
to get through a tough cup game on Sunday and stay in the hat in the FA
Cup."

Noble and his team-mates will be hoping for a favourable fifth-round draw as
they hope to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since the 2010/11
season, when their hopes were ended by Stoke City. However, after overcoming
Everton on penalties and coming through a difficult examination at League
One promotion-chasers Bristol City, the 27-year-old insists West Ham have
nothing to fear. "That is the FA Cup for you, we knew it was going to be
tough. The days when you come to a League One team and walk all over them is
long gone. It isn't like that anymore. "They were playing against a Premier
League team, it was on TV, so they ran harder, tackled harder and wanted to
win more, so we just had to be stronger as a team. We kept a clean sheet and
won 1-0 in the end so it is on to the next round. "The clinical finish from
Diafra Sakho did for them in the end and I thought we were solid at the
back. We also had a little bit of luck with a couple of clearances off the
line. It was difficult when they have got four or five six-feet plus players
charging at you in the box, but I thought we handled it well to come away
from it with the win. "In these cup games it doesn't really matter how you
play as long as you win and we won."

As Noble mentioned, Sakho was West Ham's match-winner at Ashton Gate,
marking his return from three weeks out with a back injury in style by
heading home Andy Carroll's 81st-minute cross. With a tough run of Barclays
Premier League games to come, as well as the FA Cup fifth round, the
midfielder welcomed the timing of the striker's comeback. "He is having a
great season, he is a goal machine. He knows where the back of the net is
and he also knows where to be at the right time. We are over the moon to
have him back in the squad with us and we are going to need him for the
tough games to come."

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Westley: "It was a very close game"
WHUFC.com
Academy Director Terry Westley said there was very little between the Dev
Squad and the Saints
26.01.2015

West Ham United Academy Director Terry Westley said there was very little
difference between the Development Squad and Southampton in their 2-0 defeat
by the Saints. The Saints took an early lead following a defensive mix up
when Dom Gape's in swinging corner was left by everyone and crept in. The
win sees Southampton go top of the Barclays U21 Premier League, and they
sealed the victory with just seven minutes to go when Ryan Seager poked home
from close range after Dev Squad goalkeeper Raphael Spiegel had his pass
intercepted. Speaking after the game, Westley said: "It was a bit same old,
same old since I've joined the club. We played well enough, we kept the
ball, but we didn't create enough going forward. The game was very, very
close, possession wise it was very even. "But in both boxes it wasn't
enough. The first goal is ridiculous really it's just a short corner and
within three minutes you are a goal down. To do that against any team in
this league, you're going to create a mountain for yourself. "The second
goal was also very disappointing. We tried to play it out of the back but we
got caught and it was in the back of the net. The game was over."

The defeat marks the end of a busy January for the Dev Squad, who played
their second game in just four days and five games in total. Their next game
is at home to Fulham at Rush Green Stadium on Friday 6 February 2015.
Despite the result, Westley pointed out a number of positives that the young
Hammers can take into the game with the Cottagers: "I thought we were as
good as Southampton, the league leaders, apart from the mistakes. They
didn't carve us open, we conceded two hideous goals. "What we have to
careful about is that we don't continue to repeat ourselves after each game
but that the players learn and improve. In terms of how we played and we
manoeuvred the ball around, I thought we showed some really good signs. In
Oxford and Powell we had two U16s on the pitch which is another positive."

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Diafra Sakho 'sadness' at Africa Cup of Nations criticism
BBC.co.uk

West Ham and Senegal striker Diafra Sakho says he has been "saddened" and
"angered" by criticism of his absence from the Africa Cup of Nations. Sakho
was ruled out of the competition with a back injury but came off the bench
on Sunday to score West Ham's winner in a FA Cup tie at Bristol City. "You
doubt my love and my patriotism," the 25-year-old wrote on social media.
"The dream to contribute to the victory of my country flew for this year but
is not dead." He added: "Never doubt the lion sleeping in me, as I never
doubt the passion that burns within you."

Sakho suffered a recurrence of an injury against West Brom on 1 January and
was ruled out of the tournament in Equatorial Guinea, which began on 17
January. The match against the Baggies was his last game prior to returning
at Bristol City on Sunday. But a senior Senegal official accused the Hammers
of a "lack of respect" over the forward's withdrawal. Senegal wanted to
assess Sakho themselves but the Hammers said he could not travel. West Ham
boss Sam Allardyce, who described the treatment of an injury to Sakho while
on international duty last year as "outrageous", defended the Upton Park
club's conduct. "He's still unable to fly," Allardyce told Talksport after
the win at Ashton Gate. "We had to drive him down in a limo on Saturday
afternoon, but other than that he said he can get out on the pitch and just
see how he goes. "Today was about putting him on the bench with the hope we
didn't have to use him, but in the end bringing him on was the most
important tactical decision for us. "Yesterday I spoke with the chairman and
said he looks alright. We don't think we're doing anything wrong with what
we've done and how we've approached it."

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Away draw leaves West Ham fourth favourites for the Cup
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 26th January 2015
By: Staff Writer

West Ham have been made fourth favourites to win the 2015 FA Cup after the
draw for the fifth round was made this evening. BetVictor list West Ham at
9/1 to win the Cup for the fourth time behind Liverpool (6/1), Manchester
United (11/4) and favourites Arsenal (9/4). Meanwhile West Ham's fifth round
opponents West Bromwich Albion, who will also enjoy home advantage when they
meet the Irons, are priced at 25/1. Meanwhile the rank outsiders for the
competition are League Two side Cambridge United, who face a fourth round
replay against Manchester United at Old Trafford having drawn their first
meeting 0-0 last Friday. You can get a whacking 2000/1 on the U's lifting
the coveted old trophy at Wembley in May!


FA Cup 2015 Winners Odds

1. Arsenal 9/4
2. Manchester United 11/4
3. Liverpool 6/1
4. West Ham Utd 9/1
5. Stoke City 16/1
6. Aston Villa 20/1
7. Crystal Palace/West Bromwich Albion 25/1
9. Derby County 33/1
10. Leicester/Sunderland 40/1

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Sakho slammed in Senegal storm
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 26th January 2015
By: Staff Writer

Diafra Sakho's unexpected appearance for West Ham in yesterday's 1-0 win
against Bristol City has been met with a furious reaction by football fans
from his home nation. A steady stream of French and Senegalese supporters
took to Sakho's Facebook page in order to express their dissatisfaction at
his appearance at Ashton Gate yesterday whilst Senegal are preparing to face
Algeria in their third AFCON tie tomorrow. So surprised by the negative
reaction was Sakho - who scored the only goal of the game nine minutes from
time, having replaced Enner Valencia early in the second half - that he
composed a message to all those expressing their anger at his unexpectedly
early return to first team football. "I took the time to look at all your
reactions on social networks," he wrote. Very quickly the joy within me
after scoring and saving my club has turned into sadness and anger.
"Sadness because some of your words touched me deeply, in my heart - and
this without you knowing what really happened . Great wrath too, because
after all my struggles day after day, season after season to finally wear
the jersey of my homeland - the only nation that matters to me - you doubt
my love and my patriotism. "My not going to the African Cup of Nations 2015
- my first AFCON - was not painless. The dream of contributing to the
victory of my country came this year, but is not dead. Never doubt the lion
sleeping in me, as I never doubt the passion that burns within you."

Sam Allardyce, asked about Sakho's inclusion after the match said he wasn't
aware of West Ham having done anything wrong by fielding the 24-year-old,
who scored his tenth goal of the campaign today. "He's still unable to fly,"
Allardyce revealed. "We had to drive him down in a limo on Saturday
afternoon, but other than that he said he can get out on the pitch and just
see how he goes. "Today was about putting him on the bench with the hope we
didn't have to use him, but in the end bringing him on was the most
important tactical decision for us. "Yesterday I spoke with the chairman and
said he looks alright. We don't think we're doing anything wrong with what
we've done and how we've approached it."

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Sarcy Giresse hails Sakho 'miracle recovery'
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 26th January 2015
By: Staff Writer

Senegal head coach Alain Giresse has blasted West Ham after Diafra Sakho
returned from injury earlier than expected to score the winning goal against
Bristol City yesterday. Giresse, who is currently preparing his Senegal side
for their third African Cup of Nations fixture against Algeria tomorrow
insisted that the situation involving Sakho - who was withdrawn from
Senegal's AFCON squad at the beginning of Janaury - would be closely
examined. The 62-year-old French coach was disappointed at Sakho's early
return to first team football having been told at the beginning of the month
by West Ham's medical team that the striker could face up to six weeks on
the sidelines with a back injury. As a result Giresse removed Sakho from
the squad, giving his place to Sion's Pape Moussa Konate. Sepaking to
L'Equipe this afternoon, a furious Giresse insisted that representatives
from the African country will examine the situation to determine whether any
action could be taken against West Ham. "First of all we will worry about
tomorrow's match, on the lads who are there and not those who are not," he
said. "But I was surprised to hear that he [Sakho] played. "Supposedly he
couldn't fly for six weeks but was able to return to playing. Maybe the
English have a miracle medicine. We will look into this later. "If things
like this happen and nothing is said, it becomes serious for international
football. We will end up with lots of players who are not allowed to travel
but can still play."

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West Ham's Diafra Sakho 'sad and angry' over AFCON criticism
Last Updated: 26/01/15 3:18pm
SSN

West Ham striker Diafra Sakho has spoken of his "sadness and anger" at
criticism directed towards him for not representing Senegal at the Africa
Cup of Nations this month. Sakho was ruled out of the three-week tournament
with a back injury, but came off the bench to score the winner on Sunday as
the Hammers beat Bristol City 1-0 in the FA Cup fourth round. A number of
Senegal fans vented their frustration on Sakho's official Facebook page by
posting comments underneath a picture of him celebrating the goal at Ashton
Gate. One wrote: "So you're not injured?" and another commented:
"Congratulations on your goal, I hope you never play for Senegal again, the
Senegalese people feel betrayed." Sakho responded: "I took the time to
browse all your reactions on social networks. Very quickly my joy from
scoring and rescuing my club has turned into sadness and anger. "Sadness
because some of your words touched me deep in my person and my heart and
this, without you knowing what has really happened. "And great anger,
because after all my struggles day after day, season after season to finally
wear the jersey of my homeland, and my family, the only nation that matters
to me - you doubt my love and my patriotism. "My absence at CAN 2015 (the
African Nations Cup), my first CAN, was not painless. "The dream of
contributing to the victory of my country got away from me this year, but it
is not dead! "Never doubt the lion sleeping in me, as I never doubt the
passion that burns within you."

Senegal accused West Ham of a "lack of respect" when the striker withdrew
from the African Nations Cup earlier this month and threatened to consult
FIFA and the Football Association to prevent the 25-year-old from playing
during the competition. Sakho, who has scored 10 goals since moving to Upton
Park in the summer, suffered a recurrence of a back injury against West Brom
on New Year's Day. Senegal asked to carry out their own medical assessment
on the striker, as is their right according to FIFA rules, but West Ham said
Sakho could not fly and suggested Senegal's doctors came to London instead.
The Hammers also sent Senegal independent medical reports, as well as the
club's own examinations, to prove the extent of the injury. FIFA said they
would not comment on individual cases, but Annexe 1 of its regulations
state: "A player who has been called up by his association for one of its
representative teams is, unless otherwise agreed by the relevant
association, not entitled to play for the club with which he is registered
during the period for which he has been released or should have been
released pursuant to the provisions of this annexe. "This restriction on
playing for the club shall, moreover, be prolonged by five days in the event
that the player, for whatsoever reason, did not wish to or was unable to
comply with the call-up."

Sakho could feature in two further games before the Africa Cup of Nations
ends, as West Ham play Liverpool and Manchester United before the tournament
final on February 8. Senegal are top of Group C and need only a draw against
Algeria on Tuesday to qualify for the knockout stages.

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West Ham's Andy Carroll heading back to his very best insists skipper and
pal Kevin Nolan
Jan 26, 2015 22:30 By Mike Walters
England striker continued his recent good form after a torrid year blighted
by injury and lack of goals by setting up FA Cup winner at Bristol City
The Mirror

Andy Carroll has been serving that well-known East end delicacy, humble pie
and mash, to his most strident critics. And as his West Ham skipper Kevin
Nolan invited the "keyboard warriors" who wrote off Carroll to eat their
words, the Hammers dared to dream of landing their first major trophy in 35
years. Nolan had the best view in the house for Carroll's latest floor show
in the 1-0 win against Bristol City in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday as
he created Diafra Sakho's late winner at Ashton Gate. During a wretched year
of patchy form and fleeting fitness, striker Carroll endured a nightmare
spell of 322 days without a goal between April 2013 and March 2014.
And he missed the first three months of this season after suffering ankle
ligament damage on the Hammers' pre-season trip to New Zealand. But five
goals in 14 appearances since his return in November have maintained the
East Enders' unlikely push for European football and sent them into the last
16 in the Cup, where they will visit West Brom. Carroll's prowess in the air
came to the fore with a timely goal-line clearance from under his own bar
against City before his less-heralded right foot set up Sakho's headed
winner with a perfect cross. Nolan said: "People only see Andy for his
aerial ability all the time, but he has got a lot of ability on the floor as
well - we saw that recently against Leicester and at Swansea. "But I think
now he is getting up to full fitness, everything is coming together for him
and I'm delighted because he's had such a tough time with a lot of injuries.
"He never lost his hunger and desire. A lot of people looked in from the
outside and started to give him a lot of stick, but I hope they are starting
to eat their words now because he is beginning to show everyone what he is
all about. "He's always had it, but everyone seemed to forget it because he
wasn't there, doing it on the pitch, and now he is proving them all wrong.
"You get the keyboard warriors having a pop at him and it all escalated from
there, but they don't know the first thing about him. "But now everyone is
talking about him for the right reasons - he has had a torrid couple of
years, but he has put it all behind him and it's fantastic to see."

Nolan admitted the prospect of West Ham at Wembley was beginning to appear
on the horizon, adding: "The fans can go home and dream about it, and on our
day we can beat anyone. "A lot of big teams have gone out, so now it's down
to us to prove we can be successful in this competition. "The romance has
been rekindled, everyone is in love with the FA Cup again and there are no
easy routes to Wembley. We can only take small steps at a time, but give it
a few more weeks and we might be fulfilling our dreams."

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Manchester United grant Darren Fletcher a free transfer with West Ham his
likely destination
Jan 26, 2015 19:58 By David McDonnell
The Scot has struggled for first-team action under Louis van Gaal, and could
be set for a switch to East London in the next few days
The Mirror

Darren Fletcher has been granted a free transfer by Manchester United - with
West Ham in pole position to sign him. Midfielder Fletcher has been at
United since 2000 but has become a peripheral figure, despite being made
vice-captain by Louis van Gaal. West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is keen to take
Fletcher, 30, to Upton Park, but West Brom and Valencia are also keen on the
Scotland star. Fletcher is understood to be attracted by the prospect of a
move to Spain with Valencia, to experience a new challenge, but has yet to
make a final decision on his next club A one-club man thus far, Fletcher has
made 342 appearances for the Red Devils.

WHY!!!!!!

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Spooky FA Cup omens point to Wembley win!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 26, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

1980 history may be in the process of repeating itself with the Hammers
facing West Brom in the next round of the Cup. For back in that Trevor
Brooking-Cup winning season we had to beat the Baggies (after a replay),
Everton (after extra time!) and of course Arsenal in the Final to lift the
old trophy. Oh and another spooky element is that we also saw off Villa who
remain in the competition and meet Leicester City in the next round. Those
who believe in omens will be mightily encouraged!

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Sullivan: "Baggies not the ideal draw"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 26, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

It's West Brom away.a disappointingly tough test for the Irons! So far this
season we just hold the edge over the midlanders with a win at the Hawthorns
followed by a draw at Upton Park but with Tony Pulis' feet firmly under this
will be as tough as it gets. And chairman David Sullivan's immediate
reaction - speaking to ClaretandHugh - said: "That's not the ideal draw. "We
desperately wanted a home draw for our supporters. However, it's a match we
are well capable of winning, though these are not the easiest of opponents."

The Baggies are unbeaten since Pulis took over and put seven past Gateshead
in the third round before beating local rivals Birmingham 2-1 at the weekend
in the fourth. In between times they have beaten Hull by the odd goal and
drawn away nil-nil at Everton. It's a very tough draw and of course. If we
are gonna win the Cup it really is going to be done the hard way.

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Leroy: 'African Cup decision was Diafra's alone'
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 26, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

I am absolutely convinced that had Diafra Sakho considered himself fit
enough to join the Senegal squad for the African Nations Cup tournament he
would have done so. And let's get this straight. At the end of it all this
will have been the player's decision not West Ham's. Of course they wouldn't
have wanted him to go but Diafra undoubtedly will have had the final say. No
doubt the Hammers are very happy that they have him available and perhaps
they attempted to persuade him to stay but I repeat, it was down to him. For
him to be getting stick from some daft fans for not being with the
international squad is unfair and wrong. He looks to me like a lad who leads
his life the way he plays his football - with great honesty - and this was
always going to be a no win situation for him. He was obviously injured and
I have no doubt the Hammers wanted to protect their prize asset as much as
possible after what happened the last time he was on international duty. But
they couldn't have stopped him if he was fit and wanted to go so o it's
pretty clear to me he wasn't and let that be an end to it.

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Nolan/Valencia issues crystal clear
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 26, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

The Irons were poor yesterday - very poor and there were two reasons for
that in my opinion. Enner Valencia simply cannot play with Andy Carroll at
the present time and Kevin Nolan can't play in a diamond - he doesn't have
the legs to be getting up and down on the right side. And if that's the
shape we are going to keep - which we should - I think he will have to be
excluded from the team. Chjeif Kouyate is the obvious candidate to play in
that role when he returns because even Morgan Amafitano didn't seem to
understand it and wanted to stay out wide which I found surprising. As for
Enner - the boy had a shocker and was taking up ridiculous positions
dropping off in midfield with seemingly not a clue how to work with Andy.
Ok, he is in his first season and settling into the club so let's not talk
about him getting fed up with his role. He has to adapt and learn the same
lessons as Diafra Sakho. That lad made an immediate difference on his
arrival because he has such a great football brain and reads the game
brilliantly - he really is the man and loves running off players! Alex Song
was right off his game because the way we played saw him swamped in midfield
and he had to be taken off looking leggy and tired. But at the end of it all
we are through and a nice little home game against moderate opposition will
do us fine from tonight's draw. But Sam has some hard thinking to do about
Nolan if he is going to persist with the diamond because personally I really
don't believe he can hack it in there these days.

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Sorry Sam - Fletcher is not a top player
Posted by Sean Whetstone on January 26, 2015 in Whispers
Claret 7 Hugh

By Sean Whetstone

At the beginning of the transfer window Sam Allardyce insisted he would not
sign any other than a top player! Sorry but I don't think such a statement
would include Darren Fletcher. I'm really not convinced at all! His injury
record is appalling and recent game time hardly convinces he can return to
the level he reached before his illness.

Here's what Allardyce said: "So I'd say one top player, if he became
available, would be something we'd pursue - but someone may have to leave to
fund that. "There's no point in bringing in anybody less than a top player
because what we've got now is top drawer. We've got 22 players all fighting
for places in the team and playing really, really well. "Everybody has to
understand we are well into the second year of FFP so we are all in a much
more difficult position when every window comes, with the limit on spending
power, not just transfer fees but wages. And that's across the board now."

I don't understand what has changed! For me Darren Fletcher is not that top
player we need to sign during this transfer window.

I DOUBT VERY MUCH WHETHER I'M ALONE!

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