Daily WHUFC News - 6th March 2015

Nolan praises team performance
WHUFC.com

Kevin Nolan praised his team's performance against Chelsea in an agonising
1-0 defeat to the league leaders at the Boleyn Ground. In a highly
entertaining game, the Hammers had 18 shots to the Blues' 12, however they
could not find a way past an inspired Thibaut Courtois, while Eden Hazard's
close range header was enough to take all three points. Speaking after the
game, the 32-year-old captain, who was voted West Ham's man-of-the-match on
Twitter, said: "We're disappointed that we didn't get the result to match
the performance. The lads were fantastic tonight and we thoroughly deserved
something from the game. "We had so much pressure but it didn't quite fall
for us. They've got a world class keeper that you have to beat and I thought
he was top notch tonight. "He made some massive, massive saves at times. In
the next few games we got teams in and around us and hopefully we can keep
that level of performance and start getting up that table again."

Due to the good form of Cheikhou Kouyate and Mark Noble, Nolan has had
limited starting opportunities of late, however the experienced midfielder
took his opportunity with both hands as he put in a typically hard-working
performance, keeping the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Oscar relatively quiet.
In an impressive display, Nolan made four of his side's 15 tackles as well
as boasting an 86% passing accuracy and his efforts were almost rewarded as
Courtois saved his effort from near point balnk range. "It's been a tough
couple of months for me, it's been hard and I'm not going to deny it. The
only thing I've ever known is playing football regularly. When I get my
chance I'm going to try and take it, that's the only thing I can do. I've
done a lot in my career, I don't need to prove myself to anyone. "I'm not
thinking about anything else other than West Ham, I've had a fantastic time
here so far, I love the place, I love the club. I've got a great affiliation
with everyone involved with the club, I want it to continue and hopefully
the opportunities will come. "The second half was arguably the best football
we've played all season, and we've put in some fantastic performances
against some big teams. Tonight was just so unfortunate that we couldn't put
the ball in the back of the net. I think if we had scored one, we probably
would've scored more, but it just wasn't to be."

Following a run of tough fixtures which has seen the Hammers play all the
top seven teams since Christmas, except Manchester City, they now find
themselves tenth in the Premier League. However, Nolan was firm in his
belief that the results will come if they can repeat the level of
performances seen against Chelsea. "We've ten games to go, there's no doubt
in my mind that if we perform like we did today we'll get back up the league
and get points on the board. "I don't think the season will slip away. We've
got a lot of games coming that we can win and get points from. We've got
Arsenal and Manchester City but then everyone else is in or around us and
it's up to us to get the points from those games. "We've had a fantastic
start to the season, what we've got to do is make sure we have a fantastic
end to the season as well."

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From the Newsroom - Matty Lawless
WHUFc.com

The Mail Online's Matty Lawless writes...

It didn't come as a surprise when Jose Mourinho announced his plans to
sleep-in until midday today after last night's thriller. The relief of
Chelsea's manager was palpable. After the final whistle, he joined his
players on their triumphant march towards the away end in the Sir Trevor
Brooking lower. Mourinho nor his players went over-the-top in their
jubilation. Yet, in truth, they would have been forgiven for celebrating
like they had just won the league. The likelihood is that the 1-0 win over
West Ham will probably propel them to title. But boy, were they made to work
hard for it. No wonder Mourinho, fresh from his Capital One Cup success too,
punched the air in delight. His counterpart, Sam Allardyce, might have been
excused if he'd have punched a wall, however.

A wretched run of one win in 11 Barclays Premier League games continues for
West Ham. From top four day dreamers at Christmas they have sunk to tenth
place. Any lingering hopes of European football will fade and die at this
rate. But this defeat was certainly not one to be alarmed by. West Ham
didn't look like a team in freefall. Granted, they did against Crystal
Palace. Not here against Chelsea, though. Certainly not in the second half.
The opening 45 minutes served as a reminder as to why Chelsea comfortably
cruised five points clear at the summit.

They played at high intensity, executed slick tiki-taka-esque passing, their
movement in the final third was intelligent, their defending resolute and
they were well-organised throughout. Eden Hazard's 22nd minute-winning
header was deserved for their efforts - even if it was fractionally offside.

Yet West Ham responded magnificently. They deserved a draw. And Mourinho
knew it. "I want to sleep tomorrow until midday,' he said last night.
"Today, easily you lose two points." The experience and leadership of Kevin
Nolan was a welcome boost for West Ham. The captain produced a fine
performance to silence any of his doubters. It was arguably his best of the
season so far. Nolan helped break down Chelsea in the central battleground
and compensated for the outstanding Cheikhou Kouyate to probe through the
middle. It was a pity that his night was ended after a nasty collision with
John Terry. He may have made the difference in the final moments of the
game.

Adrian was again in inspired form but would have been disappointed by the
manner of how easy Chelsea managed to carve open his defence to complete a
close-range winner. The best teams simply don't require an invitation from
six-yards out. Ultimately that proved to be the deciding factor of the game.
From the same range, Diafra Sakho was guilty of wasting West Ham's best
opportunity. Prolific upon his arrival, he was profligate last night. How he
needs a goal to restore his lethal confidence again. It will come soon, no
doubt, as will West Ham's next win. Maybe not at the Emirates next weekend.
After all, it has been eight years since the Hammers' last win over Arsenal.
But the signs of a good end to the season are no less promising for the
claret and blue faithful. Allardyce not only craves a performance but a
performance with victory. On the evidence of last night's display, they
deserve one. And will get one. Of West Ham's remaining eight games,
following next Saturday's fourth consecutive London derby, only Manchester
City away in April looks to be the most troubling of all. So there is hope
and the applause - not jeers - at the final whistle from the home faithful
was indicative that the season isn't over yet and a top seven, top eight
finish is not out of West Ham's reach.

Now, could someone go and wake up, Jose, please...

Matty Lawless
Mail Online

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From the Boardroom
WHUFC.com

Like most other West Ham fans, I am really pleased to see Winston Reid sign
a contract that will see him spend all but the rest of his playing career at
West Ham United. I am delighted for the Club but I also take an immense
amount of personal satisfaction after taking such a hands on role in the
negotiations with Winston and his advisors. It has probably been the longest
running set of talks I have ever been involved in and, yes, I was worried we
would not find a positive conclusion. I do not blame Winston, though, as it
was important he took his time as this was such a big decision for him and
his family. But I have learned in life that you should never give up and our
perseverance in this instance has paid off by signing up one of the top
defenders in the Premier League to a contract that will see him spend his
peak years with West Ham United in our stunning new Stadium.

It is that Stadium and the progress we have seen on the pitch this season
that helped me convince Winston that West Ham were the Club for him
long-term. There was a lot of speculation in the media about Winston's
future and I know that some of Europe's top sides were taking a look at him
and understandably he wanted to play for a Club that would be challenging
for and competing in Europe over the coming years.

As a Board we firmly believe that we will be doing that once we have settled
in to our new home and signing Winston up alongside James Tomkins gives us a
platform to base our defence around for the next five to six years. Mark
Noble has also pledged his future and I am pushing ahead to see a couple
more first-team players follow suit by the end of the season.

These are incredibly exciting times on and off the pitch at West Ham and the
fact that we have been able to sign up someone of Winston's stature and
ambition is a statement of where we are going as a Club. I cannot wait to
see what we can achieve during the course of his stay here.

David Sullivan

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Ryan Nelsen says West Ham keeping Winston Reid is a coup
Last Updated: 05/03/15 8:02pm
SSN

Ryan Nelsen believes West Ham have issued a statement of intent by tying
Winston Reid to a new six-and-a-half year deal. Nelsen insists Reid is
proven quality in the Premier League and told Sky Sports News HQ that he
expects the defender to see his career out with Sam Allardyce's side. "I
think West Ham have had a fantastic year this season for Sam and the
ownership have got a new stadium to come and their fans are amazing," said
the former New Zealand international on Reid, who was linked with a move to
London rivals Tottenham and Arsenal but opted to stay with West Ham. It's an
absolutely fantastic signing, especially since I think in the market it's
very hard to find proven quality centre-backs. There is a huge history at
the club and they want to go places and this is a real statement to sign an
absolute quality defender, proven in the Premier League and he will there
obviously for his career now. It's exciting for both parties.

"Obviously there is no hiding place in this league and it takes a bit of
time. For Winston, what was great about him is that year they had in the
Championship, I think he's learned his trade there and every year he has
gone up and up. He's only 26 and he's still probably not as his prime.

"It's an absolutely fantastic signing, especially since I think in the
market it's very hard to find proven quality centre-backs, for relatively
low cost and in terms of not having to pay for a transfer and getting him on
a six and-a-half year deal."

Sky Sports have won the rights to broadcast exclusively live Major League
Soccer (MLS) from the US for the first time, and Nelsen, who coached Toronto
for the 2013 season before being sacked, praised the league's recent
developments. The Kiwi added: "It is a growing league. It has got some
really exciting young talent, most of the clubs have got the academies
sorted out and their infrastructure sorted out. It is not about publicity or
anything like that it is just about winning football games and producing
good players. "They are producing a good product on the field and the fans,
buying into this and the crowds are fantastic over there. The majority of
clubs sell out and they are soccer specific stadiums. There is an underlying
belief that this is just going to grow and grow."

Nelsen worked with John Carver in Toronto and believes Newcastle will
benefit from his expertise as they look to secure a top 10 Premier League
finish. "John is a fantastic football man and Newcastle is in really good
hands. He was an absolute pleasure to speak to and a really knowledgeable
guy. I see him on the sidelines and I can only imagine the pressure guys
like him are under."

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A magnifient debut
Posted: Thu 05 Mar 2015
Author: rovers.co.uk

Rovers manager Gary Bowyer was full of praise for the way Doneil Henry took
his first outing in English football in his stride in the win over Sheffield
Wednesday. It was a hectic day for the young Canadian, that started as being
part of a 20-man squad as West Ham United prepared to take on Chelsea, and
ended with 90 minutes and a win under his belt for Blackburn Rovers. Signed
on a month's loan that lunchtime, a hamstring injury to Alex Baptiste meant
Henry was thrust straight into the action at Hillsborough and he didn't
disappoint with an outstanding debut performance. "He got on a train at
1.30pm from London and arrived in Sheffield at four o'clock," explained
Bowyer. "He came and met the boys at 4.30pm, had some tea, did pre-match,
got his tracksuit on, got on the bus and went and played a magnificent
debut. That was his day. "We have to thank everybody at West Ham that has
helped to make it possible, but what a performance from him. "He deserves an
unbelievable amount of credit. He's 21 years of age, he isn't 22 until
April, but the way he just went about it was immense - absolutely immense -
against one of the toughest strikers in the division in Nuhiu for the way he
plays the game. "In the first 5-10 minutes you expect him to be nervous and
rightly so, but he grew into the game and he was immense, he and Killa were
terrific.
"He's a competitor, he's agressive, he is quick and he's a defender, you saw
that. "The lad can play when he needs to and he's got an unbelievable
character as well. I've said that all along about the people that we bring
in, he's a top lad."

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Hammers jet out to warm weather training
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 5, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Cheikhou Kouyate posted a picture of Sakho, Valencia and Adrian in the
Emirates airport lounge at 9am this morning eating breakfast as the first
team prepare to jet out to the Middle East for warm weather training. Sam
Allardyce says he believes the short winter breaks in Dubai are vital to his
team's fortunes in the Premier League season run-in. A Hammers source told
ClaretandHugh "A few players are staying behind to work on fitness." In
previous years the Hammers have stayed at Dubai Sports City.

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Watch out Maiga's about!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 5, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Modibo Maiga looks set for an Upton Park return next season unless the club
can work a sizeable miracle by finding him a loan or permanent club. Should
that prove impossible the super flop striker will pick up around nearly £2
million for his last season as a Hammer unless he decides to take a pay-off
from the club. Maiga – currently on £40k a week – has been as ineffective at
Metz on loan as he was with Queens Park Rangers and it's highly unlikely the
French outfit will want to keep him on the books. He has managed four goals
in ten appearances and was disciplined after going AWOL ahead of a match
earlier in the season. Maiga refused all pay-offs offered by the Irons board
ahead of the move to France where Metz picked up a small percentage of his
wages. And a Hammers source told ClaretandHugh exclusively today: "It's
likely he will be offered some sort of pay-off but on the strength of what
we saw last summer it may be difficult to get him off the wage bill."

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Allardyce: Referee decisions cost us game
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 5, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Sam Allardyce claims we could have got something from last night's game
against Chelsea if it weren't for match officials getting crucial decisions
wrong. "Some poor officiating on their offside goal, then maybe on another
day we might have got a penalty for the Gary Cahill handball [from Nene's
late shot], we would have got something." said Allardyce on WHUFC.com. The
image on the right has been doing the rounds on social media which seems to
clearly indicate that Sam is right and the match officials got it horribly
wrong with Hazzard offside. Last week during an 'You Are The Ref' event in
central London Sam Allardyce called for a tennis style challenge system
which would allow managers to challenge two referee decisions per match.

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Hammers line up deals for squad members
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 5, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham are ready to let Carlton Cole and Guy Demel move on in the summer
but deals are likely to be handed to Morgan Amalfitano and James Collins.
With three key players – Mark Noble, James Tomkins and Winston Reid tied
down to new deals – Collins looks certain to be offered a new contract. His
current deal runs out next summer but such has been his form this season in
particular the central defender could get a two year extension which will
take him to 33 years of age. Amalfitano is likely to be offered at least
another year after impressing in a series of cameo performances during the
current campaign. Cole could yet become a West Bromwich Albion player with
Tony Pulis claiming he could come back for the veteran Hammer in the summer
and the club will entertain offers for 33 year old Demel. As reported on
this site earlier this week Diafra Sakho's improved deal will also kick in
during the summer. A Hammers source told ClaretandHugh exclusively: "James
has another year and then an option in our favour which we may trigger early
whilst we are thinking over the sort of deal will offer Morgan. Diafra's
improved deal will kick in at the end of the season."

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