Hammers successful in Adrian appeal
Adrian available to play at West Bromwich Albion after successful appeal
WHUFC.com
13.02.2015
West Ham United are pleased to confirm that their appeal over Adrian's red
card at Southampton has been upheld. An Independent Regulatory Commission
heard the appeal on Friday and decided that the Club were correct in
challenging the dismissal for denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity.
His one-match suspension has, therefore, been withdrawn with immediate
effect and the 28-year-old goalkeeper is now clear to play in Saturday's FA
Cup fifth round tie at West Bromwich Albion.
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Friday, February 13
Daily WHUFC News - Carroll
Andy Carroll: West Ham striker ruled out for rest of the season
BBC.co.uk
West Ham United striker Andy Carroll will have surgery on his injured left
knee next week and is expected to miss the rest of the season.
Carroll suffered medial ligament damage in Wednesday's 0-0 draw at
Southampton. The 26-year-old was forced to stay on the pitch with the
injury because West Ham were down to 10 men and had made all three of their
substitutions. Earlier on Friday, Hammers boss Sam Allardyce said the club
were hoping he would be out for four to six weeks. "The medial ligament on
the inside of his knee has a little tear from a fairly innocuous collision,"
Allardyce said, before a specialist confirmed Carroll would require surgery
on Tuesday. "It's a big blow for him and us but one we've got to cope with."
Andy Carroll's injury record at West Ham
September 2012: Picks up hamstring injury in his first game on loan - out
for a month
November 2012: Twists knee against Manchester United - sidelined for two
months
May 2013: Damages heel in the last game of the season - out for seven months
July 2014: Tears ankle ligaments in pre-season - out for four months
February 2015: Knee surgery - set to miss rest of the season
Speaking after the Southampton match, Allardyce said of his striker: "I just
hope that staying on hasn't done any more damage." Carroll, out for most of
last season with an Achilles problem, missed the first three months of this
campaign after injuring ankle ligaments in New Zealand in pre-season. He had
scored five goals in 14 games since returning in November. The former
Newcastle and Liverpool forward has nine England caps, and scored twice, but
has not played for the national team since a World Cup qualifier against San
Marino in October 2012.
West Ham face West Brom in the FA Cup fifth round at The Hawthorns in
Saturday's early kick-off (12:45 GMT).
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BBC.co.uk
West Ham United striker Andy Carroll will have surgery on his injured left
knee next week and is expected to miss the rest of the season.
Carroll suffered medial ligament damage in Wednesday's 0-0 draw at
Southampton. The 26-year-old was forced to stay on the pitch with the
injury because West Ham were down to 10 men and had made all three of their
substitutions. Earlier on Friday, Hammers boss Sam Allardyce said the club
were hoping he would be out for four to six weeks. "The medial ligament on
the inside of his knee has a little tear from a fairly innocuous collision,"
Allardyce said, before a specialist confirmed Carroll would require surgery
on Tuesday. "It's a big blow for him and us but one we've got to cope with."
Andy Carroll's injury record at West Ham
September 2012: Picks up hamstring injury in his first game on loan - out
for a month
November 2012: Twists knee against Manchester United - sidelined for two
months
May 2013: Damages heel in the last game of the season - out for seven months
July 2014: Tears ankle ligaments in pre-season - out for four months
February 2015: Knee surgery - set to miss rest of the season
Speaking after the Southampton match, Allardyce said of his striker: "I just
hope that staying on hasn't done any more damage." Carroll, out for most of
last season with an Achilles problem, missed the first three months of this
campaign after injuring ankle ligaments in New Zealand in pre-season. He had
scored five goals in 14 games since returning in November. The former
Newcastle and Liverpool forward has nine England caps, and scored twice, but
has not played for the national team since a World Cup qualifier against San
Marino in October 2012.
West Ham face West Brom in the FA Cup fifth round at The Hawthorns in
Saturday's early kick-off (12:45 GMT).
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Daily WHUFC News - 13th February 2015
Downing hails team effort
WHUFC.com
Stewart Downing felt Wednesday's 0-0 draw at Southampton was a true show of
strength
12.02.2015
Stewart Downing had praise for his teammates after West Ham United battled
to a 0-0 draw at Southampton on Wednesday night. The Hammers had to swim
against the tide to make their point, after Adrian was shown a red card in
the 61st minute for handling outside his area, then Andy Carroll became a
virtual passenger when he picked up a knee injury with all three substitutes
having been deployed. Despite those set-backs, the Hammers held out to earn
a scoreless draw at St Mary's for the second year in a row and Downing was
happy with that outcome. He explained: "With the red card and Andy getting
injured towards the end, we knew we would have to defend because they're a
good team who pass it around. "We did that very well and it was a big point
for us in the end. "Jussi came on and made some good saves - when he's
called upon he's always there, so well played to him. "The injury was
disappointing for Andy, but hopefully it's not too bad and we can get him
back as quickly as possible. "He felt it the other day when he got a knock
on it at Liverpool, so it's unfortunate that he came on and got another bang
on it."
The point represented a second successive draw for the Londoners, but one
which felt more rewarding than Sunday's against Manchester United. Downing
added: "We were disappointed to draw against Manchester United on Sunday,
because we thought we should have won the game and because of the way we
conceded. "But on Wednesday, overall we'll take the point. Coming into the
game we were confident we could get the win, but it wasn't to be."
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Hargreaves backs Hammers
WHUFC.com
BT Sport pundit Owen Hargreaves feels the Hammers will have the edge in
their FA Cup fifth round tie
12.02.2015
Prior to West Ham United's fifth round FA Cup tie with West Bromwich Albion
this Saturday, former Bayern Munich and England midfielder Owen Hargreaves
dropped by Chadwell Heath to interview the in-form Aaron Cresswell. The
two-time Champions League winner and current BT Sport pundit also gave us
his thoughts on Saturday's match, which is live on BT Sport 1 from 12pm.
Owen, welcome to West Ham United, looking ahead to Saturday's game away at
West Bromwich Albion in the fifth round tie of the FA Cup, what is your
assessment of the match?
OH: "I think it's an interesting game. West Ham have changed their style a
little bit. They've brought in some very athletic players, especially Diafra
Sakho and Cheikhou Kouyate. Also with Enner Valencia they have real
athleticism and pace up front.
"West Ham have also brought in Aaron Cresswell who is the only player to
have played every minute for the Hammers this season. The manager said they
want to play a more attacking style and I think they've been able to do
that.
"They are a very good side, Alex Song at the heart of midfield has been a
great addition. I think they've strengthened and it will be interesting to
see how they line up against a Tony Pulis side who defensively are very,
very sound."
Recently, West Ham haven't lost many games, but also haven't won many
either. Who are you expecting to prevail on Saturday?
OH: "It will be a close call, neither team will want to lose. At first it
will be quite cagey, but West Ham have the players who can change games, so
I would probably lean toward West Ham. You think the team at home has a
slight advantage, under Pulis they are going to drop off, they are going to
be very organised so it will be up to West Ham to break them down."
There have been a few shock results in the FA Cup this season and the magic
seems to be returning. Do you agree?
OH: "That whole weekend when Manchester United drew with Cambridge and
Middlesbrough beat Manchester City was magical. It was special for
everybody. If you think about any other professional sport or league, it's
very rare that third or fourth division teams can beat top level clubs.
"Bradford City beating Chelsea, who will be champions this season, is
exceptional. Fans love an underdog story and we've had a few of them this
season."
You're busy doing television work for BT Sport these days, are you enjoying
being on the other side of football?
OH: "I mean, I would have loved to be able to play for longer, but I got an
injury that changed my career. By the time I realised that, it was a little
bit too late, I kept trying to come back fit but it didn't happen.
"It was quite humbling, going from winning Champions Leagues and playing for
England to all of a sudden the priorities changing. No one ever says 'you'll
never play again' so the contrast was very humbling, you've got to enjoy it
while it lasts.
"It's a real privilege to play football. It's interesting working at BT
Sport, you see the game in a different way. On Wednesday we were covering
the Chelsea v Everton game, we were there three hours before kick-off
preparing. As a footballer you don't see all the work that goes on behind
the scenes.
"There's a lot of people who make a living out of the game, not just the
players. It's great to see it from the other side, obviously I'd love to
still be playing."
As a former England player, do you see any of the English players at West
Ham having a chance at being recognised by their country?
OH: "There are a lot of young players emerging. Harry Kane and Danny Ings
for example, Jordon Ibe recently too. It's good to see Stewart Downing doing
well, I think he needed to be in the right environment and he certainly is
now.
"Aaron Cresswell is certainly one for the future, he's a young talented
player. The first time I watched him play this season I thought he was a
good player and he's continued to do well. The most important thing is doing
well at club level. If you don't do well, then you won't have a chance."
Coming from a Canadian background, West Ham have just signed Doneil Henry
from Toronto FC, is this a sign that the standard of football over there is
improving?
OH: "I think some of the teams I played with and against from about 14 or 15
years old could have competed with anyone in Europe.
"I think we were missing that development phase, everyone in Canada is sort
of looking for the next big thing. I didn't cost anything when I went to
Bayern Munich, they got me for little more than a ham sandwich.
"There are a lot of athletes in Canada, I think they just need a bit more
coaching, hopefully Doneil can come in and do well. A lot of players try
hard and he's certainly one of them."
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Mediawatch - 12 February
WHUFC.com
Our daily look at West Ham United in the news
12.02.2015
Coverage of last night's 0-0 draw at Southampton centres around the Hammers'
valiant effort to cling on to their point with a man light, with The Times
(£) saying that the ten men did Sam Allardyce proud.
Big Sam did not like referee Craig Pawson's decision to send Adrian off for
handball, however, and he outlines his intention to appeal in the
Independent.
The other major talking point from the game was the injury to Andy Carroll,
who was seen leaving the stadium on crutches, according to this report in
The Sun (£).
Away from the pitch, there are reports on transfer news, with Sky Sports
covering Big Sam's confirmation that any move for midfielder Lassana Diarra
is off, owing to FIFA regulations.
The Daily Star claim West Ham are lining up a shock move for Manchester
United striker Javier Hernandez, who is currently on a season-long loan at
Real Madrid.
Meanwhile, this story in The Wharf details the Club's support for homeless
charity Spitalfields Crypt Trust, who are inviting people to don flip-flops
for their commute on Friday to raise funds for people sleeping rough.
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Andy Carroll: West Ham striker's knee injury update on Friday
BBC.co.uk
West Ham will reveal the extent of Andy Carroll's knee injury on Friday
after the striker had a scan. Carroll, playing for the first time since 31
January, picked up the problem in Wednesday's 0-0 draw at Southampton and
left St Mary's on crutches. The 26-year-old was forced to stay on the pitch
with the injury because West Ham were down to 10 men and had made all three
of their substitutions. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce will give an update at
his media briefing on Friday. Hammers goalkeeper Adrian was sent off on 61
minutes after handling the ball outside his box. "[Carroll] stayed up and
was a nuisance," Allardyce said."He got kicked in the back of the knee and
felt something wrong. "I just hope that staying on hasn't done any more
damage." Allardyce also said the club will not be able to sign former Real
Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra as a free agent because of "Fifa
regulations". "We have negotiated for weeks to get the right deal and, now
we've got it, we find we can't get the right paperwork and the right
clearance, so we have wasted his time and our time," he said.
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Sam Allardyce nominated as London Manager of the Year
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 12th February 2015
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce has been nominated for the 2015 London Manger of the Year
award. The Hammers boss, who has enjoyed a thoroughly successful season in
his fourth year at the club is one of three Hammers nominated for this
year's awards, which take place on 5 March in Battersea.
In Addition to Allardyce, goalkeeper Adrian has been selected as one of the
five nominees for London goalkeeper of the Year whilst Carl Jenkinson is in
the hat for the Young London Player of the Year (Under 23s).
Allardyce, one of only two Premier League managers on the shortlist finds
himself up against Jose Mourinho (Chelsea), Mark Warburton (Brentford), Neal
Ardley (AFC Wimbledon) and the 2014 KUMB Awards headliner Martin Allen, now
at Barnet.
In the goalkeeper category, Adrian is joined by Hugo Lloris (Tottenham),
Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea) and former Hammer Robert Green (QPR). Meanwhile
Jenkinson contests the Under 23 category alongside Alex Pritchard
(Brentford), Harry Kane and Ryan Mason (Tottenham).
Further categories to be decided on the night - which include no
representatives from West Ham - are the London Player of the Year, London
Women's Player of the Year, Outstanding Contribution to a London Club and
London Community Project of the Year.
The Hammers trio will be pleased to hear that the expert judging panel
includes lifelong Hammer Tony Cottee. Unfortunately for Messrs Allardyce,
del Castillo and Jenkinson there are 15 other judges on the panel!
The London Football Awards - which covers all 15 London clubs, Arsenal,
Barnet, Brentford, Charlton, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Dagenham & Redbridge,
Fulham, Leyton Orient, Millwall, QPR, Tottenham, Watford, West Ham and
Wimbledon - will raise much needed funds for Willow, a national charity that
provides unique and positive Special Days for seriously ill 16 to 40 year
olds.
Willow was founded by former Arsenal goalkeeper and sports presenter Bob
Wilson and his wife Megs and in memory of their daughter, Anna, who died of
cancer aged just 31.
To date Willow has fulfilled more than 11,000 Special Days for young people
living with life-threatening conditions such as cancer, cystic fibrosis,
motor neurone disease, muscular dystrophy, organ failure and Huntington's.
Standard tickets to the event, including pre-dinner drinks and a three
course meal, cost £185 per person. Tables of ten are available for £1,750,
Premium tables cost £2,500 and Legend Tables (for ten guests plus a legend)
cost £5,000.
For more information and booking visit www.londonfootballawards.org or
telephone Willow on 01707 259777. For more information about Willow visit
www.willowfoundation.org.uk.
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In brief - Thursday's news round-up
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 12th February 2015
By: Jack Hammer
Get the very latest West Ham news in one place, with our new daily media
round-up!
Hammers hold on for point despite Adrian dismissal
SOUTHAMPTON went into last night's match hoping that the right combination
of results would narrow the gap between themselves and second-placed
Manchester City to a single point.
http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/557688/Match-report-Southampton-0-We
st-Ham-0-Adrian-sent-off
Ten man Hammers hold Saints
en-man West Ham earned a hard-fought point after holding Southampton to a
0-0 draw in their Premier League clash at St Mary's.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/313632/report
Southampton 0-0 West Ham
t may not have been very sophisticated, but Sam Allardyce will care little.
West Ham fought for a valuable point here in a game that will be forgotten
in a hurry, a dull goalless draw that only came to life once the Hammers'
goalkeeper, Adrián, was sent off in the second half for handling the ball
outside the area.
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/feb/11/southampton-west-ham-premier
-league-match-report
Allardyce confirms another injury for Andy Carroll
Andy Carroll suffered yet another injury setback in West Ham's clash with
Southampton.
http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2015/02/11/allardyce-confirms-another-injury-
for-andy-carroll-four-month-ab/
Allardyce: Draw was like a win
Sam Allardyce praised his West Ham players after their goalless stalemate at
Southampton in the Premier League on Wednesday night, declaring the draw to
be like a victory after they went down to 10 men
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11685/9710965/sam-allardyce-says-wes
t-hams-draw-at-southampton-was-like-a-victory-due-to-red-card
Carroll set for longer spell out
West Ham's Andy Carroll faces several weeks out after leaving Wednesday's
draw at Southampton on crutches.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31433187
West Ham must wait for Diarra
West Ham will have to wait until the end of the season to sign former Real
Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11685/9711057/premier-league-fifa-ru
ling-stops-lassana-diarra-from-joining-west-ham-until-end-of-season
West Ham considering shock move for Javier Hernandez
West Ham United are weighing up a shock summer move for Manchester United
striker Javier Hernandez
http://metro.co.uk/2015/02/11/west-ham-considering-summer-move-for-mancheste
r-united-striker-javier-hernandez-5058996/
West Ham still trying to persuade Tottenham transfer target Winston Reid to
sign a new contract
West Ham have not given up on persuading Winston Reid to stay at Upton Park
despite the fact the defender is yet to sign a new contract.
http://metro.co.uk/2015/02/11/west-ham-still-trying-to-persuade-tottenham-tr
ansfer-target-winston-reid-to-sign-a-new-contract-5058208/
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West Ham's Stewart Downing believes draw at Southampton was 'massive point'
By Luke Marino | Last Updated: 12/02/15 2:16pm
SSN
West Ham United forward Stewart Downing believes their 0-0 draw at
Southampton on Wednesday will prove to be a 'massive point'. The Londoners
currently sit eighth in the Premier League and Downing believes his side
have the quality to break into the European places at the end of the season.
The former Liverpool winger, who has excelled this season in his new role
behind the strikers, said: "I think it will come back at the end of the
season as being a massive point. "I mean, they'll be disappointed not to be
getting three given their home form, that's where they get their points.
"For the league games, we just need to keep chipping away, picking up points
away from home and carry on our home form. We've got a really good chance of
Europe." Sam Allardyce's side have lost just once in their last six outings,
a run of results which included a deserved point at home to Manchester
United last weekend.
'Attacking displays'
However, West Ham were forced to defend deep towards the end of the match
after goalkeeper Adrian was dismissed midway through the second half after
handling the ball outisde his area. Downing, who has scored five goals in
the Premier League this season, said: "I think we showed another side to us.
"Obviously we've been praised for our attacking displays this season, but at
times we had to defend and make it difficult for Southampton. "They had a
couple of chances towards the end but I think Jussi Jaaskelainen made some
good saves and there were some good blocks. "I think overall with the
circumstances during the last half an hour, we'd take a point all day long."
Kevin Nolan (bruised foot) and Mark Noble (virus) missed the trip to the
south coast, while Andy Carroll left the ground on crutches.
However, ahead of their FA Cup fifth round clash at West Brom this weekend,
Downing believes the squad now has enough quality to cope with injuries.
"We're struggling a bit and obviously it was the last minute as well so we
had to change late on," he said, referring to Nolan and Noble. "But it just
shows the squad depth and we didn't have that last season. We'd probably
have struggled to get a team out."
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West Ham striker Andy Carroll facing another spell on sidelines
Last Updated: 12/02/15 10:53am
SSN
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce expects Andy Carroll to be sidelined for around
three weeks after the striker limped off at the end of the 0-0 draw at
Southampton. Carroll, who came on as a second-half substitute at St Mary's
on Wednesday night, received a kick to the back of his knee and left the
stadium on crutches. He was due to have a scan on the problem on Thursday
but Allardyce said after the game: "The sad thing for us is the injury to
Andy Carroll which we can ill-afford to take with our injury problems. "It's
the same knee. He got kicked on the back of it and felt something was wrong.
He stayed up and was a nuisance but I just hope that staying on hasn't done
any damage.
"He got fit in two-and-a-half weeks but clearly it's going to take longer
this time because it's the same injury." Meanwhile, Allardyce says he
intends to appeal the red card shown to goalkeeper Adrian after he was
dismissed for handling the ball outside his penalty area.
"It was a foul on our goalkeeper before," he said. "There is no doubt Mane
had his hands on Adrian. "Adrian made a mistake in the beginning but the
linesman saw two hands on the ball but not the two hands on the back. "We
will be appealing it and I'll be very disappointed if he doesn't get off."
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SEVEN DAYS THAT SAY MORE ABOUT THE STATE OF THE PREMIER LEAGUE THAN WEST HAM
By Bobby Shovels 12 Feb 2015 at 08:00
West Ham till I Die
Manchester United on Sunday, Southampton on Wednesday, West Brom on
Saturday. Seven crucial days for the Hammers but also an insightful week of
fixtures regarding the state of the game.
Firstly, Manchester United. Ultimately, a gutting result we more than
deserved to take three points from. Yet my main take from it was how United
have now lost just once in 17 games in all competitions. That is astonishing
for a team so out of sorts and that scraps by in so many fixtures. There is
something of a dream-like quality to the Red Devils in the two years since
Sir Alex left: those shirts and stadium still invoke fear, yet essentially
they are still there for the taking and everyone knows it and thus many
sides think they can get some points out of them. Yet few have. Why?
Well, one cannot doubt that while their over-spending in the summer was
largely ill thought-out, it no doubt helps to have a large army of stars,
regardless of whether they gel together. At some point, as on Sunday, the
ball will fall to just one talented individual, and he will have the last
laugh. Such is the state of English football, as we have long known it: West
Ham can be applauded for not being a big club and consistently fielding
home-grown talent, as we did on Sunday. But you don't always win points by
sticking to principles. Hence, United, with money and an eye for a
foreigner, are sitting above us in the table.
Secondly, we play Southampton tonight. What does this reveal? Well, we are
yet to see the result but one thing I find about the rise of the Saints is
the level of surprise and slight disdain shown to the team. Even now, as
they continue to do so well, and put the money boys to shame, many pundits
will still write off their chances of claiming a top-four place.
Many still argue that Europe is beyond West Ham too. Essentially, tonight
you have two teams who many believe should not be where they are in the
table currently, and many, despite what they say on the surface, like having
the top four or five teams the same every season. Many may argue against
money's power, yet those same voices don't seem to like it when the natural
equilibrium of the game is disrupted. Liverpool should be above Southampton,
full stop, so goes the argument. Tonight sees two teams, with less money,
relying on young talent, battle it out for a decent place in England's
highest league. It's how it should be.
Finally, away to West Brom on Saturday. Again, many things can be read from
this but two things strike me: where the Cup ranks in importance for teams
and the TV scheduling. Firstly, as seen with Chelsea and Manchester City,
those teams' preference for other trophies (the bigger money prizes,
ultimately) means that this glorious, historic cup has lost its standing.
Secondly, the TV schedulers also stop us from being able to watch and
reinvigorate the romanticism of the Cup – and raising the profile of lower
league sides – by televising all the Premier League teams. I'd much rather
watch Bradford than Aston Villa v Leicester City. Or how about Blackburn
giving Stoke a run for their money? Furthermore, once again, we have become
beholden to the need to have games on Saturday start at 12:45 to please the
TV men, which means that many West Ham fans – due to train repairs – will
have to get up especially early to leave themselves time to get to the game.
TV trumps the fans – we know that. Ticket prices won't go down with the new
£5.14bn TV deal. But we're still expected to watch games at earlier and
later times and get trains and coaches at more unsociable hours. We'll still
live in a world where only five teams matter, or at push, the top 20 in all
four divisions. We'll still struggle to break into an ever-solidifying group
of elite clubs.
Yes, in seven days, the money, the inertia, and the depression of the game
are all too plain to see.
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NEARLY REACH THE SKY BY BRIAN WILLIAMS: A VALEDICTION TO THE BOLEYN
By Iron Liddy 12 Feb 2015 at 13:50
West Ham Till I Die
When Iain emailed me a few weeks ago to ask if I would like to review Brian
William's new book Nearly Reach the Sky: A Farewell to Upton Park I was both
flattered and nervous. I haven't been asked to write a book review since I
was in my Headmistress's Good Readers Club when I was 8. I said yes straight
away as I'm already a fan of Brian's writing and I anticipated a funny,
clever and interesting read. I wasn't disappointed, it was such a good read
that I finished it in a day; my only hope now is that I can do it justice.
I suppose the first thing that a prospective reader might want to know is
which literary genre this book falls under. To be honest it could easily be
categorised as a tragicomedy, a memoir or even a history of sport. The one
category I wasn't expecting was romance.
Nearly Reach the Sky is more than just a collection of one West Ham fan's
musings on his life as a football supporter; it is a billet doux, a letter
to his love of more than 50 years. It's an explanation of his feelings for
his club, which moves through the widest range of emotions – devotion,
disappointment, hope and ambition, joy and elation, grief and anger, humour,
impatience, self-reproach and resignation. They're all there.
It is also a valediction. A claret and blue thread has been a part of the
fabric of Brian's life since 1964 and as he weaves and embroiders his
personal love story of West Ham United it becomes apparent that a snag has
appeared in the cloth. Throughout the book there is the stark realisation
that the club is on the verge of leaving the ground that has been its
physical and spiritual home for more than 100 years. Very soon that small
tear will become a gaping hole and it's clear that a part of the author's
heart will be ripped away forever.
Ultimately this is a paean to West Ham United but the other love of Brian's
life, his wife Di, also appears regularly in the book, together with her
East End family. He has obviously enjoyed a harmonious, if polygamous,
relationship with his two amours. Even so, I can't pretend that I wasn't
shocked and a little horrified to read of Brian's first ménage à trois. In
fact it wasn't a ménage à trois at all but a foursome! West Ham may have
easily seen off other women in Brian's life, including the girl who
distracted him from Tonka's performance on the penalty spot in the 80s and
the lissome 17 year old Sharon and her hotpants; but the admission that I
read in chapter 19 is nothing short of scandalous. Brian is now full of
contrition and guilt for playing away and fortunately for him Di is
obviously a very forgiving woman. I'm not sure that fellow West Ham fans
will let him off quite so lightly and if I were Di I'd keep him on a very
short leash. Despite his repentance he's still singing love songs to other
'birds' to this day, and right under the nose of his true love too!
Not being born within the sound of Bow Bells has obviously caused our hero
some consternation in life and he makes no secret of his delight that
Cupid's arrow landed smack bang in the middle of Beverley Road in East Ham.
Here we meet Brian's future in-laws, including the inimitable Sid, who is
possibly the man originally responsible for the term 'the elephant in the
room.' Fortunately for Brian he'd already lost his heart many years before
to the aptly nicknamed 'Ticker' when he scored twice in the 1964 FA Cup
semi-final against Manchester United, so his claret and blue credentials
stood up to Sid's suspicious scrutiny. Having passed the test with flying
West Ham colours he was welcomed into the bosom of Di's family as an
honorary East Ender. He had found his dream woman who not only shared his
love for West Ham but also lived just streets away from his beloved Boleyn.
Love blossomed and it was clear that it was going to be a match made in
heaven when their marriage was given the personal blessing of John Lyall.
If you are beginning to worry that Brian has written some kind of Mills &
Boon novel or worse, Sixty-Four Shades of Claret and Blue, fear not! As a
member of the fairer sex I'm perhaps more inclined to focus on the more
human elements of this story but there are more than enough match reports
and reminiscences of seminal goals, games, fouls and finals to dissuade the
average woman from reading it. Equally, if you are one of our more youthful
West Ham fans and you think that this is a tome that would appeal only to
the more decrepit members of our fan base who like to bang on about how much
better it all was in their day, you would be wrong. Whilst this is a very
nostalgic collection of anecdotes the author has seamlessly woven stories of
past glories and defeats with accounts of recent players and games to create
a narrative that every West Ham fan will be able to place themselves in at
some point and say "I was there."
Brian is obviously not a fan of the linear approach, this is not one long
hoof from 1964 to the present day. Instead he weaves nimbly in and out of
the decades, moving from one story to another and back again with a clever
little one-two and some nifty back passes to yesteryear without ever losing
his reader along the way. His story is inevitably populated with all the
West Ham icons, heroes and villains that we all know and love … or hate; but
we are also introduced to some of the people who make up the true heart of
West Ham United ….. the fans. It's these people that elevate this tale from
being 'just another West Ham book.' Of course you'll be expecting to read of
Brian's adulation of Billy Bonds and even the emotional moment when a Wolves
fan broke ranks during the wreath laying ceremony for the late, great Bobby
Moore. But the real pleasure of this book is being able to identify with the
joy and pain of Brian's West Ham supporting family, friends, colleagues and
passing acquaintances. Their stories are as much a part of our club's
history as yours are and they all deserve to be recorded alongside the oft
told tales of the people on the pitch.
This is essentially a very funny book but, like all West Ham fans, Brian
also has a talent for pathos and there is an ever present poignancy between
the lines of humour. His anecdotes evoke the whole gamut of emotions and I
laughed out loud and shed some tears several times before I turned the final
page. As I wiped away the last tear and the final smile faded from my lips I
was left feeling proud and grateful. Proud because I was born a Hammer and
grateful that all the wonderful characters in Brian's book are my kith and
kin. I realised that I am also a part of the same story, we all are. That
sense of belonging is priceless and I can't help but feel that something
will be lost when the doors of The Boleyn are finally closed for the last
time. No matter how positive any West Ham fan feels about our impending
move, I challenge them to read this witty but poignant book without feeling
wistful and nostalgic for a time that will never come again.
For the benefit of any newcomers to the site Brian Williams has supported
West Ham United for the past 50 years and for the last 25 of those years he
has been a journalist for The Guardian newspaper. He also writes a regular
Tuesday column for West Ham Till I Die. This is his first book.
You can order a copy of Brian's book NEARLY REACH THE SKY from…
Biteback Publishing for £8.99 in paperback (Use promotional code WESTHAMBW)
Biteback Publishing for £9.99 as an eBook
Amazon for £12.99 in paperback
Amazon Kindle for £10 as an eBook
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Graham Poll says Hammers will win appeal
Posted by Sean Whetstone on February 12, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Former Premier League referee Graham Poll says West Ham will win Adrian red
card appeal if their case is based on it the fact that a goalscoring
opportunity wasn't involved. Speaking on Talksport radio earlier today Poll
suggested the play was going away from goal.
Explaining the rules when former Hammer Robert Green once handled the ball
outside the area in an England game, Poll previously explained:
"The law is very simple on this matter in that when a keeper leaves his
penalty area he is treated as an outfield player. Therefore he cannot handle
the ball so a direct free-kick should be given if he does, Regarding cards,
if the handball denies an opponent an obvious goalscoring opportunity then
the keeper should be sent off but if it is merely a handball with defenders
around around then a free-kick is sufficient."
Sam Allardyce confirmed yesterday West Ham would appeal against the red card
awarded against Adrian during the goalless draw at St Mary's last night. "It
was a foul on the goalkeeper before he handled the ball, Mane has his hands
all over Adrian," said Allardyce. "He should have kicked it out but Mane had
two hands on his back. We will appeal. I will be very disappointed if we
don't get it rescinded."
Adrian faces a one match ban for the FA Cup game this Saturday at the
Hawthorns.
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Hammers on Hernandez speculation
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 12, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham have made no moves in the direction of Manchester United's Javier
Hernandez. The striker will be available at the end of the season when his
Real Madrid loan spell expires and the Hammers have been linked with him
over the last couple of days via the national media. But ClaretandHugh was
told a few minutes ago that the club have made no moves in the direction of
the 26 year old Mexican who has seen his spell at Real fizzle out after a
promising start. A senior source at the Boleyn admitted he was surprised to
have read the news claiming: "We know nothing about this but anything is
possible in the summer."
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Diarra deal – what went wrong!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 12, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham's failure to sign Lassana Diarra is understood to have been as a
result of opposing claims by Lokomotiv Moscow and the player that each owed
the other money. The row between the two sides has been rumbling on for
months and there can be no conclusion until Fifa has ruled on the issue.
Both Inter Milan and Celtic's negotiations are believed to have faltered on
the same problem and it was always highly unlikely that the Irons could
succeed where they had failed. Diarra has been in dispute with Lokomotiv for
months but with no progress made over the issue it was always an unlikely
deal for the club.
ClaretandHugh was told: Neither Inter or Celtic could make the deal happen
so it's hardly surprising it's broken down. There's a Fifa rule that a
player can walk away in the last season of his contract but in Lass' case
that is from this summer."
Sam Allardyce remains upset however that he couldn't make the deal happen
declaring: ""I have to say we have waited and we have negotiated for weeks
to get the right deal and now we've got it, we find we can't get the right
paperwork and the right clearance, so we have wasted his time and our time.
"On the basis of the situation we're in right now, he would have been a very
crucial player for us between now and the end of the season."
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Andy Carroll Out for two weeks
Posted by Sean Whetstone on February 12, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Sam Allardyce has confirmed that Andy Carroll could be out for up to a
fortnight after injuring his knee in the goalless draw with Southampton last
night. Carroll came on from the bench as a 55th minute substitute but was in
discomfort as he took a knock then battled with a problem with his knee that
he has already injured this season. Carroll was immobile for the last twenty
minutes of the match meaning the Hammers were effectively down to nine men
after Adrian's sending off earlier. "The sad thing is the injury to Andy
Carroll", Allardyce told reporters at his press conference after the game.
"It was the same knee – took a kick onto it and we hope that staying on
hasn't done any more damage. It could be two weeks that he is out. We've got
three goal scorers there so I'm not too concerned." Carroll was forced to
leave the ground on crutches.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham striker Andy Carroll out for six to eight weeks with recurrence of
knee injury
The England international picked up the injury against Southampton and left
St. Mary's stadium on crutches
The telegraph
West Ham striker Andy Carroll out for six to eight weeks with recurrence of
knee injury
John Percy By John Percy7:05PM GMT 12 Feb 2015
Andy Carroll is set to miss at least six weeks in another shattering blow
for the West Ham United forward. Carroll has suffered a recurrence of a knee
injury and scans have revealed he will be sidelined until the end of March
at the earliest. The England international left Southampton's St. Mary's
stadium on crutches after he picked up the injury in the second half of the
0-0 draw. His appearance as a substitute marked his first appearance since
January 31 but he is now facing further frustration after a scan on
Thursday. Sam Allardyce, the West Ham manager, is expecting to be without
Carroll for between six to eight weeks. He said after the game: "It's the
same knee, he got kicked in the back of the knee and felt something wrong.
He stayed up and was a nuisance. I just hope that staying on hasn't done any
more damage. "He got fit in two and a half weeks after Liverpool but clearly
it's going to take longer this time because it's the same injury."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jaaskelainen: I was surprised this happened when I came on against Saints
HITC
John Verrall
West Ham United were forced to bring Jussi Jaaskelainen on in the latter
stages of their match against Southampton. West Ham United's Jussi
Jaaskelainen has told the club's official site that he was nervous when he
came off the substitutes' bench against Southampton on Wednesday night.
Jaaskelainen was required for the final period of the match after Adrian had
been sent off for handling outside the area.
It was a rare situation even for a goalkeeper of Jaaskelainen's experience,
and the Finnish stopper admits he was shocked that nerves affected him.
"That's just the second time in my career I've come on from the bench," he
said. "You just need to keep focused on the bench and it did come as a
surprise on Wednesday because you never expect that to happen. "I was
surprised with the experience I have that I was nervous for the first couple
of minutes. But that got better later in the game."
Despite Jaaskelainen saying that he was anxious, it certainly wasn't evident
in his performance as he looked a picture of calm. The 39-year-old managed
to pull off a couple of notable saves to preserve his side's clean sheet and
help them claim what was an impressive point at St. Mary's. It was a
performance that proved that he still has something to offer the side,
despite his advancing years, and he will be looking to ensure that his
standards do not dip in the coming weeks. Jaaskelainen has still not started
a Premier League match this season, but he should be in the team next time
out, with Adrian suspended, and will delighted if he can make it two clean
sheets out of two.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Why West Ham already have Winston Reid's replacement in their squad
HITC
John Verrall
West Ham United's Cheikhou Kouyate has been in superb form over recent games
playing in the heart of their defence. West Ham United's injury crisis has
highlighted just how important Cheikhou Kouyate is at the Boleyn Ground.
Kouyate arrived at the London club last summer as a relatively unknown
prospect, but he has wasted no time in making an impression and his standing
continues to rise by the game.
Kouyate was signed as a midfield enforcer. Capable of being destructive, but
also gifted in offensive scenarios, Sam Allardyce had spotted him as the
perfect man to push the Hammers on to the next level. He has performed that
function brilliantly, too, strengthening their midfield to great effect, but
it has been at centre-back where he has really shone.
With a clutch of players on the treatment table, Allardyce has been forced
to field makeshift backlines against Manchester United and Southampton in
recent matches, but Kouyate's displays have proved that he is unquestionably
capable of performing a role in the heart of the defence. Kouyate was the
Hammers man of the match in their 1-1 draw with United at the weekend and
was pivotal in helping them secure a clean-sheet against Southampton on
Wednesday night. The Senegalese international made two tackles, completed
six interceptions, won three headers and managed to clear the ball 10 times
in a complete defensive performance. It means that West Ham's need to sign
a centre-back could be significantly reduced. Allardyce has been chasing a
defender throughout the past few transfer windows, with the side preparing
to cope without Winston Reid.
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WHUFC.com
Stewart Downing felt Wednesday's 0-0 draw at Southampton was a true show of
strength
12.02.2015
Stewart Downing had praise for his teammates after West Ham United battled
to a 0-0 draw at Southampton on Wednesday night. The Hammers had to swim
against the tide to make their point, after Adrian was shown a red card in
the 61st minute for handling outside his area, then Andy Carroll became a
virtual passenger when he picked up a knee injury with all three substitutes
having been deployed. Despite those set-backs, the Hammers held out to earn
a scoreless draw at St Mary's for the second year in a row and Downing was
happy with that outcome. He explained: "With the red card and Andy getting
injured towards the end, we knew we would have to defend because they're a
good team who pass it around. "We did that very well and it was a big point
for us in the end. "Jussi came on and made some good saves - when he's
called upon he's always there, so well played to him. "The injury was
disappointing for Andy, but hopefully it's not too bad and we can get him
back as quickly as possible. "He felt it the other day when he got a knock
on it at Liverpool, so it's unfortunate that he came on and got another bang
on it."
The point represented a second successive draw for the Londoners, but one
which felt more rewarding than Sunday's against Manchester United. Downing
added: "We were disappointed to draw against Manchester United on Sunday,
because we thought we should have won the game and because of the way we
conceded. "But on Wednesday, overall we'll take the point. Coming into the
game we were confident we could get the win, but it wasn't to be."
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Hargreaves backs Hammers
WHUFC.com
BT Sport pundit Owen Hargreaves feels the Hammers will have the edge in
their FA Cup fifth round tie
12.02.2015
Prior to West Ham United's fifth round FA Cup tie with West Bromwich Albion
this Saturday, former Bayern Munich and England midfielder Owen Hargreaves
dropped by Chadwell Heath to interview the in-form Aaron Cresswell. The
two-time Champions League winner and current BT Sport pundit also gave us
his thoughts on Saturday's match, which is live on BT Sport 1 from 12pm.
Owen, welcome to West Ham United, looking ahead to Saturday's game away at
West Bromwich Albion in the fifth round tie of the FA Cup, what is your
assessment of the match?
OH: "I think it's an interesting game. West Ham have changed their style a
little bit. They've brought in some very athletic players, especially Diafra
Sakho and Cheikhou Kouyate. Also with Enner Valencia they have real
athleticism and pace up front.
"West Ham have also brought in Aaron Cresswell who is the only player to
have played every minute for the Hammers this season. The manager said they
want to play a more attacking style and I think they've been able to do
that.
"They are a very good side, Alex Song at the heart of midfield has been a
great addition. I think they've strengthened and it will be interesting to
see how they line up against a Tony Pulis side who defensively are very,
very sound."
Recently, West Ham haven't lost many games, but also haven't won many
either. Who are you expecting to prevail on Saturday?
OH: "It will be a close call, neither team will want to lose. At first it
will be quite cagey, but West Ham have the players who can change games, so
I would probably lean toward West Ham. You think the team at home has a
slight advantage, under Pulis they are going to drop off, they are going to
be very organised so it will be up to West Ham to break them down."
There have been a few shock results in the FA Cup this season and the magic
seems to be returning. Do you agree?
OH: "That whole weekend when Manchester United drew with Cambridge and
Middlesbrough beat Manchester City was magical. It was special for
everybody. If you think about any other professional sport or league, it's
very rare that third or fourth division teams can beat top level clubs.
"Bradford City beating Chelsea, who will be champions this season, is
exceptional. Fans love an underdog story and we've had a few of them this
season."
You're busy doing television work for BT Sport these days, are you enjoying
being on the other side of football?
OH: "I mean, I would have loved to be able to play for longer, but I got an
injury that changed my career. By the time I realised that, it was a little
bit too late, I kept trying to come back fit but it didn't happen.
"It was quite humbling, going from winning Champions Leagues and playing for
England to all of a sudden the priorities changing. No one ever says 'you'll
never play again' so the contrast was very humbling, you've got to enjoy it
while it lasts.
"It's a real privilege to play football. It's interesting working at BT
Sport, you see the game in a different way. On Wednesday we were covering
the Chelsea v Everton game, we were there three hours before kick-off
preparing. As a footballer you don't see all the work that goes on behind
the scenes.
"There's a lot of people who make a living out of the game, not just the
players. It's great to see it from the other side, obviously I'd love to
still be playing."
As a former England player, do you see any of the English players at West
Ham having a chance at being recognised by their country?
OH: "There are a lot of young players emerging. Harry Kane and Danny Ings
for example, Jordon Ibe recently too. It's good to see Stewart Downing doing
well, I think he needed to be in the right environment and he certainly is
now.
"Aaron Cresswell is certainly one for the future, he's a young talented
player. The first time I watched him play this season I thought he was a
good player and he's continued to do well. The most important thing is doing
well at club level. If you don't do well, then you won't have a chance."
Coming from a Canadian background, West Ham have just signed Doneil Henry
from Toronto FC, is this a sign that the standard of football over there is
improving?
OH: "I think some of the teams I played with and against from about 14 or 15
years old could have competed with anyone in Europe.
"I think we were missing that development phase, everyone in Canada is sort
of looking for the next big thing. I didn't cost anything when I went to
Bayern Munich, they got me for little more than a ham sandwich.
"There are a lot of athletes in Canada, I think they just need a bit more
coaching, hopefully Doneil can come in and do well. A lot of players try
hard and he's certainly one of them."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Mediawatch - 12 February
WHUFC.com
Our daily look at West Ham United in the news
12.02.2015
Coverage of last night's 0-0 draw at Southampton centres around the Hammers'
valiant effort to cling on to their point with a man light, with The Times
(£) saying that the ten men did Sam Allardyce proud.
Big Sam did not like referee Craig Pawson's decision to send Adrian off for
handball, however, and he outlines his intention to appeal in the
Independent.
The other major talking point from the game was the injury to Andy Carroll,
who was seen leaving the stadium on crutches, according to this report in
The Sun (£).
Away from the pitch, there are reports on transfer news, with Sky Sports
covering Big Sam's confirmation that any move for midfielder Lassana Diarra
is off, owing to FIFA regulations.
The Daily Star claim West Ham are lining up a shock move for Manchester
United striker Javier Hernandez, who is currently on a season-long loan at
Real Madrid.
Meanwhile, this story in The Wharf details the Club's support for homeless
charity Spitalfields Crypt Trust, who are inviting people to don flip-flops
for their commute on Friday to raise funds for people sleeping rough.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Carroll: West Ham striker's knee injury update on Friday
BBC.co.uk
West Ham will reveal the extent of Andy Carroll's knee injury on Friday
after the striker had a scan. Carroll, playing for the first time since 31
January, picked up the problem in Wednesday's 0-0 draw at Southampton and
left St Mary's on crutches. The 26-year-old was forced to stay on the pitch
with the injury because West Ham were down to 10 men and had made all three
of their substitutions. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce will give an update at
his media briefing on Friday. Hammers goalkeeper Adrian was sent off on 61
minutes after handling the ball outside his box. "[Carroll] stayed up and
was a nuisance," Allardyce said."He got kicked in the back of the knee and
felt something wrong. "I just hope that staying on hasn't done any more
damage." Allardyce also said the club will not be able to sign former Real
Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra as a free agent because of "Fifa
regulations". "We have negotiated for weeks to get the right deal and, now
we've got it, we find we can't get the right paperwork and the right
clearance, so we have wasted his time and our time," he said.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce nominated as London Manager of the Year
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 12th February 2015
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce has been nominated for the 2015 London Manger of the Year
award. The Hammers boss, who has enjoyed a thoroughly successful season in
his fourth year at the club is one of three Hammers nominated for this
year's awards, which take place on 5 March in Battersea.
In Addition to Allardyce, goalkeeper Adrian has been selected as one of the
five nominees for London goalkeeper of the Year whilst Carl Jenkinson is in
the hat for the Young London Player of the Year (Under 23s).
Allardyce, one of only two Premier League managers on the shortlist finds
himself up against Jose Mourinho (Chelsea), Mark Warburton (Brentford), Neal
Ardley (AFC Wimbledon) and the 2014 KUMB Awards headliner Martin Allen, now
at Barnet.
In the goalkeeper category, Adrian is joined by Hugo Lloris (Tottenham),
Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea) and former Hammer Robert Green (QPR). Meanwhile
Jenkinson contests the Under 23 category alongside Alex Pritchard
(Brentford), Harry Kane and Ryan Mason (Tottenham).
Further categories to be decided on the night - which include no
representatives from West Ham - are the London Player of the Year, London
Women's Player of the Year, Outstanding Contribution to a London Club and
London Community Project of the Year.
The Hammers trio will be pleased to hear that the expert judging panel
includes lifelong Hammer Tony Cottee. Unfortunately for Messrs Allardyce,
del Castillo and Jenkinson there are 15 other judges on the panel!
The London Football Awards - which covers all 15 London clubs, Arsenal,
Barnet, Brentford, Charlton, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Dagenham & Redbridge,
Fulham, Leyton Orient, Millwall, QPR, Tottenham, Watford, West Ham and
Wimbledon - will raise much needed funds for Willow, a national charity that
provides unique and positive Special Days for seriously ill 16 to 40 year
olds.
Willow was founded by former Arsenal goalkeeper and sports presenter Bob
Wilson and his wife Megs and in memory of their daughter, Anna, who died of
cancer aged just 31.
To date Willow has fulfilled more than 11,000 Special Days for young people
living with life-threatening conditions such as cancer, cystic fibrosis,
motor neurone disease, muscular dystrophy, organ failure and Huntington's.
Standard tickets to the event, including pre-dinner drinks and a three
course meal, cost £185 per person. Tables of ten are available for £1,750,
Premium tables cost £2,500 and Legend Tables (for ten guests plus a legend)
cost £5,000.
For more information and booking visit www.londonfootballawards.org or
telephone Willow on 01707 259777. For more information about Willow visit
www.willowfoundation.org.uk.
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In brief - Thursday's news round-up
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 12th February 2015
By: Jack Hammer
Get the very latest West Ham news in one place, with our new daily media
round-up!
Hammers hold on for point despite Adrian dismissal
SOUTHAMPTON went into last night's match hoping that the right combination
of results would narrow the gap between themselves and second-placed
Manchester City to a single point.
http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/557688/Match-report-Southampton-0-We
st-Ham-0-Adrian-sent-off
Ten man Hammers hold Saints
en-man West Ham earned a hard-fought point after holding Southampton to a
0-0 draw in their Premier League clash at St Mary's.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/313632/report
Southampton 0-0 West Ham
t may not have been very sophisticated, but Sam Allardyce will care little.
West Ham fought for a valuable point here in a game that will be forgotten
in a hurry, a dull goalless draw that only came to life once the Hammers'
goalkeeper, Adrián, was sent off in the second half for handling the ball
outside the area.
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/feb/11/southampton-west-ham-premier
-league-match-report
Allardyce confirms another injury for Andy Carroll
Andy Carroll suffered yet another injury setback in West Ham's clash with
Southampton.
http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2015/02/11/allardyce-confirms-another-injury-
for-andy-carroll-four-month-ab/
Allardyce: Draw was like a win
Sam Allardyce praised his West Ham players after their goalless stalemate at
Southampton in the Premier League on Wednesday night, declaring the draw to
be like a victory after they went down to 10 men
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11685/9710965/sam-allardyce-says-wes
t-hams-draw-at-southampton-was-like-a-victory-due-to-red-card
Carroll set for longer spell out
West Ham's Andy Carroll faces several weeks out after leaving Wednesday's
draw at Southampton on crutches.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31433187
West Ham must wait for Diarra
West Ham will have to wait until the end of the season to sign former Real
Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11685/9711057/premier-league-fifa-ru
ling-stops-lassana-diarra-from-joining-west-ham-until-end-of-season
West Ham considering shock move for Javier Hernandez
West Ham United are weighing up a shock summer move for Manchester United
striker Javier Hernandez
http://metro.co.uk/2015/02/11/west-ham-considering-summer-move-for-mancheste
r-united-striker-javier-hernandez-5058996/
West Ham still trying to persuade Tottenham transfer target Winston Reid to
sign a new contract
West Ham have not given up on persuading Winston Reid to stay at Upton Park
despite the fact the defender is yet to sign a new contract.
http://metro.co.uk/2015/02/11/west-ham-still-trying-to-persuade-tottenham-tr
ansfer-target-winston-reid-to-sign-a-new-contract-5058208/
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Stewart Downing believes draw at Southampton was 'massive point'
By Luke Marino | Last Updated: 12/02/15 2:16pm
SSN
West Ham United forward Stewart Downing believes their 0-0 draw at
Southampton on Wednesday will prove to be a 'massive point'. The Londoners
currently sit eighth in the Premier League and Downing believes his side
have the quality to break into the European places at the end of the season.
The former Liverpool winger, who has excelled this season in his new role
behind the strikers, said: "I think it will come back at the end of the
season as being a massive point. "I mean, they'll be disappointed not to be
getting three given their home form, that's where they get their points.
"For the league games, we just need to keep chipping away, picking up points
away from home and carry on our home form. We've got a really good chance of
Europe." Sam Allardyce's side have lost just once in their last six outings,
a run of results which included a deserved point at home to Manchester
United last weekend.
'Attacking displays'
However, West Ham were forced to defend deep towards the end of the match
after goalkeeper Adrian was dismissed midway through the second half after
handling the ball outisde his area. Downing, who has scored five goals in
the Premier League this season, said: "I think we showed another side to us.
"Obviously we've been praised for our attacking displays this season, but at
times we had to defend and make it difficult for Southampton. "They had a
couple of chances towards the end but I think Jussi Jaaskelainen made some
good saves and there were some good blocks. "I think overall with the
circumstances during the last half an hour, we'd take a point all day long."
Kevin Nolan (bruised foot) and Mark Noble (virus) missed the trip to the
south coast, while Andy Carroll left the ground on crutches.
However, ahead of their FA Cup fifth round clash at West Brom this weekend,
Downing believes the squad now has enough quality to cope with injuries.
"We're struggling a bit and obviously it was the last minute as well so we
had to change late on," he said, referring to Nolan and Noble. "But it just
shows the squad depth and we didn't have that last season. We'd probably
have struggled to get a team out."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham striker Andy Carroll facing another spell on sidelines
Last Updated: 12/02/15 10:53am
SSN
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce expects Andy Carroll to be sidelined for around
three weeks after the striker limped off at the end of the 0-0 draw at
Southampton. Carroll, who came on as a second-half substitute at St Mary's
on Wednesday night, received a kick to the back of his knee and left the
stadium on crutches. He was due to have a scan on the problem on Thursday
but Allardyce said after the game: "The sad thing for us is the injury to
Andy Carroll which we can ill-afford to take with our injury problems. "It's
the same knee. He got kicked on the back of it and felt something was wrong.
He stayed up and was a nuisance but I just hope that staying on hasn't done
any damage.
"He got fit in two-and-a-half weeks but clearly it's going to take longer
this time because it's the same injury." Meanwhile, Allardyce says he
intends to appeal the red card shown to goalkeeper Adrian after he was
dismissed for handling the ball outside his penalty area.
"It was a foul on our goalkeeper before," he said. "There is no doubt Mane
had his hands on Adrian. "Adrian made a mistake in the beginning but the
linesman saw two hands on the ball but not the two hands on the back. "We
will be appealing it and I'll be very disappointed if he doesn't get off."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
SEVEN DAYS THAT SAY MORE ABOUT THE STATE OF THE PREMIER LEAGUE THAN WEST HAM
By Bobby Shovels 12 Feb 2015 at 08:00
West Ham till I Die
Manchester United on Sunday, Southampton on Wednesday, West Brom on
Saturday. Seven crucial days for the Hammers but also an insightful week of
fixtures regarding the state of the game.
Firstly, Manchester United. Ultimately, a gutting result we more than
deserved to take three points from. Yet my main take from it was how United
have now lost just once in 17 games in all competitions. That is astonishing
for a team so out of sorts and that scraps by in so many fixtures. There is
something of a dream-like quality to the Red Devils in the two years since
Sir Alex left: those shirts and stadium still invoke fear, yet essentially
they are still there for the taking and everyone knows it and thus many
sides think they can get some points out of them. Yet few have. Why?
Well, one cannot doubt that while their over-spending in the summer was
largely ill thought-out, it no doubt helps to have a large army of stars,
regardless of whether they gel together. At some point, as on Sunday, the
ball will fall to just one talented individual, and he will have the last
laugh. Such is the state of English football, as we have long known it: West
Ham can be applauded for not being a big club and consistently fielding
home-grown talent, as we did on Sunday. But you don't always win points by
sticking to principles. Hence, United, with money and an eye for a
foreigner, are sitting above us in the table.
Secondly, we play Southampton tonight. What does this reveal? Well, we are
yet to see the result but one thing I find about the rise of the Saints is
the level of surprise and slight disdain shown to the team. Even now, as
they continue to do so well, and put the money boys to shame, many pundits
will still write off their chances of claiming a top-four place.
Many still argue that Europe is beyond West Ham too. Essentially, tonight
you have two teams who many believe should not be where they are in the
table currently, and many, despite what they say on the surface, like having
the top four or five teams the same every season. Many may argue against
money's power, yet those same voices don't seem to like it when the natural
equilibrium of the game is disrupted. Liverpool should be above Southampton,
full stop, so goes the argument. Tonight sees two teams, with less money,
relying on young talent, battle it out for a decent place in England's
highest league. It's how it should be.
Finally, away to West Brom on Saturday. Again, many things can be read from
this but two things strike me: where the Cup ranks in importance for teams
and the TV scheduling. Firstly, as seen with Chelsea and Manchester City,
those teams' preference for other trophies (the bigger money prizes,
ultimately) means that this glorious, historic cup has lost its standing.
Secondly, the TV schedulers also stop us from being able to watch and
reinvigorate the romanticism of the Cup – and raising the profile of lower
league sides – by televising all the Premier League teams. I'd much rather
watch Bradford than Aston Villa v Leicester City. Or how about Blackburn
giving Stoke a run for their money? Furthermore, once again, we have become
beholden to the need to have games on Saturday start at 12:45 to please the
TV men, which means that many West Ham fans – due to train repairs – will
have to get up especially early to leave themselves time to get to the game.
TV trumps the fans – we know that. Ticket prices won't go down with the new
£5.14bn TV deal. But we're still expected to watch games at earlier and
later times and get trains and coaches at more unsociable hours. We'll still
live in a world where only five teams matter, or at push, the top 20 in all
four divisions. We'll still struggle to break into an ever-solidifying group
of elite clubs.
Yes, in seven days, the money, the inertia, and the depression of the game
are all too plain to see.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
NEARLY REACH THE SKY BY BRIAN WILLIAMS: A VALEDICTION TO THE BOLEYN
By Iron Liddy 12 Feb 2015 at 13:50
West Ham Till I Die
When Iain emailed me a few weeks ago to ask if I would like to review Brian
William's new book Nearly Reach the Sky: A Farewell to Upton Park I was both
flattered and nervous. I haven't been asked to write a book review since I
was in my Headmistress's Good Readers Club when I was 8. I said yes straight
away as I'm already a fan of Brian's writing and I anticipated a funny,
clever and interesting read. I wasn't disappointed, it was such a good read
that I finished it in a day; my only hope now is that I can do it justice.
I suppose the first thing that a prospective reader might want to know is
which literary genre this book falls under. To be honest it could easily be
categorised as a tragicomedy, a memoir or even a history of sport. The one
category I wasn't expecting was romance.
Nearly Reach the Sky is more than just a collection of one West Ham fan's
musings on his life as a football supporter; it is a billet doux, a letter
to his love of more than 50 years. It's an explanation of his feelings for
his club, which moves through the widest range of emotions – devotion,
disappointment, hope and ambition, joy and elation, grief and anger, humour,
impatience, self-reproach and resignation. They're all there.
It is also a valediction. A claret and blue thread has been a part of the
fabric of Brian's life since 1964 and as he weaves and embroiders his
personal love story of West Ham United it becomes apparent that a snag has
appeared in the cloth. Throughout the book there is the stark realisation
that the club is on the verge of leaving the ground that has been its
physical and spiritual home for more than 100 years. Very soon that small
tear will become a gaping hole and it's clear that a part of the author's
heart will be ripped away forever.
Ultimately this is a paean to West Ham United but the other love of Brian's
life, his wife Di, also appears regularly in the book, together with her
East End family. He has obviously enjoyed a harmonious, if polygamous,
relationship with his two amours. Even so, I can't pretend that I wasn't
shocked and a little horrified to read of Brian's first ménage à trois. In
fact it wasn't a ménage à trois at all but a foursome! West Ham may have
easily seen off other women in Brian's life, including the girl who
distracted him from Tonka's performance on the penalty spot in the 80s and
the lissome 17 year old Sharon and her hotpants; but the admission that I
read in chapter 19 is nothing short of scandalous. Brian is now full of
contrition and guilt for playing away and fortunately for him Di is
obviously a very forgiving woman. I'm not sure that fellow West Ham fans
will let him off quite so lightly and if I were Di I'd keep him on a very
short leash. Despite his repentance he's still singing love songs to other
'birds' to this day, and right under the nose of his true love too!
Not being born within the sound of Bow Bells has obviously caused our hero
some consternation in life and he makes no secret of his delight that
Cupid's arrow landed smack bang in the middle of Beverley Road in East Ham.
Here we meet Brian's future in-laws, including the inimitable Sid, who is
possibly the man originally responsible for the term 'the elephant in the
room.' Fortunately for Brian he'd already lost his heart many years before
to the aptly nicknamed 'Ticker' when he scored twice in the 1964 FA Cup
semi-final against Manchester United, so his claret and blue credentials
stood up to Sid's suspicious scrutiny. Having passed the test with flying
West Ham colours he was welcomed into the bosom of Di's family as an
honorary East Ender. He had found his dream woman who not only shared his
love for West Ham but also lived just streets away from his beloved Boleyn.
Love blossomed and it was clear that it was going to be a match made in
heaven when their marriage was given the personal blessing of John Lyall.
If you are beginning to worry that Brian has written some kind of Mills &
Boon novel or worse, Sixty-Four Shades of Claret and Blue, fear not! As a
member of the fairer sex I'm perhaps more inclined to focus on the more
human elements of this story but there are more than enough match reports
and reminiscences of seminal goals, games, fouls and finals to dissuade the
average woman from reading it. Equally, if you are one of our more youthful
West Ham fans and you think that this is a tome that would appeal only to
the more decrepit members of our fan base who like to bang on about how much
better it all was in their day, you would be wrong. Whilst this is a very
nostalgic collection of anecdotes the author has seamlessly woven stories of
past glories and defeats with accounts of recent players and games to create
a narrative that every West Ham fan will be able to place themselves in at
some point and say "I was there."
Brian is obviously not a fan of the linear approach, this is not one long
hoof from 1964 to the present day. Instead he weaves nimbly in and out of
the decades, moving from one story to another and back again with a clever
little one-two and some nifty back passes to yesteryear without ever losing
his reader along the way. His story is inevitably populated with all the
West Ham icons, heroes and villains that we all know and love … or hate; but
we are also introduced to some of the people who make up the true heart of
West Ham United ….. the fans. It's these people that elevate this tale from
being 'just another West Ham book.' Of course you'll be expecting to read of
Brian's adulation of Billy Bonds and even the emotional moment when a Wolves
fan broke ranks during the wreath laying ceremony for the late, great Bobby
Moore. But the real pleasure of this book is being able to identify with the
joy and pain of Brian's West Ham supporting family, friends, colleagues and
passing acquaintances. Their stories are as much a part of our club's
history as yours are and they all deserve to be recorded alongside the oft
told tales of the people on the pitch.
This is essentially a very funny book but, like all West Ham fans, Brian
also has a talent for pathos and there is an ever present poignancy between
the lines of humour. His anecdotes evoke the whole gamut of emotions and I
laughed out loud and shed some tears several times before I turned the final
page. As I wiped away the last tear and the final smile faded from my lips I
was left feeling proud and grateful. Proud because I was born a Hammer and
grateful that all the wonderful characters in Brian's book are my kith and
kin. I realised that I am also a part of the same story, we all are. That
sense of belonging is priceless and I can't help but feel that something
will be lost when the doors of The Boleyn are finally closed for the last
time. No matter how positive any West Ham fan feels about our impending
move, I challenge them to read this witty but poignant book without feeling
wistful and nostalgic for a time that will never come again.
For the benefit of any newcomers to the site Brian Williams has supported
West Ham United for the past 50 years and for the last 25 of those years he
has been a journalist for The Guardian newspaper. He also writes a regular
Tuesday column for West Ham Till I Die. This is his first book.
You can order a copy of Brian's book NEARLY REACH THE SKY from…
Biteback Publishing for £8.99 in paperback (Use promotional code WESTHAMBW)
Biteback Publishing for £9.99 as an eBook
Amazon for £12.99 in paperback
Amazon Kindle for £10 as an eBook
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Graham Poll says Hammers will win appeal
Posted by Sean Whetstone on February 12, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Former Premier League referee Graham Poll says West Ham will win Adrian red
card appeal if their case is based on it the fact that a goalscoring
opportunity wasn't involved. Speaking on Talksport radio earlier today Poll
suggested the play was going away from goal.
Explaining the rules when former Hammer Robert Green once handled the ball
outside the area in an England game, Poll previously explained:
"The law is very simple on this matter in that when a keeper leaves his
penalty area he is treated as an outfield player. Therefore he cannot handle
the ball so a direct free-kick should be given if he does, Regarding cards,
if the handball denies an opponent an obvious goalscoring opportunity then
the keeper should be sent off but if it is merely a handball with defenders
around around then a free-kick is sufficient."
Sam Allardyce confirmed yesterday West Ham would appeal against the red card
awarded against Adrian during the goalless draw at St Mary's last night. "It
was a foul on the goalkeeper before he handled the ball, Mane has his hands
all over Adrian," said Allardyce. "He should have kicked it out but Mane had
two hands on his back. We will appeal. I will be very disappointed if we
don't get it rescinded."
Adrian faces a one match ban for the FA Cup game this Saturday at the
Hawthorns.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers on Hernandez speculation
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 12, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham have made no moves in the direction of Manchester United's Javier
Hernandez. The striker will be available at the end of the season when his
Real Madrid loan spell expires and the Hammers have been linked with him
over the last couple of days via the national media. But ClaretandHugh was
told a few minutes ago that the club have made no moves in the direction of
the 26 year old Mexican who has seen his spell at Real fizzle out after a
promising start. A senior source at the Boleyn admitted he was surprised to
have read the news claiming: "We know nothing about this but anything is
possible in the summer."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Diarra deal – what went wrong!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 12, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham's failure to sign Lassana Diarra is understood to have been as a
result of opposing claims by Lokomotiv Moscow and the player that each owed
the other money. The row between the two sides has been rumbling on for
months and there can be no conclusion until Fifa has ruled on the issue.
Both Inter Milan and Celtic's negotiations are believed to have faltered on
the same problem and it was always highly unlikely that the Irons could
succeed where they had failed. Diarra has been in dispute with Lokomotiv for
months but with no progress made over the issue it was always an unlikely
deal for the club.
ClaretandHugh was told: Neither Inter or Celtic could make the deal happen
so it's hardly surprising it's broken down. There's a Fifa rule that a
player can walk away in the last season of his contract but in Lass' case
that is from this summer."
Sam Allardyce remains upset however that he couldn't make the deal happen
declaring: ""I have to say we have waited and we have negotiated for weeks
to get the right deal and now we've got it, we find we can't get the right
paperwork and the right clearance, so we have wasted his time and our time.
"On the basis of the situation we're in right now, he would have been a very
crucial player for us between now and the end of the season."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Carroll Out for two weeks
Posted by Sean Whetstone on February 12, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Sam Allardyce has confirmed that Andy Carroll could be out for up to a
fortnight after injuring his knee in the goalless draw with Southampton last
night. Carroll came on from the bench as a 55th minute substitute but was in
discomfort as he took a knock then battled with a problem with his knee that
he has already injured this season. Carroll was immobile for the last twenty
minutes of the match meaning the Hammers were effectively down to nine men
after Adrian's sending off earlier. "The sad thing is the injury to Andy
Carroll", Allardyce told reporters at his press conference after the game.
"It was the same knee – took a kick onto it and we hope that staying on
hasn't done any more damage. It could be two weeks that he is out. We've got
three goal scorers there so I'm not too concerned." Carroll was forced to
leave the ground on crutches.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham striker Andy Carroll out for six to eight weeks with recurrence of
knee injury
The England international picked up the injury against Southampton and left
St. Mary's stadium on crutches
The telegraph
West Ham striker Andy Carroll out for six to eight weeks with recurrence of
knee injury
John Percy By John Percy7:05PM GMT 12 Feb 2015
Andy Carroll is set to miss at least six weeks in another shattering blow
for the West Ham United forward. Carroll has suffered a recurrence of a knee
injury and scans have revealed he will be sidelined until the end of March
at the earliest. The England international left Southampton's St. Mary's
stadium on crutches after he picked up the injury in the second half of the
0-0 draw. His appearance as a substitute marked his first appearance since
January 31 but he is now facing further frustration after a scan on
Thursday. Sam Allardyce, the West Ham manager, is expecting to be without
Carroll for between six to eight weeks. He said after the game: "It's the
same knee, he got kicked in the back of the knee and felt something wrong.
He stayed up and was a nuisance. I just hope that staying on hasn't done any
more damage. "He got fit in two and a half weeks after Liverpool but clearly
it's going to take longer this time because it's the same injury."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jaaskelainen: I was surprised this happened when I came on against Saints
HITC
John Verrall
West Ham United were forced to bring Jussi Jaaskelainen on in the latter
stages of their match against Southampton. West Ham United's Jussi
Jaaskelainen has told the club's official site that he was nervous when he
came off the substitutes' bench against Southampton on Wednesday night.
Jaaskelainen was required for the final period of the match after Adrian had
been sent off for handling outside the area.
It was a rare situation even for a goalkeeper of Jaaskelainen's experience,
and the Finnish stopper admits he was shocked that nerves affected him.
"That's just the second time in my career I've come on from the bench," he
said. "You just need to keep focused on the bench and it did come as a
surprise on Wednesday because you never expect that to happen. "I was
surprised with the experience I have that I was nervous for the first couple
of minutes. But that got better later in the game."
Despite Jaaskelainen saying that he was anxious, it certainly wasn't evident
in his performance as he looked a picture of calm. The 39-year-old managed
to pull off a couple of notable saves to preserve his side's clean sheet and
help them claim what was an impressive point at St. Mary's. It was a
performance that proved that he still has something to offer the side,
despite his advancing years, and he will be looking to ensure that his
standards do not dip in the coming weeks. Jaaskelainen has still not started
a Premier League match this season, but he should be in the team next time
out, with Adrian suspended, and will delighted if he can make it two clean
sheets out of two.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Why West Ham already have Winston Reid's replacement in their squad
HITC
John Verrall
West Ham United's Cheikhou Kouyate has been in superb form over recent games
playing in the heart of their defence. West Ham United's injury crisis has
highlighted just how important Cheikhou Kouyate is at the Boleyn Ground.
Kouyate arrived at the London club last summer as a relatively unknown
prospect, but he has wasted no time in making an impression and his standing
continues to rise by the game.
Kouyate was signed as a midfield enforcer. Capable of being destructive, but
also gifted in offensive scenarios, Sam Allardyce had spotted him as the
perfect man to push the Hammers on to the next level. He has performed that
function brilliantly, too, strengthening their midfield to great effect, but
it has been at centre-back where he has really shone.
With a clutch of players on the treatment table, Allardyce has been forced
to field makeshift backlines against Manchester United and Southampton in
recent matches, but Kouyate's displays have proved that he is unquestionably
capable of performing a role in the heart of the defence. Kouyate was the
Hammers man of the match in their 1-1 draw with United at the weekend and
was pivotal in helping them secure a clean-sheet against Southampton on
Wednesday night. The Senegalese international made two tackles, completed
six interceptions, won three headers and managed to clear the ball 10 times
in a complete defensive performance. It means that West Ham's need to sign
a centre-back could be significantly reduced. Allardyce has been chasing a
defender throughout the past few transfer windows, with the side preparing
to cope without Winston Reid.
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