Daily WHUFC News - 1st December 2013

Big Sam revels in vital victory
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce was all smiles following Saturday's 3-0 Barclays Premier
League win over Fulham
30.11.2013

Sam Allardyce will enjoy a nice bottle of wine and watch the X-Factor with
wife Lynn following Saturday's vital 3-0 Barclays Premier League win over
Fulham.
The West Ham United manager admitted to feeling a mixture of joy and relief
after watching his side earn a thoroughly deserved victory over the
Cottagers at the Boleyn Ground. Having seen Mohamed Diame, Carlton Cole and
Joe Cole hit the target, Strictly Come Dancing fan Big Sam revealed his
celebration plans involve a bit of reality TV. "It's been three months since
we last won a league game at home and, now we've won it, it should have been
by so many more goals!" he said with a smile. "We've sent everybody home
feeling relieved like ourselves, particularly me. I feel a lot happier and
more comfortable, not only because we won and got three points, but because
of the very good performance we put in. "In many ways, we played a lot, lot
better against Aston Villa but couldn't find the goal. This time, eventually
we found three goals and, with the substitutes scoring two of them, it is
always very pleasing when they come on and affect the game. "At 1-0, you
want more. When they tired and our fresh legs came on, the ability that
they've got put the game to bed very quickly, which was very important.
Everybody knows, when you're looking for a result when you're in this
position at this stage of the season, if it had been 1-0 going into the last
few minutes Fulham were going to push more players up and take more risks,
then it would only have taken one slip and we'd have been gutted. "We
finally and professionally finished the game off. A clean sheet and the
quality of the goals were brilliant. "They now have to get their feet up,
recover and rest and get ready for the big Tuesday night game and make sure
they are ready for that one. Can they do what we haven't done in the Premier
League since we got back there and that is win back to back games?"

While Diame's opener took a vital deflection off Fernando Amorebieta, it was
the teamwork shown by the No21 and Mark Noble to win the ball from Steve
Sidwell that led to the goal. "Didn't he make his own luck?" asked the
manager. "If you review the goal, you can see how well Mo worked to win the
ball back from a Fulham player. So he deserved that little bit of luck via a
deflection, because he'd worked so hard to pinch the ball. All that hard
work paid off. "Sometimes those things go for you like deflections, whereas
when things haven't gone so well recently, they go away from the goal. "When
Matt Jarvis headed straight at their goalkeeper, James Tomkins' header was
cleared off the line and all those were not going in, where is the next goal
that we deserve? Then we got two quality goals from Carlton and Joe and they
were brilliant for us all."

While the goalscorers will take the headlines, it was a true team effort
from the Hammers, with Modibo Maiga leading the line with purpose, the back
four protecting Jussi Jaaskelainen perfectly, Mark Noble taking centre-stage
and the wide midfielders causing Fulham's full-backs all manner of problems.
"We had to play at our best, as we have to in every game," said the manager.
"We're not a team who can look at a game of football and win at 90 or 95 per
cent. We always have to be at 100 per cent to win a game, unlike the big
boys."

The manager was pleased to see his team send the supporters home happy after
a difficult series of home results since the opening-day win over Cardiff
City.
"It's obviously not nice to be booed or hear criticism in any area, but we
have to be men about it and be brave enough to say 'If you don't want to
hear that type of thing, go out and perform'. "The big ask for the players
today amid a tense and nervous energy before the game was to turn in a
positive performance and they did. Everybody will wake up tomorrow and enjoy
a great weekend. That's what we're here for and are paid to do."

After being paid a visit by comedian Russell Brand in the dressing room
following the final whistle, Big Sam revealed his understated plans for
Saturday evening. "It's not like the early days when any win meant a night
out at a nice restaurant. Now, it's about a night in with a nice bottle of
wine with my wife Lynn and relaxing. She'll be as a relieved as I am that we
have won this game. "As for the TV, Sam Bailey has got to win the X-Factor,
certainly with my phone calls supporting her. As for Strictly, it's very
close between two or three of the dancers who have really improved. "I'll
then enjoy a nice sleep and on Sunday we can start preparing for Crystal
Palace."

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Diame delights in Fulham win
WHUFC.com
Mohamed Diame was thrilled to get the ball rolling in Saturday's
morale-boosting win over Fulham
30.11.2013

Mohamed Diame paid tribute to an outstanding team performance after playing
a pivotal part in West Ham United's convincing 3-0 Barclays Premier League
home win over Fulham. Restored to the starting line-up, Diame repaid Sam
Allardyce's faith with the all-important first goal, breaking the deadlock
just 72 seconds into the second half. The powerful midfielder robbed Steve
Sidwell, before surging toward goal. And while his strike took a sizeable
deflection off Fernando Amorebieta, it was the least his endeavour deserved.
Reflecting on a job well done, Diame reckons the three points were just
reward for an excellent collective effort. He told West Ham TV: "I really
enjoyed it, I think all the team enjoyed it. We're back again to working
hard together, defending and attacking as a unit. This is pay-back, when you
work hard as a team like this, you have to win. "I had a lot of chances to
score a goal, but [recently] I've been missing those chances. On Saturday, I
had that little bit of luck, so I'm happy about that. "I work hard to chase
the ball and I put the pressure on the midfield, so I won the ball back and
just ran. I saw Modibo [Maiga] on the left but I took my chance and I had
the good fortune that a Fulham player touched the ball and the 'keeper
didn't see it. We'll just keep going and work hard for the next game."

Impressed with the Hammers' resilience to come storming back after last
weekend's disappointment, Diame hopes victory over Fulham will prove a
turning point in a thus far turbulent campaign. "When you've lost at home,
like here against Chelsea 3-0 and you go straight back to win 3-0, always
you have the confidence to play the next game," Diame explained. "We have
just three days until we play against Crystal Palace and we need to make
sure we take the three points there. "I hope it can [kick-start the season].
We need to improve and keep working like this until the end of the season.
Fulham and Crystal Palace are both towards the bottom like us, so we need to
take the three points on Tuesday too."

As for his own form, Diame was thrilled to make a first Premier League start
since the goalless draw at Swansea City and will be doing all that he can to
remain in the starting XI. He added: "It was an important game for me on
Saturday, because I've started the last three games on the bench, so it was
important for me to show the gaffer that I'm important to this team. And I
will keep going, keep working to make sure I keep my place."

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Coles on target as Hammers triumph
WHUFC.com
West Ham United defeated Fulham 3-0 at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday
30.11.2013

West Ham United 3-0 Fulham
Barclays Premier League

West Ham United returned to winning ways with a crucial 3-0 London derby
victory over Fulham on Saturday. The Hammers were without a home success
since the opening day of the season, but they put that run to bed in style
with three second half goals. Mohamed Diame's deflected 47th minute strike
set them on their way before the two Coles made the points safe in the final
eight minutes. Carlton tapped home from a Stewart Downing to notch his first
goal since rejoining the club, then Joe fired home from inside the box to
make it 3-0. The Hammers started strongly and Mark Noble had a shot
deflected wide early on.
Then, with nine minutes on the clock, Modibo Maiga was desperately close to
notching his first goal of the campaign, but his close range header from a
Mark Noble free kick thudded against the post.

Another set play nine minutes later yielded another chance when James
Collins got up to meet Downing's corner with a header that slid just past
the post.
Fulham keeper Maarten Stekelenburg was forced into his first save on 27
minutes, and it was a decent one too as he dived to his right to repel
Downing's curling effort. The Hammers were dominating possession, but on a
rare incursion into Hammers' territory immediately afterwards, George
McCartney was perhaps fortunate to escape a red card after he was deemed to
have dragged back Darren Bent just outside the area. Kieran Richardson fired
wastefully over from the free-kick, and the final chance of the opening
period fell to Kevin Nolan, but he could not get hold of his acrobatic
volley following Matt Jarvis' clipped cross and Stekelenburg saved
comfortably.

The one thing the Hammers lacked in the opening period was the killer touch,
but they did not have to wait long after the interval to establish the lead.
Scott Parker was dispossessed inside his own half as Maiga and Diame went
successfully hunting for the ball. Diame was able to drive at the Fulham
backline in space and unleash a shot which deflected off Fernando Amorebieta
and left a helpless Stekelenburg flat-footed. As the hour mark passed by,
Stekelenburg kept his side in the game by diving to his right to keep out a
curling effort from Maiga, while Downing lashed the rebound just over. The
Hammers continued to press and James Tomkins was only denied by a desperate
goal-line block from Darren Bent after he rose well to meet Downing's
corner. Pajtim Kasami drilled inches wide from range to remind the Hammers
that the game was not won yet, but two goals in the final ten minutes well
and truly took the contest beyond the Cottagers. Carlton Cole notched the
second, having only been on the pitch for a minute, arriving at the far post
to knock Downing's perfectly-weighted low cross into the net. The striker
always scores against Fulham - this was his seventh Hammers goal against
them - and his namesake Joe added further gloss to the scoreline in the
final minute. Ravel Morrison was the architect on this occasion, bursting
into the box and picking his moment well to lay off for Cole to fire home.

West Ham United: Jaaskelainen; Demel, Collins, Tomkins, McCartney; Diame,
Noble, Nolan (Morrison 77); Downing, Maiga (C.Cole 81), Jarvis (J.Cole 68)
Subs: Adrian, Collison, Taylor, O'Brien
Goals: Diame 47, C.Cole 82, J.Cole 89
Booked: Tomkins, McCartney, Diame

Fulham: Steklenburg; Zverotic, Hughes, Amorebieta, Richardson (Dembele 83);
Sidwell (Karagounis 77), Parker; Kasami, Taarabt, Duff (Ruiz 65); Bent
Subs: Stockdale, Senderos, Kacaniklic, Boateng
Booked: Richardson, Sidwell

Referee: Martin Atkinson
Attendance: 34,946

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Agents fees
WHUFC.com
West Ham United have published fees paid to Agents in 2012/13
30.11.2013

Payments to Agents - 2012/13

Total amount paid to agents in the period 1 October 2012 to 30 September
2013: £4,169,134.09
Explanatory Note: The amount shown is the aggregate of all payments made to
Agents during the reporting period for agency activity, including payments
made by the Club on behalf of Players.

The total amount paid to agents for 2011/12 was £4,436,992.

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Haycock glad to avoid defeat
WHUFC.com
Nick Haycock felt his Development Squad underperformed in a 2-2 draw with
Leicester City
30.11.2013

Nick Haycock felt the Development Squad were lucky to escape defeat after
watching his side surrender a two-goal lead in a 2-2 Barclays Under-21
Premier League draw with Leicester City at Rush Green on Friday night. Paul
McCallum got the hosts off to the best possible start after only two minutes
when he bundled home from a George Moncur free-kick. Elliot Lee then doubled
the lead with a penalty just before half-time but the Hammers went onto
concede twice in the second period and Haycock felt things could have got
even worse. He told West Ham TV: "I thought we deserved to lose the game.
Without making any excuses I thought they were the better team in the first
half as well. "We scored early but didn't assert our authority on the game
like we normally do and I think we just sat back at 1-0 up and thought we
were going to coast through the game. We got the penalty before half-time
and in the first half we had the better chances, we hit the post as well so
we probably created more. "I thought their shape was good, they had willing
runners and at half-time I said they wouldn't give in. The disappointing
thing is we reminded them that we were 2-0 up against both Tottenham and
Chelsea, the boys have got to learn that a game's never won and it's never
lost."

The Development Squad were missing regular starters Dan Potts (Portsmouth),
Blair Turgott (Colchester United) and Pelly Ruddock (Luton Town) who are all
out on loan presently. Kieran Sadlier, Dylan Tombides and Raphael Spiegel
were also missing but despite the absentees Haycock refused to make excuses
for his team's performance in their first league game in exactly four weeks.
"I don't want to make excuses. I've just said in the changing room that at
the end of the day when you go out to play a game of football, whatever gap
there's been, you make sure you're ready. "We've trained just as hard as we
normally do, probably even harder with some more physically demanding
sessions. Some of the boys that have been out on loan and played regularly,
most of them have featured in the Club's friendlies so I won't use that as
an excuse. "They know that they've underperformed tonight. You go through a
team and normally you're looking for seven, eight, nine out of ten
performances but there weren't many of them tonight and consequently we've
got an under-par performance."

Haycock and his squad now turn their attention to Bristol City who they face
in the Barclays Under-21 Premier League Cup on Monday. The Robins beat
Peterborough United to set-up a Round of 32 clash with the Hammers and
Haycock is keen to get his side right for their taste of knock-out football.
"They've got to dust themselves down and come back with a little more bite
about them and a little more authority about their game. "We'll be
travelling up Sunday for an overnight stay, preparing the DVD, we won't do
too much on the pitch as we want to keep the energy levels high for the
game. "Most of the boys have played in the FA Youth Cup so I suppose this is
the youth cup for Under-21s. All the teams have gone into it bar one or two
and it's cup football which has to be done on the day and it's good that the
Premier League have done that."

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West Ham 3 Fulham 0
30 November 2013
Last updated at 17:14
By Chris Bevan
BBC Sport

West Ham easily saw off Fulham to increase the pressure on Cottagers boss
Martin Jol, whose side have now lost five Premier League games in a row.
The Hammers hit the post through Modibo Maiga in a one-sided first half,
before Mohamed Diame's deflected shot put them ahead straight after the
break.
Fulham created little before Carlton Cole slid in to make it 2-0 and Joe
Cole curled home a third late on. The Cottagers' only serious effort saw
Pajtim Kasami fire a low shot wide. Jol admitted before kick-off he feared
for his job if Fulham lost this match and his side's performance, just as
much as the result, will have done little to improve his prospects of
staying in his post.

The Cottagers were not completely devoid of spirit, but they did not manage
a shot on target and offered little creative nous or attacking threat
against a team who were only above them in the table on goal difference
before kick-off. If not for a combination of the woodwork, some fine saves
from Fulham goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg and some poor finishing from the
hosts, a West Ham side who had managed only two goals in their previous five
games would have inflicted a far heavier defeat. With Maiga restored to
their starting line-up, the Hammers were playing with a recognised striker
for the first time in the league since the end of September. But, between
them, Sam Allardyce's starting XI had only managed two league goals this
season and their lack of quality and confidence in front of goal kept Fulham
in the game for far longer than they should have been.

Carlton Cole has now scored seven goals in his last six Premier League games
against Fulham. He has not managed more than four against any other
top-flight team. West Ham attacked from the start, firing a series of
crosses into the visitors' area and, from Mark Noble's free-kick, Maiga's
near-post header cannoned back off the post. Another set-piece delivery,
this time a Stewart Downing corner, was met by James Collins as the home
side threatened again, but his header bounced wide. More home chances came
and went and Fulham, who had only a few flashes of Adel Taarabt's fancy
footwork to show for the first half, were grateful to get to half-time with
the game still goalless. Jol's luck would not last much longer, however, as
the Hammers finally found the net just 75 seconds into the second half.
Steve Sidwell hesitated after being caught in possession by Diame, claiming
Scott Parker had been fouled, and the Senegal midfielder advanced to the
edge of the area before firing in a shot that deflected off Fernando
Amorebieta and wrong-footed Stekelenburg.

Fulham did not improve after going behind and Maiga and Matt Jarvis both had
chances to increase West Ham's lead, while Downing saw a cross drop on to
the bar and Ravel Morrison missed an almost open goal. Kasami's fizzing
effort belatedly gave home keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen something to think
about, before the Hammers substitutes combined to make the game safe in the
final 10 minutes. Carlton Cole slid home a Downing cross for his first goal
since rejoining the club in October and Joe Cole curled home a Morrison pass
to ensure the scoreline reflected their side's dominance. With a trip to
fellow strugglers Crystal Palace to come on Tuesday, Allardyce had described
this as a "season-defining" week for his team before kick-off. Victory means
they climb away from the relegation zone, but Fulham remain rooted in the
bottom three.

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West Ham Utd 3-0 Fulham
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 30th November 2013
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce can breathe a sigh of relief tonight - which is more than can
be said for Fulham boss Martin Jol.

The Dutchman insisted ahead of this afternoon's game that his job would be
on the line should his Fulham side end up defeated at the Boleyn Ground in
this battle of the strugglers. Now, having succumbed to a 3-0 thrashing
against a previously goal-shy West Ham, Jol is staring down the barrel.

Allardyce, had he been on the losing side would have been facing similar
pressure following West Ham's recent run of poor form. But there will be few
complaints from Irons fans tonight after Big Sam's team comfortably overcame
Fulham - even if they were forced to ensure several nailbiting second half
minutes before the all-important second goal arrived eight minutes from the
end of normal time.

Allardyce's False Nine experiment, employed since the unexpected 3-0 win at
Tottenham was dismissed in order to accommodate Modibo Maiga. Joe Cole and
Ravel Morrison were both victim of Big Sam's post-Chelsea cull as the
Hammers went for a more traditional 4-3-3.

It was to prove a wise decision by the manager as his side went on to enjoy
almost total control of the game - even if the finishing once again left a
little to be desired; unsurprisingly perhaps given that prior to today, the
two teams had scored just 20 goals between them in the Premier League this
season.

West Ham could have taken the lead as early as the ninth minute but Maiga's
point-blank header cannoned back off the post, much to Fulham's relief. Six
minutes later Mo Diame volleyed over from a good position when a James
Collins free kick was nodded into the mix by James Tomkins.

Collins himself should have done better three minutes later when his header
from a corner missed the target entirely (although in fairness to the
Welshman he was under heavy pressure at the time). Then, Stewart Downing -
who terrorised Kieran Richardson on the right flank - produced a smart stop
from Fulham 'keeper Maarten Stekelenburg.

Fulham had a great chance to open the scoring when George McCartney tripped
Darren Bent on the perimeter of the penalty box in a rare Cottagers break,
but Richardson's resulting free kick was wild. The final chance of the half
fell to Kevin Nolan, but his volley was easy for the Fulham 'keeper.

No doubt encouraged to carry on as before, West Ham finally had the bit of
luck they had perhaps been lacking this season.

With the second half just three minutes old Mo Diame, having capitalised on
a slip by ex-Hammer Scott Parker strode forward before pulling the trigger
some 25 yards from goal. It looked to be an easy save for Stekelenburg -
before a deflection off the unfortunate Amorebieta left the 'keeper
wrong-footed as the ball sailed past him into an empty net.

With their tails up, West Ham looked to add a killer second. On the hour
mark, Maiga attempted a curler into the far post that Stekelenburg did well
to turn aside. Then, Guy Demel and Diame combined beautifully on the right
before setting up Matt Jarvis for a header that he aimed right at the
'keeper.

James Tomkins then saw his header from a Stewart Downing corner turned off
the line by Darren Bent - his only notable contribution of a dismal
performance from the man who once rejected a £16million move to the Boleyn
Ground - before Downing almost got lucky with a dipping cross-cum-shot that
clipped the top of the bar.

Frustrated at his team's inability to score that vital second goal,
Allardyce introduced Joe Cole, Carlton Cole and Ravel Morrison as the half
wore on - all of whom had a point to prove. And Big Sam couldn't have asked
for a better response, for within 90 seconds of replacing Maiga - who left
the field to well-deserved applause - that goal finally arrived via the boot
of Carlton Cole.

Morrison, introduced in order to exploit space in the final third rolled a
perfectly-weighted pass into the path of the onrushing Downing. The winger's
centre was delivered into that corridor of uncertainty along the edge of the
six-yard box where Cole, as he has done so often in the past, was waiting to
pounce for his first goal since re-joining the club.

Finally relaxed, West Ham started to play some exhibition stuff. Diame
wasted a clear opportunity to shoot, preferring a little bit of showboating
instead that came to nothing. More Morrison trickery led to a penalty shout
as the youngster appeared to be tripped on the edge of the box, but play was
waved on.

However the Fulham defence was to breached one final time - and once again,
Morrison was the architect. The youngster tricked his way down the left
before cutting inside. Paying close attention to his run was fellow sub Joe
Cole, who was rewarded for his diligence with an inviting pass from Morrison
that he placed firmly, expertly, into Stekelenburg's bottom right-hand
corner.

The final whistle was greeted, correctly, by rapturous applause and once
again all was well in east London. The three points not only take West Ham
up a couple of notches in the BPL table to 15th, but more importantly grant
the Irons a three-point cushion above the drop zone.

Attention now turns to an equally-important fixture less than 72 hours from
now when Allardyce takes his team south of the river to face Crystal Palace,
currently bottom of the Premier League. A win at Selhurst Park against the
Eagles, beaten 1-0 at Norwich this afternoon, could take the Hammers back
into the upper half of the table - should other results go their way too.

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West Ham beat Fulham 3-0 to increase the pressure on Martin Jol
Last Updated: November 30, 2013 6:18pm
SSN

West Ham won the battle of the struggling London sides at Upton Park,
thrashing visitors Fulham 3-0. With both managers coming in for intense
scrutiny over recent results, this London derby took added significance as a
"must-win" game.

Best of the match:

Man of the match: Stewart Downing was a constant menace for West Ham
Save of the match: Maarten Stekelenburg saved excellently from Modibo
Maiga's curling second half effort
Goal of the match: Joe Cole rounded off the win after Ravel Morrison's great
solo run
Talking point: Surely it's over now for Martin Jol at Fulham?

Martin Jol admitted prior to the match that he could lose his Fulham job if
his team were defeated, and the away fans made their feelings clear in the
second half, chanting "Jol out!" and "You're getting sacked in the morning!"
Jol remained on the bench for most of the game, with his new right-hand man
Rene Meulensteen barking orders at the team for the majority of the game.
Speculation will surely increase that the former Manchester United coach
will replace his compatriot following the team's ninth defeat of the season.
The first goal was reflective of a scrappy tie too, as Mohamed Diame's
deflected effort just after the break broke the deadlock after a tight first
half. West Ham's Coles settled the matter late on, as first Carlton tapped
home after 80 minutes from Stewart Downing's cross, before Joe fired home
after great work from Ravel Morrison, handing Sam Allardyce and his side a
much-needed win. On the other hand, another defeat for Jol's Fulham leaves
the futures of both in increasing doubt. Coming into the game, both sides
were struggling in the league, with West Ham - without a win in five -
sitting in 17th, just one place above their visitors Fulham, who were
winless in four. Early on it was the hosts who were in the ascendancy,
however, with Modibo Maiga leading the line and nearly putting his side in
front on 10 minutes, with his header rebounding back off the post.

Fulham settled as the game progressed, and Kieran Richardson should have
done better when presented with a free-kick just 20 yards out after Darren
Bent was felled. George McCartney was the culprit, and was yellow carded for
his cynical efforts. Indeed, the full-back was one of five who were
cautioned in a tough-tackling first half. Under-fire Fulham boss Martin Jol
hopes his fighting spirit will rub off on his players after they slumped to
a 3-0 defeat at West Ham
The second settled down a little more and saw West Ham get more of a
foothold in the game, especially after Scott Parker and Steve Sidwell were
dispossessed by Diame whose low effort wrong-footed Maarten Stekelenburg via
a heavy Fernando Amorebieta deflection, breaking the deadlock.

West Ham continued to dominate following the opener, with first Maiga then
Downing testing Stekelenburg in the Fulham goal. Set-pieces continued to be
West Ham's biggest threat, however, and James Tomkins nearly made it 2-0
after 63 minutes, when his header from a corner was cleared off the line by
Bent. Fulham did not pose much of a threat all afternoon, though Pajtim
Kasami and Adel Taarabt both had efforts late in the second half as their
attempts to rescue the game petered out. As they laboured, West Ham's trio
of substitutions did the business for Allardyce. Joe Cole's cross hit the
woodwork, while Morrison provided a constant threat late on to a weary
Fulham defence. It was returning striker Carlton Cole who settled West Ham's
nerves, though, tapping home after great work from Downing for his first
goal since returning to Upton Park. Morrison then jinked his way through
Fulham's defence before teeing up Joe Cole, who fired low and hard past
Stekelenburg to pile even more pressure on Fulham and Jol.

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Sam Allardyce praised two West Ham stars after beating Fulham
Last Updated: December 1, 2013 7:54am
SSN

Sam Allardyce was full of praise for West Ham duo Modibo Maiga and Stewart
Downing after a morale-boosting 3-0 win over Fulham. The build-up to the
game was typified by struggling teams and under-pressure managers, with
Fulham boss Martin Jol coming in for heavy criticism as his side sat in 18th
before the game. West Ham were not faring much better, however, and, in
17th, many home fans were calling for a change of manager at Upton Park. A
convincing victory at home over potential relegation rivals will perhaps
take the pressure off Allardyce in the Hammers hotseat, however, as they
rise to 15th with the result. Even after taking the lead through Mohamed
Diame's deflected effort however, Allardyce remained on the edge of his
seat. "It was a bit nervous and twitchy going into the last 15 minutes,"
Allardyce told Sky Sports. "I was getting a little worried that Fulham might
get one on the break. "The lads defended really well from that point of
view, and when the subs got on they had more energy and exposed that defence
a little more. "In the end, what we needed most of all was a fantastic
result and it was a very good performance."

The aforementioned substitutions certainly settled the game for West Ham, as
Joe Cole, Carlton Cole and Ravel Morrison all played a huge part in the
decisive last two goals, with both Coles netting late on. Allardyce was
quick to praise a couple of his starters, however, with under-fire striker
Maiga and winger Downing coming in for particular praise. "Maiga had a good
game today, proving that he can compete," added Allardyce. "We're just
waiting for that goal. "Stewart Downing is, for me, a different class, and
he continues to probe and open defences up. "You have to continue to keep
the lads in a good frame of mind. Have a laugh with them, and when it gets
serious you have to get serious." Just nine goals from 12 league games have
represented West Ham's biggest worry so far this season, and so a three-goal
haul will be pleasing for the Hammers. Allardyce pointed also towards a
sixth clean sheet in the league as his side pulled away from the relegation
zone with the win. "It's a clean sheet again. We could have had more goals
too, so it's all been there today. Finally we've got the result to go with
it. "It's a relief. Especially when you're a manager in this position,
because it's one you have to take on your own shoulders. "You have to
continue to keep the lads in a good frame of mind. Have a laugh with them,
and when it gets serious you have to get serious."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce tells Joe Cole 'it's all about the team'
Last Updated: November 30, 2013 10:55am
SSN

West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce has told Joe Cole that he must accept
being substituted if it is for the good of the team. Allardyce criticised
his midfielder for venting his anger in public when taken off after just 40
minutes of last week's Premier League fixture against Chelsea at Upton Park.
The Hammers, who were already trailing by two goals, made a double
substitution with Cole and Jack Collison being replaced by Mohamed Diame and
Modibo Maiga. Cole, 32, was unhappy and Allardyce was also unimpressed by
his player's behaviour: "There's a squad system here that has to be used to
the benefit and the best of everybody. "I totally understand nobody wants to
be substituted before half-time. "But purely from a tactical point of view,
I had to change something, the way the game was at that stage, and that's my
job. "We don't hear about how disappointed Jack Collison was. "So all
players have to accept it if I bring them off, they have to accept it's my
responsibility to change the way the team's playing, to get us back in the
game. "It's a difficult period but players show their true team spirit in
situations like this. "They show their true togetherness in situations like
this, and that's what they've got to do, they've got to stick together.
"They can't fragment and think it's all about them, it's not just about
them. "It's about the whole team and everything that goes with it to achieve
the right results."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carlton Cole says plenty of interest was shown in his services
Last Updated: November 30, 2013 12:33pm
SSN

Carlton Cole says he generated plenty of interest as a free agent, prior to
agreeing a return to West Ham United on a short-term deal. As an England
international and proven Premier League goalscorer, Cole was not expected to
be without a club for long after leaving Upton Park at the end of his
previous contract. Sides from the top two tiers in England were quick to
cast an eye in his direction, while an opportunity to head for France
presented itself at one stage. No paperwork was to be completed, though, and
Cole was left in footballing limbo. West Ham offered him the chance to spend
time training with them, as he worked on his fitness, and Sam Allardyce was
impressed enough to bring him back into his injury-ravaged plans. Cole is
now hoping to put himself back in the shop window, with his long-term future
still unclear, but claims a lack of transfer activity over the summer was
not for a lack of trying on his part. He told the Daily Mirror: "I nearly
signed for St Etienne, but there were a few things we needed to wrap up and
it didn't materialise in the end. "I was close to going to QPR, so I was
getting ready for that. "I had Nottingham Forest and a few other teams in
the Championship interested. "Hull City in the Premier League too, so I did
have a few teams. Crystal Palace was a big one was well."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Karren Brady says West Ham are looking for a new frontman
Last Updated: November 30, 2013 11:52am
SSN

Vice-chairwoman Karren Brady says West Ham United will look to bolster their
striking ranks when the transfer window re-opens in January. The Hammers
have found themselves short of attacking options this season following an
injury to record signing Andy Carroll. The England man is yet to make an
appearance since completing a big-money switch from Liverpool, with a
nagging foot problem proving to be difficult to shake. He is closing in on a
return to training and a return to the first-team ranks, but a competitive
comeback remains some way off. His absence has forced West Ham boss Sam
Allardyce to often operate without a recognised frontman, and goals have
been in short supply as a result. That issue is to be addressed, though,
with funds set to be made available in the New Year. Brady wrote in her
column in The Sun: "The orthopaedic surgeon who is treating Andy Carroll is
pleased enough with his progress that he is preparing to let Andy come home
and start training. "It will give everyone a lift, he's a big character on
and off the pitch. I can tell every West Ham fan that Andy has worked
incredibly hard with a difficult injury - and is desperate to start playing
his part. "After a chat with David Sullivan today they should also know that
he is making plans to ensure we will not be left short up front again. David
is looking to add at least one more quality striker in January."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Life begins at 30
SSN
By Peter Fraser - Follow me on Twitter @SkySportsPeteF
Last Updated: November 30, 2013 5:28pm

Speaking to Premier League footballers can be a painful experience. It
usually involves one-word answers and repeated clichés from media-trained
men who are terrified of saying the wrong thing. Thankfully when
skysports.com's interview began with Carlton Cole, the West Ham United
striker was laughing down the phone.

"I'm grateful every day for how far I've come in my career. Now I really
appreciate being a professional footballer. For kids aspiring to get 10
years in the Premier League, it's really hard. But I've done that. I don't
know how I've done it but I have!"

The reason for the former Chelsea, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Charlton
Athletic and Aston Villa man's amusement was this opening question - 'How's
life in your 30s?'. Fortunately Cole was chuckling with, not at, the line of
enquiry and it got things off to a good start.

It does seem to be his natural character but Cole was in a chatty mood on
Thursday evening. Whether this was due to now being in the third decade of
his life and feeling more comfortable, or whether this was just simply due
an extroverted personality, he was more than happy to talk about reaching
that landmark age of 30 years old - having celebrated his birthday at the
beginning of October - his lifestyle as an "easy-going guy", and even being
the target of Ashley Cole and Shaun Wright-Phillips in that favourite
footballers' hobby of "banter".

However, Carlton Cole's main focus is clearly football. It was evident he
remains upbeat about this season even though it has not gone as he might
have hoped since returning to West Ham. He has played just four games and
has yet to start a Premier League match this season, having rejoined the
Upton Park club just a few days after his birthday following a summer exit
at the end of a seven-year spell.

Even in the problematic, injury-enforced absence of Andy Carroll - along
with Modibo Maiga's failure to adapt to English football - Cole has been
overlooked by Sam Allardyce. The under-pressure West Ham boss has even
preferred to stick with striker-less formations than select Cole. The tactic
worked in style in a 3-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur on 6th October, before
Cole returned, but West Ham have otherwise not won in five league games,
scoring just two goals in that time. They consequently sit in 17th place in
the table with only goal difference keeping them out of the relegation zone
at the expense of their Saturday opponents, London derby rivals Fulham.

"Basically, I know what I bring to the table," said Cole, who did start in
the Capital One Cup win over Burnley. "I've been at West Ham so long now. I
obviously left and came back but I know what the manager wants. Hopefully he
sees it within himself to play me. The system we've been playing has been
going well. But that system doesn't help me [laughing]!

"We've been playing well with that system but the goals haven't come. We've
been a bit unlucky with some of the games. I'd love to be playing week in,
week out - obviously - and, sometimes, when I see a striker not playing, it
does get me down. But I've just got to be professional. When the manager
sees fit, I'll play."

Cole considered moves to France, Turkey and the USA before rejoining West
Ham. He also only signed a three-month contract when he returned to the
London club. Although he does not say so, you do get the impression he will
be moving on when that deal expires in January.

He still has ambitions he wants to fulfil. As a forward whose most recent of
seven England caps came under Fabio Capello back in February 2011, he
admitted when we spoke that his childhood dream of playing at a World Cup is
over - despite the example being set of 31-year-old Southampton star Rickie
Lambert. But Cole remains keener than ever to be playing on a regular basis
in the Premier League or the Championship. He would still give thought to
playing abroad and confessed he "would not write that off" but he would
prefer to stay in England for at least the next couple of years.

Some would consider Cole's career and think he has not fulfilled the
potential he offered when emerging as a tall, powerful and skilful
18-year-old at Claudio Ranieri's Chelsea back in 2001. But he is still at a
Premier League club some 12 years after beginning as a professional. To put
that in perspective, of the other members of that Chelsea squad who had
birthdays in 1983, only Stoke City's Robert Huth is also still playing in
England's top flight. Those other Chelsea squad members in that season with
1983 date of births were Italian centre-back Valerio di Cesare (now at
Brescia in Serie B), Scott Cousins (now working as a coach) and, more
startlingly, Ugandan-born defender Joel Kitamirike (career ended in 2008
after pleading guilty to five charges of dealing in Class A drugs).

"This is a massive game for both teams, but I do think West Ham will be ok
this season, I say that because they've got Sam Allardyce in charge. He has
been in this situation too many times and I have no worries about them going
down. In fact, I expect them to beat Fulham because Fulham are bordering on
shocking away from home"

"I'm grateful every day for how far I've come in my career," reflected Cole,
speaking at the launch of Need for Speed Rivals. "Now I really appreciate
being a professional footballer. For kids aspiring to get 10 years in the
Premier League, it's really hard. But I've done that. I don't know how I've
done it but I have!

"You see all these talented kids coming through. If they do that, they will
be happy, as well, even if they don't make the grade they wanted. I had high
dreams and I at least got halfway there. It's a respectable achievement."

Cole was at Chelsea for five years but, amid the intense competition for
places in a squad which included fellow strikers of the quality of
Gianfranco Zola, Eidur Gudjonsson and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, he was always
struggling to earn a first-team place. That led to loans at Wolves, Charlton
and Villa before eventually moving to West Ham in 2006.

It must have been quite a learning curve at Chelsea, where a teenage Cole
was mixing with World Cup and UEFA Champions League winners, such as
Emmanuel Petit, Marcel Desailly and Winston Bogarde. He also experienced the
traditional rites of passage which any young professional suffers at the
hands of senior footballers.

"Back in those days, it was good banter," remembered Cole. "But the stuff
that happened, you can't say any more [laughing]. We'll keep that off the
record. The banter was very different. Some of the lads these days would not
understand it. It was hardcore banter. It was a lot different.

"But I appreciate all my experiences when growing up at Chelsea. I've since
changed into a man and I've grown in football. I'm obviously more
experienced with games under my belt. When I was at Chelsea, I was not
allowed to express myself in the way I've done at West Ham. West Ham gave me
that platform to play. I'm very grateful for that. I've been playing the
last six or seven years consistently with West Ham and I've been very happy.

"But when I first came to West Ham I didn't have my head in the right place.
I was still young and trying to break through. Sometimes you also get misled
off the field as a young player. I always tell the young players now to stay
focused and keep their eyes on the prize until they've earned their stripes.
Then they can be in my position and give advice. That's what I've done,
because I've been there and gone through what the young players are doing. I
understand what they're going through when they know they can do it and
they're not getting the chance. Sometimes it's really hard to focus."

Listening to Cole speak, along with anyone who follows his Twitter tweets
and retweets of proverbs and mottos, it would be easy to consider him a
philosophical individual. Adding weight to that assumption, Cole is also
embracing West Ham's club psychologist, former Blackburn Rovers and Oldham
Athletic midfielder Lee Richardson. Cole says Richardson will, "make you
look deep into yourself to get the best out of you".

But when asked if he had a motto for football, Cole said: "Nah, nah, do you
know what? I'm more of an impulsive person. If I'm feeling something, I'll
say it. That's the way I go. I'm not a philosophical guy. I go with the
flow. I'm an easy-going guy and say what I feel."

Indeed going with the flow has sometimes landed Cole in hot water during his
career, with the most recent occurrence coming earlier in November when he
caused a stir by criticising West Ham on Twitter after the club's official
account posted a link to watch an experienced Hammers side, in which he
played, earn a 9-0 friendly thrashing of an inexperienced Gillingham team.

"It does get me in trouble sometimes," added Cole regarding his tendency to
say what he thinks. "Some of the stuff I say, I never really mean to offend
anybody, but sometimes it does get me in trouble."

Cole clearly believes he gets in less trouble than when he was younger and
that comes with age. So, what of that question about reaching 30? This
interviewer is just exactly one week older than Cole and so appreciates what
the striker has been going through, although perhaps not being accused of
being closer to 40 years old by 32-year-old former Chelsea team-mates Ashley
Cole and Shaun Wright-Phillips.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, you know how it is," said Cole, laughing again. "I wasn't
happy about it (turning 30). But they all give me banter. They say I'm much
older, because I'm so tall and big. But they're all older than me! Most of
my mates are older than me apart from one!"

Relatively speaking, too, the age of 30 is of course far from being over the
hill. It is just something about which people like to have a pretend whinge.
That thought is underlined by a weekend in which Ryan Giggs is celebrating
his 40th birthday. Cole therefore knows he still has a future to enjoy.

"Being 30 is not old, come on, let's get serious," he said. "But, in
football life, it's cracking on, do you know what I mean? The only thing
I've got to compliment me is that it's still young when you step out of the
football bubble! I'm very privileged to be in this position. You just see
life from a different angle when you get to 30 and you're still playing at
the top level. Hopefully I can carry it on."

Carlton Cole was speaking at the launch of Need for Speed Rivals. The latest
instalment in the ever-popular franchise is the only driving game launching
on PS4. Need for Speed Rivals is also available on Xbox One and all other
formats. Watch the trailer here and let the rivalry commence!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WEST HAM SPEND OVER £17.5M ON AGENTS OVER 4 YEARS
By Sean Whetstone 1 Dec 2013 at 08:00
West Ham Till I Die

West Ham have published how much they paid to football agents in accordance
with Premier League rules. West Ham paid £4,169,134 and 9 pence to agents
between 1st October 2012 to 30th September 2013 and ranked 9th in terms of
agent spend in the Premier League just behind Manchester United.

In total £96,673,089 was paid to agents in the Premier League with Chelsea
topping the spending league with £13.7m and Crystal Palace paying the least
with £869,531.

In a year which included the signings of Andy Carroll, Stewart Downing and
Joe Cole I am impressed that the club trimmed the agent bill by £276,000 but
it is obvious agents still dominate the game and are a necessary evil.

In the past four years West ham have paid £ 17,552,764 and 8 pence to
football agents.

In 2010/2011 West ham spent £4,436,992 in agent fees

In 2009/2010 West Ham spent £3,419,089.99 in agent fees

In 2008/2009 West Ham spent £5,527,548 in agent fees

In August 2012 David Sullivan told the Daily Mail he had no concerns about
the continuing close links between manager Sam Allardyce and controversial
agent Mark Curtis. Mark Curtis is the agent for Sam Allardyce, Kevin Nolan,
James Tomkins, Jack Collison, Matt Jarvis and Andy Carroll. In the same
interview Sullivan confirmed Willie McKay received more in agency fees than
Mark Curtis in the summer of 2012. He revealed 'Mark [Curtis] receives five
per cent of the player's wages over five years, which is a lot of money but
the standard rate'.

Earlier this year just after the January transfer window ended, David
Sullivan called for the FA to look into agents' conduct and cap fees. He
said "I can see it spilling over into violence in the future, unless there
is legislation from the FA. I had an agent threaten me and one of our
players with physical violence, because he thought he was being cut out of a
deal." Sullivan claimed the financial demands by agents had got out of
control adding: "We are talking millions of pounds here around a transfer
and not enough deals to go around. There are too many agents and not enough
transfers to feed them. Agents who would once demand £50,000 for their part
in a transfer now want £500,000 to £1m to either bring a player or keep a
player. It is quite outrageous and the FA should cap the amount paid to
agents for their work"

I think it is great that the Premier League publish these figures but I
would like them to be more transparent revealing the number of transactions,
naming the agents and revealing the transaction amounts.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce hits back at Joe Cole after substitution row
30 Nov 2013 11:25
The Mirror

West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has told Joe Cole that he must accept
that it is for the good of the team when he is substituted. The Hammers boss
dragged off Cole and Welsh midfielder Jack Collison in a double changed
after just 40 minutes of his side's 3-0 defeat by Chelsea last weekend. Cole
responded to being hooked by taking off his shirt and heading straight down
the tunnel, before reports emerged suggesting that he could be eyeing a way
out of Upton Park. And the former Newcastle, Bolton and Blackburn boss has
hinted that Cole should be thinking of the team, rather than himself.
"There's a squad system here that has to be used to the benefit and the best
of everybody," said Allardyce "I totally understand nobody wants to be
substituted before half-time. "But purely from a tactical point of view, I
had to change something, the way the game was at that stage, and that's my
job. "We don't hear about how disappointed Jack Collison was. "So all
players have to accept it if I bring them off, they have to accept it's my
responsibility to change the way the team's playing, to get us back in the
game. "It's a difficult period but players show their true team spirit in
situations like this. "They show their true togetherness in situations like
this, and that's what they've got to do, they've got to stick together.
"They can't fragment and think it's all about them, it's not just about
them. "It's about the whole team and everything that goes with it to achieve
the right results."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Clint Dempsey in demand with FOUR Premier League clubs tracking the MLS
forward
30 Nov 2013 22:30
The Mirror

Stoke have joined the race to take Clint Dempsey on loan from the MLS.
Fulham, West Ham and Everton are already tracking the front-man, but the
Potters have now made their interest known to his American club Seattle
Sounders. Tottenham have first option to re-sign Dempsey on loan, but White
Hart Lane sources believe it is unlikely they will move for the 30-year-old.
Dempsey left Spurs to join Sounders in August.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham target Kenwyne Jones transfer from Stoke for bargain £2m
30 Nov 2013 22:30
The Mirror

West Ham want Stoke striker Kenwyne Jones for £2million, writes Dean Jones
in the Sunday People. The Hammers' boss Sam Allardyce is so short of
options up front that he has been playing without a recognised
centre-forward. Trinidad & Tobago international Jones, 29, joined the
Potters from Sunderland in 2010 for £8million – but his deal expires next
summer.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 3-0 Fulham: Pressure mounts on Martin Jol after Cottagers thrashed
by Hammers
30 Nov 2013 17:28
The Mirror

Somebody needs to tell Fulham's American owner Shahid Khan about relegation.
It might not matter too much that Khan's ­Jacksonville Jaguars lose game
after game in the NFL – nothing happens when they finish bottom of the
standings. So far this year, the Jaguars have won just two of their 11
contests.
The Cottagers have secured a paltry one more victory than that. The key
difference, of course, is that Fulham are going down, as things stand, and
will consequently lose a fortune. Maybe Khan will start to twig, when
somebody talks him through the numbers. His attempt to stick with manager
Martin Jol has, in many ways, been ­admirable. But enough is enough.

Quite simply, Fulham are dreadful and Jol has to carry the can. It is now
five Premier League defeats in ­succession and 16 losses in the last 24
games.
That record may well get worse before it gets any better. The way in which
Fulham conceded the opening goal summed up exactly where Jol has gone wrong.
Scott Parker played a terrible pass to Steve Sidwell and he was robbed by
Mohamed Diame, who scored with a deflected shot. Parker and Sidwell are too
old and too slow to play together in the centre of midfield. They lose
possession too easily and they offer nothing going forwards. There was no
energy or drive in Jol's Dad's Army team at Upton Park and Dimitar Berbatov
was missing, with a mystery illness. Berbatov had the captain's armband
taken off him last week and may not have started in any case against West
Ham. But, of course, that had nothing to do with his absence. When Jol made
changes in the second half, he sent on Bryan Ruiz and ­36-year-old Giorgos
­Karagounis. The Dutchman has really done himself no favours, whatsoever. It
wasn't until the Hammers' substitute Carlton Cole had put the scoreline
beyond doubt that striker Moussa Dembele was thrown on – far too late to
make any impact. And it got even worse for Jol when another substitute Joe
Cole fired in the third goal. The Dutchman simply sat on the bench with his
head in his hands, in the knowledge that his players are simply not fighting
for him. West Ham could easily have scored five, as Modibo Maiga headed
against the post and Stewart Downing hit the crossbar. Fulham could be
summed up by their two efforts on goal. An Elsad Zverotic ­free-kick sailed
miles over the bar and a Kieran ­Richardson set-piece also troubled fans in
the top tier. Jol's men did not manage a single shot on target, let alone
force Hammers keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen to make a save of note.

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce had also been under pressure going into a game
dubbed by some as 'El Sackico'. Credit should go to Allardyce for inspiring
a vastly improved second-half display that secured a ­valuable three points
for his men. Maiga's ninth-minute header against the post had been as good
as it got in the first period, but the Hammers came steaming out of the
blocks after the break. Just two minutes into the second period, Diame made
the most of poor play from Parker and Sidwell to send a shot past Maarten
­Stekelenburg, via a ­deflection off Fernando Amorebieta. Downing then
curled a shot against the bar, as West Ham dominated their hapless
opponents. But it was the late ­substitutions that did the trick for
Allardyce, as Carlton Cole found the back of the net 55 seconds after
stepping off the bench. The goal was simple - Downing crossed and the
striker slid the ball into the back of the net. Joe Cole then got in on the
act just a minute before the final whistle. Khan already knows what it feels
like to lose. If he's not careful, he'll be far more familiar with exactly
what relegation means.

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

http://vyperz.blogspot.com



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Daily WHUFC News - 30th November 2013

Fulham match preview
WHUFC.com
A look ahead to Saturday's Barclays Premier League match against Fulham at
the Boleyn Ground
29.11.2013

WEST HAM UNITED v FULHAM
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 30 NOVEMBER 2013
KICK-OFF: 3PM
REFEREE: MARTIN ATKINSON

TWITTER I FACEBOOK I iPHONE APP I YOUTUBE I PROGRAMME I BIG SAM

Introduction
• Fulham are the visitors to the Boleyn Ground on Saturday as West Ham
United go in search of their first Barclays Premier League win in five
games.
• The Hammers are also hoping to end a run of five home league matches
without victory, a run which includes four defeats.
• Goals have also been hard to come by for Sam Allardyce's side recently
with just two being scored in their last five league outings.
• Last time out against Chelsea the team also failed to find the net as they
slipped to a 3-0 defeat.
• West Ham currently sit just outside the relegation zone in 17th place,
ahead of Saturday's opponents Fulham on goal difference.
• Fulham occupy the last relegation place presently after losing their last
four league fixtures.
• Last time out a late Jonjo Shelvey goal consigned them to a 2-1 defeat to
Swansea City at Craven Cottage.
• Two of the Cottagers' three league wins so far have come away from home
but they have lost the other four away fixtures.
• On their last away outing Martin Jol's team were soundly beaten 4-0 by
Liverpool at Anfield.

Team news
West Ham United
• Winston Reid (ankle), Andy Carroll (foot) and Ricardo Vaz Te (shoulder)
are the Hammers long-term injury absentees.
• Mladen Petric will also miss out through injury while it's unlikely Razvan
Rat will recover in time to face the Cottagers.

Fulham
• Sascha Riether will miss out as he serves the last game of his suspension
whilst Damien Duff will also miss out with a groin injury.
• Hugo Rodallega and Matthew Briggs (both groin) are also out whilst Brede
Hangeland is doubtful with a sciatic nerve problem.

Background
• West Ham United's first game against Fulham took place in 1898, in the
Southern League Second Division. The Hammers came away with a 2-1 win and
won the reverse fixture 1-0.
• The Hammers' record win over the Cottagers was a 7-2 home Division One
victory on 3 February 1968. West Ham United have also beaten their London
rivals 6-1 and 5-1, with Fulham's record win being a 5-0 home victory on 7
November 1936.
• Carlton Cole has scored six goals in his last eight Premier League
appearances against Fulham and netted an own-goal in one of those games too.
• West Ham and Fulham have met 18 times in the Premier League era with the
Hammers winning ten, drawing five and losing three.
• The Club's overall record reads 63 wins, 28 draws and 38 losses in 129
meetings against the Cottagers.

Last time out
Saturday 23 November 2013
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United 0-3 Chelsea
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Collins, Tomkins, O'Brien, Noble,
Nolan (Jarvis 76), Morrison, Collison (Diame 40), J Cole (Maiga 40), Downing
Subs not used: Adrian, Taylor, McCartney, C Cole

Saturday 23 November 2013
Barclays Premier League
Fulham 1-2 Swansea City
Fulham: Stekelenburg, Zverotic, Hughes, Amorebieta, Richardson, Parker
(Taarabt 86), Boateng (Sidwell 60), Kasami, Ruiz (Kacaniklic 77), Berbatov,
Bent
Subs not used: Stockdale, Senderos, Dejagah, Dembele
Goal: Parker 64

Previous meeting
West Ham were sent to defeat at Craven Cottage by goals from Dimitar
Berbatov, Hugo Rodallega and a Joey O'Brien own goal. Kevin Nolan cancelled
out Berbatov's 10th minute opener when he finished off Mark Noble's low
free-kick three minutes after half-time. Just a minute later however Fulham
were back in front when Rodallega met a Damien Duff cross. A late deflection
off O'Brien compounded the Hammers' woes.

Fulham: Schwarzer, Riether, Hangeland, Senderos, Riise, Duff, Karagounis
(Baird 66), Sidwell, Rodallega, Ruiz (Dejagah 66), Berbatov (Petric 75)
Subs not used: Etheridge, Frimpong, Hughes, Davies
Goals: Berbatov 10, Rodallega 49, O'Brien og 90+1

West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Demel (Taylor 67), Reid, Tomkins, O'Brien,
Diame, Noble, Nolan, Jarvis, J Cole (Carroll 76), Chamakh (C Cole 56)
Subs not used: Henderson, Vaz Te, Pogatetz, O'Neil
Goal: Nolan 48

Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated)
30 January 2013 Fulham 3-1 West Ham United
1 September 2012 West Ham United 3-0 Fulham
26 December 2010 Fulham 1-3 West Ham United
2 October 2010 West Ham United 1-1 Fulham
2 May 2010 Fulham 3-2 West Ham United
4 October 2009 West Ham United 2-2 Fulham

Ten-year records
West Ham United
2012/13 Premier League 10th (46 points)
2011/12 Championship 3rd (86 points - promoted via Play-Offs)
2010/11 Premier League 20th (33 points)
2009/10 Premier League 17th (35 points)
2008/09 Premier League 9th (51 points)
2007/08 Premier League 10th (49 points)
2006/07 Premier League 15th (41 points)
2005/06 Premier League 9th (55 points)
2004/05 Championship 6th (73 points - promoted via Play-Offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th (74 points)

Fulham
2012/13 Premier League 12th (43 points)
2011/12 Premier League 9th (52 points)
2010/11 Premier League 8th (49 points)
2009/10 Premier League 12th (46 points)
2008/09 Premier League 7th (53 points)
2007/08 Premier League 17th (36 points)
2006/07 Premier League 16th (39 points)
2005/06 Premier League 12th (48 points)
2004/05 Premier League 13th (44 points)
2003/04 Premier League 9th (52 points)

Referee
• Saturday's match referee will be Martin Atkinson.
• A referee since the age of 16, Atkinson was promoted to the Football
League list of assistant referees in 1998. In 2000, Atkinson was promoted to
the Select Group of assistant referees, allowing him to run the line in
Premier League matches.
• Atkinson joined the National List of referees for the Football League at
the start of the 2003/04 season before taking charge of his first Premier
League fixture on 20 April 2005 when Manchester City entertained Birmingham
City.
• Atkinson was the man in the middle at the 2006 FA Community Shield between
Chelsea and Liverpool at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. He also took
charge of the 2008 FA Trophy final between Ebbsfleet United and Torquay
United at Wembley Stadium.
• Atkinson is refereeing West Ham for the first time this season but did
referee three of the team's matches last season, against Swansea City and
Chelsea in the Barclays Premier League and against Manchester United in the
FA Cup.
• Atkinson will be assisted by Peter Kirkup and Harry Lennard whilst the
fourth official will be Michael Oliver.
General information
• A limited amount of tickets still remain for Saturday's match. For more
information click here.
• Saturday's weather forecast is light cloud with highs of 7C (44F).

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Big Sam on: Fulham
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce confirmed Andy Carroll will return to the UK next week as he
spoke to the assembled media pre-Fulham
29.11.2013

Ahead of Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash against Fulham at the
Boleyn Ground, West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has addressed the media
at his pre-match press conference. Big Sam spoke about the latest team news,
the weekend's opponents and the latest on frontman Andy Carroll.

Morning Sam, what's the latest team news ahead of Saturday?

SA: "We have no further injuries, gladly, from last week. Everybody else is
okay and we're just getting ready for these next two big games but certainly
this first one against Fulham. Neither me nor Martin Jol would have expected
to be where we are at this stage of the season but like I said the league
table tells a story. Performances are okay for a while but it's always about
results and at the moment, in general our performances have been excellent
but our results haven't matched that. We've got to try and get a massive
victory here on Saturday."

It's always said that the league table doesn't lie but is it telling a few
porkies at the moment?

SA: "Well I think it's all about us not capitalising on our good play and
not scoring the goals that we've needed to secure three points in the
Barclays Premier League. Three points are precious, it's what you're always
searching for and it's what always makes the difference. You can run for a
little while with a certain amount of draws because you're always picking a
point up but in the end you must start winning some games.
"My surprise is that after our victory against Tottenham I thought it would
have kicked us on to a very good run of results with the performance we
showed in that game but it hasn't happened. We've got to continue to believe
that we will turn our chances into goals and we've got to start that on
Saturday. We've got to start performing in front of goal and putting the
ball in the back of the net when we get the opportunity. We didn't get so
many against Chelsea but that would be expected against a higher quality
team. "Against Fulham both teams are having a struggle at the minute. We
hope that we continue our defensive solidarity and then try and score a few
goals against Fulham who've conceded quite a few goals in the last four
games, I think they've conceded 11 in the last four, so I have to say I
think there's a weakness there and hopefully we can try and exploit it."

From within the clubs, both at Fulham and here at West Ham, you don't get a
sense that either you or Martin Jol are under any great degree of pressure,
is that how it feels?

SA: "The game revolves around speculation and whenever someone's not doing
what they're expected to do then the pressure falls upon you. You have to
handle that pressure but you have to deliver what you know works and
continue to stay focussed in that area. The outside influences are always
there but as a team and behind the scenes with the players you have to stay
focussed and know what you have to do to win a football match. You have to
try not to let it affect your confidence that we've not got the results we
wanted to. Keep playing as well as you can play and eventually it comes
right."

Have you heard anything at all detrimental from David Gold or Sullivan?

SA: "No, no, not at all. I think they're more focussed on what we might be
able to achieve in January as well as the focus on Andy Carroll who will
hopefully be back with us next week to start some training. That's been the
main focus with both David's which I'm obviously pleased that we're looking
in the market and we're very active. Everybody knows that David (Sullivan),
particularly, is a man who moves extremely quickly when we've made a
decision.
"That particular area is obviously very difficult, finding a target and
securing that target which is what we found before the last window shut but
failed to clinch the deal. Perhaps we're paying the penalty for that now
which is not through lack of effort from ourselves and shows you how
difficult it is to get somebody on the frontline. Of course we didn't expect
Andy to be out still now, we expected him to be playing two or three games
into the season, that hasn't happened and of course the rest of our strikers
have failed to do what we need and that's score a few goals to help us get
more victories instead of draws."

Is that, at last, significant news about Andy Carroll?

SA: "We hope so. It's tentative in terms of your approach to it and we have
to be very careful. We can't be over anxious and push Andy, we can't do
anything over than what the specialists say we do, no matter how desperate
our situation may become. We have to get Andy fit so that he stays fit, not
fit to a point where he may pick up another injury and that's what we've got
to be careful of."

Are you hopeful of seeing him in action before the end of 2013?

SA: "I think that depends on our assessment when he does actually and
eventually come back with us. When he does that then we can monitor the
situation on a day-to-day basis and push forward his training on a level to
how he feels. I think that having not played a game since last May it will
take some time to get him into a match fitness situation. He's done an awful
lot of work not only on his injury but his whole body. That's not included
any football training in that so when he does eventually get to that he'll
be pretty stiff for the first few days in that situation. Our backroom staff
will go all out to alleviate that as quickly as possible."

We've talked about the pressure on you and Martin Jol, do you feel a
different kind of pressure with the new Premier League deal and the billions
of pounds floating around?

SA: "I wouldn't say a different pressure. It probably comes a bit sooner
than with the last deal because the millions have gone up by £20 million or
so. I think that every budget or financial situation that you talk about
revolves around the massive amount of money that comes into the Club from
the Barclays Premier League. You look at the revenue streams that come your
way in the Championship and that's where the pressure comes from. The
pressure comes from the fact that's it's everything for a club to stay in
the Barclays Premier League first and foremost, irrespective of me as a
manager and performances.
"The way that the money has evolved in the Barclays Premier League means
that the most important thing for any club is to first and foremost stay
there and then develop from there. When I say develop I mean strengthen your
squad on a year-in-year-out basis. You won't have millions of pounds and if
you do then it's very difficult to find players. If you do sign too many
players too quickly then you can still fall foul of that. Paolo Di Canio
found that out having signed 12 or 13 players in one season. My old mate,
Steve Bruce, suffered the same situation when he was manager before Martin
O'Neil, he failed to get the cohesion together of a team which had so many
changes and found it's very difficult. It has to be a steady progress but
you've got to stay in the Barclays Premier League to do that."

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Chadwell Chatter
WHUFC.com
George McCartney talks on his comeback from injury and the importance of
Saturday's game
29.11.2013

Hello everybody.

I've been back on the bench for the last couple of league games following my
injury problems and it's great to be back. When a player has been out for as
long as I've been, sometimes the only way to get back into the squad is
through players being injured unfortunately. At the minute we're very light
on defenders and I have been out a long time but hopefully I'll get a chance
in the next couple of weeks. It has been a long time to miss for any player
and it's tough to come back from, but I've stayed positive. It was hard when
I did the same injury again three months down the line, but I'm fit now and
ready if the manager needs me. Nowadays you have to be able to play in more
than one position - I have played centre half a few times over the last
season or two and I think at minute the manager needs lads to fill in
wherever needs be because of the injuries. We have Fulham on Saturday and
we're taking each game as it comes. Fulham are in the same situation we're
in and Palace are below us so they're two six pointers for sure. They will
be two tough games, but we're at home on Saturday, we have to look to set
our stall out and turn the good performances into results. We were great
against Spurs not so long ago and although the performances have been good
recently, we haven't been getting results so now it's more important to get
results than putting in decent performances because you look at the league
table and it doesn't look too good at the minute. No matter now we play we
have to make sure we come off that pitch with three points on Saturday
We're all determined to make sure that happens so hopefully we'll make sure
everyone has a smile on their face come 5pm on Saturday.

Come on you Irons!
George

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U21s prepared for Foxes visit
WHUFC.com
West Ham United will host Leicester City in the Barclays U21 Premier League
on Friday evening
29.11.2013

West Ham United's table-topping Development Squad will return to action when
they host Leicester City in the Barclays U21 Premier League on Friday
evening. The Hammers welcome eleventh-place Leicester to Rush Green Stadium
for a 7pm kick-off - their first competitive fixture in four weeks. U21s
manager Nick Haycock said his players are looking forward to resuming their
quest to win the title with the visit of the Foxes. "There has been a gap in
the fixture programme with the international break and the Barclays U21
Premier League Cup taking place, so there have not been many league matches
played in November," said Haycock. "We are top of the league and we have
collectively set ourselves the challenge of still being there at Christmas.
"We face Leicester on Friday and have prepared for this game as we have
prepared for all the others we have played this season - training hard and
looking at how the opposition play and their strengths and weaknesses using
a DVD of one of their recent matches."

"I will pick my squad, as usual, around the players who are available. Some
are out on loan, some are injured, some will be training with the first-team
squad and some others have gone out on loan before the deadline. "This has
been my approach throughout the season and I am not going to change it. We
have a big squad to pick from and I am sure, whatever team I put out will
pose a real threat to Leicester."

One player West Ham will definitely be without is winger Kieran Sadlier and
Blair Turgott, who is injured. Kick-off at Rush Green Stadium is at 7pm,
with FREE entry for Season Ticket Holders. Other supporters can gain
admission for just £3 Adults and £1 Concessions.

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Dev Squad 2-2 Leicester City - FT
WHUFC.com
Minute-by-minute updates from the Development Squad's match against
Leicester City
29.11.2013

WEST HAM UNITED v LEICESTER CITY
BARCLAYS U21 PREMIER LEAGUE
RUSH GREEN STADIUM
FRIDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2013
KICK-OFF: 7PM
REFEREE: ALAN YOUNG
iPHONE APP I TWITTER I FACEBOOK I PODCAST I YOUTUBE

Full-time: The Development Squad have to settle for a draw after second half
fight back from Leicester earns them a point. McCallum had given the Hammers
the lead after just two minutes and Lee had later doubled the advantage with
a penalty on the stroke of half-time but they were unable to hold on. Goals
from Dawson and Pearson levelled things up. McCallum went close to winning
it late on but the Hammers were forced to settle for a point which on
balance was proabaly the right result.
90+2 mins: Miles is on for Moncur with just moments left.
90 mins: We're into added on time now as both sides still search for a
winner.
88 mins: The fans are drifting away in anticipation of a draw now but
there's still a chance or two left in this!
86 mins: Agony! McCallum looks to have snatched a winner as he beats the
keeper to a high ball but his effort bounces inches wide!
85 mins: Barrington wants the ball more than the surrounding defenders and
fires his close-range shot narrowly wide. That was a let-off.
83 mins: Howes throws himself in front of a shot to keep the Hammers level.
Bywater comes on for Whitehead.
82 mins: Another corner to add to Leicester's collection. Whitehead gets up
well to head clear.
80 mins: Into the final ten minutes now as both sides look for a winning
goal.
78 mins: Frustration is creeping into the Hammers play and they nearly go
behind as Panayiotou heads just over the crossbar.
76 mins: Dawson hits one just over the bar as the away side are rampant at
the minute.
75 mins: Interesting to see how Haycock's side respond to being on level
terms considering they'd been in front since the second minute.
73 mins GOAL: Pearson strikes a beautiful right-footed effort into the
bottom left-hand corner. Great goal that.
73 mins: Pearson goes right through the back of Lee by the halfway line and
the Hammers have a free-kick. From the resulting ball Whitehead pokes
goalwards but the keeper is down to save.
71 mins: Leicester's corner count must be in double figures by now. This
time Whitehead is there to clear.
69 mins: A ferocious shot is unleashed by Barrington and it has Howes
worried before flying just over.
67 mins: After McCallum concedes a free-kick the ball is blasted at him but
the ref decides no punishment is necessary.
65 mins: Fanimo switches right to McCallum who wins a corner. Fanimo takes
but it's cleared at the near post.
63 mins: The visitors are enjoying their best spell now as they pour forward
at every opportunity with Barrington the latest to try his luck, testing
Howes from distance.
61 mins GOAL: Leicester have one back. Dawson latches onto a loose ball to
lash home as it breaks to him in the box.
59 mins: The West Ham midfield are working harder to get on the ball in this
half with Moncur and Lletget starting to click.
57 mins: Chambers looks to have handled the ball on his way to the turf but
the defender has himself a free-kick after recieving a hearty shove.
55 mins: After about six or seven corners in a row the Hammers are finally
able to breath easy as a Foxes defender fires a shot well wide.
54 mins: Yet another corner as Harney this time is there to clear! When will
this end!
53 mins: It's swung in towards goal this time and has Howes beaten but Shaw
is back on the line to flick clear for a corner.
52 mins: A series of corners for the away team now, the latest of which is
cleared by Driver for gues what...another corner.
50 mins: The visitors apply some early pressure and win themselves a corner.
It's met well by Barrington and Howes does brilliantly to acrobatically turn
it over.
48 mins: Driver concedes a free-kick as the left-back goes beyond him. The
ball is low and hard but Howes takes it on the bounce.
47 mins: Leicester immediately go on the attack down their left but over
play it and Howes has a goal-kick.
46 mins: The Hammers kick-off the second half holding a two-goal lead and
looking good to maintain top spot in the Barclays Under-21 Premier League.
Half-time: What a mad end to the half! Lee stepped up to bury a penalty on
the stroke of half-time to send the Hammers in two up at the break after a
Leicester player appeared to handle in the box. Earlier McCallum had given
the Hammers the lead after just two minutes when he bundled the ball home
from a free-kick. Overall it's been a fairly even game with the visitors yet
to create a chance of note. More of the same from West Ham after the
interval please!
45 mins GOAL: Lee steps up and sends a low penalty to the bottom right-hand
corner, sending the keeper the wrong way.
44 mins: Corner to West Ham. Fanimo takes and there's controversy as the
linesman gives handball but the referee is not convinced and after
consultation and a lot of confusion a penalty is given!
42 mins: A late lunge on Whitehead gives the Hammers a free-kick just
outside the box. Fanimo takes and his powerful effort hits the wall.
40 mins: Fanimo thinks he's in down the right as he races clear but the
keeper is out quickly to force the ball out for a throw-in.
38 mins: The Foxes centre-back looks to switch play but grossly over-hits
his ball and it sails out of play. Sums up the visitors efforts so far.
36 mins: Howes punches the ball behind him as Dawson crosses, luckily it
misses the goal and goes out for a corner. The set-piece is over-hit and out
for a throw.
35 mins: Fanimo hits a shot into the ground after good play down the left by
Lee. Easy pickings.
34 mins: After a boiling hot start this game has simmered down to luke warm
with both sides engaged in a midfield battle.
32 mins: Leicester are building pressure here and have themselves a corner
after Lletget deflects a shot wide. It's taken short before Howes dives in
bravely at the feet of two Leicester players.
30 mins: Lletget gives away a free-kick towards the right-hand corner flag.
The ball is delivered but after a clearance allows Whitehead to break but he
can't capitalise as he looks for McCallum.
28 mins: Lee looks to slide one through for Moncur but the keeper is out
sharply to collect on the slide.
26 mins: McCallum wins a free-kick in a dangerous area on the left after his
legs are clipped. Moncur takes but goes for goal and it sails harmlessly
over the bar.
24 mins: A cross is swung over by Elder but he has no one to hit and it
sails out for a throw.
22 mins: Just as I say that Fanimo is picked out by McCallum's through ball
and he races clear but fires a half-volley wide of the target.
21 mins: The Hammers have so far struggled to get their wide men involved
with both Fanimo and Lee short of service up to this point.
19 mins: Chambers takes up the role of the missing Pelly Ruddock as he
maruds 60 yeards down the pitch and finds McCallum but his cross is too
close to the keeper.
17 mins: Whitehead strikes the post! After the ball is given away in
midfield Whitehead breaks with purpose arriving at the edge of the box and
unleashing a fierce shot which pings against the post.
15 mins: The away side are yet to click into gear yet but have shown some
fairly nice pieces of play so far.
13 mins: Corner to Leicester. Harney is there to header well clear of
danger.
12 mins: The Hammers have lined up in a 4-3-3 formation with Lee to the left
and Fanimo to the right of frontman McCallum.
10 mins: After the visitors force a couple of corners the Hammers are
finally relieved as the offside flag is raised.
9 mins: Leicester have a chance as Barrington is played in. He shoots but
Harney is there to deflect it out for a corner.
7 mins: Driver gets down the right touchline and swings a cross over looking
for McCallum. The ball goes out for a corner but is easily cleared.
6 mins: The Hammers are showing the greater desire early on with Shaw the
latest to make a strong tackle.
4 mins: McCallum didn't have to wait too long into his return to make his
mark as that goal is timed at just under two minutes!
2 mins GOAL: McCallum bundles the ball home after Moncur's in-swinging
free-kick caused all kinds of problems in the Leicester defence. What a
start!
2 mins: George Moncur is bought down after a heavy tackle. Free-kick which
he will take.
1 min: It's the away side to kick us off! And no he's not happy with the
first one as a Leicester player encroached into the West Ham half but we're
away at the second attempt.
6.55pm: The irrepressible smell of the burger van is making its way into the
stands as the teams emerge from the tunnel. We're almost ready to go!
6.45pm: The Hammers have retreated to the dressing room for their pre-match
team talk as we are now just 15 minutes away from kick-off.
6.35pm: With regular goalkeeper Raphael Spiegel not featuring tonight, Sam
Howes has the chance to stake a claim for regular inclusion in Nick
Haycock's side. The 16-year-old stopper is the Under-18s regular No1 and
recently featured in the Club's behind-closed-doors friendly against
Millwall and has clearly done enough to impress.
6.20pm: The players are out warming up on the Rush Green pitch ahead of
kick-off here. Assistant manager Neil McDonald has already taken his place
in the stands to cast his eye over the Club's Under-21s.
6pm: It's finally here! The return of Barclays Under-21 Premier League
Development Squad action! 'About time' I hear you cry as Nick Haycock's
Under-21s resume their league campaign exactly four weeks to the day that
Chelsea snatched a last-minute equaliser in a thrilling 3-3 draw that denied
the Hammers from extending their lead at the top of the table. Despite not
playing for the best part of a month, the Development Squad have retained
top-spot with Fulham still a point off the pace. Tonight 12th place
Leicester City are the visitors to Rush Green as they bid to inflict only a
second defeat of the season on the young Hammers.
Haycock has had to juggle his squad around for this tie with the manager now
able to select returned duo of Elliot Lee and Paul McCallum who are
available following loan spells at Colchester United and Torquay United
respectively. He will however be without three of his regulars with Dan
Potts enjoying a spell on the south coast with Portsmouth whilst Pelly
Ruddock (Luton Town) and Blair Turgott (Colchester United) both secured loan
moves yesterday. Kieran Sadlier is also unavailable after scans revealed he
has medial tibia stress syndrome which will rule the winger out until the
New Year.
Leicester City: Smith, Pearson, Elder, Watson, Sesay, Kennedy, Dawson, Cain,
Panayiotou, Dodoo, Barrington
Subs: Frempah, Smith, Anton, Paratore
West Ham United: Howes, Driver, Chambers, Harney, Shaw, Lletget, Moncur,
Fanimo, Whitehead, McCallum, Lee
Subs: Maguire, Baxter, Miles, Bywater, Burke

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Fulham
KO 15:00
29 November 2013
Last updated at 12:16
By Steve Wilson
BBC Match of the Day commentator
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday, 30 November

West Ham remain without injured striker Andy Carroll, but he is expected to
return to training next week. Modibo Maiga and Mohamed Diame were introduced
as first-half substitutes against Chelsea last weekend and could earn
recalls to the starting line-up.

Fulham striker Dimitar Berbatov is doubtful for Saturday's game because of
illness. However, manager Martin Jol is hopeful that defender Brede
Hangeland will return from a nerve problem.

MATCH PREVIEW

"Oh, East is East and West is West, and never the twain shall meet." It
might sound like the private motto of a rail company, but it's actually the
first line of Rudyard Kipling's 19th century poem, The Ballad of East and
West. "It is games like this that will ultimately decide Fulham manager
Martin Jol's fate because, if his side get turned over easily by a West Ham
side who are well known for not being able to score goals, then the pressure
on him will get even more intense."

Sadly, this footballing meeting of East and West London is more likely to
move spectators to tears than poetry. West Ham and Fulham are error-strewn
impotence personified at the moment, each in a dreadful tailspin towards the
murky nether reaches of the Premier League. Whether Martin Jol can survive
another defeat is debatable - it would be a sixth consecutive loss in league
and cup. Is Rene Meulensteen in place to provide encouragement and support
to his countryman, or is he there to replace him? New Fulham owner Shahid
Khan has been known for his patience with the coaches of his NFL franchise,
the often hapless Jacksonville Jaguars - and his patience there has recently
been rewarded with two wins in three games after eight consecutive losses.
But patience is an easier virtue when your team plays in a league with no
relegation. This is the Cottagers' 13th consecutive season in the Premier
League and they haven't finished below 12th since 2008 - if they can get
anywhere near mid-table from here they'll have done very well indeed. So
far, the scrutiny on West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has been less intense, but
their results are hardly any better. Since the shock win at Tottenham, West
Ham have taken two points from five games, scoring only twice. That might be
an inevitable consequence of playing without a recognised striker, a tactic
which took Spurs by surprise but has not worked since. Injuries and a lack
of match fitness have forced Allardyce's hand. He has had to do without Andy
Carroll, Mladen Petric, Ricardo Vaz Te and Carlton Cole, leaving him with
the option of either the no-striker route or using Modibo Maiga, which is a
frightening prospect - just not for the opposition.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
West Ham are unbeaten in their last eight home league games against Fulham
(W4, D4).
In the last four Premier League seasons, this fixture has produced a total
of 29 goals.

West Ham United
The Hammers have taken one point from their last five league matches at
Upton Park.
Their tally of four points at home is the joint lowest in the top flight
along with Fulham and Crystal Palace.
Their only shot on target against Chelsea on Saturday came in the third
minute of injury time.
The Hammers have been on target with just 32.4% of their shots this season,
the lowest percentage in the top flight.
Kevin Nolan is set to make his 350th Premier League appearance.

Fulham
Fulham have lost 14 of their last 20 league matches, including their last
four in a row (W4, D2).
The Whites have attempted the fewest shots in total in the Premier League so
far this season (96, including blocked efforts).
They have conceded 12 first-half goals this season - the joint worst record
in the top flight, along with Norwich.
Dimitar Berbatov has scored once in 11 Premier League appearances this
season.

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Allardyce welcomes Carroll return
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 29th November 2013
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce has revealed that Andy Carroll will return to training at
Chadwell Heath next week. In a week during which rumours regarding the
extended spell Carroll has spent on the sidelines have been spreading like
wildfire, the welcome news at the end of it is that the England
international expects to begin tentative training following this weekend.
"We have to be careful - we can't get over-anxious and push Andy too hard,"
said Sam Allardyce, who revealed the news this morning. "We can't do
anything other than what the specialists are saying, no matter how desperate
our situation may become. "When Andy's fit, we've got to get him to stay
fit. We'll monitor it on a day-to-day basis and push forward his training on
a level based on how he feels. Having not played a game since last May, it
will take him some time to get him into a match fitness situation. "He's
done an awful lot of work not only on his injury but his whole body. That's
not included any football training in that so when he does eventually get to
that he'll be pretty stiff for the first few days in that situation. Our
backroom staff will go all out to alleviate that as quickly as possible."

Carroll - who cost West Ham £15million in the summer, in addition to the
loan fee paid the previous summer - has not kicked a ball for West Ham since
the final day of last season, a 4-2 win over relegated Reading. Last season
he made a total of 24 appearances for the Hammers, scoring seven goals

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Allardyce: owners ready to move
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 29th November 2013
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce has revealed that David Sullivan and David Gold are ready to
spend in January in order to preserve West Ham's Premier League position.
For several months now Gold in particular has waxed lyrical about the
effects of Financial Fair Play and how West Ham must adhere to the
regulations in order to avoid a potential points penalty, or fine. However
that strict adherence is likely to be tested - if not ignored entirely - in
January with West Ham needing to boost their attacking options, having
managed to score just nine league goals so far this season. "They [the
Chairman] are focussed on what we might be able to achieve in January," Sam
Allardyce said this morning. "That's been the main focus with both Davids
and I'm obviously pleased that we're looking in the market and we're very
active. "Everybody knows that David [Sullivan], particularly, is a man who
moves extremely quickly when we've made a decision. But finding and securing
that target is very difficult, as we found before the last window shut but
failed to clinch the deal. Perhaps we're paying the penalty for that now.
It shows you how difficult it is to get somebody on the front line. Of
course we didn't expect Andy [Carroll] to be out still now, we expected him
to be playing two or three games into the season. "That hasn't happened and
the rest of our strikers have failed to score a few goals to help us get
more victories instead of draws."

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Andy Carroll to return to training as he continues recovery from long-term
injury
Last Updated: November 29, 2013 2:21pm
SSN

West Ham striker Andy Carroll will finally return to training next week as
he continues his lengthy recovery from a foot problem. The England player
has not played for the Hammers since May and suffered a fresh fitness
setback this month after being struck down by a stomach infection. Manager
Sam Allardyce has revealed that Carroll is making progress in his
rehabilitation, but is not expected to make a playing return before January.
Allardyce remains reluctant to rush back the 24-year-old, despite his team's
lack of goals this season. "Andy hopefully will be back with us next week to
start some training," he said. "We expected him to be back two or three
games into the season, and that hasn't happened. "We have to be tentative in
our approach to it. "When Andy's fit we've got to get him fit to stay fit.
"When he will return, I think that depends on our assessment when he does
eventually come back with us. "On a day-to-day basis he can then start to
push forward. "Having not played a game since last May, it will take some
time to get him into a match-fitness situation. "He's done an awful lot of
work, but that doesn't include match fitness, so it will take a while for
him to get back up to speed."

Allardyce is preparing his side for Saturday's Premier League match with
Fulham, who sit next to West Ham in the table on just 10 points. He has
urged his side to take advantage of Fulham's defensive problems this season.
"My surprise is that I thought our win against Tottenham would kick us on to
a good run of wins. It hasn't happened but we've got to believe we'll start
putting away our chances," said Allardyce. "We've got to start converting
our opportunities.
"Against Fulham, both teams are having a struggle at the minute. "We hope we
can regain our defensive solidity and maybe exploit a defensive weakness in
them, after they have leaked 12 goals in their last four games."

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West Ham United host Fulham in London derby
Last Updated: November 29, 2013 11:49am
SSN

West Ham United and Fulham will go head-to-head in a Premier League
relegation six-pointer at Upton Park on Saturday. Both the London clubs are
struggling at the wrong end of the table and will be desperate to win the
derby not just for the three points but also to kick-start their respective
campaigns. Hosts West Ham find themselves just a place above the relegation
zone with 10 points from 12 matches, while the Cottagers are 18th but only
on goal difference. Fulham manager Martin Jol has come under pressure
because of his side's dismal performances this season, the latest of which
saw them go down 2-1 at home to Swansea City last Saturday. That defeat
extended the club's run of defeats to five matches in all competitions,
while the Hammers themselves have not emerged victorious in their past five
Premier League fixtures. However, West Ham manager Sam Allardyce will take
encouragement from the fact that his team are unbeaten in their last eight
league matches against Fulham at Upton Park.

Paul Merson's prediction

This is a massive game for both teams, but I do think West Ham will be okay
this season, I say that because they've got Sam Allardyce in charge. He has
been in this situation too many times and I have no worries about them going
down In fact, I expect them to beat Fulham because Fulham are bordering on
shocking away from home. Every time they kick off on the road it feels like
the other team will have the points. I have to go for a home win.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0

West Ham
Last 6
Chelsea (h)0-3
Norwich (a)3-1
A Villa (h)0-0
Burnley (a)0-2
Swansea (a)0-0
1-3

West Ham are still without the attacking trio of Ricardo Vaz Te, Andy
Carroll and Mladen Petric with shoulder, ankle and calf injuries
respectively. That could leave Sam Allardyce again going with the 4-6-0
formation which he has deployed in recent weeks. Defender Razvan Rat is also
on the sidelines with a hamstring problem, while Winston Reid is still
recovering from an ankle operation.

Fulham
Last 6
Swansea (h)1-2
Liverpool (a)4-0
Man Utd (h)1-3
Leicester (a)4-3
Southampton (a)2-0
C Palace (a)1-4

Sascha Riether will miss the clash for Fulham because of suspension. This
will be his final match of his three-game ban for stamping on Manchester
United winger Adnan Januzaj. Winger Damien Duff will sit out the London
derby for the Cottagers with a groin injury, while Hugo Rodallega and
Matthew Briggs are sidelined with groin problems. Brede Hangeland is
doubtful for the match as he is struggling with a sciatic nerve problem.

Opta Stats

Fulham have conceded 99 goals away from home in Premier League London
derbies.
Kevin Nolan has scored five goals in his Premier League career against
Fulham.
West Ham have won just one of their last 11 league fixtures and none of the
last five at Upton Park.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
THE BARRY HEARN INTERVIEW PART 3
By Sean Whetstone 29 Nov 2013 at 17:01
West Ham Till I Die

For my third topic following my Interview with Barry Hearn I wanted to talk
about Barry's apparent love of Spurs!

I asked Barry Hearn why he supported the Spurs bid for the Olympic Stadium
by sending a letter to the Premier League?

BH "The bidding process comes up, Daniel Levy says would you support us?, I
said, Daniel, this is the gospel truth, Daniel, you don't have a f****ing
prayer of getting this stadium but I will support you because 1) you don't
have a prayer 2) you have a bigger support base than West ham and you won't
be discounting tickets 3) If you do get in I will do my best to stop you. So
as far you and West ham I prefer Tottenham. Basically what I am saying is I
don't either of you"

BH "When we supported Spurs, there was no way possible Spurs ever had a
prayer of getting in, the premier league rules alone would of resulted in
court cases coming out for 20 years, Even Daniel Levy knew, he was being
used but Daniel's a smart kid, he didn't mind being used because he knew if
he was used that he was going to get a benefit somewhere else"

You do seem to have a cosy relationship with Spurs as you have loaned a
number of players from them.

BH "Only because they want to loan them, Harry has been great and given us
players, West Ham gave us one player years ago but we have never had a
relationship with West Ham on our door step, never had a phone call for a
player, never!"

I asked Barry whether he used to be a Spurs fan?

BH " I went for 2 years, I went to Leyton Orient when I was 11 years old, my
parents wouldn't let me at 11 go to a big club, you go to a small club, so I
went to Leyton Orient, after 2 years I was 13 and I was ready to go to a big
club. I went to Tottenham for two years and I saw two great years of
football by the way, 61/62 and 62/63 the double team but the truth of it is
I'm not much of a football fan at all I am a Leyton Orient fan"

I also asked Barry whether he turned up at Leyton Orient on his first day as
chairman with a Spurs sticker in his car as told to me by a Leyton Orient
fan.

BH "Absolutely correct and do you know why? Because in 1987 I did Bruno v
Bugner at White Hart Lane, 1992 I did Eubank v Watson at White Hart Lane,
part of the rental deal was I had to buy some hospitality seats at Tottenham
as part of the deal for renting the ground. They wanted to boost their
hospitality sales, my son went and he put a sticker in my car. I never
personally went myself once"

I asked do Leyton Orient fans know that?

BH "No, F** off What's it got to do with them?"

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carlton Cole keen for first-team chance at West Ham after coming in from the
cold
29 Nov 2013 22:30
The Mirror

Sam Allardyce may have been hoping for a Christmas Carroll, but the West Ham
boss ended up with a lump of Cole. Big Sam has been unable to use £15million
man Andy Carroll, who still has not played this season, and moved to re-sign
Carlton Cole – less than four months after the striker left Upton Park ..
But the 30-year-old has managed less than 70 minutes of Premier League
action since returning on October 14, with Big Sam preferring a 4-6-0
'strikerless' formation instead. And a baffled Cole admitted: "It's very
weird! I've never had to deal with that but I have had a lot of weird stuff
thrown at me by other managers, so it is just another one. "It worked
against Tottenham and we have been playing well with the system but we
haven't been putting our chances away. "I get frustrated because I want to
be playing week in, week out. But the manager sees fit to do something
different, so until he sees he needs to play his striker I'll just have to
wait."

The 17th-placed Hammers are without a win in five League games since a shock
3-0 victory at White Hart Lane and have scored just twice in that time.
Saturday's visit by fellow strugglers Fulham kicks off a hectic run of nine
fixtures in 33 days. And Cole, who signed a three-month contract back at
Upton Park, is determined to persuade Allardyce to ditch the 4-6-0 and
secure himself a longer deal. He added: "Once I get a chance, I am going to
make my presence really felt on the field and make Sam know that he needs a
striker. "I think I can prove to the manager I can do the job, I think he
should know that I can be a presence up front. "And if I can get a few goals
with that as well, that is all I need and that will change our run."

That a player of Cole's calibre spent three-and-a-half months without a club
prompts questions, but he revealed there was no lack of interest in him. He
said: "I nearly signed for Saint-Etienne. But there were a few things we
needed to wrap up and it didn't materialise in the end. "I was close to
going to QPR, so I was getting ready for that. "I had Nottingham Forest and
a few other teams in the Championship interested. Hull City in the Premier
League too, so I did have a few teams. Crystal Palace was a big one as
well."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United face striker dilemma ahead of clash with Fulham
29 Nov 2013 17:51
The Mirror

West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce faces a striker dilemma ahead of their
visit of Fulham on Saturday. Allardyce's side have netted just nine goals
this season, with the former Bolton Wanderers boss continuing to line his
side up with a 'false nine' formation of 4-6-0. However, Carlton Cole may be
recalled for the goal-shy Hammers, in place of captain Kevin Nolan, after
the tactical experiment failed in their 3-0 defeat to Chelsea last week.
Despite the lack of goals, help is at hand for Allardyce after he revealed
that Andy Carroll is set to return to training next week. The Hammers' £15m
record signing has been missing all season with a heel injury, but Allardyce
told a press conference: "We hope Andy will be back with us to start some
training next week. It's tentative in our approach to it. We can't get
over-anxious and push him too hard. We need to get him fit to stay fit."

Alou Diarra and George McCartney are out with knee injuries, while Ricardo
Vaz Te (shoulder) and Razvan Rat (hamstring) are also absent.

Provisional squad: Jasskelainen, Demel, Collins, Tomkins, O'Brien, Collison,
Noble, J Cole, Morrison, Downing, K Nolan, Jarvis, Maiga, Adrian, Taylor,
Diame, C Cole, Chambers.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce 'to make fresh bid for Demba Ba in January'
30 Nov 2013 05:04
The Mirror

West Ham are reportedly preparing a fresh bid for Chelsea's Demba Ba in
January. The club's co-owner David Sullivan has made a personal appeal to
the former Hammers forward to return to Upton Park, according to The Sun.
Sullivan is said to have spent an hour on the phone with Ba on the last day
of the summer transfer window to try to persude him to return to East
London. However, Ba, 28, is understood to have only wanted to play for a
club in the Champions League such as Arsenal. He is now third-choice striker
under Blues boss Jose Mourinho.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce calls for unity ahead of a 'season-defining' week for West Ham

29 Nov 2013 22:30
The Mirror

Sam Allardyce has told his players to stick together ahead of West Ham's
"season-defining" week . The Hammers have won just two games out of 12 this
season and sit three points off the bottom of the Premier League. On
Saturday they face Fulham, who are also on 10 points, at Upton Park, before
a midweek trip to second-bottom Crystal Palace. Big Sam said: "I think this
is a season-defining week with the games and who we're playing. "By the time
we come round to a week tomorrow, we will either be sat in the upper reaches
of the bottom end of the table or we'll still be around where we are now.
"The most important thing is to win your games against your near rivals.
Yes, it's a difficult period, but players show their true team spirit in
situations like this. "They show their true togetherness and that's what
they've got to do. They've got to stick together. "They can't fragment and
think it's all about them. It's not just about them, it's about the whole
team and everything that goes with it to achieve the right results."

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