Peters leads Moore tributes
WHUFC.com
Hammers and England legend Martin Peters kicks-off a week-long tribute to the great Bobby Moore
17.02.2013
Twenty years ago this Sunday, West Ham United and England's greatest-ever defender passed away. Bobby Moore OBE, the first Hammers captain to lift the FA Cup and the only man to skipper England to FIFA World Cup glory, was just 51 when he lost his battle with bowel cancer in February 1993. In a week-long tribute to Moore, the official website, West Ham TV and the Official Programme for the Barclays Premier League visit of Tottenham Hotspur on Monday 25 February will feature a series of interviews and features paying homage to West Ham's No6. To kick-off our tribute to West Ham and England's finest footballer, Moore's 1965 European Cup Winners' Cup and 1966 FIFA World Cup-winning team-mate Martin Peters MBE remembers the great man. "It was such a sad day because he was such a great guy," Peters told West Ham TV. "Having played with him for so many years, it was a disaster for me and for Geoff Hurst as well. "He could do anything. He could score goals and he was a great defender. He knew exactly what he wanted to do, he would mark people out of the game. He was just a wonderful, wonderful player. "He'll never ever be forgotten. He was such a wonderful man on and off the pitch. It was fantastic to play with him, fantastic to be with him and just a marvellous man."
This week, West Ham TV will bring you interviews with those who knew Moore best, including his daughter Roberta and his former West Ham, Fulham and England team-mates. A special 100-page commemorative Official Programme is also being published for the visit of Spurs, complete with exclusive interviews with West Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer, broadcaster Jonathan Pearce and many, many more.
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Macca on Monday
WHUFC.com
The assistant manager says West Ham United will hit the ground running on their return to action
18.02.2013
Assistant manager Neil McDonald says West Ham United will be firing on all cylinders when they return to Barclays Premier League action against Tottenham Hotspur on Monday 25 February. The Hammers were back on the training pitch at Chadwell Heath on Monday, having completed a warm-weather training camp in Dubai last week. There, McDonald said the players worked hard on maintaining their fitness, but also took the opportunity to recharge their batteries.
West Ham were one of six Barclays Premier League clubs in the Middle East, where the warm temperatures and sunshine provide a mentally and physically beneficial environment for training. With newly-promoted West Ham sitting eleventh in the table with 12 matches remaining, McDonald said everyone at the club is in positive mood and looking upwards rather than down.
Macca, everyone is now back at Chadwell Heath and preparing for the visit of Spurs. How are things shaping up?
NM - "We are certainly looking forward to the game, that's for sure. We have been to Dubai for a bit of warm-weather training and we have done what we needed to do, which was excellent. The boys have been working very hard, whether that has been running along the beach, swimming or daily sessions in the gym. It's been really, really good. "We did the same last year and we came back and only lost one out of 22 games, so that is how much going away in warm weather does for the players. It refreshes them, not only physically but mentally, and I'm sure they are raring to go and get ready for Spurs next Monday.
"The weather has been bad here, so going to Dubai was perfect timing because we might not have been able to have got onto the training pitch here.
Hopefully it will work in our favour and we will put in a decent performance against Spurs. We'll certainly be ready for the game."
The trip to Dubai was certainly not a case of rewarding the players, was it?
NM - "No, it's never a reward, unless it is something like an end-of-season trip after getting promoted or staying in the Premier League. That would be classed as a reward, but this trip was part of our training regime. "Training here, all the lads have tracksuit bottoms, gloves and hats on and they are getting no vitamin D in their bodies through the sun. They have been stripped down to their shorts, running along the beach and swimming in the water and working in the gym on their core strength. "We will get them back on the pitches this week and all tuned in and ready for the Spurs games, which will be very difficult. We're immensely looking forward to it because our home form has been excellent and we want to keep that going."
What other benefits will the warm-weather training camp have had? Will it boost team spirit after a difficult run of results?
NM - "I have seen no cracks in our squad - everyone gets on really, really well. They know what they have to do, and they have certainly done that over the last 18 to 20 months, preparing themselves properly and trying to win games as much as they possibly can. "If you look at where we are in the table, we're eleventh and you'd certainly have taken that after getting relegated two seasons ago. We've come a long way in a short space of time but we still have to improve as much as we possibly can. "Going away for a bit of warm-weather training and getting the camaraderie together can only have helped and we'll be back on the training pitch this week preparing for the Spurs game."
As a coaching staff, presumably you are as determined as the players to put together a winning streak, as nobody likes losing football matches?
NM - "Coming into the Premier League is very, very difficult. We had a fantastic start, getting 14 points from the first eight games which was a tremendous return, and that slightly takes the pressure off. "We've set the bar at a certain height and we're not far away from that bar, which is great. It's easy to look below us and say we're only a certain amount of points away [from the relegation zone], but we're also only a certain amount of points from the top half as well. "We're where we want to be at the moment. We have some difficult games coming up, but we seem to respond when we have those difficult games and Spurs will be one of them."
Looking back, yourself and Sam Allardyce have ended the season strongly on numerous occasions during your time in charge at Bolton Wanderers and here at West Ham United. That must make you feel confident of doing the same again this term?
NM - "We did a similar trip last year and we got positive results. We might not get the result we want straight away, but it is certain over the coming weeks that the players will up their game, their energy levels and the distances they cover. "Our all-round play will be better and we'll create lots more chances because we're fresher and have been away. It's no coincidence that five other teams went to Dubai as well, because they are trying to do the same thing as we are. "We've got plenty of times to switch the players back on again before our next game, so we're really looking forward to it and will be working hard this week to make sure we are ready."
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On this day - 18 February
A look at significant moments in West Ham United history on this date
18.02.2013
WHUFC.com
On This Day: 18 February
Anniversary
Name: Anton Ferdinand
Date of birth: 18 February 1985
Clubs: West Ham United, Sunderland, Queens Park Rangers, Bursaspor (loan)
Born in Peckham on 18 February 1985, Anton Ferdinand graduated from West Ham United's Academy as a trainee in 2002, making his first-team debut in the 2-1 Division One victory at Preston North End on 9 August 2003. The brother of former Hammers defender Rio and a cousin of ex-West Ham and England striker Les, Ferdinand was comfortable at either right-back or in the centre of defence. The youngster was a key figure during the 2004/05 promotion season, playing in the Championship play-off final win over Preston North End at the Millennium Stadium. Ferdinand's form was recognised at international level as he became a regular member of the England Under-21 squad, earning his first cap in a 3-1 win over Ukraine at the Riverside Stadium on 17 August 2004.
Back at West Ham, Ferdinand netted a spectacular goal in the 2-1 Premier League victory over Fulham at the Boleyn Ground on 23 January 2006 - a strike that helped him to win the Premier League player of the month award. Ferdinand also started the 2006 FA Cup final against Liverpool, but unfortunately missed the decisive penalty in the Reds' 3-1 shoot-out victory. He would join Sunderland in August 2008, having made a total of 163 league and cup appearances for the club, scoring five goals. He moved to Queens Park Rangers in 2011 before being loaned to Turkish club Bursaspor in January 2013.
Classic Match
Charlton Athletic 0-1 West Ham United
FA Cup Fifth Round
18 February 1989
The Hammers' most-recent win on this date came in an FA Cup fifth round tie at Charlton Athletic back in February 1989. With Charlton based at Crystal Palace's Selhurst Park ground as The Valley was out of use at that time, John Lyall's men made the trip to south London looking to secure a place in the last eight of the competition. The two clubs had drawn 0-0 at the same venue in Division One on New Year's Eve 1988 and the cup tie was to be another closely-fought affair. Stuart Slater scored the only goal as the Hammers won through to the sixth round, despite having Mark Ward sent off. Slater notched two goals in 22 appearances that season, and West Ham's FA Cup run was to come to an end at the quarter-final stage, as Norwich City progressed following a replay.
Complete Record
2006 Bolton Wanderers 0-0 West Ham United (FA Cup fifth round)
1995 Coventry City 2-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
1990 Swindon Town 2-2 West Ham United (Division Two)
1989 Charlton Athletic 0-1 West Ham United (FA Cup fifth round)
1978 Everton 2-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1953 West Ham United 0-1 Plymouth Argyle (Division Two)
1950 Preston North End 2-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1939 West Ham United 5-0 Nottingham Forest (Division Two)
1935 West Ham United 1-0 Norwich City (Division Two)
1932 Leicester City 2-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1928 Burnley 0-0 West Ham United (Division One)
Played 11, Won 3, Drawn 3, Lost 5, Scored 12, Conceded 11
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Is Big Sam the man?
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 18th February 2013
By: Jason Eves
Sam Allardyce has occupied the West Ham hot seat for almost 21 months since his appointment in the summer of 2011. I believe it's fair to say we can give a fair assessment on how the future of West Ham (on the pitch anyway) is going to be under his tenure.
Our disappointing recent display against Aston Villa has left a bitter taste in my mouth, and I'm sure I am not alone in sharing this sentiment. I think it was a bit cheeky of Sam to claim we shouldn't have left empty handed, but I think Villa just wanted it more than us. We looked lazy going forward and sloppy in the tackle, with the penultimate moment being Mark Noble's clumsy challenge giving away a penalty.
Perhaps I'm being too cynical and critical of our display, but the sad thing is I know what our team is capable of doing on the pitch. We rarely challenged going forward, and when we did it ultimately proved disappointing. A far cry from the masterclass we put on against Chelsea and the unlucky display against Man United.
So it leaves me wondering before every upcoming game, which West Ham will show up this week? Big Sam needs to install consistency or we will slowly be dragged into this relegation battle. The league table flatters to deceive, we seem comfortable perched in 11th, but only seven points separate us from the drop. And with Spurs, Stoke, Man United and Chelsea to face in the upcoming weeks these run of games could make-or-break our season.
So this brings me back to Sam, with contract talks set for the summer* surely based on whether he has secured our Premier League status. Whether that deal should be prolonged is debatable, some fans have become disgruntled at the way the results are turning and our style of play has been severely scrutinised by the press and media.
We all know we shouldn't take what the papers say too seriously about our style and play, sometimes I even question if the press even watch us play at all. But the way Sam has set us up has made us a nightmare to break down for other teams, although it is not appealing to the eye it has won us results, and points mean prizes in the results driven industry of the Premier League.
But along with that strength we come with a glaring weakness, we are lackluster upfront and this needs to be addressed soon. Teams have sussed out we rely heavily on Andy Carroll and as we usually play a 4-5-1 formation, they are more than happy to put two defenders on him and shut him out of the game.
We need a plan B in situations like these, and personally I think the problem may not lie with the players but with our coaching staff focussing enough on tactics. A fresh face in the coaching staff, with a bundle of innovative ideas could see a rejuvenation within the team on the pitch.
I may have been optimistic in my last article on transfer window, the emergence of Danny Potts and other youth players like Jordan Spence in the first team may be down to the fact finances are tight until the summer. I don't think Sam managed to land his top targets in January, with the window notorious for inflated prices on players (look no further than £50million flop Fernando Torres). But we did make some movement boosting our attacking options.
Allardyce is making the most of the tools he has been given, signing fringe players on loan (my jury is still out on Chamakh, we were after him before he went to Arsenal but he seemed uninterested) but he and Andy Carroll have come here with a point to prove so if they knuckle down under Sam's guidance we could have a great stop-gap until the summer. We seem very adamant on signing Andy, but again I'm reserving judgement until the end of season to which hopefully his injury problems are behind him.
I believe the same sentiment can be approached with Sam as well, I would love him to stay as he is an established Premier League manager who guarantees results. Plus, the managers we have been linked to are young managers full of potential, such as an emotional return for Paolo Di Canio and more recently linked - Gus Poyet.
As much as some of the West Ham faithful would love for Di Canio to return, I think it may be too soon. He has only been at Swindon for 18 months (though he is making amazing progress with them) but the Premier League is a whole different challenge to League One, and I don't think he is ready just yet. I think the same feeling can be reciprocated with Gus, he's a very likable manager who is flourishing in the Championship with the set-up he has with Brighton.
But I think Big Sam is a safe bet, and as we want survival we can't take a risk with young managers. We experienced this before when we hired Gianfranco Zola, when the going got tough, the team crumbled. Sam is a been there, done that character so I'm sure he can dig us out of this rut. Patience is a virtue.
* If you'd like to follow me on Twitter you can find me at twitter.com/Jason_Eves
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Hammer time? West Ham on alert after Paolo Di Canio quits as Swindon boss
The Mirror
18 Feb 2013 22:30
Richard Heathcote
Paolo Di Canio last night quit as manager of Swindon – paving the way for a potential return to West Ham. Di Canio ended his 21-month reign at the League One club after a proposed takeover stalled. The maverick Italian had initially threated to stand down at the start of this month after star player Matt Ritchie was sold to promotion rivals Bournemouth behind his back. Upton Park legend Di Canio is among the candidates to succeed Sam Allardyce if his contract is not renewed by the Hammers this summer.
In a statement Di Canio – who was paid £250,000 pounds a year by the Robins – expressed 'deep regret' at his decision after guiding Swindon from League Two to the brink of the Championship. Di Canio added: "There have been a number of broken promises made by the club over the time that I have been manager of Swindon Town. "Despite these problems I have delivered everything and more that was asked of me. "By achieving promotion last year as champions and competing this season for promotion to the Championship and being just three points from top place a year earlier than expected."
Di Canio also revealed he handed in his resignation last week before being persuaded to stay on after a group of local businessman bidding to buy Swindon promised their takeover would be completed yesterday (Monday). He added: "I did not resign immediately, nor publicise my resignation after I had formally confirmed it. "I did not want to jeopardise the negotiations for the sale of the club and I wanted to listen to what the proposed new owners' plans were. "Following a discussion with my representatives put forward a proposal that would secure my future at the club. At a meeting last Friday the proposed new owners accepted and said they were very happy with the new terms. "I entered into a temporary arrangement with the proposed new owners continue in my role as manager. "But all this was agreed subject to Football League approval for the purchase of the club being granted by 5:00pm on Monday 18th February.
"At the time of issuing this statement, I have had no further contact from the proposed new owners and I have been told that unfortunately Football League approval has not been granted. "Therefore my temporary arrangement has ended and my resignation stands."
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By Mirror Football Comments
'Broken promises': Paolo Di Canio quits as Swindon manager
The Mirror
18 Feb 2013 19:30
Richard Heathcote
Paolo Di Canio tonight resigned as manager of npower League One side Swindon. In a statement, the fiery Italian cited "a number of broken promises" and claimed his position had "become untenable" with continuing uncertainty over the club's ownership. The former West Ham striker had issued a statement at the start of this month revealing he was considering his position following the sale of Matt Ritchie to Bournemouth. The 44-year-old, who guided the Robins to promotion last season, claimed he had tendered his resignation last Tuesday but had met with the club's prospective new owners on Friday. As a result of those discussions, Di Canio revealed he agreed to stay on as Swindon boss only to make another U-turn with this announcement today as a takeover was still yet to be rubber-stamped. In the statement, Di Canio said: "Last Tuesday, 12th February, I formally confirmed my resignation as manager of Swindon Town Football Club with immediate effect. "There have been a number of broken promises made by the club over the time that I have been manager of Swindon Town. "Despite these problems, I have delivered everything and more that was asked of me, by achieving promotion last year as champions and competing this season for promotion to the Championship and being just three points from top place a year earlier than expected.
"I did not resign immediately, nor publicise my resignation after I had formally confirmed it as I did not want to jeopardise the negotiations for the sale of the club and I wanted to listen to what the proposed new owners plans were. "Following discussions, my representatives put forward a proposal that would secure my future at the club until at least the end of the season and quite possibly beyond as well. "This proposal actually reduced the club's contractual liabilities to me in the interest of saving Swindon Town FC. At a meeting last Friday the proposed new owners accepted and said they were very happy with the new terms. "I entered into a temporary arrangement with the proposed new owners to continue in my role as manager but all this was agreed subject to Football League approval for the purchase of the club being granted by 5:00pm on Monday 18th February. "At the time of issuing this statement, I have had no further contact from the proposed new owners and I have been told that unfortunately Football League approval has not been granted yet and therefore my temporary arrangement has ended and my resignation stands."
When asked to clarify Di Canio's resignation, a Swindon spokesman told Press Association Sport they were unable to expand on the statement.
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West Ham's move to Olympic Stadium stalls again over approval process
• LLDC was expected to seal West Ham deal on Tuesday
• Premier League club upped their annual rent offer to £2.5m
James Riach
guardian.co.uk, Monday 18 February 2013 21.25 GMT
The £160m-plus conversion costs of a new cantilevered roof and retractable seats for the Olympic Stadium are yet to be approved. Photograph: Locog
Negotiations over West Ham United's protracted move into the Olympic Stadium are set to extend beyond Tuesday as a saga that has lasted more than two years limps towards a conclusion.
The London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) was expected to rubber-stamp the move on Tuesday after the Premier League club upped their annual rent offer of £2.5m, as well as £6.5m in sponsorship and catering income, for the £429m stadium.
However, this is not yet the end of the road for a saga that has endured since the club were first named preferred bidders for the venue on a 99-year lease in 2010, as the approval process is expected to take longer than expected.
Once the deal is ratified by the LLDC, Newham council's offer to part-fund the £160m-plus conversion costs of a new cantilevered roof and retractable seats still has to be approved, while a special-purpose body, set-up by the council and the LLDC, will also have to formally confirm any agreement.
The organisation's chairman, Boris Johnson, has negotiated a cut of any profits that are earned should the club be "flipped" in a quick sale to a new owner after the move. However, West Ham are keen to stress that David Gold and David Sullivan, the current co-owners with a 65% stake in the club, have no intention of selling up.
West Ham were awarded "higher-bidder" status in December despite the LLDC wanting more than the proposed £15m that the club were willing to offer towards conversion costs. Newham is now providing £40m of the £160m, with further money from the public purse also contributing.
West Ham have since promised to pay back any additional costs for the roof and seats to the LDCC in less than 10 years. They have also struck an agreement in which any usage costs for matches played at the stadium over their pre-arranged quota will be paid in full, potentially earning the LDCC significant sums in extra revenue, which would see West Ham playing matches at the ground from the 2016-17 season.
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In new role, Lletget rewarded with contract extension
February 19th, 2013 12AM
Socceramerica.com
[AMERICANS ABROAD] Sebastian Lletget, one of the top prospects in the cycle of under-23 players who failed to qualify for 2012 Olympics, has signed a contract extension at English club West Ham United. The 20-year-old Lletget, who has been with the Hammers since 2009 but whose progress was set back by illness and injuries, has suited up for several EPL matches this season and has been moved to a more advanced position on the Hammers' U-21s for whom he has started all but one game.
"I think what the manager's trying to get into my game is to for me to get into the box and making chances and creating things," Lletget told West Ham TV. "As the season goes on, I'm playing in a different position, I'm more advanced and as long as I'm getting in there the chances will come."
Lletget was born to Argentine parents and grew up in Northern California, where he played for Sporting Santa Clara before moving to the U.S. U-17 residency program.
He was one of the stars of the USA's 2009 U-17 qualifying campaign in Tijuana, but was not on Coach Wilmer Cabrera's team in Nigeria after he moved to West Ham.
Lletget returned two years later and started in U-20 national team that failed to qualify for the 2011 world championship in Colombia.
His progress at West Ham was stymied by a severe case of mononucleosis, but he has been playing well for the U-21s, who are first in their group.
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Di Canio in West Ham link after quitting Swindon post
The Independent
KIERAN DALEY TUESDAY 19 FEBRUARY 2013
Paolo Di Canio resigned as manager of Swindon last night citing "a number of broken promises" over the League One club's proposed takeover. His availability will attract interest from West Ham, where the Italian was a huge favourite as a player, with Sam Allardyce's contract at Upton Park running out at the end of the season.
Di Canio had issued a statement at the start of this month revealing he was considering his position following the sale of Matt Ritchie to Bournemouth. The 44-year-old, who guided Swindon to promotion last season, claimed he had tendered his resignation last Tuesday but had met with the club's prospective new owners on Friday.
As a result of those discussions, Di Canio revealed he agreed to stay on at Swindon, only to make another U-turn with this announcement as a takeover was still yet to be rubber-stamped.
In the statement, Di Canio said he had resigned last Tuesday and explained: "There have been a number of broken promises made by the club over the time I have been manager."
However, he added: "I entered into a temporary arrangement with the proposed new owners to continue in my role as manager but all this was agreed subject to Football League approval for the purchase of the club being granted by 5pm on Monday 18 February.
"At the time of issuing this statement, I have had no further contact from the proposed new owners and I have been told that, unfortunately, Football League approval has not been granted yet and therefore my temporary arrangement has ended."
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Olympic Stadium decision delay over West Ham tenancy puts chances of hosting Rugby World Cup 2015 in doubt
A final decision over West Ham's proposed tenancy of the Olympic Stadium has been further delayed, putting the chances of the arena hosting matches in the 2015 Rugby World Cup in jeopardy.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Paul Kelso11:00PM GMT 18 Feb 20131 Comment
The London Legacy Development Corporation board will meet on Tuesday but despite expectation at West Ham that it was ready to approve the terms of their deal, it will now only hear an "update" on the stadium. The Daily Telegraph understands that a deal in principle was reached last week, but the terms are yet to receive full legal sign off. The delay makes it more likely that the stadium will not be able to host rugby games in 2015, with the tournament organising committee needing to make a final decision in March. The LLDC indicated on Monday that it was hoping to sign off a final deal with West Ham at their board meeting in March, but with the project repeatedly stalled by delays there can be no guarantee. The bidding process has been mired by controversy and legacy chiefs were forced to stage a fresh contest, which resulted in West Ham being declared 'first-ranked bidder' in December, pending negotiations over the financial terms of a deal that will see them take a long-term lease as tenants.
London mayor Boris Johnson wants to extract an improved contribution to the estimated £200 million capital cost of fitting retractable seats, as well as receiving reassurances that the taxpayer would benefit should the club be sold once they are in the stadium. West Ham say they have offered assurances in both these areas and expected their deal to be approved this week. The LLDC says that there are a number of procedural issues which are still outstanding, including approval from Newham Council, which is expected to put in more than £40 million.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Tuesday, February 19
Monday, February 18
Daily WHUFC News - 18th February 2013
Lletget looking to add goals
WHUFC.com
American midfielder Sebastian Lletget is enjoying his football under Nick
Haycock's guidance
17.02.2013
Sebastian Lletget is convinced the goals will start to flow provided he
heeds the advice of Development Squad coach Nick Haycock. The United States
Under-23 international, who has started all but one of 18 Barclays Under-21
Premier League fixtures this term, is now being deployed in a more advanced
midfield role, one that he expects to bring goals. Haycock has asked Lletget
to continue to make the right runs into the right areas, in the knowledge
that reward will inevitably come in the final third. "I think what the
manager's trying to get into my game is to for me to get into the box and
making chances and creating things," Lletget told West Ham TV. "As the
season goes on I'm playing in a different position, I'm more advanced and as
long as I'm getting in there the chances will come."
Lletget was in good spirits after Friday's 1-0 defeat by Southampton, as the
Hammers lined up in an unfamiliar 3-5-2 formation. The 20-year-old
midfielder insisted he embraced the new system, recognising that versatility
is a key ingredient in his and his team-mates' development. "Credit to
Southampton, I think they really put in a shift," he added. "I give a lot of
credit to the young boys that came in to the side and we played a new
formation that we're not quite used to. What the manager is trying to
emphasise is the development of the players and trying to play new
formations and trying something different is never bad.
"The manager said at half-time that it was going to be a 1-0. Both teams
were going at it and it was a great strike. We couldn't do much about it."
Casting an eye towards the upcoming trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers, Lletget
reckons there is every reason to be positive ahead of the trip to AFC
Telford.
"I give credit to all the boys, like I said we put a real shift and we move
on to next week at Wolves. I know we're going to play our best, we don't
know what team it is or who's going to be involved but I know we're going to
push it. "The beginning half of the season we did really well, obviously a
couple of players have gone out on loan. But I think we're doing well
without them and they're doing well with their teams at the moment, so I
think I'm doing good."
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Ladies lose in County Cup
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Ladies suffered a 1-0 Essex FA County Cup semi-final defeat
at Colchester United
17.02.2013
West Ham United Ladies suffered a 1-0 Essex FA County Cup semi-final defeat
at Colchester United on Sunday. The Hammers were edged out at Shrub End
Community Sports Centre in Essex by an Emily Clements' goal with 20 minutes
of the second half remaining. Julia Setford's side, who were also beaten on
penalties in the final of last season's competition, lost former Colchester
forward Hannah Gowland to an ankle injury before half-time. West Ham were
unable to find an equaliser late on and will now concentrate all their
efforts on the FA Women's Premier League Southern Division. The Ladies
return to action next Sunday 24 February, when they travel to Lewes for a
2pm kick-off. West Ham sit fifth in the table, eight points behind leaders
Reading but with two games in-hand on the Royals. The Hammers have to play
the leaders home and away before the season ends in April.
West Ham United Ladies: Wayne, Mellors, Barling, Revell, Sullivan, Little,
Morgan, Merritt, Gowland (Lipley-Hinton), Blanchflower, Bowers
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Shooting ourselves in the foot
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 18th February 2013
By: Paul Walker
So we have a pending relegation crisis, a managerial crisis and the return
of the dark cloud that is the Sheffield United crisis. Forgive me, but
haven't we been this way before?
It all seems to come around about this time every year, or is that just me
being paranoid, or the pessimist that my match-going mates continue to call
me. I'm sorry, but when you've been around West Ham for as long as me, you
do tend to see a glass as half empty rather than half full.
And it is all so avoidable. The relegation situation would have been
avoidable if our beloved team had managed a half-decent, organised
performance at Aston Villa last Sunday.
It has taken me a few days to get over what was a bitterly disappointing
outcome and it was even laughable to see a quote from Sam Allardyce that 'we
couldn't play any better.' Good grief, if he believes that maybe he should
go now.
It makes you wonder why managers of all persuasions think they can trot out
rubbish remarks for the great unwashed and expect them not to be challenged.
Club websites and players do the same. Do give us some credit for knowing
what we are watching.
Then there was the official statement from the club to re-iterate what we
all have known all along - that's if we have been keeping up, and we all
have. It explained again that there will be no talk of new contracts until
we are safe from relegation.
That was in response to a no-quotes piece in one of the Sundays about big
Sam's future. Nobody picked up on it until the club went all official on the
website, then it's all over Sky on the half hour, every half hour, and has
been the subject of follow-ups all week.
That could all have been avoided if the club had ignored the Sunday paper
piece and allowed Sam to handle any questions at his next press conference.
He's big enough and ugly enough to look after himself, and he would have
said that there was nothing new in the story, it's been that way since the
Play-Off final when his long-term future was put on the back burner until he
had achieved the second part of his two year contract…to maintain West Ham's
place in the top flight.
So often our club, who seem to lack basic understanding of how journalists
work, come out with poorly conceived statements that just add fuel to a fire
that would fizzle out on it's own accord.
So now we have had a week of 'names in the frame' and soul-searching about
Sam's future, style, his staff and what the players think. Well done
everybody, a crisis out of nothing.
Sam is a very rich man with a home in the Lancashire hills. He does not need
to work, he does it because he wants to prove he is right and everyone else
is wrong about him. He may even want to go in the summer, he hopes with his
reputation restored and our club safe in the top flight and able to get
their hands on the vastly bigger sponsorship pot from Sky and the worldwide
TV contracts.
That would make paying Sheffield United their last £6m hand-out this summer
an awful lot easier. Maybe we will even be able to spend money on transfer
fees in the next window, unlike the last one where we paid out only wages
and loan fees and were unable to buy a good left back and a new striker. But
then again, pigs might fly.
Sheffield United, of course, is a problem we can do without raising its'
ugly head every few months. It leaves a bad taste.
And I am fed up with seeing everybody still writing that we contravened
third-party regulations over Carlos Tevez. Now if I am wrong about this,
please someone correct me. But when the Tevez crisis arose, the Premier
League did not have any regulations about third-party ownership, I believe
the Football League still don't have any either.
The new rules came about afterwards. We were found guilty of lying to the
Premier League, and having a clause in Tevez's contract that allowed his
owners to sell him whenever they wanted, against our wishes, in any window.
That clause was discovered by Liverpool's former chief executive Rick Parry
when he was going through Javier Mascherano's contract with a fine tooth
comb ahead of the now Barcelona star's loan move to Anfield.
The clause contravened regulations that say no outsider can influence team
selection, and if that said third party had other players at other clubs
with the same clause, it could be seen as a way of influencing team
selections.
In the summer of the Tevez scandal, the Premier League adopted new
regulations and voted not to punish West Ham any further. Clearly, at the
time more than a few clubs did not want to see any close investigation of
certain contracts and wanted the situation concluded.
It was also suggested at the time that a few contracts of Portuguese or
Brazilian players would not have passed closer inspection. Maybe Chelsea and
Jose were all too aware of a pending problem?
This wasn't good enough for the Blades as we know, who finally found an
FA-established independent hearing that allowed them to railroad us into the
current £20m we are still paying back.
And that only came about on the back of the wonderful Scott Duxbury being
accused of trying to re-negotiate Tevez's original contract that we said had
been torn up at the time of the original offences.
The Premier League accepted that had happened, and allowed Tevez to play at
Wigan on April 28, 2006 and the final two league games against Bolton and
Manchester United…all three games were won and we were saved from the drop.
Only after all that did Duxbury try to offer Tevez a deal to stay, and that
was interpreted at the tribunal - without anything in writing it has to be
said - as 'not having torn up the original contract.'
Now that's how I have always seen it. I was a working journalist at the time
and obvious sympathetic to the Irons, but do not believe that my
understanding of what happened to be incorrect. As I said, if I am labouring
under misapprehensions, will someone put me right.
It just continues to annoy me that we are constantly accused of breaking
regulations that didn't even exist!
But now back to the present and our team who could be dragged into a
relegation battle very, very easily. All that pressure could have been
avoided by a victory at Villa Park, and we certainly had the chances despite
a terrible, mechanical performance.
The previous day I, along no doubt with a few thousands Irons fans, had sat
at home and watched virtually every result go our way, apart from
Southampton beating Manchester City. Had we won at Villa we would have been
12 points clear of the drop zone with 12 games left.
We would have been on 33 points and almost safe. But now the gap is just
seven, although we still(!) have a far better goal difference than any of
the bottom four, which is worth another point.
Since we went down in 2002-03 with 42 points, still a record, the fourth
from bottom survival place has been achieved with 44, 39, 34, 38, 38, 36,
35, 35, 40 and 37 points. An average of 37.
So now I believe we must get 37 minimum. But the run-in is very tough. Home
to Spurs and Manchester United, and away trips to Chelsea, Liverpool,
Everton and Manchester City. That's six of our final 12 games were are
unlikely to get anything from on current form.
So we have to find seven points now from the other six. And that includes
matches against fellow strugglers Southampton, Reading, Wigan and Newcastle.
It does not look like it is going to be easy, which makes the rotten display
at Villa even harder to take.
Perhaps the five-day break in Dubai will help us. It certainly did last
season at this time when we were going through that bad patch of draws in
the Championship.
But unless we want to avoid facing Sheffield United on the field next season
- our money looks to be giving them another tilt at promotion - we had
better get our act together quickly and rustle up seven points from
somewhere.
It is all coming to a head together, with the move to Stratford likely to be
confirmed in the next week or so. What our wonderful leaders will not be
able to contend with is a team in the Championship while their heads are on
the clouds over a rebuilt Olympic stadium, and the Boleyn on the market.
So come on Sam, if this is your last throw of the West Ham dice before you
return to the Lancashire hills, get a grip now!
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
American midfielder Sebastian Lletget is enjoying his football under Nick
Haycock's guidance
17.02.2013
Sebastian Lletget is convinced the goals will start to flow provided he
heeds the advice of Development Squad coach Nick Haycock. The United States
Under-23 international, who has started all but one of 18 Barclays Under-21
Premier League fixtures this term, is now being deployed in a more advanced
midfield role, one that he expects to bring goals. Haycock has asked Lletget
to continue to make the right runs into the right areas, in the knowledge
that reward will inevitably come in the final third. "I think what the
manager's trying to get into my game is to for me to get into the box and
making chances and creating things," Lletget told West Ham TV. "As the
season goes on I'm playing in a different position, I'm more advanced and as
long as I'm getting in there the chances will come."
Lletget was in good spirits after Friday's 1-0 defeat by Southampton, as the
Hammers lined up in an unfamiliar 3-5-2 formation. The 20-year-old
midfielder insisted he embraced the new system, recognising that versatility
is a key ingredient in his and his team-mates' development. "Credit to
Southampton, I think they really put in a shift," he added. "I give a lot of
credit to the young boys that came in to the side and we played a new
formation that we're not quite used to. What the manager is trying to
emphasise is the development of the players and trying to play new
formations and trying something different is never bad.
"The manager said at half-time that it was going to be a 1-0. Both teams
were going at it and it was a great strike. We couldn't do much about it."
Casting an eye towards the upcoming trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers, Lletget
reckons there is every reason to be positive ahead of the trip to AFC
Telford.
"I give credit to all the boys, like I said we put a real shift and we move
on to next week at Wolves. I know we're going to play our best, we don't
know what team it is or who's going to be involved but I know we're going to
push it. "The beginning half of the season we did really well, obviously a
couple of players have gone out on loan. But I think we're doing well
without them and they're doing well with their teams at the moment, so I
think I'm doing good."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ladies lose in County Cup
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Ladies suffered a 1-0 Essex FA County Cup semi-final defeat
at Colchester United
17.02.2013
West Ham United Ladies suffered a 1-0 Essex FA County Cup semi-final defeat
at Colchester United on Sunday. The Hammers were edged out at Shrub End
Community Sports Centre in Essex by an Emily Clements' goal with 20 minutes
of the second half remaining. Julia Setford's side, who were also beaten on
penalties in the final of last season's competition, lost former Colchester
forward Hannah Gowland to an ankle injury before half-time. West Ham were
unable to find an equaliser late on and will now concentrate all their
efforts on the FA Women's Premier League Southern Division. The Ladies
return to action next Sunday 24 February, when they travel to Lewes for a
2pm kick-off. West Ham sit fifth in the table, eight points behind leaders
Reading but with two games in-hand on the Royals. The Hammers have to play
the leaders home and away before the season ends in April.
West Ham United Ladies: Wayne, Mellors, Barling, Revell, Sullivan, Little,
Morgan, Merritt, Gowland (Lipley-Hinton), Blanchflower, Bowers
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Shooting ourselves in the foot
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 18th February 2013
By: Paul Walker
So we have a pending relegation crisis, a managerial crisis and the return
of the dark cloud that is the Sheffield United crisis. Forgive me, but
haven't we been this way before?
It all seems to come around about this time every year, or is that just me
being paranoid, or the pessimist that my match-going mates continue to call
me. I'm sorry, but when you've been around West Ham for as long as me, you
do tend to see a glass as half empty rather than half full.
And it is all so avoidable. The relegation situation would have been
avoidable if our beloved team had managed a half-decent, organised
performance at Aston Villa last Sunday.
It has taken me a few days to get over what was a bitterly disappointing
outcome and it was even laughable to see a quote from Sam Allardyce that 'we
couldn't play any better.' Good grief, if he believes that maybe he should
go now.
It makes you wonder why managers of all persuasions think they can trot out
rubbish remarks for the great unwashed and expect them not to be challenged.
Club websites and players do the same. Do give us some credit for knowing
what we are watching.
Then there was the official statement from the club to re-iterate what we
all have known all along - that's if we have been keeping up, and we all
have. It explained again that there will be no talk of new contracts until
we are safe from relegation.
That was in response to a no-quotes piece in one of the Sundays about big
Sam's future. Nobody picked up on it until the club went all official on the
website, then it's all over Sky on the half hour, every half hour, and has
been the subject of follow-ups all week.
That could all have been avoided if the club had ignored the Sunday paper
piece and allowed Sam to handle any questions at his next press conference.
He's big enough and ugly enough to look after himself, and he would have
said that there was nothing new in the story, it's been that way since the
Play-Off final when his long-term future was put on the back burner until he
had achieved the second part of his two year contract…to maintain West Ham's
place in the top flight.
So often our club, who seem to lack basic understanding of how journalists
work, come out with poorly conceived statements that just add fuel to a fire
that would fizzle out on it's own accord.
So now we have had a week of 'names in the frame' and soul-searching about
Sam's future, style, his staff and what the players think. Well done
everybody, a crisis out of nothing.
Sam is a very rich man with a home in the Lancashire hills. He does not need
to work, he does it because he wants to prove he is right and everyone else
is wrong about him. He may even want to go in the summer, he hopes with his
reputation restored and our club safe in the top flight and able to get
their hands on the vastly bigger sponsorship pot from Sky and the worldwide
TV contracts.
That would make paying Sheffield United their last £6m hand-out this summer
an awful lot easier. Maybe we will even be able to spend money on transfer
fees in the next window, unlike the last one where we paid out only wages
and loan fees and were unable to buy a good left back and a new striker. But
then again, pigs might fly.
Sheffield United, of course, is a problem we can do without raising its'
ugly head every few months. It leaves a bad taste.
And I am fed up with seeing everybody still writing that we contravened
third-party regulations over Carlos Tevez. Now if I am wrong about this,
please someone correct me. But when the Tevez crisis arose, the Premier
League did not have any regulations about third-party ownership, I believe
the Football League still don't have any either.
The new rules came about afterwards. We were found guilty of lying to the
Premier League, and having a clause in Tevez's contract that allowed his
owners to sell him whenever they wanted, against our wishes, in any window.
That clause was discovered by Liverpool's former chief executive Rick Parry
when he was going through Javier Mascherano's contract with a fine tooth
comb ahead of the now Barcelona star's loan move to Anfield.
The clause contravened regulations that say no outsider can influence team
selection, and if that said third party had other players at other clubs
with the same clause, it could be seen as a way of influencing team
selections.
In the summer of the Tevez scandal, the Premier League adopted new
regulations and voted not to punish West Ham any further. Clearly, at the
time more than a few clubs did not want to see any close investigation of
certain contracts and wanted the situation concluded.
It was also suggested at the time that a few contracts of Portuguese or
Brazilian players would not have passed closer inspection. Maybe Chelsea and
Jose were all too aware of a pending problem?
This wasn't good enough for the Blades as we know, who finally found an
FA-established independent hearing that allowed them to railroad us into the
current £20m we are still paying back.
And that only came about on the back of the wonderful Scott Duxbury being
accused of trying to re-negotiate Tevez's original contract that we said had
been torn up at the time of the original offences.
The Premier League accepted that had happened, and allowed Tevez to play at
Wigan on April 28, 2006 and the final two league games against Bolton and
Manchester United…all three games were won and we were saved from the drop.
Only after all that did Duxbury try to offer Tevez a deal to stay, and that
was interpreted at the tribunal - without anything in writing it has to be
said - as 'not having torn up the original contract.'
Now that's how I have always seen it. I was a working journalist at the time
and obvious sympathetic to the Irons, but do not believe that my
understanding of what happened to be incorrect. As I said, if I am labouring
under misapprehensions, will someone put me right.
It just continues to annoy me that we are constantly accused of breaking
regulations that didn't even exist!
But now back to the present and our team who could be dragged into a
relegation battle very, very easily. All that pressure could have been
avoided by a victory at Villa Park, and we certainly had the chances despite
a terrible, mechanical performance.
The previous day I, along no doubt with a few thousands Irons fans, had sat
at home and watched virtually every result go our way, apart from
Southampton beating Manchester City. Had we won at Villa we would have been
12 points clear of the drop zone with 12 games left.
We would have been on 33 points and almost safe. But now the gap is just
seven, although we still(!) have a far better goal difference than any of
the bottom four, which is worth another point.
Since we went down in 2002-03 with 42 points, still a record, the fourth
from bottom survival place has been achieved with 44, 39, 34, 38, 38, 36,
35, 35, 40 and 37 points. An average of 37.
So now I believe we must get 37 minimum. But the run-in is very tough. Home
to Spurs and Manchester United, and away trips to Chelsea, Liverpool,
Everton and Manchester City. That's six of our final 12 games were are
unlikely to get anything from on current form.
So we have to find seven points now from the other six. And that includes
matches against fellow strugglers Southampton, Reading, Wigan and Newcastle.
It does not look like it is going to be easy, which makes the rotten display
at Villa even harder to take.
Perhaps the five-day break in Dubai will help us. It certainly did last
season at this time when we were going through that bad patch of draws in
the Championship.
But unless we want to avoid facing Sheffield United on the field next season
- our money looks to be giving them another tilt at promotion - we had
better get our act together quickly and rustle up seven points from
somewhere.
It is all coming to a head together, with the move to Stratford likely to be
confirmed in the next week or so. What our wonderful leaders will not be
able to contend with is a team in the Championship while their heads are on
the clouds over a rebuilt Olympic stadium, and the Boleyn on the market.
So come on Sam, if this is your last throw of the West Ham dice before you
return to the Lancashire hills, get a grip now!
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Sunday, February 17
Daily WHUFC News - 17th February 2013
Youngsters defeated at Sunderland
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's U18s suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat at Sunderland on
Saturday
16.02.2013
West Ham United's Under-18s had nothing to show for their efforts from the
long journey to Sunderland on Saturday after a second half penalty for the
Black Cats sent them to defeat. Taylor Tombides' second goal of the season
brought Steve Potts' side level before the break, but they were unable to
capitalise on a bright start to the game as Sunderland made the most of
their chances. Under-18s boss Steve Potts told whufc.com: "It was the same
sort of game as last week at West Brom. We played some good football but
weren't able to turn that into a result. "That's where we are the the moment
- results aren't the be-all and end-all and the performances have been
pleasing, but the next step is to learn to be more ruthless. "We made an
excellent start and had two goals disallowed, as well as creating a
one-on-one chance very early. They scored with their first real attack after
15 or so minutes, and it was a case of thinking 'where did that come from?'
"We regrouped and equalised to get to 1-1, and at that stage you want to
keep it tight and try to take one of your chances, but they got a penalty
and were able to close out the win."
Taylor Tombides tapped in the Hammers' goal from close range after Lewis
Page nodded Nana Boakye-Yiadom's centre back across to his teammate. Potts'
men now have four points from as many games in the Tier One stage of the
Barclays U18 Premier League. They are next in action on Saturday 2 March
when they make the short trip to face Tottenham Hotspur.
West Ham United: Howes, Alexander, Page, Burke, Harney, Girdlestone, Makasi,
Miles (Pike), Boakye-Yiadom (Gilchrist), Cullen (Carter), T.Tombides
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
An evening with the Joint-Chairman
WHUFC.com
Join West Ham United Joint-Chairman David Gold at a charity event on 7 March
16.02.2013
West Ham United Joint-Chairman David Gold will be appearing at a charity
dinner at The Bickley restaurant in Chislehurst, Kent, on Thursday 7 March
2013.
Mr Gold will be helping the Charlton Athletic Community Trust in their
efforts to raise £30,000 to purchase a minibus for the Charlton Upbeats, a
project for young people with Down's syndrome. There are only 60 places
available for the informal dinner, which includes a drinks reception,
followed by a mouth-watering three-course meal.
Doors open at 7pm and seating will start at 7.30pm.
Tickets for the evening are priced at £75 each and host for the evening is
Sky Sports Commentator, Dickie Davis.
David Gold will be talking about his life as a businessman and being the
current Joint-Chairman of West Ham United. His daughter Vanessa, the
Managing Director of Ann Summers, will join him to talk about her success in
business and to offer a few tips!
As numbers for the evening are limited, please call Tina Johnson on 0871 781
2095*, or email tina.johnson@cact.org.uk as soon as possible to reserve your
place
*Please note that calls will be charged at 10p per minute from a BT
landline. Calls from mobiles and other networks may cost more..
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Haycock defiant in defeat
WHUFC.com
Haycock had no complaints with his side's display as the Saints ran out 1-0
winners at Rush Green
16.02.2013
Nick Haycock spoke of his delight with another highly competent showing from
West Ham United's Development Squad, as Southampton emerged with the spoils
from a closely fought Barclays Under-21 Premier League contest at Rush
Green. With little to choose between the sides, a point apiece looked the
most likely outcome before substitute Alberto Seidi took aim from 25 yards
and rifled home to hand the visitors the lead just after the hour mark. The
Hammers' best chance of salvaging a draw came and went in stoppage time as
Elliot Lee saw a diving header squirm past the outside of the post, while
goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga merely stood and watched. Though the home side
were to end the evening with nothing to show for their efforts, Haycock was
in no mood to bemoan ill-fortune, preferring instead to praise another
mature showing in the Elite Group from his inexperienced team. "Ultimately,
at half-time I said it's got 1-0 written all over it," Haycock told West Ham
TV. "I thought, really, the game deserved to be a draw. I don't think either
side deserved to win it but fair play to Southampton. Martin Hunter and
Steve Greaves always produce good footballing teams. "To be fair, I was
delighted with the players. They showed good character and good commitment
to keep going when we'd make the mistake of the goal. It was a great strike
but on another day you probably get a foul on Seb Lletget. It was going to
take a goal like that to win the football match. "I think we got into some
good attacking areas and a mixture of wrong choices on final passes and some
great defending from Southampton kept our scoreline to nil. All in all, four
games played [in the Elite Group], most people would take six points, but
the two games we've won we deserved to win and those we've lost the minimum
we deserved was a draw."
Normally the scourge of opposition defences, strike duo Wellington Paulista
and Elliot Lee were unusually subdued as West Ham found it tough to carve
out openings. Haycock, however, reckons his side's frustrations in front of
goal were chiefly a result of the thoughtful planning of his opposite
number. "They certainly weren't as sharp but I think with Southampton's
organisation behind the ball, they had obviously watched us play and you
could see they tried to deny space in midfield and space in behind the
lines," added Haycock. "Elliot gets a chance right at the end and I said to
him, you play Tottenham and you get six or seven chances in a game, tonight
it was at a minimal and you get the chance with a header at the end, if it's
on target it's a goal. I don't think the 'keeper would have got there but
unfortunately it shaved the outside of the post."
In the absence of first-team squad members Dan Potts and Jordan Spence,
Haycock was only too glad to blood some of his younger personnel, whose
displays on the night were a source of particular pride. "Going forward it
is about development and I was delighted with the first years Amos Nasha and
Ben Marlow.I didn't think there was a player in the dressing room tonight
who didn't look at home at this level. I told the boys 'don't change what
you're doing. On another night you could have drawn the game or even won the
game, it could have gone either way.' They can be pleased with the efforts
they put in."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Collins to Return for the Spurs Match, but Who Gives Way?
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
There were reports today that James Collins could be fit to return for the
match at home to Spurs on Monday 25 February 2013. Collins has been out with
a leg injury and many feel that we have missed his robast style of defending
in recent weeks. But, if so, the question is, who gives way to facilitate
his inclusion? WInston Reid is a rock in central defence and is a real
contender for Hammer of the Year this season. As such, it is a fair bet that
he will be in the starting line up. So, that leaves James Tomkins, but he
has shown a significant improvement in form in recent matches and was our
best performer against Swansea and Villa. It would be a mistake to exclude
him, or play him out of position, now that he has started to back back in
form, after an indifferent start to the season. No, the best option, in my
view, is to continue with Reid-Tomkins at centre-back and have Collins on
the bench.
At right-back, it is unlikely that O'Brien will be fit for the Spurs match.
In his absence, Demel will probably start at right full-back and Pogatetz or
Taylor at left-back. These are functional selections, but they do not
exactly set the pulse racing, do they? One of the most problematic areas of
the squad this season has been at full-back. I like to see full-backs with
pace and power, who not only defend well, but can get forward and provide
width to the attack. McCartney is not particularly fast, but he is our best
full-back at present. He is solid defensively and does a good job getting
forward down the left flank. The alternatives are Jordan Spence, on the
right, and either Danny Potts (fitness allowing), or the very promising
Matthias Famino, on the left. Personally, I think that it is time to play
Spence, he has looked good whenever he has played this season and he needs
to be given an opportunity to show that he can claim a regular first team
place. Potts is in poll position for the left-back slot, but I am unsure if
he has recovered yet from the head injury sustained against Man Utd. I
really like the look of Famino, who has been outstanding for the Development
Squad. But he is unlikely to be selected this season, so it looks like we
are, indeed, left with either Taylor or Pogatetz against Spurs.
In Midfield, Noble-Diame-Nolan has been an automatic selection for most of
the season. Nolan has received some criticism for his form and there is no
doubt that he has not been at his best in recent matches. Will Sam Allardyce
drop Nolan? Should he drop Nolan? My reponses to those questions are no and
probably not if he continues to play 4-3-3. The truth is that Allardyce is
unlikely to change his 4-3-3 formation and Nolan's attacking role in that
system is fairly pivotal. He gets forward, links up midfield and attack and
positions himself well for the Carroll knock downs. Could other players play
that role? Yes, both Joe Cole and Jack Collison could play there, with skill
and work rate, if perhaps not the same finishing ability in the box.
However, if we adopted a 4-4-2 then, unless he played as an out and out
second striker, it would be very difficult to fit Nolan in to that system.
Personally, I would like to see Jack Collison get more match time. Collison
is an excellent player, whose development as been adversely effected by a
serious knee injury. But we saw at the end of last season how effective and
influential Collison can be for West Ham. He is back now and needs to make
up for lost time. And it would be good to see that eagerness and desire
added to the team I would certainly like to see a midfeld combination of
Noble-Diame-Collison given a chance at some point this season. Collison can
finish, as we saw recently against Arsenal, but it is an aspect of his game
that he needs to improve. A player like Collison, when fit and playing
regualarly, should be scoring at least 8-10 goals a season.
Up front Joe cole picks himself, when fit and able to play consecutive
matches. He possesses rare skill, vision and technical ability and we always
pass and move the ball far better when he is in the team. He is likely to
occupy a positon to the right of Andy Carroll. On the left side, our best
option is Matt Jarvis. He has pace, skill on the ball and the ability to
cross the ball accurately. His link up with Carroll should be key and we
need to see it produce the goods, in terms of goals scored. Both Cole and
Jarvis have crucial roles to play in supporting Carroll and getting
intelligent and accurate balls in to him. The Swansea match showed that if
you give Carroll the right quality of delivery, he will score. Compare the
ball in for his headed goal against the Swans with the speculative and
inaccurate stuff served up to him against Villa.
If Carroll is fit then he plays. He is by far the best centre forward that
we have. But, as stated, there are issues about the support that he receives
and the quality of balls in to him. Would he be more effective if we moved
to a 4-4-2, with Carlton Cole or Wellington Paulista alongside him? I know
that people say that 4-3-3 is the future, but there is a large part of me
that misses seeing a twin striker partnership up front. During my time
supporting the club, I have enoyed watching partnerships such as
Hurst-Byrne, Hurst-Robson, Gould-Jennings, Cross-Robson, Cross-Goddard,
Cottee-McAvennnie, Hartson-Kitson, Di Canio-Kanoute, Zamora-Harewood,
Zamora-Tevez, Ashton-Sheringham, Ashton-Bellemy, et al. An excellent strike
partnership is great thing to behold, working in tandem to create space and
opportunity. They used to say that strikers are best hunting in pairs! And
there is some truth in that statement.
So, is it time to revert to a 4-4-2 against Spurs, with Caroll partnering
Carlton Cole or Paulista up front and Joe Cole-Noble-Diame-Jarvis or
Collison in Midfield; with Jussi-Spence-Pogatetz-Tomkins-Reid completing the
starting eleven? Or would it be better to play a 4-4-2 with Carroll-Nolan as
a conventional strike partnership. Why not? Nolan has the finishing ability
in the final third and could concentrate on that rather than trying to graft
in midfield. Or should we persist with 4-3-3 and try to make the system
work? Unfortunately, I think that we will struggle to get the best out of
the system until we have the pre-requisite power and pace at full-back and
corresponding pace and finishing ability either side of the centre forward
in the front three.
Finally, Zola is doing a good job at Watford and could conceivably get them
promoted this season. My thoughts on Zola are that the timing and
circumstances of his appointment at West Ham were all wrong. He was probably
too inexperienced when he got the West Ham Manager's job and, in retrospect,
probably should have started with a job in the Championship to find is
managerial feet without the immediate, intense pressure. Plus, there was all
the huge off-field issues relating to the Icelandic regime and the
Instability/uncertainty created by the worsening financial situation It was
a brave appointment, based on the assumption that Zola's partnership with
Steve Clarke would ameliorate his initial lack of managerial experience.
Unfortunately, circumstances overtook them both and the club's new, incoming
ownership obviously came to the conclusion that they needed to make changes,
hence their final exit.
Zola had to deal with that disappointment and took a step back in order to
move forward once more as a manager. He will probably now go on to be a top
manager, with Chelsea one possible destination. Good luck to him, by all
accounts he is a great fellow and a top football man. And he deserves any
managerial success coming his way.
SJ. Chandos.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Play it again, Sam: Andy Carroll will only stay at West Ham if Allardyce is
still the manager
The Mirror
16 Feb 2013 23:00
Jamie McDonald
Andy Carroll's West Ham future is likely to depend on boss Sam Allardyce
staying at Upton Park, writes the Sunday People. Big Sam's Hammers contract
expires at the end of the season, but the Irons hierarchy are insisting that
no decision on a new deal will be discussed until they are certain of
Premier League survival. The club have already agreed a £17million fee with
Liverpool for loan-star Carroll, but the ball is very much still in the big
Geordie striker's court.
He has massive respect for Allardyce after the Irons chief rescued him from
a difficult spell at Anfield. And the hitman is also big pals with West Ham
skipper Kevin Nolan, who he struck a firm bond with during their Newcastle
playing days. Sources close to Carroll said: "The only way Andy will join
West Ham on a permanent deal in the summer is if Big Sam is still the
manager."
Carroll's future is very much up in the air. He knows that, despite not
setting east London alight with goals, West Ham are desperate to make his
current loan deal permanent. But Carroll believes he still has unfinished
business at Liverpool, although Kop boss Brendan Rodgers' January signing of
a different type of striker in Daniel Sturridge will not be lost on him.
Carroll's preferred option would be to go back home to Newcastle – and the
support and encouragement he has received from owner Mike Ashley's
right-hand man Derek Llambias has given him hope. Certainly, Toon boss Alan
Pardew has made it clear that he would welcome Carroll back with open arms.
As a result, West Ham have checked on Southampton's Rickie Lambert and
Wilfried Bony of Vitesse Arnhem.
West Ham dig deep for Wigan's Maynor
EXCLUSIVE by Alan Nixon
West Ham are lining up a free transfer move for Maynor Figueroa this summer,
writes the Sunday People. The Honduras defender is set to quit Wigan when
his contract runs out. And the 29-year-old could get his hands on a
£40,000-a-week pay day at the Irons, who will shake up their squad this
summer.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's U18s suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat at Sunderland on
Saturday
16.02.2013
West Ham United's Under-18s had nothing to show for their efforts from the
long journey to Sunderland on Saturday after a second half penalty for the
Black Cats sent them to defeat. Taylor Tombides' second goal of the season
brought Steve Potts' side level before the break, but they were unable to
capitalise on a bright start to the game as Sunderland made the most of
their chances. Under-18s boss Steve Potts told whufc.com: "It was the same
sort of game as last week at West Brom. We played some good football but
weren't able to turn that into a result. "That's where we are the the moment
- results aren't the be-all and end-all and the performances have been
pleasing, but the next step is to learn to be more ruthless. "We made an
excellent start and had two goals disallowed, as well as creating a
one-on-one chance very early. They scored with their first real attack after
15 or so minutes, and it was a case of thinking 'where did that come from?'
"We regrouped and equalised to get to 1-1, and at that stage you want to
keep it tight and try to take one of your chances, but they got a penalty
and were able to close out the win."
Taylor Tombides tapped in the Hammers' goal from close range after Lewis
Page nodded Nana Boakye-Yiadom's centre back across to his teammate. Potts'
men now have four points from as many games in the Tier One stage of the
Barclays U18 Premier League. They are next in action on Saturday 2 March
when they make the short trip to face Tottenham Hotspur.
West Ham United: Howes, Alexander, Page, Burke, Harney, Girdlestone, Makasi,
Miles (Pike), Boakye-Yiadom (Gilchrist), Cullen (Carter), T.Tombides
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
An evening with the Joint-Chairman
WHUFC.com
Join West Ham United Joint-Chairman David Gold at a charity event on 7 March
16.02.2013
West Ham United Joint-Chairman David Gold will be appearing at a charity
dinner at The Bickley restaurant in Chislehurst, Kent, on Thursday 7 March
2013.
Mr Gold will be helping the Charlton Athletic Community Trust in their
efforts to raise £30,000 to purchase a minibus for the Charlton Upbeats, a
project for young people with Down's syndrome. There are only 60 places
available for the informal dinner, which includes a drinks reception,
followed by a mouth-watering three-course meal.
Doors open at 7pm and seating will start at 7.30pm.
Tickets for the evening are priced at £75 each and host for the evening is
Sky Sports Commentator, Dickie Davis.
David Gold will be talking about his life as a businessman and being the
current Joint-Chairman of West Ham United. His daughter Vanessa, the
Managing Director of Ann Summers, will join him to talk about her success in
business and to offer a few tips!
As numbers for the evening are limited, please call Tina Johnson on 0871 781
2095*, or email tina.johnson@cact.org.uk as soon as possible to reserve your
place
*Please note that calls will be charged at 10p per minute from a BT
landline. Calls from mobiles and other networks may cost more..
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Haycock defiant in defeat
WHUFC.com
Haycock had no complaints with his side's display as the Saints ran out 1-0
winners at Rush Green
16.02.2013
Nick Haycock spoke of his delight with another highly competent showing from
West Ham United's Development Squad, as Southampton emerged with the spoils
from a closely fought Barclays Under-21 Premier League contest at Rush
Green. With little to choose between the sides, a point apiece looked the
most likely outcome before substitute Alberto Seidi took aim from 25 yards
and rifled home to hand the visitors the lead just after the hour mark. The
Hammers' best chance of salvaging a draw came and went in stoppage time as
Elliot Lee saw a diving header squirm past the outside of the post, while
goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga merely stood and watched. Though the home side
were to end the evening with nothing to show for their efforts, Haycock was
in no mood to bemoan ill-fortune, preferring instead to praise another
mature showing in the Elite Group from his inexperienced team. "Ultimately,
at half-time I said it's got 1-0 written all over it," Haycock told West Ham
TV. "I thought, really, the game deserved to be a draw. I don't think either
side deserved to win it but fair play to Southampton. Martin Hunter and
Steve Greaves always produce good footballing teams. "To be fair, I was
delighted with the players. They showed good character and good commitment
to keep going when we'd make the mistake of the goal. It was a great strike
but on another day you probably get a foul on Seb Lletget. It was going to
take a goal like that to win the football match. "I think we got into some
good attacking areas and a mixture of wrong choices on final passes and some
great defending from Southampton kept our scoreline to nil. All in all, four
games played [in the Elite Group], most people would take six points, but
the two games we've won we deserved to win and those we've lost the minimum
we deserved was a draw."
Normally the scourge of opposition defences, strike duo Wellington Paulista
and Elliot Lee were unusually subdued as West Ham found it tough to carve
out openings. Haycock, however, reckons his side's frustrations in front of
goal were chiefly a result of the thoughtful planning of his opposite
number. "They certainly weren't as sharp but I think with Southampton's
organisation behind the ball, they had obviously watched us play and you
could see they tried to deny space in midfield and space in behind the
lines," added Haycock. "Elliot gets a chance right at the end and I said to
him, you play Tottenham and you get six or seven chances in a game, tonight
it was at a minimal and you get the chance with a header at the end, if it's
on target it's a goal. I don't think the 'keeper would have got there but
unfortunately it shaved the outside of the post."
In the absence of first-team squad members Dan Potts and Jordan Spence,
Haycock was only too glad to blood some of his younger personnel, whose
displays on the night were a source of particular pride. "Going forward it
is about development and I was delighted with the first years Amos Nasha and
Ben Marlow.I didn't think there was a player in the dressing room tonight
who didn't look at home at this level. I told the boys 'don't change what
you're doing. On another night you could have drawn the game or even won the
game, it could have gone either way.' They can be pleased with the efforts
they put in."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Collins to Return for the Spurs Match, but Who Gives Way?
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
There were reports today that James Collins could be fit to return for the
match at home to Spurs on Monday 25 February 2013. Collins has been out with
a leg injury and many feel that we have missed his robast style of defending
in recent weeks. But, if so, the question is, who gives way to facilitate
his inclusion? WInston Reid is a rock in central defence and is a real
contender for Hammer of the Year this season. As such, it is a fair bet that
he will be in the starting line up. So, that leaves James Tomkins, but he
has shown a significant improvement in form in recent matches and was our
best performer against Swansea and Villa. It would be a mistake to exclude
him, or play him out of position, now that he has started to back back in
form, after an indifferent start to the season. No, the best option, in my
view, is to continue with Reid-Tomkins at centre-back and have Collins on
the bench.
At right-back, it is unlikely that O'Brien will be fit for the Spurs match.
In his absence, Demel will probably start at right full-back and Pogatetz or
Taylor at left-back. These are functional selections, but they do not
exactly set the pulse racing, do they? One of the most problematic areas of
the squad this season has been at full-back. I like to see full-backs with
pace and power, who not only defend well, but can get forward and provide
width to the attack. McCartney is not particularly fast, but he is our best
full-back at present. He is solid defensively and does a good job getting
forward down the left flank. The alternatives are Jordan Spence, on the
right, and either Danny Potts (fitness allowing), or the very promising
Matthias Famino, on the left. Personally, I think that it is time to play
Spence, he has looked good whenever he has played this season and he needs
to be given an opportunity to show that he can claim a regular first team
place. Potts is in poll position for the left-back slot, but I am unsure if
he has recovered yet from the head injury sustained against Man Utd. I
really like the look of Famino, who has been outstanding for the Development
Squad. But he is unlikely to be selected this season, so it looks like we
are, indeed, left with either Taylor or Pogatetz against Spurs.
In Midfield, Noble-Diame-Nolan has been an automatic selection for most of
the season. Nolan has received some criticism for his form and there is no
doubt that he has not been at his best in recent matches. Will Sam Allardyce
drop Nolan? Should he drop Nolan? My reponses to those questions are no and
probably not if he continues to play 4-3-3. The truth is that Allardyce is
unlikely to change his 4-3-3 formation and Nolan's attacking role in that
system is fairly pivotal. He gets forward, links up midfield and attack and
positions himself well for the Carroll knock downs. Could other players play
that role? Yes, both Joe Cole and Jack Collison could play there, with skill
and work rate, if perhaps not the same finishing ability in the box.
However, if we adopted a 4-4-2 then, unless he played as an out and out
second striker, it would be very difficult to fit Nolan in to that system.
Personally, I would like to see Jack Collison get more match time. Collison
is an excellent player, whose development as been adversely effected by a
serious knee injury. But we saw at the end of last season how effective and
influential Collison can be for West Ham. He is back now and needs to make
up for lost time. And it would be good to see that eagerness and desire
added to the team I would certainly like to see a midfeld combination of
Noble-Diame-Collison given a chance at some point this season. Collison can
finish, as we saw recently against Arsenal, but it is an aspect of his game
that he needs to improve. A player like Collison, when fit and playing
regualarly, should be scoring at least 8-10 goals a season.
Up front Joe cole picks himself, when fit and able to play consecutive
matches. He possesses rare skill, vision and technical ability and we always
pass and move the ball far better when he is in the team. He is likely to
occupy a positon to the right of Andy Carroll. On the left side, our best
option is Matt Jarvis. He has pace, skill on the ball and the ability to
cross the ball accurately. His link up with Carroll should be key and we
need to see it produce the goods, in terms of goals scored. Both Cole and
Jarvis have crucial roles to play in supporting Carroll and getting
intelligent and accurate balls in to him. The Swansea match showed that if
you give Carroll the right quality of delivery, he will score. Compare the
ball in for his headed goal against the Swans with the speculative and
inaccurate stuff served up to him against Villa.
If Carroll is fit then he plays. He is by far the best centre forward that
we have. But, as stated, there are issues about the support that he receives
and the quality of balls in to him. Would he be more effective if we moved
to a 4-4-2, with Carlton Cole or Wellington Paulista alongside him? I know
that people say that 4-3-3 is the future, but there is a large part of me
that misses seeing a twin striker partnership up front. During my time
supporting the club, I have enoyed watching partnerships such as
Hurst-Byrne, Hurst-Robson, Gould-Jennings, Cross-Robson, Cross-Goddard,
Cottee-McAvennnie, Hartson-Kitson, Di Canio-Kanoute, Zamora-Harewood,
Zamora-Tevez, Ashton-Sheringham, Ashton-Bellemy, et al. An excellent strike
partnership is great thing to behold, working in tandem to create space and
opportunity. They used to say that strikers are best hunting in pairs! And
there is some truth in that statement.
So, is it time to revert to a 4-4-2 against Spurs, with Caroll partnering
Carlton Cole or Paulista up front and Joe Cole-Noble-Diame-Jarvis or
Collison in Midfield; with Jussi-Spence-Pogatetz-Tomkins-Reid completing the
starting eleven? Or would it be better to play a 4-4-2 with Carroll-Nolan as
a conventional strike partnership. Why not? Nolan has the finishing ability
in the final third and could concentrate on that rather than trying to graft
in midfield. Or should we persist with 4-3-3 and try to make the system
work? Unfortunately, I think that we will struggle to get the best out of
the system until we have the pre-requisite power and pace at full-back and
corresponding pace and finishing ability either side of the centre forward
in the front three.
Finally, Zola is doing a good job at Watford and could conceivably get them
promoted this season. My thoughts on Zola are that the timing and
circumstances of his appointment at West Ham were all wrong. He was probably
too inexperienced when he got the West Ham Manager's job and, in retrospect,
probably should have started with a job in the Championship to find is
managerial feet without the immediate, intense pressure. Plus, there was all
the huge off-field issues relating to the Icelandic regime and the
Instability/uncertainty created by the worsening financial situation It was
a brave appointment, based on the assumption that Zola's partnership with
Steve Clarke would ameliorate his initial lack of managerial experience.
Unfortunately, circumstances overtook them both and the club's new, incoming
ownership obviously came to the conclusion that they needed to make changes,
hence their final exit.
Zola had to deal with that disappointment and took a step back in order to
move forward once more as a manager. He will probably now go on to be a top
manager, with Chelsea one possible destination. Good luck to him, by all
accounts he is a great fellow and a top football man. And he deserves any
managerial success coming his way.
SJ. Chandos.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Play it again, Sam: Andy Carroll will only stay at West Ham if Allardyce is
still the manager
The Mirror
16 Feb 2013 23:00
Jamie McDonald
Andy Carroll's West Ham future is likely to depend on boss Sam Allardyce
staying at Upton Park, writes the Sunday People. Big Sam's Hammers contract
expires at the end of the season, but the Irons hierarchy are insisting that
no decision on a new deal will be discussed until they are certain of
Premier League survival. The club have already agreed a £17million fee with
Liverpool for loan-star Carroll, but the ball is very much still in the big
Geordie striker's court.
He has massive respect for Allardyce after the Irons chief rescued him from
a difficult spell at Anfield. And the hitman is also big pals with West Ham
skipper Kevin Nolan, who he struck a firm bond with during their Newcastle
playing days. Sources close to Carroll said: "The only way Andy will join
West Ham on a permanent deal in the summer is if Big Sam is still the
manager."
Carroll's future is very much up in the air. He knows that, despite not
setting east London alight with goals, West Ham are desperate to make his
current loan deal permanent. But Carroll believes he still has unfinished
business at Liverpool, although Kop boss Brendan Rodgers' January signing of
a different type of striker in Daniel Sturridge will not be lost on him.
Carroll's preferred option would be to go back home to Newcastle – and the
support and encouragement he has received from owner Mike Ashley's
right-hand man Derek Llambias has given him hope. Certainly, Toon boss Alan
Pardew has made it clear that he would welcome Carroll back with open arms.
As a result, West Ham have checked on Southampton's Rickie Lambert and
Wilfried Bony of Vitesse Arnhem.
West Ham dig deep for Wigan's Maynor
EXCLUSIVE by Alan Nixon
West Ham are lining up a free transfer move for Maynor Figueroa this summer,
writes the Sunday People. The Honduras defender is set to quit Wigan when
his contract runs out. And the 29-year-old could get his hands on a
£40,000-a-week pay day at the Irons, who will shake up their squad this
summer.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Saturday, February 16
Daily WHUFC News - 16th February 2013
Taylor raring to go ahead of Spurs derby
WHUFC.com
Matt Taylor says Hammers will come back ready for a performance against
Tottenham on 25 February
15.02.2013
West Ham United return from their week of warm-weather training in Dubai on
Friday and Matt Taylor is convinced they will be refreshed and ready to go
for the London derby with Tottenham Hotspur on 25 February. The Hammers flew
out to the Middle East Emirate straight after last Sunday's game at Aston
Villa, just as they did at a similar time last year before their successful
promotion push. Taylor was part of the squad that helped secure that
Play-Off success and he is ready to push on again over the final 12 games of
this campaign.
He told whufc.com: "I think the trip has been beneficial for the team. It
was nice to get away from the weather here and get the sun on our backs, but
most importantly it was to keep the team together. We've got over two weeks
between games and maybe there's the chance for some downtime but it's
imperative that we focus on our next game. "We're hoping for the same effect
as last year. It's something the manager has always done throughout his
career with his teams and if he continues to do it, he must believe that it
works. The proof is in the pudding. "We've got a difficult period of
fixtures coming up and we've just to make sure that we continue to put in
performances like we did last Sunday, only put the ball in the back of the
net when we've got chances. Ultimately goals win games and we didn't get
enough of them at Villa."
Taylor felt the Hammers may have been rewarded more greatly for their
efforts at Villa Park last weekend, after weathering an early storm from
Paul Lambert's men and growing into the contest. He continued: "Aston Villa
started the game extremely well and in the first 20 minutes they put us
under a lot of pressure, but we came into the game a lot more towards the
end of the first half. "We came out strongly in the second half and probably
didn't make the pressure and chances count by scoring. In the end, we've
been punished first of all by a penalty and then by a fantastic free kick.
We still had chances to get a point after that, but I think frustrating is
the word to describe last Sunday. "In the Premier League it's so difficult
to win football matches, but to win football matches you've got to score
goals. First half we limited them to a few opportunities - the best one they
had was inside the first couple of minutes but we weathered the storm and
got better. "The half time team talk was a positive one because we thought
we were in a good position. You get punished at this level for mistakes and
that's what happened on Sunday. "Every time you don't win a football match
in the Premier League it's an opportunity missed. That was a great win for
Aston Villa and you could see at the end the euphoria around the ground for
them. For us it was disappointing, because we felt that we dominated the
game for large spells and should have taken something from it."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Under-18s set for Sunderland test
WHUFC.com
Under-18s boss Steve Potts looks for another strong performance in the north
east this weekend
15.02.2013
West Ham United's Under-18s travel to Sunderland for their next Barclays U18
Premier League Tier One fixture on Saturday and manager Steve Potts is
looking for more of the same performance-wise from his team. The Hammers
suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat at West Bromwich Albion last weekend, but Potts
was satisfied with the display and believes a repeat would this time result
in victory. "We're looking for a continuation from last week's peformance
really," he told whufc.com. "We played some good stuff, but just couldn't
quite get the result - the one thing we do need to be is more ruthless.
"It's a long journey to Sunderland for this game - we went up on Friday and
it's good for the team to experience an overnight stay. It's something that
they'll experience more of in their careers ahead so it's good for them to
get used to it now. "We've won one, drawn one and lost one of our three
games so far in this phase, but I've been more pleased with the
performances. Hopefully we can find that same level of performance at
Sunderland, but this time gain more reward in terms of the result."
Like the Hammers, Sunderland have a perfect symmetry to their record in Tier
One, having also taken four points from three starts. They suffered a 5-1
defeat at Tottenham Hotspur last week after finishing fourth in the
seven-team National Group Two in the first half of the season. Saturday's
game will take place at the Sunderland Academy of Light training ground with
an 11am kick-off.
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Collins ready to return
WHUFC.com
Ginge is looking forward to returning to first team action against Tottenham
Hotspur
16.02.2013
James Collins is looking forward to getting back into action and helping
West Ham United finish February on a high. The Wales international defender
has been laid low by a hamstring injury since the away match at Sunderland
last month, but after working hard at the club's Chadwell Heath training
ground over the last few weeks, he is set to return to full training next
week. He exclusively told West Ham TV: "I feel good; I am raring to go and
can't wait to get back into training with the rest of the lads. It is
looking like I can do this next week, in the lead up to the Tottenham game,
and see how I go. "It has been frustrating and a pain, being out injured,
but sometimes you have to hold your hands up and say it is an injury and get
on with it. During the match [Sunderland] I felt good and my body was fine,
but I then over-stretched, which can happen, and I have just been working
hard to get back ever since . "The medical team here have been great with me
and I am back sooner than was hoped, so that is a good thing. I am ready to
push through and if I can be involved against Tottenham, than that will be
great for me."
With the injury Collins suffered, it was a case of letting the muscles heal
and then a gradual step up in the work he has been able to do. He continued:
"The first couple of weeks you can't do anything, as it is a muscle injury,
so you have to let that recover. It is literally massages and on the
machines, doing gentle stuff and in the medical room. "Then it progresses on
from that as the weeks go on and then you can start running. You then have
to do a certain amount of tests before they feel you can go back on the
training field and take part fully. I have done all of that now, just
waiting to get in back in the swing of it all and can't wait."
Collins says you have to set a goal on doing things properly and being
patient so that you can return fitter and completely ready to play. He
explained: "The hardest thing about being injured is not playing and the
fact you are in the gym, working on your own pretty much, and you look out
of the window and the rest of the lads are out there training together. "So
it is hard, as you are also missing out on all the banter and camaraderie as
well. It was tough as it was the first time in a long while I have had an
injury like this and touch wood that is over and I am just looking forward
to getting stuck in again with the lads."
While he has been on the sidelines, Collins has attended to watch and cheer
on his team-mates in the games he has not played, but says no amount of
watching can make up for being out there on the pitch. "I am not the best
watcher I would admit," he added. "I find I revert back to watching the game
like a fan, not as a player though. I have family and friends with me at the
games, but it is tough as you just want to be out there playing your part
for the team.
"There have been games recently where we have not picked up as many points
as we would have liked. It is frustrating for us as it is for our fans, but
we will keep working away at it all and you find the results will come.
"Obviously for me, watching from afar, you can see something that you don't
always see when you are on the pitch, but you can't do anything. All I could
do was do my best to cheer the lads on and shout support for them along with
the rest of our fans."
With Collins eager to be back involved on playing field, he is also looking
forward to exciting times off the pitch, with another addition to the
Collins household about to arrive at any moment. The No19 and his wife
Samantha, who are already proud parents to two-year-old son Dylan, are about
to welcome a daughter. And Collins said he is looking forward to being a dad
again and combining that with being back to do his bit for the Hammers. "We
can't wait and neither can our little boy," he said. "My missus is getting a
bit impatient now for our little girl to arrive, as we all are, so we are
really excited about having a new addition to our family. "People are saying
I won't be getting much rest off the pitch, but to be fair, my wife is
unbelievable and if I am fit and ready to be playing, she will make it easy
for me to go out there and do my job. As I said, I am raring to go and
looking to help the team get some results on the pitch so we can finish in a
strong position."
- James Collins took the honours in the Hammers' Goal of the Month vote for
January.
West Ham fans had the chance to vote for their favourite strike from the
month on our official Facebook page and Collins took 63% of the vote for his
second header against Manchester United in the home FA Cup with Budweiser
third-round tie.
Jack Collison's powerful strike at Arsenal took second place.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ladies relishing Colchester tie
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Ladies visit Colchester United in the Essex FA County Cup
semi-finals on Sunday
16.02.2013
West Ham United Ladies need no extra motivation going into Sunday's Essex FA
County Cup semi-final with old rivals Colchester United. The Hammers were
beaten on penalties by the U's in last season's final, while two of the West
Ham's recent signings, Hannah Gowland and Lily Mellors, will be facing their
former club. Manager Julia Setford said she and her squad are relishing the
opportunity to get one over their Essex neighbours and FA Women's Premier
League Southern Division counterparts when they travel to Shrub End
Community Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon. "We don't have to get anybody
up for this game," Setford confirmed. "We had a great training session in
the week and all the girls are buzzing for the game on Sunday. "Hannah and
Lily want to win this game, that goes without saying, and they want to play
well and score some goals for us. For us all, getting through to the final
is the job in hand and I am confident we can do it. It's a massive game for
us. "It is always our aim to be the best team in the county and, if we want
to prove that we are, we need to win this competition every single year. We
let ourselves down in the final last year and we need to pick it up this
year. It's a big, big task but one we are certainly up for."
West Ham and Colchester have monopolised the County Cup in the past five
seasons, with the Hammers lifting the trophy in 2009 and 2011 and the U's
doing so in 2008, 2010 and 2012. While Setford will likely name her
strongest XI this weekend, the manager admitted she has a selection headache
after last weekend's 13-2 quarter-final victory over Witham Town. April
Bowers scored four times and Gowland and Kelley Blanchflower netted
hat-tricks, but substitutes Sam Rowland - who also scored - and Zoe
Lipley-Hinton also impressed. "Last weekend was brilliant," said Setford.
"We knew that it was going to be a game where I could put players in who
have not played too much recently, but it didn't make much difference
because we have such a strong squad.
"In the second half we let ourselves down and conceded two silly goals,
which the girls were not happy about, but overall we showed some great play
and some great finishing. I was delighted, really. "Sam is starting to come
good and Zoe is back from injury and it is difficult to ignore her work-rate
and commitment, which are really good. Our three strikers (Bowers, Gowland
and Blanchflower) are in form, but the others are definitely pushing them.
"At the back, Vicky King sat out against Witham and Lily came in at
right-back and did really well in a new position. They are giving me
problems all over the park in terms of who to pick, which is good!"
Sunday's tie kicks-off at 1.30pm. For directions to Shrub End Community
Sports Centre, click here.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Another 'Golden Generation' of Academy Stars on the Rise?
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
West Ham Utd FC's Academy is rightly celebrated for its long track record of
producing outstanding footballers.The first golden age was the late 1950s
and 1960s, which saw the production of such outstanding talent as Bobby
Moore, Geoff Hurst, Martin Peters, Ronnie Boyce, Jack Burkett, Joe
Kirkup,Trevor Brooking and Frank Lampard Snr. In the 1970s and 1980s, the
production line continued to roll, with players like John McDowell, Kevin
Lock, Geoff Pike, Alan Curbishley, Alvin Martin, Paul Allen, Paul Ince,
George Parris and Tony Cottee making the first team grade and, in many
cases, earning honours at U-23 and Full international level.
A second golden age emerged in the 1990s and early 2000s, with the
development of a group of players that were destined to be the back bone of
the England squad. The names are familiar, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard Jnr,
Micheal Carrick, Jermaine Defoe, Joe Cole and Glen Johnson. Their careers
were the mirror image of that of Moore, Hurst and Peters. Whereas Ferdinand
et al enjoyed more successful club careers (unfortunately with Man Utd,
Chelsea, Spurs and Liverpool), they never won the ultimate prize, the FIFA
World Cup.
Since the exit of the Second golden generation, the Academy has continued to
produce good quality professionals, such as Mark Noble, Jack Collison and
James Tomkins, who have graced the first team and gained international
honours at U-21 and full level. However, is the illustrious old Hammers
production line gearing up to deliver another golden batch? One hope so and,
arguably, the signs are promising. We have very useful prospects at the
club, who could verywel go on to have both successful club and international
careers. Principally, I am referring to Hall, Potts, Fanimo, Turgott and
Lee; as well as perhaps Moncur, Lletget and Chambers. However, there are
others such as Morrison, Ruddock, McCallum and McGuire who could yet develop
in to important players.
In a recent interview, Sam Allardyce argued that Academies up and down the
country needed to be 'more selfish' in recruiting and developing domestic
talent, over overseas prospects, for the sake of the future of the England
team. Well, the West Ham Academy certainly has enough domesic talent within
its ranks. The issue is whether the club will give its Academy graduates the
first team opportunities essential to realise their talent. You can talk of
PL pressure, and its adverse impact upon the progression of youth products,
but ultimately it requires the bravery and vision to play the youngsters
when they are ready. Otherwise, it does not matter how many domestic
prospects Academies recruit, they cannot come through and make the grade.
Could Hall, Potts, Turgott, et al form a third golden age of West Ham
Academy graduates? There is certainly talent there, its just a matter of
whether it is realised? If it is, can we retain them this time around,
unlike in the case of Ferdinand, Cole, Carrick, etc? or will we once again
just end up producing talent for Man Utd, Chelsea and Spurs to utilise?
SJ. Chandos.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Karren Brady's football diary
By KARREN BRADY
Published: 15th February 2013
The SUn
SAT, FEB
9
SPURS' Emmanuel Adebayor flew to London from his stint with Togo at the
African Nations Cup on a private jet - paid for by the club - but still
managed to be two days late. My own player Modibo Maiga was also two days
late. Having 'lent' them our talent, it would be nice for the Federations to
deliver players back on time.
SUN, FEB 10
WEST HAM'S away form is confirmed at Villa Park. The players are off for
some warm weather training, I hope the change of scenery does them good.
To complete my blue Sunday, an 'insider' says it would be no surprise if Sam
Allardyce is replaced as manager at the end of the season. It ruddy well
would, pal. We're not Blackburn here. We know when we are well off.
MON, FEB 11
WITH the Hammers move to the Olympic Stadium close to being agreed, for us
there remains the most important factor - the support from our fans.
The club can cheer next week's announcement as much as we like but it's at
that point that the consultation process can begin and we can start to share
the
vision for the stadium with our supporters.
TUES, FEB 12
FOOTBALL used to be a man's game. Now I'm not so sure. First, there are
pictures of Fernando Torres baking cupcakes and now we hear that Frank
Lampard is to write a series of children's books. More worrying for English
fans is Frankie going to Hollywood, joining LA Galaxy while he is still a
far more serious footballer than David Beckham was when he went there.
Lampard, 34, has proved convincingly this season - scoring 11 times in 18
games - that Rio 2014 is well within his range. And if Chelsea don't want
Frank, we would love to have him back.
WED, FEB 13
PIERS MORGAN tells me in the studio recording my Life Story that he and a
few pals have clubbed together to try to help Paul Gascoigne. Well done,
him.
And well done, too, to the PFA who have been outrageously attacked by people
who are not aware - and should be - of the fortune in funds they have spent
trying to save Gazza from alcoholism and other demands over the years.
Gascoigne is close to being a lost soul. And while we must never give up on
such people, there must be a point where Gazza will actually start to help
himself.
THURS, FEB 14
A PREMIER LEAGUE director phones to let me know the pressure he's under to
pop the question tonight. His new love interest has really caught the love
bug.
He tells me that last week she started wearing a wedding ring, which she
bought herself, claiming she liked the look of it, but he felt it was really
more of a very big hint. Is she going to succeed in her quest? No chance.
There's no way he's going to commit bigamy! Just up the road from him,
Gareth Bale is playing a sensational game. A director there tells me that
three years ago the Spurs team trained at the Virgin gym in Chigwell. Bale
was the only player who went back every afternoon to put in extra sessions.
Just goes to show, you get back what you put in.
FRIDAY, FEB 15
THE name Millwall frazzles me - many other people in football, too. But
nowhere are they more feared than in Luton, where 28 years ago for a sixth
round FA Cup-tie their followers wrecked the ground, fought rival fans and
the police with bottles, bricks and bits of hoarding then terrorised the
whole town. A decade or so ago after a problem at St Andrew's, I criticised
their fans and was threatened with murder. This, I think, rather makes my
point. Millwall are back at Kenilworth Road in the fifth round and I hope it
can go off peacefully.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Matt Taylor says Hammers will come back ready for a performance against
Tottenham on 25 February
15.02.2013
West Ham United return from their week of warm-weather training in Dubai on
Friday and Matt Taylor is convinced they will be refreshed and ready to go
for the London derby with Tottenham Hotspur on 25 February. The Hammers flew
out to the Middle East Emirate straight after last Sunday's game at Aston
Villa, just as they did at a similar time last year before their successful
promotion push. Taylor was part of the squad that helped secure that
Play-Off success and he is ready to push on again over the final 12 games of
this campaign.
He told whufc.com: "I think the trip has been beneficial for the team. It
was nice to get away from the weather here and get the sun on our backs, but
most importantly it was to keep the team together. We've got over two weeks
between games and maybe there's the chance for some downtime but it's
imperative that we focus on our next game. "We're hoping for the same effect
as last year. It's something the manager has always done throughout his
career with his teams and if he continues to do it, he must believe that it
works. The proof is in the pudding. "We've got a difficult period of
fixtures coming up and we've just to make sure that we continue to put in
performances like we did last Sunday, only put the ball in the back of the
net when we've got chances. Ultimately goals win games and we didn't get
enough of them at Villa."
Taylor felt the Hammers may have been rewarded more greatly for their
efforts at Villa Park last weekend, after weathering an early storm from
Paul Lambert's men and growing into the contest. He continued: "Aston Villa
started the game extremely well and in the first 20 minutes they put us
under a lot of pressure, but we came into the game a lot more towards the
end of the first half. "We came out strongly in the second half and probably
didn't make the pressure and chances count by scoring. In the end, we've
been punished first of all by a penalty and then by a fantastic free kick.
We still had chances to get a point after that, but I think frustrating is
the word to describe last Sunday. "In the Premier League it's so difficult
to win football matches, but to win football matches you've got to score
goals. First half we limited them to a few opportunities - the best one they
had was inside the first couple of minutes but we weathered the storm and
got better. "The half time team talk was a positive one because we thought
we were in a good position. You get punished at this level for mistakes and
that's what happened on Sunday. "Every time you don't win a football match
in the Premier League it's an opportunity missed. That was a great win for
Aston Villa and you could see at the end the euphoria around the ground for
them. For us it was disappointing, because we felt that we dominated the
game for large spells and should have taken something from it."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Under-18s set for Sunderland test
WHUFC.com
Under-18s boss Steve Potts looks for another strong performance in the north
east this weekend
15.02.2013
West Ham United's Under-18s travel to Sunderland for their next Barclays U18
Premier League Tier One fixture on Saturday and manager Steve Potts is
looking for more of the same performance-wise from his team. The Hammers
suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat at West Bromwich Albion last weekend, but Potts
was satisfied with the display and believes a repeat would this time result
in victory. "We're looking for a continuation from last week's peformance
really," he told whufc.com. "We played some good stuff, but just couldn't
quite get the result - the one thing we do need to be is more ruthless.
"It's a long journey to Sunderland for this game - we went up on Friday and
it's good for the team to experience an overnight stay. It's something that
they'll experience more of in their careers ahead so it's good for them to
get used to it now. "We've won one, drawn one and lost one of our three
games so far in this phase, but I've been more pleased with the
performances. Hopefully we can find that same level of performance at
Sunderland, but this time gain more reward in terms of the result."
Like the Hammers, Sunderland have a perfect symmetry to their record in Tier
One, having also taken four points from three starts. They suffered a 5-1
defeat at Tottenham Hotspur last week after finishing fourth in the
seven-team National Group Two in the first half of the season. Saturday's
game will take place at the Sunderland Academy of Light training ground with
an 11am kick-off.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Collins ready to return
WHUFC.com
Ginge is looking forward to returning to first team action against Tottenham
Hotspur
16.02.2013
James Collins is looking forward to getting back into action and helping
West Ham United finish February on a high. The Wales international defender
has been laid low by a hamstring injury since the away match at Sunderland
last month, but after working hard at the club's Chadwell Heath training
ground over the last few weeks, he is set to return to full training next
week. He exclusively told West Ham TV: "I feel good; I am raring to go and
can't wait to get back into training with the rest of the lads. It is
looking like I can do this next week, in the lead up to the Tottenham game,
and see how I go. "It has been frustrating and a pain, being out injured,
but sometimes you have to hold your hands up and say it is an injury and get
on with it. During the match [Sunderland] I felt good and my body was fine,
but I then over-stretched, which can happen, and I have just been working
hard to get back ever since . "The medical team here have been great with me
and I am back sooner than was hoped, so that is a good thing. I am ready to
push through and if I can be involved against Tottenham, than that will be
great for me."
With the injury Collins suffered, it was a case of letting the muscles heal
and then a gradual step up in the work he has been able to do. He continued:
"The first couple of weeks you can't do anything, as it is a muscle injury,
so you have to let that recover. It is literally massages and on the
machines, doing gentle stuff and in the medical room. "Then it progresses on
from that as the weeks go on and then you can start running. You then have
to do a certain amount of tests before they feel you can go back on the
training field and take part fully. I have done all of that now, just
waiting to get in back in the swing of it all and can't wait."
Collins says you have to set a goal on doing things properly and being
patient so that you can return fitter and completely ready to play. He
explained: "The hardest thing about being injured is not playing and the
fact you are in the gym, working on your own pretty much, and you look out
of the window and the rest of the lads are out there training together. "So
it is hard, as you are also missing out on all the banter and camaraderie as
well. It was tough as it was the first time in a long while I have had an
injury like this and touch wood that is over and I am just looking forward
to getting stuck in again with the lads."
While he has been on the sidelines, Collins has attended to watch and cheer
on his team-mates in the games he has not played, but says no amount of
watching can make up for being out there on the pitch. "I am not the best
watcher I would admit," he added. "I find I revert back to watching the game
like a fan, not as a player though. I have family and friends with me at the
games, but it is tough as you just want to be out there playing your part
for the team.
"There have been games recently where we have not picked up as many points
as we would have liked. It is frustrating for us as it is for our fans, but
we will keep working away at it all and you find the results will come.
"Obviously for me, watching from afar, you can see something that you don't
always see when you are on the pitch, but you can't do anything. All I could
do was do my best to cheer the lads on and shout support for them along with
the rest of our fans."
With Collins eager to be back involved on playing field, he is also looking
forward to exciting times off the pitch, with another addition to the
Collins household about to arrive at any moment. The No19 and his wife
Samantha, who are already proud parents to two-year-old son Dylan, are about
to welcome a daughter. And Collins said he is looking forward to being a dad
again and combining that with being back to do his bit for the Hammers. "We
can't wait and neither can our little boy," he said. "My missus is getting a
bit impatient now for our little girl to arrive, as we all are, so we are
really excited about having a new addition to our family. "People are saying
I won't be getting much rest off the pitch, but to be fair, my wife is
unbelievable and if I am fit and ready to be playing, she will make it easy
for me to go out there and do my job. As I said, I am raring to go and
looking to help the team get some results on the pitch so we can finish in a
strong position."
- James Collins took the honours in the Hammers' Goal of the Month vote for
January.
West Ham fans had the chance to vote for their favourite strike from the
month on our official Facebook page and Collins took 63% of the vote for his
second header against Manchester United in the home FA Cup with Budweiser
third-round tie.
Jack Collison's powerful strike at Arsenal took second place.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ladies relishing Colchester tie
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Ladies visit Colchester United in the Essex FA County Cup
semi-finals on Sunday
16.02.2013
West Ham United Ladies need no extra motivation going into Sunday's Essex FA
County Cup semi-final with old rivals Colchester United. The Hammers were
beaten on penalties by the U's in last season's final, while two of the West
Ham's recent signings, Hannah Gowland and Lily Mellors, will be facing their
former club. Manager Julia Setford said she and her squad are relishing the
opportunity to get one over their Essex neighbours and FA Women's Premier
League Southern Division counterparts when they travel to Shrub End
Community Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon. "We don't have to get anybody
up for this game," Setford confirmed. "We had a great training session in
the week and all the girls are buzzing for the game on Sunday. "Hannah and
Lily want to win this game, that goes without saying, and they want to play
well and score some goals for us. For us all, getting through to the final
is the job in hand and I am confident we can do it. It's a massive game for
us. "It is always our aim to be the best team in the county and, if we want
to prove that we are, we need to win this competition every single year. We
let ourselves down in the final last year and we need to pick it up this
year. It's a big, big task but one we are certainly up for."
West Ham and Colchester have monopolised the County Cup in the past five
seasons, with the Hammers lifting the trophy in 2009 and 2011 and the U's
doing so in 2008, 2010 and 2012. While Setford will likely name her
strongest XI this weekend, the manager admitted she has a selection headache
after last weekend's 13-2 quarter-final victory over Witham Town. April
Bowers scored four times and Gowland and Kelley Blanchflower netted
hat-tricks, but substitutes Sam Rowland - who also scored - and Zoe
Lipley-Hinton also impressed. "Last weekend was brilliant," said Setford.
"We knew that it was going to be a game where I could put players in who
have not played too much recently, but it didn't make much difference
because we have such a strong squad.
"In the second half we let ourselves down and conceded two silly goals,
which the girls were not happy about, but overall we showed some great play
and some great finishing. I was delighted, really. "Sam is starting to come
good and Zoe is back from injury and it is difficult to ignore her work-rate
and commitment, which are really good. Our three strikers (Bowers, Gowland
and Blanchflower) are in form, but the others are definitely pushing them.
"At the back, Vicky King sat out against Witham and Lily came in at
right-back and did really well in a new position. They are giving me
problems all over the park in terms of who to pick, which is good!"
Sunday's tie kicks-off at 1.30pm. For directions to Shrub End Community
Sports Centre, click here.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Another 'Golden Generation' of Academy Stars on the Rise?
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
West Ham Utd FC's Academy is rightly celebrated for its long track record of
producing outstanding footballers.The first golden age was the late 1950s
and 1960s, which saw the production of such outstanding talent as Bobby
Moore, Geoff Hurst, Martin Peters, Ronnie Boyce, Jack Burkett, Joe
Kirkup,Trevor Brooking and Frank Lampard Snr. In the 1970s and 1980s, the
production line continued to roll, with players like John McDowell, Kevin
Lock, Geoff Pike, Alan Curbishley, Alvin Martin, Paul Allen, Paul Ince,
George Parris and Tony Cottee making the first team grade and, in many
cases, earning honours at U-23 and Full international level.
A second golden age emerged in the 1990s and early 2000s, with the
development of a group of players that were destined to be the back bone of
the England squad. The names are familiar, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard Jnr,
Micheal Carrick, Jermaine Defoe, Joe Cole and Glen Johnson. Their careers
were the mirror image of that of Moore, Hurst and Peters. Whereas Ferdinand
et al enjoyed more successful club careers (unfortunately with Man Utd,
Chelsea, Spurs and Liverpool), they never won the ultimate prize, the FIFA
World Cup.
Since the exit of the Second golden generation, the Academy has continued to
produce good quality professionals, such as Mark Noble, Jack Collison and
James Tomkins, who have graced the first team and gained international
honours at U-21 and full level. However, is the illustrious old Hammers
production line gearing up to deliver another golden batch? One hope so and,
arguably, the signs are promising. We have very useful prospects at the
club, who could verywel go on to have both successful club and international
careers. Principally, I am referring to Hall, Potts, Fanimo, Turgott and
Lee; as well as perhaps Moncur, Lletget and Chambers. However, there are
others such as Morrison, Ruddock, McCallum and McGuire who could yet develop
in to important players.
In a recent interview, Sam Allardyce argued that Academies up and down the
country needed to be 'more selfish' in recruiting and developing domestic
talent, over overseas prospects, for the sake of the future of the England
team. Well, the West Ham Academy certainly has enough domesic talent within
its ranks. The issue is whether the club will give its Academy graduates the
first team opportunities essential to realise their talent. You can talk of
PL pressure, and its adverse impact upon the progression of youth products,
but ultimately it requires the bravery and vision to play the youngsters
when they are ready. Otherwise, it does not matter how many domestic
prospects Academies recruit, they cannot come through and make the grade.
Could Hall, Potts, Turgott, et al form a third golden age of West Ham
Academy graduates? There is certainly talent there, its just a matter of
whether it is realised? If it is, can we retain them this time around,
unlike in the case of Ferdinand, Cole, Carrick, etc? or will we once again
just end up producing talent for Man Utd, Chelsea and Spurs to utilise?
SJ. Chandos.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Karren Brady's football diary
By KARREN BRADY
Published: 15th February 2013
The SUn
SAT, FEB
9
SPURS' Emmanuel Adebayor flew to London from his stint with Togo at the
African Nations Cup on a private jet - paid for by the club - but still
managed to be two days late. My own player Modibo Maiga was also two days
late. Having 'lent' them our talent, it would be nice for the Federations to
deliver players back on time.
SUN, FEB 10
WEST HAM'S away form is confirmed at Villa Park. The players are off for
some warm weather training, I hope the change of scenery does them good.
To complete my blue Sunday, an 'insider' says it would be no surprise if Sam
Allardyce is replaced as manager at the end of the season. It ruddy well
would, pal. We're not Blackburn here. We know when we are well off.
MON, FEB 11
WITH the Hammers move to the Olympic Stadium close to being agreed, for us
there remains the most important factor - the support from our fans.
The club can cheer next week's announcement as much as we like but it's at
that point that the consultation process can begin and we can start to share
the
vision for the stadium with our supporters.
TUES, FEB 12
FOOTBALL used to be a man's game. Now I'm not so sure. First, there are
pictures of Fernando Torres baking cupcakes and now we hear that Frank
Lampard is to write a series of children's books. More worrying for English
fans is Frankie going to Hollywood, joining LA Galaxy while he is still a
far more serious footballer than David Beckham was when he went there.
Lampard, 34, has proved convincingly this season - scoring 11 times in 18
games - that Rio 2014 is well within his range. And if Chelsea don't want
Frank, we would love to have him back.
WED, FEB 13
PIERS MORGAN tells me in the studio recording my Life Story that he and a
few pals have clubbed together to try to help Paul Gascoigne. Well done,
him.
And well done, too, to the PFA who have been outrageously attacked by people
who are not aware - and should be - of the fortune in funds they have spent
trying to save Gazza from alcoholism and other demands over the years.
Gascoigne is close to being a lost soul. And while we must never give up on
such people, there must be a point where Gazza will actually start to help
himself.
THURS, FEB 14
A PREMIER LEAGUE director phones to let me know the pressure he's under to
pop the question tonight. His new love interest has really caught the love
bug.
He tells me that last week she started wearing a wedding ring, which she
bought herself, claiming she liked the look of it, but he felt it was really
more of a very big hint. Is she going to succeed in her quest? No chance.
There's no way he's going to commit bigamy! Just up the road from him,
Gareth Bale is playing a sensational game. A director there tells me that
three years ago the Spurs team trained at the Virgin gym in Chigwell. Bale
was the only player who went back every afternoon to put in extra sessions.
Just goes to show, you get back what you put in.
FRIDAY, FEB 15
THE name Millwall frazzles me - many other people in football, too. But
nowhere are they more feared than in Luton, where 28 years ago for a sixth
round FA Cup-tie their followers wrecked the ground, fought rival fans and
the police with bottles, bricks and bits of hoarding then terrorised the
whole town. A decade or so ago after a problem at St Andrew's, I criticised
their fans and was threatened with murder. This, I think, rather makes my
point. Millwall are back at Kenilworth Road in the fifth round and I hope it
can go off peacefully.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Friday, February 15
Daily WHUFC News - 15th February 2013
Hall extends Birmingham loan
WHUFC.com
West Ham United forward to stay with npower Championship side Birmingham
City for another month
14.02.2013
West Ham United youngster Robert Hall has extended his youth loan at npower
Championship side Birmingham City for a further month. The 19-year-old
forward has already spent three months with the St Andrews club, clocking up
12 appearances for Lee Clark's Blues. He will now remain with Birmingham
until March 16, taking in a further seven Championship fixtures. Birmingham
currently sit 16th in the table, but go into Saturday's game against Watford
protecting a four-game unbeaten run. The England Under-19 international has
seven first team appearances for the Hammers to his name and has previously
spent time on loan at Oxford United and Milton Keynes Dons.
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Noble eager to earn his Spurs
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble cannot wait for the special visit of Tottenham Hotspur on Monday
25 February
14.02.2013
Send Print RSS
Mark Noble is relishing the opportunity to take on Tottenham Hotspur when
West Ham United return to Barclays Premier League action. The Hammers
welcome Spurs to the Boleyn Ground on Monday 25 February for what promises
to be an emotional evening in east London, with the club marking the 20th
anniversary of the passing of Bobby Moore MBE. A host of West Ham and
England legends will be back at the Boleyn Ground, including Moore's fellow
1966 FIFA World Cup winners and West Ham team-mates Martin Peters and Geoff
Hurst, and five-times Hammer of the Year Sir Trevor Brooking. Prior to
kick-off, a minute's applause will be held in memory of the man who made 544
appearances for the Hammers between 1958 and 1974. Supporters sitting in the
Bobby Moore Stand will also be invited to take part in displaying a special
mosaic depicting Moore's famous claret and blue No6 shirt, which was retired
by the club in August 2008 to mark the 50th anniversary of the defender's
West Ham debut. The match is also one of this seasons designated Bobby Moore
Fund matches and the Fund will be the beneficiary of all charitable activity
carried out at this fixture, including receiving 50p from the sale of every
Official Programme sold.
Noble, for one, is relishing what promises to be a memorable evening. "It
will be a great game, a great occasion and a night game so it'll be
brilliant," said the Hammer of the Year, who scored his first Premier League
goal in the 4-3 home defeat by Spurs in March 2007 - a result that served as
the catalyst for West Ham's amazing escape from relegation that season. "I
think that was my best-ever game in a Hammers shirt. I scored a half-volley
after 15 minutes and, even though we went on to lose the game, it was an
amazing occasion and I'll never forget it."
The No16 and his team-mates are currently preparing for the visit of Spurs
at a warm-weather training camp in Dubai. Noble said the players will enjoy
a bit of sun on their backs, but will be focused on re-charging their
batteries ahead of the final 12 games of the season. "We're looking forward
to it but we're going to get down to training and work on some shape and
that sort of stuff and then look forward to the game ahead. "After the two
seasons we've had, playing three games a week in the Championship, getting
promoted and the start we had to the Premier League season, the manager
believes a break and the sun will do us good, so that's what we've done this
week. We'll enjoy it but we'll work hard, train hard and be ready for
Spurs."
The ever-popular Noble is determined to secure three points against Andre
Villas-Boas' side, if only to satisfy his fellow West Ham supporters. After
losing their previous five away matches, the midfielder said the players owe
it to the fans to give it their all on Monday week. "All the lads say it all
the time - the away fans are brilliant. The home fans are brilliant as well,
but the away fans pay their money and travel and are fantastic all the time,
even though they haven't had much to cheer recently. Last time they had
loads to cheer on the road because we were winning all the time away from
home, but they are sticking by us. We're mid-table and looking up and not
down."
Looking back at Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa, Noble admitted to
personal disappointment as his foul tackle on Charles N'Zogbia led to
Christian Benteke's penalty opener. "Obviously giving a penalty away was
frustrating. When you're a holding midfield player in that situation, you
have to make decisions whether to tackle or not and that was probably the
wrong one. You have that dilemma of letting him go past and he cuts inside
and smashes it into the corner and everyone says 'Why didn't you tackle
him?' so it's a little bit frustrating."
Statistics showed West Ham again had cause for frustration. The Hammers had
more final-third and penalty area entries than their hosts, delivered twice
as many crosses, had eleven corners to Villa's three and unleashed more
shots than the home side. Defensively, West Ham also won more headers and
tackles than Paul Lambert's side. Noble's own frustration was compounded by
a second Villa goal through N'Zogbia's free-kick just a few moments later -
especially as the Hammers had controlled large portions of the game prior to
Benteke's 74th-minute spot-kick. "The first 20 minutes of the second half
were brilliant. We put loads of crosses in but, as it seems to be away from
home at the minute, we just can't get a win. In the game against Fulham, we
were 1-0 down to a header from a free-kick that was offside, got back to 1-1
and then let in a sloppy goal. "On Sunday, I gave away a penalty and then
they put a free-kick in the top corner, so it was frustrating afternoon.
"Sometimes it goes for you like that. At home, we're picking up points but
away from home we're not. If you look at the game at QPR when we picked up
the points away from home, our chances went into the net, but recently that
hasn't been the case and we've been punished."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Rob Hall's loan deal with Birmingham City extended to March 16
Last Updated: February 14, 2013 4:42pm
SSN
West Ham youngster Rob Hall will spend another month on loan with
Championship side Birmingham. The 19-year-old forward has already spent
three months with the St Andrews club, making 12 appearances, and will stay
there until 16 March. The England U19 international has made seven first
team appearances for the Hammers and also gained experience on with Oxford
United and Milton Keynes Dons.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam's fury at late Mod
Exclusive
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: 4 hrs ago
The Sun
MODIBO MAIGA faces a grilling from West Ham bosses after his late return
from the African Nations Cup. The madcap Mali striker arrived in London on
Wednesday — 48 hours after he was due to report back for the Hammers. Maiga
played in his country's 3-1 third place play-off win over Ghana on Saturday.
The rest of Sam Allardyce's squad is on a six-day warm weather training trip
to Dubai. But West Ham want to find out whether Maiga went AWOL or there was
a mix up by the Mali FA over his return flight. He also went missing while
at his last club Sochaux.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam: I want to fill out Olympic Stadium
The Sun
OLYMPIC MISSION ... Sam Allardyce says club need to be in top flight to make
successful move
Published: 14th February 2013
SAM ALLARDYCE wants West Ham to establish themselves in the top flight to
ensure they can pack out the Olympic Stadium. The Hammers are the preferred
tenants for the stadium and they are awaiting confirmation to move in for
the 2015-16 season. Allardyce said: "There is this huge, massive-looking
Olympic Stadium which is going to be converted and if that is going to be
converted into a football arena, it will be one of the biggest in the
country. "West Ham needs the players to be established in the Premier League
if they want to fill it." The Hammers were promoted to the top flight last
year and are flying high in 11th spot in the table. The Boleyn boys remain
just seven points above the drop zone but Allardyce reckons they are almost
assured of their Premier League place next season. Big Sam said: "They [the
board] gave me a two-year period to [get promoted] and I did it in the first
year and that was a massive achievement.
"We are 11th with 12 games to go and only need at the very, very maximum 10
points from the last 12 games to make sure we are safe. "The progress has
been massive in a short period of time." The Hammers continue their Premier
League campaign at home to Spurs on February 25.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Eastenders scream for Rickie: West Ham plan summer move for Southampton
striker Lambert
The Mirror
14 Feb 2013 22:30
Alex Livesey
West Ham are set to follow up their initial approach for Rickie Lambert with
a summer bid. The Hammers had an enquiry dismissed by Southampton during the
January transfer window but are set to return at the end of the season. The
Hammers are big admirers of the marksman whose 11 goals this season make him
the highest scoring Englishman in the top flight. Lambert is also out of
contract at the end of next season. It comes despite Lambert's insistence
that he is happy at St Mary's and wants to finish his career there.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham to make final payment to Sheffield United over Carlos Tevez affair
The Argentine saved the Hammers from relegation
The Independent
Martyn Ziegler Wednesday 13 February 2013
West Ham are close to drawing a line under the costly Carlos Tevez affair
with their final payment to Sheffield United to be made before the summer,
it can be disclosed. The Hammers agreed an £18.1million compensation deal
with Sheffield United in 2009 over Tevez' role in keeping the London club in
the Premier League in 2007 at the expense of the Blades. Under the
compensation deal, the payments were staggered until 2013 - the Blades'
latest accounts confirm that, and that a loan from Santander bank was taken
out in 2010 secured against the payments from West Ham. As of June last
year, the amount guaranteed stood at £8.5million, and the final £6million
payment is due by July. West Ham were fined £5million by a Premier League
inquiry for breaching rules governing third-party ownership, but
controversially no points were deducted and Tevez was permitted to play in
the final three games of the season. The club claimed they had unilaterally
terminated their third-party agreement with the players' advisors, a
consortium headed by Kia Joorabchian. Tevez scored in the final match of the
season as the Hammers survived and Sheffield United were relegated. The
Blades took the case to an independent tribunal which ruled that Tevez had
been ineligible to play. Third-party ownership of players is prohibited in
English football - on the basis that if one person or company owns a number
of players at different clubs it can lead to conflicts of interest.
UEFA has now pledged to introduce the same ban across Europe though there is
opposition from some clubs, especially in Portugal and Italy, against such a
move. But UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino said: "We think this
should be the case all over the world, certainly all over Europe. If FIFA
will not do it, we will certainly do it as far as Europe is concerned."
The final payment from West Ham will be hugely important in financial terms
to Sheffield United, now in League One, who last year reported a £13million
loss.
The club have stated in their accounts that the income has helped maintain
wage levels and pay off debts.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
West Ham United forward to stay with npower Championship side Birmingham
City for another month
14.02.2013
West Ham United youngster Robert Hall has extended his youth loan at npower
Championship side Birmingham City for a further month. The 19-year-old
forward has already spent three months with the St Andrews club, clocking up
12 appearances for Lee Clark's Blues. He will now remain with Birmingham
until March 16, taking in a further seven Championship fixtures. Birmingham
currently sit 16th in the table, but go into Saturday's game against Watford
protecting a four-game unbeaten run. The England Under-19 international has
seven first team appearances for the Hammers to his name and has previously
spent time on loan at Oxford United and Milton Keynes Dons.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Noble eager to earn his Spurs
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble cannot wait for the special visit of Tottenham Hotspur on Monday
25 February
14.02.2013
Send Print RSS
Mark Noble is relishing the opportunity to take on Tottenham Hotspur when
West Ham United return to Barclays Premier League action. The Hammers
welcome Spurs to the Boleyn Ground on Monday 25 February for what promises
to be an emotional evening in east London, with the club marking the 20th
anniversary of the passing of Bobby Moore MBE. A host of West Ham and
England legends will be back at the Boleyn Ground, including Moore's fellow
1966 FIFA World Cup winners and West Ham team-mates Martin Peters and Geoff
Hurst, and five-times Hammer of the Year Sir Trevor Brooking. Prior to
kick-off, a minute's applause will be held in memory of the man who made 544
appearances for the Hammers between 1958 and 1974. Supporters sitting in the
Bobby Moore Stand will also be invited to take part in displaying a special
mosaic depicting Moore's famous claret and blue No6 shirt, which was retired
by the club in August 2008 to mark the 50th anniversary of the defender's
West Ham debut. The match is also one of this seasons designated Bobby Moore
Fund matches and the Fund will be the beneficiary of all charitable activity
carried out at this fixture, including receiving 50p from the sale of every
Official Programme sold.
Noble, for one, is relishing what promises to be a memorable evening. "It
will be a great game, a great occasion and a night game so it'll be
brilliant," said the Hammer of the Year, who scored his first Premier League
goal in the 4-3 home defeat by Spurs in March 2007 - a result that served as
the catalyst for West Ham's amazing escape from relegation that season. "I
think that was my best-ever game in a Hammers shirt. I scored a half-volley
after 15 minutes and, even though we went on to lose the game, it was an
amazing occasion and I'll never forget it."
The No16 and his team-mates are currently preparing for the visit of Spurs
at a warm-weather training camp in Dubai. Noble said the players will enjoy
a bit of sun on their backs, but will be focused on re-charging their
batteries ahead of the final 12 games of the season. "We're looking forward
to it but we're going to get down to training and work on some shape and
that sort of stuff and then look forward to the game ahead. "After the two
seasons we've had, playing three games a week in the Championship, getting
promoted and the start we had to the Premier League season, the manager
believes a break and the sun will do us good, so that's what we've done this
week. We'll enjoy it but we'll work hard, train hard and be ready for
Spurs."
The ever-popular Noble is determined to secure three points against Andre
Villas-Boas' side, if only to satisfy his fellow West Ham supporters. After
losing their previous five away matches, the midfielder said the players owe
it to the fans to give it their all on Monday week. "All the lads say it all
the time - the away fans are brilliant. The home fans are brilliant as well,
but the away fans pay their money and travel and are fantastic all the time,
even though they haven't had much to cheer recently. Last time they had
loads to cheer on the road because we were winning all the time away from
home, but they are sticking by us. We're mid-table and looking up and not
down."
Looking back at Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa, Noble admitted to
personal disappointment as his foul tackle on Charles N'Zogbia led to
Christian Benteke's penalty opener. "Obviously giving a penalty away was
frustrating. When you're a holding midfield player in that situation, you
have to make decisions whether to tackle or not and that was probably the
wrong one. You have that dilemma of letting him go past and he cuts inside
and smashes it into the corner and everyone says 'Why didn't you tackle
him?' so it's a little bit frustrating."
Statistics showed West Ham again had cause for frustration. The Hammers had
more final-third and penalty area entries than their hosts, delivered twice
as many crosses, had eleven corners to Villa's three and unleashed more
shots than the home side. Defensively, West Ham also won more headers and
tackles than Paul Lambert's side. Noble's own frustration was compounded by
a second Villa goal through N'Zogbia's free-kick just a few moments later -
especially as the Hammers had controlled large portions of the game prior to
Benteke's 74th-minute spot-kick. "The first 20 minutes of the second half
were brilliant. We put loads of crosses in but, as it seems to be away from
home at the minute, we just can't get a win. In the game against Fulham, we
were 1-0 down to a header from a free-kick that was offside, got back to 1-1
and then let in a sloppy goal. "On Sunday, I gave away a penalty and then
they put a free-kick in the top corner, so it was frustrating afternoon.
"Sometimes it goes for you like that. At home, we're picking up points but
away from home we're not. If you look at the game at QPR when we picked up
the points away from home, our chances went into the net, but recently that
hasn't been the case and we've been punished."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Rob Hall's loan deal with Birmingham City extended to March 16
Last Updated: February 14, 2013 4:42pm
SSN
West Ham youngster Rob Hall will spend another month on loan with
Championship side Birmingham. The 19-year-old forward has already spent
three months with the St Andrews club, making 12 appearances, and will stay
there until 16 March. The England U19 international has made seven first
team appearances for the Hammers and also gained experience on with Oxford
United and Milton Keynes Dons.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam's fury at late Mod
Exclusive
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: 4 hrs ago
The Sun
MODIBO MAIGA faces a grilling from West Ham bosses after his late return
from the African Nations Cup. The madcap Mali striker arrived in London on
Wednesday — 48 hours after he was due to report back for the Hammers. Maiga
played in his country's 3-1 third place play-off win over Ghana on Saturday.
The rest of Sam Allardyce's squad is on a six-day warm weather training trip
to Dubai. But West Ham want to find out whether Maiga went AWOL or there was
a mix up by the Mali FA over his return flight. He also went missing while
at his last club Sochaux.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam: I want to fill out Olympic Stadium
The Sun
OLYMPIC MISSION ... Sam Allardyce says club need to be in top flight to make
successful move
Published: 14th February 2013
SAM ALLARDYCE wants West Ham to establish themselves in the top flight to
ensure they can pack out the Olympic Stadium. The Hammers are the preferred
tenants for the stadium and they are awaiting confirmation to move in for
the 2015-16 season. Allardyce said: "There is this huge, massive-looking
Olympic Stadium which is going to be converted and if that is going to be
converted into a football arena, it will be one of the biggest in the
country. "West Ham needs the players to be established in the Premier League
if they want to fill it." The Hammers were promoted to the top flight last
year and are flying high in 11th spot in the table. The Boleyn boys remain
just seven points above the drop zone but Allardyce reckons they are almost
assured of their Premier League place next season. Big Sam said: "They [the
board] gave me a two-year period to [get promoted] and I did it in the first
year and that was a massive achievement.
"We are 11th with 12 games to go and only need at the very, very maximum 10
points from the last 12 games to make sure we are safe. "The progress has
been massive in a short period of time." The Hammers continue their Premier
League campaign at home to Spurs on February 25.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Eastenders scream for Rickie: West Ham plan summer move for Southampton
striker Lambert
The Mirror
14 Feb 2013 22:30
Alex Livesey
West Ham are set to follow up their initial approach for Rickie Lambert with
a summer bid. The Hammers had an enquiry dismissed by Southampton during the
January transfer window but are set to return at the end of the season. The
Hammers are big admirers of the marksman whose 11 goals this season make him
the highest scoring Englishman in the top flight. Lambert is also out of
contract at the end of next season. It comes despite Lambert's insistence
that he is happy at St Mary's and wants to finish his career there.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham to make final payment to Sheffield United over Carlos Tevez affair
The Argentine saved the Hammers from relegation
The Independent
Martyn Ziegler Wednesday 13 February 2013
West Ham are close to drawing a line under the costly Carlos Tevez affair
with their final payment to Sheffield United to be made before the summer,
it can be disclosed. The Hammers agreed an £18.1million compensation deal
with Sheffield United in 2009 over Tevez' role in keeping the London club in
the Premier League in 2007 at the expense of the Blades. Under the
compensation deal, the payments were staggered until 2013 - the Blades'
latest accounts confirm that, and that a loan from Santander bank was taken
out in 2010 secured against the payments from West Ham. As of June last
year, the amount guaranteed stood at £8.5million, and the final £6million
payment is due by July. West Ham were fined £5million by a Premier League
inquiry for breaching rules governing third-party ownership, but
controversially no points were deducted and Tevez was permitted to play in
the final three games of the season. The club claimed they had unilaterally
terminated their third-party agreement with the players' advisors, a
consortium headed by Kia Joorabchian. Tevez scored in the final match of the
season as the Hammers survived and Sheffield United were relegated. The
Blades took the case to an independent tribunal which ruled that Tevez had
been ineligible to play. Third-party ownership of players is prohibited in
English football - on the basis that if one person or company owns a number
of players at different clubs it can lead to conflicts of interest.
UEFA has now pledged to introduce the same ban across Europe though there is
opposition from some clubs, especially in Portugal and Italy, against such a
move. But UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino said: "We think this
should be the case all over the world, certainly all over Europe. If FIFA
will not do it, we will certainly do it as far as Europe is concerned."
The final payment from West Ham will be hugely important in financial terms
to Sheffield United, now in League One, who last year reported a £13million
loss.
The club have stated in their accounts that the income has helped maintain
wage levels and pay off debts.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Thursday, February 14
Daily WHUFC News - 14th February 2013
Pog predicts bright future
WHUFC.com
Emanuel Pogatetz is pleased to be playing in claret and blue following his
return to English football
13.02.2013
Emanuel Pogatetz admitted to feeling mixed emotions after Sunday's 2-1
Barclays Premier League defeat at Aston Villa. The Austria international
made his first start in English football in nearly three years at Villa
Park, starting the game as one of three central defenders in an altered West
Ham United formation. An injury to Joey O'Brien midway through the first
half saw the Hammers switch back to a 4-3-3 system. While Sam Allardyce's
side adapted to the mid-game change, two set piece goals in the second half
put paid to their chances of winning in the West Midlands. "Of course, for
me personally it was great to be playing again in the Premier League,"
Pogatetz told West Ham TV. "To be playing for a big club such as West Ham,
who you see so many supporters follow away from home, was great for me.
"Unfortunately the result didn't go our way so I'm disappointed, but I hope
to be involved more so I can play many more games for West Ham and help us
to achieve our targets this season and get some more points on the board."
The on-loan VfL Wolfsburg defender flew out to Dubai with his new team-mates
following Sunday's game for a few days of warm-weather training. While some
sceptics have dismissed such trips as gimmicks, the No18 knows from personal
experience that such excursions can be hugely beneficial for tired bodies
and minds. "When I played in Germany for the last two years, we got a winter
break and I think this is a similar break now. The lads will enjoy the break
and the warm weather. They can recover the bruises and knocks or whatever
they have got and then make a fresh start next Monday when we're back. I
think the group will really benefit from it."
Looking back on his full debut, Pogatetz felt West Ham were unfortunate to
leave Villa Park empty-handed after dominating for long periods against Paul
Lambert's side. "I think we probably deserved at least a draw. We created a
lot of chances but the ball just didn't want to go in. Then they scored from
a penalty first and, after that, it was difficult. "Even in the end stage of
the game, we had two incredible opportunities to equalise so it was
disappointing that I lost on my debut. For the team, I think we deserved
more. Our performance, especially in the second half, was good so I'm a
little bit disappointed about that.
"We played 3-5-2 for a few minutes and then we had to change it around
anyway because we lost Joey to an injury. We had to switch it around a
little bit but we couldn't play that way for too long, so in the end we
switched back to four at the back and I think we adapted quite well because
we didn't give too many chances away. "It was unlucky that we didn't score
first because, if we had, I think we would have gone on and won the game."
While West Ham's away form continues to be cause for concern, the
30-year-old believes his new club have more than enough quality to ensure
they will not be looking over their collective shoulder for the remaining
three months of the season. "We shouldn't panic. We're in a good position.
Obviously we know we have hard games coming up, but we are up to the task.
On Sunday our performance was all right and if we can push on from that, we
can put many more points on the board and achieve everything we want by the
end of the season."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Two matches moved
WHUFC.com
Two of West Ham United fixtures in April have been moved to new kick-off
times
13.02.2013
Two West Ham United fixtures have been moved to new kick-off times.
The Hammers' Barclays Premier League trip to Liverpool has been put back a
day to Sunday 7 April, with kick-off at 1.30pm. This is because the original
date for the fixture clashes with the Grand National at Aintree. West Ham's
trip to face champions Manchester City has been selected for live television
coverage by Sky Sports at 12.45pm on Saturday 27 April. However, supporters
should note that, if either Manchester United or Arsenal are competing in
the UEFA Champions League semi-final the following Tuesday, the trip to the
Etihad Stadium will be moved to Sunday 28 April 2013 at 4pm. Ticket news for
both of these away fixtures will be confirmed in due course on whufc.com and
in the Official Programme.
Supporters can purchase tickets for the Barclays Premier League 3pm kick-off
at Stoke City on Saturday 2 March now, as these are on General Sale. To do
so, click here or call 0871 529 1966 via Option 3 (Calls cost 10p per minute
plus network extras).
Seats are also selling fast for the 8pm visit of Tottenham Hotspur on Monday
25 February. The eagerly-anticipated London derby will see the club mark the
20th anniversary of the passing of the late, great Bobby Moore with a series
of special events and guests.
Fans should note that all standard tickets for the Barclays Premier League
trip to Chelsea on Saturday 16 March have now sold out.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers to benefit from Dubai trip
WHUFC.com
Head of sports medicine Andy Rolls says a week in the sun will do the
players the power of good
13.02.2013
With snow covering much of south east England, West Ham United may have
found training at Chadwell Heath difficult this week. Thankfully, the
Hammers do not have to worry about the white stuff, having flown to a
warm-weather training camp in Dubai following Sunday's Barclays Premier
League fixture at Aston Villa. While everyone connected with the club would
have love to have left for the Middle East on the back of a victory, head of
sports science and sports medicine Andy Rolls said the benefits of training
in bright, hot sunshine would be felt over the final 12 games of the season.
Rolls pointed to last season's break in the same location, which was
followed by a run of one defeat in 17 matches that climaxed with victory in
the npower Championship Play-Off final. This week, West Ham's players will
train twice daily in Dubai without having to worry about disruptions and
distractions caused by, among other things, the weather and travel problems.
As well as the psychological positives, the Hammers will benefit
physiologically by training under the bright sunshine, which contains
vitamin D - a fat-soluble vitamin produced by the body after exposure to
ultraviolet rays from the sun. Vitamin D aids the absorption and metabolism
of calcium and phosphorous, which have various functions, especially the
maintenance of healthy bones. "Last season, the players benefitted greatly
from a break and a change of scenery, getting away from the weather here and
the pressure of trying to gain promotion last year," said Rolls. "When you
look back at last season, our running statistics improved - both
high-intensity and total distance covered - and our results were fantastic.
We lost only one of our 17 matches after a similar trip last year. "The
proof was really in the pudding last year. Our running stats showed that we
were generally fitter than the opposition, as we showed in the Play-Off
semi-final games against Cardiff City, when we ran all over them. "This
year, it has been the manager's strong belief that this break will have the
same benefits. We will train over there quite hard - there will be some
double sessions and some gym time as well as pitch time. I think we'll see
the benefits again when we return. "It's been a long season already and
Christmas is always hard and we'd been back for six or seven weeks before we
played our first Premier League game back in August. The players need a
break and a change of scenery. "The manager has always done trips like this
in the past and the players will obviously enjoy a bit of sun. It's a change
when it is cold in England. The players take vitamin D supplements when they
are at home so the sun will top them up, which helps the absorption of
calcium and different things into the bones and aids their general
well-being, really."
Three players who have not travelled to Dubai are James Collins, George
McCartney and Joey O'Brien, who stayed behind to work on their
rehabilitation. Collins and McCartney are approaching comebacks from
hamstring and knee injuries respectively, while O'Brien suffered a dead leg
at Villa Park on Sunday. Rolls is naturally pleased to see the treatment
room relatively empty at this time of year. "We had a difficult Christmas
with a lot of trauma injuries - people who had been kicked or torn
ligaments. George has had an operation on his knee and is now running in
straight lines and James who is soon to return to training. They have stayed
behind to work on their rehabilitation to try to get back as soon as
possible. "Unfortunately, Joey had to come off with quite a nasty dead leg
so he also had to stay behind for treatment, but they are our only injuries
at the moment, which is great. We had a few over Christmas and it was hard
but the boys have worked hard to turn it around."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Lee loving life at Rush Green
WHUFC.com
Elliot Lee is in fine form in front of goal and spurred on by the Dev
Squad's impressive home form
13.02.2013
Elliot Lee hailed yet another perfect Friday night at Rush Green, as his
first-half goal paved the way for West Ham United's sixth home win of their
Barclays Under-21 Premier League campaign, this time at the expense of West
Bromwich Albion. With two victories from their opening three Elite Group
encounters, Nick Haycock's Development Squad are poised in second, four
points behind early frontrunners Tottenham Hotspur. Southampton are Friday's
visitors to Rush Green and though Lee admits the surface is perhaps not the
best, he is not the least bit worried as sides continue to come a cropper in
the young Hammers' modest east London home. "Obviously it's not the best
pitch here, but we seem to win every time we play here, we've made it our
fortress," the 18-year-old told West Ham TV. "It was great to get a goal and
great to get another three points. As evident from his exuberant
celebrations, Lee was overjoyed to bag his second goal in as many starts for
the Development Squads, not least after defeat at Tottenham Hotspur. And it
could hardly have come at a better time, with only seconds of the first half
still to play. "It's always a good time to score," he continued. "Scoring
just before half time gives the lads a chance to settle down, have a
breather inside and get our heads back together. "I was a bit frustrated to
miss the two chances I had on Monday [at Tottenham Hotspur] so it was good
to make up for on Friday. On another day I could have even had a couple
more, but to be honest with you I'm just happy with the three points and
it's onwards and upwards from here really."
Lee was also quick to salute his fellow frontman Wellington Paulista, who
has now chalked up three goals in just three appearances. Though the
Brazilian's introduction has seen Lee adopt a role on the left of a front
three, the teenage forward insists he would be sorry to see Paulista move
on, if and when called upon by the first team. "My strike partner Wellington
got another goal as well. I hope he can start doing it for the first team
now instead of with us. I'll be sad to see him go but good luck to him. It
was a brilliant header. You won't see me doing that but it was a great
header."
Elsewhere, West Ham United Academy forward Marcio Martins was on target as
Portugal Under-17s finished second at the prestigious Algarve Tournament.
The schoolboy forward starred for his country at the four-team competition,
which also featured the U17 national teams of England, Germany and
Netherlands.
Martins began the tournament as a substitute as Portugal netted a
last-minute penalty to secure a 1-1 draw with the Dutch on Friday. On
Sunday, Martins started and was the hero as Portugal came from behind to
defeat England 2-1. Reise Allassani put England into a seventh-minute lead
before Joao Lima equalised a minute after half-time. The young Hammer then
took centre stage, netting his nation's winner by converting a pass from
substitute Romario.
On Tuesday, Martins started Portugal's final match against Germany, with his
team knowing victory would secure the overall title, only for the home side
to be held to a dramatic 1-1 draw. Macedo put the host nation in front on
the half-hour mark and, despite Martins being replaced a minute after being
booked ten minutes after the interval, Portugal looked on course to win the
match and the tournament. However, German substitute Tim Bodenroder wrecked
their title hopes with an equaliser with just six minutes remaining. The
16-year-old is making good progress at Little Heath, appearing as a
substitute in the FA Youth Cup third-round win at Aldershot Town in
December. Martins has also appeared twice as a replacement in the Barclays
U18 Premier League, turning out most recently in the 1-0 home win over
Tottenham Hotspur last month.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Emanuel Pogatetz: West Ham must not panic in attempt to avoid relegation
battle
Last Updated: February 13, 2013 6:48pm
SSN
Emanuel Pogatetz has called for calm as West Ham attempt to avoid being
sucked into a relegation battle. The Hammers suffered a fourth defeat in six
games last weekend when they lost 2-1 at Aston Villa, leaving them seven
points above the Premier League drop zone. Games against Tottenham, Chelsea
and Manchester United are on the horizon but defender Pogatetz is confident
they can stay clear of trouble. "We shouldn't panic. We are in a good
position," said the Austria international. "Obviously we know we have hard
games coming up, but we are up to the task. "Our performance was alright at
Villa and if we can push on from that, we can put many more points on the
board and achieve everything we want by the end of the season."
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce used the break in domestic action to take his
side away for training in Dubai. Last year it helped rejuvenate the squad
for their end-of-season run in, which culminated in promotion to the Premier
League via the play-offs, and Pogatetz can see the positives from the change
in routine.
"When I played in Germany for the last two years, we got a winter break and
I think this is a similar break now," he said. "The lads will enjoy the
break and the warm weather. They can recover the bruises and knocks or
whatever they have got and then make a fresh start next Monday when we are
back."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Squad Heads Off for Warm Weather Training, but Paulista Stays at
Chadwell Heath!
By S J Chandos
West Ham Tilll I Die
The first team squad have headed off to the sunny climate of Dubai for a
week of warm weather training. There is nothing wrong with that, in fact it
is a sensible move. It will allow the squad to get away from their usual
surroundings and recharge their batteries mentally. Hopefully, it will
conribute to them refocusing psychologically and recovering physically. And
that might contribute to improved results in the remainder of the season.
One player that has not gone to Dubai is the Brazilian striker, Wellington
Paulista. He is the 'wild card' amongst our striking options and offers
diferent options to the others. Paulista looks as keen as mustard and gives
100% on the pitch. I have defended his signing from day one. And I remain
convinced that he could have a positive role to play this season. And how we
could do with another Ilan, coming in to the team and scoring vital goals to
lift the team.
But why has he stayed at the club, rather than travelling with the first
team? Is it sign that Paulista does not figure in Allardyce's plans or,
alternatively, could it be seen as a demonstration of the player's
commitment to succeeding at the club and in English football? After all,
perhaps it was reasoned that the player would benefit more from selection
for the U-21s' mext match, rather than training in the sun? There is no
substitute for playing and building match fitness.
Whatever, all Paulista can do is play and prove his credentials by scoring.
If he does continue to find the back of the net, Sam Allardyce will fnd it
difficult to ignore his claim to promoion to the first team bench.
Especially if we struggle to covert our chances, as is currently the case.
SJ. Chandos.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
No fear, Sam
Published: 13th February 2013
The Sun
SAM ALLARDYCE insists he does not fear the sack at West Ham. Allardyce is
out of contract this summer and is yet to talk about a new deal. The club
have won just two in their last 12. But Big Sam said: "There's no problem.
We'll talk once our Prem status is secure. "Some owners pull the trigger
early but it is not like that here."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Emanuel Pogatetz is pleased to be playing in claret and blue following his
return to English football
13.02.2013
Emanuel Pogatetz admitted to feeling mixed emotions after Sunday's 2-1
Barclays Premier League defeat at Aston Villa. The Austria international
made his first start in English football in nearly three years at Villa
Park, starting the game as one of three central defenders in an altered West
Ham United formation. An injury to Joey O'Brien midway through the first
half saw the Hammers switch back to a 4-3-3 system. While Sam Allardyce's
side adapted to the mid-game change, two set piece goals in the second half
put paid to their chances of winning in the West Midlands. "Of course, for
me personally it was great to be playing again in the Premier League,"
Pogatetz told West Ham TV. "To be playing for a big club such as West Ham,
who you see so many supporters follow away from home, was great for me.
"Unfortunately the result didn't go our way so I'm disappointed, but I hope
to be involved more so I can play many more games for West Ham and help us
to achieve our targets this season and get some more points on the board."
The on-loan VfL Wolfsburg defender flew out to Dubai with his new team-mates
following Sunday's game for a few days of warm-weather training. While some
sceptics have dismissed such trips as gimmicks, the No18 knows from personal
experience that such excursions can be hugely beneficial for tired bodies
and minds. "When I played in Germany for the last two years, we got a winter
break and I think this is a similar break now. The lads will enjoy the break
and the warm weather. They can recover the bruises and knocks or whatever
they have got and then make a fresh start next Monday when we're back. I
think the group will really benefit from it."
Looking back on his full debut, Pogatetz felt West Ham were unfortunate to
leave Villa Park empty-handed after dominating for long periods against Paul
Lambert's side. "I think we probably deserved at least a draw. We created a
lot of chances but the ball just didn't want to go in. Then they scored from
a penalty first and, after that, it was difficult. "Even in the end stage of
the game, we had two incredible opportunities to equalise so it was
disappointing that I lost on my debut. For the team, I think we deserved
more. Our performance, especially in the second half, was good so I'm a
little bit disappointed about that.
"We played 3-5-2 for a few minutes and then we had to change it around
anyway because we lost Joey to an injury. We had to switch it around a
little bit but we couldn't play that way for too long, so in the end we
switched back to four at the back and I think we adapted quite well because
we didn't give too many chances away. "It was unlucky that we didn't score
first because, if we had, I think we would have gone on and won the game."
While West Ham's away form continues to be cause for concern, the
30-year-old believes his new club have more than enough quality to ensure
they will not be looking over their collective shoulder for the remaining
three months of the season. "We shouldn't panic. We're in a good position.
Obviously we know we have hard games coming up, but we are up to the task.
On Sunday our performance was all right and if we can push on from that, we
can put many more points on the board and achieve everything we want by the
end of the season."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Two matches moved
WHUFC.com
Two of West Ham United fixtures in April have been moved to new kick-off
times
13.02.2013
Two West Ham United fixtures have been moved to new kick-off times.
The Hammers' Barclays Premier League trip to Liverpool has been put back a
day to Sunday 7 April, with kick-off at 1.30pm. This is because the original
date for the fixture clashes with the Grand National at Aintree. West Ham's
trip to face champions Manchester City has been selected for live television
coverage by Sky Sports at 12.45pm on Saturday 27 April. However, supporters
should note that, if either Manchester United or Arsenal are competing in
the UEFA Champions League semi-final the following Tuesday, the trip to the
Etihad Stadium will be moved to Sunday 28 April 2013 at 4pm. Ticket news for
both of these away fixtures will be confirmed in due course on whufc.com and
in the Official Programme.
Supporters can purchase tickets for the Barclays Premier League 3pm kick-off
at Stoke City on Saturday 2 March now, as these are on General Sale. To do
so, click here or call 0871 529 1966 via Option 3 (Calls cost 10p per minute
plus network extras).
Seats are also selling fast for the 8pm visit of Tottenham Hotspur on Monday
25 February. The eagerly-anticipated London derby will see the club mark the
20th anniversary of the passing of the late, great Bobby Moore with a series
of special events and guests.
Fans should note that all standard tickets for the Barclays Premier League
trip to Chelsea on Saturday 16 March have now sold out.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers to benefit from Dubai trip
WHUFC.com
Head of sports medicine Andy Rolls says a week in the sun will do the
players the power of good
13.02.2013
With snow covering much of south east England, West Ham United may have
found training at Chadwell Heath difficult this week. Thankfully, the
Hammers do not have to worry about the white stuff, having flown to a
warm-weather training camp in Dubai following Sunday's Barclays Premier
League fixture at Aston Villa. While everyone connected with the club would
have love to have left for the Middle East on the back of a victory, head of
sports science and sports medicine Andy Rolls said the benefits of training
in bright, hot sunshine would be felt over the final 12 games of the season.
Rolls pointed to last season's break in the same location, which was
followed by a run of one defeat in 17 matches that climaxed with victory in
the npower Championship Play-Off final. This week, West Ham's players will
train twice daily in Dubai without having to worry about disruptions and
distractions caused by, among other things, the weather and travel problems.
As well as the psychological positives, the Hammers will benefit
physiologically by training under the bright sunshine, which contains
vitamin D - a fat-soluble vitamin produced by the body after exposure to
ultraviolet rays from the sun. Vitamin D aids the absorption and metabolism
of calcium and phosphorous, which have various functions, especially the
maintenance of healthy bones. "Last season, the players benefitted greatly
from a break and a change of scenery, getting away from the weather here and
the pressure of trying to gain promotion last year," said Rolls. "When you
look back at last season, our running statistics improved - both
high-intensity and total distance covered - and our results were fantastic.
We lost only one of our 17 matches after a similar trip last year. "The
proof was really in the pudding last year. Our running stats showed that we
were generally fitter than the opposition, as we showed in the Play-Off
semi-final games against Cardiff City, when we ran all over them. "This
year, it has been the manager's strong belief that this break will have the
same benefits. We will train over there quite hard - there will be some
double sessions and some gym time as well as pitch time. I think we'll see
the benefits again when we return. "It's been a long season already and
Christmas is always hard and we'd been back for six or seven weeks before we
played our first Premier League game back in August. The players need a
break and a change of scenery. "The manager has always done trips like this
in the past and the players will obviously enjoy a bit of sun. It's a change
when it is cold in England. The players take vitamin D supplements when they
are at home so the sun will top them up, which helps the absorption of
calcium and different things into the bones and aids their general
well-being, really."
Three players who have not travelled to Dubai are James Collins, George
McCartney and Joey O'Brien, who stayed behind to work on their
rehabilitation. Collins and McCartney are approaching comebacks from
hamstring and knee injuries respectively, while O'Brien suffered a dead leg
at Villa Park on Sunday. Rolls is naturally pleased to see the treatment
room relatively empty at this time of year. "We had a difficult Christmas
with a lot of trauma injuries - people who had been kicked or torn
ligaments. George has had an operation on his knee and is now running in
straight lines and James who is soon to return to training. They have stayed
behind to work on their rehabilitation to try to get back as soon as
possible. "Unfortunately, Joey had to come off with quite a nasty dead leg
so he also had to stay behind for treatment, but they are our only injuries
at the moment, which is great. We had a few over Christmas and it was hard
but the boys have worked hard to turn it around."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Lee loving life at Rush Green
WHUFC.com
Elliot Lee is in fine form in front of goal and spurred on by the Dev
Squad's impressive home form
13.02.2013
Elliot Lee hailed yet another perfect Friday night at Rush Green, as his
first-half goal paved the way for West Ham United's sixth home win of their
Barclays Under-21 Premier League campaign, this time at the expense of West
Bromwich Albion. With two victories from their opening three Elite Group
encounters, Nick Haycock's Development Squad are poised in second, four
points behind early frontrunners Tottenham Hotspur. Southampton are Friday's
visitors to Rush Green and though Lee admits the surface is perhaps not the
best, he is not the least bit worried as sides continue to come a cropper in
the young Hammers' modest east London home. "Obviously it's not the best
pitch here, but we seem to win every time we play here, we've made it our
fortress," the 18-year-old told West Ham TV. "It was great to get a goal and
great to get another three points. As evident from his exuberant
celebrations, Lee was overjoyed to bag his second goal in as many starts for
the Development Squads, not least after defeat at Tottenham Hotspur. And it
could hardly have come at a better time, with only seconds of the first half
still to play. "It's always a good time to score," he continued. "Scoring
just before half time gives the lads a chance to settle down, have a
breather inside and get our heads back together. "I was a bit frustrated to
miss the two chances I had on Monday [at Tottenham Hotspur] so it was good
to make up for on Friday. On another day I could have even had a couple
more, but to be honest with you I'm just happy with the three points and
it's onwards and upwards from here really."
Lee was also quick to salute his fellow frontman Wellington Paulista, who
has now chalked up three goals in just three appearances. Though the
Brazilian's introduction has seen Lee adopt a role on the left of a front
three, the teenage forward insists he would be sorry to see Paulista move
on, if and when called upon by the first team. "My strike partner Wellington
got another goal as well. I hope he can start doing it for the first team
now instead of with us. I'll be sad to see him go but good luck to him. It
was a brilliant header. You won't see me doing that but it was a great
header."
Elsewhere, West Ham United Academy forward Marcio Martins was on target as
Portugal Under-17s finished second at the prestigious Algarve Tournament.
The schoolboy forward starred for his country at the four-team competition,
which also featured the U17 national teams of England, Germany and
Netherlands.
Martins began the tournament as a substitute as Portugal netted a
last-minute penalty to secure a 1-1 draw with the Dutch on Friday. On
Sunday, Martins started and was the hero as Portugal came from behind to
defeat England 2-1. Reise Allassani put England into a seventh-minute lead
before Joao Lima equalised a minute after half-time. The young Hammer then
took centre stage, netting his nation's winner by converting a pass from
substitute Romario.
On Tuesday, Martins started Portugal's final match against Germany, with his
team knowing victory would secure the overall title, only for the home side
to be held to a dramatic 1-1 draw. Macedo put the host nation in front on
the half-hour mark and, despite Martins being replaced a minute after being
booked ten minutes after the interval, Portugal looked on course to win the
match and the tournament. However, German substitute Tim Bodenroder wrecked
their title hopes with an equaliser with just six minutes remaining. The
16-year-old is making good progress at Little Heath, appearing as a
substitute in the FA Youth Cup third-round win at Aldershot Town in
December. Martins has also appeared twice as a replacement in the Barclays
U18 Premier League, turning out most recently in the 1-0 home win over
Tottenham Hotspur last month.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Emanuel Pogatetz: West Ham must not panic in attempt to avoid relegation
battle
Last Updated: February 13, 2013 6:48pm
SSN
Emanuel Pogatetz has called for calm as West Ham attempt to avoid being
sucked into a relegation battle. The Hammers suffered a fourth defeat in six
games last weekend when they lost 2-1 at Aston Villa, leaving them seven
points above the Premier League drop zone. Games against Tottenham, Chelsea
and Manchester United are on the horizon but defender Pogatetz is confident
they can stay clear of trouble. "We shouldn't panic. We are in a good
position," said the Austria international. "Obviously we know we have hard
games coming up, but we are up to the task. "Our performance was alright at
Villa and if we can push on from that, we can put many more points on the
board and achieve everything we want by the end of the season."
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce used the break in domestic action to take his
side away for training in Dubai. Last year it helped rejuvenate the squad
for their end-of-season run in, which culminated in promotion to the Premier
League via the play-offs, and Pogatetz can see the positives from the change
in routine.
"When I played in Germany for the last two years, we got a winter break and
I think this is a similar break now," he said. "The lads will enjoy the
break and the warm weather. They can recover the bruises and knocks or
whatever they have got and then make a fresh start next Monday when we are
back."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Squad Heads Off for Warm Weather Training, but Paulista Stays at
Chadwell Heath!
By S J Chandos
West Ham Tilll I Die
The first team squad have headed off to the sunny climate of Dubai for a
week of warm weather training. There is nothing wrong with that, in fact it
is a sensible move. It will allow the squad to get away from their usual
surroundings and recharge their batteries mentally. Hopefully, it will
conribute to them refocusing psychologically and recovering physically. And
that might contribute to improved results in the remainder of the season.
One player that has not gone to Dubai is the Brazilian striker, Wellington
Paulista. He is the 'wild card' amongst our striking options and offers
diferent options to the others. Paulista looks as keen as mustard and gives
100% on the pitch. I have defended his signing from day one. And I remain
convinced that he could have a positive role to play this season. And how we
could do with another Ilan, coming in to the team and scoring vital goals to
lift the team.
But why has he stayed at the club, rather than travelling with the first
team? Is it sign that Paulista does not figure in Allardyce's plans or,
alternatively, could it be seen as a demonstration of the player's
commitment to succeeding at the club and in English football? After all,
perhaps it was reasoned that the player would benefit more from selection
for the U-21s' mext match, rather than training in the sun? There is no
substitute for playing and building match fitness.
Whatever, all Paulista can do is play and prove his credentials by scoring.
If he does continue to find the back of the net, Sam Allardyce will fnd it
difficult to ignore his claim to promoion to the first team bench.
Especially if we struggle to covert our chances, as is currently the case.
SJ. Chandos.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
No fear, Sam
Published: 13th February 2013
The Sun
SAM ALLARDYCE insists he does not fear the sack at West Ham. Allardyce is
out of contract this summer and is yet to talk about a new deal. The club
have won just two in their last 12. But Big Sam said: "There's no problem.
We'll talk once our Prem status is secure. "Some owners pull the trigger
early but it is not like that here."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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