Daily WHUFC News - 5th January 2012

Manchester United match preview
WHUFC.com
All of the early team news and stats ahead of Saturday's big FA Cup tie with
Manchester United
04.01.2013

WEST HAM UNITED v MANCHESTER UNITED
FA CUP with BUDWEISER THIRD ROUND
SATURDAY 5 JANUARY 2013
KICK-OFF: 5.15PM
REFEREE: MARTIN ATKINSON

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Introduction
• West Ham United host Manchester United in the standout tie of the FA Cup
with Budweiser third round. Joe Cole could make his second debut for the
club after signing in time to face the Red Devils.
• The Hammers go into the match on a high, having won their first game of
2013 against Norwich at the Boleyn Ground last time out. However, Manchester
United have some serious FA Cup pedigree and have won the competition more
than any other team (11) and have reached more finals than anyone else (18).
• The last cup meeting between the two sides at the Boleyn Ground was a
memorable game for Hammers fans. On a snowy night in east London, Carlton
Cole grabbed two goals as the hosts ran out 4-0 winners in a fifth-round
Carling Cup tie. Former United player Jonathan Spector also scored a brace.
• One of the most recent FA Cup meetings was also a good one for the Hammers
as they beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford in the FA Cup fourth
round in January 2001. Joe Cole started in midfield as Paolo Di Canio scored
past a stranded Fabien Barthez. United got their own back two years later
though when they beat the Hammers 6-0 in another fourth-round tie.
• Manchester United have won the last nine Barclays Premier League meetings
between the two sides. West Ham United's last win came at the Boleyn Ground
on 29 December 2007 as Anton Ferdinand (77) cancelled out Cristiano
Ronaldo's opener (14) before Matthew Upson scored an 82nd-minute winner.
• West Ham United have lifted the FA Cup on three occasions, in 1964, 1975
and 1980, and were runners-up in 1923 and 2006. Manchester United have won
the prestigious trophy on eleven occasions - 1909, 1948, 1963, 1977, 1983,
1985, 1990, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2004
CLICK HERE TO SEE A PHOTO GALLERY OF JOE COLE'S FIRST DAY IN TRAINING
Team news
West Ham United
• Sam Allardyce has pledged to play his strongest available team for the
visit of the Red Devils. In addition to the signing of Joe Cole, his options
will be widened by the return of Kevin Nolan and James Collins from
suspension.
• Joey O'Brien's hamstring strain is his only new concern after the defender
was forced off in the Norwich win. Should the Ireland international not
recover, Matt Taylor or Dan Potts, who was recalled from a loan at
Colchester United, could step in.
• Fatigue could be the only other factor that influences Big Sam's
selection, with a number of his squad not missing a game so far this season.
Should he wish to rest one or two players, the likes of Alou Diarra or
Jordan Spence earn a start.
• Modibo Maiga will definitely be missing after he travelled away to Mali
for the Africa Cup of Nations Finals in South Africa.
• Mo Diame and Andy Carroll are both near to a return to light training,
leaving only George McCartney as the only long-term absentee.
Manchester United
• Sir Alex Ferguson could make use of the strength of his squad, with the
likes of Michael Carrick, Patrice Evra and Robin van Persie all in line for
a rest. Defenders Phil Jones and Nemanja Vidic both return to the squad.
• Shinji Kagawa could start along with Tom Cleverley, and changes are
expected elsewhere.
• Wayne Rooney (knee) has been ruled out while Nani (hamstring) is still
missing.
Previous meeting
• The two teams last met at Old Trafford in November when Manchester United
sneaked a 1-0 Barclays Premier League win on 29 November 2012. Robin van
Persie's deflected shot in the first minute from the edge of the box was the
only difference between the teams.
The teams that day were:
Manchester United: Lindegaard , Rafael, Smalling, Evans, Evra, Carrick,
Anderson (Jones 84), Cleverley (Young 66), Rooney (Welbeck 78), van Persie,
Hernandez.
Subs not used: De Gea, Ferdinand, Fletcher, Buttner
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Reid, Collins, O'Brien, Taylor, Diame
(O'Neil 76), Tomkins, Jarvis (Maiga 70), Nolan, Carroll (Cole 62)
Subs not used: Spiegel, Spence, Moncur, Lletget
Last time out
Tuesday 1 January 2013
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United 2-1 Norwich City
West Ham United: Jussi Jääskeläinen, James Tomkins, Joey O'Brien (Gary
O'Neil, 71), Guy Demel, Winston Reid, Ricardo Vaz Te (Modibo Maiga, 82),
Matthew Jarvis (Jordan Spence, 86), Mark Noble, Matthew Taylor, Jack
Collison, Carlton Cole
Goals: Noble (pen, 3), O'Brien (26)
Tuesday 1 January 2013
Barclays Premier League
Wigan Athletic 0-4 Manchester United
Manchester United: David De Gea, Jonny Evans, Rio Ferdinand (Chris Smalling,
69), Patrice Evra, Rafael, Michael Carrick (Shinji Kagawa, 69), Ashley Young
(Danny Welbeck, 78), Tom Cleverley, Ryan Giggs, Robin van Persie, Javier
Hernández
Goals: Hernández 35, van Persie 43, Hernández 63, van Persie 88
Background
• The first meeting between West Ham United and Manchester United came on 25
February 1911 in the FA Cup. The Hammers won 2-1 with Thomas Caldwell and
Danny Shea scoring the goals.
• West Ham United's biggest win over Manchester United came at the Boleyn
Ground on 11 October 1930. A Viv Gibbins hat-trick inspired the Hammers to a
5-1 win with Jim Barrett and Jimmy Ruffell also on the score sheet.
• Manchester United's biggest win ever over West Ham United came almost 70
years later on 1 April 2000. This time they had a hat-trick hero of their
own as Paul Scholes scored a treble in a 7-1 win. Denis Irwin, Andrew Cole,
David Beckham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored the other goals with Paulo
Wanchope on target for the Hammers.
• Manchester United's biggest triumph in east London was a 6-1 victory on 6
May 1967.
• Saturday's fixture marks the 124th competitive fixture between West Ham
United and Manchester United. The Hammers have won 42, the Red Devils have
won 57 and there have been 24 draws.
Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated)
28 November 2012 Manchester United 1-0 West Ham United
2 April 2011 West Ham United 2-4 Manchester United
30 November 2010 West Ham United 4-0 Manchester United (Carling Cup fifth
round)
28 August 2010 - Manchester United 3-0 West Ham United
23 February 2010 - Manchester United 3-0 West Ham United
5 December 2010 - West Ham United 0-4 Manchester United
8 February 2009 - West Ham United 0-1 Manchester United
Overall record v Manchester United (all competitions) W 42 D 24 L 57
Ten-year records
West Ham United
2011/12 Championship 3rd (86 points - promoted 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 via play-offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th (74 points)
2002/03 Premier League 18th (42 points - relegated to Championship)
Manchester United
2011/12 Premier League 2nd (89 points)
2010/11 Premier League 1st (80 points)
2009/10 Premier League 2nd (85 points)
2008/09 Premier League 1st (90 points)
2007/08 Premier League 1st (87 points)
2006/07 Premier League 1st (89 points)
2005/06 Premier League 2nd (83 points)
2004/05 Premier League 3rd (77 points)
2003/04 Premier League 3rd (75 points)
2002/03 Premier League 1st (83 points)
Referee
• Saturday's match referee will be Martin Atkinson.
• A referee since the age of 16, Atkinson was promoted to the Football
League list of assistant referees in 1998. In 2000, Atkinson was promoted to
the Select Group of assistant referees, allowing him to run the line in
Premier League matches.
• Atkinson joined the National List of referees for the Football League at
the start of the 2003/04 season before taking charge of his first Premier
League fixture on 20 April 2005 when Manchester City entertained Birmingham
City.
• Atkinson was the man in the middle at the 2006 FA Community Shield between
Chelsea and Liverpool at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. He also took
charge of the 2008 FA Trophy final between Ebbsfleet United and Torquay
United at Wembley Stadium.
• Atkinson has refereed two West Ham games this season - the 3-0 defeat away
at Swansea City in August and the 3-1 victory at home to Chelsea last month.
Old boys
• Manchester United have two former West Ham United players in their squad.
England defender Rio Ferdinand made 158 appearances for the club between May
1996 and November 2000, scoring two goals. Midfielder Michael Carrick scored
six goals in 159 appearances between July 1999 and May 2004.
• Among the other players who have represented both clubs are Jonathan
Spector, Roy Carroll, Noel Cantwell, Luke Chadwick, Billy Grassam, Paul
Ince, Ralph Milne, Frederick Milnes, Ravel Morrison, Frank O'Farrell, Stuart
Pearson, Les Sealey, Dave Sexton, Teddy Sheringham, Carlos Tevez and Raimond
van der Gouw.
Up next
• West Ham United have a long trip to Sunderland on Saturday 12 January as
they return to Premier League action in a 3pm kick-off. Manchester United
play host to rivals Liverpool a day later at 1.30pm.
General information
• Tickets for the game are now SOLD OUT. Ticket information can be obtained
from here. There are still a handful of tickets left for the visit of Queens
Park Rangers on Saturday 19 January, to secure your seat today, click here.
• Saturday's weather forecast is for a cloudy day in east London with
temperatures peaking around 11C.
• Rapper Lethal Bizzle wil be performing a special FA Cup song before
kick-off so fans are advised to get their early to make sure they catch the
full performance.

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Big Sam on: Manchester United
WHUFC.com
The West Ham United manager on Saturday's FA Cup tie and the signing of Joe
Cole
04.01.2013

West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has spoken to the media ahead of
Saturday's FA Cup with Budweiser third round tie with Manchester United. The
Hammers welcome the Barclays Premier League leaders to the Boleyn Ground for
a sell-out match that will also be screened live on ITV1. Big Sam also spoke
enthusiastically about the signing of England international Joe Cole, who
has completed his move back to east London in time to feature in Saturday's
tie.

Sam, can you start by talking about the deal to sign Joe Cole from
Liverpool?

BS - "It's a good deal for us. I think that somebody as talented as Joe and
as enthusiastic about playing football and not all about money, as most
transfers seem to be about today, is a pleasure to bring back to the club
and give the opportunity he is looking for. "I think we will give him that
and hopefully he will grasp it with both hands and produce some of the
outstanding ability and quality that we know he has. If we can extract the
best out of him again, then it will be a fantastic signing for us at West
Ham United. "It is somebody who is coming back home to where he started. He
realised his dreams here of becoming a footballer and all he talks about is
football, so it's great to have secured the deal and really great that he
chose us."

What does it say about West Ham United's ambitions to have signed a player
like Joe Cole?

BS - "It's nice to have a player who has played 56 times for England. He is
just into his thirties so iI hink there is still an awful lot of football
left in him. The Barclays Premier League is where it's all at but he hasn't
been playing regularly enough since his move to Liverpool. "It has
frustrated him and he feels he needs a break somewhere else to recreate
himself and I think we have the back-up services and staff behind the scenes
here to help him to do that. I think, for us, it's a great move and
hopefully it is for him. "As long as it all gets done today, he'll be in the
starting line-up on Saturday."

What sort of impact can he make and how quickly?

BS - "I hope he does for us tomorrow what he did for Liverpool when he
played against us in Devember and that is score a goal. It'll be a tough
game for us [against Manchester United] but extra quality in a team when it
had possession is important and we know that Joe's main strengths lie in
possession and his ability to open teams up and beat individuals. "Those are
key elements and that's what we'll be looking for - give him the ball as
much as we can in the opposition half and say 'Go and create for us and go
and score some goals'."

How much of a morale boost is it for the club and its fans to have Joe Cole
back?

BS - "I would have thought they will be pleased to see one of their own come
back. He is from the West Ham Academy and developed under Tony Carr. He
spent a bit of time in the first team here before he moved on and it's great
to have him back. "I hope the West Ham fans are applauding him because of
the performances he can give for us."

Do you feel he can add to his tally of 56 England caps?

BS - "I don't see why not. If he can recapture his old form and play on a
regular basis for us, he is bound to get a bit of interest from Roy Hodgson.
I think his main focus first is making sure he plays for West Ham on a
regular basis and reproducing the form that we know he can produce."

Is Saturday's FA Cup with Budweiser third-round tie a bit of a bonus because
it is a break from the pressure of trying to consolidate in the Barclays
Premier League?

BS - "We're not under the same pressure we are under day-in, day-out in the
Barclays Premier League, that's for sure. We have a responsibility with a
full house and being live on TV that we put the best team out that we can at
the moment, which we will do. "There are a number of problems that we're
still suffering from injury-wise. We're grateful that two of our suspended
players are back in James Collins and Kevin Nolan, which will help us. "I'm
sure Sir Alex Ferguson will make some changes but it won't really matter in
terms of weakening or strengthening their squad because at the moment,
whatever changes he makes, they keep winning. Whatever changes he makes,
there will be eleven internationals out against us tomorrow. "it will be a
hugely difficult game but one we are pleased to be involved in, even though
it is in the third round when we'd perhaps have liked a lesser draw than
Manchester United at home. We're excited about it, we can go out and do our
very, very best and if we can create an upset that would be a fantastic
bonus for us to move on into the next round."

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Cole comes home
WHUFC.com
West Ham United are delighted to announce the return of Academy graduate Joe
Cole to the club
04.01.2013

West Ham United are delighted to welcome Joe Cole home after the England
midfielder completed his move back to the Boleyn Ground. The Academy of
Football graduate has returned to east London after leaving Liverpool and
signing an 18-month contract with the Hammers. Capped 56 times by England,
Cole will wear the same No26 shirt he donned during his first spell at the
club between 1998 and 2003, when his mesmeric play helped West Ham win the
FA Youth Cup in 1999 and the midfielder himself be crowned Hammer of the
Year in 2003. Now, Cole is determined to write an equally memorable second
chapter to his West Ham career under manager Sam Allardyce. "It is a great
move for me," confirmed the 31-year-old. "Coming back here brings back all
the memories of the pitches I learnt how to play on. This is where I learnt
my trade and I'm happy to have another chance to be here. I've always loved
West Ham and I hope I can give the club a few memorable seasons. "The timing
was right for me to come back and I'm happy. I'm back in London and I'm
delighted to be here. I want to be here and I want to make an impact. "The
place has not changed much to look at, but I think Sam has done a great job
with the team. A few years ago, the club was in a bad way and Sam has done
brilliantly. All in all, it will always be West Ham and the history will
always be here and everywhere I go around the world, people love West Ham.
Everywhere I go, people know me for having started here."

Cole is looking forward to working under Big Sam - a manager he believes has
instilled a confidence in the club and assembled a squad that West Ham
supporters can be proud of. "Sam didn't have to sell me the club for me to
come back. For me, I have had 18 months at Liverpool where I haven't played
much football and Sam wants to play me. I'm going to need games to get back
to my best, but I want to play football and come here and help the team to
make an impact. "I could see from the outside what a great bunch of lads we
have here and there is a great spirit. I'm excited."

Cole played in an exceptionally-talented West Ham team during his first
spell at the Boleyn Ground, alongside the likes of Paolo Di Canio, Michael
Carrick, Frank Lampard, Jermain Defoe and Trevor Sinclair. On his return,
the No26 says the Hammers have a similarly strong squad, especially
considering the club has only returned to the Barclays Premier League this
season. "The first season in the Premier League is always the toughest one
and the boys have done brilliant to get 26 points on the board. We would
like to match that in the second half of the season and crack on from there.
"We have got a lot of England internationals and a good strong squad here,
so our home form is going to be vital."

Cole has already impressed once at the Boleyn Ground this season, scoring in
Liverpool's 3-2 win back on 8 December. Despite breaking the hearts of the
Claret and Blue Army, the midfielder received his customary warm welcome
from the fans who have always adored him. "It was a big thing in me coming
back - the fact that everybody here wants me to do well. The fans have
always been great for me, whenever I have been back and also when I've been
in the area visiting family. "I feel like I owe the club a little bit as
well because if it wasn't for West Ham I wouldn't be a footballer. This
club's great youth-team coaches taught me the trade."

While Cole may not have appeared too frequently for the Reds this season, he
made 42 appearances and scored nine goals for French side Lille last season,
including six in the UEFA Champions League. "We were a Champions League team
and finished third in the league and it was a good technical league with a
lot of great players. I played 40-odd games and enjoyed it. It was only
during my time at Liverpool that I didn't play as much as I'd have liked.
"That happens, but now I've moved on and hopefully I'll have a great time
here."

Cole will hope that 'great time' begins with a second memorable FA Cup
triumph over Manchester United. He was just 19 when West Ham scored a shock
1-0 fourth-round win at Old Trafford in January 2001 courtesy of Di Canio's
unforgettable winner. "We can do it again. It's a different team and a
different era but at the end of the day I've come here to play football, I
love playing football, and what better way to do it than against Manchester
United at home. "I'm just going to go out there, like I've always done, and
give it my all and we have enough quality experienced players here to do
something special."

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Hammers loan Chamakh
WHUFC.com
West Ham United have completed the signing of striker Marouane Chamakh on
loan from Arsenal
04.01.2013

West Ham United have completed the signing of Morocco international striker
Marouane Chamakh on loan from Arsenal until the end of the season. The
28-year-old becomes the Hammers' third attacking signing of the January
transfer window, joining England international midfielder Joe Cole and
Republic of Ireland Under-19 centre forward Sean Maguire at the Boleyn
Ground. Capped 61 times by his country, Chamakh enjoyed a prolific
eight-year spell at French club Girondins de Bordeaux, where he won the
French Ligue 1 title in 2009. He then moved to English football with Arsenal
in 2010. There, despite limited opportunities, the 6'2 tall frontman has
managed 14 goals in 67 appearances over the past two-and-a-half seasons.
Chamakh, who will become the first Moroccan to represent the club, said he
is looking forward to making his mark in a claret and blue shirt. "I'm very
happy to be here, I want to play and give my best for this team," said
Chamakh. "I can bring my heading, some goals and we will see what else. "I
played with Alou Diarra in Bordeaux and we were champions together. I also
know Mohamed Diame and Carlton Cole. "I think this will be a very important
move for me and I don't want to waste any more time. I want to contribute
immediately. I didn't have opportunities to play recently, but I did well
before and I know I am a very good striker. We played only one striker at
Arsenal, so I didn't play a lot, so I hope to do so more with West Ham."

Born in Tonneins in south west France, Chamakh started his career as a
schoolboy with local clubs Nérac and Marmandais before joining Bordeaux at
the age of 16 in 2000. There, he played alongside future West Ham winger
Julien Faubert as Les Girondins won the French League Cup in 2007. In all,
he totalled 76 goals in 301 appearances for the club, including 16 in 38
European appearances. On moving to north London in summer 2010, Chamakh
scored six goals in his opening 12 Arsenal appearances, finishing his first
campaign with the Gunners with 12 strikes in total. Since then, however, his
opportunities have been limited, but he did manage two goals in the club's
7-5 Capital One Cup fourth-round victory over Reading in October. At
international level, Chamakh has long been a vital figure for Morocco, for
whom he played in the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations defeat by Tunisia. However,
he has not been selected in his country's squad for this month's tournament
in South Africa. In all games, the powerful foward has netted a more than
respectable 107 goals in 429 appearances for club and country.

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Shaw thing
WHUFC.com
Second-year scholar Frazer Shaw is already setting his sights on the
first-team squad
04.01.2013

Frazer Shaw has already made great strides this season, but now he is aiming
to make the biggest step of his career. The left-back, who turned 18 on 23
December, has become a regular Development Squad starter in recent weeks
after impressing for the Under-18s. Now, the former Arsenal schoolboy is
targeting a place in Sam Allardyce's first-team squad. Having been released
by the Gunners at the age of 14, Shaw is making the most of his second
chance with the Hammers. However, the attack-minded teenager knows he will
need to keep improving and working hard if he is to make his mark at the
highest level. "I started the season in the youth team and recently I've
been playing with the Development Squad, getting a few games in. Hopefully
everybody is happy with what I've been doing and I can stay up there in the
New Year and keep on improving. "It's always good for a youth-team player to
be pushing up into the Development Squad, and with the Development Squad
doing so well it has been nice to be in and around them, because you are
always going to improve in those surroundings. "Things are going to plan and
hopefully I can stick with it. I'm enjoying my football at the moment. "You
have always got to look at what you are trying to achieve and that is a
place in the first-team squad. You've always got to look there, so I've got
to keep my feet on the ground, keep working and hopefully I can get there.
"Maybe things happen for a reason and I'm really enjoying it at West Ham. I
just hope I can get my chance to break into the first team - that would be
nice."

Shaw is a left-back by trade, but having started his career as a midfielder,
he has also filled his original position for the Development Squad, showing
a versatility that can only aid his future career. "Left-back is my
favourite position and the coaches know that, but there have been a few
injuries in the Development Squad so I've filled in in central midfield. I'm
happy playing anywhere if I'm playing football. "I like getting forward, but
at the moment I'm working on the defensive side of my game. I started off as
a midfielder so I like getting forward, but I know I need to improve my
defending."

When Shaw was released by Arsenal, he was told it was because he was not big
enough to become a professional footballer. These days, the youngster has
developed his physique and anybody who has witnessed his strong tackling
this season would question the Gunners' wisdom in allowing him to move on.
"I've been working in the gym doing extra sessions with our strength and
conditioning coach Dan Bernadin after training so he's doing really well for
me. I'm working really hard, trying to do the best I can for myself."

While a professional contract and a first-team squad place is his ultimate
aim, Shaw is also relishing the opportunity to make his maiden Boleyn Ground
start in the FA Youth Cup fourth-round meeting with Tottenham Hotspur later
this month. "The Development Squad have gone into the Elite Group and the
Under-18s are doing well in the FA Youth Cup, so hopefully we can keep up
the good work. "We have got Tottenham in the next round of the Youth Cup. I
got a little bit of a run against Brighton at Upton Park last year, but this
year is a big one for me and I'd love to play against Tottenham there.
"Hopefully we can beat them and go on to win the Youth Cup. It will be a big
game and all the boys will be ready for it."

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Joe Cole: West Ham midfielder 'could regain England place'
BBC.co.uk

The 31-year-old midfielder, who has 56 caps but last played for his country
in 2010, rejoined the east London club on a free transfer from Liverpool.
Asked if he could play for England, Allardyce said: "I don't see why not.
"If he can recapture his old form and plays on a regular basis for us Joe is
bound to get a bit of interest from [England boss] Roy Hodgson." Cole spent
last season on loan at French club Lille after struggling to impress at
Anfield following a free transfer from Chelsea in 2010. "I am buzzing to
play and make my debut again," said the midfielder, who is set to start for
the Hammers in their FA Cup third round tie at home to Manchester United on
Saturday.

Cole was in England's 23-man squad for the 2010 World Cup but only made two
substitute appearances. At the previous World Cup four years earlier, he
earned a man of the match award when scoring a spectacular volley and
providing an assist in the 2-2 draw with Sweden. Cole admitted he had not
ruled out trying to make the tournament for a third time, at Rio in 2014. "I
will always harbour those ambitions because I love playing for my country,"
said Cole. "Let's get playing first. I think I will need three to four games
to get to my top level."

Allardyce said Cole, who joined Chelsea from West Ham for £6.6m after the
Hammers were relegated in 2003, can rejuvenate his career. "There is still
an awful lot of football left in him, and Joe feels he needed a break
somewhere and to recreate himself," he said. Cole's brother-in-law, former
footballer Mitchell Cole, died aged 27 from a heart condition at the end of
November 2012. And the player said being near his family was an important
factor in choosing West Ham ahead of a reunion at QPR with his former
Hammers boss Harry Redknapp. "Harry gave me my first chance and I'll be
forever indebted to him. It was just a case that I wanted to be close to my
family and when West Ham came in it was too much for me not to say no," he
said. Cole said he was "haunted" by West Ham's 2003 relegation on 42 points,
in a side which also included Jermain Defoe and Glen Johnson. "You want to
come back and put things right," he said. "It is a new club I have come back
to. It is so organised and efficient and a lot of work is going on behind
the scenes. It has been an eye-opener. "I just want to be involved in this
club going places with the [anticipated move to the] Olympic Stadium and the
job the gaffer has done."

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West Ham v Man Utd
KO 17:15
4 January 2013
FA CUP THIRD ROUND
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday, 5 January Kick-off: 17:15 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, BBC local radio, Final Score

TEAM NEWS

West Ham captain Kevin Nolan and defender James Collins will return after
completing their suspensions. Defender Joey O'Brien (hamstring) is a doubt
and striker Andy Carroll (knee) and midfielder Mohamed Diame (hamstring) are
still unavailable.

Manchester United will welcome back defenders Phil Jones and Nemanja Vidic
for the trip. Wayne Rooney (knee) has been ruled out while Nani (hamstring)
is still missing despite returning to training.

MATCH PREVIEW

MATCH FACTS

Head to head
• Manchester United have won 57, drawn 24 and lost 42 of their 123
competitive matches against West Ham.
• The Red Devils have won eight of the last nine, including a 1-0
triumph at Old Trafford in the Premier League in November when Robin van
Persie's first-minute goal was the difference between the sides. The
exception was the Hammers' 4-0 victory, in the fifth round of the Carling
Cup in November 2010, when there were doubles for Jonathan Spector and
Carlton Cole.
• The east Londoners hold a 4-3 winning record over United in the FA
Cup. Their most notable triumph was 3-1 at Hillsborough in the 1964
semi-finals, on their way to winning the trophy. The third of United's
victories was 6-0 in the fourth round in 2003 at Old Trafford; Ryan Giggs
scored twice.
West Ham United
• The 1964, 1975 and 1980 winners, who last made an unsuccessful
appearance in the final in 2006, have failed to make progress in three of
the last five seasons.
• They have also been beaten in each of the last six occasions they
have been drawn against Premier League clubs in the FA Cup, and have not
disqualified one since Middlesbrough in the 2006 semi-finals.
• This is one of four all-Premier League ties, and the pick of the
third round.
Manchester United
• Treble-chasing Manchester United boast the best record in the FA
Cup, with 18 appearances in the final, 11 of which were won - five under Sir
Alex Ferguson.
• This is the fifth successive time they have been drawn against
fellow Premier-League opposition in the competition, and the 20th in 25
rounds. When Fergie's men last qualified for the final in May 2007, they
faced fellow top-fight opposition in all six rounds.
• If the Red Devils do not concede, it will be their 150th clean sheet
in the FA Cup.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Marouane Chamakh: Arsenal striker joins West Ham on loan
BBC.co.uk

Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh has joined West Ham on loan until the end
of the season. The Moroccan forward, 28, has struggled to establish himself
at the Emirates since moving on a free transfer from Bordeaux in 2010. But
West Ham have given Chamakh a chance to resurrect his career. His arrival
follows that of Joe Cole, who completed his move to Upton Park from
Liverpool on an 18-month deal earlier on Friday.Chamakh was prolific in
France, scoring 79 goals in 293 appearances for Bordeaux, but has scored
just eight Premier League goals for Arsenal since joining the club - and he
has yet to appear in this campaign.
Three of his four appearances this season have been in the Capital One Cup,
although he did find the net twice when the Gunners won 7-5 at Reading in
October.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Joe Cole: West Ham sign midfielder from Liverpool
BBC.o.uk

West Ham have completed the free transfer of midfielder Joe Cole from
Liverpool on an 18-month contract. The 31-year-old has rejoined his former
club in time for Saturday's FA Cup tie with Manchester United at Upton Park.
"I've always loved West Ham and I hope I can give the club a few memorable
seasons," he said. Cole has struggled to impress at Anfield following a free
transfer from Chelsea in 2010 and spent last season on loan at French club
Lille. Liverpool reportedly agreed to pay Cole £3m to remove him from their
wage bill. He would have earned around £7m over the final 18 months of his
contract, with weekly wages of £92,000 compared with £50,000 at West Ham.
His return to the east London club, where he progressed through the youth
ranks, comes after on-loan midfielder Yossi Benayoun returned to Chelsea
from the Hammers. "It's a great move for me. This is where I learnt my trade
and I'm happy to have another chance to be here," said Cole. His former
Hammers manager Harry Redknapp had tried to lure the midfielder, who has
been capped 56 times by England, to QPR but Cole said it was an easy
decision to rejoin West Ham under boss Sam Allardyce. "Sam didn't have to
sell me the club for me to come back," said Cole, who moved to Chelsea for
£6.6m in 2003 after West Ham were relegated from the Premier League. "For
me, I have had 18 months at Liverpool where I haven't played much football
and Sam wants to play me. "I'm going to need games to get back to my best,
but I want to play football and come here and help the team to make an
impact."

Following the move of 18-year-old striker Sean Maguire from Irish side
Waterford United, Cole is Allardyce's second signing of the January transfer
window and is set to start in Saturday's FA Cup third-round match. "Joe's
main strength is opening teams up and we'll give him the ball and tell him
to go and do that for us," said Allardyce. "If we can extract the best out
of him again, it will be a fantastic signing. He's coming home and it's
really great that he chose us."

A product of West Ham's youth academy, Cole signed professional terms in
1998 and helped the Hammers win the FA Youth Cup the following year. During
his first spell at Upton Park, he played alongside the likes of Paolo Di
Canio, Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick and Jermain Defoe, but he moved across
London when the club went down. He won three Premier League titles and the
FA Cup twice in a seven-year stay with the Blues. After failing to agree a
new contract he moved to Merseyside but only made six substitute appearances
this season. Cole received a warm reception from fans when returning to West
Ham with Liverpool last month, and did not celebrate his goal in the Reds'
3-2 win. "It was a big thing in me coming back, the fact that everybody here
wants me to do well," added Cole, who will again wear the number 26 shirt as
he did in his first spell with the Hammers. "The fans have always been great
for me, whenever I have been back and also when I've been in the area
visiting family. "I feel like I owe the club a little bit as well because if
it wasn't for West Ham I wouldn't be a footballer. This club's great
youth-team coaches taught me the trade. "Everywhere I go around the world,
people love West Ham. People know me for starting here."

West Ham, who were promoted in 2005, relegated six years later and went up
again last year, are 11th in the Premier League after 20 games.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Welcome home, Joe, you have been missed
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 4th January 2013
By: Paul Walker

Forgive me for being all misty-eyed for a moment, but one of the lost
generation is coming home, and he couldn't be more welcome in my eyes.

We are forever seeing lists of our academy graduates who have had to be sold
to keep us afloat, and we all do that ' they're our boys' look whenever an
England side takes the field will a majority of former Irons stars in their
ranks.

Now I know Joe Cole wouldn't be here if he'd manage to impress Brendan
Rodgers enough to get a regular Liverpool spot. But impressing the Anfield
boss when he's been told to slash the wage bill is a pretty tough task.

So after almost ten years away, and a couple of Premier League title medals
in his locker (no, none at Liverpool, stop making me laugh) my favourite old
boy from the ranks of that lost generation, is back in claret and blue.

Now I've already seen nonsense on message boards about Cole being a
mercenary and a traitor. It only underlines my belief that we do have some
real muppets as fans.

The vast majority of Irons fans accept Cole as one of us, a youngster with
genuine stunning ability that we nurtured. A teenage that filled me with joy
when I watched his skills on the pitch.

And I hope we played just a small part in convincing Joe that he would be
welcomed back. Far too many of our ex-players fear the backlash and abuses
that may follow a return to the Boleyn. The distasteful treatment of Paul
Ince and Frank Lampard underlines that point.

We really should be above all that nonsense, and understand that young
players will always move on from a selling club, and that's what we are and
what we have been for many a year.

When Joe came on as a sub for Liverpool at our place last month, he was
greeted by a genuine, heartfelt welcome. Applauded from all four sides of
the stadium, he must have realised the warmth and even sympathy from Irons
fans.

He has had a tough time with injuries, and tried his best to make the move
to Liverpool work, even accepting a loan move to Lille, where he did pretty
well last season.

Cole responded that day by scoring a fine goal for Liverpool but refused to
celebrate, even pushing Jonjo Selvey away - another ex-Hammers youngster -
who understood immediately that his team mate was trying to show respect for
his former club and their fans.

Now, a few weeks later, Cole is back in the fold. And even if he is now 31,
probably past his magical best, and more than happy with a lengthy new
contract at Upton Park, he's still very, very welcome back in my book and I
will be more than unimpressed if there is a peep of antipathy towards him
now.

When he left back in 2003 after our shattering relegation with a record 42
points, this club had no choice but to cash in. We were in a terrible
financial mess.

I clung on all that summer, admittedly with my fans' hat on rather than the
realistic journalist one, hoping Joe would stay. I felt that if he did and
gave us one season in the Championship, we would be promoted straight away.

And we got to the last week of pre-season before we sold him. I remember
vividly where I was, although my long-suffering wife was none too pleased.

We had just touched down in Jersey for a short break and had found our way
to our hotel. We walked into our room and the first thing I did was turn on
the TV. Not a good move. The first news item hit me like a bolt of
lightening. We had sold Joe Cole. My good lady really could have done
without the sullen, sulking that followed from her old man that day.

The reality was that Joe's departure was just as inevitable as the rest of
the fire-sale that summer. We were in a terrible financial situation. I
believe that the £6m we got from Chelsea a few weeks earlier for Glen
Johnson avoided administration.

Things were that bad. And selling Joe to the same club was as obvious as
night following day. The reality is that young talent always gets sold when
a club goes down these days, such is the vast difference of wages caused by
the Sky Sports League (sorry, I mean Premier League.)

Michael Carrick gave us another season, Jermain Defoe kept getting himself
sent off and had too be sold, while David James survived until the January
window and then both were gone.

Carrick stayed until the bitter end of that season and the play-off final
defeat by Crystal Palace. Mind you, had referee Graham Poll given on obvious
penalty in the final stages of that match in Cardiff, we may well have
turned the final around and Carrick would not have had to be sold to Spurs
the following August for a derisory £3.5m.

They also got Freddie Kanoute back in the summer of 2003 for £3.5m, they
really are the nastiest of predators when we are concerned. We actually lost
Cole and Kanoute inside a week for a total of £10m. It was all so
inevitable, so you should not blame the young players because they have
their futures, their families, to think about. And we had to sell because we
could not afford them. That's the reality.

So when the Cole story broke this week, I had a wistful look at You Tube and
the 1999 Youth Cup Final, when we beat Coventry 9-0 over two legs in the
final. I hadn't realised that Chris Kirkland was in goal for Coventry's
youngsters for the final.

We'd all heard plenty about Joe before that, but the rest of the world got a
look at the little star that night on Sky, Carrick too.

Cole was stunning and Carrick sprayed passed around just like the modern day
star he has become at Manchester United. We all felt, then, that the club
had the basis of a really fine side for the future.

Sadly it never happened. Four years later, due to rank bad management and
financial rubbish from our owners, we were relegated. Defoe, Johnson, Cole,
Carrick and David James were all in that relegated side on the last day at
Birmingham.

Paolo Di Canio also came on as a sub to score the equaliser. He had barely
been around in the months beforehand, after falling out with boss Glenn
Roeder.

It's strange that Di Canio, despite all the stress he caused the boss and
club in that traumatic season, is still seen as a mystic hero, while our
home-grown youngsters who eventually left the club, get so much grief. If Di
Canio had knuckled down and played his heart out for the club that season,
we may have avoided the drop.

But that's all history now. We are about to see Joe Cole again in a West Ham
shirt, and I for one could not be more pleased. I don't expect to see all
the circus tricks that the boy produced as a teen star, but I'm just glad to
see one of our own back in the family.

He's missed out on all the fun of the last decade, another relegation, a cup
final, and a promotion. Plus one financial crisis after another.

It's just nice to see you back where you belong Joe, welcome home.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Marouane Chamakh seeking immediate contribution
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 4th January 2013
By: Staff Writer

Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh says he is 'happy' to join West Ham on loan
for the rest of the season. The 28-year-old Morrocan was confirmed as a
Hammer earlier today taking Sam Allardyce's transfer haul to three players
already this window, following the earlier arrivals of Sean Maguire and Joe
Cole.
And speaking to the club's website this afternoon, Chamakh said that he
can't wait to get started. ""I'm very happy to be here," he said. "I want to
play and give my best for this team. "I can bring my heading, some goals and
we will see what else. "I think this will be a very important move for me
and I don't want to waste any more time. I want to contribute immediately. I
didn't have opportunities to play recently, but I did well before and I know
I am a very good striker."

However one suspects that the Moroccan hasn't seen too much of West Ham this
season given his subsequent comment regarding formations. "We played only
one striker at Arsenal, so I didn't play a lot," he added. "I hope to do so
more with West Ham."

A bunch of Arse? Strikers who went from north to east London

John Radford (1976-77): Having been squeezed out at Arsenal, John Lyall took
a punt on the Yorkshireman who repaid him by failing to score a single goal
in 28 appearances during the 76/77 and 77/78 seasons. Sold to Second
Division Blackburn (for whom he averaged a goal every four games).

John Hartson (1997-99): The only striker signed from Arsenal to prove a
success at West Ham. Plucked from the Gunners' reserves, Hartson formed a
formidable partnership with Paul Kitson and scored 24 goals in 59 starts for
the club. Signed for £3.5m, Wimbledon paid £7.5m for him in 1999 when he was
half the player West Ham had signed.

Ian Wright (1998-00): Joined West Ham for £500,000 in July 1998 and scored
on his competitive debut. Spent just over a season at the club with limited
success, scoring nine goals in 22 league appearances. Sold to Celtic on a
free.

Davor Suker (2000-01): The once-great Croat came to West Ham via Arsenal
following a season at Highbury. Harry Redknapp famously claimed that he cost
the entire takings of the East Stand for one year during which he scored
only two league goals. Sold to Munich on a free after one season.

Jeremie Aliadiere (2005-06): Then just 22, he moved to West Ham on a
season-long loan in August 2005. After just one start and seven substitute
appearances he was sent back to Highbury (at the end of January 2006).

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Arsenal's Chamakh joins West Ham on six-month loan
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 4th January 2013
By: Staff Writer

Arsenal's Moroccan forward Marouane Chamakh has joined West Ham on loan
until the end of the season. The 28-year-old has moved to east London for
the remainder of the 2012/13 campaign where he will act as cover for Modibo
Maiga during the African Cup of Nations, which begins later this month. West
Ham were first linked with a move for the former Bordeaux striker
two-and-a-half years ago during Gianfranco Zola's reign as Hammers boss.
However United eventually missed out on a player rated, at the time, at
£15million. Chamakh, who has been training with his new team mates at
Chadwell Heath today could be thrust straight into the squad to face
Manchester United at the Boleyn Ground tomorrow should his paperwork have
been processed in time. However his arrival hasn't been universally welcomed
by all involved with West Ham. David Sullivan's son Jack, who has -
presumably with his father's permission - enjoyed the upper hand on transfer
scoops in recent windows Tweeted this morning: "I am very sorry about this
news: Chamakh has sign a six-month loan deal! Not my pick."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Joe Cole on West Ham return
KUMb.com
Filed: Friday, 4th January 2013
By: Staff Writer

Joe Cole has called his return to West Ham "a great move". The 31-year-old
midfielder, who returns to the Boleyn Ground almost ten years since he
initially left the club in a £6million move to Chelsea was confirmed as a
West Ham player this morning by the club. Speaking to whufc.com this
morning, Cole said: "It is a great move for me. This is where I learnt my
trade and I'm happy to have another chance to be here. "I've always loved
West Ham and I hope I can give the club a few memorable seasons. The timing
was right for me to come back and I'm happy. I'm back in London and I'm
delighted to be here. I want to be here and I want to make an impact."

Cole, who has signed an 18-month deal and will wear the number 26 shirt is
understood to have arrived at the club on a free transfer. He will earn in
the region of £40,000-per-week. And he cited the positive response he has
received in the past from supporters as a returning player as a factor in
his decision to return to east London. "It was a big thing in me coming back
- the fact that everybody here wants me to do well," he affirmed. "The fans
have always been great for me, whenever I have been back and also when I've
been in the area visiting family. "I feel like I owe the club a little bit
as well because if it wasn't for West Ham I wouldn't be a footballer. This
club's great youth-team coaches taught me the trade."

Sam Allardyce, for whom Cole will effectively replace the outgoing Yossi
benayoun who has returned to Chelsea, was also pleased at the former England
international's arrival. "It's a good deal for us," he said. "Hopefully he
will grasp it with both hands and produce some of the outstanding ability
and quality that we know he has. If we can extract the best out of him
again, then it will be a fantastic signing for us at West Ham United."

Cole, who made his league debut for West Ham in a Premiership fixture
against Manchester United at Old Trafford 14 years ago this month could make
his first appearance under Sam Allardyce against the same opposition, having
been included in the squad for this Saturday's FA Cup tie.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Blackburn defender Martin Olsson is wanted by West Ham, his agent claims
Last Updated: January 4, 2013 4:14pm
SSN

Martin Olsson's agent has claimed that West Ham are one of a number of clubs
looking to land the Blackburn defender. The Sweden international was tipped
to leave Ewood Park in the summer following Blackburn's relegation from the
Premier League, but a deal never materialised. Now the 24-year-old is being
targeted again with West Ham said to be showing particular interest. "There
is a great interest in Martin and West Ham are one of the clubs that we have
contact with," Olsson's agent Hasan Cetinkaya told Expressen. Sam Allardyce
was linked over the summer, and he knows Olsson well from his time in charge
at Blackburn. "West Ham are a great club, but it's like I said other foreign
clubs are involved," Cetinkaya continued.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce welcomes Joe Cole after move from Liverpool
Last Updated: January 4, 2013 12:10pm
SSN

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has welcomed the return of Joe Cole to the
club after the 31-year-old midfielder completed his move from Liverpool.
Cole is back at the club where he started his career and has signed an
18-month contract after leaving Anfield on a free transfer. Allardyce said:
"It's a good one for us. I think that somebody as talented as Joe and as
enthusiastic about playing football and not all about money, as most
transfers seem to be about today, is a pleasure to bring back to the club
and give the opportunity he is looking for. "I think that we will give him
that and hopefully he will grasp it with both hands and produce some of the
outstanding ability and quality that we know he has and do that for us
during the period of time that his contact is with us. "If we can extract
the best out of him again then it will be a fantastic signing for us at West
Ham. "He is somebody that is coming back home from where he started. He has
realised his dreams here of being a footballer and it's great to have
secured the deal and really great that he chose us. "It's nice to have a
player who has played 56 times for England. He's just into his thirties so I
think there is an awful lot of football left in him. He hasn't being playing
regularly enough since his move to Liverpool which frustrated him. "He feels
he needs a break to get somewhere else and recreate himself and I think we
have got the back-up services and the staff behind the scenes to help him do
that. For us it is a great move and hopefully it is for him. "Extra quality
in the team is always important. Joe's main strength lies in possession and
his ability to open teams up and beat individuals is a key element and that
is what we will be looking for."
When asked about the possibility of Cole adding to his tally of 56 England
caps, Allardyce added: "I don't see why not. "If he can recapture his old
form and play on a regular basis for us, he is bound to get a bit of
interest from Roy Hodgson. I think his main focus first is making sure he
plays for West Ham on a regular basis and reproducing the form that we know
he can produce."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Man United: Joe Cole set for second debut in FA Cup at Upton Park
Last Updated: January 4, 2013 11:37am
KUMB.com

All eyes will be on Joe Cole when West Ham United host Manchester United in
the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday evening. The midfielder has
re-joined his boyhood club from Liverpool on an 18-month contract and has
the chance to make his first appearance in a glamorous cup tie at Upton
Park. Cole also has fond memories of playing against Manchester United in
the FA Cup, having been a teenager in the team who stunned Sir Alex
Ferguson's team in 2001's fourth round. West Ham manager Sam Allardyce will
know Premier League stability remains a priority for last season's
Championship play-off winners. But a cup win over Ferguson's table-topping
squad would act as a significant confidence boost for the London club. Not
that Manchester United will be taking it easy when they kick-off in the
capital at the weekend. The FA Cup remains a special competition in
Ferguson's eyes and the fact his side have not won it since 2004 has become
something of an irritation.

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

Cole could make his West Ham United debut in his second spell at the club
when they take on Manchester United in the FA Cup on Saturday evening. The
midfielder has returned to Upton Park, where he began his career, on an
18-month contract which was confirmed on Friday morning. But West Ham will
still be without injured on-loan striker Andy Carroll and so Carlton Cole is
likely to continue in attack. Mohamed Diame also remains sidelined through
injury but James Collins and Kevin Nolan can return after suspension.

Man Utd
Last 6
0-4
2-0
4-3
1-1
3-1
2-3

Manchester United are set for changes and it is quite conceivable Sir Alex
Ferguson could select a completely different starting line-up to the one he
picked at Wigan Athletic. Wayne Rooney will definitely be absent after being
ruled out for another two weeks due to the knee injury he sustained at
Swansea City on 22nd December. Darren Fletcher could come into the team in
midfield as he has not started a game since 1st December after being
involved in three of the previous four. Shinji Kagawa needs additional match
practice after his knee injury, while Nemanja Vidic, Chris Smalling and Phil
Jones are also searching for full fitness.

Opta Facts

Man United have won four of their last six FA Cup matches when away to
fellow Premier League teams
West Ham have won eight and lost just two of their last 13 home games in the
FA Cup
This will be the eighth FA Cup tie between West Ham United and Manchester
United

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Joe Cole completes free transfer from Liverpool to first club West Ham
Last Updated: January 4, 2013 3:15pm
SSN

Joe Cole has completed his return to West Ham on a free transfer. The
31-year-old is back at his first club on an 18-month contract after
Liverpool sanctioned his departure at the end of an unsuccessful
two-and-a-half-year spell. Cole, who started 108 league games for West Ham
during his first period at the club, will wear the No 26 shirt he gave up to
join Chelsea in 2003. "This is where I learnt my trade and I'm happy to have
another chance to be here. I've always loved West Ham and I hope I can give
the club a few memorable seasons." He told the club's official website: "It
is a great move for me. Coming back here brings back all the memories of the
pitches I learnt how to play on. "This is where I learnt my trade and I'm
happy to have another chance to be here. I've always loved West Ham and I
hope I can give the club a few memorable seasons. "The timing was right for
me to come back and I'm happy. I'm back in London and I'm delighted to be
here. I want to be here and I want to make an impact. "Sam Allardyce didn't
have to sell me the club for me to come back. For me, I have had 18 months
at Liverpool where I haven't played much football and Sam wants to play me.
"I feel like I owe the club a little bit as well because if it wasn't for
West Ham I wouldn't be a footballer. This club's great youth-team coaches
taught me the trade."

Cole could also have moved to QPR, and been reunited with his former West
Ham boss Harry Redknapp. He said: "That was the hardest thing for me,
because Harry gave me my first chance and I will be forever indebted to him,
but there was too much here at West Ham for me to say no. "The only hard
thing was turning down Harry because I love him and I would not be the
player I was if it wasn't for him."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
EXCLUSIVE: Why Matt Jarvis Did the Attitude Covershoot
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die

This is a Guest Post by Matthew Todd, editor of ATTITUDE magazine. I
contacted him last night to ask how he had persuaded Matt Jarvis to do the
shoot and what the consequences might be. Here's what he sent back.

We're constantly talking to lots of different people about being potential
cover stars or being featured in the magazine and this includes footballers
and other sports stars. Attitude has been published since 1994 and although
we've had lots of sports stars happy to be on the cover like Ben Cohen,
James Anderson, Greg Rutherford and most recently Paralympian Jonnie
Peacock, footballers have always been hard to get. David Beckham became the
first one to appear on the cover in 2002 and then Freddie Ljungberg in 2006
but none since then. I know Matt's publicist and speak to her often and we
asked Matt if he would come and present an award at our inaugural Attitude
Awards last October. He said yes and he and his wife came along and had a
great evening mixing with Ian McKellen, Clare Balding, McFly, Gary Barlow
and lots of other celebs. He was clearly a decent guy so we suggested doing
this cover. He didn't need any convincing at all and jumped at the chance. I
think he relished the opportunity to show that lots of different people get
stereotyped, including footballer and that despite the image, he and lots of
his fellow players are completely at ease with gay people, it isn't an issue
for them and that an openly gay player would be welcomed in the game. He
feels that the problem might come from the supporters but not from the
industry itself, but that even that is changing. I do think that perhaps
there is more homophobia from the stands than he thinks, but it's great that
he feels happy to speak up about it. It's really time for the game to just
be relaxed about gay people. I know so many gay men who are incredibly
passionate about football, and clubs are losing out from the fact that
players being in the closet really puts pressure on them. If they were able
to be themselves and come out and it wasn't an issue to people, it would
improve their performance, no doubt about it.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jarvis: Football would benefit if more gay players came out
The Sun
By TOM BARCLAY
Published: 12 hrs ago

FOOTBALL would benefit if more gay players came out, according to West Ham
star Matt Jarvis. The Sun revealed yesterday how 25 per cent of a poll
involving 100 professionals reckon homosexual players would be deemed
outcasts if they revealed their true identity. But Premier League ace
Jarvis, who has one cap for England, believes gay players would perform
better if they did not have to hide their sexual preference — and their
clubs would benefit too.
When asked if a gay player being open would enhance the team, the married
26-year-old said: "I'd agree with that. "Because you've always got something
you're worried about at the back of your mind. "If you can let that go and
then just concentrate on your one goal, which is whichever sport you're
doing to the best of your ability, I think that would help. "I'm sure that
would help with the team situation."

Jarvis becomes only the THIRD footballer to appear on the front cover of UK
gay magazine, Attitude, for February's edition which is out today. David
Beckham was the first in 2002, followed by Freddie Ljungberg in 2006 — but
none have appeared since. Despite yesterday's shocking revelation on
football's attitude towards gay stars, Jarvis insists the soccer community
is not homophobic. Asked if a player should come out, the Hammers winger
said: "Yeah, of course. It's everyday life. "It's not something that's going
to be a shock. I'm sure there are many footballers who are gay but when they
decide to actually come out and say it is a different story. "It's one that
I'm sure they've thought about many times. But it's a hard thing for them to
do."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
"I am very sorry about this": Disappointed West Ham owner's son confirms
Chamakh loan deal
The Mirror
4 Jan 2013 14:24

West Ham have signed Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh on loan - although one
supporter of the club in particular is far from happy about the deal.
Breaking the news on Twitter, Jack Sullivan - son of Hammers co-owner David
- posted: "I am very sorry about this news Chamakh has sign a 6 month loan
deal! not my pick :("

Jack Sullivan has a track record of revealing inside information about West
Ham deals on Twitter. And while many fans welcome his honesty and insight,
this latest outburst - posted before the club itself had officially
confirmed the deal - could prove embarrassing to the Hammers hierarchy.

Only a couple of hours earlier manager Sam Allardyce had told reporters in
his Friday press conference that the club had made an 'enquiry' about
Chamakh.
"The situation I have with Andy Carroll being injured and Modibo Maiga
going to the African Cup of Nations, this moment as a striker we have
Carlton Cole and that's it," said Allardyce. MirrorFootball understands that
the move has now been confirmed. And the Moroccan striker can at least take
heart from Jack Sullivan's follow-up post: "I hope Chamakh can prove me
wrong !?!?!?"

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Chamakh wasted his Arsenal chance
Posted by Andrew Mangan
ESPN

When Marouane Chamakh signed for Arsenal in the summer of 2010, he was
thrust into action straight away with Robin van Persie absent through
injury. The Dutchman's problems were nothing new, and the Moroccan arrived
from Bordeaux with a good reputation.

Although adapting to English football can prove challenging to foreign
players, he was scoring at a rate of a goal every other game until November,
at which point Van Persie's fitness and form relegated him to the bench and
his chances were limited. In the subsequent two years he has scored just
four goals and his departure to West Ham means he's not likely to play again
for the club. The six month loan deal is a prelude to a summer sale
regardless of how well he does for the Hammers.

While Van Persie's position as the main striker at the club was hardly a
surprise to Chamakh, and he must have known this before he signed, perhaps
the fitness issue meant he played less than he had envisaged. He'd spent
long spells on the sidelines in almost every season before Chamakh's
arrival, there was no real reason to think he could play almost every game,
but that's what happened and the former Bordeaux man was frozen out.

Apart from in the FA Cup. And the League Cup. And in certain Champions
League games. Games in which he could have shown Arsene Wenger he was still
a viable option. He failed to do that, and the performances were in stark
contrast to his encouraging early days at the club. He wouldn't ever have
convinced you he was a striker of high quality, but he was energetic, honest
and he worked hard to overcome his technical limitations. He was good in the
air and held the ball up well.

But as his stock faded so too did his endeavour. He looked like a player
whose desire was sated by his surroundings and salary, and there were
suggestions that he was enjoying life off the pitch far more than he was on
it. He was pictured smoking a shisha pipe after a game against QPR, with
Arsene Wenger saying: "It's not the best thing to do. We want him to focus
completely - without smoking."

He's far from the first footballer to be caught smoking, but it was typical
of the malaise which he allowed destroy his Arsenal career. The effort and
hard work was gone from his football, the lack of quality that made up for
became all too obvious, and this season he's hardly featured on the bench,
let alone the first team.

Quite what West Ham see in him at this point is anybody's guess. Maybe he'll
thrive again under the more disciplined managerial style of Sam Allardyce,
but there won't be too many Arsenal fans sorry to see him go and many who
will hope his place in the squad will be taken by a new arrival.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 4th January 2013

Hammers snap up striker
WHUFC.com
West Ham United have signed Republic of Ireland U19 forward Sean Maguire from Waterford United
03.01.2013

West Ham United are pleased to announce the signing of Republic of Ireland Under-19 international striker Sean Maguire from Waterford United. The forward, who does not turn 19 until May, finished as joint-top scorer in the League of Ireland First Division in 2012, helping Waterford to finish as runners-up. Maguire, who bagged 13 goals in 24 league appearances to help the Blues reach the promotion play-offs, joined the Hammers on a two-and-a-half year contract on New Year's Day - subject to international clearance - after the two clubs agreed a fee in December following a successful trial. The teenager, who is described as a clinical finisher, moved into the Academy House this week and trained with his new team-mates on Thursday admitted he cannot wait to pull on a claret and blue shirt for the first time. "I played with Waterford but I originally come from Kilkenny," he told West Ham TV. "I finished joint-top goalscorer in the Irish First Division and was nominated for Young Player of the Year and Players' Player of the Year, so I thought I had a successful season. "In summer 2011, the Waterford manager brought me in for a couple of training sessions and gave me a chance in the first team and I took it. Here I am now at West Ham and it is a dream come true, really. "People tend to say my best trait is my movement so hopefully I can show that here. I haven't been told yet which squad I will be in but I presume I'll be going into the reserves so I'll try to work my way up like I did at Waterford."

Maguire will hope to settle quickly at his new club, helped by the fact he already knows West Ham youngsters and fellow countrymen Eoin Wearen and Kieran Sadlier, as well as Northern Ireland youth international Jamie Harney. "I trained with Kieran when we went to Latvia with Ireland. He's a great player and he plays a similar role to me. I get on well with him and Jamie and Eoin too. They have really helped me settle into the club, as have the other lads like George Moncur."

Maguire, who was born in Luton but grew up in the town of Castlecomer in County Kilkenny, has been a prolific scorer for the Blues since making his first-team debut just two months past his 17th birthday in July 2011. The 5'9 tall frontman played for local club Evergreen and schoolboy soccer for Deen Celtic and Ormonde Villa before coming to prominence when he scored a hat-trick for the Kilkenny & District League in the Youth All-Ireland final against Cork in 2011.
Following that fine performance, he was snapped up by Waterford, initially going into the club's under-19 side. However, manager Paul O'Brien gave Maguire a chance in the first team and he earned an 18-month contract with the club. After scoring once in the 2011 campaign, Maguire came of age last year, netting four times across three successive league games in June. That form saw him earn international honours in the shape of a Republic of Ireland Under-19 debut in a 1-1 friendly draw in Latvia in September - two weeks before he scored his first senior hat-trick in a 4-2 win over Longford Town.

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Marouane Chamakh: West Ham move for Arsenal striker
BBC.co.uk

Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh is in talks with West Ham about joining the club. The Moroccan forward, 28, has struggled to establish himself at the Emirates since moving on a free transfer from Bordeaux in 2010. But West Ham want to give Chamakh a chance to resurrect his career. Sam Allardyce's side are also poised to complete the signing of Joe Cole from Liverpool, another player who has found himself on the first-team fringes. Chamakh was prolific in France, scoring 79 goals in 293 appearances for Bordeaux, but has scored just eight Premier League goals for Arsenal since joining the club - and he has yet to appear in this campaign. Three of his four appearances this season have been in the Capital One Cup, although he did find the net twice when the Gunners won 7-5 at Reading in October.

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West Ham sign Irish striker Sean Maguire from Waterford
By Frank Keogh
BBC Sport

West Ham have signed 18-year-old striker Sean Maguire from Republic of Ireland club Waterford United. Maguire, who was born in Luton but grew up in Kilkenny, has joined on a two-and-a-half year contract. The Republic of Ireland Under-19 international has scored 14 goals in 32 games for Waterford. Waterford chairman John O'Sullivan told BBC Sport: "I'm a great fan of Lionel Messi at Barcelona. When I look at Seanie, he really reminds me of him."
He added: "Seanie has the same kind of balance, burst of speed and he's powerful on the ball. "He has a great shot from any range and he's good in the air. He has everything going for him. He still has to build up a bit of muscle, but there's no doubt West Ham will help him do that.

Sean Maguire factfile
Age: 18
Height: 5ft 9in
First-team debut: For Waterford in July 2011
Republic of Ireland U-19 debut: September 2012

"If Seanie keeps progressing the way he is, it won't be long before he's getting first-team football at West Ham. There is no question whatsoever he will be a star one day for the Republic of Ireland." Maguire was out of contract and the Hammers have agreed a compensation package with the Irish side, who get crowds of about 1,800 for home matches. He has attracted interest from several English clubs after starring for Waterford as they finished second in the Airtricity First Division, the second tier of Irish football, during their season which finished in November. He was one of three nominees for the 2012 Professional Footballers' Association of Ireland Young Player of the Year award, won by midfielder Chris Forrester of St Patrick's Athletic. It is expected Maguire will start in the Hammers development squad, which competes in the Under-21 Premier League. "Here I am now at West Ham and it's a dream come true really," he said. "People tend to say my best trait is my movement so hopefully I can show that here. I haven't been told yet which squad I will be in but I presume I'll be going into the reserves so I'll try to work my way up like I did at Waterford."

West Ham want to sign midfielder Joe Cole from Liverpool and have enquired about Aston Villa left-back Stephen Warnock, 30. Warnock, who has two England caps, is back with Villa after spending three months on loan at Bolton.

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Joe Cole: West Ham to sign forward as Yossi Benayoun leaves
By David Ornstein
BBC Sport

Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole is expected to complete his move to West Ham in time for Saturday's FA Cup tie with Manchester United at Upton Park. The 31-year-old will undergo a medical on Thursday and is set to rejoin his former club on an 18-month contract. Cole, whose move comes after on-loan midfielder Yossi Benayoun returned to Chelsea, must be registered by 12:00 GMT on Friday to face the Red Devils. Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers said: "It will be a terrific move for Joe." Cole has struggled to impress at Anfield following a free transfer move from Chelsea in 2010.

Joe Cole's career
West Ham: 150 appearances, 13 goals (1999-2003)
Chelsea: 282 appearances, 39 goals (2003-2010)
Liverpool: 42 appearances, five goals (2010-2013)
Lille: 38 appearances, four goals (loan, 2011-2012)
England: 56 appearances, 10 goals (2001-2010)

The former England international spent last season on loan at French club Lille. Any move to West Ham would have to be permanent because the London club already have one Liverpool player on loan - striker Andy Carroll - and are prevented from adding a second. Cole, though, would be available on a free transfer as Liverpool are prepared to cancel his contract and negotiate a settlement. Talking on Wednesday, Rodgers added: "I spoke to Joe earlier. He is a really good lad and has been brilliant during my time here."

The player came through the youth ranks at Upton Park before moving to Chelsea for £6.6m in 2003. He won three Premier League titles and two FA Cups in a seven-year stay with the Blues. After failing to agree a new contract he moved to Merseyside but has not been able to enjoy the same impact and has made only six substitute appearances this season. News of Cole's potential move comes after Liverpool signed forward Daniel Sturridge from Chelsea. QPR have also been linked with Cole, but manager Harry Redknapp told BBC Radio 5 live he was resigned to missing out. "I love Joe," he said. "I signed him when he was 11 years old at West Ham and I spoke to him. He was keen to come and he is a great lad. "He would be great around the place - he is a great player - but West Ham came in at the last moment and it was difficult because West Ham is his club and you will always associate Joe with them. "That is where he started out. The fans will love having him back there and I wish him all the best because he is a fantastic boy."

Heading out of West Ham is Benayoun, whose loan deal from Chelsea has been ended by a knee injury after just six appearances. The 32-year-old Israel international is expected to return to fitness in the next two weeks and has attracted interest from Southampton, Fulham and Wigan, but Chelsea are yet to receive any formal offers.

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West Ham move 'a dream come true'
KUMb.com
Filed: Thursday, 3rd January 2013
By: Staff Writer

West Ham have completed the signing of young Irish forward Sean Maguire. Last month we told you that a deal had been struck between West Ham and Maguire's former club Waterford for the services of the exciting 18-year-old striker. And the youngster, who moved into club digs earlier this week officially completed his move to West Ham earlier today when it was confirmed by the club's website. Speaking to whufc.com, Maguire said: "In summer 2011 the Waterford manager brought me in for a couple of training sessions and gave me a chance in the first team. Here I am now [18 months later] at West Ham and it is a dream come true, really. "People tend to say my best trait is my movement so hopefully I can show that here. I haven't been told yet which squad I will be in but I presume I'll be going into the reserves so I'll try to work my way up like I did at Waterford."

John O'Sullivan, the chiarman of Maguire's former club also wished the youngster well - insisting that the player reminded him of none other than Lionel Messi.
"When I look at Seanie, he really reminds me of him," O'Sullivan told the BBC. "Seanie has the same kind of balance, burst of speed and he's powerful on the ball. "He has a great shot from any range and he's good in the air. He has everything going for him. He still has to build up a bit of muscle, but there's no doubt West Ham will help him do that. "If Seanie keeps progressing the way he is, it won't be long before he's getting first-team football at West Ham. There is no question whatsoever he will be a star one day for the Republic of Ireland."

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Liverpool's Joe Cole training at West Ham
KUMb.com
Filed: Thursday, 3rd January 2013
By: Staff Writer

West Ham's latest impending signing has been training with his new team mates at Chadwell Heath today. Joe Cole, who is set to complete a return to east London from Liverpool within the next 24 hours has spent the day at West Ham's training complex familiarising himself with Sam Allardyce's squad. And should his transfer be confirmed as expected, the 31-year-old - pictured above - could go straight into the starting XI for the visit of Manchester United in the FA Cup third round tie this weekend. Although full details are yet to be confirmed, it has been suggested that Cole will join West Ham on a free transfer worth around £30,000-per-week. He is also expected to land a bumper bonus from his former club who will have to part-finance the remainder of Cole's contract on Merseyside.

Joe Cole: Career Stats
West Ham Utd (1998-2003): Pld 127 (23), Goals 13
Chelsea: (2003-2010): Pld 189 (93), Goals 40
Liverpool (2010-2013): Pld 23 (19), Goals 5
Lille (2011-2012): Pld 25 (13), Gls 4

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West Ham have signed Waterford United striker Sean Maguire
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated: January 3, 2013 6:30pm
SSN

West Ham have signed Waterford United striker Sean Maguire. Maguire enjoyed a successful trial spell at West Ham at the back end of last season and the Premier League club have decided to bring him to Upton Park on a permanent basis. The 18-year-old has agreed a two-and-a-half year deal at Upton Park with the Hammers having the option of a further year. Maguire had been attracting the interest of a host of clubs after his displays with Waterford United over the past 12 months and he is regarded as one of the best young prospects to emerge from Ireland in recent years. The likes of Blackpool, Brighton, Peterborough and Derby had all shown an interest, but West Ham have won the race for the forward's signature. Maguire, who scored 13 goals in 24 appearances, told West Ham TV: "In summer 2011 the Waterford manager brought me in for a couple of training sessions and gave me a chance in the first team and I took it. Here I am now at West Ham and it's a dream come true really. "People tend to say my best trait is my movement so hopefully I can show that here. I haven't been told yet which squad I will be in but I presume I'll be going into the reserves so I'll try to work my way up like I did at Waterford."

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Yossi Benayoun back at Chelsea after West Ham loan deal comes to an end
Last Updated: January 3, 2013 12:13pm
SSN

Yossi Benayoun has returned to Chelsea after completing his loan period at West Ham. The midfielder has struggled with a knee injury this season that has curtailed his involvement at Upton Park. Benayoun has been receiving treatment at Chelsea's Cobham training ground after appearing six times for the Hammers in the Premier League, the last of which came in their 1-0 win at Newcastle on 11 November. The Israel international has played just 11 times for Chelsea since signing from Liverpool for £5m in July 2010 and spent last season on loan at Arsenal.

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Matt Jarvis: Cover Boy
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die

Well this is not what you expect from a footballer. West Ham winger Matt Jarvis is this month's poster boy on the cover of gay magazine 'Attitude'. Matt is not gay himself, but he is very keen to encourage the last taboo in football to be blasted away. He is not the first footballer to appear on Attitude's cover - David Beckham did so in 2002 and Freddie Ljungberg did so in 2006.

In an interview with the magazine, Jarvis said he thought it was time that a gay footballer felt comfortable enough to come out. "It's everyday life. It's not something that's going to be a shock," he said. "I'm sure there are many footballers who are gay, but when they decide to actually come out and say it, it is a different story. It's one that I'm sure they've thought about many times. But it's a hard thing for them to do... There'd be support everywhere within the football community, whether it be players, fans or within the PFA [Professional Footballers' Association]. There would definitely be groups of people who would be supportive and help them through it."

You would hope that would be the case, but if a footballer does decide to take this step, I hope there will be many others that follow his lead, because being the only one would certainly not be a comfortable position to be in.

Homophobia is rife in football, both on the pitch and on the terraces. If Matt Jarvis helps combat that in any way, he should be congratulated.

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Pack Yo bags
Published: 11 hrs ago
The Sun

YOSSI BENAYOUN has been kicked to the kerb by West Ham and sent back to Chelsea. The creative midfielder, 32, was on a season-long loan deal at Upton Park. But with the imminent arrival of Joe Cole, the Hammers have called time on the injury-plagued Israeli's spell in East London. A West Ham statement read: "West Ham United can confirm that the loan of Yossi Benayoun has ended and he has returned to Chelsea. "The club would like to thank Yossi for his efforts during his second spell with the Hammers and wish him the best of luck for his future career." Benayoun made six appearances under boss Sam Allardyce during his second stint with West Ham, having previously been with the club from 2005 to 2007.

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Gunner go? Chamakh in West Ham talks as Arsenal launch winter clear-out
The Mirror
3 Jan 2013 22:30

Arsenal flop Marouane Chamakh has opened talks with West Ham over a loan move to Upton Park. The Morocco striker is one of the highest earners in the Gunners squad, on £80,000 a week, and boss Arsene Wenger is keen to get him off the wage bill. The Emirates club are ready to pay a portion of his salary to force the Hammers move through. West Ham will have the option to make the deal permanent in the summer.

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West Ham hope to draft Joe Cole into side for FA Cup tie with Manchester United
West Ham hope to beat a noon deadline on Friday to ensure Joe Cole is eligible for their FA Cup tie with Manchester United and on Thursday night were talking to Arsenal outcast Marouane Chamakh about a loan deal until the end of the season.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Chris Bascombe10:00PM GMT 03 Jan 2013

The signings would give a timely boost to Sam Allardyce's attacking options, with Andy Carroll's return from injury still some weeks away. Cole passed a medical at Upton Park on Thursday having been granted a free transfer from Liverpool. He was given permission to discuss terms in London earlier this week.
West Ham's interest in Chamakh was revealed by Telegraph Sport on Dec 16. The past 18 months have been miserable for the 28-year-old Moroccan, who has come under increasing criticism from Arsenal fans, although in Oct 2010 he became the first player in Champions League history to score in six consecutive matches. He is likely to be the first of several departures from the Emirates this month. Andrei Arshavin, Johan Djourou and Sebastien Squillaci are also expected to leave.

Only minor details in the arrangements of Cole's £3 million pay off at Anfield delayed confirmation of his return to his boyhood club. An announcement is expected in time to enable the 31 year-old to join Allardyce's squad this weekend. Cole has already been photographed in West Ham training gear and met his new team-mates, the lure of Upton Park ending Queens Park Rangers' hopes of attracting the former Chelsea player to assist in Harry Redknapp's relegation fight. Should his registration be pro­cessed in time, it will be an emotional weekend for the former England international, who was never able to settle on Merseyside due to injuries and lack of form. Liverpool agreed to terminate Cole's deal 18 months early, saving themselves a possible £4 million in wages.

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Joe Cole's West Ham homecoming is populist but ignores the reality
The Hammers' favourite son is set to re-sign on Friday but expectations are a whole lot lower this time around
Jacob Steinberg
The Guardian, Thursday 3 January 2013 21.51 GMT

The sustained applause that greeted Joe Cole's introduction as a substitute during Liverpool's victory at West Ham United last month would have told him how highly regarded he still is at Upton Park and perhaps reminded a player who was once English football's great white hope what it is like to be loved after his disastrous spell at Anfield. Cole would score Liverpool's second goal in that match but demonstrated the affection West Ham supporters feel for him is mutual by not celebrating.

Although there was an opportunity for a reunion with his first manager, Harry Redknapp, at Queens Park Rangers, the chance to rejoin his boyhood club seems like the perfect fit. Even if they do say you should never go back. So almost 10 years after leaving for Chelsea for £6m following West Ham's relegation under Glenn Roeder in 2003, the favourite son is returning and it has been a long time coming.

The longing for Cole to return has persisted ever since his departure and, if nothing else, this is a populist signing that West Ham need to get out of their system. And so here he is: older, wiser but not necessarily better, too many injuries preventing him from maintaining the form that made him such a threat for Chelsea.

Cole was part of the Tony Carr production line that included Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick, Glen Johnson and Jermain Defoe, and he was by far the most hyped. For Cole, the limelight was blinding. A year before he had even made his professional debut, Redknapp was writing about him in his programme notes, dismissing reports linking a 16-year-old boy with Manchester United, and on his 17th birthday Cole signed his first professional contract on the pitch at Upton Park before a game against Chelsea. The date was 8 November 1998. "You can tell your grandchildren you were here when Joe Cole signed," said the pitch announcer, Jeremy Nicholas. No pressure, kid.

The other youngsters were all appreciated but none were as adored as much as Cole. He was not Joe Cole, he was Joey Cole. He made his debut in January 1999, coming off the bench in the third round of the FA Cup against Swansea City and a week later he made his first appearance in the league in a 4-1 defeat against United at Old Trafford, where he grabbed the attention with his fearlessness, showing off the flicks and tricks that define him.

By now he was impossible to ignore and in May of that year he helped West Ham win the FA Youth Cup. In a hopeless mismatch Coventry City were beaten 9-0 over two legs in the final, West Ham winning the second leg 6-0 at a packed Upton Park.

Yet as much as he had the crowd on their feet when the ball was at his, there was also a feeling that a lack of football intelligence and tactical discipline meant he did not make the most of his talent at West Ham. Despite Redknapp playing Cole behind two strikers, his end-product often left much to be desired; there were not enough assists and he only scored 13 goals in his five years with the club.

Cole ended up playing some of the best football of his career when Roeder made him West Ham's captain in December 2002 – he was only 21 – and moved him to a deeper midfield role. The player flourished but, despite his manic efforts, West Ham still went down at the end of that season, unable to reel in Sam Allardyce's Bolton Wanderers side.

Ten years later, Allardyce is his manager. With funds freed up by Yossi Benayoun heading back to Chelsea after an unsuccessful loan move, Cole's arrival seems to make perfect sense as Allardyce, who prolonged the careers of Jay-Jay Okocha and Youri Djorkaeff at Bolton, strives to add more class and creativity to his squad. However, while Cole will be given a hero's welcome, there is a sense of foreboding after his miserable spell at Liverpool – which included a year on loan at Lille – who are so desperate to get the 31-year-old off their wage bill that they are willing to write off the rest of his contract. He has looked out of shape and out of puff this season, featuring only 10 times.

There is also uncertainty over where Cole fits in. Before he joined Liverpool on a free transfer from Chelsea in 2010, it is understood he felt a succession of serious knee injuries meant he no longer had the pace to play on the wing, but although Roy Hodgson gave him the central role he wanted, his impact was minimal and supporters quickly turned against him. At West Ham the role behind the striker is Kevin Nolan's and Allardyce's captain is undroppable. Cole might have no choice other than to play wide, where he will face stiff competition for a starting place from Matt Jarvis and Ricardo Vaz Te.

Expectations might be low. Cole is not a teenager any more and, to some observers, he is a busted flush. Time has not been kind to the boy wonder who became yesterday's man, yet while he will never recapture the glory of his youth, it is bound to be an emotional occasion when he steps out on to the Upton Park pitch again. West Ham will hope the romance can trump the reality.

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West Ham star shows he has the right attitude by appearing on gay magazine
Matt Jarvis aims to challenge prejudice and says more homosexual players should 'come out'
KUNAL DUTTA THURSDAY 03 JANUARY 2013
The Independent

The West Ham and England footballer Matt Jarvis has posed for the cover of Britain's best-selling gay magazine in an attempt to crush one of the game's last remaining stigmas.

The married winger is only the third footballer to appear on the cover of Attitude in its 19-year history. David Beckham, who appeared in 2002, and Freddie Ljungberg who followed four years later, led the way.

Jarvis, 26, told Attitude that homosexuality was now "everyday life" and not "something that's going to be a shock". He added: "I'm sure there are many footballers who are gay, but when they decide to actually come out and say it, it is a different story. It's one that I'm sure they've thought about many times. But it's a hard thing for them to do," he said.

That view is vindicated by a recent study by the University of Staffordshire, that suggested the majority of fans would welcome players coming out, with 40 per cent of fans blaming clubs and agents for keeping gay footballers in the closet.

Jarvis said that times have changed and it is more likely that an openly gay footballer would receive the support he needed now. "There'd be support everywhere within the football community, whether it be players, fans or within the PFA [Professional Footballers' Association]. There would definitely be groups of people who would be supportive and help them through it," he said.

Previous case histories tell a different story. In 1990 Justin Fashanu – the first black £1m footballer, who played for Norwich, Nottingham Forest and Hearts – suffered extended abuse after coming out. He killed himself eight years later. The prejudices he faced were cited at the inquest into his death. The most high-profile footballer to come out since then is Anton Hysen a player in the Swedish lower leagues.

In the interview Jarvis agreed that not coming out could hamper performance in a sport that has traditionally considered homosexuality as a forbidden frontier. He said: "You've always got something you're worried about at the back of your mind. If you can let that go and then just concentrate on your one goal, which is whichever sport you're doing to the best of your ability, I think that would help. Definitely."

It is part of a wider attempt to tackle prejudice to homosexuality in football. Last month the Spanish midfielder Suso, who plays for Liverpool, was fined £10,000 for calling his team-mate José Enrique "gay" on Twitter and warned about his future conduct by the Football Association.

Previously, former Sheffield Wednesday captain Darren Purse said he would have to think hard before advising a young player to come out; Bayern Munich's German striker Mario Gomez made headlines when he did the opposite, urging gay players to break this last "taboo".

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Well Done One and All!
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die

Well done, Prince-Boatang and his AC Milan team mates for saying enough is enough and staging a walk off in protest at the racist abuse the player was suffering from the stands. Well done, ex-Hammer, Rio Ferdinand for praising the actions of the AC Milan players, on twitter, and asking he pertinent question why offical sanctions are not more forthcoming in challenging discrimination in football. Well done, West Ham Utd FC for responding so decisively in identifying and dealing with the perpetrators of the disgusting anti-semitic and pro-Nazi chants at the Spurs away match. Well done, our own Matt Jarvis for openly challenging homophobia in the gay publication, Attitude.

Football is not only the beautiful game, it must also be the inclusive game. Everyone, of all backgrounds, must be welcome at matches and be free from bigoted and discriminatory abuse. The football authorities, the clubs and the vast majority of decent fans must collectively ensure that this is the case. The FA, and other football authorities, must take a tough line and give strong leadership. Similiarly, all football clubs must also take their responsibilities seriously and lay down a clear line as what standards of behaviour are expected. The perpetrators of discrimination, whether on or off the field must be identified and dealt with appropriately. Similiarly, the vast majority of decent fans must marginalise and dissociate themselves from any small reactionary elements attached to their clubs. Otherwise, everyone inevitably becomes tainted by association.

Hopefully, the 'Times are a Changing' and will usher in a more stingent approach to equalities and inclusion within football. West Ham are my team, I was born a Hammer. I also passionately believe in social justice and inclusion for all. With rapidly increasing demographic diversity in the population of east London and Essex, the need to make a positive contribution to building inclusive and cohesive communities has never been more important. Football clubs are uniquely positioned to assist via their community and sporting programmes, their respect/affiliation within localities and power to influence and form powerful partnerships both within and beyond football. None more so than West Ham.

West Ham are 'Moore than a Football club,' with a history and tradition as a community based, family oriented club. With the prospective move to the Olympic Stadium, this tradition takes on a whole new importance. As the preferred anchor tenant for the OS, West Ham will have a unique responsibility for ensuring that the post-Olympic community and sporting legacy is delivered. A major criteria for success will be that the legacy is inclusive and delivered for the benefit of all sections of the diverse communities in the club's huge geographical catchment area. This means that the club must actively promote inclusion and social justice as a mainstream part of everything that it does. Whatever your race/ethicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, faith/belief or other social circumstances you should be able to identify with the club and feel part of it; breaking down barriers and promoting inclusion to facilitate it. In this way, the UNITED in West Ham United FC will be firmly underlined.

The club clearly recognize this and leadership the role that they must play in delivering it. The post-Spurs match reaction from the club has been most heartening. The response has been decisive and effective in dealing with the initial issues. Moreover, the club have stated that they wish to go beyond this and continue to develop their policy, practice and community leadership. That can only build West Ham's reputation, further, and help create a football club in which we can all take even greater pride.

With regard to other issues, Joe Cole's return should be confirmed on Friday. We have also signed the promising striker, Sean McGuire from Waterford FC and we are being linked with a number of other players. The club have certainly been quick out of the blocks with its transfer dealings and that is to be welcomed. The added bonus is that key players also appear to be returning from injury. In addition, we can all look forward to a glamour, 3rd Round, FA Cup home tie against Man Utd this Saturday. Hopefully the fully deserved victory over Norwich City, on New Year's Day, will be the prelude to a strong performance in the second half of the season. COYI!

SJ. Chandos.

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Cole in a cup rush
By TONY LITTLE
Last Updated: 04th January 2013
The Sun

WEST HAM hope to finalise the transfer of Joe Cole from Liverpool today. Prodigal son Cole is set for an emotional return to Upton Park on a free after completing his medical. He came up through the ranks at the Hammers and could mark his second coming in tomorrow's FA Cup third round clash with Manchester United. That will depend on the paperwork going through in time, with Liverpool having agreed to cancel the player's contract. The Reds are giving Cole, 31, a year's wages to get him off the books at Anfield. West Ham will pick up the remaining 18 months of his £90,000-a-week deal. It will mark the end a nightmare 2½-year spell on Merseyside for the former Chelsea player. Midfielder Cole started just nine Premier League games since he swapped blue for red in July 2010 — and spent last season on loan at French club Lille.

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I'd rather face RVP than a dirty nappy
Exclusive
By ANDREW DILLON
Last Updated: 04th January 2013
The Sun

JACK COLLISON insists fatherhood has prepared him for anything — well, almost. The West Ham star claims the thought of facing Robin van Persie tomorrow is nowhere near as frightening as one of two-month-old daughter Lucia's nappies. Midfielder Collison is smiling again as the Hammers prepare to host Manchester United in the plum tie of the FA Cup third round. He ended seven months of injury hell with 90 minutes against Norwich in midweek to scotch rumours that he will never fully recover from knee injuries which have dogged his career. Collison said: "Mine has been an interesting house over the past few months with me injured and Alex pregnant. "It's easy to get depressed when you're injured but the baby has been a blessing. I'm growing as a person. "In my job it's important to get my kip and stay fresh but I did one night feed when Alex was ill. "I'm getting quite quick at changing nappies, although some have been frightening, especially the first one in the hospital — now that was interesting. "Nothing scares me after that. If it's a choice between changing nappies and playing Van Persie, I'll take Van Persie every time."

Collison's return from a recurrence of an old knee problem has been challenging both mentally and physically. He added: "To help with the rehab I had to do water excercises. "That meant putting on giant flippers and walking lengths of a swimming pool. It's dull and really tough. "But the most depressing aspect was coming into training every day and seeing the lads go out to play football while I was getting my goggles and budgie smuggler speedos ready. "You know you have to do all that grind to get back again. Playing a full match on Tuesday made it all worth it. "My legs were gone after about an hour but it meant so much to be back. I finally felt part of the group again. "You still talk to the lads when you're injured but you can't help but feel a little alone. But I have had a recovery session and am ready for Saturday. Playing United under the Upton Park lights is a great prospect. The atmosphere will be amazing."

Wales international Collison had previously spent a year out with a serious knee problem and admits his battered joint will need to be "managed" for the rest of his career. But he has the intelligence to cope and has been learning Spanish and doing business studies in his time out. He said: "My agents and I sat down and set some life goals. Alex and I have been learning Spanish. We're still quite basic but we're starting up again after having a break with the birth of Lucia.
"I appreciate football is a short career, even though I'm only 24 and hope to play for as long as possible. I've had a look around at business ventures for when I finish and I'm interested in the media. Being out injured meant I could cover a match for Sky Sports and I also like to write blogs. "They can be about anything really — football, life, my mood, anything." And Collison was delighted to see Joe Cole heading back to the Hammers after a 10-year absence. He added: "Joe's a great player and the fans will love having him back. It's a great signing."

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Sam seeks sson shine
Published: 03rd January 2013
The Sun

SAM ALLARDYCE is ready to raid former club Blackburn for Martin Olsson. The West Ham boss wants to bolster his defence and could get the Sweden left-back, 24, for around £3.5million. Right-back Joey O'Brien was a makeshift left-back in the 2-1 win over Norwich. Stoke are also keen on Olsson.

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