Hendon hails young Hammers
WHUFC.com
Development squad coach Ian Hendon was pleased with a terrific team display
in the win at Thurrock
05.10.2011
Ian Hendon was delighted after his young West Ham United team rose to the
occasion away to Thurrock. The Hammers won 2-0 with goals in each half from
Freddie Sears and Sebastian Lletget (pictured) and the development squad
coach was most pleased with the clean sheet. He had named a young back four
of Callum Driver, Danny Potts, Kenzer Lee and Frazer Shaw but they coped
well. "It was a good work-out," Hendon told West Ham TV. "A very competitive
game as normal. It was good to come and play on a magnificent surface. It
made for a good game of football. "The team passed the ball quite well at
times once we got into it. There were a lot of young lads out there
especially by the end. I was more pleased with the clean sheet than the
goals almost because we had a very young back four. "Callum Driver was
probably the oldest at the tender age of 18. We got the goals we deserved
but could have had one or two more but that might have flattered us."
Hendon singled out Sears for his 45-minute performance, with the England U21
forward a willing performer as ever, whatever the level. "He always works
hard when he comes and plays in this game and credit to him for it." There
were also words of praise for skipper George Moncur and his exciting
midfield link-up with Lletget, the American Under-20 international. "George
trains every day, plays every minute, always wants the ball and works his
socks off. Seb has just come back from injury, so it was good to see him out
there and alongside George because they play well together."
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Thurrock 0-2 West Ham XI FT
04.10.2011
WHUFC.com
THURROCK FC v WEST HAM UNITED XI
DEVELOPMENT SQUAD MATCH
TUESDAY 4 OCTOBER 2011
KICK-OFF: 7.45PM
Full time - Thurrock 0-2 West Ham XI
90 mins - No added time will be played. The referee blows his whistle and
both teams get a good hand. Stay close to whufc.com and West Ham TV for all
the reaction and action.
89 mins - Late corner here for Thurrock. Montenegro clears brilliantly at
the near post. The Paraguayan has done his job well tonight.
88 mins - Moncur takes it but flashes it high and wide.
86 mins - The livewire Elliot Lee wins a free-kick 25 yards out. Moncur will
take it but Lee is receiving some treatment first.
85 mins - Dean Cracknell nearly gets clear but Driver comes inside to help
out his central defenders. West Ham counter and superb skill from Elliot Lee
helps set them away. It all comes to nothing, though.
83 mins - Montenegro wins a corner. Lletget takes but Terry heads clear.
Siafa plays it back in but Thurrock get it away again. Jake Young then does
well stepping into midfield. Still the Hammers probe.
81 mins - Siafa heads clear but the ball comes straight back in and Thurrock
substitute Reece Morgan just lashes over on the volley. He will feel he
should have scored that.
80 mins - Elliot Lee just heads wide after a lovely cross from the right
wing by Turgott. Another Thurrock change. Will try and tell you who it is
shortly.
78 mins - Montenegro would love to get on the score-sheet. He hasn't stopped
running. Elliot Lee goes close with a fizzed effort. The young striker
doesn't need an invitation to shoot, that's for sure.
76 mins - Can Thurrock come back and get a goal. At the moment, the Hammers
look hungrier. Lletget is fouled again but the referee waves play on.
75 mins - Lletget has deserved that. He may be up against older heads in
midfield but he has kept on going. He uses the ball well and has plenty of
vision. He started and finished that move in style.
74 mins - GOAL! - Lletget holds off Terry in midfield before feeding Moncur.
The skipper finds Elliot Lee to the left of goal. The young forward beats
two before feeding Lletget and the American slots in from 15 yards. Great
finish.
73 mins - Driver is back up and the Hammers break through Sadlier.
71 mins - Driver is down with cramp. The right-back has been up and down
that flank all game and is feeling the effects.
70 mins - Montenegro does well to the right of goal before hooking the ball
into the area. It finds Lletget but he cannot direct his shot on target.
68 mins - The contest has suffered a little for all the changes but is still
watchable. The Hammers youngsters are getting a good test, with Thurrock
getting plenty of men behind the ball. Turgott drives into the area and
plays a pass to Moncur. He is crowded out and the visitors have to build
again. They do just that and Elliot Lee has a go from 20 yards. Hughes was
never troubled in making that save.
65 mins - The corner comes to nothing and the referee spots a home
infringement in the area. West Ham can clear their lines.
65 mins - Lletget goes down under a heavy challenge. Thurrock are still up
for this and Okojie wins a corner.
63 mins - Right-back Siafa does well to deny Osborn. The Thurrock striker
picks it up again in-field and goes for goal but it never worries Kurucz.
61 mins - We now have virtually an Academy team in action, or even younger.
Kurucz, Driver, Moncur, Lletget and Montenegro all remain. The Hammers are
on top and Sadlier looks to shoot from range. He hits it from 30 yards but
it is straight at Hughes.
59 mins - We have three Hammers subs. Off go Kenzer Lee, Potts, Piquionne
and Shaw and on come Elliot Lee, Lamar Hurley, Josh Siafa and Jake Young.
Thurrock made a change too.
58 mins - Hendon is readying a couple of subs. Piquionne will be one to make
way after a planned hour's work-out. A great passing move finishes with
Driver forcing the home side to concede a throw-on deep in their own half.
56 mins - Turgott nearly picks out Piquionne with a decent cross. The
Frenchman only just missed that. He then gets on the end of a Shaw cross 20
seconds later. He might be coming off on the hour so time is running out for
him to get on the score-sheet.
55 mins - News from Aldershot Town, where Robert Hall has scored again for
Oxford. That's three in four starts for the 17-year-old. Meanwhile, back
here, the Hammers are building patiently and stroking the ball around. This
is better from Hendon's young side.
53 mins - Potts does well at the other end to find Sadlier with a raking
pass. He feeds Piquionne but the Thurrock defence stand firm.
51 mins - Great save from Kurucz. Hockton got past Potts but could not beat
the keeper despite being clear on goal. That will do the Hammers
shot-stopper the world of good.
50 mins - It has been a bit scrappy so far this half. Neither side has
really shown or got their passing game going.
48 mins - Well done Turgott. Thurrock had broken away down their left wing
but the England youth international read the danger. He knocked the ball
behind for a corner. From the flag-kick, the Hammers clear well.
47 mins - Thurrock have also brought on Reece Hewitt. The Hammers look to
have gone to a 4-4-2 with Montenegro and Piquionne in attack. Sadlier and
Turgott are in the wide positions.
46 mins - We have a few changes here. Baldock and Sears are off. Blair
Turgott and Kieran Sadlier have come on in their place. Thurrock have made a
few changes. Paul Terry, brother of John is on. There is also a No19 but I
don't have a No19 on my team-sheet. Bear with me a bit this half, I think.
Half-time - Thurrock 0-1 West Ham XI
45 mins - The half-time whistle goes almost immediately. Not a bad half that
with plenty of good passing play from both teams. Hendon will have a few
positive things to say about his young charges no doubt at the interval.
44 mins - Just brilliant from Potts. The defender flings himself at a Okojie
cross to head clear. The young Hammers defender has shown great positional
sense this evening and has been in the right place at the right time
constantly. Up the other end, Sears curls one into Hughes' hands. Not too
far away that.
42 mins - Baldock wins a header but Piquionne just can't latch on to it. The
Hammers No7 has worked hard but is covered by two men whenever he gets the
ball.
41 mins - Driver is down after a late challenge. He needs treatment in
midfield so we have the first real break in play.
40 mins - There are a lot of kids here tonight. Young Hammers fans are
reminded they can take advantage of the Kids for a Quid scheme running for
the next home game against Blackpool on Saturday week. It means a parent can
take two children for a total of £34.
39 mins - Osborn goes for glory from 30 yards and isn't far away. Kurucz was
worried enough to dive for it but the ball just flashed wide.
38 mins - A bright period of passing play started by Moncur finishes with
the young skipper lashing one over. The build-up warranted better than that
but the No4 was entitled to shoot as the defence backed away.
37 mins - Hendon will be pleased with his young back four. They have stood
up well to a physical and pacy Thurrock attack. Potts and Kenzer Lee have
been dominant when they've needed to and read the game well on the fast
Thurrock counterattacks.
35 mins - Sears and Baldock combine before putting Montenegro in to the left
of goal. The young striker goes for goal and works the keeper at the near
post. There were three team-mates screaming for the ball in the area,
though.
35 mins - Piquionne rises highest but his header is off target. Baldock
pounces on the loose ball but Hughes makes the save. Thurrock counter
quickly and win a corner of their own.
34 mins - Moncur hits the bar with a great strike from fully 30 yards.
Hughes got a hand to it so we have a corner.
32 mins - Potts does superbly to block after a quick Thurrock counter. The
home side are up for this and giving it all they've got.
30 mins - Gemili does brilliantly up from right-back. He crosses for Osborn
who shoots but Driver does brilliantly to block. Piquionne wins a majestic
header from the resulting corner and the Hammers break away.
28 mins - Sears picks out Piquionne with a lovely 30-yard pass. Shaw gets
upfield from left-back and crosses. The ball eventually comes to Sears
again, and he shows good footwork to force a chance for Lletget. The
American lets fly but the ball clears the bar and keeps rising.
27 mins - Baldock gets in behind but instantly has two men on him. He tries
to cross on the run but his ball goes high and wide.
26 mins - Okojie is one to watch for Thurrock. He has two good feet and is
causing the visitors' young defence to be on their toes. Thurrock have a
long-range effort from Glenn Poole that just misses to show for that bright
period of play.
24 mins - The set-piece comes to nothing but West Ham build again. Piquionne
picks it up to the right of goal and blasts one from 25 yards. That's
blocked but the ball eventually reaches Sears 12 yards out. He lashes
goalwards and his effort only just clears the bar. Should have been his
second.
23 mins - More good play from Lletget and Baldock leads to a chance for
Sears at the far post. Thurrock are on to him quickly and force a Hammers
corner.
22 mins - Sears slips in Driver down the right. The full-back crosses but it
is too long. Thurrock counter quickly but Kenzer Lee crowds out Hockton
after good work by Okojie.
21 mins - Sears again drives at the defence. He feeds Baldock who in turn
lays out wide to Piquionne. The cross fails to beat the first man and the
Hammers have to regroup.
19 mins - Outstanding 40-yard crossfield ball from Lletget. He picks out
Driver on the move and the right-back nearly breaks free in the area. The
ball just went out of play before he could cross.
18 mins - Adam Gemili shows great pace to burst forward from right-back for
the home team. Eventually he crosses in but the chance goes begging.
Goal-kick for West Ham but they will be wary of Gemili's pace from now on.
That was electric.
17 mins - Montenegro runs at the home defence before slipping a pass to
Piquionne. Thurrock crowd him out and the Hammers are foiled again.
16 mins - Terrific play from the Hammers moves the ball from right to left.
Shaw does well to keep the move going but the home side force the Hammers
back. Moncur and Lletget are seeing a lot of the ball and the latter just
fails to pick out Montenegro in behind on the left flank.
15 mins - The Hammers are keeping the ball well at the back. Sears drives
again before slipping in Piquionne in behind. The Frenchman was just
offside, though, and the chance goes.
13 mins - Baldock is flagged for offside. That was close and he was in on
goal there.
12 mins - More good play from West Ham nearly creates an opening for Sears
again. Thurrock break well but Callum Driver does well to stop Loui
Hazelwood.
11 mins - Piquionne takes it but his curled effort flies over.
10 mins - Moncur and Lletget tease the home defence with some neat passing
before the American wins a free-kick on the edge of the area. Piquionne and
Baldock are over it.
9 mins - More great work from Okojie out wide picks out Hockton again. The
shot is first time but Danny Potts blocks brilliantly.
8 mins - GOAL! - Freddie Sears runs from fully 40 yards out at the Thurrock
defence. When he gets to within 20 yards he lets fly with a fierce effort
that leaves David Hughes no chance.
8 mins - Good play from Dee Okojie has Frazer Shaw back-pedalling before a
decent ball picks out Danny Hockton. The header is weak though and Kurucz
claims.
7 mins - Hendon has his team lined up in a 4-3-3 with Montenegro to the
left, Baldock through the middle and Piquionne to the right. The front three
are likely to change at will, as the game progresses.
6 mins - Brian Montenegro drops deep to get involved. You can't miss him
with his bright orange boots, although they are not a patch on the yellow
pair being worn by Moncur.
5 mins - Down in front of the main stand are the Hammers Ladies team, who
play here for their home matches. Good play from Sebastian Lletget in
midfield but Thurrock hack it away and we start again with Kurucz.
4 mins - An over-hit pass from Alf Wren gives possession back to the
Hammers. Goal-kick for Kurucz, who is playing only his second game after 14
months out with a knee injury. It is great to see the popular Hungarian
keeper back in the claret and blue, or should I say grey and green given the
colour of his top.
3 mins - Sam Baldock very nearly gets on to a long ball forward. Thurrock
get the danger away before losing out in midfield.
2 mins - Kenzer Lee brings down Alec Osborn 20 yards from goal. Early
shooting opportunity this for the home side. Glenn Poole takes it but the
effort fizzes wide to Peter Kurucz's left-hand post.
1 min - We are under way. The Hammers are keeping possession well in the
opening minute and every member of the back four has a touch before Thurrock
force a throw-on.
Kick-off
7.40pm - Here come the teams to a special mix of music including House of
Pain's Jump Around and Queen's Don't Stop Me Now. There are a few hundred
here which is not a bad turnout given the awful traffic in the area. George
Moncur is in the middle for the captain's duties.
Thurrock: Hughes, Gemili, Wren, Smith, Robinson, Bowditch, Okojie, Poole,
Hockton, Osborn, Hazelwood
Subs: Hewitt, White, Terry, Cracknell, Morgan
West Ham United: Kurucz, Driver, K Lee, Potts, Shaw, Sears, Moncur, Lletget,
Montenegro, Piquionne, Baldock
Subs: Cowler, Siafa, Hurley, Young, Turgott, E Lee, Sadlier
Welcome to the Ship Lane home of Thurrock FC for live text coverage of West
Ham United's development squad in action. Manager Ian Hendon has named a
strong side, with an experienced forward line combining with some of the
club's best Academy talent at the back. Among those watching on will be
assistant manager Neil McDonald, meaning there is every incentive for the
likes of Brian Montenegro and Freddie Sears to impress.
Montenegro scored his first goal in Hammers colours last week in the 4-4
draw at Dagenham & Redbridge. Highlights of that game are playing now on
West Ham TV, while you can also watch the best action from every single
Under-18 contest this campaign. Click here to view it all now.
In goal, Peter Kurucz has been given the starting berth in a late change.
Ruud Boffin will figure on Friday at MK Dons, with Sam Cowler on the bench
this evening.
George Moncur has been handed the captain's armband, and should form an
exciting midfield duo with fit-again US starlet Sebastian Lletget. On the
bench, the likes of Blair Turgott, Kieran Sadlier and Elliot Lee will all be
aiming to repeat their sensational form at U18 level.
The home side compete in the Conference South and boast a couple of
recognisable names in their ranks. Former Academy ace Lee Boylan, who played
one Premier League game back in 1996/97, is in the attack while in midfield
is Paul Terry, the brother of England defender John.
Thurrock have just won through to the FA Cup third qualifying round with a
1-0 replay win against VCD Athletic and have a home tie with Arlesey Town to
look forward to on Saturday week.
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Big Sam sets record straight
WHUFC.com
The manager has spoken out after assessing the analysis from the weekend
draw at Crystal Palace
04.10.2011
West Ham United were back in training this Tuesday fresh from a spirited
display at Crystal Palace when their poised passing performance should have
earned more than the single point. Despite Dougie Freedman's claims to the
contrary, the Hammers analysis staff will be showing the players how they
came out on top in all aspects of the derby, save for the score-line. But
for better defending on just two of the three Palace attempts on target, it
would have been a fourth away win in five unbeaten. Speaking post-match, the
Palace manager had said: "Two teams, playing two different ways; very much a
physical powerful team in West Ham, knocking a lot of balls into your box,
against the team that we had with the guile, the sharpness and the
interchange to play and try to create chances."
However, the Hammers had 366 passes in play compared to the home side's 224.
They completed nearly 80 per cent of these while Palace's success rate was
just 72 per cent. The visitors also carried the ball into the final third of
the pitch on 93 occasions as opposed to the Eagles' 68 times. In fact, the
home side only bettered the Hammers in terms of fouls conceded. Other
statistics of note were 25 crosses for West Ham against eight for Palace
plus a total of 16 shots for Sam Allardyce's men against nine for the hosts.
Finally, the Hammers' dominance was underlined by the fact they had 56 per
cent of the time in possession against 44 per cent for the Eagles. Speaking
to whufc.com, Big Sam said: "We had more than 4,000 travelling fans at
Selhurst Park. That is fantastic support again and they all saw another
exciting team performance to go with the big wins we had at Watford and
Nottingham Forest. "We dominated the Palace game and outplayed the home side
so it disappoints me to hear a young manager talking in the way that he did
about my team. Just to get the facts straight, we were on top in terms of
passing and possession and should have won the game with the chances we
created."
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Papa happy
WHUFC.com
Debutant Papa Bouba Diop is pleased to be up and running as a West Ham
player
04.10.2011
Papa Bouba Diop should have been all smiles after making an impressive West
Ham United debut in Saturday's 2-2 npower Championship draw at Crystal
Palace. However, being the ultimate professional that he is, the towering
Senegal midfielder was disappointed that his new club did not pick up all
three points at Selhurst Park. Bouba Diop told West Ham TV that the Hammers
should have clipped the Eagles and will have to improve in future matches if
they are to maintain their promotion challenge "I'm happy to play and to
come into the team. It was a hard game, but we had opportunities to win this
game," said the experienced No21. "They scored in the first minutes and we
came back and in the second half it was the same again. It was difficult
when they scored before and we had to come back and try to equalise. We
can't play like this. "Everyone is not happy with what's happened, because
we need to defend more solidly and work harder because we are scoring a lot
of goals. "We had a lot of chances and just scored two goals. We could have
won this game."
While the 33-year-old was disappointed by the final result in south London,
he was naturally pleased to make his first competitive appearance for the
club he joined in August. Having turned out for the development squad in a
victory over Brentford and draw at Tottenham Hotspur, Bouba Diop is now
targeting more first-team starts as the Hammers embark on an October run of
fixtures that includes trips to leaders Southampton and Brighton & Hove
Albion and home games against in-form Blackpool and big-spending Leicester
City. "I'm very happy to come back to the pitch and into the team. I was
very excited before the game and was happy to play 90 minutes. "I've just
had two reserve games - one 90 minutes and one hour - and now I've had 90
minutes in the first team and I had a good tempo. "I just need one more game
to make West Ham stronger and make a difference in the midfield. We help
each other and that's better. "During the international break, everyone will
go back to their houses and think about when we come back. We have two tough
games and if we want to stay at the top level, we have to do better."
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Ilunga off to Doncaster
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce has loaned Herita Ilunga to Championship club Doncaster Rovers
until January
04.10.2011
West Ham United have agreed to loan Herita Ilunga to fellow npower
Championship side Doncaster Rovers until 3 January. The left-back moves to
the Keepmoat Stadium on an emergency loan, having not played for the Hammers
since the 2-1 defeat by Aldershot Town in the Carling Cup first round on 24
August. Ilunga has found chances limited with the arrival of George
McCartney. The 29-year-old played when the Hammers won 1-0 at Doncaster on
13 August, and will become manager Dean Saunders' second new signing after
the arrival of Pascal Chimbonda.
He is the latest Hammer to be loaned out following Pablo Barrera (Real
Zaragoza), Jordan Spence (Bristol City), Cristian Montano (Notts County),
Ahmed Abdulla (Swindon Town), Jordan Brown (Aldershot Town), Callum
McNaughton (AFC Wimbledon), Robert Hall (Oxford United), Olly Lee (Dagenham
& Redbridge) and Frank Nouble (Gillingham).
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Two new kick-off times
WHUFC.com
West Ham United have learned the games against Derby County and Birmingham
City have new start times
04.10.2011
Two forthcoming West Ham United games have new kick-off times to allow for
screening on Sky Sports. The home game against Derby County on Saturday 26
November and the Boxing Day trip to Birmingham City will both now start
later in the day. Derby has moved from 3pm to 5.20pm, while the Blues start
time has changed from 1pm to 5.30pm. The Hammers are next due to be on
television for the trip to Brighton and Hove Albion on Monday 24 October,
kick-off at 7.45pm.
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Lansbury the SBOBET winner
WHUFC.com
Midfield marvel Henri Lansbury has seen his great first month at the club
recognised by fans
04.10.2011
Henri Lansbury has been voted the SBOBET Player of the Month for September
after the latest supporter poll. In one of the closest votes seen since the
prestigious prize began, Lansbury took 30.7 per cent, just ahead of Robert
Green on 29.9 per cent. Lansbury enjoyed a memorable month, playing in all
four games and starting his Hammers loan from Arsenal with a debut goal in
the 4-3 win against Portsmouth on 10 September. He also won a penalty for
Mark Noble in that match as he did in the 1-0 home win against Peterborough
on 24 September. In between, he was impressive in the goalless draw away to
Millwall on 17 September, going close to a stunning first-minute goal with a
snap-shot from fully 40 yards that just missed. Currently away on England
duty for two big UEFA U21 EURO qualifiers, Lansbury will receive his award
just before the home match against Blackpool on Saturday 15 October. The
20-year-old follows on from James Tomkins, who took the honour in August
after a tremendous first month of the campaign.
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Doncaster Rovers sign West Ham's Herita Ilunga on loan
BBC.co.uk
Doncaster Rovers have signed defender Herita Ilunga on a three-month loan
deal from West Ham. The 29-year-old left-back played in the UEFA Champions
League with Toulouse before joining the Hammers, initially on loan, in 2008.
The Congo international moves to the Keepmoat until 3 January and becomes
Rovers manager Dean Saunders second signing since taking charge. Defender
Pascal Chimbonda signed on a short-term contract until January.
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Christmas on the motorway
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 4th October 2011
By: Staff Writer
Ever wanted to spend Boxing Day night on the motorway? Thanks to Sky Sports,
your dreams have been realised...
The TV company, who somewhat farcially call the shots with regards to kick
off times - irrespective of the difficulties they may cause supporters -
have moved the Boxing Day fixture at Birmingham from 1pm to 5:30pm, meaning
that travelling fans are unlikely to get back to London until around 10:00pm
at the earliest.
Sky's scheduling incurred the wrath of Hammers fans last month when it was
revelaed the forthcoming away game at Brighton - initially scheduled for
Saturday, 22nd October - had been moved to Monday, 24th meaning that
hundreds of Hammers fans who had already bought train tickets and booked
accomodation stood to lose out financially or face the task of having to go
through the whole process again.
The TV company - who earlier today lost their legal battle with a pub
landlord over the rights to broadcast foreign satellite feeds in the UK -
have also changed the date of West Ham's home fixture against Derby. That
has been moved from a 3:00pm kick off on Saturday, 26th November to 5:30pm
the same day.
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Allardyce denies 'long ball' claims
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 4th October 2011
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce has admitted that he was disppointed by comments from Crystal
Palace manager Dougie Freedman regarding his purported direct tactics.
Freedman, speaking after the 2-2 draw claimed that Allardyce's side spent
much of the game hitting long balls at Carlton Cole - the very style he was
criticised for during his time at Bolton and one that caused many Hammers to
harbour concern regarding his appointment during the summer. But Allardyce -
speaking via whufc.com this afternoon - insisted that Freedman had got it
wrong. "We dominated the game and outplayed the home side so it disappoints
me to hear a young manager talking in the way that he did about my team," he
said. "Just to get the facts straight, we were on top in terms of passing
and possession and should have won the game with the chances we created."
Allardyce's tactics have been the subject of muuch discussion amongst West
Ham fans in recent weeks. His purported 433 formation is actually 451, many
claim, with the aforementioned Cole - or in his absence, John Carew -
playing that sole pivotal role.
Meanwhile supporters of the various teams faced in recent weeks - as
highlighted in KUMB's post-match 'Opposition View' round-ups - have also
been heavily inclined to criticise Allardyce's set-up, given the quality of
players available to him.
Despite the criticism, West Ham sit fourth in the Championship and remain
unbeaten away from home - and all whilst Allardyce continues to discover for
his best team, having signed 14 players since becoming Avram Grant's
successor just four months ago.
The opposition views: in quotes
Crystal Palace
"West Ham were physically very big, strong and used it to their advantage. "
" A good side, but when the going got tough they hid for long periods and
went for hoofball."
" I thought West Ham looked like a poor man's Bolton - loads of big guys and
only ever looked dangerous when the ball was lumped into the box. "
Ipswich Town
"After the break West Ham had more of the ball but never matched the flowing
football which has been characteristic of the Blues."
"West Ham started to show some semblance of threat nearer to half-time with
Cole's physical power the main danger."
Peterborough United
"To play a lone striker at home against a newly-promoted side that has been
known to concede a few is a joke."
"Big Sam would walk over hot coals to manage England. If that happened I
would emigrate; a dinosaur of a manager."
"West Ham for me were a poor footballing side - typical Allardyce hoof-ball
apart from a couple of passing moves."
Millwall
"They are no longer the Academy of Football. What I saw today was a long
ball humped up to a big lump up front , who tries to get his nut on it."
Portsmouth
"Seeing the way West Ham used Carlton Cole was a perfect example of how to
play with the long ball and winning the knock downs."
"West Ham have by far and away the best squad in the Championship, littered
with internationals and they have bought well in pre-season."
Nottingham Forest
"West Ham play in their manager's image – big, strong, brawny and trying to
take advantage of every set piece."
"Our visitors didn't really have to get out of second gear to register an
impressive looking scoreline."
Leeds United
"I didn't think West Ham were anything special, they lacked attacking ideas
and rarely troubled us."
Watford
"People can laugh about Allardyce and the concept of 'football', but West
Ham tonight were the Championship's 'Barcelona of Europe'."
"They tried to take the sting out of the game by getting the ball down,
passing it about and spreading the play."
"We were totally outplayed football-wise by a Same Alladyce team. That is
saying something!"
Doncaster
"West Ham struck me as a bit like Newcastle [last season], not a great
'team' but [with] good enough players individually to go up."
"Their defence looked solid. They will be in the mix at the end of the
season simply because they will not concede a lot of goals."
" If anything West Ham were fitter, and their midfield was all over ours
most of the match."
Cardiff City
"West Ham played numerous long ball that rolled harmlessly into touch."
"How often did West Ham kick the ball straight out of play and lose
possession?"
"West Ham will win this league. With this midfield they'll overrun every
team in the league. Five in the middle all season for them."
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Ilunga gone
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 4th October 2011
By: Staff Writer
Herita Ilunga has completed his temporary switch to Doncaster Rovers. The
Congolese full-back, who first joined West Ham in September 2008 has joined
Rovers on a three-month 'emergency' loan deal that expires at the beginning
of January 2012. No doubt Sam Allardyce will be keen to shift the
errant-full back on a permanent basis during the next trasnfer window. West
Ham are understood to be picking up the majority of the 29-year-old's wages.
Ilunga is set to make his debut for Donny against Leeds next Friday evening
(14th October). He should be joined in the side by manager Dean Saunders'
other new signing, former Wigan and Tottneham defender Pascal Chimbonda.
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Leen on me
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 3rd October 2011
By: Staff Writer
West Ham youngster Olly Lee has extended his stay at League Two Dagenham &
Redbridge by a further month. The 20-year-old midfielder, who joined the
Daggers initially at the beginning of August has had his loan extended for a
second time and will now remain at Victoria Road until the beginning of
November. Lee, who previously spent a couple of months on loan with the
Essex-based club between March and May of this year has made a total of 12
appearances for Dagenham & Redbridge so far this season, scoring twice -
with both goals coming in his last three appearances. The Daggers - whose
win over Crewe last weekend ended a run of four consecutive defeats that saw
them plummet down the table - currently sit in 20th place in League Two, yet
just six points off the play-off zone.
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Rovers tie up Ilunga loan
Saunders makes second signing since taking charge
Last Updated: October 4, 2011 1:05pm
SSN
Doncaster Rovers have completed the signing of defender Herita Ilunga on a
three-month loan deal from fellow Championship side West Ham United.
Skysports.com revealed on Monday that new Rovers boss Dean Saunders was
poised to land Ilunga following last week's capture of Pascal Chimbonda. The
29-year-old full-back brings a wealth of experience to the Keepmoat Stadium,
having represented St Etienne and Toulouse before joining the Hammers on
loan in 2008. He established himself as a first-team regular for the
then-Premier League side after making a permanent move to Upton Park in
2009, but has fallen behind George McCartney in manager Sam Allardyce's
pecking order this season. Ilunga has not featured in the Hammers' first
team since the shock Carling Cup defeat to Aldershot and will stay with
Doncaster until 3rd January. He becomes Saunders' second signing after
former Tottenham defender Chimbonda joined Rovers on a short-term deal last
week.
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Talk About Give a Dog a Bad Name!
October 5th, 2011 - 12:24 am by S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
It was interesting to see the reaction to Dougie Freedman's post-match
comments that West Ham played a 'long ball' style, last Saturday, against
Palace. Whereas, it appears that the opposition manager labours under the
delusion that Palace play a stylish passing game. KUMB have published a
post linking Freedman's comments to those made by opposition fans this
season. The consensus view being that Sam Allardyce is not making best use
of the talent available in his squad.
Well, firstly, lets put to bed this notion that Crystal Palace are the 'pass
masters' of the Championship. West Ham dominated the match and it was only
those troublesome, lingering, defensive issues that cost us the two points.
Allardyce, himself, has criticised Freedman's comments and pointed out that
the Hammers were by far the better team. I have not looked at the match
stats, but you can bet that Sam Allardyce has and I would not be at all
surprised if our passing completion % rate was better than Palace's.
Secondly, the KUMB article in question is good, as they usually are, but it
is based on the flawed assumption that opposition fans would give a fair and
unbiased estimate of the opposition. Some Millwall follower asserting 'that
'West Ham are no longer the Academy of Football' or Leeds fan arguing that
'West Ham are not all that' is neither objective nor particularly
surprising. It's just the type of angst that supporters of one club
harbours for a rival club. No, Freedman's comments should have been
juxtaposed to the comments of the managers the other sides that have played
us so far this season. I have read a summary of most of their post-match
comments, very helpfully provided by KUMB, but I do not recall any of them
referring to West Ham's alleged direct style, nor did they suggest that
Allardyce was not making best use of the talent in his squad!
Personally, I have no axe to grind with Sam Allardyce. He is a far better
manager than I ever gave him credit for when he managed Bolton. And I
admire the way in which he has set about the task at West Ham, restructuring
the squad, making some quality signings and gradually changing the culture
and ethos at the club. In all honesty, I have not been alienated by the
football that his West Ham team have served up. On the contrary, I have
enjoyed watching much of it. It appears that Freedman's comments are based
upon a commonly held misconception about Sam Allardyce's preferred style of
play, one that he is desperate to dispel during his time at West Ham. Talk
about 'give a dog a bad name!'
This West Ham team has players of the ability of Tomkins, Noble, Collison,
Lansbury, of course they are going get the ball down and play. I have seen
West Ham play some excellent inter-passing moves so far, but they have also
mixed it up with some more direct play. But where they have done the latter
it has not been % football, of the lob it into the box and get on the knock
down" variety. It has largely been accurate, putting balls in to the box
with skill and intent. What's wrong with that? Do you think that
Greenwood's teams passed it into the net every time? Of course not, a major
Greenwood innovation, tactically, was hitting the striker at the near post,
usually Geoff Hurst or Martin Peters. All three of Hurst's goals in the
1966 WC Final were the product of long, accurate, balls in to him. Two of
them were delivered by Bobby Moore, was he a ' long ball merchant' a la
Wimbledon in their hay day? Was Trevor Brooking a proponent of 'direct
football' when he used to curl those beautiful, weighted balls in to the box
for the likes of David Cross or David Swindlehurst? Was Lyall's 1985-86
title chasing team playing it overly direct when Devonshire and Dickens
played those long balls forward for Cottee and McAvennie to run on to? Of
course not, on all counts.
I have said it before, and I will say it again, there is nothing wrong with
a long ball played to good effect. Not a aimless pump in to the box, but a
measured ball forward to find your man in a good offensive position. There
is nothing wrong with being direct if the situation requires it. Why play
eight passes, if four passes and a well placed ball in to the box achieves
better results? If a striker runs to the near post, losing his marker,
surely you should seek to deliver the ball in to him? The answer to these
questions seem obvious to me and I am sure Ron Greenwood would not have
advocated going for the short pass every time, when a longer ball forward
delivers a better potential outcome.
As I have stated, I have enjoyed much of the football this season. I have
also enjoyed seeing some very professional performances away from home. The
4 goal demolitions of Watford and Notts Forest were a sight to bring joy to
the heart any Hammers fans, especially after the numerous insipid
capitulations last season. Freedman was right about one thing though, this
West Ham team is physically large and very strong. Allardyce has brought in
some big, strong players and they are going to be needed during the course
of this Championship season. Having said that, it was right that we added
height and strength to the squad to prevent us being intimidated and
physically bullied by opponents, even if we were still in the PL. One thinh
is certain, we are not likely to be pushed around with the likes of Faye,
Nolan, Demel, Diop, Carew, etc, in the claret and blue.
We were rightly disappointed not to take maximum points against Millwall and
Palace, but thinking about it, both away games were huge potential banana
skins and Allardyce's team neither buckled, nor allowed themselves to be
overwhelmed. That could not be said about some previous West Ham teams that
have gone to The Den and Selhurst Park. No, the away form is very good, but
we are badly letting ourselves down at Upton Park. We must sort out our
home form out as a matter of urgency. At the moment teams are coming to
Upton Park and playing without fear and that is a problem. We must get it
right and start punishing teams. A couple of heavy victories at home will
radically change the situation, build our self-confidence and make opponents
more fearful.
Of course, we still have the residues of a defensive problem. The answer
probably lies in pairing Tomkins with Faye at centre-back and introducing
Demel at right-back, to partner McCartney in the full-back slots. The loss
of Rob Green is most unfortunate, but it was a eventuality that we should
have factored in to our contingency plans. Hopefully, we will be able to
get through the period of his absence without too much of a problem. And
talking of keepers, I am most saddened to see that Stech has refused to sign
a contract extension and is heading for the exit door. He is currently on
trial at Burnley and, if he does go there, they will have been handed a very
good prospect. I can understand Stech's unhappiness at his lack of first
team opportunities and I cannot help thinking that he should have played far
more first team games by this point in time. Least ways, Stech should be
the deputy to Rob Green and firmly in line to succeed him. Instead, we
brought in Boffin and placed him and Kuruz higher up the pecking order.
That could well prove to be a major, costly mistake!
Elsewhere, Ian Hendon was fullsome in his praise of Brian
Montenegro-Martinez's performance after a recent Development Squad match.
Apparently, BMM played with pace, vision, skill and good movement off the
ball. Hendon seems to think that we may have hit the jackpot with BMM and
we can only hope that he is proven right. Sam Baldock has had a quiet start
to his Hammers career, but sometimes it is better that way. It gives
Baldock a chance to settle in, adapt to Championship football and progress
without undue expectation and pressure. I have no doubt that Baldock will
prove his value this season, given time and patience. And the Tevez to
Hammers stories? The club are obviously trying to do a loan deal, lets hope
that they pull it off. Because Tevez would be far too good for Championship
defences. Here's hoping, after all dreams do come true sometimes!
And finally, Illunga and Picquionne have been moved out on loan to Doncaster
Rovers. That should make a lot of Hammers fans happy, as both players had
become unpopular due to a widely perceived lack of effort and application.
The question then becomes whether Sam Allardyce has moved them out to make
way for a couple of free agent or loan signings that he has in the pipeline?
SJ. Chandos.
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Ilunga departs West Ham for Doncaster loan
4 Oct 2011
Evening Standard
West Ham defender Herita Ilunga has joined fellow npower Championship outfit
Doncaster on a three-month loan deal. The 29-year-old full-back brings a
wealth of experience to the Keepmoat Stadium, having represented St Etienne
and Toulouse before joining the Hammers on loan in 2008. He established
himself as a first-team regular for the then-Premier League side after
making a permanent move to Upton Park in 2009, but has fallen behind George
McCartney in manager Sam Allardyce's pecking order this season. Ilunga has
represented Congo 19 times and will remain with Doncaster until January 3.
He becomes Dean Saunders' second signing after former Tottenham defender
Pascal Chimbonda joined the Yorkshire outfit on a short-term deal last week.
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Sports minister blasts Tottenham over 'pointless' Olympic Stadium review
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 3:47 PM on 4th October 2011
Daily Mail
Sports minister Hugh Robertson has labelled Tottenham's legal action over
the Olympic Stadium's future as 'completely pointless'. The Conservative MP
was speaking after the IAAF evaluation commission completed a two-day visit
to London to assess the city's bid for the 2017 World Championships. One of
the main contentious issues surrounding the bid is the continuing legal row
over the Olympic Stadium's future, with Tottenham seeking a judicial review
of the decision to award it to West Ham after the London 2012 Games. The
review will be heard on October 18 but Robertson believes it is pointless
after Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy previously expressed his intention to
remain in north London. 'It would clearly be a good thing (if Tottenham
dropped the judicial review),' he said. 'I think the point about the
Tottenham legal action is that ultimately now it is completely pointless
because their chairman has come out and made a commitment - and I
congratulate him for that - to stay and redevelop in Tottenham. 'He made
that commitment in the wake of the travels last summer so there is really no
point trying to judicially review this stadium any more. 'He has had a full
and final offer from (London mayor) Boris (Johnson, to stay in Tottenham)
and I think it is now completely pointless keeping that judicial review in
place.'
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