Hull City match preview
WHUFC.com
All the essential background information ahead of Saturday's trip to the KC Stadium
27.09.2013
HULL CITY v WEST HAM UNITED
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2013
KICK-OFF: 3PM
REFEREE: KEVIN FRIEND
Hull City v West Ham United
Introduction
• West Ham United travel to the KC Stadium on Saturday looking to extend their unbeaten away run to three Barclays Premier League matches following goalless draws at Newcastle United and Southampton.
• West Ham are the only team in the Barclays Premier League not to have conceded a goal on their travels this season.
• The Hammers are without a win since the opening day of the season in the league but will be boosted by a 3-2 win over Cardiff City in the Capital One Cup third round on Tuesday night.
• West Ham are unbeaten in their last five matches against the Tigers stretching back to January 2009. The Hammers won 2-1 on their most-recent visit to the KC Stadium in November 2011.
• West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is also without defeat in his last five matches against Hull - three with Blackburn and two with the Hammers.
• Following Hull's promotion to the Barclays Premier League last season, Steve Bruce's side have picked up seven points from five games, leaving them eleventh in the table. A 3-2 win away at Newcastle last Saturday followed a 1-1 draw with Cardiff in their most-recent home fixture.
• The Tigers also progressed in the Capital One Cup this week, defeating Huddersfield Town 1-0 to set-up a fourth round trip to Tottenham Hotspur next month.
Team News
West Ham United
• Midfielder Mark Noble is available again after serving a one-match ban for being sent-off in last weekend's home defeat by Everton.
• The fit-again winger Stewart Downing returns to the squad after recovering from the dead leg he suffered against Stoke City on 31 August.
• Right-back Guy Demel is also available again after missing the home games with Everton and Cardiff with a thigh problem.
• Joe Cole (hamstring) will not be risked, while Andy Carroll (foot) is continuing his rehabilitation. Alou Diarra (knee) also remains sidelined.
• Jordan Spence is on loan at Championship club Sheffield Wednesday.
Hull City
• Centre-back James Chester has been ruled out for eight weeks with a pulled hamstring. His place is set to go to former West Ham defender Abdoulaye Faye.
• Tigers captain Robert Koren is also definitely out with an ankle problem.
• Steve Bruce could recall left-back Maynor Figueroa after the Honduras international was granted compassionate leave.
• Republic of Ireland international defender Paul McShane will hope to feature following a hamstring injury.
• Mark Oxley (Oldham Athletic), Conor Townsend (Carlisle United), Jack Hobbs (Nottingham Forest), Cameron Stewart (Charlton Athletic), Matty Fryatt (Sheffield Wednesday) and Tom Cairney (Blackburn Rovers) are all out on loan.
Background
• The first-ever meeting between West Ham United and Hull City took place at Anlaby Road on 17 April 1920. Dan Bailey scored the Hammers' goal in a 1-1 Division Two draw played out in front of 8,000 spectators.
• The largest crowd to witness a Hull City versus West Ham United fixture is the 35,964 who turned out at Boothferry Park to watch the Tigers defeat the Hammers 1-0 in Division Two on 25 August 1952.
• West Ham United have recorded four victories in 20 visits to Hull City in all competitions and have never won by more than a one-goal margin on Tigers territory. The Hammers have won 3-2 twice at Hull - in the FA Cup first round in January 1923 and in Division Two in March 1936.
• Hull City's biggest-ever home win over West Ham United took place on 17 September 1934, when the Tigers ran out 4-0 Division Two winners at Anlaby Road in front of a crowd of just 5,000.
• West Ham United's biggest away win over Hull City came on 5 November 2011 in an npower Championship match. The Hammers ran out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Sam Baldock and Jack Collison.
• Eleven players have made their West Ham United debuts against Hull City - Jim Simmons (August 1920), Albert Foan and Eric Betts (both August 1950), George Wright, Doug Bing and Bert Hawkins (all September 1951), George Petchey (September 1952), Paul Kelly (January 1990), Matthew Rush (October 1990), Iain Dowie (March 1991) and Savio Nsereko (January 2009). Danny Shea also made his second Hammers 'debut' alongside Simmons in August 1920.
• The following players have worn the colours of both West Ham United and Hull City during their careers - Tommy Brandon, Jimmy Bullard, Roy Carroll, Alf Fenwick, Richard Garcia, Cliff Hubbard, Mark Noble, Stuart Pearson, Abdoulaye Faye and Tony Weldon.
• Mark Noble spent three months on loan at Hull between February and May 2006, making five Championship appearances.
• Hull full-back Liam Rosenior is the son of former West Ham United striker Leroy Rosenior.
Last time out
West Ham United 3-2 Cardiff City
Capital One Cup third round
Tuesday 24 September 2013
West Ham United: Adrian, Chambers, Collins, Tomkins, McCartney (Rat 82), Collison, Taylor, Morrison (Diame 58), Vaz Te, Jarvis, Maiga (Petric 46)
Subs not used: Henderson, Ruddock, Moncur, Nolan
Goals: Morrison 1, Jarvis 8, Vaz Te 88
Hull City 1-0 Huddersfield Town
Capital One Cup third round
Tuesday 24 September 2013
Hull City: Harper, Rosenior, Bruce, Dudgeon, Faye, Meyler, Boyd, Quinn (Henderson 74), Fryatt (Gedo 68), Sagbo, Proschwitz
Subs not used: Jakupovic, Davies, Huddlestone, Livermore, Elmohamady
Goals: Proschwitz 59
Previous meeting
West Ham United welcomed Hull City to the Boleyn Ground for the final game of the 2011/12 Championship season. The Hammers knew they had to win to have any chance of gaining automatic promotion, but Southampton's 4-0 home win over relegated Coventry City meant Carlton Cole's brace was in vain. Corry Evans scored a late consolation for the Tigers in front of a capacity 35,000 crowd.
West Ham United 2-1 Hull City
npower Championship
28 April 2012
West Ham United: Green, Demel, Reid, Tomkins, Taylor, O'Neil, Noble, Nolan (McCartney 74), Lansbury, Cole (Baldock 52), Vaz Te (Maynard 60)
Subs not used: Collison, Faubert
Booked: Nolan
Goals: Cole 36, 49
Hull City: Mannone, Rosenior, Chester, Cooper, Dawson, Cairney (Brady 73), McKenna, Evans, Garcia, Fryatt, King (Stewart 46)
Subs not used: Oxley, Bradley, Cullen
Goals: Evans 81
Head to head
Last six meetings
28 April 2012 West Ham United 2-1 Hull City (Championship)
5 November 2011 Hull City 0-2 West Ham United (Championship)
20 February 2010 West Ham United 3-0 Hull City (Premier League)
21 November 2009 Hull City 3-3 West Ham United (Premier League)
28 January 2009 West Ham United 2-0 Hull City (Premier League)
19 October 2008 Hull City 1-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
Overall record v Hull City (all competitions) W 17 D 14 L 10
Ten-year records
West Ham United
2012/13 Premier League 10th
2011/12 Championship 3rd (promoted to Premier League via Play-Offs)
2010/11 Premier League 20th (relegated to Championship)
2009/10 Premier League 17th
2008/09 Premier League 9th
2007/08 Premier League 10th
2006/07 Premier League 15th
2005/06 Premier League 9th
2004/05 Championship 6th (promoted to Premier League via Play-Offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th
Hull City
2012/13 Championship 2nd (promoted to Premier League)
2011/12 Championship 8th
2010/11 Championship 11th
2009/10 Premier League 19th (relegated to Championship)
2008/09 Premier League 17th
2007/08 Championship 3rd (promoted to Premier League via Play-Offs)
2006/07 Championship 21st
2005/06 Championship 18th
2004/05 League One 2nd (promoted to Championship)
2003/04 Division Three 2nd (promoted to League One)
Referee
• Saturday's referee will be Kevin Friend.
• A member of the Select Group of Premier League officials, Friend took charge of the 2012 FA Community Shield between Chelsea and Manchester City.
• Friend started refereeing at the age of 13.
• He began officiating in the Leicestershire Senior League and Midland Football Alliance before being promoted to the National List of Assistant Referees in 2000 and the National List of Referees in 2003.
• He was promoted to the Select Group ahead of the 2009/10 season and took charge of his first Premier League fixture on 20 September 2009, with Wolverhampton Wanderers beating Fulham 2-1.
• Friend did not referee West Ham at all in the Barclays Premier League last season and was last in the middle for a league match involving West Ham during the 2011/12 season.
• Friend was also in charge for the SBOBET Cup victory over Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna in August 2010 and the pre-season visit of Portuguese side Pacos de Ferreira last month.
General information
• West Ham fans have until 3pm to secure their seats for this All-Ticket fixture. For full details of how to buy tickets, click here.
• Saturday's weather forecast is for a sunny day on Humberside, with a maximum daytime temperature of 16C (61F).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tactically speaking - Hull City
WHUFC.com
A tactical look at West Ham United's Barclays Premier League trip to Hull City on Saturday afternoon
27.09.2013
Tactically Speaking
The Official Website takes an in-depth look at how Hull City could line up on Saturday, while also focusing on Mark Noble's influential role in the West Ham United side.
West Ham United
With a Barclays Premier League trip to Hull City looming on Saturday, WhoScored.com have been analysing the stats to determine which player can swing the game in West Ham United's favour at the KC Stadium.
After an impressive victory over Cardiff City in the Capital One Cup third round, confidence is certainly high in the Hammers camp, perhaps more so as West Ham won without fans' favourite Mark Noble. The midfielder missed Tuesday night's 3-2 victory through suspension, but could return to the Hammers midfield at the weekend.
With an average WhoScored.com rating of 7.24 this season - only centre-back pairing Winston Reid (7.39) and James Collins (7.25) have scored higher - Noble's impact has been clear for all to see.
Offering the creativity in the middle of the park has seen the 26-year-old play nine key passes in the opening five Barclays Premier League games of the season - the most of every West Ham player - with that figure just 5 behind Eden Hazard (14), who leads the Premier League for key passes this term.
Noble's creativity from deep is an evident facet of his game that will benefit the club and his team-mates. The Englishman is averaging 47.6 passes per game - the most of every West Ham player.
Ensuring that the fluidity of the team pressing forward is not disrupted, Noble's contribution when in possession will improve the attacking threat of West Ham in the quest to land three points against Hull. However, while this aspect of his game is essential to Sam Allardyce's side, without the ball he is more than capable of disrupting the flow of the opposition.
Winning possession in the midfield third of the pitch on 23 occasions, he has done so more times than any other West Ham player, thereby limiting the opposition's chances of breaking through.
Moreover, Noble is averaging 2.2 interceptions per game, also the most of any player in Allardyce's team. Evidently, his defensive contribution is just as important as his offensive contribution, with his determination to win the ball back and recycle possession an aspect that is mightily important to the good of the team.
West Ham have won four of their last five league meetings with Hull, including a dominating West Ham performance the last time the teams met in the Barclays Premier League at the Boleyn Ground in February 2010. The Hammers secured a 3-0 win, attained 57 per cent possession over the 90 minutes and were in the ascendency throughout.
Moreover, having netted 12 goals in those five games and conceded just four, West Ham will believe that they can secure victory against Steve Bruce's side and if they are to land the three points, it's Noble that will play a pivotal role in the heart of the midfield for the Hammers.
*WhoScored.com is a website and one of the fastest growing in the sports industry, specialising in the in-depth analysis of detailed football data. Follow @WhoScored on Twitter.
Hull City
Probable starting XI
McGregor
Elmohamady Faye Davies Figueroa
Quinn Huddlestone Livermore Brady
Aluko Graham
Hull City achieved one of their best-ever Barclays Premier League results last Saturday, winning 3-2 at Newcastle United after twice going ahead and being pegged back by the hosts. A midweek 1-0 Capital One Cup victory over Championship side Huddersfield Town at the KC Stadium will have done nothing to dampen the spirits of Steve Bruce and his squad. Tactically, Hull employ a 4-4-2 formation, with two flat banks of four behind deep-lying forward Sone Aluko and central striker Danny Graham. Like many Barclays Premier League sides, Hull like to mix up their style of play, passing patiently or playing in a more direct style when the need arises. They can also rely on a bit of individual brilliance from certain players to open up opposition defences. Starting in goal, Scotland international Allan McGregor is an experienced stopper. When in possession, the 31-year-old will either roll the ball to his centre-backs or look for Graham and left-winger Robbie Brady with long clearances. In front of him, Hull do try to play the ball out from the back, but they will not be afraid to mix it up with long balls forward, particularly when put under pressure by West Ham's forwards.
Right-back Ahmed Elmohamady is a forward-thinking player who is not afraid to try to create chances with crosses or to run with the ball at his feet. Always involved in the game, the Egyptian has completed 275 passes in five matches at an average of 55 per game - the highest of any Hull player by some distance. He has also put in more crosses than any other Hull player.
Left-back Maynor Figueroa, who could return to the side following a period of compassionate leave, is also attack-minded and does not mind letting fly from long-range. If he is not available, right-footed Liam Rosenior - son of former Hammers striker Leroy - will deputise.
In the centre, Hull will be without James Chester has been ruled out for eight weeks after suffering a pulled hamstring. His place will go to either former Hammer Abdoulaye Faye or Alex Bruce.
Whoever plays, he and partner Curtis Davies are more likely to sit deeper than to aggressively try to win balls from West Ham's forwards, especially when they drop deep to receive the ball. Hull's defensive set-up is focused on not letting the opposition get in behind them. Between them, Chester and Davies had made 93 clearances, made 22 interceptions and blocked 13 shots in the Tigers' opening five league matches.
The flat four in midfield sees Hull play with two out-and-out wingers in Brady and Stephen Quinn. On the left, Irishman Brady is a skilful left-footed player who hugs the touchline and will not hesitate for a second to take on his full-back - in this case, possibly compatriot Joey O'Brien - and get in crosses and shots. Despite his relative lack of height, Brady is also decent in the air. He is Hull's top scorer with two goals and has also chalked up one assist. Right-winger Quinn is also left-footed. He has come in for the injured Robert Koren after the Hull captain broke his foot. Quinn is short in stature at 5'7" but possesses good technique and work-rate. Should Bruce opt for former Peterborough United man George Boyd, he is another skilful operator capable of both scoring and assisting goals, as he did at Newcastle.
In the centre, former Tottenham Hotspur pair Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore should start. Huddlestone is well-known for his outstanding technique, range of passing and ability to shoot with either foot. Livermore is a more athletic player who will fill a more defensive role. Up front, Aluko poses a serious threat to the Hammers, playing in a slightly withdrawn role behind Graham. Quick, strong and direct, the Nigeria international has a sharp change of pace which he uses to wrong-foot defenders and get shots away. Aluko has the highest pass-completion percentage (86.7) and has attempted more shots (eleven) and dribbles (eleven) than any other Hull player. Graham is a strong centre forward who will lead the line by running the channels, holding up play and getting on the end of high balls. Defensively, the 28-year-old is also willing to close down defenders to force hurried clearances. Bruce has alternatives up front, with Ivory Coast international Yannick Sagbo among his options. The powerful former Evian man started the midweek cup victory over Huddersfield alongside tall German Nick Proschwitz, who scored the winning goal.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
On this day - 28 September
WHUFC.com
The Hammers win their first game of the season thanks to two goals from a certain Italian striker
28.09.2013
Classic match
Chelsea 2-3 West Ham United
Premier League
28 September 2002
Bottom of the table and without a win West Ham travelled to Stamford Bridge to face an unbeaten Chelsea side. Despite dominating from the off the Hammers fell behind to Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's penalty but this only served to inspire the away side. Jermain Defoe equalised five minutes before half-time and Paolo Di Canio struck a wonder goal to give Glenn Roeder's team the lead. Gianfraco Zola curled in a free-kick to level things up before mercurial Italian Di Canio hit the winner seven minutes from time to give West Ham their first win of the season. Despite this win the Hammers were relegated from the Premier League with a record high 42 points.
Complete record
1929 West Ham United 2-1 Manchester United (Division One)
1935 Bury 3-0 West Ham United (Division Two)
1946 Bradford Park Avenue 0-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1957 Barnsley 1-0 West Ham United (Division Two)
1963 Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1968 West Ham United 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday (Division One)
1974 Burnley 3-5 West Ham United (Division One)
1985 West Ham United 4-2 Nottingham Forest (Division One)
1991 Nottingham Forest 2-2 West Ham United (Division One)
1998 West Ham United 1-0 Southampton (Premier League)
2002 Chelsea 2-3 West Ham United (Premier League)
2003 West Ham United 1-1 Millwall (Championship)
2006 Palermo 3-0 West Ham United (UEFA Cup)
2009 Manchester City 3-1 West Ham United (Premier League)
Played 14, Won 6, Drawn 3, Lost 5, Scored 21, Conceded 25
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Five star show from Dev Squad
WHUFC.com
Four goals from Elliot Lee helped the Development Squad run out 5-0 winners against Ipswich Town
27.09.2013
Elliot Lee bagged four goals as the Development Squad produced a five star performance to hammer Ipswich Town 5-0 at Rush Green. Lee got the rout started after just seven minutes with a deflected free-kick before doubling the lead with a powerful finish just before half-time. The striker bagged his third and fourth goals within the space of two second half minutes as the home side tore their opponents apart time after time. Pelly Ruddock completed the demolition job with 15 minutes remaining when he powered home first time to round off the perfect performance. The Development Squad had won four of their six Barclays Under-21 Premier League matches coming into this friendly and they continued that form with another outstanding display. The Hammers started the brighter of the two sides and could have been ahead as early as the second minute when Sean Maguire found himself in the middle of the box with plenty of time after Keiran Sadlier's pull-back but the Irishman could only fire his shot straight at the keeper. It was not long until Nick Haycock's side found themselves in front however as the prolific Lee struck a free-kick which benefited from a lucky deflection to nestle in the back of the net having wrongfooted the visiting keeper.
Lee was a constant menace to the Ipswich defence and should have doubled his tally before he did when his shot struck the keeper and, following up on the rebound, he placed his shot just wide. A minute later and the striker was celebrating his brace as a lightning quick counter attack saw the ball arrive at the feet of Lee who beat a man before firing past Michael Crowe in goal.
Blair Turgott was introduced at the break and should have made it 3-0 with his first touch of the game but instead blazed Maguire's cutback over the bar just two minutes into the second half. Despite the winger's miss the Hammers third goal didn't take long to arrive as in the 57th minute Lee was once again on hand to head home after a Matthias Fanimo shot cannoned off the bar. Incredibly the striker bagged himself a fourth just 60 seconds later when a smart turn in the box allowed him to pick out the bottom corner. Ipswich found themselves trapped in their own half as the home side refused to take their foot off the gas as they searched for more goals. Lee came within inches of his and his side's fifth goal but was his low curling effort struck the post. West Ham's fifth arrived after a rare Ipswich attack was thwarted by Ruddock, who played the ball to Turgott and continued his run from inside his own half down the right wing and eventually received the ball back from Turgott to hammer a first-time shot past the helpless keeper. The Hammers continued to press but the damage had been done and a 5-0 win represented the perfect return for their total domination. The Development Squad are next in action when they play Norwich City Rush Green on Friday 4 October in the Barclays Under-21 Premier League.
West Ham: Spiegel, Driver, McCartney, Miles, Potts, Ruddock (Burke), Fanimo (Knoyle), Lletget, Maguire (Tombides), Lee, Sadlier (Turgott)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam on: Hull City
WHUFC.com
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce spoke to the press ahead of Saturday's game against Hull
27.09.2013
Sam Allardyce spoke to the press ahead of Saturday's game at Hull City in his pre-match briefing at Chadwell Heath. He revealed that Joe Cole will remain on the sidelines with his hamstring injury, but Stewart Downing could return to face the Tigers and that Carlton Cole may soon be rejoining the Club.
Morning Sam, On the injury side, will Joe Cole available for selection this weekend?
SA: "No Joe won't be available this weekend but Stewart Downing will which we're very pleased about. I'm always happy to have injured players come back into the squad. George McCartney played a good part of the game against Cardiff on Tuesday night which was good for him although he won't come back into the squad just yet as we want him to play another game for the Under-21s to help his match fitness. From an injury point of view we're only really looking at Joe and Andy Carroll. Joe's not really injured anymore but we're just being protective of him and think he needs some more training before he's available again which I would have thought would be next week."
Is the return of Downing a big boost?
SA: "Yeah he's trained all week and looks sharp. He was disappointed that it's kept him out for a few weeks, normally a dead leg it's a couple of days but because of the extra bleed it's been a few weeks. He's only been with us a short time and with him having missed a lot of pre-season with Liverpool it was about getting in as many games as possible into him. Obviously that's been halted with this injury but we're glad to have him back and he can look forward to getting some game time again."
There are headlines today suggesting Carlton Cole has signed a deal with the club. What's his current situation?
SA: "We've had Carlton training with us for a while now and as soon as he's fit enough to play there will be an offer of a short term contract on the table there's no doubt about that. That's why he's here with us and that's why we're trying to improve his fitness having missed pre-season. As soon as he's ok and suitable terms and conditions have been agreed, which is nothing do with me, then he'll join us for however long the contract is negotiated for."
Fitness aside, has his desire and his attitude impressed you?
SA: "He's been here on a day by day basis and one of the beauties of this football club is that this club's kept him fit for a long time during his career. Carlton has certain training programmes that were built to suit him and keep him available for a selection on a Saturday afternoon. It's always worked very well during the time I've been here.
Do you know how long the contract for Carlton might be?
SA: "No my focus is only on the first team squad and the players that are fit. The contract is done behind the scenes by the Chairmen and his agent so at the moment we're just concentrating on the game against Hull City on Saturday.
Will a deal for Carlton likely be days, weeks, months?
SA: "I think we're into days now. We'll play a couple of behind closed doors games just to let him get some match practice and then we'll take it from there."
Just a word on Andy Carroll. What's the latest on him?
SA: "He's improving day by day at the moment but we're not putting any timescales on this at all until we see how he's progressed with the specialists in Belgium. He'll be back with us as soon as possible."
Guy Demel's half-brother is Hull's Yannick Sagbo, were you aware of that?
SA: "Yes I was. Guy's tried to get us to sign him a few times. We've known that for a while and it's been a great move for him to get because he's been wanting to get to the Premier League for quite a while and Steve's given him that opportunity. Guy's always keen to play whether he's playing against a relative or not. Whether Sagbo will play or not is the question. They won at Newcastle last week and he didn't play so I can't honestly think that he would play.
I don't think Steve would change a team that won 3-2 last week."
You're good friends with Hull manager Steve Bruce how do you think he's getting on?
SA: "Better than me at the moment! For them to get their first away win was a huge result, it lifts the whole city, the backroom staff and all the players. We face them at a time when their confidence is sky-high so as always we'll have a tough game on our hands. His players, irrespective of how many he's changed, have gelled well which was the opposite to his time at Sunderland. He had to change a lot of players there due to the problems financially and with players wanting to leave so it didn't work out for him. At Hull he's changed a lot of players and it's worked for him very, very well in a short period of time and they've obviously started the season exceptionally well."
Has Ravel Morrison done enough to warrant a place in the starting eleven?
SA: "At the moment his performances are exceptionally good and that means you don't have to fight for your place. If you're good enough then you're old enough and he's proved that up to now. We've got to keep his feet firmly on the ground and watch out for head swelling. We don't want to be changing the size of our doors because he can't fit his head through."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nobes ready to return
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble is back from a one-match ban and is looking forward to Saturday's trip to Hull City
28.09.2013
Mark Noble is back from suspension and is looking forward to returning to action in Saturday's Barclays Premier League fixture at Hull City. The West Ham United midfielder endured the full range of emotions in last weekend's 3-2 home defeat by Everton, putting the Hammers 2-1 up from the penalty spot before being sent-off and watching the Toffees turn the game around in the final ten minutes. The No16 sat out Tuesday's Capital One Cup third-round win over Cardiff City, but is available again and hopes to be in Sam Allardyce's plans at the KC Stadium. "Obviously it was a little bit lucky for me that we had the midweek game so I was able to serve my suspension then and I'll hopefully be back for the game on Saturday," Noble told West Ham TV. "It'll be a tough game at Hull. They come into the game off a good win [3-2 at Newcastle United] so we're going to have to go there and play well and hopefully we won't get free-kicks scored against us again! "It was brilliant to go 2-1 up against Everton and then to get sent-off at 2-1 with ten minutes to go, I thought it wasn't the worst thing in the world, and then Leighton Baines curled a free-kick into the top corner. That's when you know your luck isn't in at the minute, because we've had three against us in three weeks. "Romelu Lukaku then scored late doors to win them the game, so it was devastating. Saying that, we played well and it took two bits of magic to beat us."
Despite being sent-off for two bookable offences against Everton, Noble has vowed to remain the same fully-committed player that has endeared him to West Ham fans. "I won't change my game at all. I make ten tackles a game, so I'm going to get one wrong. Unfortunately for me, it was the one I didn't need to get wrong. "To be honest, I didn't think the first one [for a tug on Kevin Mirallas' shirt] was a yellow card. If you're going to give that for a little pull, then you're going to give 20 yellow cards a game, but that's the way football is going at the minute. Referees are under so much scrutiny at the moment and so many people are watching them, that they have to do what they think is right."
Noble has happier memories of West Ham's recent trips to the KC Stadium, drawing 3-3 in the Premier League in November 2009 and winning 2-0 in the Championship in November 2011. The 26-year-old also spent a short period on loan with Hull early in his career. "As I said, it's going to be a tough game, but they are all hard places to go now. Steve Bruce has got his team together and has brought in some great additions to his squad. "We're up for it, we're playing well, we got a point at Southampton and probably should have got three points against Everton. That's the way the Premier League goes, so we need to train well, get ourselves up there and come back with the three points."
One Hull player Noble knows well is former West Ham centre-back Abdoulaye Faye, who is in line to make his first league appearance of the season in place of the injured James Chester. "He's a big boy is Abby. You wouldn't want him running you over, would you! I'm sure we aren't going to worry about Abby, though. He's been there and done it, but so have our forwards, so hopefully we can get one up on him and we can come home with a win."
If West Ham are to get the better of Faye and his team-mates, the key figure could be the in-form Ravel Morrison, who has scored on each of his last two starts and is beginning to fulfil his vast potential. "We've been on at Rav for so long about bucking up his ideas and doing everything right and we told him 'Once you start doing that, you have the ability to go as far as you want' and that is starting to show. "Obviously we saw a glimpse of how good he is in the cup the other night and hopefully he can take that form to Hull away."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hull v West Ham
KO 15:00
27 September 2013
Last updated at 11:53
By Steve Bower
BBC Match of the Day commentator
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: KC Stadium Date: Saturday, 28 September
Hull City have Maynor Figueroa back after he missed last weekend's win over Newcastle because of personal reasons. James Chester is out and Paul McShane is not fit enough to start, so either Alex Bruce or Abdoulaye Faye will be alongside Curtis Davies at centre-back.
West Ham midfielder Mark Noble returns after being suspended for the League Cup match with Cardiff. Stewart Downing has recovered from a leg injury but Joe Cole remains out with a hamstring problem.
MATCH PREVIEW
This match brings together two of the more knowledgeable English bosses in the game, great friends with 21 years of top-flight managerial experience between them. They will share a drink afterwards and if one is toasting a victory it will be certainly be an important one. Hull City's Steve Bruce will have enjoyed his five-goal thriller and 3-2 scoreline last weekend far more than West Ham's Sam Allardyce did. "Away from home, West Ham just do not look the same side as the one they are at Upton Park - they do not score enough goals on the road and that is an issue that Sam Allardyce has not been able to sort out. "It is very difficult to tip the Hammers to go away anywhere and win."
A second Premier League win in five games will have been another lift in the levels of belief in Hull's quest to stay in the division. Newly-promoted teams have often had to wait for that elusive first victory and it's gradually sapped away confidence. Seven points from 15 represents a solid start for Hull, especially having already faced Chelsea and Manchester City. The experience added in the summer has certainly helped, in particular the signings of Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore. Their form at the KC Stadium will go a long way to deciding their immediate future and this will be a game they will have earmarked to take something from, just as they have from the meetings with Norwich and Cardiff.
West Ham will certainly have the same thoughts, having not won since the opening day. Creating and scoring has been a clear problem so far, having not scored in three of their five matches. The absence of Andy Carroll and summer recruit Stewart Downing recently has been a telling one. But they have to find a formula to improve that side of their game and their away form of last season (which saw them lose 12 times on their travels) if they are to better their 10th-place finish in May. A result in this one would be most welcome as the Hammers' next two matches are against Spurs and Manchester City. This should be tight and may not have the goals of last weekend's fixtures, but Bruce and Allardyce will only be concerned with winning.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
West Ham did the double over Hull in the 2011-12 Championship season.
They have scored just nine goals between them this season in the Premier League.
Hull City
Despite achieving promotion last season, they have won just seven of their last 18 league matches spread across the Championship and the Premier League - losing eight and drawing three. They have won only three of their eight home matches in that period.
There have been no more than two goals scored in any of their last five Premier League home games.
Danny Graham has not scored in his last 1,320 Premier League minutes of action.
Robbie Brady has been involved in three of the Tigers' five league goals so far this season, scoring two and assisting one.
West Ham
West Ham have not won in the Premier League since the opening day of the season.
They have had just eight shots on target in five league games so far this campaign and have not yet scored away.
But only four top-flight clubs have conceded fewer than the four goals they have let in.
Three of those four goals have been scored by the opposition from outside the box.
West Ham are the only team to have had all their goals scored by English players in the Premier League this season.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carlton Cole: West Ham to offer striker short-term deal
BBC.co.uk
West Ham will offer striker Carlton Cole a short-term contract having only released the 29-year-old in the summer. Cole, who scored 59 goals in 237 appearances for West Ham, has been training with the Hammers and will be offered a deal once he is fully fit. "As soon as he's fit enough to play there will be an offer of a short-term contract on the table," manager Sam Allardyce told West Ham's website. "As soon as he's OK and suitable terms have been agreed, then he'll join us."
Cole's West Ham years
Appearances: 237
Goals: 59
England caps: seven
2012-13 appearances/goals: 29/2
Former Chelsea frontman Cole, who has won seven caps for England, spent seven years at Upton Park before his summer release. Allardyce said at the time of Cole's release in late May: "Carlton's need at his age is to be playing football as often as he can. We felt it better he found pastures new." However, Cole re-emerged on the Londoners' radar during their search for more striking options when their club record £15m signing from Liverpool, Andy Carroll, picked up a foot injury. Allardyce said: "He's been here on a day-by-day basis and one of the beauties of this football club is that this club's kept him fit for a long time during his career. "We'll play a couple of behind closed doors games just to let him get some match practice and then we'll take it from there."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce confirms Cole return
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 27th September 2013
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce says that Carlton Cole's return to West Ham should be completed in the next few days. Allardyce, speaking about the imminent return of his former striker in this morning's pre-match press conference revealed that he expects Cole to put pen to paper within "days now". "The contract is done by the Chairmen and his agent, but at the moment we're just concentrating on the game against Hull City on Saturday," Big Sam told the assembled press pack. "We'll play a couple of behind-closed-doors games just to let him get some match practice and then we'll take it from there. "We've had Carlton training with us for a while now and as soon as he's fit enough to play there will be an offer of a short term contract on the table, there's no doubt about that. That's why he's here with us and that's why we're trying to improve his fitness having missed pre-season. "As soon as he's ok and suitable terms and conditions have been agreed, which is nothing do with me, then he'll join us for however long the contract is negotiated for. "This club has kept him fit for a long time during his career. Carlton has certain training programmes that were built to suit him and keep him available for a selection on a Saturday afternoon. It's always worked very well during the time I've been here."
The first of those behind-closed-doors friendlies takes place later today, when West Ham's Under 21s faces their counterparts from Ipswich Town. The game was originally scheduled to be played at Rush Green this evening, but has been rescheduled.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Unravelling a prodigy
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 27th September 2013
By: Paul Walker
Nothing would delight me more this season, apart that from us staying in the Premier League, than to see Ravel Morrison crack it at the very top level.
Not just because it would really get up the noses of my Manchester United supporting mates, but because the one thing we all surely love most in football is to see talented youngsters fulfil their potential.
Much has been written about Morrison's background, his troubled teenage years and the fact that Sir Alex Ferguson gave up on a player who has been described as the new Paul Scholes or the best youngster of his generation.
And by God, the kid has come up the hard way. He is not 21 until February, but was once described as being closer to prison than a Manchester United start in the Premier League.
Born in Wythenshawe - that's Shameless without the humour - and brought up in Denton, east Manchester by his grandparents, Morrison crashed from one off-field problem to another. He was clearly a target. A youngster with fame and money in the toughest of inner-city areas.
Fergie reckoned he "needed to get out of Manchester" and Big Sam obliged, knowing that inside this troubled young man was a football genius trying to get out.
Now when he arrived at our place in January 2012, Fergie, nearing the end of his own career and maybe just a bit too tired to battle on with him, had given up on the wild child of Manchester football. He had driven the youth coaches mad at Old Trafford, had been through several brushes with the law and his general behaviour and attitude to discipline and authority was to say the least, poor.
Everyone around the Manchester area knew this kid was one of the best youngsters that United had ever produced. Many Man U fans were horrified when he was shipped out to Upton Park; they still are.
I can understand why. Morrison has the potential to be a Gareth Bale, he is that good, believe me. His talent has been likened to Gazza. The funny thing, though, is that when that comparison was mentioned to the youngster, so the story goes, he had never heard of the England hero!
I am sure West Ham fans knew precious little about Morrison, either, when he joined us, other than that he was a problem boy. But then they are two a penny these days. Morrison though, will never be two a penny.
He can be anything he wants, and be worth a fortune. Manchester United, I believe, have no buy back clause or percentage of a future transfer.
Little was seen of Morrison in his first few months here to disprove the myths and legends that followed him around. He had one short run-out as a second-half substitute in a tough game at Leeds, and then was sent away to Birmingham on loan for the whole of last season.
It has been well documented that he expected to walk straight into the first team at West Ham.
He then clearly got up almost everyone's' nose at Chadwell Heath, seemingly Kevin Nolan as well. There is a famous story now of how Nolan and either Mark Noble or Andy Carroll (depending on whether you believe Noble's version or Ms Brady's in her Sun column) took the kid aside and gave him a really up-tempo, confidence-boosting chat; a real helping hand.
They returned to base, all thumbs up, saying how well it had gone with the kid. Problem was, Morrison failed to turn up for training for the next three days, something he was famous for at Manchester United.
Because I live in the Manchester area, I have been much more aware of Morrison's talent and potential from a very early age. All the baggage that he came from a broken home, a chav estate with some very dodgy mates, were part of the soap opera.
But boy, could he play. Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville both offered to take him into their homes to help him sort himself out. Brian McClair, by now on the coaching side, tried to give him lifts to training. All to no avail.
Too often now, however, whenever Morrison is mentioned in the media, his lawless track record gets trotted out. I am not surprised, that is the real story. But I don't intend to do that, other than to single out a Guardian article by Daniel Taylor in December 2011. It is a sympathetic view of the youngster and clearly leaves you feeling what many also felt in Manchester, that everyone wanted to see him become a success.
And here England comes into the equation. Morrison has played just five youth internationals since 2008, without a hint of an Under 21 call-up, such was the fear at the FA that his fragile temperament just could not be trusted. Morrison even tweeted he was considering playing for Jamaica.
My believe, a bit through rose coloured spectacles maybe, is that if Morrison continues the way he has started this season, he will be on the plane to Brazil for the World Cup, he is that good.
Several of my Man Utd friends used to make special trips just to watch him play for the reserves or youth team, where he virtually won the FA Youth Cup for United single handed a couple of years ago.
They all knew the talent is there, and we are now beginning to just see it ourselves. I am fearful that there could be some further trouble down the line, it seems to follow Morrison around. But I pray not.
He should be handled with kid gloves. I am disappointed, even, that our club is already using his picture to advertise future games. Not yet, please. But we have a club who are advertising the forthcoming game against Manchester City as "Come and see City's superstars…" I ask you, we are not a non-league club plugging a pre-season friendly.
But Morrison says he has changed. The Twitter feed that has given him so much abuse and grief over the years, now says: "I am a changed man, don't judge me on my past, respect me for who I am and now I have developed." I just hope this new version of Morrison is true.
If you count his eight pre-season games, as well as his six in the real season, he has scored eight goals in 14 matches. His performance in the first-half against Everton was stunning.
He dominated midfield, finding space continually and always wanting the ball. Everton actually changed their whole system in midfield at the break to counteract what Morrison was doing.
I can only say what I did at the beginning of this piece. I desperately want Morrison to succeed for his and our sakes. And England, too.
Roy Hodgson was in the stand to watch the Everton match, Ross Barkley the obvious target, But Morrison was as good and the FA should now be brave and pick him for the under 21s.
Morrison has already been taken to their hearts by West Ham fans. We have all seen a few special young players come through the ranks here. Morrison can be that good.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Betting on West Ham United's game at Hull
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 26th September 2013
By: Staff Writer
After an encouraging 10th place finish in the Premier League last season, the Hammers' 3000/1 dreams of a title are almost certainly already over. At the other end of the scale, the 9/1 quote for Sam Allardyce's squad to be relegated looks about right. After a shaky start and a lack of goals, Big Sam's men will be looking at this weekend's fixture at Hull as a winnable game. Despite the bookmakers having Hull down as 5/4 favourites, most Irons fans will be optimistic of getting a result. Looking at the in-play betting market, there is plenty to choose from this weekend. With Hull's strong defence but lack of goal scoring threat combined with West Ham's own troubles in front of goal this season, a 0-0 draw looks very tempting at 9/1.
However as football fans we all know games like this always surprise us and can turn into goal fests. With this in mind you can get 1/1 odds on there being over 2.5 goals in the game. Or perhaps after his goal scoring heroics in mid-week you might fancy a bet on Ricardo Vaz Te to bang in a hat-trick at 100/1?
For those who aren't sure which market to bet on why not visit a mobile casino, many of which provide an alternative in the form of slots game, 'Game On'.
Game On is a video slot with three reels and a football theme, centring on an all-animal World Cup. This makes it one of the sharpest and funniest football slots, but it is also one that really does give you a great shot at a cash pay-out. With the World Cup reel icon translating to a win if you get three of them across a single pay line, while the football icon triggers the bonus skill shot game. When you also add in the typical elements of a slot machine, like the jackpot and ultra cheap gaming, you have numerous reasons to try playing Game On, rather than risking a Premier League title bet so early in the new season.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hull City v West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 26th September 2013
By: Preview Percy
If you're one of those who actually enjoys Preview Percy's ramblings, there are probably some people you ought to speak to. In the meantime knock yourself out.....
Next up we travel oop North where our hosts will be Hull City. Or Possibly Hull City Tigers. Some sort of "rebranding" type thing we understand. Since we don't hold with such stuff here at the Avram Grant Olympic Rest Home For The Bewildered – we still refer to "Woolwich Arsenal" – we'll stick to Hull thank you very much.
Kick off is at the sacred hour of 3pm on Saturday and those of you thinking about using the Central Line as part of your route to King's Cross for the train journey up there may care to note that the same stuff as last week will be going on. Check afore ye venture out I say.
Our hosts currently lie in 11th spot in the fledgling table having picked up 7 points from their 5 league matches thus far. On the opening day they went 2-0 down to a Chelsea side that looked like they were going to run up a cricket score early on. Well I suppose they did – albeit an Australian one. They followed this up with a 1-0 defeat of Norwich, a 2-0 defeat at Man City, a 1-1 draw at home to Cardiff and a 3-2 win at Newcastle last weekend that Preview Alistair described thusly:
"The defending was worthy of a bunch of second rate school kids and Hull are useless. Repeat, USELESS. What does that make us!!"
That makes you Newcastle I'd say mate. In between all that they are through to the last 16 of the League Cup having beaten Barry Hearn's lot 1-0 and Huddersfield 1-0 the other night. The odious Steve Bruce described the early rounds of the competition as "like watching paint dry" and said that supporters would rather have been watching Coronation Street than the Huddersfield tie. Difficult choice that one, either a poorly executed drab slice of grim Northern life, or Coronation Street.
They are, of course back in the top flight after a three-year absence. They avoided the play-offs on the last day of the season by drawing 2-2 with Cardiff whilst Watford were getting beaten by Leeds. As is usual amongst promoted sides, this prompted a recruitment drive. Starting between the sticks in came Allan McGregor from Turkish outfit Bekitsas. McGregor ended up out there after all the shenanigans up at Rangers, where the change of employing company meant that he could bugger off on a free wherever he wanted. Which he did, signing a 2 year deal worth over €1m a season. With that sort of money about he could afford to leave Turkey after just the one year and no doubt Bekitsas were far from displeased at the £1.5m profit they made on the deal that took the player to Hull.
McGregor was banned for life or playing for Scotland a few years back. Returning to the team hotel at 4am after a match against the Dutch, the then boss George Burley gave McGregor and a couple of others permission to go to the bar for a nightcap. McGregor presumably had the following night in mind, resurfacing somewhat tired and emotional the following lunchtime. Dropped as a result for the following match against Iceland he then made what the papers described as "obscene gestures" at cameramen from the bench, prompting the SFA to send him a fax informing him that he wouldn't be picked again. Which was pretty amazing – even as late as 2009 they were still communicating by fax in Scotland. As it happened the lifetime ban lasted less than a year, although his recall was delayed by his getting beaten up
after a night out in Glasgow. Something about an unpaid fax bill I expect.
They picked up Tom Huddlestone from Spurs for a reported £5m. Huddlestone has vowed not to have his hair cut until he scores again. On our side of things, Ginge did much the same thing years ago but nobody noticed.
Huddlestone was accompanied in his arrival from Spurs by Jake Livermore, for whom there probably wasn't room enough in the changing room following the arrival of just about everyone in Europe. Having scored in a pre-season friendly against Barcelona a couple of years ago, his response to the question "what's it like to score against the best team in the world" was "the best team in the world? I play for them", which just proves that Tottenham players are every bit as deluded as their fans.
Also on loan is striker Danny Graham. Graham – a Newcastle supporter – is yet to score for his parent club Sunderland. He's maintained that level of form at Hull since his arrival on a season-long loan, which is a bit of a worry for us as a club with a solid tradition of sequence busting.
A third loanster is Mohamed Nagy Ismail Afash who is in for the season from Egyptian side Al Ahy. The player is known universally by his nickname "Gedo" which I am reliably informed means "Grandad" even though he's only 28. He'd feel at home in Liverpool then.
The one ex-Hammer in the squad is Abdoullaye Faye who made over 20 appearances for the side that came up via the playoffs. Liam Rosenior lso has Hammers connections, being the son of Leroy whose boots in the 1980's were apparently made of gold.
Us? Well the League Cup match was typical West Ham wasn't it. We played some decent football (have a look at the passing that led to Jarvis's goal but look away at the finish) and could have been four or five up at the break. So quite how we found ourselves pegged back to 2-2 with 15 left was a bit baffling. On thing that it wasn't of course was like watching paint dry. That's just your teams Bruce.
There'll be changes again – Diame will start despite not appearing on the back page of the match programme for the last two games. Nothing sinister we are told, just a printer's error in the two programmes which were printed at the same time apparently. With that in mind, and not that I'm one to start rumours of course, but I couldn't help but notice that Lionel Messi was also absent from the same page. I expect Reid will come in to replace Tomkins alongside Ginge and, with no return date slated for Demel, expect Joey O'B to start on the right with Roland on the left.
Noble will have served his pointless suspension at the hands of the atrocious Lee Mason. There has been much made of Noble's habit of giving away free-kicks in dangerous places, but surely a player has the right to expect a certain degree of competency amongst the match officials. I mean when you go for a tackle there simply isn't time for the thought process that goes "that ball is mine. Oh wait a minute it's Lee Mason who, if he had two more brain cells, would be a plant. He might well give a free kick even if I get the ball cleanly" You just go for it and trust that the referee knows what he is doing – a rarity in this day and age.
We may see returns to at least the bench for one or both of Downing and Cole who have been training this week and there is an intriguing selection poser up front for the manager with Vaz Te looking sharp, Petric getting closer to match fitness and even Maiga looking a wee bit better in midweek
Prediction? Well I have a bit of a good feeling for this one. Last week's performance in the first half was ok – though we had our work cut out against Lukaku in the second half it still took the referee to turn the game against us.So I'll be putting the Avram Grant Olympic Rest Home For The Bewildered fund to bring email to the third world (Scotland) (£2.50) on a 1-0 win to get the season moving onwards again.
Enjoy the game!
When Last We Met At The Sunshine Ground – Won 2-0 Championship November 2011. Second half goals from Baldock and Collison were enough to give us all three points. Abdoullaye Faye played for us in that one.
Referee: Kevin Friend – last seen in January 2012 handling our 1-0 victory over Portsmouth at Fratton Park, although he also took charge of the pre-season friendly this year against the never to be forgotten, er, Paco Rabanne or something. You know, they ere in the Champions League for a while. Like Chelsea.
Danger Men: Tom Huddlestone & Danny Graham. One is due a haircut if he scores. The other hasn't scored for ages. It's always against us isn't it?!
Daft Fact Of The Week: The full name of Hull is Kingston Upon Hull, which is used to differentiate the city from Kingston Upon Thames so that Man Utd supporters don't get lost on their way home. Hull is apparently on the shortlist of cities going for the title of "UK City Of Culture which suggests that someone has either got a really weird sense of humour, or they don't realise that the word "culture" in this context doesn't actually include the unidentified stuff growing at the back of Humberside fridges.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hull and West Ham clash at the KC Stadium
Last Updated: September 27, 2013 3:24pm
SSN
West Ham will continue their search for a first away win of the season against an improving Hull City side at the KC Stadium. Home side Hull will be bursting with confidence after twice coming from behind to grab all three points away at Newcastle last week. A win at home to Norwich and a battling draw with Cardiff, coupled with progress in the Capital One Cup, sees the newly-promoted side sitting in 11th place, equal on points with last season's champions Manchester United. Chelsea and Manchester City represent the only defeats for Steve Bruce's men this season, though West Ham will provide a different kind of challenge.
Sam Allardyce's charges started the season well, securing four points from two games against Cardiff and Newcastle as they looked difficult to break down.
A disappointing loss at home to Stoke was followed by a goalless draw at Southampton and a demoralising defeat at Everton. The dramatic Capital One Cup victory over Cardiff in midweek could perhaps act as the catalyst for a side who are clearly missing £15million striker Andy Carroll, however, but Hull will be no pushovers.
Paul Merson's prediction
Hull have surprised me because the one thing I could never see them doing was scoring enough goals. I thought they would keep clean sheets and be difficult to beat but I didn't see them doing enough at the other end because they didn't put threes and fours past many teams in the Championship. Steve Bruce is a very experienced manager and I think his team will beat West Ham to back up that great win at Newcastle.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-0
Hull City
Last 6
Huddersfld (h)1-0
Newcastle (a)2-3
Cardiff (h)1-1
Man City (a)2-0
Leyton Or (a)0-1
Norwich (h)1-0
Hull welcome back Maynor Figueroa for the Premier League visit of West Ham on Saturday. The Honduran left-back missed the 3-2 win over Newcastle due to personal reasons but is ready to play this weekend. Robert Koren (broken foot) and James Chester (hamstring) are long-term absentees and Paul McShane is only fit for the bench, meaning Bruce must choose between Alex Bruce and Abdoulaye Faye at centre-back.
West Ham
Last 6
3-2
Everton (h)2-3
Southampton (a)0-0
Stoke City (h)0-1
Cheltenham (h)2-1
Newcastle (a)0-0
Stewart Downing (leg) will be in contention to face Hull, West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has confirmed. Downing has been out for three weeks, but his return from a leg injury suffered earlier this month provides a boost for Allardyce. Saturday's game comes too soon for West Ham stars Joe Cole (hamstring) and Guy Demel (knock), while Andy Carroll (heel) and George McCartney (knee) remain long-term absentees.
Opta stats
Only Arsenal and Manchester City have been more clinical in front of goal than Hull (15.6% conversion rate) this season
West Ham are the only team to have seen all their goals scored by English players in the Premier League this season.
Since the start of last season, West Ham have a win percentage of 33% when Mark Noble plays (33 games) and 20% when he's been absent (10 games).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
THE FUTURE OF THE BOLEYN GROUND
By Sean Whetstone 27 Sep 2013 at 14:00
West Ham Till I Die
In this financial article I will discuss the financial value of the Boleyn ground land and what might become of it after we move to Olympic stadium.
West Ham originally rented Green Street House and grounds from the Roman Catholic Church from the early 1900's. This land was later sold by His Eminence William Cardinal Godfrey and the Catholic Church to West Ham United Football Company Limited on 5th August 1959.
In the May 2012 West Ham accounts the value of Boleyn ground is listed at just over £71m but this is not it's true value, this is just the value of the replacement cost as a football stadium or the possible value if there was a market for 35,000 seat football stadiums which there is not.
We all know in reality the stadium will be knocked down and the land would be sold for redevelopment. In the latest West Ham accounts the value of the Boleyn ground land together with our various training grounds is listed as just over £16m for auditing purposes.
The true re-sale value depends on planning permission from Newham council but we know the council are keen to regenerate the area in a similar way that happened around canning town. Some valuations range from £20m to £30m but it will depend on market conditions and what planning permission will be granted for the land.
Arsenal converted its former stadium Highbury into 711 flats and raised £157m from property sales but a development in East London is unlikely to get anywhere near that.
In 2010 the club placed adverts in trade magazines seeking "expressions of interest for the stadium as a development opportunity" after the 2012 Olympics.
It was widely rumoured that a supermarket and affordable residential flats were planned but as we now know the deal collapsed with the collapse of the first Olympic stadium bid.
The idea to bring a large supermarket and flats to the area is nothing new.
In 2006 it was reported that Asda together with developer St Modwen put forward a £50m scheme to demolish the historic Queen's Market and build 130 flats next to its new superstore. Asda later pulled out of the controversial development after 12,000 signatures were gathered to oppose the plan by a group called Friends of Queen's Market.
David Sullivan has an impressive property portfolio himself which is now his main source of wealth. This portfolio is owned under his property company called Conegate Holdings Ltd which has property assets worth over £240m. He owns 'a huge Sainsbury's' that pays him £3million a year in rent as well as a 'couple of Marks & Spencers'. Just the buildings, you understand, which the retail giants rent from him. Conegate also owns shops, offices and residential properties across the UK. They also own 12.5% of West Ham United through a share holding in WH Holdings Ltd and made loans to West Ham's holding company of £16,850,000 at an interest rate of the base bank rate plus 5%.
I am sure it is just a complete coincidence that West Ham value their land at £16m in their latest accounts which is almost the identical amount owed to West Ham by Sullivan's property company Conegate holdings.
I must stress this is just my own personal speculation but I could see a scenario where this same property company which owns 12.5% of West Ham with a track record of owning supermarkets bids, buys, develops,owns and subsequently rents property on the land that was once our home for many years. Not that there would be anything wrong with that you understand. It would be a good business decision in my opinion by someone who might be sympathetic of it's long history.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce hails Ravel Morrison for showing dedication but warns starlet that he is always watching
27 Sep 2013 22:30
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce has hailed Ravel Morrison for turning his life around – but has warned the West Ham starlet: "I'm always watching." The ex-Manchester United midfielder, 20, has been the one bright spark in the side's stuttering start to the season, with two goals in his last two games. Allardyce said: "He has surprised us from the start with his whole attitude to life, not just towards football, and that is really pleasing to see. "Dedication doesn't just happen on the football pitch or in training, it happens on a 24/7 basis. That's what he seems to have done."
But Allardyce added: "We download training live every day and if there is a dip in that output, then you say, 'Are you feeling ill? Or was it a great night out?'
"It's just a warning. We know some lads like a night out. But it always has to be at the right time and I don't think any of the players today do it at the wrong time any more – very few."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Saturday, September 28
Friday, September 27
Daily WHUFC News - 27th September 2013
England call for Chambers
WHUFC.com
Leo Chambers has been included in the England Under-19 squad for their Euro
Qualifiers next month
26.09.2013
West Ham United's Leo Chambers has been named in the England Under-19 squad
for their European Championship Qualifiers in Slovenia next month. Chambers
will travel with the Young Lions to face hosts Slovenia, Andorra and
Switzerland in early October with the top two teams in the group progressing
to the Elite Qualifying Round next May. The call-up comes in the same week
as the young defender impressed during only his second senior appearance for
the club, playing the full 90 minutes in a 3-2 win over Cardiff City in the
Capital One Cup Third Round. Chambers had made his West Ham debut in the
previous round, again playing the whole match as the Hammers overcame
Cheltenham Town 2-1 at the Boleyn Ground. The 18-year-old is no stranger to
the international scene having scored on his last appearance for the England
Under-19s as he netted the third goal in a 6-1 rout of Estonia earlier in
the month.
The defender, who can play anywhere across the back four, has also
represented England at Under-16, 17 and Under-18 level, making a combined
total of 12 appearances. Chambers will be hopeful that he can help his
country secure their place at next summer's finals which take place in
Hungary. The defender has been in fine form for West Ham's Development Squad
so far this season helping the team to four wins from their first six
matches of the campaign.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Date set for Burnley tie
WHUFC.com
West Ham United will travel to Burnley for their Capital One Cup tie on
Tuesday 29 October
26.09.2013
West Ham United's Capital One Cup Fourth Round tie away at Burnley has been
set for Tuesday 29 October, with a 7.45pm kick-off. The Hammers were paired
with Sean Dyche's Clarets in Wednesday's draw, after they saw off Cardiff
City and Nottingham Forest respectively in their Third Round ties this week.
Burnley currently sit second in the Championship and are sure to provide Sam
Allardyce's side with a stern test as the Hammers look to book a
quarter-final spot for the first time in three seasons.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Six of the best - Hull City
WHUFC.com
A look back at six memorable victories over Saturday's opponents Hull City
25.09.2013
Sam Allardyce takes his West Ham United team to the KC Stadium on Saturday
looking to extend their unbeaten away run. The Hammers have earned a share
of the spoils in both of their away games so far with goalless draws against
Newcastle and Southampton. Here whufc.com continues the countdown to
Saturday's match by looking back at six memorable wins over Hull City.
West Ham United 2-1 Hull City
Championship
28 April 2012
This win on the final day of the 2011/12 season wasn't enough to secure an
automatic promotion spot as the Hammers had to settle for a Play-Off place.
Carlton Cole nodded home the first after 35 minutes and doubled the lead
moments after half-time when he lobbed the advancing Vito Mannone in goal.
Corry Evans scored a consolation after a poor header by Guy Demel let him in
but West Ham held on for the win. Sam Allardyce's team defeated Cardiff over
two legs and then beat Blackpool in the Play-Off final at Wembley to secure
a swift return to the Premier League.
Hull City 0-2 West Ham United
Championship
5 November 2011
West Ham made it five wins from seven away matches when they beat Hull on
their own patch to keep pace at the top of the Championship. After a
goalless first-half Sam Allardyce introduced Carlton Cole for John Carew and
soon after Sam Baldock profited from a Cole knockdown to open the scoring.
Cole then slid through the pass which Jack Collison latched onto and placed
beyond Peter Gulacsi to seal the three points.
West Ham United 3-0 Hull City
Premier League
20 February 2010
West Ham climbed to 13th in the table after this win over relegation
threatened Hull City. Gianfraco Zola's side got off to a flyer when Valon
Behrami put them ahead in the third minute. Carlton Cole added a second
before Julien Faubert rounded things off with a spectacular 25-yard strike.
The Hammers would go on to finish just five points and two places above
relegated Hull.
West Ham United 2-0 Hull City
Premier League
28 January 2009
The Hammers extended their unbeaten run to seven games with a convincing
home win over the Tigers. Hull had lost six straight games coming into this
match and could have been on the end of a more emphatic defeat at the Boleyn
Ground with the Hammers having struck the woodwork four times. Mark Noble
missed a penalty before David Di Michele put the home side in front just
before half-time. Carlton Cole turned in a second five minutes after the
interval to score his fifth goal in as many matches as the Hammers sauntered
to victory.
West Ham United 7-1 Hull City
Division Two
6 October 1990
West Ham went goal crazy as the Tigers left the Boleyn Ground with their
tails between their legs after this league encounter. Jimmy Quinn and Julian
Dicks netted twice each, including one from the penalty spot for Dicks.
Steve Potts, George Parris and Trevor Morley also got in on the act as the
Hammers produced an amazing display to destroy their visitors. West Ham
ended the season in second place, securing a place in the newly formed
Premier League the following year whilst the Tigers finished bottom of the
table.
Hull City 0-1 West Ham United
Division Two
13 September 1954
West Ham travelled to Hull having only played their home fixture against the
same opposition a week earlier. On that day the match ended 1-1 but on the
road the Hammers enjoyed more success. A goal from defender John Bond was
enough to give his team the points. West Ham went onto finish eighth in the
second division whilst Hull narrowly avoided relegation in 19th place.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
'I felt really good out there'
WHUFC.com
Modibo Maiga is hopeful his showing against Cardiff City is a sign of things
to come
26.09.2013
Modibo Maiga was in confident mood after impressing in West Ham United's
Capital One Cup victory over Cardiff City. Though he departed the fray at
half time, the 26-year-old frontman excelled in his now familiar
lone-striker berth, as the Hammers threatened to run riot. The architect of
Matt Jarvis' seventh-minute strike, Maiga still awaits his first goal of the
campaign, but took heart from an influential display. He told whufc.com: "I
felt better, I felt a lot better against Cardiff. I had a lot of the ball
and if you're getting more touches, that makes it so much more enjoyable. I
felt really good out there. "For sure, games like this give me confidence.
The little things that are missing right now, I hope are going to come
together. But I continue to work hard and that gives me every chance."
As well as his pursuit of goals, Maiga is just as happy to turn provider for
his colleagues, as he did to such good effect against the Bluebirds. The
No11 raced to the byline, before watching Jarvis convert his precision
cutback. "It was a good team move," he explained. "That's normal, it's the
sort of thing I'm always trying to do. "I'm managing as best I can to adapt
and I'll get my rewards. Even if they haven't come just yet, but that
doesn't worry me, I know it's coming. Perhaps my decision making in front of
goal has not been quite there, but I'm confident it will turn."
The forward's assist owed much to the brilliance of Ravel Morrison, whose
nifty turn set Maiga free down the right. The Mali international is thrilled
with the progress of the former Manchester United youngster, who bagged his
third of the season after just 20 seconds. "It's great. He's a very good
player, a youngster who's rising in the game and I hope it's going to
continue that way for him. "Anything's possible when there's a collective
will to succeed. This time the chance fell to him and he had the quality to
finish. Honestly, I'm really pleased for him."
Reflecting on a turbulent evening at the Boleyn Ground, Maiga admitted to
looking on nervously from the sidelines in the second half, though he was in
no doubt that the eventual outcome was the right one. That said, he accepts
the Hammers may well have to step it up yet further when they travel to the
KC Stadium to take on Hull City on Saturday. He continued: "In the first
half we were in complete control, but then all of a sudden we were right up
against it. I feared it was slipping away. But at the end of the day, I
think we thoroughly deserved to win the game. "Saturday's very important, as
are all Premier League games. Even if we think that we're going to have to
produce an ever better performance at Hull, we'll get straight on it,
working on how we can improve."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam relishing Burnley clash
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce is looking forward to taking West Ham United to Turf Moor in
the Capital One Cup fourth round
26.09.2013
Sam Allardyce is relishing the opportunity to take West Ham United to
Burnley in the Capital One Cup fourth round. Big Sam's Hammers were drawn to
take on the Clarets at Turf Moor following their third-round victories over
Cardiff City and Nottingham Forest respectively on Tuesday evening. The West
Ham boss cannot wait to return to the North West, where he has spent more
than 20 years as a player and manager with Bolt n Wanderers, Preston North
End and Blackburn Rovers. Having played and managed visiting teams at Turf
Moor - most-recently in West Ham's 2-2 Championship draw with Burnley in
March 2012 - Big Sam is expecting a tough tie with Sean Dyche's Championship
high-fliers.
"It's going to be a tough evening for us up there," said Big Sam, who
celebrated his 100th game in charge of West Ham at Tuesday's win over
Cardiff. "I've been to Turf Moor many times as a player and a manager and I
know what to expect, so I will be warning the players that if they show any
signs of weakness then that could be shown up on the night."
Burnley have lost just once in eleven matches in all competitions so far
this term and sit second in the table going into Saturday's home game with
another London side, Charlton Athletic. While Big Sam knows Burnley will be
no pushovers, the Hammers manager also knows his squad dodged the host of
Barclays Premier League clubs in the draw and have a real opportunity of
reaching the quarter-finals for the first time since 2010/11. "Having got
this far, it's about looking towards getting through to the next round now
and then you're only three games away from Wembley," he added. "For me, it's
a good draw, financially it doesn't bring us a lot, but it's a great
opportunity for us to get through to the next round and get to Wembley."
The player whose goal fired West Ham through to the last 16 is Ricardo Vaz
Te. After handing in a transfer request at the end of August, the No12 has
now pledged to give 100 per cent to the cause and could feature in
Saturday's Barclays Premier League fixture at Hull City. "We hope [Vaz Te
will produce his best football] because he was the starlet of our promotion
season," Big Sam confirmed. "We were struggling for goals mid-way through
the season and the Chairmen invested a little bit of money in some players.
One of those was Vaz Te and he scored 14 goals for us from January up to the
Play-Offs. "He scored the winner in the Play-Off final as well. We want to
see the goalscoring Vaz Te in the Premier League now and that would help us
with our lack of goals at the moment."
Unfortunately, while Vaz Te will hope to play against both Burnley and Hull,
another West Ham forward will not be fit for either match - Andy Carroll.
The manager revealed that the No9 is being treated by specialists in Belgium
at present in the hope of finally ridding him of the plantar fasciitis that
has ruled him out since the final game of last season. "He's away in Belgium
at the moment going through some rehab with a group of people who can focus
on him almost 24/7, which will hopefully speed up the process," said the
manager. "That will hopefully reduce the chance of a reoccurrence as much as
possible. "Every specialist that we went to last time round said there's a
four to five per cent chance he could reinjure himself and unfortunately
that's what happened. We've got to make sure he's 100 per cent before we get
him back on the field. "He's terribly frustrated. It's a massive year for
him, not just for West Ham, but for trying to get back into that England
squad to go to [the FIFA World Cup in] Brazil next summer."
*Sam Allardyce was interviewed on talkSPORT's Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Out of the blue
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 26th September 2013
By: Staff Writer
Former Hammer Manuel Da Costa is trending on YouTube this morning after
scoring a wonder goal for current club Sivasspor. The Portuguese defender
spent two eventful years at the Boleyn Ground between 2009 and 2011 firstly
as part of Gianfranco Zola's squad, and then Avram Grant's. Since leaving
West Ham, Da Costa has enjoyed spells in Russia with Lokomotiv Moscow, on
loan with Nacional in Portugal and now resides in Turkey having moved to his
current club in the summer. And it was in Sivas the weekend before last that
Da Costa amazed the watching crowd with a stunning 35-yard thunderbolt.
With the game poised at 1-1 after former Portsmouth star John Utaka's
opening goal for the home side had been cancelled out by Eskisehirspor's
Diomansy Kamara, Da Costa picked up the ball just inside the opponent's half
before driving forward and unleashing an unstoppable drive.
You can see the goal by hitting play
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fss1hHnAUqk
Da Costa made a total of 35 appearances for West Ham during his spell in
east London, scoring four goals. He scored twice in the 2009/10 season - in
a 3-3 draw at Hull and a 2-2 draw at Everton - and twice the following year,
both against Stoke (a 3-1 Carling Cup win and a 3-0 Premier League success).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cole agrees short-term deal at West Ham as Allardyce moves to ease striker
crisis
By DAVID KENT
PUBLISHED: 22:51, 26 September 2013 | UPDATED: 22:51, 26 September 2013
Daily Mail
West Ham have agreed a short-term deal to bring Carlton Cole back to Upton
Park as the Hammers look to bolster a depleted selection of strikers. The
contract is believed to be three months long and is expected to be
officially announced in the next 24 hours. Cole spent seven years at West
Ham during his first spell with the club, scoring 47 league goals in 206
games.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carlton's coming home
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 27th September 2013
By: Staff Writer
Carlton Cole is expected to officially return to West Ham ahead of this
weekend's trip to Hull on a short-term contract. The former England
international left Upton Park at the end of last season but is believed to
be on the verge of completing a short-term deal that will bring him back to
the club until the end of the year. Cole, whose refusal to accept West Ham's
original contract offer has already cost him in excess of a
quarter-of-a-million pounds in lost wages is still far from match fit, but
with only 14 matches between now and January will be expected to hit the
ground running. Usually active on Twitter, the striker has been relatively
quiet as of late. His most recent comments regarding his future came almost
a fortnight ago, when he said: "I am currently working on my fitness to get
to acceptable levels before I sign anywhere. "West Ham are assisting me
with this. In other words, I am doing a mini pre-season."
The 29-year-old's impending arrival is further bad news for Modibo Maiga,
who is already facing stiff competition for a starting spot from recent
arrival Mladen Petric. Maiga has featured in six games already this season
without a goal, meaning it is now nine months since he last scored for West
Ham; that coming in the famous 3-1 win over Chelsea last December.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Leo Chambers has been included in the England Under-19 squad for their Euro
Qualifiers next month
26.09.2013
West Ham United's Leo Chambers has been named in the England Under-19 squad
for their European Championship Qualifiers in Slovenia next month. Chambers
will travel with the Young Lions to face hosts Slovenia, Andorra and
Switzerland in early October with the top two teams in the group progressing
to the Elite Qualifying Round next May. The call-up comes in the same week
as the young defender impressed during only his second senior appearance for
the club, playing the full 90 minutes in a 3-2 win over Cardiff City in the
Capital One Cup Third Round. Chambers had made his West Ham debut in the
previous round, again playing the whole match as the Hammers overcame
Cheltenham Town 2-1 at the Boleyn Ground. The 18-year-old is no stranger to
the international scene having scored on his last appearance for the England
Under-19s as he netted the third goal in a 6-1 rout of Estonia earlier in
the month.
The defender, who can play anywhere across the back four, has also
represented England at Under-16, 17 and Under-18 level, making a combined
total of 12 appearances. Chambers will be hopeful that he can help his
country secure their place at next summer's finals which take place in
Hungary. The defender has been in fine form for West Ham's Development Squad
so far this season helping the team to four wins from their first six
matches of the campaign.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Date set for Burnley tie
WHUFC.com
West Ham United will travel to Burnley for their Capital One Cup tie on
Tuesday 29 October
26.09.2013
West Ham United's Capital One Cup Fourth Round tie away at Burnley has been
set for Tuesday 29 October, with a 7.45pm kick-off. The Hammers were paired
with Sean Dyche's Clarets in Wednesday's draw, after they saw off Cardiff
City and Nottingham Forest respectively in their Third Round ties this week.
Burnley currently sit second in the Championship and are sure to provide Sam
Allardyce's side with a stern test as the Hammers look to book a
quarter-final spot for the first time in three seasons.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Six of the best - Hull City
WHUFC.com
A look back at six memorable victories over Saturday's opponents Hull City
25.09.2013
Sam Allardyce takes his West Ham United team to the KC Stadium on Saturday
looking to extend their unbeaten away run. The Hammers have earned a share
of the spoils in both of their away games so far with goalless draws against
Newcastle and Southampton. Here whufc.com continues the countdown to
Saturday's match by looking back at six memorable wins over Hull City.
West Ham United 2-1 Hull City
Championship
28 April 2012
This win on the final day of the 2011/12 season wasn't enough to secure an
automatic promotion spot as the Hammers had to settle for a Play-Off place.
Carlton Cole nodded home the first after 35 minutes and doubled the lead
moments after half-time when he lobbed the advancing Vito Mannone in goal.
Corry Evans scored a consolation after a poor header by Guy Demel let him in
but West Ham held on for the win. Sam Allardyce's team defeated Cardiff over
two legs and then beat Blackpool in the Play-Off final at Wembley to secure
a swift return to the Premier League.
Hull City 0-2 West Ham United
Championship
5 November 2011
West Ham made it five wins from seven away matches when they beat Hull on
their own patch to keep pace at the top of the Championship. After a
goalless first-half Sam Allardyce introduced Carlton Cole for John Carew and
soon after Sam Baldock profited from a Cole knockdown to open the scoring.
Cole then slid through the pass which Jack Collison latched onto and placed
beyond Peter Gulacsi to seal the three points.
West Ham United 3-0 Hull City
Premier League
20 February 2010
West Ham climbed to 13th in the table after this win over relegation
threatened Hull City. Gianfraco Zola's side got off to a flyer when Valon
Behrami put them ahead in the third minute. Carlton Cole added a second
before Julien Faubert rounded things off with a spectacular 25-yard strike.
The Hammers would go on to finish just five points and two places above
relegated Hull.
West Ham United 2-0 Hull City
Premier League
28 January 2009
The Hammers extended their unbeaten run to seven games with a convincing
home win over the Tigers. Hull had lost six straight games coming into this
match and could have been on the end of a more emphatic defeat at the Boleyn
Ground with the Hammers having struck the woodwork four times. Mark Noble
missed a penalty before David Di Michele put the home side in front just
before half-time. Carlton Cole turned in a second five minutes after the
interval to score his fifth goal in as many matches as the Hammers sauntered
to victory.
West Ham United 7-1 Hull City
Division Two
6 October 1990
West Ham went goal crazy as the Tigers left the Boleyn Ground with their
tails between their legs after this league encounter. Jimmy Quinn and Julian
Dicks netted twice each, including one from the penalty spot for Dicks.
Steve Potts, George Parris and Trevor Morley also got in on the act as the
Hammers produced an amazing display to destroy their visitors. West Ham
ended the season in second place, securing a place in the newly formed
Premier League the following year whilst the Tigers finished bottom of the
table.
Hull City 0-1 West Ham United
Division Two
13 September 1954
West Ham travelled to Hull having only played their home fixture against the
same opposition a week earlier. On that day the match ended 1-1 but on the
road the Hammers enjoyed more success. A goal from defender John Bond was
enough to give his team the points. West Ham went onto finish eighth in the
second division whilst Hull narrowly avoided relegation in 19th place.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
'I felt really good out there'
WHUFC.com
Modibo Maiga is hopeful his showing against Cardiff City is a sign of things
to come
26.09.2013
Modibo Maiga was in confident mood after impressing in West Ham United's
Capital One Cup victory over Cardiff City. Though he departed the fray at
half time, the 26-year-old frontman excelled in his now familiar
lone-striker berth, as the Hammers threatened to run riot. The architect of
Matt Jarvis' seventh-minute strike, Maiga still awaits his first goal of the
campaign, but took heart from an influential display. He told whufc.com: "I
felt better, I felt a lot better against Cardiff. I had a lot of the ball
and if you're getting more touches, that makes it so much more enjoyable. I
felt really good out there. "For sure, games like this give me confidence.
The little things that are missing right now, I hope are going to come
together. But I continue to work hard and that gives me every chance."
As well as his pursuit of goals, Maiga is just as happy to turn provider for
his colleagues, as he did to such good effect against the Bluebirds. The
No11 raced to the byline, before watching Jarvis convert his precision
cutback. "It was a good team move," he explained. "That's normal, it's the
sort of thing I'm always trying to do. "I'm managing as best I can to adapt
and I'll get my rewards. Even if they haven't come just yet, but that
doesn't worry me, I know it's coming. Perhaps my decision making in front of
goal has not been quite there, but I'm confident it will turn."
The forward's assist owed much to the brilliance of Ravel Morrison, whose
nifty turn set Maiga free down the right. The Mali international is thrilled
with the progress of the former Manchester United youngster, who bagged his
third of the season after just 20 seconds. "It's great. He's a very good
player, a youngster who's rising in the game and I hope it's going to
continue that way for him. "Anything's possible when there's a collective
will to succeed. This time the chance fell to him and he had the quality to
finish. Honestly, I'm really pleased for him."
Reflecting on a turbulent evening at the Boleyn Ground, Maiga admitted to
looking on nervously from the sidelines in the second half, though he was in
no doubt that the eventual outcome was the right one. That said, he accepts
the Hammers may well have to step it up yet further when they travel to the
KC Stadium to take on Hull City on Saturday. He continued: "In the first
half we were in complete control, but then all of a sudden we were right up
against it. I feared it was slipping away. But at the end of the day, I
think we thoroughly deserved to win the game. "Saturday's very important, as
are all Premier League games. Even if we think that we're going to have to
produce an ever better performance at Hull, we'll get straight on it,
working on how we can improve."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam relishing Burnley clash
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce is looking forward to taking West Ham United to Turf Moor in
the Capital One Cup fourth round
26.09.2013
Sam Allardyce is relishing the opportunity to take West Ham United to
Burnley in the Capital One Cup fourth round. Big Sam's Hammers were drawn to
take on the Clarets at Turf Moor following their third-round victories over
Cardiff City and Nottingham Forest respectively on Tuesday evening. The West
Ham boss cannot wait to return to the North West, where he has spent more
than 20 years as a player and manager with Bolt n Wanderers, Preston North
End and Blackburn Rovers. Having played and managed visiting teams at Turf
Moor - most-recently in West Ham's 2-2 Championship draw with Burnley in
March 2012 - Big Sam is expecting a tough tie with Sean Dyche's Championship
high-fliers.
"It's going to be a tough evening for us up there," said Big Sam, who
celebrated his 100th game in charge of West Ham at Tuesday's win over
Cardiff. "I've been to Turf Moor many times as a player and a manager and I
know what to expect, so I will be warning the players that if they show any
signs of weakness then that could be shown up on the night."
Burnley have lost just once in eleven matches in all competitions so far
this term and sit second in the table going into Saturday's home game with
another London side, Charlton Athletic. While Big Sam knows Burnley will be
no pushovers, the Hammers manager also knows his squad dodged the host of
Barclays Premier League clubs in the draw and have a real opportunity of
reaching the quarter-finals for the first time since 2010/11. "Having got
this far, it's about looking towards getting through to the next round now
and then you're only three games away from Wembley," he added. "For me, it's
a good draw, financially it doesn't bring us a lot, but it's a great
opportunity for us to get through to the next round and get to Wembley."
The player whose goal fired West Ham through to the last 16 is Ricardo Vaz
Te. After handing in a transfer request at the end of August, the No12 has
now pledged to give 100 per cent to the cause and could feature in
Saturday's Barclays Premier League fixture at Hull City. "We hope [Vaz Te
will produce his best football] because he was the starlet of our promotion
season," Big Sam confirmed. "We were struggling for goals mid-way through
the season and the Chairmen invested a little bit of money in some players.
One of those was Vaz Te and he scored 14 goals for us from January up to the
Play-Offs. "He scored the winner in the Play-Off final as well. We want to
see the goalscoring Vaz Te in the Premier League now and that would help us
with our lack of goals at the moment."
Unfortunately, while Vaz Te will hope to play against both Burnley and Hull,
another West Ham forward will not be fit for either match - Andy Carroll.
The manager revealed that the No9 is being treated by specialists in Belgium
at present in the hope of finally ridding him of the plantar fasciitis that
has ruled him out since the final game of last season. "He's away in Belgium
at the moment going through some rehab with a group of people who can focus
on him almost 24/7, which will hopefully speed up the process," said the
manager. "That will hopefully reduce the chance of a reoccurrence as much as
possible. "Every specialist that we went to last time round said there's a
four to five per cent chance he could reinjure himself and unfortunately
that's what happened. We've got to make sure he's 100 per cent before we get
him back on the field. "He's terribly frustrated. It's a massive year for
him, not just for West Ham, but for trying to get back into that England
squad to go to [the FIFA World Cup in] Brazil next summer."
*Sam Allardyce was interviewed on talkSPORT's Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Out of the blue
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 26th September 2013
By: Staff Writer
Former Hammer Manuel Da Costa is trending on YouTube this morning after
scoring a wonder goal for current club Sivasspor. The Portuguese defender
spent two eventful years at the Boleyn Ground between 2009 and 2011 firstly
as part of Gianfranco Zola's squad, and then Avram Grant's. Since leaving
West Ham, Da Costa has enjoyed spells in Russia with Lokomotiv Moscow, on
loan with Nacional in Portugal and now resides in Turkey having moved to his
current club in the summer. And it was in Sivas the weekend before last that
Da Costa amazed the watching crowd with a stunning 35-yard thunderbolt.
With the game poised at 1-1 after former Portsmouth star John Utaka's
opening goal for the home side had been cancelled out by Eskisehirspor's
Diomansy Kamara, Da Costa picked up the ball just inside the opponent's half
before driving forward and unleashing an unstoppable drive.
You can see the goal by hitting play
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fss1hHnAUqk
Da Costa made a total of 35 appearances for West Ham during his spell in
east London, scoring four goals. He scored twice in the 2009/10 season - in
a 3-3 draw at Hull and a 2-2 draw at Everton - and twice the following year,
both against Stoke (a 3-1 Carling Cup win and a 3-0 Premier League success).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cole agrees short-term deal at West Ham as Allardyce moves to ease striker
crisis
By DAVID KENT
PUBLISHED: 22:51, 26 September 2013 | UPDATED: 22:51, 26 September 2013
Daily Mail
West Ham have agreed a short-term deal to bring Carlton Cole back to Upton
Park as the Hammers look to bolster a depleted selection of strikers. The
contract is believed to be three months long and is expected to be
officially announced in the next 24 hours. Cole spent seven years at West
Ham during his first spell with the club, scoring 47 league goals in 206
games.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carlton's coming home
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 27th September 2013
By: Staff Writer
Carlton Cole is expected to officially return to West Ham ahead of this
weekend's trip to Hull on a short-term contract. The former England
international left Upton Park at the end of last season but is believed to
be on the verge of completing a short-term deal that will bring him back to
the club until the end of the year. Cole, whose refusal to accept West Ham's
original contract offer has already cost him in excess of a
quarter-of-a-million pounds in lost wages is still far from match fit, but
with only 14 matches between now and January will be expected to hit the
ground running. Usually active on Twitter, the striker has been relatively
quiet as of late. His most recent comments regarding his future came almost
a fortnight ago, when he said: "I am currently working on my fitness to get
to acceptable levels before I sign anywhere. "West Ham are assisting me
with this. In other words, I am doing a mini pre-season."
The 29-year-old's impending arrival is further bad news for Modibo Maiga,
who is already facing stiff competition for a starting spot from recent
arrival Mladen Petric. Maiga has featured in six games already this season
without a goal, meaning it is now nine months since he last scored for West
Ham; that coming in the famous 3-1 win over Chelsea last December.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Thursday, September 26
Daily WHUFC News - 26th September 2013
Collison glad to play his part
WHUFC.com
Jack Collison had a spring in his step after helping the Hammers see off a
stubborn Cardiff City side
25.09.2013
Jack Collison was satisfied with a job well done against Cardiff City, as
his perfect centre paved the way for Ricardo Vaz Te to nod West Ham United
into the last 16 of the Capital One Cup. After racing into a two-goal lead
inside just seven minutes, the Hammers had to contend with a spirited City
fight-back, one that left the contest seemingly poised for extra-time. But
Vaz Te's 88th-minute intervention ensured Sam Allardyce's men would, this
time, finish on the right side of a 3-2 scoreline, a result that Collison
thought was just reward for their evening's work. He told West Ham TV: "We
made a magnificent start to the game, we started like a house on fire. We
had chances and we really should have put the game to bed. "But they're a
side full of quality and [Craig] Noone has come in and scored a good goal to
make it 2-1 at a half time. It was a different game second half. We were a
bit sloppy at times with the passing, but maybe you're going to get that
with boys who haven't played so much. "Fortunately, Vaz pops up with another
important goal, which he always seems to do. I thought we thoroughly
deserved the win, so we're all very grateful that Vaz was on the end of it."
Speaking of his crucial and brilliantly executed role in the winner, the
Welsh midfielder admitted he is working hard to continue producing moments
of such quality in the final third. In fact, but for an athletic one-handed
Joe Lewis stop, he might have had a goal to celebrate too, as his long-range
volley threatened to dip beneath the crossbar. "It's something I'm trying
to work on, getting in those positions more regularly," he explained. "If I
can do it in the League Cup games, then, if the Gaffer ever needs me on the
Saturday hopefully I can take it into a Premier League game. "It would have
been nice if it [the volley] had dropped in, it might have taken the
pressure off us a little bit. But I'm just enjoying playing. It's nice to be
out on the pitch."
Having featured just once in the Barclays Premier League this term, Collison
is, naturally, itching to play his part. First on the agenda is Saturday's
trip to Hull City's KC Stadium, where he has twice netted in the past, most
recently in a 2-0 Championship success in November 2011. He continued:
"On a personal level it has been a frustrating start to the season. So the
League Cup has been a bit of a release for me and a chance to get out on the
pitch and have a go, and try to stake my claim for a place. "We played some
nice stuff at times against Cardiff and hopefully the manager has taken note
of that and if he needs us we're there, we're ready and we'll see what
happens. "I've actually scored two at the KC Stadium. If I'm in the squad,
first of all, it would be nice and it would be nice to get a bit of time on
the pitch. I'm just plugging away, working hard in training and hoping to
give the manager a few headaches. I know we're all looking forward to it and
to get back to winning ways."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Burnley away in Round Four
WHUFC.com
The draw for the Fourth Round of the Capital One Cup was made on Wednesday
evening
25.09.2013
West Ham United have been drawn away at Burnley in the Capital One Cup
Fourth Round. The Hammers will travel to the Championship club in the week
commencing October 28, looking to continue their best Capital One Cup run
for three seasons. Sam Allardyce's men have overcome Cheltenham Town and
Cardiff City to reach this stage, with Ricardo Vaz Te's late header sealing
victory over the latter on Tuesday. Burnley, who currently sit second in the
Championship, came from behind to beat Nottingham Forest in Round Three this
week, Danny Ings scoring both goals for the Clarets. They have also beaten
York City and Preston North End in their run to the last 16.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Big Interview - Ricardo Vaz Te
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's No12 on scoring important goals and being focused on his
future at the Boleyn Ground
25.09.2013
Ricardo Vaz Te has pledged his commitment to West Ham United after scoring
the winner in the 3-2 Capital One Cup third-round win over Cardiff City.
Having submitted a transfer request at the end of August after becoming
frustrated at a lack of first-team action, Vaz Te ultimately remained at the
Club and has been urged to show his worth by manager Sam Allardye and
captain Kevin Nolan. After scoring for the second Capital One Cup tie in
succession, Vaz Te confirmed his ambition to show them, his squad-mates and
Hammers fans why he believes he can be an important player for West Ham
United.
Vaz, you must have enjoyed playing and scoring the winner against Cardiff on
Tuesday evening?
RVT: "Obviously I enjoy playing and that's the reason I came here and I'm in
this business. I guess we all want to play but we can't all play at the same
time, but I got my 90 minutes on Tuesday and I was really pleased. I can
only keep knocking on the manager's door saying 'I deserve to play and I'm
ready to play' and I'm glad we won. "In the past I have created chances and
score goals. I've been asked to play different positions and I tried to
adapt as much as possible for the benefit of the team. "Obviously, I try not
to be selfish. This season I have found myself in a bit of a pickle because
I noticed that I wasn't going to be picked as the first option. I think I
deserve to be the first option so it has been very frustrating. I was happy
to get the 90 minutes and now I have to keep showing that I deserve to
play."
Your goal came at a great time, with just two minutes of normal time
remaining?
RVT: "At that stage, it was hard for Cardiff to react so it was a killer
goal, I guess. I was very pleased for myself and for the team as well. "I
think we deserved to win. We played better than Cardiff throughout but we
lost ourselves a bit in the second half and gave them the chance to come
back into the game when we should have buried them. In the end, we got the
result, we won 3-2 and I'm pleased for everybody."
It was an important result for the squad, wasn't it, particularly after the
disappointing defeat by Everton on Saturday?
RVT: "It's always good to win because you build momentum, you see. Winning
is a habit and the quicker we get that habit, the better. Obviously, it's
easy for the fans to panic when we don't win or we draw and we've lost two
games at home now, but we've got a good team and we're going to keep on
fighting.
"They shouldn't panic because we're going to get results. It's fine."
Ravel Morrison scored the opening goal and played a part in the second. As
someone who also played in the Premier League as a teenager, what do you
make of him as a player?
RVT: "He's a very talented young lad. I can say he's the biggest talent I
have ever seen [in a team I have played in]. I have played with Nani and all
sorts.
"It's up to him to become as good as he can be. If he stays focused and
hungry and shows he wants to keep improving and always learning [he can go
far].
"He has to show the desire and commitment because, in this life, to be the
best or the best you can be you can't think you have done it all. You can't
settle. You have to drive for more.
What was the reaction like from your squad-mates after you made your
transfer request and then ultimately remained at the Club?
RVT: "The players know the business and it's hard. They don't hold grudges.
None of us hold grudges. We're all professionals. Obviously I expressed my
desire to leave because I want to play. I'm not 18 any longer and I can't
keep playing those games. "The players have been wonderful. They know my
intentions, obviously, and know I have huge respect for each individual and
the manager and the Club. I didn't do it to hurt anybody - I just want to
play."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers face Burnley trip
KUMb.com
Filed: Wednesday, 25th September 2013
By: Staff Writer no,2
United have been drawn away to Burnley in the 4th round of the Capital One
Cup.
The match will be the first time the clubs have met since a 2-2 draw at Turf
Moor in the Championship in March 2012.
The full draw:
Sunderland v Southampton
Leicester City v Fulham
Birmingham City v Stoke City
Manchester United v Norwich City
Burnley V West Ham United
West Bromwich Albion/Arsenal v Chelsea
Tottenham Hotspur v Hull City
Newcastle United v Manchester City
Matches to be played in the week commencing 28 October
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ricardo Vaz Te's transfer request 'in the past' as striker and West Ham bury
hatchet
Last Updated: September 25, 2013 5:46pm
SSN
Ricardo Vaz Te's summer transfer request is "in the past" as far as both he
and West Ham are concerned. The Portuguese forward publicly sought a move
during the transfer window and claimed "it has been made obvious to myself
and my representatives that I am not in the manager's plans". Vaz Te has not
yet started in the Premier League this season, but his winner against
Cardiff on Tuesday was his second Capital One Cup goal in as many starts in
that competition.
And with Andy Carroll injured, Mladen Petric short of fitness and Modibo
Maiga yet to score this term, Vaz Te is an option for this weekend's trip to
Hull City.
Assistant manager Neil McDonald said: "He keeps on telling everyone that he
creates chances and scores and that's what the manager wants - people to put
the ball in the back of the net. "That's a knock on the door for the
manager, he's available on Saturday against Hull and gives the manager a
nice little problem.
"You have to forget what happened in the past, maybe it was bad advice, but
he's a genuine lad who just wants to play." Vaz Te was also in conciliatory
mood when interviewed by the club's website after the game. He said: "I try
not to be selfish. This season I have found myself in a bit of a pickle
because I noticed that I wasn't going to be picked as the first option. "I
think I deserve to be the first option so it has been very frustrating. I
was happy to get the 90 minutes and now I have to keep showing that I
deserve to play. "The players know the business and it's hard. They don't
hold grudges. None of us hold grudges. We're all professionals. Obviously I
expressed my desire to leave because I want to play. I'm not 18 any longer
and I can't keep playing those games. "The players have been wonderful. They
know my intentions, obviously, and know I have huge respect for each
individual and the manager and the club. I didn't do it to hurt anybody - I
just want to play."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham striker Mladen Petric hoping to be at World Cup with Croatia
By Jure Bohoric | Last Updated: September 25, 2013 3:34pm
SSN
West Ham striker Mladen Petric is hopeful that he will make it to the World
Cup finals with Croatia. Croatia look set to finish second in Group A of the
qualifying section, meaning they will then go into a play-off for a place in
Brazil. And Petric is hoping to be involved, having returned to first-team
action with West Ham earlier this month. Petric missed out on the previous
national squads, but he puts that down to being a free agent at the time
after he left Fulham. "I definitely want to go to Brazil," he told T-portal.
"I didn't play for Croatia in their last matches just because I didn't have
a club. "But national team coach Igor Stimac has assured me that I would be
part of the team if I'm going to play for my club."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WEST HAM'S DEBT EXPLAINED
By Sean Whetstone 25 Sep 2013 at 14:38
West Ham Till I Die
In this financial article I will attempt to explore and explain West Ham's
remaining debt position. I believe many West Ham fans still believe we have
debts of £100 million or we have to clear £70 million of bank debt before we
can move to the Olympic stadium. That is the not the case as I hope to
explain.
Net debt is just a metric that shows a company's overall debt situation by
netting the value of a company's liabilities and debts such as bank loans
with its cash held in the bank.
In 2010 David Sullivan after the take over famously revealed in a press
conference that West Ham were over £100 million in debt.
Sullivan explained "We've paid down some of the debt and injected some
working capital but there's still more than £100 million of debt. In that
there's £50 million owed to banks, there's £40 million owed to other clubs.
There's not a penny to come in, they (the previous owners) have borrowed
against the next two years of season-ticket money.
The sponsors have paid 70% of their three-years up front. In addition
there's the club's settlement to (former manager) Alan Curbishley, so the
real debt is about £110 million."
Of this non bank debt Sullivan spoke about Sheffield United is believed to
have agreed £21m in an out of court settlement although Gold & Sullivan said
they inherited around 75% that debt on takeover.
The Alan Curbishly settlement was believed to be £2.2m and the advance on
season ticket sales were £7.7m the first year and £7.25m the second year.
The SBOBET sponsorship was believed to be worth £1.2m per year much of which
was advanced also.
A massive financial mess by anyone's standards!
The 2009 accounts were the first to be released under Gold & Sullivan
ownership showed which a net bank debt of £55.47m with a further £33.65m in
other long term liabilities. These included £10m owed to a major
shareholder, £3.8m owed to other clubs for transfers and £18m to be paid to
Sheffield Utd.
In 2010 this quickly reduced to £33.5m of long term bank debt with an extra
£24m in long term liabilities which were principally £7.7m of advance season
ticket sales and £16m left to pay of the settlement to Sheffield Utd. In the
company accounts Chairman's statement David Sullivan confirmed that David
Gold & himself invested £24m into the club which resulted in a reduction of
£12m of bank borrowing and £22m of overall liabilities that year.
In 2011 Sullivan and Gold invested another £3m into the club on top of
buying further shares. In his chairman's statement of that year Sullivan
revealed that Gold and himself had invested £29m of equity and loans to the
club in the past 18 months. Despite this the bank net debt this increased by
£8.1m to £41.6m. Long term liabilities added an £27m which included the
remaining £10.5m due to Sheffield United, £3.1m owed to other clubs for
transfers and £7.25m for second year of the Season Ticket advance.
In that same statement Sullivan said "Since 31 May 2009 bank debt has
reduced from £44.9m to £38m while total net creditors have reduced from
£112.7m to £91.2m. In addition during this period we have refinanced the
bank debt and we are now on schedule to reduce bank debt to under £21m by
2013." The figure quoted by Sullivan of £91.2M obviously included creditors
due within 12 months which were offset by income that year.
In the latest 2012 financial year accounts revealed Gold and Sullivan
invested another £32.2M of cash in the form of loans after West Ham's
turnover fell drastically to £46.2m in our drop to the championship.
This further increased our net debt to £70.7m although £35m of this debt is
now owed to Sullivan & Gold through loans so actually it is only £35.7m of
external bank net debt when you remove share holder loans. Although £16m of
these share holder loans are owed to Sullivan's property company Conegate
Holdings.
Of this remaining £35.7m £5m was due in the year ending 31st May 2013 so
should already be paid off wit the remaining £30m due more than 12 months.
Of this £30M longer term bank debt only £25M is secured against the Boleyn
Ground as a mortgage so it must be paid off before we move to the Olympic
stadium. The remaining £5M of loans are unsecured so do not have that same
restriction.
I saw many papers published the £70M figure that West ham had to clear
before moving to the Olympic Stadium. Well by my calculation it is more like
£25M.
Outside of bank debts our long term liabilities mentioned by Sullivan back
in 2010 are also vastly reducing.
We owe West Ham bond holders £611,000 since 1997 which we will pay back
after 150 years of the scheme. By the time it is payable in 2148 I am sure
£611,000 will be average weekly wage of Premier league footballer so it not
a debt that should bother us too much.
We owe other football clubs £4.6M from player transfers from staggered
payments. It will be interesting how this increases in 2013 with the Carroll
& Downing transfers but more clubs want money up front now or within 12
months so staggered payments are now becoming a thing of the past unless
they are desperate to get shot of a player.
In the 'other creditors' section of our 2012 accounts there is a sum of just
over £5M, this is almost definitely the last payment to Sheffield United
which David Gold confirmed we paid very recently.
We are now also finally free of the advance of season ticket money of £7.25M
in 2011 & £7.7M in 2010. This like a new revenue stream to West Ham as the
Icelandic's banked 2 years of season ticket sales up front!
We also account for £2.5M from the Football Stadia Fund grant scheme in our
long term liabilities even although I understand this is not repayable.
So with the remaining long term liabilities listed in the 2012 accounts we
can add on another approx £5M to bring the total West Ham debt to around
£37M or £72M if you include the loans from owners Sullivan & Gold.
The 2013 accounts are released early next year and I will update the overall
debt picture as soon as they become available. The owners have certainly put
their money where their mouth is and for that I am grateful.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Jack Collison had a spring in his step after helping the Hammers see off a
stubborn Cardiff City side
25.09.2013
Jack Collison was satisfied with a job well done against Cardiff City, as
his perfect centre paved the way for Ricardo Vaz Te to nod West Ham United
into the last 16 of the Capital One Cup. After racing into a two-goal lead
inside just seven minutes, the Hammers had to contend with a spirited City
fight-back, one that left the contest seemingly poised for extra-time. But
Vaz Te's 88th-minute intervention ensured Sam Allardyce's men would, this
time, finish on the right side of a 3-2 scoreline, a result that Collison
thought was just reward for their evening's work. He told West Ham TV: "We
made a magnificent start to the game, we started like a house on fire. We
had chances and we really should have put the game to bed. "But they're a
side full of quality and [Craig] Noone has come in and scored a good goal to
make it 2-1 at a half time. It was a different game second half. We were a
bit sloppy at times with the passing, but maybe you're going to get that
with boys who haven't played so much. "Fortunately, Vaz pops up with another
important goal, which he always seems to do. I thought we thoroughly
deserved the win, so we're all very grateful that Vaz was on the end of it."
Speaking of his crucial and brilliantly executed role in the winner, the
Welsh midfielder admitted he is working hard to continue producing moments
of such quality in the final third. In fact, but for an athletic one-handed
Joe Lewis stop, he might have had a goal to celebrate too, as his long-range
volley threatened to dip beneath the crossbar. "It's something I'm trying
to work on, getting in those positions more regularly," he explained. "If I
can do it in the League Cup games, then, if the Gaffer ever needs me on the
Saturday hopefully I can take it into a Premier League game. "It would have
been nice if it [the volley] had dropped in, it might have taken the
pressure off us a little bit. But I'm just enjoying playing. It's nice to be
out on the pitch."
Having featured just once in the Barclays Premier League this term, Collison
is, naturally, itching to play his part. First on the agenda is Saturday's
trip to Hull City's KC Stadium, where he has twice netted in the past, most
recently in a 2-0 Championship success in November 2011. He continued:
"On a personal level it has been a frustrating start to the season. So the
League Cup has been a bit of a release for me and a chance to get out on the
pitch and have a go, and try to stake my claim for a place. "We played some
nice stuff at times against Cardiff and hopefully the manager has taken note
of that and if he needs us we're there, we're ready and we'll see what
happens. "I've actually scored two at the KC Stadium. If I'm in the squad,
first of all, it would be nice and it would be nice to get a bit of time on
the pitch. I'm just plugging away, working hard in training and hoping to
give the manager a few headaches. I know we're all looking forward to it and
to get back to winning ways."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Burnley away in Round Four
WHUFC.com
The draw for the Fourth Round of the Capital One Cup was made on Wednesday
evening
25.09.2013
West Ham United have been drawn away at Burnley in the Capital One Cup
Fourth Round. The Hammers will travel to the Championship club in the week
commencing October 28, looking to continue their best Capital One Cup run
for three seasons. Sam Allardyce's men have overcome Cheltenham Town and
Cardiff City to reach this stage, with Ricardo Vaz Te's late header sealing
victory over the latter on Tuesday. Burnley, who currently sit second in the
Championship, came from behind to beat Nottingham Forest in Round Three this
week, Danny Ings scoring both goals for the Clarets. They have also beaten
York City and Preston North End in their run to the last 16.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Big Interview - Ricardo Vaz Te
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's No12 on scoring important goals and being focused on his
future at the Boleyn Ground
25.09.2013
Ricardo Vaz Te has pledged his commitment to West Ham United after scoring
the winner in the 3-2 Capital One Cup third-round win over Cardiff City.
Having submitted a transfer request at the end of August after becoming
frustrated at a lack of first-team action, Vaz Te ultimately remained at the
Club and has been urged to show his worth by manager Sam Allardye and
captain Kevin Nolan. After scoring for the second Capital One Cup tie in
succession, Vaz Te confirmed his ambition to show them, his squad-mates and
Hammers fans why he believes he can be an important player for West Ham
United.
Vaz, you must have enjoyed playing and scoring the winner against Cardiff on
Tuesday evening?
RVT: "Obviously I enjoy playing and that's the reason I came here and I'm in
this business. I guess we all want to play but we can't all play at the same
time, but I got my 90 minutes on Tuesday and I was really pleased. I can
only keep knocking on the manager's door saying 'I deserve to play and I'm
ready to play' and I'm glad we won. "In the past I have created chances and
score goals. I've been asked to play different positions and I tried to
adapt as much as possible for the benefit of the team. "Obviously, I try not
to be selfish. This season I have found myself in a bit of a pickle because
I noticed that I wasn't going to be picked as the first option. I think I
deserve to be the first option so it has been very frustrating. I was happy
to get the 90 minutes and now I have to keep showing that I deserve to
play."
Your goal came at a great time, with just two minutes of normal time
remaining?
RVT: "At that stage, it was hard for Cardiff to react so it was a killer
goal, I guess. I was very pleased for myself and for the team as well. "I
think we deserved to win. We played better than Cardiff throughout but we
lost ourselves a bit in the second half and gave them the chance to come
back into the game when we should have buried them. In the end, we got the
result, we won 3-2 and I'm pleased for everybody."
It was an important result for the squad, wasn't it, particularly after the
disappointing defeat by Everton on Saturday?
RVT: "It's always good to win because you build momentum, you see. Winning
is a habit and the quicker we get that habit, the better. Obviously, it's
easy for the fans to panic when we don't win or we draw and we've lost two
games at home now, but we've got a good team and we're going to keep on
fighting.
"They shouldn't panic because we're going to get results. It's fine."
Ravel Morrison scored the opening goal and played a part in the second. As
someone who also played in the Premier League as a teenager, what do you
make of him as a player?
RVT: "He's a very talented young lad. I can say he's the biggest talent I
have ever seen [in a team I have played in]. I have played with Nani and all
sorts.
"It's up to him to become as good as he can be. If he stays focused and
hungry and shows he wants to keep improving and always learning [he can go
far].
"He has to show the desire and commitment because, in this life, to be the
best or the best you can be you can't think you have done it all. You can't
settle. You have to drive for more.
What was the reaction like from your squad-mates after you made your
transfer request and then ultimately remained at the Club?
RVT: "The players know the business and it's hard. They don't hold grudges.
None of us hold grudges. We're all professionals. Obviously I expressed my
desire to leave because I want to play. I'm not 18 any longer and I can't
keep playing those games. "The players have been wonderful. They know my
intentions, obviously, and know I have huge respect for each individual and
the manager and the Club. I didn't do it to hurt anybody - I just want to
play."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers face Burnley trip
KUMb.com
Filed: Wednesday, 25th September 2013
By: Staff Writer no,2
United have been drawn away to Burnley in the 4th round of the Capital One
Cup.
The match will be the first time the clubs have met since a 2-2 draw at Turf
Moor in the Championship in March 2012.
The full draw:
Sunderland v Southampton
Leicester City v Fulham
Birmingham City v Stoke City
Manchester United v Norwich City
Burnley V West Ham United
West Bromwich Albion/Arsenal v Chelsea
Tottenham Hotspur v Hull City
Newcastle United v Manchester City
Matches to be played in the week commencing 28 October
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ricardo Vaz Te's transfer request 'in the past' as striker and West Ham bury
hatchet
Last Updated: September 25, 2013 5:46pm
SSN
Ricardo Vaz Te's summer transfer request is "in the past" as far as both he
and West Ham are concerned. The Portuguese forward publicly sought a move
during the transfer window and claimed "it has been made obvious to myself
and my representatives that I am not in the manager's plans". Vaz Te has not
yet started in the Premier League this season, but his winner against
Cardiff on Tuesday was his second Capital One Cup goal in as many starts in
that competition.
And with Andy Carroll injured, Mladen Petric short of fitness and Modibo
Maiga yet to score this term, Vaz Te is an option for this weekend's trip to
Hull City.
Assistant manager Neil McDonald said: "He keeps on telling everyone that he
creates chances and scores and that's what the manager wants - people to put
the ball in the back of the net. "That's a knock on the door for the
manager, he's available on Saturday against Hull and gives the manager a
nice little problem.
"You have to forget what happened in the past, maybe it was bad advice, but
he's a genuine lad who just wants to play." Vaz Te was also in conciliatory
mood when interviewed by the club's website after the game. He said: "I try
not to be selfish. This season I have found myself in a bit of a pickle
because I noticed that I wasn't going to be picked as the first option. "I
think I deserve to be the first option so it has been very frustrating. I
was happy to get the 90 minutes and now I have to keep showing that I
deserve to play. "The players know the business and it's hard. They don't
hold grudges. None of us hold grudges. We're all professionals. Obviously I
expressed my desire to leave because I want to play. I'm not 18 any longer
and I can't keep playing those games. "The players have been wonderful. They
know my intentions, obviously, and know I have huge respect for each
individual and the manager and the club. I didn't do it to hurt anybody - I
just want to play."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham striker Mladen Petric hoping to be at World Cup with Croatia
By Jure Bohoric | Last Updated: September 25, 2013 3:34pm
SSN
West Ham striker Mladen Petric is hopeful that he will make it to the World
Cup finals with Croatia. Croatia look set to finish second in Group A of the
qualifying section, meaning they will then go into a play-off for a place in
Brazil. And Petric is hoping to be involved, having returned to first-team
action with West Ham earlier this month. Petric missed out on the previous
national squads, but he puts that down to being a free agent at the time
after he left Fulham. "I definitely want to go to Brazil," he told T-portal.
"I didn't play for Croatia in their last matches just because I didn't have
a club. "But national team coach Igor Stimac has assured me that I would be
part of the team if I'm going to play for my club."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WEST HAM'S DEBT EXPLAINED
By Sean Whetstone 25 Sep 2013 at 14:38
West Ham Till I Die
In this financial article I will attempt to explore and explain West Ham's
remaining debt position. I believe many West Ham fans still believe we have
debts of £100 million or we have to clear £70 million of bank debt before we
can move to the Olympic stadium. That is the not the case as I hope to
explain.
Net debt is just a metric that shows a company's overall debt situation by
netting the value of a company's liabilities and debts such as bank loans
with its cash held in the bank.
In 2010 David Sullivan after the take over famously revealed in a press
conference that West Ham were over £100 million in debt.
Sullivan explained "We've paid down some of the debt and injected some
working capital but there's still more than £100 million of debt. In that
there's £50 million owed to banks, there's £40 million owed to other clubs.
There's not a penny to come in, they (the previous owners) have borrowed
against the next two years of season-ticket money.
The sponsors have paid 70% of their three-years up front. In addition
there's the club's settlement to (former manager) Alan Curbishley, so the
real debt is about £110 million."
Of this non bank debt Sullivan spoke about Sheffield United is believed to
have agreed £21m in an out of court settlement although Gold & Sullivan said
they inherited around 75% that debt on takeover.
The Alan Curbishly settlement was believed to be £2.2m and the advance on
season ticket sales were £7.7m the first year and £7.25m the second year.
The SBOBET sponsorship was believed to be worth £1.2m per year much of which
was advanced also.
A massive financial mess by anyone's standards!
The 2009 accounts were the first to be released under Gold & Sullivan
ownership showed which a net bank debt of £55.47m with a further £33.65m in
other long term liabilities. These included £10m owed to a major
shareholder, £3.8m owed to other clubs for transfers and £18m to be paid to
Sheffield Utd.
In 2010 this quickly reduced to £33.5m of long term bank debt with an extra
£24m in long term liabilities which were principally £7.7m of advance season
ticket sales and £16m left to pay of the settlement to Sheffield Utd. In the
company accounts Chairman's statement David Sullivan confirmed that David
Gold & himself invested £24m into the club which resulted in a reduction of
£12m of bank borrowing and £22m of overall liabilities that year.
In 2011 Sullivan and Gold invested another £3m into the club on top of
buying further shares. In his chairman's statement of that year Sullivan
revealed that Gold and himself had invested £29m of equity and loans to the
club in the past 18 months. Despite this the bank net debt this increased by
£8.1m to £41.6m. Long term liabilities added an £27m which included the
remaining £10.5m due to Sheffield United, £3.1m owed to other clubs for
transfers and £7.25m for second year of the Season Ticket advance.
In that same statement Sullivan said "Since 31 May 2009 bank debt has
reduced from £44.9m to £38m while total net creditors have reduced from
£112.7m to £91.2m. In addition during this period we have refinanced the
bank debt and we are now on schedule to reduce bank debt to under £21m by
2013." The figure quoted by Sullivan of £91.2M obviously included creditors
due within 12 months which were offset by income that year.
In the latest 2012 financial year accounts revealed Gold and Sullivan
invested another £32.2M of cash in the form of loans after West Ham's
turnover fell drastically to £46.2m in our drop to the championship.
This further increased our net debt to £70.7m although £35m of this debt is
now owed to Sullivan & Gold through loans so actually it is only £35.7m of
external bank net debt when you remove share holder loans. Although £16m of
these share holder loans are owed to Sullivan's property company Conegate
Holdings.
Of this remaining £35.7m £5m was due in the year ending 31st May 2013 so
should already be paid off wit the remaining £30m due more than 12 months.
Of this £30M longer term bank debt only £25M is secured against the Boleyn
Ground as a mortgage so it must be paid off before we move to the Olympic
stadium. The remaining £5M of loans are unsecured so do not have that same
restriction.
I saw many papers published the £70M figure that West ham had to clear
before moving to the Olympic Stadium. Well by my calculation it is more like
£25M.
Outside of bank debts our long term liabilities mentioned by Sullivan back
in 2010 are also vastly reducing.
We owe West Ham bond holders £611,000 since 1997 which we will pay back
after 150 years of the scheme. By the time it is payable in 2148 I am sure
£611,000 will be average weekly wage of Premier league footballer so it not
a debt that should bother us too much.
We owe other football clubs £4.6M from player transfers from staggered
payments. It will be interesting how this increases in 2013 with the Carroll
& Downing transfers but more clubs want money up front now or within 12
months so staggered payments are now becoming a thing of the past unless
they are desperate to get shot of a player.
In the 'other creditors' section of our 2012 accounts there is a sum of just
over £5M, this is almost definitely the last payment to Sheffield United
which David Gold confirmed we paid very recently.
We are now also finally free of the advance of season ticket money of £7.25M
in 2011 & £7.7M in 2010. This like a new revenue stream to West Ham as the
Icelandic's banked 2 years of season ticket sales up front!
We also account for £2.5M from the Football Stadia Fund grant scheme in our
long term liabilities even although I understand this is not repayable.
So with the remaining long term liabilities listed in the 2012 accounts we
can add on another approx £5M to bring the total West Ham debt to around
£37M or £72M if you include the loans from owners Sullivan & Gold.
The 2013 accounts are released early next year and I will update the overall
debt picture as soon as they become available. The owners have certainly put
their money where their mouth is and for that I am grateful.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Wednesday, September 25
Daily WHUFC News - 25th September 2013
Hammers leave it late in thriller
WHUFC.com
West Ham United recovered from losing a two-goal lead to defeat Cardiff City
3-2 on Tuesday
24.09.2013
West Ham United 3-2 Cardiff City
Capital One Cup Third Round
Ricardo Vaz Te headed West Ham United into the fourth round of the Capital
One Cup, sealing a 3-2 win over Cardiff City on Tuesday evening with just
two minutes left to play. Sam Allardyce's men made a lightning-fast start,
moving into a 2-0 lead with only eight minutes on the clock thanks to Ravel
Morrison and Matt Jarvis. But a fine strike out of nothing by Craig Noone on
the stroke of half-time gave the visitors hope, and they had the Hammers
rocking when Peter Odemwingie levelled things up 15 minutes from the end.
West Ham ensured their manager's 100th game in charge would end as a happy
occassion though with Vaz Te's winner and they will now await Wednesday's
draw with interest. West Ham could not have asked for a better start, as
they moved in front with just 20 seconds on the clock. Morrison was the
goalscorer, bursting into the box before skipping inside the last man and
lashing into the roof of the net. It was the young midfielder's third goal
of the season and another illustration of his undoubted talent and the
Hammers did not take their foot off the gas. With eight minutes gone it was
2-0 and Morrison was involved again, getting the ball out to Modibo Maiga on
the right, and he picked out Jarvis well to bundle the ball past a helpless
Joe Lewis in the Cardiff goal. The chances were flowing and Lewis had to
make an excellent save to deny Ricardo Vaz Te on 15 minutes, getting down
low to his right to push the ball away after right back Leo Chambers had got
forward to play his part in the attack.
With 33 minutes on the clock West Ham should really have moved into a
three-goal lead, but James Collins could not get the ball out of his feet
inside the six yard box after James Tomkins rose well to nod Matt Taylor's
free kick back across goal. Cardiff had barely threatened, but right on half
time they got themselves back into the contest when Noone picked up
possession in the right channel, took a touch inside and blasted a
left-footed shot from 20 yards into the top left hand corner. The visitors
began the second period strongly too, and after Adrian touched a stinging
Jordon Mutch shot behind for a corner, he had to be alert again to block
Nicky Maynard's acrobatic volley from the corner. At the other end Lewis
tipped Jack Collison's fiercely-struck volley over the crossbar, before
preventing Jarvis from making the game safe by cutting out his cross-shot,
but Cardiff were growing in strength, and the impressive Noone could not
quite find the far corner after dancing his way into the Hammers box.
Fifteen minutes from the end they did find a way through for a second time,
with Odemwingie tapping home after Mutch's darting run into the danger area
dragged the Hammers defence out of position. After an opening 40 minutes of
such dominance, it came as a shock to the hosts to be brought back to level
pegging, and they had to regroup and come again. They did so in style,
securing their place in the last 16 of the competition with a Vaz Te header
two minutes from the end, the Hammers man crashing home from close range
after Collison clipped a perfect cross up to the far stick.
West Ham United: Adrian; Chambers, Collins, Tomkins, McCartney (Rat 82);
Morrison (Diame 59), Taylor, Collison; Vaz Te, Maiga (Petric 46), Jarvis
Subs: Henderson, Nolan, Ruddock, Moncur
Goals: Morrison 1, Jarvis 8, Vaz Te 88
Cardiff City: Lewis; Brayford (McNaughton 46), Hudson, Connolly, John;
Mutch, Cowie; Odemwingie, Mason (Smith 56), Noone; Maynard (Gestede 90+1)
Subs: Moore, Lappin, Harris, Healey
Goals: Noone 45, Odemwingie 75
Referee: Roger East
Attendance: 18,611
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Campo lauds centurion Sam
WHUFC.com
Former Spain international Ivan Campo congratulates Sam Allardyce on
reaching 100 games in charge
24.09.2013
When Sam Allardyce is asked which players have been the finest signings he
has ever made, Spain international Ivan Campo is always one of the first
names out of his mouth. Now, on the occasion of Big Sam's 100th game in
charge of West Ham United, the ex-Valencia, Real Madrid and Bolton Wanderers
midfielder has repaid the favour. Campo spent five seasons working with Big
Sam at Bolton after joining the Trotters in 2002. Campo, now 39 and living
in his native Spain, said the Hammers boss is a 'very special' coach who
made sure he settled into English football and life in this country
seamlessly. "I had a very special relationship with Sam because when I
first moved to Bolton from Madrid I was living by myself and Sam was not
just a very good coach, he was a very special friend to me," Campo confirmed
in an exclusive interview with whufc.com. "He helped me whenever I had any
problems off the pitch as well as on the pitch, he supported me and I
appreciated that. "When I was playing in Spain everything was different to
how life in the Premier League with Bolton and Sam Allardyce was. He helped
me to perfectly understand not just how to play football in England but to
understand and adapt to the way of life in England and that was very
important. "I could always speak very openly to Sam about personal problems
that I was having, that is what I appreciate most about him because he
helped me through my personal problems."
Campo, who won the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid in 2000 and was in
the Spain squad at the 1998 FIFA World Cup finals, was one of a host of
big-name foreign players brought to Bolton by Big Sam. Nigeria star Jay-Jay
Okocha, France FIFA World Cup winner Youri Djorkaeff, Greece midfielder
Stelios Giannakopoulos, Senegal star El-Hadji Diouf and France defender
Bruno N'Gotty also turned out for the Trotters during Big Sam's memorable
seven-year spell in charge. Giannakopoulos, as well as former Bolton
team-mates Kevin Davies and Ricardo Gardner, have spoken to the Official
Programme for the Capital One Cup third-round visit of Cardiff City - Big
Sam's 100th game as West Ham manager. Campo is not surprised that his former
boss has made a successful start to life in east London. "For me, Sam is a
very special coach because he has very clear ideas about football and he
always wants what's best for his players," said the San Sebastian-born
holding midfielder. "Motivating players is very important and Sam knew how
to motivate everyone for every game to how to produce good performances from
us. At key points during the season it's crucial to get big performances
from your players and Sam could do that. "He's a lovely, lovely man. He is a
very good friend and an absolutely fantastic coach. It's very important in
football to be honest about performances, selection and tactics and Sam is a
very honest man. "When I was playing at Bolton with Sam as our coach we
celebrated many good times with the players, fans and the club and a lot of
that success was down to Sam."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Beer we go
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 24th September 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham have announced a three-year partnership with a Danish brewing
company. The deal grants brewers Carlsberg exclusive "pouring rights" for
the company's "extensive beer and beverage portfolio" at the Boleyn Ground.
Carlsberg UK Director of Brands and Insight, David Scott, told whufc.com:
"Carlsberg is proud to be the Official Beer Partner of West Ham, a club with
a strong tradition and rich heritage like our own brand and company.
"Through continuing our partnership we will connect with West Ham United and
wider Premier League supporters at the Boleyn Ground and further cement our
position as the beer brand of football." The deal begins from the start of
the current season, expiring in 2016 when the Club moves to the Olympic
Stadium.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham edge five-goal thriller with Cardiff
Last Updated: September 24, 2013 10:04pm
SSN
West Ham United burst out of the blocks against Cardiff City, but were made
to work hard for a 3-2 win and a place in the fourth round of the Capital
One Cup.
Two goals inside the opening eight minutes from Ravel Morrison and Matt
Jarvis had the Hammers in complete control, but they required a dramatic
winner from Ricardo Vaz Te after Craig Noone and Peter Odemwingie had
levelled matters. There were just 19 seconds on the clock when Morrison
broke the deadlock, with the rejuvenated midfielder controlling a pass from
Jarvis before crashing high past Joe Lewis. Jarvis then grabbed the home
side's second himself, with luck very much on his side as a blocked shot
ricocheted off him and into the back of the net. There was nothing fortunate
about Noone's strike on the stroke of half-time, as he rifled into the top
corner, and Peter Odemwingie completed the Cardiff comeback when netting his
first goal for the club on 77 minutes. Just when it appeared as though the
tie would head past the 90 minute mark and into extra-time, Vaz Te popped up
for the Hammers to nod home a Jack Collison centre.
Drama
There was little sign of the drama to come when Morrison stunned the
visitors with a goal straight from their own kick-off in an amazing start to
Sam Allardyce's 100th match in charge. His first game as Hammers boss two
years ago was a home defeat by Cardiff, but any chance of repeat was already
looking unlikely. Morrison collected a through ball from Jarvis and ran at
stand-in City skipper Mark Hudson, cutting inside the centre-half before
lifting the ball over Joe Lewis and into the net. It was the former
Manchester United youngster's third goal in four starts for the Hammers, as
he continues to soften the blow of record signing Andy Carroll's absence
through injury. Jarvis doubled the lead following a slick move this time
started by Morrison, who spun away from John Brayford and knocked the ball
to Modibo Maiga on the byline. Maiga's first-time pass found Jarvis in front
of goal and despite two Cardiff defenders sliding in to block, the winger's
effort eventually rolled over the line. And the rampant hosts could, and
probably should, have had five or six before half-time.
Poked
Vaz Te saw a volley superbly palmed away by Lewis and, from the corner,
Collison found the ball at his feet in front of goal but poked it wide. The
much-maligned Maiga, still yet to score this season, then broke clear only
to drag his shot across goal, and Collins missed an open goal from three
yards after James Tomkins had headed Collison's cross back into his path.
And then, from out of nowhere, Cardiff pulled one back on the stroke of
half-time with their first attack of the game. There seemed little danger
when Noone collected the ball out on the right but the winger unleashed a
superb 20-yard curler with his left foot which flew past Hammers keeper
Adrian and into the net.
Cardiff looked a different team after the break and Jordan Mutch's swerving
effort produced an unconvincing save from Adrian before, from the corner,
former Hammer Nicky Maynard sent an overhead kick straight at the Spaniard.
And the equaliser came in the 76th minute when Mutch drove into the area and
crossed for Odemwingie to tap in his first goal since his infamous drive to
QPR failed to force a January move from West Brom. However Vaz Te, who
himself requested a transfer in the last window, had the final word when he
got his head onto Collison's cross to send the Hammers through.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
West Ham United recovered from losing a two-goal lead to defeat Cardiff City
3-2 on Tuesday
24.09.2013
West Ham United 3-2 Cardiff City
Capital One Cup Third Round
Ricardo Vaz Te headed West Ham United into the fourth round of the Capital
One Cup, sealing a 3-2 win over Cardiff City on Tuesday evening with just
two minutes left to play. Sam Allardyce's men made a lightning-fast start,
moving into a 2-0 lead with only eight minutes on the clock thanks to Ravel
Morrison and Matt Jarvis. But a fine strike out of nothing by Craig Noone on
the stroke of half-time gave the visitors hope, and they had the Hammers
rocking when Peter Odemwingie levelled things up 15 minutes from the end.
West Ham ensured their manager's 100th game in charge would end as a happy
occassion though with Vaz Te's winner and they will now await Wednesday's
draw with interest. West Ham could not have asked for a better start, as
they moved in front with just 20 seconds on the clock. Morrison was the
goalscorer, bursting into the box before skipping inside the last man and
lashing into the roof of the net. It was the young midfielder's third goal
of the season and another illustration of his undoubted talent and the
Hammers did not take their foot off the gas. With eight minutes gone it was
2-0 and Morrison was involved again, getting the ball out to Modibo Maiga on
the right, and he picked out Jarvis well to bundle the ball past a helpless
Joe Lewis in the Cardiff goal. The chances were flowing and Lewis had to
make an excellent save to deny Ricardo Vaz Te on 15 minutes, getting down
low to his right to push the ball away after right back Leo Chambers had got
forward to play his part in the attack.
With 33 minutes on the clock West Ham should really have moved into a
three-goal lead, but James Collins could not get the ball out of his feet
inside the six yard box after James Tomkins rose well to nod Matt Taylor's
free kick back across goal. Cardiff had barely threatened, but right on half
time they got themselves back into the contest when Noone picked up
possession in the right channel, took a touch inside and blasted a
left-footed shot from 20 yards into the top left hand corner. The visitors
began the second period strongly too, and after Adrian touched a stinging
Jordon Mutch shot behind for a corner, he had to be alert again to block
Nicky Maynard's acrobatic volley from the corner. At the other end Lewis
tipped Jack Collison's fiercely-struck volley over the crossbar, before
preventing Jarvis from making the game safe by cutting out his cross-shot,
but Cardiff were growing in strength, and the impressive Noone could not
quite find the far corner after dancing his way into the Hammers box.
Fifteen minutes from the end they did find a way through for a second time,
with Odemwingie tapping home after Mutch's darting run into the danger area
dragged the Hammers defence out of position. After an opening 40 minutes of
such dominance, it came as a shock to the hosts to be brought back to level
pegging, and they had to regroup and come again. They did so in style,
securing their place in the last 16 of the competition with a Vaz Te header
two minutes from the end, the Hammers man crashing home from close range
after Collison clipped a perfect cross up to the far stick.
West Ham United: Adrian; Chambers, Collins, Tomkins, McCartney (Rat 82);
Morrison (Diame 59), Taylor, Collison; Vaz Te, Maiga (Petric 46), Jarvis
Subs: Henderson, Nolan, Ruddock, Moncur
Goals: Morrison 1, Jarvis 8, Vaz Te 88
Cardiff City: Lewis; Brayford (McNaughton 46), Hudson, Connolly, John;
Mutch, Cowie; Odemwingie, Mason (Smith 56), Noone; Maynard (Gestede 90+1)
Subs: Moore, Lappin, Harris, Healey
Goals: Noone 45, Odemwingie 75
Referee: Roger East
Attendance: 18,611
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Campo lauds centurion Sam
WHUFC.com
Former Spain international Ivan Campo congratulates Sam Allardyce on
reaching 100 games in charge
24.09.2013
When Sam Allardyce is asked which players have been the finest signings he
has ever made, Spain international Ivan Campo is always one of the first
names out of his mouth. Now, on the occasion of Big Sam's 100th game in
charge of West Ham United, the ex-Valencia, Real Madrid and Bolton Wanderers
midfielder has repaid the favour. Campo spent five seasons working with Big
Sam at Bolton after joining the Trotters in 2002. Campo, now 39 and living
in his native Spain, said the Hammers boss is a 'very special' coach who
made sure he settled into English football and life in this country
seamlessly. "I had a very special relationship with Sam because when I
first moved to Bolton from Madrid I was living by myself and Sam was not
just a very good coach, he was a very special friend to me," Campo confirmed
in an exclusive interview with whufc.com. "He helped me whenever I had any
problems off the pitch as well as on the pitch, he supported me and I
appreciated that. "When I was playing in Spain everything was different to
how life in the Premier League with Bolton and Sam Allardyce was. He helped
me to perfectly understand not just how to play football in England but to
understand and adapt to the way of life in England and that was very
important. "I could always speak very openly to Sam about personal problems
that I was having, that is what I appreciate most about him because he
helped me through my personal problems."
Campo, who won the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid in 2000 and was in
the Spain squad at the 1998 FIFA World Cup finals, was one of a host of
big-name foreign players brought to Bolton by Big Sam. Nigeria star Jay-Jay
Okocha, France FIFA World Cup winner Youri Djorkaeff, Greece midfielder
Stelios Giannakopoulos, Senegal star El-Hadji Diouf and France defender
Bruno N'Gotty also turned out for the Trotters during Big Sam's memorable
seven-year spell in charge. Giannakopoulos, as well as former Bolton
team-mates Kevin Davies and Ricardo Gardner, have spoken to the Official
Programme for the Capital One Cup third-round visit of Cardiff City - Big
Sam's 100th game as West Ham manager. Campo is not surprised that his former
boss has made a successful start to life in east London. "For me, Sam is a
very special coach because he has very clear ideas about football and he
always wants what's best for his players," said the San Sebastian-born
holding midfielder. "Motivating players is very important and Sam knew how
to motivate everyone for every game to how to produce good performances from
us. At key points during the season it's crucial to get big performances
from your players and Sam could do that. "He's a lovely, lovely man. He is a
very good friend and an absolutely fantastic coach. It's very important in
football to be honest about performances, selection and tactics and Sam is a
very honest man. "When I was playing at Bolton with Sam as our coach we
celebrated many good times with the players, fans and the club and a lot of
that success was down to Sam."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Beer we go
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 24th September 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham have announced a three-year partnership with a Danish brewing
company. The deal grants brewers Carlsberg exclusive "pouring rights" for
the company's "extensive beer and beverage portfolio" at the Boleyn Ground.
Carlsberg UK Director of Brands and Insight, David Scott, told whufc.com:
"Carlsberg is proud to be the Official Beer Partner of West Ham, a club with
a strong tradition and rich heritage like our own brand and company.
"Through continuing our partnership we will connect with West Ham United and
wider Premier League supporters at the Boleyn Ground and further cement our
position as the beer brand of football." The deal begins from the start of
the current season, expiring in 2016 when the Club moves to the Olympic
Stadium.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham edge five-goal thriller with Cardiff
Last Updated: September 24, 2013 10:04pm
SSN
West Ham United burst out of the blocks against Cardiff City, but were made
to work hard for a 3-2 win and a place in the fourth round of the Capital
One Cup.
Two goals inside the opening eight minutes from Ravel Morrison and Matt
Jarvis had the Hammers in complete control, but they required a dramatic
winner from Ricardo Vaz Te after Craig Noone and Peter Odemwingie had
levelled matters. There were just 19 seconds on the clock when Morrison
broke the deadlock, with the rejuvenated midfielder controlling a pass from
Jarvis before crashing high past Joe Lewis. Jarvis then grabbed the home
side's second himself, with luck very much on his side as a blocked shot
ricocheted off him and into the back of the net. There was nothing fortunate
about Noone's strike on the stroke of half-time, as he rifled into the top
corner, and Peter Odemwingie completed the Cardiff comeback when netting his
first goal for the club on 77 minutes. Just when it appeared as though the
tie would head past the 90 minute mark and into extra-time, Vaz Te popped up
for the Hammers to nod home a Jack Collison centre.
Drama
There was little sign of the drama to come when Morrison stunned the
visitors with a goal straight from their own kick-off in an amazing start to
Sam Allardyce's 100th match in charge. His first game as Hammers boss two
years ago was a home defeat by Cardiff, but any chance of repeat was already
looking unlikely. Morrison collected a through ball from Jarvis and ran at
stand-in City skipper Mark Hudson, cutting inside the centre-half before
lifting the ball over Joe Lewis and into the net. It was the former
Manchester United youngster's third goal in four starts for the Hammers, as
he continues to soften the blow of record signing Andy Carroll's absence
through injury. Jarvis doubled the lead following a slick move this time
started by Morrison, who spun away from John Brayford and knocked the ball
to Modibo Maiga on the byline. Maiga's first-time pass found Jarvis in front
of goal and despite two Cardiff defenders sliding in to block, the winger's
effort eventually rolled over the line. And the rampant hosts could, and
probably should, have had five or six before half-time.
Poked
Vaz Te saw a volley superbly palmed away by Lewis and, from the corner,
Collison found the ball at his feet in front of goal but poked it wide. The
much-maligned Maiga, still yet to score this season, then broke clear only
to drag his shot across goal, and Collins missed an open goal from three
yards after James Tomkins had headed Collison's cross back into his path.
And then, from out of nowhere, Cardiff pulled one back on the stroke of
half-time with their first attack of the game. There seemed little danger
when Noone collected the ball out on the right but the winger unleashed a
superb 20-yard curler with his left foot which flew past Hammers keeper
Adrian and into the net.
Cardiff looked a different team after the break and Jordan Mutch's swerving
effort produced an unconvincing save from Adrian before, from the corner,
former Hammer Nicky Maynard sent an overhead kick straight at the Spaniard.
And the equaliser came in the 76th minute when Mutch drove into the area and
crossed for Odemwingie to tap in his first goal since his infamous drive to
QPR failed to force a January move from West Brom. However Vaz Te, who
himself requested a transfer in the last window, had the final word when he
got his head onto Collison's cross to send the Hammers through.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Tuesday, September 24
Daily WHUFC News - 24th September 2013
Joey reflects on Everton setback
WHUFC.com
Joey O'Brien was in typically honest mood following Saturday's disappointing
home defeat
23.09.2013
Joey O'Brien was in typically honest mood following Saturday's disappointing
3-2 home Barclays Premier League defeat by Everton. The West Ham United
right-back left the Boleyn Ground with stitches in the back of his head
after challenging Toffees striker Romelu Lukaku as the Belgian powerhouse
nodded in the match-winning goal five minutes from time. The defeat was
difficult to take for West Ham, who had controlled the first half and went
into the final ten minutes leading 2-1. Then Mark Noble was sent-off for a
second bookable offence, Leighton Baines curled in his second magnificent
free-kick of the game and Lukaku thundered home Everton's winner. "It was
very disappointing," said the No17. "I don't think we created an awful lot
of chances, but I thought in the first half we were the better side really.
"In the second half they improved their team with a couple of changes
[bringing on Lukaku and James McCarthy], but to get done by two free-kicks
and losing a player to a red card in the build up to the second one was
always going to make it hard with the players that they have and that led to
their third."
While Baines' set pieces were of the highest order, West Ham have now
conceded three goals from direct free-kicks in their last two home games
following Jermaine Pennant's match-winner for Stoke City. O'Brien admitted
that the Hammers need to stop giving free-kicks away within shooting range
to prevent the same scenario from happening again. However, he refused to
blame Noble for Saturday's defeat. "Of course in an ideal world that would
be the thing to do, but in the heat of the moment, when players are going
through players make decisions and if they think that they are going to get
shots away, that is the reason they are trying to make those tackles. But
when the ball then flies into the top corner, it is hard to take. "Of course
[Noble's sending-off was pivotal] and they had the momentum with their two
free-kicks as well as us going down to ten men. The way they play, with a
lot of possession, certainly frustrates you, and with only ten men it makes
it even more difficult. "We have conceded four goals this season and three
of those have been from free kicks. It is just one of those things at the
moment."
O'Brien himself saw a change in roles on Saturday, moving from left to
right-back in place of the injured Guy Demel. As a natural right-footer, the
Irishman had no trouble settling back into a position he has filled many
times before during his career. I have been training there all week as I
knew it was coming after the injury to Guy. It was grand. There are perhaps
always a couple of moments in games where I was slightly out of position,
but I am trying to get back into the swing of things."
Looking ahead, O'Brien may be rested for Tuesday's Capital One Cup
third-round visit of Cardiff City, but he is already determined to get back
to winning ways in the Barclays Premier League at Hull City on Saturday.
There, he could come up against fellow Dubliner Robbie Brady, with the
winger enjoying a fine start to the season. "It is a massive game at Hull
City on Saturday and we will be going up there to get three points and
bounce back."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam on: Cardiff City
WHUFC.com
The West Ham United manager has spoken to the press ahead of Tuesday's
meeting with Cardiff
23.09.2013
Sam Allardyce will celebrate his 100th game in charge of West Ham United
when Cardiff City visit the Boleyn Ground for a Capital One Cup third round
tie on Tuesday. The Hammers manager spoke to the press to preview his side's
second meeting with Cardiff in a little over a month. It's a landmark game
for you tomorrow night against Cardiff, your 100th game in charge.
Your record is played 99, won 42, drawn 27 and lost 30, how proud are you of
that record?
SA: "Obviously I'm very pleased with the record we had in the Barclays
Premier League last year and the year before we were expected to do well in
the Championship. If you look at the stats for how many teams are promoted
the season after they were relegated you'll find that there are very few,
around 20 per cent who actually manage it. We've done everything that we
said we would do, not just me and the backroom staff, but also the Chairman
and the Vice-Chairman and everyone else behind the scenes. "We set out with
the plan to get promoted in the first year, we did that. The second year we
planned to stay up and in the end we surpassed expectations and finished
tenth. Now we've got to bring a sustainable balance to the squad which is
going to keep us in the Premier League for many, many years. We need to grow
slowly, it's probably unacceptable in today's football but we have to
convince everybody that growing slowly is the right way. It sustains the
ability to get better and better and when you do that you are then able to
achieve more and you can start looking at bigger things."
You made eleven changes in the last round against Cheltenham, will you do
the same for Cardiff?
SA: "We will make some changes. We're in a difficult position with our
points total which we're very disappointed that we haven't achieved more. We
had a huge blow to us on Saturday losing the game against Everton which we
didn't deserve, but that happens. This is a ruthless league and if you don't
do what you should do then it ends up punishing you. "I watched Norwich
versus Aston Villa before our game and Chris Hughton will have been
absolutely gutted when he woke up to review that game and saw how many
chances they had to bury Aston Villa, they didn't and ended up losing. In
our case it wasn't quite like that because we had the lead twice but Mr
Baines was on top form. I don't think he's ever scored two in a game,
particularly like he did. Our fault came in giving the free-kicks away,
that's where the responsibility lies for us. All the lads know about his
quality, everybody does, the ordinary supporter in the stand knows. The last
thing you do is commit fouls and give them free-kicks in dangerous areas, we
did that twice and got punished heavily."
Will Joe Cole and Stewart Downing feature against Cardiff?
SA: "No they won't feature in this game. I would have loved the match to be
next week rather than this week as they both would have played. They won't
be involved on Tuesday because both of them are only due back in training
with the other players on Monday and putting them into what will be a hugely
competitive game has come too early for them. It will be a hugely
competitive match because there will be a lot of players out there who will
be trying to convince both myself and Malky [Mackay, Cardiff manager] that
they should be playing in the first team on a more regular basis."
You've reached the 100 game mark here, something which is becoming rarer in
today's climate. Are you proud when you reach a landmark like this?
SA: "I enjoy working in football and have enjoyed it for so many years now
that it's the only thing I really know. When you're in the job you're
obviously fearful of getting the sack. It's a survival game no matter what
anybody says, particularly for young managers. They've got to learn how to
survive and then evolve. When you reach 100 games and people say well done,
it worries me. If it's 300 games or 400 games, fine, but 100 games should be
more commonplace than it is. The constant change of managers which we're now
faced with has turned reaching 100 games into a bit of an achievement. For
me, that's pretty disappointing that in our professional leagues we change
managers so much."
You've had a good result against Cardiff already this season and since then
they've shown some resilience. Are they a side in the mould of their
manager?
SA: "I think that Malky and his staff do a really good job in terms of
playing to their strengths and organising the team. He's learnt over his
time at Watford and now at Cardiff that his job is about results and using
his squad to the best of their ability. When we played them at our place,
him, his team and his players have adjusted very quickly to life in the
Premier League. "We won that game comfortably on the day but since then
they've reorganised themselves and had some fantastic results. Malky's done
a great job, his team are well organised and they know what's expected of
them. We had a tough match against Cheltenham in the last round and I'm
expecting another tough game against Cardiff."
Mladen Petric made a positive impact from the bench on Saturday. Will he
start against Cardiff?
SA: "I don't think a start because we're talking about a player who's only
had half-an-hour in a highly competitive game in the Barclays Premier
League. The physicality is greater than anywhere else in the world and he's
only in week two of his pre-season. Normally he would be playing 45 minutes
against Cork City but instead he's had 30 minutes against Everton so he's
feeling the stresses and strains of that. We have to be careful because we
don't want him to get injured, but he will be in the squad."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Cardiff
KO 19:45
23 September 2013
Last updated at 12:51
CAPITAL ONE CUP THIRD ROUND
Venue: Upton Park Date: Tuesday, 24 September
Coverage: Watch highlights on The League Cup Show on Wednesday at 23:05 BST,
BBC One.
West Ham midfielders Joe Cole (hamstring) and Stewart Downing (knee) will
not feature as they have only just returned to training after injury. Mark
Noble will also definitely be absent as he serves a one-match ban. Like
Hammers' manager Sam Allardyce, Cardiff boss Malky Mackay will also rotate
his squad.
New signing Peter Odemwingie could make his first start but Andreas
Cornelius is still struggling with an ankle injury picked up in the last
round.
MATCH PREVIEW
West Ham and Cardiff go into Tuesday's League Cup tie locked together in the
Premier League, with both teams having won one, drawn two and lost two of
their five league matches so far. In fact, the only difference lies in the
goals conceded column, where Cardiff have let in two more than the Hammers -
goals that can be traced back to their 2-0 defeat at Upton Park on the
opening day of the season. West Ham's only subsequent win was against League
Two Cheltenham in this competition, and they have suffered home defeats to
both Stoke and Everton. The League Cup has been bitter-sweet for Cardiff in
recent years. The Welsh club reached the final in 2012, only to suffer the
heartbreak of losing to Liverpool in a penalty shoot-out. And they fell at
the first hurdle last year, with League Two side Northampton dumping them
out.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
The two sides have met five times before in the League Cup, including in
1966, when West Ham won the two-legged semi-final 10-3 on aggregate and went
on to lift the trophy.
West Ham have won the last four meetings with Cardiff in all competitions,
including the Premier League meeting between the two sides in August.
West Ham
The Hammers have won eight of their last 10 League Cup matches played at
Upton Park (W8, L2).
This match will be Sam Allardyce's 100th in charge of West Ham. His record
so far is P99, W42, D27, L30
West Ham have not won any of their last four league matches (D2, L2).
Cardiff
Cardiff have won just one of their last seven away games in all competitions
(W1, D4, L2).
The Welsh side have lost both their matches against London clubs so far this
season.
They have won just one of their last 12 League Cup clashes against
top-flight sides (including replays), with that victory (against Blackburn)
coming on their way to reaching the 2012 final.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Paolo Di Canio: Sam Allardyce says sacking was 'knee jerk'
BBC.co.uk
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce believes Sunderland have made a knee-jerk
decision by sacking Paolo Di Canio. Italian Di Canio, 45, was dismissed as
Black Cats manager on Sunday after only five Premier League games this
season. The former Swindon boss was appointed in March to replace Martin
O'Neill.
Di Canio's journey
Born in Rome, 9 July 1968
Played in Italy for Lazio, Juventus, Napoli, AC Milan, Cisco Roma
Played in Britain for Celtic, Sheffield Wednesday, West Ham and Charlton
Fined £10,000 in 1998 by the FA for pushing referee Paul Alcock to the
ground after being sent off against Arsenal
Wins Fifa Fair Play award for sportsmanship in 2001 for catching ball and
stopping play v Everton to allow injured keeper Paul Gerrard to receive
treatment
Criticised in 2005 for making fascist-style salute in Lazio game
Appointed Swindon boss in May 2011; guides them into League One a year later
Resigns as Swindon boss in February 2013 citing issues with the club's
hierarchy after sale of star player Matt Ritchie
Replaces Martin O'Neill as Sunderland boss in March 2013; club avoid
relegation
Sacked after four defeats in five league games of 2013-14
"If it doesn't go well they seem to be making a knee-jerk decision to change
the manager," said Allardyce, who left Newcastle in 2008 after eight months
by mutual consent. None of Sunderland's last four managers, Ricky Sbragia,
Steve Bruce, O'Neill and Di Canio, have lasted 100 games - which is the
landmark Allardyce will achieve at West Ham on Tuesday when they face
Cardiff. "They've been pretty quick at pulling the trigger recently, in the
last three managers," continued the ex-Bolton boss. Di Canio won only three
of his 13 matches after replacing O'Neill and took one point from five
top-flight games this campaign.
Sunderland had brought in 14 new players in the summer with Di Canio working
with director of football Roberto De Fanti and chief scout Valentino
Angeloni on their transfers. "I find it very difficult to see where the
logic lies in it, particularly when there has been a full clear-out [of
backroom staff]," said Allardyce. "To go through that process in a
particular season which has got under way is a huge task for whoever is
going to be the next head coach."
Di Canio immediately attracted controversy following his appointment in
March but Sunderland narrowly avoided relegation last season, thanks partly
to a famous 3-0 win over Newcastle - their first victory at St James' Park
over over their local rivals in 13 years. However, public criticism of his
squad at the end of last season was followed by bans on mobile phones,
tomato ketchup, mayonnaise and ice in Coca-Cola at the club's training
ground. After Saturday's 3-0 loss to West Brom, Di Canio was verbally abused
by travelling supporters and further criticism of his players led to anger
among the squad. Allardyce believes the controversial manager may have to
change his style if he is to return to the Premier League. "The man says
he's not going to change and I think you are what you are," he said. "You've
got to be true to yourself; if that's your style, that's your style. If it
doesn't work you've got to hold your hands up and say, 'it might have worked
at Swindon but in the Premier League it hasn't worked'. "You have to look at
yourself and say, 'if I get the next job do I do it like that or don't I?'"
Former Blackburn boss Allardyce believes managers should be given more time
to settle in at clubs but fears management has now become about just
surviving. "What you fear for is the sack, obviously, and it is a survival
game," said the Hammers manager. "Particularly the young managers who come
in, you've to learn how to survive and then evolve. "When it is seen to be
100 games well done, it really does worry me. If it's 300 games or 400
games, fine. But 100 games? "This should be more often across the board than
it is now because of the constant changing of managers and coaches that we
are now faced with, that 100 games is now something of an achievement. For
me, I think that is pretty disappointing."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nice one, centurion
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 23rd September 2013
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce celebrates what will be his 100th game in charge of West Ham
when his team faces Cardiff City tomorrow night. The Welsh club return to
the Boelyn Ground for the second time this season after they were beaten 2-0
on the opening day of the campaign - West Ham's only Premier League win so
far.
For Allardyce, who succeeded Avram Grant in the summer of 2011, it will be
the 100th occasion on which he leads his team out - and a spell which, all
things considered, Allardyce considers to be a successful one. "I'm very
pleased with the record we had in the Premier League last year, the year
before we were expected to do well in the Championship," he said. "We've
done everything that we said we would do. "We set out with the plan to get
promoted in the first year, we did that. The second year we planned to stay
up and in the end we surpassed expectations and finished tenth. Now we've
got to bring a sustainable balance to the squad which is going to keep us in
the Premier League for many, many years. "It's probably unacceptable in
today's football but we have to convince everybody that growing slowly is
the right way. It sustains the ability to get better and better and when you
do that you are then able to achieve more and you can start looking at
bigger things."
Yet despit having reached the milestone, Allardyce maintains that his
biggest fear remains getting the sack. "I enjoy working in football and have
enjoyed it for so many years now that it's the only thing I really know -
but when you're in the job you're fearful of getting the sack," he revealed.
It's a survival game no matter what anybody says, particularly for young
managers. "When you reach 100 games and people say well done, it worries
me. If it's 300 or 400 games fine, but 100 games should be more commonplace
than it is. The constant change of managers which we're now faced with has
turned reaching 100 games into a bit of an achievement."
Sam's Five Finest
5. West Ham Utd 6-0 Brighton: Fellow promotion candicates Albion came to the
Boleyn at the back end of the 2011/12 campaign and were blitzed by a
six-goal drubbing; chief architect being Ricardo Vaz Te whose hat-trick
included an overhead kick.
4. West Ham Utd 1-0 Aston Villa: The first game back in the Premir League is
always a nervy occasion. Featuring new signings such as James Collins and
Jussi Jaaskelainen, this was the perfect start as Allardyce got everything
right tactically.
3. Blackpool 1-4 West Ham Utd: The demolition of a side who were, at the
time, our promotion rivals. 2-1 up when Rob Green was (incorrectly)
dismissed, Henri Lansbury took his place as the ten men added further goals
through Gary O'Neil and Ricardo Vaz Te.
2. West Ham Utd 2-1 Blackpool: A nervy, less than convincing performance at
Wembley - at last! - but still the best day out long-suffering Hammers fans
have had in years. Ricardo Vaz Te is immortalised as Big Sam is spotted
singing 'Bubbles' on the big screen.
1. West Ham Utd 3-1 Chelsea: A simply stunning second half performance from
the Hammers as they recorded a first win over the Blues for a decade. We
were that good, even Modibo Maiga got himself on the scoresheet.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Paolo pushed
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 23rd September 2013
By: Staff Writer
Former West Ham favourite Paolo Di Canio has been sacked from his post as
manager of fellow Premier League club Sunderland. The 44-year-old Italian,
who spent five years at West Ham between 1998 and 2003 has received his
marching orders less after just 13 games in charge at the Stadium of Light.
A statement on the Black Cats' website late last night confirmed that Di
Canio had been given the push. "Sunderland AFC confirms that it has parted
company with head coach Paolo Di Canio this evening," it said. "Kevin Ball
will take charge of the squad ahead of Tuesday night's Capital One Cup game
against Peterborough United and an announcement will be made in due course
regarding a permanent successor. "The club would like to place on record its
thanks to Paolo and his staff and wishes them well for the future."
It is believed that Di Canio, whose unique management methods previously
ruffled feathers at Swindon was fired after a training ground bust-up with
some of his first team players. That followed a dreadful start to the season
for the Wearsiders, who currently sit bottom of the Premier League having
amasseda total of just one point from their opening five fixtures. News of
Di Canio's sacking comes almost exactly a decade after Glenn Roeder - who Di
Canio was a fierce critic of during his time as a player - was sacked by
West Ham, having failed to maintain the Club's Premiership status.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United v Cardiff City
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 23rd September 2013
By: Preview Percy
Preview Percy has written another preview about Cardiff City. It's just as
bad as the previous one. Let's hope and pray we don't get them in the FA Cup
as well....
Next up we play host to Cardiff City in the 3rd round of the League Cup.
Kick off on Tuesday night is 7.45pm and I believe that the usual requirement
for Cardiff supporters to pick up their tickets from a disused, uncharted
and unlit North Sea oil rig by 3am has been dispensed with. As ever in this
competition, extra time and penalties are available to settle matters on the
night should they be required. Don't wait up luv.
League form in their first visit to the to flight for a jolly long time has
been patchy. They looked a bit overawed on the opening day as we coasted to
a relatively easy 2-0 victory. This was followed up by an unexpected 3-2 win
over Man City at the City of Cardiff stadium, a match in which the Citizens
gave a whole new meaning to the word "complacent". Draws at home to Everton
(0-0) and away to Hull (1-1) gave them a three match unbeaten run which came
to an end at the weekend with a stoppage time defeat to Spurs. All of which
has left them in one place behind us, level on points and two goals worse
off on the goal difference front. In the previous round of this particular
competition they went up to Accrington and won 2-0.
Like us they can claim to have suffered at the hands of the referee this
weekend, Loris's handball outside the box was close enough for Clattenburg
to get the benefit of the doubt in that case. Spurs went on to have some
silly number of efforts on goal before finally winning in stoppage time.
On decent form in the Spurs match was 'keeper David Marshall. Marshall has
been first choice in the league so far this season, though he did miss out
on a trip to Hull with a hip injury. Let's face it which one of us wouldn't
feign some sort of injury to avoid a trip to Humberside? In the modern style
Joe Lewis was preferred to Marshall for the League Cup trip so we should
probably expect that again.
It is thought that the match may see a first start for Peter Odemwinge. He's
been about this lad hasn't he. The place where he was born – Tashkent. –
used to be part of the USSR. By the time he was 10 it was part of
Uzbekistan. His early career was spent in the youth systems of KAMAZ and
CSKA but he went to Nigeria (his father's birthplace) to play for his first
grown-up club, the wonderfully named Bendel Insurance. From there he went to
Belgium, winning the Belgian Cup with La Louviere. His next trip was from
Belgium (where they speak French even though they don't have to) to France
(where they do), spending three years or so at Lille. Next stop was a return
to the former USSR where Lokomotiv Moscow were his employers for a few
years. The knobhead racist element of the Moscow support celebrated his
departure for West Brom with banners saying "Thanks West Brom".
Even though his passport stamps read USSR, Nigeria, Belgium, France, Russia
and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, it is a rather
more prosaic journey for which he became noted, journeying down the M6 where
he was under the mistaken impression that he had a deal to join QPR. I can't
imagine for the life of me how he might have come about that impression.
After all, it's not as if their manager would have had any illegal contact
with the player or his agents, is it? The journey saw him stuck in the car
park with everyone at QPR hiding behind the curtains pretending not to be
in, prompting chants of "he went to QPR, they left him in his car" and "what
a waste of petrol" from opposition fans at the end of last season. He
eventually left the Hawthorns on deadline day for Cardiff and is presumably
disappointed that he didn't get another stamp in his passport, having been
persuaded by Cardiff that Wales was a proper country, rather than just
somewhere England keeps the mountains that there wasn't room for in
Scotland.
Record signing (for a few days anyway) Andreas Cornelius is likely to miss
out. He had ankle issues during pre-season and had the bad fortune to
exacerbate his injury early on in the Accrington match in the last round.
This may mean a start for ex-Hammer Nicky Maynard. Maynard was on the bench
against Spurs and remained unused. So his will be one of the fresher pairs
of legs available to Malky Mackay, given the mere 48 hours or so between the
end of Sunday's match and the start of this one.
One player I simply have to mention, irrespective of whether or not Mackay
chooses to start him is French defender Kevin Theophile-Catherine who is
currently leading the Avram Grant Olympic Rest Home for the Bewildered
competition for "Most Splendidly-Named Opponent". Theophile-Catherine
(brilliant isn't it) came in just before the deadline from Rennes for a fee
of a shade over £2m, most of which will be recouped as soon as one or two
supporters decide to stick his name on the back of their shirts.
Us? Well here at the Avram Grant Rest Olympic Rest Home or the Bewildered
were frankly gobsmacked at the refereeing at the weekend. Lee Mason gave the
impression that he belonged in one of the padded rooms they have here for
the more "difficult" residents. Ron Vibbentropp, our German resident,
reckons that back in his home country a panel reviews every refereeing
decision and those referees who fail to consistently score a high average
find themselves going down the leagues. It's all open and clear to all,
unlike our own PGMOL, who are responsible for their own marking and hide the
results from everyone, thus ensuring that the likes of Mason don't get what
they deserve. In Mason's case that would be a long stay in Guantnamo Bay
being forced to listen to Bon Jovi 24 hours a day.
In truth, Lukaku's introduction was the catalyst for Everton's revival but I
reckon we would have deserved the point stolen from us by Mason's dishonesty
on the strength of the first half performance.. Thankfully the moronic
decision to send off Noble wasn't more costly. He'll only miss this game –
which he would probably have been rested for anyway.
We may see a start for Petric as he attempts to gin a bit of match fitness.
It was his hard work that led to the penalty and he has to be a better bet
than Maiga who appears to veer between interested and not bothered at the
drop of a hat.
Squad rotation may see us start with a similar side to that which saw off
Cheltenham, especially when you consider the injury list which contains the
likes of Cole, Downing, Demel, Downing and Carroll. So maybe it's time for
another run out for Leo Chambers perhaps? I'd certainly expect to see Adrian
to be given a run out – with possibly Henderson sitting on the racing car in
the squad last time seats to give Jaaskalainen a night off.
Other youngsters who were in the squad for the last round included Seb
Lletget – for whom the editors have been saving the headline "Lletget's
ready to rumble" for several years now - and Elliot Lee for whom they'll
have to be more creative, so expect a similar bench this time round.
Prediction? Well as ever with this competition much will depend on how
strong a team the respective managers elect to put out. I'd fancy us to win
comfortably if the respective first teams were fielded. However, the
permutations are pretty flexibe on both sides – though with the relatively
short time since their match against Spurs you'd have though that there'd be
a few rested. I'll still plump for a win though and I'll be putting the
AGORHFTB Lee Mason Straitjacket Fund (£2.50) on us to win 2-1 though don't
be too surprised if it all goes to extra time.
Enjoy the game!
When Last We Met At The Boleyn – Won 2-0 August 2013. Joe Cole in the first
half and Kevin Nolan in the second sealed the points. Blimey if you can't
remember that maybe you should be here at the rest home instead of me! I
mean I only mentioned it up there near the top of the page. Do try to pay
attention.
Referee: Roger East – last seen in our 6-0 defeat of Brighton the season
before last, when he booked Carlton Cole (who is famous) for complaining,
rather than the defender who was kicking him (who wasn't famous).
Danger Man: Nicky Maynard – difficult to predict a danger man when you have
little idea what side the opponents will put out. The "law of the ex" will
apply assuming Maynard gets the nod.
Daft Welsh Fact Of The Week: The current incarnation of Dr Who is largely
filmed in the Welsh capital. Bit of an obvious location really when you
think about it – all that strange unearthly barren scenery and a strange
almost but not quite human-like population, whose origins are betrayed by
the strange alien tongue that they insist on writing half the road signs in.
I bet they think it's a documentary down there.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
At least we are not Sunderland
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 23rd September 2013
By: Paul Walker
Five games into the Premier League campaign and we are struggling. No it's
not a crisis yet, and the time now is for calm, patience and strong nerve.
Thankfully we are not Sunderland. Now there is a crisis, a full-blown
shambles. Millions spent on a new squad, new manager, new staff etc, etc,
etc. And our old mate Paolo Di Canio gets the boot five games into the
season. Anyone surprised? No , me neither.
Di Canio's style has been described as "management by hand grenade". You may
be able to get away with that at Swindon when substituting goalkeepers
before half-time, falling out with your players and lashing them in the
media can be dismissed as erratic and comical.
Do that with a squad of 20-something millionaires and you are dead in the
water. Sunderland knew what they were taking on, something our own board
declined to do even though, so says Ms. Brady, Di Canio did keep ringing the
club asking to be given a chance.
I recall the clamour from fans for Paolo to be appointed our manager. But I
always sensed that it was romance against reality. A few of our West
Ham-supporting journalists wrote pieces at the time warning of the devil we
didn't really know. Di Canio was high risk, high maintenance and highly
likely to explode at any minute. Too much of a risk, as Sunderland have
discovered.
Hands up out there anyone who secretly wanted Paolo to succeed at Sunderland
so he would one day march back into the Boleyn. Hands up those who thought
he could handle a Premier League club.
Hands up anyone who wants him back now. Not so many as before, I bet.
And it's a generational thing. My match day mates are all half my age, they
remember him as the great entertainer. My own son has named his Dalmatian
dog, Paolo. The dog is lovable, beautiful to behold at full speed, crazy as
a box of frogs and hugely unpredictable. Remind you of anyone?
When Paolo was at his peak at West Ham, I was working in the north and
heavily involved with big clubs there that win things. I barely had time to
get to the Boleyn those days. I only saw my beloved Irons when they came
north for their ritual beatings at Manchester United, Liverpool, Everton
etc. And in fact I rarely saw our Italian then either, because of his
obvious dislike for cold, wet northern grounds (so why go to Sunderland).
I did manage to wangle covering the FA Cup third round defeat at Tranmere in
1999, when Di Canio had managed to negotiate his way that far north. The
pitch was bare, bumpy and the day cold and bleak. We were awful and Paolo
was a waste of space.
I recall talking to Redknapp after the press conference that day, he
shrugged and was resigned to such a performance. Then there was the famous
"catching the ball" trick at Everton when their goalkeeper was injured.
Redknapp said all the right things about sportsmanship in that press
conference, but talking to him as we walked down the stairs together after
that match, and 'arry's view was very different. Basically, put the ball in
the net and then worry about their 'keeper.
The erratic side of Di Canio gets lost in the misty eyed memories of his
breathtaking talent. I also recall being in a Cardiff 'Aussie' bar on the
Sunday that Di Canio scored that amazing goal against Wimbledon. The place
was almost empty, apart from the professional afternoon drinkers, and there
I was jumping around screaming 'you beauty' at the TV screen on the wall,
almost begging the drunks to watch the replays!.
So I do understand the appeal of the man, the thrill of his talent and the
passion he showed us for the game. But, my God, he is a liability.
Our owners could have taken the plunge with Di Canio, and who knows what
would have happened. Di Canio certainly wouldn't have been able to predict
anything, such is his nature and desire for the unexpected.
Our owners must be happy now they did not go down that road. Now I know
Paolo is a hero at the Boleyn, a stunning, gifted footballer who brought
entertainment and joy on many a damp, cold, east London day.
And I know this will not go down well with plenty of our fans, but you must
have guessed by now that somewhere along the line I did not go for the Paolo
for Pope routine. There was too much baggage, too many things that went
wrong and far too much of the me, me, me character in the Italian.
We went down with him in the side - or to be accurate, we went down with him
home in Italy having fallen out with Glenn Roeder. Frankly, inexcusable
behaviour from a professional. He may not have liked the manager, but his
job was to play for the club. And too often he didn't.
Frequently we now see the amazing cameo of the game when he demanded that
'arry should take him off because he didn't like the referee. There were
times in that game when Paolo was playing in his own panto, oblivious of the
game going on around him.
Redknapp has made something of a living with amusing recollections of Di
Canio's antics and maybe in the pantomime that was Redknapp's management
style at Upton Park, it all fitted in. But a few seasons down the line, we
were relegated with a side that included Di Canio, Trevor Sinclair, Jermain
Defoe, Michael Carrick, David James, Glen Johnson, Joe Cole and Freddi
Kanoute in the side. An unforgivable shambles with such talent.
That season, Di Canio played when he felt like it. Trevor Brooking had to
almost go on bended knee to get him back into the team. And we still went
down. Now it is Sunderland picking up the pieces from the car crash. What do
they do with the 14 players he signed, the Italian agents he has worked
with, the Italian coaches and scouts on the pay-roll?
All this has hit us with the backdrop of our own less than stunning last
couple of weeks. The Andy Carroll saga rolls on. We can't get Carlton Cole
fit and have expensive people like Joe Cole and Stewart Downing on the
sidelines. Claims that we are a one-trick pony (Carroll) are hard to argue
against.
Successive home defeats to Stoke, a truly terrible game, and Everton - where
we were winning with 15 minutes left - has left us with a growing cloud over
our season. But it is not that bad.
If you compare like-on-like results to last season (and substitute QPR at
home for Cardiff), we are just two points down on last term. We drew at home
to relegated QPR and beat Cardiff on the opening day. We won last term at
Newcastle and drew this time, we drew with Stoke and lost this time around
while we lost to Everton last season as well
You could hear the moaning as we all walked back down Wakefield Street on
Saturday about Sam, tactics, transfers, style of play. It puts immense
pressure on us to get something at Hull, with tough games against Spurs,
Manchester City and Swansea to come next.
But it's not a crisis, not yet. But Sunderland, well are you glad you are
not in their boots. And maybe the clamour for Di Canio will take on a more
realistic look.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce proud of West Ham record ahead of 100th game
Last Updated: September 23, 2013 6:08pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce has declared himself proud of his West Ham record, ahead of
his 100th game in charge. The former Bolton and Blackburn boss reaches his
century on Tuesday when Cardiff visit Upton Park in the third round of the
Capital One Cup. A lone win has made for a difficult start to the new league
campaign but having secured promotion and then a top-10 finish back in the
Premier League, the 58-year-old is pleased with his overall achievements.
"Obviously I'm very pleased with the record we had in the Premier League
last year and the year before we were expected to do well in the
Championship," he said. "If you look at the stats for how many teams are
promoted the season after they were relegated you'll find that there are
very few, around 20 per cent who actually manage it. "We've done everything
that we said we would do, not just me and the backroom staff, but also the
chairman and the vice-chairman and everyone else behind the scenes. "We set
out with the plan to get promoted in the first year - we did that. The
second year we planned to stay up and in the end we surpassed expectations
and finished 10th. "Now we've got to bring a sustainable balance to the
squad which is going to keep us in the Premier League for many, many years.
It's probably unacceptable in today's football but we have to convince
everybody that growing slowly is the right way."
Allardyce, who has also managed at Blackpool, Notts County and Newcastle,
lamented the fact that managing a club for 100 games has now become a
celebrated achievement. Speaking after Paolo Di Canio became the first
Premier League casualty of the season, he added: "If it's 300 games or 400
games, fine, but 100 games should be more commonplace than it is. "The
constant change of managers which we're now faced with has turned reaching
100 games into a bit of an achievement. For me, that's pretty
disappointing."
Allardyce has already masterminded a league victory over Cardiff but expects
a tough test. "Malky (Mackay's) done a great job; his team are well
organised and they know what's expected of them. "We had a tough match
against Cheltenham in the last round and I'm expecting another tough game
against Cardiff."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Mladen Petric confident he can get goals for West Ham
Last Updated: September 23, 2013 11:42am
SSN
Mladen Petric believes he can help to cover Andy Carroll's absence at West
Ham United and carry the goal-scoring burden. The Hammers remain without the
services of their record signing as he continues to nurse a foot complaint.
It is possible that Carroll will be out of action until January, leaving Sam
Allardyce short on attacking options. He has moved to bolster his ranks with
the capture of former Fulham frontman Petric as a free agent, and the
Croatian made his debut off the bench in Saturday's 3-2 defeat to Everton.
The 32-year-old is a proven marksman at domestic and international level and
is confident he can make an important contribution at Upton Park. Petric
said: "I am a striker and I want to score. I hope I can help the team not
only scoring goals, but in the games. "I feel I am getting better every day
and I'm sure I can help the team." Allardyce said of a player who is still
working on his match sharpness: "He's been tired and had aching limbs. "But
with a lot of massage and ice baths he's got through it well. We'll see him
again against Cardiff (in the Capital One Cup) on Tuesday."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Joey O'Brien was in typically honest mood following Saturday's disappointing
home defeat
23.09.2013
Joey O'Brien was in typically honest mood following Saturday's disappointing
3-2 home Barclays Premier League defeat by Everton. The West Ham United
right-back left the Boleyn Ground with stitches in the back of his head
after challenging Toffees striker Romelu Lukaku as the Belgian powerhouse
nodded in the match-winning goal five minutes from time. The defeat was
difficult to take for West Ham, who had controlled the first half and went
into the final ten minutes leading 2-1. Then Mark Noble was sent-off for a
second bookable offence, Leighton Baines curled in his second magnificent
free-kick of the game and Lukaku thundered home Everton's winner. "It was
very disappointing," said the No17. "I don't think we created an awful lot
of chances, but I thought in the first half we were the better side really.
"In the second half they improved their team with a couple of changes
[bringing on Lukaku and James McCarthy], but to get done by two free-kicks
and losing a player to a red card in the build up to the second one was
always going to make it hard with the players that they have and that led to
their third."
While Baines' set pieces were of the highest order, West Ham have now
conceded three goals from direct free-kicks in their last two home games
following Jermaine Pennant's match-winner for Stoke City. O'Brien admitted
that the Hammers need to stop giving free-kicks away within shooting range
to prevent the same scenario from happening again. However, he refused to
blame Noble for Saturday's defeat. "Of course in an ideal world that would
be the thing to do, but in the heat of the moment, when players are going
through players make decisions and if they think that they are going to get
shots away, that is the reason they are trying to make those tackles. But
when the ball then flies into the top corner, it is hard to take. "Of course
[Noble's sending-off was pivotal] and they had the momentum with their two
free-kicks as well as us going down to ten men. The way they play, with a
lot of possession, certainly frustrates you, and with only ten men it makes
it even more difficult. "We have conceded four goals this season and three
of those have been from free kicks. It is just one of those things at the
moment."
O'Brien himself saw a change in roles on Saturday, moving from left to
right-back in place of the injured Guy Demel. As a natural right-footer, the
Irishman had no trouble settling back into a position he has filled many
times before during his career. I have been training there all week as I
knew it was coming after the injury to Guy. It was grand. There are perhaps
always a couple of moments in games where I was slightly out of position,
but I am trying to get back into the swing of things."
Looking ahead, O'Brien may be rested for Tuesday's Capital One Cup
third-round visit of Cardiff City, but he is already determined to get back
to winning ways in the Barclays Premier League at Hull City on Saturday.
There, he could come up against fellow Dubliner Robbie Brady, with the
winger enjoying a fine start to the season. "It is a massive game at Hull
City on Saturday and we will be going up there to get three points and
bounce back."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam on: Cardiff City
WHUFC.com
The West Ham United manager has spoken to the press ahead of Tuesday's
meeting with Cardiff
23.09.2013
Sam Allardyce will celebrate his 100th game in charge of West Ham United
when Cardiff City visit the Boleyn Ground for a Capital One Cup third round
tie on Tuesday. The Hammers manager spoke to the press to preview his side's
second meeting with Cardiff in a little over a month. It's a landmark game
for you tomorrow night against Cardiff, your 100th game in charge.
Your record is played 99, won 42, drawn 27 and lost 30, how proud are you of
that record?
SA: "Obviously I'm very pleased with the record we had in the Barclays
Premier League last year and the year before we were expected to do well in
the Championship. If you look at the stats for how many teams are promoted
the season after they were relegated you'll find that there are very few,
around 20 per cent who actually manage it. We've done everything that we
said we would do, not just me and the backroom staff, but also the Chairman
and the Vice-Chairman and everyone else behind the scenes. "We set out with
the plan to get promoted in the first year, we did that. The second year we
planned to stay up and in the end we surpassed expectations and finished
tenth. Now we've got to bring a sustainable balance to the squad which is
going to keep us in the Premier League for many, many years. We need to grow
slowly, it's probably unacceptable in today's football but we have to
convince everybody that growing slowly is the right way. It sustains the
ability to get better and better and when you do that you are then able to
achieve more and you can start looking at bigger things."
You made eleven changes in the last round against Cheltenham, will you do
the same for Cardiff?
SA: "We will make some changes. We're in a difficult position with our
points total which we're very disappointed that we haven't achieved more. We
had a huge blow to us on Saturday losing the game against Everton which we
didn't deserve, but that happens. This is a ruthless league and if you don't
do what you should do then it ends up punishing you. "I watched Norwich
versus Aston Villa before our game and Chris Hughton will have been
absolutely gutted when he woke up to review that game and saw how many
chances they had to bury Aston Villa, they didn't and ended up losing. In
our case it wasn't quite like that because we had the lead twice but Mr
Baines was on top form. I don't think he's ever scored two in a game,
particularly like he did. Our fault came in giving the free-kicks away,
that's where the responsibility lies for us. All the lads know about his
quality, everybody does, the ordinary supporter in the stand knows. The last
thing you do is commit fouls and give them free-kicks in dangerous areas, we
did that twice and got punished heavily."
Will Joe Cole and Stewart Downing feature against Cardiff?
SA: "No they won't feature in this game. I would have loved the match to be
next week rather than this week as they both would have played. They won't
be involved on Tuesday because both of them are only due back in training
with the other players on Monday and putting them into what will be a hugely
competitive game has come too early for them. It will be a hugely
competitive match because there will be a lot of players out there who will
be trying to convince both myself and Malky [Mackay, Cardiff manager] that
they should be playing in the first team on a more regular basis."
You've reached the 100 game mark here, something which is becoming rarer in
today's climate. Are you proud when you reach a landmark like this?
SA: "I enjoy working in football and have enjoyed it for so many years now
that it's the only thing I really know. When you're in the job you're
obviously fearful of getting the sack. It's a survival game no matter what
anybody says, particularly for young managers. They've got to learn how to
survive and then evolve. When you reach 100 games and people say well done,
it worries me. If it's 300 games or 400 games, fine, but 100 games should be
more commonplace than it is. The constant change of managers which we're now
faced with has turned reaching 100 games into a bit of an achievement. For
me, that's pretty disappointing that in our professional leagues we change
managers so much."
You've had a good result against Cardiff already this season and since then
they've shown some resilience. Are they a side in the mould of their
manager?
SA: "I think that Malky and his staff do a really good job in terms of
playing to their strengths and organising the team. He's learnt over his
time at Watford and now at Cardiff that his job is about results and using
his squad to the best of their ability. When we played them at our place,
him, his team and his players have adjusted very quickly to life in the
Premier League. "We won that game comfortably on the day but since then
they've reorganised themselves and had some fantastic results. Malky's done
a great job, his team are well organised and they know what's expected of
them. We had a tough match against Cheltenham in the last round and I'm
expecting another tough game against Cardiff."
Mladen Petric made a positive impact from the bench on Saturday. Will he
start against Cardiff?
SA: "I don't think a start because we're talking about a player who's only
had half-an-hour in a highly competitive game in the Barclays Premier
League. The physicality is greater than anywhere else in the world and he's
only in week two of his pre-season. Normally he would be playing 45 minutes
against Cork City but instead he's had 30 minutes against Everton so he's
feeling the stresses and strains of that. We have to be careful because we
don't want him to get injured, but he will be in the squad."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Cardiff
KO 19:45
23 September 2013
Last updated at 12:51
CAPITAL ONE CUP THIRD ROUND
Venue: Upton Park Date: Tuesday, 24 September
Coverage: Watch highlights on The League Cup Show on Wednesday at 23:05 BST,
BBC One.
West Ham midfielders Joe Cole (hamstring) and Stewart Downing (knee) will
not feature as they have only just returned to training after injury. Mark
Noble will also definitely be absent as he serves a one-match ban. Like
Hammers' manager Sam Allardyce, Cardiff boss Malky Mackay will also rotate
his squad.
New signing Peter Odemwingie could make his first start but Andreas
Cornelius is still struggling with an ankle injury picked up in the last
round.
MATCH PREVIEW
West Ham and Cardiff go into Tuesday's League Cup tie locked together in the
Premier League, with both teams having won one, drawn two and lost two of
their five league matches so far. In fact, the only difference lies in the
goals conceded column, where Cardiff have let in two more than the Hammers -
goals that can be traced back to their 2-0 defeat at Upton Park on the
opening day of the season. West Ham's only subsequent win was against League
Two Cheltenham in this competition, and they have suffered home defeats to
both Stoke and Everton. The League Cup has been bitter-sweet for Cardiff in
recent years. The Welsh club reached the final in 2012, only to suffer the
heartbreak of losing to Liverpool in a penalty shoot-out. And they fell at
the first hurdle last year, with League Two side Northampton dumping them
out.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
The two sides have met five times before in the League Cup, including in
1966, when West Ham won the two-legged semi-final 10-3 on aggregate and went
on to lift the trophy.
West Ham have won the last four meetings with Cardiff in all competitions,
including the Premier League meeting between the two sides in August.
West Ham
The Hammers have won eight of their last 10 League Cup matches played at
Upton Park (W8, L2).
This match will be Sam Allardyce's 100th in charge of West Ham. His record
so far is P99, W42, D27, L30
West Ham have not won any of their last four league matches (D2, L2).
Cardiff
Cardiff have won just one of their last seven away games in all competitions
(W1, D4, L2).
The Welsh side have lost both their matches against London clubs so far this
season.
They have won just one of their last 12 League Cup clashes against
top-flight sides (including replays), with that victory (against Blackburn)
coming on their way to reaching the 2012 final.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Paolo Di Canio: Sam Allardyce says sacking was 'knee jerk'
BBC.co.uk
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce believes Sunderland have made a knee-jerk
decision by sacking Paolo Di Canio. Italian Di Canio, 45, was dismissed as
Black Cats manager on Sunday after only five Premier League games this
season. The former Swindon boss was appointed in March to replace Martin
O'Neill.
Di Canio's journey
Born in Rome, 9 July 1968
Played in Italy for Lazio, Juventus, Napoli, AC Milan, Cisco Roma
Played in Britain for Celtic, Sheffield Wednesday, West Ham and Charlton
Fined £10,000 in 1998 by the FA for pushing referee Paul Alcock to the
ground after being sent off against Arsenal
Wins Fifa Fair Play award for sportsmanship in 2001 for catching ball and
stopping play v Everton to allow injured keeper Paul Gerrard to receive
treatment
Criticised in 2005 for making fascist-style salute in Lazio game
Appointed Swindon boss in May 2011; guides them into League One a year later
Resigns as Swindon boss in February 2013 citing issues with the club's
hierarchy after sale of star player Matt Ritchie
Replaces Martin O'Neill as Sunderland boss in March 2013; club avoid
relegation
Sacked after four defeats in five league games of 2013-14
"If it doesn't go well they seem to be making a knee-jerk decision to change
the manager," said Allardyce, who left Newcastle in 2008 after eight months
by mutual consent. None of Sunderland's last four managers, Ricky Sbragia,
Steve Bruce, O'Neill and Di Canio, have lasted 100 games - which is the
landmark Allardyce will achieve at West Ham on Tuesday when they face
Cardiff. "They've been pretty quick at pulling the trigger recently, in the
last three managers," continued the ex-Bolton boss. Di Canio won only three
of his 13 matches after replacing O'Neill and took one point from five
top-flight games this campaign.
Sunderland had brought in 14 new players in the summer with Di Canio working
with director of football Roberto De Fanti and chief scout Valentino
Angeloni on their transfers. "I find it very difficult to see where the
logic lies in it, particularly when there has been a full clear-out [of
backroom staff]," said Allardyce. "To go through that process in a
particular season which has got under way is a huge task for whoever is
going to be the next head coach."
Di Canio immediately attracted controversy following his appointment in
March but Sunderland narrowly avoided relegation last season, thanks partly
to a famous 3-0 win over Newcastle - their first victory at St James' Park
over over their local rivals in 13 years. However, public criticism of his
squad at the end of last season was followed by bans on mobile phones,
tomato ketchup, mayonnaise and ice in Coca-Cola at the club's training
ground. After Saturday's 3-0 loss to West Brom, Di Canio was verbally abused
by travelling supporters and further criticism of his players led to anger
among the squad. Allardyce believes the controversial manager may have to
change his style if he is to return to the Premier League. "The man says
he's not going to change and I think you are what you are," he said. "You've
got to be true to yourself; if that's your style, that's your style. If it
doesn't work you've got to hold your hands up and say, 'it might have worked
at Swindon but in the Premier League it hasn't worked'. "You have to look at
yourself and say, 'if I get the next job do I do it like that or don't I?'"
Former Blackburn boss Allardyce believes managers should be given more time
to settle in at clubs but fears management has now become about just
surviving. "What you fear for is the sack, obviously, and it is a survival
game," said the Hammers manager. "Particularly the young managers who come
in, you've to learn how to survive and then evolve. "When it is seen to be
100 games well done, it really does worry me. If it's 300 games or 400
games, fine. But 100 games? "This should be more often across the board than
it is now because of the constant changing of managers and coaches that we
are now faced with, that 100 games is now something of an achievement. For
me, I think that is pretty disappointing."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nice one, centurion
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 23rd September 2013
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce celebrates what will be his 100th game in charge of West Ham
when his team faces Cardiff City tomorrow night. The Welsh club return to
the Boelyn Ground for the second time this season after they were beaten 2-0
on the opening day of the campaign - West Ham's only Premier League win so
far.
For Allardyce, who succeeded Avram Grant in the summer of 2011, it will be
the 100th occasion on which he leads his team out - and a spell which, all
things considered, Allardyce considers to be a successful one. "I'm very
pleased with the record we had in the Premier League last year, the year
before we were expected to do well in the Championship," he said. "We've
done everything that we said we would do. "We set out with the plan to get
promoted in the first year, we did that. The second year we planned to stay
up and in the end we surpassed expectations and finished tenth. Now we've
got to bring a sustainable balance to the squad which is going to keep us in
the Premier League for many, many years. "It's probably unacceptable in
today's football but we have to convince everybody that growing slowly is
the right way. It sustains the ability to get better and better and when you
do that you are then able to achieve more and you can start looking at
bigger things."
Yet despit having reached the milestone, Allardyce maintains that his
biggest fear remains getting the sack. "I enjoy working in football and have
enjoyed it for so many years now that it's the only thing I really know -
but when you're in the job you're fearful of getting the sack," he revealed.
It's a survival game no matter what anybody says, particularly for young
managers. "When you reach 100 games and people say well done, it worries
me. If it's 300 or 400 games fine, but 100 games should be more commonplace
than it is. The constant change of managers which we're now faced with has
turned reaching 100 games into a bit of an achievement."
Sam's Five Finest
5. West Ham Utd 6-0 Brighton: Fellow promotion candicates Albion came to the
Boleyn at the back end of the 2011/12 campaign and were blitzed by a
six-goal drubbing; chief architect being Ricardo Vaz Te whose hat-trick
included an overhead kick.
4. West Ham Utd 1-0 Aston Villa: The first game back in the Premir League is
always a nervy occasion. Featuring new signings such as James Collins and
Jussi Jaaskelainen, this was the perfect start as Allardyce got everything
right tactically.
3. Blackpool 1-4 West Ham Utd: The demolition of a side who were, at the
time, our promotion rivals. 2-1 up when Rob Green was (incorrectly)
dismissed, Henri Lansbury took his place as the ten men added further goals
through Gary O'Neil and Ricardo Vaz Te.
2. West Ham Utd 2-1 Blackpool: A nervy, less than convincing performance at
Wembley - at last! - but still the best day out long-suffering Hammers fans
have had in years. Ricardo Vaz Te is immortalised as Big Sam is spotted
singing 'Bubbles' on the big screen.
1. West Ham Utd 3-1 Chelsea: A simply stunning second half performance from
the Hammers as they recorded a first win over the Blues for a decade. We
were that good, even Modibo Maiga got himself on the scoresheet.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Paolo pushed
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 23rd September 2013
By: Staff Writer
Former West Ham favourite Paolo Di Canio has been sacked from his post as
manager of fellow Premier League club Sunderland. The 44-year-old Italian,
who spent five years at West Ham between 1998 and 2003 has received his
marching orders less after just 13 games in charge at the Stadium of Light.
A statement on the Black Cats' website late last night confirmed that Di
Canio had been given the push. "Sunderland AFC confirms that it has parted
company with head coach Paolo Di Canio this evening," it said. "Kevin Ball
will take charge of the squad ahead of Tuesday night's Capital One Cup game
against Peterborough United and an announcement will be made in due course
regarding a permanent successor. "The club would like to place on record its
thanks to Paolo and his staff and wishes them well for the future."
It is believed that Di Canio, whose unique management methods previously
ruffled feathers at Swindon was fired after a training ground bust-up with
some of his first team players. That followed a dreadful start to the season
for the Wearsiders, who currently sit bottom of the Premier League having
amasseda total of just one point from their opening five fixtures. News of
Di Canio's sacking comes almost exactly a decade after Glenn Roeder - who Di
Canio was a fierce critic of during his time as a player - was sacked by
West Ham, having failed to maintain the Club's Premiership status.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United v Cardiff City
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 23rd September 2013
By: Preview Percy
Preview Percy has written another preview about Cardiff City. It's just as
bad as the previous one. Let's hope and pray we don't get them in the FA Cup
as well....
Next up we play host to Cardiff City in the 3rd round of the League Cup.
Kick off on Tuesday night is 7.45pm and I believe that the usual requirement
for Cardiff supporters to pick up their tickets from a disused, uncharted
and unlit North Sea oil rig by 3am has been dispensed with. As ever in this
competition, extra time and penalties are available to settle matters on the
night should they be required. Don't wait up luv.
League form in their first visit to the to flight for a jolly long time has
been patchy. They looked a bit overawed on the opening day as we coasted to
a relatively easy 2-0 victory. This was followed up by an unexpected 3-2 win
over Man City at the City of Cardiff stadium, a match in which the Citizens
gave a whole new meaning to the word "complacent". Draws at home to Everton
(0-0) and away to Hull (1-1) gave them a three match unbeaten run which came
to an end at the weekend with a stoppage time defeat to Spurs. All of which
has left them in one place behind us, level on points and two goals worse
off on the goal difference front. In the previous round of this particular
competition they went up to Accrington and won 2-0.
Like us they can claim to have suffered at the hands of the referee this
weekend, Loris's handball outside the box was close enough for Clattenburg
to get the benefit of the doubt in that case. Spurs went on to have some
silly number of efforts on goal before finally winning in stoppage time.
On decent form in the Spurs match was 'keeper David Marshall. Marshall has
been first choice in the league so far this season, though he did miss out
on a trip to Hull with a hip injury. Let's face it which one of us wouldn't
feign some sort of injury to avoid a trip to Humberside? In the modern style
Joe Lewis was preferred to Marshall for the League Cup trip so we should
probably expect that again.
It is thought that the match may see a first start for Peter Odemwinge. He's
been about this lad hasn't he. The place where he was born – Tashkent. –
used to be part of the USSR. By the time he was 10 it was part of
Uzbekistan. His early career was spent in the youth systems of KAMAZ and
CSKA but he went to Nigeria (his father's birthplace) to play for his first
grown-up club, the wonderfully named Bendel Insurance. From there he went to
Belgium, winning the Belgian Cup with La Louviere. His next trip was from
Belgium (where they speak French even though they don't have to) to France
(where they do), spending three years or so at Lille. Next stop was a return
to the former USSR where Lokomotiv Moscow were his employers for a few
years. The knobhead racist element of the Moscow support celebrated his
departure for West Brom with banners saying "Thanks West Brom".
Even though his passport stamps read USSR, Nigeria, Belgium, France, Russia
and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, it is a rather
more prosaic journey for which he became noted, journeying down the M6 where
he was under the mistaken impression that he had a deal to join QPR. I can't
imagine for the life of me how he might have come about that impression.
After all, it's not as if their manager would have had any illegal contact
with the player or his agents, is it? The journey saw him stuck in the car
park with everyone at QPR hiding behind the curtains pretending not to be
in, prompting chants of "he went to QPR, they left him in his car" and "what
a waste of petrol" from opposition fans at the end of last season. He
eventually left the Hawthorns on deadline day for Cardiff and is presumably
disappointed that he didn't get another stamp in his passport, having been
persuaded by Cardiff that Wales was a proper country, rather than just
somewhere England keeps the mountains that there wasn't room for in
Scotland.
Record signing (for a few days anyway) Andreas Cornelius is likely to miss
out. He had ankle issues during pre-season and had the bad fortune to
exacerbate his injury early on in the Accrington match in the last round.
This may mean a start for ex-Hammer Nicky Maynard. Maynard was on the bench
against Spurs and remained unused. So his will be one of the fresher pairs
of legs available to Malky Mackay, given the mere 48 hours or so between the
end of Sunday's match and the start of this one.
One player I simply have to mention, irrespective of whether or not Mackay
chooses to start him is French defender Kevin Theophile-Catherine who is
currently leading the Avram Grant Olympic Rest Home for the Bewildered
competition for "Most Splendidly-Named Opponent". Theophile-Catherine
(brilliant isn't it) came in just before the deadline from Rennes for a fee
of a shade over £2m, most of which will be recouped as soon as one or two
supporters decide to stick his name on the back of their shirts.
Us? Well here at the Avram Grant Rest Olympic Rest Home or the Bewildered
were frankly gobsmacked at the refereeing at the weekend. Lee Mason gave the
impression that he belonged in one of the padded rooms they have here for
the more "difficult" residents. Ron Vibbentropp, our German resident,
reckons that back in his home country a panel reviews every refereeing
decision and those referees who fail to consistently score a high average
find themselves going down the leagues. It's all open and clear to all,
unlike our own PGMOL, who are responsible for their own marking and hide the
results from everyone, thus ensuring that the likes of Mason don't get what
they deserve. In Mason's case that would be a long stay in Guantnamo Bay
being forced to listen to Bon Jovi 24 hours a day.
In truth, Lukaku's introduction was the catalyst for Everton's revival but I
reckon we would have deserved the point stolen from us by Mason's dishonesty
on the strength of the first half performance.. Thankfully the moronic
decision to send off Noble wasn't more costly. He'll only miss this game –
which he would probably have been rested for anyway.
We may see a start for Petric as he attempts to gin a bit of match fitness.
It was his hard work that led to the penalty and he has to be a better bet
than Maiga who appears to veer between interested and not bothered at the
drop of a hat.
Squad rotation may see us start with a similar side to that which saw off
Cheltenham, especially when you consider the injury list which contains the
likes of Cole, Downing, Demel, Downing and Carroll. So maybe it's time for
another run out for Leo Chambers perhaps? I'd certainly expect to see Adrian
to be given a run out – with possibly Henderson sitting on the racing car in
the squad last time seats to give Jaaskalainen a night off.
Other youngsters who were in the squad for the last round included Seb
Lletget – for whom the editors have been saving the headline "Lletget's
ready to rumble" for several years now - and Elliot Lee for whom they'll
have to be more creative, so expect a similar bench this time round.
Prediction? Well as ever with this competition much will depend on how
strong a team the respective managers elect to put out. I'd fancy us to win
comfortably if the respective first teams were fielded. However, the
permutations are pretty flexibe on both sides – though with the relatively
short time since their match against Spurs you'd have though that there'd be
a few rested. I'll still plump for a win though and I'll be putting the
AGORHFTB Lee Mason Straitjacket Fund (£2.50) on us to win 2-1 though don't
be too surprised if it all goes to extra time.
Enjoy the game!
When Last We Met At The Boleyn – Won 2-0 August 2013. Joe Cole in the first
half and Kevin Nolan in the second sealed the points. Blimey if you can't
remember that maybe you should be here at the rest home instead of me! I
mean I only mentioned it up there near the top of the page. Do try to pay
attention.
Referee: Roger East – last seen in our 6-0 defeat of Brighton the season
before last, when he booked Carlton Cole (who is famous) for complaining,
rather than the defender who was kicking him (who wasn't famous).
Danger Man: Nicky Maynard – difficult to predict a danger man when you have
little idea what side the opponents will put out. The "law of the ex" will
apply assuming Maynard gets the nod.
Daft Welsh Fact Of The Week: The current incarnation of Dr Who is largely
filmed in the Welsh capital. Bit of an obvious location really when you
think about it – all that strange unearthly barren scenery and a strange
almost but not quite human-like population, whose origins are betrayed by
the strange alien tongue that they insist on writing half the road signs in.
I bet they think it's a documentary down there.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
At least we are not Sunderland
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 23rd September 2013
By: Paul Walker
Five games into the Premier League campaign and we are struggling. No it's
not a crisis yet, and the time now is for calm, patience and strong nerve.
Thankfully we are not Sunderland. Now there is a crisis, a full-blown
shambles. Millions spent on a new squad, new manager, new staff etc, etc,
etc. And our old mate Paolo Di Canio gets the boot five games into the
season. Anyone surprised? No , me neither.
Di Canio's style has been described as "management by hand grenade". You may
be able to get away with that at Swindon when substituting goalkeepers
before half-time, falling out with your players and lashing them in the
media can be dismissed as erratic and comical.
Do that with a squad of 20-something millionaires and you are dead in the
water. Sunderland knew what they were taking on, something our own board
declined to do even though, so says Ms. Brady, Di Canio did keep ringing the
club asking to be given a chance.
I recall the clamour from fans for Paolo to be appointed our manager. But I
always sensed that it was romance against reality. A few of our West
Ham-supporting journalists wrote pieces at the time warning of the devil we
didn't really know. Di Canio was high risk, high maintenance and highly
likely to explode at any minute. Too much of a risk, as Sunderland have
discovered.
Hands up out there anyone who secretly wanted Paolo to succeed at Sunderland
so he would one day march back into the Boleyn. Hands up those who thought
he could handle a Premier League club.
Hands up anyone who wants him back now. Not so many as before, I bet.
And it's a generational thing. My match day mates are all half my age, they
remember him as the great entertainer. My own son has named his Dalmatian
dog, Paolo. The dog is lovable, beautiful to behold at full speed, crazy as
a box of frogs and hugely unpredictable. Remind you of anyone?
When Paolo was at his peak at West Ham, I was working in the north and
heavily involved with big clubs there that win things. I barely had time to
get to the Boleyn those days. I only saw my beloved Irons when they came
north for their ritual beatings at Manchester United, Liverpool, Everton
etc. And in fact I rarely saw our Italian then either, because of his
obvious dislike for cold, wet northern grounds (so why go to Sunderland).
I did manage to wangle covering the FA Cup third round defeat at Tranmere in
1999, when Di Canio had managed to negotiate his way that far north. The
pitch was bare, bumpy and the day cold and bleak. We were awful and Paolo
was a waste of space.
I recall talking to Redknapp after the press conference that day, he
shrugged and was resigned to such a performance. Then there was the famous
"catching the ball" trick at Everton when their goalkeeper was injured.
Redknapp said all the right things about sportsmanship in that press
conference, but talking to him as we walked down the stairs together after
that match, and 'arry's view was very different. Basically, put the ball in
the net and then worry about their 'keeper.
The erratic side of Di Canio gets lost in the misty eyed memories of his
breathtaking talent. I also recall being in a Cardiff 'Aussie' bar on the
Sunday that Di Canio scored that amazing goal against Wimbledon. The place
was almost empty, apart from the professional afternoon drinkers, and there
I was jumping around screaming 'you beauty' at the TV screen on the wall,
almost begging the drunks to watch the replays!.
So I do understand the appeal of the man, the thrill of his talent and the
passion he showed us for the game. But, my God, he is a liability.
Our owners could have taken the plunge with Di Canio, and who knows what
would have happened. Di Canio certainly wouldn't have been able to predict
anything, such is his nature and desire for the unexpected.
Our owners must be happy now they did not go down that road. Now I know
Paolo is a hero at the Boleyn, a stunning, gifted footballer who brought
entertainment and joy on many a damp, cold, east London day.
And I know this will not go down well with plenty of our fans, but you must
have guessed by now that somewhere along the line I did not go for the Paolo
for Pope routine. There was too much baggage, too many things that went
wrong and far too much of the me, me, me character in the Italian.
We went down with him in the side - or to be accurate, we went down with him
home in Italy having fallen out with Glenn Roeder. Frankly, inexcusable
behaviour from a professional. He may not have liked the manager, but his
job was to play for the club. And too often he didn't.
Frequently we now see the amazing cameo of the game when he demanded that
'arry should take him off because he didn't like the referee. There were
times in that game when Paolo was playing in his own panto, oblivious of the
game going on around him.
Redknapp has made something of a living with amusing recollections of Di
Canio's antics and maybe in the pantomime that was Redknapp's management
style at Upton Park, it all fitted in. But a few seasons down the line, we
were relegated with a side that included Di Canio, Trevor Sinclair, Jermain
Defoe, Michael Carrick, David James, Glen Johnson, Joe Cole and Freddi
Kanoute in the side. An unforgivable shambles with such talent.
That season, Di Canio played when he felt like it. Trevor Brooking had to
almost go on bended knee to get him back into the team. And we still went
down. Now it is Sunderland picking up the pieces from the car crash. What do
they do with the 14 players he signed, the Italian agents he has worked
with, the Italian coaches and scouts on the pay-roll?
All this has hit us with the backdrop of our own less than stunning last
couple of weeks. The Andy Carroll saga rolls on. We can't get Carlton Cole
fit and have expensive people like Joe Cole and Stewart Downing on the
sidelines. Claims that we are a one-trick pony (Carroll) are hard to argue
against.
Successive home defeats to Stoke, a truly terrible game, and Everton - where
we were winning with 15 minutes left - has left us with a growing cloud over
our season. But it is not that bad.
If you compare like-on-like results to last season (and substitute QPR at
home for Cardiff), we are just two points down on last term. We drew at home
to relegated QPR and beat Cardiff on the opening day. We won last term at
Newcastle and drew this time, we drew with Stoke and lost this time around
while we lost to Everton last season as well
You could hear the moaning as we all walked back down Wakefield Street on
Saturday about Sam, tactics, transfers, style of play. It puts immense
pressure on us to get something at Hull, with tough games against Spurs,
Manchester City and Swansea to come next.
But it's not a crisis, not yet. But Sunderland, well are you glad you are
not in their boots. And maybe the clamour for Di Canio will take on a more
realistic look.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce proud of West Ham record ahead of 100th game
Last Updated: September 23, 2013 6:08pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce has declared himself proud of his West Ham record, ahead of
his 100th game in charge. The former Bolton and Blackburn boss reaches his
century on Tuesday when Cardiff visit Upton Park in the third round of the
Capital One Cup. A lone win has made for a difficult start to the new league
campaign but having secured promotion and then a top-10 finish back in the
Premier League, the 58-year-old is pleased with his overall achievements.
"Obviously I'm very pleased with the record we had in the Premier League
last year and the year before we were expected to do well in the
Championship," he said. "If you look at the stats for how many teams are
promoted the season after they were relegated you'll find that there are
very few, around 20 per cent who actually manage it. "We've done everything
that we said we would do, not just me and the backroom staff, but also the
chairman and the vice-chairman and everyone else behind the scenes. "We set
out with the plan to get promoted in the first year - we did that. The
second year we planned to stay up and in the end we surpassed expectations
and finished 10th. "Now we've got to bring a sustainable balance to the
squad which is going to keep us in the Premier League for many, many years.
It's probably unacceptable in today's football but we have to convince
everybody that growing slowly is the right way."
Allardyce, who has also managed at Blackpool, Notts County and Newcastle,
lamented the fact that managing a club for 100 games has now become a
celebrated achievement. Speaking after Paolo Di Canio became the first
Premier League casualty of the season, he added: "If it's 300 games or 400
games, fine, but 100 games should be more commonplace than it is. "The
constant change of managers which we're now faced with has turned reaching
100 games into a bit of an achievement. For me, that's pretty
disappointing."
Allardyce has already masterminded a league victory over Cardiff but expects
a tough test. "Malky (Mackay's) done a great job; his team are well
organised and they know what's expected of them. "We had a tough match
against Cheltenham in the last round and I'm expecting another tough game
against Cardiff."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Mladen Petric confident he can get goals for West Ham
Last Updated: September 23, 2013 11:42am
SSN
Mladen Petric believes he can help to cover Andy Carroll's absence at West
Ham United and carry the goal-scoring burden. The Hammers remain without the
services of their record signing as he continues to nurse a foot complaint.
It is possible that Carroll will be out of action until January, leaving Sam
Allardyce short on attacking options. He has moved to bolster his ranks with
the capture of former Fulham frontman Petric as a free agent, and the
Croatian made his debut off the bench in Saturday's 3-2 defeat to Everton.
The 32-year-old is a proven marksman at domestic and international level and
is confident he can make an important contribution at Upton Park. Petric
said: "I am a striker and I want to score. I hope I can help the team not
only scoring goals, but in the games. "I feel I am getting better every day
and I'm sure I can help the team." Allardyce said of a player who is still
working on his match sharpness: "He's been tired and had aching limbs. "But
with a lot of massage and ice baths he's got through it well. We'll see him
again against Cardiff (in the Capital One Cup) on Tuesday."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
