Daily WHUFC News - 20th February 2015

Lee loaned to Luton
WHUFC.com
Elliot Lee has joined League Two high-fliers Luton Town on loan until 24
March
19.02.2015

West Ham United can confirm that young striker Elliot Lee has joined League
Two promotion-chasers Luton Town on loan until 24 March.
The 20-year-old forward has recently returned to action following a
hamstring injury and will use his time at Kenilworth Road to collect
valuable match-time and experience. The Academy product, who has made two
first-team appearances for the Hammers, has previously spent time on loan at
Colchester United and Southend United. Managed by John Still, Luton stormed
to the Conference National title last season. The Hatters sit fourth in
League Two ahead of Saturday's home game with Accrington Stanley, where Lee
could come up against fellow Hammers loanee Sean Maguire. Lee joins of a
number of West Ham players out on loan, including Mauro Zarate (Queens Park
Rangers), Modibo Maiga (Metz), Paul McCallum (Portsmouth), Tim Brown (Canvey
Island), Taylor Tombides (Canvey Island), Nathan Mavila (Wealdstone) and
Jaanai Gordon (Chelmsford City).

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On this day - 19 February
WHUFC.com
The Blades were put to the sword at the Boleyn Ground on this day 49 years
ago
19.02.2015

Classic match
West Ham United 4-0 Sheffield United
Division One
19 February 1966

Bobby Moore started in defence as the Hammers as kept up their impressive
record at Upton Park in the 1965/66 season with a 4-0 win over Sheffield
United. Ron Greenwood's side won 12 of their 21 home fixtures during the
campaign, while the Blades only triumphed five times on their travels. West
Ham were also in the midst of a European Cup Winners' Cup campaign, having
won the trophy the previous year, and they reached the semi-finals before
their journey was brought to an end by Borussia Dortmund. 21,220 came to the
Boleyn Ground for this meeting with Sheffield United, and the majority went
home happy after goals from Martin Peters, Peter Brabrook and Geoff Hurst,
plus a Reg Matthewson own goal, gave the home side the points. West Ham
finished the season in 12th place in Division One, with 39 points from 42
games, while the Blades were three places and four points higher.

Complete reocord - 19 February
1921 West Ham United 0-1 Bury (Division Two)
1927 West Ham United 1-2 West Bromwich Albion (Division One)
1938 Fulham 1-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1949 Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1966 West Ham United 4-0 Sheffield United (Division One)
1972 West Ham United 1-1 Crystal Palace (Division One)
1975 West Ham United 0-0 Liverpool (Division One)
1977 Arsenal 2-3 West Ham United (Division One)
1980 Burnley 0-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1994 Kidderminster Harriers 0-1 West Ham United (FA Cup)
2005 West Ham United 5-0 Plymouth Argyle (Championship)
Played 11, Won 5, Drawn 4, Lost 2, Scored 18, Conceded 8

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West Ham striker Elliot Lee joins Luton Town on loan
BBC.co.uk

Luton Town have signed West Ham striker Elliot Lee on loan until 24 March.
The 20-year-old, the son of former Hammers, Newcastle and England midfielder
Rob Lee, had a loan spell at Luton's League Two rivals Southend United
earlier this season. But he was injured just 95 minutes into a training
session with the Shrimpers and returned to Upton Park. Lee has made two
substitute appearances for West Ham and was on loan at Colchester United
last season. Southend boss Phil Brown had wanted Lee to return to Roots
Hall, but he has instead joined their fellow promotion contenders.

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Lee Luton-bound after Nene arrival
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 19th February 2015
By: Staff Writer

Academy graduate Elliot Lee has joined League Two side Luton Town on a
month-long loan. The 20-year-old striker had been included in West Ham's
last three first team squads - for the matches against Manchester United,
Southampton and West Bromwich Albion - but was deemed surplus to
requirements following the arrival of 33-year-old Nene. Lee told Luton's
website that he was delighted to be offered the opportunity to play regular
first team football. "I've come here to score goals, that's what the
manager's asked me to do," he said. "Hopefully I can keep doing what I've
been doing throughout my career."

John Still, the current Luton manager was born in West Ham and not for the
first time has dipped into the Irons' youth system in order to fulfil a
vacancy. It's also the second time he's taken a member of the Lee family on
loan from the Hammers, with Still having worked with Elliot's older brother
Oliver when the 64-year-old was in charge of Dagenham & Redbridge back in
2011. "I've known Elliot for a long while, his brother was with me at
Dagenham and I know his dad Rob, who was an excellent player," he said.
"They're local to me so we've had our eye on him for a while. "He's a fox
in the box with a good goal scoring record, so we're hoping he'll bring more
goals to the team. Elliot's been on the bench quite a few times at West Ham,
so he's well thought of there and we're happy to have him here at Luton."

Lee's short stint at Kenilworth Road will be his third spell on loan,
following previous engagements with Colchester and Southend.
He was at Colchester for a month in October 2013, a spell in which he scored
once in four appearances. Last October Lee joined Southend on a three-month
deal, but returned to West Ham before ever kicking a ball for the Shrimpers
having sustained an injury on his first day of training.

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Sam Allardyce is confident his future at West Ham will be decided to his
satisfaction
Last Updated: 19/02/15 8:38pm
SSN

Sam Allardyce is confident his future at West Ham will be decided to his
satisfaction in the summer. Allardyce, 60, has enjoyed some success at the
club, particularly this season with the eighth-placed Hammers, but has also
endured a roller-coaster ride at the United helm since taking over in 2011.
His current contract is up at the end of the season but he is happy to leave
negotiations until the summer with speculation persisting that he could be
replaced in June. Allardyce told Sky Sports News HQ: "The way the owners go
about their business has not changed. They made it clear and plain when we
started negotiating. "While it continues to build up speculation behind the
scenes, I have always known that's the way forward. "I have never pushed to
get them to say what's going on in the contract situation because they made
that perfectly clear since day one, when I joined the football club. "It was
the same when my contract ran out last time, I waited until the end of the
season. We've stayed in the Premier League and it'll be the same this time.
"We all understand the situation internally, which is the most important
thing."

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BRAZILIAN SIGNS, BUT WILL HE PLAY?
By Sean Whetstone 19 Feb 2015 at 14:42
West Ham till I Die

West Ham announced the signing of Brazilian forward Nenê yesterday but
rumours continue to circulate that he was the Chairman's choice and that Sam
wasn't so keen on the 33 year old South American can play out wide or down
the middle. Chairman's son Jack Sullivan was the first to break the news
that Nene has signed for the Hammers until the end of the season, subject to
international clearance.

The former Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain player has scored well over 100
goals for clubs in Brazil, Spain and France, finishing as the top scorer in
Ligue 1 in 2011/12. Most recently, Nenê spent two seasons with Al-Gharafa
Sports Club, scoring 21 goals in 44 appearances.

He told WHUFC.com "I am very excited and happy to be here. I'm proud to come
to a really big club like West Ham and I'm going to do my best to help the
team. I've been thinking about coming back to Europe for a few months
because here the football, the ambience, everything is better.It's a really
good challenge for me, to come to a competition like the Premier League.
It's the most competitive in the world so this is the motivation for me.I
like to get on the ball and show my technique," he revealed. "I like taking
free-kicks, so practice to be good at that. I like making assists – that is
my real work, to make the final pass to put the striker in a good position
to score the goals."

In response to the rumours David Gold took to twitter to insist "Sam is the
Manager and has the final say on all players that sign for our club no
matter who proposes them. dg" However I understand the friction between the
two Hammers heads of recruitment continues behind the scenes with Tony Henry
reporting directly to David Sullivan and Martin Glover reporting to Sam
Allardyce. Time will tell how much game play Nene will see in the next 13
games.

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NEVER THE TWAIN SHALL MEET
By Bianca Westwood 19 Feb 2015 at 08:40
West Ham till I Die

It's the hot topic. It's what we're all talking about. The 'Sack Sam'
headlines are back at last. Well here's my two penn'orth…

"Shameful". "Embarrassing and shambolic". "Humiliating". "The worst
performance I've ever seen by a West Ham team and that is saying something".
These are just a handful of the comments I read after the woeful trip to
West Brom. I didn't see the game in its entirety but I trust the majority of
the fans' tweets and forum posts enough to know that it must have been a
horrendous show. Plus the 4-0 scoreline kind of gives it away. Occasionally
you get beat even though you've given your best. You've worked had but not
got the rub of the green. You've created opportunities but ultimately fallen
short. By all accounts none of that could be said about Sunday's shower. It
makes you angry. It makes you want to voice your disapproval. Perhaps lash
out.

And yet, however demoralising the performance on that football pitch was,
there is no excuse for the behaviour of our fans in the Hawthorns' car park.
Now THAT was shameful. I was disgusted by the level of disrespect shown
towards our chairman. Getting up in his face, hurling obscenities, being
threatening and intimidating. It was disgraceful conduct by grown men
towards a guy who, since his arrival, has done everything he can to take our
club in the right direction. Ok mistakes have been made (Avram Grant being
the biggest) and you may not agree with some of the decisions (sticking with
Sam) but you can't argue that Sullivan and Gold don't want West Ham to be
the best club it can possibly be.

It's been a decent few years believe it or not. From taking the organisation
out of colossal debt, to securing a state of the art new stadium at little
cost. From introducing some outstanding new talent to the team, to making
genuine efforts to strengthen in every window. Ultimately fruitless the last
time around but the endeavour was there. They've managed to get Nene in
(another Sullivan acquisition it appears) on a short term basis so they
don't sit on their hands when the going gets tough. As a fan I feel
confident that this board will continue to invest in new personnel. I know
in the summer if there are players to be had then have them we shall! Short
of being acquired by a billionaire oligarch who is prepared to throw money
around, we do ok with the owners we have. I remember a lot of fans were
desperate for Tony Fernandes a few years ago and look at the predicament QPR
is in now. FFP issues, probable extensive fines and yet again skirting with
relegation. There but for the grace of God go I.

The fact is, bringing Sam Allardyce to Upton Park was another crucial
decision made by the board and the manager has been instrumental in
strengthening our position in the Premier League. I don't believe he will be
sacked at this stage of the season, nor should he be. The rumour and
speculation doesn't help anyone but it seems that some people will never
accept Allardyce and won't stop the constant harassment until he is gone. At
whatever cost.

Be careful what you wish for.

When I heard about the way Mark Warburton was being undermined at Brentford
I shook my head. I felt real disappointment. That's no way to treat an
incumbent manager. Especially one that has kept you consistently at the top
of an extremely difficult and competitive league. Plus he's a gentleman.
It's up to the people who pay the bills who they hire and fire but to let
the news of his impending dismissal escape into the frenzy of the social
media ether is irresponsible and downright disrespectful. To be fair to the
Bees fans they aren't having any part of it. They know which side their
bread is buttered.
Unfortunately for us it's our fans who are producing the drama and creating
a crisis. The caterwauling of the Sam Out brigade is becoming deafening.
It's classless and, I'm sorry to say, they are mostly clueless.

Allardyce has his faults, I'm not denying that. He can be stubborn and
inflexible and resistant to change. His insistence on regularly using a
player that perhaps no longer serves the best interests of the team isn't
helping his cause. He isn't worried about being best buddies with the fans,
he doesn't feel the need to rekindle or foster strong relationships with
them which, if he does go, could prove to be his downfall. Sometimes you
have to play the game Sam. Having said all that, he has, season on season,
fulfilled his objectives and hit his targets. I've said it before and I'll
say it again, he took us up and he's kept us up. We had a sticky patch last
year but we survived. We hit some heights this season and played some
incredible football. Did we really expect to be able to sustain that long
term? Results have levelled off, injuries have ravaged the team and form has
dipped. Must be time for a revolution! We want it all, and we want it now.
And while you're at it we want it to look nice too! Deluded.

He'll never be forgiven for being Sam Allardyce. And that is basically the
long and the short of it.

Whether he goes, whether he stays, I'll still sleep at night. I'm not his
biggest fan nor am I calling for his head but I do appreciate what he has
achieved during his time with us. It should never be disregarded. I just
want what is best for the club and I don't accept or understand why we have
to talk about this now. Our season is on the verge of unravelling.
Constantly belittling the manager and undermining the work that he does
before the season is out. What possible good does this relentless protest
do? If accounts are to be believed then the relationship between manager and
chairmen is now becoming ever more strained. So chances are we'll have a new
man in place next season anyway.

And then I listen in disbelief to the calls for Moyes. Really? Why?
Now I have a massive amount of respect for David Moyes. I felt he was
unfairly treated by Manchester United. Louis Van Gaal is discovering for
himself just how difficult that role actually is post Ferguson. Moyes did a
good, decent job at Everton, he is loyal, well-liked in the game, he's a
tireless worker and has huge knowledge of the sport. Will he bring sexy back
to West Ham? Of course not! He is no different from Sam in that regard. He's
a steady Eddie and his Everton side were dependable and solid. They
certainly didn't set the world on fire. Their average league finish was
eighth and Toffees fans were largely satisfied with that because they knew
there was a limit to what they, on their meagre budget and limited
resources, were capable of. Moyes didn't bring them a trophy and he didn't
bring them exhilarating football either. I'm not saying he'd be a bad
appointment. He consistently produced well organised, defensively robust and
highly motivated teams at Goodison but he didn't exactly encourage attacking
flair either. He had eleven years at Everton. Hammers fans would have
hounded him out in three. What makes them think Moyes would skip happily
along West Ham Way?

As I say, be careful what you wish for.

It's a dangerous road at times. We need to tread very carefully going into
the final season at the Boleyn. If the decision is made then there really is
no room for error. It is cause for serious concern and I'm getting slightly
anxious just thinking about it! Bilic is the romantic choice and probably
the fans' favourite but he's completely untested in the Premier League. He
did well with Croatia but it's still a risk. De Boer, if he can be "the new
Koeman" I'd take him like a shot, but again it's a gamble. Laudrup, another
big name and an immediate success at Swansea but I know there were no
desperately sad faces following his departure, make of that what you will.
Redknapp is no longer right for West Ham in my opinion. Too much water under
the bridge. Hoddle, unbelievable football brain but he's a Tottenham man.
Sheringham, I don't know if he fancies the aggravation. Would you? So who??

In the meantime I think people should give the guy currently sitting in the
hot seat a break and try to bear in mind that this is a man who helped
rebuild our club. Those boo boys among you can maybe get off his case for a
while. Give us all a rest! Looks like you might just get your way so for now
you should put up and shut up. The players also have a big responsibility in
this. They should take the opportunity to demonstrate their respect and
appreciation for their gaffer by putting on a real show of determination on
Sunday. We all know how much it means. We all know how gratifying it feels
to quieten down our noisy neighbours. We felt that privilege a few times
last season. After the major disappointment of last weekend we need a
reaction, Sam needs a reaction. Victory at WHL would offer us all a tiny
drop of much-needed respite. With no trophy at the end of our season
(again!) it looks like, on the pitch we're just playing for pride now but it
works both ways, we need to show that, off the pitch, we as fans can also
behave in a manner we can be proud of.

COYI

B x

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Next West Ham manager: Contenders to replace Sam Allardyce as speculation
over future continues
16:09, 19 February 2015 By Ricky Charlesworth
Allardyce's long-term future is now in doubt with his contract up at the end
of the season - but who could take over at Upton Park if he does depart?
The Mirror

Sam Allardyce's West Ham future is again in doubt - despite the club's
impressive camapign. The Hammers are eighth in the Premier League this term
but last week's thrashing at West Brom saw the club's supporters turn on
their manager. It is not the first time Big Sam has faced fans' frustrations
and with his contract up in the summer, reports suggest this season could be
his last at Upton Park.
With speculation mounting, we have taken a look at the runners and riders
for the top job at Upton Park. Here are the possible replacements for
Allardyce.

David Moyes - 4/1
Age : 51
Current club : Real Sociedad

Moyes decided to try his luck in Spain at Real Sociedad after his disastrous
spell as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor at Old Trafford.
The Scot was keen to take on the challenge but a return to the Premier
League would surely be of some interest. The only hitch may be that he is
under contract in Spain until the end of the 2015/16 season and the Hammers
would be forced into paying compensation.

Harry Redknapp - 9/2
Age : 67
Last club: QPR (2015)

It would be a fitting end to a memorable managerial career if 'Arry was to
return to Upton Park for one last stint. Redknapp managed the Hammers
between 1994 and 2001 although his recent departure from London rivals QPR
due to health issues, may affect his chances of a quick return to the game.

Slaven Bilic - 13/2
Age : 46
Current club : Besiktas

The Croat spent 18 months as a player at Upton Park and is a favourite with
many to take the helm at Upton Park. Currently boss of Turkish side
Besiktas, Bilic has also managed his country at two European Championships
and has been tipped to move to the Premier League one day.
Bilic's men face Liverpool over two legs in the Europa League last 32.

Glenn Hoddle - 12/1
Age : 57
Last club: Wolves (2006)

Despite not having managed at club level in nearly nine years, Hoddle's name
always crops up whenever a top-flight job becomes available.
The 57-year-old has a wealth of coaching experience but is said to have
snubbed a series of offers down the years. Hoddle has worked as a pundit for
Sky Sports and ITV, but a return to London may appeal after recently leaving
QPR where he was a first-team coach.

Teddy Sheringham (16/1)
Age : 48
Last club: None

A surprise candidate perhaps, but Sheringham is considered a hero with the
Hammers faithful. During his three-year playing stint at Upton Park he
became the top-flight's oldest scorer at the grand old age of 40. The former
England man now works as a forward coach at the club and would know the
current crop of players well.

Michael Laudrup - 16/1
Age : 50
Current club : Lekhwiya SC

Laudrup won plenty of plaudits during his short but successful stint in
charge at Swansea City. The Dane, now with Qatar outfit Lekhwiya, delivered
the 2013 League Cup and took the club into the Europa League. However, his
spell at the Liberty Stadium ended sourly with the Swans giving him the axe
after a drop in form. Laudrup recently rejected a possible move to QPR to
stay in his current role.

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New boy Nene excited about West Ham opportunity and ready for Premier League
challenge
14:36, 19 February 2015 By Aaron Flanagan
The 33-year-old signed a short-term deal at Upton Park last week, subject to
international clearance, and he is excited about playing in the Premier
League
The Mirror

West Ham new boy Nene says he is excited to get a crack at the Premier
League. The 33-year-old signed a short-term deal at Upton Park earlier this
week, subject to international clearance. Nene, formerly of Paris
Saint-Germain and Monaco had spent the previous two seasons at Al-Gharafa
Sports Club, almost scoring a goal a game. But now he insists that he is
ready for a new challenge. He told West Ham's official YouTube channel: "I
am very excited and happy to be here. I'm proud to come to a really big club
like West Ham and I'm going to do my best to help the team. "I've been
thinking about coming back to Europe for a few months because here the
football, the ambiance, everything is better. "It's a really good challenge
for me, to come to a competition like the Premier League. It's the most
competitive in the world so this is the motivation for me."

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Irons drop big Bilic hint
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 19, 2015 in Whispers
Claret 7 Hugh

Slaven Bilic is in the frame as a possible next West Ham boss. Media reports
that the former Hammer could maker a hero's return to the Boleyn next season
look to be worth respect as the club continues to compile a list of
possibles candidates that also includes Marseilles boss Marcelo Bielsa. A
well placed club source told ClaretandHugh, however, that it could be
another two months before a final decision is taken on who will become the
club's 21st manager. Bilic – who made 48 appearances for the club in the
nineties – refused to deny there had been contact between himself and the
club in Liverpool this today. The former Hammer is on merseyside for a
Europa League clash and was asked whether his future may be at the Boleyn.
He said: "All I can say is I am happy at Besiktas. Have West Ham contacted
me? I wouldn`t like to talk about that."

Bilic, however, is a contender with our West Ham source dropping a massive
hint when telling ClaretandHugh this afternoon: "He has to say he's happy
doesn't he? "There are a number of irons in the fire but the situation won't
be aggressively addressed until 5-6 weeks before the end of the season.
"Currently we are looking and getting our list together because you can't
put all your eggs in one or two baskets."

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Gold: Nene may make bench for Spurs
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 19, 2015 in Whispers
Claret 7Hugh

David Gold has confirmed that Nene is ready for action! ClaretandHugh
revealed early this morning the Brazilian was suffering no fitness problems
and could be involved in first team duty within a week. And the co chairman
has now tweeted confirmation declaring: "Nene is fit and ready to play. It's
possible he could be on the bench against Spurs on Sunday. dg" Speaking to
the official website earlier Nene said:""It's a really good challenge for
me, to come to a competition like the Premier League. It's the most
competitive in the world so this is the motivation for me. "The objective is
to qualify for Europe. The club wants to do that and I want to help them
arrive in that position." Now it remains to be seen if the manager is ready
to plunge him straight into the action.

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Allardyce enters the Sunderland reckoning
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 19, 2015 in Whispers
Claret 7 Hugh

Sam Allardyce is among the runners to take over as the next Sunderland boss.
Ironically the West Ham manager (pictured right with a former Stadium of
Light boss, Steve Bruce) is now at shorter odds to be the next Premier
League managerial departure than Black Cats boss Gus Poyet. The Upton Park
manager's odds have shrunk from around 25/1 to 2/1 in some places to be the
next PL boss out with Poyet at 11/4.
And with a growing tide of terrace support for Allardyce at the Stadium of
Light, the 60 year old could be the next arrival despite Michael Laudrup
heading the market at 4/1 as clear favourite. St Etienne's Christophe
Galtier is at 8/1a followed by the likes of Harry Redknapp, Steve Clarke,
Allardyce and Billy Davies at around 12/1 – 14/1. Allardyce is of course a
former Black Cats player and may well fancy the chance of proving a point to
Newcastle who sacked him after a brief spell in charge should he get the
chance. David Moyes currently heads the list of contenders to take over at
Upton Park (4/1) with Harry Redknapp (9/2), Slaven Bilic (8/1), Marcelo
Biesela (12/1) and Glenn Hoddle (12/1) next in the market.

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No Nene fitness fears
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 19, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham believe that new signing Nene could be ready to play within a week
if he is required. The Brazilian winger signed for the Hammers yesterday on
a short term contract but unlike former out of contract signing Carlton Cole
won't take any time at all to get up to full fitness. There are fears that
the former PSG player would find himself at the centre of a new power battle
between manager Sam Allardyce and co chairman David Sullivan after the
manager was reportedly reluctant to the player's arrival. But it was made
clear to ClarertandHugh that the boss would be unable to claim "fitness" as
an issue should the player not appear on the pitch or is used only in
miniscule cameo performances. A well placed source said: "The club searched
the world for unattached strikers to boost numbers. Nene last played under a
month ago, so might only be a week away from playing . "We needed someone
who could step straight in should there be any problems with our front line
strikers and he fits the bill given the restriction on options."

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