Daily WHUFC News - 23rd December 2011

Noble gives back
WHUFC.com
The Richard House children's hospice has been visited by West Ham United this Christmas
21.12.2011

Mark Noble has spoken of his passion for the Richard House children's hospice after the club's Christmas visit. The homegrown Hammer is a patron of the Beckton-based hospice which helps life-limited children and their families all year round. West Ham United's players always visit at this time of year and Noble was joined by Marek Stech, Joey O'Brien, Abdoulaye Faye Winston Reid, John Carew, Carlton Cole and Frederic Piquionne. They gave out Hammers goody bags including footballs and giant teddies, while Noble handed over a sizeable donation after captain Kevin Nolan organised a collection among the squad. Half the money went to the King George hospital in Goodmayes attended by the rest of the first-team players. Richard House, which relies on generous donations from supporters for much of its annual budget, has a special place in the heart of Noble, given he was brought up in the area and is a proud father of two. "I have been coming here since I was 17 and I try and come here four or five times a year just to see how the place is going," he told West Ham TV. "They wanted to make me a patron which I was honoured to be. "It is a place which puts life into perspective. You come here and see what people do for these kids and it is fantastic."

The Hammers will extend their partnership with Richard House in 2012, with the home match against Southampton on 14 February provisionally scheduled to be their annual awareness game.

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Callum's Christmas cheer
WHUFC.com
Loanee Callum McNaughton is ready for a big Boxing Day date with AFC Wimbledon
23.12.2011

Callum McNaughton is hoping to take centre-stage on Boxing Day when AFC Wimbledon take on Oxford United live on Sky Sports. The lunchtime kick-off will see the Dons host the U's at Kingsmeadow in a big League Two fixture, although the centre-back will not be lining up against fellow West Ham United loanee Rob Hall as he has been recalled to the Boleyn. The 20-year-old, who was recently back at Chadwell Heath for treatment to a minor leg injury, has made 15 appearances in all competitions since joining AFC Wimbledon on loan in early September. "It's been nice to play a lot of games. I think the experience has been really good for me. I've learnt a lot so I'll take a lot of things out of it and I hope it continues. "I think I've settled in well and have grown with every game I've played. It's certainly been a new experience playing league football and has been a challenge. "I think it has put me in really good stead for the future."

McNaughton said his positive time at Kingsmeadow had helped to erase the memory of being sent-off on his West Ham debut in the Carling Cup defeat by Aldershot Town in August. "It has definitely helped me to have a positive experience after what happened on my debut. It's what you want - a lot of games and as many good experiences as you can. "I'm glad it has happened quickly and to have got so much experience in the time I've been at Wimbledon has made me really happy."

Looking ahead, McNaughton will hope to regain his place for the big Boxing Day fixture after missing the 1-0 defeat at Rotherham on 17 December. Should he be picked by Dons manager Terry Brown, the defender is likely to partner the experienced former Charlton Athletic, Millwall and Southend United man Jamie Stuart.
"I think the highlight has just been the enjoyment of playing regular football. I look back and I'm happy with the time I've spent there. "I haven't managed to score yet, but I enjoy every victory. I'd say the best feeling was after my first win there against Cheltenham. To get a first league win with the boys meant there was a really good atmosphere after the game. "My regular partner is Jamie Stuart who is a really experienced player. He has helped me along and talks to me a lot. He's been great and is a nice man as well. I've really enjoyed playing alongside him. "My loan ends on 4 January but I hope I can stay longer if possible. We'll see when the time comes and make the decision from there. "I think my time at Wimbledon has been good and we'll see what happens."

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Boxing Day travel update
WHUFC.com
Fans should allow plenty of time for travel if meeting the official club coaches on Monday
23.12.2011

Fans travelling with the club to the Boxing Day encounter at Birmingham City should take note of travel disruption in London. London Underground is set to be affected by a Tube drivers' strike on Monday 26 December. It is likely to cause severe disruption to all Tube lines, including the District and Hammersmith & City lines serving Upton Park station. Supporters are advised to make sure they are at the Boleyn Ground at least 30 minutes before the scheduled 1pm departure time as, in order to make the 5.30pm kick-off at St Andrews, the coaches cannot wait for any latecomers.

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TC takes pride in Pottsy
WHUFC.com
One of the club's most famous 17-year-old debutants Tony Cottee is well placed to reflect on Dan Potts
22.12.2011

When it comes to being 17 and making your debut, Tony Cottee is something of an expert. On 1 January 1983, the teenaged Cottee made his debut at home to Tottenham Hotspur and promptly scored in a 3-0 victory. It set him on the path to a fantastic career, including 146 goals in 336 games over two spells in the claret and blue. Back at Chadwell Heath this week, Cottee was prompted to recall his Boleyn bow with everyone still buzzing about Dan Potts making his debut in the 1-0 win against Barnsley at the age of 17. He was drafted into the side at short notice when Abdoulaye Faye limped out of the warm-up. "It brought back the memories," he told whufc.com. "I only played because Paul Goddard was injured. Where it was also similar was Dan didn't know until about ten minutes to kick-off that he was playing. I was the same, I didn't find out until about an hour and a half before. "The worst thing would be if you had two weeks and it was building up and everyone was talking about it. When it just goes 'bang' like that, you go out and you put the shirt on and as soon as you cross the white line, you go into professional mode. "It would have been like playing in a reserve game for Dan but with the crowd. Of course, you are playing with better players but you are up against better players and you have to step your game up to that level. "Everyone I have spoken to said how well he has done. What would have been good is he didn't have time to get nervous. He probably didn't even have time to ring his dad. It was just 'go and play' and that probably helped."

Cottee said an overriding emotion from his New Year's Day debut was a sense of achievement, having craved such a chance while coming through the ranks. "It was an incredible feeling to go out there and perform in front of the fans that you have grown up standing alongside and to play with the players you used to watch. "He will have grown up with the club. Two or three years ago, Dan would have been watching Mark Noble play and I couldn't believe I was on the same pitch as people like Phil Parkes, Ray Stewart and Alvin Martin. "All of a sudden you are playing with those players and the hard part is to take it all in. I am absolutely delighted for him and know how he will be feeling this week."

Cottee is still good friends with Potts dad Steve, another former team-mate, and was particularly delighted for the family because of the youngster having overcome leukaemia in his early teens. "I text Pottsy and said 'Well done, you must be so proud'. As a dad there can't be anything better than watching the son play for the club you played for. "It is a fulfilment of an ambition. When you start out in football as a five, six or seven-year-old you want to play in the first team. "It was a fulfilment but once you have had a taste, you have the bug and you want to establish yourself as a player first and foremost. "Once I had established myself, I wanted to be top scorer, then you want to play for England and you keep setting new goals."

Cottee achieved much for club and country but said it was important for Potts to keep his feet on the ground. "The most important thing is to not think you have made it. Don't think 'I am a big superstar' and go out and buy a flash car. But the great thing for Dan is his dad is one of the most level-headed people you will ever come across and will help him keep his feet on the floor. "It is great for the family and i am so pleased, bearing in mind the problems he has had as well. It is fantastic."

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Hall recalled
WHUFC.com
Rob Hall has been recalled from his loan spell at League Two club Oxford United
21.12.2011

West Ham United have recalled Rob Hall from his second loan spell at Oxford United. England Under-19 forward Hall has been in outstanding goalscoring form for Oxford, netting six times in 14 appearances during two periods with the U's this season. The youngster, who celebrated his 18th birthday on 20 October, has helped Oxford to make a strong claim for a place in the League Two Play-Offs. Hall was originally recalled from his first loan spell at the Kassam Stadium at the end of October. He was named among the substitutes for the goalless npower Championship draw with Bristol City on 1 November before travelling with the first-team squad to Hull City four days later. The teenager, who returned on Oxford on 16 November, was also part of the Hammers side that defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-2 in the FA Youth Cup third round earlier this month. Hall will return to Chadwell Heath for training on Friday

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Brian flying says Hendon
WHUFC.com
Ian Hendon hailed his Development Squad after a convincing 3-1 win at Colchester United on Tuesday
21.12.2011

Ian Hendon was full of festive cheer after his Development Squad completed 2011 with a fine 3-1 win at Colchester United. West Ham United's second-string came from a goal down to complete a convincing victory highlighted by an 80-minute run out for Gary O'Neil and an outstanding goal from Paraguay Under-20 forward Brian Montenegro (pictured). The Hammers started slowly, falling behind to Steven Gillespie's low strike, before launching a superb comeback through George Moncur's penalty before half-time and Montenegro's turn and low finish and Eoin Wearen's powerful header in six minutes after the break. "It was very good," said Hendon. "To be honest, the lads were on their way to getting a rocket at half-time after the opening 20 minutes, but they worked their way into the game and played some good football in difficult conditions. "We gave Colchester too much time and space in the early stages but once we tightened up we started to put them under pressure and create plenty of chances. "We got our equaliser and then the way we came out after half-time and scored twice so quickly was really pleasing."

Montenegro's 49th-minute goal was the signature moment of a cold and wet night at Maldon and Tiptree FC. The South American took advantage of a clever dummy by new signing Pelly Ruddock before turning and unleashing an unstoppable low drive into the bottom right-hand corner. Two minutes later, Wearen completed the scoring by nodding in O'Neil's swinging free-kick to net for the second game in succession. "We did a bit of work on the morning of the game on finishing and set-plays and Brian looked sharp and he's scored another great goal - a good finish with his left foot. "Pleasingly, we got another goal from a set piece and Eoin has now got two in two games. We work on these things in games and when it works in the games it is very pleasing. It was not just the goalscorers who pleased Hendon. Youngster Ruddock caught the eye with his pace, power and industry, while O'Neil resembled his old self with an energetic performance. "Pelly is a strong lad for his age and he's going to develop. I don't think he's used to full-time football yet, but his attitude and enthusiasm for the game are great and he did well. "Gary was fantastic. We played him out on the right and his delivery into the box and his set-plays were superb. He looked really good on the ball and is looking stronger and sharper with every game. The good sign was that he was disappointed when he came off because he wanted to stay on and play the full 90 minutes, but the medical team specified that he should only play 75 or 80 minutes. "We swapped Gary and Blair Turgott over and players find little niches in games - when they're not causing one full-back a problem they might cause the other full-back a problem and that's exactly how it turned out. The midfield players pushed up and put more pressure on them and, as a group, it was a good performance.

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West Ham end Robert Hall's Oxford United loan
BBC.co.uk
Page last updated at 15:42 GMT, Wednesday, 21 December 2011

West Ham United have recalled striker Robert Hall from his loan at Oxford United, just one day after allowing him to extend his stay at the Kassam. Hall, 18, was in his second loan spell at the League Two side having initially joined the U's in September. The England Under-19 international notched six goals in 14 appearances but failed to score in his last five games. Manager Chris Wilder told the club website: "It is a blow because Rob has shown what he can do in front of goal."

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Hall loan cancelled - after 24 hours
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 21st December 2011
By: Staff Writer

Robert Hall has been recalled from his short-term loan at Oxford - just 24 hours after extending his stay at the Kassam Stadium. Oxford boss Chris Wilder revealed yesterday that Hall had agreed to stay with the League Two club for another month having initially joined them back in September. "It speaks volumes about our set-up that West Ham are happy to let him continue his footballing development with us," he said yesterday. However less than a day later it has been confirmed that Hall - who will return to training with West Ham on Friday - has been recalled. "It is a blow because Rob has shown what he can do in front of goal," Wilder said today in reaction to West Ham's change of heart. "But we always knew how highly regarded he is at West Ham and that this could happen."

This is the second time that Hall has been recalled from loan since joining Oxford. The 18-year-old was previously called back to Chadwell Heath in October, but returned to the League Two club shortly after.

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West Ham considering legal moves against Football League's plans for financial fair play rules
By Jason Burt10:00PM GMT 22 Dec 2011 Comment
Telegraph.co.uk

The planned introduction of financial fair play rules for the Football League from next season has caused some angst for at least one of the clubs chasing promotion from the Championship. Indeed so annoyed are West Ham United that they are understood to be considering taking the matter to judicial review. Their argument, according to one club insider, is that the rules are not being properly introduced and will penalise those who are ambitious and want to spend. In practice, West Ham claim, it means that clubs won't be able to buy players, meaning that prices will fall and the gap between the Premier League and the lower leagues will be even greater.

The Football League clubs agreed in principle, at their annual meeting in Cyprus last summer, to introduce financial fair play from the 2012-13 season. This means that Championship clubs will only be allowed to spend what they earn while League One and Two clubs will not be permitted to spend more than 55 per cent of their turnover on player wages. Clubs who transgress are likely to be handed a transfer ban as a first sanction with possible points deductions for major offenders. The vote was hailed by the Football League, who are concerned that debt among the 72 clubs totals more than £700 million, but it has annoyed some of their members.

West Ham were relegated from the Premier League last May and did not take part in the vote, and are planning on taking legal action because they claim the rules are being brought in without adequate notice. West Ham took on significant overheads last summer, signing the likes of Kevin Nolan in the hope of pushing for promotion and while they are on course to go up, if they do miss out they could act. At the very least it is understood they want the rules to be delayed or phased in over the next two to three years so the clubs are given time to adjust. The Football League could equally argue that clubs, who voted for the measure, should not be encouraged to overspend.

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Hammer time for Buddle as West Ham weigh up an offer to trialling USA striker
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 10:30 PM on 22nd December 2011
Daily Mail

West Ham are ruuning the rule over USA international striker Edson Buddle who has been on trial at the club. The USA international has previously had tentative interest from Stoke and Birmingham City, while Sheffield Wednesday made him an offer that was turned down in 2010.

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Talent scout: Daniel Potts
By Joe Ridge
Daily Mail

Potts, you say? That's a name familiar to West Ham fans. Any relation?

Yes, he's the son of former Hammers defender Steve Potts. Potts Snr made 399 appearances for the club in a 17-year spell (they don't make them like that anymore, do they?) and became something of a fans favourite. He captained the Hammers from 1993 to 1996 - so he was the club's skipper when Daniel was born in 1994.

Is he a similar sort of player to his old man?

He's a defender, so that's one box ticked. But Daniel is known for his sweet left foot and marauding runs from full-back, whereas right-sider Steve, it's fair to say, was better known for his no nonsense style.

I see he made his debut at the weekend. How did that go?

Potts put in a calm and composed performance in the 1-0 win over Barnsley, which is particularly impressive given that he was thrown in at the last minute when Abdoulaye Faye picked up an injury in the warm up.

I hear that his debut caps a remarkable couple of years for the young man. Is that right?

That's right. Potts was diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of 12, but was given the all clear in 2010. To be making his professional debut so soon after is quite remarkable.

Big Sam must be a fan then?

He clearly is. Hammers boss Allardyce was confident enough in Potts' abilities to let Herita Ilunga join Doncaster on loan, leaving Potts as the understudy to first choice left-back George McCartney. Allardyce reserved special praise for Potts after the Barnsley game, saying: 'It was a great debut from Pottsy both in defence and attack.'

Can we expect to see him keep his place?

McCartney is the first choice, so, for now at least, Potts' appearances will mostly be when the Ulsterman is injured or suspended. However, there is an injury crisis at West Ham at the minute, and over the Christmas period you may see Allardyce use McCartney in the heart of the defence again, allowing Potts to start at left-back.

Potts of talent: The left-back signed a new contract this month

Have they got him tied down a long deal, then?

Potts signed a new deal the day before he made his debut. Although he may wish he had waited now, as his performance would have probably put a few more pennies on his weekly salary.

It's good to see the West Ham academy is still producing top young talent, are there any more to look out for?

As ever, West Ham's youth teams are littered with talent. Potts is the star pupil at the moment, and he's not the only son of a former Hammer to be under Tony Carr's wing. Keep your eye out for George Moncur and Oliver Lee, sons of former Hammers midfielders John Moncur and Rob Lee.

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West Ham weighing up move for US striker
By talkSPORT
Wednesday, December 21

West Ham could make a move for American international forward Edson Buddle. Buddle, 30, is currently on a week's trial with the east London club and is hoping to make a move into English football. The experienced forward is currently playing for German side Ingolstadt and is the club's leading scorer this season with six goals.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is keen to bolster his forward line and has already missed out on a deal for Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka. Buddle has a wealth of experience having played with David Beckham at Los Angeles Galaxy and wants to show he can compete at the highest level.

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Double injury boost for West Ham
By talkSPORT
Wednesday, December 21

West Ham hope to receive a double injury boost for the Boxing Day clash against Birmingham with Julien Faubert and Abdoulaye Faye set to declare their fitness for the game. Faubert was forced to limp out of the 1-0 win over Barnsley last week with a hamstring injury and there were fears he could miss the busy festive period.
Faye also suffered a setback just minutes before kick-off when he picked up a calf injury during the warm-up and pulled out of the starting line-up. But both players have responded well to treatment and are expected to take their place for the game at St Andrews. West Ham will also welcome back defender Joey O'Brien from suspension following his one-match ban.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 21st December 2011

Carr takes BBC award
WHUFC.com
The club's Academy Director has yet another honour to add to his
considerable collection
20.12.2011

Tony Carr has won the outstanding contribution to sport in BBC London's
annual awards ceremony. The Academy Director, made an MBE in 2010 for his
services to football, was surprised to receive the prestigious prize in a
year when there were several outstanding contributions across a range of
sports. BBC London are the club's broadcast partners and considered a host
of high-profile candidates. Carr has continued to produce top talent for the
club's youth system, as shown by the U18s earning a tremendous 3-2 victory
at Wolverhampton Wanderers in this month's FA Youth Cup third round and Dan
Potts going on to earn his first-team bow last weekend.

Callum McNaughton, George Moncur, Rob Hall and Dylan Tombides have also made
it through the ranks to the first-team set-up in the last 12 months and
there is every chance that a few of those names- and maybe one or two others
- will force their way into Sam Allardyce's thoughts permanently in 2012.
For Carr, this latest honour was something he did not expect. "It was
totally out of the blue," he told West Ham TV. "Totally unexpected. I didn't
even know I was in the running. I am very honoured that the illustrious BBC
have seen fit to give me this award. "It is a special achievement. I feel
quite honoured and humbled to be honest to have been thought of and
considered for it. I am very proud and I am sure my family will be chuffed
for me."

Carr collected his award while at Upton Park late in the evening after
another full day and he admitted that he has no thoughts of slowing down. He
and his talented coaches continue to put in all the hours to help the club
maintain its reputation as the original Academy of Football. "The work never
stops. With youth football, it is about the weekends and weeknights, and all
day. It consumes you seven days a week. Everyone in football will know that.
"Unless you are passionate about what you do you can't do it successfully.
You need support from your family at home and the desire and drive to
constantly improve on your previous work as you try to unearth the next
player to break into the first-team squad. "When I lose that hunger and
drive will be the day I have to retire but I still have a bit left in me
yet."

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Hall and Montano extend
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce has allowed two young attackers to continue their experience
elsewhere
20.12.2011

Rob Hall and Cristian Montano have extended their youth loans at Oxford
United and Dagenham & Redbridge for another month. Both will stay at their
League Two clubs until Saturday 14 January, although can be recalled to the
Boleyn Ground immediately if required. Hall is also due to play for the
Under-18s in their FA Youth Cup fourth-round home tie against Brighton &
Hove Albion whenever it is arranged next month. Meanwhile, Callum McNaughton
is staying at AFC Wimbledon until 4 January. It means that he could come up
against Hall when Oxford arrive for a televised encounter at 12.15pm on
Boxing Day. The match will be shown live on Sky Sports 1 before the Hammers
play Birmingham City at 5.30pm. Frank Nouble has returned to the club after
his three-month spell at Gillingham, while Ahmed Abdulla is also back at the
club after his time with Swindon Town.

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FA Youth Cup date set
WHUFC.com
The club can confirm the date of the FA Youth Cup fourth-round tie with
Brighton
20.12.2011

West Ham United will play host to Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Youth Cup
fourth round on Wednesday 11 January. The Hammers won through with a 3-2
defeat of Wolverhampton Wanderers on 7 December, while Brighton were 1-0
winners against Aston Villa in their third-round fixture. The Boleyn Ground
match, which gets under way at 7pm, will be priced at £3 for adults and £1
for concessions.

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Oxford United extend forward Robert Hall's loan deal
Page last updated at 11:53 GMT, Tuesday, 20 December 2011
BBC.co.uk

Oxford United have extended the loan deal of young West Ham forward Robert
Hall by a further month. Hall, 18, is in his second loan spell at the Kassam
Stadium having initially joined the U's in September. He has notched six
goals in 14 appearances but has failed to score in his last five games.
Manager Chris Wilder said: "He gives us something different up front, is a
proven goalscorer and has fitted in really well here."

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Dagenham & Redbridge keep West Ham striker Montano
Page last updated at 12:07 GMT, Tuesday, 20 December 2011
BBC.co.uk

Dagenham & Redbridge have extended the loan spell of West Ham striker
Cristian Montano until 14 January 2012. Colombia-born Montano has played
three games for the Daggers, scoring one goal, since joining the League Two
club on a one-month deal in November. The 20-year-old has also had loan
spells at Notts County and Swindon earlier this season. Montano, who can
play against Hereford on 14 January, has scored six goals in 19 appearances
this season.

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Wilder over the moon
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 20th December 2011
By: Staff Writer

Oxford United boss Chris Wilder says he is 'delighted' to have secured the
services of West Ham youngster Robert Hall for an additional month. The
18-year-old striker has scored six goal in 11 starts since joining Oxford on
loan in September. West Ham agreed to allow him to remain at the Kassam
Stadium for a further month yesterday, much to the delight of Wilder, whose
team currently sit eighth in League Two. "He gives us something different up
front, is a proven goalscorer and has fitted in really well here," said
Wilder. "It speaks volumes about our set-up that West Ham are happy to let
him continue his footballing development with us."

Hall's loan fees have been funded by The 12th Man, a club-specific
fund-raising venture to which supporters contribute. Oxford have already
raised some £40,000 via the scheme which is used by United in addition to
the transfer funds the club itself generates. Elsewhere Cristian Montano has
extended his loan with Dagenham & Redbridge for another month. That means
the Columbian forward could face Millwall when the Daggers meet the Lions in
the third round of the FA Cup.

* West Ham's youngsters beat a Colchester XI 3-1 at Maldon's Wallace Binder
Ground last night. The game, which saw another appearance for Gary O'Neil,
was won by goals from George Moncur (pen), Brian Montenegro and Eoin Wearen.

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Moving the goalposts - again
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 20th December 2011
By: Staff Writer

OPLC Chief Executive Andrew Altman has hinted that West Ham's move to the
Olympic Stadium may not be as cut-and-dried as initially thought. Last
October, following the collapse of West Ham United's original, accepted bid
London Mayou Boris Johnson revealed that the Hammers would "almost
certainly" win the second round of bidding, which takes place in March 2012
with a decision to be announced in May. However that may not now be the case
according to Altman, who insists that the OPLC are looking at other
potential solutions - including joint bids bewteen competing sports such as
football and rugby. "We believe that there are other combinations," he said.
"We welcome football but we're not wholly dependent on football. There are
other combinations and other sports, there's concerts and other activities
that can also provide revenues."

It has also been revealed that naming rights for the stadium will be managed
by the OPLC themselves and not the eventual tenant - meaning that West Ham,
are they to move to Stratford in 2014, would have no say over the name of
the club's new home. Despite the fact that West Ham - who remain hot
favourites to take the Olympic Stadium - would not own the ground nor have
any say in its name, the club would still be expected to cover the costs of
adding retractable seating in the event of a successful bid.

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Further recognition for Carr
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 20th December 2011
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United's Academy Director Tony Carr has been recognised by BBC
London in their annual awards. Carr, who has been at West Ham in a coaching
capacity since 1973 was awarded the radio station's 'Outstanding
Contribution to London Sport Award'. Speaking with whufc.tv, he admitted
that the award came "totally out of the blue". "I didn't even know I was in
the running," he said. "I am very honoured that the illustrious BBC have
seen fit to give me this award. It is a special achievement. "I feel quite
honoured and humbled to be honest to have been thought of and considered for
it. I am very proud and I am sure my family will be chuffed for me." Only
last year Carr was given an MBE in recognition for his outstanding service
to youth football. He told KUMB.com in an exclusive interview that he
expects to remain in his post for "another three or four years". "I'm quite
healthy, I still enjoy it and I still think there's work to be done", he
added. "I hope there's going to be some good players coming through in the
next three or four years and I want to be part of that. "Obviously there
comes a time when you go 'look Tone, as much as we love you you've got to
pack it in'. And I understand that. But whilst I'm still quite fit and
healthy... the day I stop enjoying it is the day I go 'thanks, but I've done
my bit'."

BBC London Sport 2011 Awards: winners

Outstanding Contribution Award: Tony Carr (West Ham United)
Footballer of the Year: Scott Parker (West Ham United/Tottenham)
Young Footballer of the Year: Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur)
Team of the Year: AFC Wimbledon
Manager of the Year: Terry Brown (AFC Wimbledon)
Lifetime Achievement Award: Dennis Signy OBE (Barnet press officer)
Unsung hero: Norman French (founded Romford-based Byron Red Star FC in 1968)

Sports Personality of the Year: Neil Warnock (QPR)

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Stadium share scheme
OPLC say they will accept a ground-share bid
Last Updated: December 20, 2011 9:10am
SSN

As bidding re-opens on the use of the Olympic Stadium after the London 2012
Games, the company in charge of the process have confirmed that they will
accept a ground-share bid from a football and rugby team. West Ham remain
favourites to become the tenants but the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC)
are looking to the example of Swansea's Liberty Stadium, which is used by
both the city's Premier League club and the Ospreys. OPLC are continuing to
insist upon retaining the athletics track but they are open to selling the
naming rights on the stadium, with the tenants receiving a cut of the
income. The original deal for West Ham to take over the stadium collapsed in
October due to legal challenges from Tottenham and Leyton Orient, and under
the new process the OPLC will spend around £95million on converting the
stadium to a 60,000-seat venue for the new tenants.

If the tenants want to have retractable seating over the running track, as
West Ham are considering as part of their bid, they would have to cover
those costs themselves. The deadline for the bids is in March with a
decision due in May, and the stadium reopened in 2014.

Great asset

Olympics minister Hugh Robertson said: "The Government is committed to
securing a legacy from the Olympic Stadium, and wants to see it re-opening
in 2014.
"With the 2017 World Athletics Championship bid won, athletics will be at
the heart of a multi-purpose venue that will also be a great asset to the
local community.
"The Olympic Stadium is an iconic venue and I am sure that it will attract
interesting and exciting bids for its future use."

The OPLC will retain control of a number of days for the stadium. Some of
these are reserved for athletics including the London Diamond League
meeting, and others could be used for Twenty20 cricket, concerts and
American football - talks have already been held with the NFL. London mayor
Boris Johnson, who said in October that West Ham would "almost certainly"
become the tenants, added: "Opening up the bidding to other interested
parties now shows just how far ahead we are in planning a great future for
east London long after the Games have left town."

Newham council are expected to become a partner with the OPLC to operate the
stadium and have offered up to £40million towards the cost of transforming
the stadium. The tenants can bid to rent the stadium for between five years
and 99 years, with an annual rent to be paid and possibly a cut of any
ticket revenue.

Criteria

The OPLC have laid down four main criteria for bids:

1) To deliver a viable, long-term, multi-use stadium that is deliverable and
provides value for money.
2) To re-open the stadium for operational use from 2014.
3) To re-open the stadium with an athletics track that allows track and
field events to be hosted at all levels including the World Athletics
Championship.
4) To allow flexible usage of the stadium by OPLC, tenants and other bodies,
allowing year-round community access.

The bids will be evaluated by the OPLC who will then make recommendations to
the Government and mayor of London.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 20th December 2011

Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce was delighted to see the squad overcome a challenging contest at home to Barnsley
19.12.2011

In the lead up to Saturday's sold-out visit of Barnsley, Sam Allardyce had spoken of the need for his men to quickly make up for the misery of the previous weekend's experience at Reading. The injury and suspension-hit team that played at the Boleyn Ground did just that, grinding out a 1-0 victory that was far more significant than the scoreline suggested in front of the country's second biggest attendance of the day. "You can't afford to lose too many of your 46 games and we wanted to put things right after two disappointing results," the manager said. "We wanted to bounce back with a victory to get back on track and we have done just that. It was a very pleasing performance with all the things that we have had thrown at us."

The result was to prove even more precious come the close of play on Sunday with leaders Southampton seeing their advantage cut to just one point after being held at Portsmouth and Middlesbrough keeping up the pressure two points behind the Hammers in third with a big win at Cardiff City. Big Sam was rightly only concerned with what his men achieved in east London, and achieved against the odds. There were three changes from Reading in the back four alone, with 17-year-old left-back Dan Potts the most striking inclusion for his debut after Abdoulaye Faye's calf complaint saw him withdrawn after the warm-up. Julien Faubert was deployed at right-back, George McCartney moved in to the centre and even James Tomkins had to switch from left centre-half to right centre-half. The manager went with John Carew, Frederic Piquionne and Carlton Cole in attack but the heroes were Potts, the son of club great Steve, goalscorer Papa Bouba Diop and the magnificent Robert Green.
Potts typified the 'get on with it and get a result' attitude of the day, standing up manfully to the Barnsley forward line, with Nile Ranger, Craig Davies and Ricardo Vaz Te all trying their luck out on the right wing in the hope of testing the young defender's nerve. He saw them all off. "These lads have been scoring goals for fun for Barnsley," added Big Sam. "In the last five games they have won four and only lost one. Dan did his job defensively which was the main thing. "I knew he had a lot of quality on the ball because he has been training with the first-team squad for a considerable time now but to show the defensive qualities as well against those players who were much bigger and stronger than him physically and cope so masterfully was pleasing for me. "It was a great debut. His dad would have been more nervous today at a football match than he has ever been in his entire life."

While Allardyce summed up the youngster's bow as "encouraging", he admitted he should only get better especially with his father helping to guide the way. "It could be a great find from the West Ham Academy again. We spotted it early as a senior management group and said to Tony [Carr] 'forget about him training with you, we are going to have him training with us because we think he has good potential'."

The manager will wait to see what action might be taken after he was sent to the stands by the referee. "I wanted the victory so desperately," he said, when asked about his public show of frustration on the sidelines. It came after a strong challenge on Potts went unpunished and was quickly followed by a subsequent ignored claim for a foul on Freddie Sears. "I haven't been as upset as that for many years. I have always been a lot calmer but I just felt that, with the circumstances we were playing under, we didn't need the major decisions to go against us that may cost us the victory we were looking for."

Rather than criticise, the manager wanted to commend and he reserved most of his reflections for some outstanding individual performances, especially as the headaches kept coming with Faubert (hamstring) and John Carew (back) limping off - meaning Henri Lansbury finished the game at right-back on his return from two months out with a knee problem. "There were a lot of massive contributions from a squad that is being stretched to its very limit and still managed to come up with a victory. "Rob Green was very important. It would have been a difficult situation for us to have come back [if they had equalised]. I was uncomfortable they would get one chance and when that one chance came, he pulled off a worldy for us. It was as big a contribution as Papa's goal."

As for Diop, the manager felt his improving conditioning with every week was helping him to make more of a mark and not just with his sixth-minute headed winner, his first in the claret and blue. "He did very well. He has started to get better and better and his fitness is allowing his ability to come through more and more."

It was Potts who will remain the stand-out story of a match that in the short-term will have done so much good before Boxing Day's trip to Birmingham City and in the long-term could prove to be one of the defining moments of the Hammers' season as they push for promotion "It was a terrific day for Pottsy and his family. It is great to see a man of such young potential, a local boy who has had a massive trauma in his life with overcoming leukaemia. I am really pleased for them and all credit to him as a 17-year-old for withstanding the pressure in such an important game."

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Moncur and Montenegro on target
WHUFC.com
George Moncur, Brian Montenegro and Eoin Wearen are on target as the Hammers win in Essex
19.12.2011

COLCHESTER UNITED XI v WEST HAM UNITED XI
DEVELOPMENT SQUAD MATCH
MONDAY 19 DECEMBER 2011
KICK-OFF: 7PM

Final score - Colchester United XI 1-3 West Ham United XI

91 mins - Colchester win a corner. It's taken short but nothing comes of it as the final whistle is blown. Keep an eye on whufc.com and West Ham TV for exclusive reaction and highlights.
90 mins - Plenty of positives tonight. O'Neil has completed 80 minutes, Three goals. A come-from-behind victory. Welcome pitch-time for the likes of Ruddock and Moncur. Very good.
87 mins - Ladapo gets the better of Sanchez, but when he passes the ball inside, West Ham easily clear their lines.
85 mins - Another change from the Hammers sees Matt Fry come on for Jordan Brown at left-back.
84 mins - Moncur gets forward at pace and he's sent through on goal. Cousins comes out and makes another smart save. Without him, the Hammers could have scored six or seven goals tonight.
83 mins - Ladapo has replaced Gillespie and now Arnott is replaced too, with Redgrave on in his place.
81 mins - Colchester have also made a change and substitute Ladapo is involved immediately, testing Kurucz from 25 yards. The corner is cleared and West Ham break at speed. Brown overlaps and gets into the penalty area, but his cross-shot flies over the top.
80 mins - O'Neil goes off. He's had a good night. Leo Chambers replaces him and will play in midfield.
78 mins - O'Neil has gone back to the left of the midfield. Nouble is on the right, with Bunjaku joining Montenegro up front. The new system sees Nouble get in behind on to Driver's pass but his cross just eludes O'Neil.
77 mins - West Ham are playing with some real style now. They are zipping the ball around with confidence and Colchester are hardly getting a kick. One move must have been of at least 30 passes. Quality stuff.
74 mins - That could be 4-1! Driver is fouled by O'Toole and O'Neil nearly catches Cousins out with a viciously swerving effort that the goalkeeper does well to keep out. That was a Ronaldo-style strike from the West Ham midfielder.
72 mins - Bunjaku does well, collecting a pass down the line from Driver before beating his man and being fouled. O'Neil's free-kick is deep but collected by Nouble. He turns, runs and crosses, but it's way too strong.
67 mins - Ruddock ends his night by being booked for a lunging challenge. For a second, it looks like the new boy has been sent-off, but he's actually being replaced by substitute Alban Bunjaku.
64 mins - Driver is a real threat going forward. He cuts inside on to his left foot and shoots from about 20 yards. The ball thuds on to the front of the stand roof. Moments later, Colchester attack and Gillespie has the ball in the net, but he's been flagged offside.
62 mins - I have just spotted what I think is a 'Zumba' class going on in the sports hall next door! Or maybe it's line dancing? I can't quite tell from here! Whatever it is, there are dozens of people dancing from side to side! It's quite a sight! Meanwhile, Turgott is replace by Nouble.
61 mins - Gillespie smashes his free-kick straight into the wall.
59 mins - O'Neil certainly isn't playing like someone who is going to be replaced. He is haring around the pitch and fully involved in the play. Meanwhile, Sanchez is penalised for a push and Colchester have a free-kick 22 yards out. Dangerous.
55 mins - Sanderson's corner is to the near post and gets a flick, but thankfully the ball hits the side-netting. I assume O'Neil will play for 60 minutes tonight, but we shall see. Sanchez is back on again.
54 mins - Colchester finally show through Gillespie. Sanchez gets back in and slides the ball behind for a corner. He might have hurt himself in doing so as the physio is on. It might be his groin.
53 mins - Hendon will be even more delighted with that! West Ham have been dominant since the break, but the coach could never have dreamed of getting two goals inside six minutes!
51 mins - GOAL! They're like London buses! Ruddock does superbly again down the right to win a free-kick. O'Neil takes and whips the ball in with real pace. Wearen has the simple task of heading past Cousins from six yards.
51 mins - Hendon will be delighted with that. West Ham have started on the front foot and been rewarded.
49 mins - GOAL! That is a great goal! Abdulla passes square to Sanchez, who has got forward to halfway. He rolls the ball in for Ruddock, who dummies and allows Montenegro to collect in space. He takes a touch, turns, looks up and plants a low shot past Cousins into the bottom right-hand corner.
48 mins - No sign of any changes from Hendon, so O'Neil plays longer than 45 minutes for the first time since his return.s
46 mins - The second half is underway and West Ham immediately go on the offensive. Hendon won't want his side to start the second half slowly.

Half-time score - Colchester United XI 1-1 West Ham United XI

45 mins - Turgott is caught offside again from Sanchez's diagonal pass but before the free-kick can be taken, the half-time whistle is blown.
42 mins - Colchester have another corner as Sanchez does superbly to cut out a low cross from right-back White. The No2 had got in behind Brown from a nicely-weighted pass from Olufemi.
39 mins - West Ham lose the ball in midfield and Colchester threaten through Coker. Corner. Wearen clears before Ruddock shows his pace to make about 40 yards down the middle of the pitch. Just when it looks like he might go coast to coast, he is taken out inside the centre circle. Great pace from the No9.
37 mins - The Hammers are really threatening now. Ruddock crosses and Baldwin's header is up into the air. Montenegro sets himself and tries the overhead kick. The ball flies wide of the post with Cousins a spectator. Unlucky.
36 mins - West Ham have markedly improved since O'Neil went to right and they should lead. Montenegro's touch sends Turgott through and he's in on goal. He is inside the box when he shoots, but Cousins is out quickly to make the save.
34 mins - Controversy! A bouncing ball seems to be easy for Kurucz, but Gillespie thinks he's handled outside the box. Loud appeals but nothing given by assistant referee or the man in the middle. Moments later, Olufemi lets fly from all of 30 yards but his shot flies harmlessly over the crossbar and into the car park.
33 mins - Montenegro always makes things happen. Now he's rushing a defender into making a poor back pass and then he's charging down Cousins' clearance and forcing a throw. Brown collects the ball but his low cross is cut out.
31 mins - GOAL! West Ham equalise from the penalty spot through skipper Moncur. The initial corner had been cleared, but when the second cross came over, Montenegro went up to win the ball and could only head wide. I can only assume he was pushed as the referee pointed to the spot and nobody appeared to complain! Moncur stepped up and sent Cousins the wrong way with a well-struck spot-kick high into the top left-hand corner.
29 mins - Brown's cross causes havoc and Baldwin can only clear as far as O'Neil 20 yards out. The midfielder strikes with venom but Cousins tips over superbly.
27 mins - Ruddock is felled from behind about 30 yards out. O'Neil curls the ball across and Ruddock has a free header. He elects to try to nod back into the middle rather than go for goal, but can only pick out a blue and white shirt.
25 mins - Patient build-up nearly leads to an equaliser. Wearen's raking pass is made a mess of by two defenders and O'Neil benefits. He runs across the face of the penalty area before picking out the unmarked Turgott on the corner of the box. Turgott shoots first time and tries to curl the ball into the far top corner, but Cousins acrobatically tips the ball away to safety.
24 mins - Arnott is back on. I'd say there are a couple of hundred people here watching this evening.
22 mins - Turgott and O'Neil have switched flanks but Turgott's run is ended by the experienced Baldwin. Moments later, the same West Ham player collides with Arnott and the Colchester man needs the physio on.
19 mins - It could so easily be 2-0 as Arnott crosses from the right and Driver rushes in to put the ball behind for a corner. It is cleared.
18 mins - GOAL! The home side lead through Gillespie, who gets past Sanchez and drives a low left-foot shot past Kurucz. He hit that well and the net billows. Colchester go ahead.
17 mins - Turgott collects a pass from O'Neil and crosses but neither Montenegro nor Ruddock can get a touch.
16 mins - Better from West Ham. Moncur makes a good run and O'Neil feeds the ball through. While Moncur is held up, the Hammers sweep the ball across the field through Abdulla and Sanchez before Driver wins a throw.
15 mins - Montenegro and O'Neil, in particular, are running hard out there. Both have won the ball back in recent moments and put pressure on home goalkeeper Cousins. So far, the U's No1 has been up to the task and his kicking has been superb. O'Neil is playing on the left of the front three, with Turgott to the right.
11 mins - Abdulla tries an audacious crossfield ball following neat footwork from Ruddock on halfway. Unfortunately, he overhits it and the ball thuds into the corrugated fence at the side of the pitch. A big night for Ruddock, who was of course playing Conference South football for Boreham Wood until a few weeks ago.
8 mins - The conditions aren't easy but at least it is not windy. West Ham are slowly settling into their passing rhythm and appear to have weathered the early Colchester storm.
5 mins - West Ham's first real attack is snuffed out quickly as Baldwin challenges Montenegro near the corner flag. Colchester break and Gillespie runs into Wearen. He wants a free-kick, but nothing is given.

4 mins - A fair few families have braved the cold and rain and they nearly have an opening goal to celebrate - if they are Colchester fans. First, Gillespie sees his shot deflect just wide off Sanchez. From the resulting corner, the ball drops to a blue and white shirt and Kurucz has to be out lightning-fast to block the low shot from close-range. Good save from the Hungarian.

2 mins - After a period of possession on the left flank, the U's work the ball across to their right. It looks like O'Neil will clear, but Arnott wins the ball back and shoots from 25 yards. He scuffs his left-foot effort low and well wide of the near post.

7pm - Colchester get us under way...

6.59pm - West Ham are being captained by George Moncur this evening. He has favoured the short sleeve shirt, while a number of players are wearing gloves.

6.55pm - The two teams emerge through the gloom from the tunnel. Colchester's numbers are really hard to read when the weather is fine - red numbering on blue and white stripes - so tonight is going to present a real challenge! I'll try my best, though.

6.50pm - It is still drizzling here in Maldon. The pitch looks in good nick, though, to be fair to the Maldon and Tiptree groundstaff. The host club have a home game tomorrow evening, so they must be confident that the surface is up to scratch.

6.45pm - Colchester's lineup is fairly strong. Goalkeeper Mark Cousins has made nine League One appearances this season, while John White, Tom Eastman, Pat Baldwin, John O'Toole, Steven Gillespie and Ben Coker have all featured in the npower Football League this term.

6.20pm - Here are the two starting lineups and substitutes...

Colchester United XI: Cousins, White, Eastman, Baldwin, Griffiths, O'Toole, Gillespie, Coker, Arnott, Sanderson, Olufemi
Subs: Phillips, Ladapo, Hamilton, Redgrave

West Ham United XI: Kurucz, Driver, Brown, Wearen, Sanchez, Moncur, Abdulla, O'Neil, Turgott, Ruddock, Montenegro
Subs: Baxter, Chambers, K.Lee, Fry, Bunjaku, Nouble

6.10pm - It is decidedly wet down here in Maldon! It's been raining for most of the afternoon in Essex and I'm afraid the weather has not relented this evening. That said, the pitch will be nice and slick. The team news will be announced soon, but I can tell you that Gary O'Neil will make his first start since returning from the ankle injury he suffered in April. Meanwhile, Matt Fry is also in the squad for the first time since undergoing surgery on both calves.

Good evening and welcome to a cold Wallace Binder Ground for tonight's development squad match between Colchester United and West Ham United.
Ian Hendon's squad make their second visit to the home of Maldon and Tiptree FC this season, having taken on the U's at the same venue on 17 August. That game finished in a 2-2 draw.

This evening's match will see Gary O'Neil make his third appearance as he continues his comeback from a long-term ankle injury. Joining O'Neil in the squad will be Frank Nouble, who has returned from a loan spell at League Two side Gillingham, and Paraguay U20 forward Brian Montenegro.
Callum Driver will be involved after being called-in as a last-minute substitute for the first team on Saturday, while Peter Kurucz, Jordan Brown and Ahmed Abdulla also have senior experience. At the lower end of the age-scale, Academy scholars Blair Turgott, Kenzer Lee, Leo Chambers and new signing Pelly Ruddock will also be involved.

Two players not involved are Dan Potts, who excelled in the 1-0 npower Championship victory over Barnsley on Saturday, and Sebastian Lletget, who is at an eight-day training United States U23 training camp in Lakewood Ranch, Florida.

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Ladies beat the leaders
WHUFC.com
Danica Revel was part of a strong Hammers display that kept them firmly on course for promotion
19.12.2011

West Ham United Ladies are still firmly in the hunt for promotion after a 2-1 defeat of FA Women's Premier League Southern Division leaders Colchester United.
The Hammers are four points adrift of Colchester, who have finished their fixtures with Sunday's match at Thurrock. It means four points from the last two games would see West Ham overhaul their opponents, although Portsmouth have three games to play and are just a point behind in third place. With only a victory doing for Julia Setford's team, it was a nervy opening on a pitch that had been passed fit in the morning after midweek rain and then frost had threatened to cause a postponement. With several players nursing injuries and striker Gemma Shepherd ruled out, the Hammers may have cursed the thaw that allowed the game to go ahead but come the final whistle were delighted with the outcome. Chances were few and far between in the opening stages. Nikki Duncan showed good handling to save a shot from the left as Colchester's forwards rushed in and Lindsey Morgan saw her long-range volley gathered by the Colchester keeper as the match became very much a determined midfield battle. Duncan saved bravely as Kate Longhurst looked to get on the end of a through-ball which saw both players receive lengthy treatment before the deadlock was finally broken just after the half-hour mark. The Hammers had won a free-kick 30 yards out and Jess Barling's lofted delivery saw the ball glanced in off a defender's head. The second half saw an early onslaught from Colchester but the Hammers weathered the attack well with Danica Revel and Rosey Sullivan excelling at the back and Duncan again showing safe hands diving at her near post. A single-goal lead looked precarious and the Hammers pushed on for a second of their own, which duly arrived when Jess Barling overlapped on the left flank. Skilfully slipping past two tackles, she sent in a low left-footed cross that flew across the six-yard box and was again turned in by a retreating defender.

The Hammers midfield three worked tirelessly to protect the lead as Colchester pushed players forward to try and get back in the game but when they finally made the breakthrough with a low shot to the far corner there was little time remaining. With some sensible hold-up play from substitute Emma Harrison which almost created a late chance for April Bowers, the points were secured. The Hammers are next in action on 8 January away to Chichester United in the FA Cup before travelling to Queen's Park Rangers on 22 January. The league will then conclude with the 4 March visit of Brighton and Hove Albion, with other cup fixtures to be played in between.

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London 2012: Olympic Stadium not reliant on football club to survive
BBC.co.uk
Page last updated at 00:03 GMT, Tuesday, 20 December 2011
By David Bond
BBC sports editor

West Ham have been warned that the Olympic Stadium is not relying on a football club to guarantee a successful legacy after next year's Games. Andrew Altman, chief executive of the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC), says his organisation is still keen to do a deal with the Championship side. But he believes the stadium can cover its running costs even if the Hammers do not secure a new rental deal. "We welcome football but it's not solely dependent on football," he said. "There are other combinations of other sports, concerts and activities that can also provide revenue. "What we are going out for provides maximum flexibility for the public sector to make sure we return value for money. We are just looking to see how we can populate the calendar with as many things as we can that can be compatible and work together."

OLYMPIC STADIUM TIMELINE
Continue reading the main story
Nov 2007 - Stadium design launched
May 2008 - Construction on stadium started
Nov 2010 - Two bids shortlisted to take over the stadium after the 2012 Games
Jan 2011 - Tottenham say they would demolish most of the stadium if their bid is successful
Feb 2011 - West Ham, who say they will keep the running track, win the backing of Olympic bosses for the stadium
Apr 2011 - Tottenham launch legal action over West Ham's bid
Oct 2011 - The deal to award West Ham the stadium collapses

The OPLC pulled the plug on the deal with West Ham and Newham Council in October after running into a series of legal challenges from Tottenham, whose own bid for the stadium was rejected in February. Under the terms of the new arrangement, the stadium will be retained in public ownership with the OPLC seeking a number of possible tenants. The running track will be retained after the Olympics and the venue will be showcased again in 2017 when London hosts the World Athletics Championships.

In addition it will set aside 21 days a year for athletics events, making good on London's promise to keep athletics at its core following the Games. Altman says there has been sporting interest from two Premiership rugby clubs, an American football team and cricket. He adds that concerts and other events will also help bring in revenue. But it is difficult to see how the OPLC can ensure the stadium does not become a major drain on the public purse without the regular use by a Championship or Premier League football club.

With Tottenham no longer interested and now looking to redevelop White Hart Lane, the only other club to express an interest in the past was League One side Leyton Orient. However, Orient chairman Barry Hearn has said he no longer has any intention of bidding and Altman's comments must be seen as an attempt to increase competition in the new tender process and avoid West Ham making a derisory bid, which would allow them to effectively secure a 99-year lease of the stadium on the cheap.

The deadline for bids is 23 March with a decision due to be made next May. Despite the collapse of the previous deal and the long wait to finally secure a long-term legacy plan for the £500m stadium, Altman says the OPLC remains confident it will be able to conclude the deal in time to re-open in the summer of 2014. Under the previous deal with West Ham, Newham Council were to borrow £40m to pay towards the £95m cost of converting the stadium, reducing the capacity from 80,000 to 60,000 and adding a full roof after the Games. The rest of the money was to come from £36m of the OPLC's £300m budget for converting venues with the remainder coming from the sale of West Ham's Upton Park ground. Altman says the costs will now be split between Newham and the OPLC, who will pump extra money into the project to replace the money from West Ham.

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Duxbury returns
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 19th December 2011
By: Staff Writer

Former West Ham United Chief Executive Officer Scott Duxbury is once again working in the legal profession having returned to the UK. Duxbury, who left West Ham United two years ago next month officially resigned from his position as CEO less than a fortnight after Davids Sullivan and Gold bought into West Ham United FC.
It is understood that he went to Australia for a brief period following the end of his tenure at West Ham from where he has now returned to take a partnership at the London office of Rix & Kay LLP, who are based in Mayfair. Duxbury's bio claims that he "is a specialist sports and commercial lawyer with over 10 years experience in the sports industry both as a lawyer and Chief Executive at a premier league football club,".

Additionally, he is described as being "able to demonstrate exceptional legal and commercial skills and an ability to create and present clear strategic legal advice".
Understandably perhaps there is no mention of his involvement in the Lord Griffiths/Sheffield United/Carlos Tevez case, which cost West Ham United upwards of £30million which the club are still paying to this day.

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Frank's back
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 19th December 2011
By: Staff Writer

Frank Nouble has returned to West Ham after his loan spell with Gillingham ended. The 20-year-old striker has made 14 appearances for the Gillis since moving to the Priestfield Stadium on loan back in September, scoring on five occasions. His final appearance for Gillingham came on Saturday in their League Two 4-1 win over Bristol Rovers. "I wanted to get a goal but I was just happy we won and we played well," he told Kent Online. "It was a good win."

And although he is back at Chadwell Heath this morning training with threst of the West Ham squad, Nouble says he would happily return to the club should the opportunity arise in the near future. "The loan has gone really well. I have enjoyed every minute, from minute one, where I scored on my debut. The boys have taken to me well. "This is the longest loan period I have been on and I am going to miss the players and I have made a few friends here which is good. If I went back to a League 2 side it would definitely be Gillingham. It is where I have enjoyed my time the most."

Ans that could happen as soon as January - if Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler, a big fan of the young Hammer, decides to act. "When the [transfer] window reopens again maybe we could revisit that," he said, "but we will wait and see."

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McCartney will never go back
On-loan Hammers defender rules out Black Cats return
Last Updated: December 19, 2011 5:31pm
SSN

George McCartney claims Martin O'Neill's arrival at Sunderland will have no impact on his future, with a loan deal set to keep him at West Ham. Following Steve Bruce's removal from the dugout at the Stadium of Light, a clean slate has been offered to all of those on the club's books. That includes McCartney, who joined West Ham on a season-long loan over the summer. It was suggested that the Northern Ireland international may decide to return to Wearside in an effort to force his way back into the Premier League picture. The 30-year-old has rubbished those rumours, though, by committing himself to the Hammers.

Decided

He says there is no chance of him heading back to Sunderland, with it his intention to see out the campaign at Upton Park and allow his contract with the Black Cats to run down. "I haven't spoken to the new manager," said McCartney. "To be honest, before I agreed to come to West Ham, it was decided that my contract would be left to run out in the summer and sorted out at the end of the season. "So there is no chance of a call back and no chance of me ever going back to Sunderland."

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Nouble keen on Gills return
Striker returns to West Ham after three-month loan comes to an end
Last Updated: December 19, 2011 10:06am
SSN

West Ham United striker Frank Nouble is hoping to return to Gillingham in the New Year after the end of his loan spell at the League Two club. Nouble has spent the past three months with the Gills and scored five goals in 14 appearances for Andy Hessenthaler's side. He played the last game of his loan stint on Saturday in the 4-1 win over Bristol Rovers and has now returned to West Ham for the festive period. However, the 20-year-old is keen to return to Priestfield when the January transfer window opens, if Hessenthaler wants to re-sign him. Nouble said: "If Gillingham make the call in January and West Ham agree I'm sure I'll be back here."

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George's Cat flap
By ANDY BAKER
Published: Today
The Sun

GEORGE McCARTNEY has declared he has no intention of helping Martin O'Neill revive Sunderland's fortunes. The Black Cats' Northern Ireland defender, 30, is on a season-long loan at West Ham and made it clear he planned to stay there until he becomes a free agent next year. He said: "I haven't spoken to the new manager.
"To be honest, before I agreed to come to West Ham, it was decided that my contract would be left to run out in the summer and sorted out at the end of the season.
"So there is no chance of a call back and no chance of me ever going back to Sunderland."

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West Ham fly to Dublin for Christmas bash
Published 10:27 19/12/11 By Maeve Quigley
The Mirror

West Ham jetted into Dublin for their Christmas party just hours after their win against Barnsley. Some of the team members including Carlton Cole, Robert Green, Joey O'Brien and Daniel Potts partied the night away in the city's best hotspots. An insider said: "The lads flew into Dublin on a private jet just hours after their match for some much-needed festive fun. "They were staying at the Morrison and were determined to get into the festive spirit and enjoy a break before their match against Birmingham on St Stephen's Day."

The footballers danced the night away at a number of clubs including Krystle and insiders said they had a bet on to see who could buy the most expensive drink.
One insider said: "The boys certainly turned heads when they walked into the club - people are used to celebrity spotting there but fans of football were really excited to see the likes of Carlton Cole. "They each put €1,000 in the kitty for the night and they were determined to enjoy some of Dublin's famous nightlife. "Everyone was in great form after the win on Saturday." The lads were flown back on a private jet again yesterday to get back into training for next Monday's match.

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West Ham defender extends Dons stay
Dec 8 2011 By Jacob Murtagh
HounslowChronicle.co.uk

AFC Wimbledon have extended Callum McNaughton's loan deal at Kingsmeadow by another month. The West Ham defender has made 14 appearances for the Dons since his switch to the League Two club back in September. Mat Mitchel-King is nearing a return to fitness after playing 90 minutes for the reserves in midweek, but boss Terry Brown has decided to keep McNaughton at the club until January 4. The 20-year-old was unavailable for Saturday's FA Cup defeat at Bradford, but is expected to go straight back into the starting XI against Accrington Stanley at the weekend.

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West Ham fans give mixed reception to new club mascot Hammerhead
Metro.co.uk

West Ham unveiled their new club mascot Hammerhead at Saturday's 1-0 win over Barnsley - to a mixed reaction from supporters. The story behind the semi-robotic character is that he came to be when a bolt of lightning struck the old Thames Iron Works, where West Ham were originally formed over 100 years ago. The club website describes him as being 'as strong as iron, as fast as [double FA Cup winning captain and club record appearance maker] Billy Bonds and blessed with the goalscoring prowess of [club record goalscorer] Vic Watson, some say he was a shipbuilder at the Thames Iron Works while others say he is a knight from the historic Bolyen Castle [on the club badge].' On the Knees Up Mother Brown fan forum, comments varied from 'rarely have I been so embarrassed at Upton Park' to 'I personally thought it was much more entertaining than the game'. On West Ham Online.net, opinion was similarly divided. 'Sure it was a bit cheesy and comical but unlike most pre-match or half time entertainment it did make people pay attention and the kids enjoyed it and surely that's what matters,' said one user. Another pointed out the mascot's commercial potential. 'It's great marketing too - how many mugs,t shirts etc with Hammerhead on will the club sell in the next week?', said the poster.

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West Ham debut rounds off amazing two years for former leukaemia sufferer Dan Potts
1:36pm Monday 19th December 2011 in News
Guardian Series

After being given the all-clear from a battle with leukaemia two years ago, 17-year-old Dan Potts made his West Ham debut on Saturday in the 1-0 win over Barnsley.
The son of Hammers great Steve Potts only signed his first professional contract the day before the game. Then following the withdrawal of Abdoulaye Faye in the warm-up, the youngster was fast-tracked into his debut. The Barnsley front line, consisting of Ricardo Vaz Te, Craig Davies and Nile Ranger, all tried their luck down the right side, but failed against the determined left-back. A delighted Sam Allardyce told the West Ham website: "These lads have been scoring goals for fun for Barnsley. Dan did his job defensively, which was the main thing. "I knew he had a lot of quality on the ball because he has been training with the first-team squad for a considerable time now but to show the defensive qualities as well, against those players who were much bigger and stronger than him physically and cope so masterfully, was pleasing for me."

Allardyce believes the famous West Ham academy may have found another star in Potts, He said: "We spotted it early as a senior management group and said to (Academy director) Tony (Carr) 'forget about him training with you, we are going to have him training with us because we think he has good potential."

The 1-0 victory came thanks to a headed goal from Papa Bouba Diop, his first in English football for exactly six years. But the day will mainly be remembered for the debut of Potts. With West Ham showing faith in the youngster, the future looks bright for Potts.

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Angry Sam Allardyce is facing touchline ban
Ken Dyer
19 Dec 2011
Evening Standard

Sam Allardyce will learn this week whether he will be hit with a touchline ban after referee Scott Mathieson banished him from the touchline during the 1-0 win over Barnsley. The West Ham boss, who kicked over water bottles when Freddy Sears was refused a penalty, admitted his frustration boiled over. It came a week after he warned his players about discipline after two of them had been sent off at Reading. "There is some irony in that and the players have let me know," said Allardyce. "It was an accumulation of things and I haven't been as upset as that for years." Allardyce, "stretched to the limit" by injuries, gave 17-year-old full-back Danny Potts his debut and said: "He has a lot of quality on the ball but he showed his defensive qualities as well." Potts, whose father Steve made more than 400 appearances for the club, was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2006. He said. "It was a hard time but, after my debut, I can well and truly put it to the back of my mind. "I was first diagnosed in October 2006 and finished treatment in February 2010. I have a check-up every four months now. "I was quite young when I was first ill and I think it hit my family more than me."

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 19th December 2011

Potts on dream debut
WHUFC.com
Dan Potts' memorable month continued with an outstanding first-team bow
against Barnsley
17.12.2011

Christmas has most certainly come early for Dan Potts. After captaining West
Ham United's Under-18s to a fine 3-2 FA Youth Cup third-round win at
Wolverhampton Wanderers, the 17-year-old signed his first professional
contract earlier this week. To complete a memorable hat-trick, Potts was
drafted in for an injured Abdoulaye Faye five minutes before kick-off to
make his senior debut in Saturday's 1-0 npower Championship victory over
Barnsley. For a player who won his battle with leukaemia less than two years
ago, Potts' recent achievements have been something truly special. Speaking
to West Ham TV, after being congratuled in the tunnel by Hammers fan Russell
Brand, the new No48 could not contain a wide grin. "To make my debut and to
come off the pitch with a win, three points and a clean sheet as a defender,
it really was a dream day and a dream debut," he said. "Credit to the lads
because it was a great effort and great three points. "The team is normally
announced the day before a game and it's good to know whether you are
starting, but I think you should always prepare for a game as if you are
starting. I knew Abdy Faye had a slight injury and had a fitness test but I
got told he passed it and I was on the bench. Five minutes before kick-off I
got told I was starting! "In football, anything can happen as was shown on
Saturday and you've just got to prepare for that and know you can be chucked
into the equation at any time. Saturday was proof of it."

Potts' debut was no easy ride, coming against a Barnsley attack which had
netted 13 goals in its previous five matches. However, the teenager
responded to the challenge of facing Craig Davies, Ricardo Vaz Te, Nile
Ranger and Jacob Butterfield with a display that belied his tender years.
"At left-back I was expecting to be playing against their right winger, but
three or four of them came over to my side and no matter who it is, age
doesn't come into it and you've got to be able to stand up one-v-one and put
a shift in for the team because that's your job. I think I did that."

Having overcome so much at such a young age, Potts is unsurprisingly a
positive person. He is hoping his first-team debut will finally close the
book on a past that saw him miss 18 months of football while he fought and
recovered from his illness. "It's special for me and my family because it
was a hard time in my life. After Saturday, I can put that well and truly to
the back of my mind and in the past. "Back then, this was never in my
thoughts. I was concerned about getting fully fit, getting back to proper
health and football came second. It's surreal but it's really pleasing."

A popular figure at Chadwell Heath, Potts has already been earmarked for a
bright future by Academy Director Tony Carr, manager Sam Allardyce and
captain Kevin Nolan. One other high-profile supporter is his father Steve,
the Hammers great who dashed from his current role as the club's Under-16s
coach to witness his son's big day. "My Dad has been there and done it and
had a great career and I can only dream of having the same career as he has.
He's a great person to look up to. When I need him I can talk to him and he
offers me great advice. He's a great person to have and I'm pleased I've got
him really. "The gaffer and the players have been so supportive and on
Saturday it showed throughout the 90 minutes and after the game. They gave
me great encouragement and there is great team spirit among the boys and
that's why we're at the top of the table."

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Allardyce on... Barnsley
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 18th December 2011
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce was full of Christmas cheer after watching his makeshift side
go level on points with league leaders Southampton. Read his full press
conference exclusively here...

Sam: With all those injuries and having to blood the kids today, that was a
big result by anyone's standards?

It was a fantastic result. The circumstances make it even better for us. I'm
not so sure that anybody's squad could be as stretched as far as ours in
this league and win a game of football like we've done today – and
deservedly so - with what we had to cope with.

Not just Barnsley being a good team with a potent striking force - they've
won four of their last five - and even the one they lost they lost 5-3, so
they scored three goals there. They're on their best run of the season and
to have a back four like we had in the end - Henri Lansbury, James Tomkins,
George McCartney and Daniel Potts - to get a clean sheet is a great credit
to the whole team really. The lads in front of them worked so hard knowing
today that the back four was weakened from that point of view.

There's a great debut from Pottsy - really very, very good both defensively
and in possession. A 1-0 win was very, very important to us on the back of
the circumstances coming into the game. Injuries, suspensions before we
start and when we do start one player pulls up in the warm up, Abdoulaye
Faye. Two players [during the game], one, John Carew's back spasmed and two,
Julien Faubert felt his hamstring. So it went from bad to worse to desperate
but we've still won a game of football and won it well, I think.

When did Daniel Potts actually find out he was starting today?

Well we had him in in the last couple of days just in case Abdoulaye wasn't
going to be fit. We played him in a couple of sessions in the back four. As
in terms of training with the first team squad, he's been doing that for a
few weeks now so he's got used to coming in and training with the senior
players. To perform like that for me is great credit to him and his family.

What did Faye do?

Calf muscle.

And how long before the game was this?

About 20 minutes. You just go and see the referee and get the opposing
manager and agree with it, which was no problem from Keith's point of view
or the referees.

Unarguably we should have been more up at half time or more comfortable. So
the Robert Green save then became a match turning point just after half time
and from thereon I thought we deserved to win it overall. Coming after two
defeats on the trot as well, so everything was against us today and we've
come through with a victory; I'm really pleased for the boys.

In the first half do you feel you should have had a penalty?

Well we know we should have had one.

And the one where Sears went through?

Well Freddie Sears' was an accumulation. Actually looking at it, that was
outside the box so it wouldn't have been a penalty. But the most
disappointing thing for me was the challenge on Daniel Potts by their number
eight. That's what took me over the edge because nothing was done about it,
only a free kick was given to us. That, for me, is reckless and dangerous in
terms of what the referees say today.

The lad hasn't played the ball, he's only jumped into the man. We saw the
Liverpool player getting sent off at Fulham after playing the ball and
playing the man and everybody said that was right. So when somebody jumps
into somebody, straight into the midriff and nowhere near the ball and the
referee only gives a free kick, I think that's what flipped the red mist for
me today - as well as the Freddie Piquionne penalty that was so, so blatant
and not given.

I haven't been in trouble for a long, long time but kicking the bottles was
the last straw. [laughs] I think I hurt my toe...

Did the referee send you off immediately?

The fourth official called him over and the fourth official told him to get
me in the stands, so that was it. I'm just sure the players saw the game out
and we won it 1-0.

In all seriousness, would that have repercussions in terms of getting a
touchline ban?

I haven't been in trouble for ten, twelve years now but if I'm getting in
trouble I want to know what they're doing about them decisions. To put them
right next time, because they're majors. They didn't cost us anything today
but they could have done. They haven't cost me anything but that doesn't
mean to say that they should get away with it in terms of the refereeing
department making sure they look at them and guide them in the right
direction.

I've known [referee] Scott [Mathieson] for a long time; great fella,
fantastic guy. Been a referee for a very, very long time [and] deservedly so
but I thought from my point of view he had a... That's probably even more so
when I know he's so experienced and I was probably even more disappointed by
the fact that such a well-respected and experienced referee of his calibre
got me seeing the red mist.

Is it something you said to the linesman or something you said to the fourth
official?

Well it was an accumulation, wasn't it, in the end. The accumulation of
Freddie Piquionne's penalty, Daniel Potts' challenge and then Freddie Sears'
free kick.

Yeah - but what did you do?

I think I was moaning at the fourth official - and I think he got fed up
with it... [laughs]

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Vinny's Barnsley Report
Vinny 11:31 Sun Dec 18
West Ham Online

West Ham United 1 Barnsley 0

An early goal from Papa Bouba Diop was enough to dispatch of a plucky
Barnsley side and sends the Hammers into the Christmas period very much in
the mix for the title.

After losing two games in a row it was vital to bounce back with any sort of
victory and although many would have expected a bigger goal margin
(especially when we took the lead in the opening five minutes) it was all
about getting the three points.

With a such a depleted side you have to be pleased with the win and to go
into the Christmas period in second place for me makes it a successful
season so far.

This could have been a bigger score line if the referee had given a blatant
penalty in the first half when Frederique Piquionne was bundled over in the
area and it would not be the only thing that the ref would miss during this
encounter with manager Sam Allardyce extremely unhappy with decisions that
were made.

Whilst I was very pleased with the result I do feel that we never really got
going throughout the game and struggled to produce any sort of constant
pressure which led to a bit of a frustrating afternoon.

This is not to say that we didn't have chances but they were few and far
between. But we know that to win the league we have to win games like this
and grind out results even when the squad is hit by multiple injuries and
suspensions.

The Team

There were a number of changes made to the side who were beaten at Reading
last weekend. Most of these changes were forced upon us.

In defence, with Guy Demel and Joey O'Brien both unavailable it was Julien
Faubert taking up the position of right back.

Just before the kick off another injury hit the team with the WHO Player Of
The Month for November Abdoulaye Faye pulling out. With no other recognized
centre half in the squad it was George McCartney who had to play there
alongside James Tomkins.

This meant that at left back we had to give a debut to 17 year old Danny
Potts who of course is the son of former Hammer and Captain Steve.

In midfield, with Jack Collison out, Carlton Cole and John Carew came into
the side with Piquionne also retaining his place as we went to a 4-3-3.

First Half

As kick off was approaching we were given the wonderful news that we had a
new mascot and his name was Hammerhead. He came out onto the pitch to MC
Hammer's 'U Can't Touch This' in a wonderful display of movement and dance.
It was a wondrous occasion. Truly. Only those who witnessed this can fully
understand.

With the team kicking towards the Trevor Brooking Stand an early shot on
target was produced by Mark Noble who didn't really find any power to his
shot from just outside the area.

Potts had begun well as he made a strong challenge on Barnsley's Nile Ranger
who was on loan from Newcastle United.

Barnsley won a corner in the third minute as Tomkins turned a cross away but
the resulting delivery into the area was easily claimed by Robert Green.

Nolan found Carlton Cole who burst forward and took on his man but he was
challenged and it went out for a corner.

Mark Noble floated the ball into the area and it was planted onto the head
of Papa Bouba Diop who made good connection and his header flew past the
keeper to make it 1-0 with just five minutes on the clock.

It was a first goal for the club for Diop who was close to opening his
account last weekend at Reading at a time which would have made that game
very different.

Going 1-0 up after just five minutes of course does make you think "we can
get four or five here" and foolishly this did go through my mind as I
thought back to the last league game against Barnsley in 1998 with what was
a brilliant 6-0 win with Sammasi Abou scoring two.

A cross into the area from Faubert was looking for Carew and the ball was
nodded down by the big striker to the edge of the area for Kevin Nolan to
strike from an almost identical position from where he scored against Derby
County a few weeks ago but this time the strike when high over the bar.

Some good play down the left saw Potts deliver a fine cross into the area
towards Cole but the defender Edwards got there first to turn behind for
another corner.

With the corner being cleared, Faubert put the ball back into the area with
a deep cross which found Noble who in turn gave the ball to Potts who again
delivered a fine cross into the area but Tomkins head over the bar.

Two minutes later and the referee was at the centre of attention when a good
move saw Cole play in Piquionne who burst into the area and was bundled
over. I was at the other end of the stadium but I was convinced it was a
penalty but despite the protests from the West Ham players the referee gave
nothing.

With the hard done by feeling in the air Barnsley produced their best chance
of the game and should have been back on level terms when a ball through to
Davies saw the Barnsley attacker easily roll Tomkins and was in on goal but
his shot was deflected by McCartney who had rushed back and it went out for
a corner with the makeshift centre half saving us from conceding.

Barnsley had a three consecutive corners before the half hour mark which saw
Green flapping at the first one despite the keeper moaning at the ref that
he had been fouled. The other two were dealt with well enough and cleared.

With 31 minutes on the clock it should have been 2-0. A superb pass from
Noble put Cole through and despite having two defenders up against him he
did well to turn and open up the chance for himself. He took the ball past
the keeper but was unable to wrap his left foot around the ball and the shot
was wide. He should have scored.

Davies did well on the left for Barnsley and cut inside Faubert before
delivering a low shot which was well saved by Green.

It was clear that Barnsley were certainly not out of this game and if the
Burnley game taught us anything it was that scoring first does not mean the
end of anything.

Piquionne had a decent change to get a strike at goal when Carew supplied
him with the ball but instead of taking it first time he decided to take
another touch and was challenged.

An excellent footballing move involving all three strikers saw the ball
played back to Noble who was about 25 yards out but his strike went over the
bar although it was a decent effort.

So half time and leading. No booing either.

Second Half

The most exiciting part of the opening minutes of the first half was a Cat
running onto the pitch. It was the only thing with any pace we were likely
to see throughout the game.

Barnsley had started well and saw a lot of the ball and a free kick played
into the area found the head of McNulty who headed over with Green unhappy
about the marking.

But Green would be called into action moments later when a ball into the
area found the head of Edwards who got to the beall with his head and Robert
Green made a superb one handed save to keep him out. It was a really
wonderful stop.

With 56 minutes gone Allardyce made his first change of the day with John
Carew being replaced by Freddie Sears. Carew had been poor and terribly
immobile winning very little and barely able to run.

With around half hour to play Piquionne received the ball and ran towards
goal but his shot was so bad it was close to going out for a throw in.
Piquionne was getting a lot of stick from fans sitting around me but it was
hard to defend him at times.

A quick free kick taken by Noble found Nolan in the area but his turn and
cross was put out of for a corner.

Faubert was replaced by Henri Lansbury on 68 minutes and I can only presume
Faubert was carrying an injury as he had been excellent once again and
Lansbury is not a right back.

Sears was unlucky with a shot with was superbly saved by Steele in the
Barnsley goal but it wouldn't have counted anyway as Cole had handled
leading up to the chance.

The attendance was given as 34, 749 which is our highest of the season.
Clearly we had 'come to see the Barnsley.'

A long ball forward saw the isolated Cole do well to bring the ball down and
lay it off for Noble who saw his shot go just over the bar in a really good
effort from a man who should be our Captain.

An incident on 78 minutes would really incense Sam Allardyce as Danny Potts
went in for a challenge with Barnsley substitute O'Brien and came off worse.
From where I was I thought this was just a 50/50 challenge which neither
player wanted to pull out of. I understand Allardyce wanting to protect his
players especially one so young but I didn't believe there was any
maliciousness involved.

The referee was at the centre of attention again as Sears broke forward and
got into the area only to go to ground. Everyone cried for a penalty but
nothing was given again. In fairness I didn't think this was a penalty and
as Sam Allardyce has correctly pointed out, this incident started outside
the area.

But emotions were running high and Allardyce was clearly unhappy with the
performance of the referee and the fourth official called the ref over to
speak to the manager who was sent to the stands for displaying his
dissatisfaction.

With the 90 minute mark approaching, the Man Of The Match award was given to
Kevin Nolan. This was greeted with boo's from many of the supporters who
clearly thought that this was the wrong decision.

Four minutes of injury time were awarded and of course in the fourth minute
Barnsley won a corner with even their keeper going up for it but it was
headed harmlessly wide and the final whistle was blown.

Player Reviews

Robert Green
Continues to play well this season and save us time and time again. His save
in the second half should not be overlooked because we could have easily
been talking about a very poor day without it.

Julien Faubert
One of our better players and considering how much I have disliked Faubert
over the last few years I am delighted by his form. His effort is more than
I thought he could produce and he is important when we drive forward as he
is the only player with pace we possess.

James Tomkins
A little unsure at times and his mistake in the first half could have cost
us a goal when he was easily turned by the striker. A little bit of
inexperience at times is still in his game but on the whole he was good and
excellent in the air.

George McCartney
Out of his comfort zone of left back I thought McCartney was very good. He
made a number of last ditch tackles and interceptions. Despite his lack of
height he was successful with many of his headers and looked comfortable in
the centre back position.

Daniel Potts
It is easy to get carried away with young players but as debuts go this was
excellent. He was only named in the starting line up just five minutes
before kick off so to come into the side and put in such a mature
performance was superb. He was comfortable on the ball and has a really good
first time delivery. Got tight to his man and made some good tackles.

Papa Bouba Diop
Very strong in the midfield and worked well throughout the game. His passing
is still poor but his tackling and strength is a real asset in our midfield.

Mark Noble
Always involved, always on the ball and attempting to make things happen.

Kevin Nolan
Rarely involved, rarely on the ball but was man of the match don't you know.

Frederique Piquionne
He saw a lot of the ball and looked confident but all his decision making
was poor. His movement is what annoys me as it can be construed as laziness.
If the ball is not directly to his feet he simply doesn't want to know.
Poor.

Carlton Cole
Can't fault his effort and he was running right up until the end. Should
have scored in the first half and was quite isolated up front on his own in
the second half.

John Carew
Never in the game, doesn't move very well and him being in the team ensures
the long ball is all we can play.

Subs Used

Freddie Sears (on for Carew 56 mins)
We didn't really see him too much although when he came on initially and
went to the right hand side it seemed as though his introduction may give us
a little more when moving for but he faded in and out of the game. Could
have had a penalty on another day and was unlucky with a decent effort from
inside the area although it wouldn't have been given anyway.

Henri Lansbury (on for Faubert 67 mins)
There was no choice but to play him at right back which he seemed a little
awkward with but did well enough.

Subs Not Used: Stech, Montenegro, Driver

Bookings: None

Man Of The Match: Daniel Potts

Barnsley: Steele, McEveley, McNulty, Wiseman, Addison, Edwards, Perkins,
Butterfield, Vaz Te (O'Brien 67), Davies, Ranger (Haynes 67)
Subs: Preece, Hassell, Foster

Attendance: 34,749

Overall

There are clearly no easy games in this division so we are going to have
times where we need to grind out results such as this and this is the sort
of game which shows you if you are a title contender or not.

At the beginning of the season if you had told me that this is where we were
going to be I would have been delighted with it. Yesterday we had so many
players unavailable with Faye, Reid, O'Brien, Demel, Taylor, Collison, and
Baldock all out.

If we get these players back and also get some players in during the January
transfer window then surely we will be in a much stronger position.

Next Game - Birmingham City (a), Monday 26th December

Our trips to St Andrews last season bring back nothing but painful memories.
Our first trip saw us throw away a 2-0 second half lead and then a League
Cup Quarter Final loss later in the season in what was just one of many
awful moments of 2010/11 season.

We owe Birmingham big time for those games and whilst I think this will be
tough we need to get something out of this game.

It is so far so good for us this season and no matter what criticism you may
have of the manager, or the way we play, the simply fact is that we are in a
position which will gain us promotion come the end of the season and I am
confident that we will be successful in this aim.

Have a fantastic Christmas.

Sam's View

"It was a fantastic win,What we had to cope with was not just Barnsley being
a very good team but also a very potent striking force. They have won four
out of the last five and they even scored three in the one they lost.

"They are on their best run of the season and I think that to have a back
four like we had in the end - Henri Lansbury, George McCartney, Daniel Potts
and James Tomkins - and get a clean sheet is great credit to the whole team.
The lads in front worked so hard knowing that our back four was weakened."

"It was a great debut from Pottsy, really very good defensively and in
possession," said the manager.

"We had Daniel in the last couple of days in case Abdoulaye wasn't going to
be fit, we played him in a couple of sessions with the back four. As in
terms of training with the first-team squad, he has been doing that for a
few weeks now. He has been used to coming and training with the senior
players and of course to perform like that is great credit to him and his
family.

"This is a 1-0 win that is very important to us on the back of the
circumstances we come into the game. We had Injuries and suspensions before
we started and when we did start, one player in the warm-up pulls up. It
went from bad to worse to desperate but we still won the game and won well."

"Arguably we should have been more up at half-time and more comfortable. The
Robert Green save became a match-turning point just after half-time and I
thought overall we deserved to win it.

"Everything was against us today and we have come through with a victory. I
am really pleased for the boys."

Season 2011/12 Scorers and Bookings

Carlton Cole - 7 (7 League)
Kevin Nolan - 6 (6 League)
Sam Baldock - 5 (5 League)
Mark Noble - 3 (3 League)
John Carew - 2 (2 League)
Frederique Piquionne - 2 (2 League)
Jack Collison - 2 (2 League)
Own Goal - 2 (2 League)
James Tomkins - 1 (1 League)
Papa Bouba Diop - 1 (1 League)
Joey O'Brien - 1 (1 League)
Scott Parker - 1 (1 League)
Winston Reid - 1 (1 League)
Matthew Taylor - 1 (1 League)
Henri Lansbury - 1 (1 League)
Julien Faubert - 1 (1 League)
Junior Stanislas - 1 (1 Cup)

Yellow Cards

Kevin Nolan - 4
Julien Faubert - 4
Mark Noble - 4
Abdoulaye Faye - 4
Joey O'Brien - 3
George McCartney - 3
Henri Lansbury - 2
James Tomkins - 2
Carlton Cole - 1
Matthew Taylor - 1
Sam Baldock -1
Winston Reid - 1
John Carew - 1
Papa Bouba Diop - 1

Red Cards

Callum McNaughton - 1 (vs Aldershot home)
Frederique Piquionne - 1 (vs Portsmouth home)
Joey O'Brien - 1 (vs Reading away)
Jack Collison - 1 (vs Reading away)

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Allardyce sees red despite win
GILES LUCAS MONDAY 19 DECEMBER 2011
The Independent

Sam Allardyce, the West Ham United manager, expressed his frustration with
referee Scott Mathieson even after his side secured a narrow 1-0 home win
over Barnsley. Allardyce was sent to the stand having protested frequently
about Mathieson's decisions, believing Frédéric Piquionne and Freddie Sears
could have each won penalties. He was also angry with Jim O'Brien's
challenge on 17-year-old debutant Daniel Potts, which caused the West Ham
manager to kick out at some plastic bottles and as a consequence he had to
watch the last seven minutes behind the dug-out. "The most disappointing
thing for me was the challenge on Potts. It was reckless and dangerous.
That's what flicked the red mist for me, as well as the Fredi Piquionne one,
and kicking the bottles was the last straw," said Allardyce after Papa Bouba
Diop had scored the game's only goal. "The fourth official called the
referee over and told him to send me to the stand. I haven't been in trouble
for 10 or 12 years now, but if I am in trouble I want to know what they are
going to do about those decisions. Fortunately they didn't cost us today."

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On the road... Potts the Younger is quick to stamp his brand at West Ham
By MICHAEL WALKER
Last updated at 10:30 PM on 18th December 2011
Daily Mail

Away from the pitch-side intensity of a sold-out Upton Park, in a quiet
corridor afterwards, the boy of the moment stood and spoke with the same
maturity he had just shown outside for 90 minutes. Dan Potts is 17 and was
entitled to be a lot less calm than this after a short-notice debut that
offered real promise. As Potts talked his way through an afternoon that he
and his family may have thought would never come, and which they will now
never forget, Potts's composure slipped only once.
It was when a famous West Ham fan approached him. 'Is this young Daniel in
technicolour?' asked Russell Brand. 'Look at you, you're a chip off the old
block. Well played, you were brilliant today — I thought you should have got
man of the match. Did your dad make it here? Well done, you were brilliant.'
Potts's reaction was a shy 'Thank you' followed by 'That's Russell Brand!'
when the scene had moved on. Dan Potts, and it is Dan rather than Daniel or
Danny — he was asked — is the son of the former West Ham defender Steve. As
such Dan will have grown up in and around professional football and is
therefore less likely to be starstruck now that he has entered its ranks —
he signed his first pro contract last week. West Ham manager Sam Allardyce
mentioned that Dan's father Steve will also be an important factor in why
the teenager is so level-headed. But there is another reason why Dan Potts
could bring a sense of perspective to the best day in his young football
life and that is because, aged 12, Potts was informed that he had leukaemia.
'It was hard and a struggle, and obviously football was the last thing on
my mind back then,' he said. 'It's just great to be healthy, put that behind
me, focus on my football and push on. I was 12 when I was diagnosed, I got
the clearance when I was coming up to my 16th birthday. 'I didn't play
during the intense part of it. I had a year of intense treatment when I was
completely off football. Then you go into maintenance when it's just
monthly dosages. Your blood levels increase a bit but are still low. 'It's
not advised that you play physical sport but I managed a bit and it helped
keep me going through it as well. It was a big benefit to the course of the
treatment and how I recovered so well, keeping fit and keeping playing
football.'
Back then a West Ham debut, any debut, was a complete world away. 'It was
the last thing on my mind,' he added. 'It was just about getting back to
normal health. People were always telling me you have to focus on that. But
at the back of my mind this sort of day was what you always dream of. It's
great to be here now.'
Feeling 100 per cent is also a recent experience. 'It's all good and well
coming off the treatment, and people ask if you feel any different, but I
think it's a gradual process,' he says. 'Slowly but surely you get better,
and it wasn't until the start of this year I thought, "Yeah, I'm fit and
strong".' The 17-year-old then employed terms such as 'emotional
rollercoaster' and 'dreams come true', but they did not sound like tired
cliches coming from Potts. He said he discovered he was playing 'about five
minutes before kick-off'. Abdoulaye Faye had been named on the West Ham
teamsheet but withdrew in the warm-up. Potts Jnr appeared at left back and
aside from looking young, small and slight compared to some of his
colleagues and Barnsley players, he had an assured first touch and then
passed the ball crisply and accurately. West Ham won 1-0 and after
consecutive defeats, that mattered to Allardyce. He was sent to the stands
in the second half by the referee for persistent moaning. But West Ham are
on course to bounce back after relegation and if the near 35,000 crowd,
enticed by realistic pricing, gritted their teeth during a forgettable
match, they at least saw a memorable debut from Dan Potts.

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West Ham debutant Daniel Potts is the star as Barnsley are beaten and his
club go level on points at the top
Telegraph.co.uk
By Rajvir Rai at Upton Park 5:24PM GMT 18 Dec 2011Comment

It was five minutes before kick-off that Daniel Potts was told he was making
his West Ham debut – as a replacement for Abdoulaye Faye, a Senegal
international with 34 caps – in a game against Barnsley which had assumed
enormous significance on the back of consecutive defeats. Most 17 year-olds
would have been cowed by the occasion, but this is no ordinary teenager. The
son of former West Ham captain, Steve Potts, had overcome a far more
daunting challenge in defeating leukaemia, which he battled for four years
after being diagnosed aged 12. Sure enough, his display was so accomplished
that boos rang out around Upton Park when Kevin Nolan was named man of the
match. Potts' only awkward moment came after the final whistle, when he was
confronted in the tunnel by West Ham fan Russell Brand.
"You're a chip off the old block," Brand told him. "You were brilliant – I
thought you should have got man of the match." Potts' response? "That's
Russell Brand ..."
For Potts the match was something he could never have imagined after his
childhood illness. "Football was the last thing on my mind back then, it was
just about getting back to normal health. But at the back of my mind this
sort of day was what I always dreamed of," he said. "It was an unbelievable
atmosphere. The adrenalin takes over and all fears are put aside. You get on
with it, play your game, be confident and age doesn't come into it. "I was
on edge not knowing if I was starting or on the bench. It's not the ideal
situation, but you should always switch your mind on as if you're starting
the game because anything can happen. It's just great to be healthy and put
that behind me now and focus on my football." Papa Bouba Diop's sixth-minute
header secured victory for West Ham which moved them level on points with
leaders Southampton. Allardyce could face a touchline ban after being sent
off seven minutes from time for aiming a kick at some plastic bottles when
his side were denied a penalty.

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West Ham striker leaves door open for Gills comeback
KentNews.co.uk
By David Pritchard
Sunday, December 18, 2011
12:46 PM

Frank Nouble's loan spell at Priestfield ended on Saturday but the striker
has not ruled out a return to Gillingham if West Ham want to loan him out
again this season.
By his own admission the 20-year-old had needed some convincing that a move
into League Two would be beneficial, but Nouble has been a big hit since
joining on an initial one-month loan in September. Scoring on both his first
appearance at Hereford United and home debut against Burton Albion a week
later, the Londoner made an instant impact. With five goals in 11 starts
before Saturday's home game against Bristol Rovers, he has found the net
more times than at West Ham and his five other loan spells put together. For
his part, Nouble credits Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler for the success during
the three-month stay. "I'm just happy the manager has given me the
confidence to play, that's the main thing," he said. "I'm really thankful to
him for that and I'm really happy I've given him something back. I'm happy
I've done well here and I can go back to my parent club and do well there as
well."

The highly-rated forward is keen to return to Upton Park and force his way
into Sam Allardyce's side, who are fighting for promotion in the
Championship. But Nouble would rather play regularly on loan than sit on the
bench for the Hammers and if another temporary spell away from east London
was an option he admits a return to Gillingham would be a genuine prospect.
"Compared to all the other loans this has been the best so far. Gillingham's
a really good club and I don't think they deserve to be in League Two, so
hopefully at the end of the season they can get the promotion they all
want," he said. "[Another loan] is always a possibility. When you're young
you just want to play games. I'm not one for wanting to sit on the bench and
watch. I want to learn. [Gillingham] would definitely be an option, I've
done well here and if they came in again I would definitely look at it."

The sentiment will have been welcomed by Hessenthaler, who has used Nouble
to good effect as both an orthodox striker and out wide. The Gills boss is
keen on adding to his strikeforce when the January transfer window opens to
cope with the loss of both Nouble and fellow loanee Jo Kuffour. It is hoped
Kuffour's deal will be extended in the new year, but Hessenthaler would be
delighted to have Nouble in the squad for the second half of the season.
"Frank's had a massive impact, a great lad to work with and he has all the
attributes to be a top player," he said. "I think he's out of contract at
the end of the season, so who knows where his future lies. We can't do
anything until January, it all depends on what Big Sam's thinking about the
lad's future. "We'll wait and see, I wouldn't disregard him because he's
done great for us. I'd see if they want to let him out again, he'd have a
few takers at our level because he's made an impact."

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