Daily WHUFC News - 1st January 2014

Vice-Chairman made CBE
WHUFC.com
The Vice-Chairman has been made a CBE in HM The Queen's New Year's Honours
List
31.12.2013

West Ham United Vice-Chairman Karren Brady has been made a CBE in HM The
Queen's New Year's Honours List. The Vice-Chairman has been recognised for
her outstanding contribution for services to entrepreneurship and women in
business, a cause for which she has tirelessly campaigned throughout her
career.
Ms Brady, who has previously won a host of high-profile awards for her work
and championing the cause of women in business, spoke of her pride at being
made Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. "I am
truly honoured to have received this award," the Vice-Chairman said. "I have
been extremely touched by all of the kind messages of congratulations from
West Ham United fans since the announcement was made this morning. I would
like to thank my Board at West Ham United and everyone who has worked with
and for me over the years. "I am particularly proud that my work for women
in the workplace has been recognised as it is something I feel so
passionately about. We have seen real progress in that field since I began
my career but that work is far from over as I know there is still so much
more that can be done. "However my primary focus at present is doing all in
my power to help West Ham return to a more stable league position as soon as
possible to give us the platform to continue our recent growth."

Since arriving at West Ham United in 2010, the Vice-Chairman has brought the
Club back to its core values celebrating West Ham's role at the heart of the
East London community through the Moore than a Football Club brand and has
grown the Hammers' fanbase at grassroots and an international level. Her
ability to grow commercial revenue at every operational level of the
business saw the Club record its first operating profit in recent history.
While working tirelessly to attract investment, increase revenue and reduce
the Club's historic debt burden, one of the Vice-Chairman's greatest
triumphs to date came in March 2013, when Her Majesty's Government selected
West Ham United as the anchor concessionaire for the Olympic Stadium
following its transformation into a UEFA Category 4 Football Stadium in
2016. Ms Brady is also an indefatigable supporter of charitable causes as an
Ambassador for The Stroke Association, WellChild and Teenage Cancer Trust.
She adds this accolade to fcbusiness Magazine CEO of the Year, which she
collected for her work at West Ham United in 2012.
Everyone at West Ham United would like to congratulate the Vice-Chairman on
today's exciting announcement.

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Hammers to sign Gordon
WHUFC.com
West Ham United will sign forward Jaanai Gordon from Peterborough United on
New Year's Day
31.12.2013

West Ham United are delighted to confirm the signing of Peterborough United
youngster Jaanai Gordon, which will be completed on 1 January 2014. The
18-year-old striker impressed during a recent trial period with the Club and
has sealed a move from the Sky Bet League One Club. Gordon scored twice in
the Hammers' Barclays U18 Premier League victory over Aston Villa, while
also notching in first-team friendlies against Gillingham and Millwall
during the November international break. Northampton-born Gordon made his
first team debut for Posh in September 2012, aged just 16, and has played
seven first-team games for the London Road club. Following his trial period
at Chadwell Heath, Gordon notched the winner for Peterborough in the FA
Youth Cup at Wolverhampton Wanderers, helping Posh to maintain their cup run
which has taken them to a fourth round tie against Arsenal, before agreeing
to put pen-to-paper with the Hammers.

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The Big Interview - George McCartney
WHUFC.com
George McCartney is keen to show his versatility while filling the Hammers'
void at centre-half
31.12.2013

Stand-in centre-half George McCartney is no stranger to slotting in at the
heart of the back four and is happy to do so if it helps West Ham United
climb the Barclays Premier League table. The Northern Ireland international
deputised at centre-half against Arsenal, following James Collins'
departure, and played in the middle once more in Saturday's topsy-turvy 3-3
draw against West Bromwich Albion.

While he would gladly see the Club's regular centre-halves back in the fold,
McCartney is hoping to hold the fort in the interim, however the situation
dictates.

George, Saturday was a real rollercoaster of a game, wasn't it?

GM: "Yes, it was. I thought we started well, we got the early goal and I was
thinking it's going to be a pretty comfortable day. But it ended up being a
bit of a thriller, a good game for the neutral but not so good for the two
teams, with both looking for the win and trying to move up the table. After
going 2-1 down, we got ourselves back into the game again and ended up
getting a point, which is better than nothing."

You're not a regular centre-half, what was it like when you saw Tomkins limp
off, leaving you with no recognised centre-halves? Perhaps a bit daunting?

GM: "No, I wouldn't say it was daunting. I've played centre-half before in
my life, I started out a centre-half and I've played international football
as a centre-half and I know what's required. Obviously it's not great when
you have two or three regular centre-halves out injured, but I think
nowadays players have got to fill in when needed. "When Tonks went down, we
finished the game with four full-backs in defence. It's required these days,
you've got to be able play in more than one position and fill in when
players are injured or when the manager needs you to do a job. So, it wasn't
ideal to finish the game with game with four full-backs in the defensive
slots but there was no other choice."

You seemed to cope pretty well, but Anelka's a top-class striker...

GM: "To be honest, Anelka wasn't like in his Chelsea days, when he was an
out and out striker sitting up top. Now he's dropping back into midfield,
trying to get on the ball a little bit more. Obviously he scored twice on
Saturday. The first one went down the middle of myself and Joey, it was a
good ball. For the second, he's standing on the line, it's fallen down to
him and he's got the lucky break. "It was one of those games in the end
that could have gone either way, both sides had chances. We're probably
disappointed after going 1-0 up and then getting 3-2 ahead that we didn't
hold onto the three points."

At 2-1 down and with the fans becoming anxious, the team showed great
character to come back and get themselves in front…

GM: "It's understandable. The fans want to see the team doing well and it's
not a pretty situation that we're in at the minute in the bottom three. As
much as the fans want us to do well, the players on the pitch are giving
their all, trying to get the three points. We're all, the manager, the
coaches and players, trying to pull it together and get ourselves out of
this situation. We need the fans behind us through the 90 minutes and after
starting the game so well, I can understand when you go 2-1 down at
half-time, that they want to see an improvement in the second half and I
think we did that. "After Van [Modibo Maiga] had scored and then Nolan gets
you ahead, you think for the next five, ten minutes just keep it tight. We
knew they'd want to come at us and unfortunately they went down the other
end and got the equaliser. It was disappointing, but we'll take a point
after being 2-1 down at half-time and we did well to get ourselves back into
the game. I think we knew in this situation of being near the bottom you
don't have the luck, things don't go for you. I think on Saturday we just
needed that little bit of luck and we'd probably have got the three points."

Are you surprised to see West Ham in the bottom three, with the squad that
you've got?

GM: "You look at the team, you look at the squad, it's experienced, it's got
some great players in it. I think in the first, probably, eight to ten games
of the season, there were games where we were picking up draws. It goes back
to having that little bit of luck and turning that one point into three
points, but we just couldn't put the ball in the net. Eventually it catches
up on you, if you're not really scoring too many goals, other teams are
gradually maybe going to get one or two chances and nick a goal. I think
that's why we've found ourselves in this situation. "I could go back to the
Newcastle game, the Hull game, the Everton game at the Boleyn Ground, there
are five or six games where we should have had the three points, we didn't,
so now it's up to ourselves to all pull together.
"We've got winnable games coming up again and we need to try and get the
players that are injured back again. Andy Carroll, Stewart Downing, Winston
Reid are important players. They're all big misses, so I think once we get
everyone fit again we'll have a full strength squad, we'll hopefully be
moving up the table."

Is the confidence still there?

GM: "You look over the last few weeks at the teams that have sacked their
managers, the players haven't been happy with whatever way they were
playing, all different things. But our dressing room is great, confidence is
high, the spirit is high. We're all in it together and we're still doing all
the right things on the training ground. "It's after Christmas now and when
you find yourselves in the bottom three, everyone maybe gets a little bit
edgy and games you feel you should be winning you're just not getting across
the line. It eventually catches up on you. The dressing room's great and
we're just trying to move up the table again and get ourselves out of this
situation."

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'Fanzone' launched
WHUFC.com
West Ham United fans can have their views heard in whufc.com's newest
feature
31.12.2013

whufc.com and West Ham TV will be launching a brand new feature for 2014,
called Fanzone. The official website and West Ham TV will be seeking opinion
pieces from supporters on all things West Ham United. So whether you thought
an individual impressed in the previous match at the Boleyn Ground, you had
an away day to remember, a Club legend needs remembering or the Under-21s
are catching your eye, whufc.com and West Ham TV want to hear from you.
There are two ways to get your opinions heard on the Club's official
channels. Firstly, whufc.com will carry written blogs of up to 500 words
written in the first person by supporters. Similarly, West Ham TV will be
host video clips of up to 60 seconds of fans voicing their thoughts to
camera. The most interesting and original posts will then be carried on the
website for Hammers fans all over the world to digest and debate. Please
note all submissions will be subject to the usual editorial standards of
whufc.com. If you would like your opinion heard, send your blog of no more
than 500 words or videos (preferably .mov or MP4) to
whufc.com@westhamunited.co.uk
To launch the new feature, Joint-Chairman David Sullivan's son, Jack, has
offered his take on the year that was for West Ham United, in a special West
Ham TV video.

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Macca on: Fulham
WHUFC.com
Neil McDonald took the press conference ahead of Wedesday's game against
Fulham
31.12.2013

Assistant manager Neil McDonald spoke to the media ahead of the game against
Fulham on New Year's day. Ahead of the trip to Craven Cottage, McDonald was
quizzed on the upcoming January transfer window, the latest team news and
for an update on the fitness of Andy Carroll.

Morning Neil, very nice to see you as always, but where's Sam?

NMc: "He's very busy on the phone at the minute, obviously we've got a few
defensive problems and with the window coming up his phone is non-stop so
he's just asked me to do it today."

So that's potentially good news on arrivals to fill some of the gaps?

NMc: "Potentially, yes. I think we need some reinforcements to try and boost
the players that we have here. Sam's working very hard behind the scenes
here with everybody else to try and do that so he apologises for not being
able to do the press conference today."

I guess it's central defenders that he's after?

NMc: "Of course, yes. We've got our three main centre halves injured at the
moment and we're obviously trying very hard to get them fit. We're trying to
bolster that area."

And I imagine you're looking to bring in strikers as well?

NMc: "Yes, of course. We're trying to improve the squad as much as possible,
they're the two main places that we're trying to strengthen."

And he has the board's backing for that financially?

NMc: "He's on the phone to the Chairman as we speak so you would imagine
so."

Do you feel that this game, like some described it, is a must-win game like
against West Brom?

NMc: "It's certainly don't lose the game, that's for sure. When you're
playing a team in and around you that's the most important thing to do.
We've scored three goals against West Brom but conceded three so we need to
stop conceding and keep scoring as we have been doing. We're creating lots
of chances but it's difficult when you haven't got all of your defenders
fit. Going into the Fulham game in this scenario it's a game that if you win
it puts you right up the table which is great, but it's more important that
we don't lose."

That difference between getting three points and not can really reflect on
your position in the table?

NMc: "It shows that even if we'd beaten West Brom that would have pushed us
right up the table, another back to back win over Fulham could have pushed
us right up to halfway so that's how very tight it is, how close it is and
how very important it is to pick up a point. You have to respect the point
if you get it because that could take you further up the league."

On the central defensive area, what's the news on James Collins and James
Tomkins?

NMc: "It looks as though they're not going to be fit for the Fulham game and
we will assess them straight after for the Nottingham Forest game. It's more
likely that they will both be fit, fingers crossed, for the Cardiff City
game."

What will he do in that area against Fulham?

NMc: "The plan would be to pick some players who are going to keep a clean
sheet and we're going to keep our cards close to our chest on that front."

What's the latest on Andy Carroll?

NMc: "He's done a training session yesterday which is very encouraging. It's
still early stages and it's a work in progress with him. Work one day on the
training pitch, massage and rehab the next day and let's see how it goes.
It's positive the fact that he's on the training pitch but it's slow
progress."

Do you hope that relatively soon he'll be able to play some part in the rest
of the season?

NMc: "When you've been out for seven months I don't think you can rush
anybody back. Obviously we're all desperate for him to come back into the
team as quick as we possibly can but we have to be sensible. He's getting
closer."

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O'Brien eyes Fulham success
WHUFC.com
Joey O'Brien is craving victory at Craven Cottage on New Year's Day
31.12.2013

Joey O'Brien says that every player is prepared to do whatever is asked of
them to help the team get the results needed to move up the league table.
The Hammers travel to west London to meet Fulham on New Year's Day, and
O'Brien moved into the centre of the West Ham defence alongside fellow
full-back George McCartney against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday after
centre-half James Tomkins had to come off with a groin injury. Despite
having not played in that position before in the Barclays Premier League,
O'Brien simply got on with it and alongside the rest of his team-mates did
all he could to make sure that West Ham took a share of the points. "It is
one of those things you do for the team. We had another injury in defence
and I was asked to do a job in another position to help the team. I went in
and my only thought was to put a shift in for the team and do my best, which
is what we were all doing. "In these times, when we have these injuries and
we are asked to play in another position, of course you do it, whatever it
takes to do your job for the team." O'Brien said that the team were
disappointed not to have taken all three points against the Baggies at the
Boleyn Ground and although they are missing players who would help
strengthen the cause at this time, he said it was simply a case of getting
on with it and aiming to get maximum points at Craven Cottage on Wednesday.
"Of course we want the players who are currently out injured back as soon
as, they are all important and with all your players fit and well, you have
a bigger chance of winning games. Earlier this season we had a lot of clean
sheets and defended well and on Saturday we were doing that, but not at the
same strength as we would have been normally. When we got to 3-2 after
coming back from behind, I felt we could win it so it was disappointing not
to. "I felt we were a bit unlucky in that their second goal, more often than
not that would have bounced back out instead of bouncing back into the goal
and there was a quality about the third goal that we couldn't do much
about."

The Republic of Ireland defender said that despite the position the Hammers
are in and with injuries to players, the squad are in good spirits and
remain steadfast on the job they have to do, and are more than capable of
doing. "Every game, not just the last one or the next one are all massive
games when you are in the position we are in. The manager with his record
knows what it takes to get out of it. It is not yet two years yet since we
were in the Championship, then got promoted and had a really solid season
back up last year and now we are having this dip which we are working hard
to get through. "But we know that we can only get out of it by winning more
games and the objective for us right now is to go to Fulham and play our
best to get three points."

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Fulham v West Ham
KO 15:00
31 December 2013
Last updated at 13:55
By John Motson
BBC Match of the Day commentator

TEAM NEWS

Fulham will hand late fitness tests to Dimitar Berbatov (groin) and Adel
Taarabt (ankle). Scott Parker returns to the squad and is expected to be one
of several changes from the side beaten at Hull.

West Ham have major defensive problems once again but James Collins (groin)
reportedly has a chance of playing. Winston Reid (ankle), James Tomkins
(groin), Andy Carroll (heel) and Stewart Downing (calf) remain out, and
Ravel Morrison (groin) is doubtful.

MATCH PREVIEW

This fixture is already a real relegation battle for me, and not just
because the two clubs are in the bottom three right now. "Fulham are
conceding an unbelievable amount of goals and the first thing they need to
do is make themselves difficult to beat. "West Ham are out of sorts too at
the moment. They got a point against West Brom on Saturday but the Baggies
came across as a much better team." Fulham have conceded 41 goals in the
Premier League this season, nine more than any other club. Regardless of the
6-0 defeat they suffered at the hands of Hull last weekend, the Whites have
been guilty of letting in far too many sloppy goals. New Fulham head coach
Rene Meulensteen has beefed up his backroom staff with the appointments of
Alan Curbishley as technical director and Ray Wilkins as assistant head
coach. Curbishley slowly built Charlton into a Premier League force and
ultimately led them to a seventh-place finish, while Wilkins knows the
division inside out. Both men must work on tightening up that defence and
help Meulensteen get to grips with matters at the wrong end of a Premier
League table. Fulham's new management trio will also be looking to get the
best out of Dimitar Berbatov, who has missed the last three games, and help
Darren Bent rediscover the form that made him one of the division's most
lethal strikers. Berbatov and Bent are key to Fulham's survival hopes. West
Ham's goalscoring problems are well documented but just six away goals in
nine games explains why they are struggling, and three of those came in one
game. No-one could have foreseen their terrible luck with defensive injuries
but with problems now at both ends of the pitch it merely highlights their
threadbare squad. John Heitinga and Asamoah Gyan have been linked in recent
days and the Hammers urgently need squad reinforcements. I'm expecting there
to be a lot of tension at Craven Cottage following the 6-0 defeat at Hull, a
result even the Fulham players called unacceptable. I believe it will be
close, I don't think there will be many goals and it will be a dog-fight,
maybe even right through until the end of the season for both clubs.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
Fulham's 3-1 win over West Ham last January was only their second victory
over the Hammers in 12 league and cup meetings at Craven Cottage since 1975
(W2, D3, L7).
Fulham did not manage a single shot on target against West Ham in November's
reverse fixture at Upton Park, a 3-0 defeat.
Thirteen goals have been scored in the last three league fixtures between
the two sides at Craven Cottage.

Fulham
Rene Meulensteen's men, beaten 6-0 at Hull on Saturday, have let in 15 goals
in their last four league games.
Fulham would be 11th in the table if only results against clubs in the
bottom half counted (W5, D1, L3).
The west London side have won all three matches when they have kept a clean
sheet. However no club has kept fewer clean sheets than the Whites.
Fulham have conceded the first goal (14) more often than any other Premier
League side this season.

West Ham
West Ham are winless in their last six league matches. Their only victory in
the last 12 games was November's 3-0 victory over Fulham.
The Hammers have one point fewer (15) than they did at this stage of the
2010-11 season when they were last relegated from the Premier League.
West Ham have kept eight clean sheets this campaign, the joint-highest in
the league along with Arsenal, Everton and Tottenham.
Carlton Cole has scored seven goals in his last nine league games against
Fulham. He also managed to score an own goal in a 3-2 defeat for the Hammers
in 2010.

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West Ham: Deal agreed to sign striker Jaanai Gordon
BBC.co.uk

West Ham will complete the signing of teenage striker Jaanai Gordon on 1
January after agreeing a deal with League One side Peterborough. Gordon, 18,
impressed during a recent trial with the Hammers, scoring in the Under-18s'
victory against Aston Villa and two first-team friendlies. He has played
seven senior games for Posh since September 2012. The Hammers have also been
linked with a loan bid for Ghana's Asamoah Gyan during the January transfer
window. Manager Sam Allardyce's side are short of attacking options because
of Andy Carroll's long-term injury-enforced absence. The club are 19th in
the table after winning just one of their last 10 Premier League fixtures.

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Petric: I would have left West Ham anyway
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 31st December 2013
By: Staff Writer

Mladen Petric has left West Ham United having failed to secure a first team
spot at the Boleyn. The 32-year-old Croatian striker made just four
substitute appearances in his four months with the Club but revealed that he
will not be returning to Upton Park having activated a release clause in his
contract.
"Both the club and I had a right of termination for the winter," Petric told
mopo.de. "If West Ham didn't made use of it, I would have done. When I
arrived I was told that we were going to play with two strikers - but that
was never the case so, I couldn't go on. "Now I must find a club where I can
play regularly, because I want to be be involved with the World Cup in
Brazil."

West Ham signed the former Fulham striker on a free transfer at the start of
September having failed to secure a forward of sufficient quality during the
summer transfer window. Carlton Cole, who also recently returned to the Club
on a free transfer remains hopeful of agreeing an extension to his current
short-term deal, which expires next month. West Ham have been linked with a
string of strikers in recent days including Ishak Belfodil, Mirko Vucinic,
Fabio Quagliarella and Asamoah Gyan. Earlier today it was confirmed that
Peterborough's teenage prospect Jaanai Gordon had completed his move to east
London, as previously revealed on KUMB.

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Here's Johnny
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 31st December 2013
By: Staff Writer

West Ham's defence could be featuring a new face before long if morning
reports are to prove correct. Everton's John Heitinga is the latest to be
linked with a transfer window move to east London, with the Hammers
desperate to increase their defensive options. James Tomkins, Winston Reid
and James Collins are all currently sidelined with various ailments, a
situation that prompted Sam Allardyce to call for the early return of Pelly
Ruddock from his loan spell with non-league Luton Town earlier this week.
However reports this morning suggest that the 30-year-old Dutch defender
could also be on his way to the Boleyn, with West Ham said to be set to take
the player on a free transfer. Earlier this week Heitinga, who has appeared
for the Toffees just twice this season - both in the early rounds of the
Capital One Cup - revealed that he was set to end his Everton torment
imminently, having been almost entirely overlooked by new manager Roberto
Martinez. "My contract expires in June, and there are many chances for me to
leave Everton," he said."I have played in Spain and England, and I'd also
try the Italian experience. There are a few Serie A teams interested in me
but I'm waiting for official news from my agents."

Heitinga, who has made 137 appearances for Everton since joining them from
Athletico Madrid for £6million in 2009 began his career in 2001 with Ajax,
with whom he spent the first seven years as a pro. In 2008 he moved to
Madrid in an £8.8million deal before he was on the move to Merseyside a year
later.

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Everton's John Heitinga claims West Ham are interested in him
By Gerrit van Leeuwen | Last Updated: 31/12/13 11:33am
SSN

Everton defender John Heitinga has told the Dutch media that he is flattered
by reported interest from West Ham United. The Holland international, who is
out of contract in the summer, is yet to feature in a league game this
season, instead having to be content with a place on the bench for most of
the campaign.
Now reports in his homeland claim that West Ham are closing in on a deal to
take him on loan for the rest of the season, as they are in desperate need
of defensive cover with Winston Reid, James Tomkins and James Collins all
ruled out. And Heitinga has been quoted in Holland as suggesting he is ready
to make the switch to Upton Park. "I am flattered with the interest of West
Ham," he is quoted as saying by Voetbal International. "Since this week the
market is open and it's clear that I have to make an important decision."

Heitinga admits he needs to be playing in order to try and maintain his bid
for a place in Holland's World Cup squad. "The chance of playing more
minutes is the most important," said Heitinga. "I want to be at the World
Cup and to realise that I have to play. Only then I can make it difficult to
Louis van Gaal."

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George McCartney believes morale remains high in the West Ham squad
Last Updated: 31/12/13 2:44pm
SSN

George McCartney insists West Ham's confidence has not been dented after
they slipped into the Premier League drop zone. The Hammers end the year on
a low with the team languishing in 19th place following the 3-3 draw with
West Brom at Upton Park on Saturday. A dismal run of six league games
without a win has left Sam Allardyce's side in a relegation dogfight, but
McCartney believes morale remains high in the squad. "You look over the last
few weeks at the teams that have sacked their managers," said the defender.
"The players haven't been happy with whatever way they were playing but our
dressing room is great, confidence is high, the spirit is high. "We're all
in it together and we're still doing all the right things on the training
ground. "It is after Christmas now and when you find yourselves in the
bottom three, everyone maybe gets a little bit edgy and games you feel you
should be winning you're just not getting across the line.
"It eventually catches up on you. The dressing room's great and we're just
trying to move up the table again and get ourselves out of this situation."

West Ham have been hampered by a shortage of centre-backs as Winston Reid,
James Collins and James Tomkins are all nursing injuries. McCartney was
moved from full-back to the heart of defence at the weekend and he believes
modern day players should all be versatile. "I wouldn't say it was
daunting," said the 32-year-old. "I've played centre-half before in my life,
I started out a centre-half and I've played international football as a
centre-half and I know what's required. "Obviously it's not great when you
have two or three regular centre-halves out injured, but I think nowadays
players have got to fill in when needed.
"We finished the game [against West Brom] with four full-backs in defence.
It's required these days. You've got to be able play in more than one
position and fill in when players are injured or when the manager needs you
to do a job. "So, it wasn't ideal to finish the game with four full-backs in
the defensive slots but there was no other choice."

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West Ham agree deal for Peterborough's Jaanai Gordon
Last Updated: 31/12/13 2:46pm
SSN

West Ham will complete the signing of Peterborough striker Jaanai Gordon
when the transfer window reopens on 1 January 2014. The 18-year-old frontman
impressed during a recent trial period with the Hammers and will seal his
switch from the League One club on Wednesday. Sam Allardyce has only one
striker available in Carlton Cole, with club-record signing Andy Carroll
still a couple weeks away from a return. Gordon, who made his first-team
debut for the Posh last September at the age of 16, has made seven
appearances for the London Road outfit. He scored twice in the Hammers'
Barclays U18 Premier League victory over Aston Villa, while also netting in
first-team friendlies against Gillingham and Millwall during the November
international break. Recently Gordon notched the winner for Peterborough in
the FA Youth Cup at Wolves, helping Posh to maintain their cup run.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
ohn Heitinga set for move to West Ham from Everton
Last Updated: 31/12/13 3:02pm
SSN

Sky Sports sources understand that Everton defender John Heitinga is set to
sign for West Ham this week. The Hammers are in need of defensive cover with
Winston Reid, James Tomkins and James Collins all ruled out. Now they have
made a move for Dutch international Heitinga, who has not played in a
Premier League game for Everton this season. New Toffees boss Roberto
Martinez is happy to let Heitinga leave, with his current deal due to expire
in the summer.
It is understood that West Ham are likely to take over the remaining six
months on the 30-year-old's contract. It is unlikely Everton will pick him
in the squad to face Stoke City on New Year's Day ahead of his expected move
to East London. Heitinga told the Dutch media on Tuesday that he was keen to
move on in order to secure a place in Holland's World Cup squad. West Ham
will also complete the signing of Peterborough striker Jaanai Gordon when
the transfer window reopens on Wednesday.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WEST HAM SIGN PETERBOROUGH STARLET JAANAI GORDON
By Iain Dale 31 Dec 2013 at 12:36
West Ham Till I Die

West Ham have today announced the signing of 18 year old Jaanai Gordon for
an undisclosed fee. He is a striker who has played only four times for the
Peterborough first team without scoring.

Born in Northampton, England, Gordon signed his first professional contract,
with Peterborough United, in December 2012 on his 17th birthday. He had
joined the club in 2009 and had already made his first team debut, in a 2-0
home defeat by Wolverhampton Wanderers in September 2012. In November 2013,
having made four league appearances for Peterborough, Gordon went on trial
with West Ham scoring twice in his opening trial game for West Ham under-18
side against Aston Villa under-18s and another two in a 9-0 defeat of
Gillingham in a friendly on 11 November 2013. In November, a West Ham bid
for Gordon was rejected by Peterborough United but an agreement has now been
reached.

It seems unlikely that he has been signed with a view to him solving our
striker problem, but he definitely seems to be one for the future.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 'eye Inter Milan stiker Ishak Belfodil' as they look to resolve
Upton Park striker shortage
Dec 31, 2013 15:35 By Liam Prenderville 0 Comments
The Mirror

West Ham are looking to boost their striking options by signing Inter Milan
youngster Ishak Belfodil, according to reports. The Algerian international
signed for the Serie A club last summer from Parma but is yet to score in
his eight league appearances this season. However, that has not put off
Hammers' boss Allardyce - who is set to make a move in the January transfer
window - report the Times. Belfodil would be seen as a cheaper option to
other potential recruits as Allardyce desperately seeks to add extra
firepower to his front line. Club record signing Andy Carroll has returned
to training but is not thought to be close to first-team action, while
Carlton Cole and Modibo Maiga are only regarded as short-term fixes. Former
Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan is one of a number of strikers to be linked
with a switch to Upton Park - with a loan move reportedly in the pipeline.
The Ghanaian has already secured the UAE title with Al-Ain and could seek a
loan switch to maintain his fitness ahead of next summer's World Cup. Other
players linked include Everton's Nikica Jelavic and Marco Borriello as
Allardyce looks for a striker to drag his side away from the Premier League
danger zone. Meanwhile, Jelavic's Goodison Park team mate John Heitinga
appears close to a switch to Upton Park - having not featured for the
Toffees in the league this season. Incomings in East London could be funded
by the sale of Ravel Morrison - with Fulham showing a strong interest in the
England Under-21 midfielder.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham moving for out of favour Roma striker Marco Borriello to boost
firepower
Dec 30, 2013 11:10 By Alex Richards 0 Comments
The Mirror

West Ham United have opened talks with Italian club Roma over a January move
for striker Marco Borriello. According to various reports, the Giallorossi's
sporting director Walter Sabatini has been in London over the weekend,
discussing potential ins and outs at the Stadio Olimpico. And top of his
list was 31-year-old Borriello, who has struggled to hold down a regular
spot under manager Rudi Garcia this term. The seven-cap Italian
international has made 11 appearances so far, but only five starts.
Additionally, he has scored just one goal this season as unbeaten Roma have
moved to second in the race for the Scudetto. Borriello has already been
linked with a move to the Premier League this month, with his agent stating
that Tottenham Hotspur had opened talks over a January move. However, it's
reckoned that he could be set for the tenth loan move of his career, with
Sam Allardyce's side in pole position.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Carroll's West Ham comeback stepped up as striker eyes return for Man
City League Cup clash
Dec 30, 2013 22:30 By Neil McLeman 0 Comments
The Mirror

West Ham hope Andy Carroll will be back in action in a fortnight after
coming through his first training session with the first team squad. The
England striker has not played since completing his record £15million
signing in the summer - and broke down with a foot injury in his first
comeback in September. But in a rare piece of good news for the Hammers,
Carroll has taken another big step on his long comeback trail - and could be
back for the Capital One Cup semi-final with Manchester City. "It is very
good news but it is slow progress," said assistant manager Kevin McDonald.
"It is good that we have got him on the training field. That is a good sign
but it is slow progress. When you have been out for seven months, you can't
rush anybody back. "Obviously we are all desperate for him to come back and
get back into the team as quick as we possibly can but we have to be
sensible. He is getting closer."

Sam Allardyce missed yesterday's press conference as he had a telephone
conference with co-owner David Sullivan to discuss new signings. West Ham
need at least one more striker and go into tomorrow's relegation battle with
Fulham without a recognised centre-back. Co-chairman David Gold, who tweeted
that Carroll "could be available in 2/3 weeks", said: "Our primary and most
immediate aim is ensuring we stay in the Premier League. To that end, we
will be backing Sam Allardyce in the January transfer window to make sure we
stay at the top table."

Carlton Cole is on a short-term contract until January 13 and has yet to be
offered a new deal. "As it stands, I don't know what is happening right
now," said the former England striker. "Hopefully we can resolve something
so we'll see what happens."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fulham linked with audacious swoop for Ravel Morrison from relegation rivals
West Ham
Dec 31, 2013 11:36 By Ben Burrows 1 Comments
The Mirror

Fulham are set to for an audacious swoop for Ravel Morrison from relegation
rivals West Ham, according to reports. The Cottagers believe they can prize
away the highly-rated England Under-21 international from Upton Park in
January and are preparing a bid, reports the Daily Telegraph. Morrison has
an £18million release clause in his deal, as well as another which means
should the Hammers receive a £10million bid for him they would be forced to
QUADRUPLE his wages. While Rene Meulensteen will not stretch to such figures
it is understood the West Londoners may reluctantly cut their man loose in
order to raise money for new signings. With relegation a real possibility
and only 18 months left on his deal, they may see selling the 20-year-old as
the prudent course of action.
Fulham will reportedly begin negotiations with a £4million bid and a
significant increase on his current £15,000-per-week contract, with
Newcastle rumoured to be keeping a close eye on the situation.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham transfer target Asamoah Gyan plots January loan move back to
England
Dec 30, 2013 22:30 By Darren Lewis 0 Comments
The Mirror

Asamoah Gyan is still up for up for a January loan move to West Ham. The
powerful ex-Sunderland striker - now at UAE club Al Ain - responded to talk
of a return to England last week by pledging his future to his current
outfit. But Mirror Sport understands Gyan is open to a move back to England
and is set to hold talks with Al Ain within the next few days. The marksman
is a priority for the Hammers who are desperate to shoot themselves out of
relegation trouble. Gyan, confirmed as Ghana's captain for this summer's
World Cup, has already helped Al Ain to the UAE title as top scorer. He
moved to the club from Sunderland on an initial loan deal in 2011 and made
the move permanent last year, signing a lucrative five-year deal. West Ham
are already set to sell off several fringe players to free up cash on their
wage bill for two new forwards. They are also prepared to sacrifice talented
midfielder Ravel Morrison should they receive a big offer for the talented
20-year-old. Meanwhile Italian club Roma have emerged as rivals for Hammers
target John Heitinga. The east Londoners are keen on the 30-year-old
Dutchman who is surplus to requirements at Everton.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
John Heitinga set for West Ham move as Dutch defender looks to boost World
Cup chances
Dec 31, 2013 12:28 By David Anderson 0 Comments
The Mirror

John Heitinga is joining West Ham from Everton in the hope of reviving his
Premier League career. The 30-year-old does not figure in Roberto Martinez's
first-team plans and the Dutch defender has not played a single minute of
league action this season. Martinez is happy for Heitinga to leave Goodison
to boost his chances of playing for Holland in the World Cup. The
centre-half had six months remaining on the five-year £65,000-a-week deal he
signed when he joined from Atletico Madrid in 2009 and his departure will
save Everton £1.5million in wages. Sam Allardyce is desperate to strengthen
his injury-ravaged defence and feels the highly-experienced Heitinga will
slot straight into his backline. The West Ham boss is also interested in
Everton striker Nikica Jelavic, who is also on the fringes at Goodison, and
Martinez is open to the Croat leaving in January.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham striker Modibo Maiga says he's ready to shine - and reveals he
nearly quit for France last summer
Dec 31, 2013 22:30 By Neil McLeman 0 Comments
The Mirror

Modibo Maiga has refound his mojo – and is now in the mood to save the
Hammers from the drop. The Mali striker wanted to quit West Ham last summer
because of his lack of game time. But Maiga, who went a year without finding
the net, insisted he is finally showing his ability after scoring two in the
last three games as an impact sub. "I am happy and quite relieved," he said
ahead of the relegation clash at Fulham. "I was questioning myself. I was
not playing to my level. "You haven't seen the real Maiga. I know I have had
lots of chances to score, I was probably lacking in confidence." Maiga has
been deployed by boss Sam Allardyce as a lone front man in the absence of
the injured Andy Carroll. "It has been difficult because I am not used to
playing in this system," said the 26-year-old. "It really doesn't suit me. I
prefer to play deeper. But I know I am capable of playing well here." Maiga
scored only two Premier League goals last season following his £4.7million
switch from Sochaux – and nearly joined St Etienne in the summer. "It was
almost done," he said. "I wasn't happy. If a player doesn't play, and if you
want to progress, you have to leave. "The most ­important thing was to
rediscover the pleasure of playing again. The supporters have backed me very
well. When I hear them sing my name, it is a great feeling. It gives me
determination to work harder."

Meanwhile Fulham boss Rene Meulensteen is banking on ex-Hammers chief Alan
Curbishley to help beat the drop. Curbs led West Ham to a great escape in
2007, and joins former Chelsea coach Ray Wilkins at the Cottage. Meulensteen
said: "This is a relegation scrap. Alan Curbishley has been there. "Ray
Wilkins has been at different levels. I want to make sure I am well
prepared."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham target Rickie Lambert in shock £8m swoop for Southampton star
Dec 31, 2013 22:30 By Alan Nixon 5 Comments
The Mirror

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is making a staggering £8million bid for
Southampton's England striker Rickie Lambert. Allardyce is being backed by
owners David Sullivan and David Gold who are prepared to gamble a fortune on
a hit man to keep them up. And the Hammers are confident of success as
Lambert could be up for the move despite their lowly position. Lambert, the
fairy-tale success who made the Three Lions side from humble origins, needs
to play regularly to keep his World Cup hopes alive. Southampton cannot
offer him any guarantees of that right now because of the competition for
places at Mauricio Pochettino's side. Now the £8million offer may tempt
Saints supremo Nicola Cortese to sell - as long as enough of the cash is up
front and not based on staying-up bonuses. West Ham have laboured without a
top-class striker in the absence of Andy Carroll, whose return date is still
a mystery. Hammers have already agreed a deal for John Heitinga to join from
Everton to ease their defensive crisis. They will take over the remaining
six months of Heitinga's £65,000-a-week contract, saving Everton over
£1.5million.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham want Cisse but Newcastle United want to hang on to their No 9
1 Jan 2014 07:30
The Chronicle

West Ham United want to take Papiss Cisse on loan until the end of the
season. But sources in the East End say that Newcastle United have knocked
back their offer to give the No 9 first-team football. The Chronicle
understands that Cisse is one of the players that Sam Allardyce is
considering bringing during the January window and offer a loan deal until
May with a view to a permanent transfer. The enquiry means that Toon boss
Alan Pardew has a big decision to make with Cisse after leaving him on the
bench for THREE months. United do have money to spend in the window and are
thought to have players on their shortlist ahead of the January trading
period. However, there are a number of players out of the team that United
may have to deal with too with Jonas Gutierrez, Cisse, Steven Taylor and
Sylvain Marveaux all out of the side at the moment. Cisse did miss the start
of pre-season with United due to a dispute about wearing Wonga shirts. And
while many fans thought that was the end of any issues between United, Wonga
and Cisse, he has still spent the majority of the first half of the season
on the sidelines. Cisse's place has been taken by Shola Ameobi but even
though the Nigerian striker has been part of the team's winning run, the
long-serving Toon player did not find the net in the Premier League in 2013.
The No 9 on the other hand weighed in with 10 goals despite some games when
poor service was noted by supporters.

Cisse is understood to be concerned about his future at United after finding
himself frozen out of Alan Pardew's first team plans. The No 9 has not
started a game in the Premier League since the 2-1 win at Cardiff City at
the start of October. Since then Cisse has been restricted to cameo roles
from the bench with one sub appearance amounting to just 18 seconds in the
2-1 win against West Brom. West Ham are desperate for a striker to bolster
their bid for survival and would love to team up Cisse with ex-Toon stars
Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll in the new year. United's last piece of
business with the Hammers was when Nolan was sold to the Upton Park club for
around £4m in 2011. Should Cisse be left on the bench against West Brom he
would then understandably expect to play against Cardiff City in the FA Cup
third round on Saturday. Pardew may use the FA Cup tie to give the likes of
Steven Taylor, Jonas Gutierrez, Sammy Ameobi and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa a
run-out. However, with Geordie fans keen to see United approach the cup with
a bit of ambition this year Pardew won't need to be told he must get that
balance exactly right.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham prepared to gamble and bid £8m for Southampton striker Lambert
By SIMON JONES
PUBLISHED: 23:26, 31 December 2013 | UPDATED: 23:47, 31 December 2013
Daily Mail

West Ham are ready to change their transfer policy and make an £8million
move for Southampton striker Rickie Lambert in a bid to avoid relegation.
Sam Allardyce had been told he could only bring in two strikers on loan but
with options limited the board are willing to gamble and bid for the
31-year-old England international. Allardyce has tried before to sign
Lambert in the summer and could finally land his man if the player agrees to
move with a potential World Cup place at stake. West ham have agreed a deal
for Everton defender John Heitinga and are still looking to bring another
striker in on loan.

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Daily WHUFC News - 31st December 2013

WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY NEW YEAR AND ALL THE VERY BEST FOR 2014
and let's hope West Ham can sort themselves out too
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fulham match preview
All the pre-match information ahead of the Hammers game against Fulham on
New Year's day
30.12.2013

FULHAM v WEST HAM UNITED
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
WEDNESDAY 1 JANUARY 2014
KICK-OFF: 3PM
REFEREE: MARK CLATTENBURG
FULL AUDIO COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV

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

Introduction
• West Ham United make the short trip across to west London on Wednesday as
they look to start 2014 with a win over Fulham at Craven Cottage.
• The Hammers head into the match without a win in six Barclays Premier
League starts following a 3-3 draw with West Bromwich Albion at the Boleyn
Ground last time out.
• Following the match against the Baggies, the Hammers sit 19th in the
league table, one place below Wednesday's opponents.
• On the team's last away outing, a trip to Old Trafford resulted in a 3-1
defeat at the hands of Manchester United, which made it five games without
an away league win.
• Sam Allardyce's team played Fulham in the Premier League at the Boleyn
Ground on 30 November and recorded a resounding 3-0 win.
• Since then the Cottagers have changed manager with Rene Meulensteen
replacing Martin Jol.
• The new man has presided over six league games so far, winning two and
losing the other four, conceding 17 goals in the process.
• Last time out the west Londoners received a shock as they were thumped 6-0
by Hull City at the KC Stadium as they remained third from bottom of the
table.
• Fulham have managed just one win in their last five home league outings,
suffering a 4-2 defeat to Manchester City in their last home encounter.

Team News

West Ham United
• James Tomkins picked up a groin injury against West Bromwich Albion and
joins fellow centre backs James Collins (calf) and Winston Reid (ankle) on
the sidelines.
• Andy Carroll has resumed training but is not yet fit enough to feature
whilst Ricardo Vaz Te (shoulder), Stewart Downing (ankle) and Mladen Petric
(calf) all miss out.
Fulham
• Maarten Stekelenburg could return for the Cottagers after David Stockdale
deputised in place of the Dutch stopper against Hull City.
• Dimitar Berbatov could also be in line for a return after missing the last
three games.

Last time out
West Ham United 3-3 West Bromwich Albion
Barclays Premier League
28 December 2013
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, McCartney, Tomkins (Demel 10), Rat,
Diame, Noble, Nolan, Jarvis, J.Cole (Collison 83), C.Cole (Maiga 46)
Subs not used: Adrian, Chambers, Taylor, Diarra
Goals: J.Cole 4, Maiga 65, Nolan 67

Hull City 6-0 Fulham
Barclays Premier League
28 December 2013
Fulham: Stockdale, Zverotic, Amorebieta, Hughes, Riise, Sidwell, Ruiz
(Kacaniklic 60), Karagounis (Richardson 74), Kasami, Dejagah (Bent 64),
Rodallega
Subs not used: Boateng, Riether, Bettinelli, David

Previous meeting
West Ham produced a strong second half performance to see off Fulham at the
Boleyn Ground. Mohamed Diame broke the deadlock less than two minutes after
half-time as he drove at the Fulham defence before his deflected shot fooled
Maarten Stekelenburg in the Fulham goal. The Hammers doubled the lead when
Carlton Cole got on the end of Stewart Downing's cross after 82 minutes
before Joe Cole put the finishing touches on the win with a third goal two
minutes from time.

West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Tomkins, Collins, McCartney, Diame,
Noble, Downing, Jarvis (J Cole 68), Nolan (Morrison 77), Maiga (C Cole 81)
Subs not used: Adrian, Collison, Taylor, O'Brien
Goals: Diame 47, C Cole 82, J Cole 88
Fulham: Stekelenburg, Zverotic, Hughes, Amorebieta, Richardson (Dembele 83),
Duff (Ruiz 65), Sidwell (Karagounis 78), Parker, Taarabt, Kasami, Bent
Subs not used: Senderos, Boateng, Kacaniklic, Stockdale

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 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 seven goals in his last nine matches against
Fulham, all of which have come in the Premier League.
• West Ham and Fulham have met 19 times in the Premier League era with the
Hammers winning eleven, drawing five and losing three.

Last six meetings (all Premier League)
30 November 2013 West Ham United 3-0 Fulham
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
Overall record v Fulham (all competitions) W 39 D 20 L 29

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
• Wednesday's referee is Mark Clattenburg, whose last West Ham United game
came last season against Wigan Athletic in a 2-0 home win on 20 April 2013.
• Clattenburg was the man with the whistle for the stunning 4-0 win against
Manchester United in the League Cup fifth round back in November 2010
• The 38-year-old was the man in the middle for the Championship Play-Off
semi-final first leg in May 2004 when Ipswich Town won 1-0 against the
visiting West Ham.
• Clattenburg has been on the Select List since 2004, the same year he took
charge of the Division Three Play-Off final between Mansfield Town and
Huddersfield Town at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
• After becoming a FIFA official in 2006 at the age of 31, Clattenburg has
taken control of a number of international and UEFA Champions League
matches.
• Clattenburg will be assisted by Simon Beck and Ron Ganfield whilst the
fourth official is Scott Mathieson.

Old Boys
• Bobby Moore MBE played for both West Ham United and Fulham during his
glittering career. Moore made 544 appearances for the Hammers before moving
to Craven Cottage for £25,000 in 1974. England's World Cup-winning captain
remained at Fulham for three years, making a further 124 appearances and
facing his former side in the 1975 FA Cup final, which West Ham won 2-0.
• Fulham midfielder Scott Parker spent four years at West Ham, making 132
appearances between September 2007 and August 2011. Parker also netted 12
times in claret and blue before leaving to join Tottenham Hotspur.
• Among the other players who have represented both sides are Jan Lastuvka,
Jimmy Bullard, Ian Pearce, Rufus Brevett, George Carter, Brian Dear, Tony
Gale, Ron Greenwood, Jon Harley, Fred Harrison, Jack Hebden. George Horler,
Luis Boa Morte, Bobby Zamora, John Pantsil and Paul Konchesky.

General information
• The Club's full allocation of tickets for this match are SOLD OUT.
• The weather forecast for Wednesday's match is heavy rain with temperatures
around 10C.
• For live travel updates from across the London underground network click
here.
• All c2c trains will be operating on the basis of a Sunday service, details
of which can be found here.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nolan hails Hammers spirit
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan is sure that West Ham United's battling qualities will turn
their season around
30.12.2013

West Ham United skipper Kevin Nolan says his team's performance against West
Bromwich Albion displayed the battling characteristics required to turn
their season around. With a squad already shorn of James Collins and Winston
Reid because of injuries, the Hammers' defensive woes mounted early on when
James Tomkins had to hobble off with a groin problem. With a makeshift
centre-half pairing and facing a 2-1 interval deficit, West Ham could easily
have folded, but instead they gathered themselves again and turned the game
around in a two-minute spell, only to be pegged back once more by Saido
Berahino.
Having come from behind once, but seen leads slip by twice, Nolan held mixed
emotions at the game's conclusion. He said: "One thing that came through was
the spirit and the unity, with everything that's going on at the minute with
injuries. "That was more like us on Saturday, on the front foot and getting
in people's faces. I just feel disappointed that my goal wasn't a winner. We
have to take the positives out of it again, I thought we didn't get what we
deserved on Boxing Day [in losing 3-1 to Arsenal], and we didn't get it
again on Saturday. "Hopefully, the New Year will bring us new luck and for
us it's going to be a good second half of the season. "I felt that we should
have won it. We were the better team throughout, but you can't go to sleep
when you've got somebody like Nicolas Anelka against you, because that
[score twice] is what he does. "Going 2-1 down at half-time was very harsh
on us, but we responded well. We calmed everything down and got ourselves
ahead with two well-worked goals. "We were really on the front foot, but a
moment of quality from Berahino - you've got to give the lad that - has got
them level with a great strike off the post."

The Hammers travel to Fulham next for a New Year's Day London derby and
Nolan insists that more of the same from the east Londoners will result in
an upturn in form. He added: "We believe in what we're doing. We've got the
January transfer window coming, where the Chairmen says they are going to
back the manager. That's fantastic news for him and it'll give us all a lift
to see a few new faces come in. "We'll have a lot of boys coming back from
injury, but we lost James Tomkins on Saturday, we lost James Collins on
Boxing Day, so we had two lads who are right-back and left-back by trade go
into the centre of defence and play against one world class striker and
another who's up and coming. They did a fantastic job, and it shows what
we've got as a squad and as a team. "I'm proud to be leading them and we
will continue to stick together and do what we're doing, because I believe
that the tables will turn, our fortunes will turn and the New Year will
bring new luck. "We've put in two good performances in a couple of days, now
we've got to rest up and get everything right, which we will because the
staff here are fantastic. We have to do that and make sure that when it
comes to Wednesday afternoon we're raring to go again.
"If we put in another performance like that it'll give us a good chance to
get the three points. We're looking forward to it and the boys want to put
it right. We have a lot of fighters here and I'm sure we'll be happy at the
end of the season."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Loanee round-up
WHUFC.com
Three West Ham United youngsters were in action over the weekend
30.12.2013

Three West Ham United players were in action for their respective loan clubs
over the weekend. On Saturday, Pelly Ruddock maintained his 100 per cent
record with Skrill Premier side Luton Town, helping the Hatters to score a
fantastic 6-0 home victory over Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday. Luton
won all four league matches that Ruddock appeared in, scoring 17 goals in
the process. The Skrill Premier leaders won 5-0 at Alfreton and 2-1 at
Barnet and scored a 4-2 home victory over Gateshead. The 20-year-old
(pictured) also helped John Still's men to reach the FA Trophy third round
courtesy of victories over Staines Town and Wrexham. Ruddock has been
recalled from his loan spell at Kenilworth Road with immediate effect. The
centre-back will provide cover after Winston Reid, James Collins and James
Tomkins were ruled out through injury.

Blair Turgott and Jordan Spence were both in action in Sky Bet League One on
Sunday. Fresh from scoring in the 4-0 win over Stevenage on Boxing Day,
Turgott made his third start for Colchester United, but was unable to
prevent the U's from falling to a 2-1 home defeat by Crewe Alexandra. Spence
made his eleventh appearance for MK Dons, but Karl Robinson's side saw their
three-match winning run ended with a 3-1 defeat at Brentford. Turgott and
Spence will both hope to feature when their two sides face each other at
Stadium mk on New Year's Day.

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Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce will be going for goals when West Ham United visit Fulham on
New Year's Day
29.12.2013

They say attack is the best form of defence and Sam Allardyce will be
seeking to prove that theory correct when he takes his West Ham United side
to Fulham on New Year's Day. A chronic shortage of defenders has forced Big
Sam into a rethink on how he will approach the game and his solution is to
go on the offence. An injury to James Tomkins in Saturday's enthralling 3-3
draw with West Bromwich Albion means all three of the Hammers' first-choice
central defenders are injury doubts, leading their manager to revert to a
plan to simply outscore the hosts. "My problem is that this is a team that's
going to play Fulham on New Year's day that's depleted at the minute," Big
Sam said. "My problem is making sure we recover these players as quickly as
we can and get them back out on the field against Fulham and try to produce
the resilience and desire they produced against West Brom to get a result at
Fulham. "Ultimately, it's stopping goals which is my problem now. We used to
be great at it because we had all our defenders fit, now we have to say
'look it's unlikely we'll keep a clean sheet we've got to go out and score
two to win the game'. "With New Year's Day coming up it's unlikely that
we're going to have a central defender playing in the team because none of
them are going to be fit. If that means we try and score more goals than the
opposition then that might have to be the case."

Tomkins loss came at a particularly busy time for the medical team and while
James Collins has a chance of making the first game of 2014 at Craven
Cottage, it is the other high-profile names occupying the treatment table at
Chadwell Heath that the manager is keen to get back out on the pitch. Andy
Carroll, Stewart Downing, Winston Reid and Ricardo Vaz Te are all unlikely
to travel to West London, leading their manager to think what might have
been after West Brom struck three at the Boleyn Ground. "With six or seven
players injured for weeks and weeks and weeks and our most expensive player
injured that's why we are where we are. If I had them all back and I had
them all playing then we'd probably be around tenth like we were last year,
but we haven't. "Everything we try to do to is to relieve the situation, it
doesn't relieve itself it just gets bigger and bigger. We're finding that
difficult to cope with, we're trying our best with fantastic efforts against
Arsenal and again against West Brom but I believe with just our central
defensive players fit on Saturday I believe we would have won the game."

The injury situation has led the manager to place an even higher emphasis on
bringing in new talent when then transfer window opens on 2 January. Working
alongside Joint-Chairman David Sullivan, he has spent the past six weeks
scouring the world for the brightest talent and although no gems have yet
been captured, he remains determined to bring in at least two new faces. "I
want as many players as I can get with the budget I've got which would
probably be two. That would have to be two quality players that we'd have to
find. "We've been at it for six weeks or more now and we're finding it very
difficult to find a player who wants to come to the Club based on what we
can afford to pay at this time. We want to do it as early as we possibly can
but after six weeks of hard slog we haven't got anything definite to say
someone's going to come on 2 January."

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Ruddock returns
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 30th December 2013
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United have recalled Pelly Ruddock from his loan spell at
non-league Luton Town. It's less than 25 years since the old
Bedfordshire-based club beat the Hammers in the semi-final of the League Cup
in a two-legged affair, but four divisions separate the two teams now with
the Hatters playing their football in the Conference Premier. That's where
Irons youngster Pelly Ruddock, who had been on loan at Kenilworth Road since
the end of November had intended to remain until January 4th - until he
received notification that West Ham were recalling him due to their chronic
injury crisis that has seen Winston Reid, James Tomkins and James Collins
all injured in recent weeks. Ruddock made seven appearances - in midfield -
during his spell with Luton, who currently sit atop the Conference Premier
one point ahead of fellow former Football League fodder, Cambridge United.
Described by local press as "a huge hit since arriving from Upton Park",
Ruddock is himself currently nursing a sore knee after being substituted
during Luton's 6-0 defeat of Kidderminster last weekend. However he will be
sadly missed by Town fans, with First team coach Hakan Hayrettin telling
Bedford Today: "Pelly's driven this team on when we've got the ball. When he
hasn't got the ball he's done his duty as well and for that we thank West
Ham for giving him the opportunity to play for us. "He's a great addition to
our football team and he's been a credit to West Ham."

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West Ham striker Andy Carroll won't be rushed back from injury
Last Updated: 30/12/13 3:34pm
SSN

West Ham's assistant manager Neil McDonald is satisfied with the progress
being made by injured striker Andy Carroll but insists he will not be rushed
back into first team action. Carroll has not played this season due to a
foot problem after making his loan move from Liverpool permanent over the
summer. The England international recently returned to light training and is
now stepping up his recovery with Sam Allardyce's side. McDonald said: "Andy
did a training session yesterday (Sunday) which is very encouraging. "It's
early stages but is a work in progress with him. Work one day on the
training pitch, massage and rehab the next day and let's see how it goes
from there. "It's a positive he is in training but it is a slow process.
"When you are out for seven months I don't think you can rush anybody back.
"Obviously, we are all desperate for him to come back and get into the team
as quickly as possible but we have to be sensible and he is getting closer."


Ahead of Wednesday's trip to Craven Cottage to face fellow strugglers
Fulham, McDonald confirmed that James Collins, Winston Reid and James
Tomkins are all likely absentees. He said: "It looks as though all three
(Collins, Reid and Tomkins) are not going to be fit for the Fulham game. "We
will assess them ahead of the Forest game (FA Cup) but it is more likely
they will be involved in the Cardiff game (January 11)."

And regarding January's transfer window, he added: "We have a few defensive
problems and with the window coming up Sam (Allardyce) is working non-stop.
"We need some reinforcements to boost the players we have here so he is
working behind the scenes with everyone else. His phone is going non-stop.
"We have three main centre-halves injured at the moment. We are aiming to
improve and the two main places are in defence and in attack."

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West Ham moving for out of favour Roma striker Marco Borriello to boost
firepower
Dec 30, 2013 11:10 By Alex Richards 0 Comments
The Mirror

The Hammers have been found wanting up front this term thanks to Andy
Carroll's injury problems and could turn to Italy for another option

West Ham United have opened talks with Italian club Roma over a January move
for striker Marco Borriello. According to various reports, the Giallorossi's
sporting director Walter Sabatini has been in London over the weekend,
discussing potential ins and outs at the Stadio Olimpico. And top of his
list was 31-year-old Borriello, who has struggled to hold down a regular
spot under manager Rudi Garcia this term. The seven-cap Italian
international has made 11 appearances so far, but only five starts.
Additionally, he has scored just one goal this season as unbeaten Roma have
moved to second in the race for the Scudetto. Borriello has already been
linked with a move to the Premier League this month, with his agent stating
that Tottenham Hotspur had opened talks over a January move.
However, it's reckoned that he could be set for the tenth loan move of his
career, with Sam Allardyce's side in pole position.

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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce so busy trying to bolster squad he misses
pre-match press conference
Dec 30, 2013 14:41 By Neil McLeman 0 Comments
The Mirror

The Hammers are short at either end of the field and have a mammoth
relegation battle against Fulham to contend with on New Year's Day

Sam Allardyce missed today's West Ham press conference to speak to club
co-chairman David Sullivan about transfer targets. The Hammers will go into
Wednesday's relegation battle with Fulham without a recognised centre-back.
And with Andy Carroll still unfit, the East London club are also looking to
sign at least one striker. Assistant manager Neil McDonald said: "He
[Allardyce] is very busy on the phone at the moment. We have got a few
defensive problems and with the window coming up, he is working non-stop
today. "Hopefully there will be some arrivals - we need some reinforcements
to fill the gaps and boost the players we already have here. He is working
very hard behind the scenes with everyone else to try and do that. "He
apologises for not doing the press conference today. His phone is non-stop
at the moment and he is working very hard behind the scenes to bolster the
squad. "Our three main centre-halves are injured at the moment. We are
obviously trying very hard to get them fit. We are trying to bolster that
and up front as well - we are trying to improve the squad as much as we
possibly can and they are the two main places. "He is on the phone to the
chairman as we speak so I would imagine he has got the backing of the club."

Carroll, who has not played this season, has re-started training with the
first-team squad. "He did a training session yesterday which is very
encouraging," McDonald added. "It is still early stages. It is a work in
progress with him. Work one day on the training pitch, massage, and rehab
the next day and see how he goes. "It is positive that he is on the training
pitch now but it is slow progress. When you have been out for seven months,
you can't rush anybody back.
"Obviously we are all desperate for him to come back and get back into the
team as quick as we possibly can but we have to be sensible. He is getting
closer."

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Daily WHUFC News - 30th December 2013

Maiga makes his mark
WHUFC.com
Modibo Maiga has every faith in his teammates following Saturday's 3-3 draw with the Baggies
29.12.2013

Modibo Maiga is convinced West Ham United are close to rediscovering their winning touch, after helping the Hammers to a pulsating 3-3 Barclays Premier League draw at home to West Bromwich Albion. The 26-year-old frontman was instrumental in overturning a 2-1 deficit on Saturday afternoon, scoring one and creating a second in a three-minute blitz, having joined the fray in place of Carlton Cole for the second period. But Saido Berahino's subsequent leveller meant the Hammers were to settle for a point, a result that Maiga foresees taking the Hammers ever-closer to turning the corner in their bid to clamber clear of trouble. He exclusively told West Ham TV: "It's true that we're all disappointed [to draw]. It was a tough game physically. We've scored twice [in the second half] but weren't able to hold on. Though we're disappointed, the most important thing now is to pick ourselves up for the next game, so that things turn in our favour. "Every point is important and the most important thing on Saturday was not to lose, and then we have to try [to turn draws into wins]. We've got to try to continue to play as we did in the second half. "At the moment, there's definitely that little something that's missing. So as soon as we can overcome that, I believe that we'll be OK, because we've got great players."

While victory on Saturday was elusive, there was still much to celebrate for Maiga, who had already forced an excellent stop from Ben Foster by the time he buried a left-footed curler. The Mali international then turned provider, with his prodigious leap enabling Kevin Nolan to fire the Hammers back in front. Maiga rightly took enormous satisfaction from his contribution, one that he hopes shows his versatility in a system to which he is now becoming accustomed. "I'm really happy, really happy," he continued. "Though I'm not that used to playing in this system, I've dealt with it and I'm pleased to have scored. It's reward for me and for my work and I hope it's going to continue, God willing. The keeper has saved the first one but the second one has gone in and honestly I'm really happy. I thank God but I thank the supporters a lot too! I thank them a great deal because honestly they continue to back and support me. That feels great and I'm very grateful."

Looking ahead to the New Year, Maiga remains confident that there are good times ahead, so long as the Hammers continue to put in the hard yards, while keeping the faith. He added: "As I always say, the only solution is to work hard. Hard work and then, ultimately, we'll see how it goes and, of course, we hope for the right result. But I think overall there's not much wrong, perhaps a slight lacking in confidence. We'll carry on working hard and I believe it's just the small things that are missing right now, but we'll be OK."

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Hodgson: Ravel Morrison can make World Cup squad
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 29th December 2013
By: Staff Writer

England manager Roy Hodgson has revealed that Ravel Morrison could yet feature in his World Cup squad next summer. The young Hammer has missed West Ham's last two outings against Arsenal and West Bromwich Albion but remains on the radar of Hodgson, whose team recently qualified for next summer's World Cup Finals in Brazil. Along with Everton's Ross Barkley, Morrison has become one of the country's most talked about young players - and both now have the opportunity to stake their claim for next summer. "What they have to do - those two players - is realise that we do have great faith in them," Hodgson told BBC Radio 5 Live. "We have enormous admiration for their talent and we believe that they are going to be exceptional players. "What they have got to do is keep performing week in and week out and they have got to make certain that they are that team sheet every week keeping more experienced players out of the team. If they continue to do that then come May their names will be in serious discussion with us as well."

Hodgson's names his final 23-man squad for the Finals ten days before the start of the tournament on 2nd June 2014.

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Jussi top of the charts
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 29th December 2013
By: Staff Writer

Jussi Jaaskelainen has made more saves than any other Premier League goalkeeper in the 2013/14 season so far. The veteran Fin, who conceded three goals against West Bromwich Albion yesterday has made no less that 141 saves in the league so far this season - three more than his closest competitor, Liverpool's Simon Mignolet. West Ham, who have conceded 28 goals in the league during the current campaign at an average of 1.47 goals per game have kept eight clean sheets so far this season - but crucially, have managed to win just three of those.

Top Five Premier League Save-Makers

1. Jussi Jaaskelainen (West Ham Utd) 141
2. Simon Mignolet (Liverpool) 138
3. Asmir Begovic (Stoke City) 115
4. Brad Guzan (Aston Villa) 110
5. Petr Cech (Chelsea) 98

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Allardyce on... West Bromwich Albion
KUMb.com
Filed: Sunday, 29th December 2013
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce wasn't too disappointed with a draw - despite his pre-match billing of this encounter being a "must win" game.

Sam: I don't know what you put in their tea at half time but it was a rousing second half?

Well we didn't have any problems other than James Tomkins getting injured in the first half, up to them scoring two goals quickly and swiftly. That made everybody a little depressed because we started off well and were relatively comfortable. They scored with the first chance they had then they scored from a corner which we thought was a goal kick.

That's always going to change the fortunes of the game and for the lads it was about continuing to do the right things and try to open up the opportunities that we felt we could see would be possible from the first half performance.

In the end you always need a bit of quality to shine through and the quality was [Modibo] Maiga's goal. He'd shown a bit of quality before that when he pulled a great save out of Foster, then the goal itself. Then the second goal to put us 3-2 up in the second half was pure determination and desire, which is what we're all about.

The sad thing was not continuing from thereon, to protect the winning position after we'd got ourselves back into in the game. It's really bitter for me that pill, because we'd practised not allowing the opposition to get in our box.

Within the space of ten seconds we have to try and push them into their half, we have to try and win the ball back as quickly as we can. We try and keep them in their half if we can't win the ball back and we must have mentally switched off because of the delight of scoring the third, and we got heavily punished.

Anybody could have won it then. We both went for it, but fatigue kicks in because of two games in less than 48 hours.

I have to say it was a remarkable performance from our players considering we had four full backs playing across the back four today. Had we had a full back four fit today - never mind all the other injuries - I think we'd have won. We asked players to play out of position and unfortunately we've ended up conceding three goals, but three very good goals. The lads are a little disappointed that they haven't won, but it was a fantastic effort from all of them.

What you're saying is that overall there is a case for the defence, but both sides defended badly?

Well you try and defend with two full backs playing centre half. The fact of the matter is it's not their position and they're playing against the Anelkas of this world. Brunt played the ball through and they're going to catch you out, aren't they?

You try and defend a corner when I'm 6'1". Actually I'm 6'3" so imagine Joey O'Brien marking me at 6' or George McCartney at 5'11", I'd be saying 'get that ball in the box son, I'm going to score today!' You know what I mean? That's how they got the second goal. At the end of the day it's not really anybody's fault that you're out-powered by the size of the opposition players on that particular corner. Had we had our full quota of defenders fit today, we'd have won.

When do you think you'll have your full quota of players?

Cor, that's like drawing a rabbit out of the hat at the minute for me. Every day goes, every week goes by and the long-term extent of these injuries is why we're where we are at the minute. There's no doubt about that and we've got to get them all fit as quick as we can.

It's been weeks and weeks and weeks, not just a couple of weeks here and a couple of weeks there, which we can all manage. This season it's been weeks and weeks for too many of our players and that's why we're paying the price at the minute.

We used to be great at keeping clean sheets; now, because of our defensive problems we're finding it hard to do that. Finally, we've scored three goals at home and we haven't won the game but that's no real fault of the players that played today. You can make it their fault, but because they're playing out of position, you can understand it.

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West Ham striker Modibo Maiga says team are lacking in confidence
Last Updated: 29/12/13 1:38pm
SSN

Modibo Maiga believes relegation-threatened West Ham will need to cure 'a lack of confidence' in order to rise up the Premier League table. The striker was a scoring substitute during Saturday's 3-3 draw against West Brom at Upton Park. Maiga said: "I think overall there's not much wrong, perhaps a slight lacking in confidence. "The only solution is to work hard. Hard work and then, ultimately, we'll see how it goes. "We'll carry on working hard and I believe it's just the small things that are missing right now - but we'll be OK."

The Hammers have collected just two points from their last six league games and Maiga added of the West Brom draw: "It was a tough game physically.
"Though we're disappointed, the most important thing now is to pick ourselves up for the next game, so that things turn in our favour. "Every point is important and the most important thing on Saturday was not to lose. We've got to try to continue to play as we did in the second half."

With Andy Carroll still recovering from his heel injury, Sam Allardyce has played with no more than one striker so far this season and Maiga is still adjusting to a change in approach. "I'm really happy," he added. "Though I'm not that used to playing in this system, I've dealt with it and I'm pleased to have scored. It's reward for me and for my work and I hope it's going to continue."

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Former Manchester United starlet Ravel Morrison hailed by West Ham coach
By Dev Trehan | Last Updated: 29/12/13 12:42pm
SSN

Ravel Morrison's emergence as a key player for West Ham this season can give the club a reason to be optimistic going forward according to academy coach Anwar Uddin. The 20-year-old attacking midfielder, currently sidelined with a groin injury, has reportedly been the subject of interest from other clubs after forcing his way into the first-team picture at Upton Park this season. Uddin hailed the England Under-21 international as an exceptional talent but insisted West Ham could face a fight to retain his services if he continues his recent progression. "Looking at the depth of our squad another striker is probably necessary but look at players like Ravel Morrison this year," Uddin told skysports.com. "I think he's been unbelievable, I've watched him a few times at Upton Park and he's been special. "I think he's been unbelievable, I've watched him a few times at Upton Park and he's been special. I mean looking at the way our season has gone, that has to be the shining light." I hope we can keep hold of him and he can continue to play at the standard he's playing, but if he does, we'll have the big clubs at the end of season trying to take him off us."

Despite reaching the semi-final stage of the Capital One Cup, West Ham have struggled for league form, winning just once in their 12 last matches - a run which has seen them plummet to 19th in the table. But Uddin remains confident that Sam Allardyce's men, who drew 3-3 at home to West Brom on Saturday, can overcome a number of injuries to key players and improve their league standing. "At the moment we're suffering a little bit from luck," Uddin said. "If we had (Andy) Carroll fit, and (Stewart) Downing, (Matt) Jarvis and (Joe) Cole all remained fit, we'd be in a lot better place. "We just need that rub of the green but if you look at the bottom of the league, there are quite a lot of clubs that are down there and finding it quite difficult. "Fulham, Palace, Sunderland, Cardiff are all down there so it makes it exciting but I'd rather be a little bit higher in the table. "But it is what it is and the gaffer and the club are doing the best they can with the players they've got. "I know we can do it but it's about being positive. When things aren't going very well, it's easy to implode but West Ham will not do that. "There's too much strength and character there. Allardyce has seen it all before and he's done it all before."

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Asamoah Gyan happy at Al Ain after West Ham loan offer
Last Updated: 29/12/13 10:36am
SSN

Asamoah Gyan has suggested he wants to stay at Al Ain after the striker was the subject of an approach from West Ham United. Premier League strugglers West Ham are in the market for a new forward in January and are understood to have made an offer to sign Gyan on loan for the second half of the season.
The Ghana international moved to Al Ain from Sunderland in 2011, initially on loan, and appears to be in no hurry to leave the United Arab Emirates. "My heart and soul are attached to Al Ain and I always look forward to show the best level that satisfies my ambitions with my team and the fans and administration's aspirations as well," Gyan was quoted by ghanasoccernet.com. "When my mom passed away I was thinking about my team and, when I will be with my national team in the World Cup, I will work with the same level with my national team to hit the targets of myself and my people. "I will never think of avoiding to get injured during the matches of Al Ain as it may happen anywhere at any time, not only in training sessions and matches with Al Ain. "West Ham have made an offer for me, but it is up to Al Ain to make a decision. I have a contract with them. So I will remain focused on my work."

Gyan scored 10 goals in 34 Premier League appearances during his time at Sunderland and netted against West Ham in the League Cup in September 2010.
The 28-year-old is among a host of forwards to have been linked with a January move to Upton Park, with the likes of Everton's Nikica Jelavic and Atletico Madrid's Leo Baptistao also reported to be loan targets for Sam Allardyce.

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HOW WILL FINANCIAL FAIR PLAY AFFECT NEW WEST HAM BUYS?
By Sean Whetstone 29 Dec 2013 at 10:09
West Ham Till I Die

As we approach the January transfer window the term I am sure we will be hearing very soon is the restrictions enforced through the Premier League financial restrictions.

In a West ham statement on WHUFC.com dated 26th August 2013 stated that new rules state that "whatever a Club spent on wages last season, they are allowed to do so again, with an allowance for an extra £4m on top. If they did not spend £48m on wages last year, as was the case with West Ham United, they are allowed to go up to a new £52m limit."

Despite claiming we were already at or very close to our £52m wages limit we went on to sign Mladen Petric and Carlton Cole who were free agents. It is understood we were budgeted to go "marginally over" the FFP limit.

David Gold was asked about financial fair play at the recent Season Ticket Holders' fans forum

Mike, a West Ham season ticket holder asked "We seem to be ready to buy a striker now, therefore financial fair play must of changed in the last four months because before the start of the season we couldn't sign a striker without breaking the restrictions of financial fair play, so what's changed?"

David Gold answered

"Budgets move, you know in a business, you budget prudently then as you advance into your financial year so to speak, it changes and it doesn't have change dramatically to be able to afford, for example a loan player in the second half, first of all he is half the price, well half the cost because you going to to bring in a loan, there might be a loan fee but that loan fee might be half of what you would of been in the first half of the season and to your credit there is another aspect of financial fair play you can use and that is generate wealth or income I should say, income for example via sales through the club shop or sales through a corporate deal, that can be added to the funds, I think people have done quite well because one or two of them are here I don't want them asking for a salary increase, they have done very well and we have generated some extra money plus our budgets have been slightly better than forecasted. Don't forget we are not talking about a £10 million player, we are talking about bringing someone on loan for six months maybe with a view what emerges, one possibility is you can encourage a quality player to come and join us with a view that in the event we stay up we sign him on a 2,3,4,5 year contract so that's how it has changed over the period of time, does that help?"
Championship Financial Fair Play

However of possible bigger concern because our precarious position second from bottom at the moment is the Financial Fair Play rules already in place in the Championship. The rules for the championship is there is no wage cap but losses must be under £3m per season increased to £8m if the owners inject equity. Considering our losses were £25.4m for our season in the Championship we would find it difficult to buy our way out of the Championship as we did last time.

QPR appear to have ignored FFP rules and are set for a possible £60m fine if they get promoted at the end of this season as their losses are expected to be in the region of £80m. Championship clubs have been told they will have to pay a £1 fine for every £1 they lose over £18m in the 2013-14 financial year. If they do not achieve promotion to the Premier league they will be served with a lengthy transfer ban until they bring their losses under control.

Legal Challenge to Financial Fair Play

A Belgian sports agent representing a number of European footballers has launched a challenge against the legitimacy of UEFA's Financial Fair Play Rules. The allegation is that the rules breach fundamental EU rules on competition and free movement. It is also argued that the rules may reduce the number of big-money player transfers in the EU and that as a result it is more difficult for agents to make money by offering their services in relation to such transactions. If this legal action is successful you bet similar legal challenges against the football league and Premier League for an early end to financial restrictions.

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West Ham injury crisis means they must try to outscore Fulham in relegation six-pointer
Dec 29, 2013 22:30 By Neil McLeman 0 Comments
The Mirror

Sam Allardyce has no fit centre-backs for New Year's Day match after losing James Tomkins and accepts Hammers may need at least two goals to win

Sam Allardyce claimed attack will now be the best form of defence as West Ham's season goes from bad to worse. Saturday's crazy 3-3 draw with West Brom means the Hammers have conceded nine goals in their last three games - and the vibrant visitors looked like scoring every time they went forward in the helter-skelter second half. The injury-ravaged Irons will now face fellow ­relegation candidates Fulham on New Year's Day without a recognised centre-back after James Tomkins joined the crocks. And Allardyce, the new favourite in the sack race, admitted he only has the money to bring in two new players in the January transfer window after blowing his transfer budget on Andy Carroll. So Big Sam, who has played without a striker this season, is now threatening to go gung-ho and try to out-score the Cottagers in a basketball-style contest. "My problem is that the team that'll play at Fulham is depleted at the moment," he said. "I need to recover these players as quickly as I can and try to produce a resilience and desire that they produced today and try to get a result at Fulham.
"Ultimately, it's stopping goals in. We used to be great at it because we had all our defenders were fit, now we have to say to ourselves, 'Look, it's unlikely we're going to keep a clean sheet so we're going to have to at least score two to win the game'."

West Ham only picked up only two points in December - the worst in the Premier League and have now won only once in the top flight in 12 games. There are unwelcome parallels with the last time the Hammers went down under Avram Grant with an unwelcome League Cup semi-final coming up next month. After 19 games under Grant, West Ham had 16 points. Under Allardyce half way through the season, they have 15 The West Ham hierarchy now admit they should have replaced Grant that season but co-owner David Sullivan again publicly backed his manager on Sunday. That has not stopped Allarydce's odds to be sacked to be trimmed to 7/4 though. "Maybe I should put a bet on!" joked Big Sam. "What will be, will be. It's not my problem what the bookmakers do.
"I have no interest in them and they have no influence over me. And they don't have any influence over the owners, so we just carry on and do what we're doing. "We know what the problems are and our problems are injuries. Injuries effect results - that's a fact not an excuse."

But with West Ham needing strikers and defenders, Allardyce will not be able to buy his way out of trouble although one report has claimed he is willing to sell Ravel Morrison to raise funds. How many new players will he bring in? "As many as I can afford with the budget I've got," he said. "But that would probably be two."

What this six-goal romp did prove is that Allardyce has not lost his players, and that West Brom, whoever they chose as their new boss, should score enough goals to stay up. After Joe Cole gave the Hammers the early lead, Nicolas Anelka scored his first two goals for the Baggies to see the home side booed off at the break. But West Ham responded with goals from super sub Modibo Maiga and captain Kevin Nolan before Saido Berahino netted the third goal in five minutes.

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Die Hard
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 29th December 2013
By: Steve Heighton

There are always issues at West Ham; it is our way after all. In forty years I have never known us not to be doing something odd!

However the current position we find ourselves in is still recoverable, as whatever happens off the pitch it is the team that gets the points and ultimately the manager who picks them.

I have run junior and senior teams, as I am sure many Hammers fans do, and I just can't understand Sam Allardyce's team, tactics or players. You simply cannot play passengers yet Kevin Nolan, Matt Taylor and Carlton Cole have no impact on 90 minutes of play.

Cole may be getting goals, but he does little else. Against Arsenal he only won three attacking headers - and he is our centre forward; Modibo Maiga wins that in five minutes!

Nolan has now missed two cheeky free kicks from Mark Noble and has cost us both times. Sam went with Diame as the support (I think he was meant to, anyway) for Cole and left Nolan as a midfielder. But Nolan just isn't a midfielder any more.

As Nolan, Taylor and Cole are so ineffective we keep losing the midfield and the ball is back on our defence before you can blink. If you need a midfielder than why not Alou Diarra? What did he do wrong at Tottenham not to be given a run in the side?

This is the same for Maiga. He works hard, wins headers and scores and his reward for working hard and getting us a result? He gets dropped for Cole! That's not Carlton's fault but Sam's, he picks the team.

But herein lies the problem; Allardyce's inconsistency. Adrian does ok at Spurs and gets two games. He should have done better with the first two goals at Old Trafford and cost us versus Arsenal. But Jussi was considered too experienced to be left out against West Brom.

The back six (ie four from six) has been picking itself but when Ginge is missing we are in big trouble, as you saw when Olssen caused us issues at the weekend. With the midfield a mess it's no wonder so many ordinary teams are giving us the run around.

You have to work hard to at least stay even at this level and we seem to run out of steam completely on the hour mark. Which brings us back to fresh legs ie Diarra, Jack Collison, George Moncur, Danny Potts and Elliot Lee.

We are in trouble, big trouble. The view is that when Andy Carroll, Winston Reid, Stewart Downing et al return from their various injuries we will be brilliant and recover. We simply won't, because Sam doesn't know who to pick or what substitutes to make.

Take the Arsenal game, for instance; you are losing and have Maiga on the bench and so what did Allardyce do? Brought on Matt Taylor instead. The answer shows the level of commitment to win games especially at home.

Losing is losing, you simply have to go for it instead of slouching in your chair and giving the impression you don't give a toss. Sam could resolve this but frankly his lack of winning games, cups, leagues or anything suggests he won't.

The West Brom game was the biggest game in ages and to lose against a managerless team would have been unthinkable. To take a point isn't enough in our current circumstances so we should perhaps consider the same approach and go without a manager.

After all, we wouldn't be doing any worse!

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Allardyce blames West Ham slump on injury crisis as he targets two 'quality signings' in January window
By LAURIE WHITWELL
PUBLISHED: 22:30, 29 December 2013 | UPDATED: 22:30, 29 December 2013
Daily Mail

Sam Allardyce has claimed he is to blame for West Ham's slide into the relegation places but said injuries were wreaking havoc on his team's season. James Tomkins limped out of the 3-3 draw with West Brom early on after suffering a groin problem, meaning Alladryce has no senior central defenders fit to play the huge match at Fulham on New Year's Day. Winston Reid and James Collins are also out but Ravel Morrison should return for West Ham, who are second-bottom without a league win in six games. Joe Cole's last six Premier League goals have all come at Upton Park — five for West Ham, one for Liverpool. The point gained on Saturday looked unlikely at half-time after two Nicolas Anelka goals, his first in English football since August 2011, cancelled out Joe Cole's opener with West Ham fielding a defensive line of only full backs. But Modibo Maiga's introduction worked wonders. He scored an equaliser then set up Kevin Nolan to make the score 3-2. Saido Berahino got the final goal with a fine finish. Allardyce, who wants two 'quality signings' once the January window opens, said: 'This is my fault if you like, and that's fine, the manager is meant to carry the can. But in my defence we've had six/seven players injured out for weeks and weeks and weeks. 'My problem is that the team that'll play at Fulham is depleted at the moment. I need to recover these players as quickly as I can and try to produce a resilience and desire that they produced against West Brom and try to get a result.'

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West Ham United owner David Gold expects Andy Carroll to return in "two to three weeks"
The injury-plagued England striker has not played for the club since completing his record £15 million transfer in the summer
West Ham United owner David Gold expects Andy Carroll to return in
By Gerry Cox, at Upton Park10:30PM GMT 29 Dec 2013
Telegraoh.co.uk

West Ham United expect Andy Carroll to be playing within "two to three weeks", according to owner David Gold, meaning Sam Allardyce can shift his focus to defensive reinforcements once the transfer window opens on Wednesday. Carroll, the club's record signing, has not played since his £15 million transfer in the summer because of a succession of foot and ankle injuries. But Gold tweeted on Sunday: "AC could be available in 2/3 weeks" and the player posted a cryptic tweet saying "The time is near..." Allardyce constantly bemoaned Carroll's absence while West Ham were struggling for goals, but now the manager concedes that a new centre-back is a priority with an injury crisis in that position. Saturday's 3-3 draw with West Bromwich Albion was the third game in succession the team have conceded three, on top of the 4-1 defeat at Liverpool three weeks ago, and James Tomkins limped off with a groin strain, joining James Collins and Winston Reid on the injured list.
Everton's Dutch defender, John Heitinga, is Allardyce's chief target, although he also hopes to soon conclude a deal for former Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan, who has been playing in the Middle East. "We know what the problems are – injuries," said Allardyce. "Injuries affect results – that's a fact not an excuse. We've had six or seven players out for weeks and weeks, and our most expensive player hasn't played at all this season. If I had them all back and all playing we'd probably be around 10th like last year."

West Ham have kept eight clean sheets, but have now conceded 20 goals in their past nine league games. "Ultimately, it's about stopping goals. We used to be great at it because we had all our defenders fit, now we have to say to ourselves, 'Look, it's unlikely we're going to keep a clean sheet so we're going to have to at least score two to win the game'. "We want to do it [sign players] on Jan 2, which is the earliest we can, but after six weeks of hard slog we haven't got a definite we can say will come. We've been at it for six weeks or more now and we're finding it difficult to find a player who wants to come to the club based on what we can afford to pay."

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Hammers poised to land Inter striker
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 30th December 2013
By: Staff Writer

West Ham are being linked with a move for Inter's out-of-favour centre forward Ishak Belfodil on a short-term loan deal. 22 next month, the Algerian international has been with the Nerazzurri for only six months since moving from Parma last summer but has managed just one start and seven appearances from the bench since - one of which he marked with a red card. With next summer's World Cup Finals just a matter of months away, Belfodil is reported to be keen to move on a short-term basis in order to secure first-team football ahead of the tournament, where he hopes to represent his country. Despite having appeared for the French at all levels from Under 17s to Under 20s, the 6'4" forward opted to play for the country of his birth at full international level. He made his debut for Algeria and featured most recently as a late substitute in their 1-0 World Cup qualifying win over Mali back in September. Having failed to secure a place at the world-famous Clairefontaine technical centre, Belfodil worked his way to the pro ranks via Paris Saint-Germain, AC Boulogne Billencourt and Clermont Foot before securing a youth contract with Lyon, amidst rumours of interest from English clubs such as Manchester United and Chelsea. In 2010 he signed a four-year contract with Lyon - but not before he'd made his Champions League debut in a play-off against Anderlecht. However less than two years after signing pro terms Belfodil was sent on loan to Bologna for three months, before fellow Italian club Parma signed him on a permanent basis for €2.5 million in the summer of 2012.

A year later it was revealed that Inter had purchased the player for €7.5 million, although Parma would retain 50 per cent of the player's economic rights (don't panic, it's a perfectly normal practise in Italy). Having failed to make much of an impression at the San Siro, Belfodil's next stop could be the Boleyn Ground - especially as Inter representative Piero Ausilio spent last weekend in London. Further speculation tonight has linked West Ham with a move for Manchester United's Wilfried Zaha, who has made just four appearances for the Reds this season.

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