Daily WHUFC News - 22nd September 2012

Sunderland match preview
WHUFC.com
Your guide to this weekend's Barclays Premier League home fixture with the
Black Cats
21.09.2012

WEST HAM UNITED v SUNDERLAND
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2012
KICK-OFF: 3PM
REFEREE: LEE MASON
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
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West Ham United's home match with Sunderland will be promoting awareness and
raising funds for the Richard House Children's Hospice. The Beckton-based
hospice, which has midfielder Mark Noble as a patron, will have bucket
collectors around the stadium and there will be promotion of the work it
does on the big screens as well as the first-team players wearing special
Hospice T-shirts in the pre-match warm-up. Captain Kevin Nolan, Mark Noble,
Matt Taylor and James Collins all recorded messages on behalf of the team
this week to help raise awareness and the club supports the hospice
throughout the year. Noble said: "It is a great little place that helps a
lot of families and without this support, it can't carry on the fantastic
work it does day in day out. We know from visiting the hospice what it
provides and I can only urge everyone to get behind Richard House, they
truly appreciate the support."

The hospice provides care and support for life-limited children and young
adults with complex health conditions. Last season, West Ham supporters
helped Richard House raise around £2,000 at a match day and they are hoping
that Hammers fans will dig deep for them again. Viv Talbot, Richard House's
fundraising manager said: "We really appreciate the support we get from West
Ham United and their supporters. Every penny makes a huge difference to the
lives of all those who use our services."

Richard House volunteers will be around the Boleyn Ground with collection
buckets or you can donate £5 simply by texting RHCH02 £5 to 70070.
For more information on Richard House Children's Hospice, go to
http://www.richardhouse.org.uk/

Introduction
• West Ham United face Sunderland in the Barclays Premier League at the
Boleyn Ground hoping to maintain their 100 per cent home record in all
competitions.
• Both sides' previous matches ended in draws. The Hammers gained their
first away point at Norwich City in a goalless encounter and Sunderland drew
1-1 at home to winless Liverpool.
• Yossi Benayoun made his second West Ham United 'debut' last weekend and
Matt Jarvis also returned after injury at Carrow Road. Both are pushing for
a place in the starting XI, but Andy Carroll and Jack Collison miss out.
• This fixture is the Hammers first 3pm kick-off since the opening day of
the Barclays Premier League season, when they recorded a 1-0 home victory
over Aston Villa.
• Sunderland are one of five teams currently unbeaten in the Barclays
Premier League, having begun the season with three draws from three games.
The Black Cats' fourth scheduled fixture at home to Reading was postponed
due to a waterlogged pitch.
• The Hammers have only lost once, going down 3-0 to Swansea City at the
Liberty Stadium on 25 August. They have recorded home wins over Aston Villa
(1-0) and Fulham (3-0) and a goalless draw at Norwich City in their three
other league games, while also defeating Crewe Alexandra 2-0 at the Boleyn
Ground in the Capital One Cup second round.
• West Ham United's clash with Norwich City is one of six Barclays Premier
League games on Saturday, the others are as follows: (Kick-off 3pm unless
stated) Chelsea v Stoke City, Southampton v Aston Villa, Swansea City v
Everton (12.45pm), West Bromwich Albion v Reading and Wigan Athletic v
Fulham.

Last time out

Saturday 1 September 2012
Barclays Premier League
Norwich City 0-0 West Ham United
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Reid, Collins, O'Brien, Diame, Noble,
Vaz Te (Benayoun 86), Nolan, Taylor (Jarvis 57), Cole (Maiga 57)
Subs not used: Henderson, McCartney, Tomkins, Diarra

Saturday 1 September 2012
Barclays Premier League
Sunderland 1-1 Liverpool
Sunderland: Mignolet, Gardner, O'Shea, Cuellar (Bramble 46), Rose (Campbell
72), Larsson, Cattermole, Colback, McClean, Sessegnon, Fletcher (Saha 86)
Subs not used: Westwood, Kilgallon, Meyler, Ji
Goal: Fletcher 29

Previous meeting

• The Hammers last meeting with Sunderland on 22 May 2011 wasn't a happy one
for many reasons. The first was that relegation to the Championship had been
confirmed and the second was that it ended in a dismal 3-0 defeat. Bolo
Zenden headed the Black Cats into the lead early on and Stephane Sessegnon
doubled their advantage six minutes into the second half. Cristian Riveros
completed the scoring in the 93rd minute, controlling Jordan Henderson's
cross before smashing the ball into the net from 12 yards. The line ups that
day were:
West Ham United: Green, Gabbidon, Bridge, Tomkins (Obinna 55), Spence, Boa
Morte (Parker 61), Collison, Hitzlsperger, Piquionne, Sears, Hines (Jacobsen
55).
Subs not used: Boffin, Tombides, Stanislas, Kovac
Sunderland: Mignolet, Ferdinand, Bardsley (Riveros 68), Onuoha, Sessegnon,
Elmohamady, Zenden, Henderson, Colback, Malbranque, Gyan (Cook 73).
Subs not used: Knott, Noble, Adams, Lynch, Carson

Background
• West Ham United have faced Sunderland 82 times in official competitions,
winning 32, drawing 20 and losing 30.
• The first meeting between the two sides came on Saturday 25 August 1923 in
the old Division One and ended in a goalless draw.
• Sunderland are still searching for their first win of the 2012/13 Barclays
Premier League season, having drawn against Arsenal, Swansea and Liverpool.
Their meeting with Reading on 25 August was postponed due to waterlogged
pitch.
• West Ham United's biggest win over Sunderland came in the shape of an 8-0
Division One success at the Boleyn Ground on 19 October 1968. Geoff Hurst
scored six goals - including a hat-trick in each half - while Bobby Moore
and a young Trevor Brooking added one apiece. No other Hammers player has
scored a hat-trick against the Black Cats.
• Sunderland's biggest win over West Ham United came on 5 March 1977, when
the Black Cats romped to a 6-0 Division One victory over the Londoners at
Roker Park. Their best performance in east London was a 3-0 Division One
triumph on 25 April 1931.
• West Ham United travelled to Sunderland on 21 September 2010 - almost
exactly two years ago - and scored a 2-1 League Cup third-round victory.
Frederic Piquionne and Victor Obinna scored either side of Asamoah Gyan's
equaliser to score the Hammers' first away victory of the 2010/11 season.
• West Ham United have won six out of the previous ten meetings with
Sunderland, but the Black Cats have won the most-recent two, scoring a
Premier League 'double' in 2010/11.
• The last time West Ham United met Sunderland, on 22 May 2011, Kevin Keen
was in caretaker charge following the departure of Avram Grant the previous
weekend.
• The biggest Boleyn Ground crowd to witness at West Ham United versus
Sunderland fixture was the 35,033 who witnessed the Hammers' 2-0 Premier
League victory on 22 March 2003.
• Kevin Nolan scored a hat-trick for Newcastle United in a 5-1 Tyne-Wear
derby Premier League win over Sunderland at St James' Park on 31 October
2010. Andy Carroll also started the match for the Magpies.
• West Ham United forward Modibo Maiga was a team-mate of Sunderland
midfielder Stephane Sessegnon at French side Le Mans UC72 during the 2007/08
season.
• A number of West Ham United and Sunderland players have appeared together
for other clubs, including James Collins, Carlos Cuellar and Craig Gardner
(Aston Villa), Andy Carroll and Titus Bramble (Newcastle United), Matt
Jarvis and Steven Fletcher (Wolverhampton Wanderers) and George Moncur and
Billy Knott (AFC Wimbledon).
• Hammers midfielder Mohamed Diame was signed by Wigan Athletic from Spanish
club Rayo Vallecano as a replacement for Sunderland-bound Lee Cattermole in
August 2009.
• Future Hammers manager Harry Redknapp made his West Ham United debut in a
1-1 Division One draw with Sunderland at the Boleyn Ground on 23 August
1965.
• Ray Atteveld made his Hammers debut in a 1-1 FA Cup fifth-round draw at
Sunderland on 15 February 1992. The Dutchman, on loan from Everton, would
make two of his three West Ham United appearances against the Black Cats,
the final one being a 3-2 FA Cup fifth-round replay defeat at the Boleyn
Ground.
• George Andrew (February 1967), Jimmy Neighbour (September 1979), Chris
Cohen (December 2003), Lionel Scaloni (February 2006) and Nolberto Solano
(October 2007) also made their West Ham United debuts against Sunderland.


Last six meetings
(Premier League unless stated)
22 May 2011- West Ham United 0-3 Sunderland
5 December 2010 - Sunderland 1-0 West Ham United
21 September 2010 - Sunderland 1-2 West Ham United (Carling Cup third round)
10 April 2010 - West Ham United 1-0 Sunderland
31 October 2009 - Sunderland 2-2 West Ham United
4 April 2009 - West Ham United 2-0 Sunderland
Overall record v Sunderland (all competitions) W 32 D 20 L 30

Ten-year record

West Ham United

2011/12 Championship 3rd (86 points - promoted to Premier League via
Play-Offs)
2010/11 Premier League 20th (33 points - relegated to Championship)
2009/10 Premier League 17th (35 points)
2008/09 Premier League 9th (51 points)
2007/08 Premier League 10th (49 points)
2006/07 Premier League 15th (41 points)
2005/06 Premier League 9th (55 points)
2004/05 Championship 6th (73 points - promoted to Premier League via
Play-Offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th (74 points)
2002/03 Premier League 18th (42 points - relegated to Championship)
2001/02 Premier League 7th (53 points)

Sunderland
2011/12 Premier League 13th (45 points)
2010/11 Premier League 10th (47 points)
2009/10 Premier League 13th (44 points)
2008/09 Premier League 16th (36 points)
2007/08 Premier League 15th (39 points)
2006/07 Championship 1st (88 points - promoted to Premier League)
2005/06 Premier League 20th (15 points - relegated to Championship)
2004/05 Championship 1st (94 points - promoted to Premier League)
2003/04 Championship 3rd (79 points)
2002/03 Premier League 20th (19 points)
2001/02 Premier League 17th (40 points)

Referee
• Saturday's referee will be Lee Mason.
• Mason started refereeing in 1988 and in 1992 he was added to the North
West Counties Football League assistant referees' list, and progressed to
full referee for that competition four years later.
• He was included on the Football League list of assistant referees in 1998,
and was then added to the Premier League list in 2000.
• In 2002, he was promoted to referee for the Football League and in 2003
became a 'Development Group' referee, before finally reaching the Premier
League list of Select Group referees in 2006.
• His first ever match in the top tier was on 4 February 2006, when
Middlesbrough lost 4-0 at home to Aston Villa.
• Mason was chosen to control the League One Play-Off final between Barnsley
and Swansea on 27 May 2006.
• The 40-year-old took charge of last season's 0-0 away draw with Millwall.


Team news
• Jack Collison is unlikely to play after missing the start of the season as
he continues to manage his long-term knee issues.
• Andy Carroll will also be missing after suffering a hamstring injury on
his debut that is likely to keep him side lined for around six weeks.
• In Carroll's absence both Carlton Cole and Modibo Maiga are vying for a
starting spot, as is Alou Diarra who is yet to make Premier League start.
• Matt Jarvis is also pushing for a starting place after returning to action
against Norwich, as is Yossi Benayoun who made his second debut against the
Canaries. If Jarvis does feature, it will be his first appearance for the
Hammers at the Boleyn Ground.
• Sunderland could hand England winger Adam Johnson his debut after he
missed last weekend's 1-1 draw with Liverpool through injury.

Old boys
• George McCartney has enjoyed two spells with Sunderland. The Northern
Irishman initially moved to the north east as a 17-year-old in 1998, quickly
establishing himself in the first team and captaining the Black Cats to
promotion to the Premier League and being voted Player of the Year in 2005.
In all, he made 157 appearances for Sunderland before joining West Ham
United in 2006. After two seasons, the left-back returned to the Stadium of
Light to make a further 46 appearances before re-joining the Hammers,
initially on loan, in August 2011.
• Sunderland defender Matt Kilgallon made four appearances for West Ham
United on loan from Leeds United between August and November 2003.
• Bryan 'Pop' Robson spent two spells with West Ham United and three with
hometown club Sunderland. Robson, who started his career with Newcastle
United, netted 104 goals in 254 appearances for the Hammers and 67 in 174
games for Sunderland - scoring in a 2-0 win over Leicester City in his final
Black Cats appearance in May 1984 that kept the club in the old Division
One.
• Don Hutchison enjoyed two spells with West Ham United, netting 17 times in
110 matches. The Scotland midfielder also represented Sunderland during the
2000/01 season, scoring an impressing ten goals in 39 games.
• Among the other players who have represented both clubs are Dick Bell,
Gary Breen, Clive Clarke, Keith Coleman, Ernest England, Anton Ferdinand,
John Foreman, Harry Forster, Jack Foster, Harry Hooper, Mick McGiven, Andy
Melville, Billy Moore and Dave Swindlehurst.

General Information
• Limited tickets remain for tomorrow's clash with Sunderland. Click here to
secure your seat now.
• The weather forecast for Saturday is for a sunny day with maximum
temperatures reaching 19C (67F).

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Dev Squad down Gunners
WHUFC.com
Ian Hendon's side recorded a fine 4-1 Barclays U21 Premier League victory
over Arsenal on Friday
21.09.2012

A 704-strong crowd watched West Ham United's Development Squad produce a
dominant display to secure a 4-1 win over Arsenal at Rush Green on Friday
evening. The Gunners were previously unbeaten in the Barclays Under-21
Premier League but were second best for much of the contest as the Hammers
recovered from a goal down to score a fine victory. Goals from Rob Hall,
Matthias Fanimo, Dan Potts and Blair Turgott secured the points that take
West Ham level with Arsenal on ten points at the top of the Group 1 table.
Arsenal opened the scoring after just five minutes when Serge Gnabry drove
at the Hammers defence before finding Kris Olsson. The attacking midfielder
weaved in and out before cutting back and sending a sumptuous ball into
Elton Monteiro, who headed past Raphael Spiegel. The Gunners were not in
lead for long, though, as Ian Hendon's side rallied and equalised just eight
minutes later. The ever-impressive Hall did well to hold off his man before
breaking into the box and firing in at the near post.

The Hammers continued to press and after 18 minutes they took the lead
through Fanimo. Turgott showed terrific work ethic by winning the ball back
and driving to the byline before smashing the ball across goal. Paul
McCallum missed with an attempted overhead kick, but the ball fell to
Fanimo, who stayed composed to slot the ball past James Shea. The Hammers
would have to wait just under an hour before grabbing a third goal which
effectively ended the contest. Arsenal failed to deal with Hall's inswinging
corner and the ball fell to Potts, who was only too happy to smash the ball
in from five yards. With two minutes to go, Turgott completed the rout,
latching on to McCallum's superb through ball and finishing coolly past Shea
to the delight of the majority of the large crowd. Hendon's youngsters have
now recorded three wins and a draw from their opening five league fixtures.
Next up for the Development Squad is another home fixture on Friday 28
September against Norwich City, who snatched a late draw against the Gunners
during the last round of fixtures.

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West Ham v Sunderland
BBC/.co.uk
KO 15:00
21 September 2012
By Alistair Mann
BBC Match of the Day commentator

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday, 22 September

TEAM NEWS

West Ham striker Andy Carroll is back in light training but is not ready to
return from a hamstring injury. Boss Sam Allardyce will use Carlton Cole and
Modibo Maiga in his absence, while midfielder Jack Collison remains
sidelined by an ongoing knee problem.
Sunderland winger Adam Johnson is likely to miss out as he is making a slow
recovery from a thigh injury. Carlos Cuellar is absent with a hamstring
strain, and Phil Bardsley and Wes Brown are still short of fitness.

MATCH PREVIEW

This fixture proves how quickly football clubs evolve. In the 16 months
since they last met, both have changed their managers and their playing
personnel has altered so dramatically that only three of the 22 players who
started in May 2011 are also likely to start this time - and all three are
Sunderland employees.

LAWRO'S PREDICTION
Mark Lawrenson
Football Analyst
"Even without Andy Carroll, West Ham will be a handful but Martin O'Neill's
teams always have fighting qualities - Liverpool seriously outplayed his
Sunderland side last week but, even with all the chances they created, they
could not get that decisive goal."

The Hammers have even faced a season in the Championship in the meantime
and, stung by their demotion, have invested in experience to ensure they
don't suffer that fate again. In Sam Allardyce, they not only hired a
manager who fulfilled their first target of an immediate return to the
Premier League but who also knows what it takes to keep them there. Having
guided Bolton to four top-eight finishes in his last four years in charge
there, it was perhaps unsurprising that he has hired a number of
ex-Wanderers at Upton Park. Jussi Jaaskelainen has already kept three clean
sheets, Kevin Nolan has followed last season's 13 goals with two more,
Ricardo Vaz Te hit the winning goal in the play-off final among the 12 he's
scored in 2012, and defender Joey O'Brien has clocked up almost 40
appearances and forced his way back into the Republic of Ireland squad.
Victory against Sunderland will take them into double figures after five
games, something it took them 15 games to achieve two years ago. The
visitors arrive seeking their first win since March; their 11-game winless
run represents Martin O'Neill's worst as a top-flight boss. Eight draws in
that time at least proves their solidity.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
Sunderland have won once in five attempts at Upton Park in the Premier
League. That came in the last meeting between the two clubs, a 3-0 win in
May 2011.
In 82 matches between the two clubs across all competitions, West Ham have
the edge with 32 wins to Sunderland's 30.

West Ham
They have lost just twice in their past 25 games.
The Hammers have kept three clean sheets from four Premier League matches so
far this season.
Sam Allardyce's team have only lost once at Upton Park this year, a 4-2
defeat by Reading in March.
James Collins will be playing in the 150th Premier League game of his
career.

Sunderland
Sunderland are winless in their last 11 league matches, equalling Martin
O'Neill's longest run without a victory as manager in the division.
They have drawn eight of those 11 matches.
Steven Fletcher has scored three goals in his first two league games for
Sunderland - no other player has scored for the club this season in the
Premier League.

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Games over, disruption returns
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 21st September 2012
By: Staff Writer

Supporters travelling to West Ham's Premier League fixture against
Sunderland this weekend should take note of the following disruptions to
rail services.
With the Olympic Games and Paralympics now over, supporters travelling in
and around London can expect a return to regular breaks in sevice. That
begins this weekend with no service on the District Line between Upminster
and Dagenham East. For those travelling from the West, there will be no
service on the Jubilee Line between Wembley Park and Willesden Green
throughout the weekend. That also applies to the Metropolitan Line between
Harrow-on-the-Hill and Aldgate and the Northern Line from Harrow-on-the-Hill
and Aldgate. Rail replacement buses will operate on all three lines. For
those travelling from slightly further afield, engineering works on the
Greater Anglia Line means that the only service between WItham and Shenfield
will also be via a replacement bus shuttle.

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West Ham United v Sunderland
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 21st September 2012
By: Preview Percy

Preview Percy wishes it to be known that he had nothing to do with certain
photographs being circulated about the web at the moment. His photographs
are much less blurry and for his private enjoyment only. In between getting
the long lens out he found time to have a quick shufti at this weekend's
visit of Sunderland. Stats, as usual, from John Northcutt will be along in a
mo....

Our next outing sees us return to football at a proper time as we play host
to Sunderland in the traditional 3pm kick off at the Boleyn.

When looking up the travel information I was most perturbed to note that
there were all sorts of warning notices about the District Line for the
weekend, as if TfL had just been waiting for us to return before digging up
the track once more. Once I'd found my bi-focals (no matron I have no idea
how they got into that nurse's room) and was able to actually read the
website details I noted that most of the problems will take place at the far
eastern end of the line 'twixt Dagenham East & Upminster. So you may have to
leave the pub early enough to mix the taste of your pint of Old Wally
Downes' Assistant Ale (10% ABV) with that of toothpaste to get to the ground
on time if that's your part of the world.

The Rokerites (Stadium of Light-ites doesn't sound right to me and The Black
Cats remind me of a third-rate cabaret act that once trod the boards at the
Swan & Superinjunction a few years back) currently stand in 15th place in
the table having taken a point from all three of the matches they've been
able to play thus far. They got a 0-0 draw on the opening day of the season
at the Library, a 2-2 draw away at Swansea and last weekend they drew 1-1
with Liverpool. They're a game behind most clubs having had their match at
home to Reading postponed due to the pitch being underwater. A shame for
Reading really as they'd have had something nice and soft to dive into had
the game gone ahead.

The boss is Martin O'Neill who took over after the sacking of Steve Bruce in
November 2011. My how I enjoyed writing those last seven words. O'Neill is
believed to have been approached by ourselves to take over from Avram Grant
(in whose honour the rest home for the bewildered where I currently reside
is named) in the middle of our relegation season a couple of years back. The
stories of that approach are numerous and the way the whole thing was
handled appears to have been a low point for our current ownership, with
leak and counterleak bouncing around like matron on a trampoline.

At the time of O'Neill's arrival, Sunderland were themselves on the verge of
a potential relegation battle. However 13 out of a possible 18 points
following O'Neill's appointment saw them finish comfortably. O'Neill brought
in four players over the summer with double that number (including,
technically, George McCartney) leaving during the same period. In defence
they acquired the services of former Villa defender Carlos Cuellar. With
Rangers, Cuellar, who can operate either in the centre of defence or at full
back, won the Scottish Premier League Player Of The Year award in 2007/08,
an award which is slightly behind the awarding of a Blue Peter badge or
finding a toy in a Kinder egg in terms of prestige. It is Cuellar's second
spell under O'Neill having worked with the manager during his spell at Villa
Park. The Spaniard came in on a free at the expiration of his contract in
Brummieland.

Also in on a free came Louis Saha. Saha started 2011/12 at Everton. However,
the latter spell of his career on Merseyside was notable for a goal drought
that lasted over 900 minutes following which he signed for Spurs in January
2012. He hit moderate success at White Hart Lane netting four times in
eleven matches. However, his judgement was seen to be faulty when praising
the insight and knowledge of Harry Redknapp as he tried to negotiate a long
term deal to add to the six-month contract that he'd signed in January. The
not entirely surprising departure of Redknapp in the summer put paid to that
idea and, after a few weeks on the books of Unattached FC Saha pitched up on
Wearside.

It wasn't all free transfers mind. Adam Johnson was signed from Man City for
a reported £10m (or "loose change" as their owners called it) and Wolves
were rewarded to the tune of £12-14m (reports vary) for the services of
Steven Fletcher. For Johnson, the move represents something of a return to
home territory with the player having been born on Wearside and brought up
in Co. Durham. Johnson came up through the Middlesbrough academy system and
survived the embarrassment of being second choice behind Steward Downing for
a while. He joined Man City at the close of the 2010 winter transfer window
and, whilst he wasn't exactly a forgotten man for the Citizens – he managed
26 appearances in their title winning side last year – it was clear that he
wasn't exactly no.1 in the pecking order in the international brigade. A
transfer to his home town club was therefore gratefully accepted with as
near a guarantee of first XI football as you can get in these
multi-substitute days probably clinching the deal for the player.

Fletcher, on the other hand, was probably pretty much guaranteed first XI
football at Wolves, his former club. The problem being that that football
would have been playable at Championship level following the Molineux club's
relegation last season. Wolves rejected a number of bids from an "unnamed
club" (which everyone knew to be Sunderland) before the player himself
submitted a transfer request to speed up the deal. Fletcher has featured in
two of the three league matches played so far and has netted in both,
picking up a brace at Swansea and scoring the opener against Liverpool last
weekend. One to watch then.

Talanted midfielder James McClean is no stranger to controversy. Born in
Londonderry he had an early spell with Derry City a club which, despite its
location, famously, for political reasons plies its trade in the
(Republic's) League of Ireland rather than the (Northern Irish) Irish
League. (All resemblance to the Judean Popular Front/Popular Front of Judea
is only slightly coincidental). Having played at various age levels for the
Northern Ireland international side, when the inevitable call up to the full
squad came he dug his heels in and waited for Trappatoni to come calling,
which of course he did. Northern Ireland football fans are less than chuffed
with this state of affairs, the "poaching" of players from their junior
ranks by the higher-ranked neighbours across the border causing them major
problems. Many boycotted the ill-fated Nations Cup (amazingly it's still
slated to take place again in 2013) as a result.

Not that it's all been sweetness and light for McClean in the Republic camp.
On being left on the bench for the recent World Cup qualifier against
Kazakhstan McClean joined the ever-increasing band of players to make a tit
of themselves by the medium of twitter, having a bit of a rant at
Trappatoni's expense. This went down well with neither his international nor
his club boss and ended up with the player being hauled over the coals by
O'Neill, who is not one to tolerate indiscipline. McClean also failed his
driving theory test last week so it'll be a few weeks before he can indulge
in the traditional footballer pastime of making the breathalyser light up.

Talking of players in bother, McClean's relatively speedy rise to prominence
means that he has a long way to go to catch up with Titus Bramble. Bramble
was arrested with his brother Tetsfaye in August 2010 on suspicion of rape.
He was released without charge with his brother being convicted and
receiving a four and a half year sentence. Now with that incident behind him
you'd have thought the player might have been a bit more careful about
putting himself in a position where it might look as if he were misbehaving.
Not Titus. Less than a month after his brother was sent down he was arrested
for alleged sexual assault and possession of a Class A drug. He was cleared
of any wrongdoing last May, though if there was a punishment for stupidity
he might have had a case to answer.

Ex-Hammers? Well Matthew Kilgallon, who spent a spell on loan at the Boleyn
in the second-tier in 2003/04, is in the squad whilst Steve Walford, who
made over 100 Irons appearances in the 80's, is O'Neill's assistant, a
position that he has held just about wherever O'Neill has managed. However,
the ex-Hammer on the club's payroll for whom fondest esteem is held in these
parts is Bryan Robson. Pop was a hellova goalscorer in his day and was
exceedingly unlucky not to win full international recognition back in the
70's. He is currently the club's chief scout. If he makes the journey to the
Boleyn a doff of the cap in his general direction would be called for.

And so to us. Well that was a well-earned point last week wasn't it? It
wasn't quite the "backs to the wall" performance some have suggested mind –
yes Jussi had a busy afternoon but we always looked capable of nicking one
on the break. There were two disappointing features of the afternoon for me.
Firstly, our crossing. We got into a number of promising positions on the
flanks but either the quality of the cross was lacking or, when the delivery
was decent in nature (usually from Matt Jarvis) we found that nobody was
willing to take the gamble in the box.

Secondly, and this may seem a bit churlish in view of his overall
performance, Jussi's kicking left a lot to be desired. Too many clearances
failed to get height or distance and when that happened we were instantly
under pressure once more.

On the injury front you had to laugh at the media's treatment of the Andy
Carroll position. Asked about the "six weeks out" prognosis Mr Allardyce
appears to have responded that Carroll was making good progress and might
not be out for quite as long as originally suggested. In the hands of some
of our press this comment translated into "Carroll for shock return"
headlines suggesting that the player's amazing powers of recovery would
enable him to be fit for Sunderland.

Now whilst the treatment of injuries has come on light years since the days
of the magic sponge, the human body hasn't yet evolved to the state where a
hamstring will improve without rest and if Carroll is fit for this one he is
either a) not as injured as was first thought; or b) being rushed back ahead
of what would normally be considered a prudent period of rest. We've been
guilty of going for option b) far too often in the past (see Jack Collison
for an example) so I'd be very surprised, nay concerned if the player were
about this week. (Unless of course Liverpool have already told us they want
him back in January in which case we should run him into the ground while we
can!).

Both of Carroll's natural replacements, Cole and Maiga, suffered from a lack
of service last weekend and as we defended deeper and deeper they became
more isolated up front. However, as we have seen, we set ourselves up
differently at home and one would expect the likes of Nolan to provide more
support this time round. Cole is a slight injury doubt – something wrong
with a toe apparently so Maiga may start if Carlton isn't 100%.

Other than Cole, Carroll and Collison it's pretty much a full squad to
choose from and I wouldn't expect too many changes from the side we put out
against Norwich. This would mean another afternoon on the racing car seats
for Tomkins. The form of Reid has been a revelation thus far – a world apart
from the dodgy form shown in his previous appearances at this level, which
had me stood, on several occasions, at the side of the canal with a sack
full of the kittens he'd caused me to give birth to whilst watching him.
(The Avram Grant Rest Home for the Bewildered doesn't allow pets – though
there does seem to be an exemption applied to cockroaches).

Ok prediction time. We have thus far at home benefited from an admirable air
of self-belief. Scoring a goal inside a minute helps, obviously, but there's
also been the underlying thought that the opposition come to the Boleyn with
the initial thought that they fancy their chances. Sunderland, as they
proved at Swansea, won't necessarily be starting out to "respect the point"
– something that could play into our hands.

Sunderland will certainly provide more of a test than Villa, who were awful,
and Fulham, who were shell-shocked by the early goal which reminded them
just how terrible they are away from home. I think this could be a thriller
so I'll put the Rest Home's Cockroach Control fund (£2.50) on a 3-2 win for
us as the phrase "Fortress Boleyn" starts to take on a less ironic air.

Enjoy the game!


When Last We Met: Lost 3-0 (h) (May 2011) – a surreal match overseen by
Kevin Keen, who had taken temporary charge following the sacking of Avram
Grant the previous week once relegation had been confirmed. The team was
full of people who palpably didn't want to be there. Most of the smaller
than usual crowd didn't want to be there. To be fair, whilst both sides were
going through the motions, the 3-0 rather flattered the visitors – but
frankly, nobody cared.

Referee: Lee Mason – Last seen handling the 0-0 draw at Millwall. Prior to
that, in April 2011 he handed Man Utd a 4-2 win at the Boleyn with a
performance so inept it beggared belief and had us checking that it wasn't
Mike Jones or Dean that had turned up instead.

Danger Man: James McClean – the talented Irishman will be fired up for this
one following his rollocking from the boss last week and he plays with a
youthful lack of fear which means we'll have to keep an eye on him.

Daft Fact Of The Week: Believe it or not there is actually a website called
visitsunderland.com. No really there is.


Stat man John: Northcutt's corner

Head to Head
Pld 82; West Ham Utd 32, Sunderland 30, Draws 20.

Biggest Win
19th October 1968: West Ham Utd 8-0 Sunderland (Boleyn Ground, Division One)

Heaviest Defeat
5th March 1977: Sunderland 6-0 West Ham Utd (Roker Park, Division One)

First Meeting
25th August 1923: Sunderland 0-0 West Ham Utd (Roker Park, Division One)

Last Five Meetings
22nd May 2011: West Ham Utd 0-3 Sunderland (Boleyn Ground, Premier League)
5th December 2010: Sunderland 1-0 West Ham Utd (Stadium of Light, Premier
League)
21st September 2010: Sunderland 1-2 West Ham Utd (Stadium of Light, Carling
Cup)
10th April 2010: West Ham Utd 1-0 Sunderland (Boleyn Ground, Premier League)
31st October 2009: Sunderland 2-2 West Ham Utd (Stadium of Light, Premier
League)

Memorable Match
19th October 1968: West Ham Utd 8-0 Sunderland (Boleyn Ground, Division One)

West Ham United's smallest crowd of the season - just 24,718 - gathered
inside the Boleyn Ground to witness what became a record-breaking First
Division match for a number of reasons. Firstly, West Ham's 8-0 win equalled
the club's record win which had been set ten years earlier against Rotherham
(albeit in Division Two). Secondly goalscorer Geoff Hurst achieved a feat
that hasn't been matched in the ensuing 43 years by scoring six of them -
and thirdly, he also achieved the rare feat of scoring a hat-trick in each
half (which is also unlikely to have been repeated).

Hurst - who has since said he was aiming for double figures in the game -
admitted post-match that the first of his record haul (on 18 minutes) was
deliberate handball - he clearly pushed the ball into the Sunderland net
(which is said to have caused a post-match problem or two between the two
clubs). However there was nothing dubious about any of the remaining five,
which arrived in the 34th, 44th, 48th, 61st and 71st minute. For the record
West Ham's other goalscorers on the day were Bobby Moore and Trevor
Brooking; the latter was part of the team that usurped the record 15 years
later when West Ham destroyed Bury 10-0 in the Milk Cup - although this
victory over Sunderland remains the club's biggest in the top flight.

Friendlies
October 1953: West Ham Utd 2-0 Sunderland (Sexton, Dixon)

It's An Early Bath For You, Mr Cantona...
Radoslav Kovak is the only Hammer to have been sent off against Sunderland -
that being in the 2009/10 season at the SoL.

They Played For Both
Dick Bell; Gary Breen; Clive Clarke; Keith Coleman; Ernest England; Anton
Ferdinand; John Foreman; Harry Forster; Jack Foster; Harry Hooper; Don
Hutchison; George McCartney; Mick McGiven; Andy Melville; Billy Moore; Bryan
'Pop' Robson; Dave Swindlehurst; Matt Kilgallon.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sullivan funded Carroll deal
Hammers co-chairman reveals state of club's finances
Last Updated: September 21, 2012 10:10am
SSN

David Sullivan has revealed he and fellow West Ham co-chairman David Gold
funded the summer signing of Andy Carroll out of their own pockets as the
club continues to tackle significant debts. The England striker completed a
loan move to Upton Park from Liverpool towards the end of the summer
transfer window with a view to a permanent deal next summer. He made an
instant impact on his debut against Fulham earlier this month, setting up
two of West Ham's three goals before limping off with a hamstring injury in
the second half. It was a significant investment by the London club, who
were playing Championship football last season and are still paying off
debts accrued under their previous ownership. Sullivan revealed that because
of those debts he and Gold are funding the deal for the 23-year-old out of
their own pockets. He also admits that boss Sam Allardyce would have been
unable to strengthen the squad at all this summer without their backing. "We
are financing everything out of our own money,' he told the Daily Mail. "Had
we not put money in this year we could not have bought a player. Because
there is not sufficient money to pay the debt. I cannot give confidential
details of contracts but for the period of time Andy will be with us it's as
expensive a player as we have ever signed. "But our manager thought he was
the most important player we could sign this summer and that is why we
pursued him. Unfortunately he got this hamstring injury. But that's just bad
luck."

Financially stable

Sullivan and Gold took control of the club from Icelandic firm CB Holdings
in January 2010 and he concedes the club's finances would have put off most
potential owners. However, he is determined to ensure the club becomes a
Premier League force in the short-term, with the long-term aim of becoming
financially stable once more. "As a business venture it made no sense at
all," he added. "Not the deal we did. "The club was £120m in debt with very
few assets. It was a mess. I knew, when the Icelandics were signing the
players they were for the money they were paying, it made no financial sense
"But David and I are not in it for the money. We don't want to go bust
either. The aim is to make the club self-sufficient. But we want to put the
best possible team on the pitch for the supporters of West Ham because we
are supporters too. "Because of the mess we inherited we have to service a
£100m debt. There are commitments that have to be paid and we have to pay
interest on the debt. But we also had to put the money in to put together a
team that would get us promoted. "So we are spending capital. Spending our
life savings. There is no point kidding ourselves. "Now, if the king of
Saudi Arabia wants to buy West Ham we would happily step aside for the good
of the club. But we wouldn't step aside for a mystery foreign buyer whose
financial resources we have no knowledge of."

Stadium

Sullivan feels one way out of West Ham's financial predicament could be a
move to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford. The Hammers were originally
awarded the right to take over the ownership of the stadium last year, but
the deal collapsed following legal challenges by Tottenham and Leyton
Orient. They are now one of four formal bidders to become tenants of stadium
in a revised bidding process, with Sullivan convinced West Ham have the best
bid both for the club and the Olympic legacy. "Now we obviously want to move
to the Olympic Stadium," he added. "For three years we've been trying to
secure it. We believe we have the best bid. We will make football affordable
to all because we will have the seats to do deals, and we will make the
whole stadium economically viable. "We will embrace the athletics legacy and
make it a brilliant, multi-purpose facility."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce expects Sunderland to be a tough test for West Ham
Last Updated: September 21, 2012 10:15pm
SSN

Sam Allardyce knows West Ham United will not be in for an easy game when
they take on Sunderland at Upton Park on Saturday. The Hammers have won two
of their opening four league games, with last weekend's goalless draw at
Norwich a fourth clean sheet in all competitions. Sunderland, meanwhile,
have yet to record a league victory, drawing all three of their matches,
with the home fixture against Reading having been called off because of a
waterlogged pitch.
West Ham may have rolled Fulham over 3-0 in their last outing at the Upton
Park, but Allardyce knows the Hammers will have to fight for any positive
result again on Saturday. "Everybody is buzzing about the free-scoring
nature of Arsenal yet Sunderland managed to get a 0-0 draw there on the
opening day," said Allardyce. "Then, against Swansea they took the lead
twice and knowing [Sunderland manager] Martin O'Neill as I do, he will have
felt disappointed not to win the game. "I know what to expect from
Sunderland having studied those two games and also from knowing Martin and
the way he structures his teams.

Pressure

"We have to make sure we are capable of breaking them down and ensure that
when we create opportunities, we take them." Despite Allardyce playing down
West Ham's positive start, it has been in marked contrast to the other two
sides who were both promoted ahead of the East London club. Indeed,
Southampton, runners-up to Reading in May, currently sit rock bottom with
four successive defeats - the last of which was a 6-1 mauling at Arsenal.
Allardyce, though, accepts it may not always be such a smooth ride for the
Irons as they look to establish themselves among England's elite clubs once
again.
"We are very pleased with the start we have made. Unfortunately for
Southampton and Reading, they haven't been able to do the same but
admittedly the fixture list was much kinder to us," he said. "Pressure will
be on every team at some point in the season, their tough time happens to be
right now because they haven't picked up many points, but based on the games
they have played that is understandable. "It is a marathon not a sprint, but
as we all know pressure is heaped on you, especially in this league, if you
don't start well."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Sunderland preview
Hammers still without Carroll, Johnson facing late fitness test
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated:
September 21, 2012 11:11am
SSN

West Ham will be hoping to maintain their 100 per cent home record when they
welcome Sunderland to Upton Park. The Black Cats make the trip to east
London still searching for their first Premier League victory of the season
after drawing their opening three games. Despite being unbeaten so far this
season, manager Martin O'Neill is keen to get his side off to winning ways,
but they have will to improve their creativity having averaged five shots
per game this season, fewer than any other team in the top flight. West Ham
sit in eighth spot in the table and victory on Saturday could lift them into
the top four for 24 hours at least. Sam Allardyce has a record of three wins
and just one defeat in five Premier League matches as a coach against
O'Neill.

West Ham
Last 6
0-0
3-0
2-0
3-0
1-0
1-1

West Ham's on-loan striker Andy Carroll has returned to light training after
a hamstring injury, but will not be in contention for the clash. Carlton
Cole and Mali forward Modibo Maiga will be looking to lead the attack for
the Hammers, who have no fresh injury concerns. Matt Jarvis could make his
home debut after finding himself on the bench for last week's goalless draw
at Norwich. Fellow midfielder Jack Collison remains sidelined for with a
knee injury.

Sunderland
Last 6
1-1
2-2
2-0
0-0
1-0
1-1

Sunderland will make a late decision on the fitness of winger Adam Johnson
as he struggles to shake off a thigh problem. Johnson sat out England's
World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine with the problem and was
also absent for last Saturday's 1-1 draw against Liverpool. Defender Carlos
Cuellar (hamstring) is out while Phil Bardsley (ankle) and Wes Brown (knee)
are making good progress but are still short of match fitness. In the
absence of Cuellar, Titus Bramble will start his first Premier League game
of the season after replacing his team-mate against Liverpool. Craig Gardner
will again continue to deputise as a makeshift right-back, while Danny Rose
is also set to start at left-back after recovering from a leg injury picked
up last weekend.

Opta Facts

Sunderland have won none of their last nine Premier League away games (W0 D5
L4).
All seven of the goals netted by Sunderland and West Ham in the Premier
League this season have been scored in the first half of games
West Ham have conceded more fouls than any other team in the top flight this
season (62).
Steven Fletcher has scored three goals from three shots on target for the
Black Cats.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Premier League clubs to meet next week to discuss spending controls
Last Updated: September 21, 2012 6:48pm
SSN

Proposed spending controls in the Premier League will be discussed at a
meeting next week. The 20 clubs have been split into two groups of 10 on a
geographical basis, with the southern group to meet on Monday and the
northern group on Wednesday. The majority of clubs are in favour of some
kind of cost control measure - the sticking points are likely to be which
measure is adopted and what the sanctions will be for breaking the rules.
Ideas include adopting UEFA's Financial Fair Play system where clubs must
break even, or clubs only being allowed to spend a maximum percentage of
their annual income on player costs - for example 70%, the system operated
by the European elite club grouping G14 a decade ago. Another proposal is
limiting increases in spending on player wages to 10% a year, as suggested
by Sunderland owner Ellis Short. Perhaps the option most likely to win
universal approval is clubs having to be able to guarantee they can operate
for several years in the future rather than just one.

Salaries

Under the guaranteed liability plan, if clubs have players on five-year
contracts, as most do, they would have to be able to prove they can
guarantee those funds for the length of those contracts. In the case of
Portsmouth, the club twice went into administration when some of their
biggest costs included paying the salaries of high-earning players who were
under long-term contracts but whom the club could not afford. The clubs most
opposed to cost control measures are Manchester City, Chelsea and Fulham but
even they might be inclined to accept a system to guarantee financial
liabilities. The sanctions for breaking the rules are unlikely to be as
drastic as UEFA's system which threatens to exclude clubs from European
competition if they do not come close to breaking even. In the Premier
League, a transfer ban or fine is much more likely to be agreed to punish
transgressions.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Match Preview: West Ham v Sunderland
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die

Great, a 3pm kick off!

There's only really two selection headaches for Sam Allardyce. Who to play
at left back and who to play on the right wing? The three contenders for
left back, Joey O'Brien, George McCartney and Matt Taylor all have something
to be said for themselves. O'Brien has played in the last couple of matches
and hasn't done much wrong, McCartney is the first choice and has recovered
from injury, while Taylor faces being dropped altogether if Matt Jarvis
plays on the left of midfield. Taylor is valuable for his set plays and
corners and would be my choice to play behind Jarvis, but my inclination is
that McCartney will get the nod.

On the right wing it's between Vaz Te and Benayoun. Vaz Te has flattered to
deceive this season and played very poorly at Norwich. Benayoun only had
five minutes but looked very bright and probably deserves to make his second
home debut. I hope he gets a good reception despite the manor of his leaving
last time.

Otherwise, it's probably as you were, although I suppose it's possible
Madiba might get the nod over Carlton Cole.

As SJ said yesterday, if we win this, we're on ten points, firmly in the top
half and a quarter of the way to safety. I know it's wrong to look at it
that way, but it's inevitable. Even if we don't get three points I still
think we have had a very reasonable start to the season.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Karren Brady's football diary
The Sun
By KARREN BRADY
Last Updated: 22nd September 2012

SATURDAY, SEPT 15
A GET-TOGETHER of current and ex-PL and FL executives ends up with one of
the guys spending the evening in A&E. I cannot reveal the details but it
involved a crispy duck, a drunken comment and hot air. The chap who ended up
superficially wounded looked dejected as the ambulance was called. It all
started over a women and not an offside decision, which is the usual
provoker on nights like this. The comment that erupted night? 'When a man
steals your wife, there is no better revenge than to let him keep her'.
Bash!

SUNDAY, SEPT 16

HAVING a chat with West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan and the name of
Richard Kingson comes up. The Ghanaian keeper's wife Adelaide says she put
evil spells on him and they certainly worked at Birmingham where he was very
ill and later played one Prem game after which David called him "a waste of
space."
Avram Grant's wife believed in external powers, too. I watched spellbound at
an Upton Park game as Tzofit Grant chanted over the Torah, flicking pages
and rubbing beads.

MONDAY, SEPT 17

IT does not need a sneaky paparazzi camera over the wall to catch the pair
of, er, goals missing from Everton's scoresheet in the drawn game against
Newcastle. One is ruled out for offside, the other, a header by Victor
Anichebe, so plainly crosses the line you have to wonder what else the
linesman does with his flag. It happens, we know. But there are now two
approved systems that can accurately tell everybody when a goal is scored —
or isn't. So why are we waiting? Why have we been waiting years and years?
Are the powers-that-be on FIFA so busy shuffling their millions of dollars
that it hasn't occurred to them that ultimately only goals count?

TUESDAY, SEPT 18

JOSE MOURINHO is there on TV celebrating Real Madrid's late winner against
Manchester City with a knee surf on the pitch. I wince. A grown man (some
might say) sliding on his best-suit trousers and ending up with grass stains
all down them. I sympathise with you having to do his wash, Mrs M, I really
do.
The worst I remember was one of my managers, on getting promoted got sprayed
with champagne in the dressing room. He put in an expense slip for the dry
cleaning!

WEDNESDAY, SEPT 19

THE true test of a big club, I've always thought, is how popular they are on
TV. I'd have said this even if West Ham had not joined the elite top five
clubs who have been most televised in the Premier League. It might be a
result of us having a ground full of great atmosphere and our plan to make
football affordable for all. On Tuesday we play PL rivals Wigan and its only
£5 for kids and £10 for adults for those buying tickets in advance.

THURSDAY, SEPT 20

MARK NOBLE is a proper Hammer, practically born and certainly bred by the
club and I'm really pleased he's about to sign a new contract. He's 25 and
already played 190 games for us so there has to be a chance of him hitting
as many as 500 one day. Mark's a fine midfielder but much more because he's
a giver as well as a taker, always prepared to put himself out, happy to
help with anything that connects to the club and our fans. Old-fashioned, I
suppose, and I can think of no greater praise.

FRIDAY, SEPT 21

CLUBS are defined by numbers of fans they take with them. Sunderland will
have a full section at Upton Park, in contrast to Wigan who tell us they
have sold 69 seats for the admittedly less attractive Capital One Cup match
on Tuesday. I'm told Wimbledon once brought 13 to West Ham, so few we closed
the kiosks and offered a waitress service! With their recent buys,
Sunderland strike me as top 10 material at least and Martin O'Neill,
carrying the aura of a man who is planning for much better than that, will
expect no less.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jack has to take it kneesy
By JAKE RYAN
Published: 9 hrs ago
The Sun

JACK COLLISON will never fully recover from a knee injury he suffered over
three years ago, according to Sam Allardyce. The West Ham midfielder limped
off with a dislocated kneecap in March 2009 and has had extended periods on
the sidelines. But Hammers boss Allardyce says the 23-year-old's injury is
similar to the one that blighted Ledley King's career. He said: "It is a
concern to us because Jack has not kicked a ball since last season.
"Unfortunately that knee is never going to be 100 per cent so he has to
manage it. It is not as drastic as with Paul McGrath or Ledley King but it
is similar. "There are times when he gets a lot of fluid in there and he
cannot join in training."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gym fixed it for me
Exclusive
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: 9 hrs ago
The Sun

MATT JARVIS has 10.75million reasons to say thank you to Millwall. The
ambitious winger is embracing life as West Ham's record signing having been
dumped by their arch-rivals as a teenage hopeful. Jarvis, 26, has channelled
that hurt into working harder, running faster and being stronger than the
rest to prove a point that little guys can make it big. Before we met, he
was put through a gruelling double training session by boss Sam Allardyce.
The 5ft 6in star spent the afternoon lifting 85kg — more than his own
bodyweight — in the gym having trained with a ball all morning. He said: "I
always work hard to make sure I am improving. Even though I've come here I
need to work hard to prove I was worth the money. "Football has changed.
Look at everyone these days, they are good athletes and extremely strong.
I've had to change and I really enjoy going in the gym now. "I used to run
long distance, 800 metres, 1500m and cross-country. I did the 800m in 2min
12sec as a boy. "Now I don't think my legs are built for it. They've changed
shape a lot because I do a lot of weights to increase the power and make
them better for sprinting. "I was at Millwall for about six years and then
released before getting a youth-team contract. "Being told I was too small
to make it did not hurt nearly as much as being told simply that I wasn't
good enough. "But I have used it to my advantage, you thrive on trying to
prove a point that people were wrong. "I was Surrey county champion at
breaststroke for four years from 12 to 16. Football was always my main sport
though, right from the age of four. "Luckily, after being released by
Millwall I was given a chance by Gillingham. Even though my trial was a
disaster I got taken on and after a year as a youth-team kid there I was in
with the first-team squad." Jarvis was called up for England's friendly
against Ghana last year by Fabio Capello. It has gone quiet since and he
regards the national team as 'unfinished business' — particularly if he can
strike up a partnership with fellow new-boy Andy Carroll.

SAM ALLARDYCE wants Jack Collison and Andy Carroll back in action as soon as
possible Jarvis, who signed for £10.75m from Wolves, said: "We're both
desperate to get things going. He's injured and I have been so we've not had
much chance to work together. "When you play with someone week in, week out,
you know them inside out. That can only be a benefit to us both in England
terms."

There is more to Jarvis than meets the eye — he has 10 GCSEs, two AS Levels
and is a qualified gym instructor. But DIY is NOT a strength. He added: "I
love DIY SOS on TV, mainly because I'm so useless at it. I put quite a bit
of the furniture together at our old house, including a bedside table. I put
the front on the back and vice versa, so there were visible screw holes all
down the front."

MATT JARVIS was appearing at West Ham United Community Sports Trust's Men's
Health project — www.whufc.com/community.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 21st September 2012

Big Sam on - Sunderland
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce looks ahead to the Barclays Premier League visit of Sunderland on Saturday
20.09.2012

Sam Allardyce was in optimistic mood ahead of West Ham United's Barclays Premier League encounter with Sunderland at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Big Sam spoke about the season so far, the visit of Martin O'Neill's men and gave updates on the fitness of Jack Collison and Andy Carroll. With a limited number of tickets still available for Saturday's Youth Academy Free fixture, the manager and his players are ready for the Black Cats.

You had your team photo taken today, so were the players in good spirits?

SA - "Yes, very good, I think it was the quickest team photo I have had taken during my time in football. We spent about 20 minutes on it when normally it takes hours and hours trying to get players in the right places making sure they look the part. It went very well and like I mentioned last week it is nice to see the squad train in its entirety. This week has been a good week in training and we hope to pick up where we left of last time at Upton Park, which was of course the 3-0 win over Fulham."

Do you mind having the team photo taken so late, or is it preferable to take it after the transfer window has closed?

SA - "Yes it is better, we wouldn't want to have to slot people's heads in after, we wanted to wait and make it more professional. It goes all over the world today so it is important to get it right and deliver the right picture as it travels throughout the world of football."

Does that mean we can count against any new faces being added to the squad before the January window?

SA -"Yes, we have had one or two trialists in but none of them have been offered a contract because I think that I already have enough quality within my squad. I don't want to take a player for the sake of it, even though we had some very good players come in on trial. My decision was to not offer them anything and I am happy with the squad I have now and hopefully it will continue to improve as they get to know each other better."

Do you have any new injury news ahead of the clash with Sunderland?

SA -"No we have no new injury concerns. The only players who are unavailable are Andy Carroll and Jack Collison, Jack is obviously the big concern because he hasn't kicked a ball since the end of last season and he was a very influential player when we won promotion. We would love to get Jack back as soon as we can and Andy is improving every day. He has started some light training now and we will continue to monitor it on a daily basis until he is fit and ready to go back into the
team."

The initial timeframe stated for his recovery was six weeks. Has this changed and, if so, when do you think he will be back?

SA -"At the very earliest, if we are very lucky, it will be the final game before the next international break which is Arsenal at home. If not it will be after that."

Defensively, you have a record to be proud of after keeping four clean sheets in your five games this season?

SA -"Yes it has been a very good start from our point of view. We know the emphasis of shutting the opposition down when they have possession and we have also worked hard when we have the ball ourselves. The start that the lads have made has given us a massive platform going into the rest of the season, but if I had to be slightly critical it would be that our finishing is not as good as it could be. We have created a lot of chances this season which is pleasing and we will keep working hard to ensure more of them end up in the back of the net. The hardest thing in the Premier League is scoring goals but if our defence plays as well as they have been we only need one."

Will Matt Jarvis make his home debut this weekend?

SA -"You will have to wait and see. He is fit and has been training all week, like I said the squad has really come together this week and got to know each other better. I am very excited about the squad and hope they continue to grow and put in winning performances. We have experienced Premier League players in the squad and my hope is that they replicate what they have done at their previous clubs for West Ham United."

You currently sit in eight position in the Barclays Premier League, you surely would have taken that position if offered it at the start of the season?

SA - "For me it is all about points. Points per game is much more important that league position, I think that we have delivered two very important home wins and coupled with the back end of last season we have won six home games in a row and only conceded one goal. I think in the games we have had here including the cup game against Crewe we have done exceptionally well. We want to continue that against a very strong Sunderland side who have gone away to Arsenal and Swansea and come away with points. It will be very difficult for us."

Sir Alex Ferguson has publicly spoken about the need to stop abusive chanting. Do you share this view and is it time to put a stop to these acts?

SA - "Absolutely, I think that whatever form the offensive chanting is in it should be stopped and I think the best way to stop it is through the fans. If you are stood next to somebody chanting offensive material you should turn round and say 'Please stop, you are offending me, I support this team and I don't want to hear you say that'. If everybody could do that I think it would bring an end to such chants, but it is very difficult other than that to prevent these things from happening."

Looking at the other promoted teams who haven't done as well as West Ham United so far, do you have a sense of pride after such a great start?

SA - "We are very pleased with the start we have made. Unfortunately for Southampton and Reading, they haven't been able to do the same but admittedly the fixture list was much kinder to us. Pressure will be on every team at some point in the season, their tought time happens to be right now because they haven't picked up many points, but based on the games they have played that is understandable. It's a marathon not a sprint but as we all know pressure is heaped on you, especially in this league, if you don't start well."

How much has changed since West Ham United were relegated from the Barclays Premier League?

SA - "Around 40 players have left and 28 have replaced them in the space of 12 months. We have also increased the staffing level but certainly the biggest thing is that so many players have left within a year. Hopefully that is something that will benefit the club in the long run because we have built a squad now that will hopefully maintain and sustain our Premier League status."

Sunderland have yet to win a game in the Barclays Premier League, so is now the perfect time to play them?

SA - "I don't think so because the last two away games they played were against Arsenal and Swansea. Everybody is buzzing about the free-scoring nature of Arsenal yet Sunderland managed to get a 0-0 draw. Then, against Swansea they took the lead twice and knowing Martin as I do he will have felt disappointed not to win the game. I know what to expect from Sunderland having studied those two games and also from knowing Martin and the way he structures his teams. We have to make sure we are capable of breaking them down and ensure that when we create opportunities, we take them."

Steven Fletcher has obviously settled well at Sunderland. Just how much of a threat will he pose to your side?

SA - "It is a great move for him and I think that he has already began to reward Sunderland for the fee they paid by becoming the scorer he was at Wolves. After moving from Scotland to Burnley where he was relegated, then to Wolves where he was relegated again, he now has the opportunity to score goals on a regular basis for an established Premier League side. It looks like a great bit of business."

How important is it that West Ham United show they can play and win without Andy Carroll in the side?

SA - "That all depends on the impact of Carlton Cole and Modibo Maiga, who need to step in and do the business. We only have two players injured at the moment and other clubs have a lot more. That also shows how hard we work on injury prevention. Andy Carroll has only played 68 minutes for the club and during four games we have scored four goals and kept three clean sheets. It is not all about Andy but about performing well as a team and focussing on winning the next game."

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Ludo back in London
WHUFC.com
Ludek Mikloško popped into Chadwell Heath this week to talk all things West Ham United
20.09.2012

Luděk Mikloško dropped into West Ham United's Chadwell Heath training ground this week to talk about his life after football, the Czech Republic and of course West Ham United. The 1991 Hammer of the Year is now working for a sporting agency after leaving the club as goalkeeping coach in March 2010, but still keeps a keen eye on the goings on in east London. He is delighted to see West Ham United not only return to the Barclays Premier League, but make an impressive start to their new season "I have not seen any games yet but I have seen the results, which have been fantastic. It is great for the club to be back in the Barclays Premier League.
"It is where they need to be and I am very happy that they are doing well. Hopefully after a very good start they can continue to play well throughout the season and finish in the top half."

Miklosko also hailed the impact of Jussi Jaaskelainen, after the Hammers new No22 kept his third clean sheet in four games against Norwich City last weekend. The Finland international is now 37, but Miklosko believes that talent is the only attribute that should matter when it comes to goalkeepers. "He is a fantastic goalkeeper, who has proved it in the Premier League over the course of many years. He has great experience and it is so far proving to be a great move for him. "I think that sometimes as a goalkeeper age isn't important, it all depends on how he is feeling and if he is feeling well he can continue to play for a few more years."

Like many professional footballers, Mikloško was faced with the question of what to do next after retiring, but after a spell in coaching he admitted he was simply happy to still be involved in the game. I am working for a sporting investment agency which tries to find young talent in the Czech Republic - I am looking after the goalkeepers who have already signed. "It is very different to trying to keep the ball out of the net but I am just happy to still be working in football, which for me is the most important thing. "Hopefully we will see more Czech players come and play for West Ham in the future, especially younger players whose development would be aided by coming to England. "I am back in England because I came to see Marek Štěch, who left West Ham in the summer to join Yeovil. I think Yeovil are very pleased with him and the way he is progressing, I think it is just what he needed," explained Ludo. "He needed to drop down a few levels and also start playing regularly, now he is he can build from there."

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Striker ruled out for season
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 20th September 2012
By: Staff Writer

Former West Ham United striker Nicky Maynard's season is over after he sustained ligament damage during Tuesday night's 2-0 win against Millwall. Maynard, who moved to Cardiff on the final day of the summer transfer window just three weeks ago was stretchered off after catching his leg in the ground during the win at the New Den. And his worst fears were confirmed today when he was ruled out for the rest of the 2012/13 campaign with serious damage to his anterior cruciate ligament, which will require surgery to repair. Cardiff's head of performance Richard Collinge told walesonline.co.uk: "Nicky will remain under the care of a local orthopaedic specialist and the Cardiff City medical team, working through a substantial rehabilitation programme with the goal of returning to first team action when possible. "Instances such as this can see varied recovery times and we will do everything to support and guide Nicky through the rehabilitation process. The player has the backing of all of us at the club and we all wish him a speedy recovery, coming back stronger than ever."

Maynard moved to West Ham from Bristol City in January 2012 and scored four goals for United before being sold to Championship side Cardiff just seven months later.

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Sam Allardyce wants West Ham to show it's not all about Andy Carroll
Last Updated: September 20, 2012 6:34pm

Sam Allardyce wants West Ham United's squad strength to come to the fore in the absence of Andy Carroll and remains uncertain when Jack Collison will return from injury. Carroll is not expected to return to action for the Hammers until after the next international break after hurting his hamstring on his debut against Fulham earlier this month. The on-loan striker is back in light training, but Allardyce is hoping that his absence will provide an opportunity for other players during a testing run of fixtures. "It depends on the likes of Carlton Cole and Modibo Maiga stepping in and doing the business, making sure we use the strength of the squad when we need to," said the Hammers boss. "We have only got two players injured at the moment, a lot of other teams in the Premier League have more. If that continues, it will help us to be more and more consistent. "Andy Carroll has only played 68 minutes for us. We have conceded just three goals, all at Swansea, and kept clean sheets in the other games. "It is not all about Andy, but it is about us trying to perform as a team again on Saturday against Sunderland."

However, Allardyce concedes the fitness of midfielder Collison, who is sidelined by an ongoing knee problem, remains a worry. "Obviously Jack is a big concern because he has not kicked a ball for us yet since the end of last season," Allardyce added. "He was a major influence in our promotion year so we would love to get Jack back as quickly as we possibly can."

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Win on Saturday and We Are 1/4 of the Way to Safety!
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die

It is a comforting thought that if we we win on Saturday, we will have amassed 10 points in five matches. Effectively that means that that we are 1/4 of the way to the magic 40 points total and safety. Obviously, the fixtures fell kindly for us in the opening phase of the season and a much tougher sequence of matches lies ahead in November-December. That is why we need to amass as many points in the opening matches as possible. That way, there will not be so much desperation to win the matches to make up for lost points and lost ground.

Indeed, if we go in to that second phase in a healthy position, the challenge becomes a very different one. It then becomes about winning extra, less likely points to strengthen our overall position to a point where we can realistically start thinking about a top 10 finish. Teams can and do have good starts and then suffer a poor second half of the season and sink like a stone towards the danger zone. However, it is usually the predominant pattern that relegated teams, and those that struggle around them, start very badly and never recover. Think of 2010-11, when we lost the first few matches on the trot and where, regardless of a few good isolated results, we never recovered. Or the 2002-03 season, when we did not win a home match until November and, despite a brilliant, late resurgence under Sir Trevor's temporary management, we just could not do enough to save ourselves.

If there was one thing that we knew about Sam Allardyce's management, it was that he was a proven exponent of the PL 'survival game.' More than that, under his management, Bolton not only survived every season, but prospered and even gate crashed the upper reaches of the PL and European qualification! Newcastle Utd were never in danger of relegation during his sort period there and he lost his job before he was able to put his stamp on the squad. While at Blackburn, at the time of his sacking, they were sitting very comfortably in 11th place. Allardyce did not have massive resources at Bolton, but what he did have was a board that backed him and time to develop his squad. It is measure of how far Allardyce took the club that a parting of the ways came because he did not believe that the club's ambitions matched his own! Yet, it is a fact that all three clubs suffered relegation from the top tier following his exit from the manager's position.

So far, Allardyce has done exactly what we had expected of him. He has moulded a solid team unit, built upon a fairly water tight defence. He has constructed a hard working team, in which every member of the side works for the others and there are no passengers. And the team are delivering clean sheets and solid away performances. These are all positives and are important factors in ensuring PL survival. But he has also brought a number of talented footballers to the club. Demel is a powerful and experienced right-back. Nolan is potentially deadly in the final third and is the ideal player to have running on to the second phase ball. Diame is one of the bargains of the season and Diarra will definitely make his mark before much longer. Vaz Te is a richly gifted and flamboyant player, who has the ability to make a major impact at PL level. Maiga is a striker with pace and a good eye for goal, we have not seen the best of him yet, but when we do he could be a sensation. The link up between Carroll and Jarvis is a mouth watering prospect and it has 'goals' running through it look a stick of Southend rock! Finally, he did some very good business in bringing former heroes, James Collins and Yossi Beayoun back to the club. Collins is a tower of strength at the back and his signing gives us a nice mix of experience and youth in central defence, with Tomkins, Reid and, possibly, Mensah. While Benayoun provides the vision, guile and the killer final ball that we have been missing for so long. He may be 32 years of age, but he is fit and you never lose that vision and technical ability to play the ball.

Add these players to the established West Ham stars like Tomkins, Noble, Collison and Cole and we have a good mix of youth and experience. And of course, factor x is the very good youngsters bubbling under, such as Potts, Hall, Famino, Moncur, Turgott and Lee, and their ability to force their way in to the first team reckoning. There have been some fan reservations about our strength at full-back, but so far it has held up. It remains to be seen whether that is still the case when they come up against the top sides, but we have what we have and that will have to be tested. It will certainly be interesting this Saturday to see how Joey O'Brien performs at left-back if he comes up against a wide player of Johnson's ability? I like O'Brien, he is a good squad player, but he does worry me at left-back. He looks very right footed and constantly needs to change on to his right foot when playing the ball. We saw him make a couple of bad mistakes against Norwich City that could have cost us. They arguably happened because he is a right footed player trying to play at left-back. Personally, I would play Potts there.

Still, all in all, it is probably a 8/10 start to the season and most Hammers fans would have been more than happy to settle for that prior to the big kick-off. As for playing style, I thought that the side played some very impressive passing football against Fulham and they also tried to play to it on the floor against Norwich City. We need to see how things develop over the next few matches before we capitulate once again before the steretypical media narratives about being 'direct' and playing 'the long ball.' It is still early days and no doubt there will be one or two poor results along the way, but all things being equal, we look set up for a decent season.

SJ. Chandos.

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That's Andy! West Ham think Carroll could be back in time to face Arsenal
The Mirror

Sam Allardyce has pleaded with England boss Roy Hodgson not to jeopardise Andy Carroll's rapid return to fitness. West Ham's on-loan Liverpool striker was expected to be sidelined for six weeks after picking up a hamstring injury on his debut against Fulham three weeks ago. But he is back in light training already, after the Hammers medical team worked around the clock, and is hoping to be fit to play against Arsenal on October 6. The news will come as a major boost to Hodgson, who will be desperate to have Carroll available for the World Cup double-header against San Marino and Poland a week later. But Hammers boss Allardyce insists Carroll will not be ready to play two full games for England in the space of four days. Allardyce said: "It would be something that would need a conversation between me and Roy to say that Andy is back but please be careful if he goes to England. "I'm not saying, 'Don't play him' but just be careful of the situation. "The last thing we'd want is to spend all that time to get him fit again, play for us, go to England and get injured playing for England. "His lack of first-team appearances is a major concern to us, when we get him fit again. "The situation for both of us is we'd want Andy ­available as often and as quick as possible. If I was lucky to have him fit for Arsenal he wouldn't play all game."

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Allardyce makes Carroll plea
JIM VAN WIJK FRIDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2012
The Independent

Sam Allardyce, the West Ham manager, has urged Roy Hodgson to go easy with Andy Carroll in the next set of World Cup qualifiers. The 23-year-old impressed during his West Ham debut against Fulham on 1 September following a loan switch from Liverpool – only to limp off in the second half with a hamstring problem which ruled him out of the England's games with Moldova and Ukraine. Carroll has now resumed light training and if all goes well, the striker could be back in contention for the visit of Arsenal on 6 October. That would almost certainly see the 6ft 3in striker included for England's games the week after. "It would be something that would need a conversation between me and Roy to say 'Andy is back, but please be careful if he goes to England," said Allardyce. "I am not saying 'don't play him', just be careful of the situation where he has come from."

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Sullivan: We're paying Carroll's wages out of our own pockets... We want the best team because we are West Ham fans
By MATT LAWTON
PUBLISHED: 23:17, 20 September 2012 | UPDATED: 23:17, 20 September 2012
Daily Mail

The last owner of West Ham who also owned a bank took the football club to the brink of administration. But when David Sullivan says he owns a bank, and it is a bank in one of the prime locations on the Monopoly board, what actually goes on inside, and beyond in the global banking world, is not his concern. 'I own the building,' says Sullivan. 'It's the Lloyd's Bank on Oxford Street actually. I own a shoe shop on Oxford Street too. And a mobile phone shop.' Once rated the 68th richest man in Britain with assets valued at more than £500million, he has an impressive property portfolio. He owns 'a huge Sainsbury's' that pays him £3million a year in rent as well as a 'couple of Marks & Spencers'. Just the buildings, you understand, which the retail giants rent from him. There is 'a big chunk of central Bath around the Roman Baths' that belongs to Sullivan. Not to mention 100 sex shops.

He made his money in the sex industry, starting out in mail order with a couple of carefully placed advertisements in the colour supplements of the more upmarket Sunday newspapers. 'I sold a love-making manual called The XYZ of Love,' he says. 'Back in the early Seventies it was making me six grand a week, a lot of money in those days.'

It might not have been what his lecturers had in mind when they taught him economics at Queen Mary College in London, but Sullivan clearly has a knack of making money. He breaks from this interview to take a quick phone call at his desk in his sumptuous Essex home, earning £10,000 in 20 seconds during a conversation with his broker. 'That won't even pay a football agent but it's still 10 grand I didn't have a minute ago,' he says with a twinkle in his eye.

It would enable him to buy some state-of-the-art home entertainment equipment. As well as Victorian racing trophies and some rather spooky waxwork figures, Sullivan's home is littered with old TVs and video recorders. 'I'm not very technical,' he says. 'I still can't send a text message. I bought that telly because it was brilliant for Teletext. I used to love Teletext.'

He does seem to laugh an awful lot. He complains of being 'absolutely knackered after the transfer window' but he talks about his life, and about his passion for the football club he part-owns with his long-time friend and business partner David Gold, with infectious enthusiasm. He also seems keen to stress that he is no longer in the sex industry. 'The internet finished my old business,' he says. 'I'm in the property business now. The sex shops don't make a penny. I keep them going to provide employment to the two or three hundred people who have worked for me. As long as they don't have to come to me for money to subsidise the business I will keep them open. 'I will always be seen as being in the sex business because that is where I started. If I had the time I'd update my Wikipedia page.' Not, he insists, because he is in anyway ashamed or embarrassed about his past. 'I started there so there's no point in denying it,' he says. 'If I was a cigarette manufacturer or an arms manufacturer or a drug dealer, I might have a doubt about how I've spent my life. But, to be honest with you, I like to think I put a smile on people's faces.
'I've made a lot of people happy. British people don't like to talk about sex but Fifty Shades of Grey has proved what a huge market the sex market remains.' Has he read the fastest-selling paperback in history? 'My girlfriend has and she's told me every detail,' he says. 'But I read racing fiction. I collect old racing fiction, along with Victorian racing trophies. I've read all the books on those shelves and all those over there I've yet to read. I'm into fantasy, not reality.' Football, he says, is an interest that transcends both; a mixture of fantasy and reality. 'You face a daily reality,' he says.

Sitting there in a Dolce & Gabbana 'Muhammad Ali' tracksuit, Sullivan takes a deep breath. Since joining forces with Gold in 2010 to take control of the club they have both supported since childhood, it has not been easy. When West Ham were relegated in May 2011, he likened it to Armageddon. 'It was Armageddon because David and I had to put 35million quid in,' he says, laughing again.

'Because of the mess we inherited we have to service a £100m debt. There are commitments that have to be paid and we have to pay interest on the debt. But we also had to put the money in to put together a team that would get us promoted. 'Armageddon might be an overstatement but it was very unpleasant to have to put that kind of money in just to get back to where we were. It particularly hurts because David and I didn't earn 35 million quid last year. We certainly didn't earn that much after tax. So we are spending capital. Spending our life savings. There is no point kidding ourselves.'

Had it not been West Ham, Sullivan says he and Gold would have avoided such a financial risk. The debts were enormous. There were millions owed to Sheffield United in the wake of the Carlos Tevez affair; all this when the assets amounted to so little and there was no guarantee of securing the Olympic Stadium. 'As a business venture it made no sense at all,' he says. 'Not the deal we did. The club was £120m in debt with very few assets. It was a mess. I knew, when the Icelandics were signing the players they were for the money they were paying, it made no financial sense. I sold them Matthew Upson from Birmingham. He came to me and said, "They've offered me four times the wages, please let me go". I knew then that it wasn't right. 'But David and I are not in it for the money. We don't want to go bust either. The aim is to make the club self-sufficient. But we want to put the best possible team on the pitch for the supporters of West Ham because we are supporters too.'

He agrees that people buy football clubs for different reasons. 'Some of them make money,' he says. 'Blackpool made £30m last year. Swansea are making £15m a year, and they are doing a marvellous job because they have a fantastic team. If we ever get to a position where we are making money it will be ploughed back into the team. But we have to keep it alive in the meantime. 'We are the guardians and custodians of the club for the supporters. We are just trustees really. And we are good custodians. In our 18 years at Birmingham the club was solvent the whole time. But we still owe money on Tevez. Because it's a confidential agreement I can't go into the figures but there is still a substantial amount to pay off. In fact we've just started litigation against the old solicitors because we think the club was wrongly advised. We are commencing High Court proceedings against them.

'Just before we arrived, the previous owners took an advance on the next two years' season-ticket money. So we got no season-ticket money in the first two years. They'd taken part of the shirt sponsorship money quite a few years up front, so all the normal sources of income weren't there. The cupboard was bare. 'Every player was being paid on the drip. Sheffield United were being paid on the drip. Every possible loan had been taken out. The assets were the players being paid on fat contracts and a stadium — because of where it is — that is probably worth less than my supermarket. 'Now we obviously want to move to the Olympic Stadium. For three years we've been trying to secure it. We believe we have the best bid. We will make football affordable to all because we will have the seats to do deals, and we will make the whole stadium economically viable. We will embrace the athletics legacy and make it a brilliant, multi-purpose facility.'

So who is paying for players like Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan? 'We are financing everything out of our own money,' says Sullivan. 'Had we not put money in this year we could not have bought a player. Because there is not sufficient money to pay the debt. I cannot give confidential details of contracts but for the period of time Andy will be with us it's as expensive a player as we have ever signed. 'But our manager thought he was the most important player we could sign this summer and that is why we pursued him. Unfortunately he got this hamstring injury. But that's just bad luck. 'Against Fulham he made an enormous impact. He was the most important player on the pitch. He lifted the whole team. 'Kevin Nolan was a very bold and pleasing signing. We signed the captain of Newcastle when he had just scored 12 goals in the Premier League and convinced him to come to the Championship. It was expensive but he's the most fantastic captain, the most wonderful influence in the dressing room. And he's scored two goals in three games. 'We wanted to make a statement to our supporters, that we weren't going to run the club like an administrator. That's why we've continued to bring in more top players like Diame, Diarra and Jarvis. Others, too.'

You do wonder why, having sold Birmingham City, he and Gold did not just buy themselves a box at Upton Park. 'It's not the same though,' he says. 'You want to influence things. You want to make things happen. I think the club might have gone bust had we not stepped in. It is our intention, over the next couple of years, to pay off the debt and then be owed the money by the club. But we will be friendly bankers. The club won't have to pay any interest if they don't want to. If and when the club have some money they might pay a bit off. 'It means my kids will inherit less money because of West Ham and it will be the same for David Gold's kids. But we've got very supportive families who also love the club. We're all committed.

'Now, if the king of Saudi Arabia wants to buy West Ham we would happily step aside for the good of the club. But we wouldn't step aside for a mystery foreign buyer whose financial resources we have no knowledge of.' He has mixed feelings about certain foreign owners, his views influenced by the erosion of what he considers a boardroom tradition at matches. 'There are good examples of foreign ownership,' he says. 'Man City and Chelsea are terrific. But if things go bad for a foreign owner it's easy to walk away. 'Roman Abramovich and Sheik Mansour are in it for the fun. It's a hobby. Randy Lerner is here to make money. The Americans at Man United and Liverpool are here to make money. The Sunderland guy has a strategy to make money. But when it comes to the boardroom you rarely meet them. It's sad. In the old days it was lovely. There would be banter but you'd also exchange ideas, share thoughts. But the new brigade, you don't see. 'It actually started with Sir John Hall at Newcastle. He'd pop his head around the door, say hello and then disappear. I thought it was rude. The worst is Aston Villa, because they put the visiting directors in a room with the corporate home fans. We got loads of abuse because we were the former owners of Birmingham. We were treated appallingly. I nearly did it to them in retaliation but I wasn't prepared to stoop to their level. 'At West Ham we've got the best boardroom in the Premier League. We give the visiting directors the best table, right in the middle. It's the friendliest. It's lovely.' He also likes to think it is now in safe hands.

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Players must fill gap left by Andy Carroll says West Ham manager Sam Allardyce
The Independent
JIM VAN WIJK THURSDAY 20 SEPTEMBER 2012

Manager Sam Allardyce maintains West Ham must use the next couple of weeks to show they are not just "all about Andy Carroll". Carroll impressed during his debut against Fulham on September 1 following a loan switch from Liverpool, only to limp off in the second half with a hamstring problem which ruled him out of England's World Cup qualifiers with Moldova and Ukraine. The 23-year-old striker has now resumed light training and could be back in contention for the visit of Arsenal on October 6. Before then, however, the Irons have some testing fixtures, including a home tie with Sunderland this weekend as well as a Capital One Cup clash against Wigan ahead of a trip to QPR. Allardyce expects the rest of the squad to step up to the challenges ahead. He said: "It depends on the likes of Carlton Cole and Modibo Maiga stepping in and doing the business, making sure we use the strength of the squad when we need to. "We have only got two players injured at the moment, a lot of other teams in the Premier League have more. If that continues it will help for us to be more and more consistent.

"Andy Carroll has only played 68 minutes for us. We have conceded just three goals, all at Swansea, and kept clean sheets in the other games. "It is not all about Andy, but it is about us trying to perform as a team again on Saturday against Sunderland." Allardyce hopes Carroll will be able to rejoin the rest of the squad soon enough. "Andy is improving day by day," he added. "He has started some light training now and we continue to try to monitor it day by day and see when he's going to be available and ready to join back in with the players. "The very earliest, if we are very lucky, would be the last game before the international break which I think would be Arsenal."

Midfielder Jack Collison, however, remains sidelined by an ongoing knee problem. "Obviously Jack is a big concern because he has not kicked a ball for us yet since the end of last season," Allardyce added. "He was a major influence in our promotion year so we would love to get Jack back as quickly as we possibly can."
West Ham battled to a goalless draw at Norwich last weekend, which was their fourth clean sheet of the season, and Allardyce will be looking for more of the same against Sunderland. The emphasis of shutting the opposition out has been crucially important for us," he said. "If I have to be slightly critical, it is about our finishing, which has not been quite as good as it should be to promote the chances we have created. "But if we work hard to get that clean sheet, then one goal can win us a game."

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 20th September 2012

Jarvis targets Boleyn bow
WHUFC.com
Matt Jarvis is hoping to make his home debut against Sunderland after
returning from a thigh injury
19.09.2012

Matt Jarvis is delighted to be back after returning to action against
Norwich City following a thigh injury. The summer signing from Wolves missed
the 3-0 Boleyn Ground win against Fulham ten days ago but made an impressive
comeback against the Canaries, playing a menacing role from the bench in the
final stages at Carrow Road. Jarvis has yet to play at the Boleyn Ground but
hopes to have done enough to be recalled to the starting XI for Saturday's
clash with Sunderland, where he could come up against at least one familiar
face. "I spent a long time with Steven Fletcher and had a very good
partnership with him at Wolves," he told West Ham TV. "But it is all about
West Ham United now and we want to take all three points. "Unfortunately I
picked up a slight thigh injury in training, which has forced me to miss the
last couple of weeks, but I am fully recovered now and I am delighted to be
back in the squad and back on the pitch."

Jarvis' maiden and unique cap for England came against Ghana at Wembley in
March last year and the winger hopes to propel himself back into the
international set-up by impressing for the Hammers this season. "You have to
play well for your club and play regularly to be called up for your country
and that is exactly what I want to do. The squad we have is very strong and
everyone is fighting for a place in the starting eleven. I am no different
and I need to prove myself if I want to be starting week in, week out."

The Hammers currently sit eighth in the Barclays Premier League following an
extremely positive start to the season and Jarvis hopes they can keep their
form going for the foreseeable future. "I think the manager has got exactly
what he wanted with us having a good start and hopefully we can keep the run
going this weekend.
"We had plenty of chances against Norwich and maybe we should have put one
of ours away. It would have been nice to get the win but it was very hot,
which took it out of everyone involved. "There were a lot of chances for
both sides but it didn't fall right for either one. Overall I was just
pleased to be involved in the game and happy to be back."

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Cooking up a storm
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's young professionals are receiving cooking lessons to help
them to eat healthily
18.09.2012

West Ham United's young professionals are receiving cooking lessons to
ensure they eat healthy meals when they are not in and around the club.
Players are provided with meals when training, preparing for matches or
living at the club's Academy House, but it is imperative that they also
stick to a nutritional diet when not at work. With that in mind, Academy
nutritionalist Chris Curtis and chef Adam Viggars have arranged special
early-morning classes during which players are taught how to cook healthy
breakfasts, lunches and evening meals. Earlier this week first-year
professionals Pelly Ruddock and Dominic Vose and second-year scholar Leo
Chambers joined Viggars in the kitchen at Chadwell Heath, where they learned
how to make poached eggs, omelettes and smoothie drinks. "Basically we are
trying to improve their life skills off the field as what they eat is as
important as what they do on the pitch," said Curtis. "We are giving them
lessons in how to prepare basic healthy meals for themselves so they eat as
nutritional a diet as possible throughout the week. "Some of the lads have
already asked us for some recipes so they can cook basic dishes like pasta
at home, so they are definitely taking it on board really well. It is
important that they get into good eating habits at a young age because they
are working in an environment where they need to be at a peak level of
performance all the time. "If they learn these skills now then they will be
able to develop them throughout their careers."

Chef Viggars, who cooks for the first-team squad on a daily basis, said the
players had enjoyed their time in the kitchen, despite the sessions being
scheduled for 8am before training! "I like teaching the young lads to cook
because it gives them an insight into what we do every day," he confirmed.
"The first session saw the lads learn how to cook lunch and this week we
have done breakfasts. It is good for them to see what goes into the dishes
that we prepare for them and I'm sure a few of them will go home now and get
out their saucepans and have a go themselves."

Chambers, who was delighted with his efforts at making a ham and vegetable
omelette, said he and his fellow team-mates thoroughly enjoyed swapping
their football kits for aprons to take part in the sessions. "We don't have
to cook too much for ourselves usually as a lot of us live in the Academy
House, where our meals are prepared for us, so I have enjoyed the sessions
and learning new skills," said the England Under-18 defender. "It is
important that we learn how to cook for ourselves because we'll be living on
our own soon. Healthy foods are very important for us and they don't have to
be bland and tasteless like some people might think. "I was quite pleased
with my omelette but, saying that, nobody else wanted to taste it!"

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Jarvis set sights on England
But £10.75m winger wants to establish West Ham place first
Last Updated: September 19, 2012 12:23pm
SSN

West Ham's recent signing Matt Jarvis admits he still harbours ambitions of
becoming an England regular. But the winger knows he must cement a place in
Sam Allardyce's starting XI before switching his attentions to the
international stage. Jarvis, 26, has been capped once by England after
appearing as a second-half substitute in a Wembley friendly against Ghana in
March 2011. The ex-Gillingham player joined West Ham from relegated Wolves
in a £10.75million deal last month as he aims to reclaim his international
place.

Fight

He returned to the Hammers bench for last weekend's Premier League trip to
Norwich after a thigh injury and now hopes to start against visitors
Sunderland this weekend. "You have to play well for your club and play
regularly to be called up for your country and that is exactly what I want
to do," Jarvis told West Ham's official website. "The squad we have is very
strong and everyone is fighting for a place in the starting XI. "I'm no
different and I need to prove myself if I want to be starting week in week
out."

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Your time Vaz come
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 19th September 2012
By: Tom Kilbey

To say Ricardo Vaz Te's career has been up and down would be a gross
understatement. From his early days as a promising youngster, after failing
to flourish in the Premier League despite remaining on Bolton's books for
seven years, he found himself at an obscure Greek club before Barnsley
offered the Portuguese winger a second crack of the proverbial whip.

After a short spell at Oakwell, Sam Allardyce had seen enough to re-sign the
player who he had managed at Bolton. After an inconsistent start to the
season, the question of whether RVT is Premier League quality remains to be
seen.

Anyone who watched the winger last season, both for West Ham or the Tykes,
would have learnt a few things about him. He is a tricky player, unafraid to
take players on with his quick feet. He also demonstrated his eye for goal.
Finishing as one of the top scorers last season in the Championship, Vaz Te
carries a rocket of a shot which can often be too hot for keepers to handle
(just ask the Brighton goalkeeper).

On top of this, despite being a technical player, he does not lack the
physical attributes that are so important for a forward in the top English
divisions. He stands at a deceptive 6"2, and although can be known to go
down too easily, he is by no means weak, and combined with his pace, he
looks to have all the ingredients required to be a decent top flight player.

Questions have been asked about his attitude, and this is something that
Allardyce addressed at the end of last season, noting the player had matured
considerably since his time at Bolton. Despite this, for an innocuous squad
player, he does have the habit of drawing attention to himself. Granted,
he's no Ballotelli, but in the last few months, he's been quoted as saying
some ill advised things.

Take the example in the lead up to the Euro 2012 finals, where he complained
about his omission from the squad despite applying his trade in the
Championship and lesser leagues in Europe through the duration of his
career. Or how about the example when he stated he wouldn't hesitate to
leave West Ham if a 'bigger' club came in for him? Now, confidence can be a
good thing, in fact it is an essential trait for a top player, but perhaps
his attitude should be toned down at least until he has established himself
enough to justify the claims he makes.

So is he the top player he claims to be? Firstly it is so important to
realise that players who flourish in the second tier often do not make such
an impact the season after. Take Adel Tarrabt for example. A very similar
player who made arguably a bigger impact in the Championship never really
capitalised as much as was expected of him.

Despite Ricardo's good attributes, there are definitely areas of his game
that could be improved. I won't dwell on this too much, but the one
outstanding area, which was highlighted to a ridiculous extent on Saturday
was his crossing. He will score goals, but he rarely provides assists for
his team mates, and his crossing is woeful at times. This will definitely be
a concern for Allardyce who makes it no secret that his master plan involves
getting quality balls into the box.

He also seems to be a confidence player who thrives on the knowledge that he
can beat the defender in front of him. Against Fulham, he showed the
familiar swagger that he regularly demonstrated last season. Against Norwich
it was a different story. In a game where his pace could have been used on
the counter attack, on numerous occasions, he ate up 30 or 40 yards before
checking back, consequently slowing the tempo of the game down.
He is at his best when he is at his most direct, and we should be able to
rely on him as a dangerous outlet (after all, how many direct wingers have
we had in the last ten years that can take players on).

I think given time in the top flight, he will adapt his game. He is clearly
motivated, and believes in his ability to shine at the top level, so I have
faith that he can prove to be a Premier League player. My concern is that,
with a fully fit squad, at this moment in time I wouldn't have Ricky in my
first team, particularly at home, and more importantly I think Allardyce
would agree with me.

With Carroll up front, I would place emphasis on crossing. Matt Taylor may
not be the most dynamic player in the league, but he is a fantastic crosser
of the ball on top of his ability to contribute to set pieces. On top of
this, he will get a few goals, and his workrate and experience as a defender
means he can put a shift in and help out our full backs when required. And
on the other wing, we can't look past Jarvis to provide the quality of
delivery that BFS is after.

To conclude, I think its incredibly important that Vaz Te remains patient
this year. If his ego gets the better of him, his days at West Ham could be
numbered. He may find his first team chances limited, and it will be so
important for his attitude to be right when he does get his opportunities.
We may find that he can be best utilised as an impact sub, and would appear
to fit this role far better than say, Matt Taylor.

If he can channel his confidence, there's no doubt in my mind he can prove
to be an integral part of our first team. This includes using the
competition for his position as a positive, rather than a negative. Whether
he can apply himself and vindicate Allardyce's decision to commend his
maturity is something only time will tell.

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West Ham winger Matt Jarvis harbours England ambitions
SIMON PEACH WEDNESDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2012
The Independent

West Ham winger Matt Jarvis is targeting an England recall but knows he must
first establish himself in the east Londoners' starting line-up. The
26-year-old made his international debut against Ghana last year but has yet
to add to that single cap - something he hopes will changes after joining
the Hammers from Wolves for a club record fee of £10.75million. Jarvis has
so far only made two appearances for Sam Allardyce's side since his summer
move due to a thigh injury, but is fit to face Sunderland this weekend at
Upton Park. "You have to play well for your club and play regularly to be
called up for your country and that is exactly what I want to do," he told
West Ham TV. "The squad we have is very strong and everyone is fighting for
a place in the starting eleven. "I am no different and I need to prove
myself if I want to be starting week in, week out. "Unfortunately I picked
up a slight thigh injury in training, which has forced me to miss the last
couple of weeks, but I am fully recovered now and I am delighted to be back
in the squad and back on the pitch."

Despite Jarvis' absence, West Ham have enjoyed a successful start to life
back in the Premier League. The Hammers have picked up two wins and a draw
from their four opening matches, with Saturday's 0-0 at Norwich leaving them
eighth in the standings. "I think the manager has got exactly what he wanted
with us having a good start and hopefully we can keep the run going this
weekend," Jarvis added. "We had plenty of chances against Norwich and maybe
we should have put one of ours away. "It would have been nice to get the win
but it was very hot, which took it out of everyone involved. "There were a
lot of chances for both sides but it didn't fall right for either one.
Overall I was just pleased to be involved in the game and happy to be back."

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 19th September 2012

Collins committed to defensive cause
WHUFC.com
James Collins was pleased to play his part in another shut-out against Norwich City
18.09.2012

James Collins believes West Ham United are beginning to state their intentions for this season after a solid point away from home at Norwich City on Saturday.
Another strong defensive display resulted in Collins and his team-mates picking up their third clean sheet in four Barclays Premier League games. The No19 put in his usual all-action display and was understandably pleased to notch up another clean sheet, both for his fellow defenders and the rest of the team. "The manager has said to us about the importance of keeping clean sheets, because it always gives you a chance of winning any game," Collins said. "We have been working on that and apart from the match at Swansea, we have been on target. "Against Norwich we had chances, so did they and people watching will probably wonder how it stayed 0-0. There were lots of opportunities for us both, but no one could stick the ball in the back of the net, so I suppose you could say a draw was a fair result. For us it was another clean sheet and a point to take home."

Collins and central defensive partner Winston Reid were impressive once again, with the latter named Man of the Match for his efforts. For Collins, though, the point was a chance to bounce back from the difficult afternoon at Swansea City three weeks earlier. "We were bitterly disappointed that day in Swansea, me personally as well. Individual mistakes cost us but since then we have been spot on and long may it continue. "It was a hard match against Norwich as there was a quick tempo throughout the game, but that is part of our plan - to put teams on the back foot as soon as we can and we did that again. Unfortunately, we couldn't get the goal we wanted but on another day we will."

Collins had words of praise for all of his team-mates but especially goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen, who played his part in making sure a point at least was going back to east London. "I felt as a team we gave a strong performance - we stood firm to them and the basis of our performances has been in trying to keep clean sheets.
"Jussi made some great saves. He is right up there with the best keepers I have played with, he talks well on the pitch and in the dressing room. He has played in the Premier League for longer than I can remember now. "His experience meant that for some of the shots, he already knew which way they were going to go and that is great for helping us boys in front of him."

The Wales international, who returned to West Ham from Aston Villa in the summer, was also confident that a decision to award Norwich a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area - instead of a spot kick - was correct, with his tackle on Andrew Surman falling just outside the box. "I was pretty confident it was outside the area but fair play to the referee, he made a great decision. We saw it again and the ref said before making a decision he looked at where the marks were on the pitch, from me sliding in to making the tackle. They were outside the box, so he made the right decision."

As a team that has just been promoted, Collins knows that it is important to get as many points as possible early on. It is an ambition that manager Sam Allardyce and his coaching staff have drilled into the players since the first day of pre-season. "During pre-season, we were talking about getting off to a good start, taking it on from last season when the boys got promoted at Wembley and finishing the season well. "We haven't come back up to this league just to stay up. If we can, we want to do more. I think we have shown that in our performances already that we have it in us to finish as high as we can."

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The Big Interview - Jussi Jaaskelainen
WHUFC.com
Jussi Jaaskelainen talks precious points, clean sheets and his reunion with Big Sam
17.09.2012

Jussi Jaaskelainen is no stranger to the Barclays Premier League, but the West Ham United goalkeeper has further staked his claim as top-flight great after an impressive start to the 2012/13 season. After ending 14 years with Bolton Wanderers, Jaaskelainen joined West Ham and has instantly established himself as Big Sam's No1, keeping three clean sheets in four league starts. Speaking after the 0-0 draw at Norwich City, the former Finland international was delighted to have added another one to his growing collection.

Jussi, that's another game, another clean sheet and another point on the board. You must be delighted with the start both you and the club have made?

JJ - "It has been a very good start to the season. You can see we are continuing to build together as a team and to have kept three clean sheets in four games is obviously a very good start. But to come away from home against a good side in Norwich with another clean sheet and another point is very pleasing."

You haven't been tested as much as you could have been this season, particularly against Fulham, but on Saturday you really proved your worth to the team with a number of impressive stops?

JJ - "Sometimes you have to be there to help out the team in certain situations and on Saturday I was able to do just that. The biggest disappointment for us was to not get a goal in the first half and that maybe in the second half our attacking play didn't have the same quality it could have."

You are 37-years-old now, so do you still get the same buzz when you hear the fans leaving the game saying 'Jasskelainen really helped our side earn a point today' and so on?

JJ - "To me it doesn't matter what people say, it is all about the involvement. I have a new challenge this season at a new club after being at the same one for 14 years playing week in week out. So now I hope to get into that same rhythm again and keep picking up clean sheets and points along the way."

West Ham United were without a first-choice goalkeeper when you arrived. Has that helped you settle, knowing that the club need you?

JJ - "For me it is always the same wherever you are. I try to work hard throughout the week to make sure I am ready for the game on Saturday. It helps that I have played in the Premier League before and I already know Sam (Allardyce) and his backroom staff. I really like the way they look after their players and hopefully I can repay them by keeping my performance levels at the same heights they have been so far this season. As a goalkeeper it is all about consistency."

Is being second-choice goalkeeper a difficult and frustrating position to be in, or is it more about remaining focused and taking your chance when called upon?

JJ - "Yes, but that is the way it is. Last season I was injured over the Christmas period so the manager had to put his trust in another goalkeeper, but that is what football is like. I was lucky enough to play for 14 years week in week out but I also had times in my career where I was on the bench. When this happened I made sure I kept working hard to ensure that when I got my chance I was ready and I took it."

Winston Reid narrowly beat you to the Man of the Match award on Saturday, which was a controversial decision wasn't it?!

JJ - "It doesn't matter! I would take a clean sheet over man of the match every week of the season.. Winston is a very good player and he has started the season well. The whole team is also defending well and we still have the likes of Tonks (James Tomkins) ready to come in and impress. We have very good strength in depth, I know Sam likes to bring in quality players and you can see the squad is very good, hopefully we will all stay fit and if we don't the players who don't start every game need to ensure they're ready to step in."

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Fifty shades of grey: a homage to old Hammers
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 16th September 2012
By: Rich Hobday

The Fifty Shades Trilogy - Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed - has sold over 40 million copies worldwide, in 37 countries – mainly to undersexed, under-satisfied mums.

That is either 40 million wives with more exciting sex lives or 40 million disappointed wives, who realise their beer-bellied partners are no match for the Fifty Shades hero called Christian. It's created a new genre of literary works – branded 'Mummy Porn' – whetting a newly found appetite for sex, bondage and fetish amongst women of a certain age. Increasing sales at Mr Gold's Anne Summers empire in the process?

Maybe we should thank Fifty Shades for helping to pay Andy Carroll's wages. In the interests of research I borrowed a Fifty Shades book from one of said undersexed mums (not my wife) but excitement was minimal. I get more excited by West Ham United and our very own hero called Christian - Christian Dailly.

Of course, unlike Fifty Shades, we have more than one hero to worship. West Ham provides more excitement and passion than any of the 969 pages of the trilogy. There is, however, similarity between Fifty Shades and the Hammers - in the words of one literary critic: "Fifty Shades will excite you, obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever". No better way of describing West Ham United.

Like the trilogy's hero Christian Grey, West Ham hold a power over us – they excite, yet disappoint. They make us laugh, they make us cry. West Ham is simply our life. Whatever they do, however badly they treat us – we love them and we come back for more.

Like 40 million people, my brief encounter with Fifty Shades stirred something inside me. It fired my passion. A passion to create a new trilogy. To pay homage to West Ham heroes and villains - the cause of our pain, heartache and tears. The reason for our being.

Read a nostalgic review of our oldest players in "Fifty Shades of Grey", a salute to legendary centre midfielders in "Fifty Shades Parker" and a spit in the direction of those overpaid Hammers in "Fifty Shades Greed"...

"You'll never win anything with kids" - Alan Hansen, August 1995
"You need experience when the chips are down" John Lyall, August 1989

Every successful team needs a mix of youth and experience; young and old. But how old is too old? 35 is the age we consider moving from the blistering pace of league football to the sedentary stroll of the local vets league. The pitches set against a backdrop of rolling countryside. The teams against a backdrop of rolling subs, rolling stomachs, and rolling joints.

But many 'vets' have excelled for West Ham over the years, including in the Premier League – the best league in the world. They may have grey hair, but they have guile. They may lack pace but they play with grace. From Teddy Sheringham to Les Sealey we have had some vintage claret, who just got better with age. From front to back, West Ham's golden oldies have excelled – keepers, defenders, midfielders and strikers – leaving youngsters in their wake.

My top 10 'vets' defy age and have pushed their bodies to the brink, for the cause of West Ham United.

The day after West Ham's promotion in 1993, back pages were full of West Hams golden oldies – David Speedie and Clive Allen. Both scored. Both were old. Both were past their best. But they were mere babes at 33 and 32 respectively. They had nothing on perhaps the best veteran, Billy Bonds – the most capped Hammer, the original captain brave heart.

A career of 793 games, spanning 21 seasons, saw Bonzo play into his 42nd year. He was still marauding like a bearded pirate, covering every inch of grass, tackling, blocking and battling to the end. No-one was fitter, no-one more passionate and having retired once, he came back for another two seasons, such was his importance and dedication to the club.

He eventually hung up his boots in 1988, still leading the long distance runs in training, still with a fire in his belly – Bonzo was the mount Everest of old players – the top man, a number one, top of the heap. His desire, his hunger, his passion, puts to shame the little effort of many who've worn the beloved claret and blue, before and since. He is the benchmark to which all over 35's should aspire.

Goalkeepers are deemed to be mad. They are also angry. But they seem to improve with age. Even now, Brad Friedel, at 41, is holding down the number one spot at Tottenham, showing quick reactions and agility unbefitting someone of his age. We have seen our very own Les Sealey (39) Shaka Hislop (37) and Ludek Miklosko (35) keep goal with distinction – a mantle handed over to our most recent number one, Jussi Jaaskelainen, who at 37 still seems sharp.

Shaka, Ludo and Les have a special place in the hearts of Hammers. Although Sealey only played four times, his presence was formidable both on and off the pitch. His debut was up front against Arsenal, as a substitute where he snarled, moaned and kicked his way into our hearts. On or off the pitch Sealey spent all game scowling and kicking out in frustration. He wanted perfection. That passion is what West Ham is all about.

Les was a one off and sorely missed. Ludo is a legend. 315 games and the longest goal kick in the world ensured his place as a crowd favourite. How Big Sam would love his long kicks onto Carroll's head. Ludo's name still rings round Upton Park in honour…. his name is Ludek Miklosko; He comes from near Moscow...

At the back we have been blessed with Alvin Martin (37), Nigel Winterburn (37) and Stuart Pearce (39). Alvin is one of the all time greats at West Ham – a hero, legend, an icon. I grew up watching the Hammers of the 1980s, whose players have a special place in my heart. From the FA Cup winning team of 1980 to the Boys of '86, these are true West Ham legends - Brooking; Bonds; Lampard; Stewart – Martin; Gale; Cottee; McAvennie. Over 3700 West Ham games between them.

Alvin Martin, aged 37 was better than most of the centre backs since, collectively. For me he was simply the best. Pearce played with passion, commitment and anger rarely seen. His legs the size of tree trunks, his face red with rage. He famously played on with a broken leg, not letting that small knock keep him off the pitch. He scared players into playing better. You dare not say no to Stuart Pearce - perhaps the reason he was simultaneously, manager of England U21's, Caretaker of the full England team and GB Team manager. No-one dare say no.

If Pearce was the ultimate hard man, Winterburn I'm afraid was not. Undoubtedly a great full back, but a fighter ? No. His Arsenal spat with Paolo Di Canio was brilliant. Nigel tried to incite Paolo but shit himself as it looked like Di Canio would smash him in the face. You wouldn't want Nigel on your side in a fight, but you would want him on your side on the pitch. Winterburn still had what it took and showed at 37, in 82 games, he was still a class act for the Hammers.

In midfield we have seen the silky John Moncur aged 36, still running and tackling all over the pitch. No game went by without the Moncur turn. Nothing looks better – Mark Noble obviously thinks so. Moncs played for nine seasons, 176 games, 884 Moncur turns, and three sendings off. Latterly, the cheeky chap Moncs, turned to religion, but I'm sure he misses the terrace chants of "He's here he's there; He's every-f*cking-where..."

Up front we have witnessed international strikers playing into their early forties. Teddy Sheringham still had the best football brain on display as he became the oldest outfield player in Dec 2006, against Man City. A natural goal scorer and play maker, Teddy could link up midfield and attack like no other. In his one season in the Championship he scored 20 goals and created many more for Marlon Harewood and Bobby Zamora, in our promotion season.

His age didn't affect his never-existing pace – but his brain was the quickest around. He stood head and shoulders above the Championship plodders and journeyman, and was a joy to watch. He could guide the ball with head or chest into the path of our attacking midfielders. He obviously loved using the chest – a skill he fine tuned when dating Jordon. His touch and ability to cushion the ball continued in the FA Cup Final, when in May 2006, Sheringham became the third oldest player to appear in an a final, at 40 years and 41 days old. He remained a West Ham player until after his 41st birthday.

Teddy was the coolest at the club on the ball, and the coolest in the clubs. Flings with Nicola Smith (Mandy Smith's sister), and a string of Page 3 models, showed he never took his eye off the goal. He even bagged Miss GB, Daneille Lloyd, when he was on the judging panel. Anyone who can play Premiership football and bag Page 3 models in their 40s is simply a legend.

Ian Wright enjoyed a brief spell with West Ham and although past his best still added bite and speed up front. For me he is worth a place in my top 10 simply for getting sent off against Leeds, and smashing the shit out of the ref's dressing room.

Others who didn't make my top 10 "Shades of Grey" included Rob Lee, a real silver fox, Bernard Lama the talented but erratic 'keeper and Les Ferdinand, who made 14 appearances for us as we were relegated in 2003. Lee Chapman looked over 40 for much of his career, and had a lack of speed to match – but he was only 34 when he left West Ham, so can't be included. Maybe he needs to visit his wife's surgeon for some facial age reduction treatment.

I would also have loved to include Peter Shilton, who signed for West Ham aged 47 in 1996 – but he never made an appearance, despite being named as a substitute several times.

Between them, these top 10 ageing Hammers played over 2,100 times for West Ham, scoring 134 goals. Grey-haired heroes stand up – if you can – and take a bow.

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The twelfth man
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 18th September 2012
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce is still mulling over offering a contract to former Lyon defender John Mensah, according to reports. As previously reported here on KUMB.com, Mensah - who is a free agent having been released by the French club this summer - recently spent time on trial with the Hammers at Chadwell Heath. And although West Ham are yet to make the Ghanaian a concrete offer fresh reports suggest that the 29-year-old could yet become the manager's 12th signing of a busy summer.
Allardyce's summer spending spree began back in May when he signed goalkeeper Stephen Henderson from Portsmouth. That was followed by the arrival of Jussi Jaaskelainen and Momo Diame in June. July saw three more players added to the roster with George McCartney, Modibo Maiga and Raphael Spiegler arriving in London. And last month James Collins, Alou Diarra, record signing Matt Jarvis and Andy Carroll took Allardyce's quota of new faces to 11. Meanwhile is it also reported that free agents Mikael Silvestre and Anthony Vanden Borre, who have also spent time with West Ham recently, will not be offered contracts.

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West Ham linked with 'money laundering' row
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 18th September 2012
By: Staff Writer

West Ham are at the centre of a new third-party row involving former loan striker Brian Montenegro. Last August the club announced that they had taken the teenage striker on a season-long loan from Uruguayan club Deportivo Maldonado. However it has now been revealed that the young striker, now 19, never actually played for the club. According to a report published by Bloomberg, West Ham were one of three European clubs duped within the last 18 months as a result of unauthorised player trading - a system designed to greatly reduce tax burdens on South American football clubs. According to lawyer Rodrigo Garcia, Montenegro is said to have been part of an elaborate scheme whereby Uruguayan clubs traded player's registrations which enables them to reduce the level of tax owed from 20 to five per cent.
Juventus, who paid Deportivo Maldonado €500,000 to take Marcelo Estigarribia on loan - and Porto, who signed Alex Sandro for €9.6million - have also been cited by the report, which insists that FIFA were aware of the situation but, according to one source, choose to "turn a deaf ear" to it.

The Argentinian tax agency claimed in a recent report that the arrangements, which involve "offshore companies" could be used for money laundering purposes. There is no suggestion that West Ham United are either involved with or aware of such practices. "Montenegro, who turned 18 in June, has joined the Hammers on a season-long loan from Uruguay-based Club Deportivo Maldonado," announced the club's website on 29th August 2011. However since leaving east London following the culmination of his year-long stay in the UK, the player has returned to Paraguayan club Tacuary - for whom he played between 2006 and 2011 - the club from whom Deportivo Maldonado obtained his registration.

The loan fee West Ham paid for Montenegro has never been disclosed. West Ham were fined £5.5million by the Premier League in April 2007 over the deal which saw Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano arrive in east London after the club were found guilty of faling to disclose the full documentation relating to the transfers. Two years later United reached an out-of-court settlement with Sheffield United after an independent tribunal chaired by Lord Griffiths found that Tevez's influence had cost the Blades their top flight status. The settlement cost West Ham in the region of £25million.

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Still the Academy of Football?
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 15th September 2012
By: Robert Watson

West Ham has been deemed as the Academy of Football in past times when we produced brilliant youth players such as Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick, Jermaine Defoe, Glen Johnson, Rio and Anton Ferdinand, Joe Cole plus more. Most of these players have gone onto play for world-class teams (of course including West Ham). Just imagine if we still had these players now. But in recent years, the youth system hasn't produced that class of players.

First of all, let's look at the positives of the youth system. Tony Carr (MBE) has been at the forefront of our Academy since 1973 and I'd like to say what a marvellous job he's done spotting/finding probably the best youth players; he is up there with the best in the world as youth directors go. He was rightly awarded a testimonial in 2010 where many of his ex-youth players showed up for a game which also included Paolo Di Canio and then West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola ( hich I was lucky enough to watch).

West Ham have recently been granted Elite Player Performance Plan Category 1 which will definitely help improve our Academy.

Now onto the players we have produced who are regular first teamers at the club at present. The main two who spring to mind are Mark Noble and James Tomkins; both homegrown boys who have been with West Ham pretty much all of their careers. They always give their all for the team and are 100 per cent committed in everything they do; they bleed claret and blue. This can also be said of Watford-born Jack Collison, who is similar to Tomkins and Noble in having joined the Academy when he was also very young (16) albeit via Cambridge United.

All three are regulars in the first team squad now (injury permitting) and enjoyed a brilliant season in the Championship. Although Jack only came back for the last few games, he played a crucial part in our play-off semi final victory against Cardiff. Noble and Tomkins enjoyed one of their best seasons at the club whilst Noble has started off superbly in the 2012/13 campaign, especially against Fulham.

In my opinion that was one of his best ever performances for West Ham; he was simply unplayable. Tomkins has had to be happy with a place on the bench because of how well Winston Reid and James Collins have played, but when he has featured he's looked solid. When he came on against Fulham he defended very well against a difficult opponent in Dimitar Berbatov.

All three have been great players for us and I hope they stay at West Ham for the whole of their careers. Tomkins and Noble have represented England at Under 21 level and Collison is a Welsh international. The Board now need to give Noble a new long term contract as we really do not want to see him go!

Apart from those three players however there haven't really been any youth players who have succeeded in the first team for a prolonged period. There was a spell when the likes of Junior Stanislas and Zavon Hines enjoyed a run in for the first team under Zola but when Sam Allardyce came in were quickly sold to Burnley.

For me, that was the right decision as they didn't really shine. Hines scored one goal at Turf Moor and now is at Bradford City whilst Stanislas was just too lightweight and never really performed on the wing, his skills seemed to get him nowhere. I believe Allardyce made the right choice selling those two players.

The summer transfer window saw us release both Frank Nouble (bought from Chelsea) and Cristian Montano, both of whom I was fairly disappointed in seeing leave. I watched Nouble in a few development/reserve games and he was the stand-out player. He failed to many many first team appearances but when he got his one and only start in the Championship he grabbed a goal against Derby (away).

Meanwhile Montano had a few loan spells in which he impressed and he looked to be a good player, another with a bit of flair and pace down the wing. However I've got to trust Allardyce's judgement, and wish both of those players all the best in their careers.

Lastly, we sold Freddie Sears to Colchester. Sears is a West Ham fan through and through but he never really did cut it after scoring the winner against Blackburn on his debut back in 2008. Perhaps the pressure got to him but he never really lived up to the expectation. I never rated him; maybe it was because he was often played out wide instead of in his favoured central striking position. But whenever he ran at a player he never seemed to have a chance; his skill or pace just never seemed to work. I also wish Sears all the best in his career at Colchester and any future clubs.

Players need game time and most of these players didn't get it at West Ham. Maybe this is a factor why they were sold/released? I believe Stanislas said outright that the fact he didn't get any game time was the reason he moved, or is it just the fact the youth we're producing isn't good enough?

At the moment we seem to have some bright young players coming through including the likes of Jordan Spence, Danny Potts and Rob Hall - all three of whom have played for the first team. From what I've seen, they all look to be definite stars for us in the future!

But onto that burning question: are we still THE Academy of Football? I'd probably have to say no; the talent we've produced recently hasn't been up there with the talents we've produced in the past not equal to the likes of Southampton who've produced Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain etc. But there's no doubt we're still producing half decent players - even if they're not quite the same quality as those we have in the past.

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Jussi - I'll repay Big Sam
Veteran keeper delighted with newly-promoted West Ham's start
Last Updated: September 18, 2012 2:15pm
SSN

West Ham goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen admits he wants to repay Sam Allardyce for giving him the chance to play regular Premier League football again. Jaaskelainen, 37, agreed to join the newly-promoted Hammers when his contract at relegated Bolton Wanderers expired during the summer. The ex-Finland international made over 500 appearances for the Trotters after arriving from VPS Vassa in 1997. But he found himself relegated to the bench last season after losing his place to Adam Bogdan in the New Year. And Allardyce, who bossed Jaaskelainen at the Reebok Stadium, quickly moved to sign the experienced keeper to replace England international Robert Green as his No.1. Jaaskelainen has been magnificent as the Hammers have kept three clean sheets in their opening four Premier League matches - and he has no intention of letting his standards slip.

Consistency

"I try to work hard throughout the week to make sure I am ready for the game on Saturday," he told West Ham's official website. "It helps that I have played in the Premier League before and I already know Sam (Allardyce) and his backroom staff. "I really like the way they look after their players and hopefully I can repay them by keeping my performance levels at the same heights they have been so far this season. "As a goalkeeper it is all about consistency." On West Ham's start, he added: "You can see we are continuing to build together as a team and to have kept three clean sheets in four games is obviously a very good start."

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Let's Pay Tribute To Our Defenders
West Ham Till I Die

I doubt many of us would have put much money on three clean sheets in our first four games. But that's what has happened, and we ought to pay tribute to the players who have achieved such a great defensive start. OK, we had the blip against Swansea, but two of the three goals conceded there were errors which just wouldn't normally happen. I think Winston Reid's form has been a revelation. When you think of how he performed in his first season with us, you'd think he was a different player. And in some ways he is. He's a young player who has matured and has learned from his mistakes. James Collins was simply awesome against Villa and has the potential to be one of our players of the season. Guy Demel has looked more confident with every game he plays and Joey O'Brien has done well filling in at left back. But perhaps some praise is owed to Jussi Jaaskelainen too. I've said before that I don't think he was the goalkeeping signing we should have made, but three clean sheets tell their own story. That's not to say he has inspired total confidence - he hasn't. But apart from his howler at Swansea he hasn't really put a foot wrong.

I just hope I can write a similar post in four games' time!

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West Ham Were Interested in Dimitar Berbatov!
West Ham Till I Die

Sam Allardyce has recently confirmed that the club were, indeed, keen to sign Dimitar Berbatov in the summer transfer window. Apparently, although the player left Man Utd for a modest £5m fee, the player's personal terms were too rich for West Ham's blood. Whereas, Fulham were better able to utilise the sizeable fees from departing players to finance the deal and salary package.

Berbatov, although 32 years of age, is undeniably still a talented player. But would he have fitted in to Allardyce's plans at West Ham? Moreover, he may be renowned as a top class forward, but he is not noted for his industry and preparedness to roll his sleeves up and graft for the cause. So, have we lost out on an important player or one who would not necessarily have 'fitted in' or who may have gone missing in difficult matches when the going got tough?

Elsewhere, West Ham recently took three 'free agent' defenders on trial. Two of those have had unsuccessful at trial, but the third, John Mensah, is still with the club and awaiting a final decision. Personally, I have a feeling that we will sign Mensah on, at least, at short-term deal. This is extra defensive assurance, but will be prove to be a good deal for the club, given Mensah's recent less an impressive fitness record?

Finally, it would appear that West Ham's name has emerged, as an innocent party, in reports of an alleged tax avoidance practice, and possible money laundering scam, operating in South America. It would appear that South American clubs are trading the registration of players and loaning them on to European clubs to reduce their tax liabilities. West Ham and Porto have both been named as European clubs who innocently loaned players under these circumstances. And of course, in West Ham's case, the player in question was Brian Montenegro-Martinez, the teenage winger/striker who was with us on loan last season, did very well for the Development Squad and then pomptly disappeared in May, without barely a mention! BMM was apparently loaned to us by Deportivo Maldonado, but has apparently since returned to his Paraguayan club, Tacuary FC!

There is no suggestion whatsoever that West Ham were involved in the practice/scam or had any knowledge of it. So, it is not another Tevez third party interest situation. However, it does demonstrate once again how complicated player ownership can be in South America and how careful British clubs need to be when purchasing or loaning players from there.

SJ. Chandos.

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Powell to use West Ham target or ex-Arsenal youngster at left back
London 24
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
5:56 PM

Charlton manager Chris Powell is confident his side can cope without injured defender Rhoys Wiggins. Left back Wiggins is expected to be out for around two months after suffering a fractured foot in the Addicks' 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Friday. Powell moved 21-year-old right back and alleged West Ham target Chris Solly to left back against Palace, with summer signing Lawrie Wilson slotting in on the right. Powell says he could also call on former Arsenal youngster Cedric Evina to fill in for Wiggins. "Sadly, Rhoys is going to miss six to eight weeks, and that's a shame because he was a key player for us last year," Powell told Charlton's official website. "We know that we have to get on without him and hopefully he will come back fighting fit. "I moved Chris Solly across to left back on Friday - he will play in any position that I ask him to and won't bat an eyelid, and will be absolutely first class because that's the sort of player he is. "That gave a chance to Lawrie Wilson, who I felt grew into the game against Palace, and of course I've got young [Cedric] Evina who has been around and played a few games last season."

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West Ham couldn't afford pricey Dimitar Berbatov, admits Big Sam
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has revealed the club tried to sign Dimitar Berbatov from Manchester United last month but could not match Fulham's offer for the veteran striker.
Metro.co.uk

The 32-year-old was desperate for regular match time after falling down the pecking order at Old Trafford and sealed his return to London on transfer deadline day.
A move to Serie A side Fiorentina was initially on the cards but the Bulgarian bailed on them at the last minute to pen a two-year-deal with Fulham. Former club Tottenham made a last ditch enquiry into his services and Allardyce has now confirmed West Ham were also interested, but money proved to be a stumbling block.
'We couldn't afford him. The problem was the transfer fee and the size of the salary was out of our domain this season in terms of our budget,' Allardyce revealed.
'Fulham created their own transfer funds. They knew Clint Dempsey was moving on, and one or two others, and that gave them the opportunity to go big.'
The move prompted West Ham to eventually opt for a loan deal for Liverpool's Andy Carroll, who could be set for an early return from injury this weekend.
Berbatov opened his Fulham account at the weekend with a brace against West Brom.

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Guy Demel showing his international quality for West Ham
Here Is The City
by Dan Coombs
@hitcdancoombs

West Ham signed Guy Demel last August, and after an injury-hit first season, supporters are finally seeing his true worth. Guy Demel is a player who is highly regarded, or at least he was prior to his move to West Ham. The Hammer surprised everybody by snapping him up last August, a player who many Premier League clubs would have been glad to sign, nevermind one in the Championship. Sam Allardyce is renowned for his pull in the transfer market, and the acquistion of Demel was proof that he still had it, even in English football's second tier. He was included in our 'best deals of deadline day', and finally it looks like he is showing his quality.
For the Ivory Coast international had a bad start at West Ham, in fact it wasn't really much of a start at all, with injury preventing him from making a first team start until November, and then he was ruled out between December and April. He made 10 appearances in total, seven in the league, and three in the play-offs, including a start in the play-off final win over Blackpool at Wembley. His end of season performances were enough to persuade Sam Allardyce he was worth pursuing with, and after a full pre-season, he has come back in full health. He has been a real bonus for the Hammers this campaign, playing a key role at right-back in the Hammers keeping three clean sheets in four games. Demel also played in the play-off semi-final against Cardiff where his side kept clean sheets in both matches, before winning the final 2-1. Which means in his last seven appearances, the club have conceded in just two. It is a fine record, which is down not just to him, but the full defensive unit. What's more is that this season the tough tackler has only given away two fouls in his four matches. It should be no surprise to see Demel proving his worth, he is a player who has played at the very highest level, in the World Cup in 2010 where he infamously clashed with Cristiano Ronaldo. The 31-year-old has also featured in the Champions league for Hamburg, where he played for a decade, previously with Borussia Dortmund. One word of warning to the Hammers is that Demel signed on a two year deal, meaning it will expire next summer. West Ham do have an option to extend it by a further year, and based on his showings and fitness so far this season they would be wise to do so.

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