Manchester United match preview
WHUFC.com
A look ahead to Saturday's evening kick-off against Manchester United at the
Boleyn Ground
21.03.2014
WEST HAM UNITED v MANCHESTER UNITED
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 22 MARCH 2014
KICK-OFF: 5.30PM
REFEREE: LEE MASON
FULL AUDIO COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
Introduction
• Manchester United are the visitors to the Boleyn Ground for Saturday's
televised evening kick-off in the Barclays Premier League.
• West Ham United will be aiming to end a run of two successive league
defeats against the Red Devils, after losses to Everton and Stoke City.
• Both those defeats came away from home with a 3-1 loss to the Potters last
Saturday leaving the Hammers in 12th position in the table.
• Sam Allardyce's side return to east London looking to earn a fourth
straight home win after victories against Swansea City, Norwich City and
Southampton in February.
• In the corresponding fixture last season, Mo Diame and Ricardo Vaz Te
scored for the Hammers in a 2-2 draw.
• Manchester United arrive at the Boleyn Ground having suffered a
demoralising defeat against Liverpool in their last league outing, going
down 3-0 at Old Trafford.
• They did however bounce back with a win against Olympiacos in the UEFA
Champions League on Wednesday night, a Robin van Persie hat-trick seeing the
Red Devils through to the quarter-finals.
• The champions' hopes of finishing in the top-four seem all but finished as
they lie 12 points behind fourth-placed Manchester City ahead of Saturday's
match.
• A stuttering first season in charge has left David Moyes' team in seventh
place in the table, with 48 points from 29 games.
Team news
West Ham United
• The Hammers will be without Joey O'Brien (shoulder) and Marco Borriello
(calf) for the visit of the champions.
• Jack Collison (Wigan Athletic), Ravel Morrison, Modibo Maiga (both QPR),
Paul McCallum (Heart of Midlothian) and George Moncur (Partick Thistle) are
all out on loan.
Manchester United
• Nemanja Vidic was red carded in the Red Devils' last Premier League outing
and is suspended for Saturday's clash.
• Robin van Persie was stretchered off against Olympiacos on Wednesday night
with a knee injury and will definitely miss the visit to the Hammers.
Last time out
Stoke City 3-1 West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
15 March 2014
West Ham United: Adrian, Demel, Tomkins, Reid, McCartney, Noble, Nolan,
Nocerino (C Cole 76), Diame, Downing (J Cole 62), Carroll (Armero 83)
Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, Collins, Taylor, Jarvis
Goal: Carroll 5
Manchester United 3-0 Olympiacos
UEFA Champions League
19 March 2014
Manchester United: De Gea, Rafael, Evra, Ferdinand, Jones, Giggs, Valencia
(Young 77), Carrick, van Persie (Fellaini 90), Rooney, Welbeck (Fletcher 81)
Subs not used: Lindegaard, Hernandez, Januzaj, Kagawa
Goals: van Persie 25 pen, 45, 51
Previous meeting
Carlton Cole struck a late consolation as the Hammers were comfortably
beaten at Old Trafford in December 2013. Danny Welbeck and Adnan Januzaj
struck before the break to put the hosts firmly in control, and their
position was strengthened further in the second period by Ashley Young's
curled shot. Cole came off the bench to pull one back for the Hammers but
there was not enough time left to inspire a fightback.
Manchester United 3-1 West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
Saturday 21 December 2013
Manchester United: De Gea, Rafael, Smalling, Evans, Evra (Buttner 80),
Jones, Cleverley, Valencia, Rooney, Januzaj (Young 69), Welbeck (Hernandez
54)
Subs not used: Johnstone, Fletcher, Giggs, Kagawa
Goals: Welbeck 26, Januzaj 36, Young 72
West Ham United: Adrian, Demel, Tomkins, Collins (Rat 75), McCartney, Noble,
Diame, Taylor (Collison 62), Morrison, Jarvis (C Cole 71), Maiga
Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, Diarra, J Cole
Goal: C Cole 81
Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated)
21 December 2013 - Manchester United 3-1 West Ham United
17 April 2013 - West Ham United 2-2 Manchester United
16 January 2013 - Manchester United 1-0 West Ham United
5 January 2013 - West Ham United 2-2 Manchester United
28 November 2012 - Manchester United 1-0 West Ham United
2 April 2011 - West Ham United 2-4 Manchester United
Overall record v Manchester United (all competitions) W 43 D 26 L 59
Ten-year records
West Ham United
2012/13 Premier League 10th (46 points)
2011/12 Championship 3rd (86 points - promoted via Play-Offs)
2010/11 Premier League 20th (33 points - relegated to Championship)
2009/10 Premier League 17th (35 points)
2008/09 Premier League 9th (51 points)
2007/08 Premier League 10th (49 points)
2006/07 Premier League 15th (41 points)
2005/06 Premier League 9th (55 points)
2004/05 Championship 6th (73 points - promoted via play-offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th (74 points)
Manchester United
2012/13 Premier League 1st (89 points)
2011/12 Premier League 2nd (89 points)
2010/11 Premier League 1st (80 points)
2009/10 Premier League 2nd (85 points)
2008/09 Premier League 1st (90 points)
2007/08 Premier League 1st (87 points)
2006/07 Premier League 1st (89 points)
2005/06 Premier League 2nd (83 points)
2004/05 Premier League 3rd (77 points)
2003/04 Premier League 3rd (75 points)
Old boys
• Manchester United have two former West Ham United players in their squad.
England defender Rio Ferdinand made 158 appearances for the club between May
1996 and November 2000, scoring two goals. Midfielder Michael Carrick scored
six goals in 159 appearances between July 1999 and May 2004.
• Among the other players who have represented both clubs are Jonathan
Spector, Roy Carroll, Noel Cantwell, Luke Chadwick, Billy Grassam, Paul
Ince, Ralph Milne, Frederick Milnes, Ravel Morrison, Frank O'Farrell, Stuart
Pearson, Les Sealey, Dave Sexton, Teddy Sheringham, Carlos Tevez and Raimond
van der Gouw.
Background
• The first meeting between West Ham United and Manchester United came on 25
February 1911 in the FA Cup third round. The Southern League First Division
Hammers upset the Division One Red Devils 2-1 at the Boleyn Ground, with
Thomas Caldwell and Danny Shea scoring the goals for the hosts and Sandy
Turnbull netting for the visitors.
• The first league meeting between West Ham United and Manchester United
took place at Old Trafford on Christmas Day 1922. Billy Brown and Billy
Moore ensured it would be a happy Christmas for the Hammers by scoring in a
2-1 Division Two victory, with Arthur Lochhead replying for the hosts.
Twenty-four hours later, on Boxing Day, Lochhead scored both goals as the
Red Devils won 2-0 at the Boleyn Ground. West Ham would go on to be promoted
as runners-up, while Manchester United would finish fourth.
• West Ham United's biggest-ever win over Manchester United came at the
Boleyn Ground on 11 October 1930. A Viv Gibbins hat-trick inspired the
Hammers to a 5-1 Division One victory, with Jim Barrett and Jimmy Ruffell
also on the score sheet. Tommy Reid scored for the visitors.
• The largest crowd to witness a West Ham United versus Manchester United
fixture at the Boleyn Ground was the 41,892 who saw Clyde Best, Bryan 'Pop'
Robson and Geoff Hurst net in a 3-0 Division One victory on New Year's Day
1972.
• Manchester United's biggest win over West Ham United came at Old Trafford
on 1 April 2000. Paul Scholes scored a treble in a 7-1 Premier League win.
Denis Irwin, Andrew Cole, David Beckham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored the
other goals, with Paulo Wanchope on target for the Hammers
Referee
• Lee Mason started refereeing in 1988 and in 1992 he was added to the North
West Counties Football League assistant referees' list, and progressed to
full referee for that competition four years later.
• He was included on the Football League list of assistant referees in 1998,
and was then added to the Premier League list in 2000.
• In 2002, he was promoted to referee for the Football League and in 2003
became a 'Development Group' referee, before finally reaching the Premier
League list of Select Group referees in 2006.
• His first ever match in the top tier was on 4 February 2006, when
Middlesbrough lost 4-0 at home to Aston Villa.
• Mason was chosen to control the League One Play-Off final between Barnsley
and Swansea on 27 May 2006.
• The official has refereed the Hammers three times in the Premier League
this season, in the 3-2 defeat to Everton, 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, and
most recently the 2-0 win against Cardiff in January.
• Mason will be assisted by Steve Bennett and Jake Collin on Saturday, while
the fourth official will be Iain Williamson.
Walk for Dennis
Five West Ham United fans are holding a series of charity events to raise
money for the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK and St Nicholas
Hospice.
Kevin Driscoll, son Chas and friends Neil, Sean and Bill from Bury St
Edmunds in Suffolk will be walking to every London Premier League and
Football League ground between 3-5 April in memory of Kevin's father Dennis,
who passed away from cancer last year.
The group will also hold a charity auction at the Princess of Wales public
house in West Ham Lane, Stratford, at 8.30pm on Saturday 22 March following
the game.
Among the lots is a 1980 FA Cup final shirt signed by the winning West Ham
team and a retro England 1966 FIFA World Cup final shirt signed by hat-trick
hero Sir Geoff Hurst.
"We originally planned to hold the auction at the Liverpool game on Saturday
5 April, but the match has been moved for TV coverage," explained Kevin.
"For that reason, we have brought the auction forward to tonight as we hope
more fans will be able to come down and support a very worthy cause.
"During our walk, we will be stopping at every ground in London, having our
photo taken on the pitch and collecting a signed shirt.
"A second auction, where these signed shirts will be sold, will be held at
the LP Bar in Bury St Edmunds on Wednesday 30 April."
For more details about the Walk 4 Dennis, please visit
www.walk4dennis.co.uk.
General information
• The weather forecast for Saturday's evening clash is cloudy with showers
and temperatures around 7C (45F).
• There are planned closures across the London Underground network on the
Central, Jubilee, DLR, Northern and Overground lines this weekend. More
information can be found here.
• The Greater Anglia service will not run between Thorpe-le-Soken and
Clacton-on-Sea this weekend. More travel information from Greater Anglia can
be found here.
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Big Sam meets James Corden
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce was interviewed by Hammers fan James Corden as he guest edited
The Sun
21.03.2014
West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce dropped in on The Sun's offices in
central London on Thursday to surprise TV personality and Hammers fan James
Corden as part of his guest editorship of the newspaper. Corden took over
the running of The Sun for a day in aid of Sport Relief as the charity gears
up for its weekend of events, which last from Friday through to Sunday. As
well as interviewing Prime Minister David Cameron, Corden conducted a chat
with the West Ham boss, which the Gavin and Stacey star initially thought
would be by telephone, but turned into an in-person meeting. Corden told
whufc.com: "It was great to see Big Sam, I loved it and having a chat with
him was the only thing I really insisted on for my guest editorship. "Before
I said I wanted to interview the Prime Minister I said I wanted to interview
Big Sam, so I'm thrilled it all came together. "It's all about finding
different ways to spread a message and try to raise money, so in that
respect I'm very honoured to be the first person to do such a thing. I
really have enjoyed it, it has been really good fun."
Corden is a huge fan of Big Sam and has been delighted with the team's
upturn in form since Christmas. He continued: "It's great and I hope any
West Ham fans that were calling for Sam's head [have taken notice]. I
listened to countless phone-ins saying he has to go and the board and all
things like that, but I genuinely have a core belief that we'll never get
relegated as long as he's our manager. "I hope a few of them come forward
and apologise for how they've been and how some of them have been for his
whole leadership. "I think we're in a great place, the atmosphere in the
team looks great. It seems we have a real team instead of disparate
individuals. Our fully-fit first eleven can compete in the top half of the
Premier League, when you think of the last few years and some of the
managers we've had that's not always been the case."
With Manchester United visiting the Boleyn Ground on Saturday, Corden
revealed that he hoped to be there to cheer the Hammers on. He added: "It's
an easy three points isn't it?! I was a bit worried when I watched them
against Olympiacos and I do hope Ryan Giggs isn't playing, but if we can get
away with a point that would be great. "I hope to be at the Boleyn Ground to
watch the game!"
Big Sam was delighted to play his part in the day and he explained how the
meeting came about. "It was set up by Sean Custis [Sun football writer], who
rang me a while ago and said James is going to be editor of The Sun for a
day and as he's a big West Ham fan, could I come in and play a little prank
on him. "I was round the corner doing an interview with James which he
thought was just going to be on the phone, the line got cut off, he was
getting pretty annoyed and I walked round and surprised him. "It's always
great to see him, he's doing a fantastic job for Sport Relief and hopefully
it'll raise as much money this weekend as it has done for the last few
years. "Certainly the effort he's put in, giving up his time is a fantastic
gesture so I was happy to be there to play a short part in it."
The Hammers have got behind Sport Relief this season by donning t-shirts to
promote the charity event at last weekend's match against Stoke City and
during their crossbar challenge for Sky Sports programme Soccer AM.
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Djair keen to sink Spurs
WHUFC.com
Djair Parfitt-Williams is looking to extend the Under-18s' fine form by
beating Spurs on Saturday
21.03.2014
The hero against Leicester City last weekend, Djair Parfitt-Williams has now
set his sights on sinking London rivals Tottenham Hotspur when the Under-18s
go head-to-head with Spurs at Little Heath this Saturday. The Bermuda-born
winger scored one in each half to see off the Foxes in a 2-1 win and extend
his side's winning streak to seven matches. With nine goals to his name
already this season, Parfitt-Williams has played his part as Steve Potts'
team continue to lead the way in the Barclays Under-18 Premier League. The
wide man told West Ham TV he believes the team's fine form is down to their
commitment on the training pitch. "We're playing well as a team and scoring
a lot of goals at the moment," he explained. "Everybody on the team works
really hard in training and we've got good players on our team. Our fine run
is no surprise to me because I know how good this team is." "There's no
secret to it, it's just the work-rate from everybody in the team in every
position. Everybody in the squad works hard. It's no secret, every day we
work hard together."
The 17-year-old speed merchant netted the winner against Leicester with just
eight minutes to spare, a result which could prove to be crucial as fellow
front-runners Fulham suffered a 3-1 home defeat against Southampton. The
Hammers had been pegged back by the Foxes after Parfitt-Williams had opened
the scoring, and the winger was delighted that the team were able to take
all three points. "I think we controlled the game well, but we had one
defensive mistake which made it a tight game. "We had to concentrate and
keep doing what we were doing for the whole game up until the last ten
minutes when we got the goal. "It's a good feeling to be part of this team
and to be coming away from most matches with a win. I love scoring goals and
I was happy to do that against Leicester."
Saturday's game against local rivals Spurs is an opportunity for the U18s to
put further breathing space between themselves and the north London side who
currently occupy third in the table. The Lilywhites have two games in hand
on the Hammers and trail them by six points, meaning all is to play for when
the two sides do battle on the weekend. A 3-2 win against Spurs earlier in
the season was secured with a late Jordan Brown goal, and Parfitt-Williams
is expecting a similarly close game this time round. "I remember from the
last time that Tottenham are a good team. They pass the ball well but I
think we matched them and it was a good game last time round. "It was a
close game and we managed to get a goal in the last minute. It was a good
game, there was a lot of good football and we played well. "We've got
Tottenham, Everton and Manchester City coming up in the next few games and
they'll all be tough matches." Kick-off at Little Heath on Saturday is at
11am. Admission and parking are free of charge.
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Carr confident on Academy future
WHUFC.com
Tony Carr MBE has stated his belief that the Academy will continue to play a
big part in the Club's future
21.03.2014
As West Ham United prepares to celebrate the achievements of its Academy on
Saturday against Manchester United, Tony Carr MBE has spoken of his belief
that youth academies will continue to play a vital role in the future of the
Premier League. The Academy Director has been instrumental in producing
countless home-grown players who have gone onto star in the famous Claret
and Blue during his 40 years with the Club. Saturday's evening kick-off at
the Boleyn Ground against reigning champions United will be a celebration of
the Academy, with interviews from past and present Academy graduates, and
Carr himself, being conducted before the match and at half-time.
Speaking to the Official Programme ahead of the clash the 63-year-old
revealed how things have changed since he first took up a coaching role with
the Club back in 1973. "When I first started we trained on the forecourt at
Upton Park with plastic footballs and if someone had left their car on the
forecourt overnight then we'd have to play round it. "We were playing in the
tunnel underneath the East Stand using beer crates as goals. It's changed
massively, facilities have improved, the role of the youth coach has been
enhanced and players are now starting to see the value of that. "Staffing
levels have improved and to be fair, at present, Mr Gold and Sullivan have
bought into our philosophy in terms of trying to develop future West Ham
players."
Producing young British players has become increasingly hard as the number
of British players plying their trade in the Premier League has plummeted to
around 33%. Despite this the Hammers have always given home grown players a
chance to make the grade and currently boast a squad peppered with British
players. Carr admits the task of producing players has got tougher over the
years, but insists it remains vital for clubs like West Ham. "We're not a
club like the top sides that can go and spend millions and millions of
pounds on players every season. "Manchester City are a one-off with a rich
sheikh owner, Chelsea started it with Roman Abramovich, Tottenham spent £105
million on players last year, we're not a club that can do that so there's a
big reliance on producing your own players. "As tough as it is, and it's
getting tougher, it remains a fact of life that we have to produce our own
players to compensate for the fact that we can't compete at the top end
financially."
During his time working in the Academy, Carr has helped produce a number of
players who've gone on to forge excellent careers in the Premier League and
even at international level, and he says there is an immense amount of pride
when a player makes the cut. "The boys come in at eight-years-old and for a
boy to come through at 18 or 20, or the average age of 23 now, it's a long,
long journey. It could be as long as 15 years from the time he signs to the
time he makes it in the Premier League. "There's been a lot of time, work
and effort that's gone into trying to produce that young player but if he
does make it, and crack it at that level, then there's an immense amount of
pride for everybody involved. "I think the fans can also identify with a
young boy that's been in the Academy since he was a youngster and will give
him the opportunity to prove his worth."
*You can read the full interview with Tony Carr MBE in Saturday's 84-page
Official Programme which features exclusive interviews with Sir Geoff Hurst,
Martin Peters MBE, Kevin Nolan, Guy Demel, and much, much more.
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West Ham v Man Utd
KO 17:30
21 March 2014
Last updated at 13:04
By Simon Brotherton
Match of the Day commentator
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday, 22 March
TEAM NEWS
West Ham pair Joey O'Brien and Marco Boriello remain unavailable for the
visit of Manchester United. O'Brien has been sidelined since January with a
dislocated shoulder, while Boriello has a calf strain.
Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic serves the first of a two-game ban
after he was sent off in the defeat by Liverpool last weekend. Robin van
Persie is ruled out after he suffered a knee injury in midweek Champions
League duty.
MATCH PREVIEW
David Moyes hasn't had too many nights he'd care to remember at Old Trafford
in his tenure at Manchester United, but Wednesday must surely be the pick of
them up to now. Both he and the players rose to the challenge against
Olympiakos in overcoming the two-goal first leg deficit to ensure United's
progress into the last eight of the Champions League. Olympiakos are no
great shakes in European terms but United needed to respond in front of
their own fans after the debacle of their home defeat by Liverpool last
Sunday when they were outplayed from start to finish. They did so with good
team selection, a better tempo and more assertive display. "Everyone was
saying David Moyes's next three games - Olympiakos, West Ham and Manchester
City - might decide his future. Well, he'll have won two out of three if
they win, which is the exact answer he wants to give his critics. "With Sam
Allardyce, West Ham have shown how to run a football club. If you're
struggling, you back your manager. Fair play to the owners and they'll get
their reward, which is staying in the division."
The result will have been met by a mixture of relief as well as joy, but
Moyes will be hoping it has a galvanizing effect on his team as they head to
London just three days before hosting Manchester City in the derby next
Tuesday. Manchester United were held to 2-2 draws in both the league and FA
Cup at West Ham last season, but they haven't lost there for seven years and
have won nine of the last 10 league matches between the clubs. West Ham sit
12th in the table, six points above the relegation zone, mainly thanks to a
run of four wins in a row last month. It was a run they badly needed after
failing to win a single league game in December and only one in January.
They also go into this weekend on the back of two straight defeats on the
road, at Everton and Stoke, but on a brighter note have won each of the last
three at home. The Hammers haven't won four Premier League home games in a
row for 12 years and they finished that run in 2002 with a victory over
Bolton, who were managed at the time by Sam Allardyce.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
United are unbeaten in 10 games against West Ham home and away (W9, D1).
Manchester United's last defeat by the Hammers at Upton Park came in
December 2007. Anton Ferdinand and Matt Upson scored, while Cristiano
Ronaldo netted United's consolation.
West Ham
The Hammers have lost their last two league games, away to Everton and Stoke
City.
However, Sam Allardyce's side have won their last three home league matches.
Six of their eight victories in the top flight this season have come at
Upton Park.
West Ham have lost the most games (5) and points (17) from winning positions
in the Premier League this season.
Only Arsenal and Chelsea have kept as many clean sheets as West Ham - with
the trio level on 13 for the season.
Manchester United
Manchester United have not lost as many games away from home at this stage
of a season since 2009-10 when they had suffered five defeats.
Manchester United's tally of 48 points after 29 games is their lowest in a
Premier League season, six points fewer than their previous lowest in
1992-93.
The last time United lost this many games (nine) in a season was in 2003-04.
David Moyes' side have won their last two away games, and are unbeaten in
three.
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West Ham take on Manchester United at Upton Park
Last Updated: 21/03/14 5:58pm
SSN
Manchester United will be hoping the UEFA Champions League win over
Olympiakos does not prove to be another false dawn when David Moyes takes
his team to West Ham United for Saturday Night Football. The Red Devils
overturned a 2-0 first-leg deficit to beat Olympiakos 3-0 at home on
Wednesday as Robin van Persie's hat-trick secured a quarter-final spot.
Live on Sky Sports
West Ham v Man Utd
March 22, 2014 5:00pm
Sky Sports 1 HD
The turnaround against Olympiakos came on the back of a 3-0 home humbling by
old rivals Liverpool in the Premier League and left United languishing in
seventh position. United have consistently failed to follow up a positive
performance and result this season, but will finally hope a corner has been
turned ahead of the trip to Upton Park. However, the reigning champions will
be facing a West Ham team on a three-match winning streak at home which has
helped to ease the club's relegation fears. Successive away defeats by
Everton and Stoke, though, have ensured West Ham are not safe yet in 12th
position and six points ahead of the bottom three. Sam Allardyce's side lost
3-1 at Old Trafford just before Christmas, while the clubs met twice at
Upton Park last season, with both games finishing 2-2. Van Persie scored a
last-minute equaliser in the FA Cup third round before the Dutchman's 77th
minute effort earned United a point in the Premier League last April.
However, the striker will have to sit out Saturday's game after suffering a
knee injury in midweek. Van Persie could be sidelined for six weeks in
total.
Despite their win over Olympiakos, I think United are still papering over
the cracks. If David de Gea didn't have an absolute blinder on Wednesday and
Phil Jones didn't have a good game they would have been in trouble. People
can go on about Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney and how good they were but what
about the others? If De Gea doesn't make those saves and Olympiakos score a
goal they're through and all of a sudden there's absolute carnage at the
club. There'll be no Robin van Persie on Saturday but Danny Welbeck will
probably play anyway because he's doing alright.
I'm going to go for a draw here because West Ham is a hard place to go.
United have just had a hard game and even though Olympiakos weren't the best
team in the world there was a lot of nervous energy about the place when
they were 3-0 up because one goal meant that all of that hard work would
have gone out of the window. That is tiring in itself.
West Ham are in a decent spell and they are hard to beat. Sam Allardyce was
manager of the month for February. Man Utd aren't really going anywhere in
the league now - they're concentrating on the Champions League - but they
won't want to beat West Ham 3-0 and then get a good turning over by
Manchester City because that won't go down well. They are probably better
off struggling in this game and stopping Man City from winning the league.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1
West Ham
Last 6
Stoke City (a)3-1
Everton (a)1-0
Southampton (h)3-1
Norwich (h)2-0
A Villa (a)0-2
Swansea (h)2-0
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce will still be without defender Joey O'Brien
and forward Marco Borriello for Saturday's visit of United. O'Brien has not
featured since a 0-0 draw at Chelsea in January due to a dislocated
shoulder, and on-loan AC Milan striker Borriello remains sidelined with a
calf injury.
Midfielder Joe Cole came off the bench in last weekend's defeat at Stoke for
only his second league appearance of the year and will be pushing for a
start against the Red Devils.
Man Utd
Last 6
Olympiakos (h)3-0
Liverpool (h)0-3
West Brom (a)0-3
Olympiakos (a)2-0
C Palace (a)0-2
Arsenal (a)0-0
United are definitely without Van Persie after the striker was ruled out for
four to six weeks with a knee injury sustained during the win over
Olympiakos in midweek. Ryan Giggs could also sit the game out after the
40-year-old impressed in playing 90 minutes in midweek. Nemanja Vidic is
suspended after his red card against Liverpool, while Chris Smalling and
Jonny Evans have both been carrying injuries of late.
Opta Facts
Wayne Rooney has scored seven goals and assisted three more in his last
seven Premier League appearances against West Ham.
West Ham have averaged the fewest shots on target per game this season,
averaging just 3.2 per game.
The Hammers haven't won four Premier League home games in a row since May
2002, when they beat Bolton in the last game of that run who were managed at
that time by Sam Allardyce.
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Sam Allardyce looking forward to Manchester United test
Last Updated: 21/03/14 10:07am
SSN
Sam Allardyce will send his West Ham United side into action against
Manchester United on Saturday hoping to 'burst their bubble'. The Red Devils
have endured a testing campaign, but will head to Upton Park this weekend in
buoyant mood. A 3-0 victory over Olympiakos on Wednesday carried David
Moyes' men through to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
"We'll try to burst their bubble. Obviously it's a big challenge, but
normally we do well against United."
They also prevailed 3-0 in their last Premier League away game, at West
Bromwich Albion. Allardyce admits his Hammers could be running into the
reigning champions at a bad time, but is looking forward to taking on the
challenge of trying to put another bump in their road. He told The Sun:
"Will their midweek win work for or against us? "Will they be fatigued or
flying? We will have to see. But I have to be a little bit concerned about
how well they played against West Brom, winning 3-0 in their last away game.
"We'll try to burst their bubble. Obviously it's a big challenge, but
normally we do well against United. "After seeing their display on
Wednesday, I hope Ryan Giggs doesn't play."
West Ham head into the weekend sat 12th in the Premier League standings, six
points clear of the relegation zone. They have started to pull clear of
trouble after sticking with Allardyce through a testing spell towards the
end of 2013, with the patience of co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold
having been rewarded with a Manager of the Month award in February.
Allardyce added on a run of results which saw certain sections of the club's
support calling for his head: "The vast majority stuck with the team, and
with me. The pressure is always on as a manager to get results. "That
pressure reverts to the owners to get rid of their man at times. "But it
hasn't worked out well for some of the owners who changed bosses. We've done
well, but still have work to do."
Much of that work will take place at the end of the season, with Allardyce
hoping to bolster his ranks again when the transfer window re-opens and give
those who are set to be out of contract in the summer every opportunity to
earn fresh terms. He said: "People can change your mind, it just depends on
the player."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce wants Boleyn Ground to become fortress
Last Updated: 21/03/14 2:44pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce is hoping West Ham's return to home comforts will help them
back to winning ways against visiting Manchester United on Saturday evening.
United arrive at the Boleyn Ground buoyed after qualifying for the Champions
League quarter-finals in midweek. Allardyce's Hammers dragged themselves out
of the Premier League bottom three with four consecutive victories but have
lost their last two fixtures on the road at Everton and Stoke. A 3-1 reverse
against Allardyce's former club Newcastle in mid-January is the only home
league game the Irons have lost since the turn of the year and, with the Red
Devils 12 points off the top four, the 59-year-old wants to continue a
decent home run. "Our efforts at home are what I have been focusing on with
the players," he said.
"We have won the last three home games on the trot and we have to try to
continue that if we can to overcome the little blip we have suffered
following two away games we have taken nothing from. "The focus is to
maintain the home results and try our best to pull off a big win, but if we
can't, come away with at least a point."
David Moyes has struggled to follow on from the success of Sir Alex Ferguson
at Old Trafford, with United currently seventh in the table and on the back
of a 3-0 defeat to bitter rivals Liverpool last weekend. However, they will
go into the game on the back of their 3-0 win over Olympiakos and Allardyce
is not taking the challenge lightly. "Everyone is talking about Manchester
United this, Manchester United that," he added. "But in their last away game
they disposed of West Brom fairly easily with a 3-0 victory. David Moyes has
so many players to choose from that fatigue won't come into it because he
can change the side with top international players if he wants to."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's AC Milan reject Antonio Nocerino playing for pride as Manchester
United visit
Mar 21, 2014 22:30 By Neil McLeman
The Mirror
Antonio Nocerino has left one fallen European giant – and now wants to send
Manchester United back into crisis. The West Ham midfielder arrived from AC
Milan in January and the crisis-hit San Siro club are now 11th in Serie A –
a massive FORTY points behind leaders Juventus. And unlike David Moyes' side
– who the Hammers face at Upton Park in Saturday's tea-time match – Milan
are also out of Europe. "The two clubs are sharing a particular moment,
although Milan has changed a lot and United changed only the coach," said
the Italy star. "We hope we can continue this negative time for Manchester
United and put their defence in difficulty. When you play for a big team,
you have to live with the pressure."
Nocerino, who revealed an admiration for United icon Roy Keane, scored 11
goals in his first Milan season playing off Zlatan Ibrahimovic in 2011-12.
But the bearded 28-year-old, who made his first West Ham start in last
week's defeat at Stoke, admitted he was shocked by his sudden January exit.
"I was sent away and when someone doesn't want you, it hurts," he said.
"More at a human level than at a footballing level. I was not expecting to
be treated like this. I have a bit of pride. "The new coach, Clarence
Seedorf, did not want to keep me. I have two years left on my contract but
would like to stay in England - and stay here."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Chadwell Chatter
WHUFC.com
Stewart Downing blogs for whufc.com on facing Manchester United and the
return of Andy Carroll
21.03.2014
Hi everyone,
The whole team are looking forward to playing in front of our own fans at
home on Saturday, as it feels like we've not played at the Boleyn Ground for
months. It will be a difficult game against Manchester United, and they'll
be keen to bounce back after a poor result against Liverpool in the Premier
League last weekend. They'll be looking to get three points as we will.
We're not out of the water yet and we need points as quickly as we can,
starting against Manchester United. If we play to our strengths I think we
can beat them. The manager will approach this game the same as any other.
Like I've said before, when they're not at their best they've still got
players that can hurt you. We'll go through their strengths and weaknesses
as a team, as we would as if it were last season. We'd love to be able to
exploit their weaknesses and make sure they carry on struggling. On home
turf we've generally played quite well at home this season, despite the fact
we've lost a few games. The confidence is still there and getting those four
wins in February was massive for us. This is another big month for us. We
can pull ourselves clear and climb the table a bit in this next month, so
it's massive for us. Since I came to West Ham I've enjoyed playing
regularly, as that was the main thing for me when I arrived. It would be
nice if I could chip in and get a few goals before the end of the season,
but if the team keep playing well and we get positive results then
everyone's outlook will continue to look better. Andy Carroll made his
return to the starting XI against Stoke City and having the big man back and
a target to hit is nice. Unfortunately I've not played with him that much
since I came here, but he was a big part of why I wanted to come here and
play. We've got nine games to go and we'll be looking to get as many points
as we can. If we can get Andy scoring goals and the team playing well, then
we'll be looking to finish as high up as we can. It's a big month for us and
we're looking to pick up some big wins. I think that realistically tenth
place is a good place for us to aim for. We know that a couple of wins can
get us there and above the teams around us, and I believe we have one hell
of a chance to get there.
See you on Saturday. Come On You Irons!
Stew
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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Saturday, March 22
Friday, March 21
Daily WHUFC News - 21st March 2014
Big Sam on: Manchester United
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce met the media ahead of Saturday's game against Manchester
United
20.03.2014
Sam Allardyce spoke to the assembled media at Chadwell Heath on Thursday
morning ahead of Saturday's game against Manchester United in the Barclays
Premier League. Big Sam answered questions regarding the latest team news,
Manchester United's inconsistent season and Jack Collison's loan move to
Wigan Athletic.
Morning Sam, what's your team news ahead of the weekend?
SA: "We're in exactly the same place with the squad as we were last week.
There's only Joey O'Brien and Marco Borriello who aren't available for
selection so I've got a big strong squad to choose from for Saturday's game.
Our efforts at home are what I've been focusing on with the players, the
fact that we've won the last three home games on the trot and we have to try
and maintain that if we can to overcome this little blip. "We've had two
away games in which we haven't picked anything up in, so the focus is to
maintain our home results and try our best to pull off a big result. Try and
win, but if we don't then make sure we come away with at least a point.
Everybody's talking about Manchester United, but in their last away game
they disposed of West Brom, winning 3-0. David Moyes has got so many players
to choose from that fatigue won't come into it that much, because he can
change the side that played against Olympiacos with top international
players if he wants to. I think it's going to be a really tough game and
we'll have to be on top of our form to get anything out of it."
What did you make of United's performance against Olympiacos last night? Did
they rediscover some spirit?
SA: "I thought that they kept their nerve very, very well. In the end, the
opposition coach made a mistake by attacking them. He was 2-0 up and had he
sat back with a defensive blanket of two banks of four then I think
Manchester United would have found that much more difficult to break down.
In the end, opening himself up let Manchester United exploit those spaces
and there's nobody better to do that than Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie.
"They took full advantage of the fact that Olympiacos thought they could
come and attack United, instead of looking to protect their two-goal lead.
They didn't have to score a goal to get through to the quarter-finals, all
they had to do was not concede one but he never set his tactics out like
that. David and his players took full advantage of that fact."
They're coming here 18 points off the top of the table, why do you think
they've fallen so far behind this season?
SA: "Transition I would say. I think that transition is a big thing when one
of the greatest men ever to manage a football club in the world leaves after
27 years. He has to be given time to establish himself and make the changes
that need to be made. It's a massive, massive job for David and this season
has been a massive learning curve for him. In the end, they haven't had as
good a season as they would have liked. I don't think it surprises many of
us that when someone like Sir Alex Ferguson leaves, it becomes a struggle
for whoever takes over."
You go into this game 12th in the table with games against four of the top
five to come. Does the table give West Ham a false sense of security?
SA: "Not really. I think that table-wise we don't really put any great value
in it. Our aim is always to obtain more points than games played, that has
been the case since the start of the season. Forget where you are in the
league, just make sure you get more points than games played to first secure
your position in the Premier League and then see how far you can go. We know
full well that we've got a little bit more to do.
"We've exerted a huge effort in the recent results, apart from the last two,
to get ahead on points per games. We have to make sure that when we come off
the field on Saturday that we've got a point, if not more and try to keep
that advantage in terms of how many points we've got and how many games
we've played."
How many points do you think will keep you up?
SA: "I think probably about 38. Then again, with nine games to go, some have
ten, it's swings and roundabouts more than ever before. Normally at this
stage of the season it's usually down to five or six teams rather than ten.
There's still ten teams, maybe nine now because I think Stoke will be safe,
so it's gone to nine now, any of those nine need to pick up as many points
as they can."
Does Jack Collison still have a future at the Club?
SA: "His consistent level hasn't been quite as good as last season. You
build a bigger squad, greater demands come on the players that are already
here and he needs to play some football. What better place to send him than
to Uwe Rosler and on Wigan's crusade to get into the play-offs. Jack isn't
cup-tied, he's not played in the FA Cup, and they've got a semi-final he
could play in. There's a call back option on him for us if we need him.
"If we have any problems here then we'll get him back. Jack got himself in
the side when he came back from being at Bournemouth on loan and stayed in
the side for a few games before his form dipped a little bit. It worked well
at that specific time and like I said, he hasn't played any games for a
while. Games are what he wants to play and he can enjoy his football at
Wigan for the time being."
2007 is the last time West Ham beat United in the league, is this the best
chance you've had of taken all three points against them recently?
SA: "Well like I said before, you've got to look at the last away game they
played which was West Brom and they disposed of them quite comfortably.
There's a lot of people saying Manchester United are playing better football
away from home than they are at home, because there's not quite so much
pressure on them. The last away game they played against a Premier League
side they won 3-0 at West Brom so I think it's going to be a difficult game
with the talent they've got. They can always come out and deliver at any
specific time."
United will be on a bit of a high after last night, do you think that's a
good or a bad thing?
SA: "If Manchester United deal with these things year in, year out, and
Manchester United players know exactly what's expected of them. They've got
their own standards. I think they're always very dangerous when they're not
doing as well as they should. This is not the manager that I'm talking
about, this is the players saying 'I'm letting myself down, my team down, my
manager and the fans down. We're Manchester United let's go and do something
about it.'"
How much of a boost has it been to have Andy Carroll back after his
suspension?
SA: "He managed to score last week, which was very good, but unfortunately
it meant nothing at the end of the game. Scoring early away from home should
be a very good thing to do, but unfortunately our defensive qualities let us
down badly last week. Andy's goal meant nothing in the end, but it meant a
lot to Andy, it got him on the way. He made two goals for Kevin against
Swansea before he got sent-off. He managed to get on the scoresheet and may
have scored two. We hope he can continue that as well as all the other
players on the frontline. Players on the frontline are the key element when
we're in possession to try and score goals when they get the chances.
"We do want to rely on somebody that gets past ten every year, but we do
also have to rely on other people contributing more and that's been one of
the problems in our team that other players haven't contributed what they
did last season. That's made life that little bit more difficult for us.
Defensively, we've been brilliant, 13 clean sheets in 29 games is fantastic.
Our goal rates and conversion rates hasn't been what it should have, and if
it had then we would be comfortably in the top-half."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cole eyes Man United repeat
WHUFC.com
Carlton Cole would love to repeat his 2010 two-goal show against Manchester
United on Saturday
19.03.2014
The snowy evening of 30 November 2010 was arguably Carlton Cole's finest
hour in a West Ham United shirt. Along with his goal and assist in the 2012
Championship Play-Off final win over Blackpool at Wembley, Cole's two-goal
League Cup quarter-final show in the 4-0 victory over Manchester United will
always bring a smile to the striker's face. As the No24 prepares to face the
Red Devils at the Boleyn Ground again on Saturday - the 15th time he will
take them on in a West Ham shirt - Cole's memory was cast back to that
famous cup success. "It's a massive fixture and I think all the lads are up
for it," said Cole, who also scored at Old Trafford in the reverse Barclays
Premier League fixture this season. "We always play well under the lights as
well, so we'll give them a good game. "Of course we can beat them. We had a
great win against them in the League Cup one time, which I think ended 4-0
and I notched two goals! "The big games are what you live for and all the
players live for that and the manager wants to get one over them and get an
upset."
With two home games in five days - Manchester United followed by the visit
of Hull City on Wednesday 26 March - the Hammers have the opportunity to
collect the points they need to secure Barclays Premier League safety as
soon as possible. "Obviously we need to get the points under out belts now
at home and, with the games we have coming up away from home, any sort of
results there would be good for us. "We can start steering our way to safety
and secure a top-ten finish." Should Cole and company do just that, they
will certainly be able to enjoy the 2013/14 Player Awards, which will be
held at the Grosvenor House Hotel on London's Park Lane on Tuesday 6 May.
There, the England international will hope to secure his fifth Top
Goalscorer award, but he knows he faces strong competition from last year's
winner Kevin Nolan. "Hopefully I'll add to my tally a few more before the
end of the season. I'd love to win it again but I've got a tough competitor
in Nobby, who pushed me right to wire the year before last. "I ended up
nicking it that year at the end and hopefully I can nick it again this
season. I'm looking to notch so he better be aware!"
Tables of ten for the Player Awards, which include a drinks reception and
three-course luxury meal with petit fours, are available priced from £2,750
+VAT.
Individual packages at a shared table, complete with a drinks reception and
three-course luxury meal with petit fours, are available priced at £300
+VAT.
To book your table or seat now, please call 0871 091 1811 (Calls cost 10p
per min plus network extras).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce sets West Ham 38-point target ahead of Manchester United game
Last Updated: 20/03/14 6:21pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce reckons seven more points should be enough to secure West
Ham's Premier League status for another year. West Ham go into this
weekend's Saturday Night Football clash against Manchester United on 31
points - six clear of third-bottom Sunderland, who have played two fewer
games. Allardyce believes almost half the division - including his own side
- are still under threat from relegation with an average of nine matches to
play. And ahead of the champions' visit on Saturday the West Ham manager has
set a 38-point target for survival. "I think probably about 38 points (will
be enough)," he said. "Then again, with nine games to go, some have 10, it's
swings and roundabouts more than ever before. "Normally at this stage of the
season it's usually down to five or six teams rather than 10. There's still
10 teams - maybe nine now because I think Stoke will be safe - any of those
nine need to pick up as many points as they can. "Our aim is always to
obtain more points than games played, that has been the case since the start
of the season. "Forget where you are in the league, just make sure you get
more points than games played to first secure your position in the Premier
League and then see how far you can go. We know full well that we've got a
little bit more to do."
West Ham have won three home games in succession, but Allardyce is wary of
opponents who have taken seven points from nine in their past three away
fixtures and who travel to London on a high following their UEFA Champions
League victory over Olympiakos. He said: "The focus is to maintain our home
results and try our best to pull off a big result. Try and win, but if we
don't then make sure we come away with at least a point. "Our aim is always
to obtain more points than games played, that has been the case since the
start of the season." "Everybody's talking about Manchester United, but in
their last away game they disposed of West Brom, winning 3-0. "David Moyes
has got so many players to choose from that fatigue won't come into it that
much, because he can change the side that played against Olympiakos with top
international players if he wants to."
Despite their decent away form United could be 21 points off the top of the
table by the time kick-off comes on Saturday, and Allardyce says United's
struggle to adapt to Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement is no surprise. "David
Moyes has to be given time to establish himself and make the changes that
need to be made," he said. "It's a massive, massive job for David and this
season has been a massive learning curve for him. "In the end, they haven't
had as good a season as they would have liked. I don't think it surprises
many of us that when someone like Sir Alex Ferguson leaves, it becomes a
struggle for whoever takes over."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Uwe Rosler tips Jack Collison to impress at Wigan
Last Updated: 20/03/14 11:36am
SSN
Wigan manager Uwe Rosler has backed Jack Collison to cope with the high
stakes which await Wigan in the season's final stages. The Wales midfielder,
25, was confirmed as a Latics player on Tuesday night after he had witnessed
the dramatic 3-3 draw with Yeovil at the DW Stadium, in which five goals
inside the last 12 minutes denied the hosts a ninth straight victory. Rosler
claimed that the fact the Glovers scored a treble in those closing throes
showed just how fatigued some of his squad are. Their fixture list, which
has included European trips to Russia, Slovenia and Belgium, will comprise
of at least 60 games while they have an FA Cup semi-final date with Arsenal
at Wembley next month as they look to defend the trophy they won last May.
That could be just one of a number of titanic games to come for Rosler's
side given that they remain in the play-off spots and will almost certainly
have to go down that avenue if they are to be promoted back to the top
flight. And Collison, who is not cup-tied for the semi-final, knows all
about achieving promotion through the play-offs, having scored twice in the
semi-final first leg against Cardiff in 2012 and then starting in the final
when parent club West Ham beat Blackpool. "The injuries we've had in
midfield have been well documented," said Rosler, who has lost Ben Watson,
Chris McCann and Roger Espinoza to long-term problems recently. "We need
bodies in there, we need players with energy. Until the end of the season
now there will be prizes and high tension and we have to have players who
can cope with it. "Getting Jack - he's coming from a Premier League club, he
has experience. This season he's played 19 games and to get him for the
run-in is great for our squad. It gives us another option and I'm very happy
with this."
Wigan's recent run of form has been even more remarkable considering the
plethora of injuries they have suffered and James Perch became the latest to
go down against Yeovil. He collided with team-mate Callum McManaman early on
and despite soldiering on, made way before half-time. "We are injuring
ourselves now," Rosler joked. "James said he was right but obviously he
wasn't. He was limping. "It was unfortunate for us that we had to make that
early substitution because it restricted us in the end from bringing more
fresh bodies on. I'm not sure he'll be ready for Saturday, I hope so, but
I'm not sure."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
NOSTALGIA SERIES; RAY STEWART
By Tony Hanna 20 Mar 2014 at 09:14
West Ham Till I Die
Ray Stewart's career at West Ham will be fondly remembered by fans of that
era not just for his resolute defending, but also his fantastic penalty
taking record. Ray joined the Hammers from Dundee United in 1979 for 430,000
pounds for what was then a record fee for a British teenager. The Scot was
to go on to make 432 appearances for West Ham and scored 84 goals from right
back. All but eight of his goals were from the penalty spot and at least
three of those eight were from the goalkeepers initial saves from the
penalties. There are differing views on how many penalties Ray actually
missed during his West Ham career and Ray himself, when asked, does not
include the ones where he followed up with these rebounds. Initial misses
are most likely to be around ten as most stats say he scored 76 from 86
attempts. From my personal view the two most important penalties he ever
took were in the quarter final of the FA Cup in 1980 against Aston Villa and
in the League Cup final the following year at Wembley against Liverpool.
Both were highly pressurised and important and Ray belted both of them home!
And belt them he did. His style was no nonsense and hit with such power that
both his feet ended up off the ground after striking the ball. The one
against Villa was in the dying moments of the game and was to earn the
Hammers a place in the FA Cup semi-final. It sent Upton Park into a literal
frenzy. The one against Liverpool was to earn a League Cup final replay and
was with the last kick of the match. Pressure indeed, but Ray just walked
back and crashed them home.
However, Ray Stewart was not just a very good penalty taker. He added steel
and tenacity at right back and was to play throughout the halcyon days of
the eighties. He actually top scored in our FA Cup winning run in 1980 and
played 39 games in the 1985/86 season where we achieved our highest ever top
flight placing in third place. When Ray Stewart signed for West Ham in 1979
there was no internet, Sky Sports or Talksport. It was the Evening Standard
back in those days who would normally break any transfer news if they could
get their hands on the story before the Fleet Street elite. It was all over
the Standard back page that West Ham had broken the British teenage player
transfer record, and one who had only played 44 games in the Scottish
League! What were West Ham doing? Time would tell that it would prove money
very well spent.
But Ray, nicknamed Tonka, never did let the Hammers down. In his first
season he was second top scorer with fourteen goals. His penalty taking
style made him a fan favourite and his tackling style was often fearsome.
Julian Dicks who was breaking into the West Ham side just as Ray's career
was finishing, went on to model his penalty style after Ray's and he himself
became a penalty legend in his own right. Ray Stewart actually scored in
double figures four times in his first seven seasons at West Ham. His career
highlights include the FA Cup win of 1980, the League Cup finals the
following year and the quarter finals of the ECWC. Then there was the record
breaking second division title performance in 1981 and a few seasons later
the "Boys of '86". He went on to play ten times for Scotland but says the
"only time I ever had tears in my eyes was when Dalglish scored on that
final day of the season in 1986 and Liverpool won the title instead of us".
Sadly, Ray was badly injured in a game at Derby County in January 1989 and
he was sidelined for fifteen months. He made a return in April 1991 and
played six games in 24 days in an attempt to get fit. However, hamstring
injuries had started to plague the fullback and he was released back to his
native Scotland to end his career playing at St Johnstone and he played
twice for Stirling Albion before bringing down the curtain on his playing
career. He went on to manage Scottish teams Livingston and Stirling Albion
before ending his football days at Forfar Athletic in 2004.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
NOSTALGIA SERIES; RAY STEWART
By Tony Hanna 20 Mar 2014 at 09:14 52 comments
Ray Stewart's career at West Ham will be fondly remembered by fans of that
era not just for his resolute defending, but also his fantastic penalty
taking record. Ray joined the Hammers from Dundee United in 1979 for 430,000
pounds for what was then a record fee for a British teenager. The Scot was
to go on to make 432 appearances for West Ham and scored 84 goals from right
back. All but eight of his goals were from the penalty spot and at least
three of those eight were from the goalkeepers initial saves from the
penalties. There are differing views on how many penalties Ray actually
missed during his West Ham career and Ray himself, when asked, does not
include the ones where he followed up with these rebounds. Initial misses
are most likely to be around ten as most stats say he scored 76 from 86
attempts. From my personal view the two most important penalties he ever
took were in the quarter final of the FA Cup in 1980 against Aston Villa and
in the League Cup final the following year at Wembley against Liverpool.
Both were highly pressurised and important and Ray belted both of them home!
And belt them he did. His style was no nonsense and hit with such power that
both his feet ended up off the ground after striking the ball. The one
against Villa was in the dying moments of the game and was to earn the
Hammers a place in the FA Cup semi-final. It sent Upton Park into a literal
frenzy. The one against Liverpool was to earn a League Cup final replay and
was with the last kick of the match. Pressure indeed, but Ray just walked
back and crashed them home.
However, Ray Stewart was not just a very good penalty taker. He added steel
and tenacity at right back and was to play throughout the halcyon days of
the eighties. He actually top scored in our FA Cup winning run in 1980 and
played 39 games in the 1985/86 season where we achieved our highest ever top
flight placing in third place. When Ray Stewart signed for West Ham in 1979
there was no internet, Sky Sports or Talksport. It was the Evening Standard
back in those days who would normally break any transfer news if they could
get their hands on the story before the Fleet Street elite. It was all over
the Standard back page that West Ham had broken the British teenage player
transfer record, and one who had only played 44 games in the Scottish
League! What were West Ham doing? Time would tell that it would prove money
very well spent.
But Ray, nicknamed Tonka, never did let the Hammers down. In his first
season he was second top scorer with fourteen goals. His penalty taking
style made him a fan favourite and his tackling style was often fearsome.
Julian Dicks who was breaking into the West Ham side just as Ray's career
was finishing, went on to model his penalty style after Ray's and he himself
became a penalty legend in his own right. Ray Stewart actually scored in
double figures four times in his first seven seasons at West Ham. His career
highlights include the FA Cup win of 1980, the League Cup finals the
following year and the quarter finals of the ECWC. Then there was the record
breaking second division title performance in 1981 and a few seasons later
the "Boys of '86". He went on to play ten times for Scotland but says the
"only time I ever had tears in my eyes was when Dalglish scored on that
final day of the season in 1986 and Liverpool won the title instead of us".
Sadly, Ray was badly injured in a game at Derby County in January 1989 and
he was sidelined for fifteen months. He made a return in April 1991 and
played six games in 24 days in an attempt to get fit. However, hamstring
injuries had started to plague the fullback and he was released back to his
native Scotland to end his career playing at St Johnstone and he played
twice for Stirling Albion before bringing down the curtain on his playing
career. He went on to manage Scottish teams Livingston and Stirling Albion
before ending his football days at Forfar Athletic in 2004.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce met the media ahead of Saturday's game against Manchester
United
20.03.2014
Sam Allardyce spoke to the assembled media at Chadwell Heath on Thursday
morning ahead of Saturday's game against Manchester United in the Barclays
Premier League. Big Sam answered questions regarding the latest team news,
Manchester United's inconsistent season and Jack Collison's loan move to
Wigan Athletic.
Morning Sam, what's your team news ahead of the weekend?
SA: "We're in exactly the same place with the squad as we were last week.
There's only Joey O'Brien and Marco Borriello who aren't available for
selection so I've got a big strong squad to choose from for Saturday's game.
Our efforts at home are what I've been focusing on with the players, the
fact that we've won the last three home games on the trot and we have to try
and maintain that if we can to overcome this little blip. "We've had two
away games in which we haven't picked anything up in, so the focus is to
maintain our home results and try our best to pull off a big result. Try and
win, but if we don't then make sure we come away with at least a point.
Everybody's talking about Manchester United, but in their last away game
they disposed of West Brom, winning 3-0. David Moyes has got so many players
to choose from that fatigue won't come into it that much, because he can
change the side that played against Olympiacos with top international
players if he wants to. I think it's going to be a really tough game and
we'll have to be on top of our form to get anything out of it."
What did you make of United's performance against Olympiacos last night? Did
they rediscover some spirit?
SA: "I thought that they kept their nerve very, very well. In the end, the
opposition coach made a mistake by attacking them. He was 2-0 up and had he
sat back with a defensive blanket of two banks of four then I think
Manchester United would have found that much more difficult to break down.
In the end, opening himself up let Manchester United exploit those spaces
and there's nobody better to do that than Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie.
"They took full advantage of the fact that Olympiacos thought they could
come and attack United, instead of looking to protect their two-goal lead.
They didn't have to score a goal to get through to the quarter-finals, all
they had to do was not concede one but he never set his tactics out like
that. David and his players took full advantage of that fact."
They're coming here 18 points off the top of the table, why do you think
they've fallen so far behind this season?
SA: "Transition I would say. I think that transition is a big thing when one
of the greatest men ever to manage a football club in the world leaves after
27 years. He has to be given time to establish himself and make the changes
that need to be made. It's a massive, massive job for David and this season
has been a massive learning curve for him. In the end, they haven't had as
good a season as they would have liked. I don't think it surprises many of
us that when someone like Sir Alex Ferguson leaves, it becomes a struggle
for whoever takes over."
You go into this game 12th in the table with games against four of the top
five to come. Does the table give West Ham a false sense of security?
SA: "Not really. I think that table-wise we don't really put any great value
in it. Our aim is always to obtain more points than games played, that has
been the case since the start of the season. Forget where you are in the
league, just make sure you get more points than games played to first secure
your position in the Premier League and then see how far you can go. We know
full well that we've got a little bit more to do.
"We've exerted a huge effort in the recent results, apart from the last two,
to get ahead on points per games. We have to make sure that when we come off
the field on Saturday that we've got a point, if not more and try to keep
that advantage in terms of how many points we've got and how many games
we've played."
How many points do you think will keep you up?
SA: "I think probably about 38. Then again, with nine games to go, some have
ten, it's swings and roundabouts more than ever before. Normally at this
stage of the season it's usually down to five or six teams rather than ten.
There's still ten teams, maybe nine now because I think Stoke will be safe,
so it's gone to nine now, any of those nine need to pick up as many points
as they can."
Does Jack Collison still have a future at the Club?
SA: "His consistent level hasn't been quite as good as last season. You
build a bigger squad, greater demands come on the players that are already
here and he needs to play some football. What better place to send him than
to Uwe Rosler and on Wigan's crusade to get into the play-offs. Jack isn't
cup-tied, he's not played in the FA Cup, and they've got a semi-final he
could play in. There's a call back option on him for us if we need him.
"If we have any problems here then we'll get him back. Jack got himself in
the side when he came back from being at Bournemouth on loan and stayed in
the side for a few games before his form dipped a little bit. It worked well
at that specific time and like I said, he hasn't played any games for a
while. Games are what he wants to play and he can enjoy his football at
Wigan for the time being."
2007 is the last time West Ham beat United in the league, is this the best
chance you've had of taken all three points against them recently?
SA: "Well like I said before, you've got to look at the last away game they
played which was West Brom and they disposed of them quite comfortably.
There's a lot of people saying Manchester United are playing better football
away from home than they are at home, because there's not quite so much
pressure on them. The last away game they played against a Premier League
side they won 3-0 at West Brom so I think it's going to be a difficult game
with the talent they've got. They can always come out and deliver at any
specific time."
United will be on a bit of a high after last night, do you think that's a
good or a bad thing?
SA: "If Manchester United deal with these things year in, year out, and
Manchester United players know exactly what's expected of them. They've got
their own standards. I think they're always very dangerous when they're not
doing as well as they should. This is not the manager that I'm talking
about, this is the players saying 'I'm letting myself down, my team down, my
manager and the fans down. We're Manchester United let's go and do something
about it.'"
How much of a boost has it been to have Andy Carroll back after his
suspension?
SA: "He managed to score last week, which was very good, but unfortunately
it meant nothing at the end of the game. Scoring early away from home should
be a very good thing to do, but unfortunately our defensive qualities let us
down badly last week. Andy's goal meant nothing in the end, but it meant a
lot to Andy, it got him on the way. He made two goals for Kevin against
Swansea before he got sent-off. He managed to get on the scoresheet and may
have scored two. We hope he can continue that as well as all the other
players on the frontline. Players on the frontline are the key element when
we're in possession to try and score goals when they get the chances.
"We do want to rely on somebody that gets past ten every year, but we do
also have to rely on other people contributing more and that's been one of
the problems in our team that other players haven't contributed what they
did last season. That's made life that little bit more difficult for us.
Defensively, we've been brilliant, 13 clean sheets in 29 games is fantastic.
Our goal rates and conversion rates hasn't been what it should have, and if
it had then we would be comfortably in the top-half."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cole eyes Man United repeat
WHUFC.com
Carlton Cole would love to repeat his 2010 two-goal show against Manchester
United on Saturday
19.03.2014
The snowy evening of 30 November 2010 was arguably Carlton Cole's finest
hour in a West Ham United shirt. Along with his goal and assist in the 2012
Championship Play-Off final win over Blackpool at Wembley, Cole's two-goal
League Cup quarter-final show in the 4-0 victory over Manchester United will
always bring a smile to the striker's face. As the No24 prepares to face the
Red Devils at the Boleyn Ground again on Saturday - the 15th time he will
take them on in a West Ham shirt - Cole's memory was cast back to that
famous cup success. "It's a massive fixture and I think all the lads are up
for it," said Cole, who also scored at Old Trafford in the reverse Barclays
Premier League fixture this season. "We always play well under the lights as
well, so we'll give them a good game. "Of course we can beat them. We had a
great win against them in the League Cup one time, which I think ended 4-0
and I notched two goals! "The big games are what you live for and all the
players live for that and the manager wants to get one over them and get an
upset."
With two home games in five days - Manchester United followed by the visit
of Hull City on Wednesday 26 March - the Hammers have the opportunity to
collect the points they need to secure Barclays Premier League safety as
soon as possible. "Obviously we need to get the points under out belts now
at home and, with the games we have coming up away from home, any sort of
results there would be good for us. "We can start steering our way to safety
and secure a top-ten finish." Should Cole and company do just that, they
will certainly be able to enjoy the 2013/14 Player Awards, which will be
held at the Grosvenor House Hotel on London's Park Lane on Tuesday 6 May.
There, the England international will hope to secure his fifth Top
Goalscorer award, but he knows he faces strong competition from last year's
winner Kevin Nolan. "Hopefully I'll add to my tally a few more before the
end of the season. I'd love to win it again but I've got a tough competitor
in Nobby, who pushed me right to wire the year before last. "I ended up
nicking it that year at the end and hopefully I can nick it again this
season. I'm looking to notch so he better be aware!"
Tables of ten for the Player Awards, which include a drinks reception and
three-course luxury meal with petit fours, are available priced from £2,750
+VAT.
Individual packages at a shared table, complete with a drinks reception and
three-course luxury meal with petit fours, are available priced at £300
+VAT.
To book your table or seat now, please call 0871 091 1811 (Calls cost 10p
per min plus network extras).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce sets West Ham 38-point target ahead of Manchester United game
Last Updated: 20/03/14 6:21pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce reckons seven more points should be enough to secure West
Ham's Premier League status for another year. West Ham go into this
weekend's Saturday Night Football clash against Manchester United on 31
points - six clear of third-bottom Sunderland, who have played two fewer
games. Allardyce believes almost half the division - including his own side
- are still under threat from relegation with an average of nine matches to
play. And ahead of the champions' visit on Saturday the West Ham manager has
set a 38-point target for survival. "I think probably about 38 points (will
be enough)," he said. "Then again, with nine games to go, some have 10, it's
swings and roundabouts more than ever before. "Normally at this stage of the
season it's usually down to five or six teams rather than 10. There's still
10 teams - maybe nine now because I think Stoke will be safe - any of those
nine need to pick up as many points as they can. "Our aim is always to
obtain more points than games played, that has been the case since the start
of the season. "Forget where you are in the league, just make sure you get
more points than games played to first secure your position in the Premier
League and then see how far you can go. We know full well that we've got a
little bit more to do."
West Ham have won three home games in succession, but Allardyce is wary of
opponents who have taken seven points from nine in their past three away
fixtures and who travel to London on a high following their UEFA Champions
League victory over Olympiakos. He said: "The focus is to maintain our home
results and try our best to pull off a big result. Try and win, but if we
don't then make sure we come away with at least a point. "Our aim is always
to obtain more points than games played, that has been the case since the
start of the season." "Everybody's talking about Manchester United, but in
their last away game they disposed of West Brom, winning 3-0. "David Moyes
has got so many players to choose from that fatigue won't come into it that
much, because he can change the side that played against Olympiakos with top
international players if he wants to."
Despite their decent away form United could be 21 points off the top of the
table by the time kick-off comes on Saturday, and Allardyce says United's
struggle to adapt to Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement is no surprise. "David
Moyes has to be given time to establish himself and make the changes that
need to be made," he said. "It's a massive, massive job for David and this
season has been a massive learning curve for him. "In the end, they haven't
had as good a season as they would have liked. I don't think it surprises
many of us that when someone like Sir Alex Ferguson leaves, it becomes a
struggle for whoever takes over."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Uwe Rosler tips Jack Collison to impress at Wigan
Last Updated: 20/03/14 11:36am
SSN
Wigan manager Uwe Rosler has backed Jack Collison to cope with the high
stakes which await Wigan in the season's final stages. The Wales midfielder,
25, was confirmed as a Latics player on Tuesday night after he had witnessed
the dramatic 3-3 draw with Yeovil at the DW Stadium, in which five goals
inside the last 12 minutes denied the hosts a ninth straight victory. Rosler
claimed that the fact the Glovers scored a treble in those closing throes
showed just how fatigued some of his squad are. Their fixture list, which
has included European trips to Russia, Slovenia and Belgium, will comprise
of at least 60 games while they have an FA Cup semi-final date with Arsenal
at Wembley next month as they look to defend the trophy they won last May.
That could be just one of a number of titanic games to come for Rosler's
side given that they remain in the play-off spots and will almost certainly
have to go down that avenue if they are to be promoted back to the top
flight. And Collison, who is not cup-tied for the semi-final, knows all
about achieving promotion through the play-offs, having scored twice in the
semi-final first leg against Cardiff in 2012 and then starting in the final
when parent club West Ham beat Blackpool. "The injuries we've had in
midfield have been well documented," said Rosler, who has lost Ben Watson,
Chris McCann and Roger Espinoza to long-term problems recently. "We need
bodies in there, we need players with energy. Until the end of the season
now there will be prizes and high tension and we have to have players who
can cope with it. "Getting Jack - he's coming from a Premier League club, he
has experience. This season he's played 19 games and to get him for the
run-in is great for our squad. It gives us another option and I'm very happy
with this."
Wigan's recent run of form has been even more remarkable considering the
plethora of injuries they have suffered and James Perch became the latest to
go down against Yeovil. He collided with team-mate Callum McManaman early on
and despite soldiering on, made way before half-time. "We are injuring
ourselves now," Rosler joked. "James said he was right but obviously he
wasn't. He was limping. "It was unfortunate for us that we had to make that
early substitution because it restricted us in the end from bringing more
fresh bodies on. I'm not sure he'll be ready for Saturday, I hope so, but
I'm not sure."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
NOSTALGIA SERIES; RAY STEWART
By Tony Hanna 20 Mar 2014 at 09:14
West Ham Till I Die
Ray Stewart's career at West Ham will be fondly remembered by fans of that
era not just for his resolute defending, but also his fantastic penalty
taking record. Ray joined the Hammers from Dundee United in 1979 for 430,000
pounds for what was then a record fee for a British teenager. The Scot was
to go on to make 432 appearances for West Ham and scored 84 goals from right
back. All but eight of his goals were from the penalty spot and at least
three of those eight were from the goalkeepers initial saves from the
penalties. There are differing views on how many penalties Ray actually
missed during his West Ham career and Ray himself, when asked, does not
include the ones where he followed up with these rebounds. Initial misses
are most likely to be around ten as most stats say he scored 76 from 86
attempts. From my personal view the two most important penalties he ever
took were in the quarter final of the FA Cup in 1980 against Aston Villa and
in the League Cup final the following year at Wembley against Liverpool.
Both were highly pressurised and important and Ray belted both of them home!
And belt them he did. His style was no nonsense and hit with such power that
both his feet ended up off the ground after striking the ball. The one
against Villa was in the dying moments of the game and was to earn the
Hammers a place in the FA Cup semi-final. It sent Upton Park into a literal
frenzy. The one against Liverpool was to earn a League Cup final replay and
was with the last kick of the match. Pressure indeed, but Ray just walked
back and crashed them home.
However, Ray Stewart was not just a very good penalty taker. He added steel
and tenacity at right back and was to play throughout the halcyon days of
the eighties. He actually top scored in our FA Cup winning run in 1980 and
played 39 games in the 1985/86 season where we achieved our highest ever top
flight placing in third place. When Ray Stewart signed for West Ham in 1979
there was no internet, Sky Sports or Talksport. It was the Evening Standard
back in those days who would normally break any transfer news if they could
get their hands on the story before the Fleet Street elite. It was all over
the Standard back page that West Ham had broken the British teenage player
transfer record, and one who had only played 44 games in the Scottish
League! What were West Ham doing? Time would tell that it would prove money
very well spent.
But Ray, nicknamed Tonka, never did let the Hammers down. In his first
season he was second top scorer with fourteen goals. His penalty taking
style made him a fan favourite and his tackling style was often fearsome.
Julian Dicks who was breaking into the West Ham side just as Ray's career
was finishing, went on to model his penalty style after Ray's and he himself
became a penalty legend in his own right. Ray Stewart actually scored in
double figures four times in his first seven seasons at West Ham. His career
highlights include the FA Cup win of 1980, the League Cup finals the
following year and the quarter finals of the ECWC. Then there was the record
breaking second division title performance in 1981 and a few seasons later
the "Boys of '86". He went on to play ten times for Scotland but says the
"only time I ever had tears in my eyes was when Dalglish scored on that
final day of the season in 1986 and Liverpool won the title instead of us".
Sadly, Ray was badly injured in a game at Derby County in January 1989 and
he was sidelined for fifteen months. He made a return in April 1991 and
played six games in 24 days in an attempt to get fit. However, hamstring
injuries had started to plague the fullback and he was released back to his
native Scotland to end his career playing at St Johnstone and he played
twice for Stirling Albion before bringing down the curtain on his playing
career. He went on to manage Scottish teams Livingston and Stirling Albion
before ending his football days at Forfar Athletic in 2004.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
NOSTALGIA SERIES; RAY STEWART
By Tony Hanna 20 Mar 2014 at 09:14 52 comments
Ray Stewart's career at West Ham will be fondly remembered by fans of that
era not just for his resolute defending, but also his fantastic penalty
taking record. Ray joined the Hammers from Dundee United in 1979 for 430,000
pounds for what was then a record fee for a British teenager. The Scot was
to go on to make 432 appearances for West Ham and scored 84 goals from right
back. All but eight of his goals were from the penalty spot and at least
three of those eight were from the goalkeepers initial saves from the
penalties. There are differing views on how many penalties Ray actually
missed during his West Ham career and Ray himself, when asked, does not
include the ones where he followed up with these rebounds. Initial misses
are most likely to be around ten as most stats say he scored 76 from 86
attempts. From my personal view the two most important penalties he ever
took were in the quarter final of the FA Cup in 1980 against Aston Villa and
in the League Cup final the following year at Wembley against Liverpool.
Both were highly pressurised and important and Ray belted both of them home!
And belt them he did. His style was no nonsense and hit with such power that
both his feet ended up off the ground after striking the ball. The one
against Villa was in the dying moments of the game and was to earn the
Hammers a place in the FA Cup semi-final. It sent Upton Park into a literal
frenzy. The one against Liverpool was to earn a League Cup final replay and
was with the last kick of the match. Pressure indeed, but Ray just walked
back and crashed them home.
However, Ray Stewart was not just a very good penalty taker. He added steel
and tenacity at right back and was to play throughout the halcyon days of
the eighties. He actually top scored in our FA Cup winning run in 1980 and
played 39 games in the 1985/86 season where we achieved our highest ever top
flight placing in third place. When Ray Stewart signed for West Ham in 1979
there was no internet, Sky Sports or Talksport. It was the Evening Standard
back in those days who would normally break any transfer news if they could
get their hands on the story before the Fleet Street elite. It was all over
the Standard back page that West Ham had broken the British teenage player
transfer record, and one who had only played 44 games in the Scottish
League! What were West Ham doing? Time would tell that it would prove money
very well spent.
But Ray, nicknamed Tonka, never did let the Hammers down. In his first
season he was second top scorer with fourteen goals. His penalty taking
style made him a fan favourite and his tackling style was often fearsome.
Julian Dicks who was breaking into the West Ham side just as Ray's career
was finishing, went on to model his penalty style after Ray's and he himself
became a penalty legend in his own right. Ray Stewart actually scored in
double figures four times in his first seven seasons at West Ham. His career
highlights include the FA Cup win of 1980, the League Cup finals the
following year and the quarter finals of the ECWC. Then there was the record
breaking second division title performance in 1981 and a few seasons later
the "Boys of '86". He went on to play ten times for Scotland but says the
"only time I ever had tears in my eyes was when Dalglish scored on that
final day of the season in 1986 and Liverpool won the title instead of us".
Sadly, Ray was badly injured in a game at Derby County in January 1989 and
he was sidelined for fifteen months. He made a return in April 1991 and
played six games in 24 days in an attempt to get fit. However, hamstring
injuries had started to plague the fullback and he was released back to his
native Scotland to end his career playing at St Johnstone and he played
twice for Stirling Albion before bringing down the curtain on his playing
career. He went on to manage Scottish teams Livingston and Stirling Albion
before ending his football days at Forfar Athletic in 2004.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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Thursday, March 20
Daily WHUFC News - 20th March 2014
'West Ham fans are great'
WHUFC.com
Adrian has heaped praise on West Ham fans ahead of a sell-out fixture
against Manchester United
19.03.2014
Adrian has paid tribute to the West Ham United fans ahead of Saturday's
sell-out against Manchester United at the Boleyn Ground. 'Adrian, Adrian,
Adrian' has become a familiar chant amongst the Boleyn Ground faithful since
the Spaniard made the goalkeeper's position his own, with his superb
displays between the sticks earning him the past two Player of the Month
awards. The No13 kept three clean sheets over the course of February to
scoop the latest prize and the stopper admits he has enjoyed the growing
relationship between himself and Hammers' fans. Speaking in his first
recorded interview in English, the Seville-born keeper told West Ham TV: "I
feel really happy to play for the West Ham fans. "I enjoy the communication
between them and me because I think the fans are the most important part of
the Club. "Every away game they go to the other city and at home I think
that the West Ham fans are great."
Adrian beat off competition from captain Kevin Nolan to win his second
consecutive award, with some crucial saves in wins against Swansea City,
Aston Villa, Norwich City and Southampton enough for him to pip the skipper.
While he was delighted to receive the accolade, the 27-year-old says the
award is recognition for the hard work of the whole team. "I feel really
good, really happy, because this award is difficult for a player to win and
I've got my second in a row which is very difficult. "I think it's my award
but also for all of my teammates because without them I wouldn't have this
award. "Clean sheets are really important for us, for me more because I am
the goalkeeper. If you have clean sheets in a few games then you have more
confidence and more opportunity to win three points."
Adrian may have to be at his best on Saturday afternoon as he attempts to
deny a United frontline which is likely to contain the talents of Wayne
Rooney, Robin van Persie and Juan Mata. The Spaniard was beaten three times
by the Red Devils when he made his Premier League debut in a 3-1 defeat at
Old Trafford back in December 2013, but he is confident of a better result
this time round. "It's an important game and a difficult game. I made my
league debut against Manchester United at Old Trafford and since then we
have gained more confidence, that's important. "I think that with us playing
at home it will make it a good game and we will try to win the three points.
"It was difficult to make my debut there, but here every match is difficult
and you need the right mentality and concentration in every game because
nobody gives you the three points for nothing."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sadlier on comeback trail
WHUFC.com
Kieran Sadlier celebrated two goals against Leyton Orient on Tuesday as he
continues his return to fitness
19.03.2014
Kieran Sadlier was delighted to make a scoring return to the starting XI at
Rush Green on Tuesday afternoon as the Development Squad recorded a
comfortable 3-0 friendly victory against Leyton Orient. The winger scored
twice against the O's, netting the opener from close-range and doubling his
tally with a glancing header shortly after half-time. The wide man has been
out since before Christmas with medial tibia stress syndrome and is now keen
to rack up the minutes as he continues his return to full fitness. He told
West Ham TV: "I'm feeling good," he said. "It was nice to get 75 minutes
under my belt today. "I played 80 minutes last week and 20 or 30 in other
games, so it was nice to get a start in a proper game as the other one was a
training game. I feel alright at the moment."
Sadlier also admitted that it has been a frustrating time for himself during
his spell on the side-lines. "It's been frustrating seeing the other boys
out training every day and playing on Friday nights here and away from home.
"It's been frustrating but I knew I'd eventually come back. I thought it
wasn't as serious as it was and in the end it just needed a lot of rest
which it has now had."
Before his injury, the Republic of Ireland youth international had been a
regular feature for Nick Haycock's side in the Barclays Under-21 Premier
League, making ten appearances. Sadlier had also found the net twice in
those matches and he was pleased to be back among the goals against Orient
on Tuesday.
"It was good. I haven't scored as many as I would have wanted this season
anyway so it gives me confidence going into the Arsenal game and we'll see
what team Nick picks. If I'm on the bench, that's fine, but I'm just looking
to get some more minutes. "The league this year has been frustrating because
of the breaks between games, but it's good to have these friendlies in
between. "It's better to have matches because they're more competitive and
everyone's more up for it. Training is good, but games are always going to
be better for you."
The Development Squad will now turn their attention to a return to league
action against Arsenal on Monday evening. A 2-0 loss to Liverpool in their
last league outing has dropped the Hammers to eighth place in the table and
Sadlier is keen to bounce back against the Gunners. "Everyone was
disappointed to lose to Liverpool, a lot of the boys thought we deserved
more out of the game but we're all determined to bounce back with a win
against Arsenal. "We have qiuite a good record at this level against Arsenal
as well, so everyone's confident that we can beat them. "Everyone wants to
beat Arsenal because they're a big club and everyone will be up for it."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Repka - I gave away a penalty on purpose
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 19th March 2014
By: Staff Writer
Ex-West Ham defender Tomas Repka has admitted to deliberately conceding a
penalty in order to get back at his former employers. The retired former
Czech international admitted his act of sabotage in a radio interview in
which he was plugging his new autobiography. Now 40, Repka - who played for
West Ham between 2001 and 2006 - revealed that he gave away the spot kick
against his former club Sparta Prague's main challengers for the
Championship title, Liberec, whilst playing for minnows Ceske Budejovice in
2012 as an act of revenge against Sparta president Daniel Kretinsky. "At
that precise moment I was not thinking straight," he said. "I hurt the team
as a whole. But I was fuelled by human vanity, and I wanted to settle a
score with Mr. Kretinsky. "He didn't behave fairly to me when I was leaving
Sparta, so I promised him I'd get him back. Hopefully I succeeded. Nobody
knew about it so I'm voluntarily admitting to it now."
The game, which took place in April 2012 ended up in a 4-0 home defeat for
Budejovice. Liberec went on to take the title at the expense of Prague by
just two points - the first time they'd won the Czech Liga since 2005/06.
Repka - a £5million Glenn Roeder signing from Italian side Fiorentina - was
famously dismissed on his debut for West Ham, before being sent off again in
his first match back from suspension - a 7-1 defeat at Blackburn Rovers. He
was equally volatile off the field during his spell in England and was
arrested in 2004 for harassment following a complaint by a neighbour.
Despite his many foibles, Repka went on to become a hugely-popular figure at
the Boleyn Ground and his farewell match - a 2-1 win against Fulham in
January 2006 - saw him leave the field in tears.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jack's a Latic
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 19th March 2014
By: Staff Writer
Jack Collison could have played his final game for West Ham after completing
a loan move to Championship club Wigan Athletic. West Ham United's
25-year-old Welsh international will remain at the DW Stadium for the
remainder of the current campaign having completed a move to the Latics late
last night. Wiagn manager Uwe Rosler told the club's website: "We have now
brought in two great signings in Ryan Tunnicliffe and Jack Collison. "Jack
is exactly what we needed, he can play in a few different positions, has
terrific experience of both the Premier League and the Championship and will
heighten competition for places as we move into the crucial last few weeks
of the season." Collison is one of a string of first team players out of
contract this summer, along with the likes of fellow first team squad
members Guy Demel, Jussi Jaaskelainen, Joe Cole and George McCartney. Having
made his debut at Arsenal on New Years Day 2008, Jack went on to make 121
first team appearances for West Ham - the most recent of which came in the
Capital One Cup semi final second leg defeat at home to Manchester City back
in January.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
SO FAREWELL THEN JACK COLLISON
By Iain Dale 19 Mar 2014 at 11:51
Following Jack Collison's loan move to Wigan Athletic I suspect we won't be
seeing him wearing the Claret & Blue again. He's out of contract in the
summer and it looks likely he won't be offered a new one, as Sean Whetstone
revealed yesterday. I feel really sad about this. When he broke into the
first team back in 2008-9 I think we all thought he would prove to be the
real deal. He had flair and could score goals, some of them quite
spectacular. But it's not being unkind to say that he's never been quite the
same player since his long term knee injury. He'd have the odd impressive
game but there was little consistency of performance. In recent times Mo
Diame and Matt Taylor have kept him out of the side and this season he has
never been more than a bit-part player. I'd love to think he can still play
in the top flight but it maybe best for him to have a prolonged run of games
in the Championship. I am sure we all wish him good luck.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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WHUFC.com
Adrian has heaped praise on West Ham fans ahead of a sell-out fixture
against Manchester United
19.03.2014
Adrian has paid tribute to the West Ham United fans ahead of Saturday's
sell-out against Manchester United at the Boleyn Ground. 'Adrian, Adrian,
Adrian' has become a familiar chant amongst the Boleyn Ground faithful since
the Spaniard made the goalkeeper's position his own, with his superb
displays between the sticks earning him the past two Player of the Month
awards. The No13 kept three clean sheets over the course of February to
scoop the latest prize and the stopper admits he has enjoyed the growing
relationship between himself and Hammers' fans. Speaking in his first
recorded interview in English, the Seville-born keeper told West Ham TV: "I
feel really happy to play for the West Ham fans. "I enjoy the communication
between them and me because I think the fans are the most important part of
the Club. "Every away game they go to the other city and at home I think
that the West Ham fans are great."
Adrian beat off competition from captain Kevin Nolan to win his second
consecutive award, with some crucial saves in wins against Swansea City,
Aston Villa, Norwich City and Southampton enough for him to pip the skipper.
While he was delighted to receive the accolade, the 27-year-old says the
award is recognition for the hard work of the whole team. "I feel really
good, really happy, because this award is difficult for a player to win and
I've got my second in a row which is very difficult. "I think it's my award
but also for all of my teammates because without them I wouldn't have this
award. "Clean sheets are really important for us, for me more because I am
the goalkeeper. If you have clean sheets in a few games then you have more
confidence and more opportunity to win three points."
Adrian may have to be at his best on Saturday afternoon as he attempts to
deny a United frontline which is likely to contain the talents of Wayne
Rooney, Robin van Persie and Juan Mata. The Spaniard was beaten three times
by the Red Devils when he made his Premier League debut in a 3-1 defeat at
Old Trafford back in December 2013, but he is confident of a better result
this time round. "It's an important game and a difficult game. I made my
league debut against Manchester United at Old Trafford and since then we
have gained more confidence, that's important. "I think that with us playing
at home it will make it a good game and we will try to win the three points.
"It was difficult to make my debut there, but here every match is difficult
and you need the right mentality and concentration in every game because
nobody gives you the three points for nothing."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sadlier on comeback trail
WHUFC.com
Kieran Sadlier celebrated two goals against Leyton Orient on Tuesday as he
continues his return to fitness
19.03.2014
Kieran Sadlier was delighted to make a scoring return to the starting XI at
Rush Green on Tuesday afternoon as the Development Squad recorded a
comfortable 3-0 friendly victory against Leyton Orient. The winger scored
twice against the O's, netting the opener from close-range and doubling his
tally with a glancing header shortly after half-time. The wide man has been
out since before Christmas with medial tibia stress syndrome and is now keen
to rack up the minutes as he continues his return to full fitness. He told
West Ham TV: "I'm feeling good," he said. "It was nice to get 75 minutes
under my belt today. "I played 80 minutes last week and 20 or 30 in other
games, so it was nice to get a start in a proper game as the other one was a
training game. I feel alright at the moment."
Sadlier also admitted that it has been a frustrating time for himself during
his spell on the side-lines. "It's been frustrating seeing the other boys
out training every day and playing on Friday nights here and away from home.
"It's been frustrating but I knew I'd eventually come back. I thought it
wasn't as serious as it was and in the end it just needed a lot of rest
which it has now had."
Before his injury, the Republic of Ireland youth international had been a
regular feature for Nick Haycock's side in the Barclays Under-21 Premier
League, making ten appearances. Sadlier had also found the net twice in
those matches and he was pleased to be back among the goals against Orient
on Tuesday.
"It was good. I haven't scored as many as I would have wanted this season
anyway so it gives me confidence going into the Arsenal game and we'll see
what team Nick picks. If I'm on the bench, that's fine, but I'm just looking
to get some more minutes. "The league this year has been frustrating because
of the breaks between games, but it's good to have these friendlies in
between. "It's better to have matches because they're more competitive and
everyone's more up for it. Training is good, but games are always going to
be better for you."
The Development Squad will now turn their attention to a return to league
action against Arsenal on Monday evening. A 2-0 loss to Liverpool in their
last league outing has dropped the Hammers to eighth place in the table and
Sadlier is keen to bounce back against the Gunners. "Everyone was
disappointed to lose to Liverpool, a lot of the boys thought we deserved
more out of the game but we're all determined to bounce back with a win
against Arsenal. "We have qiuite a good record at this level against Arsenal
as well, so everyone's confident that we can beat them. "Everyone wants to
beat Arsenal because they're a big club and everyone will be up for it."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Repka - I gave away a penalty on purpose
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 19th March 2014
By: Staff Writer
Ex-West Ham defender Tomas Repka has admitted to deliberately conceding a
penalty in order to get back at his former employers. The retired former
Czech international admitted his act of sabotage in a radio interview in
which he was plugging his new autobiography. Now 40, Repka - who played for
West Ham between 2001 and 2006 - revealed that he gave away the spot kick
against his former club Sparta Prague's main challengers for the
Championship title, Liberec, whilst playing for minnows Ceske Budejovice in
2012 as an act of revenge against Sparta president Daniel Kretinsky. "At
that precise moment I was not thinking straight," he said. "I hurt the team
as a whole. But I was fuelled by human vanity, and I wanted to settle a
score with Mr. Kretinsky. "He didn't behave fairly to me when I was leaving
Sparta, so I promised him I'd get him back. Hopefully I succeeded. Nobody
knew about it so I'm voluntarily admitting to it now."
The game, which took place in April 2012 ended up in a 4-0 home defeat for
Budejovice. Liberec went on to take the title at the expense of Prague by
just two points - the first time they'd won the Czech Liga since 2005/06.
Repka - a £5million Glenn Roeder signing from Italian side Fiorentina - was
famously dismissed on his debut for West Ham, before being sent off again in
his first match back from suspension - a 7-1 defeat at Blackburn Rovers. He
was equally volatile off the field during his spell in England and was
arrested in 2004 for harassment following a complaint by a neighbour.
Despite his many foibles, Repka went on to become a hugely-popular figure at
the Boleyn Ground and his farewell match - a 2-1 win against Fulham in
January 2006 - saw him leave the field in tears.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jack's a Latic
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 19th March 2014
By: Staff Writer
Jack Collison could have played his final game for West Ham after completing
a loan move to Championship club Wigan Athletic. West Ham United's
25-year-old Welsh international will remain at the DW Stadium for the
remainder of the current campaign having completed a move to the Latics late
last night. Wiagn manager Uwe Rosler told the club's website: "We have now
brought in two great signings in Ryan Tunnicliffe and Jack Collison. "Jack
is exactly what we needed, he can play in a few different positions, has
terrific experience of both the Premier League and the Championship and will
heighten competition for places as we move into the crucial last few weeks
of the season." Collison is one of a string of first team players out of
contract this summer, along with the likes of fellow first team squad
members Guy Demel, Jussi Jaaskelainen, Joe Cole and George McCartney. Having
made his debut at Arsenal on New Years Day 2008, Jack went on to make 121
first team appearances for West Ham - the most recent of which came in the
Capital One Cup semi final second leg defeat at home to Manchester City back
in January.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
SO FAREWELL THEN JACK COLLISON
By Iain Dale 19 Mar 2014 at 11:51
Following Jack Collison's loan move to Wigan Athletic I suspect we won't be
seeing him wearing the Claret & Blue again. He's out of contract in the
summer and it looks likely he won't be offered a new one, as Sean Whetstone
revealed yesterday. I feel really sad about this. When he broke into the
first team back in 2008-9 I think we all thought he would prove to be the
real deal. He had flair and could score goals, some of them quite
spectacular. But it's not being unkind to say that he's never been quite the
same player since his long term knee injury. He'd have the odd impressive
game but there was little consistency of performance. In recent times Mo
Diame and Matt Taylor have kept him out of the side and this season he has
never been more than a bit-part player. I'd love to think he can still play
in the top flight but it maybe best for him to have a prolonged run of games
in the Championship. I am sure we all wish him good luck.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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Wednesday, March 19
Daily WHUFC News - 19th March 2014
Downing looks for quick response
WHUFC.com
Stewart Downing says the Hammers need to bounce back quickly from Saturday's
defeat
18.03.2014
Stewart Downing is determined to help the Hammers bounce back from the
disappointment of defeat at Stoke City when they return to action at home to
Manchester United this Saturday. Following four straight wins in February,
Sam Allardyce's men have suffered the blip of successive defeats in March,
although a result looked there for the taking at the Britannia Stadium when
Andy Carroll headed the visitors into a fifth minute lead. West Ham could
not build on that good start however, and Downing was bitterly disappointed
with the final result. He explained: "We started off really well, so we were
disappointed to concede from a set piece [for the equaliser]. At 1-1 I
thought if anyone was going to win it, it would be us. We had the chances -
Nobby had one offside - and then they've counter-attacked us for two goals.
I didn't see it coming to be honest. "At half-time we said if we came out
quickly we could get a goal, because we were pressing them quite well in the
first half and they were giving us the ball back. "It's disappointing
because you want to take at least a draw out of the game if you're not going
to win it, and the way we conceded the goals was frustrating. "We're
confident we can get out of it,. The four wins in a row during February
proves we can get results, but we've lost our last two and we have to
correct that. We've got Manchester United next which will be a big test for
us and we need to get points on the board."
On the positive side, Carroll notched his first goal of the season and
Downing expects the Big Geordie to deliver more goals before the end of the
campaign.
He added: "Andy did really well. His hold-up play was really good because he
was getting kicked about a bit from the centre halves, but he got his goal.
"That will be good for the confidence with nine games to go, so for him he
just needs to carry on and play like he did on Saturday. He's a real asset
for us."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Big Interview - Sir Geoff Hurst
WHUFC.com
The West Ham United and England legend on the Hammers and his role in
grassroots football
18.03.2014
No footballer has ever achieved what Sir Geoff Hurst did on 30 July 1966.
That afternoon, the West Ham United forward netted a hat-trick to fire
England to a 4-2 FIFA World Cup final victory over West Germany at Wembley
Stadium - the only player to do so. Forty-eight years on Sir Geoff,
alongside club-mates Bobby Moore OBE and Martin Peters MBE, remain in a
select band of players to have won football's greatest prize for the Three
Lions. Last week, Sir Geoff was at the FA National Football Centre at St
George's Park in his role as Director of Football for McDonald's. While
there, he dropped in to meet the present-day West Ham squad, including
fellow England forward Andy Carroll, Mark Noble, Kevin Nolan and Stewart
Downing. Now 72, Sir Geoff spoke to West Ham TV about his role in promoting
grassroots football with McDonald's, Sam Allardyce, Carroll and much more.
Sir Geoff, as always it is an honour to speak to you for
West Ham TV. I understand you are at St George's Park to launch the 2014 FA
McDonald's Community Awards - what can you tell us about them?
GH: "Yes, it is the nomination time for these awards and they recognise all
the grassroots people who give their time to the game, as hundreds of
thousands of
people do. If you took them away, there would be very little grassroots
football. We're asking for nominations for your grassroots hero, so if you
would like to do so please visit the website here. As Director of Football
for McDonald's, that is something I'm associated with."
Presumably, grassroots football played a part in your development as a
player, too?
GH: "Everybody had a grassroots guy and the person who was instrumental in
my time was actually a teacher from my primary school called Mr Shepherd. I
still have the pictures from when I was seven or eight years of age up to
eleven and he was always on the pitch in the early years, standing
alongside.
"He was a history teacher and not necessarily technically good at coaching,
but what he did was organise us. He made sure we were together and looked
smart in the photographs. In fact, for one of our photographs I had
forgotten my boots, so he sent me home to get them so the team looked smart.
He was instrumental and he also stressed the sportsmanship - not getting too
uptight about losing and winning not being everything at that age-group
level. I still practice and preach that today. "He was my grassroots hero -
Mr Shepherd."
I understand you are also here at St George's Park to support the McDonald's
Cup five-a-side tournament for restaurant staff?
GH: "This is my fourth visit to St George's Park and it is a fantastic place
and it is great to see the senior clubs like West Ham using it.
"The McDonald's Cup is in its sixth year and all the McDonald's restaurants
in the UK play a five-a-side competition and have qualified to get here.
There are 24 teams - 16 men's and eight women's teams - and the winners from
here will have the opportunity to go to Germany for a European competition.
Those who are successful in Europe will go to Brazil and play over there!
It's great for the staff and I've always strongly believed that it's nice to
get all the people together in the corporate life. "What better opportunity
to get together at this marvellous facility for some five-a-side football in
beautiful weather!"
Talking of the weather, presumably the sunshine reminds you of 30 July 1966?
GH: "It does, but strangely enough it rained in the morning of the World Cup
final a little bit, but latterly we always remember it as a very sunny day!"
West Ham are doing well after a difficult period over the Christmas and New
Year, which must please you?
GH: "Yes, it's fantastic. I went away at Christmas and we were in the bottom
three. During the two months I was away, my wife has an iPad and she checked
and we drew at Chelsea. Then we won and won and won again, so I asked her
'Where are we in the league now?' and she said 'Tenth' and I thought 'That
will do me!'. "It's an endorsement of Sam. He has worked at Premier League
level and has great experience. At every club, if you take the top six out,
they will have a difficult period. If they didn't, they'd be in the top six
competing with the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool. It's the ability
of the terrific managers to turn it around. It's difficult to turn it round
when you go a few games without a win, especially like the Nottingham Forest
game and the two Manchester City games, which were shocking. "Sam has great
experience and I would say to the fans who do not always think Sam is the
right man that to get our squad of players into the realms he has got them
last year and this year is a fantastic achievement for a manager. "I fully
endorse Sam's efforts, not that he needs my endorsement particularly,
because he is so good at what he does. "I don't get to Upton Park much
because I now live in Cheltenham but I live an hour from Aston Villa and an
hour from Stoke and West Brom, so I get to games when I can. "The important
thing for me is that we're in the Premier League in a couple of years' time
when we get into that fantastic Olympic Stadium, which I think is a
fantastic move for the Club. I have to say publicly, it is a fantastic
forward movement for West Ham United."
Fifty years ago this month, you scored as West Ham beat Saturday's opponents
Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final on the way to winning the trophy
for the first time. The history books show it was a horrible wet day and the
match was played on a swamp of a pitch! What are your memories of that game?
GH: "It wouldn't have been played today and it shouldn't have been played
then, because the pitch was absolutely shocking at Sheffield Wednesday that
day! It was a magnificent day for the Club. "The history books show that we
played Manchester United the week before at West Ham and five or six of
their top players weren't playing and they beat us 2-0. Everyone thought it
would be a foregone conclusion in the semi-final a week later, so to win 3-1
and score was wonderful. "Bobby Moore made a goal for me and it just showed
the horrendous conditions we played in, which made the game interesting. "To
put it into context of the time, we had not long before come out of the
Second Division, where we had been forever. Within six years we'd won the FA
Cup and then we won the European Cup Winners' Cup the following year - only
the second time an English club had won a European competition. "Then, as
West Ham fans would say, West Ham won the World Cup in 1966. We're standing
in the Ron Greenwood Room here at St George's Park and the great man
developed players to play at the top level and produced the captain and two
goalscorers for that great game. He is probably the greatest coach we have
seen and it's fitting that one of the rooms at this great facility is named
in honour of Ron."
Finally, the 2014 FIFA World Cup is three months away now. Among the players
hoping to make the England squad is Andy Carroll. Has he got a chance of
emulating Martin Peters in 1966 and making a late run for inclusion?
GH: "The answer is quite clearly 'Yes'. Martin Peters is a great example
because he didn't play until May 1966 against Yugoslavia only two months
before the final. He made a great goal in the quarter-final against
Argentina and of course scored our second in the final which would have been
the winner if West Germany hadn't equalised in the last minute. "There is
every chance for Andy. I mentioned him recently while doing some media work
not because he is a West Ham player, but because we talked about people who
have the opportunity. "There are ten Premier League games to go and if he
scores in every game and West Ham continue to rise up the table and he keeps
himself fit, he has the chance. Rickie Lambert is a good player and is
playing well but if he gets injured, we may be looking for another front
player who gives us the option of the high ball and Andy is a difficult
player to mark. "If Andy keeps plugging away, keeps himself fit and he keeps
scoring the goals then, no question, he has a real chance of being there."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Vice-Chairman receives CBE
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Vice-Chairman Karren Brady received her CBE at Buckingham
Palace on Tuesday
18.03.2014
West Ham United Vice-Chairman Karren Brady received her CBE from Prince
William at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday. The Vice-Chairman was awarded the
CBE in HM The Queen's New Year's Honours List for her outstanding
contribution for services to entrepreneurship and women in business, a cause
for which she has tirelessly campaigned throughout her career. Ms Brady, who
has previously won a host of high-profile awards for her work and
championing the cause of women in business, spoke of her pride at being made
Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. "I am truly
honoured to have received this award," the Vice-Chairman said. "I have been
extremely touched by all of the kind messages of congratulations from West
Ham United fans since the announcement was made at the turn of the year. I
would like to thank my Board at West Ham United and everyone who has worked
with and for me over the years. "I am particularly proud that my work for
women in the workplace has been recognised as it is something I feel so
passionately about. We have seen real progress in that field since I began
my career but that work is far from over as I know there is still so much
more that can be done."
Since arriving at West Ham United in 2010, the Vice-Chairman has brought the
Club back to its core values celebrating West Ham's role at the heart of the
East London community through the Moore than a Football Club brand and has
grown the Hammers' fanbase at grassroots and an international level. Her
ability to grow commercial revenue at every operational level of the
business saw the Club record its first operating profit in recent history.
While working tirelessly to attract investment, increase revenue and reduce
the Club's historic debt burden, one of the Vice-Chairman's greatest
triumphs to date came in March 2013, when Her Majesty's Government selected
West Ham United as the anchor concessionaire for the Olympic Stadium
following its transformation into a UEFA Category 4 Football Stadium in
2016. Ms Brady is also an indefatigable supporter of charitable causes as an
Ambassador for The Stroke Association, WellChild and Teenage Cancer Trust.
She adds this accolade to fcbusiness Magazine CEO of the Year, which she
collected for her work at West Ham United in 2012. Everyone at West Ham
United would like to congratulate the Vice-Chairman on her award.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Collison joins Wigan on loan
WHUFC.com
Midfielder Jack Collison has joined Championship side Wigan Athletic on loan
until the end of the season
18.03.2014
Midfielder Jack Collison has joined Sky Bet Championship side Wigan Athletic
on loan until the end of the season. West Ham United's Wales international
could make his Latics debut in Saturday's home league fixture with his
hometown club Watford at the DW Stadium. Collison could also feature in
Wigan's FA Cup with Budweiser semi-final with Arsenal - the club he made his
West Ham debut against on New Year's Day 2008 - at Wembley on 12 April. The
25-year-old is not cup-tied and is therefore eligible for the tie, which
will see Wigan attempt to reach their second consecutive FA Cup final after
winning last year's competition.
Uwe Rosler's Wigan have been in outstanding form, climbing into the Sky Bet
Championship Play-Off places and giving themselves an opportunity to return
to the Barclays Premier League after a one-year absence. The No10 has
already spent one loan spell in the Championship this term, making four
appearances for AFC Bournemouth in October 2013. Collison has played 15
times for West Ham this season, including ten times in the Barclays Premier
League five of the Club's six Capital One Cup ties. He has also played twice
for Wales in international friendlies.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
THE DOZEN WEST HAM PLAYERS OUT OF CONTRACT THIS SUMMER
By Sean Whetstone 18 Mar 2014 at 13:41
West Ham Till I Die
The following West Ham players will be out of contract or end of loan by
30th June this year. George McCartney, Matt Taylor, Jack Collison, Joe Cole,
Elliot Lee, Marco Borriello, Jussi Jaaskelainen, Roger Johnson, Pablo
Armero, Abdul Razak, Danny Potts, Jordan Spence and Antonio Nocerino
I understand just two of this list will be offered short term contracts with
one further player offered a longer term contract, the other nine players
will be released at the end of their contract or loan. The move is thought
to see around £177,000 per week reduction in wages meaning just over £9
million of wages per year available to spend in the summer.
It is also thought West Ham will look at ways to cut their losses with
Modibo Maiga, Alou Diarra and Stephen Henderson in the summer maybe buying
them out of their contracts early like they did with Razan Rat or releasing
them for free if other clubs can be found. Incredibly this could release
another £85,000 per week (£4,420,000 per year) off the wage bill before any
compensation is taken into account.
Which players would you keep and offer new contracts?
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WHUFC.com
Stewart Downing says the Hammers need to bounce back quickly from Saturday's
defeat
18.03.2014
Stewart Downing is determined to help the Hammers bounce back from the
disappointment of defeat at Stoke City when they return to action at home to
Manchester United this Saturday. Following four straight wins in February,
Sam Allardyce's men have suffered the blip of successive defeats in March,
although a result looked there for the taking at the Britannia Stadium when
Andy Carroll headed the visitors into a fifth minute lead. West Ham could
not build on that good start however, and Downing was bitterly disappointed
with the final result. He explained: "We started off really well, so we were
disappointed to concede from a set piece [for the equaliser]. At 1-1 I
thought if anyone was going to win it, it would be us. We had the chances -
Nobby had one offside - and then they've counter-attacked us for two goals.
I didn't see it coming to be honest. "At half-time we said if we came out
quickly we could get a goal, because we were pressing them quite well in the
first half and they were giving us the ball back. "It's disappointing
because you want to take at least a draw out of the game if you're not going
to win it, and the way we conceded the goals was frustrating. "We're
confident we can get out of it,. The four wins in a row during February
proves we can get results, but we've lost our last two and we have to
correct that. We've got Manchester United next which will be a big test for
us and we need to get points on the board."
On the positive side, Carroll notched his first goal of the season and
Downing expects the Big Geordie to deliver more goals before the end of the
campaign.
He added: "Andy did really well. His hold-up play was really good because he
was getting kicked about a bit from the centre halves, but he got his goal.
"That will be good for the confidence with nine games to go, so for him he
just needs to carry on and play like he did on Saturday. He's a real asset
for us."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Big Interview - Sir Geoff Hurst
WHUFC.com
The West Ham United and England legend on the Hammers and his role in
grassroots football
18.03.2014
No footballer has ever achieved what Sir Geoff Hurst did on 30 July 1966.
That afternoon, the West Ham United forward netted a hat-trick to fire
England to a 4-2 FIFA World Cup final victory over West Germany at Wembley
Stadium - the only player to do so. Forty-eight years on Sir Geoff,
alongside club-mates Bobby Moore OBE and Martin Peters MBE, remain in a
select band of players to have won football's greatest prize for the Three
Lions. Last week, Sir Geoff was at the FA National Football Centre at St
George's Park in his role as Director of Football for McDonald's. While
there, he dropped in to meet the present-day West Ham squad, including
fellow England forward Andy Carroll, Mark Noble, Kevin Nolan and Stewart
Downing. Now 72, Sir Geoff spoke to West Ham TV about his role in promoting
grassroots football with McDonald's, Sam Allardyce, Carroll and much more.
Sir Geoff, as always it is an honour to speak to you for
West Ham TV. I understand you are at St George's Park to launch the 2014 FA
McDonald's Community Awards - what can you tell us about them?
GH: "Yes, it is the nomination time for these awards and they recognise all
the grassroots people who give their time to the game, as hundreds of
thousands of
people do. If you took them away, there would be very little grassroots
football. We're asking for nominations for your grassroots hero, so if you
would like to do so please visit the website here. As Director of Football
for McDonald's, that is something I'm associated with."
Presumably, grassroots football played a part in your development as a
player, too?
GH: "Everybody had a grassroots guy and the person who was instrumental in
my time was actually a teacher from my primary school called Mr Shepherd. I
still have the pictures from when I was seven or eight years of age up to
eleven and he was always on the pitch in the early years, standing
alongside.
"He was a history teacher and not necessarily technically good at coaching,
but what he did was organise us. He made sure we were together and looked
smart in the photographs. In fact, for one of our photographs I had
forgotten my boots, so he sent me home to get them so the team looked smart.
He was instrumental and he also stressed the sportsmanship - not getting too
uptight about losing and winning not being everything at that age-group
level. I still practice and preach that today. "He was my grassroots hero -
Mr Shepherd."
I understand you are also here at St George's Park to support the McDonald's
Cup five-a-side tournament for restaurant staff?
GH: "This is my fourth visit to St George's Park and it is a fantastic place
and it is great to see the senior clubs like West Ham using it.
"The McDonald's Cup is in its sixth year and all the McDonald's restaurants
in the UK play a five-a-side competition and have qualified to get here.
There are 24 teams - 16 men's and eight women's teams - and the winners from
here will have the opportunity to go to Germany for a European competition.
Those who are successful in Europe will go to Brazil and play over there!
It's great for the staff and I've always strongly believed that it's nice to
get all the people together in the corporate life. "What better opportunity
to get together at this marvellous facility for some five-a-side football in
beautiful weather!"
Talking of the weather, presumably the sunshine reminds you of 30 July 1966?
GH: "It does, but strangely enough it rained in the morning of the World Cup
final a little bit, but latterly we always remember it as a very sunny day!"
West Ham are doing well after a difficult period over the Christmas and New
Year, which must please you?
GH: "Yes, it's fantastic. I went away at Christmas and we were in the bottom
three. During the two months I was away, my wife has an iPad and she checked
and we drew at Chelsea. Then we won and won and won again, so I asked her
'Where are we in the league now?' and she said 'Tenth' and I thought 'That
will do me!'. "It's an endorsement of Sam. He has worked at Premier League
level and has great experience. At every club, if you take the top six out,
they will have a difficult period. If they didn't, they'd be in the top six
competing with the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool. It's the ability
of the terrific managers to turn it around. It's difficult to turn it round
when you go a few games without a win, especially like the Nottingham Forest
game and the two Manchester City games, which were shocking. "Sam has great
experience and I would say to the fans who do not always think Sam is the
right man that to get our squad of players into the realms he has got them
last year and this year is a fantastic achievement for a manager. "I fully
endorse Sam's efforts, not that he needs my endorsement particularly,
because he is so good at what he does. "I don't get to Upton Park much
because I now live in Cheltenham but I live an hour from Aston Villa and an
hour from Stoke and West Brom, so I get to games when I can. "The important
thing for me is that we're in the Premier League in a couple of years' time
when we get into that fantastic Olympic Stadium, which I think is a
fantastic move for the Club. I have to say publicly, it is a fantastic
forward movement for West Ham United."
Fifty years ago this month, you scored as West Ham beat Saturday's opponents
Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final on the way to winning the trophy
for the first time. The history books show it was a horrible wet day and the
match was played on a swamp of a pitch! What are your memories of that game?
GH: "It wouldn't have been played today and it shouldn't have been played
then, because the pitch was absolutely shocking at Sheffield Wednesday that
day! It was a magnificent day for the Club. "The history books show that we
played Manchester United the week before at West Ham and five or six of
their top players weren't playing and they beat us 2-0. Everyone thought it
would be a foregone conclusion in the semi-final a week later, so to win 3-1
and score was wonderful. "Bobby Moore made a goal for me and it just showed
the horrendous conditions we played in, which made the game interesting. "To
put it into context of the time, we had not long before come out of the
Second Division, where we had been forever. Within six years we'd won the FA
Cup and then we won the European Cup Winners' Cup the following year - only
the second time an English club had won a European competition. "Then, as
West Ham fans would say, West Ham won the World Cup in 1966. We're standing
in the Ron Greenwood Room here at St George's Park and the great man
developed players to play at the top level and produced the captain and two
goalscorers for that great game. He is probably the greatest coach we have
seen and it's fitting that one of the rooms at this great facility is named
in honour of Ron."
Finally, the 2014 FIFA World Cup is three months away now. Among the players
hoping to make the England squad is Andy Carroll. Has he got a chance of
emulating Martin Peters in 1966 and making a late run for inclusion?
GH: "The answer is quite clearly 'Yes'. Martin Peters is a great example
because he didn't play until May 1966 against Yugoslavia only two months
before the final. He made a great goal in the quarter-final against
Argentina and of course scored our second in the final which would have been
the winner if West Germany hadn't equalised in the last minute. "There is
every chance for Andy. I mentioned him recently while doing some media work
not because he is a West Ham player, but because we talked about people who
have the opportunity. "There are ten Premier League games to go and if he
scores in every game and West Ham continue to rise up the table and he keeps
himself fit, he has the chance. Rickie Lambert is a good player and is
playing well but if he gets injured, we may be looking for another front
player who gives us the option of the high ball and Andy is a difficult
player to mark. "If Andy keeps plugging away, keeps himself fit and he keeps
scoring the goals then, no question, he has a real chance of being there."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Vice-Chairman receives CBE
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Vice-Chairman Karren Brady received her CBE at Buckingham
Palace on Tuesday
18.03.2014
West Ham United Vice-Chairman Karren Brady received her CBE from Prince
William at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday. The Vice-Chairman was awarded the
CBE in HM The Queen's New Year's Honours List for her outstanding
contribution for services to entrepreneurship and women in business, a cause
for which she has tirelessly campaigned throughout her career. Ms Brady, who
has previously won a host of high-profile awards for her work and
championing the cause of women in business, spoke of her pride at being made
Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. "I am truly
honoured to have received this award," the Vice-Chairman said. "I have been
extremely touched by all of the kind messages of congratulations from West
Ham United fans since the announcement was made at the turn of the year. I
would like to thank my Board at West Ham United and everyone who has worked
with and for me over the years. "I am particularly proud that my work for
women in the workplace has been recognised as it is something I feel so
passionately about. We have seen real progress in that field since I began
my career but that work is far from over as I know there is still so much
more that can be done."
Since arriving at West Ham United in 2010, the Vice-Chairman has brought the
Club back to its core values celebrating West Ham's role at the heart of the
East London community through the Moore than a Football Club brand and has
grown the Hammers' fanbase at grassroots and an international level. Her
ability to grow commercial revenue at every operational level of the
business saw the Club record its first operating profit in recent history.
While working tirelessly to attract investment, increase revenue and reduce
the Club's historic debt burden, one of the Vice-Chairman's greatest
triumphs to date came in March 2013, when Her Majesty's Government selected
West Ham United as the anchor concessionaire for the Olympic Stadium
following its transformation into a UEFA Category 4 Football Stadium in
2016. Ms Brady is also an indefatigable supporter of charitable causes as an
Ambassador for The Stroke Association, WellChild and Teenage Cancer Trust.
She adds this accolade to fcbusiness Magazine CEO of the Year, which she
collected for her work at West Ham United in 2012. Everyone at West Ham
United would like to congratulate the Vice-Chairman on her award.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Collison joins Wigan on loan
WHUFC.com
Midfielder Jack Collison has joined Championship side Wigan Athletic on loan
until the end of the season
18.03.2014
Midfielder Jack Collison has joined Sky Bet Championship side Wigan Athletic
on loan until the end of the season. West Ham United's Wales international
could make his Latics debut in Saturday's home league fixture with his
hometown club Watford at the DW Stadium. Collison could also feature in
Wigan's FA Cup with Budweiser semi-final with Arsenal - the club he made his
West Ham debut against on New Year's Day 2008 - at Wembley on 12 April. The
25-year-old is not cup-tied and is therefore eligible for the tie, which
will see Wigan attempt to reach their second consecutive FA Cup final after
winning last year's competition.
Uwe Rosler's Wigan have been in outstanding form, climbing into the Sky Bet
Championship Play-Off places and giving themselves an opportunity to return
to the Barclays Premier League after a one-year absence. The No10 has
already spent one loan spell in the Championship this term, making four
appearances for AFC Bournemouth in October 2013. Collison has played 15
times for West Ham this season, including ten times in the Barclays Premier
League five of the Club's six Capital One Cup ties. He has also played twice
for Wales in international friendlies.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
THE DOZEN WEST HAM PLAYERS OUT OF CONTRACT THIS SUMMER
By Sean Whetstone 18 Mar 2014 at 13:41
West Ham Till I Die
The following West Ham players will be out of contract or end of loan by
30th June this year. George McCartney, Matt Taylor, Jack Collison, Joe Cole,
Elliot Lee, Marco Borriello, Jussi Jaaskelainen, Roger Johnson, Pablo
Armero, Abdul Razak, Danny Potts, Jordan Spence and Antonio Nocerino
I understand just two of this list will be offered short term contracts with
one further player offered a longer term contract, the other nine players
will be released at the end of their contract or loan. The move is thought
to see around £177,000 per week reduction in wages meaning just over £9
million of wages per year available to spend in the summer.
It is also thought West Ham will look at ways to cut their losses with
Modibo Maiga, Alou Diarra and Stephen Henderson in the summer maybe buying
them out of their contracts early like they did with Razan Rat or releasing
them for free if other clubs can be found. Incredibly this could release
another £85,000 per week (£4,420,000 per year) off the wage bill before any
compensation is taken into account.
Which players would you keep and offer new contracts?
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Tuesday, March 18
Daily WHUFC News - 18th March 2014
Planning for an elite future
WHUFC.com
FA director of elite development Dan Ashworth has many links with West Ham
United
17.03.2014
West Ham United have long held close links with the Football Association and
the England national team. Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters
inspired England to FIFA World Cup glory in 1966, Ron Greenwood managed the
Three Lions from 1977 to 1982, Sir Trevor Brooking has served as the FA's
director of football development since 2003 and the Hammers have provided no
fewer than 38 senior England internationals. Working alongside Sir Trevor is
FA director of elite development Dan Ashworth, the former Norwich City
player and West Bromwich Albion sporting and technical director who was
appointed to his role in September 2012. Ashworth welcomed West Ham to the
FA National Football Centre at St George's Park last week, where his own
links with the Hammers were revealed - including the fact he was Jack
Collison's Academy coach at both Peterborough United and Cambridge United.
"Yes, that was a good few years ago now!" Ashworth told West Ham TV. "Jack
initially came through the youth system at Peterborough when I was there and
then came to Cambridge before he got a move to West Ham at the age of 16.
"Jack was always an exceptional player and he was always very professional
in his approach to everything he did and I'm delighted he's become an
established Premier League player. "He is another one who graduated at West
Ham, who have a fantastic track record of producing young players for their
own team, for other teams and of course for the national team. He is another
one to come off the conveyor belt of talented West Ham players."
In his role, Ashworth is charged with overseeing a wide range of areas
focused on producing the best possible players and coaches for English
football, from the grassroots to the elite level. "My role varies immensely
and that's the beauty of it. It involves working closely with Sir Trevor and
[England U21s manager] Gareth Southgate on developing the teams from U21s
down and the Women's teams from U20s down. "I also oversee talent
identification and performance services, which involves sports science,
psychology, physiotherapy and also coach education. It's really varied,
really interesting and based at a fantastic facility at St George's Park.
It's a really good job."
At present, West Ham have players in every age-group England squad. West Ham
TV asked Ashworth how the best teenagers are identified to represent the
national side between the U16 and U21 levels. "We have recently appointed a
new head of talent identification for the younger teams, which is the first
time we have done that. He is starting to set up some structures to give us
more comprehensive coverage across the country. "We have a series of
part-time scouts and also have good relationships with the clubs, so with
West Ham that means we would pick up the phone and talk to Tony Carr on a
regular basis. He has such vast experience that he knows the level and knows
which players would be suitable for England. "There is a little bit of both
us getting out and about and also the clubs working with us as well."
While there has been criticism of the number of English players representing
clubs in the Barclays Premier League, West Ham's U18s are going great guns
this season with an almost exclusively English team. So, does Ashworth
believe there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the future of the
national side?
"There are! I am really optimistic about the future, as I've said on many
occasions. Some of the changes we and the Premier League are making with the
Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) can only help in terms of contact time
with the players and higher standards for the coaches. "I'm really convinced
we are going to be a force going forward in a few years when all these
changes start to take effect."
Finally, Ashworth said the FA were delighted to welcome West Ham to St
George's Park for a second time as Sam Allardyce's side trained ahead of
their trip to Stoke City. "That was one of the reasons it was built - not
just for England but for English teams. We welcome professional teams here,
just as much as we welcome grassroots teams and the national team. "The
facilities are here for everyone to use, not just the FA but for the whole
of English football."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Djair at the double for U18s
WHUFC.com
Djair Parfitt-Williams bagged a brace to help the U18s see off Leicester
City on Saturday
17.03.2014
West Ham United U18s returned to the summit of the Barclays U18 Premier
League South courtesy of a 2-1 win at Leicester City on Saturday. Djair
Parfitt-Williams struck in either half to fire Steve Potts' men to an
impressive seventh successive league success. Victory sees the Hammers
leapfrog Fulham at the top, who suffered a 3-1 home defeat by Southampton at
Motspur Park. The Hammers hit the front with 36 minutes gone, when
Bermuda-born Parfitt-Williams dispossessed City centre-back Sam Jones,
before slotting home his eighth league goal of the campaign. The lead,
however, would only last until six minutes after the interval, as Simonas
Stankevicius got the better of Manny Onariase and slotted past 'keeper Sam
Howes to make it one apiece. But it was Parfitt Williams who had the final
word, collecting from Jamie Harney, skipping beyond the full-back and then
driving home the winner with 82 minutes on the clock.
Academy director Tony Carr MBE was impressed with the Hammers' match-winner
on the day, while insisting there is still plenty to come from the Bermudan
youngster. "He's a very talented boy," Carr told whufc.com. "He's still
coming to terms with the European and British game, as his background is
American.
"He's only in his first year with us as a scholar and hopefully he can
progress. But he's very talented, good on the ball and has got an eye for a
goal." As for the game itself, Carr admitted that conditions had meant that
it was hardly the prettiest on the eye, but he was nonetheless thrilled to
see the Hammers extend their winning run. He continued: "It wasn't the best
of games in terms of football. It was very windy and a bit of a bobbly
pitch. But it was certainly very competitive. "In the end it was a worthy
win, a good win for us and one that keeps the run going. Steve Potts and
Mark Phillips, as ever, marshalled the team very well, with a couple of
changes from the week before. It obviously paid dividends and the team
marches on. "I think we're playing to our full potential. We've got a very
talented team and they're playing very well. But it's only at this moment in
time. It's a question of whether they can continue that progression and
improvement and take it to the next level, which for them is the U21s and,
hopefully, beyond."
With just seven league fixtures remaining, the Hammers have their sights
firmly set on a top-two finish, one that would secure their spot in the
end-of-season national Play-Offs. "We're sitting in the top two in the
league and the national Play-Offs are a nice target to aim toward for the
end of the season. "We're in good form, that's for sure. All runs have to
come to an end sometime but we're enjoying at the moment. We go onto
Tottenham Hotspur next week and see if we can maintain the same level of
performance and hopefully that will turn into a positive result."
West Ham United U18s: Howes, Pike (Mavila, 72), Burke, Nasha, Harney,
Onariase (Bailey, 58), Makasi, Amoo, Brown (Martins, 78), Bywater,
Parfitt-Williams
Subs not used: Nemrava, Bailey, Knoyle
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Nobby ready for 'big week'
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan says West Ham United cannot dwell on defeat at Stoke City
17.03.2014
Captain Kevin Nolan says West Ham United cannot dwell on defeat at Stoke
City. The skipper was left hugely frustrated as the Hammers relinquished an
early lead to go down 3-1 at the Britannia Stadium. Nolan saw a goal
disallowed for offside, headed narrowly wide and a strong penalty appeal for
handball turned down by referee Craig Pawson. While the temptation may be to
feel sorry for himself, the No4 says West Ham need to prepare for Saturday's
visit of Manchester United to the Boleyn Ground. "It was very disappointing,
because I felt we deserved something at Stoke," said Nolan. "If we got the
penalty, it goes to 2-2 and your back up and then who knows? "If we had come
off the pitch with a 2-2, then I think people would have probably said
'That's a fair enough result' and think the 3-1 flattered them a bit. I am
very disappointed to be going back home with nothing. "Two late sucker
punches in the last two games have done us, but we have a big week leading
up to what should be a fantastic game against Manchester United at home. "We
did quite well against them at our place last year [to lead twice and draw
2-2] and I'm hoping we can capitalise on that, start another run going
again. That is the aim and there is no reason why we can't do that."
At Stoke, Nolan felt West Ham missed an opportunity to collect another point
or more in their bid to secure Barclays Premier League survival. Andy
Carroll's early goal was cancelled out by Peter Odemwingie before two second
half strikes from Marko Arnautovic and Odemwingie put the game beyond the
Hammers.
"To be honest, even when they went 2-1 up I thought we were still in control
and that we were going to score again - you have that feeling and that was
certainly still the case at that time. "I had a header at the back post that
was a bit too high and the one that was off-side. I didn't think I was at
the time, but having seen it again, it was a bit offside. "They hit us with
a bit of a sucker punch, which was a great finish from Arnautovic, to be
fair, and you are going to get that in the Premier League sometimes. Against
the run of play, they got a goal. "Then there was the incident where their
left-back [Marc Muniesa] blatantly handled. It was blatant handball and you
just expected the decision to follow and it hasn't, so we are very
disappointed. "They got a third and it put us to bed then, so overall, we
were very disappointed."
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Loanee round-up
WHUFC.com
A number of West Ham United loanees were in action at the weekend
17.03.2014
Ravel Morrison led the band of West Ham United loanees in action at the
weekend as his two goals inspired Queens Park Rangers to victory. The
midfielder scored either side of former Hammer Bobby Zamora's goal to earn
the R's a convincing home win against Yeovil Town in the Sky Bet
Championship, in which Modibo Maiga was an unused substitute. Morrison's
brace took his tally for Harry Redknapp's side to four goals in five matches
since his arrival at Loftus Road in February.
Jordan Spence didn't enjoy the same winning feeling as his MK Dons side
crashed to a 2-0 home defeat against Peterborough United in Sky Bet League
One on Saturday The centre-back picked up a yellow card as Posh took all
three points thanks to Britt Assombalonga's second half double.
North of the border, George Moncur didn't get on as Partick Thistle saw off
Hibernian 3-1 at Firhill in the Scottish Premiership. With Heart of
Midlothian not in action this weekend there was no game for striker Paul
McCallum who has made five appearances during his loan spell with the Jambos
so far. In the Skrill
South, Taylor Miles was introduced after 52 minutes as Concord Rangers went
down 1-0 away to Hayes & Yeading, while Rob Girdlestone did not feature.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Wigan are lining up a move to sign West Ham's Jack Collison on loan
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo | Last Updated: 17/03/14
1:25pm
SSN
Sky Sports understands Wigan are lining up a loan move for West Ham
midfielder Jack Collison. Wigan boss Uwe Rosler is in the market for
midfield reinforcements after losing Ben Watson and Chris McCann to serious
injuries recently. A host of midfielders have been linked with moves to the
DW Stadium, but it appears Rosler is ready to push through a swoop for Wales
international Collison. Collison has struggled to hold down a regular place
in the West Ham side this season, making just six Premier League starts and
Sam Allardyce is happy to loan him out. The 25-year-old enjoyed a spell at
Bournemouth earlier this season and he is keen to go out and play regular
first-team football at Wigan and boost their bid for promotion to the
Premier League.
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Nedum Onuoha believes Ravel Morrison can shine for England in future
Last Updated: 17/03/14 11:35am
SSN
QPR defender Nedum Onuoha has backed Ravel Morrison to become a big star for
England in the future. Morrison, who is on loan at Loftus Road from West
Ham, scored another two fine goals in Saturday's 3-0 win over Yeovil. The
England Under-21 international has now found the net four times in his last
three appearances to boost Rangers' promotion bid. Onuoha said: "He's got an
awful lot of potential. "He's a good player now, but if he continues to be
nurtured and does things in the right way then he is going to be something
special for the country." While Morrison was shooting down Yeovil, his
parent club West Ham were being comprehensively beaten at Stoke. The Hammers
could, in theory, call Morrison back this week, once the initial 28 days of
his loan spell is up. The 21-year-old was arguably West Ham's best player
during the first half of the season and many of their fans are baffled as to
why QPR are reaping the benefits of his talent rather than them. Assistant
manager Kevin Bond hopes it will not come to that, though. "What will be
will be," said Bond. "He's here, he's enjoying his football and he's
figuring. He's done great for us."
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Wigan to make loan move for West Ham's Jack Collison and he could play in FA
Cup semi-final
Mar 17, 2014 18:17 By Simon Austin
The Mirror
West Ham midfielder Jack Collison is set to join Wigan Athletic on loan
until the end of the season and could play in their FA Cup semi-final
against Arsenal.
Collison has failed to secure a regular first-team place at Upton Park and
has already been on loan at Bournemouth this season. The Wales international
is out of contract at the end of the campaign and it's unlikely he will stay
at Upton Park. Wigan manager Uwe Rosler has also been linked with a move for
Manchester City midfielder Jack Rodwell. Collison will also be eligible to
face Arsenal at Wembley because he did not feature in the FA Cup this
season.
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West Ham's summer transfer plans revealed
Date: 17th March 2014 at 8:12 pm
Written by: Irons Maiden |
Forever West Ham
The ever reliable and brilliant @ExWHUEmployee has produced a piece for
Claret and Hugh detailing our summer transfer plans (should we remain a
Premier League club).
Here's a summary of the major points
1 – £20million budget
2 – Shift in transfer policy to focus on younger players
3 – Pablo Armero has impressed in training and club hope to make deal
permanent
4 – Winston Reid to be offered new deal with wages similar to Carroll
5 – Ravel Morrison likely to be sold but performances at QPR may result in a
change of heart
6 – Jack Collison and Joe Cole to be released
7 – Club will try to sign either Wilfried Zaha or Ashley Young from
Manchester United
8 – Strong interest in Jelle Vossen who plays for Genk
9 – Jussi Jaaskelainen will be released
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WHUFC.com
FA director of elite development Dan Ashworth has many links with West Ham
United
17.03.2014
West Ham United have long held close links with the Football Association and
the England national team. Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters
inspired England to FIFA World Cup glory in 1966, Ron Greenwood managed the
Three Lions from 1977 to 1982, Sir Trevor Brooking has served as the FA's
director of football development since 2003 and the Hammers have provided no
fewer than 38 senior England internationals. Working alongside Sir Trevor is
FA director of elite development Dan Ashworth, the former Norwich City
player and West Bromwich Albion sporting and technical director who was
appointed to his role in September 2012. Ashworth welcomed West Ham to the
FA National Football Centre at St George's Park last week, where his own
links with the Hammers were revealed - including the fact he was Jack
Collison's Academy coach at both Peterborough United and Cambridge United.
"Yes, that was a good few years ago now!" Ashworth told West Ham TV. "Jack
initially came through the youth system at Peterborough when I was there and
then came to Cambridge before he got a move to West Ham at the age of 16.
"Jack was always an exceptional player and he was always very professional
in his approach to everything he did and I'm delighted he's become an
established Premier League player. "He is another one who graduated at West
Ham, who have a fantastic track record of producing young players for their
own team, for other teams and of course for the national team. He is another
one to come off the conveyor belt of talented West Ham players."
In his role, Ashworth is charged with overseeing a wide range of areas
focused on producing the best possible players and coaches for English
football, from the grassroots to the elite level. "My role varies immensely
and that's the beauty of it. It involves working closely with Sir Trevor and
[England U21s manager] Gareth Southgate on developing the teams from U21s
down and the Women's teams from U20s down. "I also oversee talent
identification and performance services, which involves sports science,
psychology, physiotherapy and also coach education. It's really varied,
really interesting and based at a fantastic facility at St George's Park.
It's a really good job."
At present, West Ham have players in every age-group England squad. West Ham
TV asked Ashworth how the best teenagers are identified to represent the
national side between the U16 and U21 levels. "We have recently appointed a
new head of talent identification for the younger teams, which is the first
time we have done that. He is starting to set up some structures to give us
more comprehensive coverage across the country. "We have a series of
part-time scouts and also have good relationships with the clubs, so with
West Ham that means we would pick up the phone and talk to Tony Carr on a
regular basis. He has such vast experience that he knows the level and knows
which players would be suitable for England. "There is a little bit of both
us getting out and about and also the clubs working with us as well."
While there has been criticism of the number of English players representing
clubs in the Barclays Premier League, West Ham's U18s are going great guns
this season with an almost exclusively English team. So, does Ashworth
believe there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the future of the
national side?
"There are! I am really optimistic about the future, as I've said on many
occasions. Some of the changes we and the Premier League are making with the
Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) can only help in terms of contact time
with the players and higher standards for the coaches. "I'm really convinced
we are going to be a force going forward in a few years when all these
changes start to take effect."
Finally, Ashworth said the FA were delighted to welcome West Ham to St
George's Park for a second time as Sam Allardyce's side trained ahead of
their trip to Stoke City. "That was one of the reasons it was built - not
just for England but for English teams. We welcome professional teams here,
just as much as we welcome grassroots teams and the national team. "The
facilities are here for everyone to use, not just the FA but for the whole
of English football."
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Djair at the double for U18s
WHUFC.com
Djair Parfitt-Williams bagged a brace to help the U18s see off Leicester
City on Saturday
17.03.2014
West Ham United U18s returned to the summit of the Barclays U18 Premier
League South courtesy of a 2-1 win at Leicester City on Saturday. Djair
Parfitt-Williams struck in either half to fire Steve Potts' men to an
impressive seventh successive league success. Victory sees the Hammers
leapfrog Fulham at the top, who suffered a 3-1 home defeat by Southampton at
Motspur Park. The Hammers hit the front with 36 minutes gone, when
Bermuda-born Parfitt-Williams dispossessed City centre-back Sam Jones,
before slotting home his eighth league goal of the campaign. The lead,
however, would only last until six minutes after the interval, as Simonas
Stankevicius got the better of Manny Onariase and slotted past 'keeper Sam
Howes to make it one apiece. But it was Parfitt Williams who had the final
word, collecting from Jamie Harney, skipping beyond the full-back and then
driving home the winner with 82 minutes on the clock.
Academy director Tony Carr MBE was impressed with the Hammers' match-winner
on the day, while insisting there is still plenty to come from the Bermudan
youngster. "He's a very talented boy," Carr told whufc.com. "He's still
coming to terms with the European and British game, as his background is
American.
"He's only in his first year with us as a scholar and hopefully he can
progress. But he's very talented, good on the ball and has got an eye for a
goal." As for the game itself, Carr admitted that conditions had meant that
it was hardly the prettiest on the eye, but he was nonetheless thrilled to
see the Hammers extend their winning run. He continued: "It wasn't the best
of games in terms of football. It was very windy and a bit of a bobbly
pitch. But it was certainly very competitive. "In the end it was a worthy
win, a good win for us and one that keeps the run going. Steve Potts and
Mark Phillips, as ever, marshalled the team very well, with a couple of
changes from the week before. It obviously paid dividends and the team
marches on. "I think we're playing to our full potential. We've got a very
talented team and they're playing very well. But it's only at this moment in
time. It's a question of whether they can continue that progression and
improvement and take it to the next level, which for them is the U21s and,
hopefully, beyond."
With just seven league fixtures remaining, the Hammers have their sights
firmly set on a top-two finish, one that would secure their spot in the
end-of-season national Play-Offs. "We're sitting in the top two in the
league and the national Play-Offs are a nice target to aim toward for the
end of the season. "We're in good form, that's for sure. All runs have to
come to an end sometime but we're enjoying at the moment. We go onto
Tottenham Hotspur next week and see if we can maintain the same level of
performance and hopefully that will turn into a positive result."
West Ham United U18s: Howes, Pike (Mavila, 72), Burke, Nasha, Harney,
Onariase (Bailey, 58), Makasi, Amoo, Brown (Martins, 78), Bywater,
Parfitt-Williams
Subs not used: Nemrava, Bailey, Knoyle
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Nobby ready for 'big week'
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan says West Ham United cannot dwell on defeat at Stoke City
17.03.2014
Captain Kevin Nolan says West Ham United cannot dwell on defeat at Stoke
City. The skipper was left hugely frustrated as the Hammers relinquished an
early lead to go down 3-1 at the Britannia Stadium. Nolan saw a goal
disallowed for offside, headed narrowly wide and a strong penalty appeal for
handball turned down by referee Craig Pawson. While the temptation may be to
feel sorry for himself, the No4 says West Ham need to prepare for Saturday's
visit of Manchester United to the Boleyn Ground. "It was very disappointing,
because I felt we deserved something at Stoke," said Nolan. "If we got the
penalty, it goes to 2-2 and your back up and then who knows? "If we had come
off the pitch with a 2-2, then I think people would have probably said
'That's a fair enough result' and think the 3-1 flattered them a bit. I am
very disappointed to be going back home with nothing. "Two late sucker
punches in the last two games have done us, but we have a big week leading
up to what should be a fantastic game against Manchester United at home. "We
did quite well against them at our place last year [to lead twice and draw
2-2] and I'm hoping we can capitalise on that, start another run going
again. That is the aim and there is no reason why we can't do that."
At Stoke, Nolan felt West Ham missed an opportunity to collect another point
or more in their bid to secure Barclays Premier League survival. Andy
Carroll's early goal was cancelled out by Peter Odemwingie before two second
half strikes from Marko Arnautovic and Odemwingie put the game beyond the
Hammers.
"To be honest, even when they went 2-1 up I thought we were still in control
and that we were going to score again - you have that feeling and that was
certainly still the case at that time. "I had a header at the back post that
was a bit too high and the one that was off-side. I didn't think I was at
the time, but having seen it again, it was a bit offside. "They hit us with
a bit of a sucker punch, which was a great finish from Arnautovic, to be
fair, and you are going to get that in the Premier League sometimes. Against
the run of play, they got a goal. "Then there was the incident where their
left-back [Marc Muniesa] blatantly handled. It was blatant handball and you
just expected the decision to follow and it hasn't, so we are very
disappointed. "They got a third and it put us to bed then, so overall, we
were very disappointed."
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Loanee round-up
WHUFC.com
A number of West Ham United loanees were in action at the weekend
17.03.2014
Ravel Morrison led the band of West Ham United loanees in action at the
weekend as his two goals inspired Queens Park Rangers to victory. The
midfielder scored either side of former Hammer Bobby Zamora's goal to earn
the R's a convincing home win against Yeovil Town in the Sky Bet
Championship, in which Modibo Maiga was an unused substitute. Morrison's
brace took his tally for Harry Redknapp's side to four goals in five matches
since his arrival at Loftus Road in February.
Jordan Spence didn't enjoy the same winning feeling as his MK Dons side
crashed to a 2-0 home defeat against Peterborough United in Sky Bet League
One on Saturday The centre-back picked up a yellow card as Posh took all
three points thanks to Britt Assombalonga's second half double.
North of the border, George Moncur didn't get on as Partick Thistle saw off
Hibernian 3-1 at Firhill in the Scottish Premiership. With Heart of
Midlothian not in action this weekend there was no game for striker Paul
McCallum who has made five appearances during his loan spell with the Jambos
so far. In the Skrill
South, Taylor Miles was introduced after 52 minutes as Concord Rangers went
down 1-0 away to Hayes & Yeading, while Rob Girdlestone did not feature.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Wigan are lining up a move to sign West Ham's Jack Collison on loan
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo | Last Updated: 17/03/14
1:25pm
SSN
Sky Sports understands Wigan are lining up a loan move for West Ham
midfielder Jack Collison. Wigan boss Uwe Rosler is in the market for
midfield reinforcements after losing Ben Watson and Chris McCann to serious
injuries recently. A host of midfielders have been linked with moves to the
DW Stadium, but it appears Rosler is ready to push through a swoop for Wales
international Collison. Collison has struggled to hold down a regular place
in the West Ham side this season, making just six Premier League starts and
Sam Allardyce is happy to loan him out. The 25-year-old enjoyed a spell at
Bournemouth earlier this season and he is keen to go out and play regular
first-team football at Wigan and boost their bid for promotion to the
Premier League.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nedum Onuoha believes Ravel Morrison can shine for England in future
Last Updated: 17/03/14 11:35am
SSN
QPR defender Nedum Onuoha has backed Ravel Morrison to become a big star for
England in the future. Morrison, who is on loan at Loftus Road from West
Ham, scored another two fine goals in Saturday's 3-0 win over Yeovil. The
England Under-21 international has now found the net four times in his last
three appearances to boost Rangers' promotion bid. Onuoha said: "He's got an
awful lot of potential. "He's a good player now, but if he continues to be
nurtured and does things in the right way then he is going to be something
special for the country." While Morrison was shooting down Yeovil, his
parent club West Ham were being comprehensively beaten at Stoke. The Hammers
could, in theory, call Morrison back this week, once the initial 28 days of
his loan spell is up. The 21-year-old was arguably West Ham's best player
during the first half of the season and many of their fans are baffled as to
why QPR are reaping the benefits of his talent rather than them. Assistant
manager Kevin Bond hopes it will not come to that, though. "What will be
will be," said Bond. "He's here, he's enjoying his football and he's
figuring. He's done great for us."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Wigan to make loan move for West Ham's Jack Collison and he could play in FA
Cup semi-final
Mar 17, 2014 18:17 By Simon Austin
The Mirror
West Ham midfielder Jack Collison is set to join Wigan Athletic on loan
until the end of the season and could play in their FA Cup semi-final
against Arsenal.
Collison has failed to secure a regular first-team place at Upton Park and
has already been on loan at Bournemouth this season. The Wales international
is out of contract at the end of the campaign and it's unlikely he will stay
at Upton Park. Wigan manager Uwe Rosler has also been linked with a move for
Manchester City midfielder Jack Rodwell. Collison will also be eligible to
face Arsenal at Wembley because he did not feature in the FA Cup this
season.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's summer transfer plans revealed
Date: 17th March 2014 at 8:12 pm
Written by: Irons Maiden |
Forever West Ham
The ever reliable and brilliant @ExWHUEmployee has produced a piece for
Claret and Hugh detailing our summer transfer plans (should we remain a
Premier League club).
Here's a summary of the major points
1 – £20million budget
2 – Shift in transfer policy to focus on younger players
3 – Pablo Armero has impressed in training and club hope to make deal
permanent
4 – Winston Reid to be offered new deal with wages similar to Carroll
5 – Ravel Morrison likely to be sold but performances at QPR may result in a
change of heart
6 – Jack Collison and Joe Cole to be released
7 – Club will try to sign either Wilfried Zaha or Ashley Young from
Manchester United
8 – Strong interest in Jelle Vossen who plays for Genk
9 – Jussi Jaaskelainen will be released
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