Firstly a massive thanks to Terry OConnor for filling in doing the digest
for the past week at very short notice. Thanks Terry :)
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Newcastle United match preview
WHUFC.com
All the background ahead of Sunday's Barclays Premier League trip to St
James' Park
10.11.2012
NEWCASTLE UNITED v WEST HAM UNITED
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
SUNDAY 11 NOVEMBER 2012
KICK-OFF: 3PM
REFEREE: MIKE DEAN
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
Introduction
• West Ham United travel to Newcastle United seeking their second away
Barclays Premier League victory of the season and looking to build on last
weekend's fine goalless home draw with champions Manchester City. The
Hammers start the weekend in ninth place, having collected 15 points from
their opening ten league fixtures.
• Newcastle United start the weekend one point and one place below the
Hammers in tenth. The Magpies picked up a creditable 1-1 draw at Liverpool
in their most-recent Barclays Premier League outing at Anfield last Sunday.
Newcastle were also in action on Thursday evening, when they came from two
goals down to draw 2-2 at Belgian side Club Brugge in the UEFA Europa League
group stage.
• The Hammers have picked up four points from four matches on the road so
far this term, winning at Queens Park Rangers (2-1), drawing at Norwich City
(0-0) and losing at Swansea City (0-3) and Wigan Athletic (1-2). Newcastle
United have won three of their five home league matches so far, as well as
scoring victories over Atromitos, Bordeaux and Club Brugge in the UEFA
Europa League at St James' Park.
• Both managers will be facing their former clubs on Sunday. West Ham United
boss Sam Allardyce took charge of Newcastle United between May 2007 and
December 2008, Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew was in charge at West
Ham United between 2003 and 2006 - the tenth manager in the club's history.
Pardew led the Hammers to promotion to the Premier League via the Play-Offs
in 2005 and the 2006 FA Cup final.
• Hammers pair Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll will also be returning to St
James' Park after successful spells with the Magpies. Nolan captained the
club to promotion from the Championship in 2009/10, with local hero Carroll
leading the charge by scoring 17 goals. Sunday's game will also see West Ham
United come up against former striker Demba Ba, who became a cult figure at
the Boleyn Gruond by scoring seven goals in 13 appearances between January
and May 2011.
• Andy Carroll scored his first Newcastle United goal on his first
competitive start for the club at St James' Park on 10 January 2009. Carroll
scored the final goal in a thrilling 2-2 draw. Earlier, former Magpies
striker Craig Bellamy cancelled out Michael Owen's opening goal before
Carlton Cole put the Hammers in front ten minutes after the break. The home
side earned a point when Carroll headed in Damien Duff's cross with 12
minutes to play.
• Sunday's game will be the 122nd meeting between the two clubs. Newcastle
United have recorded 49 victories, West Ham United 37 wins and there have
been 35 draws.
• Newcastle United are unbeaten in their last nine home league matches
against West Ham United. The Hammers' most-recent victory at St James' Park
came on 31 October 1998, when Ian Wright scored twice and Trevor Sinclair
once in a 3-0 Premier League success.
• West Ham United and Newcastle United have met twice previously on 11
November. The two clubs drew 0-0 in Division Two at the Boleyn Ground in
1989, while the Magpies scored a 1-0 Division One victory at St James' Park
in 1967.
• The Hammers have contested 12 fixtures on 11 November in years gone by,
winning three, drawing three and losing six.
Team news
• West Ham United will hand fitness tests to centre-backs James Collins and
James Tomkins. Collins suffered a hamstring injury in the goalless draw with
Manchester City last Saturday, while Tomkins hurt his groin in training the
previous week. Right-back Guy Demel has returned to full training following
a thigh problem and is expected to travel with the squad.
• The Hammers will definitely be without the injured Jack Collison (knee),
Alou Diarra (thigh), Matt Taylor (calf) and Ricardo Vaz Te (shoulder).
• Newcastle United are hoping striker Demba Ba (calf) and France midfielder
Yohan Cabaye (hamstring) will be fit to start against the Hammers. Utlilty
man James Perch (thigh), midfielder Dan Gosling (knee), forward Haris Vuckic
(knee) and full-back Ryan Taylor (knee) are definitely sidelined.
• Magpies captain and Argentina centre-back Fabricio Coloccini will miss the
game through suspension after being sent-off in the 1-1 draw at Liverpool
last Sunday. Ivory Coast midfielder Cheick Tiote is also suspended, having
been sent-off in the North East derby with Sunderland on 21 October.
Last time out
Saturday 3 November 2012
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United 0-0 Manchester City
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, Reid, McCartney, Collins (Spence
84), Benayoun, Noble, Jarvis, Diame (O'Neil, 72), Nolan, Carroll (Cole 78)
Subs not used: Spiegel, Maiga, Hall, Chambers
Thursday 8 November 2012
UEFA Europa League Group
Club Brugge 2-2 Newcastle United
Newcastle: Krul, Williamson (S.Taylor 59), Tavernier, Coloccini, Tiote,
Marveaux, Obertan, Anita, Bigirimana (Cabaye 72), Shola Ameobi, Sammy Ameobi
(Amalfitano 83)
Subs not used: Cisse, Elliot, Ferguson, Santon
Goals: Anita 41, Shola Ameobi 43
Last meeting
A hat-trick from Leon Best saw Newcastle United romp to a 5-0 home Barclays
Premier League victory over West Ham United on Wednesday 5 January 2011. The
majority of the 42,387 inside St James' Park enjoyed watching Best net after
18, 39 and 60 minutes. Future Hammer Kevin Nolan scored Newcastle's third
goal on the stroke of half-time before Peter Lovenkrands completed the rout
on 63 minutes. The lineups that evening were:
Newcastle United: Harper, Taylor (Williamson 46), Enrique, Simpson,
Coloccini, Barton, Gutierrez (Ferguson 66), Tiote, Nolan, Best (Ranger 64),
Lovenkrands
Subs not used: Krul, Guthrie, Perch, Routledge
West Ham United: Green, Gabbidon, Ben-Haim, Upson, Tomkins, Parker, Kovac
(Obinna 46), Noble (Hines 71), Piquionne (Behrami 46), C Cole, F Sears
Subs not used: Reid, Boffin, Spector, Barrera
Head to head
Last six meetings (all Barclays Premier League)
5 January 2011 - Newcastle United 5-0 West Ham United
23 October 2010 - West Ham United 1-2 Newcastle United
10 January 2009 - Newcastle United 2-2 West Ham United
20 September 2008 - West Ham United 3-1 Newcastle United
26 April 2008 - West Ham United 2-2 Newcastle United
23 September 2007 - Newcastle United 3-1 West Ham United
Overall record v Newcastle United (all competitions): W 37, D 35, L 49
Ten-year records
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)
Newcastle United
2011/12 Premier League 5th (65 points)
2010/11 Premier League 12th (46 points)
2009/10 Championship 1st (102 points - promoted to Premier League)
2008/09 Premier League 18th (34 points - relegated to Championship)
2007/08 Premier League 12th (43 points)
2006/07 Premier League 13th (43 points)
2005/06 Premier League 7th (58 points)
2004/05 Premier League 14th (44 points)
2003/04 Premier League 5th (56 points)
2002/03 Premier League 3rd (69 points)
Referee
• Sunday's referee is Mike Dean, who also took charge of West Ham United's
most-recent visit to Newcastle United in January 2011.
• Dean began refereeing in 1985, starting out his career in senior football
in the Northern Premier League.
• In 2004, Dean took charge of his first international match, a friendly
between the Netherlands and Republic of Ireland at Amsterdam Arena. That
same year, he took control of the FA Community Shield between Arsenal and
Manchester United.
• In May 2006, he refereed the Championship play-off final between Leeds
United and Watford at the Millennium Stadium. In 2008, he was the
man-in-the-middle for the FA Cup final between Portsmouth and Cardiff City
at Wembley Stadium.
• Dean has taken charge of both West Ham United and Newcastle United on 30
occasions. The 44-year-old took charge of West Ham's 1-0 opening day home
win over Aston Villa in August, but has yet to officiate at a Magpies
fixture this season.
Old boys
• West Ham United skipper Kevin Nolan scored 30 goals in 91 appearances for
Newcastle United between January 2009 and May 2011, captaining the Magpies
to the Championship title in 2009/10.
• Hammers striker Andy Carroll was born in Gateshead and came through the
Academy ranks at Newcastle United. The 23-year-old netted 33 goals in 91
games for the Magpies before joining Liverpool in a record £35m deal in
January 2011.
• Newcastle United striker Demba Ba played 13 times for West Ham United
between January and May 2011, scoring seven goals. The Senegal international
joined Newcastle United in summer 2011.
• Sam Allardyce took charge of Newcastle United 24 times between May 2007
and January 2008, winning eight matches, losing ten and drawing six.
• Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew spent a little more than three years
in charge at West Ham between October 2003 and December 2006. Pardew led the
Hammers to promotion via the play-offs in 2004/05 and the 2006 FA Cup final.
In total, he took charge of 163 matches, winning 67, losing 58 and drawing
38.
• Others who have played for both clubs include Craig Bellamy, Lee Bowyer,
Franz Carr, John Dowsey, Kieron Dyer, Dave Gardner, Paul Goddard, Shaka
Hislop, James Jackson, Vic Keeble, Matthew Kingsley, Paul Kitson, Robert
Lee, Joe Loughlin, Scott Parker, Stuart Pearce, Wayne Quinn, Bryan 'Pop'
Robson, George Robson, Keith Robson, Harold Smith, Nolberto Solano, Hal Tate
and David Terrier.
General information
• For ticket information, click here.
• Sunday's forecast in Newcastle is for sunny intervals and a maximum
temperature of 8C (47F).
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Big Sam on Newcastle United
WHUFC.com
The West Ham United manager spoke to the press ahead of Sunday's trip to St
James' Park
09.11.2012
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce is looking forward to returning to St
James' Park for Sunday's Barclays Premier League fixture with Newcastle
United. Big Sam, captain Kevin Nolan and striker Andy Carroll will all head
back to their former club eager to inspire the Hammers to another valuable
victory.
The manager is hoping Carroll can notch his first goal for the club at his
old stomping ground, while he also suggested that Nolan could force his way
into the senior England squad if he maintains his own impressive scoring
record.
Sam, do you have any team news ahead of Sunday's game?
SA - "Our team news is that we're waiting patiently for James Tomkins and
James Collins who are two key players for this weekend. We hope at least one
of them will pass a fitness test, which will probably happen on Saturday.
Guy Demel has been back in training this week and will join the squad. Other
than that, we're not too bad. We obviously have other players out injured
but those are the two key players [Tomkins and Collins] because it would
leave us with only Winston Reid as a central defender. We hope one of those
two will be fit, or both of them."
West Ham United have a tough-looking run of fixtures between now and
Christmas. What would be an acceptable points tally and league position at
the end of the next eight games?
SA - "I wouldn't say that I could predict that we could get this or that
many points. It's a case of trying to collect points from each game as it
comes. Obviously, to win a lot of those games will be more difficult because
of the size of the teams we face. Last weekend, people certainly didn't
expect us to win, but many didn't expect us to get a draw against Manchester
City but we did. That's what we're looking for - results rather than
victories in terms of the teams we're playing against. If we can get any
wins from this group of fixtures, then that's a massive bonus for us.
Everyone will look at Stoke or West Brom rather than Chelsea or Manchester
United as being where we might get those wins, but it might not work out
like that. As long as we can keep accumulating points, then that's the most
important thing."
You go back to Newcastle United on Sunday. Is there still an extra edge to
this fixture for you?
SA - "No, not for me. Those days are long gone. They happened when I got the
Blackburn job and Newcastle came to Blackburn. After that they got
relegated, so I didn't meet them again until we [Blackburn] went up to
Newcastle and played them. Next time we met them, I got sacked by Blackburn!
It's all gone. There has been a lot of water under the bridge since then.
It's far more important for Kevin and Andy than it is for me. Life moves on.
I don't live in the past. I can only look to the future as best I can. It's
a piece of history in my career that didn't quite work out as well as I'd
liked it to. For me, it wasn't me getting bad results at Newcastle - it was
a change of ownership and a decision made at the time that they wanted their
own man in. I accepted that at the time and since that time has drifted by,
I have no animosity towards Newcastle United at all."
What sort of reception are you expecting at St James' Park?
SA - "I had a pretty good reception last time I went back with Blackburn -
probably not at the end of the game because we won the game 2-1 if I
remember correctly! It's more important for Kevin and Andy to go and give a
good performance. Those two players served Newcastle superbly before they
left. They were absolutely outstanding for that club and they will obviously
want to do very, very well."
Andy Carroll is still looking for his first goal for the club. Are you
worried? Is Andy worried?
SA - "I don't think he is worried. I hope he's not because the more he is,
the less likely he is to get that goal that he's looking for. I'm certainly
not overly concerned. We'd all like him to get off the mark but, as every
player will tell you, our main aim is to achieve results. If you're getting
results and your main striker is scoring goals, then that's fantastic, but
if they're not then as long as you're getting the results then that is the
most important thing."
Everton's Leon Osman has received his first senior England call-up at the
age of 31. Is there a case that Kevin Nolan should also earn a place in Roy
Hodgson's squad?
SA - "If Kevin keeps scoring goals from midfield, who knows? He should be on
five goals from ten games after last weekend, but the assistant referee took
it away from him. It was a brilliant piece of technique. If you're
consistently scoring goals in the Barclays Premier League then you can't
ignore it. I don't think you can, anyway. I think anyone should think they
have got a chance of a call-up if they are playing well in this league.
Osman has been outstanding for Everton this year, as Kevin has been for us.
If he keeps scoring more goals, then you never know."
How do you assess your opening ten Barclays Premier League games?
SA - "Our first ten games have been excellent. There have only been two
blips out of ten, which for a newly-promoted side [is good]. Those were the
two poor away performances at Swansea and Wigan. The rest of our
performances have been up there. The only other disappointment was the last
ten minutes against Arsenal when they clinched the victory. Everything else
has been fine. We were a little frustrated that we didn't beat Sunderland
down here because we produced an outstanding performance. Other than that,
things have been OK."
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Hammers down Gunners
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Development Squad beat Arsenal 2-1 on Friday to stay top of
the table
09.11.2012
West Ham United Development Squad took a giant stride towards the Barclays
U21 Premier League Elite Group Stage by winning 2-1 at Arsenal on Friday.
Goals at either end of the second half from Rob Hall and Paul McCallum
(pictured) helped the Hammers to complete a Group 1 double over the Gunners,
stretching their lead at the top of the table to five points. With three
matches remaining, Ian Hendon's side are nine points ahead of third-place
Norwich City, who have a game in-hand. One more victory should secure a
place in the post-Christmas Elite Group Stage, where West Ham could come up
against the likes of Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United
and Liverpool.
Hendon said: "It was almost a mirror-image of the first-team match in the
Barclays Premier League in that they had plenty of possession and we looked
to hit them on the counter-attack. Thankfully, we were able to hold out
after they equalised and we got the win at the end. "We scored our goals at
good times - just after half-time and with a few minutes to go. We should
also have had a penalty when Blair Turgott was brought down in the box.
We've beaten Arsenal home and away now, which is a great achievement at any
level. "We are virtually assured of our place in the Elite Group Stage now,
which makes me feel very proud. Arsenal have to play Norwich, so they can't
both catch us now unless we lose our final three matches and I certainly
don't plan on us doing that!"
Focusing on Friday's fine win, the Hammers produced yet another resilient
performance to chalk up their fourth away victory in six matches this
season.
West Ham started the game well, hitting the post after just five minutes
when centre-back Eoin Wearen headed Blair Turgott's free-kick against the
upright. Irishman Wearen was later forced off with a knee injury midway
through the opening period, with Pelly Ruddock replacing him. Arsenal came
back into things as the half wore on, but wasteful finishing from Chuba
Akpom and Kris Olsson meant the match remained goalless. It took just a few
seconds of the second period for that to change, however, as Hall took the
ball from the kick-off and slalomed his way through the Gunners before
planting his shot past Poland international goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and
into the net to put the visitors in front.
Unsurprisingly, the Gunners reacted to falling behind by putting pressure on
their opponents. Akpom and Thomas Eisfled both forced Raphael Spiegel into
making smart saves, but the Switzerland Under-20 goalkeeper could do nothing
to stop Serge Gnabry from levelling matters with 12 minutes remaining.
It looked as if both sides would have to settle for a draw as the game
entered its final stages, particularly when Hall's free-kick curled narrowly
wide of the post.
The England Under-19 forward was replaced seconds later and it was his
replacement, midfielder Jack Powell, whose own set piece led to the winner.
Powell's corner was met by Sebastian Lletget, whose shot was deflected onto
the crossbar. McCallum reacted quickest to convert his fifth goal of the
season. West Ham played out time to record their eighth victory in eleven
attempts this term. Hendon's side have 25 points, with second-place Arsenal
on 20, Norwich on 16 and Reading on 15. A top-two finish would definitely
take the Hammers through to the Elite Group Stage, while they should also
qualify as one of the two best third-place teams, regardless of how their
final three fixtures pan out.
The Development Squad return to action next Friday evening at 7pm, when West
Bromwich Albion are the visitors to Rush Green.
*West Ham United's youth team host Arsenal in Barclays U18 Premier League
Group 1 on Saturday morning. Kick-off at Little Heath is at 11am, with
parking
and admission both free of charge.
Development Squad: Spiegel, Driver, Wearen (Ruddock 25), Potts, Shaw,
Turgott, Moncur, Lletget, Fanimo, Hall (Powell 86), McCallum
Subs not used: Guzman Rosique, Piquionne, E.Lee
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Vice-Chairman scoops top award
WHUFC.com
Karren Brady has been named fcbusiness Magazine CEO of the Year
09.11.2012
Everyone at West Ham United would like to congratulate Vice-Chairman Karren
Brady on winning the prestigious fcbusiness Magazine CEO of the Year Award
at the Football Business Awards. Karren has overseen a hugely successful
period for the Hammers both on and off the field, making an instant impact
by implementing change that has seen the club's fortunes go from strength to
strength. Karren has brought the club back to its core values, celebrating
West Ham's role at the heart of the east London community through the Moore
than a Football Club brand and has grown the Hammers' fanbase at grassroots
and an international level. Her ability to grow commercial revenue at every
operational level of the business has seen the club record its first
operating profit in recent history.
Karren beat off competition from an acclaimed shortlist to scoop the award,
which recognises the essential role that business plays in football,
following her outstanding contribution to the club's fortunes in 2012.
Karren, who collected her award at the event at Stamford Bridge on Thursday,
said: "I am proud to accept this award on behalf of West Ham United and
particularly my dedicated and supportive Chairmen David Sullivan, David Gold
and our fantastic loyal fanbase. West Ham United is a truly special club and
I feel privileged to be here. We've made real progress in our three year
tenure but there is more work to be done. The best is yet to come for West
Ham."
The club are relishing life back in the Barclays Premier League, having made
their best start to a top-flight campaign this millennium. Brady's close
working relationship with her fellow Board members and manager Sam Allardyce
helped to secure the marquee loan signing of Andy Carroll, the most
expensive English footballer in history, on a season-long loan deal from
Liverpool. The England international's arrival complemented the other
high-profile signings the Hammers made during the summer, including
record-signing Matt Jarvis, Senegal international Momo Diame and former
France captain Alou Diarra, among others. West Ham fans have shown their
appreciation for the positive progress on the pitch - the last three home
games have been complete sell-outs with the next five matches predicted to
follow suit.
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'We're passing and moving'
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's style of play is proving popular with striker Andy Carroll
09.11.2012
As a top-class England international, Andy Carroll is comfortable playing in
any formation. Speaking ahead of Saturday's Barclays Premier League trip to
his first club Newcastle United, West Ham United's No8 revealed that he is
loving life in Sam Allardyce's successful 4-3-3 system, where his
outstanding talent and impressive physical attributes make him an
influential figure. Carroll's all-round skills mean he is as comfortable
receiving a pass to feet as he is challenging for a cross with his head. The
striker believes Big Sam is utilising him perfectly, pointing to West Ham's
strong start to the season as evidence that the tactics are working well.
"Everyone talks about Big Sam's style being 'just launching it up' but you
can see that it's not like that," Carroll told West Ham TV. during Part 1 of
an exclusive interview that is available to view now. "We pass it into feet
and pass it around and I have the ball at my feet enough to show what I'm
all about.
"I obviously have Kev around to help us with a couple of one-twos and
holding the ball up so I think that's what we're all about - it's not just
about throwing the ball up and getting around what I am going to do. "We're
passing and moving and I think we're playing great at the minute."
Carroll's strengths were there for all to see during Saturday's goalless
draw with Barclays Premier League champions Manchester City. The 23-year-old
caused untold problems for Vincent Kompany and Matija Nastasic, coming
agonisingly close to netting his first goal in claret and blue when he saw
one shot curl narrowly wide and an overhead kick deflected just past the
post. "I think it was a good game for me. I was involved a lot and had a few
chances and we had the chance to nick the game. Kev's goal being disallowed
was disappointing, but we played well and I thought I put myself about.
"Against Wigan we didn't really do much and it was disappointing, but City
was a good game for me like the Fulham game. "It was tough and was always
going to be against players like Kompany. Like I said, we played well and
had our chances and could have probably nicked it."
It is no coincidence that Carroll's good form has resulted from him being
reunited with close friend and former Newcastle United team-mate Kevin
Nolan. The pair, who attended The Bodyguard musical with their respective
partners in the West End on Wednesday evening, have been best pals since
Nolan joined the Magpies in 2009. Carroll was naturally delighted when the
duo joined forces again when he moved to east London in August. When asked
why a 30-year-old from Liverpool and a 23-year-old from Newcastle upon Tyne
get on so well, Carroll explained that they share similar interests and an
identical sense of humour. However, he pointed out that Nolan was not so
friendly before he had broken into the Newcastle first team! "I think we got
closer when I started scoring goals and he thought he could be my mate then!
He wanted to be my friend then, but before when I was sitting on the bench
he didn't want to know us!
"We very rarely talk about football or music, to be honest. It's usually
either me having a pop at him or him having a pop at me, or we're having a
pop at someone! That's just what it is - banter! "It doesn't really matter
what anyone says to us, we just look at each other and say the same thing
back at them."
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Newcastle v West Ham
KO 15:00
BBC.co.uk
9 November 2012
By John Murray
BBC Match of the Day commentator
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: St James' Park Date: Sunday, 11 November
TEAM NEWS
Newcastle are without Fabricio Coloccini and Cheick Tiote, who are
respectively serving the first and final games of their three-match bans.
James Perch (thigh) is out and Danny Simpson (shoulder) a doubt, but Demba
Ba (shin) should return.
West Ham also have defensive worries as James Collins and James Tomkins
require fitness tests for unspecified injuries. Guy Demel may play after
overcoming a hernia problem but Ricardo Vaz Te, Jack Collison and Matthew
Taylor are out.
MATCH PREVIEW
It seems only five minutes since Andy Carroll was proudly wearing the number
nine on the back of his black and white striped shirt as he dominated
defences and banged in goals for Newcastle United. It is just five months
since he was brilliantly heading England in front against Sweden at Euro
2012. Now he returns to Tyneside as West Ham's on-loan number eight, not
having scored in a competitive match since that group game in Kiev.
Alan Pardew could be forgiven if he gives off the air of a man who has now
moved on to bigger and better things since he was let go by West Ham almost
six years ago. Sam Allardyce will probably always feel like he was never
given a proper chance by the Mapgies, his services having been dispensed
with after only eight months into the job at St James' Park.
This may not be the worst time for Allardyce, Kevin Nolan et al to return.
As I was commentating on Newcastle's match at Anfield for Radio 5 live last
Sunday we remarked on what a costly afternoon that had been for them. Demba
Ba ought to be fit to play against his former team-mates, but James Perch is
out, as is their captain Fabricio Coloccini following his late dismissal.
Add to that Cheik Tiote's continued absence as he completes his domestic
suspension following his red card at Sunderland last month. At least Yohan
Cabaye was able to play a part for Newcastle in Belgium in the Europa League
on Thursday night, having been another to limp off on Merseyside. Thus far,
Newcastle have coped with the demands of their added European commitments
relatively well. Their only defeats this season have been to Chelsea and
Manchester United.
But with those absentees and the fact that Andy Carroll will surely be
something of a man on a mission, Newcastle could have quite a challenge on
their hands in this one.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
West Ham have failed to win any of their last nine visits to Newcastle.
Their last victory at St James' Park was in October 1998.
Sam Allardyce's reign at Newcastle may not have been a happy one but his
side did beat the Hammers on the only occasion they met under him - a 3-1
win in September 2007.
Newcastle
Newcastle have lost only one of their last eight league games, a 3-0 home
defeat by Manchester United.
The Magpies are eight points down on this stage last season, when they sat
third in the league table.
Alan Pardew's men are unbeaten when scoring first this season, but are yet
to win after conceding the opening goal.
It's over two years since the Magpies came from behind to win a league game
- a 2-1 victory at West Ham in October 2010. Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan,
now both with the Hammers, scored the goals that day.
Alan Pardew was West Ham manager from 2003 to 2006. He led the club to
promotion to the Premier League in 2004-05 and they were FA Cup runners up
in 2006.
West Ham
West Ham are yet to win outside London so far this season. Their only away
triumph to date came across the capital at QPR.
The Hammers have failed to win in their last four Premier League visits to
the north-east, losing each of the last two without scoring.
Sam Allardyce's men have not scored in the first half of their last three
league matches, and in six of their 10 first halves in total this season.
Andy Carroll scored 31 goals in 78 league appearances for Newcastle from
2006 to 2011, while Kevin Nolan made 85 league appearances (29 goals) for
Newcastle between 2009 to 2011.
Sam Allardyce won eight of 24 matches as Newcastle manager from May 2007 to
January 2008.
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Alan Pardew: I want Andy Carroll back at Newcastle
BBC.co.uk
Alan Pardew wants to bring Andy Carroll back to Newcastle when his West Ham
loan expires. Carroll, 23, is on loan with the Hammers - who visit St James'
Park on Sunday - until the end of the season. But Magpies manager Pardew is
keen to re-sign him having sold the striker to Liverpool for £35m in January
2011. "He's a Liverpool player and not wanted so at some point he's going to
move permanently," said Pardew. "I'd like to think we'll be in the mix for
that."
England striker Carroll scored 31 goals in 80 league appearances for
Newcastle before moving to Anfield. He returns to St James' Park along with
former Magpies team-mate Kevin Nolan.
And Pardew told BBC Sport he would also re-sign midfielder Nolan, who joined
West Ham from Newcastle in June 2011, if he could afford to. Former West Ham
boss Pardew said: "Big Andy hopefully one day will want to come back and
certainly I'd like to have them both in my squad now because we would be
stronger for it. "But obviously finances restrict me from doing that."
Pardew believes Newcastle owe Carroll a "great debt" for generating £35m for
the club when he joined Liverpool. The Newcastle manager says the cash
enabled the Magpies to finish fifth last season and qualify for the Europa
League. "The fee was astronomical, we have used it well," he added.
Newcastle have signed Papiss Cisse from Freiburg for £9m, Yohan Cabaye from
Lille for £4.8m and Demba Ba from West Ham on a free since Carroll left the
north east almost two years ago. "The position we are in, if I'm honest, is
because we used the money from Andy's sale well," said Pardew. "He was a
brilliant player for us and we owe a great debt to him."
Meanwhile, West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says he has moved on from his
turbulent time as Newcastle boss as he prepares to return with the Hammers
on Sunday. Allardyce was sacked by Newcastle almost five years ago. "There
has been a lot of water under the bridge since then," said Allardyce. "Life
moves on, I don't live in the past. I can only look to the future as best I
can."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Newcastle trip does not have extra edge for West Ham boss Sam Allardyce
Last Updated: November 9, 2012 4:58pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says he bears no grudges as he prepares to
take his side to Newcastle on Sunday. Allardyce was sacked by the Magpies
almost five years ago and he insists he has already banished the memories of
his dismissal after returning to St James' Park during his spell in charge
of Blackburn. Asked whether the Newcastle game carried an extra edge,
Allardyce said: "No, not for me. Those days are long gone. "They happened
when I got the Blackburn job and Newcastle came to Blackburn. After that
they got relegated, so I didn't meet them again until we went up to
Newcastle and played them.
"There has been a lot of water under the bridge since then. Life moves on, I
don't live in the past. I can only look to the future as best I can. "It's a
piece of history in my career that didn't quite work out as well as I'd
liked it to."
Following last weekend's 0-0 draw at home to Manchester City,West Ham sit
ninth in the Premier League table, one point and one place above Newcastle,
after embarking on a tough run of fixtures. Allardyce said: "We're looking
for results rather than victories in terms of the teams we're playing
against. If we can get any wins from this group of fixtures, then that's a
massive bonus for us. "Everyone will look at Stoke or West Brom rather than
Chelseaor Manchester United as being where we might get those wins, but it
might not work out like that. "As long as we can keep accumulating points,
then that's the most important thing."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew wants to bring striker Andy Carroll back to St
James' Park
Last Updated: November 9, 2012 7:29pm
SSN
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has expressed a desire to bring striker Andy
Carroll back to St James' Park. The 23-year-old scored 31 goals in 80 league
games for the Magpies before moving to Liverpool for £35m in January last
year. Carroll's future remains uncertain, but for now will be preparing for
a mixed reception on Sunday from the Newcastle fans as he returns to his old
home in a West Ham shirt. Speaking about his former player, currently on
loan at Upton Park until the end of the season, Pardew told the BBC: "He's a
Liverpool player and not wanted so at some point he's going to move
permanently. "I'd like to think we'll be in the mix for that."
Speaking about Carroll and midfielder Kevin Nolan, who joined West Ham from
Newcastle in June 2011, Pardew said: "Big Andy hopefully one day will want
to come back and certainly I'd like to have them both in my squad now
because we would be stronger for it. "But obviously finances restrict me
from doing that."
The Magpies have certainly not been hindered by Carroll's exit 22 months
ago, currently 10th in the Premier League, with Senegal duo Demba Ba and
Papiss Cisse impressing up front. Pardew has been rewarded for reinvesting
some of the £35m received for Carroll and added: "The position we are in, if
I'm honest, is because we used the money from Andy's sale well. "He was a
brilliant player for us and we owe a great debt to him."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Carroll prepares to line up for West Ham against former club Newcastle
Last Updated: November 9, 2012 12:39pm
SSN
Newcastle welcome Sam Allardyce, Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan back to
Tyneside when West Ham are the visitors on Sunday. The Magpies will be
looking to put one over on these familiar faces as they can leapfrog the
Hammers with a win at St James' Park. Alan Pardew's side have every reason
to be confident ahead of the clash, having been beaten just three times - by
Manchester United (twice) and Chelsea - so far this season. But Newcastle
have endured the trickier build-up with a trip to Bruges in the Europa
League on Thursday and will be without the suspended duo of Cheick Tiote and
Fabricio Coloccini. That will encourage Allardyce that there is hope of a
win here and he'll be aiming to build on the positives from a steely display
against Premier League champions Manchester City last time out.
West Ham earned a goalless draw on that occasion and the manager may feel a
point would be a good result for a club that has won just three of their
last 41 Premier League away games. Whether Carroll and Nolan would be quite
so happy to go goalless against their old club is another matter.
Newcastle
Last 6
2-2
1-1
2-1
1-0
1-1
0-3
The Magpies must do without Cheick Tiote and skipper Fabricio Coloccini who
are both serving suspensions for red cards. James Perch is also out and
Danny Simpson remains a doubt so Alan Pardew is short of options at the
back. But he will be able to call on Jonas Gutierrez, Demba Ba and Hatem Ben
Arfa who were all rested for the trip to Bruges in midweek.
West Ham
Last 6
0-0
2-1
4-1
1-3
1-2
1-4
There are problems at the heart of the Hammers defence with James Collins
and James Tomkins both facing late fitness tests to conform their
availability.
If both are unfit then the visitors will be forced into a reshuffle with
Winston Reid the only fit centre-back. There is better news for right-back
Guy Demel who has returned to training following a hernia problem but Jack
Collison (knee), Matthew Taylor (calf) and Ricardo Vaz Te (shoulder) remain
out.
Opta Facts
Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan have played in this fixture twice (both for
Newcastle), netting on both occasions.
Sam Allardyce has won his last four matches as a Premier League coach
against Newcastle, including the two games since they fired him in January
2008.
West Ham have only won three of their last 41 Premier League games away from
Upton Park, with two of those wins coming against fellow London sides.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
lan Pardew says sale of Andy Carroll has paved way for Newcastle's success
Last Updated: November 9, 2012 6:26pm
SSN
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew is looking forward to welcoming Andy Carroll
back to St James' Park. The 23-year-old striker will return to Tyneside,
along with former Magpies team-mate Kevin Nolan, as part of the West Ham
squad for Sunday's Premier League game. Carroll is on loan at Upton Park
after Liverpool allowed him to move on, but Pardew believes his £35m move to
Anfield in January 2011 has paved the way for Newcastle's recent success. He
said: "The position we are in, if I'm honest, is because we used the money
from Andy's sale well. "He was a brilliant player for us, but the fee was
astronomical. We have used it well and we owe a great debt to him. "It's
nice to see Kevin come back. He did a super job here. Whatever he was asked
to do, he conducted himself well. And he gets a goal. He has proven that at
any level, he will get a goal. "I'm looking forward to seeing them both and
I enjoyed working with them.
"There will be a lot on the game. Kevin will be determined to get a result,
as will Andy and the manager coming back."
The likes of Yohan Cabaye, Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse have been recruited
since Carroll and 30-year-old Nolan left the club and, while Pardew is well
aware of the pair's individual talents, he has no complaints over his lot
after guiding the club to a fifth-placed finish in the Premier League last
season and back into Europe. He said: "Both of those players would be good
additions to this squad, but players have to move on for the sake of the
team. That's the Andy Carroll one. "Kevin was a bit different, he wanted a
long contract we wouldn't commit to, but he got one at West Ham. "He
deserves it because he is a great player, but the board didn't think the
long contract for Kevin was something he would get here."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham striker Andy Carroll is looking forward to his return to Newcastle
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated:
November 9, 2012 9:13am
SSN
West Ham United loanee Andy Carroll admits he is looking forward to
returning to former club Newcastle this weekend. The former Newcastle No.9
striker was jeered by home fans when he played at St James' Park with parent
club Liverpool last season on his first return to the club after leaving
Tyneside for Anfield in January 2011. Carroll is expecting another hostile
reception and he insists he is keen to get a win after losing with Liverpool
last season. "I am looking forward to going home," said Carroll. "I went
back with Liverpool and I got a few boos and a bit of stick but it was all
good. "I want to go back now and hopefully win this time because last time I
went we were beaten."
Carroll's West Ham team-mate Kevin Nolan, who is also coming up against his
former club, hopes the big striker is shown some respect from the Newcastle
fans. "Andy might not get the best reception because I know he has been back
there and got a bit of stick," said Nolan. "I am hoping that Andy gets
respect, as they know what efforts he put in when playing for Newcastle and
helping them to be where they are today. "I won't speak to him specifically
about it before the game - he is a big character. "We both had some
fantastic times up there. Now 50,000 people are going to want to boo us. But
if we went out in the evening they would probably still want pictures."
First goal
Carroll has failed to score in all six of his games for the Hammers since
joining them on a season-long loan from Liverpool in August and Nolan hopes
he can break his duck against Newcastle. "Is Andy anxious? You have got to
be joking," added Nolan. "But we are all hoping that the first goal he
scores for us is on Sunday. "We want him to get off the mark and hopefully
win the game for us and break a few hearts."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
My wife told me to quit..
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: 09th November 2012
SAM ALLARDYCE'S wife begged him to quit football after he was sacked by
Newcastle. Big Sam revealed the personal pain behind his axing by new owner
Mike Ashley eight months after taking over at Toon. He returns to St James'
Park tomorrow as West Ham boss insisting there is no animosity. But there is
still plenty of frustration for him and his missus, Lynne, more than four
years later. Allardyce said: "It was the hardest sacking to take because I
thought that job was THE right one. "I thought it was the next step, a big
club, big fan base, big budgets. And unfortunately I never saw any of that.
"The issue is your professionalism has been questioned, your ability to do
this particular job has been questioned. "It's the damage to your career
that you've spent years and years and years putting together. The only
reason cited to me was they wanted to move in their own direction because I
wasn't the man that was selected by them, I was already there. "At the end
of the day you have to accept that and move on. "I felt terribly low. My
wife said 'for God's sake you're better off out of it, is it worth it?'
"They go through more stress and pressure than you because they sit and
watch you go through it all and see what no one else sees. That's why she
said what she did. "But she also understands I am a football man and even in
the tough times I need to do this job, it's a drug. "I shook hands with Mike
when I went back with Blackburn. "He has worked it out — how to run a
football club — and he is getting Newcastle to be what I wanted them to be,
a team pushing for Europe and the Champions League."
At 58 Allardyce has done well to be sacked only three times as a manager —
by Blackpool, Newcastle and most recently Blackburn. After leaving Ewood
Park last year he took time out to travel the world and returned to the game
a wiser man. Tomorrow's clash throws up a complex web of connections between
the clubs. Toon boss Alan Pardew managed West Ham out of the Championship in
2005 — as Big Sam did last season. Newcastle striker Demba Ba made his name
at Upton Park before quitting, having been assaulted by a fan at the
end-of-season party following relegation. And West Ham will be led from the
front by ex-Newcastle pair Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll. Carroll was left
out of the England squad for Wednesday's friendly in Sweden but Allardyce
reckons Nolan should be a contender for inclusion. He said: "Kevin's got
four Premier League goals and at 29 is showing what he can still produce.
"If you're scoring goals consistently in the Premier League then you can't
be ignored. "Going back to Newcastle is water under the bridge for me. I
think it's more important for Kevin and Andy."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
I don't hate Toon for axing me
The Sun
Published: 09th November 2012
SAM ALLARDYCE insists he holds no grudges against Newcastle despite being
sacked from the Toon hotseat. Big Sam takes West Ham to St James' Park on
Sunday knowing a win would pull the Hammers four points clear of the club he
was axed from nearly five years ago. Allardyce has since been back to the
North East as Blackburn manager and has already banished the memories of
Mike Ashley's decision, taken just months after he took over the club. Asked
whether the Newcastle game carried an extra edge, Allardyce said: "No, not
for me. Those days are long gone. "They happened when I got the Blackburn
job and Newcastle came to Blackburn. After that they got relegated, so I
didn't meet them again until we went up to Newcastle and played them. "There
has been a lot of water under the bridge since then. Life moves on, I don't
live in the past. I can only look to the future as best I can. "It's a piece
of history in my career that didn't quite work out as well as I'd liked it
to. "For me, it wasn't me getting bad results at Newcastle — it was a change
of ownership and a decision made at the time that they wanted their own man
in. "I accepted that at the time and since that time has drifted by, I have
no animosity towards Newcastle United at all."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Toon tirade awaits Andy Carroll again
By CARL LONG
Published: 09th November 2012
The Sun
ANDY CARROLL is desperate to erase the memory of his nightmare return to
Newcastle. The former Toon hero was jeered before being hauled off in his
first return with parent club Liverpool last season. Carroll stormed down
the tunnel just moments after he was booked following a dive that saw him
confronted by former team-mate Tim Krul in April's 2-0 defeat. Now the
£35million hitman returns as a West Ham player on Sunday expecting another
red-hot reception — but bidding for a different outcome. England ace
Carroll, 23, said: "I am looking forward to going home. "I went back with
Liverpool and I got a few boos and a bit of stick but it was all good. "I
want to go back now and hopefully win this time because last time I went we
were beaten."
Gateshead-born Carroll faces a rough ride from the fans who have not
forgiven him for forcing through a deadline-day move to Anfield in January
2011. But Hammers skipper Kevin Nolan hopes the Geordie boo-boys now show
Carroll some "respect". Nolan, also a former Magpies favourite, said: "Andy
might not get the best reception because I know he has been back there and
got a bit of stick. "I am hoping that Andy gets respect, as they know what
efforts he put in when playing for Newcastle and helping them to be where
they are today. "I won't speak to him specifically about it before the game
— he is a big character. "We both had some fantastic times up there. "Now
50,000 people are going to want to boo us. But if we went out in the evening
they would probably still want pictures." Carroll is still waiting to break
his West Ham duck and has now gone over seven hours since scoring for his
new club. But midfielder Nolan, 30, added: "Is Andy anxious? You have got to
be joking. "But we are all hoping that the first goal he scores for us is on
Sunday. "We want him to get off the mark and hopefully win the game for us
and break a few hearts."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Now it's Moan City
The Sun
By KARREN BRADY
Published: 09th November 2012
SAT NOV 3
THE Legend of Carlos Tevez at West Ham has been written and The Lord himself
could not wipe the tablet clean. I have to admit my view of him will always
be shadowed by the enormous financial burden his transfer dumped on to my
club. On the field it is very different and, of course, he is loved by our
supporters. They will always regard him as an honorary bubble-blower. They
showed their affection today in our goal-less draw with Man City. Tevez
responds with the Hammers salute.
SUN NOV 4
TOP footballers are paid far too much. I think everyone bar the PFA agrees
about that, so sitting with some other PL directors I recommend my own plan
for combating even higher wages. On the back of each player's shirt, instead
of a squad number, he should show the amount he earns in millions annually.
Wayne Rooney could be 13.5 while John Terry would display 9.6 (taking fines
into account). All right, I'm not being really serious but I agree with West
Ham co-owner David Gold that the new TV deals, worth at least £15million
more to each club, must not be swallowed up by ever more ridiculous player
contracts.
MON NOV 5
BEING spiteful about David Beckham is akin to chucking mud pies at Nelson's
Column. Today I see that even as far away from the phenomenon of the
Beckhams as New Zealand, a sly remark about the second best known Englishman
in the world is threatening the career of Prime Minister John Key. He is
alleged to have muttered that Becks is "as thick as bat s***". Among the
many angry protests over there is one, I imagine, from the pro-bat society,
Vampires R Us, who are demanding either free time at his jugular or a
retraction.
TUES NOV 6
ROBERTO MANCINI behaves more decisively than one or two of his defenders up
at the Etihad Stadium. He strides on to the pitch to complain to referee
Peter Rasmussen about a late ruling that just about scuppers Manchester
City's Champions League dream for another season. What on earth is he doing
there? Rasmussen is not able to change his mind, even if he wishes to. So it
is a senseless whine in what amounts to a pathetic campaign. Mancini was
boasting last week that seven or eight clubs approached him just before he
signed a new five-year contract with City. I'm not impressed by that,
either.
WED NOV 7
TONIGHT'S the night all right for old rocker Rod Stewart. The veteran singer
is shown on TV sobbing in the arms of a friend — but the biggest surprise is
that it was not a leggy blonde but a bald male mate. Stewart has never been
slow to claim Celtic are the greatest club in the universe and, God bless
them, they go a little way to proving it by beating Barcelona in a Glasgow
classic. I can put up with plenty of Scottish bombast so long as they don't
play the bagpipes. Note, though, that even Lionel Messi seems unable to stop
Barca fraying at the edges.
THURS NOV 8
TONIGHT I am at Chelsea for a star-studded event picking up the 2012
Football CEO of the Year award. Next year will be my 20th in football and, I
have to say, in a room of 500 people (90 per cent male) I was extremely
proud to accept the award on behalf of my loyal and fantastic staff but, in
particular, my dedicated and supportive chairmen David Sullivan and David
Gold. West Ham is a truly special club and I feel privileged to be guiding
its future. I get a lot of texts of congratulations from across the clubs in
football. Even one from my pal at Arsenal, which was kind bearing in mind
one of the other contenders up for the award was their CEO Ivan Gazidis, who
I respect very much.
FRI NOV 9
I'M broad-minded — in my industry you have to be. But what I witnessed
tonight would scare Clare Balding rigid! I have a flat in London. Over the
years, so many people have had keys, I've lost track of the comings and
goings. Until tonight. It's 1am, I've been filming all day. I'm back at the
flat and, as I open the door, I realise I've led a very sheltered life.
Whilst their sports and physical attributes are very different, my uninvited
guests certainly share the same mindset.
Before making my excuses and exiting to my own room, I warn them that if
they are staying in town after the Sports Personality of the Year Award
night, they'll have to find another venue!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Payback Tyne? Allardyce, Carroll and Nolan still angry at being kicked out
of Toon
The Mirror
9 Nov 2012 22:30
Richard Heathcote
Sam Allardyce has claimed his Newcastle sacking hit him so hard his wife
urged him to give up football. And the West Ham boss insisted Andy Carroll
and Kevin Nolan never wanted to leave St James' Park either. The trio of
ex-Toon stars return to the north-east together tomorrow with the happy
Hammers sitting above Newcastle in the Premier League table. Allardyce won
both matches against them in his next job with Blackburn and insisted he
feels "no animosity" towards Newcastle or Mike Ashley. He even said the Toon
owner has now "worked out" how to run a club by giving Alan Pardew an
eight-year contract. But the 58-year-old, who boasts his skin is as thick as
a rhino and an elephant, is clearly still scarred by his dismissal after
only 21 Premier League games in January 2008. "You are always upset when you
lose your job - it is a very distressing time for you and your family," he
said. "It was the hardest one to take because I thought the job was the
right one. I thought it was the next step, a big club, big fanbase, big
budgets. And unfortunately I never saw any of that. So it happened, I left
and I moved on. "People start saying, 'He'll be all right, he's got that
much money'. But that is not the issue. "The issue is your professionalism
has been questioned, your ability to do this particular job has been
questioned. "It's the damage to your career you've spent years and years and
years putting together and accumulating and proving that you are a quality
manager. "I felt terribly low. It was about six or seven months that I
thought about even thinking about another job. "My wife (Lynn) said I should
give up. She said: 'For God's sake, 'you're better off out of it, is it
worth it?' "The thing is they go through more stress and pressure than you
because they sit and watch you go through it all. But she understands what I
am, a football man and even in the tough times I need to do this job, it's a
drug. I don't manage for money I manage for glory."
Allardyce conceded his sacking cost him the chance of becoming England
manager. "It's about timing, being in the right place at the right time and
bit of luck," he said. "Look at Roberto di Matteo at Chelsea." Nolan and
Carroll have both played for Newcastle against West Ham twice - and both
have scored in each game. The Hammers captain has found the net four times
already this season while the on-loan England striker is looking for his
first. St James' Park would be a good place to get off the mark. "This game
is far more important for Kevin and Andy than it is for me," Allardyce
insisted. "Those two players served Newcastle brilliantly before they left
and they will want to do very, very well. I have no idea what kind of
reception they will get. I suppose it is up to the Newcastle fans whether
they appreciate what they did for Newcastle. I don't suppose either of them
really wanted to leave. There were circumstances that they had to leave but
not because they wanted to."
Ashley sacked Allardyce in his first season as owner and brought back Kevin
Keegan during an unstable start to his Newcastle reign. Now the sports
tycoon has given Pardew the backing to plan for the long term. "He has
worked it out - how to run a football club - and is getting Newcastle to be
what I wanted them to be - a team pushing for Europe and the Champions
League," Allardyce claimed. "Mike learns pretty quickly. When I was there it
was all brand new to him. As he has moved on, he come up trumps. "Giving
Alan Pardew an eight-year contract shows he wants him to continue to do the
job but it also says that Mike Ashley is committed to Newcastle when a while
back it looked like he would sell it. Now it's a long-term thing."
Meanwhile, Alan Pardew still "hoping" Carroll will sign for the club again.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Am I bovvered? Newcastle return means more to Carroll and Nolan than me,
insists Sam Allardyce
The Mirror
9 Nov 2012 12:30
Sam Allardyce has claimed returning to Newcastle on Sunday means more to
Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll than to him. The West Ham boss was sacked by
Toon in January 2008 after only 21 Premier League games in charge. And both
crowd favourite players were later sold on - with the England striker
arriving on loan from Liverpool in August. Nolan arrived in the summer of
2011 to help West Ham regain promotion - and his four goals this season have
helped the Irons climb above Newcastle in the Premier League table.
Allardyce, who won both matches against Newcastle with Blackburn after his
dismissal, insisted: "There is no extra edge going back for me. "Those days
for me have long gone. Since then, time has drifted by and I have no
animosity towards Newcastle United at all.
"I played them when I got the Blackburn job and Newcastle came to Blackburn.
And after that, of course, they got relegated and I didn't meet them again
until the year after when we went up to Newcastle and played then for
Blackburn. "The next time they came back I had been sacked. It is all gone.
There has been a lot of water under the bridge since then. Obviously it is
far more important for Kevin and Andy than it is for me. Those two players
served Newcastle brilliantly before they left. Two outstanding players for
their club. And they will obviously want to do very, very well. "I suppose
it is up to the Newcastle fans whether they appreciate what they did for
Newcastle before they left. I don't suppose either of them really wanted to
leave. The circumstances were that they had to leave - but not because they
wanted to." West Ham will give fitness tests to centre-backs James Tompkins
and James Collins tomorrow.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Saturday, November 10
Friday, November 9
Daily WHUFC News - 5th November 2012
Carroll axed
KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 8th November 2012
By: Staff Writer
Andy Carroll has been omitted from the England squad to face Sweden in
a friendly next week.
Roy Hodgson has named a 23-man squad for the trip to Stockholm next
week but Carroll, who is yet to score for West Ham since moving to the
Boleyn on a season-long loan, has not been included.
Instead, Hodgson has taken the reasonably unusual step of naming just
three strikers in his squad - Manchester United's Wayne Rooney and
Danny Welbeck plus Chelsea's Daniel Sturridge.
The in-form Mark Noble, who was watched by Hodgson in Saturday's
goalless draw with Manchester City has once again been overlooked in
favour of the likes of Leon Osman (Everton), Raheem Sterling and Jonjo
Shelvey (both Liverpool).
Full England squad
Goalkeepers
Fraser Forster (Celtic), Joe Hart (Manchester City), John Ruddy (Norwich City).
Defenders
Leighton Baines (Everton), Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea), Gary Cahill
(Chelsea), Steven Caulker (Tottenham Hotspur), Phil Jagielka
(Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ryan Shawcross (Stoke City), Kyle
Walker (Tottenham Hotspur).
Midfielders
Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Aaron
Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur), Leon Osman (Everton), Jonjo Shelvey
(Liverpool), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Jack
Wilshere (Arsenal), Ashley Young (Manchester United).
Forwards
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea), Daniel
Welbeck (Manchester United).
________________________________________________________
No England Call Up for Carroll or Noble!
West Ham till I die
By S J Chandos
Andy Carroll has been left out of the England Squad for the
forthcoming friendly game against Sweden. Roy Hodgson has opted to
name only three strikers in this squad, Rooney, Welbeck and Sturridge.
Carroll's absence, along with the likes of Jermaine Defoe, is in all
probability not that significant. He is still likely to be part of
Hodgson's long-term plans.
In other positions, he has selected the likes of Osman, Shelvey,
Bertrand, Sterling and Caulker; as well as also caling up Arsenal's
Wilshere, who has only just returned from a very long injury lay off.
Yet, even in a squad partially selected to look at other player
options, there is no place for Mark Noble. Even though Noble has been
in absolutely outstanding form this season and put in another
excellent performance, in front of the England Manager, in the recent
0-0 draw with Man City. But it seems that regardless of how well Noble
plays, he is never in the frame for an England international chance.
That is very demoralising for the player, who must be asking himself,
this morning, what more he has got to do to get an call up?
It seems that Noble is suffering international frustration similiar to
that experienced by Scott Parker prior to the 2010 World Cup. it could
even be said to be worst, because at least Parker was called up to the
squad, even if he did not subsequently get selected. Capello was wrong
on Parker and arguably Hodgson is similiarly mistaken on Noble's
credentials. Of course, some observers will question whether Noble
actually has the ability to play for England. Although I do not agree
with it, it is possible that his viewpoint could ultimately turn out
to be correct? However, surely, the point is that the proposition
needs to be tested in order to determine the issue. And arguably this
friendly match was a perfect opportunity to do that. Even if you do
not see Noble as an England International, you do have to ask yourself
is Leon Osman or JoJo Shelvey really more worthy of a call up?
Personally, I do not feel that to be the case.
It is frustrating and unfair, but Noble cannot let it get him down.
All he can do is continue performing well for West Ham and hope that
he gets his chance sooner or later. It eventually happened for Scott
Parker and hopefully Mark Noble will also get the opportunity that is
performances deserve.
___________________________________________________________________
One Pound Fish Man
Internet singing phenomenon Muhammad Shahid Nazir is supporting the Hammers
07.11.2012
Send Print RSS
You might not recognise the name Muhammad Shahid Nazir, but you may
well have heard his voice.
Nazir is better known as the 'One Pound Fish Man' - the Queen's Market
fishmonger whose song to entice customers to his stall has become an
internet sensation.
Footage of the Pakistani-born trader singing has notched up millions
of hits on YouTube, while his 'One Pound Fish' song has been covered
by pop stars Mindless Behaviour and Alesha Dixon.
The 31-year-old father of three, who appeared on the hit ITV programme
X-Factor and sang in front of Simon Cowell, is a familiar face among
West Ham United supporters walking along Green Street to the Boleyn
Ground.
The cricket-loving crooner was also happy to perform a new
Hammers-related version of his song, which is exclusively available to
view now on West Ham TV. For Nazir, it is all a far cry from a year
ago, when he moved to London from Pakistan.
"I'm from Pakistan, where I hail from Pattoki, a town near Lahore
which is well-known for its flower industry. I just came here a year
ago and found this job after two months. I started out by shouting
'One Pound, One Pound' and it was a tough job and gave me a headache.
People don't like it and feel disturbed by it.
"After a couple of days I made up a few lines and started singing. I
thought people might like to hear this. When I started, people said
'Well done' and were happy with the song. People said I had a good
voice and could be a pop star! Now, all in all, I have had more than
seven million hits on YouTube.
"I feel very good and can't believe everyone is singing the song. It's
become famous. People want my autograph and they take photographs as
well as make videos of me. West Ham football supporters often stop
here and tell me they've come to hear me sing as well as watch the
match.
"I'm very happy to be known as 'One Pound Fish Man' because that's how
everybody knows me and it's a sign of my popularity. Everybody comes
up to me and says 'How are you One Pound Fish Man?' so I'm happy to be
called that!"
While his popularity has led to TV appearances and interviews with
media outlets including the BBC, the Guardian and Brit Asia TV, Nazir
has no plans to stop working on the fish stall that has made him
famous.
Indeed, an hour before kick-off in the Hammers' recent 4-1 Barclays
Premier League win over Southampton, he was pushing a barrow around
Queen's Market before stopping to have a chat with West Ham TV.
While he admitted that cricket and Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi are
his first sporting loves, Nazir said he had developed an affinity for
his local football club, even singing an adapted version of his song
that begins: "Come on West Ham today, one pound fish!"
"I will do a special discount for West Ham fans - 99p fish! I don't
know much about football but I am a fan of Rio Ferdinand."
While it will never usurp 'Bubbles' as the anthem of east London, the
'One Pound Fish' song certainly appears to be here to stay!
_____________________________________________________
Toon tirade awaits Andy Carroll again
By CARL LONG
The Sun
ANDY CARROLL is desperate to erase the memory of his nightmare return
to Newcastle.
The former Toon hero was jeered before being hauled off in his first
return with parent club Liverpool last season.
Carroll stormed down the tunnel just moments after he was booked
following a dive that saw him confronted by former team-mate Tim Krul
in April's 2-0 defeat.
Now the £35million hitman returns as a West Ham player on Sunday
expecting another red-hot reception — but bidding for a different
outcome.
England ace Carroll, 23, said: "I am looking forward to going home.
"I went back with Liverpool and I got a few boos and a bit of stick
but it was all good.
"I want to go back now and hopefully win this time because last time I
went we were beaten."
Gateshead-born Carroll faces a rough ride from the fans who have not
forgiven him for forcing through a deadline-day move to Anfield in
January 2011.
But Hammers skipper Kevin Nolan hopes the Geordie boo-boys now show
Carroll some "respect".
Nolan, also a former Magpies favourite, said: "Andy might not get the
best reception because I know he has been back there and got a bit of
stick.
"I am hoping that Andy gets respect, as they know what efforts he put
in when playing for Newcastle and helping them to be where they are
today.
"I won't speak to him specifically about it before the game — he is a
big character.
"We both had some fantastic times up there.
"Now 50,000 people are going to want to boo us. But if we went out in
the evening they would probably still want pictures."
Carroll is still waiting to break his West Ham duck and has now gone
over seven hours since scoring for his new club.
But midfielder Nolan, 30, added: "Is Andy anxious? You have got to be joking.
"But we are all hoping that the first goal he scores for us is on Sunday.
"We want him to get off the mark and hopefully win the game for us and
break a few hearts."
_______________________________________________________________________________
Back in Toon: Andy Carroll hopes for a happier homecoming on Newcastle return
8 Nov 2012 22:30
Mirror
Geordie was booed off the pitch on his last visit with Liverpool but
wants to leave a winner this time
Andy Carroll is desperate to erase the memory over his nightmare
homecoming to Newcastle.
Carroll was jeered before being hauled off in the £35m striker's first
return to Tyneside with Liverpool in August.
Carroll stormed down the tunnel just moments after he was booked
following a dive that saw him confronted by ex-teammate Tim Krul in
the 2-0 defeat.
Now the England star heads back as a West Ham player on Sunday
expecting another red-hot reception - but bidding for a different
outcome.
Carroll, 23, said: "I am looking forward to going home.
"I went back with Liverpool and I got a few boos and a bit of stick
but it was all good.
"I want to go back now and hopefully win this time because last time I
went we got beat."
Carroll faces another rough ride from the fans who have not forgiven
him for forcing through a move to Anfield in January 2011.
But Hammers skipper Kevin Nolan hopes the Geordie boo-boys now show
Carroll some "respect".
Nolan, a former Magpies favourite, said: "Andy might not get the best
reception because I know he has been back there and got a bit of
stick.
"I am hoping that Andy gets respect, as they know what efforts he put
in when playing for Newcastle and helping them to be where they are
today.
"I won't speak to him specifically about it before the game - he is a
big character.
"We both had some fantastic times up there. Now 50,000 people are
going to want to boo us.
"But if we went out in the evening they would probably want pictures."
Carroll is still waiting to break his West Ham duck and has now gone
over seven hours since scoring for his new club.
Nolan added: "Is Andy anxious? You have got to be joking.
"But we are all hoping that the first goal he scores for us is on Sunday.
"We want him to get off the mark and hopefully win the game for us and
break a few hearts."
____________________________________________________________________
Young Grasshopper: West Ham monitoring Swiss U-21 starlet Izet Harjrovic
8 Nov 2012 22:30
Mirror
The Grasshoppers Zurich midfielder is rated at around £3million and
has also attracted interest from Lazio and Kaiserslautern
West Ham are scouting Grasshoppers Zurich midfielder Izet Hajrovic.
Swiss under-21 starlet Hajrovic, 21, is valued at around £3m and there
has also been interest from Lazio and Kaiserslautern.
KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 8th November 2012
By: Staff Writer
Andy Carroll has been omitted from the England squad to face Sweden in
a friendly next week.
Roy Hodgson has named a 23-man squad for the trip to Stockholm next
week but Carroll, who is yet to score for West Ham since moving to the
Boleyn on a season-long loan, has not been included.
Instead, Hodgson has taken the reasonably unusual step of naming just
three strikers in his squad - Manchester United's Wayne Rooney and
Danny Welbeck plus Chelsea's Daniel Sturridge.
The in-form Mark Noble, who was watched by Hodgson in Saturday's
goalless draw with Manchester City has once again been overlooked in
favour of the likes of Leon Osman (Everton), Raheem Sterling and Jonjo
Shelvey (both Liverpool).
Full England squad
Goalkeepers
Fraser Forster (Celtic), Joe Hart (Manchester City), John Ruddy (Norwich City).
Defenders
Leighton Baines (Everton), Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea), Gary Cahill
(Chelsea), Steven Caulker (Tottenham Hotspur), Phil Jagielka
(Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ryan Shawcross (Stoke City), Kyle
Walker (Tottenham Hotspur).
Midfielders
Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Aaron
Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur), Leon Osman (Everton), Jonjo Shelvey
(Liverpool), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Jack
Wilshere (Arsenal), Ashley Young (Manchester United).
Forwards
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea), Daniel
Welbeck (Manchester United).
________________________________________________________
No England Call Up for Carroll or Noble!
West Ham till I die
By S J Chandos
Andy Carroll has been left out of the England Squad for the
forthcoming friendly game against Sweden. Roy Hodgson has opted to
name only three strikers in this squad, Rooney, Welbeck and Sturridge.
Carroll's absence, along with the likes of Jermaine Defoe, is in all
probability not that significant. He is still likely to be part of
Hodgson's long-term plans.
In other positions, he has selected the likes of Osman, Shelvey,
Bertrand, Sterling and Caulker; as well as also caling up Arsenal's
Wilshere, who has only just returned from a very long injury lay off.
Yet, even in a squad partially selected to look at other player
options, there is no place for Mark Noble. Even though Noble has been
in absolutely outstanding form this season and put in another
excellent performance, in front of the England Manager, in the recent
0-0 draw with Man City. But it seems that regardless of how well Noble
plays, he is never in the frame for an England international chance.
That is very demoralising for the player, who must be asking himself,
this morning, what more he has got to do to get an call up?
It seems that Noble is suffering international frustration similiar to
that experienced by Scott Parker prior to the 2010 World Cup. it could
even be said to be worst, because at least Parker was called up to the
squad, even if he did not subsequently get selected. Capello was wrong
on Parker and arguably Hodgson is similiarly mistaken on Noble's
credentials. Of course, some observers will question whether Noble
actually has the ability to play for England. Although I do not agree
with it, it is possible that his viewpoint could ultimately turn out
to be correct? However, surely, the point is that the proposition
needs to be tested in order to determine the issue. And arguably this
friendly match was a perfect opportunity to do that. Even if you do
not see Noble as an England International, you do have to ask yourself
is Leon Osman or JoJo Shelvey really more worthy of a call up?
Personally, I do not feel that to be the case.
It is frustrating and unfair, but Noble cannot let it get him down.
All he can do is continue performing well for West Ham and hope that
he gets his chance sooner or later. It eventually happened for Scott
Parker and hopefully Mark Noble will also get the opportunity that is
performances deserve.
___________________________________________________________________
One Pound Fish Man
Internet singing phenomenon Muhammad Shahid Nazir is supporting the Hammers
07.11.2012
Send Print RSS
You might not recognise the name Muhammad Shahid Nazir, but you may
well have heard his voice.
Nazir is better known as the 'One Pound Fish Man' - the Queen's Market
fishmonger whose song to entice customers to his stall has become an
internet sensation.
Footage of the Pakistani-born trader singing has notched up millions
of hits on YouTube, while his 'One Pound Fish' song has been covered
by pop stars Mindless Behaviour and Alesha Dixon.
The 31-year-old father of three, who appeared on the hit ITV programme
X-Factor and sang in front of Simon Cowell, is a familiar face among
West Ham United supporters walking along Green Street to the Boleyn
Ground.
The cricket-loving crooner was also happy to perform a new
Hammers-related version of his song, which is exclusively available to
view now on West Ham TV. For Nazir, it is all a far cry from a year
ago, when he moved to London from Pakistan.
"I'm from Pakistan, where I hail from Pattoki, a town near Lahore
which is well-known for its flower industry. I just came here a year
ago and found this job after two months. I started out by shouting
'One Pound, One Pound' and it was a tough job and gave me a headache.
People don't like it and feel disturbed by it.
"After a couple of days I made up a few lines and started singing. I
thought people might like to hear this. When I started, people said
'Well done' and were happy with the song. People said I had a good
voice and could be a pop star! Now, all in all, I have had more than
seven million hits on YouTube.
"I feel very good and can't believe everyone is singing the song. It's
become famous. People want my autograph and they take photographs as
well as make videos of me. West Ham football supporters often stop
here and tell me they've come to hear me sing as well as watch the
match.
"I'm very happy to be known as 'One Pound Fish Man' because that's how
everybody knows me and it's a sign of my popularity. Everybody comes
up to me and says 'How are you One Pound Fish Man?' so I'm happy to be
called that!"
While his popularity has led to TV appearances and interviews with
media outlets including the BBC, the Guardian and Brit Asia TV, Nazir
has no plans to stop working on the fish stall that has made him
famous.
Indeed, an hour before kick-off in the Hammers' recent 4-1 Barclays
Premier League win over Southampton, he was pushing a barrow around
Queen's Market before stopping to have a chat with West Ham TV.
While he admitted that cricket and Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi are
his first sporting loves, Nazir said he had developed an affinity for
his local football club, even singing an adapted version of his song
that begins: "Come on West Ham today, one pound fish!"
"I will do a special discount for West Ham fans - 99p fish! I don't
know much about football but I am a fan of Rio Ferdinand."
While it will never usurp 'Bubbles' as the anthem of east London, the
'One Pound Fish' song certainly appears to be here to stay!
_____________________________________________________
Toon tirade awaits Andy Carroll again
By CARL LONG
The Sun
ANDY CARROLL is desperate to erase the memory of his nightmare return
to Newcastle.
The former Toon hero was jeered before being hauled off in his first
return with parent club Liverpool last season.
Carroll stormed down the tunnel just moments after he was booked
following a dive that saw him confronted by former team-mate Tim Krul
in April's 2-0 defeat.
Now the £35million hitman returns as a West Ham player on Sunday
expecting another red-hot reception — but bidding for a different
outcome.
England ace Carroll, 23, said: "I am looking forward to going home.
"I went back with Liverpool and I got a few boos and a bit of stick
but it was all good.
"I want to go back now and hopefully win this time because last time I
went we were beaten."
Gateshead-born Carroll faces a rough ride from the fans who have not
forgiven him for forcing through a deadline-day move to Anfield in
January 2011.
But Hammers skipper Kevin Nolan hopes the Geordie boo-boys now show
Carroll some "respect".
Nolan, also a former Magpies favourite, said: "Andy might not get the
best reception because I know he has been back there and got a bit of
stick.
"I am hoping that Andy gets respect, as they know what efforts he put
in when playing for Newcastle and helping them to be where they are
today.
"I won't speak to him specifically about it before the game — he is a
big character.
"We both had some fantastic times up there.
"Now 50,000 people are going to want to boo us. But if we went out in
the evening they would probably still want pictures."
Carroll is still waiting to break his West Ham duck and has now gone
over seven hours since scoring for his new club.
But midfielder Nolan, 30, added: "Is Andy anxious? You have got to be joking.
"But we are all hoping that the first goal he scores for us is on Sunday.
"We want him to get off the mark and hopefully win the game for us and
break a few hearts."
_______________________________________________________________________________
Back in Toon: Andy Carroll hopes for a happier homecoming on Newcastle return
8 Nov 2012 22:30
Mirror
Geordie was booed off the pitch on his last visit with Liverpool but
wants to leave a winner this time
Andy Carroll is desperate to erase the memory over his nightmare
homecoming to Newcastle.
Carroll was jeered before being hauled off in the £35m striker's first
return to Tyneside with Liverpool in August.
Carroll stormed down the tunnel just moments after he was booked
following a dive that saw him confronted by ex-teammate Tim Krul in
the 2-0 defeat.
Now the England star heads back as a West Ham player on Sunday
expecting another red-hot reception - but bidding for a different
outcome.
Carroll, 23, said: "I am looking forward to going home.
"I went back with Liverpool and I got a few boos and a bit of stick
but it was all good.
"I want to go back now and hopefully win this time because last time I
went we got beat."
Carroll faces another rough ride from the fans who have not forgiven
him for forcing through a move to Anfield in January 2011.
But Hammers skipper Kevin Nolan hopes the Geordie boo-boys now show
Carroll some "respect".
Nolan, a former Magpies favourite, said: "Andy might not get the best
reception because I know he has been back there and got a bit of
stick.
"I am hoping that Andy gets respect, as they know what efforts he put
in when playing for Newcastle and helping them to be where they are
today.
"I won't speak to him specifically about it before the game - he is a
big character.
"We both had some fantastic times up there. Now 50,000 people are
going to want to boo us.
"But if we went out in the evening they would probably want pictures."
Carroll is still waiting to break his West Ham duck and has now gone
over seven hours since scoring for his new club.
Nolan added: "Is Andy anxious? You have got to be joking.
"But we are all hoping that the first goal he scores for us is on Sunday.
"We want him to get off the mark and hopefully win the game for us and
break a few hearts."
____________________________________________________________________
Young Grasshopper: West Ham monitoring Swiss U-21 starlet Izet Harjrovic
8 Nov 2012 22:30
Mirror
The Grasshoppers Zurich midfielder is rated at around £3million and
has also attracted interest from Lazio and Kaiserslautern
West Ham are scouting Grasshoppers Zurich midfielder Izet Hajrovic.
Swiss under-21 starlet Hajrovic, 21, is valued at around £3m and there
has also been interest from Lazio and Kaiserslautern.
Thursday, November 8
Daily WHUFC News - 5th November 2012
Nobby and The Big Man
WHUFC
Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll have given West Ham TV an exclusive
two-part interview
07.11.2012
Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll have been almost inseparable since
joining forces at Newcastle United in 2009.
The duo quickly became close friends and unstoppable allies on the
pitch as the Magpies romped to the Championship title in 2009/10. The
following season, the pair both scored in a 2-1 Premier League victory
at West Ham United before Carroll joined Liverpool in a
record-breaking £35m deal in January 2011 - the same month Nolan
scored in a 5-0 win over the Hammers at St James' Park.
Six months later, Nolan was on his way to east London, captaining the
Hammers to promotion in his first season at the Boleyn Ground. In
August, the skipper was joined at West Ham by his close friend
Carroll, immediately striking up the same fearsome partnership they
had forged at Newcastle.
This Sunday, the duo return to the North East as Sam Allardyce's side
travel to St James' Park for what promises to be a mouth-watering
Barclays Premier League fixture - and an extra-special one for Nolan
and Carroll.
Known as 'Nobby' and 'The Big Man' to everyone at the club, the
Hammers pair sat down to record a special two-part West Ham TV
interview ahead of their return to Newcastle. The pair discuss their
close friendship, their outstanding partnership on the pitch and their
feelings ahead of their return to St James' Park. Part One will be
screened on Thursday and Part Two on Saturday.
WATCH NOBBY AND THE BIG MAN ON WEST HAM TV
"It's going to be tough and we know that," said Nolan. "With the way
Alan Pardew has them set up, Newcastle are not going to give anything
away too easily. I know they have got a few injuries and suspensions
and we hope to take advantage of that.
"I'm just really looking forward to it, to be honest. We had some
fantastic times there, to be fair. It was a top-notch place to play
football so I'm looking forward to going back and getting a bit of
stick, but it's all good banter!"
Carroll has been inundated with ticket requests from friends and
family for Sunday's game, but found another of West Ham's Geordie
ex-pats had already snapped up the club's allocation.
"I'm looking forward to going home," confirmed the Gateshead-born No8.
"I went back when I played for Liverpool [in April 2012] and I got a
few boos and a bit of stick but it was all good. I'm looking forward
to going back and hopefully we'll win this time because last time I
went back we got beat. It would be much better if we could go back up
there and get a win.
"I've tried to get a few tickets but Macca (assistant manager Neil
McDonald) has already took them all! He's tried to get them all
first!"
The captain has had no such difficulties securing seats for his own
group of supporters.
"Macca has bought about 20-odd as it's the first time he has been up
there in Newcastle for years," confirmed Nolan. "It's been the normal
people for me. I used to have a box up there so I got ten for every
game and this Sunday will be the same. There will be a load of my
friends going for me, just like they always do.
"It's going to be interesting for Andy going back because he's a
Newcastle lad and he grew up there. Fifty thousand people are going to
boo us on Sunday but if we went out in the evening they would probably
be around wanting pictures! It's all going to be good."
_______________________________________________
Potts targets first-team return
WHUFC
Dan Potts is hoping to force his way into Big Sam's plans by
impressing for the Development Squad
06.11.2012
Dan Potts is hoping to propel himself back into first-team action for
West Ham United.
Still just 18, the left-sided defender made four appearances for Sam
Allardyce's side last season and featured in two Capital One Cup ties
earlier this term. Having impressed on his regular run-outs for the
Development Squad, Potts is now eyeing a Barclays Premier League
debut.
"The first-team is where I want to be," he said. "I played a few games
in the Championship but now we are in the top flight performances need
to be that little bit higher.
"I am training with the first-team and I feel that it is improving my
game every day so hopefully I will be back in the squad soon because
that is where the experience is going to come."
For now, Potts is concentrating on Friday's Barclays U21 Premier
League fixture at Arsenal and looking to bounce back from last week's
3-0 defeat at Reading.
"It was obviously a very disappointing performance and a poor result
but we matched them in the first-half until we lost our concentration
and conceded a sloppy goal from a set piece. Our defending has been
excellent from set pieces in recent weeks and we knew we were still in
the game at half-time, but then we lost our concentration once more
and conceded from a corner."
The defender also believes that bad luck played its part with Reading
scoring at crucial times in the game.
"Their second goal came at a really bad time for us because we were
searching for a route back into the game and it came as a real
sucker-punch. Third goal on the counter was the same. We have been
performing very well as a team but on Friday there were periods of the
game where we were not as together as we have been and that was
definitely part of our downfall."
Jordan Spence, Leo Chambers and Rob Hall all missed the defeat due to
being away on first-team duty, but Potts refused to believe there
absence directly resulted in the Development Squad's downfall.
"We were without three very good players and if you take three good
players out of any team it will have an impact but they were not with
us the previous week either and we beat Everton [1-0].
"It was the same team on Friday but Reading showed us that, if you are
not on your game, you will be punished. They also had some very good
senior players on show [in the shape of Alex Pearce, Adam Le Fondre
and Ian Harte].
"We came up against some experienced Premier League players on Friday
but that type of player is who we need to match if we want to be
playing at the top level. It was a difficult afternoon but playing
against established players will only benefit us and help us to
improve in the future."
Next up for Ian Hendon's side is a trip to Arsenal on Friday
afternoon, with kick-off at 1pm. The Gunners sit second in the Group 1
table, two points behind the Hammers, so Potts knows he and his
team-mates will have to rise to the challenge at London Colney.
"It is a very big game against Arsenal this week because when they
came to Rush Green we put in one of our best performances of the
season and won 4-1, so they will be looking for revenge. Like Reading,
Arsenal are also near the top of the league. It will be a tough game
but we know what they are about and how they like to play, so
hopefully we can come away with a positive result."
Following Friday's fixture, Potts will report for international duty
after he and Blair Turgott were selected in Noel Blake's England
Under-19 squad to face Finland in Telford on 13 November. The teenager
is hoping to impress and earn his place for the UEFA European U19
Championship Elite Round qualifiers next year.
"Blair and I have been selected by the England Under-19s to play in a
friendly against Finland and it will be very nice to be involved again
after a good experience earlier this season against Germany. I was
also selected to play in the EURO qualifiers but was held back by the
club [as I was in the first-team squad]. Thankfully, the lads did
qualify and I hope to be involved in the tournament at the end of the
season."
_____________________________________________________________________
Double boost for Big Sam
KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 7th November 2012
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce's injury worries could be eased by the return of two key
first team players ahead of this weekend's trip to Newcastle.
The Hammers boss spoke of his concerns following last weekend's
goalless draw against league champions Manchester City, a game in
which he lost two more players to injury - defenders James Tomkins and
James Collins.
That left him without six players following earlier injuries to Jack
Collison, Ricardo Vaz Te, Matthew Taylor and Guy Demel - the
equivalent of one quarter of his existing first team squad.
However Big Sam's fears could be assuaged somewhat by the impending
return of Matt Taylor and James Tomkins.
The former, who last played in the 3-1 home defeat against Arsenal on
October 6th is back in full training having recovered from injury and
hoping to be involved against Newcastle this weekend - although will
almost certainly have to settle for a place on the bench, at best.
Meanwhile Tomkins, who sustained a groin strain in training last
Friday morning and subsequently failed a late fitness test ahead of
the Manchester City match is set to be declared fit to play this
weekend according to club Chairman David Gold.
When asked about the seriousness of the Basildon-born defender's
injury via Twitter earlier this week, Gold replied: "He should be okay
for Saturday."
James Collins, who tweaked a hamstring in the closing stages of
Saturday's draw with the Citizens underwent a scan on Sunday to
determine the extent of his injury.
_____________________________________________________________
Three more years at the Boleyn - at least
KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 7th November 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's proposed move to Stratford will not happen until
2015 at the very earliest, it has been revealed.
At a press conference this morning Dennis Hone, the new London Legacy
Development Corporation chief executive announced that the Olympic
Stadium will not re-open before August 2015 - with a further year's
delay possible.
That announcement all but ends West Ham's hopes of moving to the
stadium in time for the start of the 2014/15 season, as previously
planned.
"We are currently going through the four bids that we have for the
Olympic Stadium and we are now reaching the end of that process," said
Hone. "We need to make a decision on which of the four, if any, will
provide the best long-term option and the best value for money.
It is important to remember that this is a 100-year lease we are
talking about with the Stadium so we have to get it right. We don't
want to look back in three or five years at a decision we regret. So,
if this process takes a few months longer than it is scheduled to
take, so be it; a few months will not make a big difference.
"We are looking carefully at reconfiguring the Stadium but we can't
really do anything on that until we know who the tenant is and I don't
want to speculate. Each bidder has a requirement of the LLDC for
converting the Stadium so there will be costs. But I cannot say what
they will be until we know exactly what we are doing and the cost will
depend on the tenant."
Elsewhere this morning, an advisor for London mayor Boris Johnson
revealed that recent talks with the National Football League - the
organisation that oversees 'gridiron' in the United States - were not
used to discuss the possibility of the league taking over the Olympic
Stadium.
Instead, it has been claimed that the meetings were used to obtain
tips on how best to utilise the stadium. LLDC confirmed that there had
been no bid from the NFL with regards to using the arena.
The area surrounding the stadium, to be named the Queen Elizabeth
Olympic Park, is due to open to the public in July 2013. The North
Park, which includes parklands and a 7,500-capacity 'multi-arena' will
be the first area open to the public with the rest of the site -
namely the South Plaza - due to open the following Easter (April
2014).
_________________________________________________________________________
Delays on the track: Olympic Stadium will remain shut until at least August 2015
Mirror
7 Nov 2012 17:54
An expected reopening in 2014 was "completely out" due to fine-tuning
needed on the four bids, the stadium chief said today
AFP
The Olympic Stadium will remain shut until August 2015 at the earliest.
An expected reopening in 2014 was "completely out" due to fine-tuning
needed on the four bids, stadium chief Dennis Hone said today.
He said the amount of work needed to fine tune the bids would make
August 2015 or even August 2016 the most likely reopening date.
West Ham United FC is among the bidders but Mr Hone said the NFL had
not applied – despite talks with London mayor Boris Johnson.
Money spent so far in the process has looked at the design options.
Talks have been held with the bidders but none of the adaptation work
has been taken to the market yet.
Mr Hone told a London Assembly budget committee: "We have no formal
bids outside of the competition or otherwise by American Football to
go in to the stadium.
"We are running a competition and we have four bidders. There are no
bids outside that."
He did not rule out the prospect that a stadium built to include an
athletics track in legacy could also work with the winter sport of
American Football.
The combination would be "a challenge definitely," he noted.
Whichever bid wins, the venue could have multiple uses and the stadium
will host the World Athletics Championships in 2017.
A venue with a capacity of around 50,000 seats might be needed for
those championships, Mr Hone predicted.
No date has been set for when a new tenant will be announced.
A decision is not expected before December.
WHUFC
Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll have given West Ham TV an exclusive
two-part interview
07.11.2012
Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll have been almost inseparable since
joining forces at Newcastle United in 2009.
The duo quickly became close friends and unstoppable allies on the
pitch as the Magpies romped to the Championship title in 2009/10. The
following season, the pair both scored in a 2-1 Premier League victory
at West Ham United before Carroll joined Liverpool in a
record-breaking £35m deal in January 2011 - the same month Nolan
scored in a 5-0 win over the Hammers at St James' Park.
Six months later, Nolan was on his way to east London, captaining the
Hammers to promotion in his first season at the Boleyn Ground. In
August, the skipper was joined at West Ham by his close friend
Carroll, immediately striking up the same fearsome partnership they
had forged at Newcastle.
This Sunday, the duo return to the North East as Sam Allardyce's side
travel to St James' Park for what promises to be a mouth-watering
Barclays Premier League fixture - and an extra-special one for Nolan
and Carroll.
Known as 'Nobby' and 'The Big Man' to everyone at the club, the
Hammers pair sat down to record a special two-part West Ham TV
interview ahead of their return to Newcastle. The pair discuss their
close friendship, their outstanding partnership on the pitch and their
feelings ahead of their return to St James' Park. Part One will be
screened on Thursday and Part Two on Saturday.
WATCH NOBBY AND THE BIG MAN ON WEST HAM TV
"It's going to be tough and we know that," said Nolan. "With the way
Alan Pardew has them set up, Newcastle are not going to give anything
away too easily. I know they have got a few injuries and suspensions
and we hope to take advantage of that.
"I'm just really looking forward to it, to be honest. We had some
fantastic times there, to be fair. It was a top-notch place to play
football so I'm looking forward to going back and getting a bit of
stick, but it's all good banter!"
Carroll has been inundated with ticket requests from friends and
family for Sunday's game, but found another of West Ham's Geordie
ex-pats had already snapped up the club's allocation.
"I'm looking forward to going home," confirmed the Gateshead-born No8.
"I went back when I played for Liverpool [in April 2012] and I got a
few boos and a bit of stick but it was all good. I'm looking forward
to going back and hopefully we'll win this time because last time I
went back we got beat. It would be much better if we could go back up
there and get a win.
"I've tried to get a few tickets but Macca (assistant manager Neil
McDonald) has already took them all! He's tried to get them all
first!"
The captain has had no such difficulties securing seats for his own
group of supporters.
"Macca has bought about 20-odd as it's the first time he has been up
there in Newcastle for years," confirmed Nolan. "It's been the normal
people for me. I used to have a box up there so I got ten for every
game and this Sunday will be the same. There will be a load of my
friends going for me, just like they always do.
"It's going to be interesting for Andy going back because he's a
Newcastle lad and he grew up there. Fifty thousand people are going to
boo us on Sunday but if we went out in the evening they would probably
be around wanting pictures! It's all going to be good."
_______________________________________________
Potts targets first-team return
WHUFC
Dan Potts is hoping to force his way into Big Sam's plans by
impressing for the Development Squad
06.11.2012
Dan Potts is hoping to propel himself back into first-team action for
West Ham United.
Still just 18, the left-sided defender made four appearances for Sam
Allardyce's side last season and featured in two Capital One Cup ties
earlier this term. Having impressed on his regular run-outs for the
Development Squad, Potts is now eyeing a Barclays Premier League
debut.
"The first-team is where I want to be," he said. "I played a few games
in the Championship but now we are in the top flight performances need
to be that little bit higher.
"I am training with the first-team and I feel that it is improving my
game every day so hopefully I will be back in the squad soon because
that is where the experience is going to come."
For now, Potts is concentrating on Friday's Barclays U21 Premier
League fixture at Arsenal and looking to bounce back from last week's
3-0 defeat at Reading.
"It was obviously a very disappointing performance and a poor result
but we matched them in the first-half until we lost our concentration
and conceded a sloppy goal from a set piece. Our defending has been
excellent from set pieces in recent weeks and we knew we were still in
the game at half-time, but then we lost our concentration once more
and conceded from a corner."
The defender also believes that bad luck played its part with Reading
scoring at crucial times in the game.
"Their second goal came at a really bad time for us because we were
searching for a route back into the game and it came as a real
sucker-punch. Third goal on the counter was the same. We have been
performing very well as a team but on Friday there were periods of the
game where we were not as together as we have been and that was
definitely part of our downfall."
Jordan Spence, Leo Chambers and Rob Hall all missed the defeat due to
being away on first-team duty, but Potts refused to believe there
absence directly resulted in the Development Squad's downfall.
"We were without three very good players and if you take three good
players out of any team it will have an impact but they were not with
us the previous week either and we beat Everton [1-0].
"It was the same team on Friday but Reading showed us that, if you are
not on your game, you will be punished. They also had some very good
senior players on show [in the shape of Alex Pearce, Adam Le Fondre
and Ian Harte].
"We came up against some experienced Premier League players on Friday
but that type of player is who we need to match if we want to be
playing at the top level. It was a difficult afternoon but playing
against established players will only benefit us and help us to
improve in the future."
Next up for Ian Hendon's side is a trip to Arsenal on Friday
afternoon, with kick-off at 1pm. The Gunners sit second in the Group 1
table, two points behind the Hammers, so Potts knows he and his
team-mates will have to rise to the challenge at London Colney.
"It is a very big game against Arsenal this week because when they
came to Rush Green we put in one of our best performances of the
season and won 4-1, so they will be looking for revenge. Like Reading,
Arsenal are also near the top of the league. It will be a tough game
but we know what they are about and how they like to play, so
hopefully we can come away with a positive result."
Following Friday's fixture, Potts will report for international duty
after he and Blair Turgott were selected in Noel Blake's England
Under-19 squad to face Finland in Telford on 13 November. The teenager
is hoping to impress and earn his place for the UEFA European U19
Championship Elite Round qualifiers next year.
"Blair and I have been selected by the England Under-19s to play in a
friendly against Finland and it will be very nice to be involved again
after a good experience earlier this season against Germany. I was
also selected to play in the EURO qualifiers but was held back by the
club [as I was in the first-team squad]. Thankfully, the lads did
qualify and I hope to be involved in the tournament at the end of the
season."
_____________________________________________________________________
Double boost for Big Sam
KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 7th November 2012
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce's injury worries could be eased by the return of two key
first team players ahead of this weekend's trip to Newcastle.
The Hammers boss spoke of his concerns following last weekend's
goalless draw against league champions Manchester City, a game in
which he lost two more players to injury - defenders James Tomkins and
James Collins.
That left him without six players following earlier injuries to Jack
Collison, Ricardo Vaz Te, Matthew Taylor and Guy Demel - the
equivalent of one quarter of his existing first team squad.
However Big Sam's fears could be assuaged somewhat by the impending
return of Matt Taylor and James Tomkins.
The former, who last played in the 3-1 home defeat against Arsenal on
October 6th is back in full training having recovered from injury and
hoping to be involved against Newcastle this weekend - although will
almost certainly have to settle for a place on the bench, at best.
Meanwhile Tomkins, who sustained a groin strain in training last
Friday morning and subsequently failed a late fitness test ahead of
the Manchester City match is set to be declared fit to play this
weekend according to club Chairman David Gold.
When asked about the seriousness of the Basildon-born defender's
injury via Twitter earlier this week, Gold replied: "He should be okay
for Saturday."
James Collins, who tweaked a hamstring in the closing stages of
Saturday's draw with the Citizens underwent a scan on Sunday to
determine the extent of his injury.
_____________________________________________________________
Three more years at the Boleyn - at least
KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 7th November 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's proposed move to Stratford will not happen until
2015 at the very earliest, it has been revealed.
At a press conference this morning Dennis Hone, the new London Legacy
Development Corporation chief executive announced that the Olympic
Stadium will not re-open before August 2015 - with a further year's
delay possible.
That announcement all but ends West Ham's hopes of moving to the
stadium in time for the start of the 2014/15 season, as previously
planned.
"We are currently going through the four bids that we have for the
Olympic Stadium and we are now reaching the end of that process," said
Hone. "We need to make a decision on which of the four, if any, will
provide the best long-term option and the best value for money.
It is important to remember that this is a 100-year lease we are
talking about with the Stadium so we have to get it right. We don't
want to look back in three or five years at a decision we regret. So,
if this process takes a few months longer than it is scheduled to
take, so be it; a few months will not make a big difference.
"We are looking carefully at reconfiguring the Stadium but we can't
really do anything on that until we know who the tenant is and I don't
want to speculate. Each bidder has a requirement of the LLDC for
converting the Stadium so there will be costs. But I cannot say what
they will be until we know exactly what we are doing and the cost will
depend on the tenant."
Elsewhere this morning, an advisor for London mayor Boris Johnson
revealed that recent talks with the National Football League - the
organisation that oversees 'gridiron' in the United States - were not
used to discuss the possibility of the league taking over the Olympic
Stadium.
Instead, it has been claimed that the meetings were used to obtain
tips on how best to utilise the stadium. LLDC confirmed that there had
been no bid from the NFL with regards to using the arena.
The area surrounding the stadium, to be named the Queen Elizabeth
Olympic Park, is due to open to the public in July 2013. The North
Park, which includes parklands and a 7,500-capacity 'multi-arena' will
be the first area open to the public with the rest of the site -
namely the South Plaza - due to open the following Easter (April
2014).
_________________________________________________________________________
Delays on the track: Olympic Stadium will remain shut until at least August 2015
Mirror
7 Nov 2012 17:54
An expected reopening in 2014 was "completely out" due to fine-tuning
needed on the four bids, the stadium chief said today
AFP
The Olympic Stadium will remain shut until August 2015 at the earliest.
An expected reopening in 2014 was "completely out" due to fine-tuning
needed on the four bids, stadium chief Dennis Hone said today.
He said the amount of work needed to fine tune the bids would make
August 2015 or even August 2016 the most likely reopening date.
West Ham United FC is among the bidders but Mr Hone said the NFL had
not applied – despite talks with London mayor Boris Johnson.
Money spent so far in the process has looked at the design options.
Talks have been held with the bidders but none of the adaptation work
has been taken to the market yet.
Mr Hone told a London Assembly budget committee: "We have no formal
bids outside of the competition or otherwise by American Football to
go in to the stadium.
"We are running a competition and we have four bidders. There are no
bids outside that."
He did not rule out the prospect that a stadium built to include an
athletics track in legacy could also work with the winter sport of
American Football.
The combination would be "a challenge definitely," he noted.
Whichever bid wins, the venue could have multiple uses and the stadium
will host the World Athletics Championships in 2017.
A venue with a capacity of around 50,000 seats might be needed for
those championships, Mr Hone predicted.
No date has been set for when a new tenant will be announced.
A decision is not expected before December.
Tuesday, November 6
Daily WHUFC News - 6th November 2012
Sorry for the delay, i had internet issues at my hotel.
_________________________________________________
The Big Interview - Joey O'Brien
WHUFC
The Republic of Ireland right-back was happy with his contribution on
his return to action
05.11.2012
If you had told Joey O'Brien 16 months ago that he would be playing a
part in West Ham United's successful start to a new Barclays Premier
League campaign, he might well have laughed.
The full-back had been released by Bolton Wanderers after a serious
knee injury had restricted him to just 12 appearances over the
previous three seasons. Faced with an uncertain future, the
Dublin-born player was handed a trial by his former Bolton manager Sam
Allardyce. After spending the week with the Hammers in Switzerland in
July 2011, he signed a two-year deal with the Hammers and has hardly
looked back since.
O'Brien chalked up 33 appearances last season to help West Ham to gain
promotion. This term, he has forced his way back into the Republic of
Ireland set-up after a four-year absence and already played six times
in the Barclays Premier League.
Joey, how did you assess Saturday's goalless draw with champions
Manchester City - especially in the light of the 2-1 defeat at Wigan
Athletic the previous weekend?
JOB: "We were hanging on towards the end, but in the first half we had
much better chances than them and even at the start of the second half
we had a couple of decent chances. Kev's goal was onside as well, so
that was a massive moment in the game. We've played well this season,
though we were very disappointed with how we played last week at
Wigan. We needed to perform on Saturday and to be fair to the boys
they showed up and played well. The boss wasn't happy after the Wigan
game, but neither were the lads. We just didn't perform how we have
been performing going into that game. It was looking as if we were
going well and went there to win, but we just didn't turn up. We put
that right this week."
How did you manage to stifle a City attack that had not failed to
score in a league game since Easter?
JOB: "The tactics from the manager were to sit in. We knew they would
have plenty of the ball, but we played to sit in and wait for our
chances to go and press and intercept passes to break on the counter
attack. That worked, especially in the second half. We were getting
out and Matt Jarvis was pushing on. He was a great out ball for us in
the second half. The game plan worked well."
How do you think Manchester City will fare this season?
JOB: "Man City will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.
They have world-class players and can bring top players off the bench
as well, so they will be up there."
What has Andy Carroll brought to the team since his arrival in August?
JOB: "Andy was brilliant on Saturday and on another day he might have
scored a couple. He's been great for the team since he has come in. In
every game that he has played he's played well, so I'm sure he will
get plenty of goals."
Saturday must have been a tough test for you on your return to the
team after a month out with a hamstring injury?
JOB: "Physically I felt well. I've been out for a couple of weeks, but
the injury wasn't that bad, so I had a lot of time to work with the
fitness coaches and physios at the club. I've been working hard in
training to get my fitness levels up and my stats up and I felt good
in the game."
______________________________________________________________________
Youngsters learning fast
WHUFC
Nick Haycock says his first-year scholars are having to grow up quickly
06.11.2012
The Academy of Football has been firing on all cylinders this season,
with no fewer than seven graduates appearing for West Ham United's
first team so far.
Meanwhile, a host of scholars have already graduated to the
Development Squad, helping Ian Hendon's side to reach the top of the
Barclays U21 Premier League Group 1 table.
With so many youngsters playing 'up' at a higher level, a number of
first-year scholars and schoolboys have found themselves playing
regularly for Nick Haycock's Under-18s. Fifteen-year-old Manny
Onnariase has appeared in all ten Barclays U18 Premier League Group 1
matches, while first-years Amos Nasha, Josh Cullen, Nana
Boakye-Yiadom, Taylor Tombides, Moses Makasi and Robert Page have all
played their part.
However, Haycock (pictured) admitted that his players' lack of
experience has seen them come up short against teams full of
second-year scholars, many of whom are more physically developed and
used to life as full-time footballers.
The coach said those factors played a part in Saturday's 2-1 defeat by
Reading at Little Heath, when he was without first-team squad member
Leo Chambers and Development Squad players Frazer Shaw and Elliot Lee.
"The game was pretty similar to the others we have had in recent
weeks," said Haycock. "We have basically been fielding an Under-17
team in an Under-18 league, save for two or three second-year
scholars, so the boys are still getting used to playing 'up' and are
giving away a lot in terms of age and experience.
"We have been in the game in each of our last three matches, but have
come out with just one point from nine. At Everton the previous
weekend, we looked back at the DVD and we should have had four
penalties, while Reading's first goal this week was clearly offside.
"To their credit, the boys kept their shape well and worked hard to
get back into the game, but Reading then scored a second through a
25-yarder just before half-time. At half-time, we told them we could
get something if we did things better in the final third. We put on
Manny Onnariase at half-time and he headed in a free-kick at the near
post to get us back in it and I felt we could easily have gone on and
won the game.
"We had two second-year scholars playing but Reading had at least
seven. Their extra physicality showed and had a hand in the game,
definitely. Despite the result, we are happy to be able to give the
younger players the chance to play against the older players because
it will stand them in great stead for next season.
"Our goal is to get as many players as possible up to the Under-21s
and then on the bench for the first team. They have just got to use
the experince they are getting and become a little bit more clinical
in the final third and then the results will definitely start to
come."
________________________________________________________-
Less than 2,500 left for Stoke
WHUFC
20 quid tickets for the Stoke City match under the lights at the
Boleyn Ground are selling out quickly
05.11.2012
There are now fewer than 2,500 tickets left for West Ham United's next
home game with Stoke City on Monday 19 November, where tickets are on
offer for just £20 and £25 for adults and only £15 for Under-16s,
As part of the Board's 'Affordable Football For All' campaign, prices
for this game have been reduced to £25 for Bands One and Two and just
£20 for Bands Three and Four. With the discounted prices, the game is
expected to sell out before kick-off so fans are advised to move fast.
Tickets can be purchased in person at the Alpari Stand Ticket Office,
by phone on 0871 222 2700 via Option 3 (calls cost 10p per minute plus
network extras) or online
______________________________________________
Sam is a big boss
The Sun
By ROSS GREGORY
Published: 05th November 2012
KEVIN NOLAN believes Sam Allardyce will finally get the recognition he
deserves by taking West Ham into Europe.
Nolan, Big Sam and Andy Carroll return to former club Newcastle on Sunday.
And Allardyce will be desperate to put one over the club who fired him
in 2008 — and push the Hammers closer to the battle for a European
spot.
Skipper Nolan said: "I think the boss deserves to be mingling with the
top managers week-in week-out.
"I have lots of admiration for him and what he has done for me as a player.
"After working with him for a long time I firmly believe he belongs in
the Premier League and I'm a bit gutted he hasn't been given that
chance with a really top club.
"He has worked at top clubs but I mean a club that is always in the
top four or five so he can have a go at the Champions League."
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Spurs eyeing shock Carroll swoop? All the transfer news, rumours and
gossip from Tuesday's papers
Mirror
6 Nov 2012 08:59
PLUS: Man City may finally get Daniele De Rossi and Reading plot move
for Andrey Arshavin
Matthew Lewis
The transfer window might be closed but the rumour mill rolls on.
Here's the latest gossip and rumours from today's papers and around
the web.
Gossip from today's Daily Mirror
Liverpool are closing in on Schalke's Dutch strike ace Klaas-Jan
Huntelaar as they seek to give Brendan Rodgers the forward options he
needs.
Chelsea are going cold on Atletico Madrid hitman Radamel Falcao -
because Roman Abramovich is no longer convinced the Colombian is worth
his asking price.
Manchester United are stepping up their checks on Blackpool's exciting
young winger Tom Ince - ahead of a potential swoop.
Chelsea are scouting Wolfsburg's Swiss international left back Ricardo
Rodriguez.
Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso could be eyeing a return to
the Premier League after a contract stand-off with Real Madrid.
Lewis Holtby has played down reports linking him with a move to
tomorrow's Champions League opponents Arsenal.
Arsene Wenger last night denied he is freezing out Theo Walcott –
despite his bizarre absence from Arsenal's starting line-up.
Gordon Strachan is the bookies' favourite to be the next Scotland manager.
Transfer stories from other papers and websites
Tottenham are monitoring Andy Carroll's form at West Ham as they
consider a summer bid for the Liverpool striker who is on loan with
the Hammers. (Daily Mail)
Roma have put Manchester City on alert by admitting they will listen
to offers for their skipper Daniele de Rossi in January. (The Sun)
Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool have joined the hunt for
Watford wonderkid Tommie Hoban. (Daily Star)
Reading are preparing to end Andrey Arshavin's Arsenal misery by
moving for the £15million outcast. (The Sun)
Lille could be ready to offer Joe Cole an escape from his Liverpool
misery. Ex-Chelsea star Cole spent last season on loan with the French
club. (Daily Express)
Martin Skrtel has insisted he will not be joining Liverpool's
big-spending Europa League rivals Anzhi Makhachkala. (The Sun)
Romelu Lukaku's reluctance to return to parent club Chelsea in January
from his loan at West Brom could spell the end of Liverpool's hopes of
signing Daniel Sturridge in the winter transfer window. (Daily Star)
Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Zac MacMath is to train with Everton for
three weeks. (Daily Mail)
Leicester manager Nigel Pearson wants to sign Manchester United duo
Michael Keane and Jesse Lingard on loan. (The Sun)
Manchester United have delayed contract talks with Ryan Giggs until
the end of the season. (Goal.com)
Brazilian star Lucas Moura has denied money was the motivation behind
his decision to snub Manchester United in favour of Paris St Germain.
The 20-year-old will move to the French capital in January. (Daily
Mail)
Aston Villa star Darren Bent is set to demand talks with manager Paul
Lambert over his future as the striker eyes a transfer in January.
(Goal.com)
_________________________________________________
The Big Interview - Joey O'Brien
WHUFC
The Republic of Ireland right-back was happy with his contribution on
his return to action
05.11.2012
If you had told Joey O'Brien 16 months ago that he would be playing a
part in West Ham United's successful start to a new Barclays Premier
League campaign, he might well have laughed.
The full-back had been released by Bolton Wanderers after a serious
knee injury had restricted him to just 12 appearances over the
previous three seasons. Faced with an uncertain future, the
Dublin-born player was handed a trial by his former Bolton manager Sam
Allardyce. After spending the week with the Hammers in Switzerland in
July 2011, he signed a two-year deal with the Hammers and has hardly
looked back since.
O'Brien chalked up 33 appearances last season to help West Ham to gain
promotion. This term, he has forced his way back into the Republic of
Ireland set-up after a four-year absence and already played six times
in the Barclays Premier League.
Joey, how did you assess Saturday's goalless draw with champions
Manchester City - especially in the light of the 2-1 defeat at Wigan
Athletic the previous weekend?
JOB: "We were hanging on towards the end, but in the first half we had
much better chances than them and even at the start of the second half
we had a couple of decent chances. Kev's goal was onside as well, so
that was a massive moment in the game. We've played well this season,
though we were very disappointed with how we played last week at
Wigan. We needed to perform on Saturday and to be fair to the boys
they showed up and played well. The boss wasn't happy after the Wigan
game, but neither were the lads. We just didn't perform how we have
been performing going into that game. It was looking as if we were
going well and went there to win, but we just didn't turn up. We put
that right this week."
How did you manage to stifle a City attack that had not failed to
score in a league game since Easter?
JOB: "The tactics from the manager were to sit in. We knew they would
have plenty of the ball, but we played to sit in and wait for our
chances to go and press and intercept passes to break on the counter
attack. That worked, especially in the second half. We were getting
out and Matt Jarvis was pushing on. He was a great out ball for us in
the second half. The game plan worked well."
How do you think Manchester City will fare this season?
JOB: "Man City will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.
They have world-class players and can bring top players off the bench
as well, so they will be up there."
What has Andy Carroll brought to the team since his arrival in August?
JOB: "Andy was brilliant on Saturday and on another day he might have
scored a couple. He's been great for the team since he has come in. In
every game that he has played he's played well, so I'm sure he will
get plenty of goals."
Saturday must have been a tough test for you on your return to the
team after a month out with a hamstring injury?
JOB: "Physically I felt well. I've been out for a couple of weeks, but
the injury wasn't that bad, so I had a lot of time to work with the
fitness coaches and physios at the club. I've been working hard in
training to get my fitness levels up and my stats up and I felt good
in the game."
______________________________________________________________________
Youngsters learning fast
WHUFC
Nick Haycock says his first-year scholars are having to grow up quickly
06.11.2012
The Academy of Football has been firing on all cylinders this season,
with no fewer than seven graduates appearing for West Ham United's
first team so far.
Meanwhile, a host of scholars have already graduated to the
Development Squad, helping Ian Hendon's side to reach the top of the
Barclays U21 Premier League Group 1 table.
With so many youngsters playing 'up' at a higher level, a number of
first-year scholars and schoolboys have found themselves playing
regularly for Nick Haycock's Under-18s. Fifteen-year-old Manny
Onnariase has appeared in all ten Barclays U18 Premier League Group 1
matches, while first-years Amos Nasha, Josh Cullen, Nana
Boakye-Yiadom, Taylor Tombides, Moses Makasi and Robert Page have all
played their part.
However, Haycock (pictured) admitted that his players' lack of
experience has seen them come up short against teams full of
second-year scholars, many of whom are more physically developed and
used to life as full-time footballers.
The coach said those factors played a part in Saturday's 2-1 defeat by
Reading at Little Heath, when he was without first-team squad member
Leo Chambers and Development Squad players Frazer Shaw and Elliot Lee.
"The game was pretty similar to the others we have had in recent
weeks," said Haycock. "We have basically been fielding an Under-17
team in an Under-18 league, save for two or three second-year
scholars, so the boys are still getting used to playing 'up' and are
giving away a lot in terms of age and experience.
"We have been in the game in each of our last three matches, but have
come out with just one point from nine. At Everton the previous
weekend, we looked back at the DVD and we should have had four
penalties, while Reading's first goal this week was clearly offside.
"To their credit, the boys kept their shape well and worked hard to
get back into the game, but Reading then scored a second through a
25-yarder just before half-time. At half-time, we told them we could
get something if we did things better in the final third. We put on
Manny Onnariase at half-time and he headed in a free-kick at the near
post to get us back in it and I felt we could easily have gone on and
won the game.
"We had two second-year scholars playing but Reading had at least
seven. Their extra physicality showed and had a hand in the game,
definitely. Despite the result, we are happy to be able to give the
younger players the chance to play against the older players because
it will stand them in great stead for next season.
"Our goal is to get as many players as possible up to the Under-21s
and then on the bench for the first team. They have just got to use
the experince they are getting and become a little bit more clinical
in the final third and then the results will definitely start to
come."
________________________________________________________-
Less than 2,500 left for Stoke
WHUFC
20 quid tickets for the Stoke City match under the lights at the
Boleyn Ground are selling out quickly
05.11.2012
There are now fewer than 2,500 tickets left for West Ham United's next
home game with Stoke City on Monday 19 November, where tickets are on
offer for just £20 and £25 for adults and only £15 for Under-16s,
As part of the Board's 'Affordable Football For All' campaign, prices
for this game have been reduced to £25 for Bands One and Two and just
£20 for Bands Three and Four. With the discounted prices, the game is
expected to sell out before kick-off so fans are advised to move fast.
Tickets can be purchased in person at the Alpari Stand Ticket Office,
by phone on 0871 222 2700 via Option 3 (calls cost 10p per minute plus
network extras) or online
______________________________________________
Sam is a big boss
The Sun
By ROSS GREGORY
Published: 05th November 2012
KEVIN NOLAN believes Sam Allardyce will finally get the recognition he
deserves by taking West Ham into Europe.
Nolan, Big Sam and Andy Carroll return to former club Newcastle on Sunday.
And Allardyce will be desperate to put one over the club who fired him
in 2008 — and push the Hammers closer to the battle for a European
spot.
Skipper Nolan said: "I think the boss deserves to be mingling with the
top managers week-in week-out.
"I have lots of admiration for him and what he has done for me as a player.
"After working with him for a long time I firmly believe he belongs in
the Premier League and I'm a bit gutted he hasn't been given that
chance with a really top club.
"He has worked at top clubs but I mean a club that is always in the
top four or five so he can have a go at the Champions League."
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Spurs eyeing shock Carroll swoop? All the transfer news, rumours and
gossip from Tuesday's papers
Mirror
6 Nov 2012 08:59
PLUS: Man City may finally get Daniele De Rossi and Reading plot move
for Andrey Arshavin
Matthew Lewis
The transfer window might be closed but the rumour mill rolls on.
Here's the latest gossip and rumours from today's papers and around
the web.
Gossip from today's Daily Mirror
Liverpool are closing in on Schalke's Dutch strike ace Klaas-Jan
Huntelaar as they seek to give Brendan Rodgers the forward options he
needs.
Chelsea are going cold on Atletico Madrid hitman Radamel Falcao -
because Roman Abramovich is no longer convinced the Colombian is worth
his asking price.
Manchester United are stepping up their checks on Blackpool's exciting
young winger Tom Ince - ahead of a potential swoop.
Chelsea are scouting Wolfsburg's Swiss international left back Ricardo
Rodriguez.
Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso could be eyeing a return to
the Premier League after a contract stand-off with Real Madrid.
Lewis Holtby has played down reports linking him with a move to
tomorrow's Champions League opponents Arsenal.
Arsene Wenger last night denied he is freezing out Theo Walcott –
despite his bizarre absence from Arsenal's starting line-up.
Gordon Strachan is the bookies' favourite to be the next Scotland manager.
Transfer stories from other papers and websites
Tottenham are monitoring Andy Carroll's form at West Ham as they
consider a summer bid for the Liverpool striker who is on loan with
the Hammers. (Daily Mail)
Roma have put Manchester City on alert by admitting they will listen
to offers for their skipper Daniele de Rossi in January. (The Sun)
Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool have joined the hunt for
Watford wonderkid Tommie Hoban. (Daily Star)
Reading are preparing to end Andrey Arshavin's Arsenal misery by
moving for the £15million outcast. (The Sun)
Lille could be ready to offer Joe Cole an escape from his Liverpool
misery. Ex-Chelsea star Cole spent last season on loan with the French
club. (Daily Express)
Martin Skrtel has insisted he will not be joining Liverpool's
big-spending Europa League rivals Anzhi Makhachkala. (The Sun)
Romelu Lukaku's reluctance to return to parent club Chelsea in January
from his loan at West Brom could spell the end of Liverpool's hopes of
signing Daniel Sturridge in the winter transfer window. (Daily Star)
Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Zac MacMath is to train with Everton for
three weeks. (Daily Mail)
Leicester manager Nigel Pearson wants to sign Manchester United duo
Michael Keane and Jesse Lingard on loan. (The Sun)
Manchester United have delayed contract talks with Ryan Giggs until
the end of the season. (Goal.com)
Brazilian star Lucas Moura has denied money was the motivation behind
his decision to snub Manchester United in favour of Paris St Germain.
The 20-year-old will move to the French capital in January. (Daily
Mail)
Aston Villa star Darren Bent is set to demand talks with manager Paul
Lambert over his future as the striker eyes a transfer in January.
(Goal.com)
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