Daily WHUFC News - 1st February 2015

Sam reflects on Liverpool defeat
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce gives his reaction to Saturday's 2-0 Barclays Premier League
defeat at Liverpool
31.01.2015

Sam Allardyce said injuries, absences, missed opportunities and conceding
just after half-time were the major factors in West Ham United's 2-0
Barclays Premier League defeat at Liverpool. The Hammers started well at
Anfield, going toe to toe with Brendan Rodgers' side in the opening 45
minutes, only to fall behind to Raheem Sterling's goal six minutes after
half-time. West Ham then lost James Collins and Andy Carroll to hamstring
and knee injuries - adding to the absences of Cheikhou Kouyate, Diafra
Sakho, James Tomkins and Carl Jenkinson - before the returning Daniel
Sturridge drilled in the Reds' second with ten minutes remaining. There was
still time for Winston Reid to be forced off with a hamstring problem before
Joey O'Brien's late header was ruled out for a foul on home goalkeeper Simon
Mignolet. "Too many players ended up with injuries, particularly at
centre-half, and because of that we lost this game," the manager began. "In
all fairness to Ginge, because of the injuries we had in defence [in the
build-up] he tried to come in and get through this game himself, but his
hamstring injury had obviously re-occurred by half-time. "Because we had
problems in central defence, we ended up a 16-year-old Reece Oxford on the
bench. While Joey O'Brien and Guy Demel might do a job in there, we could
have thrown Reece on there, but we had Winston Reid and Andy Carroll injured
as well and James Tomkins, Carl Jenkinson and Cheik Kouyate missing so went
with the experience. "Those three coming off has thrown us into a major
crisis at the minute injury-wise and you can't expect to come to a place
like Liverpool and win when those things go against you. "As much as we did
in the first half and as good as opportunities that we created, we couldn't
find the sort of clinical finish we have found so often recently. It's been
a long time since we haven't scored a goal. We had several opportunities in
that opening half-hour to get one but we didn't convert them. "Finally,
because of the injury problems we had, they scored. I can't criticise the
lads for the effort they put in, because circumstances beyond our control
have not allowed us to get anything out of this game."

Big Sam opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation at Anfield, where West Ham remain
winless in 45 matches dating back to September 1963, and explained the
thinking behind the system. In the opening half, the approach saw the
visitors stretch Liverpool's three-man defence across the pitch, creating
space down both channels to get balls into the box. However, once the
injury-hit Hammers went behind to Sterling's well-taken finish from
Coutinho's clever pass, they struggled to put the home side under similar
pressure in the second half. "The thinking was that we do exactly what we
did in the first 30 minutes, which was to have Morgan Amalfitano and Enner
Valencia get in those spaces behind those wing-backs and drag those
centre-halves out," the manager explained. "The only problem we had was our
players not playing in there more often and with the same sort of quality
they showed in the first 15 or 20 minutes. It was a massive problem for
Liverpool with Emre Can and Mamadou Sakho running out to chase Enner and
Morgan into the wide areas. "When the back-up comes from the full-backs or
Stewart Downing then you win corners and get balls into their box. We had
seven or eight corners and finally scored in the end with one, but it would
have been too late and the referee disallowed it for whatever reason. "It
worked well at the start but because of the problems we had in the second
half, we stopped doing that and stopped being as effective by playing down
the sides of that back three. Liverpool do a high press and when you give
the ball away willy-nilly, you struggle. "In some ways, we shot ourselves in
the foot by trying to play through the midfield too much when we had set out
tactically to play a certain way and it worked so well for us in the first
half. "In the end, I think the injuries really told on us and we never got
anything out of the game. It looks like they beat us easily, but by
half-time they were struggling and we were finding it very easy to cope with
them. "We ended up with ten men and it was a real kick in the lower regions
for us. The problem now is how we cope going forward from here. This is our
first real injury crisis of the season and we really need to get over it as
quickly as we can, particularly with the FA Cup game and Manchester United
next week.
"We'll re-assess the lads during the week and see how many of them can get
fit and hopefully there won't be a considerable number of players missing.
Hopefully, in the next two weeks we'll get the majority back and we'll go
again."

With the transfer window closing at 11pm on Monday evening, Big Sam was also
asked in his Sky Sports post-match interview about the prospect of bringing
in reinforcements to bolster his squad. The manager admitted a move for
Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher is unlikely to materialise: "It
doesn't look like it [is going ahead], no. It looks like it's broken down on
negotiations."

Big Sam was also asked by Sky Sports about the absence of Sakho from
Saturday's squad, to which his response was: "With Sakho it is down to the
situation we are in with FIFA. While it is happening it is not conducive for
us to be putting him on the field until it is resolved, sadly. If you speak
to the lad you would know how angry and disappointed he is at being denied
the opportunity to play football when it is not our fault. "We have covered
all the rules and regulations but at this moment in time it is sensible to
do the right thing and not get involved any more - that is what I was told
yesterday."

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Nolan disappointed with Reds reverse
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan felt a poor second half display cost his side at Liverpool on
Saturday
31.01.2015

Kevin Nolan was disappointed to leave his native Merseyside empty-handed
after second half goals from Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge gave
Liverpool a 2-0 victory over the Hammers on Saturday. It extended West Ham
United's winless run at Anfield, which stretches back in September 1963, and
sent Brendan Rodgers' side above the Hammers in the table. Nolan felt his
team were doing well enough at the break, only for a disappointing start to
the second period to prove their undoing. He explained: "In the first half I
thought we contained them well and had our fair share of the game, but in
the second half we came out and didn't really get going.
"Once they got the goal, it was a massive body blow, and we didn't really
react. They played the game out and we're very disappointed but it's one
we've got to put to bed. "We'll look at it early on next week and then try
to put it right at home."

The Hammers had injury problems at the back, with Carl Jenkinson and James
Tomkins missing the trip, then both James Collins and Winston Reid limping
off with hamstring injuries. Up front, Andy Carroll was also forced off with
a knee problem. Nolan admitted those were all big blows, but says his team
need to get over it quickly. He continued: "There's been a lot of chopping
and changing going on over the last few weeks from the Christmas time and
you will pick up injuries. "You have to deal with that, but when you get
three centre halves out in a week it's tough. Hopefully two of them will be
ok for Man United."

Saturday's loss was West Ham's first of 2015, so Nolan has belief that they
can soon return to winning ways and maintain their push towards the head of
the table. He added: "We had a fantastic first half of the season and the
second half has been tough up until now. We've gone to Liverpool and they've
just gone above us after us leading them for so long. "We've got to bounce
back and we have the ability to. We have a lot of lads coming back in the
next month or so - the squad is thin at the moment but once we get those
numbers back we can kick on again."

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U18s go goal crazy
WHUFC.com
West Ham United won 5-0 at Arsenal at the Barclays U18 Premier League on
Saturday
31.01.2015

Two goals from England U17 striker Jahmal Hector-Ingram helped West Ham
United to an impressive 5-0 Barclays U18 Premier League victory at Arsenal.
After the young international set the Hammers on their way, centre-half
Manny Onariase rose highest to head home Matt Carter's corner and put the
Hammers 2-0 ahead after just 15 minutes, before Hector-Ingram grabbed his
second and West Ham's third before the break. With the result seemingly
already in the bag, the Hammers refused to let their north London opposition
into the fixture and added a fourth through Jordan Brown's strike, with the
game then put to bed when Vashon Neufville fired in his first goal of the
season to end a five-star performance from the visitors. The Hammers were
again coached by Mark Phillips, who made four changes to the starting XI
that beat Brighton & Hove Albion at Little Heath a week earlier. Noha
Sylvestre, Kieran Bailey, Jake Eggleton and Anthony Scully were replaced by
Alex Pike, Neufville, Grady Diangana and Brown (pictured), who all missed
out against Brighton due to Development Squad commitments. It took the
visitors just seven minutes to open the scoring against Arsenal when
midfielder Joe Powell broke down the left with speed and put an early cross
into the danger area, which was finished well by Hector-Ingram for his third
goal of the season.
On 15 minutes, the Hammers doubled their lead when Onariase timed his run
perfectly to meet Carter's corner with a bullet header that gave Arsenal
keeper Hugo Keto no chance of saving. From that position onwards, West Ham
controlled the remainder of the half and even managed to add a third before
the break when Hector-Ingram used his strength to hold off a defender and
chip the ball over Keto for his second goal of the game.

After the break, Arsenal stepped up their performance level in an attempt to
try and get back into the game. However, the young talent on show for the
Hammers kept the Gunners quiet for the remainder of the game. West Ham added
their fourth when Brown buried the ball into the back of the net from Jerry
Amoo's cutback, before Neufville fired in from 18 yards to extend the
Hammers lead to 5-0. Phillips was delighted with the convincing win over
Arsenal and revealed that a change in formation perhaps shocked the Hammers'
opponents. "It's a fantastic result for us as there aren't many teams that
go away to Arsenal at any level and get a result like we did," said
Phillips. "I changed the formation a little as I thought Arsenal would be
expecting us to match them with three in the middle of the pitch but we
switched to 4-4-2 and I think we caught them out. "Overall, I'm very happy
with the performance and can't really pick anyone out that didn't put in a
good performance. "We have Fulham at home next week and we go into that off
the back of two victories so we will prepare as usual for that game and look
forward to hopefully getting another result next weekend."

Also on Saturday, 16-year-old defender Reece Oxford was an unused substitute
for Sam Allardyce's first team at Liverpool. After coaching him regularly
over the past few years, a proud Phillips admitted that experiences like
this will really aid Oxford's development over the next few years. "I think
I know Reece just as much as anyone else at this Club after coaching him
from as young as U13s and I think that a player of his ability and character
deserves opportunities like this," confirmed Phillips. "It gives him a
chance to get involved with the first-team squad and see how they go about
their business on a match day. "I'm pleased that Sam Allardyce has given
Reece this opportunity and I know that as a very level-headed person, it
will help bring the best out of him in the future."

The Hammers' next Barclays U18 Premier League South fixture is at home to
Fulham on Saturday 7 February, with kick off at 11am. Parking and admission
are both free at Little Heath.

U18s: Howes, Pike, Onariase, Akinola, Neufville, Carter, Diangana (Bailey),
Powell (Borg), Amoo, Brown (Scully), Hector-Ingram
Subs not used: Bogard, Sheriff

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Liverpool 2 West Ham 0
31 January 2015
Last updated at 17:31
By Neil Johnston
BBC Sport

Daniel Sturridge scored on his comeback from injury as Liverpool made it
five wins in six Premier League games with victory over West Ham United.
Raheem Sterling struck for the eighth time this season after latching on to
Philippe Coutinho's clever pass. Substitute Sturridge, out for five months,
doubled the lead 12 minutes after coming on with a low drive following
another Coutinho assist. West Ham rarely threatened, Andy Carroll going
closest with a header. Sturridge had not played since suffering a thigh
injury while on England duty in September. Since then he has injured his
calf and thigh again. But the 25-year-old, making his first appearance in a
Reds shirt since 31 August, sealed a thoroughly deserved victory. The result
lifts Brendan Rodgers' side one place up the table to seventh on 38 points,
four behind fourth-placed Southampton. Liverpool are hitting momentum at a
crucial stage of the campaign, and they head into the Merseyside derby at
Everton on 7 February having taken 17 points from a possible 21. In contrast
West Ham have now won once in their last six top-flight outings. Sam
Allardyce's side created few serious chances but their stubborn defence
frustrated the hosts until Sterling made the breakthrough after the
interval. Jordan Henderson and Lucas Leiva spurned good chances, while
Coutinho was denied by a fine save from Adrian after Sterling's clever
back-heel. There was controversy at the end of the first-half when Sterling
went down inside the area following a challenge by Joey O'Brien. But while
Liverpool fans screamed for a penalty, the ball fell invitingly for Lazar
Markovic who fired wastefully wide. The hosts went ahead six minutes into
the second-half as Sterling produced a composed low finish after a
delightful back-heel by Coutinho. Sturridge received a rapturous reception
when he was introduced in the 68th minute. Twelve minutes later he was
celebrating his second goal of the campaign, a trademark low finish
following Coutinho's pass. West Ham had their moments.
Carroll, who was substituted, forced Simon Mignolet into a save with a
close-range header, while Enner Valencia also tested the Liverpool keeper
from distance. But this was a fine response from Liverpool after their
Capital One Cup semi-final defeat by Chelsea in midweek.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers: "The team stood up to the aerial duels
very well, pressed the game well and they got their rewards for that. "On
the back of 120 minutes in midweek, we knew today was going to be a tough
game. West Ham have been excellent this season, scored goals throughout the
season and been very tough to play against. "But after the first 15-20
minutes, when we had to compete and battle physically, the players earned
the right to play. Some of their football today was outstanding."

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce: "I thought we were more than comfortable in
the first half without being as good as we know we can be.
"We've had three players come off injured. We didn't create much. But I
hoped with the number of set-plays we were getting and balls behind the
Liverpool defence, particularly in the first half, we might have got a
little bit more on target."

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Diafra Sakho: Sam Allardyce advised not to play Senegal striker
BBC.co.uk

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce says he has been advised not to play Diafra
Sakho until a row with Senegal is resolved. Senegal are reported to have
complained to Fifa after striker Sakho, 25, missed the Africa Cup of
Nations with a back injury, but then played for his club.
Fifa rules say a player cannot play for a club if he is meant to be on
international duty. Allardyce said: "It is not conducive for us to be
putting him on the field until it is resolved, sadly."

Sakho played and scored in last Sunday's 1-0 FA Cup win over Bristol City
but was not part of the squad for Saturday's 2-0 Premier League defeat at
Liverpool. Allardyce said: "We have covered all the rules and regulations
but at this moment in time it is sensible to do the right thing and not get
involved any more - that is what I was told yesterday. "If you speak to the
lad you would know how angry and disappointed he is at being denied the
opportunity to play football when it is not our fault."

Senegal boss Alain Giresse, who was told Sakho had withdrawn as he could not
fly because of a back injury, claimed West Ham had "set a dangerous
precedent" by playing him. With Senegal eliminated, Allardyce hoped Sakho's
countryman Cheikhou Kouyate would be on the bench for West Ham at Anfield.
But he said the 25-year-old midfielder told the club he was injured after
they went to "great lengths" to get him back to England.

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Darren Fletcher: Man Utd player's West Ham move 'broke down'
BBC.co.uk

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce says a move to sign Manchester United midfielder
Darren Fletcher has broken down. Scotland international Fletcher, who turns
31 on Sunday, was in talks with the Hammers about moving to Upton Park after
being granted a free transfer. "Fletcher broke down on negotiations this
morning," said Allardyce after Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Liverpool. Red
Devils boss Louis van Gaal thought Fletcher would leave but claimed West Ham
only wanted the Scot on loan. He added: "That was not the agreement."
Fletcher has made 342 appearances for Manchester United but has started only
five times under Van Gaal. The Dutchman said: "He is my third captain so it
is not a problem for me. "Manchester United just want to help him play more.
For him now that is a big pity."

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Sakho sidelined by FIFA fears, confirms Allardyce
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 31st January 2015
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce has confirmed that Diafra Sakho was prevented from featuring
for West Ham at Liverpool today over fears of a FIFA backlash.
Allardyce, speaking after West Ham's 2-0 defeat at Anfield earlier this
afternoon confirmed KUMB's earlier story in which we revealed that the
potential threat of a FIFA sanction led to the decision to drop Sakho from
today's match day squad. "Sakho was not in our team because of the situation
we are in with FIFA," he said during his post-match press conference. "While
it's happening, it's not conducive to pick him. We'll look at that as
quickly as possible. "If you speak to the lad, he's just concerned about
being denied the opportunity to play football. But it's the rules and
regulations. It's sensible to do the right thing until it's resolved. It was
a recommendation that we shouldn't pick him."

Sakho was one of four first team players to miss today's defeat, along with
James Tomkins, Cheik Kouyate and Carl Jenkinson (all injured). West Ham
ended the game with only ten men after losing James Collins, Andy Carroll
and Winston Reid to various injuries during the match. Senegal registered a
complaint with FIFA after Sakho appeared as a second half substitute at
Ashton Gate last weekend. West Ham beat Bristol City courtesy of the
striker's late winner. 48 hours after West Ham beat Bristol City, Senegal
were sent tumbling out of the African Nations Cup by virtue of their 2-0
defeat to Algeria.

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Sam Allardyce facing 'defensive crisis' at West Ham after Liverpool defeat
Last Updated: 31/01/15 6:52pm
SSN

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says he is facing a defensive crisis after
losing two players during the defeat at Liverpool. James Collins struggled
through a hamstring problem but eventually had to come off, while Winston
Reid limped off in the latter stages as the Hammers lost 2-0 at Anfield.
With James Tomkins already injured, Allardyce is struggling for choice in
defence and, with a key Premier League clash against Manchester United to
come next week, the Hammers boss is praying that Collins and Reid won't be
out for two long.
"It's more than an issue, it's a crisis for us now," he said. "Him and Reidy
going down has left us a massive hole and I'm not sure how long they're
going to be. "We've got to try and face the crisis as best we can. It will
be difficult, but it's all hands on pumps for the medical staff to get the
lads back as quick as we can, particularly with next week just as important
for us, and the week after when the FA Cup arrives."

Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge scored as Liverpool took the points on
Saturday afternoon as West Ham's bright start faded away into defeat. While
admitting his side didn't play their best on Merseyside, Allardyce couldn't
help but wonder if it would have been different if he had fewer injuries. "I
think in the end, due to our injury problems, it's cost us anything we might
have got here today," he added. "I don't think Liverpool were outstanding at
all – certainly in the first half we could see that. What we didn't do was
play as well as we could. "But [Collins] came off at half time saying he's
got a hamstring [injury], and of course he wanted to try and play on and
that caused us problems, because when you've got a bit of an injury marking
Sterling is not easy, so our game got stretched and in the end we had to try
and change him. "By that time we're 1-0 down and Reidy comes off as well.
Andy Carroll hurt himself, so that's three on top of the seven we had
[injured] before we played and that's too much for us to cope with today
when you're playing somewhere like Anfield. "It's a great shame for us
today. As hard as we tried the forces went against us in terms of injuries
particularly. On another day with players staying fit, other players getting
on the pitch who we missed today's game, I think we'd have made a better
game of it."

Despite having a threadbare defence, the Hammers boss thinks it is very
unlikely the club will look to bring in cover at centre-back ahead of
Monday's transfer deadline. Allardyce added: "Probably not. Not in the
central defensive area because you end up pulling somebody from abroad who
probably hasn't played for his club, and because he hasn't played for his
club would not be up to speed coming in and playing at this level."

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Daniel Sturridge scores on return as Liverpool beat West Ham 2-0
By Tom McKeown. Last Updated: 31/01/15 6:55pm
SSN

Daniel Sturridge scored on his return as Liverpool registered a 2-0 win over
West Ham to leapfrog their opponents in the table. Raheem Sterling fired low
past Hammers goalkeeper Adrian to put the hosts in front shortly after the
break, before Sturridge's powerful finish doubled the lead 10 minutes into
his return from the bench. Philippe Coutinho was earlier denied by Adrian
while Lazar Markovic fired a golden opportunity wide, moments after the
hosts felt they should have had a penalty for a foul on Sterling by Joey
O'Brien. But it would not matter in the end as the two England
internationals netted in the second half, and Brendan Rodgers' men move
above the Hammers into seventh in the Premier League. It was an open affair
right from the off, with Andy Carroll causing plenty of problems in the air.
The striker caught Emre Can with a flailing arm early on and that seemed to
rattle the Liverpool man for the rest of the half.

The hosts had the first real chance, though, as the lively Sterling cut in
from the flank and laid off for Adam Lallana. The midfielder was quickly
closed down but it fell for Markovic, who had one shot blocked before firing
wide. Sterling and Coutinho were the main threats for the hosts, and they
nearly set up an opening goal when they played a superb one-two as the
former backheeled it beyond the defence, but the Brazilian's tame effort was
easily saved at the near post by Adrian. The hosts then felt they should
have had a penalty right on half time as Sterling spun round O'Brien only to
go down under the defender's challenge. Nothing was given, but Liverpool
almost took the lead immediately as Markovic cut out Stewart Downing's loose
pass, only to fire wide of the target with the goal at his mercy.

Cool finish

The hosts finally broke the deadlock shortly after half-time, though.
Alberto Moreno's ball was chested down by Sterling, the ball deflected off
Winston Reid into the path of Coutinho, who chipped a lovely ball beyond the
defence, and Sterling slotted it calmly under Adrian with a cool first-time
finish.

The visitors hardly created anything, but Enner Valencia spurned a chance as
he drilled a low shot straight at Simon Mignolet from 18 yards, before
Coutinho showed some lovely footwork at the other end, working some space on
the edge of the box and firing low at Adrian.
The biggest cheer of the afternoon came with just over 20 minutes remaining,
as Sturridge was finally re-introduced to first-team action after five
months out when he replaced Markovic. It only took 10 minutes for Sturridge
to score on his return. Coutinho raced into the West Ham half and played a
lovely ball into the striker, who took a superb touch before drilling a low
shot in at the near post to cap an excellent afternoon for Liverpool.

Soccer Saturday reaction - Matt Le Tissier

"It was pretty comfortable, it really was. West Ham certainly weren't at
their best today. Liverpool were probably not as good as they were in
midweek but it was still plenty enough to beat this West Ham side, who
didn't really threaten them too much. I don't remember Mignolet having to
make too many saves. "It was great for the Liverpool fans to see Daniel
Sturridge to come back – that was the highlight of the day for everyone. He
got himself a little bit of space in the box, made a lovely first touch, got
it on to his right foot and it was a brilliant finish in at the near post. I
think that was the big plus point of the day, to see him, after such a long
time, come back and give himself a chance and get a goal within 10 minutes
of coming on."

Player Ratings

Liverpool: Mignolet (6), Can (5), Skrtel (6), Sakho (7), Henderson (7),
Lucas (6), Moreno (7), Markovic (6), Lallana (7), Coutinho (8), Sterling
(9).

Used subs: Sturridge (8), Ibe (7).

West Ham: Adrian (7), O'Brien (6), Collins (7), Reid (6), Cresswell (6),
Song (7), Amalfitano (5), Nolan (5), Downing (6), Carroll (6), Valencia (6).

Used subs: Cole (6), Noble (6), Demel (6).

Man of the match: Raheem Sterling

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Darren Fletcher's proposed move to West Ham from Manchester United breaks
down
Last Updated: 31/01/15 6:58pm
SSN

Manchester United's Darren Fletcher move to West Ham seems over with both
managers saying negotiations have broken down. Louis van Gaal confirmed on
Friday that 30-year-old was having talks with the Hammers but the United
boss told Sky Sports News HQ after Saturday's 3-1 win against Leicester: "I
don't know what's happening because I thought Darren was signing. "But at
the end, they looked for a loan and that wasn't the agreement so I can't
(see it happening)." He later added: "When you allow your player to go to
London for the medical, there is no problem. At the end there is no
agreement, it is strange. "I don't know what is happening there but the
agreement is different there. On Saturday it is off." Allardyce revealed
after the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield that the move will not go
ahead.
Sam Allardyce believes that a growing injury list cost his side a result
against Liverpool and described his centre-back selection as a 'crisis'
On the chances of reviving a Fletcher deal, Allardyce told SSN HQ: "It
doesn't look like it. It looks like it's broken down in negotiations." West
Ham were head of the queue to sign Fletcher with Spanish side Valencia and
West Brom also interested in signing the Scottish midfielder before the
transfer window closes. Fletcher was named United vice-captain at the start
of the season but has been unable to break into Van Gaal's first team this
season. The United boss hopes he can give the midfielder more playing time
in the rest of the season. "He is my third captain so it is not a problem
for me (if he comes back)," Van Gaal added. "Manchester United just want to
help him play more. For him now that is a big pity. "We want to help
Fletcher. That is my only concern. I am very happy he is coming back." The
Scot has made just 12 appearances for United this season, with the most
recent being in the 2-0 win at Yeovil Town in the FA Cup first round.

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Liverpool plot transfer swoop on West Ham for Winston Reid as summer free
agency looms
22:30, 31 January 2015 By Steve Stammers
Reds will offer £6.5m for defender who could walk for nothing at the end of
the season - and Hammers will join Vedran Corluka chase if they do sell
The Mirror

Liverpool are set to make a £6.5million bid for West Ham's Winston Reid. New
Zealand international centre-back Reid, 26, is out of contract at the end of
the season. He rejected a new four-year deal to stay at Upton Park and now
Liverpool will test the Hammers' resolve to hang on to him. West Ham are
likely to insist on a fee of £6-£7m, but Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers can
meet that demand.
If Reid goes, the Hammers will enter the race for Croatian defender Vedran
Corluka. The former Tottenham defender is now at Spartak Moscow and will
this week go to Spain for a warm-weather training camp with the Russian
team. Corluka, 28, is available at £4.5m but West Ham will face stiff
competition from three Premier League rivals. West Brom boss Tony Pulis is
anxious to bolster his defence in a bid to steer his new club away from the
relegation zone. Everton are also keen, and under-pressure Hull manager
Steve Bruce is also monitoring the situation.

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Poor selections …poor tactics – Sam's to blame
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 31, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Match verdict
Liverpool 2 Irons 0

Let's be 100 per cent honest about today's performance – it was awful –
simply awful. This is no time to mince words – the manager got it horribly
wrong in key areas. He started without Mark Noble, stuck the season's most
effective playmaker within the diamond – Stewart Downing – on the left and
decided to play Joey O'Brien for the injured Carl Jenkinson. There was no
room for Chiek Kouyate who we were told almost on kick off had come back
from the African Nations Cup injured although there had been no mention of
this earlier in the week and Diafra Sakho was nowhere to be seen with no
explanation as to why.

And after a lively first first 10 minutes it became crystal clear that the
game plan was to defend deep and come away from Anfield with a draw if
possible. Sound familiar? At no time did we trouble the scousers, Andy
Carroll went off injured along with James Collins and Winston Reid. We
finished with O'Brien in the middle of defence, Demel down the right and
Cole playing one up – Sound horribly familiar?

There was more bad news for Reid too before his departure because he was
made to look a mug by first goalscorer Raheem Sterling (51 mins) on several
occasions showing just why he will never be a top four player. Not good
enough!

Daniel Sturridge appeared for the first time in many moons to collect the
second and you just knew it would be against us – a near post thump after 80
mins with which Adrian had no chance.

Liverpool were better in every area of the pitch but we were never helped by
the selection, tactics and general approach of a manager who to put it in
the words of a famous song is beginning to look like a rebel without a clue!

With players hobbling off through injury these are worrying times as we
start to descend towards our usual level – what's even more worrying
perhaps is that if they keep players out for a couple of games it presents
a handy excuse to the boss for any sub-standard performance. I'm not wearing
it. This match was lost through seriously bad mistakes in selection and
tactics before a ball was kicked or anyone took a knock. We all believed we
had a real chance of winning at Anfield today for the first time in 53 years
– Sam Allardyce blew it!

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Fletcher deal "The sums didn't add up"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 31, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham have denied they attempted to change the failed deal which would
have seen the Manchester United midfielder arrive at Upton Park. Old
Trafford boss Louis van Gaal had claimed that was the case but insiders at
the irons have claimned it was the other way around.
It has emerged that there were no medical problems with the player but that
the more the two sides talked the less likely a deal became.
ClaretandHugh was told: "Suddenly various add ons started to appear in
agent's fees and such like and personal terms never really got settled. "In
the end it became clear the sums weren't adding up and it became obvious it
was best to call time on the deal."
However, there's an air of relief around the club as the negotiations were
being conducted against a backdrop if the player's health problems. Another
source explained: "That was in the minds of a lot of people particularly as
Fletcher's side wanted a straight three and half years – it was always a
worry."

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Sakho back for Manchester United clash!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 31, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Diafra Sakho will return for next Sunday's match against Manchester United
having served out FIFA's 'five day rule.' ClaretandHugh learned this evening
the Senegal striker missed today's game at Liverpool as Fifa rules insist
that players cannot appear for their clubs until five days has passed
following their nation's elimination from a major tournament. Despite the
fact that the player was injured and unavailable to Senegal such has been
the fuss kicked up by Senegal's Federation, the Irons board decided to keep
the player out of the action today and avoid any further problems. Sam
Allardyce failed to mention that only the one game would be involved when
issuing a statement on the matter in which he said: "With Sakho it's down to
the situation we are in with FIFA. "While it is happening it is not
conducive to be putting him on the field until it is settled, sadly."

But in fact it is settled and a source said tonight: "He's now available for
Manchester United and we will just have to keep everything crossed that the
problems at central defence ease in the week."

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How the Irons rated
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 31, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Adrian: Can't be blamed for the goals and made a couple of top stops 7
O'Brien: Gives us nothing – part of our history 4
Collins: Sturdy performance before hobbling off. Battled to stay on. No
complaints 6
Reid: Was made to look a mug by Sterling on occasions but battled 5
Cresswell: Not the high quality display we're used to. Caught out a couple
of times 6
Song: Nothing like as mobile in possession as when he arrived, struggled 5
Downing: Played out of position – never a danger 5
Amalfitano: Sparky at times – looked dangerous before being inexplicably
subbed 6
Valencia: Had he got Chelsea on his mind? Annonymous 5
Nolan: Tip of the diamond – Nolan? Oh please! Nothing to offer 4
Carroll: Nothing like the high energy player we've seen of late 5
Subs: Noble 5, Demel 5 Cole 4

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Woe is Sam – it's the injuries yer know!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 31, 2015 in Whispers
Claret 7 Hugh

My God it diodn't take long for the "woe is me I have injuries and it's a
crisis " Allardyce head to go on – about 10 minutes after the match actually
In my match report I wrote: "With players hobbling off through injury these
are worrying times as we start to descend towards our usual level – what's
even more worrying perhaps is that if they keep players out for a couple of
games it presents a handy excuse to the boss for any sub-standard
performance."

It actually took a couple of minutes rather than games. For as he stood
looking folorn and lost in front of the nation he whined: "Ginge had to come
off with a hamstring, then we lost Reidy. It's not a problem it's a crisis."

Yeah Yeah Yeah as Liverpool legends The Beatles sung when we last won in
their home city back in 1963! Carroll of course had hobbled off allowing Sam
the opportunity to bleat: "That's three on top of the four we left behind"
which of course would include Kouyate and Sakho who is now being kept in
cotton wool as the Senegal complaint goes to FIFA. He claimed the "medical
staff will have all hands to the pumps this week" as Manchester United
await but as I wrote earlier I'm not wearing this injury stuff being
presented as as an excuse. We were beaten today before a ball was kicked and
to say anything different would be a lie! Stand up and be a man Sam. You
have Koutaye who can do a shift at the back and as we are now more or less
safe what about blooding Reece Oxford? Big people see times of trial as
times of opportunity so please stop moaning and groaning and show some
balls!

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LVG: "West Ham changed Fletcher deal"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 31, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

The news that Darren Fletcher's move to West Ham has broken down didn't come
as a huge surprise this evening. For this morning as rumours started to
spread that the player had failed a medical, a source refused to make any
sort of comment to ClaretandHugh on the situation declaring: "I just can't
comment on that!" That is usually a pretty good indication that all is not
as it should be so this evening's news was no shock Sam Allardyce – at the
end of a seriously depressing post-Liverpool press conference – admitted;
"It looks like that one has gone away. It's broken down on negotiations."
Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal revealed that he believed West Ham may
have tried to change the terms of the deal. He said: "I thought Darren was
going to sign a contract but at the end they looked for a loan and that was
not the agreement. I'm only listening to what is said by West Ham United.
Later he added: "I don't know what is happening. It was different on Friday
but now it's changed."

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