Daily WHUFC News - 12th April 2013

Big Sam on: Southampton
WHUFC.com
Manager Sam Allardyce spoke to the press ahead of West Ham United's trip to
Southampton
11.04.2013

Sam Allardyce is plotting to spoil Southampton's party, as the Saints go in
search of a fourth successive Barclays Premier League win when West Ham
United visit St Mary's on Saturday. The Hammers are bolstered by the return
of Andy Carroll, but Big Sam is setting his sights on another sound
defensive display, after Sunday's shutout at Anfield. West Ham's boss is
still revelling in the weekend's resolute rearguard action and insists a
repeat performance would lay the foundations for a second positive away day
in as many weeks.

Firstly Sam, prospects for Saturday's game, is Andy Carroll fit?

SA: "Andy was always fit, it was only the loan system that doesn't allow him
to play against his parent club, so he's available. Winston Reid, George
McCartney, Mark Noble and Joe Cole are all still missing, which is obviously
something we have to overcome again. As we did against Liverpool. We were
missing those four and Andy Carroll, so I thought it was a tremendous
performance and unlike Brendan Rodgers says, I thought we did try and win
the game. We always tried to win the game and in the last throws of the game
we had several opportunities to maybe try and win it. In saying that, it was
a great performance from us and we've got to try and keep that up at a very
in-form Southampton on Saturday.

A good defensive display at Liverpool as well, that was the key wasn't it?

SA: "Every key-note performance comes from solid defending. The team that
generally defends the best in the league wins the league, not the one that
scores the most goals. So, it's always been an imperative part of everyone's
game as a manager, or as a coach. It doesn't get talked about as much as
attacking or trying to create chances, which is obviously very important
because you've got to score a goal to win it, but being solid defensively
gave us the basis to try and break out and create some chances and try to
score when we had the opportunity."

Andy Carroll at one end and Rickie Lambert at the other, how do you see that
shaping up?

SA: "Well I've got to pick Andy first. Whether I'm going to select him or
keep Carlton Cole in is a little dilemma because I thought Carlton did ever
so well last week. I suppose had Carlton scored, I'd have definitely kept
him but he didn't. "We just have to make sure that we perform as we did
against Liverpool. I think that's the key element for us. Southampton,
having won the last three on the trot has given them a tremendous boost and
virtually put them safe like ourselves. Nine points in three games, when
you're struggling at the bottom and have been for most of the season is a
pretty dramatic turnaround. So they will be full of confidence. The fans
will be expecting to beat us, there's no doubt about that, after they've
just beaten Liverpool and Chelsea at home. I think we'll just be the next
step on the ladder for them to beat. I thought the Liverpool fans probably
thought they were turning up and going to beat us last week, so we'll
hopefully spoil Southampton's party as well."

This is an opportunity for both sides to reach the magic 40 point mark,
would you call this the game that will definitely make you safe?

SA: "If we win it, I think so. I know mathematically people will say we can
still be caught and somebody could still overtake us but I find it difficult
to believe that anybody would. Over the 20 odd years there are only a few
cases of teams going down with 40 but it has been a long time since that was
actually the case."

Jay Rodriguez has had a great three games scoring in each, is he the
dangerman for you?

SA: "Lambert and Rodriguez without a doubt, and Lallana if he plays, all
three of them have mastered the challenge of the Premier League brilliantly.
Their skills and abilities have been shown in abundance. To be honest with
you, Lambert has been doing it right from the very start. He has scored
goals in every division he has played in now, which is a magnificent
achievement. "Rodriguez, of course, having had time to settle from Burnley,
has shown the sort of goalscoring form that he managed at Burnley before.
Lallana has always been a good player in my eyes, so that's a very dangerous
front three, if those three play. So we'll need to be as good defensively as
were against Liverpool."

A lot of people are talking about there being a more pressing game under
Pochettino?

SA: "At home, yes, I think so. I think that at home, we all want to use a
pressing game, because it creates a much more active and quicker game that
fans want to see at home. They don't want to see us playing with a slow
tempo and a slow build up in the Premier League. Certainly when you're the
home team, the emphasis is on you, so actually pressing high up the pitch is
a good way to get the players on a high tempo and then of course get the
fans cheering for the team. It's about coping with that and having the
ability to cope with that."

Finally, are you going to be watching the Masters?

SA: "Yes, I'll be watching. I like the early hours of the morning, sitting
watch the golf. It's a great time to watch it, when the rest of my family
are asleep. It's going to be really interesting as always. Everybody's
expecting Tiger this time. It has been a long time since he has been such a
big, big favourite and I suppose we'll find out after the first round,
whether he's there or thereabouts. For me personally, I hope it's Lee
Westwood, I really do. If he can just get the putting right, he never seems
to quite get it right, but if anyone deserves one it's him."

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'We're looking for one more win'
WHUFC.com
Gary O'Neil believes three points at Southampton will all but ensure West
Ham United's safety
11.04.2013

West Ham United midfielder Gary O'Neil is expecting a hot reception at
Southampton on Saturday. The in-form No32 began his professional career at
the Saints' biggest rivals Portsmouth, spending eight years at Fratton Park
and taking part in three keenly-contested south coast derbies. The stakes
will be just as high this weekend as both clubs seek a win that will take
them to the magical 40-point mark - a generally accepted benchmark for
safety in the Barclays Premier League. "I think we're looking for one more
win," O'Neil confirmed. "Hopefully it can come this week but Southampton are
in great form and they have had some fantastic results at home - I think
they have beaten Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool at home recently.
"It'll be a tough game because they've got some good players. We'll go there
and hopefully we'll have a couple more players fit and the gaffer will have
stronger squad to pick from. "I'm looking forward to it, even though I'll
get a bit of stick coming from Portsmouth. It's another chance to go and get
three points. Our away form has picked up with a win at Stoke and draw at
Anfield after five straight defeats on the road. Hopefully our improved form
can continue."

While West Ham have not been involved in the relegation battle all season
long, O'Neil says he and his team-mates are eager to get to the safety mark
as soon as possible so they can enjoy the final few weeks of the season. "I
don't think we're counting ourselves as safe yet, because we're only six
points above the bottom three. I don't think it's completely done dusted but
we're looking to hit as many points as we can anyway - we're not going to
get to 40 and stop.
"We're going to push on from there and try to get into the high 40s if we
can."

Once Saturday's game is out of the way, O'Neil will return home to his sofa
to enjoy the closing rounds of the Masters golf tournament. The scratch
handicapper, who tried unsuccessfully to qualify for last year's Open
Championship, would love to swing a club in a major one day, but concedes
that Augusta maybe a shot too far. Instead, he believes Tiger Woods will
instead challenge for his 15th major victory. "I'd love to play in the
Masters one day, but I don't think they'll let me!" he joked. "I think Tiger
Woods has got a good chance. I think he needs to hit it a little bit
straighter than he has done off the tee recently. He's been awesome this
year. I've watched most of it and he's been fantastic. "Obviously Rory
McIlroy playing well last week has made everyone fancy him a little bit as
well. It wouldn't surprise me if Rory, Tiger and Phil Mickelson are right up
there at the end."

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Sebby heeding Haycock's advice
WHUFC.com
Fit-again Sebastian Lletget insists he is reaping the rewards of Haycock's
management style
11.04.2013

Sebastian Lletget is thriving under the tutelage of Development Squad coach
Nick Haycock, even if it means getting a flea in his ear from time to time.
The American Under-23 international returned to the fold in Monday's
Barclays U21 Premier League 1-1 draw with Elite Group leaders Tottenham
Hotspur, after more than a month on the sidelines through injury. Despite
the unforgiving tempo of an end-to-end contest, the 20-year-old slotted
seamlessly back into his midfield role, as West Ham played out a third
successive draw. Lletget was happy enough with a job well done, but both he
and Haycock reckon there is plenty more still to come. He told West Ham TV:
"My fitness obviously needs to improve, but I think that will just come with
more games. I'm going to try to play every game until the end of the season.
My injury is long gone now, I feel 100 per cent and I'm just happy to be
back. "A lot of credit to Spurs, they had a really good side out, as they
always do and it's always a pleasure playing against them. You want to play
against good players and see how you match-up.
"I thought my performance was good, for my first game in a while, I thought
I put in the effort. There was a lot of running involved obviously, but I
could have had a goal or two and I'm happy that I made a couple of chances
for myself. "As soon as the 75th minute hit, I think a lot of us were
struggling but everybody worked extremely hard and that's why we came out
with a point."

U21s boss Haycock subsequently confessed to being somewhat harsher on
Lletget than anyone else, if only because he expects so much of the
American. The ever pragmatic Lletget insists he sees it as a compliment and
is grateful for all the guidance coming his way. "I really like playing
under Nick he gives me a lot of confidence," he added. "If he does give me a
bit of information in a high tone, so to speak, I take it well, I take it on
board and use it to my advantage.
"Maybe he is slightly harsh on me, but I like that, I like that he cares.
It's good to have that in a manager, he looks to you to do well in the team
and put the team on your back as well. Especially because I'm more
experienced than a lot of the kids that are coming through. "I view it as
every day's a step closer to the first team. Every time you train you want
to impress and all Nick wants is the best for me and for all of us."

For the time being, however, Lletget's focus is firmly on the final four
games of the U21 season, fixtures that could yet see the Hammers qualify for
the competition's semi-finals. First up, is Monday's trip to Eastleigh to
take on the Southampton, with West Ham bidding to make amends for a 1-0
defeat in the reverse fixture at Rush Green. "We've slipped up a bit earlier
in the Elite Group but our training and our whole setup has been very
professional. We're going to keep going right up until the last game and
hopefully we'll get a couple more wins. "We're definitely well motivated for
the Saints game. Nobody likes losing but especially us. Tactically and
mentally we need to be ready for that one and I'm pretty sure we will be."

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Montpellier defender Henri Bedimo eyes summer move
By Valer Gourizro. Last Updated: April 11, 2013 5:28pm
SSN

Montpellier left-back Henri Bedimo insists he will make a decision regarding
his future at the end of the season. The £5million-rated Cameroon star has
been linked with a number of Premier League clubs, including Newcastle and
West Ham. However, PSG, Lyon and Marseille are also reportedly keen on
signing the player in the summer. And Bedimo, who enjoyed playing in the
UEFA Champions League group stage with his club, says he wants more of the
same. He said: "I have heard of the interest of clubs in the Premier League,
but when you hear there is interest from a Champions League club in France
then you have to think about it. "Newcastle and West Ham are both good clubs
in the best league in the world, but I will not decide my future until at
the end of the season.
"I want to be playing in the Champions League as well."

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West Ham co-chairman David Gold welcomes technology and Financial Fair Play
Last Updated: April 11, 2013 4:48pm
SSN

West Ham co-chairman David Gold has welcomed the introduction of goal-line
technology to the Premier League and the ratification of rules regarding
Financial Fair Play. Hawk-Eye has been chosen as the provider of goal-line
technology in the English top flight after a meeting of the 20 clubs on
Thursday, and Gold is only surprised that it has not been implemented
sooner. He feels this is a step in the right direction to getting rid of
wrong decisions, and is interested to see whether there will now be a
greater demand for technology to be used for other parts of the game. "I am
disappointed it has taken so long," Gold told Sky Sports News. "Even if we
didn't have actual goal-line technology, we do have television with instant
replays, and we could have had a fourth official getting in touch to tell a
referee if it was a goal. I think this will be fantastic. "This is a start.
Who knows where it will take us. Fans will have a big say in this, and also
TV will have a big say. We want the big, bad decisions taken out of
football, and this type of technology will do that." Gold also expressed
his satisfaction that Premier League clubs had voted, by the required
two-thirds majority, to approve proposals on financial regulation. He said:
"We are happy they have been ratified so they'll go into the rule book, and
it is a good day for the Premier League." Asked about the clubs with doubts,
Gold added: "They had their reservations, and still do, but we are a
democratic unit and they'll support us going forward. "It is hard to get
unanimity on these things, but we are all pleased that we are addressing
these issues."

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West Ham cool on Carroll with cut-price £10m offer for Liverpool striker
By SIMON JONES
PUBLISHED: 22:30, 11 April 2013 | UPDATED: 22:30, 11 April 2013
Daily Mail

West Ham will offer around £10million for Liverpool striker Andy Carroll in
the summer. The England striker joined West Ham on loan with a view to a
£17m permanent deal, which remains Liverpool's valuation. However, his
injuries and goals return have prompted West Ham to re-evaluate the deal and
they will reduce their offer. Liverpool are likely to rebuff that as they
try to negotiate a deal with Carroll and Newcastle for Hatem Ben Arfa. Yet
Newcastle's valuation of the France midfielder will also make that deal
difficult. West Ham also like Southampton's Rickie Lambert and Vitesse
Arnhem's Wilfried Bony. However, while they want to give Sam Allardyce a
budget that will convince him to extend his stay, they will not overstretch
themselves with their Olympic Stadium move on the horizon.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 11th April 2013

Wellington working hard
WHUFC.com
Wellington Paulista reflects upon an eventful first few months at the Boleyn
Ground
10.04.2013

January recruit Wellington Paulista has vowed to continue putting in the
hard yards for West Ham United's Development Squad, in the hope that a
first-team opportunity will eventually come his way. Since signing on a
six-month loan from Brazilian outfit Cruzeiro, the 28-year-old goalgetter
has netted five times in ten starts for the Hammers' Under-21 side. While
his goals might have caught the eye, Paulista's on-field enthusiasm is
similarly hard to ignore and the already-popular Brazilian is intent on
giving his all between now and the season's end. "I'm taking it day by day,
trying to get better every day and hoping to break into the first team," he
told West Ham TV, with the help of his Spanish-speaking colleague Sebastian
Lletget. "Whether I score or not, I'm confident either way. I'm always
trying to bring other players into the game and trying to be more versatile
in that sense. I'm doing a lot in training, just to get in the manager's eye
and hopefully to get into the team. "I'm very happy [to see the first-team
doing well] but I obviously want to be a part of it. I'll be working hard
right until the end of my six-month deal and I'd like to stay here if I
can."

Though Paulista is yet to make his first-team bow, he has made quite the
impact in the Hammers' second string, not least in front of goal. Welly, as
he is known to his teammates, has chalked up five of West Ham's 12 goals in
the Barclays Under-21 Premier League Elite Group, celebrating each and every
one with considerable gusto. "Ever since I was a kid, it was always just
natural to enjoy scoring, whether it's for the first team or for the
reserves, a goal's a goal and I enjoy it either way," he added. "It's good,
[being with the Development Squad], but obviously playing with younger
players is a different experience to what I'm used to. There's a lot of
talent at this club, but of course they have a lot to learn."

While Wellington will have to wait to run out in front of a packed Boleyn
Ground, he has already seen more than enough to convince him that it is an
experience he would enjoy. The six-foot' striker likened the Hammers
faithful to those of his native Brazil, insisting they are every bit as
fanatical as his adoring South-American public. "It's a bit like Brazil, in
that the fans are so passionate and are crazy about the football club. I
love that it's always full and so noisy and that's the sort of crowd I like
to play in front of."

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The Big Interview - Joey O'Brien
WHUFC.com
Joey O'Brien was proud of West Ham United's defensive effort at Liverpool
last weekend
10.04.2013

Joey O'Brien is looking to build on the solid base created in last weekend's
goalless draw at Liverpool when the Hammers head to Southampton for their
next Barclays Premier League fixture on Saturday. Sam Allardyce's men were
superb at the back to blunt the attacking threat posed by the Reds' Luis
Suarez, Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge, allowing them to take a
point home to east London. O'Brien, who took over the captain's armband when
Kevin Nolan was withdrawn in the second half, believes that bodes well for
the final seven games of the campaign.

First of all Joey, what was your reaction to the performance and result on
Sunday?

JOB: "It was a great performance and a great result. We went there with a
gameplan and it worked really well for us. From a defensive point of view,
the manager said beforehand he wanted the wingers tracking their full backs,
and keep the back four nice and compact.
"It worked a treat really. We went to a hard place and kept a clean sheet -
in the end we could have nicked a goal here and there, we had a few chances
so it was a great performance overall."

Sam said afterwards he thought we had perhaps the best chances - the penalty
appeal turned down, one cleared off the line. Do you think we could have won
it possibly?

JOB: "Of course - as you said we had one cleared off the line, Carlton
[Cole] had a good chance in the first half, which I think caught him by
surprise a little bit getting the ball there. We had as many good chances as
they did, but we would have taken a point before the game so we're
delighted."

Was that our best defensive performance of the season?

JOB: "It's up there. They have some smashing players, but we've gone to a
couple of hard places recently and got a result - Liverpool and Stoke - but
with the players they have it probably is."

Sam was there talking up the importance of the squad and we had a number of
players injured on Sunday, but we didn't miss them. The strength in depth
showed, didn't it?

JOB: "Yes, Tonks [James Tomkins] came back in and was unbelievable. Him and
Ginge [James Collins] at the back, you're not going to see a better
performance than that from anyone in the league. I'm delighted for Tonks
because he hasn't been playing a lot really and to go to Liverpool, which
was a hard game to come in for, and play like that was fantastic."

What about you personally. How you would rate your form at the moment? Fans
certainly seem to be saying how well you're playing and that you're a bit of
an unsung hero in the team.

JOB: "I'm just part of the team. The manager has asked me to do a job there
and I'm delighted to go out there and play. When you go out and get a clean
sheet, it's not just the back four, but Jussi Jaaskelainen's been brilliant
in the last six, seven games. As for the boys up front, Matt Jarvis worked
his socks off, as did Gaz O'Neil and Nobby [Kevin Nolan] in the middle too.
Coley too, has come in having not played much, and put in a great shift for
the team."

You were given the armband today when Kevin Nolan went off. Was that good
recognition of your recent form and your standing in the squad?

JOB: "Nobby gave it to me and I was delighted. It was a nice touch."

Looking ahead to Southampton, it's a game where we'll be looking to carry on
the away form...

JOB: "We're in decent form at the moment, with a win against West Brom and a
draw at Liverpool, so we'll be going there looking for the three points for
sure. The belief's there. If we can go to Liverpool and get a result, we can
go anywhere and get a result."

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Carroll scores awards double
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll has won the club's SBOBET Player of the Month and Goal of the
Month prizes for March
10.04.2013

Hot on the heels of his brace against West Bromwich Albion, Hammers striker
Andy Carroll has this week scooped another double - the club's SBOBET Player
of the Month and Goal of the Month awards. The big Geordie was a runaway
victor in both polls, scooping 42% of the whufc.com vote for the SBOBET
Player of the Month prize, and a whopping 75% on the club's Official
Facebook page vote for Goal of the Month. Carroll saw off competition from
second placed Jussi Jaaskelainen and Winston Reid in third to claim the
honour of top Hammer for March. Aside from his double strike against the
Baggies, over the course of the month Carroll was also involved in the move
for Jack Collison's winning goal at Stoke City, and caused problems for the
Chelsea defence. There could only be one winner for March's Goal of the
Month award - Carroll's stunning volley to give the Hammers a 3-0 lead over
West Brom on 30 March. The Liverpool loanee watched James Collins' clipped
free kick drift over his shoulder before unleashing an unstoppable shot
beyond Ben Foster in the visitors' goal. It was Carroll's second of the
game, in which West Ham triumphed by a 3-1 scoreline, and an overwhelming
75% of the Hammers supporters polled placed it as their number one goal for
the month.

Another strike from the same match, Gary O'Neil's curling effort, took
second with 15%, while Blair Turgott's hat-trick goal in the Boleyn Ground
friendly with a Queens Park Rangers XI took third.

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Jarvo looking forward
WHUFC.com
Winger Matt Jarvis says West Ham United will travel to Southampton on
Saturday in positive mood
10.04.2013

Barclays Premier League crossing king Matt Jarvis wants to play a leading
role as West Ham United seek to secure a top-ten finish. Jarvis has
delivered and completed more crosses from open play than any other
top-flight player this season and the No7 continued his good work in
Sunday's goalless draw at Liverpool. There, the winger came close to
chalking up another assist when both Carlton Cole and Kevin Nolan flashed
headers wide of the target, and Jarvis said he will keep firing the ball
into the penalty area as the 2012/13 season approaches its conclusion. "I
think in the first half at Liverpool it was hard for us to keep the ball and
get up the pitch, but in the second half we worked extremely hard and got in
behind them a few times and created quite a few chances," said Jarvis. "We
had one cleared off the line at the end or it could have been 1-0 to us.
"They are a fantastic passing side so you have to try to stop them doing
that and getting in behind. We did that. Obviously they are going to create
chances and they did that but we did really well to stop them playing and
got our passing going in the second half and created some great chances.
"I'm enjoying it. It's very tough, especially at places like Liverpool,
where you have to track the runners all the time. We managed to get some joy
in the second half and create some opportunities. Liverpool is a very tough
place to go so to get a point was a very good result for us. "I think we
have to take our home form with us and we've been doing that recently. You
have to get the results to go with your performances and hopefully we can
kick on now."

As well as his crossing, Jarvis is also aiming to get his name on the
scoresheet again during the final seven games of the season. The wideman has
netted just once in 28 appearances so far this term - in the 2-1 win at
Queens Park Rangers in September - and is determined to add to his tally. "I
just need a few more goals and a few more assists to go with them! I'm
putting the crosses in and I won't stop doing that so hopefully we can get a
few more goals from them and hopefully I can chip in myself."

Looking forward to Saturday's trip to Southampton, Jarvis believes West Ham
will travel to St Mary's full of confidence after scoring a home victory
over West Bromwich Albion and a goalless draw at Liverpool in their previous
two Barclays Premier League fixtures. "We are definitely looking up now.
It's one of those situations where you take it from game to game and
obviously we got a good result on Sunday and hopefully we can push on next
week."

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West Ham manager Sam Allardyce sets sights on 40 points
Last Updated: April 10, 2013 12:34pm
SSN

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce feels another three points would be enough to
secure his side's Premier League status for another year. Allardyce appears
to have steered the Hammers clear of relegation danger in recent games, with
the club sitting 12th in the table on 37 points after frustrating Liverpool
in a goalless draw at Anfield on Sunday. The manager has previously cited 38
points as the safety barrier but feels it might take 40 to ensure the
Hammers' survival this season, with only six points currently between
themselves and third-bottom Wigan. "I thought probably 38 but if you're
going to be absolutely (sure), we're going to still go to the golden 40
aren't we."

Sam Allardyce
He hopes West Ham can hit that target sooner rather than later as they
prepare to take on Southampton at St Mary's stadium this weekend. He told
Sky Sports: "We may (have to) sneak the points total up maybe one or two
more, but I certainly think 40 now is definitely going to be good enough.
"Wigan have put a run together, Southampton have put a run together, Aston
Villa have done it. "I thought probably 38 but if you're going to be
absolutely (sure), we're going to still go to the golden 40 aren't we."
Allardyce says he is delighted to see West Ham where they are in the table
after securing promotion from the Championship last season. Asked if he
would have taken their current position at the beginning of the season, he
added: "I'd have snatched their hands off. In fact I probably would have
gone further than that, I would have cut their hands off, if that's the
right terminology."

Talks

West Ham are in talks with Allardyce over a new contract, with his current
deal set to expire at the end of the season. The manager and the club's
owners have previously said an extension will only be agreed once Premier
League safety has been secured. West Ham defender James Collins, who
re-joined his old club last summer from Aston Villa, hopes Allardyce will
commit to the Hammers sooner rather than later. The Welshman said: "He's
been great. He's been one of the main reasons I came back, to work with the
gaffer. "Everyone obviously speaks very highly of him and he showed it
again, his tactics at Anfield were spot on and they have been all season. So
fingers crossed that he can get the contract sorted."

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Will Wellington Get his Chance Against Southampton?
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die

Andy Carroll played extremely well against WBA, giving his finest
performance to date in a West Ham shirt. In fact, he looked much more like
the fearsome young striker, who originally made his name at Newcastle Utd.
It was, therefore, unfortunate that he was not able to play against his
parent club, Liverpool, last Sunday. And it is now doubly disappointing that
it appears that Carroll may now also miss the away match at Southampton due
to an untimely virus infection. If so, the question is whether Sam Allardyce
will stick with his usual striker options or opt to bring Wellington
Paulista in to the first team frame?

Commenting on Paulista's first team chances in early February, Allardyce
stated that the loan signing had to go some considerable way to force his
way in to first team contention, but that the key was not only to improve
his fitness, but also score goals. Well, Paulista has done both, he has
improved his match fitness and currently has a 1 in 2 goal-to-match ratio,
having scored 5 goals in 10 Development Squad matches. So, it would seem
that the Brazilian has met the challenge laid down by his manager, will he
now reap the reward, with a place on the bench at Southampton? Personally, I
have championed Paulista's cause right from the time of his loan signing in
January. And I remain convinced that he could still prove to be a surprise
package. He certainly offers something different to our other striking
options. In fact, he could realistically be played either as a second
striker in a 4-4-2 or wide of the main striker in a 4-3-3.

My view is that commitment, hard work and achieving your set objectives
desires reward. Our other strikers are not exactly 'on fire' at the moment,
so why not bring Paulista in to the frame? Not necessarily starting, but
getting a 20-45 minute run out from the bench, if the opportunity presents
itself. Who knows, he might just come up trumps. One things is for sure, if
Paulista gets a chance, he will give it 100% and come on the pitch with the
right attitude and a determination to succeed. This is a player used to
playing at a higher level in Brazil, yet he approaches every single
Development Squad match in exactly the right way, applying himself and
giving his all to the team. Anyone who has seen him play in recent weeks can
testify to that fact. And if there is one thing that West Ham fans value
almost as highly as a gifted, creative player, a la Byrne, Brooking or Di
Canio, it is a warrior who applies himself and gives 100% to the Hammers
cause. I would suggest that Wellington Paulista is definitely in the latter
category, whether he can score goals in the PL we will only discover when
and if he gets a chance. But things look promising on that front as well.
So, go on Sam give him a go, the guy deserves it.

Elsewhere, Sam Allardyce has gone on record as stating that he thinks that
West Ham need three more points to secure their PL status this season. Is he
right? After all Wigan, Aston Villa and Newcastle Utd are all showing signs
of improvement and there are a number of teams in danger of falling in to
that dreaded 18th place. It is fair to say that Reading and QPR are
virtually relegated, its just a matter of who will join them in the
Championship. Personally, I think that the way that the final fixtures fall
means that 40 points will guarantee safety. But we should take no chances,
once we have reached 40 points, we must push on and accrue as many more as
possible. Not necessarily because of a fear of a late drive for points by
the teams between 13-18 position, but because we should look to 'push on' to
grab that coveted top ten finishing position. That really would be 'cherry
on the cake' for our season and provide a good benchmark for further
improvement next season.

The Liverpool draw was well deserved and hard fought. The team put in a good
performance and defended solidly as a unit. So, it was a good overall team
display, but if forced to pick out particular performances, it has to be
Collins and Tomkins in central defence. The pair barely put a foot wrong and
were rightly praised for their pivotal roles in earning a result. If only
that late Jack Collison effort had not been cleared off the line, we would
have celebrated our first win at Anfield since 1963-64 on Sunday evening. No
doubt that terrible record of not winning at Anfield, in 50 years, will end
one day. Perhaps last Sunday's battling draw was a sign post that the next
win away win over Liverpool may not be too far away, if we build upon recent
progress and keep improving.

Finally, I had a rare day off on Tuesday and took a wander down to Upton
Park to observe the open training day. Interestingly, the club had a
community event, after the first team training session, and there was
various multi-sports coaching sessions, with local youngsters involved in
football, athletics, cricket, boxing and handball. I stayed and watched the
community session and it was good to see the club's community coaches
working with local children; as well as first team players and Sam Allardyce
taking the time and effort to engage with the youngsters present. Its a side
of the game, and indeed the club, that deserves far wider recognition. And
it is something that I intend to investigate and share on WHTID.

SJ. Chandos.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 10th April 2013

Collison praises defensive effort
WHUFC.com
Jack Collison felt West ham United deserved their point at Liverpool on
Sunday
09.04.2013

West Ham United were just a whisker away from grabbing their first win at
Liverpool in nearly 50 years on Sunday. After defending stoically and
restricting the influence of the Reds' key man Luis Suarez, the Hammers won
an 85th minute corner which Jack Collison met with a header that beat home
keeper Pepe Reina. However, Lucas was stationed by the post to block on the
line and extend the Londoners' long wait for victory at Anfield, although
they were happy to gain a valuable point from the 0-0 draw. Midfielder
Collison, who entered the fray as a 63rd minute substitute, was full of
praise for the Hammers' defensive effort. "The boys battled magnificently on
Sunday, right from Jussi all the way to Coley," he said. "They worked hard
and it would have been nice if my header had gone in, but at the end of the
day a point's a great result here. "I'm not normally in the box attacking
corners, but I found myself in there for that one. I caught it nicely and
beat the keeper, but Lucas on the line cleared it. It wasn't to be. "We
definitely deserved the point. The boys at the back were brilliant all day,
James Tomkins came in and was magnificent. He made a great block on the line
and was excellent throughout. "We knew they were a good team with good
players. Attacking is one of their strong points, but we nullified them well
today, worked hard and created a couple of chances as well. It was the
perfect gameplan you could say from us, so well done to the gaffer."

The point was the twelfth gained by the Hammers on their travels this season
and Collison believes their solid display sets them up nicely for a strong
finish to the campaign. He continued: "It's a massive boost with seven games
to go. We want to go on a little run now and try to stay unbeaten from now
until the end of the season. If we can't do that, we want to get as many
points as we can. We want a strong finish to really send out a statement to
everyone, prove that we're here and that we're going to be a force to be
reckoned with. "A top-half finish is very possible. If we concentrate on
ourselves, take each game as it comes and get some more points on the board
then we can do it. That's what we're aiming for as a team - we're not
looking behind us, we're looking to push on rather than stay still."

Next up for Sam Allardyce's men is a trip to Southampton, who pipped the
Hammers to the second automatic promotion spot from the Championship last
season. Collison was key to West Ham making it up through the play-offs and
now he wants to get one over the Saints at St Mary's. He added: "They've got
a new manager who has come in recently and they're on a good run at the
moment. They're playing well, but we feel as a team and as a club that we've
got a little point to prove there. "Maybe there's going to be a little more
on the game than people may think because we were disappointed not to go up
automatically last year. A lot of the boys are still here and that still
stays with them. We're going to go there and look to get the three points."

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Cole happy with rare Anfield point
WHUFC.com
West Ham United striker Carlton Cole was pleased to do his bit as the
Hammers drew 0-0 at Liverpool
09.04.2013

Carlton Cole was delighted to play his part as West Ham United gained a
valuable point at Liverpool on Sunday. The long-serving Hammers striker was
handed his first start in more than two months in the absence of Andy
Carroll, who was unavailable at Anfield due to the terms of his loan
agreement from the Reds.
Cole enjoyed being part of a fine team effort at Anfield and is hoping for
more opportunities during the final seven games of the 2012/13 campaign. He
told West Ham TV: "It was tiring to be honest! I hadn't played for quite a
while and normally you'd hope to be weaned little by little with a few sub
appearances, but I went straight in at the deep end and the result was the
reward. "I would love to have scored a goal, but this was the first result
I've got up there in a long while, so I'm very happy. "I was happy with my
performance, considering I hadn't played for quite a while and I'm not match
sharp. I'm a fit lad though and I can do a 90 [minutes] if called upon at
any time so hopefully I can get more 90s under my belt between now and the
end of the season. "At the end of the day if you come in and you haven't
been looking after yourself, you're only hurting yourself and your
teammates. I've done my utmost to keep myself in shape."

Cole was heavily involved in trying to hold the ball up for his team as they
looked to hit Liverpool on the counter attack and he felt his task got
easier as the hosts opened up in the second period. He explained: "In the
first half they were a bit more tentative to go forward and they had a lot
of players that covered me. Their wing-backs were going forward to support
Luis Suarez and everybody, so our wingers had to go and support our
full-backs. "So when the ball did come up to me I was a bit isolated, but
when Liverpool started going for the game a little bit, we had some time
going the other way to try to put them under pressure. "When that happened,
I got better support and we created a few chances. We were unlucky not to
nick it as well. All the players did their bit to try and score a goal. It
was a good game. "Liverpool are a great outfit, everyone knows that. So to
go up there, especially with our away form not being too great, and do the
job we did was good. "We stuck to the manager's tactics and what he asked us
to do, and I think he's very happy with what we achieved on Sunday."

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U18s score West Brom win
WHUFC.com
West Ham United scored a second straight Barclays U18 Premier League Tier
One victory on Tuesday
09.04.2013

West Ham United scored a second straight Barclays U18 Premier League Tier
One victory by overcoming West Bromwich Albion 3-1 on Tuesday. A young
Hammers side headed for the Midlands on the back of their first win in seven
matches - a 3-1 home success against Wolverhampton Wanderers on 30 March -
and produced another impressive performance at the Baggies' training ground.
With a number of scholars on Development Squad duty on Monday evening, U18s
manager Steve Potts called upon a number of schoolboys, including defender
Emanuel Onariase and forward Djair Parfitt-Williams. Both played well, with
Parfitt-Williams netting his first goal at U18 level to equaliser after West
Brom had taken a first-half lead. An attack down the right flank culminated
in Kieran Sadlier crossing to the far post, where Parfitt-Williams was
waiting to head home. After the break, the Hammers took charge, going ahead
when right-back Kyle Knoyle raced forward before finding Parfitt-Williams.
He cut inside and crossed for a trialist to shoot into the net from inside
the penalty area. West Ham's victory was completed by an own-goal. A
cross-field ball from left to right again found Knoyle in space. He ran down
the wing before playing the ball into Nathan Mavila, whose cross was headed
into his own net by a West Brom defender. Back-to-back victories have taken
the Hammers from bottom of the table two weeks ago to fourth, level on
points with third-place Liverpool. West Ham return to Barclays U18 Premier
League Tier One action on Saturday, when Sunderland visit Little Heath for
an 11am kick-off.

West Ham United U18s: Howes, Knoyle, Page, Makasi, Harney, Onariase, Miles
(Mavila 53), Marlow, Trialist (Boakye-Yiadom 88), Parfitt-Williams
(Girdlestone 88), Sadlier

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Hammers praised for Hillsborough tribute
WHUFC.com
West Ham United were thanked by Liverpool for their part in remembering the
Hillsborough disaster
09.04.2013

West Ham United played a full part in Sunday's events at Anfield to mark the
anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster. The Hammers' match at Liverpool
was the Reds' last home fixture before the 24th anniversay of the tragedy,
which saw 96 Liverpool fans lose their lives at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final
against Nottingham Forest. The club laid a wreath at the Hillsborough
Memorial at Anfield on the morning of the game, and an impeccably-observed
minute's silence was held before the match, in which both sets of players
wore black armbands. Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers had praise for the
Hammers' mark of respect. "I'd like to say 'well done' and congratulations
to the West Ham fans because I thought it was a brilliant response.
"Sometimes in this modern world and society you get a lot of ignorance and
that was a real mark of respect. "You know what you'll get from the
Liverpool supporters, but big applause to West Ham supporters because it was
a great show of respect."

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce added: "The Hillsborough disaster was a
tragedy which touched all football fans, no matter who your club is, and it
was important for us to show our respects for those who were so tragically
killed on that day in 1989. "As we'd expect, our fans were brilliant in
their observance of the minute's silence and were great ambassadors for the
club on what is an important day for Liverpool."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Haycock targets strong finish
WHUFC.com
Dev Squad manager Nick Haycock urged his side to kick on after holding
league leaders Spurs
09.04.2013

Nick Haycock is not about to give up on his pursuit of a top-three Barclays
Under-21 Premier League Elite Group finish after the Development Squad held
runaway leaders Tottenham Hotspur to a compelling 1-1 draw at the Boleyn
Ground. Brazilian frontman Wellington Paulista headed the Hammers in front
after just 16 minutes, before Republic of Ireland youth international
Kenneth McEvoy levelled matters seven minutes before the interval. Though
both sides spurned several opportunities thereafter, an entertaining affair
would end a point apiece, with Haycock rightly looking upwards as the Elite
Group heads into its latter stages. "There are four games to go and I've set
the challenge to the boys to have a real go at trying to get this third
place," Haycock told West Ham TV.
"Other teams will drop points and if we can amass as many points as we can
in those four games, it will give us a competitive total to challenge that
third place. That's in our hands and we've got to go about the games in the
same manner as we did at the start of the Elite Group and we'll see where
that takes us."

Haycock was understandably impressed with his side's showing against a Spurs
side scoring goals for fun in recent weeks and reckons it's further evidence
of his young charges' capacity to compete with the very best at this level.
"That was a pleasing performance, particularly as we'd not played for three
weeks," he added. "I always knew the start was important and I thought we
got about them well. Tottenham play a patient, passing style with good
technical players and it was about stopping them then obviously trying to
hurt them. "In the first 20-25 minutes, we were deservedly winning 1-0 and
at the minimum we should have come in at 2-0. But we've conceded on the
counter-attack and I felt we lost our way towards the end of the first-half.
"Half-time was about reorganising and looking at what we were doing well and
to keep doing that. We started the second half the better team and they
probably finished the game the stronger.

"But in terms of chances, I think it was pretty even. Jake Larkins has made
three great saves but equally so has their keeper. Overall, we feel slightly
disappointed that we haven't got three points. "It should give the lads lots
of confidence, looking at the last run of games we've had against the bigger
teams, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United. We've competed and we look
more at home at this level."

Meanwhile, the U21s boss was pleased with the contribution of his two senior
frontmen, with Paulista, in particular, desperately unfortunate not to add
to his first-half strike. "Wellington took his goal well and he was unlucky.
On another night he could have come away with a hat-trick. "To be fair to
Modibo, I explained to him before the game that these lads want you to run
around for them up there and show the potent threat he was in France. We
asked him to hold the ball up for us, threaten in the air, in behind and
cause the backline problems. In fairness to him, he did that for us."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Club halve disabled season ticket increase
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 9th April 2013
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United have announced that the planned 107 per cent season ticket
price hike for disabled supporters has been halved. Following last week's
storm over the price rise, as first highlighted here on KUMB.com, the club
have written to disabled fans to confirm that next season's ticket will now
'only' cost an additional 50 per cent.

In a second letter to disabled season ticket holders (you may see the first
one here), West Ham vice chair Karren Brady said: "The club enjoys a good
relationship with its diabled supporters and we do not wish to jeapordise
this is any way and are sensitive to the prices we are considering and how
this may affect you.

"Also, I have taken on the feedback and have decided that the prices will
not increase by more than 50 per cent of this year's current rate, and we
will be creating a new Band 5 price range instead, which bearing mind there
has been no increase [apart from inflation] for 21 years. I hope yuo will
agree this is a good compromise."

The news was cautiously welcomed by KUMB members including Richard Vann, who
penned recent KUMB article 'So This Is Affordable Football?' in protest at
the club's decision to more than double the cost of disabled fans' season
tickets.

"Having taken on board the feedback, Karren Brady has decided to back track
on the original 'careful' review of the ticketing policy," he said.

"I'm sure all disabled fans will welcome that, but a 50 per cent rise would
still set a precedent for future rises and in the current climate, it's
still a disgraceful increase and doesn't go far enough in my view, to
appease the original debacle.

"It also has implications, I believe, for all ST holders; the club and Ms
Brady can use such a hike for disabled fans as a lever to justify big rises
across the board. All ST holders should be concerned and suspicious of this
move.

"I am of the view that our club have created this issue for disabled fans to
'test the waters' and to gauge reaction; after all, how could other season
ticket holders make a justifiable argument in the future, if the club can
then point to the precedent set for such a big rise made for disabled fans?"

Mr Vann also disputed Ms Brady's claims that there had been no increase in
season ticket costs even with inflation accounted for.

"This simply isn't true," he countered. "In 2011/12 the cost was £265; this
season it is £290. Even with my basic maths ability, that equates to a 9.4
per cent rise from last season - way above inflation at the time."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham midfielder Gary O'Neil convinced experience has been key this
season
Last Updated: April 9, 2013 11:03pm
SSN

West Ham midfielder Gary O'Neil believes the experience in the squad and
backroom staff has helped them as they bid to retain their Premier League
status.
Sam Allardyce's side were only promoted to the top-flight last season but
they lie 12th in the table, six points clear of the relegation zone. O'Neil
is convinced the experience in the camp has aided their cause following
their return to the Premier League via the play-offs last season after they
were relegated in 2010/11. "We maybe had the edge because we have got a lot
of players and the manager and staff who have played and worked in the
Premier League before," he said. We were only down for a season as well so
the lads are used to playing in the PL so we maybe took to it quicker than
they did. "We also we had a slightly easier run of fixtures at the start
that helped us build up some momentum."

Following a strong start to the season that saw that saw the Hammers settle
into the top half of the table they began to struggle after the turn of the
year.
But recent victories over Stoke and West Brom, as well as a battling point
at Liverpool on Sunday, have left Allardyce's side in a strong position to
play top-flight football next season. When asked if the team struggled to
rediscover their early season form, O'Neil added: "I think it took us a
little while, it does hit you confidence-wise as a squad. "Even if you are
losing to the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United, it does dent the
confidence. It was hard to get another run going. "But fortunately we've got
a little one going now and have picked up seven points from our last four
games which is good and can hopefully be added to this weekend. "We've
always said we want to finish as high as we can, we weren't just focusing on
avoiding relegation. "Our aim was always to finish as high up as possible,
we want to get to 40 (points) first to make well and truly sure we are safe
but then by no means will we stop there."

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Cole keen to Hammer deal
Published: 5 hrs ago
The Sun

CARLTON COLE is hoping Sam Allardyce will give him another chance to win a
new deal at West Ham. The Hammers striker, 29, will become a free agent this
summer after seven years at Upton Park. Cole has struggled to command a
first-team place this season under boss Allardyce. But he played the full 90
minutes in Sunday's 0-0 draw with Liverpool. And he said: "Hopefully I can
get more games under my belt before the end of the season."

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 9th April 2013

Ginge revels in Reds result
WHUFC.com
James Collins was proud of West Ham United's performance in Sunday's
goalless draw at Liverpool
08.04.2013

James Collins produced arguably his best performance in a West Ham United
shirt to inspire the Hammers to a goalless Barclays Premier League draw at
Liverpool. 'Ginge' cut an imperious figure at Anfield, making numerous
important interceptions and clearances and stifling the the considerable
threat of Reds striker Luis Suarez. Time and again the Uruguayan ran at
Collins, but the Welsh giant stood firm. Whenever a cross came into the
penalty area, he and partner James Tomkins headed or hacked it clear. In
short, it was an imperious display from the No19. Speaking to West Ham TV,
the defender was literally too tired to smile, but was naturally delighted
with his own and the team's resilient performance at a ground where the
Hammers have not won since September 1963.

"It was great and it's always nice to play well at places like Anfield," he
confirmed. "The whole team was spot-on in terms of our defensive performance
and, going the other way, we've had chances so it's a massive point,
especially with West Ham's performance at Anfield. "Suarez nutmegged me
twice, to be fair, but I thought about how I was going to defend against him
before the game. If you drop off he's turning and running at you, so I
thought if I could get as tight as possible and try to tackle him as high up
the pitch as possible, even if I fouled him there it is better than him
running into the box. That was the gameplan really and luckily it worked. "I
was wary of the fact he goes over as well and that's why you have to stay on
your feet as much as possible and to win the ball you've got to just go for
it sometimes. It was one of those games when it's come off for me."

After a difficult few months on the road, West Ham look a far more
formidable team away from home these days. A 1-0 win at Stoke City in March
was followed by a determined display at Chelsea and another clean sheet at
Liverpool. "We do look more confident away from home," Collins confirmed.
"Our away record hasn't been great but we have had some good clean sheets
away from home [at Norwich City, Newcastle United, West Bromwich Albion,
Stoke and Liverpool] and got some good wins. "The Gaffer [Sam Allardyce]
said before the game, if we can come here and play and defend how we did at
Stoke, we'd get a result and he has got his tactics spot-on again as usual
so all credit to him."

With Winston Reid sidelined with a leg muscle injury suffered in training,
Tomkins made his first start in two months, but the No5 looked like he had
never been away. "Tonks was superb," Collins confirmed. "He has been so
unlucky this year, especially after doing so well last year and even in the
games he has played he has been spot-on and played well. He has probably
been unfortunate not to play more. "His attitude has been great and in any
game he comes into he is spot-on, so fair play to him because he was great
at Liverpool."

Collins has recently become a father for the second time and has been
involved in some big games for club and country in recent weeks. For those
many reasons, he is enjoying his life and his football at present. "I am
enjoying it and I'm fit too. Since I came back the second time I've put the
stupid little injuries I used to get behind me, touch wood, and I'm playing
in a great team with great team spirit and a great bunch of lads. "I enjoy
going into training for the banter with the lads so I want to do well for
the boys because we're that close."

For a team that came up through the npower Championship Play-Offs last
season that has been in mid-table in the Barclays Premier League all this
term, some might say the Hammers are not getting the recognition they
deserve. However, that is a situation Collins is more than happy about.
"Sometimes it's nice to slip under the rader and not have people talking
about you too much. We've done great and we've set our sights on coming
tenth and we don't to slip-up now, especially with the start we had. "We
started off great and got loads of points and then had a dodgy middle of the
season and now we're playing well again. We just want to get as many points
as we can. We were looking at tenth and that's still a possibility."

After the challenge of shackling the diminutive Suarez at Anfield, Collins
will tackle the more physical threat of Rickie Lambert and Jay Rodriguez at
Southampton on Saturday - one he is relishing. "I watched them on Saturday
[winning 2-0 at Reading] and their front-two were superb. I'll be resting my
legs up for the week and I'll be ready to go for three points on Saturday.
"It's going to be a tough game. They beat us down there in the Championship
last season so there's going to be a score to settle, but we're playing well
are full of confidence so there is no reason we can't go there and get three
points."

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James Collins reveals secrets of eye-catching display against Liverpool's
Luis Suarez
Last Updated: April 8, 2013 2:03pm
SSN

James Collins says forward planning was the key to keeping Luis Suarez quiet
at Anfield on Sunday. The West Ham centre-half won rave reviews for
successfully shackling a Liverpool striker who has 29 goals this season, and
his performance helped secure a goalless draw for the visitors. "I thought
about how I was going to defend against him before the game," Collins said.
"Suarez nutmegged me twice to be fair but I knew if you drop off, he is
turning and running at you. "I thought if I could get as tight as possible
and tackle him as high up the pitch as possible, even if I fouled him there
it was better than him running into the box. "I was wary of the fact he goes
over as well. That is why you have to stay on your feet. To win the ball,
you just have to go for it sometimes. It was one of those games where it
came off for me."

West Ham are now within two points of 10th-placed Fulham with seven games
still to play. Collins said: "Sometimes it is nice to slip under the radar
and not have people talking about you too much. "We've set our sights on
coming 10th and we don't want to slip up now."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
An Open Letter to Andy Carroll
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die

US based Hammers fan David Hautzig has asked me to publish this open letter
to Andy Carroll. It's a corker.

Dear Andy,

Kind of ironic that any time I see something titled "An Open Letter" to
whomever I smirk. Will President Obama, or the CEO of Mega Company ever see
this thing? What's the point? And here I am writing one. Not about gun
control, or the sorry state of schools in my country. No, I'm writing to
professional footballer who is just as unlikely to see it as any of the
other ones I make fun of. It's a funny world. I'm going to treat it like a
paper for school as a kid. Make a point, then defend it.

Here's my point. You should sign for West Ham. Yeah, yeah. I'm a supporter.
So it's fair for you to dismiss that advice as totally self serving. And it
may be. But it's also good advice. Basically, if what we read in the papers,
blogs, twitter, tea leaves, and what have you is true, you currently have
three options to think about. Others may pop up. Stuff like that happens.
But for now, it's Liverpool, Newcastle, and West Ham

1) Liverpool. Without regurgitating the history, it's pretty well understood
that the style they play is not what the manager thinks you are suited for.
You can disagree, and if wearing their shirt under any circumstance is the
be all end all to you, then I guess you should go back. But you went out on
loan for a reason, and that reason hasn't changed. If the manager thinks
that way, that's the reality of Liverpool for you.

2) Newcastle. I totally understand the desire to go home. To live and work
in a place you know inside out is a great feeling. And no matter where you
end up next season, I not only expect you to one day end up back at St.
James Park but I'd encourage you to. Like I said, I get the "going home"
thing. But the pressure of expectations that smacks you in the back of the
head every day at Liverpool would follow you there at this point in your
career. At Liverpool, it's that damned number 35 that pounds you. Not your
fault that it happened that way, but it did and you are forced to deal with
the consequences. If you go home now, the expectations would be that BECAUSE
you went home everything will magically turn out right. Like flipping a
light switch. And hell, it could. But if it doesn't, if you don't live up to
what the supporters and press expect of you, where do you go from there? And
I'm not suggesting you wouldn't play well there. I'm sure you would. But
with all of the players Pardew has brought in recently, where would you fit?
Are Newcastle playing a brand of football suited to your particular
strengths? I think short of becoming the 20 goal scoring returning hero,
what will they all say? You just lived through that. Not fair for sure, but
as you know it isn't always fair.

3) West Ham. I get a kick reading supporters who say they want you, but then
get into money figures as if they have the foggiest clue how all that really
works. Want to meet a real life Merlin The Magician? Go see a really good
accountant. They make stuff disappear, re-appear, and change identity every
day of their lives. So when you take transfer fees, wages, things like that
out of the equation, the vast majority of supporters want us to sign you up.
Not because you've scored baskets of goals. You haven't. But they see the
impact you have on every game you play. Even the Chelsea game.

No disrespect to Sam, but to say we were unlucky not to get something from
that game is pretty nutty. But every report said you were terrific. And you
were. So it certainly seems that people see what you can do and are doing
apart from scoring goals that makes you valuable. ET could land at Upton
Park and see that Sam and his methods are tailor made for you. So if you are
wanted by a club and its supporters on the basis of your performance this
year, imagine what they will think as you continue to settle in and others
are brought in to support you? The bar is set, and you're up to it. Of
course there will be some pressure, but not like the two teams above. Nice
way to live and work in my book. Look, if it weren't for good methods of
birth control I could have a 24 year old myself. I'm 48. And I may not be
the sharpest tool in the shed, but I consider myself pretty smart. At least
my kids think so. And if you were at my kitchen table, I'd tell you to stay
at West Ham. Three, maybe four years. Become a leader and focal point of a
team where the pressures are manageable. Lead us into the Olympic Stadium.
Play for England regularly. Then if you want to go home, with lots of
football left in you, go ahead. We may moan about it a bit, but at the end
of the day most understand the value of home. And your stock will be in the
upper atmosphere. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Yours Truly,
David

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Collins: Shackling Luis was key
The Sun
Published: 8 hrs ago

JAMES COLLINS says keeping Luis Suarez quiet was the key to securing a
goalless draw at Anfield on Sunday. The West Ham defender revealed he was
willing to foul the Uruguayan if it meant stopping him from running free
towards the Hammers' box. And his plan worked a treat as the Liverpool
striker was unable to find the net - helping to ease West Ham's relegation
fears. He said: "I thought about how I was going to defend against him
before the game. "Suarez nutmegged me twice to be fair but I knew if you
drop off, he is turning and running at you. "I thought if I could get as
tight as possible and tackle him as high up the pitch as possible, even if I
fouled him there it was better than him running into the box. "I was wary of
the fact he goes over as well. "That is why you have to stay on your feet.
To win the ball, you just have to go for it sometimes. "It was one of those
games where it came off for me." The result saw the Hammers continue their
improved away form and Collins was full of praise for boss Sam Allardyce. He
said: "The gaffer got his tactics spot-on again. "We do look more confident
away from home."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Unlikable and authoritarian, Paolo Di Canio has much yet to prove
Personality and politics are all part of the Paolo Di Canio package and
Sunderland may yet regret appointing him
Guardian.co.uk

We've got a chequered past, Paolo Di Canio and I. Nothing to do with
fascism, he just had a habit of behaving a bit like a dictator. He was a
flamboyant "character", as they say, but he certainly was not very popular
in the West Ham dressing room. When I think back to those days, I remember a
loud and extrovert person who was - despite all he had to shout about - very
much on his own. He never seemed to gel with the team.

It seems the feeling was mutual - Paolo described me in his book as a
"moron" and a "cretin" after I refused to shake his hand following a League
Cup game at Upton Park when I was playing for Aston Villa. Actually I did
more: I called him a cheat. He had deliberately stepped into me and kicked
me before going down for a penalty. It was outrageous and I could not
believe it. I was livid. When I refused to shake his hand he went ballistic,
effing and blinding, and stabbing his fingers into the back of my neck.

That was the beginning of the bad blood. Admittedly there was a brief hiatus
when I signed for West Ham and he cheerily came over to wish me luck, the
first of my new team-mates to do so. But the friendly tone did not last long
and we were soon back to clashing on the training pitch.

I just could not believe the front he had. During training sessions, if he
was not happy, he would simply walk off. He would be swearing away in
Italian, trudging back to the dressing room, leaving us all slogging our
guts out. One time I snapped and yelled: "You are not effing walking off!"
To be fair, on that occasion he did come back.

Paolo could talk for Italy but I never remember him talking politics. I
never even knew that he had a Mussolini tattoo. Certainly if he had ever
said anything racist to anyone in the team, it would have caused a stir. We
had a number of black players at West Ham at the time and, while none of
them would go so far as to describe him as a friend, I don't recall anyone
having a problem with him because of his political views. The fascist
salutes happened after he left West Ham, of course, and on hearing the news
I must admit they confirmed my view of him as an unlikable person.

More recently I met him at the Leaders in Football conference last year. We
were on a panel together and beforehand we shared a revealing exchange on
coaching philosophies. I spoke about wanting to develop players, create a
dialogue and reach an understanding about what they need to perform - but I
soon realised I was talking to a brick wall. Paolo just said: "Yeah, yeah,
yeah, but ." and it became clear that he was not interested in any of that.
His approach was more, how shall I say, authoritarian.

Certainly if the stories spreading like wildfire through the footballing
world are anything to go by, the Sunderland players will have been in for a
shock this week. Paolo has a reputation for employing some harsh and intense
training methods.

During his time as manager at Swindon, I'm told, he used to punish players
for a poor performance by dragging them in at dawn after a game the day
before. Compare that with the Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe's approach - he
gave the players three days off last week after the team won five games in a
row to reward them for their hard work. Even Guy Whittingham's relegation
battlers, Portsmouth, will still be given days off for rest and recovery. I
can't imagine Paolo giving the Sunderland players much time off between now
and the end of the season.

Whatever his political views are - and despite the official Sunderland
statement denying that he is a fascist, without some explanation of his past
it seems impossible to understand what his exact position is - I am very
surprised that Sunderland gave him the job in the first place. I can't argue
with Paolo's management skills. He has proved himself with what he achieved
at Swindon.

But an important aspect of any appointment is what the fans' response will
be and the Sunderland board should have seen this furore coming. Did they
not do their research? Even a quick Google search would have brought up the
controversial fascist salutes at Lazio.

Sure, his managerial record is good but, if you know a manager's political
affiliations might upset a large portion of your fanbase, it seems a very
risky decision to make. And with the Durham Miners' Association demanding
their banner back from the Stadium of Light, citing the number of miners who
died fighting fascism in the war, it is a PR move that has the potential to
backfire in a big way. Should Paolo fail to keep Sunderland in the Premier
League, the club will surely lose even more goodwill from the supporters.

On the other hand, as the saying goes, all PR is good PR. After all, how
often does Sunderland AFC make headlines outside the sports pages? Paolo is
certainly box office. He gets his teams to play attractive football and, if
he can save the club from relegation, he may soon be hailed as a hero.

He says his past misdemeanours were misinterpreted and misrepresented, in
which case perhaps we should give him the opportunity to prove himself in
the present and not just harp on about the past.

No more Cherries, bring on the puffins

While it may have seemed that everyone in the world was talking about Paolo
Di Canio last week I can assure you his name did not come up in my newly
adopted home of Iceland. Yep, it is true, I have relocated to the land of
geysers and northern lights. Hermann Hreidarsson, my old Pompey team-mate,
recruited me as a player/coach to help develop the first team at top-flight
side IBV. I cannot deny that the invitation was bizarre. Hermann called me
out of the blue and said only, "You will come and join me in Iceland."
Intrigued, I went over to have a look.

I liked what I saw. An opportunity to keep playing first-team football, and
perhaps creep a little closer still to that elusive 1,000 games mark, but
above all a chance to expand my coaching CV in a meaningful environment
where the results actually count. With Eddie Howe having made it clear that
my future did not lie with Bournemouth - I could stay on and train but I
would not be playing - rather than hang around in the gym like a piece of
dead wood it made sense to take up Hermann's offer and begin a new chapter.
We'll be fighting for a place in the Europa League this season, as well as
trying to win the league - which runs May to September - and that's a level
of experience I'm not sure I would be offered in England at the moment.

I've yet to eat puffin (a local delicacy, apparently) but the country's
scenery is absolutely stunning and I'm looking forward to getting to know
the football, culture and people here. I'm excited about the challenge that
lies ahead. Play up IBV!

David James has donated his fee for this column to charity. Follow him on
Twitter @jamosfoundation

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

http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 8th April 2013

'It's a great point!'
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce was proud to see his West Ham United side earn a deserved 0-0
draw at Liverpool on Sunday
07.04.2013

Sam Allardyce said his West Ham United side had been unfortunate not end the
club's 50-year winless run at Liverpool on Sunday. The Hammers produced a
resilient display to earn a deserved goalless draw at Anfield and, having
stifled Brendan Rodgers' team with their organisation, concentration and
tenacity, came within inches of stealing all three points. James Collins and
the returning James Tomkins led the way with outstanding displays in central
defence, but all eleven starters and three substitutes played their part.
Indeed, only a dramatic goal-line clearance from Reds midfielder Lucas
denied one of those Hammers substitutes, Jack Collison, a late headed
winner. "It should have been our first win at Anfield in 50 years ,
shouldn't it?" said manager Sam Allardyce. "As delighted as we are for the
West Ham fans travelling back home thinking 'What a great point that is' -
and it is a great point - the disappointing thing is that we know we should
have won it with the chances we had. "Because the chances were clear-cut
compared to Liverpool's chances, that's why I'm disappointed we didn't win.
That said, I'm delighted with our outstanding performance, particularly the
defenders keeping Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Steven Gerrard and all
those people quiet. "We didn't given them opportunities to score and that's
why it was a really good performance."

West Ham's point was built on a game-plan that saw them adopt a compact
formation that afforded Rodgers' pass-first team little space either in
front or behind the Hammers' back four. With Gary O'Neil and Mohamed Diame
providing a shield in front of the defence, wingers Matt Jarvis and Ricardo
Vaz Te providing an outlet and Kevin Nolan and Carlton Cole holding the ball
up whenever possible, the visitors frustrated Liverpool and their
supporters.
When the Reds did get in behind, it was largely through fortunate ricochets,
while Jarvis caused Glen Johnson and Jamie Carragher huge problems with his
pace and ability to cross with both feet. In the first half, both Cole and
Nolan headed deliveries from the Barclays Premier League's top crosser
narrowly off-target, while another direct run after the break saw a
goalbound Matt Taylor shot blocked. "I always said Liverpool will throw
players forward - even their full-backs who they almost use as wingers. So,
if you win the ball back and don't waste it and pass it correctly, you can
get from one end of the pitch to the other pretty quickly and be running at
Liverpool's back two defenders Carragher and [Daniel] Agger. "We did that
several times and we had two headers at goal in the first half and Carlton
Cole had the ball passed to him in their box and it ended up being blocked
by a defender. That was a great, great chance for us.
"We had the header at the end from Jack Collison, which was a great header
that was cleared off the line, and just before that James Tomkins was kicked
in the back of the leg by Jose Enrique but the ref didn't give us the
penalty. "Like I said, no matter how much possession Liverpool had, we
created better chances than them and I've got to be satisfied, which I am."

Big Sam was particularly delighted with the way his defenders dealt with the
threat of Uruguay forward Suarez, who has terrorised defenders with his
movement and skill all season long. "It was terrific defending against one
of the trickiest players in the Barclays Premier League and one of the
trickiest players in the world - and he has proven that with his goal record
this season. "They had a couple of shots that flashed wide of the post but I
thought the defending from James Collins and James Tomkins was outstanding
."

While his side are 12th in the table ahead of next Saturday's trip to
eleventh-place Southampton - a side they pulled level with on 37 points
following Sunday's draw - Big Sam says his team need to keep producing the
goods and picking up positive results over the closing six weeks of the
season. A win at St Mary's, of course, would take West Ham to 40 points -
the commonly-considered benchmark for Barclays Premier League safety. "It's
a big point. At the end of the day, the magic 40 points is what we are
looking for because some of the teams below us have put unusual winning runs
together - Wigan have been doing it for the last two or three years and they
have put three wins together in four games. "Southampton have put three wins
together, too, which is unusual this time of year, so this was a big point
for us."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Resolute Hammers make their point
WHUFC.com
West Ham United secured a fine point at Liverpool in the Barclays Premier
League on Sunday
07.04.2013

West Ham United ground out a goalless draw at Liverpool on Sunday afternoon
to edge ever-closer to the 40 point mark. The Hammers travelled to
Merseyside looking for a first Anfield victory in half-a-century, and
although they were not able to achieve that, they would be satisfied with an
excellent draw.
Sam Allardyce's men defended admirably to frustrate their hosts, and they
may even have claimed maximum points late on when Jack Collison's header was
cleared off the line by Lucas. Whenever the Reds did manage to break through
an outstanding Hammers backline, Jussi Jaaskelainen was there to stand in
their way as the Hammers registered their first goalless draw of 2013.
Liverpool's Phillipe Coutinho made a lively start to the game, going close
with seven minutes on the clock when, fronted up by James Collins, he
shifted the ball onto his right foot and forced a smart low save from
Jaaskelainen with a shot from 25 yards. West Ham's first threat came from
Mohamed Diame, who collected possession in space on halfway with 19 minutes
on the clock, carried the ball forward 20 yards and let fly with a
left-footed drive that was always rising over the top. Diame went closer six
minutes later with an opportunity he created brilliantly by himself. There
did not appear to be much on when Gary O'Neil fed him the ball by the corner
flag, but he tricked his way past two defenders before proving too elusive
for Steven Gearrard and Stewart Downing inside the area, although his
eventual shot whistled inches over the crossbar. The Hammers were doing a
good job of keeping Luis Suarez's involvement to a minimum, although with 27
minutes on the clock he did combine neatly with Coutinho near the by-line to
get a shot away which Jaaskelainen needed to save with his legs. Liverpool
looked comfortable in possession and were seeing more of the ball, but West
Ham still carried a threat and they had a chance handed to them on a plate
five minutes later when Lucas was caught as the hosts tried to play out from
a goal kick. Carlton Cole had the opportunity, but Daniel Agger got across
to block. The hosts looked to up their intensity at the start of the second
period and Steven Gerrard was heavily involved in their attacking play,
bursting down the right flank on 53 minutes to deliver a dangerous low cross
which Diame touched behind with Sturridge lurking, then bringing a goalline
block from James Tomkins two minutes later. Suarez showed a glimpse of his
considerable talents when losing the attentions of Matt Jarvis and James
Tomkins with a deft drop of the shoulder before drilling a low cross-shot
that fizzed across the face of goal and only just missed the far post.
Coutinho was next to go close, with an angled shot which brushed Guy Demel
and flashed across Jaaskelainen's goal on 68 minutes. 12 minutes from time
Sturridge found space to try his luck from the edge of the box, but
Jaaskelainen held on as Gerrard looked to pounce on any scraps At the other
end the Hammers so nearly nicked it when Collison rose to meet Gary O'Neil's
left wing corner. The Welshman's header beat Jose Reina, but not Lucas who
was stationed on the line to block and the visitors had to be content with a
hard-fought point.

Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Enrique; Gerrard, Lucas,
Henderson (Assaidi 71); Downing (Sturridge 25), Suarez, Coutinho
Subs: Jones (GK), Coates, Suso, Shelvey, Skrtel

West Ham United: Jaaskelainen; Demel, Collins, Tomkins (Pogatetz 83),
O'Brien; Vaz Te (Collison 63), Diame, O'Neil, Nolan (Taylor 63), Jarvis;
C.Cole
Subs: Henderson (GK), Maiga, Chamakh, Potts
Booked: O'Brien

Referee: Anthony Taylor
Attendance: 45,007

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Liverpool 0 West Ham 0
7 April 2013
Last updated at 17:16
By Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Anfield

Liverpool and West Ham fought out a largely disappointing goalless draw
which damages the home team's European ambitions but eased relegation
concerns for their opponents. The Hammers were denied their first win at
Anfield for 50 years when Lucas Leiva cleared Jack Collison's late header
off the line.
Luis Suarez was marshalled expertly by West Ham defender James Collins,
although the Uruguay forward did force an injury-time save from Jussi
Jaaskelainen at the goalkeeper's near post with a low shot. The draw leaves
Liverpool in seventh, three points behind local rivals Everton having played
an extra match, while West Ham are now seven points clear of the relegation
zone. It also brings the east London side to within a point of the 38-point
target manager Sam Allardyce has set before he signs a new contract with the
Upton Park club. The central-defensive pairing of Collins and James Tomkins
were crucial to securing their side's clean sheet, as Allardyce earned a
first point in his last nine games against the Reds. The match had been
preceded by a minute's silence in the last game at Anfield before the 24th
anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster on 15 April. When the action got
under way, Liverpool had the majority of possession and looked the more
threatening going forward, without creating any clear-cut chances.

"West Ham have got a precious point in their bid to secure survival but
Liverpool have dropped points in their challenge for a European place. A
deserved draw for Hammers boss Sam Allardyce's side and a frustrating result
for Reds counterpart Brendan Rodgers." And it was the visitors who went
close to taking the lead when midfielder Mohamed Diame, showing sparks of
his quality, beat four Liverpool defenders inside the box before hammering a
strike over the bar.
Liverpool's frustrations increased when Daniel Sturridge, who replaced
Stewart Downing midway through the first half, saw his shot on the turn
saved at the far post on the stroke of half-time. After the break, the
Merseysiders increased the pressure but the visitors held firm, Tomkins
blocking a goal-bound Steven Gerrard effort just in front of the line. The
home side did have the ball in the net when Sturridge turned in Jordan
Henderson's shot only for the goal to be disallowed for offside. West Ham
thought they should have had a penalty for a Jose Enrique tackle on Tomkins,
who then might have conceded a spot-kick himself for a challenge on Gerrard.
As Liverpool continued to struggle to find a way through the visitors, West
Ham almost stole the three points late on but Lucas cleared Collison's
header off the goal-line.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers: "The effort the players put in was very
good. We just needed a bit of luck to go our way. I'm disappointed Daniel
Sturridge's goal was disallowed for offside as I thought it was onside. "You
have to give West Ham credit as they defended very well. I never for one
moment thought they were going to win it. They got in some great blocks and
are an honest group of players that put their bodies on the line but only
one team tried to win it and that was us, but we couldn't put the ball in
the back of the net."

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce: "I am content, even though we should have
won the game. We nullified Liverpool's strengths and created the better
chances to score. I'm delighted. It's only our finishing that has cost us
the three points. "Jose Enrique kicked James Tomkins when we should have had
a penalty but I am satisfied with the performance and result. We know we've
created better chances than Liverpool, even though they had more possession.
"James Collins and James Tomkins were outstanding. It's a big point. We are
ever closer to the magic 40."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Liverpool's Rodgers thanks travelling fans
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 7th April 2013
By: Staff Writer

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has hailed West Ham's supporters for the
manner in which they observed today's minute's silence for the 96 Liverpool
supporters who died at Hillsborough. 24 years ago this week, Liverpool's FA
Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest ended in tragedy after 96 football
fans lost their lives. The travelling Hammers fans were tonight praised by
the Liverpool boss, who admitted that "you could have heard a pin drop"
during the silence. "I'd like to say 'well done' and congratulations to the
West Ham fans because I thought it was a brilliant response, " he said.
"Sometimes in this modern world and society you get a lot of ignorance and
that was a real mark of respect. "You know what you'll get from the
Liverpool supporters, but big applause to West Ham supporters because it was
a great show of respect."

However Rodgers, whose side were held to a 0-0 draw by Sam Allardyce's side
at Anfield this afternoon was far less happy about dropping points in a game
which one suspects he viewed as a home banker. And he insisted that Daniel
Sturridge's second half effort which was ruled out should have stood -
whilst Steven Gerrard was unlucky not to have been given a penalty. "We're
disappointed with the goal that was given offside because it was clearly
onside, " he moaned - whilst on Gerrard's claim for a spot kick, he added:
"It looked it [at the time], but I've looked at it again and it's one of
those where young James is fortunate to get a touch on the ball. "He's got
contact on the ball and brought Steven down at the same time. Sometimes you
get them and sometimes you don't. "But you've got to give credit to West Ham
- they defended very well. Obviously they came here and put numbers behind
the ball and it's up to you to break that down. We just couldn't quite
manage that."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Liverpool 0-0 West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 7th April 2013
By: Staff Writer

West Ham came within the width of a goal line from recording their first
victory at Anfield since 1963. Jack Collison's 86th-minute header had beaten
Liverpool 'keeper Pepe Reina and was about to end one of football's most
unwanted records, until a desperate swing by Liverpool defender Lucas
cleared the ball from underneath the crossbar. With that went United's hopes
of cementing their first win on the red side of Stanley Park in 50 years -
although Sam Allardyce and his team were at least able to enjoy a share of
the spoils at a ground where both points and goals have been hard to come by
over the years.

Allardyce, whose team held a high line defensively for much of the match and
showed a modicum of attacking intent - unlike in some away games this season
- more than matched a Liverpool team who were a mere shadow of some of the
wonderful sides to have graced Anfield over the years.

Only Player of the Year-contender Luis Suarez and recent arrival Coutinho
proved any real threat to West Ham, who have now played 40 times at Anfield
since last tasting success.

But the Liverpool duo were more than matched by United's central defender
James Collins, who was once again imperious in defence and limited the
dangerous Uruguayan to a couple of half chances.

West Ham, playing with a freedom afforded them by last week's win against
West Brom which all but killed off the spectre of relegation - but missing
key players like Winston Reid, Joe Cole and Andy Carroll - started today's
game positively and continued in a similar frame of mind throughout.

It was Allardyce's side who created the best opportunity of the opening half
when Mo Diame - playing with the same verve and tenacity that won him the
Man of the Match award in the corresponding fixture earlier in the season -
weaved his way through four Liverpool players before firing wildly over from
just eight yards, with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Liverpool's response was a well-crafted move on the right between Coutinho
and Suarez which left the latter odds-on to score but Jussi Jaaskelainen,
continuing his recent good form, saved smartly at his near post.

After the break, clear goalscoring opportunities continued to be a rarity
although Liverpool will perhaps feel they had the upper edge. Steven
Gerrard, the bane of West Ham for many a year burst into the box minutes
after the restart but his low cross was thumped clear.

James Tomkins, stationed underneath the crossbar was called into action on
55 minutes when he was on hand to avert Gerrard's goalbound effort. And on
the hour mark, Suarez's low delivery was just asking for the finishing touch
to be applied but agonisingly - for the home fans, anyway - it trickled away
to safety.

West Ham were then denied what appeared to be a fairly obvious penalty on 63
minutes when James Tomkins was kicked in the thigh from behind. Referee
Anthony Taylor - who was responsible for Carlton Cole's ludicrous red card
against Everton in December - was well positioned and waved play on, but it
was one of those that would have almost certainly been given anywhere else
on the pitch.

The home side did eventually find the back of the net on 66 minutes but
substitute Daniel Sturridge - who was otherwise anonymous - saw his effort
(rightly) chalked off, as he was standing in an offside position when
receiving the ball.

Four minutes later Steven Gerrard reverted to type by going down inside the
box following a challenge from Tomkins, but referee Taylor was having none
of it. He may also have noticed that Tomkins touched the ball before
connecting with Gerrard.

That was about it as far as the home side were concerned as an attacking
force, but West Ham were not content to sit back and take a point. Sub Matt
Taylor saw a shot blocked following an excellent move - before being booked
for time-wasting - but the final chance of glory, the opportunity to finally
end 50 years of hurt was left to fellow sub, Jack Collison.

With just four minutes of normal time remaining, Matt Jarvis' corner was
floated towards the far post. Collison emerged from amongst a group of
players to connect firmly with Jarvis' cross and send it goalbound. Reina
was well beaten - but Brazilian defender Lucas wasn't, and he hooked the
ball away from danger.

The Welsh midfielder now joins an exclusive club of Hammers who have spurned
glorious chances to end West Ham's miserable run at Anfield. Gavin Holligan,
Craig Bellamy and Luis Boa Morte have all been there before - but 50 years
since Martin Peters and Geoff Hurst set up a 2-1 win, West Ham still remain
winless at Anfield.

The points keeps West Ham in 12th spot in the Premier League, level on
points with 11th-placed Southampton but with a game in hand.


Liverpool 0-0 West Ham United: match facts

West Ham Utd: Jaaskelainen, Demel, O'Brien, Tomkins (Pogatetz 83), Collins,
Diame, O'Neil, Nolan (Taylor 62), Jarvis, Vaz Te (Collison 63), C.Cole.
Subs not Used: S Henderson, Potts, Maiga, Chamakh.
Booked: Taylor (85).
Shots On/Off Target: 4/6.

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Enrique, Carragher, Agger, J Henderson (Assaidi
75), Lucas, Gerrard (c), Coutinho, Downing (Sturridge 25), Suarez.
Subs not Used: Jones, Coates, Shelvey, Skrtel, Suso

Shots On/Off Target: 12/7.
Possession (%): Liverpool 57-43 West Ham Utd
Corners: Liverpool 12-2 West Ham Utd
Fouls: Liverpool 8-4 West Ham Utd

Referee: Anthony Taylor.
Attendance: 45,007.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tomkins fears allayed
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 7th April 2013
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce has revealed that James Tomkins is not an injury concern
despite being taken off towards the end of today's goalless draw with
Liverpool.
The centre-half was back in the starting XI as a replacement for the crocked
Winston Reid and had performed ably before pulling up in the 83rd minute.
However any fears over Tomkins' situation were dismissed by Allardyce
tonight. "It was a touch of cramp. He couldn't relieve the tightness in the
calf," he told the BBC. "We felt that if we'd put him back on he might have
damaged the calf muscle which we didn't want, because we've already lost
Winston Reid with a thigh strain. We don't particularly want any more
injuries to our defenders."

Both Tomkins and defensive partner James Collins were Man of the Match
contenders in today's match, as West Ham held Liverpool to a 0-0 draw.
Allardyce was understandably effusive in his praise of both. "[James
Collins] and James Tomkins were outstanding today. If you look at how many
time's Jussi had to save the ball - which was very few today - it measures
what they've done in front of him," he said. "They nullified Liverpool's
front three - and Sturridge who came on - which was a big ask for us today
but everybody - and particularly the defence - defended very well indeed."

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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce wants to know budget before signing new deal
Last Updated: April 7, 2013 10:58am
SSN

West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce wants to know how much he can spend in
the summer before signing a new contract. Allardyce has been in talks over a
new deal at Upton Park and has been happy to wait until the Hammers' Premier
League survival has been confirmed before finalising the deal. He is willing
to commit to the club for the next three years, but also wants to be certain
of his transfer budget before putting pen to paper. "I'm not going to sign a
contract and then find out what my budget is," Allardyce told the Sunday
People. "I'm going to see what my budget looks like first. "To be fair to
co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan, they have never let me down yet.
They have always stumped up exactly what they could and I think we have
spent wisely this season."

"To be fair to co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan, they have never let
me down yet. They have always stumped up exactly what they could and I think
we have spent wisely this season." He added: "I won't sign until we are
totally safe and we aren't there yet. "There's no point signing now and then
finding you don't get those points you need and the worst comes to the
worst. "So the finer detail is something that still needs to be agreed, but
overall I don't envisage any problems cropping up. I'm happy to commit to
2016 and, who knows, hopefully I'll be around to take the club into the new
Olympic Stadium at Stratford."

Allardyce is keen to conclude a permanent deal for on-loan Liverpool striker
Andy Carroll, but he is not planning a major overhaul of his West Ham squad.
"Hopefully we won't be too busy in the transfer market," he continued . "We
won't be having the kind of player changes that we had in the first year or
so.
"I'm going to do a full inventory of what the ins and outs have been over
the last two years. I think I will be touching about 40 out and about 30 odd
in and you can't keep doing that. "I'm hoping only three or four out and
maybe five in before next season, and that will make it a fantastic summer
for me."

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West Ham manager Sam Allardyce delighted by draw at Liverpool
Last Updated: April 7, 2013 8:03pm
SSN

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce was "absolutely delighted" with a hard-fought
0-0 draw at Liverpool on Sunday. The Hammers defended resolutely at Anfield
and restricted Liverpool's opportunities, even going close to snatching all
three points late on when Jack Collison saw a header cleared off the line.
Allardyce was pleased with the gutsy performance of his players and even
felt they might have done enough to nick all three points. "It was very,
very good indeed," he told Sky Sports. "I think when you frustrate the
opposition and you keep the Anfield crowd quiet then you know your team is
doing something right.
"And then when you take your possession, which is obviously going to be
limited against Liverpool, and create as much as we did today too. "I am
absolutely delighted with the point but also a little disappointed we didn't
win this game today given the clear-cut chances that fell to us and not to
Liverpool."

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Liverpool 0 West Ham 0
The Sun
By PHIL THOMAS
Last Updated: 08th April 2013

PERHAPS we should have realised from events 24 hours earlier there is no
such thing as a certainty on Merseyside. After a day ripping betting slips
at Aintree on Saturday, another red-hot favourite failed to deliver at
Anfield. West Ham heading home with a point may not rank alongside 66-1 shot
Auroras Encore winning Grand National glory. But given the Hammers' woeful
record here, in footballing terms it was not far short. After all, they had
not won here since 1963, not even scored on their last four visits - and
only six in the previous 27. No team in any of the four divisions had scored
fewer than the Hammers' nine on the road this term while Liverpool had
blasted 20 in their previous six at home. So all in all it should have been
straight forward, surely. Just like it should have been for all those
hotly-fancied nags at Aintree over the past three days. Well we all know
what happened there, don't we? And although both Brendan Rodgers and Sam
Allardyce reckoned their respective sides should have left with all three,
neither did enough to merit it. If it came down to clear-cut chances you
would have to give it to the Hammers. If it went on possession and pressing,
Reds shaded it. But the fact neither keeper had to perform heroics says
everything. Yes, the Reds could have a case for claiming Daniel Sturridge's
point-blank shot should have stood, as the England ace was just onside.

Yet then again, Luis Suarez used a hand in the build-up to that 65th-minute
effort - so ref Anthony Taylor did get it right, albeit unwittingly. On
another day, West Ham could well have been given a spot kick when James
Tomkins went tumbling as he reached a bouncing ball before Jose Enrique
caught him with a lunging leg. Liverpool had a claim of their own when
Steven Gerrard went over Tomkins' raised leg. Yet the West Ham centre-back
had nicked the ball first, so the official got that one correct, too.

In all honesty it would have been harsh on Tomkins, as well, after an
outstanding defensive display from both him and partner James Collins, who
kept Suarez as quiet as anyone has all season. Not that there was a great
deal to get too excited about from the rest of them in Red either.
Admittedly, Jussi Jaaskelainen had to go full stretch a couple of times to
deny the lively Philippe Coutinho and block Sturridge. But they were both
saves the West Ham keeper would have expected to make, while Collins threw
himself in front of everything else to make sure the ball never even reached
the target the rest of the time. And on the one occasion when Liverpool did
find a way past Jaaskelainen - Gerrard's side-footed strike 10 minutes after
the break - Tomkins blocked. That was as close as it got for the Reds.

West Ham could point to more clear-cut chances - even if the finishes were
hardly the best examples of how to keep a cool head in front of goal.
Mohamed Diame had no right to shimmy and steamroller his way from the right
wing to in front of Pepe Reina's goal. But after doing all the hard work,
his thunderbolt strike flew well over. At least Carlton Cole's drive was on
target. Yet his rocket struck Daniel Agger in the midriff and flew past
Kevin Nolan too quickly.
Lucas was the Reds' hero four minutes from time, as Jack Collison's header
beat Reina only for the Brazilian to save the day on the line.

STAR MAN - JAMES COLLINS (West Ham)
LIVERPOOL: Reina 6, Johnson 6, Carragher 6, Agger 7, Enrique 6, Henderson 5
(Assaidi 5), Lucas 6, Gerrard 7, Downing 5 (Sturridge 6), Coutinho 6, Suarez
6. Subs not used: Jones, Coates, Suso, Shelvey, Skrtel.
WEST HAM: Jaaskelainen 7, Demel 7, Tomkins 8 (Pogatez 5), Collins 8, O'Brien
6, O'Neil 6, Vaz Te 5 (Collinson 6), Diame 7, Nolan 6 (Taylor 6), Jarvis 6,
Cole 5. Subs not used: Henderson, Maiga, Chamakh, Potts. Booked: O'Brien.
REF: A Taylor 7

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Big Sam left gutted by draw at Anfield
By STEVE LILLIS
Last Updated: 08th April 2013
The Sun

SAM ALLARDYCE left Anfield frustrated despite a priceless point that leaves
West Ham on the brink of safety. After the goalless draw West Ham's boss
taunted Liverpool, claiming: "We should've won." Jack Collison's header was
cleared off the line and should have been awarded a penalty after Jose
Enrique kicked him. Allardyce said: "Liverpool had the most possession but
we had better chances and are disappointed not to have won. "When you
frustrate Liverpool like we did and keep Anfield quiet, you know you're
doing your job right. "Most of the fans expected Liverpool to walk away with
it but we made it difficult for them and never succumbed to the pressure."

ALLARDYCE says he is happy with clean sheet and point, but wanted to take
all three after creating chances West Ham's back four were outstanding and
Big Sam said: "James Collins and James Tomkins were good. "That was the best
we have defended all season away.." Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said:
"You have to give credit to West Ham. They defended very well. "It was one
of those games where you need to score early to open it up or need that wee
bit of luck to get the goal."

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