Hull City match preview
WHUFC.com
All the need-to-know information ahead of Wednesday night's match against
Hull City
25.03.2014
WEST HAM UNITED v HULL CITY
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
WEDNESDAY 26 MARCH 2014
KICK-OFF: 7.45PM
REFEREE: MIKE DEAN
FULL AUDIO COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
Match sponsors
West Ham United would like to welcome today's Match Sponsors Davies
Highways. Davies Highways are structural engineers based in Woodford Green,
Essex.
Introduction
• West Ham United will be aiming to end a run of three straight defeats in
the Barclays Premier League when Hull City visit the Boleyn Ground on
Wednesday evening.
• On Saturday, Manchester United took all three points with a 2-0 win in
east London courtesy of a Wayne Rooney double.
• Prior to defeat against the Red Devils, Sam Allardyce's side had won their
three previous home matches on the bounce, all by a two-goal margin.
• A run of three defeats has left the Hammers below Hull in the league
table, lying 14th with 31 points, compared to the Tigers' 33 points which
places them in 12th.
• Earlier in the season a Robbie Brady penalty after 12 minutes was enough
to earn Steve Bruce's side all three points at the KC Stadium back in
September 2013.
• Hull arrive in east London on the back of a 2-0 home win against West
Bromwich Albion last Saturday, a victory which came courtesy of goals from
Liam Rosenior and Shane Long.
• Last time out on their travels, a Nikica Jelavic double inspired the
Tigers to a 4-0 win against Cardiff City.
• That away win was one of just three that Hull have recorded on the road
this season, losing nine times and drawing twice.
Team news
West Ham United
• Matt Jarvis picked up a thigh injury during the defeat against Manchester
United and will be assessed ahead of the match on Wednesday night.
• Marco Borriello (calf) and Joey O'Brien (shoulder) are still some way from
a return to action with their respective injuries.
• Ravel Morrison, Modibo Maiga (both QPR), Jack Collison (Wigan Athletic),
Paul McCallum (Heart of Midlothian), George Moncur (Partick Thistle) and
Jordan Spence (MK Dons) are all out on loan.
Hull City
• Steve Bruce will check on the fitness of captain Curtis Davies and striker
Shane Long ahead of Wednesday night's fixture.
• George Boyd is suspended for the clash after he picked up a three-match
suspension following a clash with Joe Hart during the Tigers defeat to
Manchester City on 15 March.
Last time out
West Ham United 0-2 Manchester United
Barclays Premier League
22 March 2014
West Ham United: Adrian, Demel, Collins, Tomkins, McCartney, Noble, Nolan (C
Cole 72), Taylor (Nocerino 83), Diame (Jarvis 58), Downing, Carroll
Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, Armero, J Cole, Reid
Hull City 2-0 West Bromwich Albion
Barclays Premier League
22 March 2014
Hull City: McGregor, Elmohamady, Rosenior, Chester, Davies, Huddlestone,
Aluko (Koren 61), Livermore, Meyler, Jelavic (Sagbo 84), Long (Quinn 77)
Subs not used: Figueroa, Bruce, Fryatt, Harper
Goals: Rosenior 31, Long 38
Previous meeting
A controversial Robbie Brady penalty after just 12 minutes secured all three
points for Hull City at the KC Stadium back in September 2013. The Irish
winger picked himself up after Joey O'Brien had been adjudged to have shoved
him, to slot the ball past Jussi Jaaskelainen from the penalty spot. James
Tomkins came close and Razvan Rat fired over as the Hammers searched in vain
for an equaliser.
Hull City 1-0 West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
28 September 2013
Hull City: McGregor, Rosenior, Figueroa, Davies, Faye, Huddlestone, Brady
(Meyler 80), Livermore, Elmohamady, Graham (Sagbo 81), Aluko (Boyd 89)
Subs not used: Harper, Bruce, McShane, Quinn
Goals: Brady pen 12
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, Tomkins, Reid, Rat, Nolan, Jarvis
(Vaz Te 71), Morrison, Noble, Diame (Downing 71), Maiga (Petric 59)
Subs not used: Adrian, Collins, Demel, Taylor
Head to head (Last six meetings)
28 September 2013 Hull City 1-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
28 April 2012 West Ham United 2-1 Hull City (Championship)
5 November 2011 Hull City 0-2 West Ham United (Championship)
20 February 2010 West Ham United 3-0 Hull City (Premier League)
21 November 2009 Hull City 3-3 West Ham United (Premier League)
28 January 2009 West Ham United 2-0 Hull City (Premier League)
Overall record v Hull City (all competitions) W 17 D 14 L 11
Ten-year records
West Ham United
2012/13 Premier League 10th
2011/12 Championship 3rd (promoted to Premier League via Play-Offs)
2010/11 Premier League 20th (relegated to Championship)
2009/10 Premier League 17th
2008/09 Premier League 9th
2007/08 Premier League 10th
2006/07 Premier League 15th
2005/06 Premier League 9th
2004/05 Championship 6th (promoted to Premier League via Play-Offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th
Hull City
2012/13 Championship 2nd (promoted to Premier League)
2011/12 Championship 8th
2010/11 Championship 11th
2009/10 Premier League 19th (relegated to Championship)
2008/09 Premier League 17th
2007/08 Championship 3rd (promoted to Premier League via Play-Offs)
2006/07 Championship 21st
2005/06 Championship 18th
2004/05 League One 2nd (promoted to Championship)
2003/04 Division Three 2nd (promoted to League One)
Background
• The first-ever meeting between West Ham United and Hull City took place at
Anlaby Road on 17 April 1920. Dan Bailey scored the Hammers' goal in a 1-1
Division Two draw played out in front of 8,000 spectators.
• West Ham's biggest home win over Hull City came on 6 October 1990 in a
Division Two match. The Hammers ran out 7-1 winners with the goals coming
courtesy of Steve Potts, George Parris, Trevor Morley and two each for Jimmy
Quinn and Julian Dicks.
• The biggest crowd to ever witness a game between West Ham and Hull at the
Boleyn Ground was for a Premier League match on 28 January 2009. Some 34,340
packed in and saw Carlton Cole and David Di Michele score a goal each as the
Hammers ran out 2-0 winners.
• West Ham have faced Hull 42 times in their history and have come out
victorious on 17 of those occasions. Hull have won eleven meetings and 14
have ended in a stalemate.
• Mark Noble spent three months on loan at Hull between February and May
2006. Noble made five Championship appearances during his loan spell with
the Tigers.
• Hull full-back Liam Rosenior is the son of former West Ham striker Leroy
Rosenior. Rosenior made 67 appearances for the Hammers, scoring 23 goals.
• Hull have only ever won twice at the Boleyn Ground in 20 visits. Their
victories came 56 years apart, with the first in December 1934 and the
second in January 1990. Both of the Tigers victories were by the same
scoreline, 2-1.
• West Ham and Hull have only ever met once in the League Cup. West Ham won
the second-round game 1-0 with Peter Eustace scoring the goal on 9 September
1970.
• Carlton Cole has enjoyed facing Hull, scoring four goals in six
appearances against them, including two in the 2-1 final-day Championship
win here on 28 April 2012.
• Hull striker Yannick Sagbo is the half-brother of West Ham right-back Guy
Demel.
• Hull defender Abdoulaye Faye has won promotion from the Championship in
each of the last two seasons with West Ham and the Tigers. Faye was
originally brought to English football by Sam Allardyce at Bolton Wanderers
in 2005.
• Hull goalkeeper Steve Harper played alongside Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll
at Newcastle United, winning the Championship title in 2009/10.
• Hull defender Paul McShane and West Ham's Joey O'Brien have known each
other since childhood, having both grown up Dublin.
• A number of West Ham and Hull players have turned out together for old
clubs: Mohamed Diame and Maynor Figueroa (Wigan Athletic), Mark Noble and
Alex Bruce (Ipswich Town) and Stewart Downing and Curtis Davies (Aston
Villa).
They played for both…
• Hull defender Abdoulaye Faye has won promotion from the Championship in
each of the last two seasons with West Ham and the Tigers. Faye was
originally brought to English football by Sam Allardyce at Bolton Wanderers
in 2005. He made 29 appearances for the Hammers in 2011/12.
• The following players have worn the colours of both West Ham and Hull
during their careers - Tommy Brandon, Jimmy Bullard, Roy Carroll, Alf
Fenwick, Richard Garcia, Cliff Hubbard, Mark Noble, Stuart Pearson and Tony
Weldon.
Referee
• The man in the middle for Wednesday's fixture is Mike Dean.
• Dean last refereed the Hammers in a 2-0 away win against Aston Villa with
on 8 February 2014.
• In all, he has refereed West Ham 36 times, with the Hammers winning 13,
losing eleven and drawing twelve of those matches.
• The 45-year-old began refereeing in 1985, starting out his career in
senior football in the Northern Premier League.
• In 2004, Dean took charge of his first international match, a friendly
between the Netherlands and Republic of Ireland at Amsterdam ArenA. That
same year, he took control of the FA Community Shield between Arsenal and
Manchester United.
• In May 2006, he refereed the Championship play-off final between Leeds
United and Watford at the Millennium Stadium. In 2008, he was the
man-in-the-middle for the FA Cup final between Portsmouth and Cardiff City
at Wembley Stadium.
• Dean will be assisted by Scott Ledger and Simon Beck, while the fourth
official will be Neil Swarbrick.
General information
• Tickets for the match are still available, details can be found on our
ticket page here.
• The weather forecast for Wednesday night is cloudy with temperatures
around 5C (41F).
• If you are commuting to the Boleyn Ground by tube on Wednesday night, you
can view live travel updates here.
• If travelling to the match via Greater Anglia train service, you can click
here to view travel information.
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Mixed emotions for Brown
WHUFC.com
Jordan Brown scored twice but ended up on the losing side against Arsenal on
Monday
25.03.2014
Jordan Brown was left with mixed emotions on Monday afternoon after netting
twice in a 5-3 defeat against his former club Arsenal at London Colney. The
forward impressed on his first start in the Barclays Under-21 Premier
League, grabbing two of the Hammers' goals alongside an overhead kick from
Dan Potts.
Zak Ansah and Chuba Akpom struck two late goals to see off the Hammers, and
Brown admitted that losing late in the day had took the shine off his first
goals for the Development Squad. He told West Ham TV: "I was quite happy to
score as it's always nice to score, especially against my old club. "I was
very happy, but at 3-3 it was there for us to go and win the game so I was
disappointed that we didn't get anything from the match. "It means a lot, it
means a hell of a lot actually, to score against my old club. It's all about
the result in the end and I'd rather have not scored if it meant we'd have
won the game."
The young Hammers fell behind three times and equalised three times, with
Potts' third leveller coming just ten minutes before full-time. Arsenal then
struck twice in the following five minutes to sink the visitors, and Brown
felt the game was there to be won for the Hammers. "Straight after the game
we felt a bit deflated because it was there for us on Monday. We equalised
three times and the game was there for us to take but unfortunately it
didn't work out that way.
"We had the momentum and it was all in our hands to go for it, but sometimes
a bit of complacency will cost you in a football match at this level."
The 17-year-old striker, who signed from the Gunners last summer, filled the
void left by top-scorer Elliot Lee's injury superbly with two strikes that
any frontman would be proud of. His first goal was a well-struck shot from
the edge of the area which nestled in the bottom corner, while his second
owed much to his poachers' instinct, as he was in the right place at the
right time to turn Blair Turgott's cross into the net. The pacey forward
might have bagged himself a hat-trick had a glancing header from a corner
nestled in the net, rather than rebounding off the post, the small margins
of which left Brown frustrated. "It hit the post and those little things
matter. If that goes in then we could have gone in to win the game. I'm
quite content with my first league start for the U21s but I still have
improvements to make."
Brown will have another chance to impress on Friday night, when the
Development Squad play Middlesbrough at the Boleyn Ground and Brown is eager
to play at the Club's stadium for the first time. "We've got a few injuries
at the moment so I've got to take the opportunity when it comes my way.
"I've never played at the Boleyn Ground before, so I'm really excited to
play there and turn over this result. "It's a good motivation, we've got a
young team right now and I think us doing well in the U18s gives us that bit
more confidence at this level. Under-21 football is new to a few of us, and
it's a new step which is exciting for us."
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On this day - 26 March
WHUFC.com
Paolo Di Canio took centre stage with a remarkable strike which astounded
the Boleyn Ground
26.03.2014
Classic match
West Ham United 2-1 Wimbledon
Premier League
26 March 2000
Paolo Di Canio stole the show when Wimbledon visited the Boleyn Ground on
this date in 2000, scoring the Goal of the Season with a volley that no West
Ham United supporter will ever forget. The Hammers went into this Boleyn
Ground London derby with Wimbledon in decent form, having claimed positive
results in three of their previous four fixtures. The Dons' stay in the top
flight was coming to an end and the Hammers didn't let up against the south
Londoners.
It took Di Canio just eight minutes to open the scoring with his now
world-famous first-time right-foot volley from Trevor Sinclair's cross that
angled past a helpless Neil Sullivan in the Wimbledon goal. West Ham held
their advantage until the break and a second goal from Frederic Kanoute on
59 minutes looked to have taken the game away from Wimbledon, although
Michael Hughes ensured a nervy finish by pulling one back 14 minutes from
the end. West Ham were not to be denied though, with the three point haul
lifting them up into eighth place in the table. They were to end the
campaign a position lower in ninth, with 55 points from 38 games. Wimbledon,
meanwhile, finished 18th, suffering relegation by a three-point margin from
Bradford City.
Complete record - 26 March
2000 West Ham United 2-1 Wimbledon (Premier League)
1994 Chelsea 2-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
1988 Manchester United 3-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1983 Norwich City 1-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1966 West Ham United 1-3 Fulham (Division One)
1956 Doncaster Rovers 2-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1955 Birmingham City 1-2 West Ham United (Division Two)
1951 Swansea Town 3-2 West Ham United (Division Two)
1949 Luton Town 0-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1948 Cardiff City 0-3 West Ham United (Division Two)
1938 Coventry City 1-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1937 West Ham United 0-0 Barnsley (Division Two)
1932 West Ham United 1-1 Arsenal (Division One)
1927 West Ham United 4-4 Bolton Wanderers (Division One)
1921 West Ham United 3-0 Nottingham Forest (Division Two)
Played 15, Won 5, Drawn 5, Lost 5, Scored 23, Conceded 22
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Hull's a family affair for Demel
WHUFC.com
Guy Demel could come up against his half-brother Yannick Sagbo in
Wednesday's game against Hull
25.03.2014
Guy Demel could come face to face with his half brother when West Ham United
take on Hull City at the Boleyn Ground on Wednesday night. Yannick Sagbo
joined the Tigers from French club Evian last summer and was a used
substitute in their 1-0 victory over the Hammers earlier this season,
although Demel did not emerge from the bench that day. The pair could
therefore take to the field together for the first time this evening,
although Demel is not expecting any favours from his relative. "He won't be
answering the phone to me!" he said. "It's going to be strange, it's just
the second time that we've had a match against each other after the away
game earlier in the season. "I'm happy for him and the season he's had, but
on Wednesday the most important thing is that we get the three points."
Sagbo could feature at the Boleyn Ground, although Hull boss Steve Bruce has
several striking options at his disposal. Shane Long and Nikica Jelavic have
been in good form since joining the Tigers in January, while Matty Fryatt is
another useful alternative. "We just have to concentrate on our shape and on
how we're going to play," Demel explained. "Whether it's Long, Jelavic or
whoever, we have to make sure we're compact and have a good solid back four,
midfield and striker and that we work well as a team, because then we know
they won't have many chances to score. "It is a very important game for us.
After the last game and the few results before we need the three points."
The Hammers have lost their last three fixtures so Demel is well aware that
a return to form is required as quickly as possible. West Ham go into the
game on 31 points from 30 games played and in need of recording a handful of
victories to cement their top-flight place for another season. He added: "We
need to get back winning and this is a good opportunity to play at home
against Hull. We have to make sure we get points on the board from our games
against Hull and Sunderland because that would make things easier for us.
"It's a more important match than the one against Manchester United, even
though of course we tried our best to get some points. We have to get points
in every game and obviously against Hull we will be ready and able to win.
"They are having quite a good season. They are in the middle of the table
and are playing at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-finals so it's a good year for
them. "Hull have a good manager and a good team, they stick to the basics
but we just have to make sure that we get back to winning at home."
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Noble wants to tame Tigers
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble is eyeing a valuable home victory over Hull City under the Boleyn
Ground floodlights
24.03.2014
Mark Noble says West Ham United will go all out to avenge the defeat they
suffered at Hull City when the Tigers come to town on Wednesday evening. The
Hammers produced a decent display at the KC Stadium back in late September,
only for a contentious penalty decision to cost them dear in a harsh 1-0
Barclays Premier League defeat. Six months on and the two clubs sit in
similar positions in mid-table, both eager to collect the handful of points
needed to all but ensure their Barclays Premier League futures for another
season at least. "We feel we were on the end of an abysmal decision up there
with the penalty that they got," said Noble, who spent a period on loan at
Hull in early 2006. "We probably should have won that game, but that's life.
"We managed to get ourselves above them, although they've gone back in front
of us at the weekend, and that's the way football goes. We want to take the
three points."
With the fixture designated as a Kids for a Quid match, Noble encouraged as
many families as possible to come down and enjoy the final home match of the
season under the Boleyn Ground floodlights. "It's a Wednesday night game and
our midweek games are normally good fun under the lights, because the
atmosphere really gets going. People finish work and they just want that
release, so they come over to West Ham. "The kids have been at school during
the day and looking forward to getting over here, so hopefully we can get
the points for them."
Should West Ham collect three points from their clash with the Tigers, Noble
and company will move a step closer to safety and being able to enjoy the
2013/14 Player Awards. The first-team squad, Board and coaching staff will
all be present at the Grosvenor House Hotel on London's Park Lane on the
evening of Tuesday 6 May. There, Noble would love nothing better than to be
crowned Hammer of the Year for a second time - meaning his performances
between now and the season's end would have been of the highest calibre.
"Hopefully I can double-up. That's one of my aims, to win the Hammer of the
Year again. I won it a couple of years ago and it would be nice to win it
again, so hopefully the fans will vote for me!"
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Big Sam on: Hull City
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce met the media at Chadwell Heath on Tuesday morning ahead of
the game against Hull City
25.03.2014
Sam Allardyce spoke to the media at Chadwell Heath on Tuesday morning ahead
of Wednesday night's game against Hull City in the Barclays Premier League.
The West Ham United manager was quizzed on his side's latest team news,
Hull's first season back in the top-flight and Wayne Rooney's wonder goal
against the Hammers.
Morning Sam, what's your team news ahead of Wednesday night?
SA: "We only have a problem with Matt Jarvis on the injury front. He came
off with a tight thigh at the end of the game on Saturday night. We'll wait
for him until tomorrow and then make a decision then. At the moment it's
looking doubtful."
In the last seven games you had four wins and then three defeats. Can you
put your finger on what you were doing during those wins and perhaps not
doing so much in these defeats?
SA: "Scoring goals is the basic reason, and then ultimately not defending
consistently well throughout the whole game. There have just been a few
lapses in concentration, certainly at Stoke and against Manchester United
that the opposition broke away and scored from. There's also been the
influence of some very poor decisions by the referees in all three games. We
fell foul to some of our own deficiencies and some of the deficiencies from
the officials in three games on the trot, which is extremely disappointing."
Kevin Nolan said that you're not getting the rub of the green with
decisions, is that something you agree with?
SA: "At the moment, yes. We've identified three times where a major decision
has not been given. The first one was at Everton when Kevin Nolan got pulled
down going into the box by Gareth Barry. At Stoke it was a blatant penalty,
and of course we all know on Saturday night that Wayne Rooney fouled James
Tomkins before he scored. Generally, Wayne Rooney wouldn't have scored from
there and it wouldn't have been a significantly bad decision, but with him
scoring a goal, and it was a spectacular goal, the decision went against us.
The fact of the matter is that we can't do anything about that. What I've
got to do is get my team defending consistently well, as we know we can with
13 clean sheets this season. We need more of a goalscoring threat in terms
of where we were when we won four games on the trot, because we won by a
four-goal margin in each of those four games."
You've been dragged back into the relegation scrap just that little bit more
with these three defeats…
SA: "Yes, we have. I definitely never said or suggested that we were safe
when we were on the fantastic run. It goes to show that the game can change
very quickly in the space of three games, and to use an old adage, we're now
getting sucked back into the danger zone."
You're six points clear of the bottom three still, how many points do you
think you will need?
SA: "38 we'll need and we'll try to get more than that as quickly as we can.
I think 38 points will be needed this year. It's such a big game on
Wednesday now. Steve's (Bruce) done fantastically well this season back in
the Premier League with Hull City. He's sneaked two points ahead of us with
a great win against West Brom on Saturday and it's now a big six-pointer on
Wednesday night. Following that we play Sunderland away on Monday night, so
we're either going to very nervous by next Tuesday, or we're going to feel a
little bit safer."
Mark Noble's described this as one of the freakiest and tightest leagues
he's ever been involved in. Do you share that sentiment?
SA: "I agree. I've never in my long career, never experienced the ups and
downs that we've experienced this season. The consistencies, the
inconsistencies, the changes of the game, the way results have gone
throughout the league. It still boils down to one thing at the end of the
day, however difficult it's been, the one thing you must always remember is
that you've got to get more points than games played first and foremost to
secure your Premier League status. For a club that's in the Premier League
for the second season to establish themselves and be a consistent force in
the Premier League, that's very important."
How important is Andy Carroll in getting you to 38 points?
SA: "I think all the players are key. The disappointing fact for me is the
players and the great run they achieved was about the squad being nearly all
fully fit. If Matt Jarvis misses tomorrow we've got him, Joey O'Brien and
Marco Borriello missing. Marco and Joey have been out for a while but the
rest of the team have been fully fit and we haven't achieved the results
which the performances warranted.
"That's the disappointment, because we knew the bad times we had in
December, and January particularly, were down to the limited amount of
players we had available, and the players that were having to play out of
position. That was a major cause in us losing games. At the moment, we've
just not got that killer instinct on the front line and because we're going
all out for it we've left the back door open a couple of times and the
opposition have taken advantage of that."
Do you think the pressure is starting to build on the players again, after
three consecutive defeats?
SA: "I think the pressure always builds if you have a run of defeats. The
anxiety when you play a game of football is felt all around the ground. The
fans will be anxious, the fans will begin to get anxious again and you've
got to be able to cope with that pressure. You've got to be able to cope
with that anxiety and make sure you have a positive frame of mind to deliver
your best. You can't let it pray on your mind, you have to go out and play
as well as you can. The team have to have a great spirit and a great
resilience in terms of what you want to try and achieve."
Have you been impressed with how Hull City have performed this season?
SA: "When every manager comes into the Premier League you have a fear about
whether you'll be good enough. The additions Steve made and working in the
markets, he has turned them into a side who in their first season look more
than capable of being safe in the Premier League. He did his business before
the start of the season, went out and did some business in January and that
has helped again.
"Generally their home form has been the reason why they are where they are.
They have a varied striking attack, he's got much more than Jelavic and Long
to play with the likes of Sagbo, who have done a fantastic job in the FA
Cup. He's got an array of front men that he can play when he feels
necessary. He doesn't have to rely on Jelavic and Long as other players have
come in and taken them to the semi-finals of the FA Cup and some very good
victories in the league."
You've had a couple of days to reflect on Wayne Rooney's goal from Saturday.
Do you think it was as good as David Beckham's against Wimbledon?
SA: "Yes, I do. I think that David was a little further back, but Wayne's
was a volley and everyone in the game knows it's much more difficult to
control. It's harder to control a volley than it is to kick the ball off the
ground. Tettey at Norwich ran him close on the weekend I thought."
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Haycock frustrated by Gunners loss
WHUFC.com
Nick Haycock believes defensive lapses let his team down as they slipped to
defeat against Arsenal
25.03.2014
After watching the Development Squad end up on the wrong side of an
eight-goal thriller against Arsenal, coach Nick Haycock was a frustrated
man. Three times the Hammers fell behind, three times the Hammers drew
level, only to concede two quick-fire goals in the final ten minutes to fall
to defeat at London Colney on Monday afternoon. The visitors had no trouble
finding the net, with Jordan Brown netting twice against his old club and
Dan Potts scoring an outstanding overhead kick, but it was their failure to
keep the ball out of their own goal which left Haycock a frustrated man. He
told West Ham TV: "I just walked past Neil Banfield (Arsenal first team
coach) who I've known for a long time and he said 'Wasn't that a good game?'
and I've said 'The attacking part was, but the defending left a bit to be
desired'. "Parts of it I enjoyed and parts of it left me frustrated with the
way they scored. Every time we got back on level terms, we tried our best to
concede a goal. The key moment of the game was when we had a chance to break
and Matthias Fanimo slipped a pass through to Jordan but it was just
over-hit when we were on the front foot, and then at 3-3 Jordan had another
great chance. "They're defining moments and they need to understand these
young players that it's a step-up for them. As we've said all season, the
way me and Steve do it, that we're challenging young players at the next
level all the time. To be fair to Arsenal they also had a young team today
and I think it was a good advert for the U21 league."
With Elliot Lee ruled out of the match through injury, Brown was handed his
first start in the Barclays Under-21 Premier League this season, and the
front man did not disappoint. The striker joined the Club from Arsenal in
the summer and has featured regularly for Steve Potts' Under-18s, and
Haycock felt he rose to the challenge of facing his former employers. "He's
a young 17-year-old and playing against his ex-club he was keen to play and
I think he handled that well, because it's often difficult playing against
the club where you've been since you were a young schoolboy. "He wants to
learn, you can see he's a goalscorer and there are parts of his game which
we'll work on on the training pitch. He was unlucky not to get a hat-trick
with the header that came off the post as well as a few other little
chances. "All in all I'm looking at the performance as a whole and I always
take the positives. I thought the second goal was a very good goal and we
should have played like that more."
The young Hammers had no time to dwell on defeat to the Gunners as they face
Middlesbrough at the Boleyn Ground on Friday. With just four league matches
left to play, Haycock has urged his team to finish the season strongly,
starting with victory against the Teesiders. "You saw with our form before
Christmas we had a settled team and I think the results go with that. With
the win one, lose one, win one, lose one, type spell we've been going
through it's because the adjustments of the team. "I have no complaints
because I'm here to develop a player for the first team. I have set the
challenge for the boys now to go four out of four, to try and push
themselves up the league and stay in that division one for next season as
only the top eleven qualify. "If they get the four wins then they may still
get in the play-offs and then you're playing teams who've been up there, as
we have. It's just of late that the form's gone a bit but understandably
with the topsy-turvy nature of the team."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hartson: Eyal always regret Berko incident
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 25th March 2014
By: Staff Writer
Former West Ham United striker John Hartson has admitted that he still
regrets the infamous training ground incident in which he was captured
kicking team mate Eyal Berkovic. Back in September 1998, TV cameras were on
hand to record the moment that Hartson lost his temper with the Israeli
playmaker during a Chadwell Heath training session. Following a late
challenge by Hartson during a training match, the diminutive midfielder
lashed out at the Welsh striker - who responded instinctively by kicking the
floored Berkovic in the head. Due to the presence of TV cameras, the
incident went on to be replayed around the globe - and the incident proved
to be the catalyst for Hartson's sale just four months later. In a
wonderfully frank and honest interview for the new episode of the KUMB
Podcast - which you may listen to here - Hartson, now 38, admitted that it
is an incident that he deeply regrets. "I should never have done it but I'm
holding my hands up, I'm not trying to make excuses for what happened,"
Hartson told the KUMB.com Podcast's Chris Scull and James Longman. "I took
the ban, I took the punishment, I took all the media criticism and admitted
I was wrong. I should never had reacted the way that I did. "There was no
particular reason for doing it; it was nothing to do with Eyal Berkovic - it
could have been John Moncur, Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole or anyone. It was
nothing to do with the player, it just happened at that particular moment,
it was caught on camera and the whole world got to see it. "It's something
that I've had to carry around with me for the last 16 years - nobody wants
to talk about the 33 goals in 71 games or how I kept West Ham up almost
single-handedly. But I'm fine about it. It was a regrettable incident, but
it does happen. "I spent 20 months at West Ham and 18 months were very
good," he continued. "I scored goals, I got on great with the lads and we
had a good spirit. It just goes to show how your life can change in the
blink of an eye as within two months we'd gone out of both Cups, I was
under-performing and I'd had the embarrassment of the training ground
incident repeated all over the world. "I'd been totally wrecked in the
newspapers - it was front page stuff, not back page - and it was on News at
Ten, everywhere. So within that two month period I'd gone from hero to zero.
But 95 per cent of my memories at West Ham are fantastic. It's a great club
and I always get a great reception when I go back there."
Just four months after the Berkovic incident hit the headlines Hartson was
on his way out of West Ham and off to join the now-defunct Wimbledon FC in a
£7.5million deal - a switch that surprised many in the football world given
that the striker had looked a shadow of his former self for much of the
first half of the 1998/99 season. "Joe Kinnear came in with a huge sum of
money, £7.5million, where West Ham had paid £3.2million," added Hartson.
"I'd scored a few goals, West Ham were more than doubling their money in
terms of the transfer fee and went and bought Di Canio, Scott Minto and
Marc-Vivien Foe - God rest his soul - out of the money. "I went off to
Wimbledon with great memories and my head between my knees in a way, because
I'd embarrassed myself and my family in terms of what I'd done. It was just
one of those things. But the one thing from West Ham's point of view was
that they got great money for me."
And although Hartson still regrets the incident that led to a parting of the
ways with West Ham - for whom he had been prolific in his first season,
scoring an incredible 24 goals (17 of which came before Christmas) - he
maintains that training-ground bust-ups are far more prevalent than it is
thought. "It happens all the time," he insisted. "Perhaps not quite as
ferocious as that - I'm not saying people kick others in the face every day
in training - but there are fights, there are punch-ups and people grabbing
each other by the throat. People will get punched and players will make
two-footed tackles. "I also witnessed tempers getting out of hand during
training at Wimbledon and Arsenal. If there were cameras on the side of the
pitch there, like there was with me at West Ham, then there would be a lot
more incidents reported and a lot more players brought to justice for their
actions."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The magnificent seven
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 25th March 2014
By: Staff Writer
Hammers boss Sam Allardyce has set his team a target of 38 points for
Premier League survival. Allardyce, who was speaking to the press this
morning ahead of tomorrow night's vital clash with Hull City believes that
his team need seven points from their final eight games in order to
guarantee their Premier League spot next season. And he hopes the first
three of those arrive on Wednesday night at the Boleyn when his side seek to
take revenge for the 1-0 defeat at the KC Stadium last September, when a
dubious penalty was all that separated the two sides. "I think 38 will be
needed this year," he told reporters. "It's such a big game on Wednesday
now. Steve's done fantastically well this season with Hull City. He's
sneaked two points ahead of us with a great win against West Brom on
Saturday and it's now a big six-pointer on Wednesday night. "Following that
we play Sunderland away on Monday night, so we're either going to very
nervous by next Tuesday, or we're going to feel a little bit safer. "The one
thing you must always remember is that you've got to get more points than
games played first and foremost to secure your Premier League status. For a
club that's in the Premier League for the second season to establish
themselves and be a consistent force in the Premier League, that's very
important."
Despite having now lost three on the spin against Everton, Stoke City and
Manchester United, Allardyce remains confident that his squad are more than
capable of reaching their target. However he admitted that those defeats -
which followed four successive victories in February - have heaped the
pressure back on his squad. " The anxiety when you play a game of football
is felt all around the ground," he said. "The fans will begin to get anxious
again and you've got to be able to cope with that pressure. You've got to be
able to cope with that anxiety and make sure you have a positive frame of
mind to deliver your best. "You can't let it pray on your mind, you have to
go out and play as well as you can. The team have to have a great spirit and
a great resilience."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Anxious Sam Allardyce targets 38 points for West Ham to survive
Last Updated: 25/03/14 11:15am
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has admitted he is anxious that his side have
been sucked backed into the relegation fight and says they need at least
seven more points to stay up. Saturday's home loss to Manchester United was
their third straight defeat in the Premier League and it left them just six
points above the drop zone in 14th place. Their previous run of four
successive wins seems a distant memory as they prepare to host Steve Bruce's
promising Hull City side at Upton Park on Wednesday night. And Allardyce
said: "There's always pressure that builds when you have a run of defeats.
"We never said or suggested that we were safe when we were on the fantastic
run and we've got sucked back towards it again. We need 38 points and we'll
want to go past that as quickly as possible. "The anxiety when it's like
this is felt all around the ground. You have to cope with that anxiety,
don't let it prey on your mind and go out and play as you know you can.
"What I have to do is get my team defending as consistently well as they
have been and become a goalscoring threat again."
Allardyce has a near-fully fit squad, with just winger Matt Jarvis doubtful
for the clash with Hull, but he has previously bemoaned the injuries that
have ravaged his strike-force this season. "In my long time as a manager
I've not experienced the ups and downs as we have had, the consistencies and
inconsistencies throughout the league," he said. "Steve has made Hull into a
side who have competed all season. He has an array of frontmen who can play
as and when necessary. He doesn't have to rely on just Shane Long and Nikica
Jelavic."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hull manager Steve Bruce hails West Ham boss Sam Allardyce
Last Updated: 25/03/14 4:19pm
SSN
Hull City manager Steve Bruce believes West Ham boss Sam Allardyce does not
get the recognition he deserves as one of English football's top managers.
Ahead of their clash at Upton Park on Wednesday night, Bruce spoke highly of
Allardyce as both a close personal friend off the pitch and a respectable
adversary on it. Newly-promoted Hull have been a surprise package this
season and need just one more win to reach Bruce's pre-season target of 10
for the campaign. They are not yet safe yet, sitting just two points above
Allardyce's Hammers and eight points above the drop zone, but Bruce does not
expect either side to be facing relegation at the end of the season. "Sam
has always been successful in what he's done and maybe doesn't get the
recognition he deserves," Bruce said on Tuesday. "He gets unfair labels
thrown at him. If you look at the job he did at Bolton, it was nothing short
of miraculous. To finish in the top six three times was quite remarkable and
look at where Bolton are now. "Sam has always been successful in what he's
done and maybe doesn't get the recognition he deserves." "He got West Ham
promoted and kept them up. There is nobody more experienced and, if you are
in a dogfight, Sam's your man. I expect them to be nowhere near the
relegation area when the end of the season comes." Bruce is hoping
centre-back Curtis Davies will shake off a knee problem and keep striker
Andy Carroll in check as Hull search for a third successive away win in the
Premier League. The Tigers boss said: "We've had the privilege of seeing
Curtis over the last six months and you'd have to say he's been a terrific
signing for us. "Carroll is a handful when he's fit and flying like he is
but whether it's Carroll or Luis Suarez or whoever, Curtis seems to thrive
on playing against them."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
TIME TO PLAY TO ANDY CARROLL'S STRENGTHS
By Iain Dale 25 Mar 2014 at 08:09
West Ham Till I Die
Three defeats in a row is relegation form. Now, we can console ourselves
with the fact that we are six points above the drop zone, but frankly that
is the only consolation. In the last three games we may have deserved to get
a point at Everton, but that is about all. But there is little point in
raking over the past. We need to concentrate on the next two games. There's
little doubt that if we win both we are all but safe. And with the next two
games away at Liverpool and Arsenal we can more or less write them off.
Well, maybe not, the way Arsenal are playing at the moment!
Part of the problem is that Sam Allardyce felt necessary to change a winning
team at Stoke. He made four completely unforced changes and destroyed the
rhythm of the side. He admitted as much himself after the game. Against
Manchester United he put Matt Taylor and James Collins back in the team, but
there was an imbalance with Diame playing on the right side of midfield
rather than where he is most effective. If we're playing with Andy Carroll
as a central striker, surely we need to play two wingers who can constantly
bang in crosses to him. We know he wins most balls in the air, and a lot of
his goals come from powerful headers. So why not play to his strengths. I
think back to his first game back after his injury when we didn't actually
play with any wingers at all. Complete madness.
So tomorrow night, I want to see Matt Jarvis restored down the right, with
Downing down the left and a midfield three of Noble, Nolan and Taylor. Diame
has become a luxury, only playing in short bursts and then disappearing. He
could be a real quality player for us if he put his mind to it, but his mind
seems too often to be elsewhere. If his level of application was half that
of Matt Taylor he'd be quite some player. The great thing about having
Taylor in the team is that he knows how to whip in a cross and is great in a
dead ball situation.
Think what a win, and a performance, will do for morale as we head up to
Sunderland on Saturday.
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Wednesday, March 26
Tuesday, March 25
Daily WHUFC News - 25th March 2014
Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce has urged the Hammers to get back to winning ways in two
important upcoming games
24.03.2014
Sam Allardyce has urged his West Ham United players to get back to their
best ahead of two huge games in the Barclays Premier League. The Hammers
host Hull City on Wednesday before a trip to Sunderland on the last day of
March, games which could have a big bearing on each team's final league
position. Three consecutive league defeats against Everton, Stoke City and
Manchester United has left Allardyce's side six points above the bottom
three and the manager is keen to get back to the form which saw his team
pick up four wins in February. "We've put ourselves in a little bit of
danger again, there's no doubt about that. In the two games we've got coming
up we've got to make sure we perform like we did when we hit our good spell
when we won four games on the trot. "We've got to make sure we get back to,
one, resilient defensive work which we didn't show enough of on Saturday to
keep a talented frontline at bay, and two, we have to get better in the
final third at creating and hurting teams. We didn't turn any of our
opportunities today into goal scoring opportunities."
The form of striker Andy Carroll could be crucial in the run-in with the
striker putting in a man of the match display against the Red Devils.
Carroll has made just four starts this season after a foot injury disrupted
his campaign and Allardyce feels the striker will be raring to go for the
games ahead. "In the games coming up he'll (Carroll) be very important for
us and for him to continue to play and up his match fitness as quickly as we
can. The longer he carries on playing the better he's going to get. "He's a
player that's very, very eager and very fresh, he's not fatigued as some of
the players are at this stage of the season having played the entire season.
He's fresh, he's eager and he's willing to get out there and try and improve
the team's results as much as he can.
"For us it's about playing off Andy, not off his head, playing off him into
his feet and his chest because the capabilities he has to hold the ball up.
"The amount of fouls he draws in off the opposition defenders. Marouane
Fellaini persistently fouled Carroll which gave us good opportunities to get
the ball into their box and try to score. "He'll get better as he gets
sharper and we hope he stays fit. He laid two on for Kevin against Swansea,
he scored a goal against Stoke but didn't get the chance to score any more
today. If we provide the service he'll get the goals."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ladies return to winning ways
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Ladies secured a valuable 2-1 victory over Keynsham Town at
the weekend
24.03.2014
West Ham United Ladies returned to winning ways with a 2-1 FA Women's
Premier League Southern Division victory over Keynsham Town on Sunday. The
Hammers, fresh from cup success in recent weeks, moved ahead of Keynsham in
the table with the three-point haul. West Ham started in fine fashion and,
when Sarah McCrea opened the scoring in the tenth minute with a left-footed
shot from distance, the signs where looking good. Lily Mellors then hit a
wonder strike on 16 minutes to put the Hammers firmly in control and they
merely needed to keep the pressure on to secure the win. However, the
visitors had other ideas and started to fight back. Towards the end of the
first half keeper Lauren Picton had to pull off two fine saves to keep a
clean sheet at the break. The second half started with both teams fully
committed to finding the next goal which could influence the result. Just
before the hour Keynsham got their break, as their striker Katarzyna Rusek
broke free of the Hammers' back four to move one-on-one with the Keeper and
the outstretched leg of Lauren Picton was enough to send the striker to the
ground giving Keynsham the penalty that was converted. The last 30 minutes
saw the Hammers hold on despite Keynsham's many attempts to break through
and, although shaky at times, the Hammers defence remained solid to give
them an important win.
West Ham United Ladies : Lauren Picton, Vicky King, Katie Bottom, Hayley
West, Danica Revell, Emily Masters, Kelley Blanchflower, Lindsey Morgan,
Lily Mellors (Zoe Lipley-Hinton 88), Cherrelle Albert, Sarah McCrea.
Subs Not Used: Jemma Beard, Jess Parlane, Danni Cliffe, Sasha Kelly
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Noble admits Rooney brilliance
WHUFC.com
West Ham United midfielder Mark Noble felt his side were undone by a special
Wayne Rooney goal on Saturday
24.03.2014
Mark Noble said the Hammers were on the end of one of the goals of the
season as Wayne Rooney's double guided Manchester United to victory at the
Boleyn Ground on Saturday night. Rooney opened the scoring with a stunning
50-yard volley which caught goalkeeper Adrian out and West Ham midfielder
Noble felt that moment of brilliance tipped the balance the visitors' way.
The England striker added a second in the opening period when Noble's
attempted clearance cannoned off him and into the net but despite the final
2-0 scoreline, the No16 did not think there was too much between the sides.
He said: "I was standing behind it [Rooney's opener], to be honest. As soon
as it came down and as soon as he hit it I said 'you've done him, it's in'.
"It looked in all the way and I think one of the boys said after that he
only hit it because he thought it was a foul. "You can't take anything away
from him, though. It is probably the goal of the season and one of the best
goals he has ever scored and he has scored some special ones. "I don't think
there was much in the game up until then and obviously for the second
unfortunately the ball came in, I saw it late and I tried to clear it and it
has hit him and gone in. "It is was his day today but, to be honest, I don't
think there was much in the game. I thought we had some chances but it
didn't fall for us."
The defeat was the Hammers' third in a row, but Noble believes they can
bounce back swiftly when they host Hull City on Wednesday. He continued:
"Obviously we've gone from an unbelievable run of wins on the bounce and now
we've had three losses in a row. "I think you'd agree with me that this is
one of the freakiest seasons you've ever seen and the tightest. "There are
probably only two teams that aren't playing for anything, Newcastle and
Southampton, and the rest of us are in a scrap, whether it is for the Europa
League, Champions League or the fight to avoid relegation. "It is going to
be tough. We've still got eight games left and we've got to put some points
on the board. "Obviously it a big game on Wednesday. Hull beat West Brom on
Saturday so they are going to have confidence, but we need to play like we
can do at home."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Arsenal 5-3 Dev Squad - FT
WHUFc.com
Live text commentary from the Development Squad's match against Arsenal U21s
24.03.2014
ARSENAL v DEVELOPMENT SQUAD
BARCLAYS U21 PREMIER LEAGUE
LONDON COLNEY
MONDAY 24 MARCH 2014
KICK-OFF: 2PM
Full-time: What an extraordinary game we've just witnessed here at London
Colney! Akpom struck a hat-trick for the Gunners who responded superbly to
Potts' spectacular leveller to make the score 3-3 with ten minutes left. Two
quick-fire goals turned the game on it's head again and gave the home side
all three points. Brown notched a brace for the Hammers who will be
aggrieved that they leave north London empty handed.
90+1 mins: Arsenal looking to run the clock down now as they seek to keep
the ball, but they're not being allowed to settle with some fierce pressing
from the Hammers.
89 mins: Three minutes of stoppage time indicated by the fourth official.
Time for more goals? I wouldn't bet against it.
87 mins: Fanimo crosses from the right towards the back post where Amoo
meets it. He heads it down but Iliev is there to gather.
85 mins: This game has left me lost for words! Arsenal reacted wonderfully
to the Hammers leveller with two quick-fire goals.
83 mins Goal: Akpom completes his hat-trick as the ball falls to him in the
box and he beats Guzman with a firm strike. I cannot believe this!
81 mins Goal: Arsenal go back in front. Huge groans from the Hammers as
Ansah smacks home an angled shot.
78 mins GOAL: What a goal that is! Arsenal clear out after Turgott's corner,
Fanimo lofts the ball back in where no one is picking up Potts, who sends an
overhead kick past Iliev. Take a bow!
76 mins: Guzman deals with Eisfeld's free-kick at the second attempt after
Cullen was harshly penalised for hand ball.
74 mins: A great pass by Toral who takes Potts out of the game and finds
Seimann bearing down on goal. The full-back, clearly out of his comfort
zone, strikes a first-time effort over the bar.
72 mins: Haycock makes his second change, bringing on Amoo for Sadlier.
71 mins: Sadlier charges down the left and earns himself a corner. Turgott
takes, floating the ball to the back post where Harney's header is straight
at Iliev with no great power on it.
69 mins: Glorious chance for Eisfeld who finds himself unmarked in the area
as Iwobi picks him out. He hits it first time but straight at Guzman
fortunately for the Hammers.
67 mins: Sadlier picks the ball up on the left this time and swings it in
looking for Brown. It's a tad over-hit however and Iliev catches.
65 mins: Sadlier sees a shot blocked as he tricks his way into the box.
Arsenal break but Eisfeld hits the deck too easily and West Ham regain
possession.
63 mins: Close! Hayden nearly turns the ball into his own net as Brown looks
for Sadlier on the cut-back. Iliev is just able to re-adjust and gather the
ball.
61 mins: Change for the Hammers, Makasi runs on to replace Nasha who's put a
shift in in the midfield today.
59 mins: Eisfeld has time to line-up a shot in midfield before striking the
ball just over Guzman's crossbar.
57 mins: Hayden heads wide as Toral whips a free-kick over from the right.
The defender falling over as he glanced wide.
55 mins: There's been a good response from the visitors to going behind with
Potts the latest to test Iliev.
53 mins: Great action here, but that decision could well change the momentum
of this game. The Hammers had started the half with fresh impetus but that
may stop them in their tracks.
50 mins Goal: Penalty to the Gunners. Akpom goes down under Harney's
challenge and picks himself up to score, sending Guzman the wrong way. It
looked a soft decision.
48 mins: What a start to this half! Knoyle also played his part in the goal
as he fed Turgott before the winger supplied the cross for Brown.
46 mins GOAL: Brown again! The striker finishes off a nice move down the
right where Turgott played the ball across the face for the waiting Brown
who equalises with barely 30 seconds of the second half played.
46 mins: The home side take kick-off and we're under-way again at London
Colney.
Half-time: Arsenal take a lead into the break thanks to goals from Olsson
and Akpom who opened the scoring. The Hammers hit back through Brown who
struck a low effort from just outside the box past Iliev. On the whole the
home side are good value for their lead although things might have been
different had Brown's header from a Turgott corner not hit the post.
45 mins: Burke makes a last-ditch tackle to stop Akpom's shot after Iwobi
drifted past three players. Too easy for him there.
43 mins: As we head toward half-time Guzman makes another good save, this
time to deny Akpom after he cut inside and unleashed a low shot.
41 mins: Toral sends an effort flying high across the training pitches from
Iwobi's lay-off.
40 mins: Hayden trots to the touchline but looks like he might be ok to
continue.
39 mins: The players head over for a drink as Hayden recieves treatment
after putting in a heavy challenge on Brown.
37 mins: Eisfeld slides in Iwobi down the left-hand side but the linesman
flags to bring the attack to an end.
35 mins: Zelalem is controlling the game from the middle of the park as he
dictates the hosts' attacks.
33 mins: Guzman comes to the rescue as he denies Iwobi with his feet.
Arsenal are looking dangerous now.
31 mins: That goal was harsh on the away side who've looked relatively
comfortable against Arsenal's passing game up to that point.
29 mins Goal: Arsenal enjoy a spell of possession before Olsson fires a low
shot past Guzman from outside the area.
27 mins: Hayden is the first man to feel the wrath of the ref as he is shown
yellow for a handball. Seemed a harsh decision. The centre-back will have to
be careful now.
25 mins: Arsene Wenger is among the onlookers here at Colney. This London
derby has already proved more of a match than his side against Chelsea on
Saturday.
23 mins: Akpom has the ball in the net again but the flag is up as he slides
into convert Iwobi's cross.
22 mins: What a great couple of minutes for the visitors who've certainly
shown they're here to get the three points.
20 mins: Post! Brown nearly scores again as he flicks a header towards the
far post from Turgott's corner but is left to despair as the ball strikes
the post.
19 mins: Reward for the bright start made by the Hammers and their reaction
to falling behind. Brown joined West Ham from Arsenal in the summer and has
returned to haunt his old side,
16 mins GOAL: The Hammers draw level! Brown tenaciously wins the ball in
tandem with Fanimo off the dawdling Olsson. The striker moves to the edge of
the box before driving low past the keeper. Get in!
13 mins: The ball falls at the feet of Fanimo as Turgott nicks the ball off
Olsson in a promising position. He has a dig but pulls his effort wide of
the post.
12 mins: Sadlier tees up Potts to swing a cross over from the left but it
floats into the arms of Iliev as Brown lurks.
10 mins: An early blow for the Hammers who had looked a threat themselves
going forward. Time to consolidate and find their rhythm now.
8 mins Goal: Akpom has time to take a touch in the box before slotting the
ball past Guzman following Eisfeld's cut-back.
7 mins: Guzman forces Akpom wide as the striker collects Eisfeld's through
ball. The young keeper does well to usher him wide of the goal and forces
the forward into a wayward cut-back.
5 mins: Burke does excellently to cut out a passing move as Toral looked to
running through on goal.
3 mins: Fanimo drifts a cross over from the left-hand side but Iliev gathers
as there are no Hammers in the immediate space.
1 min: Sadlier nicks the ball high up the pitch as Arsenal try and play out.
He cuts inside and shoots but it's deflected and easily gathered by Iliev.
Kick-off: West Ham kick us off here at London Colney. A London derby with
all to play for!
1:58pm: The Hammers are the first team onto the pitch as we await the
Gunners before we can get going in this one.
1:54pm: It's a windy one up here on the gantry, with facilities not ideal
for media here at London Colney. While i'm praying that there will be no
rain for the duration of the game, the teams have headed inside to make
their final preperations.
1:42pm: Arsenal will be hoping to bounce back from a 2-1 defeat to Reading
last time out with victory against a Hammers side who are looking for their
third win in four league games.
1:30pm: We have news of the Arsenal team. Here's how they line-up: Iliev,
Siemann, Ormonde-Ottewill, Olsson, Ajayi, Hayden, Iwobi, Zelalem, Akpom,
Eisfeld, Toral. On their bench today are: Jebb, Macey, Lipman, Ansah,
Kamara.
1:22pm: The visitors make the short walk from the changing rooms onto the
pristine pitch that they will be playing on this afternoon to begin the
pre-match warm-up.
1:12pm: Gines Guzman and Tim Brown are out to go through their paces with
goalkeeping coach Jerome John on a beautiful sunny day here at Arsenal's
training base.
1pm: The Hammers are in the changing rooms preparing to go through their
pre-match routine as the tunes blare out.
The young Hammers have arrived at the scenic surroundings of Arsenal's
London Colney training ground for a Barclays Under-21 Premier League clash
against the Gunners. Nick Haycock's side will be hoping to add fresh
momentum to their top-four challenge with a win against their London rivals
after a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool last time out. That loss left the side sat
in eighth position in the table as they head into this clash against 18th
place Arsenal. The Gunners occupy a lowly league position having not won in
their last five matches, having suffered three defeats in their last five
league outings, although they have played only 13 games compard to the
Hammers' 16.
Haycock's team takes on a younger look to it today with injuries wreaking
havoc amongst his squad. Gines Guzman deputises in goal in place of regular
starter Raphael Spiegel. Guzman will marshal a defence which features Reece
Burke and Jamie Harney in central defence with Dan Potts moving to left-back
in place of the absent Lewis Page. In midfield, Amos Nasha is promoted from
the Under-18s to partner Josh Cullen in the centre, while Kieran Sadlier
comes in to make his first competitive start following injury. The final
change sees Jordan Brown lead the line in place of Elliot Lee.
West Ham United: Guzman, Knoyle, Potts, Nasha, Burke, Harney, Turgott,
Cullen, J Brown, Fanimo, Sadlier
Subs: Makasi, T Brown, Mavila, Driver, Amoo
Arsenal: Iliev, Siemann, Ormonde-Ottewill, Olsson, Ajayi, Hayden, Iwobi,
Zelalem, Akpom, Eisfeld, Toral
Subs: Jebb, Macey, Lipman, Ansah, Kamara
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Ok, Fred
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 24th March 2014
By: Staff Writer
Former Hammer Freddie Sears scored his seventh goal of the season for
current club Colchester United on Saturday as the Essex club eked out a 2-2
draw with Bristol City. The 24-year-old spent his formative years at West
Ham before signing for the Us on a free transfer in July 2012, having failed
to make the breakthrough into the first team set-up at Upton Park. Sears,
who hails from Hornchurch, marked his debut for the Hammers with a now
infamous match-winning strike against Blackburn six years ago this month.
Hailed as the new Tony Cottee, he raised the roof at the Boleyn that day
when his close-range header won all three points for Alan Curbishley's side.
However he found his chances extremely limited following the departure of
manager Gianfranco Zola and following loan spells with the likes of Crystal
Palace, Coventry and Scunthorpe, he made a permanent switch to Colchester.
His first season at the Weston Homes Community Stadium resulted in eight
goals from 37 appearances, whilst he needs just one more goal to match that
tally this season following his scorcher against Bristol on Saturday (see
video below) in his 24th appearance of the campaign. So whilst a one in
three ratio might not have Premier League (or even Championship) scouts
rushing to watch him play, it is good to see the staunch Hammers fan - who
was prolific at both youth and reserve level at West Ham - in and amongst
the goals once again.
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Marouane Fellaini lucky not to get sent off at West Ham, says Sam Allardyce
Last Updated: 24/03/14 11:46am
SSN
Sam Allardyce believes Marouane Fellaini should have been sent off for a
foul on James Tomkins in West Ham United's loss to Manchester United. The
incident happened in the 84th minute of West Ham's 2-0 defeat on Saturday
and left Tomkins requiring treatment. Replays showed Fellaini landing with
his studs on the ankle of Tomkins but referee Lee Mason restarted play with
a drop ball, suggesting to Allardyce that what happened had not been seen.
"I thought Marouane Fellaini was lucky not to get sent off," said the West
Ham boss. "They've got to be good enough to spot it, don't they? That's what
their job is. "Probably the ref wasn't in the right place and that's why if
he has any doubt he can't give it. "You've got to be absolutely certain if
you're the referee that you've seen what has happened. "Hopefully James will
be OK for Wednesday." West Ham will be looking to bounce back from their
loss to Manchester United when they host Hull City in midweek.
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FITTING FAREWELL TO THE BOLEYN
By Sean Whetstone 24 Mar 2014 at 08:26
West Ham Till I Die
Guest Post by Nigel Kahn
As a member of the Supporters Advisory Board I sit on the Farewell to the
Boleyn sub-committee. We have been asked to gauge what fans would like to
see happen across the Season long build up to the final game in May of 2016.
Every game has the opportunity to be themed and some examples that I would
like to see are Youth Cup Final players, one game where every player to
appear in a youth cup game is remembered and where possible introduced to
the crowd either before or at half time, Overseas supporters game, where
every overseas supporters club is given the opportunity to buy tickets for
the same game and fill the Boleyn with their flags.
They are two of my choices, but this is not about my choices it is about you
and everyone else's choices and there are 19 premier league home games to be
possibly themed so every idea has the potential of being incorporated. There
are 2 questionnaires' on my website. mywhufc.net
The first questionnaire is asking for general views on the final season
The second is more detailed about what you would like to see for the final
game, My view is that once the final whistle has blown and the celebrations
have finished, when the fans walk away that night that will be THE END. No
friendly or testimonial, no tournaments or fans paying a fortune to play on
the pitch, for me the final game must be the final game. When the fans leave
it should be in the knowledge they have watched the final act of our time at
the Boleyn
Would you like to see a special kit worn for the last game and if so what
should it be modelled on, 1904? 1950's? 1970's. If you have a favourite kit
that you would like to be seen worn then it's your chance to say.
Would you like the Brass band brought back as they had in days of old or as
i said, bring back the old style small square programmes, in fact anything
you would like to see brought back from years ago then make the suggestion.
Should we have a choreographed event in a similar vein to the Bobby Moore
2013 tribute, my idea was to have each stand be given a commemorative
T-Shirt that when worn would as a stand recreate a shirt worn years ago,
imagine the Bobby Moore stand all wearing light blue T-Shirts except for 2
claret bands mimicking the away kit from the 60's & 70's.The West Stand
could have bottom half claret with the top half blue with the claret stripes
in the image of the famous 70's kit, the east stand could be white all the
way along with 2 bands across 1 claret and 1 blue like the famous old away
kit that we re-introduced in 2010, then the Trevor brooking stand could just
wear claret body with blue sides.
If you go on you tube and look at Arsenals last events that day everyone had
red or white T-shirts, I looked good but we need to be better than that.
What would you like to see in a closing ceremony, Iron Maiden, Cockney
Rejects, David Essex or even Chesney Hawks, all west ham fans that would
probably jump at the chance to be at THE END when it happens?
And then after THE END is there any memorabilia you would like to purchase
from the Boleyn Ground.
Personally I think all Season Ticket holders should be given their seat as a
thank you but the club are not going to miss out on cashing in on the demise
of the Stadium, i did argue the case at the SAB meeting but the club seem
hell bent on charging fans for their own bit of the ground to take with
them.
Remember the club belongs to us fans and we as fans should use this to tell
the club how we think the Boleyn and those that played there, are remembered
in its final hours in the last season.
One item that is not on the questionnaire that was asked at the meeting was
what slogan could the club use for marketing and descriptive of the final
season at the Boleyn, Arsenal was used again as a marker in that they used
"The Last Salute"
This sat well with their nickname being the gunners; the club representative
wanted something similar in regards to us. I came up with "THE END" which on
the night was possibly the only answer given. The club reps were not
impressed as it is not the end they said yet it is the end, the end for
many, some I know personally, they will not move with the club due to
various reasons and so for them it is "The End".
As for those that will follow the club to Stratford then it's still THE END
as well, as it is highly likely they will never visit this part of Newham
again. Many have no family nor were they brought up in the area so why would
they come back.
Every West Hams fans footballing routine will END when we move to the OS so
for me I see no other slogan to best describe it. The club of course will
see it differently; they may struggle to see the marketing ability of THE
END, even though in the meeting I did suggest that it then leads into the
first season at the OS being called, The New Beginning for their marketing
purposes.
Trying to get the last season right and trying to make it something all fans
can get involved in and remember fondly will not be easy, especially when
you're dealing with club staff that were neither born into the area nor
support the club till they arrived here, how can they truly understand the
depth of feeling towards the ground, this is not just bricks and mortar to
many, perhaps I am too emotionally attached to this place, but I will do my
best as will the others on the farewell to the Boleyn committee to try and
make sure that the match day attending fans are at the heart of all
celebrations and it's not used just as a way of selling some T-shirts with a
slogan on.
Please take the time to go to my Website mywhufc.net and click on the
farewell to the Boleyn box, there will be two links for the questionnaires
and I will share my findings once the process has finished.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allarydce believes Marouane Fellaini was lucky to avoid red in West
Ham's defeat to Man United
Mar 24, 2014 10:53 By John Cross
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce claimed Marouane Fellaini could have been sent off after
admitting West Ham are back in relegation trouble. Manchester United
midfielder Fellaini escaped punishment from referee Lee Mason on Saturday,
despite leaving his foot in on a challenge with James Tomkins. That was
double bad luck on Tomkins as Allardyce claimed he was fouled by Wayne
Rooney in the build-up to his spectacular opening goal. West Ham boss
Allardyce said: "Maraoune Fellaini was lucky not to get sent-off for his
foul on James Tomkins, but he consistently fouled Andy Carroll, which gave
us good opportunities to put balls into their box and try and score. "The
referee might not have seen it and that's why if he's got any doubt he can't
give it. "You've got to be absolutely certain if you're the referee that
you've seen what's happened. Hopefully James will be OK for Wednesday.
"They've got to be good enough to spot it don't they? That's what their job
is. If James Tomkins had fallen on the floor [in the buid-up to Rooney's
first], the referee would've have given a free-kick. "And it doesn't matter
how slight the touch is, it's enough to stop him heading the ball, and that
makes it a free-kick. Simple as that. GettyWayne Rooney of Manchester United
scores the opening goal with a long range shot during the Barclays Premier
League match between West Ham United and Manchester United at Boleyn Ground
"There was an assistant referee stood a few yards away not doing his job
properly, it was his decision - he can see it and should give it. "He didn't
and we paid a heavy price because after that it's a brilliant piece of
ability and brilliant piece of skill." The heavy price means that the
Hammers are still looking over their shoulders and Allardyce insists they
cannot rest on their laurels but says fit-again Andy Carroll can lift them
from danger. Allardyce added: "We've put ourselves in a little danger again,
there's no doubt about that, and the two games we've got coming up we've got
to make sure we perform like we did when we had our good spell, when we won
4 games on the trot. "We have to get back to be resilient defensive work -
we didn't show enough defensive resilience today, to keep a talented
frontline at bay - and we've got to better in the final third, creating and
converting. We haven't converted enough of our chances into a goal. "Andy
needs to continue to play and up his match fitness as quickly as he can. The
more he goes on the better he's going to get because he's a player who is
very eager and very fresh, he's not fatigued like many players are at this
stage of the season. "He's willing to get out there and improve the team's
results."
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WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce has urged the Hammers to get back to winning ways in two
important upcoming games
24.03.2014
Sam Allardyce has urged his West Ham United players to get back to their
best ahead of two huge games in the Barclays Premier League. The Hammers
host Hull City on Wednesday before a trip to Sunderland on the last day of
March, games which could have a big bearing on each team's final league
position. Three consecutive league defeats against Everton, Stoke City and
Manchester United has left Allardyce's side six points above the bottom
three and the manager is keen to get back to the form which saw his team
pick up four wins in February. "We've put ourselves in a little bit of
danger again, there's no doubt about that. In the two games we've got coming
up we've got to make sure we perform like we did when we hit our good spell
when we won four games on the trot. "We've got to make sure we get back to,
one, resilient defensive work which we didn't show enough of on Saturday to
keep a talented frontline at bay, and two, we have to get better in the
final third at creating and hurting teams. We didn't turn any of our
opportunities today into goal scoring opportunities."
The form of striker Andy Carroll could be crucial in the run-in with the
striker putting in a man of the match display against the Red Devils.
Carroll has made just four starts this season after a foot injury disrupted
his campaign and Allardyce feels the striker will be raring to go for the
games ahead. "In the games coming up he'll (Carroll) be very important for
us and for him to continue to play and up his match fitness as quickly as we
can. The longer he carries on playing the better he's going to get. "He's a
player that's very, very eager and very fresh, he's not fatigued as some of
the players are at this stage of the season having played the entire season.
He's fresh, he's eager and he's willing to get out there and try and improve
the team's results as much as he can.
"For us it's about playing off Andy, not off his head, playing off him into
his feet and his chest because the capabilities he has to hold the ball up.
"The amount of fouls he draws in off the opposition defenders. Marouane
Fellaini persistently fouled Carroll which gave us good opportunities to get
the ball into their box and try to score. "He'll get better as he gets
sharper and we hope he stays fit. He laid two on for Kevin against Swansea,
he scored a goal against Stoke but didn't get the chance to score any more
today. If we provide the service he'll get the goals."
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Ladies return to winning ways
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Ladies secured a valuable 2-1 victory over Keynsham Town at
the weekend
24.03.2014
West Ham United Ladies returned to winning ways with a 2-1 FA Women's
Premier League Southern Division victory over Keynsham Town on Sunday. The
Hammers, fresh from cup success in recent weeks, moved ahead of Keynsham in
the table with the three-point haul. West Ham started in fine fashion and,
when Sarah McCrea opened the scoring in the tenth minute with a left-footed
shot from distance, the signs where looking good. Lily Mellors then hit a
wonder strike on 16 minutes to put the Hammers firmly in control and they
merely needed to keep the pressure on to secure the win. However, the
visitors had other ideas and started to fight back. Towards the end of the
first half keeper Lauren Picton had to pull off two fine saves to keep a
clean sheet at the break. The second half started with both teams fully
committed to finding the next goal which could influence the result. Just
before the hour Keynsham got their break, as their striker Katarzyna Rusek
broke free of the Hammers' back four to move one-on-one with the Keeper and
the outstretched leg of Lauren Picton was enough to send the striker to the
ground giving Keynsham the penalty that was converted. The last 30 minutes
saw the Hammers hold on despite Keynsham's many attempts to break through
and, although shaky at times, the Hammers defence remained solid to give
them an important win.
West Ham United Ladies : Lauren Picton, Vicky King, Katie Bottom, Hayley
West, Danica Revell, Emily Masters, Kelley Blanchflower, Lindsey Morgan,
Lily Mellors (Zoe Lipley-Hinton 88), Cherrelle Albert, Sarah McCrea.
Subs Not Used: Jemma Beard, Jess Parlane, Danni Cliffe, Sasha Kelly
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Noble admits Rooney brilliance
WHUFC.com
West Ham United midfielder Mark Noble felt his side were undone by a special
Wayne Rooney goal on Saturday
24.03.2014
Mark Noble said the Hammers were on the end of one of the goals of the
season as Wayne Rooney's double guided Manchester United to victory at the
Boleyn Ground on Saturday night. Rooney opened the scoring with a stunning
50-yard volley which caught goalkeeper Adrian out and West Ham midfielder
Noble felt that moment of brilliance tipped the balance the visitors' way.
The England striker added a second in the opening period when Noble's
attempted clearance cannoned off him and into the net but despite the final
2-0 scoreline, the No16 did not think there was too much between the sides.
He said: "I was standing behind it [Rooney's opener], to be honest. As soon
as it came down and as soon as he hit it I said 'you've done him, it's in'.
"It looked in all the way and I think one of the boys said after that he
only hit it because he thought it was a foul. "You can't take anything away
from him, though. It is probably the goal of the season and one of the best
goals he has ever scored and he has scored some special ones. "I don't think
there was much in the game up until then and obviously for the second
unfortunately the ball came in, I saw it late and I tried to clear it and it
has hit him and gone in. "It is was his day today but, to be honest, I don't
think there was much in the game. I thought we had some chances but it
didn't fall for us."
The defeat was the Hammers' third in a row, but Noble believes they can
bounce back swiftly when they host Hull City on Wednesday. He continued:
"Obviously we've gone from an unbelievable run of wins on the bounce and now
we've had three losses in a row. "I think you'd agree with me that this is
one of the freakiest seasons you've ever seen and the tightest. "There are
probably only two teams that aren't playing for anything, Newcastle and
Southampton, and the rest of us are in a scrap, whether it is for the Europa
League, Champions League or the fight to avoid relegation. "It is going to
be tough. We've still got eight games left and we've got to put some points
on the board. "Obviously it a big game on Wednesday. Hull beat West Brom on
Saturday so they are going to have confidence, but we need to play like we
can do at home."
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Arsenal 5-3 Dev Squad - FT
WHUFc.com
Live text commentary from the Development Squad's match against Arsenal U21s
24.03.2014
ARSENAL v DEVELOPMENT SQUAD
BARCLAYS U21 PREMIER LEAGUE
LONDON COLNEY
MONDAY 24 MARCH 2014
KICK-OFF: 2PM
Full-time: What an extraordinary game we've just witnessed here at London
Colney! Akpom struck a hat-trick for the Gunners who responded superbly to
Potts' spectacular leveller to make the score 3-3 with ten minutes left. Two
quick-fire goals turned the game on it's head again and gave the home side
all three points. Brown notched a brace for the Hammers who will be
aggrieved that they leave north London empty handed.
90+1 mins: Arsenal looking to run the clock down now as they seek to keep
the ball, but they're not being allowed to settle with some fierce pressing
from the Hammers.
89 mins: Three minutes of stoppage time indicated by the fourth official.
Time for more goals? I wouldn't bet against it.
87 mins: Fanimo crosses from the right towards the back post where Amoo
meets it. He heads it down but Iliev is there to gather.
85 mins: This game has left me lost for words! Arsenal reacted wonderfully
to the Hammers leveller with two quick-fire goals.
83 mins Goal: Akpom completes his hat-trick as the ball falls to him in the
box and he beats Guzman with a firm strike. I cannot believe this!
81 mins Goal: Arsenal go back in front. Huge groans from the Hammers as
Ansah smacks home an angled shot.
78 mins GOAL: What a goal that is! Arsenal clear out after Turgott's corner,
Fanimo lofts the ball back in where no one is picking up Potts, who sends an
overhead kick past Iliev. Take a bow!
76 mins: Guzman deals with Eisfeld's free-kick at the second attempt after
Cullen was harshly penalised for hand ball.
74 mins: A great pass by Toral who takes Potts out of the game and finds
Seimann bearing down on goal. The full-back, clearly out of his comfort
zone, strikes a first-time effort over the bar.
72 mins: Haycock makes his second change, bringing on Amoo for Sadlier.
71 mins: Sadlier charges down the left and earns himself a corner. Turgott
takes, floating the ball to the back post where Harney's header is straight
at Iliev with no great power on it.
69 mins: Glorious chance for Eisfeld who finds himself unmarked in the area
as Iwobi picks him out. He hits it first time but straight at Guzman
fortunately for the Hammers.
67 mins: Sadlier picks the ball up on the left this time and swings it in
looking for Brown. It's a tad over-hit however and Iliev catches.
65 mins: Sadlier sees a shot blocked as he tricks his way into the box.
Arsenal break but Eisfeld hits the deck too easily and West Ham regain
possession.
63 mins: Close! Hayden nearly turns the ball into his own net as Brown looks
for Sadlier on the cut-back. Iliev is just able to re-adjust and gather the
ball.
61 mins: Change for the Hammers, Makasi runs on to replace Nasha who's put a
shift in in the midfield today.
59 mins: Eisfeld has time to line-up a shot in midfield before striking the
ball just over Guzman's crossbar.
57 mins: Hayden heads wide as Toral whips a free-kick over from the right.
The defender falling over as he glanced wide.
55 mins: There's been a good response from the visitors to going behind with
Potts the latest to test Iliev.
53 mins: Great action here, but that decision could well change the momentum
of this game. The Hammers had started the half with fresh impetus but that
may stop them in their tracks.
50 mins Goal: Penalty to the Gunners. Akpom goes down under Harney's
challenge and picks himself up to score, sending Guzman the wrong way. It
looked a soft decision.
48 mins: What a start to this half! Knoyle also played his part in the goal
as he fed Turgott before the winger supplied the cross for Brown.
46 mins GOAL: Brown again! The striker finishes off a nice move down the
right where Turgott played the ball across the face for the waiting Brown
who equalises with barely 30 seconds of the second half played.
46 mins: The home side take kick-off and we're under-way again at London
Colney.
Half-time: Arsenal take a lead into the break thanks to goals from Olsson
and Akpom who opened the scoring. The Hammers hit back through Brown who
struck a low effort from just outside the box past Iliev. On the whole the
home side are good value for their lead although things might have been
different had Brown's header from a Turgott corner not hit the post.
45 mins: Burke makes a last-ditch tackle to stop Akpom's shot after Iwobi
drifted past three players. Too easy for him there.
43 mins: As we head toward half-time Guzman makes another good save, this
time to deny Akpom after he cut inside and unleashed a low shot.
41 mins: Toral sends an effort flying high across the training pitches from
Iwobi's lay-off.
40 mins: Hayden trots to the touchline but looks like he might be ok to
continue.
39 mins: The players head over for a drink as Hayden recieves treatment
after putting in a heavy challenge on Brown.
37 mins: Eisfeld slides in Iwobi down the left-hand side but the linesman
flags to bring the attack to an end.
35 mins: Zelalem is controlling the game from the middle of the park as he
dictates the hosts' attacks.
33 mins: Guzman comes to the rescue as he denies Iwobi with his feet.
Arsenal are looking dangerous now.
31 mins: That goal was harsh on the away side who've looked relatively
comfortable against Arsenal's passing game up to that point.
29 mins Goal: Arsenal enjoy a spell of possession before Olsson fires a low
shot past Guzman from outside the area.
27 mins: Hayden is the first man to feel the wrath of the ref as he is shown
yellow for a handball. Seemed a harsh decision. The centre-back will have to
be careful now.
25 mins: Arsene Wenger is among the onlookers here at Colney. This London
derby has already proved more of a match than his side against Chelsea on
Saturday.
23 mins: Akpom has the ball in the net again but the flag is up as he slides
into convert Iwobi's cross.
22 mins: What a great couple of minutes for the visitors who've certainly
shown they're here to get the three points.
20 mins: Post! Brown nearly scores again as he flicks a header towards the
far post from Turgott's corner but is left to despair as the ball strikes
the post.
19 mins: Reward for the bright start made by the Hammers and their reaction
to falling behind. Brown joined West Ham from Arsenal in the summer and has
returned to haunt his old side,
16 mins GOAL: The Hammers draw level! Brown tenaciously wins the ball in
tandem with Fanimo off the dawdling Olsson. The striker moves to the edge of
the box before driving low past the keeper. Get in!
13 mins: The ball falls at the feet of Fanimo as Turgott nicks the ball off
Olsson in a promising position. He has a dig but pulls his effort wide of
the post.
12 mins: Sadlier tees up Potts to swing a cross over from the left but it
floats into the arms of Iliev as Brown lurks.
10 mins: An early blow for the Hammers who had looked a threat themselves
going forward. Time to consolidate and find their rhythm now.
8 mins Goal: Akpom has time to take a touch in the box before slotting the
ball past Guzman following Eisfeld's cut-back.
7 mins: Guzman forces Akpom wide as the striker collects Eisfeld's through
ball. The young keeper does well to usher him wide of the goal and forces
the forward into a wayward cut-back.
5 mins: Burke does excellently to cut out a passing move as Toral looked to
running through on goal.
3 mins: Fanimo drifts a cross over from the left-hand side but Iliev gathers
as there are no Hammers in the immediate space.
1 min: Sadlier nicks the ball high up the pitch as Arsenal try and play out.
He cuts inside and shoots but it's deflected and easily gathered by Iliev.
Kick-off: West Ham kick us off here at London Colney. A London derby with
all to play for!
1:58pm: The Hammers are the first team onto the pitch as we await the
Gunners before we can get going in this one.
1:54pm: It's a windy one up here on the gantry, with facilities not ideal
for media here at London Colney. While i'm praying that there will be no
rain for the duration of the game, the teams have headed inside to make
their final preperations.
1:42pm: Arsenal will be hoping to bounce back from a 2-1 defeat to Reading
last time out with victory against a Hammers side who are looking for their
third win in four league games.
1:30pm: We have news of the Arsenal team. Here's how they line-up: Iliev,
Siemann, Ormonde-Ottewill, Olsson, Ajayi, Hayden, Iwobi, Zelalem, Akpom,
Eisfeld, Toral. On their bench today are: Jebb, Macey, Lipman, Ansah,
Kamara.
1:22pm: The visitors make the short walk from the changing rooms onto the
pristine pitch that they will be playing on this afternoon to begin the
pre-match warm-up.
1:12pm: Gines Guzman and Tim Brown are out to go through their paces with
goalkeeping coach Jerome John on a beautiful sunny day here at Arsenal's
training base.
1pm: The Hammers are in the changing rooms preparing to go through their
pre-match routine as the tunes blare out.
The young Hammers have arrived at the scenic surroundings of Arsenal's
London Colney training ground for a Barclays Under-21 Premier League clash
against the Gunners. Nick Haycock's side will be hoping to add fresh
momentum to their top-four challenge with a win against their London rivals
after a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool last time out. That loss left the side sat
in eighth position in the table as they head into this clash against 18th
place Arsenal. The Gunners occupy a lowly league position having not won in
their last five matches, having suffered three defeats in their last five
league outings, although they have played only 13 games compard to the
Hammers' 16.
Haycock's team takes on a younger look to it today with injuries wreaking
havoc amongst his squad. Gines Guzman deputises in goal in place of regular
starter Raphael Spiegel. Guzman will marshal a defence which features Reece
Burke and Jamie Harney in central defence with Dan Potts moving to left-back
in place of the absent Lewis Page. In midfield, Amos Nasha is promoted from
the Under-18s to partner Josh Cullen in the centre, while Kieran Sadlier
comes in to make his first competitive start following injury. The final
change sees Jordan Brown lead the line in place of Elliot Lee.
West Ham United: Guzman, Knoyle, Potts, Nasha, Burke, Harney, Turgott,
Cullen, J Brown, Fanimo, Sadlier
Subs: Makasi, T Brown, Mavila, Driver, Amoo
Arsenal: Iliev, Siemann, Ormonde-Ottewill, Olsson, Ajayi, Hayden, Iwobi,
Zelalem, Akpom, Eisfeld, Toral
Subs: Jebb, Macey, Lipman, Ansah, Kamara
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ok, Fred
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 24th March 2014
By: Staff Writer
Former Hammer Freddie Sears scored his seventh goal of the season for
current club Colchester United on Saturday as the Essex club eked out a 2-2
draw with Bristol City. The 24-year-old spent his formative years at West
Ham before signing for the Us on a free transfer in July 2012, having failed
to make the breakthrough into the first team set-up at Upton Park. Sears,
who hails from Hornchurch, marked his debut for the Hammers with a now
infamous match-winning strike against Blackburn six years ago this month.
Hailed as the new Tony Cottee, he raised the roof at the Boleyn that day
when his close-range header won all three points for Alan Curbishley's side.
However he found his chances extremely limited following the departure of
manager Gianfranco Zola and following loan spells with the likes of Crystal
Palace, Coventry and Scunthorpe, he made a permanent switch to Colchester.
His first season at the Weston Homes Community Stadium resulted in eight
goals from 37 appearances, whilst he needs just one more goal to match that
tally this season following his scorcher against Bristol on Saturday (see
video below) in his 24th appearance of the campaign. So whilst a one in
three ratio might not have Premier League (or even Championship) scouts
rushing to watch him play, it is good to see the staunch Hammers fan - who
was prolific at both youth and reserve level at West Ham - in and amongst
the goals once again.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Marouane Fellaini lucky not to get sent off at West Ham, says Sam Allardyce
Last Updated: 24/03/14 11:46am
SSN
Sam Allardyce believes Marouane Fellaini should have been sent off for a
foul on James Tomkins in West Ham United's loss to Manchester United. The
incident happened in the 84th minute of West Ham's 2-0 defeat on Saturday
and left Tomkins requiring treatment. Replays showed Fellaini landing with
his studs on the ankle of Tomkins but referee Lee Mason restarted play with
a drop ball, suggesting to Allardyce that what happened had not been seen.
"I thought Marouane Fellaini was lucky not to get sent off," said the West
Ham boss. "They've got to be good enough to spot it, don't they? That's what
their job is. "Probably the ref wasn't in the right place and that's why if
he has any doubt he can't give it. "You've got to be absolutely certain if
you're the referee that you've seen what has happened. "Hopefully James will
be OK for Wednesday." West Ham will be looking to bounce back from their
loss to Manchester United when they host Hull City in midweek.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
FITTING FAREWELL TO THE BOLEYN
By Sean Whetstone 24 Mar 2014 at 08:26
West Ham Till I Die
Guest Post by Nigel Kahn
As a member of the Supporters Advisory Board I sit on the Farewell to the
Boleyn sub-committee. We have been asked to gauge what fans would like to
see happen across the Season long build up to the final game in May of 2016.
Every game has the opportunity to be themed and some examples that I would
like to see are Youth Cup Final players, one game where every player to
appear in a youth cup game is remembered and where possible introduced to
the crowd either before or at half time, Overseas supporters game, where
every overseas supporters club is given the opportunity to buy tickets for
the same game and fill the Boleyn with their flags.
They are two of my choices, but this is not about my choices it is about you
and everyone else's choices and there are 19 premier league home games to be
possibly themed so every idea has the potential of being incorporated. There
are 2 questionnaires' on my website. mywhufc.net
The first questionnaire is asking for general views on the final season
The second is more detailed about what you would like to see for the final
game, My view is that once the final whistle has blown and the celebrations
have finished, when the fans walk away that night that will be THE END. No
friendly or testimonial, no tournaments or fans paying a fortune to play on
the pitch, for me the final game must be the final game. When the fans leave
it should be in the knowledge they have watched the final act of our time at
the Boleyn
Would you like to see a special kit worn for the last game and if so what
should it be modelled on, 1904? 1950's? 1970's. If you have a favourite kit
that you would like to be seen worn then it's your chance to say.
Would you like the Brass band brought back as they had in days of old or as
i said, bring back the old style small square programmes, in fact anything
you would like to see brought back from years ago then make the suggestion.
Should we have a choreographed event in a similar vein to the Bobby Moore
2013 tribute, my idea was to have each stand be given a commemorative
T-Shirt that when worn would as a stand recreate a shirt worn years ago,
imagine the Bobby Moore stand all wearing light blue T-Shirts except for 2
claret bands mimicking the away kit from the 60's & 70's.The West Stand
could have bottom half claret with the top half blue with the claret stripes
in the image of the famous 70's kit, the east stand could be white all the
way along with 2 bands across 1 claret and 1 blue like the famous old away
kit that we re-introduced in 2010, then the Trevor brooking stand could just
wear claret body with blue sides.
If you go on you tube and look at Arsenals last events that day everyone had
red or white T-shirts, I looked good but we need to be better than that.
What would you like to see in a closing ceremony, Iron Maiden, Cockney
Rejects, David Essex or even Chesney Hawks, all west ham fans that would
probably jump at the chance to be at THE END when it happens?
And then after THE END is there any memorabilia you would like to purchase
from the Boleyn Ground.
Personally I think all Season Ticket holders should be given their seat as a
thank you but the club are not going to miss out on cashing in on the demise
of the Stadium, i did argue the case at the SAB meeting but the club seem
hell bent on charging fans for their own bit of the ground to take with
them.
Remember the club belongs to us fans and we as fans should use this to tell
the club how we think the Boleyn and those that played there, are remembered
in its final hours in the last season.
One item that is not on the questionnaire that was asked at the meeting was
what slogan could the club use for marketing and descriptive of the final
season at the Boleyn, Arsenal was used again as a marker in that they used
"The Last Salute"
This sat well with their nickname being the gunners; the club representative
wanted something similar in regards to us. I came up with "THE END" which on
the night was possibly the only answer given. The club reps were not
impressed as it is not the end they said yet it is the end, the end for
many, some I know personally, they will not move with the club due to
various reasons and so for them it is "The End".
As for those that will follow the club to Stratford then it's still THE END
as well, as it is highly likely they will never visit this part of Newham
again. Many have no family nor were they brought up in the area so why would
they come back.
Every West Hams fans footballing routine will END when we move to the OS so
for me I see no other slogan to best describe it. The club of course will
see it differently; they may struggle to see the marketing ability of THE
END, even though in the meeting I did suggest that it then leads into the
first season at the OS being called, The New Beginning for their marketing
purposes.
Trying to get the last season right and trying to make it something all fans
can get involved in and remember fondly will not be easy, especially when
you're dealing with club staff that were neither born into the area nor
support the club till they arrived here, how can they truly understand the
depth of feeling towards the ground, this is not just bricks and mortar to
many, perhaps I am too emotionally attached to this place, but I will do my
best as will the others on the farewell to the Boleyn committee to try and
make sure that the match day attending fans are at the heart of all
celebrations and it's not used just as a way of selling some T-shirts with a
slogan on.
Please take the time to go to my Website mywhufc.net and click on the
farewell to the Boleyn box, there will be two links for the questionnaires
and I will share my findings once the process has finished.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allarydce believes Marouane Fellaini was lucky to avoid red in West
Ham's defeat to Man United
Mar 24, 2014 10:53 By John Cross
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce claimed Marouane Fellaini could have been sent off after
admitting West Ham are back in relegation trouble. Manchester United
midfielder Fellaini escaped punishment from referee Lee Mason on Saturday,
despite leaving his foot in on a challenge with James Tomkins. That was
double bad luck on Tomkins as Allardyce claimed he was fouled by Wayne
Rooney in the build-up to his spectacular opening goal. West Ham boss
Allardyce said: "Maraoune Fellaini was lucky not to get sent-off for his
foul on James Tomkins, but he consistently fouled Andy Carroll, which gave
us good opportunities to put balls into their box and try and score. "The
referee might not have seen it and that's why if he's got any doubt he can't
give it. "You've got to be absolutely certain if you're the referee that
you've seen what's happened. Hopefully James will be OK for Wednesday.
"They've got to be good enough to spot it don't they? That's what their job
is. If James Tomkins had fallen on the floor [in the buid-up to Rooney's
first], the referee would've have given a free-kick. "And it doesn't matter
how slight the touch is, it's enough to stop him heading the ball, and that
makes it a free-kick. Simple as that. GettyWayne Rooney of Manchester United
scores the opening goal with a long range shot during the Barclays Premier
League match between West Ham United and Manchester United at Boleyn Ground
"There was an assistant referee stood a few yards away not doing his job
properly, it was his decision - he can see it and should give it. "He didn't
and we paid a heavy price because after that it's a brilliant piece of
ability and brilliant piece of skill." The heavy price means that the
Hammers are still looking over their shoulders and Allardyce insists they
cannot rest on their laurels but says fit-again Andy Carroll can lift them
from danger. Allardyce added: "We've put ourselves in a little danger again,
there's no doubt about that, and the two games we've got coming up we've got
to make sure we perform like we did when we had our good spell, when we won
4 games on the trot. "We have to get back to be resilient defensive work -
we didn't show enough defensive resilience today, to keep a talented
frontline at bay - and we've got to better in the final third, creating and
converting. We haven't converted enough of our chances into a goal. "Andy
needs to continue to play and up his match fitness as quickly as he can. The
more he goes on the better he's going to get because he's a player who is
very eager and very fresh, he's not fatigued like many players are at this
stage of the season. "He's willing to get out there and improve the team's
results."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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Monday, March 24
Daily WHUFC News - 24th March 2014
Allardyce on... Manchester United
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 23rd March 2014
By: Staff Writer
The supporters aren't the only ones beginning to look back over their
shoulders at the chasing pack following a third successive defeat. Sam
Allardyce explained why he's concerned too in his post-match press
conference, which we bring you in full below...
Sam: I think the goals knocked the stuffing out of the team to a certain
extent?
I think you're right, up until the end of the first half. We tried our best
at the start of the second half, especially the first 15 minutes, but when
Man United are 2-0 up they can sit back and defend what they've already got.
We found that really difficult to break down and couldn't really open up the
opportunity to score a goal, get back in the game and get something out of
it.
Such a wonderful goal from Wayne Rooney so early on was a bit of a sickener
- and I thought it was a blatant foul on James Tomkins who was easily going
to head the ball away. Rooney took him off his balance when he jumped so he
missed the header so technically the referee's made a big error, in the end,
as far as I'm concerned because the opposition have scored from that error.
Then we pushed on and tried to get back in the game. It changes in split
seconds; we could have had a penalty, the ball's come back in the box and
Kevin [Nolan's] looking to try and strike the ball at goal but Fletcher gets
across him. Then they go up the other end, Mark Noble mis-controls and
mis-kicks his clearance straight to Wayne Rooney and what might have been a
penalty with us getting back to 1-1 leaves us 2-0 down instead.
As hard as we tried in the second half we couldn't find a way through and in
the end we're obviously disappointed we've lost. Having won the last three
games at home here we felt confident today that we might get something if we
played our best, but it didn't happen.
I know you felt it was a foul but nobody expected Wayne Rooney to go and do
that?
Nobody expected Rooney to do that, not even David Moyes, but when he did it
was brilliant.
Are you disappointed that the team didn't show more in the second half?
No. We couldn't have shown much more because we had more possession than
them, put more crosses in the box than them, created more attempts at goal
that them. Unfortunately we didn't create any clear-cut chances though, so
our cutting edge wasn't quite good enough.
Are you disappointed that they had a make-shift defence but you didn't
really get on top of them?
We after you've got a 2-0 lead you can sit [deep] like they did, with two
banks of four and just protect what you've got. We took the game to them to
try and get the goal that would get us back to 1-1, but they defended well
and hit us on the counter attack for a second.
It's a shame, but the defining moments in the game went their way today with
the referee's help and by a hugely-talented player who scored one of the
best goals you'll see this season. We have to accept that Manchester United
were better than we were today, as is often the case when you play them.
How big does that result make the next two games against Hull and
Sunderland?
They're massive games because we've got 31 points after 30 games. My
instruction to the lads is to always make sure you keep your points total
ahead of your games total.
When we had that run of games where we won four on the trot we put a lot of
points between our games total. Now we've lost three on the trot and are
back to being just one point ahead of our games total, so we've got to try
and make sure we make it 31 games and 34 points on Wednesday night.
Thank you.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Moyes on... West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 23rd March 2014
By: Staff Writer No.2
It appears that the massed ranks of the nations football press corps were
all looking the other way as Rooney shoved Tomkins in the back. Either that
or it just slipped their collective minds in the post-match press
conference....
David: that was some goal. You must be delighted?
Yeah, it was a great goal from a top, top player. His technical ability, his
awareness to know where the goalkeeper is during the build-up. You'd never
have thought he'd have known where the goalkeeper is. And then to execute it
and have the power to do that. My only worry was the bounce. Whether it
would go under the bar or not. It was a great goal.
Any though on whether it was better than Beckham's?
I was just saying I actually enjoyed his second goal today. I wouldn't
comment on whether it was better than Beckham's or not. He got into the box
- ok he got a bit fortunate but all the top centre forwards get a bit
fortunate. The [first] goal will take centre stage but I thought our
performance today was pretty good.
The disappointment was that we didn't score more. Sinjhi [Kagawa] had a good
chance. Mata had a good chance. Fellaini should have scored from a header
before that. So before we scored we had a chance to score other goals
You say that there was a suggestion that there was a bit of fortune about
that second goal?
Possibly. But if it was due it was overdue. I will say that our football had
merited the goals. We'd had opportunities and I was thinking "och you can't
have these opportunities without taking them". It was good to see us making
those opportunities because we've not been making them. We scored three at
West Brom. Three against Olympiakos and now a couple today. So we're now
showing signs of doing it better.
Was the pleasing thing that they might have been too confident after
Wednesday coming into today?
If anything they picked up on the performance from midweek. We stepped up
again. I think a lot of players given an opportunity earlier on in the
season and maybe didn't do so well played very well today. It makes the job
easier when you know that everybody is ready and we're going to need that
with the games we have coming up in the weeks to come.
Michael Carrick at centre half?
He made the job look very easy today. Him and Fellaini tag-teamed Andy
Carroll today and did a really good job in trying to limit him as best they
could.
You must be looking forward to the derby game?
You can see that we're playing better. There's more belief coming back. We
have to keep showing that if we can. It's a quick turnaround so we'll
recover and prepare for Tuesday night.
Do you think Rooney prospered from Robin Van Persie's absence?
I don't think anyone prospers from Van Persie's absence. He's a top player
and will be a massive miss for us in the coming month or so.
Thanks, guys.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 23rd March 2014
By: Staff Writer
The supporters aren't the only ones beginning to look back over their
shoulders at the chasing pack following a third successive defeat. Sam
Allardyce explained why he's concerned too in his post-match press
conference, which we bring you in full below...
Sam: I think the goals knocked the stuffing out of the team to a certain
extent?
I think you're right, up until the end of the first half. We tried our best
at the start of the second half, especially the first 15 minutes, but when
Man United are 2-0 up they can sit back and defend what they've already got.
We found that really difficult to break down and couldn't really open up the
opportunity to score a goal, get back in the game and get something out of
it.
Such a wonderful goal from Wayne Rooney so early on was a bit of a sickener
- and I thought it was a blatant foul on James Tomkins who was easily going
to head the ball away. Rooney took him off his balance when he jumped so he
missed the header so technically the referee's made a big error, in the end,
as far as I'm concerned because the opposition have scored from that error.
Then we pushed on and tried to get back in the game. It changes in split
seconds; we could have had a penalty, the ball's come back in the box and
Kevin [Nolan's] looking to try and strike the ball at goal but Fletcher gets
across him. Then they go up the other end, Mark Noble mis-controls and
mis-kicks his clearance straight to Wayne Rooney and what might have been a
penalty with us getting back to 1-1 leaves us 2-0 down instead.
As hard as we tried in the second half we couldn't find a way through and in
the end we're obviously disappointed we've lost. Having won the last three
games at home here we felt confident today that we might get something if we
played our best, but it didn't happen.
I know you felt it was a foul but nobody expected Wayne Rooney to go and do
that?
Nobody expected Rooney to do that, not even David Moyes, but when he did it
was brilliant.
Are you disappointed that the team didn't show more in the second half?
No. We couldn't have shown much more because we had more possession than
them, put more crosses in the box than them, created more attempts at goal
that them. Unfortunately we didn't create any clear-cut chances though, so
our cutting edge wasn't quite good enough.
Are you disappointed that they had a make-shift defence but you didn't
really get on top of them?
We after you've got a 2-0 lead you can sit [deep] like they did, with two
banks of four and just protect what you've got. We took the game to them to
try and get the goal that would get us back to 1-1, but they defended well
and hit us on the counter attack for a second.
It's a shame, but the defining moments in the game went their way today with
the referee's help and by a hugely-talented player who scored one of the
best goals you'll see this season. We have to accept that Manchester United
were better than we were today, as is often the case when you play them.
How big does that result make the next two games against Hull and
Sunderland?
They're massive games because we've got 31 points after 30 games. My
instruction to the lads is to always make sure you keep your points total
ahead of your games total.
When we had that run of games where we won four on the trot we put a lot of
points between our games total. Now we've lost three on the trot and are
back to being just one point ahead of our games total, so we've got to try
and make sure we make it 31 games and 34 points on Wednesday night.
Thank you.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Moyes on... West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 23rd March 2014
By: Staff Writer No.2
It appears that the massed ranks of the nations football press corps were
all looking the other way as Rooney shoved Tomkins in the back. Either that
or it just slipped their collective minds in the post-match press
conference....
David: that was some goal. You must be delighted?
Yeah, it was a great goal from a top, top player. His technical ability, his
awareness to know where the goalkeeper is during the build-up. You'd never
have thought he'd have known where the goalkeeper is. And then to execute it
and have the power to do that. My only worry was the bounce. Whether it
would go under the bar or not. It was a great goal.
Any though on whether it was better than Beckham's?
I was just saying I actually enjoyed his second goal today. I wouldn't
comment on whether it was better than Beckham's or not. He got into the box
- ok he got a bit fortunate but all the top centre forwards get a bit
fortunate. The [first] goal will take centre stage but I thought our
performance today was pretty good.
The disappointment was that we didn't score more. Sinjhi [Kagawa] had a good
chance. Mata had a good chance. Fellaini should have scored from a header
before that. So before we scored we had a chance to score other goals
You say that there was a suggestion that there was a bit of fortune about
that second goal?
Possibly. But if it was due it was overdue. I will say that our football had
merited the goals. We'd had opportunities and I was thinking "och you can't
have these opportunities without taking them". It was good to see us making
those opportunities because we've not been making them. We scored three at
West Brom. Three against Olympiakos and now a couple today. So we're now
showing signs of doing it better.
Was the pleasing thing that they might have been too confident after
Wednesday coming into today?
If anything they picked up on the performance from midweek. We stepped up
again. I think a lot of players given an opportunity earlier on in the
season and maybe didn't do so well played very well today. It makes the job
easier when you know that everybody is ready and we're going to need that
with the games we have coming up in the weeks to come.
Michael Carrick at centre half?
He made the job look very easy today. Him and Fellaini tag-teamed Andy
Carroll today and did a really good job in trying to limit him as best they
could.
You must be looking forward to the derby game?
You can see that we're playing better. There's more belief coming back. We
have to keep showing that if we can. It's a quick turnaround so we'll
recover and prepare for Tuesday night.
Do you think Rooney prospered from Robin Van Persie's absence?
I don't think anyone prospers from Van Persie's absence. He's a top player
and will be a massive miss for us in the coming month or so.
Thanks, guys.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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Sunday, March 23
Daily WHUFC News - 23rd March 2014
Hammers beaten by Rooney double
WHUFC.com
Wayne Rooney scored twice before half time to send West Ham United to defeat
on Saturday
22.03.2014
West Ham United 0-2 Manchester United
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United's three-match home winning streak came to an end on Saturday
when Wayne Rooney's first half double gave Manchester United a 2-0 victory
over the Hammers. Rooney's brace allowed the visitors to control a low tempo
second half in which the Hammers were unable to test goalkeeper David de
Gea. The England striker's opener was one which will be shown again and
again as he took aim from fully 45 yards to catch Adrian out in the Hammers'
goal. His second was rather more prosaic, profiting from a loose Mark Noble
clearance, yet just as effective as the Hammers missed out on the chance to
put more pressure on David Moyes' under-fire side. Manchester United pushed
from the off and went close in the third minute when Andy Carroll was in
place to clear Marauone Fellaini's effort off the line following a corner
for the Red Devils. It was not long before they moved in front in
spectacular fashion through Rooney. The situation appeared innocuous enough
when a high ball landed just inside the Hammers' path, but Rooney eased
James Tomkins out of the way and, spotting Adrian out of position, unleashed
a 45-yard effort on the volley which evaded the backpedalling goalkeeper and
bounced into the net. The Hammers looked to put the visitors' makeshift
backline under pressure, but were being hurt themselves on the
counter-attack and fell 2-0 down on 33 minutes.
Penalty appeals fell on deaf ears as Kevin Nolan went to ground under a
Darren Fletcher challenge, and David Moyes' side broke quickly, allowing
Ashley Young to cross low, and Mark Noble's attempted clearance to cannon
off Rooney and past a helpless Adrian. Rooney went looking for a first-half
hat-trick when he curled a free-kick over the top and the visitors looked
comfortable enough, despite West Ham winning a number of corners. The second
period began in a similar vein, with the away side's biggest danger coming
on the counter. West Ham's best moments were coming from set plays, but
United did well to defend them without conceding a clear chance. In truth,
the game meandered to a certain extent with the Red Devils having done the
damage before the break and 2-0 was how it ended.
West Ham United: Adrian; Demel, Collins, Tomkins, McCartney; Nolan (C.Cole
72), Noble, Taylor (Nocerino 83); Diame (Jarvis 58), Carroll, Downing
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Reid, Armero, J.Cole
Booked: Collins, Taylor
Manchester United: de Gea; Rafael, Carrick, Jones, Buttner; Fletcher,
Fellaini; Young, Mata Welbeck 77), Kagawa; Rooney (Hernandez 77)
Subs: Lindegaard, Evra, Nani, Cleverley, Januzaj
Goals: Rooney 8, Rooney 33
Booked: Rafael
Referee: Lee Mason
Attendance: 34,237
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tonka tells of disappointment
WHUFC.com
James Tomkins was left to rue West Ham United's rough luck against
Manchester United on Saturday
23.03.2014
James Tomkins felt West Ham United had passed up a golden opportunity to
take points off a much-changed Manchester United side in the Barclays
Premier League on Saturday. David Moyes retained just five of the starting
XI that brushed Olympiacos aside in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday
and yet Wayne Rooney's first-half double saw the visitors run out 2-0
victors. Centre-half Tomkins could hardly hide his frustration following the
final whistle, insisting very little had gone the Hammers' way on the day.
He told West Ham TV: "We're obviously disappointed, because the side that
Manchester United put out was a team that we could have made the most of on
Saturday. "Unfortunately, their qualities have obviously shown again with
the two goals. The second one's unfortunate and the first is a great goal.
We look at it ourselves as being a disappointing day."
It took just eight minutes for Manchester United to make their mark, with
Rooney levering Tomkins off the ball, before lashing a dipping effort over
Adrian in the Hammers goal. Spectacular though the finish was, West Ham's
No5 maintains that Rooney's initial challenge on the half-way line was an
unfair one. "I felt I got nudged," he confirmed. "It's one of those that
you've seen given. It could have gone either way I suppose, but having seen
it back, it could have been given. Adrian's not expecting it and it's a
one-in-a-million shot. With a player of his ability you can be punished in
this game."
Thereafter, Tomkins admits the task was a tough one, with Rooney's opener
having taken the wind of out of West Ham sails. And their luck got worse
still when Mark Noble's attempted clearance ricocheted off Rooney to double
the Red Devils' lead. "We started OK and they didn't look like scoring. Then
they popped up with a worldy goal and that can kill you. That [swing in]
momentum just killed us. Nobes [Noble] has gone to clear the ball and the
chances of it hitting Rooney and going in the back of the net was just our
luck on Saturday. "Coming in 2-0 down is always a hard thing to come back
from against a team like Manchester United. We had a mountain to climb in
the second and we tried to give it a go. "We were a bit unlucky with a few
decisions and nothing really fell to us in the box when it could have done.
We're disappointed but the bigger game is on Wednesday night now."
Despite defeat at the Boleyn Ground, it was far from all bad news for the
Hammers, with each of the division's bottom five clubs losing too. Equally,
Sam Allardyce's men need wait just four days for the chance to make amends,
with Hull City next to visit east London. "We can't dwell on it. A lot of
the results went our way on Saturday and that's the good thing. Wednesday
night's obviously a massive game and we need to get our form back on track.
"We didn't give the fans much to shout about on Saturday. We've disappointed
them and we're disappointed ourselves but we'll be back Wednesday night!"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam rues Red Devils decisions
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce claimed decisions had cost his West Ham United dear against
Manchester United
22.03.2014
Sam Allardyce was again left to lament a questionable refereeing decision as
West Ham United were beaten 2-0 by Manchester United in the Barclays Premier
League at the Boleyn Ground. After an even start, the Red Devils went ahead
in a manner that was both controversial and spectacular on eight minutes.
Wayne Rooney appeared to nudge James Tomkins as the defender rose to head
clear on halfway, but official Lee Mason gave nothing and the England
striker took full advantage by volleying over Adrian from fully 45 yards.
West Ham gamely attempted to get back into the game and saw a penalty appeal
turned down for a Darren Fletcher challenge on Kevin Nolan on 33 minutes.
Seconds later, it was 2-0 as Mark Noble cleared Ashley Young's cross
straight to Rooney, who found the bottom corner. The Hammers had chances of
their own, only for their shots and headers to either be blocked or fly wide
or over the target. At the other end, Adrian was kept busy by efforts from
Juan Mata and Shinji Kagawa, while Rooney passed up a couple of chances to
complete his hat-trick.
After half-time, Big Sam threw on Carlton Cole and switched to a 4-4-2
formation, but it was to no avail as the Hammers dropped two places to 14th
in the table. "I think we've had another refereeing decision that has gone
against us, or maybe two because I'm not absolutely sure Kevin's was a
penalty, but Darren Fletcher did get across him and didn't play the ball,"
he told West Ham TV. "Certainly the foul on James Tomkins resulted in the
best goal of the weekend, but it shouldn't have stood because when the ball
bounced James would have won a free header. Wayne Rooney knew he wasn't
going to win it so he pushed James and James missed the header. The referee
and assistant referee didn't do their jobs properly and Wayne Rooney
produced the best bit of skill you'll see all weekend, if not all season,
because I don't think we'll see another goal as good as that. "It was
unbelievable technique and not one I can really blame the goalie for,
because the goalie always has to be out of his goal when the ball is on the
halfway line. Nobody expected Wayne to shoot from that position, but he took
the chance, struck it brilliantly and scored a goal. "It was a big blow and
it knocked the stuffing out of us, then the second one we thought might have
got a penalty and would have got us back in the game if the referee had
given it. Then they broke right up the other end, it looked like Mark Noble
was going to clear it but unfortunately he passed it straight to Wayne, who
scored again. "As hard as we fought in the second half to get a goal back,
we couldn't find one."
West Ham did more than match David Moyes' side before Rooney's second goal,
but Big Sam admitted his team's defensive resilience had not been there at
vital times for the second match in succession. "You have got to keep the
back door shut. We paid the price and did the same thing at Stoke City,
where we were in control of the game and looked like we were going to score
in the second half, then they got one ball in behind our midfield and they
got through our back four and scored. "Our defensive quality is there to
make sure we have a platform to enable us to wait for our goal and not to
have to fight back from goals down. If you go goals down against the likes
of Manchester United, it is hugely difficult to come back and get something
out of teams of that quality. "We produced some good play, but I was a
little bit disappointed that we didn't play better with Carlton up front
[with Andy Carroll]. We started all right with Carlton up front and had
started the second half very well, but instead of playing the ball through
the midfield into wide positions, we started playing too many balls from
back to front too quickly and ended up giving it away. "As a result, we
didn't exert as much pressure on Manchester United as we might have done."
West Ham now prepare for two proverbial six-pointers at home to Hull City on
Wednesday evening and away at Sunderland a week on Monday. The manager is
under no illusions about the importance of both matches. A win over Hull
would take West Ham above Steve Bruce's side and put them within two
victories of the magical 40-point mark. "It is a massive game against Hull.
We've played 30 games and only got 31 points now and I've always said that
is what counts. We have got to try to maintain our points total above our
games total. "It's very important that we try and get a victory on Wednesday
and feel a bit more secure."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 0 Manchester United 2
22 March 2014
Last updated at 19:59
By Neil Johnston
BBC Sport
Wayne Rooney scored two goals, including an exquisite lobbed finish, as
Manchester United overcame Robin van Persie's absence to win at West Ham.
Rooney, now third in United's all-time goalscorers list on 212, put his side
ahead with a stunning lob from just inside the Hammers' half. The England
striker doubled the lead after Mark Noble's attempted clearance fell
straight to Rooney to steer home. West Ham were poor, Andy Carroll's tame
header the closest they came to a goal. United manager David Moyes, without
Netherlands striker van Persie for up to six weeks due to a sprained knee,
has had little to smile about this season. But Rooney's spectacular eighth
minute finish had the Scot out of his seat in the dug-out applauding a truly
wonderful goal. There were shades of David Beckham's memorable finish from
the halfway line for United against Wimbledon in 1996 as Rooney, spotting
Adrian well off his line, outmuscled James Tomkins before unleashing a
brilliant lob which sailed over the goalkeeper and into the net. This was
United's ninth Premier League win away from Old Trafford, where the Red
Devils return on Tuesday for the Manchester derby. While United's domestic
home form - five defeats in 14 games - continues to frustrate Moyes, he is
at least finding some solace on the road. Former Manchester United player
David Beckham was at Upton Park with his sons Brooklyn and Romeo to watch
his old club win. Beckham was seen applauding Rooney's spectacular goal
which had shades of his famous finish from the halfway line against
Wimbledon in 1996. With Beckham and England manager Roy Hodgson in the Upton
Park main stand, United carried on where they left off after reviving their
Champions League campaign at Olympiakos' expense on Wednesday. Rooney's
spectacular finish set the tone for a comfortable victory to move back to
within three points of fifth spot in the table. The Hammers should have
equalised in the 15th minute. But Carroll, who was unmarked, spurned a
glorious chance to give Hodgson a reminder of his goalscoring prowess ahead
of the World Cup when he headed straight at David De Gea from close range.
United, who had Michael Carrick as a makeshift centre-back in the absence of
the injured Rio Ferdinand and suspended Nemanja Vidic, carried a threat each
time they went forward. Shinji Kagawa, on only his eighth league start of
the campaign, forced a fine save from Adrian before the Spaniard beat away a
goal-bound shot from countryman Juan Mata. But United, who also recalled
Alexander Buttner, Marouane Fellaini, Darren Fletcher and Ashley Young,
established a two-goal cushion in the 33rd minute. Moments after the Hammers
had claims for a penalty waved away when Noble went to ground under a
Fletcher challenge, Young powered deep into West Ham's half. His cross fell
to Noble who could only kick the ball into Rooney's path and the United man
made no mistake from close range.
West Ham still have to secure their Premier League survival and face
Liverpool (home), Arsenal (away) and Manchester City (away) before the end
of the season. Sam Allardyce can only hope his team can raise their game
after a limp performance. The damage had already been done when Fellaini
crashed to the ground inside the West Ham penalty area after Antonio
Nocerino's challenge in the closing stages. But there were few complaints
from the visitors when referee Lee Mason waved away their appeals. United
had the points safely in the bag.
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce: "The first goal knocked the stuffing
out of us. "It's such a wonderful goal, you've got to admire the finish, but
to get off to a start like that when we were looking forward to this game,
having won the last three at home and trying to get more points on the
board. "Straight away you're 1-0 down against a side that have got an
abundance of talent. "I definitely thought there was a foul [leading up to
the first goal]. "When the ball comes forwards, James Tomkins is going to
try and win it. Wayne, not making an attempt for the ball, pushes him with
his left arm."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sunny side up
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 22nd March 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham look set to play Liverpool in a glamorous post-season fixture in
Mauritius, according to reports. The friendly fixture between the two
Premeir League clubs has provisionally been pencilled in for Sunday, May 18
- a week after the culmination of this season's Premier League campaign.
Liverpool representative Olly Dale, the club's Director of Sales, said: "I'm
very impressed with everything in Mauritius, it's a great country. We've had
a very warm welcome extended to us here. We look forward to any prospective
game with the knowledge that this is a fantastic country."
Meanwhile Mark Gibbon, who has been widely reported as representing West Ham
United's interests, added: "It's a fantastic country, it's a fantastic
welcome. The people are beautiful. I'm very surprised how professional the
facilities are, good enough to host any international event here. I'm very
impressed indeed."
The game is scheduled to take place in Mauritius' Anjalay Stadium, a
30,000-capacity arena situated in Belle Vue Maurel. Also used for racing
(cars and bikes), the stadium received a multi-million overhaul in 2003 and
is used for many of the country's major sporting events.
Neither club has yet confirmed the fixture.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Wayne Rooney wonder strike helps Man Utd win 2-0 at West Ham
Last Updated: 23/03/14 8:09am
SSN
Two goals from Wayne Rooney, including a wonder strike from just inside the
West Ham half, secured Manchester United a 2-0 victory at Upton Park.
Returning to league action after progressing to the Champions League
quarter-finals with a fine victory against Olympiakos, the England
international netted twice as David Moyes' men proved Wednesday's result was
no flash in the pan.
Best of the match
Goal of the match: Wayne Rooney's opener would have graced any ground in
world football.
Moment of the match: Rooney's first. To hit with such precision after the
ball had bounced really takes some doing.
Man of the match: Wayne Rooney led by example as well as scoring both goals.
Talking point: Can United beat Manchester City on Tuesday night?
Rooney's second saw him move onto 212 goals and usurp Jack Rowley as the
third highest goalscorer in United's history, but it was his first just
eight minutes into the win that will live long in the memory. The
28-year-old produced a moment of magic, sending the ball sailing over Adrian
in a goal similar in audacity and skill to David Beckham's wonder strike at
Wimbledon in 1996. Rather aptly, the former United midfielder was at Upton
Park to witness the effort first-hand and will have been impressed by the
way Moyes' side held on to condemn West Ham to a third successive defeat.
Rooney's display was certainly a timely shot in the arm for United, with
Robin van Persie facing up to six weeks out with a sprained knee. His
enforced absence was one of the six changes from the midweek win over
Olympiakos, with the visitors impressing from the outset in east London. One
of those brought in, Marouane Fellaini, came close to putting the visitors
ahead inside three minutes, powering a header goalwards only for Andy
Carroll to hack off the line. Moyes' side continued in the ascendancy and
were almost then gifted a goal as Shinji Kagawa collected a miscued James
Tomkins pass, allowing the Japan international to thread through Juan Mata.
Adrian did well to stop the midfielder's strike but could only watch
helplessly as Rooney netted his contender for goal of the season. Having
outmuscled Tomkins, Rooney turned and hit a half-volley which sailed over
Adrian and into the net from fully 58 yards. Beckham, watching on from the
Upton Park stands, smiled wryly at the goal so similar to his own famous
strike, which West Ham tried to chalk off immediately . Mohamed Diame saw a
drive blocked by Alexander Buttner, before Carroll powered a header straight
at David de Gea moments after glancing a Kevin Nolan free-kick wide. Diame
lost his footing just before getting a shot away as the home side continued
to press, although they were leaving themselves open at the back. Manchester
United manager David Moyes hailed Wayne Rooney's first goal against West
Ham, liking it to David Beckham's wonder strike at Wimbledon in 1996. When
United next attacked Adrian had to be alert to deny Kagawa directing in a
Mata through-ball, before the Spaniard stung the palms of the West Ham
goalkeeper after wriggling free.
The visitors did not have to wait long to double their advantage, though. As
Nolan fumed at having a penalty appeal rejected by referee Lee Mason, United
countered at speed with Rooney playing the ball right to Ashley Young. The
returning winger burst forward and sent in a low cross that Mark Noble could
only hack into the path of Rooney, who easily directed home in the 33rd
minute. The goal moved him third in United's all-time scorers list and he
attempted to add to that haul before the break, although failed with three
efforts at a hat-trick. The Hammers returned from the break impressively
and, after Young saw an effort saved at the other end, Diame had a strike
blocked as West Ham attempted to carve open United's defence, which was
holding firm despite Michael Carrick playing as a makeshift centre-back. The
England midfielder did well to head away as Tomkins lurked at the back post,
before left-back Buttner failed with an attempt at the other end. West Ham
brought on Carlton Cole with less than 20 minutes remaining as they
continued to pump balls into the box, while United made changes of their
own, including the withdrawal of Rooney.
Rooney's replacement Javier Hernandez would have added a third had Kagawa
not sent a cross over the unmarked forward's head.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce thought Wayne Rooney's first shouldn't have stood
Last Updated: 23/03/14 8:27am
SSN
West Ham's Sam Allardyce thought one or two decisions went against his side
in their 2-0 defeat at home to Manchester United. Wayne Rooney scored twice
for the visitors in the first half, the opener coming from at least 45 yards
out. Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Allardyce praised the goal but
thought there may have been a foul in the build-up. He said: "It's such a
wonderful goal you've got to admire the finish. "But to get off to a start
like that having won the last three at home didn't help. It was wonderful,
you have to admire the talent. He didn't even look up. "If you look again
though it's probably a foul by Rooney. Rooney pushes James Tomkins and it's
difficult for the referee to see it. "He stops Tomkins heading the ball. The
assistant referee should have seen it but there you go. We didn't get a
couple today." West Ham manager Sam Allardyce was left admiring Wayne
Rooney's first goal after his side were beaten 2-0 by Manchester United.
Despite the defeat, Allardyce maintains there were some positives to take
from the display. He added: "I think we attacked well and got into some good
territorial positions. "When Man United are 2-0 up they just have to sit
back then and defend and you have to produce real quality. "They can hit you
on the break and that knocked the stuffing out of us but there were some
positives. They made six international changes from Wednesday night and they
proved it tonight. "My analysis on where we are is getting the points
quickly so hopefully we can get three on the board in the next game. "Our
defining games are against the teams around us."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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WHUFC.com
Wayne Rooney scored twice before half time to send West Ham United to defeat
on Saturday
22.03.2014
West Ham United 0-2 Manchester United
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United's three-match home winning streak came to an end on Saturday
when Wayne Rooney's first half double gave Manchester United a 2-0 victory
over the Hammers. Rooney's brace allowed the visitors to control a low tempo
second half in which the Hammers were unable to test goalkeeper David de
Gea. The England striker's opener was one which will be shown again and
again as he took aim from fully 45 yards to catch Adrian out in the Hammers'
goal. His second was rather more prosaic, profiting from a loose Mark Noble
clearance, yet just as effective as the Hammers missed out on the chance to
put more pressure on David Moyes' under-fire side. Manchester United pushed
from the off and went close in the third minute when Andy Carroll was in
place to clear Marauone Fellaini's effort off the line following a corner
for the Red Devils. It was not long before they moved in front in
spectacular fashion through Rooney. The situation appeared innocuous enough
when a high ball landed just inside the Hammers' path, but Rooney eased
James Tomkins out of the way and, spotting Adrian out of position, unleashed
a 45-yard effort on the volley which evaded the backpedalling goalkeeper and
bounced into the net. The Hammers looked to put the visitors' makeshift
backline under pressure, but were being hurt themselves on the
counter-attack and fell 2-0 down on 33 minutes.
Penalty appeals fell on deaf ears as Kevin Nolan went to ground under a
Darren Fletcher challenge, and David Moyes' side broke quickly, allowing
Ashley Young to cross low, and Mark Noble's attempted clearance to cannon
off Rooney and past a helpless Adrian. Rooney went looking for a first-half
hat-trick when he curled a free-kick over the top and the visitors looked
comfortable enough, despite West Ham winning a number of corners. The second
period began in a similar vein, with the away side's biggest danger coming
on the counter. West Ham's best moments were coming from set plays, but
United did well to defend them without conceding a clear chance. In truth,
the game meandered to a certain extent with the Red Devils having done the
damage before the break and 2-0 was how it ended.
West Ham United: Adrian; Demel, Collins, Tomkins, McCartney; Nolan (C.Cole
72), Noble, Taylor (Nocerino 83); Diame (Jarvis 58), Carroll, Downing
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Reid, Armero, J.Cole
Booked: Collins, Taylor
Manchester United: de Gea; Rafael, Carrick, Jones, Buttner; Fletcher,
Fellaini; Young, Mata Welbeck 77), Kagawa; Rooney (Hernandez 77)
Subs: Lindegaard, Evra, Nani, Cleverley, Januzaj
Goals: Rooney 8, Rooney 33
Booked: Rafael
Referee: Lee Mason
Attendance: 34,237
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tonka tells of disappointment
WHUFC.com
James Tomkins was left to rue West Ham United's rough luck against
Manchester United on Saturday
23.03.2014
James Tomkins felt West Ham United had passed up a golden opportunity to
take points off a much-changed Manchester United side in the Barclays
Premier League on Saturday. David Moyes retained just five of the starting
XI that brushed Olympiacos aside in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday
and yet Wayne Rooney's first-half double saw the visitors run out 2-0
victors. Centre-half Tomkins could hardly hide his frustration following the
final whistle, insisting very little had gone the Hammers' way on the day.
He told West Ham TV: "We're obviously disappointed, because the side that
Manchester United put out was a team that we could have made the most of on
Saturday. "Unfortunately, their qualities have obviously shown again with
the two goals. The second one's unfortunate and the first is a great goal.
We look at it ourselves as being a disappointing day."
It took just eight minutes for Manchester United to make their mark, with
Rooney levering Tomkins off the ball, before lashing a dipping effort over
Adrian in the Hammers goal. Spectacular though the finish was, West Ham's
No5 maintains that Rooney's initial challenge on the half-way line was an
unfair one. "I felt I got nudged," he confirmed. "It's one of those that
you've seen given. It could have gone either way I suppose, but having seen
it back, it could have been given. Adrian's not expecting it and it's a
one-in-a-million shot. With a player of his ability you can be punished in
this game."
Thereafter, Tomkins admits the task was a tough one, with Rooney's opener
having taken the wind of out of West Ham sails. And their luck got worse
still when Mark Noble's attempted clearance ricocheted off Rooney to double
the Red Devils' lead. "We started OK and they didn't look like scoring. Then
they popped up with a worldy goal and that can kill you. That [swing in]
momentum just killed us. Nobes [Noble] has gone to clear the ball and the
chances of it hitting Rooney and going in the back of the net was just our
luck on Saturday. "Coming in 2-0 down is always a hard thing to come back
from against a team like Manchester United. We had a mountain to climb in
the second and we tried to give it a go. "We were a bit unlucky with a few
decisions and nothing really fell to us in the box when it could have done.
We're disappointed but the bigger game is on Wednesday night now."
Despite defeat at the Boleyn Ground, it was far from all bad news for the
Hammers, with each of the division's bottom five clubs losing too. Equally,
Sam Allardyce's men need wait just four days for the chance to make amends,
with Hull City next to visit east London. "We can't dwell on it. A lot of
the results went our way on Saturday and that's the good thing. Wednesday
night's obviously a massive game and we need to get our form back on track.
"We didn't give the fans much to shout about on Saturday. We've disappointed
them and we're disappointed ourselves but we'll be back Wednesday night!"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam rues Red Devils decisions
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce claimed decisions had cost his West Ham United dear against
Manchester United
22.03.2014
Sam Allardyce was again left to lament a questionable refereeing decision as
West Ham United were beaten 2-0 by Manchester United in the Barclays Premier
League at the Boleyn Ground. After an even start, the Red Devils went ahead
in a manner that was both controversial and spectacular on eight minutes.
Wayne Rooney appeared to nudge James Tomkins as the defender rose to head
clear on halfway, but official Lee Mason gave nothing and the England
striker took full advantage by volleying over Adrian from fully 45 yards.
West Ham gamely attempted to get back into the game and saw a penalty appeal
turned down for a Darren Fletcher challenge on Kevin Nolan on 33 minutes.
Seconds later, it was 2-0 as Mark Noble cleared Ashley Young's cross
straight to Rooney, who found the bottom corner. The Hammers had chances of
their own, only for their shots and headers to either be blocked or fly wide
or over the target. At the other end, Adrian was kept busy by efforts from
Juan Mata and Shinji Kagawa, while Rooney passed up a couple of chances to
complete his hat-trick.
After half-time, Big Sam threw on Carlton Cole and switched to a 4-4-2
formation, but it was to no avail as the Hammers dropped two places to 14th
in the table. "I think we've had another refereeing decision that has gone
against us, or maybe two because I'm not absolutely sure Kevin's was a
penalty, but Darren Fletcher did get across him and didn't play the ball,"
he told West Ham TV. "Certainly the foul on James Tomkins resulted in the
best goal of the weekend, but it shouldn't have stood because when the ball
bounced James would have won a free header. Wayne Rooney knew he wasn't
going to win it so he pushed James and James missed the header. The referee
and assistant referee didn't do their jobs properly and Wayne Rooney
produced the best bit of skill you'll see all weekend, if not all season,
because I don't think we'll see another goal as good as that. "It was
unbelievable technique and not one I can really blame the goalie for,
because the goalie always has to be out of his goal when the ball is on the
halfway line. Nobody expected Wayne to shoot from that position, but he took
the chance, struck it brilliantly and scored a goal. "It was a big blow and
it knocked the stuffing out of us, then the second one we thought might have
got a penalty and would have got us back in the game if the referee had
given it. Then they broke right up the other end, it looked like Mark Noble
was going to clear it but unfortunately he passed it straight to Wayne, who
scored again. "As hard as we fought in the second half to get a goal back,
we couldn't find one."
West Ham did more than match David Moyes' side before Rooney's second goal,
but Big Sam admitted his team's defensive resilience had not been there at
vital times for the second match in succession. "You have got to keep the
back door shut. We paid the price and did the same thing at Stoke City,
where we were in control of the game and looked like we were going to score
in the second half, then they got one ball in behind our midfield and they
got through our back four and scored. "Our defensive quality is there to
make sure we have a platform to enable us to wait for our goal and not to
have to fight back from goals down. If you go goals down against the likes
of Manchester United, it is hugely difficult to come back and get something
out of teams of that quality. "We produced some good play, but I was a
little bit disappointed that we didn't play better with Carlton up front
[with Andy Carroll]. We started all right with Carlton up front and had
started the second half very well, but instead of playing the ball through
the midfield into wide positions, we started playing too many balls from
back to front too quickly and ended up giving it away. "As a result, we
didn't exert as much pressure on Manchester United as we might have done."
West Ham now prepare for two proverbial six-pointers at home to Hull City on
Wednesday evening and away at Sunderland a week on Monday. The manager is
under no illusions about the importance of both matches. A win over Hull
would take West Ham above Steve Bruce's side and put them within two
victories of the magical 40-point mark. "It is a massive game against Hull.
We've played 30 games and only got 31 points now and I've always said that
is what counts. We have got to try to maintain our points total above our
games total. "It's very important that we try and get a victory on Wednesday
and feel a bit more secure."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 0 Manchester United 2
22 March 2014
Last updated at 19:59
By Neil Johnston
BBC Sport
Wayne Rooney scored two goals, including an exquisite lobbed finish, as
Manchester United overcame Robin van Persie's absence to win at West Ham.
Rooney, now third in United's all-time goalscorers list on 212, put his side
ahead with a stunning lob from just inside the Hammers' half. The England
striker doubled the lead after Mark Noble's attempted clearance fell
straight to Rooney to steer home. West Ham were poor, Andy Carroll's tame
header the closest they came to a goal. United manager David Moyes, without
Netherlands striker van Persie for up to six weeks due to a sprained knee,
has had little to smile about this season. But Rooney's spectacular eighth
minute finish had the Scot out of his seat in the dug-out applauding a truly
wonderful goal. There were shades of David Beckham's memorable finish from
the halfway line for United against Wimbledon in 1996 as Rooney, spotting
Adrian well off his line, outmuscled James Tomkins before unleashing a
brilliant lob which sailed over the goalkeeper and into the net. This was
United's ninth Premier League win away from Old Trafford, where the Red
Devils return on Tuesday for the Manchester derby. While United's domestic
home form - five defeats in 14 games - continues to frustrate Moyes, he is
at least finding some solace on the road. Former Manchester United player
David Beckham was at Upton Park with his sons Brooklyn and Romeo to watch
his old club win. Beckham was seen applauding Rooney's spectacular goal
which had shades of his famous finish from the halfway line against
Wimbledon in 1996. With Beckham and England manager Roy Hodgson in the Upton
Park main stand, United carried on where they left off after reviving their
Champions League campaign at Olympiakos' expense on Wednesday. Rooney's
spectacular finish set the tone for a comfortable victory to move back to
within three points of fifth spot in the table. The Hammers should have
equalised in the 15th minute. But Carroll, who was unmarked, spurned a
glorious chance to give Hodgson a reminder of his goalscoring prowess ahead
of the World Cup when he headed straight at David De Gea from close range.
United, who had Michael Carrick as a makeshift centre-back in the absence of
the injured Rio Ferdinand and suspended Nemanja Vidic, carried a threat each
time they went forward. Shinji Kagawa, on only his eighth league start of
the campaign, forced a fine save from Adrian before the Spaniard beat away a
goal-bound shot from countryman Juan Mata. But United, who also recalled
Alexander Buttner, Marouane Fellaini, Darren Fletcher and Ashley Young,
established a two-goal cushion in the 33rd minute. Moments after the Hammers
had claims for a penalty waved away when Noble went to ground under a
Fletcher challenge, Young powered deep into West Ham's half. His cross fell
to Noble who could only kick the ball into Rooney's path and the United man
made no mistake from close range.
West Ham still have to secure their Premier League survival and face
Liverpool (home), Arsenal (away) and Manchester City (away) before the end
of the season. Sam Allardyce can only hope his team can raise their game
after a limp performance. The damage had already been done when Fellaini
crashed to the ground inside the West Ham penalty area after Antonio
Nocerino's challenge in the closing stages. But there were few complaints
from the visitors when referee Lee Mason waved away their appeals. United
had the points safely in the bag.
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce: "The first goal knocked the stuffing
out of us. "It's such a wonderful goal, you've got to admire the finish, but
to get off to a start like that when we were looking forward to this game,
having won the last three at home and trying to get more points on the
board. "Straight away you're 1-0 down against a side that have got an
abundance of talent. "I definitely thought there was a foul [leading up to
the first goal]. "When the ball comes forwards, James Tomkins is going to
try and win it. Wayne, not making an attempt for the ball, pushes him with
his left arm."
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Sunny side up
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 22nd March 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham look set to play Liverpool in a glamorous post-season fixture in
Mauritius, according to reports. The friendly fixture between the two
Premeir League clubs has provisionally been pencilled in for Sunday, May 18
- a week after the culmination of this season's Premier League campaign.
Liverpool representative Olly Dale, the club's Director of Sales, said: "I'm
very impressed with everything in Mauritius, it's a great country. We've had
a very warm welcome extended to us here. We look forward to any prospective
game with the knowledge that this is a fantastic country."
Meanwhile Mark Gibbon, who has been widely reported as representing West Ham
United's interests, added: "It's a fantastic country, it's a fantastic
welcome. The people are beautiful. I'm very surprised how professional the
facilities are, good enough to host any international event here. I'm very
impressed indeed."
The game is scheduled to take place in Mauritius' Anjalay Stadium, a
30,000-capacity arena situated in Belle Vue Maurel. Also used for racing
(cars and bikes), the stadium received a multi-million overhaul in 2003 and
is used for many of the country's major sporting events.
Neither club has yet confirmed the fixture.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Wayne Rooney wonder strike helps Man Utd win 2-0 at West Ham
Last Updated: 23/03/14 8:09am
SSN
Two goals from Wayne Rooney, including a wonder strike from just inside the
West Ham half, secured Manchester United a 2-0 victory at Upton Park.
Returning to league action after progressing to the Champions League
quarter-finals with a fine victory against Olympiakos, the England
international netted twice as David Moyes' men proved Wednesday's result was
no flash in the pan.
Best of the match
Goal of the match: Wayne Rooney's opener would have graced any ground in
world football.
Moment of the match: Rooney's first. To hit with such precision after the
ball had bounced really takes some doing.
Man of the match: Wayne Rooney led by example as well as scoring both goals.
Talking point: Can United beat Manchester City on Tuesday night?
Rooney's second saw him move onto 212 goals and usurp Jack Rowley as the
third highest goalscorer in United's history, but it was his first just
eight minutes into the win that will live long in the memory. The
28-year-old produced a moment of magic, sending the ball sailing over Adrian
in a goal similar in audacity and skill to David Beckham's wonder strike at
Wimbledon in 1996. Rather aptly, the former United midfielder was at Upton
Park to witness the effort first-hand and will have been impressed by the
way Moyes' side held on to condemn West Ham to a third successive defeat.
Rooney's display was certainly a timely shot in the arm for United, with
Robin van Persie facing up to six weeks out with a sprained knee. His
enforced absence was one of the six changes from the midweek win over
Olympiakos, with the visitors impressing from the outset in east London. One
of those brought in, Marouane Fellaini, came close to putting the visitors
ahead inside three minutes, powering a header goalwards only for Andy
Carroll to hack off the line. Moyes' side continued in the ascendancy and
were almost then gifted a goal as Shinji Kagawa collected a miscued James
Tomkins pass, allowing the Japan international to thread through Juan Mata.
Adrian did well to stop the midfielder's strike but could only watch
helplessly as Rooney netted his contender for goal of the season. Having
outmuscled Tomkins, Rooney turned and hit a half-volley which sailed over
Adrian and into the net from fully 58 yards. Beckham, watching on from the
Upton Park stands, smiled wryly at the goal so similar to his own famous
strike, which West Ham tried to chalk off immediately . Mohamed Diame saw a
drive blocked by Alexander Buttner, before Carroll powered a header straight
at David de Gea moments after glancing a Kevin Nolan free-kick wide. Diame
lost his footing just before getting a shot away as the home side continued
to press, although they were leaving themselves open at the back. Manchester
United manager David Moyes hailed Wayne Rooney's first goal against West
Ham, liking it to David Beckham's wonder strike at Wimbledon in 1996. When
United next attacked Adrian had to be alert to deny Kagawa directing in a
Mata through-ball, before the Spaniard stung the palms of the West Ham
goalkeeper after wriggling free.
The visitors did not have to wait long to double their advantage, though. As
Nolan fumed at having a penalty appeal rejected by referee Lee Mason, United
countered at speed with Rooney playing the ball right to Ashley Young. The
returning winger burst forward and sent in a low cross that Mark Noble could
only hack into the path of Rooney, who easily directed home in the 33rd
minute. The goal moved him third in United's all-time scorers list and he
attempted to add to that haul before the break, although failed with three
efforts at a hat-trick. The Hammers returned from the break impressively
and, after Young saw an effort saved at the other end, Diame had a strike
blocked as West Ham attempted to carve open United's defence, which was
holding firm despite Michael Carrick playing as a makeshift centre-back. The
England midfielder did well to head away as Tomkins lurked at the back post,
before left-back Buttner failed with an attempt at the other end. West Ham
brought on Carlton Cole with less than 20 minutes remaining as they
continued to pump balls into the box, while United made changes of their
own, including the withdrawal of Rooney.
Rooney's replacement Javier Hernandez would have added a third had Kagawa
not sent a cross over the unmarked forward's head.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce thought Wayne Rooney's first shouldn't have stood
Last Updated: 23/03/14 8:27am
SSN
West Ham's Sam Allardyce thought one or two decisions went against his side
in their 2-0 defeat at home to Manchester United. Wayne Rooney scored twice
for the visitors in the first half, the opener coming from at least 45 yards
out. Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Allardyce praised the goal but
thought there may have been a foul in the build-up. He said: "It's such a
wonderful goal you've got to admire the finish. "But to get off to a start
like that having won the last three at home didn't help. It was wonderful,
you have to admire the talent. He didn't even look up. "If you look again
though it's probably a foul by Rooney. Rooney pushes James Tomkins and it's
difficult for the referee to see it. "He stops Tomkins heading the ball. The
assistant referee should have seen it but there you go. We didn't get a
couple today." West Ham manager Sam Allardyce was left admiring Wayne
Rooney's first goal after his side were beaten 2-0 by Manchester United.
Despite the defeat, Allardyce maintains there were some positives to take
from the display. He added: "I think we attacked well and got into some good
territorial positions. "When Man United are 2-0 up they just have to sit
back then and defend and you have to produce real quality. "They can hit you
on the break and that knocked the stuffing out of us but there were some
positives. They made six international changes from Wednesday night and they
proved it tonight. "My analysis on where we are is getting the points
quickly so hopefully we can get three on the board in the next game. "Our
defining games are against the teams around us."
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