Adrian hails 'best support in the country'
WHUFC.com
Adrian was brimming with pride after West Ham United's 2-0 Barclays Premier
League win at Cardiff City
13.01.2014
Adrian was brimming with pride after celebrating a double first in
Saturday's 2-0 Barclays Premier League win at Cardiff City. The Spaniard
enhanced his growing reputation with West Ham United supporters by keeping
his first clean sheet and earning his maiden victory in England's
top-flight. Fresh from the shock of two humbling cup defeats during which he
conceded eleven goals through little or no fault of his own, Adrian produced
a near-flawless performance at the Cardiff City Stadium. Showing the
confident handling, strong communication skills, determination and
decision-making that saw West Ham bring him in from Real Betis Balompie last
summer, the No13 helped the Hammers to secure a vital and morale-boosting
victory. "It was a fantastic day, a fantastic game and a fantastic result,"
said the 27-year-old. "All of the team really defended nicely. After the
last two results, we needed this. I was not happy with our results in the FA
Cup at Nottingham Forest and Capital One Cup against Manchester City. "The
team was not very good in the last two games, so we needed this result. We
won and kept a clean sheet and now we need to keep going. The next game is
Newcastle at home so we have an opportunity to take points on all the other
teams. "Our supporters need to be congratulated and they deserve more good
results from the team."
Adrian himself could not be blamed for the two heavy cup defeats, but he is
a team player and admitted conceding eleven goals in those ties had hurt
him.
For that reason, the team's resilient defensive performance - even after
being reduced to ten men by James Tomkins' second-half red card - clean
sheet and victory at Cardiff were all the sweeter. "For me, as a goalkeeper,
I was not happy when the other team scored five or six goals. My performance
was not bad but our results were really, really bad. "Today, I am really
happy because that was my first clean sheet in the Premier League. Now I'll
keep going and keep fighting and try to secure more victories."
Adrian's passionate and impressive displays have quickly established him as
a cult hero among the Claret and Blue Army, who sang his name throughout
Saturday's win. Following the final whistle, the goalkeeper marched 100
yards down the pitch to celebrate with his adoring fans, applauding them and
clenching his first by way of acknowledgement. "For me, the support is the
best support in the country, away and home. I am really feeling close to
them."
Having shown his ability and temperament on the road at an intimidating
Cardiff City Stadium, Adrian is hoping to keep his place for Saturday's home
Barclays Premier League fixture with Newcastle United. There, he is
targeting more records - a first home league clean sheet, a first home
league victory and back-to-back league victories for the first time this
season. "I worked for this and on Saturday I was given another opportunity.
I hope I took my opportunity and showed my best and I hope to play again
next weekend."
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Collison hails Carroll return
WHUFC.com
Jack Collison was delighted to see Andy Carroll make his comeback from
injury on Saturday
13.01.2014
Jack Collison hailed the return from injury of striker Andy Carroll after he
helped the Hammers to record a 2-0 win over Cardiff City on Saturday. The
striker was making his first appearance since signing for the Club
permanently in the summer, and he made an instant impact, laying on Mark
Noble's stoppage time goal to seal the points. Collison, who started at the
Cardif City Stadium in midfield alongside Mark Noble and Matt Taylor, was
thrilled with the result and delighted to see the big Geordie return. He
said: "The big man has been working so hard to get fit, so it's great for
him to be back out on the pitch and well done to him. Now he can build on
what he did at Cardiff. "It was a tough second half for us because they had
a lot of the ball, especially when James Tomkins got sent off, so it was
great to look over at the sidelines and see Andy Carroll coming on. "There
were a couple of dodgy touches from him, but it was a fantastic ball for the
last goal and we'll all happy to get him back."
West Ham were sent on their way to victory by Carlton Cole's 42nd minute
opener and Collison was pleased to see him grab another goal. He continued:
"Carlton Cole did really well for us again on Saturday. He got another goal
and that's four for us now. "It's great to have him in good form as well."
After heavy cup defeats to Nottingham Forest and Manchester City in the week
preceding the trip to south Wales, the Hammers needed to show character at
Cardiff, and Welsh international Collison said the result showed they did
just that. He added: "The manager spoke a lot in the last week about showing
character and working hard for each other. I think that showed in what the
lads did at Cardiff - there were lots of blocks, Adrian was fantastic for us
again and it was a massive three points, which came at the right time. "The
manager was fantastic all week, he hasn't been too down in the dumps.
Obviously we were all disappointed about Forest and Man City, but he's been
there and done it all before, and he really picked us up before Cardiff.
"That rubbed off on the boys and we went and performed on Saturday to get
the three points."
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Under-18s' run ended
WHUFC.com
Tony Carr blamed defensive lapses after the U18s lost in the league for the
first time in ten matches
13.01.2014
Tony Carr believes defensive mistakes cost the Under-18s as their ten-match
unbeaten run in the Barclays Under-18 Premier League came to an end on
Saturday morning, when they lost 2-1 to Southampton at Staplewood. The match
started well for the Hammers who went ahead after 18 minutes when left-back
Lewis Page finished off a flowing move, sending the ball into the far corner
following Nathan Mavila's cut-back. The visitors held a half-time lead but
surrendered it on the hour mark when goalscorer Page fouled Tom Leggett and
Marcus Barnes slotted home the resulting spot-kick. Eleven minutes later and
the Saints scored a winner when Josh Sims netted, leaving Carr ruing the
side's second half display. "Up until half-time we'd absolutely dominated
the game and with the way the match was panning out, it was only a matter of
time until we got the second goal. "The second half didn't pan out that way,
we missed a couple of good chances with a number of players missing
opportunities. "We had a bad five minutes where we conceded a penalty, which
was sloppy defending from Page, and Amos Nasha got tangled up in a tackle
where he should have done a lot better defensively and the boy goes through
and scores.
"Really, defensively, you'd have to say they only had two shots on goal and
scored two goals. It was a game we didn't deserve to lose, should have won
but you end up getting punished for your inability to get that second goal."
Defeat bought an end to their unbeaten streak which stretched back to a 5-0
win over Liverpool on 28 September 2013. Carr was disappointed to lose the
run but believes the players could be rightly proud of their achievement.
"It was a disappointing way to lose that unbeaten run but nothing lasts
forever, we have to move on and hopefully start another run. "It's been an
unbelievable run. We were going into every game believing we would win,
playing with confidence, in the league we were as good as any team and it
was just disappointing we weren't outplayed when we got beat. We just
conceded two sloppy goals and lost."
The U18s' run propelled them up the league table to their current position
of fifth, where they are now just five points off leaders Fulham and Carr
says the team have cause to believe that they can mount a challenge at the
top. "If you're winning games then you're playing with confidence and that
means that the players are playing well. "They're at a stage in their
careers where winning starts to become important . Hopefully we want some of
the boys pushing on to the U21s as well so it's a challenging second half to
the season for us all."
West Ham United U18s: Howes, Amoo, Page, Makasi, Onariase (Pike 71), Nasha
(Tombides 77), Mavila, Cullen, Brown (Martins 71), Bywater,
Parfitt-Williams.
Subs not used: Guzman, Oxford
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West Ham's Jack Collison hails Andy Carroll's return from injury
Last Updated: 13/01/14 2:04pm
SSN
West Ham defender Jack Collison believes the return of Andy Carroll can lift
them clear of the Premier League relegation zone. Carroll made his
long-awaited comeback from a foot injury at the weekend and set up West
Ham's second goal in their vital 2-0 win at Cardiff City. The win eased the
pressure on beleaguered manager Sam Allardyce and saw West Ham scramble out
of the bottom three, something Collison sees as significant pointer for the
rest of the season. "The big man has been working so hard to get fit, so
it's great for him to be back out on the pitch and well done to him,"
Collison told West Ham's official website. "Now he can build on what he did
at Cardiff. "There were a couple of dodgy touches from him, but it was a
fantastic ball for the last goal and we'll all happy to get him back."
Jack Collison
"There were a couple of dodgy touches from him, but it was a fantastic ball
for the last goal and we'll all happy to get him back." Carlton Cole, whose
future is still unclear with a short-term contract having now expired,
opened the scoring in the victory at Cardiff and Collison is hopeful he and
Carroll could form a useful strike partnership. "Carlton Cole did really
well for us again on Saturday, he got another goal and that's four for us
now," Collison added. "It's great to have him in good form as well. "It was
a tough second half for us because they had a lot of the ball, especially
when James Tomkins got sent off, so it was great to look over at the
sidelines and see Andy Carroll coming on."
Heavy defeats at Nottingham Forest and Manchester City - in the Capital One
and FA Cups - saw West Ham concede 11 goals in four days but Collison has
backed Allardyce to take the club forward. "The manager spoke a lot in the
last week about showing character and working hard for each other," he said.
"I think that showed in what the lads did at Cardiff, there were lots of
blocks, Adrian was fantastic for us again and it was a massive three points,
which came at the right time. "The manager was fantastic all week: he hasn't
been too down in the dumps. "Obviously we were all disappointed about Forest
and Man City, but he's been there and done it all before, and he really
picked us up before Cardiff. "That rubbed off on the boys and we went and
performed on Saturday to get the three points."
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MONDAY TRANSFER UPDATE
By Sean Whetstone 13 Jan 2014 at 13:16
West Ham Till I Die
The prospective transfer of Marco Borriello from Roma seems to be in doubt
after the player tweeted "The English just do not enter my head…sorry!" late
last night. The Rickie Lambert deal also seems dead in the water as Saints
boss Pochettino insists he has no intention of selling him. Pochettino said
"I don't know anything about that. I've been here for more than a year and
[he] has been linked with West Ham before,"
West Ham should find out the outcome of the work permit tribunal for Lacina
Traore within in the next 24 hours. The tribunal was held in London at
lunchtime today with Sam Allardyce making a personal appearance to plead
West Ham's case. David Sullivan gives the appeal a 50/50 chance of
succeeding.
Manchester City boss Pellegrini has cooled speculation of Joleon Lescott
joining West Ham on loan insisting such a deal is not being discussed at the
moment.
"We are not talking about any loan at the moment," Pellegrini told reporters
on Sunday. "The transfer window is open until the end of January" We will
see what happens, but for the moment Joleon stays here with the team."
Despite this, rumours continue a deal can be done towards the end of the
transfer window.
The Italian press say West Ham have been linked with Juventus striker Fabio
Quagliarella but Lazio are reportedly lining up a bid for the Italian
international.
In other news, the coach of Levski Sofia, Antony Zdravkov, has claimed that
West Ham have made an approach for winger Garry Rodriguez. He was quoted as
saying "An offer was received yesterday afternoon," Zdravkov told Bulgarian
media.
Other reports today suggest West Ham United are tracking Swedish defender
Markus Holgersson. Finally our old friend Harry & QPR are looking to hijack
a deal for Ishak Belfodil on loan from Inter Milan after West Ham dropped
out of the running due to an ownership hitch relating to Parma's 50%
ownership.
The Daily Mirror also claim Carlton Cole's West Ham contract runs out today
so he is now a free agent and could link up with Harry Redknapp at QPR.
Update
West Ham United have been linked with a move for Juventus defender Marco
Motta. The 27-year-old has fallen out of favour in Turin says Italian press.
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Carlton Cole's West Ham contract runs out TODAY and leaves Hammers in a
striker pickle ahead of Newcastle game
Jan 13, 2014 11:35 By Darren Lewis
The Mirror
Stunned West Ham have discovered in-form Carlton Cole is out of contract
TODAY. The east Londoners had believed the striker's short term deal ran out
after Saturday's home game against Newcastle. Instead it expires today. It
means the Hammers hero, who netted the first goal in the club's crucial 2-0
win at Cardiff on Saturday, is now a free agent with QPR boss Harry Redknapp
keen on his services. It also means West Ham could find themselves in a
pickle ahead of the Newcastle game with Andy Carroll not yet fit enough to
play 90 minutes. They will discover at a hearing later today whether Monaco
striker Lacina Traore, a player that they hope to take on loan, will win a
work permit. But the Hammers are keen not to let Cole slip through their
fingers, diminishing their striking options. Boss Sam Allardyce revealed
last week that the club were in talks to extend 30-year-old Cole's
short-team deal at Upton Park following his goals against Fulham, Manchester
United and Arsenal. Allardyce told the West Ham website: "We've got that in
mind and are talking about that as quickly as we possibly can because
obviously it needs to be addressed. Carlton will be dealt with very
shortly." West Ham have been so far unable to agree terms with the striker
however and could now face a race against time to prevent him being snapped
up elsewhere.
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Cole facing anxious wait over West Ham future
By talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) | Monday, January 13, 2014
The striker re-signed for the east London club on a three-month deal back in
October but his contract ran out on Monday, just 48 hours after he scored a
crucial goal to help Sam Allardyce's side record a 2-0 win over Cardiff. The
former Chelsea forward has made a big impact, scoring four goals during his
short spell back at Upton Park, and would love the chance to stay at West
Ham. With club record signing Andy Carroll finally back in first-team
action, however, and the club hoping to secure a loan move for Monaco
forward Lacina Traore, Cole knows he faces a battle to win a place in the
side. But Allardyce may opt to keep Cole and listen to offers for Modibo
Maiga, who was expected to leave last summer and was strongly linked with a
move to St Etienne. If West Ham do release Cole, QPR are expected to lead
the chase to clinch his signature as Harry Redknapp is a big fan of the
32-year-old striker.
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Roma Striker Not Convinced By West Ham Move
ForzaItalianFootball.com
Roma striker Marco Borriello is reportedly unconvinced by a potential move
to English club West Ham United. Borriello is expected to leave the capital
club in the current transfer window and has been linked with a move to the
Premier League with interest from Tottenham and West Ham. However, Il Tempo
reports that Borriello is not convinced with a proposed loan move until the
end of the season. The Giallorossi are keen to offload the out of favour
31-year-old due to his substantial wages and he has already had loan spells
at Juventus and Genoa during his time in Rome. A permanent solution could be
popular for the club and player with West Ham still seeking a solution for
their lack of prowess in front of goal. Borriello scored 12 goals in 28
appearances while on loan at Genoa last season.
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Man City linked with Morrison
13/01/2014
By West London Sport
Manchester City could be interested in signing Ravel Morrison from West Ham,
Talksport claim. Fulham boss Rene Meulensteen wants to sign Morrison and has
been tipped to table a bid for the player and his Hammers team-mate Mo
Diame. Meanwhile, Sky are reporting that Fulham's Bryan Ruiz has been
undergoing a medical ahead of his expected move to PSV Eindhoven. The Press
Association have subsequently reported that Ruiz has completed the medical
and the deal is about to go through.
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QPR set to hold talks over Belfodil deal
13/01/2014
By David McIntyre
QPR expect to hold talks with Ishak Belfodil's agent in the next 24 hours.
Rangers want to take Belfodil, 21, on loan from Inter Milan. He has also
attracted interest from West Ham. The situation is complicated because
Parma, who co-own the Algerian forward, want him sold for at least £7.5m.
Parma have a say in the player's future as they will land 50% of any
transfer fee for Belfodil, having signed him from French club Lyon in 2012
and agreed a deal for him to join Inter last summer. Rangers have indicated
that they are only willing to agree to a loan move. Harry Redknapp's hopes
of signing Belfodil could be boosted if West Ham secure a work permit for
Monaco striker Lacina Traore. It is believed that Hammers boss Sam Allardyce
may be content with signing Traore and extending Carlton Cole's contract,
paving the way for Belfodil to move to west London – if Parma can be
placated. QPR manager Redknapp has expressed some interest in Cole but
believes the former Chelsea man will stay at Upton Park and that other
potential targets are obtainable.
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Manchester City eye up Morrison as West Ham talks stall
By Warren Haughton (@WarrenHaughton) | Monday, January 13, 2014
Manchester City are monitoring Ravel Morrison's contract situation at West
Ham. The midfielder's future at Upton Park is in doubt, and talkSPORT
understands the Hammers are stalling on a new offer for the former
Manchester United youngster. The 20-year-old has 18 months left on his
current deal and wants his long-term future decided as soon as possible.
Fulham, whose manager Rene Meulensteen worked with the England Under-21 star
at Old Trafford, have already had a £4million bid rejected by their London
rivals. The west London club are expected to return with an improved offer,
however, with the Dutchman keen to link up again with the talented
playmaker. But their interest has alerted City, who are long-term admirers
of the Wythenshawe-born midfielder, and they could take him back to
Manchester in a move that would be sure to embarrass neighbours United, who
sold Morrison to West Ham in January 2012.
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Allardyce will make personal appeal at work-permit hearing for striker
Traore
By LAURIE WHITWELL
PUBLISHED: 13:26, 13 January 2014 | UPDATED: 14:20, 13 January 2014
Daily Mail
Sam Allardyce will make a personal appearance at Lacina Traore's work-permit
hearing to give West Ham the best possible chance of securing a deal for the
Ivorian striker. A special panel, made up of representatives from the FA,
Premier League, and PFA, is listening to evidence from Allardyce at a
meeting in central London on Monday lunchtime. He will insist 6ft 8in should
be given a permit despite not playing 75 per cent of his country's games
because his talent if of the 'highest calibre' and will 'contribute
significantly to the development of the game at the top level in England'.
It is understood that by making a personal appearance, Allardyce should
boost West Ham's chances of getting their man. Hearing from a Premier League
manager of such experience adds weight and credibility to appeals. Traore
has four goals in seven games for the Ivory Coast since making his debut
last year, and appeared off the bench in both legs of the World Cup
qualifying play-off against Senegal. Such evidence will be presented to the
panel, and his relatively young age of 23 will also be taken into account in
positive terms.
WORK PERMIT APPEALS
Successful applications and deals done
1. Luiz Rosa Fernando 'Fernandinho', Manchester City July 7, 2013
2. Antolin Alcaraz, Everton July 5, 2013 (new application as out of
contract)
3. Kenneth Omeruo, Chelsea July 11, 2013 (signed previous window but
went out on loan abroad)
4. Victor Wanyama, Southampton July 11, 2013 (needed new permission as
change of employment from Celtic)
5. Willian Da Silva, Chelsea August 28, 2013
Successful applications but deals fell through
6. Gino Peruzzi, Sunderland July 16, 2013
7. Fernando, Everton September 2, 2013.
Application rejected
8. Jhon Cordoba, Fulham August 8, 2013
Essentially, Traore needs to get sponsorship to be allowed to work in the UK
by the Home Office. West Ham, as the 'buying' club will provide a
certificate of sponsorship, while the FA will decide whether it should be
endorsed based on the criteria stipulated above. In the past two transfer
windows there were eight applications by Premier League clubs and seven were
successful, albeit two broke down afterwards and were not signed. If
successful, Traore would still need to pass a medical on Tuesday before his
six-month loan deal can be completed. It would mark the end of a successful
few days for the club after the 2-0 win at Cardiff lifted them out of the
bottom three and Andy Carroll made his first appearance of the season from
the substitutes' bench.
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West Ham United chase Juventus defender Marco Motta
1:00pm Monday 13th January 2014 in News
East London and West Essex Guardian Series
West Ham United have been linked with a move for Juventus defender Marco
Motta. The 27-year-old has fallen out of favour in Turin and is understood
to have attracted interest from the Irons and Werder Bremen. West Ham boss
Sam Allardyce has prioritised the attack but would be keen to bring in
another defender to help their survival bid.
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Carlton Cole could walk out and sign a lucrative deal
Last updated Mon 13 Jan 2014
Sport West Ham
Carlton Cole's contract has run out today leaving him free to leave West
Ham. It means the striker is a free agent. He could walk out and sign a
lucrative deal with a different club. West Ham are now in talks with the
striker about the possibility of extending his contract today. There were
reports the club mistakenly thought Cole's contract was up at the end of the
week but West Ham say they knew his contract expired today. The Hammers need
strikers to avoid relegation. Cole scored on Saturday giving West Ham a much
needed win. But this is an extra headache Sam Allardyce didn't need.
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A 52-YEAR-OLD GROWN MAN
The Guardian
Back in the 2005-06 season, West Ham United Football Club had a brainwave.
Riding high after promotion back to the Premier League under Alan Pardew, a
hero in east London at the time, they released a special treat on their
official site. It was a download called Pocket Pardew. It was a miniature
Alan Pardew. He used to sit in the corner of the screen and deliver all the
latest West Ham news, a silver-haired Microsoft clip in a Reebok tracksuit –
fun for all the family! For a while, he was a joy. There he was, happily
waving at you, sending motivational messages throughout the day and asking
if you had any plans for the evening. Saucy Pards. But then things took a
turn for the worse. The real Pardew was sacked and when the Fiver turned on
its computer the next day, there was wee Pocket Pardew, weeping and sitting
in the corner of the screen, clearly in need of a shower and a shave. He was
never the same and he never left. He just sat there. And then his mood
darkened. He became abusive, swearing all the time, to the point where the
Fiver had to buy a new computer. Oh Pocket Pards! For shame!
The Fiver consigned the episode to the past. It got on with its life. Until
now. For it seems that Newcastle United Eff Cee have released their own
version: Potty Mouth P4rds, who was last seen cracking a volley of
foul-mouthed abuse towards Manchester City's mild-mannered manager, Manuel
Pellegrini. Tempers had become heated on the touchline after referee Mike
Jones had erroneously ruled out a Cheik Tioté blooter because he thought Joe
Hart had been distracted by a passing feather or some malevolent crowd noise
and Potty Mouth P4rds was unhappy that Newcastle were not level. So much so
that he took out his frustration on an unwitting Pellegrini. "Oi!" he
bellowed, hot smoke billowing out his ears. "[Effing] old [cee]!" Potty
Mouth P4rds is a 52-year-old grown man. An adult. And he'd just delivered an
insult which was akin to the Fiver accusing someone of being an unfunny
tea-timely email with poor punctuality. Maybe he's spending too much time in
the company of Joe Kinnear.
Fifty-two, though. Pellegrini is only eight years older than his adversary,
who has a history of touchline brouhaha, and it's not as if the Chilean
stands by the side of the pitch demanding the crowd keep it down, looking in
wonder at the fourth official's magic abacus and asking one his players how
to "download" the "Googles" on his "mobile telephone doohickey", because he
just can't keep up with the pace of modern technology. At least Potty Mouth
P4rds, his mouth foaming with soap, later apologised for setting a terrible
example to the kids. After being caught in the act, that is. Pellegrini,
though, was more concerned about the day's real scandal, the wild hack from
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa that has ruled Samir Nasri out for eight weeks, with the
Frenchman so distraught by the knack that today he was pictured wearing a
leather polo neck. None of this would have happened in the innocent days of
Pocket Pards.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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Tuesday, January 14
Monday, January 13
Daily WHUFC News - 13th January 2014
Macca on Monday
WHUFC.com
Neil McDonald believes the unity at West Ham United helped secure the vital
win at Cardiff City
12.01.2014
Neil McDonald hailed the strength of character across every level at West
Ham United following Saturday's crucial 2-0 win at Cardiff City. The West
Ham United manager was delighted to see all sections of the Club play their
part in the win that lifted the Hammers out of the bottom three of the
Barclays Premier League. McDonald insisted the unwavering support of the
travelling claret and blue army, a visit to the dressing from Joint-Chairman
David Gold before and after the game and the presence of suspended club
captain Kevin Nolan on the touchline showed the unity helped bring create a
unified front that secured the Hammers's first win of 2014. "The owners have
shown over the past week that the team spirit is there and they're fighting
for the manager and the manager is the right person for this football club,"
McDonald said. "Mr Gold always comes down to the dressing room and it's
always great to see him. He was a happy man on Saturday night. If we don't
win then he tries to pick the guys up and if we do he enjoys the craic with
the lads. I'm sure he was very happy on Saturday night. "Kevin is the club
captain and he said he wanted to come. We also brought James Collins with us
and they came and supported their team-mates, which is absolutely brilliant.
"It shows that everyone is battling together and trying to do the right
thing."
'Macca', as he is more commonly known at Chadwell Heath, admitted the
coaching staff faced a challenge to pick the players up following two heavy
cup defeats at the start of the week. But with special, light-hearted
training sessions on Thursday and some open and frank discussions, the
players responded in perfect fashion in Wales, with a battling display that
saw Big Sam's side leapfrog their hosts in the table. "When we came in on
Thursday they were feeling a bit sorry for themselves but they came in and
did some jovial stuff with the ball. The manager changed the team a touch to
give it fresh legs. He rested one or two and it gave everyone else a lift.
They are still focused and it shows they are up for the fight and we're back
on track in the league. We've got three points, kept a clean sheet and moved
out of the bottom three. "It's always good to beat teams in and around you
and it's the first 'double' we've completed since we came back to the
Premier League. We've seemed to have a strangle hold over Cardiff for the
last few games we've played and we were full of confidence coming in to the
match. We nullified their strengths and weaknesses and put the ball in the
back of the net, which is a big improvement."
The return of record-signing Andy Carroll to the matchday squad appeared to
give everyone a huge lift as the travelling support welcomed the England
international back by repeatedly singing his name. He came on to replace
opening goalscorer Carlton Cole, who had led line the brilliantly, in the
72nd minute and quickly made his mark on the game by setting up captain Mark
Noble to slot the ball home for the killer second goal. "We were down in the
numbers; especially the defensive side and we've had to play people out of
position. That's very difficult against a top team - you need your best
players against them. We had a couple back on Saturday, even though James
Tomkins was sent off, we have got Andy Carroll back, Ricardo Vaz Te played a
development squad game on Friday and we're hoping that we've got a few more
coming back. Hopefully that will make our team a lot stronger. "We've got to
build Andy's match fitness up but be careful not to push him too far or too
fast. I don't think we're concerned about his foot injury and we've just go
to make sure he doesn't get another injury. It was good to see him coming on
for 20 minutes and making an impact. "We have got a behind closed door match
planned so he can play alongside Ricardo Vaz Te and James Collins might be
involved as well. It just keeps them ticking over and I can't wait to see
them all back on the pitch together."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nobes leading by example
WHUFC.com
Captain-for-the-day Mark Noble was happy to reward the Hammers fans with a
win
12.01.2014
Mark Noble paid tribute to the West Ham United fans who travelled over land
to get behind the team during the crucial 2-0 win at Cardiff City on
Saturday.
After two difficult results in the cup to start off the week, Noble
captained the Hammers to a fine win in Wales to sign it off in style. He
capped off an impressive individual performance with the decisive second
goal in the 93rd minute, before going to show his appreciation for the
jubilant claret and blue army after the final whistle. "With Kev out I was
the captain and I have to lead by example," Noble said: "Getting a goal and
getting the three points with ten men for 25 minutes away from home is tough
to do. I'm happy and it's nice to give the fans something back. They've paid
a lot of money over the past two weeks with the away games we've had and we
went home on a much happier coach. "The lads dug in together and to get the
goal and hold on was superb. Cardiff came at us and put us under pressure
and it was attack versus defence. In the 93rd minute I managed to get the
ball in the box and luckily enough I slotted it away."
At the relatively young age of 26, Noble clearly relishes being the Hammers'
longest-serving player, after coming through the Club's Academy as a
youngster. Like the all Hammers fans, he has been through the highs and lows
as a player and believes that the only way to ride out tough times is to
keep a unified front, from the top to bottom of the Club. "It's been tough,
but I've been at West Ham and I'm pretty used to it! It goes over my head
but the players coming over have never experienced it before and it's been
tough for them. "We've stuck together as a Club and it was big that the
Chairman came out and backed the gaffer and stayed behind him. As a result
we have gone to a tough place with a new manager and come away with three
points."
Like everyone connected to the Club, the main concern for Noble after the
game was to ensure that full-back Guy Demel was in good health following a
sickening collision with fellow defender Roger Johnson in the early stages
of the game. The Ivory Coast international needed nearly ten minutes of
treatment on the pitch before being stretchered off and taken to hospital,
where he remained overnight for observation as a precaution. "It was tough
and I did not realise how bad the injury was initially so all our thoughts
are with him. We actually started quite well and put them under pressure and
had a few corners and a few chances and the stoppage broke the play up. We
had to get back going and we managed to score a goal and the rest is
history."
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Dylan relishing international return
WHUFC.com
Dylan Tombides returns to Australia duty at the AFC U22 Championship finals
in Oman this week
12.01.2014
Dylan Tombides will make an emotional return to international action with
Australia this week. Two-and-a-half years after being diagnosed with
testicular cancer while in action for his country at the 2011 FIFA U-17
World Cup finals, the West Ham United forward will be on AFC U22
Championship duty in Oman.
Australia kicked-off their Group C campaign with a 1-0 win over Kuwait on
Sunday before returning to the Oman Police Stadium to face Iran on Tuesday
and Japan on Thursday. Should they finish in the top two in their group,
Aurelio Vidmar's squad will reach the quarter-finals. Tombides, 19, is
naturally excited about pulling on an Australia again. "It's a massive
honour," he confirmed to West Ham TV. "It's been a long time since I pulled
the green and gold shirt on so I'm thrilled and looking forward to it
massively. "It's a big tournament for Australia. I spoke to the manager
about it and it's looking forward to the 2016 Olympic Games, so he has
talked to me about that. This is the lead-up to that and the squad is a
group of boys looking to be involved in the Olympics, so it's fantastic to
be there. "I'm looking forward to it. We have had pre-season trips to Dubai
with West Ham and the teams we met out there were always quick and lively,
so I'm expecting them to be similar. It'll be a good competition."
For Tombides, a return to international duty is especially pertinent
considering it was during a random drug test following a FIFA U-17 World Cup
fixture in Mexico that his illness was initially spotted. The treatment the
striker received following its discovery saved his life. "It'll be very
emotional. It's good to be back in the frame of things after two years or so
when I haven't put an Australian top on. At the time, I wouldn't think [a
return] would be possible, so I'm thrilled to be back."
While Tombides is looking forward to his return to international duty, he
can also look back proudly on an encouraging opening half of the 2013/14
season at West Ham. "It's been a very eventful season. I've had my ups and
downs, not that I couldn't get in the team, but that my health kept me out
of the team. My health obviously comes first, but when the opportunity comes
to play, I want to be there."
Away from the pitch, Tombides has also got himself involved in raising
awareness of male cancer, attending a number of fundraising events. In
November, he was invited to the 'One For The Boys' dinner for Cancer
Awareness at Harrods by host and Hollywood film star Samuel L. Jackson. "He
hosted a private event at Harrods for the 'One For The Boys' charity which
was a great night," said Tombides. "We had the chef Michael Caines cook for
us and the food was amazing. Samuel L. Jackson was a lovely genuine bloke
and it was a fun night. "Peter Andre was there as well. I'd already met him
at an event at Stratford and being Australian we had a bit in common and got
chatting away! It was a fantastic night and I loved it."
Finally, when asked for his hopes for 2014, Tombides gave a simple, honest
and moving response. "My health. I'd take health any day of the week. I want
to get back to my usual self again. Football, health and living are
important to me and I don't want to see anyone struggle through any
illnesses. I know what it's like to go through that so I wish everyone a
healthy 2014."
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'That was a win that we needed'
WHUFC.com
Carlton Cole was delighted to score again as West Ham United won 2-0 at
Cardiff City on Saturday
12.01.2014
Carlton Cole's commitment and determination were there for all to see in
West Ham United's 2-0 Barclays Premier League victory at Cardiff City on
Saturday.
The striker bagged his fourth goal since returning to the Club on a
short-term contract to set the Hammers on course for a confidence-boosting
victory. While everyone could marvel over the accuracy of Cole's first-half
finish at the end of a sweeping move involving Matt Taylor and Matt Jarvis,
what fans will not know is that the striker played for half-an-hour with a
stiff neck! "Obviously that was a win that we needed to get and both before
and after my goal we defended well, bedded in and it gave us the platform to
go on and win the game," said the No24. "It was important that we kept a
clean sheet because it meant that we would get something from the game,
especially away from home. We needed to get at least a point, so the three
points were exactly what was required. That was a real boost for us. "In the
first half, my neck was gone! I had a spasm so I put in a shift as best I
could after the goal, really, and I was determined to carry on until the
manager was ready to make a change. "That's the whole point of a squad. You
need all your players to be ready to go on the field and any time and make
an impact. I have scored a few goals now this season and it shows the value
of having a good squad and good morale as well.
"If you're not starting, you can't sulk because when you get in, you can't
let the boys down. That's what the changes did, because everyone who came on
did their jobs for the team."
Cole said Saturday's victory showed that the spirit among the players and
staff remains strong, despite the shock of two heavy cup defeats in recent
days.
"At the end of the day, if you read the newspapers, the media will always
paint a bad picture of what is going on in the camp if results are not good.
"We already know what is going on in our camp, so we don't need anyone else
to tell us from outside. We're OK and we knew, if we got games like this,
things could come together. "We scored at the right time, defended
resiliently and I am happy for the boys."
Always a popular figure among the Claret and Blue Army, Cole joined his
team-mates in thanking the 2,000-odd supporters who made their way to
Cardiff at the end of a difficult week. The striker said the victory, capped
by Mark Noble's added-time clincher, was for those loyal, loud and proud
fans. "The fans are massive for us. They travelled to Cardiff and deserved
to get something out of the game. They were telling us that recent results
weren't good enough and we know that. "We conceded eleven goals in two
games, but we knew our main focus was the Premier League because that's our
bread and butter. We were riled up for the game, put in a good performance
and got the job done in the end."
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Burke rues Baggies defeat
WHUFC.com
Reece Burke felt the Development Squad were far from their best after defeat
on Friday night
12.01.2014
Reece Burke felt the Development Squad were under-par in their defeat
against West Bromwich Albion at Rush Green on Friday night. It was not the
ideal start to 2014 for the Under-21s, who resumed Barclays U21 Premier
League action after not having played a league game since November 2013. The
game was Burke's second U21 appearance of the week after he played in the
U21 Premier League Cup defeat to Chelsea on Monday and the defender felt the
team were well below what they expect of themselves. He told West Ham TV:
"Normally in the U21s we can put in decent performances and normally we can
do better than we did today. "It's a shame that it got away but it's
something we've got to learn from. In the next game we've got to come out
and show people what we've got. "People are saying that we aren't that good
at the moment due to the performance against Forest and obviously it wasn't
a very good performance there."
The 17-year-old has experienced a meteoric rise recently, being plucked from
Steve Potts' U18s and handed his professional debut for the Club. Burke was
a surprise inclusion for the FA Cup with Budweiser third round tie and came
off the bench to replace Alou Diarra after 55 minutes. The defender was
delighted to make his first senior appearance for West Ham whilst admitting
he felt he could have played better. "When I came on against Forest, to be
honest with you, I didn't think I did that well. After the Forest game I
played an U21 game against Chelsea and that picked me back up and today
helped as well. I've just got to learn from it and get back to how I play.
"I knew about two days before. You've got to prepare as if you're going to
come on but it was something which I didn't expect and obviously I'm very
happy that I did come on."
He added: "You're buzzing. You hear all the crowd and you just want to come
on, I just wish I'd played well to be fair. It was a great experience for me
and it can only make me a better player." After his first taste of
professional football, the tall defender is looking forward to continuing
his progress with whichever team he is picked to play for. Burke has been a
key component of the U18s this season but has begun to feature regularly for
Nick Haycocks U21s and says he is aiming to stay at that level. "It's where
I want to be. Youth team football is my age but playing for the U21s is a
better experience with better players that will help me develop more."
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West Ham's Guy Demel released from hospital after head injury
BBC.co.uk
West Ham defender Guy Demel has been released from hospital after suffering
a head injury during Saturday's 2-0 win away at Cardiff. Demel, 32, required
oxygen as he left on a stretcher after falling awkwardly following what
seemed an innocuous collision with City's Fraizer Campbell. The Ivory Coast
international suffered concussion and was unconscious for several minutes. A
red card for fit-again James Tomkins added to West Ham's defensive problems.
Tomkins, who was back in the starting XI having missed the previous three
games through injury, received two yellow cards and will be suspended for
one match. Sam Allardyce is also without injured central defensive duo
Winston Reid and James Collins. Prior to Saturday's 1-0 league win, West Ham
had conceded 11 goals in the previous two matches.
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There's only one Mark Noble
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 13th January 2014
By: Paul Walker
We haven't had too many days to remember this season - apart from every time
we play Spurs - so Saturday's outstanding performance at Cardiff will live
long in the memory.
Mainly because it was so unexpected after the harrowing week Big Sam and the
boys (plus the infants) have forced us to endure.
And a few myths were put to rest. Had Sam lost the dressing room..no..were
we unfit…no…had the team spirit gone..no….do the players still want to play
for the manager, seemingly yes.
A week of media overdrive regarding when, not if, Sam would be sacked, was
the backdrop. Plus our impending financial meltdown if we do go down.
But we all know that there is no chance of Sam being axed now. At the
station on the way home I bumped into an old mate, Gary Jacob of the Times,
who always writes some decent stuff on the Irons.
He said that the Davids had never had any intention to sack Sam, they
couldn't find a better alternative and were just looking for some glimmer of
light in the current crisis to move on and back their manager.
And the way they both did interviews in the car pack at Cardiff said
everything about them, they may not always be right but they could easily
have hidden themselves away.
Now a couple of weeks ago I wrote a piece begging for strong management, and
I admit I could not see it coming from the current management and board, so
bad had things got.
But what we have had, may not be the outcome of strong management many had
hoped, but the Davids have shown strength to hold their nerves and to
strongly back their man. Sam, too, has pulled the squad together. That's
strong management.
I noticed that Ravel Morrison was not even on the bench in Cardiff, having
been so for the defeat by Manchester City at the Etihad. Sam said something
after that to try to explain why he felt the team were backing him by
suggesting there is always one or two disgruntled players who will rock the
boat.
The non-stop briefings about Morrison's future by his entourage could easily
have been what Sam was talking about. It struck me that Morrison has never
played in a poor side in his life, so sheltered a life has he led in
Manchester schools football and at Old Trafford. Now he seems not to know
how to handle it apart from sulking.
In his absence on Saturday, the spirit looked so much better. The clips of
video showing our players being congratulated by Nolan and James Collins in
the tunnel after the game said everything about our spirit. I suppose I just
needed to see it first hand.
It must be said though that the 2-0 win in Cardiff was only the first brick
in the wall of our recovery. There is Newcastle and Chelsea next, so there
is every chance the vultures will be hovering again soon. We need to produce
a long, consistent run now to get ourselves away from the bottom, otherwise
the all-round effort, battling and character shown at Cardiff will be
wasted.
But for now, just enjoy the moment, as the 2,000 plus of us singing away in
the away section did.
All the lads on the pitch deserved credit, in particular Adrian, Jack
Collison and Matt Taylor. And that is more than can be said for the abject
displays at Nottingham Forest and Manchester City. It is hard to remember a
week where so many of us have been shaken to the core by what we have
witnessed, and with me approaching pension age in March, I have seen some
rubbish at West Ham!
I don't want to make light of what happened at City, but I never really
believed our players were not trying. They were at a low ebb confidence
wise, easily deflated, over run and out played, by a wonderful City side.
They just couldn't cope with world-class players. More backbone, certainly,
was needed and Sam did at least achieve that at Cardiff.
But one person stood out head and shoulders above the rest; Mark Noble take
a bow. He's always been my favourite of the modern era, if he wasn't playing
he'd probably be sitting with the rest of us in the Bobby Moore Lower.
Installed as captain while Kevin Nolan takes his ever-extending winter
break, Noble was stunning. Covering for everyone, all over the pitch,
leading by example and when his lungs must have been bursting he managed to
get out of defence in those final seconds to take Andy Carroll's pass and
bury the Welsh club, right in front of the away support who were going
mental.
What is it about football that inspires people to cuddle and hug the fat,
tattooed guy next to you? (think I'll leave that one there.)
And too his credit, boring old Alan Hansen, surely now on borrowed time on
MotD, gave Noble full credit for his performance. I just hope Noble's
display can put an end to the nonsense and snipping he gets from some fans.
Noble cares, just like you and me, and it shows.
I got to Cardiff not only to see the team arrive, but to watch the pre-match
preparation (I know that will amuse my match-going mates at the Boleyn who
always want that extra pint and I always moan that we will miss the start).
But Saturday gave me the chance to watch body language and judge how the
squad are. You all, no doubt, witnessed Nolan and Joe Cole celebrating at
the end together on TV, and it showed they cared, too. Beforehand, Nolan was
heading into the ground laughing and joking with the players, doing the job
Sam clearly wants him to do.
And there was an interesting mini-session in the build-up which saw Matt
Jarvis, while most of the lads had disappeared to the dressing room, going
through a practice all of his own. Taking a pass on the wing, he ran,
jinked, and crossed in shadow boxing mood - no opposition obviously -
looking for the timing and accuracy that has not always been on show of
late.
He did it maybe two dozen times, and what do we get just before the break.
Noble to Matt Taylor, Taylor out to Jarvis and then first time into Carlton
Cole for the first goal. A small detail, maybe, but significant.
Also time, I feel, for a little praise for Roger Johnson, a player - with
respect - that none of us expect to see playing once the injury crisis ends
or a new defender arrives. We probably only turned to him in desperation
anyway, there has got to be a reason why you are bombed out by Wolves and
playing in the third tier for Sheffield Wednesday. Arriving pissed-up for
training probably didn't help his cause!
But the game before he joined us, he had been facing non-league strikers in
an FA Cup tie at Macclesfield, then he is thrown in at the very deepest end
and finds himself facing some of the best players in the world. Yaya Toure
to name just one. I was not surprised he was backing away so fast and almost
ended up standing in the away end with the rest of us!
But against mere mortals like Cardiff, he can at least get tackles in and
win the ball in the air. He was once a top defender at Birmingham (surely
that's how we happened upon him with our Gold/Sullivan/Brady Brummie
connection), and he might just rediscover that level, who knows?
He arrived after that embarrassing defeat at Forest, the perceptions of
which were made worse I am sure you all agree, by some really appalling ITV
coverage. Chubby Chiles, sneering evil Roy Keane and motor mouth Lee Dixon
were shocking, failing to even begin to understand why Sam did what he did.
My issue with Sam on that game is he threw in far too many kids all at once.
They coped, just, for an hour but in the end the pace and strength of a
Championship side overwhelmed them. But ITV were clearly so angry that their
flagship match had been reduced to a testimonial by Sam's team selection,
Keane and Dixon were in full flow.
Keane started to doubt the professionalism of our players, after also
slagging off Forest's Greg Halford for his time at Sunderland. Now this is
the same Keane who showed such great professionalism by walking out on his
country at the World Cup because he didn 't like the training camp, also the
same player who had too be bailed at the local nick by his own manager at
Manchester United after a late night escapade.
Also the same player who ended Alf Haarland's career with a wicked tackle.
And he is preaching too us?
Then there was Dixon, seemingly still locked into the dark ages of George
Graham's 4-4-2, who kept moaning about our three at the back. I am sure Sam
set it up that way with Alou Diarra there to try to protect Dan Potts and
Callum Driver. They also clearly didn't have any research on several of our
players, Reece Burke at just 17, was a mystery to them. That's being
unprofessional lads, when you are working in the media.
One good day in Cardiff does not wipe away the memory of what had happened
earlier in the month and season, but it is a start. Get Joleon Lescott in, a
couple of strikers and we could turn the corner. But as the away lot were
signing on Saturday, we are now winning abroad!
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Pellegrini: no Lescott deal
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 12th January 2014
By: Staff Writer
Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed that Joleon Lescott
will not be allowed to leave on loan - yet. Speaking after their 2-1 win at
Newcastle this afternoon, the Chilean confirmed that the 30-year-old England
defender - who, it has been reported, has been offered a lucrative deal to
move to West Ham - will remain in Manchester for the forseeable future.
City, who are hoping to sign a new central defender this window and have
already seen a bid for Real Madrid's Pepe rejected, are unwilling to part
company with Lescott until a suitable replacement has been acquired.
"I am not talking about any loan at the moment," Pellegrini told reporters
after this afternoon's win on Tyneside. "When this transfer window is over
at the end of January, we will see what happens. At the moment, Joleon will
stay here with the team."
Lescott moved to Manchester in 2009 when City were also considering making a
bid for West Ham captain Matthew Upson, who was linked with a £15million
move.
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Demel leaves hospital
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 12th January 2014
By: Staff Writer
Guy Demel has been released from hospital following an overnight stay. West
Ham's right back was admitted to hospital yesterday afternoon after falling
awkwardly during the 2-0 win at Cardiff with the game just a matter of
minutes old. Initial reports suggested that he had sustained a broken elbow
and facial damage, however West Ham this morning confirmed that Demel was
kept in overnight as the result of concussion from a head injury and
released early today.
It is not know at this stage whether Demel - who received treatment on the
pitch in Cardiff for some ten minutes before being stretchered off - will be
passed fit to face Newcastle next week.
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Hammers in for two more
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 12th January 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are being linked with moves for a central defender and a winger
this morning. Today's Telegraph runs with a story claiming that United have
agreed terms with Manchester City over the permanent transfer of Joleon
Lescott. Jason Burt reports that Lescott will be paid £90,000-per-week until
the end of the season with a three years contract worth £70,000-a-week to
follwo thereafter. However crucially the 31-year-old is yet to agree to the
move, although he is considered likely to leave the Etihad during the
current transfer window as his current contract expires in six months' time.
In other news, the coach of Levski Sofia, Antony Zdravkov, has claimed that
West Ham have made an approach for their 23-year-old winger winger Garry
Rodriguez. "An offer was received yesterday afternoon," Zdravkov told
Bulgarian medie. "He will undergo a medical in a team from the English
Premier League. This team is West Ham. Now everything depends on the player
and his agent."
Born in Rotterdam, the 5'8" Rodrigues is a pacy wide man who features at
international level for Cape Verde, the country where both his parents were
born. After failing to make the grade at Den Haag he spent a brief spell on
loan with Dordrecht before making a permanent switch to Sofia last February.
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West Ham's Guy Demel released from hospital after suffering concussion
Last Updated: 12/01/14 1:03pm
SSN
West Ham defender Guy Demel has been released from hospital after suffering
concussion during the 2-0 win at Cardiff. The right-back collided with
team-mate Roger Johnson and needed treatment with oxygen on the pitch before
being carried off on a stretcher wearing a neckbrace. The Ivory Coast
right-back subsequently spent Saturday night in hospital, before being
released on Sunday morning. Demel was also thought to have suffered a
suspected dislocated elbow as well as facial injuries to add to West Ham's
lengthy injury list. Assistant manager Neil McDonald said after the game:
"He has taken a bad knock on his head and he has gone to hospital so we are
just waiting on the doctor to come back to give us an idea on how he is, but
I am sure he is in good hands. "I think it showed we have got players who
put their body on the line which is great and we need to do that more often.
"And if we get a couple of injuries then it gives somebody else the chance
to come in and, as long as we stick together and work hard for each other,
then we will get our just rewards, just like we did today."
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Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini insists Joleon Lescott is not moving
to West Ham
Last Updated: 12/01/14 8:48pm
SSN
Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has denied claims that defender
Joleon Lescott will move to West Ham on loan. Reports on Sunday suggested
Hammers manager Sam Allardyce was on the brink of striking a deal with City
to land the England defender until the end of the season. Speaking after his
team's 2-0 victory at Newcastle, Pellegrini insisted Lescott would be
staying at City. When asked if the 31-year-old was joining West Ham on loan,
Pellegrini said: "No, no. I am not talking about any loan at the moment. "I
repeat, when this transfer window is over at the end of January, we will see
what happens. At the moment, Joleon will stay here with the team." Lescott,
who moved to City from Everton in 2009 for £22million, has played 15 times
under Pellegrini this season.
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West Ham won't sack Sam Allardyce this season vows David Gold despite
relegation battle
Jan 12, 2014 22:31 By Darren Lewis 0 Comments
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce has been assured he will be West Ham manager for the rest of
the season - AND that the club are ready to spend money to get out of
relegation trouble, with Joleon Lescott having agreed a move from Manchester
City. Allardyce steered the injury-hit Hammers to an impressive 2-0 win at
Cardiff on Saturday, their first in the Premier League since November. When
asked whether Big Sam would remain in charge going into the summer, club
chairman David Gold said: "Absolutely. "Listen, you can never say never
about anything but what I would say to you is that our judgement is that Sam
is the man that we brought in. He has done everything we have asked of him."
Club record-signing England striker Andy Carroll also returned from a
six-month injury lay-off to set up the clinching goal at Cardiff and bring
the feel-good factor back to Upton Park. West Ham are now poised to tie up a
lucrative £90,000-a-week loan deal for defender Lescott - with an option for
another three years if the club stay up. They are also set to hijack Hull's
£6.5million move for Everton striker Nikica Jelavic to boost their striking
options, and are still talking to Carlton Cole in a bid to prevent
Saturday's goal hero leaving when his short-term contract expires after next
weekend's match against Newcastle.
Gold, meanwhile, believes the club's backing for Allardyce has been
vindicated, and insisted they were not frightened out of sacking him by a
potential £4m compensation claim. Gold said: "Compensation in football
terms, that is what you do. You meet your compensation. That is not the
reason [we haven't sacked him]. The reason is that we believed in the man
who got us promoted and got us to tenth position last season. He is the man
who brought in the players.
"Unfortunately, and forgive me for reiterating it, he is the man who brought
in a centre forward [Carroll] who unfortunately had a bizarre injury that
lasted six months. "Well he is back. Although the ball at times looked like
a bar of soap, it was wonderful to see him and he made the goal. That is
what great players do." Gold also insisted he and partner David Sullivan
remained loyal to Big Sam because they could see that he hadn't lost the
dressing room. "At the moment, there is a groundswell of anti-Sam feeling,
but I think its 50-50," he went on. "If its 50-50, the casting vote is with
the board and that's the bottom line. The bottom line is that the board is
going to make the decision. If you believe that the manager has lost the
dressing room that's a different matter. "But I'm a chairman that goes to
the training ground every week. I see the players. I see the players before
the kick-off of every game. And I've been around the business for 24 years.
Its not like I've been chairman for a few months. "I've got to say that they
are 100 per cent behind Sam. They work for him. Of course, the victory today
[Saturday] was so important because morale is a big issue. "We are in the
bottom three, heads are down, everything is going wrong for us, we get a
player sent off, we don't get penalties, the opposition do, the season has
been a very difficult one. "The manager - I'm sure he would agree - has had
a lot of misfortune, a lot of poor luck."
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West Ham's Andy Carroll is finally back - just in time to face hometown club
Newcastle
Jan 12, 2014 22:30 By Darren Lewis 0 Comments
The Mirror
Michael Steele
His team-mates were still savouring victory in Cardiff, but Andy Carroll was
looking ahead to Newcastle next week. The big Geordie had made his first
appearance for West Ham since the end of last season, and since he made his
loan from Liverpool permanent in the summer. He came on as substitute and
set up Mark Noble's stoppage-time goal, the Hammers' second, to secure the
points and take the club out of the bottom three. All the headlines
wondering when he would make his return after signing permanently for a club
record-breaking £15.5million last summer are over. The England striker,
however, was thinking about the club that sold him for that incredible
£35million fee three years ago. Carroll said: "The next game is Newcastle
and hopefully I get a few more minutes against them and we get a win there
too. Yes, of course it is nostalgic. They are my home town and I am just
looking forward to it really, it could have been anyone. "I am just over
the moon about the game coming up as I have been out for too long, so it is
fantastic to be back."
Hammers chairman David Gold joked afterwards: "I thought he treated the ball
a bit like a bar of soap. He couldn't hang on to it! But we're happy. You
could see that he lifted the fans, he lifted the team. Everybody was so
pleased to see him on the pitch and it was a nice pass to Mark Noble, who
finished and took all the pressure off us."
Carroll agreed, adding: "I did OK after a few dodgy touches! I needed the
pass for the goal to forget about them! It was a fantastic feeling being out
there.
"It has been a bit frustrating and terrible for us. Coming back, I can
forget about all of that and just think about football. I can't stand being
on the sidelines. It drives me crazy. "I tried my best to get back to be
fit. It was prolonged with other things and I got injured again. So it was
disappointing but I am back now so I am concentrating on getting match fit."
The win – West Ham's first in the league since November 30 – was not without
its setbacks. Centre-back James Tomkins was sent off for two bookable
offences and right-back Guy Demel was carried off with a nasty-looking head
injury early on. Demel was on the floor for around eight minutes after
colliding with team-mate Roger Johnson as they challenged Fraizer Campbell
for a high ball and needed oxygen and a neck brace before eventually being
taken to hospital.
Gold tweeted afterwards: "Demel suffered concussion and was unconscious for
several minutes. He will remain overnight in hospital."
Carlton Cole scored after 42 minutes from close range to put West Ham ahead
after Kim Bo-Kyung had hit the bar with a deflected effort. Hammers keeper
Adrian pulled off a superb save to keep out Campbell in the second half and
preserve his side's lead. Then came the introduction of Carroll, whose ball
in from the right set Noble free to rifle home under the body of David
Marshall. Cardiff, in their first home game under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, look
a side in need of surgery. It is no surprise that the Norwegian wants
Wilfried Zaha on loan from his old club Manchester United. But Zaha needs to
be the first of many signings, with their quality seriously lacking. In
contrast, this win was totally deserved by the Hammers, who have ludicrously
taken flak for standing by Allardyce.
English football needs to decide what it wants. Jeremy Peace at West Brom is
called trigger-happy when he sacks Steve Clarke. Ditto, Daniel Levy at
Spurs.
Then Gold and David Sullivan back their manager and are called clueless.
Midfielder Jack Collison paid tribute to Allardyce. He said: "He's been in
the game a long time. He has been magnificent. It's up to us to build on
this three points."
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West Ham United fan tells owners David Gold and David Sullivan to 'name
their price' in online petition
Jan 12, 2014 15:19 By Liam Prenderville 1 Comments
The Mirror
Hammers fan Andy Payne has set up the campaign after becoming increasingly
frustrated with the current state of affairs at Upton Park
A West Ham United supporter has urged the club's owners to sell up - by
launching an online petition. The Hammers are 17th in the Premier League
table, just a point ahead of bottom-placed Crystal Palace after a
disappointing first half of the season. Yesterday's 2-0 win over Cardiff
appeared to lift some of the pressure on boss Sam Allardyce but the club's
supporters have made clear who they want to step aside - owners David Gold
and David Sullivan. The man behind the movement is Andy Payne - who has
outlined his mission for the club to become a fan-owned outfit - via his
petition page at change.org. His statement read: "West Ham United are an
English professional football club with a proud history and many fans who go
back generations. "The club faces relegation from the Premier League but
worse than that, it requires a new direction. A change of ownership is
needed and the owners should be given the option to sell the club for the
price that they name." Payne goes on to identify clubs in Germany, Sweden
and Turkey who have shown how successful such ownership can be - whilst also
paying tribute AFC Wimbledon and Portsmouth for the steps they have taken in
recent years. And while Gold and Sullivan are not expected to sell up any
time soon, the Hammers' supporter has clearly outlined his attentions. He
continued: "To the owners of West Ham United, we ask you to name your price
and we will then run a 90-day campaign to crowdfund that asking price, and
place West Ham United in the hands of football fan ownership. The duo have
recently pledged their support to under-fire Allardyce but are unlikely to
respond positively to this latest attempt.
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WHUFC.com
Neil McDonald believes the unity at West Ham United helped secure the vital
win at Cardiff City
12.01.2014
Neil McDonald hailed the strength of character across every level at West
Ham United following Saturday's crucial 2-0 win at Cardiff City. The West
Ham United manager was delighted to see all sections of the Club play their
part in the win that lifted the Hammers out of the bottom three of the
Barclays Premier League. McDonald insisted the unwavering support of the
travelling claret and blue army, a visit to the dressing from Joint-Chairman
David Gold before and after the game and the presence of suspended club
captain Kevin Nolan on the touchline showed the unity helped bring create a
unified front that secured the Hammers's first win of 2014. "The owners have
shown over the past week that the team spirit is there and they're fighting
for the manager and the manager is the right person for this football club,"
McDonald said. "Mr Gold always comes down to the dressing room and it's
always great to see him. He was a happy man on Saturday night. If we don't
win then he tries to pick the guys up and if we do he enjoys the craic with
the lads. I'm sure he was very happy on Saturday night. "Kevin is the club
captain and he said he wanted to come. We also brought James Collins with us
and they came and supported their team-mates, which is absolutely brilliant.
"It shows that everyone is battling together and trying to do the right
thing."
'Macca', as he is more commonly known at Chadwell Heath, admitted the
coaching staff faced a challenge to pick the players up following two heavy
cup defeats at the start of the week. But with special, light-hearted
training sessions on Thursday and some open and frank discussions, the
players responded in perfect fashion in Wales, with a battling display that
saw Big Sam's side leapfrog their hosts in the table. "When we came in on
Thursday they were feeling a bit sorry for themselves but they came in and
did some jovial stuff with the ball. The manager changed the team a touch to
give it fresh legs. He rested one or two and it gave everyone else a lift.
They are still focused and it shows they are up for the fight and we're back
on track in the league. We've got three points, kept a clean sheet and moved
out of the bottom three. "It's always good to beat teams in and around you
and it's the first 'double' we've completed since we came back to the
Premier League. We've seemed to have a strangle hold over Cardiff for the
last few games we've played and we were full of confidence coming in to the
match. We nullified their strengths and weaknesses and put the ball in the
back of the net, which is a big improvement."
The return of record-signing Andy Carroll to the matchday squad appeared to
give everyone a huge lift as the travelling support welcomed the England
international back by repeatedly singing his name. He came on to replace
opening goalscorer Carlton Cole, who had led line the brilliantly, in the
72nd minute and quickly made his mark on the game by setting up captain Mark
Noble to slot the ball home for the killer second goal. "We were down in the
numbers; especially the defensive side and we've had to play people out of
position. That's very difficult against a top team - you need your best
players against them. We had a couple back on Saturday, even though James
Tomkins was sent off, we have got Andy Carroll back, Ricardo Vaz Te played a
development squad game on Friday and we're hoping that we've got a few more
coming back. Hopefully that will make our team a lot stronger. "We've got to
build Andy's match fitness up but be careful not to push him too far or too
fast. I don't think we're concerned about his foot injury and we've just go
to make sure he doesn't get another injury. It was good to see him coming on
for 20 minutes and making an impact. "We have got a behind closed door match
planned so he can play alongside Ricardo Vaz Te and James Collins might be
involved as well. It just keeps them ticking over and I can't wait to see
them all back on the pitch together."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nobes leading by example
WHUFC.com
Captain-for-the-day Mark Noble was happy to reward the Hammers fans with a
win
12.01.2014
Mark Noble paid tribute to the West Ham United fans who travelled over land
to get behind the team during the crucial 2-0 win at Cardiff City on
Saturday.
After two difficult results in the cup to start off the week, Noble
captained the Hammers to a fine win in Wales to sign it off in style. He
capped off an impressive individual performance with the decisive second
goal in the 93rd minute, before going to show his appreciation for the
jubilant claret and blue army after the final whistle. "With Kev out I was
the captain and I have to lead by example," Noble said: "Getting a goal and
getting the three points with ten men for 25 minutes away from home is tough
to do. I'm happy and it's nice to give the fans something back. They've paid
a lot of money over the past two weeks with the away games we've had and we
went home on a much happier coach. "The lads dug in together and to get the
goal and hold on was superb. Cardiff came at us and put us under pressure
and it was attack versus defence. In the 93rd minute I managed to get the
ball in the box and luckily enough I slotted it away."
At the relatively young age of 26, Noble clearly relishes being the Hammers'
longest-serving player, after coming through the Club's Academy as a
youngster. Like the all Hammers fans, he has been through the highs and lows
as a player and believes that the only way to ride out tough times is to
keep a unified front, from the top to bottom of the Club. "It's been tough,
but I've been at West Ham and I'm pretty used to it! It goes over my head
but the players coming over have never experienced it before and it's been
tough for them. "We've stuck together as a Club and it was big that the
Chairman came out and backed the gaffer and stayed behind him. As a result
we have gone to a tough place with a new manager and come away with three
points."
Like everyone connected to the Club, the main concern for Noble after the
game was to ensure that full-back Guy Demel was in good health following a
sickening collision with fellow defender Roger Johnson in the early stages
of the game. The Ivory Coast international needed nearly ten minutes of
treatment on the pitch before being stretchered off and taken to hospital,
where he remained overnight for observation as a precaution. "It was tough
and I did not realise how bad the injury was initially so all our thoughts
are with him. We actually started quite well and put them under pressure and
had a few corners and a few chances and the stoppage broke the play up. We
had to get back going and we managed to score a goal and the rest is
history."
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Dylan relishing international return
WHUFC.com
Dylan Tombides returns to Australia duty at the AFC U22 Championship finals
in Oman this week
12.01.2014
Dylan Tombides will make an emotional return to international action with
Australia this week. Two-and-a-half years after being diagnosed with
testicular cancer while in action for his country at the 2011 FIFA U-17
World Cup finals, the West Ham United forward will be on AFC U22
Championship duty in Oman.
Australia kicked-off their Group C campaign with a 1-0 win over Kuwait on
Sunday before returning to the Oman Police Stadium to face Iran on Tuesday
and Japan on Thursday. Should they finish in the top two in their group,
Aurelio Vidmar's squad will reach the quarter-finals. Tombides, 19, is
naturally excited about pulling on an Australia again. "It's a massive
honour," he confirmed to West Ham TV. "It's been a long time since I pulled
the green and gold shirt on so I'm thrilled and looking forward to it
massively. "It's a big tournament for Australia. I spoke to the manager
about it and it's looking forward to the 2016 Olympic Games, so he has
talked to me about that. This is the lead-up to that and the squad is a
group of boys looking to be involved in the Olympics, so it's fantastic to
be there. "I'm looking forward to it. We have had pre-season trips to Dubai
with West Ham and the teams we met out there were always quick and lively,
so I'm expecting them to be similar. It'll be a good competition."
For Tombides, a return to international duty is especially pertinent
considering it was during a random drug test following a FIFA U-17 World Cup
fixture in Mexico that his illness was initially spotted. The treatment the
striker received following its discovery saved his life. "It'll be very
emotional. It's good to be back in the frame of things after two years or so
when I haven't put an Australian top on. At the time, I wouldn't think [a
return] would be possible, so I'm thrilled to be back."
While Tombides is looking forward to his return to international duty, he
can also look back proudly on an encouraging opening half of the 2013/14
season at West Ham. "It's been a very eventful season. I've had my ups and
downs, not that I couldn't get in the team, but that my health kept me out
of the team. My health obviously comes first, but when the opportunity comes
to play, I want to be there."
Away from the pitch, Tombides has also got himself involved in raising
awareness of male cancer, attending a number of fundraising events. In
November, he was invited to the 'One For The Boys' dinner for Cancer
Awareness at Harrods by host and Hollywood film star Samuel L. Jackson. "He
hosted a private event at Harrods for the 'One For The Boys' charity which
was a great night," said Tombides. "We had the chef Michael Caines cook for
us and the food was amazing. Samuel L. Jackson was a lovely genuine bloke
and it was a fun night. "Peter Andre was there as well. I'd already met him
at an event at Stratford and being Australian we had a bit in common and got
chatting away! It was a fantastic night and I loved it."
Finally, when asked for his hopes for 2014, Tombides gave a simple, honest
and moving response. "My health. I'd take health any day of the week. I want
to get back to my usual self again. Football, health and living are
important to me and I don't want to see anyone struggle through any
illnesses. I know what it's like to go through that so I wish everyone a
healthy 2014."
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'That was a win that we needed'
WHUFC.com
Carlton Cole was delighted to score again as West Ham United won 2-0 at
Cardiff City on Saturday
12.01.2014
Carlton Cole's commitment and determination were there for all to see in
West Ham United's 2-0 Barclays Premier League victory at Cardiff City on
Saturday.
The striker bagged his fourth goal since returning to the Club on a
short-term contract to set the Hammers on course for a confidence-boosting
victory. While everyone could marvel over the accuracy of Cole's first-half
finish at the end of a sweeping move involving Matt Taylor and Matt Jarvis,
what fans will not know is that the striker played for half-an-hour with a
stiff neck! "Obviously that was a win that we needed to get and both before
and after my goal we defended well, bedded in and it gave us the platform to
go on and win the game," said the No24. "It was important that we kept a
clean sheet because it meant that we would get something from the game,
especially away from home. We needed to get at least a point, so the three
points were exactly what was required. That was a real boost for us. "In the
first half, my neck was gone! I had a spasm so I put in a shift as best I
could after the goal, really, and I was determined to carry on until the
manager was ready to make a change. "That's the whole point of a squad. You
need all your players to be ready to go on the field and any time and make
an impact. I have scored a few goals now this season and it shows the value
of having a good squad and good morale as well.
"If you're not starting, you can't sulk because when you get in, you can't
let the boys down. That's what the changes did, because everyone who came on
did their jobs for the team."
Cole said Saturday's victory showed that the spirit among the players and
staff remains strong, despite the shock of two heavy cup defeats in recent
days.
"At the end of the day, if you read the newspapers, the media will always
paint a bad picture of what is going on in the camp if results are not good.
"We already know what is going on in our camp, so we don't need anyone else
to tell us from outside. We're OK and we knew, if we got games like this,
things could come together. "We scored at the right time, defended
resiliently and I am happy for the boys."
Always a popular figure among the Claret and Blue Army, Cole joined his
team-mates in thanking the 2,000-odd supporters who made their way to
Cardiff at the end of a difficult week. The striker said the victory, capped
by Mark Noble's added-time clincher, was for those loyal, loud and proud
fans. "The fans are massive for us. They travelled to Cardiff and deserved
to get something out of the game. They were telling us that recent results
weren't good enough and we know that. "We conceded eleven goals in two
games, but we knew our main focus was the Premier League because that's our
bread and butter. We were riled up for the game, put in a good performance
and got the job done in the end."
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Burke rues Baggies defeat
WHUFC.com
Reece Burke felt the Development Squad were far from their best after defeat
on Friday night
12.01.2014
Reece Burke felt the Development Squad were under-par in their defeat
against West Bromwich Albion at Rush Green on Friday night. It was not the
ideal start to 2014 for the Under-21s, who resumed Barclays U21 Premier
League action after not having played a league game since November 2013. The
game was Burke's second U21 appearance of the week after he played in the
U21 Premier League Cup defeat to Chelsea on Monday and the defender felt the
team were well below what they expect of themselves. He told West Ham TV:
"Normally in the U21s we can put in decent performances and normally we can
do better than we did today. "It's a shame that it got away but it's
something we've got to learn from. In the next game we've got to come out
and show people what we've got. "People are saying that we aren't that good
at the moment due to the performance against Forest and obviously it wasn't
a very good performance there."
The 17-year-old has experienced a meteoric rise recently, being plucked from
Steve Potts' U18s and handed his professional debut for the Club. Burke was
a surprise inclusion for the FA Cup with Budweiser third round tie and came
off the bench to replace Alou Diarra after 55 minutes. The defender was
delighted to make his first senior appearance for West Ham whilst admitting
he felt he could have played better. "When I came on against Forest, to be
honest with you, I didn't think I did that well. After the Forest game I
played an U21 game against Chelsea and that picked me back up and today
helped as well. I've just got to learn from it and get back to how I play.
"I knew about two days before. You've got to prepare as if you're going to
come on but it was something which I didn't expect and obviously I'm very
happy that I did come on."
He added: "You're buzzing. You hear all the crowd and you just want to come
on, I just wish I'd played well to be fair. It was a great experience for me
and it can only make me a better player." After his first taste of
professional football, the tall defender is looking forward to continuing
his progress with whichever team he is picked to play for. Burke has been a
key component of the U18s this season but has begun to feature regularly for
Nick Haycocks U21s and says he is aiming to stay at that level. "It's where
I want to be. Youth team football is my age but playing for the U21s is a
better experience with better players that will help me develop more."
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West Ham's Guy Demel released from hospital after head injury
BBC.co.uk
West Ham defender Guy Demel has been released from hospital after suffering
a head injury during Saturday's 2-0 win away at Cardiff. Demel, 32, required
oxygen as he left on a stretcher after falling awkwardly following what
seemed an innocuous collision with City's Fraizer Campbell. The Ivory Coast
international suffered concussion and was unconscious for several minutes. A
red card for fit-again James Tomkins added to West Ham's defensive problems.
Tomkins, who was back in the starting XI having missed the previous three
games through injury, received two yellow cards and will be suspended for
one match. Sam Allardyce is also without injured central defensive duo
Winston Reid and James Collins. Prior to Saturday's 1-0 league win, West Ham
had conceded 11 goals in the previous two matches.
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There's only one Mark Noble
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 13th January 2014
By: Paul Walker
We haven't had too many days to remember this season - apart from every time
we play Spurs - so Saturday's outstanding performance at Cardiff will live
long in the memory.
Mainly because it was so unexpected after the harrowing week Big Sam and the
boys (plus the infants) have forced us to endure.
And a few myths were put to rest. Had Sam lost the dressing room..no..were
we unfit…no…had the team spirit gone..no….do the players still want to play
for the manager, seemingly yes.
A week of media overdrive regarding when, not if, Sam would be sacked, was
the backdrop. Plus our impending financial meltdown if we do go down.
But we all know that there is no chance of Sam being axed now. At the
station on the way home I bumped into an old mate, Gary Jacob of the Times,
who always writes some decent stuff on the Irons.
He said that the Davids had never had any intention to sack Sam, they
couldn't find a better alternative and were just looking for some glimmer of
light in the current crisis to move on and back their manager.
And the way they both did interviews in the car pack at Cardiff said
everything about them, they may not always be right but they could easily
have hidden themselves away.
Now a couple of weeks ago I wrote a piece begging for strong management, and
I admit I could not see it coming from the current management and board, so
bad had things got.
But what we have had, may not be the outcome of strong management many had
hoped, but the Davids have shown strength to hold their nerves and to
strongly back their man. Sam, too, has pulled the squad together. That's
strong management.
I noticed that Ravel Morrison was not even on the bench in Cardiff, having
been so for the defeat by Manchester City at the Etihad. Sam said something
after that to try to explain why he felt the team were backing him by
suggesting there is always one or two disgruntled players who will rock the
boat.
The non-stop briefings about Morrison's future by his entourage could easily
have been what Sam was talking about. It struck me that Morrison has never
played in a poor side in his life, so sheltered a life has he led in
Manchester schools football and at Old Trafford. Now he seems not to know
how to handle it apart from sulking.
In his absence on Saturday, the spirit looked so much better. The clips of
video showing our players being congratulated by Nolan and James Collins in
the tunnel after the game said everything about our spirit. I suppose I just
needed to see it first hand.
It must be said though that the 2-0 win in Cardiff was only the first brick
in the wall of our recovery. There is Newcastle and Chelsea next, so there
is every chance the vultures will be hovering again soon. We need to produce
a long, consistent run now to get ourselves away from the bottom, otherwise
the all-round effort, battling and character shown at Cardiff will be
wasted.
But for now, just enjoy the moment, as the 2,000 plus of us singing away in
the away section did.
All the lads on the pitch deserved credit, in particular Adrian, Jack
Collison and Matt Taylor. And that is more than can be said for the abject
displays at Nottingham Forest and Manchester City. It is hard to remember a
week where so many of us have been shaken to the core by what we have
witnessed, and with me approaching pension age in March, I have seen some
rubbish at West Ham!
I don't want to make light of what happened at City, but I never really
believed our players were not trying. They were at a low ebb confidence
wise, easily deflated, over run and out played, by a wonderful City side.
They just couldn't cope with world-class players. More backbone, certainly,
was needed and Sam did at least achieve that at Cardiff.
But one person stood out head and shoulders above the rest; Mark Noble take
a bow. He's always been my favourite of the modern era, if he wasn't playing
he'd probably be sitting with the rest of us in the Bobby Moore Lower.
Installed as captain while Kevin Nolan takes his ever-extending winter
break, Noble was stunning. Covering for everyone, all over the pitch,
leading by example and when his lungs must have been bursting he managed to
get out of defence in those final seconds to take Andy Carroll's pass and
bury the Welsh club, right in front of the away support who were going
mental.
What is it about football that inspires people to cuddle and hug the fat,
tattooed guy next to you? (think I'll leave that one there.)
And too his credit, boring old Alan Hansen, surely now on borrowed time on
MotD, gave Noble full credit for his performance. I just hope Noble's
display can put an end to the nonsense and snipping he gets from some fans.
Noble cares, just like you and me, and it shows.
I got to Cardiff not only to see the team arrive, but to watch the pre-match
preparation (I know that will amuse my match-going mates at the Boleyn who
always want that extra pint and I always moan that we will miss the start).
But Saturday gave me the chance to watch body language and judge how the
squad are. You all, no doubt, witnessed Nolan and Joe Cole celebrating at
the end together on TV, and it showed they cared, too. Beforehand, Nolan was
heading into the ground laughing and joking with the players, doing the job
Sam clearly wants him to do.
And there was an interesting mini-session in the build-up which saw Matt
Jarvis, while most of the lads had disappeared to the dressing room, going
through a practice all of his own. Taking a pass on the wing, he ran,
jinked, and crossed in shadow boxing mood - no opposition obviously -
looking for the timing and accuracy that has not always been on show of
late.
He did it maybe two dozen times, and what do we get just before the break.
Noble to Matt Taylor, Taylor out to Jarvis and then first time into Carlton
Cole for the first goal. A small detail, maybe, but significant.
Also time, I feel, for a little praise for Roger Johnson, a player - with
respect - that none of us expect to see playing once the injury crisis ends
or a new defender arrives. We probably only turned to him in desperation
anyway, there has got to be a reason why you are bombed out by Wolves and
playing in the third tier for Sheffield Wednesday. Arriving pissed-up for
training probably didn't help his cause!
But the game before he joined us, he had been facing non-league strikers in
an FA Cup tie at Macclesfield, then he is thrown in at the very deepest end
and finds himself facing some of the best players in the world. Yaya Toure
to name just one. I was not surprised he was backing away so fast and almost
ended up standing in the away end with the rest of us!
But against mere mortals like Cardiff, he can at least get tackles in and
win the ball in the air. He was once a top defender at Birmingham (surely
that's how we happened upon him with our Gold/Sullivan/Brady Brummie
connection), and he might just rediscover that level, who knows?
He arrived after that embarrassing defeat at Forest, the perceptions of
which were made worse I am sure you all agree, by some really appalling ITV
coverage. Chubby Chiles, sneering evil Roy Keane and motor mouth Lee Dixon
were shocking, failing to even begin to understand why Sam did what he did.
My issue with Sam on that game is he threw in far too many kids all at once.
They coped, just, for an hour but in the end the pace and strength of a
Championship side overwhelmed them. But ITV were clearly so angry that their
flagship match had been reduced to a testimonial by Sam's team selection,
Keane and Dixon were in full flow.
Keane started to doubt the professionalism of our players, after also
slagging off Forest's Greg Halford for his time at Sunderland. Now this is
the same Keane who showed such great professionalism by walking out on his
country at the World Cup because he didn 't like the training camp, also the
same player who had too be bailed at the local nick by his own manager at
Manchester United after a late night escapade.
Also the same player who ended Alf Haarland's career with a wicked tackle.
And he is preaching too us?
Then there was Dixon, seemingly still locked into the dark ages of George
Graham's 4-4-2, who kept moaning about our three at the back. I am sure Sam
set it up that way with Alou Diarra there to try to protect Dan Potts and
Callum Driver. They also clearly didn't have any research on several of our
players, Reece Burke at just 17, was a mystery to them. That's being
unprofessional lads, when you are working in the media.
One good day in Cardiff does not wipe away the memory of what had happened
earlier in the month and season, but it is a start. Get Joleon Lescott in, a
couple of strikers and we could turn the corner. But as the away lot were
signing on Saturday, we are now winning abroad!
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Pellegrini: no Lescott deal
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 12th January 2014
By: Staff Writer
Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed that Joleon Lescott
will not be allowed to leave on loan - yet. Speaking after their 2-1 win at
Newcastle this afternoon, the Chilean confirmed that the 30-year-old England
defender - who, it has been reported, has been offered a lucrative deal to
move to West Ham - will remain in Manchester for the forseeable future.
City, who are hoping to sign a new central defender this window and have
already seen a bid for Real Madrid's Pepe rejected, are unwilling to part
company with Lescott until a suitable replacement has been acquired.
"I am not talking about any loan at the moment," Pellegrini told reporters
after this afternoon's win on Tyneside. "When this transfer window is over
at the end of January, we will see what happens. At the moment, Joleon will
stay here with the team."
Lescott moved to Manchester in 2009 when City were also considering making a
bid for West Ham captain Matthew Upson, who was linked with a £15million
move.
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Demel leaves hospital
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 12th January 2014
By: Staff Writer
Guy Demel has been released from hospital following an overnight stay. West
Ham's right back was admitted to hospital yesterday afternoon after falling
awkwardly during the 2-0 win at Cardiff with the game just a matter of
minutes old. Initial reports suggested that he had sustained a broken elbow
and facial damage, however West Ham this morning confirmed that Demel was
kept in overnight as the result of concussion from a head injury and
released early today.
It is not know at this stage whether Demel - who received treatment on the
pitch in Cardiff for some ten minutes before being stretchered off - will be
passed fit to face Newcastle next week.
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Hammers in for two more
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 12th January 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are being linked with moves for a central defender and a winger
this morning. Today's Telegraph runs with a story claiming that United have
agreed terms with Manchester City over the permanent transfer of Joleon
Lescott. Jason Burt reports that Lescott will be paid £90,000-per-week until
the end of the season with a three years contract worth £70,000-a-week to
follwo thereafter. However crucially the 31-year-old is yet to agree to the
move, although he is considered likely to leave the Etihad during the
current transfer window as his current contract expires in six months' time.
In other news, the coach of Levski Sofia, Antony Zdravkov, has claimed that
West Ham have made an approach for their 23-year-old winger winger Garry
Rodriguez. "An offer was received yesterday afternoon," Zdravkov told
Bulgarian medie. "He will undergo a medical in a team from the English
Premier League. This team is West Ham. Now everything depends on the player
and his agent."
Born in Rotterdam, the 5'8" Rodrigues is a pacy wide man who features at
international level for Cape Verde, the country where both his parents were
born. After failing to make the grade at Den Haag he spent a brief spell on
loan with Dordrecht before making a permanent switch to Sofia last February.
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West Ham's Guy Demel released from hospital after suffering concussion
Last Updated: 12/01/14 1:03pm
SSN
West Ham defender Guy Demel has been released from hospital after suffering
concussion during the 2-0 win at Cardiff. The right-back collided with
team-mate Roger Johnson and needed treatment with oxygen on the pitch before
being carried off on a stretcher wearing a neckbrace. The Ivory Coast
right-back subsequently spent Saturday night in hospital, before being
released on Sunday morning. Demel was also thought to have suffered a
suspected dislocated elbow as well as facial injuries to add to West Ham's
lengthy injury list. Assistant manager Neil McDonald said after the game:
"He has taken a bad knock on his head and he has gone to hospital so we are
just waiting on the doctor to come back to give us an idea on how he is, but
I am sure he is in good hands. "I think it showed we have got players who
put their body on the line which is great and we need to do that more often.
"And if we get a couple of injuries then it gives somebody else the chance
to come in and, as long as we stick together and work hard for each other,
then we will get our just rewards, just like we did today."
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Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini insists Joleon Lescott is not moving
to West Ham
Last Updated: 12/01/14 8:48pm
SSN
Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has denied claims that defender
Joleon Lescott will move to West Ham on loan. Reports on Sunday suggested
Hammers manager Sam Allardyce was on the brink of striking a deal with City
to land the England defender until the end of the season. Speaking after his
team's 2-0 victory at Newcastle, Pellegrini insisted Lescott would be
staying at City. When asked if the 31-year-old was joining West Ham on loan,
Pellegrini said: "No, no. I am not talking about any loan at the moment. "I
repeat, when this transfer window is over at the end of January, we will see
what happens. At the moment, Joleon will stay here with the team." Lescott,
who moved to City from Everton in 2009 for £22million, has played 15 times
under Pellegrini this season.
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West Ham won't sack Sam Allardyce this season vows David Gold despite
relegation battle
Jan 12, 2014 22:31 By Darren Lewis 0 Comments
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce has been assured he will be West Ham manager for the rest of
the season - AND that the club are ready to spend money to get out of
relegation trouble, with Joleon Lescott having agreed a move from Manchester
City. Allardyce steered the injury-hit Hammers to an impressive 2-0 win at
Cardiff on Saturday, their first in the Premier League since November. When
asked whether Big Sam would remain in charge going into the summer, club
chairman David Gold said: "Absolutely. "Listen, you can never say never
about anything but what I would say to you is that our judgement is that Sam
is the man that we brought in. He has done everything we have asked of him."
Club record-signing England striker Andy Carroll also returned from a
six-month injury lay-off to set up the clinching goal at Cardiff and bring
the feel-good factor back to Upton Park. West Ham are now poised to tie up a
lucrative £90,000-a-week loan deal for defender Lescott - with an option for
another three years if the club stay up. They are also set to hijack Hull's
£6.5million move for Everton striker Nikica Jelavic to boost their striking
options, and are still talking to Carlton Cole in a bid to prevent
Saturday's goal hero leaving when his short-term contract expires after next
weekend's match against Newcastle.
Gold, meanwhile, believes the club's backing for Allardyce has been
vindicated, and insisted they were not frightened out of sacking him by a
potential £4m compensation claim. Gold said: "Compensation in football
terms, that is what you do. You meet your compensation. That is not the
reason [we haven't sacked him]. The reason is that we believed in the man
who got us promoted and got us to tenth position last season. He is the man
who brought in the players.
"Unfortunately, and forgive me for reiterating it, he is the man who brought
in a centre forward [Carroll] who unfortunately had a bizarre injury that
lasted six months. "Well he is back. Although the ball at times looked like
a bar of soap, it was wonderful to see him and he made the goal. That is
what great players do." Gold also insisted he and partner David Sullivan
remained loyal to Big Sam because they could see that he hadn't lost the
dressing room. "At the moment, there is a groundswell of anti-Sam feeling,
but I think its 50-50," he went on. "If its 50-50, the casting vote is with
the board and that's the bottom line. The bottom line is that the board is
going to make the decision. If you believe that the manager has lost the
dressing room that's a different matter. "But I'm a chairman that goes to
the training ground every week. I see the players. I see the players before
the kick-off of every game. And I've been around the business for 24 years.
Its not like I've been chairman for a few months. "I've got to say that they
are 100 per cent behind Sam. They work for him. Of course, the victory today
[Saturday] was so important because morale is a big issue. "We are in the
bottom three, heads are down, everything is going wrong for us, we get a
player sent off, we don't get penalties, the opposition do, the season has
been a very difficult one. "The manager - I'm sure he would agree - has had
a lot of misfortune, a lot of poor luck."
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West Ham's Andy Carroll is finally back - just in time to face hometown club
Newcastle
Jan 12, 2014 22:30 By Darren Lewis 0 Comments
The Mirror
Michael Steele
His team-mates were still savouring victory in Cardiff, but Andy Carroll was
looking ahead to Newcastle next week. The big Geordie had made his first
appearance for West Ham since the end of last season, and since he made his
loan from Liverpool permanent in the summer. He came on as substitute and
set up Mark Noble's stoppage-time goal, the Hammers' second, to secure the
points and take the club out of the bottom three. All the headlines
wondering when he would make his return after signing permanently for a club
record-breaking £15.5million last summer are over. The England striker,
however, was thinking about the club that sold him for that incredible
£35million fee three years ago. Carroll said: "The next game is Newcastle
and hopefully I get a few more minutes against them and we get a win there
too. Yes, of course it is nostalgic. They are my home town and I am just
looking forward to it really, it could have been anyone. "I am just over
the moon about the game coming up as I have been out for too long, so it is
fantastic to be back."
Hammers chairman David Gold joked afterwards: "I thought he treated the ball
a bit like a bar of soap. He couldn't hang on to it! But we're happy. You
could see that he lifted the fans, he lifted the team. Everybody was so
pleased to see him on the pitch and it was a nice pass to Mark Noble, who
finished and took all the pressure off us."
Carroll agreed, adding: "I did OK after a few dodgy touches! I needed the
pass for the goal to forget about them! It was a fantastic feeling being out
there.
"It has been a bit frustrating and terrible for us. Coming back, I can
forget about all of that and just think about football. I can't stand being
on the sidelines. It drives me crazy. "I tried my best to get back to be
fit. It was prolonged with other things and I got injured again. So it was
disappointing but I am back now so I am concentrating on getting match fit."
The win – West Ham's first in the league since November 30 – was not without
its setbacks. Centre-back James Tomkins was sent off for two bookable
offences and right-back Guy Demel was carried off with a nasty-looking head
injury early on. Demel was on the floor for around eight minutes after
colliding with team-mate Roger Johnson as they challenged Fraizer Campbell
for a high ball and needed oxygen and a neck brace before eventually being
taken to hospital.
Gold tweeted afterwards: "Demel suffered concussion and was unconscious for
several minutes. He will remain overnight in hospital."
Carlton Cole scored after 42 minutes from close range to put West Ham ahead
after Kim Bo-Kyung had hit the bar with a deflected effort. Hammers keeper
Adrian pulled off a superb save to keep out Campbell in the second half and
preserve his side's lead. Then came the introduction of Carroll, whose ball
in from the right set Noble free to rifle home under the body of David
Marshall. Cardiff, in their first home game under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, look
a side in need of surgery. It is no surprise that the Norwegian wants
Wilfried Zaha on loan from his old club Manchester United. But Zaha needs to
be the first of many signings, with their quality seriously lacking. In
contrast, this win was totally deserved by the Hammers, who have ludicrously
taken flak for standing by Allardyce.
English football needs to decide what it wants. Jeremy Peace at West Brom is
called trigger-happy when he sacks Steve Clarke. Ditto, Daniel Levy at
Spurs.
Then Gold and David Sullivan back their manager and are called clueless.
Midfielder Jack Collison paid tribute to Allardyce. He said: "He's been in
the game a long time. He has been magnificent. It's up to us to build on
this three points."
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West Ham United fan tells owners David Gold and David Sullivan to 'name
their price' in online petition
Jan 12, 2014 15:19 By Liam Prenderville 1 Comments
The Mirror
Hammers fan Andy Payne has set up the campaign after becoming increasingly
frustrated with the current state of affairs at Upton Park
A West Ham United supporter has urged the club's owners to sell up - by
launching an online petition. The Hammers are 17th in the Premier League
table, just a point ahead of bottom-placed Crystal Palace after a
disappointing first half of the season. Yesterday's 2-0 win over Cardiff
appeared to lift some of the pressure on boss Sam Allardyce but the club's
supporters have made clear who they want to step aside - owners David Gold
and David Sullivan. The man behind the movement is Andy Payne - who has
outlined his mission for the club to become a fan-owned outfit - via his
petition page at change.org. His statement read: "West Ham United are an
English professional football club with a proud history and many fans who go
back generations. "The club faces relegation from the Premier League but
worse than that, it requires a new direction. A change of ownership is
needed and the owners should be given the option to sell the club for the
price that they name." Payne goes on to identify clubs in Germany, Sweden
and Turkey who have shown how successful such ownership can be - whilst also
paying tribute AFC Wimbledon and Portsmouth for the steps they have taken in
recent years. And while Gold and Sullivan are not expected to sell up any
time soon, the Hammers' supporter has clearly outlined his attentions. He
continued: "To the owners of West Ham United, we ask you to name your price
and we will then run a 90-day campaign to crowdfund that asking price, and
place West Ham United in the hands of football fan ownership. The duo have
recently pledged their support to under-fire Allardyce but are unlikely to
respond positively to this latest attempt.
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Sunday, January 12
Daily WHUFC News - 12th January 2014
10-man Hammers win at Cardiff
WHUFC.com
Carlton Cole and Mark Noble were on target as West Ham United triumphed 2-0 at Cardiff City
11.01.2014
Cardiff City 0-2 West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United ended a run of seven Barclays Premier League games without a win by defeating Cardiff City 2-0 on Saturday. The Hammers had to fight through the final 18 minutes with ten men after James Tomkins was red carded, but they added to the lead given to them by Carlton Cole through Mark Noble at the death. It was reward for a battling Hammers performance, as they put a nightmare week behind them in style to move out of the bottom three. West Ham were within a whisker of taking a fourth minute lead when Stewart Downing's inswinging cross travelled all the way through the area and struck the far post with goalkeeper David Marshall helpless. James Tomkins got the ball under control on the rebound, but Marshall recovered to block from the Hammers man. It was the visitors who were making the early running, but their momentum was checked by a nasty-looking injury to Guy Demel. The full back was accidently caught by an elbow from teammate Roger Johnson and had to depart the field on a stretcher after a lengthy spell of treatment.
On the game's resumption, Cardiff could not have gone any closer to opening the scoring than they did on 32 minutes when Kim Bo-Kyung made his way forward from midfield and unleashed a shot which deflected off Roger Johnson and flew up onto the crossbar. The ball bounced down on the line and Fraizer Campbell bundled Adrian over, but referee Lee Mason blew for a foul. The hosts were beginning to look more threatening and Adrian did well to turn Craig Noone's low effort away on 40 minutes, before the Hammers broke and took the lead. Carlton Cole was the man who fired into the net, getting in front of his man to reach Matt Jarvis' low cross and give Marshall no chance. Matt Taylor shot inches wide almost immediately afterwards as West Ham looked to press home their advantage, and they saw out the ten minutes of stoppage time to reach the break ahead. Cardiff brought former Hammer Craig Bellamy on from the bench at half time and he almost had an instant impact, delivering a free-kick for Mark Hudson to nod over. Hudson was involved at the other end on 49 minutes, nicking Matt Taylor's cross away from Cole as the striker waited to pounce, but Cardiff's threat was growing as the half wore on. On the hour Adrian had to show great reflexes to touch Campbell's goalbound effort over the top after Bellamy got in down the right to cross. Peter Whittingham then had a shot which deflected into the Spanish stopper's hands before Bellamy curled a free-kick just wide. With 72 minutes played Andy Carroll came off the bench to make his long-awaited first appearance of the season, but that boost quickly subsided as Tomkins was dismissed for a second booking in the very same minute.
That left the Hammers a man light as they sought to protect their lead and Cardiff predictably upped the pressure in the closing stages. Debutant Magnus Eikrem shot straight down Adrian's throat, while Mark Noble charged down a dangerous Bellamy effort, but it was the Hammers who sealed it in stoppage time. Carroll did superbly to hold the ball up by the right touchline and feed inside to Noble, who took a touch, steadied himself and drilled under Marshall's dive.
Cardiff City: Marshall; Theophile-Catherine, Caulker, Hudson (Cornelius 78), John; Medel (Eikrem 68), Whittingham; Noone, Kim, Odemwingie (Bellamy 46); Campbell
Subs: Lewis, Turner, McNaughton, Gunnarsson
Booked: Medel
West Ham United: Adrian; Demel (McCartney 17), Johnson, Tomkins, Rat; Collison (Diarra 75), Noble, Taylor; Downing, C.Cole (Carroll 72), Jarvis
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Maiga, Diame, J.Cole
Goals: C.Cole 42, Noble 90
Booked: McCartney, Tomkins, Johnson, Diarra
Sent off: Tomkins
Referee: Lee Mason
Attendance: 27,750
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'It's great to be back'
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll was delighted to make his comeback in Saturday's 2-0 win at Cardiff City
11.01.2014
Andy Carroll returned to the Hammers team with a bang on Saturday, laying on Mark Noble's game-clinching second goal at Cardiff City after coming off the bench with 18 minutes to play. The big Geordie missed the entire first half of the season with a foot injury but is feeling strong again and is looking forward to playing his part in 2014. Carroll's run-out was just the boost both he and the Hammers needed and his delight was plain to see when he spoke to guest West Ham TV interviewer Kevin Nolan after the game. "It felt very good to be back on the pitch," he beamed. "I'm buzzing to be back, it's a great feeling to be back after being out for so long. "It was disappointing to go down to ten men. Tonks made a decision to clear the ball and caught him [Fraizer Campbell], but the lads held on well and it was great to get another goal as well to make it 2-0. "After a long time out, this was my first game back so obviously I was a bit rusty, but I was happy to set up the goal at the end and I'll try to forget about the rusty bits!"
The Hammers take on Newcastle United at the Boleyn Ground next week and the No9 cannot wait to take on his hometown club. He added: "It's going to be great to play Newcastle next week. I'll have a lot of family coming down and I can't wait to get back on the pitch after having 20 minutes today."
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Macca dedicates win to supporters
WHUFC.com
Assistant manager Neil McDonald said West Ham United fans deserved Saturday's 2-0 win at Cardiff City
11.01.2014
Neil McDonald dedicated West Ham United's 2-0 Barclays Premier League victory at Cardiff City to the Club's loyal travelling supporters. After two difficult away days at Nottingham Forest and Manchester City, the Claret and Blue Army were rewarded with a deserved and morale-boosting win in South Wales.
West Ham recovered from the early loss of Guy Demel to a head injury - the right-back will be kept in overnight at a Cardiff hospital for observation after being caught on the head by Roger Johnson's elbow - and the second half sending-off of James Tomkins to win through a goal in either half from Carlton Cole and Mark Noble.
With Andy Carroll also making a welcome first appearance of the season as a second-half substitute and creating Noble's added-time clincher, there were plenty of reasons to be positive for the assistant manager, players, manager Sam Allardyce, staff and supporters. "The players got what they deserved and they showed that they are working very hard to put things right. We had a tough time last week, conceding a lot of goals, but everybody has stayed strong and stuck together. We had a couple of injured players back and we put in a fine, battling performance, and scored two brilliant goals. "It was just reward for the fans who have supported in the three games in a week. They have turned out in their numbers again and we have sent them home happy and we need to do that more often. "We needed a little bit of luck. We've been working very hard but we haven't always had the rub of the green. We got a little bit of luck and we've shown we're not going to sit down and get beat again. We played some really good football until Guy Demel got injured, scored a fantastic goal and showed real resilience after we went down to ten men in the second half. "We battled away but they didn't really cause us problems. The put pressure on us from free-kicks and corners, but in open play we restricted them to shots from long distance. We were quite happy with that. "Our shape was good and they found it very difficult to break us down. Then, at the end, to go and score the second goal was the icing on the cake."
McDonald said Saturday's win showed the great spirit among the players and staff - and supporters - following a difficult week and will give everyone connected with the Club a boost ahead of next weekend's visit of Newcastle United to the Boleyn Ground. One player who showed superb character was goalkeeper Adrian, who produced another outstanding display to keep his first clean sheet and enjoy his first league win in English football. "Adrian's handling was fantastic and he's made another couple of good saves, which is what he's paid to do. He came off with a huge smile on his face because he's kept his first clean sheet in English football, which is great. "I think the whole squad has galvanised together, probably due to the criticism we've received because we haven't been getting results. We had to stand up and be counted and the team certainly showed they were willing to put their bodies on the line with the way they defended. "We also showed the quality that we've shown throughout the season, but we were that little bit more clinical this time. We need to do that more often."
McDonald was also naturally delighted to see Carroll back on the pitch after eight months out with a foot injury. The centre forward saw his team reduced to ten men just 60 seconds after coming on as Tomkins was sent-off for two bookable offences, but his strength, movement and quality contributed to a deserved success. "It's great. We had Andy and Tonks back so the squad is improving and it makes competition for places stronger. "Andy is a big player for us, as is Tonks, and it's great to have them back. It's great to have Andy back helping the team out, holding the ball up and flicking the ball on, and obviously he has got down the line and made a telling pass for Mark Noble to score the second goal. "The celebrations are well-deserved because we've had a tough week, but we've come back strong and we've all stuck together. Hopefully the supporters who are travelling back to London will do so happy."
Finally, as Big Sam's No2, McDonald said the victory would also boost his boss. "It's great for Sam because he's had some stick from all quarters, but in our inner circle we have stayed strong and believed in what we're doing and that's what we'll continue to do."
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West Ham were galvanised, says assistant manager Neil McDonald
BBC.co.uk
West Ham were spurred on to a 2-0 win at Cardiff on Saturday by criticism of their run of poor results, according to assistant Neil McDonald. Victory was the Hammers' first in the league since 30 November, while they came into the game having conceded 11 goals in two cup matches last week. "I think the whole squad has galvanised together, probably because of the criticism we've received," he said. "They showed they were willing to put their bodies on the line."
The win lifted manager Sam Allardyce's side out of the relegation zone and moved them to 18 points, above 18th-placed Cardiff on goal difference. What made the victory more impressive was that it followed a 5-0 defeat by Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup and a 6-0 loss to Manchester City in the League Cup. They also played the final 20 minutes in Cardiff with 10 men after centre-back James Tomkins was shown a second yellow, while fellow defender Guy Demel was carried off on a stretcher off in the first half with a head injury.
McDonald added: "The players got what they deserved and they showed that they are working very hard to put things right. "We had a tough time last week, conceding a lot of goals, but everybody has stayed strong and stuck together. "We had a couple of injured players back and we put in a fine, battling performance, and scored two brilliant goals."
They were scored by striker Carlton Cole, just before half-time, and captain Mark Noble late in the match, with his assist coming from Andy Carroll. The former Liverpool striker, who was signed on a permanent deal for a club record fee of £15m in the summer, had not played since his loan spell last season.
"It's great to have Andy back helping the team out, holding the ball up and flicking the ball on, and obviously he has got down the line and made a telling pass for Mark Noble to score the second goal," said McDonald. Meanwhile, the West Ham assistant manager came out in support of Allardyce, whose position at Upton Park has been under scrutiny. "It's great for Sam because he's had some stick from all quarters, but in our inner circle we have stayed strong and believed in what we're doing and that's what we'll continue to do. "Sam has never quit anything he has done and why should he? He knows what he is doing. It showed today that the players are firing on all cylinders for him and have come out of the bottom three with a clean sheet and two goals."
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West Ham defender Guy Demel in hospital with head injury
BBC.co.uk
West Ham defender Guy Demel has been taken to hospital with a head injury he suffered in Saturday's game at Cardiff. Demel, 32, required oxygen as he left on a stretcher after falling awkwardly following what seemed like an innocuous collision with City's Fraizer Campbell. "Demel suffered concussion and was unconscious for several minutes. He will remain in overnight in hospital," tweeted West Ham co-owner David Gold. He joins fellow defenders Winston Reid and James Collins on the sidelines. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce was also dealt another defensive blow when centre-back James Tomkins, who had been reintroduced into the starting 11 having been missing for three games, was sent off. Tomkins received two yellow cards and will be suspended for one match.
Prior to Saturday's 1-0 league win, West Ham had conceded 11 goals in the previous two matches.
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Cardiff 0 West Ham 2
11 January 2014
Last updated at 18:14
By Bruce Pope
BBC Sport Wales
Struggling West Ham lifted the pressure on manager Sam Allardyce with a battling win at Cardiff City. The visitors had to survive a serious injury to Guy Demel and the sending-off of James Tomkins to claim their first Premier League win in seven attempts. West Ham led when Carlton Cole was picked out by Matt Jarvis, before Mark Noble's late breakaway settled things. It ruined Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's league debut as Cardiff boss as his side replaced West Ham in the bottom three. Despite public support from West Ham co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan, Allardyce brought his team to the Welsh capital second-bottom and three points behind their hosts. On top of that were humbling defeats in their previous two matches, with a 5-0 loss to Championship side Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup followed by a 6-0 defeat by Manchester City in the Capital One Cup semi-final first leg.
West Ham have now won their past five league encounters against Cardiff without conceding a goal - including the 2011-12 Championship play-off semi-finals
But, despite the return of £15m striker Andy Carroll to the West Ham bench after an eight-month absence, it was far from the perfect afternoon for Allardyce's side. The game was stopped for 10 minutes when Ivory Coast defender Demel suffered a serious head injury, falling awkwardly as he challenged Fraizer Campbell. After the application of a neck brace and oxygen, he was taken off on a stretcher and replaced by George McCartney. The sending-off of Tomkins, shown his second yellow card for catching Campbell in the face, will further compound Allardyce's defensive worries with James Collins and Winston Reid still out through injury. But after all the pre-match attention on Carroll it was Cole, signed only on a short-term deal, who gave the Hammers a much-needed lift.
When Matt Taylor picked out Jarvis on the right, his low cross allowed Cole to muscle his way in front of Kevin Theophile-Catherine to smash the ball past Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall. Cole nearly added a second after half-time, but Bluebirds captain Mark Hudson - making his first Premier League appearance of the season - stretched to nip the ball off the striker's toe. The 30-year-old was replaced for the final 18 minutes by Carroll and departed to a standing ovation from the travelling fans. Solskjaer began his Cardiff reign last week with an FA Cup win at Newcastle, and the Norwegian saw his side nearly come from behind again. Firstly, Kim Bo-Kyung's deflected shot came off the underside of the bar, before Craig Noone drew a full-length save out of goalkeeper Adrian. After all that Cardiff pressure, Cole's goal came as something of a sucker-punch and Solskjaer responded at half-time by replacing striker Peter Odemwingie with Craig Bellamy, making his return after two months out. The former Wales captain nearly created an equaliser, racing free on the right to pick out Campbell, whose fierce shot drew a brilliant reaction save out of Adrian. Solskjaer sent on new signing Magnus Wolff Eikrem in place of Gary Medel in midfield, then replaced Hudson with striker Andreas Cornelius in the hunt for an equaliser. West Ham nerves jangled when Eikrem unleashed a pile-driver, only to hit it straight at Adrian, but in injury time, a swift counter caught Cardiff over-committed and Noble's cool finish sealed a crucial result.
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Davies on West Ham link
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 11th January 2014
By: Staff Writer
Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies believes reports linking him with Sam Allardyce's job are the result of unnamed parties "mischief making". The 49-year-old Scotsman was one of several names mentioned as a potential replacement for Allardyce, on whom the pressure was eased somewhat following an encouraging 2-0 win at Cardiff that lifted West Ham out of the relegation zone. But speaking to the press following Forest's 1-1 draw at Bolton, a result that keeps the former European Champions in fifth spot in the Championship, Davies refused to comment on the rumours - whilst having plenty to say on those responsible for them. "I've got my own situation to take care of here, which is to take this football club moving forward," he said. "Apart from that nothing else matters to me. The one thing I will not do is show disrespect to the manager who currently sits in that position. "Do I view it as a compliment? I've been linked with jobs in the past, they're always lies and it is just mischief making."
One Forest fan who would be delighted to see the back of Davies is KUMB member Woans Left Peg. "He has systematically replaced every senior member of staff at the club with family members and friends," he posted on the KUMB Forum. "He has gone to war with the press, refusing to allow any access to the club to any member of the press outside of the mandated bare minimum and is so paranoid when it comes to the media that he now has a member of club staff filming the journalists at the post match press conferences. The sooner he leaves my club the better."
* Sam Allardyce failed to appear for to the press following this afternoon's vital win in Wales, sending assistant manager Neil McDonald to cover his duties instead.
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Another (striker) deal in the pipeline?
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 11th January 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are reported to have agreed a deal to sign Roma's Marco Borriello on loan for the remainder of the season. The seven-times-capped Italian international is currently out of the first team frame at Roma and looking to secure a tenth-career loan having enjoyed spells at Triestina, Treviso (x2), Empoli, Reggina, Sampdoria, Genoa (x2) and Juventus previously. This evening reports emanating from Italy suggest that the two clubs have tied up a deal for the 31-year-old, 6'1" striker. However with West Ham having already agreed terms with Lacina Troare (Monaco) and Ishak Belfodil (Milan), it remains to be seen which two forwards - should Allardyce sign more than one, as has been suggested - eventually land in east London.
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Cardiff City 0-2 West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 11th January 2014
By: Staff Writer
When Sunderland's Adam Johnson put Sunderland ahead at Fulham midway through the first half, West Ham were condemned to the bottom of the real-time Premier League. However by 5pm tonight the Hammers were out of the relegation zone entirely after grinding out a hugely-encouraging 2-0 win away to fellow strugglers Cardiff City. Dismissing any notions that Sam Allardyce had lost the support of the dressing room, West Ham were a determined, hard-working unit today and although they faced one or two major scares, goals from Carlton Cole - his third in six games - and Mark Noble were enough to secure a huge win. Defeat today could have been catastrophic for the Hammers lost, who would have been left four points adrift of safety tonight after Sunderland eventually thrashed Fulham 4-1. Yet despite the two-goal winning margin Hammers fans were made to wait until the third minute of injury time before victory was finally secured thanks to stand-in captain Noble.
The good news for Sam Allardyce going into the game was the return of James Tomkins, meaning the manager could field two central defenders for the first time this year. However his game plan was blown apart in the opening minutes when Guy Demel suffered what appeared to be a facial injury that required treatment for TEN minutes before he was finally stretchered off the pitch. George McCartney, who replaced Tomkins was to be magnificent, a constant thorn in red sides - as were the rest of his team mates, who soaked up considerable pressure from Cardiff before securing all three points with two well-taken goals.
The first arrived in the 42nd minute of 55 played in the first half by referee Lee Mason as a result of the injury to the unfortunate Demel. Matt Taylor's lofted pass found Matt Jarvis, who centred the ball for Carlton Cole who stole in front of his marker and smashed the ball into the corner of (the in-form) David Marshall's net.
Despite being under the cosh for much of the second period - and even more so after a second yellow card for James Tomkins resulted in West Ham being reduced to ten men for the final 18 minutes of normal time - Allardyce's charges continued to throw their bodies in front of shots and crosses time after time as the West Ham defence bowed, but refused to buckle.
And with three of the four added-on minutes already played, a rare excursion into Cardiff territory resulted in the killer second. Andy Carroll, whose first touch after replacing Cole was greeted by the sort of applause usually reserved for a 90th-minute winning goal received a long throw down the flank that he moved inside for an advancing Noble, who fired expertly into the far corner.
The home side, who take West Ham's place in the relegation zone as a result of today's reversal - their sixth consecutive defeat against the Hammers - will be bemoaning a string of missed opportunities, as Lady Luck came out on United's side for a change.
Shortly before West Ham took the lead an accidental deflection off referee Mason gave the Hammers the initiative. And later in the first half, Bo-Kyung Kim's shot took a deflection off Roger Johnson which beat a wrong-footed Adrian but not his crossbar. Goal-line technology, possibly used in a West Ham fixture for the first time ever, proved the South Korean's shot had not crossed the line.
The second half saw a string of penalty appeals from an increasingly-desperate Cardiff, one of which at least appeared to have some merit. However the Hammers held on for a rare away win, hopefully taking with it the first step to rescuing what still threatens to be a disastrous season.
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Sam Allardyce backed by West Ham owners David Gold and David Sullivan
Last Updated: 12/01/14 6:39am
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West Ham co-chairman David Gold has once again reiterated his support for manager Sam Allardyce following the club's much-needed victory against Cardiff City on Saturday. Allardyce has been heavily scrutinised recently after a run of results which had seen West Ham win just once in their last seven Premier League matches before the victory at the Cardiff City Stadium. But Gold said the 59-year-old's position had never been under threat as far as the board were concerned, insisting Allardyce should not be blamed for factors beyond his control such as the injuries to a number of key players. "People talk about the dreaded vote of confidence but what we say is what we mean," Gold told Sky Sports News. "Sam has done everything we've asked of him. "Our view is that Sam was doing nothing wrong other than that he had an injury list which was pretty devastating but you can't blame him for that."
David Gold and David Sullivan gave their backing to manager Sam Allardyce after West Ham's win over Cardiff. Asked if he and co-chairman David Sullivan would back Allardyce till the end of the season come what may, Gold said: "Well you know that. We've gone public - Sam Allardyce is our manager." Sullivan added: "If you were looking for a manager to keep you up you'd be looking to appoint Sam. "But we've got a long way to go. He knows it, we know it and the players know it. "We've given away too many points and made too many mistakes but we've put ourselves back in with a fighting chance (of avoiding relegation)."
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Big Sam is back
Sam Allardyce has been a miserable so-and-so of late, but his rallying cry in midweek saw West Ham achieve a rousing response at Cardiff. Is the old Big Sam back?
By Matt Stanger. Last Updated: 11/01/14 7:10pm
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As West Ham fans boarded the away coaches for the long journey to Cardiff in the early hours of Saturday morning, they could have been forgiven for fearing the worst. Two heavy cup defeats in the space of a week had compounded the bleak mood around the club with the team floundering in 19th in the league and Sam Allardyce's future hanging in the balance. A third loss on the spin would surely have sealed the manager's fate.
Cole on target
But there is a reason Allardyce has been spared the sack despite the rest of the bottom five all removing their managers in the first half of the season. Were he available when West Ham's four rivals opted for change, he would surely have led the list of potential replacements given his renowned ability to win a relegation battle. Allardyce may have got West Ham into this mess, but he is also the best man to get them out of it.
That was evident in the 2-0 win on Saturday as Cardiff's hopes for an immediate recovery under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were quickly extinguished. There was none of the 'Allardici' nonsense about the Hammers' starting line-up on this occasion as a four-man defence was protected by a five-man midfield, with Carlton Cole selected as a lone target-man in attack. It was back to basics, backs to the wall and back to the sort of performance required to avoid the drop.
Cardiff had seven shots on target against West Ham but rarely tested Adrian
Never a man who is easy to love, Big Sam's biggest problem this season has been an emotional detachment from his role. Following Andre Villas-Boas' sacking at Spurs, Allardyce spoke of his reluctance to form a bond with the Hammers after his treatment by Newcastle and Blackburn, but the troubles of the past seven days have rekindled the fire in his belly. "You either come out fighting or you sink and die," he said after the defeat to Manchester City. "I come out fighting as a manager and my staff and players are the same."
McDonald backs Hammers
The rallying cry certainly worked as the Hammers exhibited a battling spirit that has been missing in recent weeks and showed heartening resolve to resist Cardiff pressure in the second half. After a statuesque Allardyce barely blinked when Cole put the Hammers ahead before the break, co-commentator Trevor Francis said: "I think there would have been greater emotion if that goal had been scored in the 91st minute." It was a prophetic statement, as Mark Noble's injury-time strike left Allardyce jumping for joy on the touchline.
Andy Carroll's role in Mark Noble's late goal showed what an attacking outlet he can be for West Ham
There was much for the manager to celebrate, not least Andy Carroll's return from injury to make his first appearance of the season as a second-half substitute. In truth, it was a difficult cameo for the striker, but his involvement in Noble's goal underlined what the Hammers have been missing. Suddenly Matt Jarvis and Stewart Downing have a better option to aim at from the flanks, while Kevin Nolan, if he can be trusted to keep his cool, can return to sniffing out the knock-downs that enabled him to reach double figures in top-flight goals last season.
Noble hails huge win
Allardyce will also have been encouraged to see his team return to the top of the Premier League clean sheets table with their ninth of the season and first in eight matches, but his defensive concerns were equally exacerbated by an injury to Guy Demel and James Tomkins' red card. With Winston Reid still on the sidelines with an ankle injury, the manager could be forced to dip into the transfer market again, this time hoping to capture more quality than the limited Roger Johnson.
If reports are to be believed, David Gold and David Sullivan will back Allardyce with funds in January to plug the gaps in his fragile squad, but the manager needed a performance to prove he is worthy of their faith. Not only was that achieved on the pitch at Cardiff, but Allardyce's renewed ebullience is certain to help him curry favour. This was the Big Sam of old, and it was exactly what the Hammers needed to ease their fears after a nightmare week.
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Nottingham Forest boss Billy Davies plays down link to West Ham
Last Updated: 11/01/14 7:05pm
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Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies played down reports of a move to West Ham after the 1-1 draw at Bolton. Reports suggested that Davies had been considered to take the reins at Upton Park after his side humiliated Sam Allardyce's side 5-0 in the FA Cup third round. However, Davies was quick to refute any claim he was in contact about the post. Davies said: "I've got a job to do at this football club and the one thing I will not do is show disrespect to the manager who currently sits in that position. "I've got my own situation to take care of here, which is to take this football club moving forward and apart from that nothing else matters to me. "Do I view it as a compliment? I've been linked with jobs in the past and they're always lies and it is just mischief making."
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West Ham assistant boss Neil McDonald hails 2-0 win at Cardiff
Last Updated: 11/01/14 6:14pm
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West Ham assistant manager Neil McDonald hailed his side's character as they returned to form with a 2-0 victory at Cardiff City. The Hammers eased the pressure on Sam Allardyce after two heavy defeats by Nottingham Forest and Manchester City in the FA Cup and Capital One Cup respectively with a priceless win at the Cardiff City Stadium. Goals from Carlton Cole and Mark Noble proved to be enough to give West Ham their first win in eight games and help lift them out of the bottom three at the expense of Cardiff. "It is huge of course because we haven't won for a while and to come away from home and win 2-0 and keep a clean sheet, especially after the last two games when we conceded quite a few the confidence was low," McDonald told Sky Sports regarding the importance of the result. "But we've picked them up after the Manchester City game, we've worked very, very hard on the training field, even though it has been a limited time, and we've had a few players back and I think it shows when the big players come back it gives us a chance to compete."
McDonald admitted the result was the perfect response to the critics who have been calling for the head of Allardyce after the heavy losses to Forest and Manchester City and praised the club's fans for sticking by the side. "I think it is [the perfect response]. When you are not getting results obviously you come under pressure and people are asking questions why, but there is a huge boost today with winning 2-0, a huge boost with a couple coming back from injury and hopefully we will have another couple in the next couple of weeks. "The support we've had over the last week, even though they haven't seen their team win today, I thought the crowd was absolutely fantastic, they stuck by their team and got behind their team, and hopefully they have gone home very happy after seeing a much-improved performance."
McDonald also revealed they were waiting to find out the extent of Guy Demel's injury after he was stretchered off following a clash with his own team-mate Roger Johnson. Demel is thought to have suffered a suspected dislocated elbow as well as facial injuries to add to West Ham's lengthy injury list. "He has taken a bad knock on his head and he has gone to hospital so we are just waiting on the doctor to come back to give us an idea on how he is, but I am sure he is in good hands," continued McDonald. "I think it showed we have got players who put their body on the line which is great and we need to do that more often. "And if we get a couple of injuries then it gives somebody else the chance to come in and, as long as we stick together and work hard for each other, then we will get our just rewards, just like we did today."
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West Ham eased the pressure on Sam Allardyce with 2-0 win at Cardiff
Last Updated: 11/01/14 6:41pm
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West Ham eased the pressure on Sam Allardyce and climbed out of the bottom three of the Premier League with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Cardiff City in south Wales. Carlton Cole gave West Ham the lead in the first half before James Tomkins was sent off 18 minutes from time for a second bookable offence.
Cardiff piled the pressure on West Ham in the closing stages, but the visitors stood firm and made the game safe when Mark Noble scored a second goal deep into injury-time.
Best of the game
Man of the match: Mark Noble produced an inspirational performance as captain and was rewarded with goal
Goal of the match: Carlton Cole's effort was a well-worked effort after some good approach play from Taylor and Jarvis
Save of the match: Adrian produced a brilliant save to keep out Campbell's effort from close-range in the second half
Controversy of the match: Tomkins was sent off for a second bookable offence when it appeared he accidentally caught Campbell with a high boot
Moment of the match: Kim Bo-Kyung saw his deflected shot come back off the underside of the crossbar and bounce on the line with the game scoreless
Talking point: How big a boost will the returning Andy Carroll be for West Ham? Do Cardiff need to bring in new players to get out of trouble?
The win was the perfect response from West Ham after a difficult week as they spoiled Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first home game in charge of Cardiff. West Ham made the brighter start of the two teams and almost hit the front after just four minutes when Stewart Downing's cross from the left evaded everyone and bounced off the post. From the rebound the ball fell to Tomkins, but David Marshall was quickly off his line to block his effort The visitors suffered a blow on ten minutes when Guy Demel appeared to be caught in the head by his own team-mate Roger Johnson with the full-back being forced off on a stretcher following ten minutes of treatment from the medical staff.
Demel was taken straight to hospital with a suspected broken elbow and facial injuries to add to Sam Allardyce's injury woes. Cardiff created their first opening of the game just past the half-hour mark when Craig Noone beat Demel's replacement George McCartney down the left and he clipped over a cross which Fraizer Campbell headed over the top. Carlton Cole scored as West Ham ended their poor run of form with victory over Cardiff. The home side thought they had taken the lead on 32 minutes when Kim Bo-kyung ran unchallenged to the edge of the box and saw his shot take a deflection off Johnson and loop over West Ham keeper Adrian and down off the underside of the crossbar onto the line. Campbell was then adjudged to have fouled Adrian as he bundled the keeper and the ball into the back of the net.
West Ham broke the deadlock on 42 minutes when Matt Taylor picked out Matt Jarvis inside the box and he crossed for Cole to slot home past Marshall from close range. The visitors almost grabbed a second goal a minute later when the ball dropped to Taylor inside the box and he fizzed his right-footed shot just wide of the target with Marshall rooted to the spot. Cardiff wasted a great chance to draw level early in the second half when Mark Hudson beat the West Ham offside trap to get on the end of substitute Craig Bellamy's free-kick, but with his back to goal he could only head his effort over the top
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says his side should've defended better but was encouraged by their second half display. The home side had strong claims for a penalty waved away on 59 minutes when McCartney appeared to haul down Campbell inside the box, but referee Lee Mason waved their appeals. Adrian denied Cardiff the equaliser a minute later when he produced a superb reflex save to keep out Campbell's powerful shot from ten yards out after Bellamy had picked out the striker inside the box. West Ham introduced Andy Carroll for his first appearance of the season after a foot problem on 70 minutes, but two minutes later found themselves down to ten men when Tomkins was sent off for a second bookable offence after catching Campbell in the face with a high foot.
Cardiff threw everything at West Ham in the final 18 minutes, but could not find a way past Adrian or the visitors' defence as they stood strong to repel their efforts. West Ham made the game safe in the closing seconds when Carroll found Noble inside the box and the midfielder drilled his shot under Marshall to grab a goal his performance deserved to send the away fans into raptures.
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IS JOLEON LESCOTT ABOUT TO BECOME A HAMMER?
By Iain Dale 11 Jan 2014 at 23:45
West Ham Till I Die
According to the Sunday Telegraph West Ham are due to complete the signing of Manchester City and England defender Joleon Lescott on a permanent transfer. He is thought to be signing a three and a half year deal on an initial salary of £90,000 a week, dropping to £70k a week from the beginning of next season. The fee is thought to be around £5 million, which for Manchester City is something of a coup, seeing as he'd be available on a free at the end of the season.
However, City apparently won't release him until after next Saturday's game, which may scupper the whole deal, bearing in mind our need to bring in another central defender pretty quickly following James Tomkins' sending off today.
Yes, Lescott may be 31, but he is on the edge of a World Cup place and will be very keen to cement it. He cost Man City £24 million when they signed him from Everton. If we can get him, I think it would be a bit of a coup. Mind you, given a choice I'd prefer Micah Richards, who is an immense player who will never fill his potential at Manchester City.
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CARDIFF 0 WEST HAM 2 - THINGS FINALLY COME GOOD
By Iain Dale 11 Jan 2014 at 17:04
West Ham Till I Die
What a fantastic result that was, and by all accounts a great performance too. And wasn't that a marvellous ball from Andy Carroll to Mark Noble to lay on the second goal?
Like many of you, I listened to the match on the radio, although I did see the goals on a rather jittery internet stream. The commentators seemed hugely impressed by the performance and commitment. And the great thing was that the injury to Demel and Tomkins' sending off didn't appear to unduly unsettle the side. Of course it is very worrying that we now have two more defenders unavailable for the match next Saturday, giving the manager yet another set of selection headaches. Maybe James Collins will be fit to return.
Will this be the match that kickstarts us on to better things? Time will tell, but at least we are out of the bottom three.
PS If we beat Newcastle, as the table stands now, we could go as high as thirteenth. Isn't it wonderful how three points make us feel so inexplicably optimistic?
UPDATE: Alan Hansen just described Mark Noble as giving "one of the performances of the season". Wonder if Roy Hodgson might finally take note.
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West Ham assistant boss Neil McDonald praises team's 'togetherness' after crucial win at Cardiff
Jan 11, 2014 18:10 By Danny McCann 0 Comments
The Mirror
West Ham United assistant Neil McDonald was delighted to take all three points in their 2-0 win at fellow strugglers Cardiff. They welcomed back Andy Carroll back after an eight month lay-off but it was the team's 'togetherness' and fans' support that gave the team victory. "The team showed togetherness today and the supporters stuck by us and have travelled a long way this week. Talking about boss Sam Allardyce he said: "He has come under pressure but he's experienced to take that. He took the plaudits when we finished 10th last year. People will be coming back from injury soon to give the squad a boost." The Hammers moved above Cardiff to get out of bottom three to alleviate some pressure on Allardyce after two embarrassing cup drubbings to Manchester City and Nottingham Forest. Goals came from Carlton Cole and a late goal from captain Mark Noble who knew how big this win was for the struggling Hammers.
"That was massive," Noble said. "We have been poor lately, we have been embarrassed in the two Cup games recently and this is a tough place to come, but we have lost a man and still managed to win." Allardyce's men face Newcastle United at Upton Park next Saturday.
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Fulham want West Ham stars Ravel Morrison and Mo Diame but must decide which one to focus on
Jan 12, 2014 05:56 By Dean Jones 0 Comments
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Fulham face a dilemma over their pursuit of two West Ham stars, writes Dean Jones in the Sunday People. Head coach Rene Meulensteen wants to push ahead with a £5million bid for Ravel Morrison – but technical director Alan Curbishley believes they should try to land Mo Diame for a similar figure instead. They realise it is extremely unlikely the Hammers will part with both players so must decide which of the two to focus on. It is the first test of Fulham's unusual management set-up. Meulensteen was promoted to team boss when Martin Jol was sacked, while Alan Curbishley was then brought in at the end of December in a senior role.
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West Ham plot Wayne Hennessey transfer after Wales keeper refuses to play for Wolves
Jan 11, 2014 22:30 By Alan Nixon 1 Comments
The Mirror
Michael Steele
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce wants to sign keeper Wayne Hennessey on loan for the rest of the season, writes Alan Nixon in the Sunday People. The unsettled shot-stopper refused to play for Wolves against Gillingham recently while he was involved in transfer talks with Crystal Palace, and has fallen out with Molineux boss Kenny Jackett. Allardyce has emplyed both veteran Jussi Jaaskelainen and Spaniard Adrian in the Hammers' goal recently, but they have been helpless to stop the recent heavy defeats.
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West Ham United And Werder Bremen Want Juventus Defender
Forzaitalianfootball.com
Juventus defender Marco Motta is attracting interest from Werder Bremen and West Ham amidst reports he is set to leave the Bianconeri before the end of the transfer window. The 27-year-old fullback has been deemed a surplus for a long time in Turin, and could be set for another loan spell away from the club as interest from abroad heightens in the one-time Italian international. As reported by Tuttosport, German club Werder Bremen would like to offer a loan move until the end of the season, with an option to buy if the loan proves successful. West Ham may look to hijack the move though as Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is looking to strengthen his defence and has pinpointed Motta as one of his primary targets. Motta has been on the fringes of the Juventus team ever since joining in 2010, and this season is no different as he has only made two substitute appearances so far.
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West Ham Close To Signing Roma Striker
Forzaitalianfootball.com
The Hammers are on the lookout for a new striker in the transfer window, and were close to signing Inter's Ishak Belfodil before the move collapsed a few days ago. West Ham have continued their search in Italy, and Sky Italia report there is an agreement between West Ham and Roma for the transfer of the Italian international. On Monday, the player will meet with the club officials to try and understand the intentions of coach Rudi Garcia. If Roma deem him a surplus to requirements, the attacker may accept the offer from England. Borriello has been on the periphery of the Roma squad so far this season, netting one goal in 11 appearances.
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West Ham agree deal with Manchester City to take Joleon Lescott for £90,000 a week
West Ham United have agreed a 3½-year deal with Manchester City to sign Joleon Lescott as they battle against relegation.
The Telegraph
Jason Burt By Jason Burt, Football Correspondent11:19PM GMT 11 Jan 2014
However the move may collapse because Manchester City are adamant they will not release the England international until after Jan 20 and West Ham are unsure they can wait another week, despite a 2-0 victory at relegation rivals Cardiff City on Saturday. It is also unclear whether Lescott wants to move to West Ham and face a survival fight or wait to see if offers come in from other clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United. The 31-year-old has six months left on his contract at the Etihad and wants to secure regular first-team football as he battles for a place in England's squad for the World Cup in Brazil.
West Ham are believed to have agreed a deal with City a week ago matching Lescott's wages of £90,000 a week for the rest of this campaign and then agreeing to pay the central defender £70,000 a week for another three years even if they are relegated. West Ham's commitment of more than £12 million in wages for Lescott is brave given the very real prospect the club could go down, but he is regarded as someone who could save them from the drop and provide leadership. West Ham are desperately short of central defenders with Winston Reid, James Tomkins and James Collins all having suffered from injuries, while right-back Guy Demel sustained a suspected broken elbow and concussion yesterday. Co-owner David Gold tweeted last night to say the player was staying in hospital in Cardiff overnight after losing consciousness "for several minutes".
City have indicated that Lescott will be allowed to go once all their central defenders are fit. Martin Demichelis, Vincent Kompany and Matija Nastasic are all now available, while Micah Richards is also fit. Lescott, who joined City from Everton for £24 million, formed a formidable partnership with Kompany in the club's title-winning season two years ago. But he has fallen out of favour since then under Roberto Mancini and Manuel Pellegrini. West Ham are pushing ahead with plans to further bolster their squad, although they were dealt a blow on Friday when Inter Milan demanded a fee of £7 million for Algerian striker Ishak Belfodil rather than allowing the 21-year-old to go on loan. The club are now looking at other options but can go about their transfer business with renewed confidence after Carlton Cole and Mark Noble secured victory for them on Saturday. "I think we've shown that sticking together and keeping to the game plan gives us a good result," assistant manager Neil McDonald said after the game. "It keeps us out of the bottom three, which is great."
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West Ham are set to fire Sam Allardyce this week, will appoint Malky Mackay [Sunday Star]
Saturday, January 11th, 2014
101greatgoals.com
The Sunday Star, a wholly unreliable newspaper, have splashed the bottom of the backpage of their Sunday tabloid with the revelation of a manager change at West Ham. Despite the fact that the Hammers picked up a huge 2-0 win at Cardiff on Saturday to inject new life into their survival battle, the Star reckon Big Sam is getting the axe this week.
The Star claim: Crisis-torn West Ham are ready to send a SOS message to Malky Mackay this week. Hammers joint-owners David Gold and David Sullivan have so far refused to cave in to the fans' demands by sacking unpopular Sam Allardyce. But, despite the Londoners' 2-0 win at fellow-strugglers Cardiff yesterday, it would appear only a matter of time before Big Sam gets the bullet. The story in the Star runs contrary to the video message put out by West Ham joint-owner David Gold on Christmas, when the owner talked about club unity, sticking together, and getting through bad times as a family.
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West Ham's Demel to be fit for Newcastle clash
Goal.com
11 Jan 2014 19:45:00
EXCLUSIVE
By Harry Sherlock
West Ham are confident Guy Demel will be fit to face Newcastle next weekend, despite the defender being stretchered off in the club's 2-0 win over Cardiff City on Saturday. The 32-year-old fell heavily after contesting a defensive header with Fraizer Campbell and was afforded lengthy treatment by the Hammers' medical staff before he was rushed to hospital. Boss Sam Allardyce initially feared the star had broken his elbow and suffered a badly bruised face, but Goal can reveal that subsequent tests have shown that he has only suffered concussion. Nevertheless, he will be kept in hospital overnight and will be released on Sunday morning - meaning he is likely to be able to take to the field against Alan Pardew's Magpies next weekend. The news will come as a massive relief to Allardyce, as Demel's fellow defender James Tomkins was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in the win in Wales and is now set to serve a suspension.
If no appeal is lodged, the 24-year-old will miss the Newcastle fixture - adding further importance to the news of Demel's positive diagnosis.
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WHUFC.com
Carlton Cole and Mark Noble were on target as West Ham United triumphed 2-0 at Cardiff City
11.01.2014
Cardiff City 0-2 West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United ended a run of seven Barclays Premier League games without a win by defeating Cardiff City 2-0 on Saturday. The Hammers had to fight through the final 18 minutes with ten men after James Tomkins was red carded, but they added to the lead given to them by Carlton Cole through Mark Noble at the death. It was reward for a battling Hammers performance, as they put a nightmare week behind them in style to move out of the bottom three. West Ham were within a whisker of taking a fourth minute lead when Stewart Downing's inswinging cross travelled all the way through the area and struck the far post with goalkeeper David Marshall helpless. James Tomkins got the ball under control on the rebound, but Marshall recovered to block from the Hammers man. It was the visitors who were making the early running, but their momentum was checked by a nasty-looking injury to Guy Demel. The full back was accidently caught by an elbow from teammate Roger Johnson and had to depart the field on a stretcher after a lengthy spell of treatment.
On the game's resumption, Cardiff could not have gone any closer to opening the scoring than they did on 32 minutes when Kim Bo-Kyung made his way forward from midfield and unleashed a shot which deflected off Roger Johnson and flew up onto the crossbar. The ball bounced down on the line and Fraizer Campbell bundled Adrian over, but referee Lee Mason blew for a foul. The hosts were beginning to look more threatening and Adrian did well to turn Craig Noone's low effort away on 40 minutes, before the Hammers broke and took the lead. Carlton Cole was the man who fired into the net, getting in front of his man to reach Matt Jarvis' low cross and give Marshall no chance. Matt Taylor shot inches wide almost immediately afterwards as West Ham looked to press home their advantage, and they saw out the ten minutes of stoppage time to reach the break ahead. Cardiff brought former Hammer Craig Bellamy on from the bench at half time and he almost had an instant impact, delivering a free-kick for Mark Hudson to nod over. Hudson was involved at the other end on 49 minutes, nicking Matt Taylor's cross away from Cole as the striker waited to pounce, but Cardiff's threat was growing as the half wore on. On the hour Adrian had to show great reflexes to touch Campbell's goalbound effort over the top after Bellamy got in down the right to cross. Peter Whittingham then had a shot which deflected into the Spanish stopper's hands before Bellamy curled a free-kick just wide. With 72 minutes played Andy Carroll came off the bench to make his long-awaited first appearance of the season, but that boost quickly subsided as Tomkins was dismissed for a second booking in the very same minute.
That left the Hammers a man light as they sought to protect their lead and Cardiff predictably upped the pressure in the closing stages. Debutant Magnus Eikrem shot straight down Adrian's throat, while Mark Noble charged down a dangerous Bellamy effort, but it was the Hammers who sealed it in stoppage time. Carroll did superbly to hold the ball up by the right touchline and feed inside to Noble, who took a touch, steadied himself and drilled under Marshall's dive.
Cardiff City: Marshall; Theophile-Catherine, Caulker, Hudson (Cornelius 78), John; Medel (Eikrem 68), Whittingham; Noone, Kim, Odemwingie (Bellamy 46); Campbell
Subs: Lewis, Turner, McNaughton, Gunnarsson
Booked: Medel
West Ham United: Adrian; Demel (McCartney 17), Johnson, Tomkins, Rat; Collison (Diarra 75), Noble, Taylor; Downing, C.Cole (Carroll 72), Jarvis
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Maiga, Diame, J.Cole
Goals: C.Cole 42, Noble 90
Booked: McCartney, Tomkins, Johnson, Diarra
Sent off: Tomkins
Referee: Lee Mason
Attendance: 27,750
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'It's great to be back'
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll was delighted to make his comeback in Saturday's 2-0 win at Cardiff City
11.01.2014
Andy Carroll returned to the Hammers team with a bang on Saturday, laying on Mark Noble's game-clinching second goal at Cardiff City after coming off the bench with 18 minutes to play. The big Geordie missed the entire first half of the season with a foot injury but is feeling strong again and is looking forward to playing his part in 2014. Carroll's run-out was just the boost both he and the Hammers needed and his delight was plain to see when he spoke to guest West Ham TV interviewer Kevin Nolan after the game. "It felt very good to be back on the pitch," he beamed. "I'm buzzing to be back, it's a great feeling to be back after being out for so long. "It was disappointing to go down to ten men. Tonks made a decision to clear the ball and caught him [Fraizer Campbell], but the lads held on well and it was great to get another goal as well to make it 2-0. "After a long time out, this was my first game back so obviously I was a bit rusty, but I was happy to set up the goal at the end and I'll try to forget about the rusty bits!"
The Hammers take on Newcastle United at the Boleyn Ground next week and the No9 cannot wait to take on his hometown club. He added: "It's going to be great to play Newcastle next week. I'll have a lot of family coming down and I can't wait to get back on the pitch after having 20 minutes today."
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Macca dedicates win to supporters
WHUFC.com
Assistant manager Neil McDonald said West Ham United fans deserved Saturday's 2-0 win at Cardiff City
11.01.2014
Neil McDonald dedicated West Ham United's 2-0 Barclays Premier League victory at Cardiff City to the Club's loyal travelling supporters. After two difficult away days at Nottingham Forest and Manchester City, the Claret and Blue Army were rewarded with a deserved and morale-boosting win in South Wales.
West Ham recovered from the early loss of Guy Demel to a head injury - the right-back will be kept in overnight at a Cardiff hospital for observation after being caught on the head by Roger Johnson's elbow - and the second half sending-off of James Tomkins to win through a goal in either half from Carlton Cole and Mark Noble.
With Andy Carroll also making a welcome first appearance of the season as a second-half substitute and creating Noble's added-time clincher, there were plenty of reasons to be positive for the assistant manager, players, manager Sam Allardyce, staff and supporters. "The players got what they deserved and they showed that they are working very hard to put things right. We had a tough time last week, conceding a lot of goals, but everybody has stayed strong and stuck together. We had a couple of injured players back and we put in a fine, battling performance, and scored two brilliant goals. "It was just reward for the fans who have supported in the three games in a week. They have turned out in their numbers again and we have sent them home happy and we need to do that more often. "We needed a little bit of luck. We've been working very hard but we haven't always had the rub of the green. We got a little bit of luck and we've shown we're not going to sit down and get beat again. We played some really good football until Guy Demel got injured, scored a fantastic goal and showed real resilience after we went down to ten men in the second half. "We battled away but they didn't really cause us problems. The put pressure on us from free-kicks and corners, but in open play we restricted them to shots from long distance. We were quite happy with that. "Our shape was good and they found it very difficult to break us down. Then, at the end, to go and score the second goal was the icing on the cake."
McDonald said Saturday's win showed the great spirit among the players and staff - and supporters - following a difficult week and will give everyone connected with the Club a boost ahead of next weekend's visit of Newcastle United to the Boleyn Ground. One player who showed superb character was goalkeeper Adrian, who produced another outstanding display to keep his first clean sheet and enjoy his first league win in English football. "Adrian's handling was fantastic and he's made another couple of good saves, which is what he's paid to do. He came off with a huge smile on his face because he's kept his first clean sheet in English football, which is great. "I think the whole squad has galvanised together, probably due to the criticism we've received because we haven't been getting results. We had to stand up and be counted and the team certainly showed they were willing to put their bodies on the line with the way they defended. "We also showed the quality that we've shown throughout the season, but we were that little bit more clinical this time. We need to do that more often."
McDonald was also naturally delighted to see Carroll back on the pitch after eight months out with a foot injury. The centre forward saw his team reduced to ten men just 60 seconds after coming on as Tomkins was sent-off for two bookable offences, but his strength, movement and quality contributed to a deserved success. "It's great. We had Andy and Tonks back so the squad is improving and it makes competition for places stronger. "Andy is a big player for us, as is Tonks, and it's great to have them back. It's great to have Andy back helping the team out, holding the ball up and flicking the ball on, and obviously he has got down the line and made a telling pass for Mark Noble to score the second goal. "The celebrations are well-deserved because we've had a tough week, but we've come back strong and we've all stuck together. Hopefully the supporters who are travelling back to London will do so happy."
Finally, as Big Sam's No2, McDonald said the victory would also boost his boss. "It's great for Sam because he's had some stick from all quarters, but in our inner circle we have stayed strong and believed in what we're doing and that's what we'll continue to do."
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West Ham were galvanised, says assistant manager Neil McDonald
BBC.co.uk
West Ham were spurred on to a 2-0 win at Cardiff on Saturday by criticism of their run of poor results, according to assistant Neil McDonald. Victory was the Hammers' first in the league since 30 November, while they came into the game having conceded 11 goals in two cup matches last week. "I think the whole squad has galvanised together, probably because of the criticism we've received," he said. "They showed they were willing to put their bodies on the line."
The win lifted manager Sam Allardyce's side out of the relegation zone and moved them to 18 points, above 18th-placed Cardiff on goal difference. What made the victory more impressive was that it followed a 5-0 defeat by Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup and a 6-0 loss to Manchester City in the League Cup. They also played the final 20 minutes in Cardiff with 10 men after centre-back James Tomkins was shown a second yellow, while fellow defender Guy Demel was carried off on a stretcher off in the first half with a head injury.
McDonald added: "The players got what they deserved and they showed that they are working very hard to put things right. "We had a tough time last week, conceding a lot of goals, but everybody has stayed strong and stuck together. "We had a couple of injured players back and we put in a fine, battling performance, and scored two brilliant goals."
They were scored by striker Carlton Cole, just before half-time, and captain Mark Noble late in the match, with his assist coming from Andy Carroll. The former Liverpool striker, who was signed on a permanent deal for a club record fee of £15m in the summer, had not played since his loan spell last season.
"It's great to have Andy back helping the team out, holding the ball up and flicking the ball on, and obviously he has got down the line and made a telling pass for Mark Noble to score the second goal," said McDonald. Meanwhile, the West Ham assistant manager came out in support of Allardyce, whose position at Upton Park has been under scrutiny. "It's great for Sam because he's had some stick from all quarters, but in our inner circle we have stayed strong and believed in what we're doing and that's what we'll continue to do. "Sam has never quit anything he has done and why should he? He knows what he is doing. It showed today that the players are firing on all cylinders for him and have come out of the bottom three with a clean sheet and two goals."
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West Ham defender Guy Demel in hospital with head injury
BBC.co.uk
West Ham defender Guy Demel has been taken to hospital with a head injury he suffered in Saturday's game at Cardiff. Demel, 32, required oxygen as he left on a stretcher after falling awkwardly following what seemed like an innocuous collision with City's Fraizer Campbell. "Demel suffered concussion and was unconscious for several minutes. He will remain in overnight in hospital," tweeted West Ham co-owner David Gold. He joins fellow defenders Winston Reid and James Collins on the sidelines. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce was also dealt another defensive blow when centre-back James Tomkins, who had been reintroduced into the starting 11 having been missing for three games, was sent off. Tomkins received two yellow cards and will be suspended for one match.
Prior to Saturday's 1-0 league win, West Ham had conceded 11 goals in the previous two matches.
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Cardiff 0 West Ham 2
11 January 2014
Last updated at 18:14
By Bruce Pope
BBC Sport Wales
Struggling West Ham lifted the pressure on manager Sam Allardyce with a battling win at Cardiff City. The visitors had to survive a serious injury to Guy Demel and the sending-off of James Tomkins to claim their first Premier League win in seven attempts. West Ham led when Carlton Cole was picked out by Matt Jarvis, before Mark Noble's late breakaway settled things. It ruined Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's league debut as Cardiff boss as his side replaced West Ham in the bottom three. Despite public support from West Ham co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan, Allardyce brought his team to the Welsh capital second-bottom and three points behind their hosts. On top of that were humbling defeats in their previous two matches, with a 5-0 loss to Championship side Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup followed by a 6-0 defeat by Manchester City in the Capital One Cup semi-final first leg.
West Ham have now won their past five league encounters against Cardiff without conceding a goal - including the 2011-12 Championship play-off semi-finals
But, despite the return of £15m striker Andy Carroll to the West Ham bench after an eight-month absence, it was far from the perfect afternoon for Allardyce's side. The game was stopped for 10 minutes when Ivory Coast defender Demel suffered a serious head injury, falling awkwardly as he challenged Fraizer Campbell. After the application of a neck brace and oxygen, he was taken off on a stretcher and replaced by George McCartney. The sending-off of Tomkins, shown his second yellow card for catching Campbell in the face, will further compound Allardyce's defensive worries with James Collins and Winston Reid still out through injury. But after all the pre-match attention on Carroll it was Cole, signed only on a short-term deal, who gave the Hammers a much-needed lift.
When Matt Taylor picked out Jarvis on the right, his low cross allowed Cole to muscle his way in front of Kevin Theophile-Catherine to smash the ball past Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall. Cole nearly added a second after half-time, but Bluebirds captain Mark Hudson - making his first Premier League appearance of the season - stretched to nip the ball off the striker's toe. The 30-year-old was replaced for the final 18 minutes by Carroll and departed to a standing ovation from the travelling fans. Solskjaer began his Cardiff reign last week with an FA Cup win at Newcastle, and the Norwegian saw his side nearly come from behind again. Firstly, Kim Bo-Kyung's deflected shot came off the underside of the bar, before Craig Noone drew a full-length save out of goalkeeper Adrian. After all that Cardiff pressure, Cole's goal came as something of a sucker-punch and Solskjaer responded at half-time by replacing striker Peter Odemwingie with Craig Bellamy, making his return after two months out. The former Wales captain nearly created an equaliser, racing free on the right to pick out Campbell, whose fierce shot drew a brilliant reaction save out of Adrian. Solskjaer sent on new signing Magnus Wolff Eikrem in place of Gary Medel in midfield, then replaced Hudson with striker Andreas Cornelius in the hunt for an equaliser. West Ham nerves jangled when Eikrem unleashed a pile-driver, only to hit it straight at Adrian, but in injury time, a swift counter caught Cardiff over-committed and Noble's cool finish sealed a crucial result.
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Davies on West Ham link
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 11th January 2014
By: Staff Writer
Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies believes reports linking him with Sam Allardyce's job are the result of unnamed parties "mischief making". The 49-year-old Scotsman was one of several names mentioned as a potential replacement for Allardyce, on whom the pressure was eased somewhat following an encouraging 2-0 win at Cardiff that lifted West Ham out of the relegation zone. But speaking to the press following Forest's 1-1 draw at Bolton, a result that keeps the former European Champions in fifth spot in the Championship, Davies refused to comment on the rumours - whilst having plenty to say on those responsible for them. "I've got my own situation to take care of here, which is to take this football club moving forward," he said. "Apart from that nothing else matters to me. The one thing I will not do is show disrespect to the manager who currently sits in that position. "Do I view it as a compliment? I've been linked with jobs in the past, they're always lies and it is just mischief making."
One Forest fan who would be delighted to see the back of Davies is KUMB member Woans Left Peg. "He has systematically replaced every senior member of staff at the club with family members and friends," he posted on the KUMB Forum. "He has gone to war with the press, refusing to allow any access to the club to any member of the press outside of the mandated bare minimum and is so paranoid when it comes to the media that he now has a member of club staff filming the journalists at the post match press conferences. The sooner he leaves my club the better."
* Sam Allardyce failed to appear for to the press following this afternoon's vital win in Wales, sending assistant manager Neil McDonald to cover his duties instead.
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Another (striker) deal in the pipeline?
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 11th January 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are reported to have agreed a deal to sign Roma's Marco Borriello on loan for the remainder of the season. The seven-times-capped Italian international is currently out of the first team frame at Roma and looking to secure a tenth-career loan having enjoyed spells at Triestina, Treviso (x2), Empoli, Reggina, Sampdoria, Genoa (x2) and Juventus previously. This evening reports emanating from Italy suggest that the two clubs have tied up a deal for the 31-year-old, 6'1" striker. However with West Ham having already agreed terms with Lacina Troare (Monaco) and Ishak Belfodil (Milan), it remains to be seen which two forwards - should Allardyce sign more than one, as has been suggested - eventually land in east London.
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Cardiff City 0-2 West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 11th January 2014
By: Staff Writer
When Sunderland's Adam Johnson put Sunderland ahead at Fulham midway through the first half, West Ham were condemned to the bottom of the real-time Premier League. However by 5pm tonight the Hammers were out of the relegation zone entirely after grinding out a hugely-encouraging 2-0 win away to fellow strugglers Cardiff City. Dismissing any notions that Sam Allardyce had lost the support of the dressing room, West Ham were a determined, hard-working unit today and although they faced one or two major scares, goals from Carlton Cole - his third in six games - and Mark Noble were enough to secure a huge win. Defeat today could have been catastrophic for the Hammers lost, who would have been left four points adrift of safety tonight after Sunderland eventually thrashed Fulham 4-1. Yet despite the two-goal winning margin Hammers fans were made to wait until the third minute of injury time before victory was finally secured thanks to stand-in captain Noble.
The good news for Sam Allardyce going into the game was the return of James Tomkins, meaning the manager could field two central defenders for the first time this year. However his game plan was blown apart in the opening minutes when Guy Demel suffered what appeared to be a facial injury that required treatment for TEN minutes before he was finally stretchered off the pitch. George McCartney, who replaced Tomkins was to be magnificent, a constant thorn in red sides - as were the rest of his team mates, who soaked up considerable pressure from Cardiff before securing all three points with two well-taken goals.
The first arrived in the 42nd minute of 55 played in the first half by referee Lee Mason as a result of the injury to the unfortunate Demel. Matt Taylor's lofted pass found Matt Jarvis, who centred the ball for Carlton Cole who stole in front of his marker and smashed the ball into the corner of (the in-form) David Marshall's net.
Despite being under the cosh for much of the second period - and even more so after a second yellow card for James Tomkins resulted in West Ham being reduced to ten men for the final 18 minutes of normal time - Allardyce's charges continued to throw their bodies in front of shots and crosses time after time as the West Ham defence bowed, but refused to buckle.
And with three of the four added-on minutes already played, a rare excursion into Cardiff territory resulted in the killer second. Andy Carroll, whose first touch after replacing Cole was greeted by the sort of applause usually reserved for a 90th-minute winning goal received a long throw down the flank that he moved inside for an advancing Noble, who fired expertly into the far corner.
The home side, who take West Ham's place in the relegation zone as a result of today's reversal - their sixth consecutive defeat against the Hammers - will be bemoaning a string of missed opportunities, as Lady Luck came out on United's side for a change.
Shortly before West Ham took the lead an accidental deflection off referee Mason gave the Hammers the initiative. And later in the first half, Bo-Kyung Kim's shot took a deflection off Roger Johnson which beat a wrong-footed Adrian but not his crossbar. Goal-line technology, possibly used in a West Ham fixture for the first time ever, proved the South Korean's shot had not crossed the line.
The second half saw a string of penalty appeals from an increasingly-desperate Cardiff, one of which at least appeared to have some merit. However the Hammers held on for a rare away win, hopefully taking with it the first step to rescuing what still threatens to be a disastrous season.
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Sam Allardyce backed by West Ham owners David Gold and David Sullivan
Last Updated: 12/01/14 6:39am
SSN
West Ham co-chairman David Gold has once again reiterated his support for manager Sam Allardyce following the club's much-needed victory against Cardiff City on Saturday. Allardyce has been heavily scrutinised recently after a run of results which had seen West Ham win just once in their last seven Premier League matches before the victory at the Cardiff City Stadium. But Gold said the 59-year-old's position had never been under threat as far as the board were concerned, insisting Allardyce should not be blamed for factors beyond his control such as the injuries to a number of key players. "People talk about the dreaded vote of confidence but what we say is what we mean," Gold told Sky Sports News. "Sam has done everything we've asked of him. "Our view is that Sam was doing nothing wrong other than that he had an injury list which was pretty devastating but you can't blame him for that."
David Gold and David Sullivan gave their backing to manager Sam Allardyce after West Ham's win over Cardiff. Asked if he and co-chairman David Sullivan would back Allardyce till the end of the season come what may, Gold said: "Well you know that. We've gone public - Sam Allardyce is our manager." Sullivan added: "If you were looking for a manager to keep you up you'd be looking to appoint Sam. "But we've got a long way to go. He knows it, we know it and the players know it. "We've given away too many points and made too many mistakes but we've put ourselves back in with a fighting chance (of avoiding relegation)."
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Big Sam is back
Sam Allardyce has been a miserable so-and-so of late, but his rallying cry in midweek saw West Ham achieve a rousing response at Cardiff. Is the old Big Sam back?
By Matt Stanger. Last Updated: 11/01/14 7:10pm
SSN
As West Ham fans boarded the away coaches for the long journey to Cardiff in the early hours of Saturday morning, they could have been forgiven for fearing the worst. Two heavy cup defeats in the space of a week had compounded the bleak mood around the club with the team floundering in 19th in the league and Sam Allardyce's future hanging in the balance. A third loss on the spin would surely have sealed the manager's fate.
Cole on target
But there is a reason Allardyce has been spared the sack despite the rest of the bottom five all removing their managers in the first half of the season. Were he available when West Ham's four rivals opted for change, he would surely have led the list of potential replacements given his renowned ability to win a relegation battle. Allardyce may have got West Ham into this mess, but he is also the best man to get them out of it.
That was evident in the 2-0 win on Saturday as Cardiff's hopes for an immediate recovery under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were quickly extinguished. There was none of the 'Allardici' nonsense about the Hammers' starting line-up on this occasion as a four-man defence was protected by a five-man midfield, with Carlton Cole selected as a lone target-man in attack. It was back to basics, backs to the wall and back to the sort of performance required to avoid the drop.
Cardiff had seven shots on target against West Ham but rarely tested Adrian
Never a man who is easy to love, Big Sam's biggest problem this season has been an emotional detachment from his role. Following Andre Villas-Boas' sacking at Spurs, Allardyce spoke of his reluctance to form a bond with the Hammers after his treatment by Newcastle and Blackburn, but the troubles of the past seven days have rekindled the fire in his belly. "You either come out fighting or you sink and die," he said after the defeat to Manchester City. "I come out fighting as a manager and my staff and players are the same."
McDonald backs Hammers
The rallying cry certainly worked as the Hammers exhibited a battling spirit that has been missing in recent weeks and showed heartening resolve to resist Cardiff pressure in the second half. After a statuesque Allardyce barely blinked when Cole put the Hammers ahead before the break, co-commentator Trevor Francis said: "I think there would have been greater emotion if that goal had been scored in the 91st minute." It was a prophetic statement, as Mark Noble's injury-time strike left Allardyce jumping for joy on the touchline.
Andy Carroll's role in Mark Noble's late goal showed what an attacking outlet he can be for West Ham
There was much for the manager to celebrate, not least Andy Carroll's return from injury to make his first appearance of the season as a second-half substitute. In truth, it was a difficult cameo for the striker, but his involvement in Noble's goal underlined what the Hammers have been missing. Suddenly Matt Jarvis and Stewart Downing have a better option to aim at from the flanks, while Kevin Nolan, if he can be trusted to keep his cool, can return to sniffing out the knock-downs that enabled him to reach double figures in top-flight goals last season.
Noble hails huge win
Allardyce will also have been encouraged to see his team return to the top of the Premier League clean sheets table with their ninth of the season and first in eight matches, but his defensive concerns were equally exacerbated by an injury to Guy Demel and James Tomkins' red card. With Winston Reid still on the sidelines with an ankle injury, the manager could be forced to dip into the transfer market again, this time hoping to capture more quality than the limited Roger Johnson.
If reports are to be believed, David Gold and David Sullivan will back Allardyce with funds in January to plug the gaps in his fragile squad, but the manager needed a performance to prove he is worthy of their faith. Not only was that achieved on the pitch at Cardiff, but Allardyce's renewed ebullience is certain to help him curry favour. This was the Big Sam of old, and it was exactly what the Hammers needed to ease their fears after a nightmare week.
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Nottingham Forest boss Billy Davies plays down link to West Ham
Last Updated: 11/01/14 7:05pm
SSN
Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies played down reports of a move to West Ham after the 1-1 draw at Bolton. Reports suggested that Davies had been considered to take the reins at Upton Park after his side humiliated Sam Allardyce's side 5-0 in the FA Cup third round. However, Davies was quick to refute any claim he was in contact about the post. Davies said: "I've got a job to do at this football club and the one thing I will not do is show disrespect to the manager who currently sits in that position. "I've got my own situation to take care of here, which is to take this football club moving forward and apart from that nothing else matters to me. "Do I view it as a compliment? I've been linked with jobs in the past and they're always lies and it is just mischief making."
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West Ham assistant boss Neil McDonald hails 2-0 win at Cardiff
Last Updated: 11/01/14 6:14pm
SSN
West Ham assistant manager Neil McDonald hailed his side's character as they returned to form with a 2-0 victory at Cardiff City. The Hammers eased the pressure on Sam Allardyce after two heavy defeats by Nottingham Forest and Manchester City in the FA Cup and Capital One Cup respectively with a priceless win at the Cardiff City Stadium. Goals from Carlton Cole and Mark Noble proved to be enough to give West Ham their first win in eight games and help lift them out of the bottom three at the expense of Cardiff. "It is huge of course because we haven't won for a while and to come away from home and win 2-0 and keep a clean sheet, especially after the last two games when we conceded quite a few the confidence was low," McDonald told Sky Sports regarding the importance of the result. "But we've picked them up after the Manchester City game, we've worked very, very hard on the training field, even though it has been a limited time, and we've had a few players back and I think it shows when the big players come back it gives us a chance to compete."
McDonald admitted the result was the perfect response to the critics who have been calling for the head of Allardyce after the heavy losses to Forest and Manchester City and praised the club's fans for sticking by the side. "I think it is [the perfect response]. When you are not getting results obviously you come under pressure and people are asking questions why, but there is a huge boost today with winning 2-0, a huge boost with a couple coming back from injury and hopefully we will have another couple in the next couple of weeks. "The support we've had over the last week, even though they haven't seen their team win today, I thought the crowd was absolutely fantastic, they stuck by their team and got behind their team, and hopefully they have gone home very happy after seeing a much-improved performance."
McDonald also revealed they were waiting to find out the extent of Guy Demel's injury after he was stretchered off following a clash with his own team-mate Roger Johnson. Demel is thought to have suffered a suspected dislocated elbow as well as facial injuries to add to West Ham's lengthy injury list. "He has taken a bad knock on his head and he has gone to hospital so we are just waiting on the doctor to come back to give us an idea on how he is, but I am sure he is in good hands," continued McDonald. "I think it showed we have got players who put their body on the line which is great and we need to do that more often. "And if we get a couple of injuries then it gives somebody else the chance to come in and, as long as we stick together and work hard for each other, then we will get our just rewards, just like we did today."
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West Ham eased the pressure on Sam Allardyce with 2-0 win at Cardiff
Last Updated: 11/01/14 6:41pm
SSN
West Ham eased the pressure on Sam Allardyce and climbed out of the bottom three of the Premier League with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Cardiff City in south Wales. Carlton Cole gave West Ham the lead in the first half before James Tomkins was sent off 18 minutes from time for a second bookable offence.
Cardiff piled the pressure on West Ham in the closing stages, but the visitors stood firm and made the game safe when Mark Noble scored a second goal deep into injury-time.
Best of the game
Man of the match: Mark Noble produced an inspirational performance as captain and was rewarded with goal
Goal of the match: Carlton Cole's effort was a well-worked effort after some good approach play from Taylor and Jarvis
Save of the match: Adrian produced a brilliant save to keep out Campbell's effort from close-range in the second half
Controversy of the match: Tomkins was sent off for a second bookable offence when it appeared he accidentally caught Campbell with a high boot
Moment of the match: Kim Bo-Kyung saw his deflected shot come back off the underside of the crossbar and bounce on the line with the game scoreless
Talking point: How big a boost will the returning Andy Carroll be for West Ham? Do Cardiff need to bring in new players to get out of trouble?
The win was the perfect response from West Ham after a difficult week as they spoiled Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first home game in charge of Cardiff. West Ham made the brighter start of the two teams and almost hit the front after just four minutes when Stewart Downing's cross from the left evaded everyone and bounced off the post. From the rebound the ball fell to Tomkins, but David Marshall was quickly off his line to block his effort The visitors suffered a blow on ten minutes when Guy Demel appeared to be caught in the head by his own team-mate Roger Johnson with the full-back being forced off on a stretcher following ten minutes of treatment from the medical staff.
Demel was taken straight to hospital with a suspected broken elbow and facial injuries to add to Sam Allardyce's injury woes. Cardiff created their first opening of the game just past the half-hour mark when Craig Noone beat Demel's replacement George McCartney down the left and he clipped over a cross which Fraizer Campbell headed over the top. Carlton Cole scored as West Ham ended their poor run of form with victory over Cardiff. The home side thought they had taken the lead on 32 minutes when Kim Bo-kyung ran unchallenged to the edge of the box and saw his shot take a deflection off Johnson and loop over West Ham keeper Adrian and down off the underside of the crossbar onto the line. Campbell was then adjudged to have fouled Adrian as he bundled the keeper and the ball into the back of the net.
West Ham broke the deadlock on 42 minutes when Matt Taylor picked out Matt Jarvis inside the box and he crossed for Cole to slot home past Marshall from close range. The visitors almost grabbed a second goal a minute later when the ball dropped to Taylor inside the box and he fizzed his right-footed shot just wide of the target with Marshall rooted to the spot. Cardiff wasted a great chance to draw level early in the second half when Mark Hudson beat the West Ham offside trap to get on the end of substitute Craig Bellamy's free-kick, but with his back to goal he could only head his effort over the top
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says his side should've defended better but was encouraged by their second half display. The home side had strong claims for a penalty waved away on 59 minutes when McCartney appeared to haul down Campbell inside the box, but referee Lee Mason waved their appeals. Adrian denied Cardiff the equaliser a minute later when he produced a superb reflex save to keep out Campbell's powerful shot from ten yards out after Bellamy had picked out the striker inside the box. West Ham introduced Andy Carroll for his first appearance of the season after a foot problem on 70 minutes, but two minutes later found themselves down to ten men when Tomkins was sent off for a second bookable offence after catching Campbell in the face with a high foot.
Cardiff threw everything at West Ham in the final 18 minutes, but could not find a way past Adrian or the visitors' defence as they stood strong to repel their efforts. West Ham made the game safe in the closing seconds when Carroll found Noble inside the box and the midfielder drilled his shot under Marshall to grab a goal his performance deserved to send the away fans into raptures.
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IS JOLEON LESCOTT ABOUT TO BECOME A HAMMER?
By Iain Dale 11 Jan 2014 at 23:45
West Ham Till I Die
According to the Sunday Telegraph West Ham are due to complete the signing of Manchester City and England defender Joleon Lescott on a permanent transfer. He is thought to be signing a three and a half year deal on an initial salary of £90,000 a week, dropping to £70k a week from the beginning of next season. The fee is thought to be around £5 million, which for Manchester City is something of a coup, seeing as he'd be available on a free at the end of the season.
However, City apparently won't release him until after next Saturday's game, which may scupper the whole deal, bearing in mind our need to bring in another central defender pretty quickly following James Tomkins' sending off today.
Yes, Lescott may be 31, but he is on the edge of a World Cup place and will be very keen to cement it. He cost Man City £24 million when they signed him from Everton. If we can get him, I think it would be a bit of a coup. Mind you, given a choice I'd prefer Micah Richards, who is an immense player who will never fill his potential at Manchester City.
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CARDIFF 0 WEST HAM 2 - THINGS FINALLY COME GOOD
By Iain Dale 11 Jan 2014 at 17:04
West Ham Till I Die
What a fantastic result that was, and by all accounts a great performance too. And wasn't that a marvellous ball from Andy Carroll to Mark Noble to lay on the second goal?
Like many of you, I listened to the match on the radio, although I did see the goals on a rather jittery internet stream. The commentators seemed hugely impressed by the performance and commitment. And the great thing was that the injury to Demel and Tomkins' sending off didn't appear to unduly unsettle the side. Of course it is very worrying that we now have two more defenders unavailable for the match next Saturday, giving the manager yet another set of selection headaches. Maybe James Collins will be fit to return.
Will this be the match that kickstarts us on to better things? Time will tell, but at least we are out of the bottom three.
PS If we beat Newcastle, as the table stands now, we could go as high as thirteenth. Isn't it wonderful how three points make us feel so inexplicably optimistic?
UPDATE: Alan Hansen just described Mark Noble as giving "one of the performances of the season". Wonder if Roy Hodgson might finally take note.
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West Ham assistant boss Neil McDonald praises team's 'togetherness' after crucial win at Cardiff
Jan 11, 2014 18:10 By Danny McCann 0 Comments
The Mirror
West Ham United assistant Neil McDonald was delighted to take all three points in their 2-0 win at fellow strugglers Cardiff. They welcomed back Andy Carroll back after an eight month lay-off but it was the team's 'togetherness' and fans' support that gave the team victory. "The team showed togetherness today and the supporters stuck by us and have travelled a long way this week. Talking about boss Sam Allardyce he said: "He has come under pressure but he's experienced to take that. He took the plaudits when we finished 10th last year. People will be coming back from injury soon to give the squad a boost." The Hammers moved above Cardiff to get out of bottom three to alleviate some pressure on Allardyce after two embarrassing cup drubbings to Manchester City and Nottingham Forest. Goals came from Carlton Cole and a late goal from captain Mark Noble who knew how big this win was for the struggling Hammers.
"That was massive," Noble said. "We have been poor lately, we have been embarrassed in the two Cup games recently and this is a tough place to come, but we have lost a man and still managed to win." Allardyce's men face Newcastle United at Upton Park next Saturday.
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Fulham want West Ham stars Ravel Morrison and Mo Diame but must decide which one to focus on
Jan 12, 2014 05:56 By Dean Jones 0 Comments
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Fulham face a dilemma over their pursuit of two West Ham stars, writes Dean Jones in the Sunday People. Head coach Rene Meulensteen wants to push ahead with a £5million bid for Ravel Morrison – but technical director Alan Curbishley believes they should try to land Mo Diame for a similar figure instead. They realise it is extremely unlikely the Hammers will part with both players so must decide which of the two to focus on. It is the first test of Fulham's unusual management set-up. Meulensteen was promoted to team boss when Martin Jol was sacked, while Alan Curbishley was then brought in at the end of December in a senior role.
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West Ham plot Wayne Hennessey transfer after Wales keeper refuses to play for Wolves
Jan 11, 2014 22:30 By Alan Nixon 1 Comments
The Mirror
Michael Steele
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce wants to sign keeper Wayne Hennessey on loan for the rest of the season, writes Alan Nixon in the Sunday People. The unsettled shot-stopper refused to play for Wolves against Gillingham recently while he was involved in transfer talks with Crystal Palace, and has fallen out with Molineux boss Kenny Jackett. Allardyce has emplyed both veteran Jussi Jaaskelainen and Spaniard Adrian in the Hammers' goal recently, but they have been helpless to stop the recent heavy defeats.
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West Ham United And Werder Bremen Want Juventus Defender
Forzaitalianfootball.com
Juventus defender Marco Motta is attracting interest from Werder Bremen and West Ham amidst reports he is set to leave the Bianconeri before the end of the transfer window. The 27-year-old fullback has been deemed a surplus for a long time in Turin, and could be set for another loan spell away from the club as interest from abroad heightens in the one-time Italian international. As reported by Tuttosport, German club Werder Bremen would like to offer a loan move until the end of the season, with an option to buy if the loan proves successful. West Ham may look to hijack the move though as Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is looking to strengthen his defence and has pinpointed Motta as one of his primary targets. Motta has been on the fringes of the Juventus team ever since joining in 2010, and this season is no different as he has only made two substitute appearances so far.
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West Ham Close To Signing Roma Striker
Forzaitalianfootball.com
The Hammers are on the lookout for a new striker in the transfer window, and were close to signing Inter's Ishak Belfodil before the move collapsed a few days ago. West Ham have continued their search in Italy, and Sky Italia report there is an agreement between West Ham and Roma for the transfer of the Italian international. On Monday, the player will meet with the club officials to try and understand the intentions of coach Rudi Garcia. If Roma deem him a surplus to requirements, the attacker may accept the offer from England. Borriello has been on the periphery of the Roma squad so far this season, netting one goal in 11 appearances.
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West Ham agree deal with Manchester City to take Joleon Lescott for £90,000 a week
West Ham United have agreed a 3½-year deal with Manchester City to sign Joleon Lescott as they battle against relegation.
The Telegraph
Jason Burt By Jason Burt, Football Correspondent11:19PM GMT 11 Jan 2014
However the move may collapse because Manchester City are adamant they will not release the England international until after Jan 20 and West Ham are unsure they can wait another week, despite a 2-0 victory at relegation rivals Cardiff City on Saturday. It is also unclear whether Lescott wants to move to West Ham and face a survival fight or wait to see if offers come in from other clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United. The 31-year-old has six months left on his contract at the Etihad and wants to secure regular first-team football as he battles for a place in England's squad for the World Cup in Brazil.
West Ham are believed to have agreed a deal with City a week ago matching Lescott's wages of £90,000 a week for the rest of this campaign and then agreeing to pay the central defender £70,000 a week for another three years even if they are relegated. West Ham's commitment of more than £12 million in wages for Lescott is brave given the very real prospect the club could go down, but he is regarded as someone who could save them from the drop and provide leadership. West Ham are desperately short of central defenders with Winston Reid, James Tomkins and James Collins all having suffered from injuries, while right-back Guy Demel sustained a suspected broken elbow and concussion yesterday. Co-owner David Gold tweeted last night to say the player was staying in hospital in Cardiff overnight after losing consciousness "for several minutes".
City have indicated that Lescott will be allowed to go once all their central defenders are fit. Martin Demichelis, Vincent Kompany and Matija Nastasic are all now available, while Micah Richards is also fit. Lescott, who joined City from Everton for £24 million, formed a formidable partnership with Kompany in the club's title-winning season two years ago. But he has fallen out of favour since then under Roberto Mancini and Manuel Pellegrini. West Ham are pushing ahead with plans to further bolster their squad, although they were dealt a blow on Friday when Inter Milan demanded a fee of £7 million for Algerian striker Ishak Belfodil rather than allowing the 21-year-old to go on loan. The club are now looking at other options but can go about their transfer business with renewed confidence after Carlton Cole and Mark Noble secured victory for them on Saturday. "I think we've shown that sticking together and keeping to the game plan gives us a good result," assistant manager Neil McDonald said after the game. "It keeps us out of the bottom three, which is great."
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West Ham are set to fire Sam Allardyce this week, will appoint Malky Mackay [Sunday Star]
Saturday, January 11th, 2014
101greatgoals.com
The Sunday Star, a wholly unreliable newspaper, have splashed the bottom of the backpage of their Sunday tabloid with the revelation of a manager change at West Ham. Despite the fact that the Hammers picked up a huge 2-0 win at Cardiff on Saturday to inject new life into their survival battle, the Star reckon Big Sam is getting the axe this week.
The Star claim: Crisis-torn West Ham are ready to send a SOS message to Malky Mackay this week. Hammers joint-owners David Gold and David Sullivan have so far refused to cave in to the fans' demands by sacking unpopular Sam Allardyce. But, despite the Londoners' 2-0 win at fellow-strugglers Cardiff yesterday, it would appear only a matter of time before Big Sam gets the bullet. The story in the Star runs contrary to the video message put out by West Ham joint-owner David Gold on Christmas, when the owner talked about club unity, sticking together, and getting through bad times as a family.
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West Ham's Demel to be fit for Newcastle clash
Goal.com
11 Jan 2014 19:45:00
EXCLUSIVE
By Harry Sherlock
West Ham are confident Guy Demel will be fit to face Newcastle next weekend, despite the defender being stretchered off in the club's 2-0 win over Cardiff City on Saturday. The 32-year-old fell heavily after contesting a defensive header with Fraizer Campbell and was afforded lengthy treatment by the Hammers' medical staff before he was rushed to hospital. Boss Sam Allardyce initially feared the star had broken his elbow and suffered a badly bruised face, but Goal can reveal that subsequent tests have shown that he has only suffered concussion. Nevertheless, he will be kept in hospital overnight and will be released on Sunday morning - meaning he is likely to be able to take to the field against Alan Pardew's Magpies next weekend. The news will come as a massive relief to Allardyce, as Demel's fellow defender James Tomkins was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in the win in Wales and is now set to serve a suspension.
If no appeal is lodged, the 24-year-old will miss the Newcastle fixture - adding further importance to the news of Demel's positive diagnosis.
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