WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan returned with a bang to score the winner against Coventry City
on Monday
02.01.2012
Sam Allardyce was a relieved man on Saturday evening after a 1-0 home win
against Coventry City moved the Hammers joint-top of the npower
Championship. Kevin Nolan settled the nerves in front of the biggest crowd
of the season at the Boleyn Ground when he headed in on 66 minutes. Up to
that point, it had looked like it would be an extremely frustrating
afternoon, with Coventry keeper Joe Murphy inspirational in goal for the Sky
Blues. The final whistle brought huge cheers, as did the news that leaders
Southampton and second-placed Middlesbrough had both suffered 3-0 away
defeats at Brighton and Blackpool respectively. The Hammers, who could and
should have extended their lead through Frank Nouble, on as a late
replacement, and Mark Noble, are level on 47 points with Southampton, two
points ahead of Boro in third. "We were all relieved when we saw Kevin's
header go in because we were wondering if it was going to happen today,"
said Big Sam. "We created so many chances like we did at Derby on Saturday
but had not taken one. It was an outstanding performance by their
goalkeeper. "I was getting a little worried in the last embers of the game
that we wouldn't get what we deserved and there was the nagging feeling the
opposition may nick it as we have seen before.
"We got what we thoroughly deserved in the end. We played very well and the
only thing I can criticise the lads for is not winning by more goals.
Everyone rushed in after the game and to hear our rivals have slipped up and
we have gained three points makes it that little bit sweeter."
The Hammers were boosted by the return of Nolan, Julien Faubert, George
McCartney and man of the match Jack Collison after suspension, and the
quartet played their part in a pulsating contest. Also notable were Mark
Noble, Papa Bouba Diop and Winston Reid after their second 90 minutes in
three days. Reid, in particular, caught the manager's eye as did his
defensive partner James Tomkins. "You have to give Winston Reid a huge
amount of credit. He hasn't kicked a ball for eight or nine weeks, he has
two days of training and plays two 90 minutes in 48 hours. That is a massive
reason why we are looking stronger at the back."
The manager said he would continue to look for forward reinforcements this
week as well as possible a wide player and a central defender. He will take
stock of his squad with Sunday's trip to Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup,
when Abdoulaye Faye may return, and consider his striking options. "In an
ideal world, I will bring in two because we only have five subs and we have
to rotate the squad. Two quality players would be great. Maybe we will go
for a wide player as well because we had to play a diamond today. We have no
natural width in terms of wingers. "We got a three crucial points today and
it is a big game to win because we don't play a league game for eleven or 12
days because of the FA Cup."
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Potts takes SBOBET prize
WHUFC.com
Hammers fans have voted Dan Potts the SBOBET player of the month for
December 2011
02.01.2012
Dan Potts has completed a dream December 2011 by being voted SBOBET player
of the month. The 17-year-old, who beat a life-threatening bout of leukaemia
less than two years ago, kicked-off the final month of the year by
captaining the Under-18s to FA Youth Cup third-round success at
Wolverhampton Wanderers. Having trained with the first-team squad for the
past few weeks, the defender was handed his debut by manager Sam Allardyce
in the 1-0 home npower Championship victory over Barnsley on 17 December.
Potts kept his place for the 1-1 Boxing Day draw at Birmingham City and 2-1
New Year's Eve defeat at Derby County. The teenager has impressed with his
poise, composure and willingness to get forward and has been tipped for a
very bright future by both Big Sam and Academy Director Tony Carr. Potts
took 34.9 per cent of the vote, with Robert Green second on 24.4 per cent
and James Tomkins third on 23.5 per cent. The previous winners this season
have been Tomkins (August), Henri Lansbury (September), Sam Baldock
(October) and Carlton Cole (November).
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Kurucz loaned to Rochdale
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce has agreed to loan goalkeeper Peter Kurucz to League One
strugglers Rochdale
02.01.2012
West Ham United have agreed to loan goalkeeper Peter Kurucz to League One
side Rochdale. The 23-year-old made his debut in the 1-1 draw at home to
Preston North End on Saturday. Rochdale are without a manager after parting
company with Steve Eyre just before Christmas. Academy coach Chris Beech is
in temporary charge. Budapest-born Kurucz, who has played once for the
Hammers first team, has only just returned this season after 14 months out
with a serious knee injury.
The Hungary Under-21 goalkeeper came through the ranks at Ujpest FC in his
home city of Budapest before moving to West Ham United in January 2009.
Kurucz quickly established himself in the club's reserve team before pushing
on to become part of the first-team squad, making his full West Ham United
debut as a 73rd-minute substitute in the 4-0 home Premier League defeat by
Manchester United on 5 December 2009. He is the latest Hammer to be loaned
out. Pablo Barrera and Jordan Spence are on season-long loans at Real
Zaragoza and Bristol City respectively. Cristian Montano (Dagenham &
Redbridge), Herita Ilunga (Doncaster Rovers) and Callum McNaughton (AFC
Wimbledon) are all out on temporary loans.
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West Ham 1 - 0 Coventry
BBC.co.uk
Page last updated at 17:21 GMT, Monday, 2 January 2012
Kevin Nolan headed the winning goal as West Ham overcame struggling Coventry
to move level on points with Championship leaders Southampton. Nolan scored
on 66 minutes after a George McCartney cross was headed back across goal by
James Tomkins. Coventry goalkeeper Joe Murphy pushed Sam Baldock's shot onto
the bar while Mark Noble missed an open goal. The Sky Blues' Lukas
Jutkiewicz headed wide and near the end Carl Baker's deflected shot hit the
bar. It was only the Hammers' second win in six attempts but they are now
only being kept off top spot on goal difference by the Saints, who were
beaten 3-0 at Brighton. The visitors created the first opportunity when Gary
McSheffrey crossed towards Chris Hussey, whose first-time shot flew narrowly
wide. West Ham were denied by Murphy twice in quick succession, saving from
Nolan with his feet and, from the ensuing corner, keeping out Jack
Collison's snap-shot. The hosts were dominating but City were dangerous on
the break and Jutkiewicz should have done better with a free header from a
Gary Deegan cross that he nodded wide. At the other end Julien Faubert's
volley flew wide and Papa Bouba Diop's header was deflected clear before the
interval. Early in the second half Jutkiewicz squandered another good chance
after Faubert made a hash of his clearance. Jutkiewicz had more time than he
realised in the penalty area and headed the ball meekly over the top when he
could have allowed the ball to drop to give himself the chance of a shot.
But the City goal was leading a charmed life, with Tomkins heading Noble's
corner wide and Baldock also off target from Carlton Cole's cross. Murphy
then produced two stunning saves to force Baldock's shot onto the underside
of the crossbar and then palm away a powerful header from Collison. The
loose ball fell to Tomkins but the defender skewed his shot into the ground
and it bounced over the top. The breakthrough eventually came when Tomkins
beat Hussey in the air to head McCartney's cross back across goal where
Nolan was on hand to nod it past Murphy. It should have been two minutes
before the end after Richard Wood under-hit a backpass but Murphy saved well
from Frank Nouble and Noble put the rebound wide with the goal gaping. And
the Hammers' hearts were in their mouths when Baker's shot was deflected
onto the crossbar as the hosts survived a nervy ending.
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce: "We were all relieved when we saw it go in
because we were all wondering whether it was going to happen for us or not
on the basis of how many chances we created and how good their keeper was.
"We've played, very, very well today and the only thing I can criticise the
lads for is not winning by more goals. Everything else was fantastic.
"Without a doubt the suspended players being back made all the difference
because we saw the quality and how we controlled the game and how often we
persisted in pressurising Coventry who finally cracked in the end."
Coventry boss Andy Thorn: "I thought the boys gave me everything. We stuck
in there but towards the end it was disappointing to concede the goal, an
appalling goal from our point of view. "But I can't ask for any more effort
from them because they were excellent and we could even have nicked
something at the end. I thought we finished strongly. "We stood up to them
well and then as it went on I thought we got stronger and we started getting
our own chances - and I thought one of them could have gone in for us. "West
Ham are going to be up there. They're well organised and well managed but I
was a little bit disappointed that we didn't get anything."
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Hammers fail in Townsend bid
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 2nd January 2012
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce has revealed that West Ham United tried - and failed - to sign
Tottenham's Andros Townsend on loan. It was confirmed yesterday that the
20-year-old winger had joined Leeds United on loan for the remainder of the
season. However Allardyce, speaking after tonight's 1-0 win over Coventry
that returned West Ham to the Championship's automatic promotion spots
confirmed that he had tried to bring the Leytonstone-born player to Upton
Park before he opted instead for a move north. "We did try to get Andros
Townsend from Tottenham, but he ended up at Leeds rather than [with] us," he
said. Townsend has previously spent time on loan in the Championship with
Ipswich, Watford and Millwall - as well as enjoying spells at Yeovil, Orient
and MK Dons. He finally made his first team debut for Spurs in their 3-0 FA
Cup defeat of Charlton back in January of this year - a game in which he
scored. This season he has made eight appearances for Tottenham, primarily
in the Europa League. Townsend made his debut for Leeds in their 2-1 defeat
of Burnley this afternoon.
* Tomorrow morning's edition of The Sun claims West Ham are set to sign
Tottenham's Croatian defender Vedran Corluka for the rest of the season.
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West Ham Utd 1 Coventry City 0
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 2nd January 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are back in the Championship's automatic promotion zone - after
surviving a few nervy moments against bottom club Coventry at the Boleyn
Ground this afternoon. Surprise 3-0 defeats for both Southampton and
Middlesbrough (at Brighton and Blackpool respectively) meant that Kevin
Nolan's 66th minute strike was enough to put West Ham level on points with
the Saints at the top of the table, albeit with a slightly inferior goal
difference (+19 to +17). And with Cardiff the only other top six side to
win today, it was a great start to the new year for Sam Allardyce - even if
Coventry 'keeper Joe Murphy did his best to spoil the party. With West Ham
racking up 14 shots on goal (as well as a further eight off target), the
visitors had to rely on the experienced Irishman on a number of occasions to
prevent United from securing a far more comprehensive win in front of a near
capacity crowd at the Boleyn. Sam Allardyce, having seen his team win just
once in their last five outings adopted a four-man diamond midfield
formation (with Mark Noble on the left) for today's game. Carlton Cole -
dropped for the 2-1 defeat at Derby - was reinstated to lead the line
alongside Sam Baldock whilst Danny Potts, who took the December Player of
the Month award prior to the game was one of six dropped.
A promising opening saw plenty of possession for the Hammers but it was
City's Chris Hussey who had the first chance of the game when he fired
inches wide of Rob Green's goal with eight minutes played. Replays confirmed
he should have really hit the target. West Ham hit a purple patch thereafter
and Kevin Nolan and James Tomkins were both denied by Coventry 'keeper
Murphy within 60 seconds. Cole was next to be frustrated when he was stopped
in his tracks by a perfectly-timed last-ditch tackle from Gary Deegan when
the striker was set to pull the trigger. Kevin Nolan, who had a quiet first
half saw an audacious lob float over the bar before Cole was inches away
from nodding home James Tomkins' header from a Jack Collison corner. However
as the half entered its final third the visitors, having succesfully
dampeneded the initial optimism of the home support, began to get back into
the game.
But for an excellent intervention by Noble, David Bell may well have given
City the lead when he raced through after West Ham's back four had been
caught off-guard. Gary McSheffrey was also close to opening the scoring when
his header flashed the wrong side of Green's post by a matter of inches but
it remained 0-0 at the break. After a quiet opening the second half sprang
into life just ahead of the hour mark when Carlton Cole left the Coventry
defence in his wake before supplying Sam Baldock, who sadly couldn't match
his partner's effectiveness with a shot that narrowly missed its intended
target. A minute later and Murphy was on hand again to this time deny
Baldock; James Tomkins' nod-on from a corner was diverted towards goal by
the former MK Dons man but the goalkeeper cleared off the line. Full of
confidence, Murphy denied the Hammers yet again moments later when Jack
Collison's goal bound header was clawed away by the 30-year-old Dubliner.
Having survived a penalty appeal when Noble appeared to be unfairly felled
by Chris Hussey, the wirting appeared to be on the wall for City - and so it
proved when captain Nolan, who had been anonymous up to that point struck
from close range with 66 minutes on the clock. Tomkins, who produced yet
another strong performance despite being recently linked with a move away
from Upton Park fed an advancing George McCartney on the left flank. The
loanee's deep cross was met by provider Tomkins and nodded toward the back
post, where Nolan was waiting to pounce. Substitute Frank Nouble should have
wrapped the game up twice in the final minutes of normal time but yet again
that man Murphy was on hand to deny the young forward, making his second
appearance for the Hammers since returning from a lengthy loan at League Two
Gillingham.
A 50-yard run culminated with Murphy producing yet another excellent stop to
deny Nouble after he had worked his way into the box. However the striker
only had himself to blame when failing to profit from a one-on-one when he
opted to shoot early rather than work an opening. That all prompted a
frantic final few minutes where West Ham yet again put the vast majority of
the crowd through the mill with some desperate defending as they clung on to
their slender advantage. However it was left to Lady Luck to assist when
Gary Deegan's 89th minute, heavily-deflected shot spun up in the air before
clipping the crossbar and falling to safety.
Fortunately that was as close as City came to spoiling the subsequent
celebrations and the Hammers returned to the top two having been temporarily
edged out by Middlesbrough. Next up, the trip to Yorkshire for the FA Cup
third round encounter with Sheffield Wednesday.
West Ham United 1 Coventry City 0: match facts
West Ham Utd: Green, Faubert, Reid, Tomkins, McCartney, Diop, Noble,
Collison, Nolan, Baldock (Nouble 73), Cole (O'Brien 90).
Subs not used: Boffin, Lansbury, Carew.
Goals: Nolan (66).
Shots on target/off target: 14/8.
Coventry City: Murphy, Keogh, Cranie, Wood, Hussey, Thomas, Deegan, Baker,
Bell (Bigirimana 67), McSheffrey, Jutkiewicz (Jeffers 69).
Subs not used: Dunn, McPake, Willis.
Shots on target/off target: 3/4.
Booked: Deegan (71).
Referee: Simon Hooper.
Attendance: 34,936.
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Nolan notches as Hammers win
Last updated: 2nd January 2012
SSN
Kevin Nolan got West Ham's Championship promotion bid back on track with the
winner as the Hammers beat Coventry 1-0 at Upton Park on Monday. The
£4million midfielder, who was suspended for the defeat at Derby on Saturday,
struck midway through the second half as the Hammers moved level on points
with Championship leaders Southampton. Sam Allardyce's side had been
frustrated by in-form Coventry goalkeeper Joe Murphy for 65 minutes, but he
was finally beaten when skipper Nolan headed his seventh goal of the season.
It was only the Hammers' second win in six attempts but they are now only
being kept off top spot on goal difference by Saints, who have been wobbling
themselves of late. The Sky Blues had their chances, though, but top scorer
Lukas Jutkiewicz could not add to his tally of nine goals. The visitors
created the first opportunity when Gary McSheffrey raided down the right and
crossed towards Chris Hussey, whose first-time shot flew narrowly wide.
West Ham were denied by Murphy twice in quick succession, saving from Nolan
with his feet and from the ensuing corner keeping out Jack Collison's
snap-shot.
The hosts were dominating possession but City were dangerous on the break
and Jutkiewicz should have done better with a free header from Gary Deegan's
cross which he nodded wide. At the other end Julien Faubert's volley flew
wide and Papa Bouba Diop's header was deflected clear before the interval.
Early in the second half Jutkiewicz squandered another good chance after
Faubert made a hash of his clearance. Jutkiewicz had more time than he
realised in the penalty area and headed the ball meekly over the top when he
could have allowed the ball to drop and taken a shot. But the City goal was
at times leading a charmed life with James Tomkins heading Mark Noble's
corner wide and Sam Baldock also off target from Carlton Cole's cross.
Murphy then produced two stunning saves to deny the Hammers, first pushing
Baldock's shot onto the underside of the crossbar and then palming away a
powerful header from Collison. The loose ball fell to Tomkins but the
defender skewed his shot into the ground and it bounced over the top. But
the breakthrough eventually came when Tomkins beat Hussey in the air to head
George McCartney's cross back across goal where Nolan was on hand to nod it
past Murphy and into the net. It should have been two minutes before the end
after Richard Wood under-hit a backpass but Murphy saved well from Frank
Nouble and Noble put the rebound wide with the goal gaping. And Hammers
hearts were in their mouths when Carl Baker's shot was deflected onto the
crossbar as the hosts survived a nervy ending.
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Sam suffers nervy afternoon
Allardyce praises Coventry keeper but hails 'fantastic' Hammers
Last Updated: January 2, 2012 7:03pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce admitted he suffered a few jitters as his Hammers made hard
work of seeing off Coventry 1-0. With Sky Blues goalkeeper Joe Murphy in
inspired form, Allardyce's side had to wait until the 66th minute for Kevin
Nolan to bag the goal which lifted them level on points at the npower
Championship summit with Southampton. Hammers boss Allardyce said: "We were
all relieved when we saw it go in because we were all wondering whether it
was going to happen for us or not today on the basis of how many chances we
created and how good their keeper was. "It was an outstanding performance
from him (Murphy) and I was just getting a little worried in the last embers
of the game that we weren't going to get what we deserved. "There's always
that nagging feeling about the quick breakout that the opposition might get
and nick it as we've seen before here against Cardiff and Ipswich but gladly
in the end we got what we thoroughly deserved. "We've played, very, very
well today and the only thing I can criticise the lads for is not winning by
more goals. Everything else was fantastic. "Without a doubt the suspended
players being back made all the difference because we saw the quality and
how we controlled the game and how often we persisted in pressurising
Coventry who finally cracked in the end."
Sky Blues boss Andy Thorn, while admitting his disappointment at the manner
in which the goal was conceded, was quick to praise his side for their
bumper Christmas points tally of six from nine available. He said: "I
thought the boys gave me everything. We stuck in there but towards the end
it was disappointing to concede the goal, an appalling goal from our point
of view. "But I can't ask for any more effort from them because they were
excellent and we could even have nicked something at the end. I thought we
finished strongly. "We stood up to them well and then as it went on I
thought we got stronger and we started getting our own chances - and I
thought one of them could have gone in for us. "West Ham are going to be up
there. They're well organised and well managed but I was a little bit
disappointed that we didn't get anything. "Joe Murphy pulled off some great
saves, some for the cameras, some I thought he should have held. He really
is a terrific keeper. We've had a good Christmas period, points wise and
performance wise."
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West Ham 1 Coventry 0
By VIKKI ORVICE
Published: Today
The Sun
KEVIN NOLAN got West Ham's strikers off the hook by firing the club joint
top of the table. The midfielder, back from suspension, bagged his SEVENTH
goal of the season after his Hammers team-mates missed a glut of chances.
Only a worse goal difference stopped them snatching top spot from
Southampton. But until Nolan's 66th-minute strike, the Upton Park faithful
had expected better against the only team in the Championship still
searching for their first away win. Time and again West Ham were denied in
front of goal by poor finishing or some fine saves from Coventry keeper Joe
Murphy. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce admitted: "It's a crucial three points
and a big game because the FA Cup is next week and we now don't play in the
league for 12 days. "Middlesbrough and Southampton have slipped up and we've
gained three points on them, which makes it that little bit sweeter. "We had
TWENTY-TWO attempts on goal and scored once! "That conversion rate isn't
good enough and I was getting worried in the last embers of the game that we
wouldn't get what we deserved. "We were all relieved when we saw it go in.
"We were all wondering whether it was going to happen for us today, given
how many chances we created and how good their keeper was."
The Hammers had taken just four points from 15 before this game. And
Allardyce had challenged his misfiring squad to start scoring the goals
needed to get their promotion bid back on track. So concerned about the team
not being clinical enough in front of goal, Big Sam is still determined to
sign a forward during this month's transfer window — along with at least one
other player. He said: "Our real problems, apart from not scoring enough,
have been the amount of injuries and suspensions which have devastated our
defensive line. "In an ideal world I'd bring in two quality players — a
forward and defender. "And if it ended up three, then a wide player as
well."
It was West Ham who started the brightest. Jack Collison, another who made
the difference on his return from suspension, saw an effort blocked by Chris
Hussey as early as the ninth minute. But, within seconds, the Hammers were
forced to go on the defensive themselves as Robert Green produced a great
save to deny Richard Wood.
Striker Sam Baldock was soon surging forward, only to see one chance again
denied by the dogged Hussey before sending another wide of Murphy's goal.
Baldock also had a shot cleared off the line by Murphy on the 58th minute
from a swinging corner by Collison. Then up stepped Nolan to save the day,
heading the ball into the back of the net after James Tomkins flicked it on
to him from a George McCartney cross. The Sky Blues, despite some fine
defending, rarely threatened themselves. Their best effort came just two
minutes from time when Carl Baker's shot from a Gary McSheffrey corner was
cleared to safety by Tomkins. Coventry boss Andy Thorn said: "I'm
disappointed we didn't get something. There's such a gulf between the two
clubs in terms of the players and finances — but it didn't look massive
today."
SUN STAR MAN KEVIN NOLAN (West Ham). Easily the Championship's best
midfielder.
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West Ham 1-0 Coventry: Daily Mirror match report
Published 21:46 02/01/12 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce is ready to hit the January sales in a bid to solve West Ham's
goalscoring problems. The Hammers boss has already had bids rejected for
Bristol City's Nicky Maynard, Huddersfield hot-shot Jordan Rhodes and
Cardiff's Peter Whittingham. Allardyce was also forced to concede defeat in
his pursuit of Tottenham winger Andros Townsend, who has joined Leeds on
loan for the rest of the season. Kevin Nolan's strike finally saw off
basement boys Coventry and took the Hammers joint-top of the Championship
with Southampton. But Allardyce is still desperate to find a frontman to
fire his side into the Premier League. "It's an area we're looking at purely
and simply because we had 22 attempts at goal against Coventry and scored
one and that conversion rate is just not good enough," complained Big Sam.
"Against Birmingham in the first half, we created six or seven chances and
didn't score the second goal and ended up with a draw. "Our conversion rate
is not good enough at the moment. "It was all right at the start of the
season, because we were scoring three or four. "Now we're only getting one.
We need to start changing that to twos and threes again."
Truth be told, West Ham might have had four or five had it not been for a
stunning display by Coventry keeper Joe Murphy, who produced a number of
top-drawer saves to keep his side in it. The former Scunthorpe stopper
denied James Tomkins and George McCarthy during a dire first half, while
Julien Faubert fired wide from 25 yards. The visitors barely threatened
although Lukas Jutkiewicz should have done better with his header from
close-range after meeting Richard Keogh's cross.
It was a rare moment of promise for the Sky Blues, who were given another
let-off when Sam Baldock fired wide from 12 yards after connecting with
Carlton Cole's cross. Baldock was denied once again just minutes later as
Murphy somehow blocked the striker's header on the line, before pulling off
a breathtaking save to leave Jack Collison scratching his head. But there
was nothing Murphy could do when Tomkins met McCarthy's cross and Nolan
headed home from six yards to finally break Coventry's resistance with 24
minutes remaining. Substitute Frank Nouble scored his first West Ham goal at
Derby on New Year's Eve. He should have got his second late on after seizing
on a poor back pass by Richard Wood but the forward could only shoot
straight at Murphy with Mark Noble firing the rebound wide. Big Sam's boys
survived a late scare when Carl Baker's effort was deflected against the bar
by Tomkins, but they held on to put the pressure on the suddenly vulnerable
Saints.
Allardyce added: "We were all relieved because we were wondering if it was
going to happen on the basis of the chances we created and how good their
goalkeeper was. "We played very, very well and the only thing I can
criticise the lads for is not winning by more goals." Coventry are now rock
bottom and gaffer Andy Thorn said: "I couldn't ask for anything else from
the lads. We've had a good Christmas both points-wise and performance-wise
but I'm disappointed with the result. "When you come to a place like this
there's such a gulf between the two clubs – but I didn't think it was as
massive on the pitch."
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Exclusive - Nolan: 'I'm only going to get better'
By Michael Wade
Monday, January 2
TalkSport
Kevin Nolan has backed himself to hit form for West Ham and lead them back
into the Premier League. The Hammers' captain scored the winning goal as
they edged out Coventry to move joint-top alongside Southampton. And
following a turbulent time since moving to Upton Park in June, Nolan has
told talkSPORT he can only get better. "To be quite honest it's difficult
when you come to new surroundings, do new things and get to know new
people," he said. "I'm quite happy with everything that has gone on but I
know that I'm only going to get better. Hopefully that will come in the next
four or five months and we'll go on to the Premier League next year."
Nolan also stressed the importance of West Ham putting a run together and
becoming a firm fixture in the automatic promotion spots in the coming
months. Before three points at Coventry thrust them firmly back into the
promotion reckoning Sam Allardyce's side had been on a disastrous run of
form which saw them win just once in their previous five game. But Nolan is
confident they have the tools to go on a winning run now, saying: "I'm not
getting too far ahead of myself really, I'm glad to pop up with goals but
the main thing is that the team wins and we go on to a bit of a run now that
is the main thing that was said after the game. "This is a league which you
can never ever judge and say 'you've got to win your home games'. We've got
to take each game as it comes and it is about going on a run now.
"That's what we want to do, we want to go on a big run and we have got the
tools to do it."
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West Ham United 1 Coventry City 0: match report
By Arindam Rej at Upton Park8:23PM GMT 02 Jan 2012
Telegraph.co.uk
No wonder West Ham are looking at bringing in strikers this month. After a
dominant but profligate display, manager Sam Allardyce admitted that
recruiting forwards is on the agenda because their goalscoring record is
"just not good enough". Doncaster's Billy Sharp, Bristol City's Nicky
Maynard and Fulham's Bobby Zamora have all been linked with the club, who
failed in a bid to sign Andros Townsend on loan from Tottenham. Co-chairman
David Sullivan also confirmed the club have "made bids for three players
that the manager has identified". A header from Kevin Nolan on his return
from suspension settled this contest, nodding in from close range after
James Tomkins had headed George McCartney's cross back across the goal. The
result moved West Ham back up to second and behind Southampton only on goal
difference. But Allardyce said: "We were all wondering if it was going to
happen, looking at how many chances we created and how good their goalkeeper
[Joe Murphy] was."
When asked about signing strikers this month, Allardyce said: "It's an area
we're looking at. Our conversion rate is not good enough." Despite their
struggles to find goals, John Carew was again left unused on the bench and
the West Ham manager said: "When he's had the chance he hasn't been good
enough, the same as Frédéric Piquionne." It was frustrating for the home
side who enjoyed the lion share of possession but could not score. West Ham
were almost made to pay for their lack of cutting edge when Carl Baker had a
shot deflected on to the bar late on. After successive wins, this defeat
means Coventry are now propping up the table but manager Andy Thorn is still
upbeat. He said: "We were excellent. But look at the calibre of players that
West Ham brought on. They are going to be up there."
Match details:
West Ham (4-4-2): Green; Faubert, Tomkins, Reid, McCartney; Nolan, Collison,
Diop, Noble; Cole (O'Brien 90), Baldock (Nouble 72).
Subs: Boffin (g), Carew, Lansbury.
Coventry (4-4-2): Murphy; Keogh, Cranie, Wood, Hussey; Thomas, Deegan,
Baker, Bell (Bigirimana 67); McSheffrey, Jutkiewicz (Jeffers 69).
Subs: Dunn (g), McPake, Willis.
Booked: Deegan.
Referee: S Hooper (Wiltshire).
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WEST HAM 1 COVENTRY 0: SAM VOWS TO STRIKE A SALES DEAL
3rd January 2012 By Darren Witcoop
Daily Star
SAM ALLARDYCE is set to shop around for a new striker in the January sales,
after watching West Ham stutter to a nervous win over strugglers Coventry.
West Ham should have won at a canter yesterday – instead they were left
holding on for dear life late on following Kevin Nolan's second-half header.
Despite their second win in six games, the Hammers boss will step up his
chase for a new hitman. Top of his list is the prolific Jordan Rhodes, but
with Huddersfield insisting he is not for sale, Bristol City's Nicky
Maynard is also on Allardyce's radar. And after being put through the mill
once again, Allardyce said: "The striking department is an area we are
looking at. That is purely and simply as we had 22 attempts at goal and
scored just one. "That conversion rate is not good enough. We need to start
changing that to two and three goals again. "Against Birmingham in the
first-half we created six or seven chances and didn't score a second and
ended up with a draw. "We are all relieved as I was wondering if it was
going to happen again on the basis of chances created and how good their
goalkeeper was. "But we played very well and the only thing I can criticise
the lads for is not winning by more." West Ham have seen their promotion
push stall in recent weeks. And they were their own worst enemies for long
periods here as they fluffed their lines with the goal at their mercy over
and over again. Sam Baldock and James Tomkins were among the guilty men,
while Coventry keeper Joe Murphy played his part with a string of saves.
Nolan finally made the breakthrough when he nodded home Tomkins' towering
header in the 66th minute. But a failure to kill off the visitors was always
lingering, as substitute Frank Nouble and Mark Noble continued to waste
clear chances. And the Hammers should have been punished as Sky Blues
substitute Shaun Jeffers headed wide, before Carl Baker struck the crossbar
in the dying minutes. Coventry chief Andy Thorn, who saw his side slump to
the foot of the Championship, said: "There is a gulf in class between the
two clubs, but there was not much difference here. "We were low on numbers,
but the players gave me everything. "We've had a good Christmas points wise
and performance wise. "But we are disappointed with the result here."
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