Arsenal match preview
WHUFC.com
A look ahead to Tuesday night's game against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium
14.04.2014
ARSENAL v WEST HAM UNITED
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
TUESDAY 15 APRIL 2014
KICK-OFF: 7:45PM
REFEREE: KEVIN FRIEND
FULL AUDIO COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
TWITTER I FACEBOOK I iPHONE APP I YOUTUBE I PROGRAMME I BIG SAM
Hillsborough tribute
• Tuesday marks the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, and as
such, both teams will be showing their respect to Liverpool FC and the
families of the 96 people who lost their lives on that tragic day.
• Approximately five minutes before kick-off, mascots from Arsenal and West
Ham United will emerge from the tunnel carrying a red wreath in the shape of
96. The mascots will then proceed to lay the wreath onto the centre spot
before heading back to the tunnel.
• Once the players have walked out onto the pitch and undertaken the
customary pre-match handshakes, there will be a period of silence observed
before kick-off. After the period of silence, the wreath will be carried off
by mascots from the two clubs before being laid in-between the respective
technical areas.
Introduction
• West Ham United make the short trip across London to Emirates Stadium on
Tuesday night for a Barclays Premier League fixture with Arsenal.
• The Hammers come into the game having put up a good fight before
ultimately going down to a 2-1 defeat against Liverpool at the Boleyn Ground
last time out.
• Sam Allardyce's side did however enjoy success on their last away league
outing when they recorded a 2-1 victory against Sunderland at the Stadium of
Light.
• The east Londoners head into the match almost certain of their place in
the Premier League for next season, having accumulated 37 points with five
games left to play.
• When these two sides met earlier in the season, Carlton Cole gave West Ham
the lead before a Theo Walcott double and a goal from Lukas Podolski sunk
the home side.
• Arsenal had moved to the top of the table after the aforementioned win in
December, but they now find themselves fighting for a top four finish.
• The Gunners have failed to win any of their last four league outings and
were soundly beaten 3-0 by Everton at Goodison Park last time out.
• Arsene Wenger's team have also drawn their last two league matches at
home, with a 1-1 draw against Manchester City and a 2-2 draw with Swansea
City putting the buffers on their title challenge.
• The Gunners did however reach the FA Cup final on Saturday after they beat
Wigan Athletic on penalties .
Team news
West Ham United
• Joey O'Brien is back in full training with the rest of the squad as he
steps up his return to fitness following a dislocated shoulder.
• Marco Borriello is still absent with a calf injury, while George McCartney
tweaked a hamstring against Sunderland and will have his fitness assessed.
• James Collins missed the match against Liverpool and looks likely to miss
out on Tuesday night, while Kevin Nolan is a doubt with a hamstring problem.
Arsenal
• Theo Walcott and Abou Diaby (both ACL) are Arsenal's long-term injury
absentees.
• Jack Wilshere (ankle), Mesut Ozil, Ryo Miyachi (both hamstring), Laurent
Koscielny (calf) and Serge Gnabry (knee) are all doubts.
Last time out
West Ham United 1-2 Liverpool
Barclays Premier League
5 April 2014
West Ham United: Adrian, Reid, Nolan (Nocerino 65), Tomkins, Armero,
Carroll, Taylor (Jarvis 78), Noble, Demel, Diame (C Cole 85), Downing
Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, J Cole, Potts, Johnson
Goal: Demel 45
Arsenal: Fabianski, Sagna, Monreal (Gibbs 63), Mertesacker, Vermaelen,
Ramsey (Kallstrom 113), Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arteta, Cazorla, Podolski
(Giroud 68), Sanogo
Subs not used: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Akpom, Eisfeld
Goal: Mertesacker 82
Previous meeting
Arsenal scored three times in eleven second half minutes to come from behind
to beat West Ham United at the Boleyn Ground on Boxing Day. The home support
were on their feet just 50 seconds after half-time, when Carlton Cole tapped
the ball home after Wojciech Szczesny fumbled it into the striker's path.
The Hammers led until the 68th minute when Theo Walcott equalised, three
minutes before putting his side in front. Lukas Podolski came off the bench
to put the finishing touches on the win with 79 minutes on the clock.
West Ham United 1-3 Arsenal
Barclays Premier League
26 December 2014
West Ham United: Adrian, O'Brien (Demel 63), Collins (Rat 38), Tomkins,
McCartney, Noble, Diame, J Cole, Nolan (Taylor 75), Jarvis, C Cole
Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, Collison, Maiga, Diarra
Goal: C Cole 46
Arsenal: Sczcesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Ramsey (Podolski
65), Arteta, Walcott, Ozil (Flamini 81), Cazorla, Giroud (Bendtner 85)
Subs not used: Fabianski, Monreal, Jenkinson, Gnabry
Goals: Walcott 68, 71, Podolski 79
Last six meetings
(Premier League unless stated)
26 December 2013 West Ham United 1-3 Arsenal
23 January 2013 Arsenal 5-1 West Ham United
6 October 2012 West Ham United 1-3 Arsenal
15 January 2011 West Ham United 0-3 Arsenal
30 October 2010 Arsenal 1-0 West Ham United
20 March 2010 Arsenal 2-0 West Ham United
Overall record v Arsenal (all competitions) W 33 D 38 L 57
Ten-year record
West Ham United
2012/13 Premier League 10th (46 points)
2011/12 Championship 3rd (86 points - promoted to Premier League via
Play-Offs)
2010/11 Premier League 20th (33 points - relegated to Championship)
2009/10 Premier League 17th (35 points)
2008/09 Premier League 9th (51 points)
2007/08 Premier League 10th (49 points)
2006/07 Premier League 15th (41 points)
2005/06 Premier League 9th (55 points)
2004/05 Championship 6th (73 points - promoted to Premier League via
Play-Offs)
2003/04 Division One 4th (74 points)
Arsenal
2012/13 Premier League 4th (73 points)
2011/12 Premier League 3rd (70 points)
2010/11 Premier League 4th (68 points)
2009/10 Premier League 3rd (75 points)
2008/09 Premier League 4th (72 points)
2007/08 Premier League 3rd (83 points)
2006/07 Premier League 4th (68 points)
2005/06 Premier League 4th (67 points)
2004/05 Premier League 2nd (83 points)
2003/04 Premier League 1st (90 points)
Old boys
• Guy Demel spent a season with Arsenal as a youngster, joining the Gunners
as a 19-year-old in 2000. However, the right-back did not make a first-team
appearance for Arsenal and joined German club Borussia Dortmund the
following summer.
• Among the players who have represented both clubs are Jeremie Aliadiere,
Yossi Benayoun, James Bigden, Jimmy Bloomfield, Luis Boa Morte, Liam Brady,
George Burgess, Dick Curtis, Kaba Diawara, Ted Drake, Stan Earle, Bert
Fletcher, Ron Greenwood, Eddie Hapgood, John Hartson, Les Henley, Fergie
Hunt, James Jackson, Bernard Joy, Fred Kemp, Henri Lansbury, Tom Lee, Harry
Lewis, William Linwood, Freddie Ljungberg, Roddy MacEachrane, Jimmy
Marshall, David Noble, John Radford, Stewart Robson, Charles Satterthwaite,
Laurie Scott, Rami Shaaban, Bill Sidley, Bob Stevenson, Davor Suker, Matthew
Upson, Charlie Walker, Nigel Winterburn, Ian Wright, Richard Wright, Bobby
Gould, Seve Walford, Lee Chapman, Manuel Almunia and Clive Allen.
Background
• West Ham United have faced Arsenal 128 times in Premier League, Football
League and the domestic knockout competitions. The Hammers have won 33, the
Gunners have won 57 and there have been 38 draws.
• West Ham United's biggest win over Arsenal came on 7 March 1927 when a Vic
Watson hat-trick helped secure a 7-0 Division One win for the Hammers at the
Boleyn Ground.
• West Ham United defeated Arsenal 8-2 in the first meeting between the two
clubs on Christmas Day 1915. Syd Puddefoot scored five times in the fixture,
which was played in the war-time London Combination principal tournament.
• Including war-time competitions, the Hammers have met the Gunners a
staggering 165 times, with West Ham United winning 48, Arsenal winning 74
and there being 43 draws.
• The third and most-recent time that West Ham United won the FA Cup was
against Arsenal, with the Hammers winning 1-0 at Wembley on 10 May 1980. The
1980 final is also the last time a team outside the top-flight has won the
competition.
• Five of West Ham United's first eight games against Arsenal were in the FA
Cup, with just three of the encounters coming in the league.
• West Ham United became the final visiting team to win at Arsenal's old
Highbury home when they chalked up a 3-2 Premier League success on 1
February 2006.
• The Hammers then became the first away side to win to win at Emirates
Stadium, recording a memorable 1-0 Premier League win on 7 April 2007.
• West Ham United midfielder Mohamed Diame and Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby
were team-mates at the famous Clairefontaine Academy near Paris as
youngsters.
• Twenty players have made their West Ham United debuts against Arsenal.
Harry Hodges was the first in a 4-1 Division One defeat at Highbury on 10
September 1923, with Wayne Bridge the most recent in a 3-0 home Barclays
Premier League defeat on 15 January 2011.
• Ron Cater, Almeric Hall and Ken Bainbridge all made their Hammers' bows in
a 6-0 FA Cup third-round first-leg victory over Arsenal at the Boleyn Ground
on 5 January 1946. Hall scored twice and Bainbridge once.
• Ray Houghton made his one and only West Ham United appearance as a
substitute in a 2-0 Division One defeat at Arsenal on 1 May 1982.
• Steve Jones made his second West Ham United 'debut' in a 2-0 Premier
League defeat at Arsenal on 17 August 1996.
• The other players to have made their West Ham United debuts against
Arsenal include John Morton (March 1932), Phil Woosnam (November 1958), Pat
Holland (April 1969), Clyde Best (August 1969), Bobby Gould (November 1973),
Danny Williamson (April 1994), Les Sealey (September 1995), Bernard Lama
(March 1998), Gary Breen (August 2002), Dean Ashton (February 2006), Jack
Collison (January 2008), Fabio Daprela and Anthony Edgar (both January
2010).
Referee
• Tuesday's referee will be Kevin Friend.
• A member of the Select Group of Premier League officials, Friend took
charge of the 2012 FA Community Shield between Chelsea and Manchester City.
• He began officiating in the Leicestershire Senior League and Midland
Football Alliance before being promoted to the National List of Assistant
Referees in 2000 and the National List of Referees in 2003.
• He was promoted to the Select Group ahead of the 2009/10 season and took
charge of his first Premier League fixture on 20 September 2009, with
Wolverhampton Wanderers beating Fulham 2-1.
• Friend did not referee West Ham at all in the Barclays Premier League last
season, but has taken charge of the Hammers once this season during a 1-0
defeat against Hull City back in September 2013.
• Friend was also in charge for the SBOBET Cup victory over Spanish side
Deportivo La Coruna in August 2010 and the pre-season visit of Portuguese
side Pacos de Ferreira last August.
• Friend will be assisted by Harry Lennard and Matthew Wilkes, while the
fourth official will be Chris Foy.
General information
• A clear night is expected on Tuesday at the Emirates, with temperatures
around 10C (50F).
• West Ham United's allocation of tickets for this fixture are SOLD OUT.
• If you're travelling to the game via the London Underground, click here
for travel updates.
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Big Sam on: Arsenal
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce spoke to the media at Chadwell Heath on Monday ahead of the
match against Arsenal
14.04.2014
Sam Allardyce conducted his pre-match press conference at Chadwell Heath on
Monday morning ahead of the game against Arsenal on Tuesday night. The
topics covered included his side's latest team news, Arsenal's UEFA
Champions League hopes and the chances of his team obtaining a top ten
finish. Good morning Sam, Arsene Wenger has been speaking this morning about
his side's fatigue and muscle injuries, as opposed to your side who've had
nine days rest.
Do you expect that to have an impact on the game tomorrow?
SA: "I think we all suffer in spells of difficulty when players can't
recover in time and you factor in injuries that you have. We all know that
weakens your team. We suffered a similar spell in December this season and
it makes your life extremely difficult as a manager. Certainly with
Arsenal's game load and some of the injuries they have, then yes they will
be weaker than they possibly could be. They keep a Champions League place
for all those years. They keep a squad of 25 international players and
they're playing at the Emirates, so whatever difficulties they have it's
still a hugely tough fixture for ourselves.
"Whatever team Arsene puts out, we still have to play at our best to get a
result, particularly on their own patch. If we can seek an advantage by
those problems that they have then it gives us a better chance of getting a
result. It won't be any easier than it ever has been to get a result at the
Emirates because the players that are actually playing won't fatigue until
later in the game. It won't happen in the beginning of the game and we'll
have to be on song from the start and fully focused on the job we have to do
to try and get something."
The science around recovery from injuries has been talked about a lot,
especially Arsenal, but you've also been through your own injury problems.
How important is it to manage it in the right way?
SA: "As the years tick on there's more and more research and science that
comes into the game about how to prevent injuries. The biggest key to any
football club today is not to treat the players from the injury that they
sustain, but to totally focus as best you can on your prevention of injury
policy. You can't prevent trauma injuries, those are the injuries that are
unpredictable. In today's football, they seem to be happening more and more
because of the intensity that the game is played with. The change of
direction, the jumping, landing, turning and collisions are much more
volatile because of the pace of the game.
"Trauma injuries are becoming a bigger part of the game. Cruciate ligament
injuries, metatarsal breaks and things like that. It's something that we all
realise has increased over the last few years because of the development of
the game. Trying not to sustain too many hamstrings, calves, thighs and
muscle injuries is the best that you can possibly do. There's a lot of
science behind it and the player today has to be dedicated in that area.
Rather than just training and going home, there's sections that they have to
do to keep their bodies in the best shape that they possibly can to not
sustain those types of injuries."
You can have a key say in whether Arsenal miss out on qualifying for the
UEFA Champions League this season. Is that a motivating factor for you?
SA: "No, not really. From our point of view, the success of the teams below
us over the weekend and the results that were surprisingly pulled off mean
that we still look down because we're not mathematically safe. For us, the
motivation is to get some points for ourselves, not to stop Arsenal getting
in the Champions League."
Arsene Wenger has taken some criticism this season, do you have an opinion
on why that is?
SA: "I think that as always the man's career speaks for itself. Many people
have probably been disappointed that he hasn't won anything over the last
few years, but he can certainly put that right this year with his FA Cup
final appearance. I'm sure that a lot of the focus is finishing in the top
four, but also making sure they win the FA Cup. Compared to other years,
that would then make for a more successful season. At this stage, he's
suffered his injuries like everyone else at the wrong time. I think that
nobody really takes into consideration the relevance of those injuries and
the devastation that it has on your team. David Moyes has had the same
problem and the huge amount of injuries that he's sustained means he hasn't
been able to put the same eleven out, particularly defensive wise and of
course Robin van Persie.
"We've had the same with a long-term injury to Andy Carroll. All our
defenders got injured, particularly our centre halves, and that had a huge
effect on us. When that spell comes, it's very, very difficult to maintain
the level of performance and results you've achieved before that. We just
have to keep going and have our squad ready to play whoever we play against.
We've got five very tough games to go and we've got to pick up as many
points as we can. Everybody looks at Arsenal now, Crystal Palace, West Brom,
Tottenham and Manchester City, if you look at the form of all those teams,
Arsenal have perhaps slipped a bit, but the rest are on top form. West Brom
and Crystal Palace are achieving fantastic results at this time, so we've
got five very difficult games to focus on one at a time."
Do you still think a top ten finish is achievable?
SA: "I don't think that we'll get a top ten finish now. I think the best we
would try and get is to catch up with Stoke. Stoke have had a fantastic run
recently and we've got to try and improve our position to get where they
are. At this moment in time, it's one game at a time and a big game on
Tuesday night which I hope the players are looking forward to. I hope they
can repeat the performance they gave against Liverpool, because we took
Liverpool right to the very edge of getting a result against them, but they
just managed to pip us in the end."
What's your team news ahead of the game?
SA: "Kevin Nolan is our problem at the moment. He came off with a hamstring
against Liverpool, obviously that's one that we have to be very careful
about. It's unusual for Kevin to sustain a muscle injury, I think it's the
first of his career, but we'll be very careful about how we handle him.
Kevin is going to desperately want to play, so we'll probably wait until
tomorrow to see how he is. Nearly everyone else is fit and raring to go.
We'll pick a team that we think suits playing against Arsenal at the
Emirates to go and get a result."
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Loan round-up
WHUFC.com
A look at how the West Ham United players out on loan fared this weekend
14.04.2014
It was another busy weekend for West Ham United's contingent of loan players
in England and the Republic of Ireland. In the Sky Bet Championsip, Ravel
Morrison got on the scoresheet for Queens Park Rangers as they thumped
Nottingham Forest 5-2 at Loftus Road. Remarkably the result was still in the
balance as the game entered the final ten minutes, but a late three-goal
blast from the R's took them to victory.
Saturday was a less successful day for Jack Collison, who came off the bench
in Wigan Athletic's FA Cup with Budweiser semi-final with Arsenal, but saw
his penalty saved as the Latics bowed out in a shootout. It has been a great
effort from Uwe Rosler's Championship side, who led for a period in the
second half thanks to Jordi Gomez's penalty, until Per Mertesacker's 82nd
minute leveller forced extra time.
In the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, Sean Maguire was a used
substitute in Sligo Rovers' 1-1 draw with Cork City. Sligo looked to be en
route to all three points when an 88th minute own goal gave them the lead,
but an even later equaliser from Cork's Billy Dennehy meant the spoils would
be shared.
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Ladies lose at Lewes
WHUFc.com
West Ham United Ladies went down to a 5-1 league defeat at Lewes on Sunday
14.04.2014
West Ham United Ladies' difficult season continued as they went down to a
5-1 FA Women's Premier League Southern Division defeat at Lewes on Sunday.
The Hammers dropped to second-bottom in the table following their tenth
reverse in 17 league matches played. Two goals from Kirstie Spice and one
each from Charlotte Bennett, Clare Trafford and Sian Heather gave the home
side a comfortable victory at the Dripping Pan. Kelley Blanchflower netted
the consolation for the visitors with her eighth goal of the campaign. With
three league games remaining, West Ham will be hoping to pick up points to
climb the standings, but for now all attention will be focused on Thursday's
Essex Women's Cup supported by BBC Essex final with Barking Ladies. The
Hammers will be seeking their third success in the tournament, having
previously lifted the trophy in 2009 and 2011, while Barking won the
competition in 2001 and 2003.
The final will take place at AFC Hornchurch in Bridge Avenue, Upminster on
Thursday 17 April, with kick-off at 7.30pm.
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Allardyce prepares for a 'weaker' Arsenal
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 14th April 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce believes that the Hammers could take advantage of Arsenal's
fatigue when the two teams meet at the Emirates tomorrow night.
West Ham's final away derby of the season couldn't have come at a better
time for Allardyce and his troops, who face the Gunners just three days
after they were taken to extra time and penalties by Championship play-off
contenders Wigan Athletic.
And Allardyce - whose team still need another win to reach the magic
40-point mark which is generally considered to be the benchmark for Premier
League safety - believes his team can inflict a further blow to Arsenal's
chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League as a result.
"Certainly with Arsenal's game load and some of the injuries they have, they
will be weaker than they possibly could be," he told the media at this
morning's pre-match press conference. "We suffered a similar spell in
December and it makes your life extremely difficult as a manager.
"But they keep a squad of 25 international players and they're playing at
the Emirates, so whatever difficulties they have it's still a tough fixture
for ourselves. Whatever team Arsene [Wenger] puts out, we still have to play
at our best to get a result, particularly on their own patch.
"The players that are actually playing won't [experience] fatigue until
later in the game. It won't happen at the beginning of the game and we'll
have to be on song from the start and fully focused on the job to get
something."
Arsenal, who will face Hull City in the FA Cup Final next month after the
Tigers despatched of Sheffield United in the weekend's other FA Cup semi
final have gone four games without a win in the Premier League.
A win for West Ham - which would be their first at the Emirates since Bobby
Zamora scored the only goal of the game in the Great Escape season of
2006/07- would take them back into the upper half of the Premier League
table at the expense of Stoke.
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Go, Mo
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 13th April 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United midfielder Mo Diame looks set to leave the club this summer
after he revealed his desire to join "a top six side". The 26-year-old
Senegal international, speaking to French media at the weekend admitted that
he believes his future lies away from West Ham - despite failing to secure a
regular place in Sam Allardyce's first team in his favoured position. "Two
years ago I wanted to join a team with ambitions," said Diame, who was also
linked with a move to title-challengers Liverpool before he signed on a free
transfer from Wigan two summers ago. "Overall, my season has been okay,
although I think it is not up to last season. I started badly, but gradually
I got my bearings. "I don't hide it, I'm ambitious and I want to join a
top-six side. I am 26 years old and it's time to take that step. "I can't
tell you if I will be a Liverpool player next season. But I think my name is
still on their wanted list."
Diame has predominantly featured on the left side of midfield in recent
weeks, having lost his spot in the centre to veteran Matt Taylor. His
contract, which expires a year from now is believed to include a £3.5million
release clause
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Sam Allardyce hopes West Ham can take advantage of any Arsenal tiredness
Last Updated: 14/04/14 4:13pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce believes West Ham can trouble a "weakened" Arsenal on Tuesday
- but only if they stay in the game early on. Allardyce's side go to the
Emirates on the back of nine days' rest, while Arsenal have had just three
days to recover from 120 minutes at Wembley on Saturday. Arsene Wenger is
already hampered by the absence of several key players and must now assess
several more in the wake of that FA Cup semi-final against Wigan. Those
problems are not lost on Allardyce, who will order West Ham to keep pace
with Arsenal early in the game and wait for fatigue to kick in. He said: "I
think we all suffer in spells of difficulty when players can't recover in
time and you factor in injuries that you have. We all know that weakens your
team. "Certainly with Arsenal's game load and some of the injuries they
have, then yes they will be weaker than they possibly could be. But they
keep a Champions League place for all those years. They keep a squad of 25
international players and they're playing at the Emirates, so whatever
difficulties they have it's still a hugely tough fixture for ourselves.
"Whatever team Arsene puts out, we still have to play at our best to get a
result, particularly on their own patch. "If we can seek an advantage by
those problems that they have then it gives us a better chance of getting a
result. It won't be any easier than it ever has been to get a result at the
Emirates because the players that are actually playing won't fatigue until
later in the game. "It won't happen in the beginning of the game and we'll
have to be on song from the start and fully focused on the job we have to do
to try and get something."
West Ham go into the game on 37 points - one short of the survival target
set by Allardyce last month and seven clear of third-bottom Fulham, who won
on Saturday. He said: "From our point of view the success of the teams below
us at the weekend means we still need to take more points."
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HAVE WEST HAM TARGETED THE SIGNING OF GUILHERME SIQUEIRA?
By S J Chandos 14 Apr 2014 at 08:00
West Ham Till I Die
There were a number of reports over the weekend that West Ham are
considering a bid for 27 year old Brazilian left-back, Guilherme Siqueira.
Siqueira is contracted to Spanish club, Granada, but is currently on loan to
Portuguese side, Benfica. And they apparently have an option to sign him in
the summer. If Benfica fail to take up the option, then we could step in
with a estimated c.£5m bid. It remains to be seen if these reports are true,
but if they are, it raises the question whether the club still intend to
follow through with the c.£4m bid to Napoli for Pablo Armero's services?
There was another report in the Sunday papers that Sam Allardyce is also
lining up a bid for Cardiff City keeper, David Marshall, who has been in
superb form this season. Indeed, Marshall has been Cardiff City's 'stand
out' player and looks an excellent potential addition. If the move
transpires then it will very likely mean the end of Jussi Jaaskelainen's
West Ham career. The probability being that Jussi will be released and
Adrian and Marshall will compete, next season, for the first team jersey,
with young Raphael Speigel as back up. Interestingly enough, current Hammers
goal keeping coach, martyn Margetson, has previously worked with marshall
when he was in a similiar role with Cardiff City. So, it is not beyond the
bounds of possibility that Margetson has recommended the player to
Allardyce.
Elsewhere, the rumours still circulate about West Ham's continuing interest
in the Championship's top scorer, Ross McCormack of Leeds Utd. The Scottish
international striker has been very impressive this season, scoring 28 goals
in all competitions. The club are allegedly hoping that McCormack is ready
to move on and test himself at PL Level next season. He certainly deserves
it, playing so well in a decidely average Leeds Utd side. The variable
factor is whether Leed Utd's new owner, Italian Massimo Cellino, will
sanction the move? Presumably, the takeover means that there is no great
pressure to sell and it would make sense to retain McCormack as part of next
season's promotion plans. Perhaps much will depend on who is Manager at the
Yorkshire club? Present incumbent, Brian McDermott, will undoubtedly try to
retain the player. However, if he is replaced soon, as seems likely, a
successor may have other first team priorities and plans.
Finally, the 'Forever West Ham' site, has reported this evening on alleged
quotes by Mo Diame in a French newspaper. These include the following
comments attributed to him:
'Liverpool? I can not say if I will be a Liverpool player next season. But
my name is still on their wanted list. I do not hide it, I am ambitious and
I want to join a top six side. I am 26 years old and its time to take that
step.'
Has he been quoted out of context or has something been lost in translation?
If not, then it looks like Diame will be actively seeking a exit this
summer, providing there are any 'top six' sides interested in his services!
Even if there are, he needs to reflect on the fact that signing and playing
on a regular basis are too different things. Even if Liverpool do come in
for him, how much time will he spend on their bench? Personally, I would
like him to stay, sign a new contract and help us progress next season. But
having said that, if he does stay, Diame certainly needs to show a great
deal more consistency next season than he has in this current campaign.
SJ. Chandos.
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Guy up for Gunners return
WHUFC.com
Former Arsenal man Guy Demel is relishing a return to his old side with the
Hammers on Tuesday
14.04.2014
Guy Demel is keen to build on a goalscoring display when he returns to one
of his former clubs on Tuesday. The Ivorian defender spent a year at Arsenal
early in his career after moving across the Channel from French side Nimes.
Paris-born Demel did not make a first team appearance for the Gunners before
he was transferred to Borussia Dortmund, but says his time in north London
was key to his development. Now back in the Barclays Premier League with the
Hammers, the No20 was happy to finally break his goalscoring duck against
Liverpool last time out, and now wants a winning display at Emirates
Stadium.
He said: "It was nice and it was time for me to score, first of all! The
lads were on my back all the time, because I had never scored for the Club,
so it was important. "To score for the fans and be a goalscorer is great. It
was an easy goal, but I will be happy to score more like that before the end
of the season!
"Even if it has been a hard season, I've enjoyed it - I'm a footballer, I
love to be on the pitch and one thing really good with this team is that we
are close to each other, so even when the pressure is high we didn't really
feel it because you can see people smiling at the training ground."
Arsenal warmed up for Tuesday's derby clash by defeating Wigan Athletic on
penalties in the FA Cup with Budweiser semi-finals. Some commentators have
suggested that fatigue could be a problem for Arsene Wenger's men, but Demel
is not so sure. He explained: "When you play for Arsenal, you have to be
used to be playing two games a week so I don't think there is fatigue. They
have to get a result and we have to do our best to get a point or more.
"During the week we all follow the football news, but the most important is
West Ham and what are we going to get out of the game. We know it's a hard
time for Arsenal, but they are playing at home, so I'm sure they want to
show their fans they're ready for the [big games at the] end of the season.
"There is a lot of criticism of Wenger because they haven't won a title for
eight years, but they forget how he changed English football. "How the
players trained, the fitness and the structure at the training ground. He
has really brought something to English football and a lot to Arsenal, so I
hope people can realise that for him. From my point of view he's a good
manager. "It was a great time when I went to Arsenal. I was young and I
learned a lot. It was my first experience [away from France] and it wasn't
easy for me, but I had the chance to train with players like Vieira, Henry,
Adams, Keown, Parlour, Pires. "It was important for my career to be at
Arsenal at that time."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce targets Nuremburg's Josip Drmic
Allardyce prepares for Emirates clash with trip to Germany to spy on striker
and admits his surprise at Arsenal's demise in Premier League
Nuremburg striker Josip Drmic wanted at West Ham United by manager Sam
Allardyce
By Phil Cadden10:30PM BST 14 Apr 2014
Telegraph.co.uk
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce is keen to add Josip Drmic to his
squad next season after making a personal check on the Nuremberg
goal-machine in Germany. With West Ham given a weekend off because of
Arsenal's FA Cup semi-final commitments, Allardyce went on a scouting
mission to watch the striker in his club's 4-1 Bundesliga defeat by
Wolfsburg. The 21-year-old Switzerland striker has scored 16 goals this
season, but West Ham are not his only suitors with Drmic also attracting
interest from Arsenal, Liverpool and Everton as well as Borussia Dortmund.
Drmic, who would add extra firepower in attack alongside Andy Carroll, is
reported to have a buy-out clause of £4.5 million, and while Allardyce
admitted it was not the best game to watch the player, he refused to be put
off and even joked that the local cuisine made the trip worthwhile.
Allardyce confirmed: "I was at Nuremberg versus Wolfsburg. The sausages were
great! "They got beat quite comfortably so in terms of that particular
player, you wouldn't be able to judge him on that particular game because
they got battered."
Allardyce returns to the dug-out for the rearranged London derby against
Arsenal on Tuesday night. Allardyce is surprised at Arsenal's decline this
season with Arsène Wenger's men in fifth, 13 points off Premier League
leaders Liverpool and fighting it out with Everton to qualify for the
Champions League. That is in stark contrast to the last meeting between the
two sides earlier this season when Arsenal won 3-1 at Upton Park, on Boxing
Day, to return to the top of the table. Allardyce said: "I have been
surprised by Arsenal's dip this year. I really fancied that they would go
right to the end. "We've seen a decline in Arsenal and an increase and
uplift in Liverpool." Arsenal can end their nine-year wait for a trophy in
next month's FA Cup final against Hull City, but there has always been
question marks over the ability of Wenger's sides to last the distance. Yet
Allardyce insists there are mitigating circumstances this time around –
injuries to key players including Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott. He added:
"Look at his injury list and you can see why. There is no doubt about that.
"Even though they have top players, the amount of players who have been
missing recently has disrupted the squad and the flow of the team. The
injuries have had an effect. "Brendan [Rodgers] has not lost [Luis] Suárez
or [Daniel] Sturridge where Arsenal lost six or seven players and that has
had a major turnaround in Liverpool's fantastic run of victories and
Arsenal's decline in results. "That is the main reason why they have dipped
away this time around. "Everyone said Arsenal needed a striker and needed
this and that, but if they had kept the whole squad fit then I think they
would be challenging Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea to be in number
one spot. "[Aaron] Ramsey, for example, has been out for so long. He was the
leading goal scorer when he left the team. That's been a big miss because
it's all about finishing off the chances you create."
West Ham (Probable, 4-5-1): Adrián; Demel, Tomkins, Reid, Armero; Downing,
Noble, Diame, Taylor, Jarvis; Carroll.
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Tuesday, April 15
Monday, April 14
Daily WHUFC News - 14th April 2014
Potts honest in defeat
WHUFC.com
Dan Potts admits his side's performance wasn't up to scratch in their defeat
against Blackburn
13.04.2014
Dan Potts offered an honest assessment of his side's performance after
captaining the Development Squad in their 1-0 defeat against Blackburn
Rovers at Rush Green on Friday afternoon. The young Hammers went down to a
single goal which arrived just after the hour mark and proved too much for
the home side to claw back. The decisive strike by Potts' opposite number
Darragh Lenihan stemmed from a Rovers' free-kick, and the defender felt his
side hadn't done enough to warrant a different outcome. He told West Ham TV:
"I'm very disappointed," he explained. "We came into the game wanting to get
the three points and the win. "We felt that being at home and coming off the
defeat at Bolton, we definitely felt that we would come here and give it our
best shot to get the three points. "Saying that, I don't think we played
particularly well and I don't think we really deserved the three points. The
next best thing would have been the 0-0 and to come away with a point, but
we let ourselves down at a set-piece and that's the way the game ended."
The manner of the goal was particularly galling for Potts and the rest of
the defence with the defining moment coming from a set-piece. Potts had
marshalled the defence well up to that point, but was left to rue how the
winning goal came about. "Playing at the back you pride yourself on clean
sheets, so the disappointing thing from my point of view was that we
conceded from a set-piece. "They came here, had good shape about them and
played on the counter attack. Obviously it's frustrating for us and we've
got to have the know-how and the ability to break that down, which I believe
we have got. "Full credit to them. They came here with a game plan and their
game plan worked better than ours. They're going home with the three points
and we're going home thinking about what-ifs and what we could have done to
get the three points ourselves."
Defeat dents the Hammers' hopes of finishing in the top half of the Barclays
Under-21 Premier League table as they bid to secure a top-eleven finish for
when the league splits into two divisions next season. The U21s travel north
to play Sunderland on Thursday in their final match of the league season,
and Potts has targeted nothing less than a win against the Mackems. "The
emphasis is on Sunderland next week for sure. We'll regroup after this and
then we'll be going up to Sunderland to come back with the three points like
Blackburn have today. "After this, the emphasis definitely has to be on
trying to come away from Sunderland with something. "The lads know their
games, they know their strengths and I think you can see that when we all
play to our individual strengths, that it's a good group and a good changing
room. "Off the ball as well when everyone works hard for each other its
shows and nine times out of ten we come away with the result that we're
looking for. Hopefully it will be one of those performances."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Noble craves top ten finish
WHUFc.com
Mark Noble wants three points at Arsenal to edge closer to the top ten
13.04.2014
Mark Noble believes the Hammers can edge closer to the top ten with victory
at Arsenal on Tuesday. The Gunners reached the FA Cup final on Saturday, but
Noble says the Hammers possess the ability and self-belief to pull off a
shock result at the Emirates Stadium. He thought the performance in defeat
to league leaders Liverpool merited more and if they put in a similar
display they will be rewarded. "Against Liverpool we put in one of the best
first halves we've played this season," he said. "We were unlucky to lose
the game with a penalty that wasn't, but it was nice to go out there knowing
we were near on safe and could enjoy it. "I thought that showed and
hopefully we can get the same attitude on Tuesday. "Our aim since the start
of the season has been to at least match last year's finish. "We didn't have
the best of starts, we know that, but since Christmas we've really dug in
and put the points on the board. That's what has made us half-safe now.
"There's five games left that we need to get points from and come tenth
again."
Noble spent some time at Arsenal at the very start of his development and he
has fond memories of going back to north London and winning in the 2006/07
campaign. He added "I was at Arsenal as a young kid before I went to West
Ham and they probably did develop me as a player a bit. I've won there once
before during the great escape we had and who says we can't do it again?"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Arsenal v West Ham
KO 19:45
13 April 2014
Last updated at 19:11
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Emirates Stadium Date: Tuesday, 15 April
TEAM NEWS
Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud looks set to be recalled after beginning
their FA Cup semi-final win over Wigan on the bench. Wojciech Szczesny is
also expected to return in goal, with Aaron Ramsey continuing after his
recent injury.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce must decide whether to change the side beaten
2-1 by Liverpool last time out. Matt Jarvis, Joe Cole, Antonio Nocerino and
Roger Johnson are amongst those pushing for a recall.
MATCH PREVIEW
Buoyed by a place in this year's FA Cup final, albeit on penalties following
their unconvincing performance against Championship side and 2013 winners
Wigan, Arsenal face a crucial London derby against West Ham looking to end a
four-match winless league run. A much-needed victory would see the Gunners
regain the final Champions League qualifying place from Everton for 24 hours
at least. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said: "The win (Wigan) will
rebuild the confidence which was very jaded, I'm confident we will respond
well. It will give us a target for the end of the season and it allows us to
focus on the Premier League in a more serene way. "We had the nerve and the
mental strength that has been questioned recently, that's why I'm happy they
gave that response.
FA Cup penalty shoot-out hero Lukasz Fabianski added: "It picks up the club
and the fans, it gives us more belief that we can manage first of all to
finish in the top four, and then hopefully to win the final. West Ham have
had nine days to prepare for this fixture and Sam Allardyce's side will
almost certainly be prepared and up for the challenge of putting Wenger's
men further under the microscope. Hammers defender Roger Johnson was part of
the Birmingham City side that upset Arsenal in the 2011 League Cup final. He
has reflected on the Gunners' unpredictability this season. "I do think
they're very beatable, as we saw the other day against Everton. "Yes, we'll
be underdogs because we're playing Arsenal at Arsenal, but look at the
Liverpool game (earlier this month). They are top of the league and I
thought we matched them all over really and should have come out of the game
with a result."
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Arsenal have won six successive league matches against West Ham and are
unbeaten in the last 12 meetings in all competitions since a 1-0 home defeat
in April 2007.
West Ham's only goal in their last five visits to the Emirates Stadium was
scored by Jack Collison in a 5-1 defeat last season.
Arsenal
The Gunners have only taken two points from their last four matches. They
have not gone five league games without a win since registering five
successive draws in January and February 2009.
Arsene Wenger's side have gone 15 home games unbeaten in the league since
the opening-day defeat by Aston Villa.
They have earned more points than any other side this season after opening
the scoring: 55 from 20 games.
West Ham
The Hammers have won seven of their last 13 league fixtures, having only
triumphed in three of the previous 20.
They have dropped 17 points from winning positions. Only Southampton (18
points) have fared worse.
West Ham's tally of 13 clean sheets is bettered only by Chelsea.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WEST HAM DEVELOPMENT SQUAD INJURIES
By Sean Whetstone 13 Apr 2014 at 08:25
West Ham Till I Die
Our West Ham Development Squad lost to bottom of the table Blackburn Rovers
at Friday lunchtime despite drafting Joe Cole in to their depeated squad.
Blackburn U21"s have only managed two wins all season until their victory on
Friday.
Striker Jaanai Gordon, our £3.5m investment from Peterborough is out for the
the rest of the season with a hamstring injury; he previously suffered from
a groin injury and broke his leg while at Peterborough. He has managed just
two development squad appearances since signing at the beginning of January
with no goals as yet.
Elliot Lee who has recently signed a new two and a half year contract
extension is also out the rest of the season with an ankle ligament injury.
Lee has made 14 appearances this season scoring 8 goals. Leo Chambers who
has played 13 times this season is also missing with a muscle tear.
Dylan Tombides remains unavailable due to a relapse of his testicular
cancer. Pelly Ruddock was sold to Luton in January for a nominal fee after
making 10 appearances and scoring two goals for the dev squad this season
and Abdul Razak was released after after 4 weeks after an unsuccessful loan
period. Blair Turgott, George Moncurr, Sean Maquire and Paul Mccallum remain
unavailable as they are all out on loan until the end of the season.
The U21 side have slipped down to 9th in the Barclays U21 Premier League
table Liverpool top the table followed by Fulham, Southampton and Chelsea.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Same old story in Emirates test
Posted by Peter Thorne
ESPN
Sam Allardyce's West Ham face FA Cup finalists Arsenal on Tuesday night. The
inevitability of the comment was such that I was actually sitting waiting
for it. Sure enough, the little epithet duly arrived from the TV commentator
during the first half of the extra 30 minutes of Saturday evening's FA cup
semi-final between Arsenal and Wigan: "The only person likely to be happy
with extra time is Sam Allardyce, whose West Ham United play Arsenal on
Tuesday evening".
If only things were that simple.
There's no doubt that the penalty shoot-out pressure would have taken
something out of the Arsenal squad, but it's equally likely that the boost
in overcoming Wigan Athletic and making an FA Cup final -- that they are now
confidently expected to win -- will revitalize a Gunners side that had
seemed to have run out of steam in the last few weeks. The promise of a cup
final will surely provide an incentive that will see them as difficult to
beat as ever. For although the Hammers have provided Arsenal with a good
number of shocks over the years -- last team to win at the old Highbury,
first to win at the Emirates and, of course, that win back in 1980 -- all
too often the north London side, who can call on better players in a larger
squad, have bested the Upton Park outfit quite considerably. There have been
one or two defeats over the past few years that have figured among the
season's worst results for the Hammers.
I'd imagine Allardyce would have gleefully noted how Arsenal struggled to
break down a resolute Wigan team and have hopes of emulating that, but even
with the pressure off in the relegation dogfight -- although not
mathematically safe, Swansea and Aston Villa would seem to be the teams now
looking over their shoulder -- the Hammers would view even a point as a good
result against a team still trying to make sure of Champions League
qualification.
Normally at this stage of the season supporters would be hoping to see one
or two new faces coming in from the development squad but -- true to form --
it's good to see the injury crisis that regularly strikes the senior squad
is burgeoning at youth level too. It's comforting to know that youngsters
are being shown only too well what is likely to happen if they go all the
way in their careers at Upton Park.
Striker Jaanai Gordon, bought from Peterborough earlier this campaign, is
out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury while Elliot Lee, who
has just signed a new two-and-a-half year contract extension, has also been
ruled out for the campaign with ankle ligament problems. Elsewhere, Leo
Chambers has a muscle tear, while others considered on the edge of the
squad: George Moncur, Paul McCallum, Blair Turgott and Sean Maguire are all
out on loan until the end of the season.
So, don't expect too many surprises at the Emirates; Big Sam will set the
team up to defend in depth, hit on the break and try to disrupt the Gunners
rhythm in midfield. In other words: same old, same old. Ironically, the only
question will actually be: have Arsenal's semi-final exploits taken anything
out of the team?
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Taylor: I started at Luton cleaning the toilets. Now teaching the next
generation of youngsters has made me a better player
By LAURIE WHITWELL
PUBLISHED: 22:34, 13 April 2014 | UPDATED: 22:34, 13 April 2014
Daily Mail
On a bitterly cold night there are plenty of ways Matt Taylor might choose
to keep warm. But rather than putting the slippers on in front of the fire
he is out on the training pitches, coaching what he hopes are the next batch
of professional footballers to come through Luton's academy. 'What we're
working on tonight is playing out from the back in the right way,' he says,
breath visible amid the darkness as he surveys the Under 15s side. 'It's
great for me because it's opened my eyes to a different side of football.
'It would be nice to pass on some of my knowledge. When you're doing a
session and can take 15 seconds to practise what you preach – that is a big
thing.' This, Barnfield College, is the place Taylor started his career,
first under Lennie Lawrence then Joe Kinnear, and where he has turned for a
future beyond playing.
'By no means am I near finishing,' he insists. 'I still feel as fit as ever.
What I want to do is to give myself options. I want to be able to make the
progression from playing into whatever it is a smooth one.' He completed his
Level Two coaching badge in 2011 and is enrolled on the UEFA B course that
starts the day after the final match of the season. Taylor, 32, is enjoying
a renaissance at West Ham, selected by Sam Allardyce in central midfield
alongside Mark Noble for 10 of the past 11 Premier League matches which have
yielded 19 points. Their partnership has been key to the club's rise from
18th to 11th since securing the 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge that brought
Jose Mourinho's barbs about nineteenth-century football. 'You can't go to
Chelsea and outplay them at their game. That's suicide,' says Taylor. 'Eden
Hazard and Willian are unbelievable footballers, but they tend to come in
the pitch rather than stay out wide so we believed we could frustrate them
by playing narrow. The manager gave us a very good game plan. 'The reaction
in the dressing room afterwards was fantastic. It gave us the kick to pick
up four consecutive wins.'
Rather than distract from the fight against relegation, he feels the
coaching at Luton, which began last year, has improved him as a player,
offering him a wider picture and greater understanding of the game. His
commitment is underlined by the weekly sessions he puts on whatever the
weather. He also manages matches at the weekend when he can. Having a
current Premier League footballer teach a young group is unusual and
certainly seems to add extra impetus. Taylor was just a year older than the
boys he is overseeing when he signed his first forms at Luton and he can
reflect on how times have changed.
'My education through football was very different to the way that players
now are educated,' he says. 'We never used to leave the training ground till
5 o' clock every day. We would train in the morning, have some lunch, then
do all of our jobs. 'The worst job was cleaning the toilets in the away team
dressing room. At Luton the young pros changed in there then travelled. They
didn't have a huge amount of respect, as you can imagine. 'Bullied is
completely the wrong word, but you knew the hierarchy. At that age you dared
not look at the first team players. They would leave the dressing room in a
right mess. 'But as a 16-year-old that responsibility was a good thing. The
further up the pyramid you go it really makes you appreciate how anything
you can think of is done for you.
'It was different back then, but so was a lot of life – you have to move
with the times.' Taylor is one of a number of Luton graduates to play in the
top-flight. Jack Wilshere spent time there before joining Arsenal, while
Curtis Davies and Kelvin Davis are others. Taylor left Luton for Portsmouth
in 2002 with a tribunal setting a £750,000 transfer fee, leading his
then-manager Kinnear to remark that 'at least Dick Turpin had the decency to
wear a mask.' It was a move made to step up in level rather than earnings –
the contract offer was the same as at Kennilworth Road – and Taylor can take
Kinnear's words as a compliment.
Harry Redknapp had a similar air of authority at Portsmouth – but also an
ability to squeeze every last drop from ageing acquisitions. 'He is an
exceptional man manager and gets the best out of players. He did it umpteen
times at Portsmouth, signing players who others thought were past it.'
Taylor has picked up things from all he has played for, including Sam
Allardyce. 'If you ask Sam a question you get an honest answer, you can't
beat honesty in football.
'His job was under scrutiny from outside the club when we were in the
relegation zone but the chairmen stuck by him. It's a decision that's proved
invaluable.' It was at Portsmouth that Taylor made his name, scoring two
wonder goals that remain a couple of the purest strikes seen in the Premier
League. There was a thunderous hit from 45-yards at the Stadium of Light in
October 2005, then an even more audacious volley from just outside the
centre-circle at Fratton Park against Everton in December 2006. 'Kanu
flicked it up and it was just one of those instinctive things. I thought,
"Why not?" I hit it and it flew in. It could have easily ended up in Row Z
and people would have said, "What on earth is he doing?" It is a memory that
will stick with me for the rest of my life. 'The Sunderland one I went for
because there was nothing else on. I put a bit of bend on it, outside of the
foot. I can't do Ronaldo stepovers but what I have been blessed with is an
ability to strike the ball nicely.' Taylor also holds the rather surprising
record of having scored at Old Trafford, Stamford Bridge, Anfield and the
Emirates during his career – a feat few can match.
Outside of the game he is in the early stages of setting up a branch of
Arundel Wealth to help young players with financial advice. 'Large sums of
money now are being bandied around in the Premier League and there are
people out there who are not as honest as you might think,' he says. 'I had
good advice throughout my career and I would like others to have that same
opportunity.' At home he is raising three children under the age of eight
with his wife Hannah, his childhood sweetheart from Oxford. But it is the
youngsters on the pitch under his guidance tonight. 'These boys have got
more attitude than my kids at the moment,' he laughs. 'Although that's quite
good fun, they've got a little bit about them. I really enjoy it.'
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WHUFC.com
Dan Potts admits his side's performance wasn't up to scratch in their defeat
against Blackburn
13.04.2014
Dan Potts offered an honest assessment of his side's performance after
captaining the Development Squad in their 1-0 defeat against Blackburn
Rovers at Rush Green on Friday afternoon. The young Hammers went down to a
single goal which arrived just after the hour mark and proved too much for
the home side to claw back. The decisive strike by Potts' opposite number
Darragh Lenihan stemmed from a Rovers' free-kick, and the defender felt his
side hadn't done enough to warrant a different outcome. He told West Ham TV:
"I'm very disappointed," he explained. "We came into the game wanting to get
the three points and the win. "We felt that being at home and coming off the
defeat at Bolton, we definitely felt that we would come here and give it our
best shot to get the three points. "Saying that, I don't think we played
particularly well and I don't think we really deserved the three points. The
next best thing would have been the 0-0 and to come away with a point, but
we let ourselves down at a set-piece and that's the way the game ended."
The manner of the goal was particularly galling for Potts and the rest of
the defence with the defining moment coming from a set-piece. Potts had
marshalled the defence well up to that point, but was left to rue how the
winning goal came about. "Playing at the back you pride yourself on clean
sheets, so the disappointing thing from my point of view was that we
conceded from a set-piece. "They came here, had good shape about them and
played on the counter attack. Obviously it's frustrating for us and we've
got to have the know-how and the ability to break that down, which I believe
we have got. "Full credit to them. They came here with a game plan and their
game plan worked better than ours. They're going home with the three points
and we're going home thinking about what-ifs and what we could have done to
get the three points ourselves."
Defeat dents the Hammers' hopes of finishing in the top half of the Barclays
Under-21 Premier League table as they bid to secure a top-eleven finish for
when the league splits into two divisions next season. The U21s travel north
to play Sunderland on Thursday in their final match of the league season,
and Potts has targeted nothing less than a win against the Mackems. "The
emphasis is on Sunderland next week for sure. We'll regroup after this and
then we'll be going up to Sunderland to come back with the three points like
Blackburn have today. "After this, the emphasis definitely has to be on
trying to come away from Sunderland with something. "The lads know their
games, they know their strengths and I think you can see that when we all
play to our individual strengths, that it's a good group and a good changing
room. "Off the ball as well when everyone works hard for each other its
shows and nine times out of ten we come away with the result that we're
looking for. Hopefully it will be one of those performances."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Noble craves top ten finish
WHUFc.com
Mark Noble wants three points at Arsenal to edge closer to the top ten
13.04.2014
Mark Noble believes the Hammers can edge closer to the top ten with victory
at Arsenal on Tuesday. The Gunners reached the FA Cup final on Saturday, but
Noble says the Hammers possess the ability and self-belief to pull off a
shock result at the Emirates Stadium. He thought the performance in defeat
to league leaders Liverpool merited more and if they put in a similar
display they will be rewarded. "Against Liverpool we put in one of the best
first halves we've played this season," he said. "We were unlucky to lose
the game with a penalty that wasn't, but it was nice to go out there knowing
we were near on safe and could enjoy it. "I thought that showed and
hopefully we can get the same attitude on Tuesday. "Our aim since the start
of the season has been to at least match last year's finish. "We didn't have
the best of starts, we know that, but since Christmas we've really dug in
and put the points on the board. That's what has made us half-safe now.
"There's five games left that we need to get points from and come tenth
again."
Noble spent some time at Arsenal at the very start of his development and he
has fond memories of going back to north London and winning in the 2006/07
campaign. He added "I was at Arsenal as a young kid before I went to West
Ham and they probably did develop me as a player a bit. I've won there once
before during the great escape we had and who says we can't do it again?"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Arsenal v West Ham
KO 19:45
13 April 2014
Last updated at 19:11
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Emirates Stadium Date: Tuesday, 15 April
TEAM NEWS
Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud looks set to be recalled after beginning
their FA Cup semi-final win over Wigan on the bench. Wojciech Szczesny is
also expected to return in goal, with Aaron Ramsey continuing after his
recent injury.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce must decide whether to change the side beaten
2-1 by Liverpool last time out. Matt Jarvis, Joe Cole, Antonio Nocerino and
Roger Johnson are amongst those pushing for a recall.
MATCH PREVIEW
Buoyed by a place in this year's FA Cup final, albeit on penalties following
their unconvincing performance against Championship side and 2013 winners
Wigan, Arsenal face a crucial London derby against West Ham looking to end a
four-match winless league run. A much-needed victory would see the Gunners
regain the final Champions League qualifying place from Everton for 24 hours
at least. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said: "The win (Wigan) will
rebuild the confidence which was very jaded, I'm confident we will respond
well. It will give us a target for the end of the season and it allows us to
focus on the Premier League in a more serene way. "We had the nerve and the
mental strength that has been questioned recently, that's why I'm happy they
gave that response.
FA Cup penalty shoot-out hero Lukasz Fabianski added: "It picks up the club
and the fans, it gives us more belief that we can manage first of all to
finish in the top four, and then hopefully to win the final. West Ham have
had nine days to prepare for this fixture and Sam Allardyce's side will
almost certainly be prepared and up for the challenge of putting Wenger's
men further under the microscope. Hammers defender Roger Johnson was part of
the Birmingham City side that upset Arsenal in the 2011 League Cup final. He
has reflected on the Gunners' unpredictability this season. "I do think
they're very beatable, as we saw the other day against Everton. "Yes, we'll
be underdogs because we're playing Arsenal at Arsenal, but look at the
Liverpool game (earlier this month). They are top of the league and I
thought we matched them all over really and should have come out of the game
with a result."
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Arsenal have won six successive league matches against West Ham and are
unbeaten in the last 12 meetings in all competitions since a 1-0 home defeat
in April 2007.
West Ham's only goal in their last five visits to the Emirates Stadium was
scored by Jack Collison in a 5-1 defeat last season.
Arsenal
The Gunners have only taken two points from their last four matches. They
have not gone five league games without a win since registering five
successive draws in January and February 2009.
Arsene Wenger's side have gone 15 home games unbeaten in the league since
the opening-day defeat by Aston Villa.
They have earned more points than any other side this season after opening
the scoring: 55 from 20 games.
West Ham
The Hammers have won seven of their last 13 league fixtures, having only
triumphed in three of the previous 20.
They have dropped 17 points from winning positions. Only Southampton (18
points) have fared worse.
West Ham's tally of 13 clean sheets is bettered only by Chelsea.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WEST HAM DEVELOPMENT SQUAD INJURIES
By Sean Whetstone 13 Apr 2014 at 08:25
West Ham Till I Die
Our West Ham Development Squad lost to bottom of the table Blackburn Rovers
at Friday lunchtime despite drafting Joe Cole in to their depeated squad.
Blackburn U21"s have only managed two wins all season until their victory on
Friday.
Striker Jaanai Gordon, our £3.5m investment from Peterborough is out for the
the rest of the season with a hamstring injury; he previously suffered from
a groin injury and broke his leg while at Peterborough. He has managed just
two development squad appearances since signing at the beginning of January
with no goals as yet.
Elliot Lee who has recently signed a new two and a half year contract
extension is also out the rest of the season with an ankle ligament injury.
Lee has made 14 appearances this season scoring 8 goals. Leo Chambers who
has played 13 times this season is also missing with a muscle tear.
Dylan Tombides remains unavailable due to a relapse of his testicular
cancer. Pelly Ruddock was sold to Luton in January for a nominal fee after
making 10 appearances and scoring two goals for the dev squad this season
and Abdul Razak was released after after 4 weeks after an unsuccessful loan
period. Blair Turgott, George Moncurr, Sean Maquire and Paul Mccallum remain
unavailable as they are all out on loan until the end of the season.
The U21 side have slipped down to 9th in the Barclays U21 Premier League
table Liverpool top the table followed by Fulham, Southampton and Chelsea.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Same old story in Emirates test
Posted by Peter Thorne
ESPN
Sam Allardyce's West Ham face FA Cup finalists Arsenal on Tuesday night. The
inevitability of the comment was such that I was actually sitting waiting
for it. Sure enough, the little epithet duly arrived from the TV commentator
during the first half of the extra 30 minutes of Saturday evening's FA cup
semi-final between Arsenal and Wigan: "The only person likely to be happy
with extra time is Sam Allardyce, whose West Ham United play Arsenal on
Tuesday evening".
If only things were that simple.
There's no doubt that the penalty shoot-out pressure would have taken
something out of the Arsenal squad, but it's equally likely that the boost
in overcoming Wigan Athletic and making an FA Cup final -- that they are now
confidently expected to win -- will revitalize a Gunners side that had
seemed to have run out of steam in the last few weeks. The promise of a cup
final will surely provide an incentive that will see them as difficult to
beat as ever. For although the Hammers have provided Arsenal with a good
number of shocks over the years -- last team to win at the old Highbury,
first to win at the Emirates and, of course, that win back in 1980 -- all
too often the north London side, who can call on better players in a larger
squad, have bested the Upton Park outfit quite considerably. There have been
one or two defeats over the past few years that have figured among the
season's worst results for the Hammers.
I'd imagine Allardyce would have gleefully noted how Arsenal struggled to
break down a resolute Wigan team and have hopes of emulating that, but even
with the pressure off in the relegation dogfight -- although not
mathematically safe, Swansea and Aston Villa would seem to be the teams now
looking over their shoulder -- the Hammers would view even a point as a good
result against a team still trying to make sure of Champions League
qualification.
Normally at this stage of the season supporters would be hoping to see one
or two new faces coming in from the development squad but -- true to form --
it's good to see the injury crisis that regularly strikes the senior squad
is burgeoning at youth level too. It's comforting to know that youngsters
are being shown only too well what is likely to happen if they go all the
way in their careers at Upton Park.
Striker Jaanai Gordon, bought from Peterborough earlier this campaign, is
out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury while Elliot Lee, who
has just signed a new two-and-a-half year contract extension, has also been
ruled out for the campaign with ankle ligament problems. Elsewhere, Leo
Chambers has a muscle tear, while others considered on the edge of the
squad: George Moncur, Paul McCallum, Blair Turgott and Sean Maguire are all
out on loan until the end of the season.
So, don't expect too many surprises at the Emirates; Big Sam will set the
team up to defend in depth, hit on the break and try to disrupt the Gunners
rhythm in midfield. In other words: same old, same old. Ironically, the only
question will actually be: have Arsenal's semi-final exploits taken anything
out of the team?
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Taylor: I started at Luton cleaning the toilets. Now teaching the next
generation of youngsters has made me a better player
By LAURIE WHITWELL
PUBLISHED: 22:34, 13 April 2014 | UPDATED: 22:34, 13 April 2014
Daily Mail
On a bitterly cold night there are plenty of ways Matt Taylor might choose
to keep warm. But rather than putting the slippers on in front of the fire
he is out on the training pitches, coaching what he hopes are the next batch
of professional footballers to come through Luton's academy. 'What we're
working on tonight is playing out from the back in the right way,' he says,
breath visible amid the darkness as he surveys the Under 15s side. 'It's
great for me because it's opened my eyes to a different side of football.
'It would be nice to pass on some of my knowledge. When you're doing a
session and can take 15 seconds to practise what you preach – that is a big
thing.' This, Barnfield College, is the place Taylor started his career,
first under Lennie Lawrence then Joe Kinnear, and where he has turned for a
future beyond playing.
'By no means am I near finishing,' he insists. 'I still feel as fit as ever.
What I want to do is to give myself options. I want to be able to make the
progression from playing into whatever it is a smooth one.' He completed his
Level Two coaching badge in 2011 and is enrolled on the UEFA B course that
starts the day after the final match of the season. Taylor, 32, is enjoying
a renaissance at West Ham, selected by Sam Allardyce in central midfield
alongside Mark Noble for 10 of the past 11 Premier League matches which have
yielded 19 points. Their partnership has been key to the club's rise from
18th to 11th since securing the 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge that brought
Jose Mourinho's barbs about nineteenth-century football. 'You can't go to
Chelsea and outplay them at their game. That's suicide,' says Taylor. 'Eden
Hazard and Willian are unbelievable footballers, but they tend to come in
the pitch rather than stay out wide so we believed we could frustrate them
by playing narrow. The manager gave us a very good game plan. 'The reaction
in the dressing room afterwards was fantastic. It gave us the kick to pick
up four consecutive wins.'
Rather than distract from the fight against relegation, he feels the
coaching at Luton, which began last year, has improved him as a player,
offering him a wider picture and greater understanding of the game. His
commitment is underlined by the weekly sessions he puts on whatever the
weather. He also manages matches at the weekend when he can. Having a
current Premier League footballer teach a young group is unusual and
certainly seems to add extra impetus. Taylor was just a year older than the
boys he is overseeing when he signed his first forms at Luton and he can
reflect on how times have changed.
'My education through football was very different to the way that players
now are educated,' he says. 'We never used to leave the training ground till
5 o' clock every day. We would train in the morning, have some lunch, then
do all of our jobs. 'The worst job was cleaning the toilets in the away team
dressing room. At Luton the young pros changed in there then travelled. They
didn't have a huge amount of respect, as you can imagine. 'Bullied is
completely the wrong word, but you knew the hierarchy. At that age you dared
not look at the first team players. They would leave the dressing room in a
right mess. 'But as a 16-year-old that responsibility was a good thing. The
further up the pyramid you go it really makes you appreciate how anything
you can think of is done for you.
'It was different back then, but so was a lot of life – you have to move
with the times.' Taylor is one of a number of Luton graduates to play in the
top-flight. Jack Wilshere spent time there before joining Arsenal, while
Curtis Davies and Kelvin Davis are others. Taylor left Luton for Portsmouth
in 2002 with a tribunal setting a £750,000 transfer fee, leading his
then-manager Kinnear to remark that 'at least Dick Turpin had the decency to
wear a mask.' It was a move made to step up in level rather than earnings –
the contract offer was the same as at Kennilworth Road – and Taylor can take
Kinnear's words as a compliment.
Harry Redknapp had a similar air of authority at Portsmouth – but also an
ability to squeeze every last drop from ageing acquisitions. 'He is an
exceptional man manager and gets the best out of players. He did it umpteen
times at Portsmouth, signing players who others thought were past it.'
Taylor has picked up things from all he has played for, including Sam
Allardyce. 'If you ask Sam a question you get an honest answer, you can't
beat honesty in football.
'His job was under scrutiny from outside the club when we were in the
relegation zone but the chairmen stuck by him. It's a decision that's proved
invaluable.' It was at Portsmouth that Taylor made his name, scoring two
wonder goals that remain a couple of the purest strikes seen in the Premier
League. There was a thunderous hit from 45-yards at the Stadium of Light in
October 2005, then an even more audacious volley from just outside the
centre-circle at Fratton Park against Everton in December 2006. 'Kanu
flicked it up and it was just one of those instinctive things. I thought,
"Why not?" I hit it and it flew in. It could have easily ended up in Row Z
and people would have said, "What on earth is he doing?" It is a memory that
will stick with me for the rest of my life. 'The Sunderland one I went for
because there was nothing else on. I put a bit of bend on it, outside of the
foot. I can't do Ronaldo stepovers but what I have been blessed with is an
ability to strike the ball nicely.' Taylor also holds the rather surprising
record of having scored at Old Trafford, Stamford Bridge, Anfield and the
Emirates during his career – a feat few can match.
Outside of the game he is in the early stages of setting up a branch of
Arundel Wealth to help young players with financial advice. 'Large sums of
money now are being bandied around in the Premier League and there are
people out there who are not as honest as you might think,' he says. 'I had
good advice throughout my career and I would like others to have that same
opportunity.' At home he is raising three children under the age of eight
with his wife Hannah, his childhood sweetheart from Oxford. But it is the
youngsters on the pitch under his guidance tonight. 'These boys have got
more attitude than my kids at the moment,' he laughs. 'Although that's quite
good fun, they've got a little bit about them. I really enjoy it.'
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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Sunday, April 13
Daily WHUFC News - 13th April 2014
Hammers host Gridiron stars
WHUFC.com
West Ham United played host to Indianapolis Colts pair Andrew Luck and Coby
Fleener
12.04.2014
West Ham United were visited by two of world's biggest football stars
recently, but the vast majority of fans did not even know they were here!
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck and tight end Coby Fleener were
guests of the Hammers for the Barclays Premier League fixture with
Liverpool. American footballers Luck, who stands 6'4", and close friend and
former Stanford University team-mate Fleener, 6'6", are both enthusiastic
fans of what Americans commonly call soccer. Luck, who spent part of his
childhood living in west London, and Fleener thoroughly enjoyed their first
visit to the Boleyn Ground, asking countless questions about the team, the
history of the Club and the Hammers' upcoming move to the Olympic Stadium.
"I love soccer, or I will try to refer it as football!" smiled the
24-year-old quarterback, who was the No1 pick in the 2012 NFL draft and has
led the Colts to the Play-Offs in each of his first two seasons as a
professional. "I love playing it and love watching it and it's definitely
getting a lot of popularity in the States as well. I have been to a bunch of
MLS games and watched Robbie Keane and David Beckham play, but it's nice to
be over here and be a fan. It's fun for us to play [American football] but
it's also fun for us to watch and be fans of sports. "My Dad was working
over here for the NFL and growing up I remember going to Arsenal and Crystal
Palace games, but this is my first trip out to West Ham, so we're very
excited and happy that you had us to visit."
Aside from living in London, Luck also spent part of his upbringing in
Texas, where he father served as President and General Manager of the MLS
franchise Houston Dynamo. While Illinois native Fleener has no historical
links with soccer like his friend, the 25-year-old has quickly been educated
in the nuances of the sport by Luck. "Andrew has definitely been the driving
force behind my love of the game," said Fleener. "He has shown me the way as
to how to be a fan and this is my first time out here to watch a game, so
I'm excited!" While American football has big hits, touchdowns and timeouts,
soccer is a continuous, fast-flowing game with fewer goals - or points -
scored, so what do the two NFL giants like so much about the beautiful game?
"For me, I'm interested in seeing fans because they are so passionate about
their team, their home base and where they are from," Fleener revealed.
"That, to me, is the most exciting thing about soccer. "I catch games in the
States every once in a while. As Andrew said, the sport is growing in
popularity so with football and 'football' together, there is always
something on TV."
Neither player has a favourite team, with Luck instead choosing to follow
the American players in the Barclays Premier League, but Fleener admitted he
could well become a Hammer. "I think there's a good chance of that
happening, absolutely!" confirmed the No80. While the Barclays Premier
League season is approaching its conclusion, Luck and Fleener and their
fellow American footballers are currently resting their bodies ahead of the
start of the 2014 NFL season in early September. The Colts have reached the
Play-Offs in eleven of the previous 12 years, defeating the Chicago Bears in
Super Bowl XLI in 2006 and losing to the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl
XLIV in 2009. Both of those games were played prior to Luck and Fleener's
arrival in Indianapolis, however, and the pair are now eager to write their
own names into the Colts illustrious history books. "Hopefully we're going
to win a Super Bowl!" said Luck, who was in London to host a Skills Camp at
The Soccerdome in North Greenwich. "We hope to improve and I think we have
great pieces, with a bunch of great young players and some veteran
leadership. "We hope this can be our year, but every team is saying the same
thing in the off-season."
As a tight end, Fleener fulfils one of the few positions on the offense
where he can both defend as a blocker and attack by catching passes thrown
by his quarterback - a bit like a central midfielder in soccer. He knows he
has an important role to play if the Colts are to match Luck's ambition by
winning Super Bowl XLIX in February 2015. "It's always my goal to be the No1
tight end, but more importantly for me it's about winning for the team, for
the organisation and for the fans back home. "Just as the West Ham players
give their all for the fans around them, that's the same for what we try to
do for the Colts. There's always a chance for us to win the Super Bowl, but
there is a lot of work to be done before we know if that's going to be an
option for us."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
U18s suffer City setback
WHUFC.com
West Ham United went down 3-0 at Manchester City in the Barclays U18 Premier
League
12.04.2014
West Ham United went down to a 3-0 defeat at Manchester City in the Barclays
U18 Premier League on Saturday. The Hammers' South Division title hopes took
a major blow as the North Division leaders proved too strong at Platt Lane,
where goals from Thierry Ambrose, Brandon Barker and Kean Bryan settled
matters. Defeat leaves West Ham three points behind leaders Tottenham
Hotspur, with three home matches remaining. Despite their loss, Steve Potts'
side remain in the hunt for top spot as Spurs lost 1-0 at Manchester United
on Saturday. It could have been different if West Ham forward Marcio Martins
had not been denied early on, when home goalkeeper Billy O'Brien thrust out
a hand to divert his shot around the post. Ambrose's opener came on 12
minutes when he headed in Tosin Adarabioyo's flick-on from a corner. West
Ham came back into things after falling behind, with Kieran Bywater firing a
free-kick narrowly over the crossbar and Denziel Boadu hitting the post for
City shortly before the half-hour mark. Into the second half and Reece Burke
was penalised for a foul inside the West Ham penalty area, allowing Barker
to fire past Tim Brown from the spot after 58 minutes. The hosts' third came
on 71 minutes, when substitute Bryan ran through the defence and finished
accurately past Brown. West Ham return to action on Wednesday 16 April, when
they welcome West Bromwich Albion to Little Heath for a 12noon kick-off.
Highlights of Saturday's defeat at Manchester City will be available to
watch on West Ham TV shortly.
U18s: T.Brown, Pike, Mavila, Nasha, Burke, Onariase, Amoo, Makasi, Martins,
Bywater, Parfitt-Williams
Subs not used: Diangana, Nemrava, Bailey, Marlow, Akinola
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WEST HAM IN TALKS WITH JEREMY MENEZ AND JOSIP DRMIC
By Sean Whetstone 12 Apr 2014 at 08:06
West Ham Till I Die
News has broken in the past 24 hours that West Ham United are in talks with
FC Nurnberg striker Josip Drmic.
The Daily Mail claim Sam Allardyce will fly to Germany today to take a
closer look at the 21 year old swiss striker. Drmic is also been linked with
Arsenal, Liverpool and Everton along with Borussia Dortmund who are claimed
to have made an enquiry this week according to the Daily Mail.
The Swiss international, has scored 16 goals in 28 games this season. The
player is valued at £8million by his club although he is believed to have a
£4.5 million buy out clause. Former Germany captain Lothar Matthaus claimed
the player was house hunting in London and that he was Arsenal-bound this
summer. But Drmic replied: 'At the moment I am single and there is no one
house hunting in London.'
I understand West Ham are not best pleased that their interest in him has
been leaked.
Another West Ham target which has emerged is Paris St Germain's Jeremy Menez
as revealed by WHTID author EXWHUEmployee on twitter yesterday.
His contract runs out at the end of the season and he has started just six
league games for the Ligue 1 side this season. He has refused to sign a new
contract.The winger has admitted he is uncertain of his future in France
saying: "We talked about an extension, but it was not sorted out. "I have
three months remaining on my contract at PSG, we will see what will happen
at the end of the" I understand West Ham representatives will fly out to
speak to his agent.
In other early transfer talk Talksport claimed yesterday that West Ham are
close to a deal with Leed's striker Ross McCormack. I understand that one is
far from true and not even on extended list of transfer targets. The Phil
Bardsley rumour does appear to have some legs and I am told he is on the
fabled long list but one of many targets.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
REMEMBERING BOBBY MOORE'S BIRTHDAY GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
By Sean Whetstone 12 Apr 2014 at 18:00
West Ham Till I Die
If Bobby Moore had survived his fight with cancer he would of turned 73
today. The barking born boy played over 500 times for the Hammers as well as
being capped 108 times for England. He may be gone but he is not forgotten.
Many happy returns Mooro!
Robert Frederick Chelsea Moore was born in Baking on 12th April 1941. He was
recruited to West Ham's academy in 1956, making his debut for the senior
team as a replacement for Malcolm Allison against Manchester United in
September 1958.
In 1960, at the young age of 19, he was called up to the England under-23's,
and earned his debut cap in 1962 in Peru. In 1963 he was made captain of the
squad, quickly earning the trust of his coach and manager. At first Moore
was just filling in for more senior players, but the position was made
permanent in 1964. That year Moore was first treated for testicular cancer,
but he did not let that stop him winning the FA Cup with West Ham. He was
also named Football Writer's Association Football player of the Year.
In 1966, he captained England to their only World Cup victory.
After the World Cup, Moore continued to play for West Ham and England, as
well as promoting the British pub industry and opening his own sports shop.
In the second half of the decade, he received national recognition. In 1966
Moore was the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, and in 1967 he was awarded
an OBE, and a punk band even recorded a song about him entitled 'Viva Bobby
Moore'.
Moore was again named captain of England again for the 1970 World Cup. The
tournament was not a wild success for England, but it went down for one
piece of genius from Moore when, during their match with Brazil, he
performed a spectacular tackle on the advancing Jairzinho – still considered
perhaps the finest (if not, the most iconic) tackle in history.
Moore made his final appearance for England in 1973, when they failed to
qualify for the World Cup. On his retirement, he was the most capped player
in the history of the England football team.
Why not support the Bobby Moore Fund in his memory?
bobbymoorefund.cancerresearchuk.org/
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West Ham target Guilherme Siqueira transfer to finally fix problem left-back
spot
Apr 12, 2014 23:00 By Steve Bates
The Mirror
Granada's Guilherme Siqueira is a £5.5million target for West Ham, writes
Steve Bates in the Sunday People. The 27-year-old Brazilian is on loan at
Benfica, who have an option to make the move permanent, but the Hammers'
manager Sam Allardyce is keen to solve his problematic left-back slot.
Meanwhile, Abdul Razak has left the Hammers. The former Manchester City
midfielder, 21, joined from Anzhi Makhachkala but did not play for the first
team.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Collison misses penalty in FA Cup semi-final
By matt_harris | Posted: April 12, 2014
BrentwoodGazette.co.uk
WEST Ham United's Jack Collison missed as Wigan lost to Arsenal in a penalty
shootout in the FA Cup semi-final. Collison, who is on loan to the Latics
until the end of the season, came on as a 64th minute substitute just after
Wigan had taken the lead through Jordi Gomes' penalty. But Per Metesacker
levelled for Arsenal with eight minutes to go taking to game to extra-time
and eventually penalties. Collison was the second penalty taker for Wigan,
put Lukas Fabianksi went the right way to saved the spot kick. Wigan lost
the shootout 4-2.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Richards set for summer exit
Micah Richards has told Manchester City that he will not be signing a new
deal at the club, and will look to leave this summer.
Football365
Last Updated: 12/04/14 at 12:28 Post Comment
Sky Sports understands that Richards confirmed to City chiefs in early March
that he would not be signing a deal which was offered to him last summer.
Richards, who has come through the ranks at City, has decided that the time
is right to seek a new challenge. The 25-year-old has just over 12 months
left on his current deal at the Etihad Stadium and City were keen on
extending his stay to keep him at the club. However, with first-team
football not guaranteed under Manuel Pellegrini, Richards is now looking
elsewhere and City will opt to sell this summer rather than risk losing him
for nothing in a year's time. A source told Sky Sports: "It is with a heavy
heart that Micah has told City that he will not be signing his new deal and
they have now accepted he will be leaving. Micah has grown up at City and
given his all but this is the right time to move on."
A host of clubs are now monitoring Richards, who has spent much of his time
at City at full-back, but is also viewed as a centre-half. In the Premier
League, Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle, West Ham and Tottenham are all
believed to be monitoring the situation, whilst there are clubs in France,
Spain and Italy also looking, with AC Milan known to be one of those keen on
taking him. A spokesman for Richards' agents Sidekick refused to comment on
the situation.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers After Sunderland Duo!
VitalFootball.co.uk
The tabloid speculation, relating to summer signings, has already suggested
that West Ham United might be interested in signing one Sunderland player,
it now appears we might be after two. Nestling amongst the transfer gossip
column of one leading tabloid is the inference that as well as being in the
hunt to bring the Sunderland defender Phil Bardsley to Upton Park this
summer, West Ham United are also interested in bringing his team-mate Jack
Colback to East London.
Whether there is any element of truth in the rumour we can only wait and
see.
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WHUFC.com
West Ham United played host to Indianapolis Colts pair Andrew Luck and Coby
Fleener
12.04.2014
West Ham United were visited by two of world's biggest football stars
recently, but the vast majority of fans did not even know they were here!
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck and tight end Coby Fleener were
guests of the Hammers for the Barclays Premier League fixture with
Liverpool. American footballers Luck, who stands 6'4", and close friend and
former Stanford University team-mate Fleener, 6'6", are both enthusiastic
fans of what Americans commonly call soccer. Luck, who spent part of his
childhood living in west London, and Fleener thoroughly enjoyed their first
visit to the Boleyn Ground, asking countless questions about the team, the
history of the Club and the Hammers' upcoming move to the Olympic Stadium.
"I love soccer, or I will try to refer it as football!" smiled the
24-year-old quarterback, who was the No1 pick in the 2012 NFL draft and has
led the Colts to the Play-Offs in each of his first two seasons as a
professional. "I love playing it and love watching it and it's definitely
getting a lot of popularity in the States as well. I have been to a bunch of
MLS games and watched Robbie Keane and David Beckham play, but it's nice to
be over here and be a fan. It's fun for us to play [American football] but
it's also fun for us to watch and be fans of sports. "My Dad was working
over here for the NFL and growing up I remember going to Arsenal and Crystal
Palace games, but this is my first trip out to West Ham, so we're very
excited and happy that you had us to visit."
Aside from living in London, Luck also spent part of his upbringing in
Texas, where he father served as President and General Manager of the MLS
franchise Houston Dynamo. While Illinois native Fleener has no historical
links with soccer like his friend, the 25-year-old has quickly been educated
in the nuances of the sport by Luck. "Andrew has definitely been the driving
force behind my love of the game," said Fleener. "He has shown me the way as
to how to be a fan and this is my first time out here to watch a game, so
I'm excited!" While American football has big hits, touchdowns and timeouts,
soccer is a continuous, fast-flowing game with fewer goals - or points -
scored, so what do the two NFL giants like so much about the beautiful game?
"For me, I'm interested in seeing fans because they are so passionate about
their team, their home base and where they are from," Fleener revealed.
"That, to me, is the most exciting thing about soccer. "I catch games in the
States every once in a while. As Andrew said, the sport is growing in
popularity so with football and 'football' together, there is always
something on TV."
Neither player has a favourite team, with Luck instead choosing to follow
the American players in the Barclays Premier League, but Fleener admitted he
could well become a Hammer. "I think there's a good chance of that
happening, absolutely!" confirmed the No80. While the Barclays Premier
League season is approaching its conclusion, Luck and Fleener and their
fellow American footballers are currently resting their bodies ahead of the
start of the 2014 NFL season in early September. The Colts have reached the
Play-Offs in eleven of the previous 12 years, defeating the Chicago Bears in
Super Bowl XLI in 2006 and losing to the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl
XLIV in 2009. Both of those games were played prior to Luck and Fleener's
arrival in Indianapolis, however, and the pair are now eager to write their
own names into the Colts illustrious history books. "Hopefully we're going
to win a Super Bowl!" said Luck, who was in London to host a Skills Camp at
The Soccerdome in North Greenwich. "We hope to improve and I think we have
great pieces, with a bunch of great young players and some veteran
leadership. "We hope this can be our year, but every team is saying the same
thing in the off-season."
As a tight end, Fleener fulfils one of the few positions on the offense
where he can both defend as a blocker and attack by catching passes thrown
by his quarterback - a bit like a central midfielder in soccer. He knows he
has an important role to play if the Colts are to match Luck's ambition by
winning Super Bowl XLIX in February 2015. "It's always my goal to be the No1
tight end, but more importantly for me it's about winning for the team, for
the organisation and for the fans back home. "Just as the West Ham players
give their all for the fans around them, that's the same for what we try to
do for the Colts. There's always a chance for us to win the Super Bowl, but
there is a lot of work to be done before we know if that's going to be an
option for us."
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U18s suffer City setback
WHUFC.com
West Ham United went down 3-0 at Manchester City in the Barclays U18 Premier
League
12.04.2014
West Ham United went down to a 3-0 defeat at Manchester City in the Barclays
U18 Premier League on Saturday. The Hammers' South Division title hopes took
a major blow as the North Division leaders proved too strong at Platt Lane,
where goals from Thierry Ambrose, Brandon Barker and Kean Bryan settled
matters. Defeat leaves West Ham three points behind leaders Tottenham
Hotspur, with three home matches remaining. Despite their loss, Steve Potts'
side remain in the hunt for top spot as Spurs lost 1-0 at Manchester United
on Saturday. It could have been different if West Ham forward Marcio Martins
had not been denied early on, when home goalkeeper Billy O'Brien thrust out
a hand to divert his shot around the post. Ambrose's opener came on 12
minutes when he headed in Tosin Adarabioyo's flick-on from a corner. West
Ham came back into things after falling behind, with Kieran Bywater firing a
free-kick narrowly over the crossbar and Denziel Boadu hitting the post for
City shortly before the half-hour mark. Into the second half and Reece Burke
was penalised for a foul inside the West Ham penalty area, allowing Barker
to fire past Tim Brown from the spot after 58 minutes. The hosts' third came
on 71 minutes, when substitute Bryan ran through the defence and finished
accurately past Brown. West Ham return to action on Wednesday 16 April, when
they welcome West Bromwich Albion to Little Heath for a 12noon kick-off.
Highlights of Saturday's defeat at Manchester City will be available to
watch on West Ham TV shortly.
U18s: T.Brown, Pike, Mavila, Nasha, Burke, Onariase, Amoo, Makasi, Martins,
Bywater, Parfitt-Williams
Subs not used: Diangana, Nemrava, Bailey, Marlow, Akinola
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WEST HAM IN TALKS WITH JEREMY MENEZ AND JOSIP DRMIC
By Sean Whetstone 12 Apr 2014 at 08:06
West Ham Till I Die
News has broken in the past 24 hours that West Ham United are in talks with
FC Nurnberg striker Josip Drmic.
The Daily Mail claim Sam Allardyce will fly to Germany today to take a
closer look at the 21 year old swiss striker. Drmic is also been linked with
Arsenal, Liverpool and Everton along with Borussia Dortmund who are claimed
to have made an enquiry this week according to the Daily Mail.
The Swiss international, has scored 16 goals in 28 games this season. The
player is valued at £8million by his club although he is believed to have a
£4.5 million buy out clause. Former Germany captain Lothar Matthaus claimed
the player was house hunting in London and that he was Arsenal-bound this
summer. But Drmic replied: 'At the moment I am single and there is no one
house hunting in London.'
I understand West Ham are not best pleased that their interest in him has
been leaked.
Another West Ham target which has emerged is Paris St Germain's Jeremy Menez
as revealed by WHTID author EXWHUEmployee on twitter yesterday.
His contract runs out at the end of the season and he has started just six
league games for the Ligue 1 side this season. He has refused to sign a new
contract.The winger has admitted he is uncertain of his future in France
saying: "We talked about an extension, but it was not sorted out. "I have
three months remaining on my contract at PSG, we will see what will happen
at the end of the" I understand West Ham representatives will fly out to
speak to his agent.
In other early transfer talk Talksport claimed yesterday that West Ham are
close to a deal with Leed's striker Ross McCormack. I understand that one is
far from true and not even on extended list of transfer targets. The Phil
Bardsley rumour does appear to have some legs and I am told he is on the
fabled long list but one of many targets.
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REMEMBERING BOBBY MOORE'S BIRTHDAY GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
By Sean Whetstone 12 Apr 2014 at 18:00
West Ham Till I Die
If Bobby Moore had survived his fight with cancer he would of turned 73
today. The barking born boy played over 500 times for the Hammers as well as
being capped 108 times for England. He may be gone but he is not forgotten.
Many happy returns Mooro!
Robert Frederick Chelsea Moore was born in Baking on 12th April 1941. He was
recruited to West Ham's academy in 1956, making his debut for the senior
team as a replacement for Malcolm Allison against Manchester United in
September 1958.
In 1960, at the young age of 19, he was called up to the England under-23's,
and earned his debut cap in 1962 in Peru. In 1963 he was made captain of the
squad, quickly earning the trust of his coach and manager. At first Moore
was just filling in for more senior players, but the position was made
permanent in 1964. That year Moore was first treated for testicular cancer,
but he did not let that stop him winning the FA Cup with West Ham. He was
also named Football Writer's Association Football player of the Year.
In 1966, he captained England to their only World Cup victory.
After the World Cup, Moore continued to play for West Ham and England, as
well as promoting the British pub industry and opening his own sports shop.
In the second half of the decade, he received national recognition. In 1966
Moore was the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, and in 1967 he was awarded
an OBE, and a punk band even recorded a song about him entitled 'Viva Bobby
Moore'.
Moore was again named captain of England again for the 1970 World Cup. The
tournament was not a wild success for England, but it went down for one
piece of genius from Moore when, during their match with Brazil, he
performed a spectacular tackle on the advancing Jairzinho – still considered
perhaps the finest (if not, the most iconic) tackle in history.
Moore made his final appearance for England in 1973, when they failed to
qualify for the World Cup. On his retirement, he was the most capped player
in the history of the England football team.
Why not support the Bobby Moore Fund in his memory?
bobbymoorefund.cancerresearchuk.org/
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West Ham target Guilherme Siqueira transfer to finally fix problem left-back
spot
Apr 12, 2014 23:00 By Steve Bates
The Mirror
Granada's Guilherme Siqueira is a £5.5million target for West Ham, writes
Steve Bates in the Sunday People. The 27-year-old Brazilian is on loan at
Benfica, who have an option to make the move permanent, but the Hammers'
manager Sam Allardyce is keen to solve his problematic left-back slot.
Meanwhile, Abdul Razak has left the Hammers. The former Manchester City
midfielder, 21, joined from Anzhi Makhachkala but did not play for the first
team.
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West Ham's Collison misses penalty in FA Cup semi-final
By matt_harris | Posted: April 12, 2014
BrentwoodGazette.co.uk
WEST Ham United's Jack Collison missed as Wigan lost to Arsenal in a penalty
shootout in the FA Cup semi-final. Collison, who is on loan to the Latics
until the end of the season, came on as a 64th minute substitute just after
Wigan had taken the lead through Jordi Gomes' penalty. But Per Metesacker
levelled for Arsenal with eight minutes to go taking to game to extra-time
and eventually penalties. Collison was the second penalty taker for Wigan,
put Lukas Fabianksi went the right way to saved the spot kick. Wigan lost
the shootout 4-2.
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Richards set for summer exit
Micah Richards has told Manchester City that he will not be signing a new
deal at the club, and will look to leave this summer.
Football365
Last Updated: 12/04/14 at 12:28 Post Comment
Sky Sports understands that Richards confirmed to City chiefs in early March
that he would not be signing a deal which was offered to him last summer.
Richards, who has come through the ranks at City, has decided that the time
is right to seek a new challenge. The 25-year-old has just over 12 months
left on his current deal at the Etihad Stadium and City were keen on
extending his stay to keep him at the club. However, with first-team
football not guaranteed under Manuel Pellegrini, Richards is now looking
elsewhere and City will opt to sell this summer rather than risk losing him
for nothing in a year's time. A source told Sky Sports: "It is with a heavy
heart that Micah has told City that he will not be signing his new deal and
they have now accepted he will be leaving. Micah has grown up at City and
given his all but this is the right time to move on."
A host of clubs are now monitoring Richards, who has spent much of his time
at City at full-back, but is also viewed as a centre-half. In the Premier
League, Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle, West Ham and Tottenham are all
believed to be monitoring the situation, whilst there are clubs in France,
Spain and Italy also looking, with AC Milan known to be one of those keen on
taking him. A spokesman for Richards' agents Sidekick refused to comment on
the situation.
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Hammers After Sunderland Duo!
VitalFootball.co.uk
The tabloid speculation, relating to summer signings, has already suggested
that West Ham United might be interested in signing one Sunderland player,
it now appears we might be after two. Nestling amongst the transfer gossip
column of one leading tabloid is the inference that as well as being in the
hunt to bring the Sunderland defender Phil Bardsley to Upton Park this
summer, West Ham United are also interested in bringing his team-mate Jack
Colback to East London.
Whether there is any element of truth in the rumour we can only wait and
see.
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Saturday, April 12
Daily WHUFC News - 12th April 2014
Hammers to head for Schalke 04 Cup
WHUFC.com
West Ham United will take part in a prestigious four-team tournament in Germany in August
11.04.2014
West Ham United are delighted to announce that the Club will take part in the prestigious four-team Schalke 04 Cup in Germany in August. The Hammers will join host club Schalke 04, Spanish Primera Division side Malaga CF and fellow Barclays Premier League outfit Newcastle United in the tournament, which will be held at the VELTINS-Arena over the weekend of Saturday 2/Sunday 3 August. West Ham will be roared on by thousands of supporters in Germany during the competition, which will be held in a stadium which hosted the 2004 UEFA Champions League final, five matches at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and has a capacity of 61,482, a retractable roof and retractable pitch. Two matches will be held on each day of the tournament, with a special points system in place. Three points will be awarded to the winner of a match, while if a game ends in a draw, it will go straight to a penalty shoot-out, with the winner receiving two points. Whichever club accumulates the most points in two matches will be declared the champions.
While West Ham have met Newcastle 125 times in their history, the competition will potentially see the Club meet both Schalke 04 and Malaga CF for the first time.
Ticket details for West Ham fans are yet to be confirmed and will follow on whufc.com in due course. The competition marks the third summer in succession that West Ham will have visited Germany as part of their pre-season schedule. In 2012, the Hammers toured the country, taking on FC Rot-Weiß Erfurt, Dynamo Dresden and Energie Cottbus, while 2013 saw Big Sam's side face Bundesliga trio FSV Mainz 05, Hamburger SV and Eintracht Braunschweig.
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Carr predicts City challenge
WHUFC.com
Tony Carr MBE believes the Under-18s will face their toughest challenge of the season on Saturday
11.04.2014
Academy Director Tony Carr MBE is expecting the Under-18s to face their toughest challenge of the season when they take on Manchester City on Saturday morning. The Citizens have been the dominant force in the Barclays U18 Premier League North section this season, currently sitting in top spot with only five defeats from their 28 league fixtures. Steve Potts' team have been flying high themselves in the South section where they are still in the hunt for a top-two spot and Carr believes Saturday's match represents a huge test. "We're hoping to reverse the last couple of results and we're looking forward to going up to play Manchester City. They're the team of the moment in terms of youth and first team because of the profile they've got now and the backing behind them. They've won the northern league so it will be a big test for us. "It will be as tough as any game that we've played this season. There's an U21 game on the Friday, which obviously takes players from the squad and makes life a little bit more difficult. "We're hoping that the young players that we pick to go up there can go and do the job and we're really looking forward to the challenge."
The Hammers have hit a rough patch recently, losing their last three league matches having previously suffered only one defeat in their previous 17 league encounters. That superb run has kept the U18s in second place as they look to secure a spot in the season ending Play-Offs, and Carr believed their dip in form is part and parcel of football. "I think they're disappointed because obviously they were playing well. They can't win every game they play, that's just the way the game is. "You can't win every game and the boys had been on a fantastic run and now that we've had a couple of setbacks we have to stay focused and put on a good performance at the weekend."
The promotion to the Development Squad of several U18 stalwarts in the shape of Josh Cullen, Kyle Knoyle, Reece Burke, Jordan Brown, Lewis Page and Jamie Harney has forced Potts to promote players from the Club's schoolboy section in order to fill the void. Carr feels that those players who have come into the side need time to adapt to the step-up, but feels they will need to learn quickly as the season draws to a close. "It's a massive learning curve with the pace of the game, the physicality and it's a big test which isn't just about your footballing ability. "You have to be able to cope with all the other things that get thrown at you. Players have to be more tactically aware and there are lots of different challenges for a young player but it's a good experience for them. "That can only be good for their development and for their learning, but in this day you have to learn quickly and you have to take opportunities when they come.
"When it comes you've got to be ready to take it. There's no sentiment in the game, you've got to be good enough, and that's the bottom line."
The 63-year-old also admitted he'll be looking for the squad to give their all when they take to the pitch against the Sky Blues. "I'm not looking for a reaction that we wouldn't want in any other game. Give your all, be committed, go and enjoy it and let's see where it takes us."
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Johnson eyes Arsenal repeat
WHUFC.com
2011 League Cup winner Roger Johnson would love to pull off another surprise win over Arsenal
11.04.2014
Matches against Arsenal will always carry special resonance for West Ham United defender Roger Johnson. The centre back, currently on loan at the Boleyn Ground from Wolverhampton Wanderers, was part of the Birmingham City side which defeated the Gunners in the 2011 Carling Cup final. It meant the Ashford-born defender tasted success at Wembley at the second attempt, following an FA Cup final defeat for Cardiff against Portsmouth in 2008. Overcoming Arsene Wenger's side ranks as a career highlight for Johnson, who would love to notch another victory over the north London side on Tuesday. "Arsenal are Arsenal, everyone knows what they're about," he said. "They've been a bit hit and miss this season with results - they've had some good wins and some sloppy losses and they are where they are in the league. "I do think they're very beatable, as we saw the other day against Everton, and I have fond memories from the League Cup final in 2011, and the other clubs I've been at seem to have done well against them. "The cup final was a brilliant day and one I'll never forget. It's something I'll cherish because they had a great team at the time, they were doing well in the league and we were sort of written off. "I thought we deserved the result on the day, to beat someone like that makes it mean more too. They had Samir Nasri, Robin van Persie and the like, they had a great side out.
"We had a great run and we went into the final with the approach that it was about what happened on the day. Every game is on the day, so there's no reason why West Ham can't go to the Emirates and get a result on Tuesday too. "Yes, we'll be underdogs because we're playing Arsenal at Arsenal, but look at the Liverpool game the other day. They are top of the league and I thought we matched them all over really and should have come out of the game with a result."
Johnson was worked his way back into the Hammers' squad in recent weeks, coming off the bench in the victories over Hull City and Sunderland. The 30-year-old is delighted to be featuring again in the top flight following a difficult spell at Wolves and would love to contribute to more success over the final five gamea of the campaign. He added: "I came here wanting to play as many games as I possibly could. It was an opportunity for me to come in and play in the elite league and when I have done I don;t think I've done myself any harm. "Just being amongst it is what I came here for, and I've loved every minute of it. If I can get a few more games in between now and the end of the season and try to stick in the manager's head for something next season that would be great."
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Dev Squad 0-1 Blackburn Rovers FT
WHUFC.com
The Development Squad slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Blackburn Rovers at Rush Green
11.04.2014
DEVELOPMENT SQUAD v BLACKBURN ROVERS
BARCLAYS U21 PREMIER LEAGUE
RUSH GREEN STADIUM
FRIDAY 11 APRIL 2014
REFEREE: CHRISTOPHER POLLARD
KICK-OFF: 2PM
iPHONE APP I TWITTER I FACEBOOK I PODCAST I YOUTUBE
Full-time: It's all over. The Hammers go down to a goal just past the hour mark from Blackburn captain Darragh Lenihan. It was a frustrating afternoon for the home side whose best chance saw Jordan Brown bring the best out of David Raya with a low shot. Defeat is a big blow to the hosts' chances of securing a top-eleven finish in this season's Barclays U21 Premier League. They now head to Sunderland for their last game of the season desperate for a win.
91: Knoyle hoists a high ball into the box, but no one is anywhere near close enough to challenge Raya as he claims the ball.
90: There will be three minutes added on for the Hammers to try and find a goal.
89: The hosts are stuck in their own half as Blackburn try to run down the clock. Preston recieves a yellow card for kicking the ball away after it rolls out of play and rightly so.
87: Tanner slides in on Fanimo to give away a free-kick. Whithead will take it from the halfway line. Harney meets it on the edge of the area but it hits the top of his head and slides out for a goal kick.
85: Whitehead tosses the ball into the box, but it's just not falling for the home side today and a defender is first to the ball to clear.
83: Bywater slams the ball into the net, but the whistle has already gone after Mavila is adjudged to have handled the ball in the build-up.
81: Into the last ten minutes we go. West Ham need to find inspiration from somewhere if they're going to get anything from the match.
79: Preston spurns a gilt-edged chance to wrap this game up. The striker is unmarked in the middle but he sends a glacing header wide of the far post. A let-off for the home side there.
77: A spot of confusion here as the referee gives Blackburn a free-kick before changing his mind after ten or so seconds. The Hammers can't take advantage though, as Burke ends up in an offside position from the ball in.
75: Laidler goes for a spectacular volley as the ball sits up nicely for him inside the Hammers' half. It's never on target, however, and Howes watches it sail over his goal.
73: Mavila does superbly to win a corner after chasing down Fanimo's through ball. Bywater takes, but Doyle is there at the near post to head clear.
71: Raya flies out of his goal like Superman to punch clear Mavila's corner. I'm sure this 'keeper has a mistake in him somewhere along the line.
69: Crash! The bar is still shaking after Preston hits a thunderous half-volley. The ball ricochets to Wall who has a half-volley himself and forces Howes into an excellent finger tip save. It's all happening here!
68: Bywater replaces Sadlier and immediately concedes a free-kick for an adjudged high foot.
67: Laidler finds himself with space inside the Hammers' half and decides to unleash a shot. He strikes it well but too well as it clears the goal by a distance.
65: Brown is felled as he tursn Doyle superbly and beats Bauress before the latter brings him down. Haycock makes his second change bringing on Burke for Lletget.
63: Mavila replaced Cole in the aftermath of the Rovers' goal. The winger will certainly provide an injection of pace into the side.
61 Goal: Lenihan heads Blackburn in front from Bauress' free-kick. The centre-back rose highest to send the ball past Howes and just inside the far post.
59: Nathan Mavila is out of his track suit and looks likely to be joining the action shortly.
57: It's only two exhibitions of great goalkeeping which keeps the score level here. There's already been more action in the secind half than there was in the first.
55: Cullen concedes a free-kick in an identical position to the one Knoyle gave away and has his name taken by the referee. This time Tanner goes for the far corner and Howes dives to his left to make a fantastic finger tip save. Top keeping!
53: Close! Raya makes a superb diving save as Brown drives a shot across the keeper. The stopper gets down low to palm it just out of the reach of Cole at the back post and away to safety.
51: Knoyle has had a torrid afternoon against Wall this afternoon and is penalised in a dangerous position as he grapples with the winger. Tanner lines up a shot and curls his effort harmlessly over Howes' crossbar.
49: Cole races into the box and delivers a teasing ball across the face of goal. Sadlier is busting a gut to reach the back post but even with a slide he is unable to reach the ball.
48: It's been a lively start to the second period by the visitors with Harney again on his toes to deny Wall.
46: The second half begins at Rush Green.
Half-time: The minute of injury time passes without incident, much the same as the whole of the first half. There's been very little action to get excited about with Joe Cole's effort after one minute the best either side has mustered so far. Let's hope for better in the second half.
46: One minute of added time to be played.
45: Cole is trying his best to spark some life into the game, but the final ball has not been up to what either manager would expect from their sides.
43: Fanimo yells in anguish as he balloons a cross over the waiting players in the box, over the goal and over the stadium wall. That sums up the game so far.
41: As we tick towards the break the game has quietened down, with both sides seemingly nulifying the others threat.
39: The Hammers are just failing to get out of second gear here as they search for a way through a stubborn Blackburn defence.
37: Rittenberg is the man chosen to replace Green on the right-hand side of the Blackburn midfield.
36: A welcome break for some of the players is provided as Green stays down and requires treatment. It doesn't look too good and he'll have to be replaced.
34: The away side nearly profit from Knoyle's loose pass as the full-back gives the ball away in the opposition's half. They break with intensity and slide Laidler through on goal but he fires a first time shot to the left of Howes' goal.
32: The crowd ring show their appreciation for Cullen after the tenacious midfielder tracks Wall a good 40 yards before executing a perfect slide tackle which wins his side possession.
30: Lletget strikes the first meaningful effort since Cole's early shot. The American picks the ball up on the edge of the box and takes a touch before sending a shot just over the bar.
28: The Blackburn keeper thinks he's a striker as he exceutes a nice Cruyff turn to get past the attentions of Brown. It's not the first time he's taken a chance at the back and they may yet prove to be an area for the Hammers to exploit.
26: Laidler is penalised for a late challenge on Knoyle as the full-back attempts to find Cole. Whithead takes the free-kick but floats it way too high and it's easy pickings for Raya.
24: Harney makes another well-timed interception to stop a Blackburn attack. The defender has so far been on top of his game to snuff out several attacks.
22: After a slow start Blackburn have begun to enjoy more possession than the Hammers and, at present, are enjoying the greater attacking threat.
20: Potts concedes a corner as the Hammers are forced to backtrack following a nice Blackburn move which resulted in Laidler's cross. The corner is met by an attacker and looks to be heading on target before it's blocked before reaching Howes.
18: Harney and Cullen both slide in to make crucial tackles this time as a number of Rovers' players line up for a shot. Cullen sticks his head in bravely to deny Laidler on one of the attempted shots.
16: Harney draws warm applause from the stands as he slides in to deny Wall. His tackle had to be perfect as the winger was inside the box. Luckily it was.
14: Cole whips in a free-kick from the right-hand side after Sadlier is felled. The ball in finds Potts who sends a downward header wide of the target.
12: Whitehead tracks Wall all the way back as he looks to stop the cross. The winger does, however, manage to squeeze a cross in but it sails harmlessly over the bar.
10: Lletget is found by Fanimo on the box but the midfielder isn't allowed to turn and he lays the ball back to Fanimo. The left-back delivers a ball into the box but by that point everyone has pushed out and the keeper is left to gather untroubled.
8: Cullen is penalised softly after getting across Wall's path as he looks to break over the halfway line.
6: Whitehead scuffs an attempted volleyed clearance and concedes a corner. A combination of Harney and Potts are on hand to clear from the corner as Wall tries to get a header on target.
4: What a start that would have been for the Hammers who haven't let their visitors out of their own half yet.
2: The Hammers almost take an immediate lead as Cole plays a one-two with Sadlier before firing a right-foot shot just wide. Close!
1 min: We're under-way at Rush Green as the Hammers go in search of an important three points.
1:57pm: The teams are summoned from their dressing rooms and follow as the referee leads the way onto the pitch. After the handshakes we'll be under-way here.
1:50pm: Joe Cole is looking in fine form as he places shot after shot into the bottom corner of the net during the warm-up. A sight for all West Ham fans to savour.
1:45pm: There's a healthy crowd of Hammers' fans at Rush Green and there's still time and space for plenty more to arrive.
1:25pm: The Hammers join their counter parts on the pitch now, with Joe Cole embracing Hendry and having a chat before he jogs off to join the rest of the team.
1:20pm: Blackburn players are out to begin their warm-up with a familiar face amongst their coaching staff. Former Rovers defender Colin Hendry is still sporting his long blonde hair even now as he puts his players through their paces.
1:05pm: This game was originally scheduled for a 7pm kick-off but with the easter holidays and the glorious sunshine we're now set-up for a great afternoon of football. There is still plenty of time for you to get down to Rush Green. Entry is free for Season Ticket Holders, £3 Adults and £1 Concessions.
The Development squad return to Rush Green for the last time this season as they take on Blackburn Rovers in their penultimate Barclays Under-21 Premier League fixture hoping that home comforts can help them secure a much-needed victory. Nick Haycock underlined the importance of three points from this match in order to help the Hammers secure a top-eleven finish which would guarantee them a place in the top tier of U21 football next season.
In order to help them achieve that, Haycock will again be able to call on the services of England midfielder Joe Cole, who played the full 90 minutes during the side's 2-0 defeat against Bolton Wanderers on Monday. The ninth place Hammers will be going all out against Rovers, who have endured a miserable season which has seen them win only two league matches all season, leaving them bottom of the table.
West Ham United: Sam Howes, Kyle Knoyle, Matthias Fanimo, Daniel Whitehead, Dan Potts, Jamie Harney, Sebastian Lletget, Josh Cullen, Jordan Brown, Joe Cole, Kieran Sadlier
Subs: Reece Burke, Gines Guzman, Nathan Mavila, Kieran Bywater, Amos Nasha
Blackburn Rovers: David Raya, Jack Doyle, Will Beesley, Hyuga Tanner, Louis Laing, Darragh Lenihan, Devarn Green, Bradley Bauress, Jordan Preston, Jordan Laidler, Luke Wall
Subs: Dean Rittenberg, Matt Urwin, Sam Lavelle, Deniz Pero, Aaron Tumwa
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West Ham to play in German tournament
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 11th April 2014
By: Staff Writer
It has been confirmed that West Ham will face German side Schalke, Spanish outfit Malaga and Newcastle United in a two-day competition this summer. The four teams are set to meet on the weekend of August 2/3 to do battle for the Schalke 04 Cup. Although full details are yet to be confirmed, the matches - two on Saturday and two on Sunday - will kick off at 3pm and 5pm local time. To determine the winners, teams will be awarded three points for a win whilst drawn matches will end in a penalty shootout, ensuring that draws are not possible. Tickets for the weekend will be priced between €10 and €49 for a day ticket - presumably for entrance to both matches. All games are to be played at Schalke's Veltins Arena, a 62,000-capacity stadium which opened in 2001.
The tournament will be the first time West Ham have met either Schalke or Malaga in a competitive fixture.
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Ross McCormack on West Ham Radar Again
By Liam Newman , Featured Columnist Apr 11, 2014
BleacherReportc.om
West Ham United are being lined up with a summer move for Leeds United star Ross McCormack. The Hammers had been heavily linked to McCormack in January but never made an official approach. However, sources at talkSPORT have suggested the Premier League club could be ready to renew its interest with a summer bid for the Leeds striker. With Leeds being condemned to another season in the Championship, along with the uncertainty around Elland Road following Massimo Cellino's recent takeover, the Scotland international would be forgiven for seeking a new challenge in a higher league. For Sam Allardyce, the addition of McCormack would provide welcomed competition to the injury-prone Andy Carroll. In Carroll's absence, West Ham's lack of goals was severe. Despite boasting 13 clean sheets this season, the Hammers have only recently secured their place in next year's Premier League and will be desperate to avoid a similar fate next year. West Ham's problems in the attacking third got so bad that Allardyce was forced into re-signing former player Carlton Cole just months after declaring the striker surplus to requirements at Upton Park. The 30-year-old's return of six Premier League goals makes him the club's second-leading scorer this season, just one behind Kevin Nolan, who is set to be the named the Hammers most prolific marksman for a second year running with seven strikes.
McCormack would be a welcomed addition to the Hammers' setup, but it would be a signing that carries an element of risk. Despite an incredible return of 28 goals for Leeds this season, the Leeds captain has never played in the Premier League and also has a relatively poor record of just two strikes in 10 senior international appearances for Scotland. Staying in the Premier League next season is imperative for the Hammers, especially as they are set for their move to the Olympic Stadium in just two years' time. Perhaps McCormack will be there to help fire the goals that will ensure they bring top-flight football to their new home.
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West Ham hold talks with PSG star
Date: 11th April 2014 at 6:27 pm
Written by: Irons Maiden | ForeverWestHam.com
The ever reliable @ExWHUemployee has revealed on Twittersphere that we've held talks with Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Jeremy Menez. The 26-year-old can play on the left or right hand side of an attacking trio and, up until this season, was a key player for the Ligue 1 side. The Frenchman's best return came in his debut season for PSG when he notched 7 goals – six more than our current wingers Stewart Downing and Matt Jarvis, combined for this season.
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To pay or not to pay...
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 11th April 2014
By: Raedwulf
And now for something rather different! Here's an interesting snippet in the BBC's Gossip Column, Thursday 10th.
"The law should be changed to force football clubs to pay the full cost of policing matchdays, according to one of the country's most senior police officials. "
The article linked is subscription only, but it begins thus: "London's deputy mayor for policing, said it was wrong that Barclays Premier League and Sky Bet Footbal League clubs were able to spend huge transfer fees on star players but baulked at the cost of paying for police officers to control crowds outside their grounds."
And a longer BBC article continues: "Official police policy is to only charge for policing within grounds and the area immediately around it. But ACC Andy Holt told BBC Radio 5 live clubs should pay the full cost of managing games as trouble spreads to other city areas and transport hubs.
The Football League said taxes are paid to cover policing costs. It said football fans should not "pay twice for policing."
My initial reaction was also "Well, it's the police's job to police!", but that was quickly followed by "Hang on a sec..." To the Football League, and by extension the Premier League, it must be answered, "Why should those with no interest in football pay even once?" Football is hugely wealthy, and the whole of the country is paying, directly or indirectly for the associated costs.
From a little research, it seems that the Met Police could recoup only £2.7m out of £7.2m spent in the 12/13 tax year. In 10/11, when there were five Premier League London clubs (no Palace or QPR), the costs for the top flight were estimated at £3.29m; those recovered only £2.3m.
In London as a whole there were, last season, six Prem, three Championship (Watford seem to be just outside the MP area), two League One and three League Two clubs. The costs, as the 10/11 Prem figures would suggest, are proportionately lower as you drop below the top division.
Ultimately, though, who should be paying?
On the face of it, that £4.5m discrepancy between costs and money recouped in 12/13 would pay for a first-choice defender, or a maybe-first choice midfielder for a club like ours. But that £4.5m is spread across 14 clubs & four divisions. (I'm also making the assumption that those 12/13 figures do only cover the top four tiers.)
The 10/11 figures, which come from a Freedom of Information request to the Met, are broken down by club. In our case the Est./Rec. costs are £592k/£436k, over 27 home matches. So the discrepancy amounts to less than £6k per match. The biggest for that season, pro-rata, is Chelsea at a little over £16k per game.
Even if a Tier four club is struggling along, surely a Premier League club can afford to pay its own way? But should it? It's far from a simple question.
Businesses pay for policing through business rates. We all know, at least anecdotally, about trouble outside pubs and nightclubs, especially at the weekend. Should they also pay special rates? What's the difference in rates, in turnover, in profit between a Premier League football club, the nightclub or a pub up the road?
What about the general store owner in Green Street who hates football? He, for sure, doesn't want to pay twice. He doesn't attend matches, he already pays his business rates, his business also suffers from more petty crime, locals might avoid Green St on match days and if there's any REAL trouble, hooliganism...
On the other hand, for 27 matches in 10/11, how many more magazines, packets of fags, bottles of pop, packets of crisps, bars of chocolate and so on does he sell? And for the local football-hating inhabitant? Even if they only indirectly benefit, more money is coming into their locality, and that, in theory at least, will benefit them.
My gut reaction is that the top two tiers, at least, ought to be able to fully pay their own way. I'm sure any astute businessman could get extra mileage out of doing so, too. I've no particular opinion on the matter, but it's an interesting question, don't you think?
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Hammers set £3million asking price
Date: 11th April 2014 at 5:33 pm
Written by: Irons Maiden | ForeverWestHam.com
Ricardo Vaz Te scoring against Manchester CityDespite only recently signing a new one-year-deal, Football Direct News are reporting that West Ham could offload Ricardo Vaz Te, this summer.
The West Ham attacker nearly joined Norwich City in a deadline day move last summer transfer window but that fell through.
Vaz Te hasn't been able to cement his first-team place for West Ham due to injuries. However, when the Portguese ace has played, many fans believe it has been out of position, with some calling for RVT to be deployed upfront during Andy Carroll's absence.
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WHUFC.com
West Ham United will take part in a prestigious four-team tournament in Germany in August
11.04.2014
West Ham United are delighted to announce that the Club will take part in the prestigious four-team Schalke 04 Cup in Germany in August. The Hammers will join host club Schalke 04, Spanish Primera Division side Malaga CF and fellow Barclays Premier League outfit Newcastle United in the tournament, which will be held at the VELTINS-Arena over the weekend of Saturday 2/Sunday 3 August. West Ham will be roared on by thousands of supporters in Germany during the competition, which will be held in a stadium which hosted the 2004 UEFA Champions League final, five matches at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and has a capacity of 61,482, a retractable roof and retractable pitch. Two matches will be held on each day of the tournament, with a special points system in place. Three points will be awarded to the winner of a match, while if a game ends in a draw, it will go straight to a penalty shoot-out, with the winner receiving two points. Whichever club accumulates the most points in two matches will be declared the champions.
While West Ham have met Newcastle 125 times in their history, the competition will potentially see the Club meet both Schalke 04 and Malaga CF for the first time.
Ticket details for West Ham fans are yet to be confirmed and will follow on whufc.com in due course. The competition marks the third summer in succession that West Ham will have visited Germany as part of their pre-season schedule. In 2012, the Hammers toured the country, taking on FC Rot-Weiß Erfurt, Dynamo Dresden and Energie Cottbus, while 2013 saw Big Sam's side face Bundesliga trio FSV Mainz 05, Hamburger SV and Eintracht Braunschweig.
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Carr predicts City challenge
WHUFC.com
Tony Carr MBE believes the Under-18s will face their toughest challenge of the season on Saturday
11.04.2014
Academy Director Tony Carr MBE is expecting the Under-18s to face their toughest challenge of the season when they take on Manchester City on Saturday morning. The Citizens have been the dominant force in the Barclays U18 Premier League North section this season, currently sitting in top spot with only five defeats from their 28 league fixtures. Steve Potts' team have been flying high themselves in the South section where they are still in the hunt for a top-two spot and Carr believes Saturday's match represents a huge test. "We're hoping to reverse the last couple of results and we're looking forward to going up to play Manchester City. They're the team of the moment in terms of youth and first team because of the profile they've got now and the backing behind them. They've won the northern league so it will be a big test for us. "It will be as tough as any game that we've played this season. There's an U21 game on the Friday, which obviously takes players from the squad and makes life a little bit more difficult. "We're hoping that the young players that we pick to go up there can go and do the job and we're really looking forward to the challenge."
The Hammers have hit a rough patch recently, losing their last three league matches having previously suffered only one defeat in their previous 17 league encounters. That superb run has kept the U18s in second place as they look to secure a spot in the season ending Play-Offs, and Carr believed their dip in form is part and parcel of football. "I think they're disappointed because obviously they were playing well. They can't win every game they play, that's just the way the game is. "You can't win every game and the boys had been on a fantastic run and now that we've had a couple of setbacks we have to stay focused and put on a good performance at the weekend."
The promotion to the Development Squad of several U18 stalwarts in the shape of Josh Cullen, Kyle Knoyle, Reece Burke, Jordan Brown, Lewis Page and Jamie Harney has forced Potts to promote players from the Club's schoolboy section in order to fill the void. Carr feels that those players who have come into the side need time to adapt to the step-up, but feels they will need to learn quickly as the season draws to a close. "It's a massive learning curve with the pace of the game, the physicality and it's a big test which isn't just about your footballing ability. "You have to be able to cope with all the other things that get thrown at you. Players have to be more tactically aware and there are lots of different challenges for a young player but it's a good experience for them. "That can only be good for their development and for their learning, but in this day you have to learn quickly and you have to take opportunities when they come.
"When it comes you've got to be ready to take it. There's no sentiment in the game, you've got to be good enough, and that's the bottom line."
The 63-year-old also admitted he'll be looking for the squad to give their all when they take to the pitch against the Sky Blues. "I'm not looking for a reaction that we wouldn't want in any other game. Give your all, be committed, go and enjoy it and let's see where it takes us."
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Johnson eyes Arsenal repeat
WHUFC.com
2011 League Cup winner Roger Johnson would love to pull off another surprise win over Arsenal
11.04.2014
Matches against Arsenal will always carry special resonance for West Ham United defender Roger Johnson. The centre back, currently on loan at the Boleyn Ground from Wolverhampton Wanderers, was part of the Birmingham City side which defeated the Gunners in the 2011 Carling Cup final. It meant the Ashford-born defender tasted success at Wembley at the second attempt, following an FA Cup final defeat for Cardiff against Portsmouth in 2008. Overcoming Arsene Wenger's side ranks as a career highlight for Johnson, who would love to notch another victory over the north London side on Tuesday. "Arsenal are Arsenal, everyone knows what they're about," he said. "They've been a bit hit and miss this season with results - they've had some good wins and some sloppy losses and they are where they are in the league. "I do think they're very beatable, as we saw the other day against Everton, and I have fond memories from the League Cup final in 2011, and the other clubs I've been at seem to have done well against them. "The cup final was a brilliant day and one I'll never forget. It's something I'll cherish because they had a great team at the time, they were doing well in the league and we were sort of written off. "I thought we deserved the result on the day, to beat someone like that makes it mean more too. They had Samir Nasri, Robin van Persie and the like, they had a great side out.
"We had a great run and we went into the final with the approach that it was about what happened on the day. Every game is on the day, so there's no reason why West Ham can't go to the Emirates and get a result on Tuesday too. "Yes, we'll be underdogs because we're playing Arsenal at Arsenal, but look at the Liverpool game the other day. They are top of the league and I thought we matched them all over really and should have come out of the game with a result."
Johnson was worked his way back into the Hammers' squad in recent weeks, coming off the bench in the victories over Hull City and Sunderland. The 30-year-old is delighted to be featuring again in the top flight following a difficult spell at Wolves and would love to contribute to more success over the final five gamea of the campaign. He added: "I came here wanting to play as many games as I possibly could. It was an opportunity for me to come in and play in the elite league and when I have done I don;t think I've done myself any harm. "Just being amongst it is what I came here for, and I've loved every minute of it. If I can get a few more games in between now and the end of the season and try to stick in the manager's head for something next season that would be great."
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Dev Squad 0-1 Blackburn Rovers FT
WHUFC.com
The Development Squad slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Blackburn Rovers at Rush Green
11.04.2014
DEVELOPMENT SQUAD v BLACKBURN ROVERS
BARCLAYS U21 PREMIER LEAGUE
RUSH GREEN STADIUM
FRIDAY 11 APRIL 2014
REFEREE: CHRISTOPHER POLLARD
KICK-OFF: 2PM
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Full-time: It's all over. The Hammers go down to a goal just past the hour mark from Blackburn captain Darragh Lenihan. It was a frustrating afternoon for the home side whose best chance saw Jordan Brown bring the best out of David Raya with a low shot. Defeat is a big blow to the hosts' chances of securing a top-eleven finish in this season's Barclays U21 Premier League. They now head to Sunderland for their last game of the season desperate for a win.
91: Knoyle hoists a high ball into the box, but no one is anywhere near close enough to challenge Raya as he claims the ball.
90: There will be three minutes added on for the Hammers to try and find a goal.
89: The hosts are stuck in their own half as Blackburn try to run down the clock. Preston recieves a yellow card for kicking the ball away after it rolls out of play and rightly so.
87: Tanner slides in on Fanimo to give away a free-kick. Whithead will take it from the halfway line. Harney meets it on the edge of the area but it hits the top of his head and slides out for a goal kick.
85: Whitehead tosses the ball into the box, but it's just not falling for the home side today and a defender is first to the ball to clear.
83: Bywater slams the ball into the net, but the whistle has already gone after Mavila is adjudged to have handled the ball in the build-up.
81: Into the last ten minutes we go. West Ham need to find inspiration from somewhere if they're going to get anything from the match.
79: Preston spurns a gilt-edged chance to wrap this game up. The striker is unmarked in the middle but he sends a glacing header wide of the far post. A let-off for the home side there.
77: A spot of confusion here as the referee gives Blackburn a free-kick before changing his mind after ten or so seconds. The Hammers can't take advantage though, as Burke ends up in an offside position from the ball in.
75: Laidler goes for a spectacular volley as the ball sits up nicely for him inside the Hammers' half. It's never on target, however, and Howes watches it sail over his goal.
73: Mavila does superbly to win a corner after chasing down Fanimo's through ball. Bywater takes, but Doyle is there at the near post to head clear.
71: Raya flies out of his goal like Superman to punch clear Mavila's corner. I'm sure this 'keeper has a mistake in him somewhere along the line.
69: Crash! The bar is still shaking after Preston hits a thunderous half-volley. The ball ricochets to Wall who has a half-volley himself and forces Howes into an excellent finger tip save. It's all happening here!
68: Bywater replaces Sadlier and immediately concedes a free-kick for an adjudged high foot.
67: Laidler finds himself with space inside the Hammers' half and decides to unleash a shot. He strikes it well but too well as it clears the goal by a distance.
65: Brown is felled as he tursn Doyle superbly and beats Bauress before the latter brings him down. Haycock makes his second change bringing on Burke for Lletget.
63: Mavila replaced Cole in the aftermath of the Rovers' goal. The winger will certainly provide an injection of pace into the side.
61 Goal: Lenihan heads Blackburn in front from Bauress' free-kick. The centre-back rose highest to send the ball past Howes and just inside the far post.
59: Nathan Mavila is out of his track suit and looks likely to be joining the action shortly.
57: It's only two exhibitions of great goalkeeping which keeps the score level here. There's already been more action in the secind half than there was in the first.
55: Cullen concedes a free-kick in an identical position to the one Knoyle gave away and has his name taken by the referee. This time Tanner goes for the far corner and Howes dives to his left to make a fantastic finger tip save. Top keeping!
53: Close! Raya makes a superb diving save as Brown drives a shot across the keeper. The stopper gets down low to palm it just out of the reach of Cole at the back post and away to safety.
51: Knoyle has had a torrid afternoon against Wall this afternoon and is penalised in a dangerous position as he grapples with the winger. Tanner lines up a shot and curls his effort harmlessly over Howes' crossbar.
49: Cole races into the box and delivers a teasing ball across the face of goal. Sadlier is busting a gut to reach the back post but even with a slide he is unable to reach the ball.
48: It's been a lively start to the second period by the visitors with Harney again on his toes to deny Wall.
46: The second half begins at Rush Green.
Half-time: The minute of injury time passes without incident, much the same as the whole of the first half. There's been very little action to get excited about with Joe Cole's effort after one minute the best either side has mustered so far. Let's hope for better in the second half.
46: One minute of added time to be played.
45: Cole is trying his best to spark some life into the game, but the final ball has not been up to what either manager would expect from their sides.
43: Fanimo yells in anguish as he balloons a cross over the waiting players in the box, over the goal and over the stadium wall. That sums up the game so far.
41: As we tick towards the break the game has quietened down, with both sides seemingly nulifying the others threat.
39: The Hammers are just failing to get out of second gear here as they search for a way through a stubborn Blackburn defence.
37: Rittenberg is the man chosen to replace Green on the right-hand side of the Blackburn midfield.
36: A welcome break for some of the players is provided as Green stays down and requires treatment. It doesn't look too good and he'll have to be replaced.
34: The away side nearly profit from Knoyle's loose pass as the full-back gives the ball away in the opposition's half. They break with intensity and slide Laidler through on goal but he fires a first time shot to the left of Howes' goal.
32: The crowd ring show their appreciation for Cullen after the tenacious midfielder tracks Wall a good 40 yards before executing a perfect slide tackle which wins his side possession.
30: Lletget strikes the first meaningful effort since Cole's early shot. The American picks the ball up on the edge of the box and takes a touch before sending a shot just over the bar.
28: The Blackburn keeper thinks he's a striker as he exceutes a nice Cruyff turn to get past the attentions of Brown. It's not the first time he's taken a chance at the back and they may yet prove to be an area for the Hammers to exploit.
26: Laidler is penalised for a late challenge on Knoyle as the full-back attempts to find Cole. Whithead takes the free-kick but floats it way too high and it's easy pickings for Raya.
24: Harney makes another well-timed interception to stop a Blackburn attack. The defender has so far been on top of his game to snuff out several attacks.
22: After a slow start Blackburn have begun to enjoy more possession than the Hammers and, at present, are enjoying the greater attacking threat.
20: Potts concedes a corner as the Hammers are forced to backtrack following a nice Blackburn move which resulted in Laidler's cross. The corner is met by an attacker and looks to be heading on target before it's blocked before reaching Howes.
18: Harney and Cullen both slide in to make crucial tackles this time as a number of Rovers' players line up for a shot. Cullen sticks his head in bravely to deny Laidler on one of the attempted shots.
16: Harney draws warm applause from the stands as he slides in to deny Wall. His tackle had to be perfect as the winger was inside the box. Luckily it was.
14: Cole whips in a free-kick from the right-hand side after Sadlier is felled. The ball in finds Potts who sends a downward header wide of the target.
12: Whitehead tracks Wall all the way back as he looks to stop the cross. The winger does, however, manage to squeeze a cross in but it sails harmlessly over the bar.
10: Lletget is found by Fanimo on the box but the midfielder isn't allowed to turn and he lays the ball back to Fanimo. The left-back delivers a ball into the box but by that point everyone has pushed out and the keeper is left to gather untroubled.
8: Cullen is penalised softly after getting across Wall's path as he looks to break over the halfway line.
6: Whitehead scuffs an attempted volleyed clearance and concedes a corner. A combination of Harney and Potts are on hand to clear from the corner as Wall tries to get a header on target.
4: What a start that would have been for the Hammers who haven't let their visitors out of their own half yet.
2: The Hammers almost take an immediate lead as Cole plays a one-two with Sadlier before firing a right-foot shot just wide. Close!
1 min: We're under-way at Rush Green as the Hammers go in search of an important three points.
1:57pm: The teams are summoned from their dressing rooms and follow as the referee leads the way onto the pitch. After the handshakes we'll be under-way here.
1:50pm: Joe Cole is looking in fine form as he places shot after shot into the bottom corner of the net during the warm-up. A sight for all West Ham fans to savour.
1:45pm: There's a healthy crowd of Hammers' fans at Rush Green and there's still time and space for plenty more to arrive.
1:25pm: The Hammers join their counter parts on the pitch now, with Joe Cole embracing Hendry and having a chat before he jogs off to join the rest of the team.
1:20pm: Blackburn players are out to begin their warm-up with a familiar face amongst their coaching staff. Former Rovers defender Colin Hendry is still sporting his long blonde hair even now as he puts his players through their paces.
1:05pm: This game was originally scheduled for a 7pm kick-off but with the easter holidays and the glorious sunshine we're now set-up for a great afternoon of football. There is still plenty of time for you to get down to Rush Green. Entry is free for Season Ticket Holders, £3 Adults and £1 Concessions.
The Development squad return to Rush Green for the last time this season as they take on Blackburn Rovers in their penultimate Barclays Under-21 Premier League fixture hoping that home comforts can help them secure a much-needed victory. Nick Haycock underlined the importance of three points from this match in order to help the Hammers secure a top-eleven finish which would guarantee them a place in the top tier of U21 football next season.
In order to help them achieve that, Haycock will again be able to call on the services of England midfielder Joe Cole, who played the full 90 minutes during the side's 2-0 defeat against Bolton Wanderers on Monday. The ninth place Hammers will be going all out against Rovers, who have endured a miserable season which has seen them win only two league matches all season, leaving them bottom of the table.
West Ham United: Sam Howes, Kyle Knoyle, Matthias Fanimo, Daniel Whitehead, Dan Potts, Jamie Harney, Sebastian Lletget, Josh Cullen, Jordan Brown, Joe Cole, Kieran Sadlier
Subs: Reece Burke, Gines Guzman, Nathan Mavila, Kieran Bywater, Amos Nasha
Blackburn Rovers: David Raya, Jack Doyle, Will Beesley, Hyuga Tanner, Louis Laing, Darragh Lenihan, Devarn Green, Bradley Bauress, Jordan Preston, Jordan Laidler, Luke Wall
Subs: Dean Rittenberg, Matt Urwin, Sam Lavelle, Deniz Pero, Aaron Tumwa
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West Ham to play in German tournament
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 11th April 2014
By: Staff Writer
It has been confirmed that West Ham will face German side Schalke, Spanish outfit Malaga and Newcastle United in a two-day competition this summer. The four teams are set to meet on the weekend of August 2/3 to do battle for the Schalke 04 Cup. Although full details are yet to be confirmed, the matches - two on Saturday and two on Sunday - will kick off at 3pm and 5pm local time. To determine the winners, teams will be awarded three points for a win whilst drawn matches will end in a penalty shootout, ensuring that draws are not possible. Tickets for the weekend will be priced between €10 and €49 for a day ticket - presumably for entrance to both matches. All games are to be played at Schalke's Veltins Arena, a 62,000-capacity stadium which opened in 2001.
The tournament will be the first time West Ham have met either Schalke or Malaga in a competitive fixture.
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Ross McCormack on West Ham Radar Again
By Liam Newman , Featured Columnist Apr 11, 2014
BleacherReportc.om
West Ham United are being lined up with a summer move for Leeds United star Ross McCormack. The Hammers had been heavily linked to McCormack in January but never made an official approach. However, sources at talkSPORT have suggested the Premier League club could be ready to renew its interest with a summer bid for the Leeds striker. With Leeds being condemned to another season in the Championship, along with the uncertainty around Elland Road following Massimo Cellino's recent takeover, the Scotland international would be forgiven for seeking a new challenge in a higher league. For Sam Allardyce, the addition of McCormack would provide welcomed competition to the injury-prone Andy Carroll. In Carroll's absence, West Ham's lack of goals was severe. Despite boasting 13 clean sheets this season, the Hammers have only recently secured their place in next year's Premier League and will be desperate to avoid a similar fate next year. West Ham's problems in the attacking third got so bad that Allardyce was forced into re-signing former player Carlton Cole just months after declaring the striker surplus to requirements at Upton Park. The 30-year-old's return of six Premier League goals makes him the club's second-leading scorer this season, just one behind Kevin Nolan, who is set to be the named the Hammers most prolific marksman for a second year running with seven strikes.
McCormack would be a welcomed addition to the Hammers' setup, but it would be a signing that carries an element of risk. Despite an incredible return of 28 goals for Leeds this season, the Leeds captain has never played in the Premier League and also has a relatively poor record of just two strikes in 10 senior international appearances for Scotland. Staying in the Premier League next season is imperative for the Hammers, especially as they are set for their move to the Olympic Stadium in just two years' time. Perhaps McCormack will be there to help fire the goals that will ensure they bring top-flight football to their new home.
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West Ham hold talks with PSG star
Date: 11th April 2014 at 6:27 pm
Written by: Irons Maiden | ForeverWestHam.com
The ever reliable @ExWHUemployee has revealed on Twittersphere that we've held talks with Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Jeremy Menez. The 26-year-old can play on the left or right hand side of an attacking trio and, up until this season, was a key player for the Ligue 1 side. The Frenchman's best return came in his debut season for PSG when he notched 7 goals – six more than our current wingers Stewart Downing and Matt Jarvis, combined for this season.
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To pay or not to pay...
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 11th April 2014
By: Raedwulf
And now for something rather different! Here's an interesting snippet in the BBC's Gossip Column, Thursday 10th.
"The law should be changed to force football clubs to pay the full cost of policing matchdays, according to one of the country's most senior police officials. "
The article linked is subscription only, but it begins thus: "London's deputy mayor for policing, said it was wrong that Barclays Premier League and Sky Bet Footbal League clubs were able to spend huge transfer fees on star players but baulked at the cost of paying for police officers to control crowds outside their grounds."
And a longer BBC article continues: "Official police policy is to only charge for policing within grounds and the area immediately around it. But ACC Andy Holt told BBC Radio 5 live clubs should pay the full cost of managing games as trouble spreads to other city areas and transport hubs.
The Football League said taxes are paid to cover policing costs. It said football fans should not "pay twice for policing."
My initial reaction was also "Well, it's the police's job to police!", but that was quickly followed by "Hang on a sec..." To the Football League, and by extension the Premier League, it must be answered, "Why should those with no interest in football pay even once?" Football is hugely wealthy, and the whole of the country is paying, directly or indirectly for the associated costs.
From a little research, it seems that the Met Police could recoup only £2.7m out of £7.2m spent in the 12/13 tax year. In 10/11, when there were five Premier League London clubs (no Palace or QPR), the costs for the top flight were estimated at £3.29m; those recovered only £2.3m.
In London as a whole there were, last season, six Prem, three Championship (Watford seem to be just outside the MP area), two League One and three League Two clubs. The costs, as the 10/11 Prem figures would suggest, are proportionately lower as you drop below the top division.
Ultimately, though, who should be paying?
On the face of it, that £4.5m discrepancy between costs and money recouped in 12/13 would pay for a first-choice defender, or a maybe-first choice midfielder for a club like ours. But that £4.5m is spread across 14 clubs & four divisions. (I'm also making the assumption that those 12/13 figures do only cover the top four tiers.)
The 10/11 figures, which come from a Freedom of Information request to the Met, are broken down by club. In our case the Est./Rec. costs are £592k/£436k, over 27 home matches. So the discrepancy amounts to less than £6k per match. The biggest for that season, pro-rata, is Chelsea at a little over £16k per game.
Even if a Tier four club is struggling along, surely a Premier League club can afford to pay its own way? But should it? It's far from a simple question.
Businesses pay for policing through business rates. We all know, at least anecdotally, about trouble outside pubs and nightclubs, especially at the weekend. Should they also pay special rates? What's the difference in rates, in turnover, in profit between a Premier League football club, the nightclub or a pub up the road?
What about the general store owner in Green Street who hates football? He, for sure, doesn't want to pay twice. He doesn't attend matches, he already pays his business rates, his business also suffers from more petty crime, locals might avoid Green St on match days and if there's any REAL trouble, hooliganism...
On the other hand, for 27 matches in 10/11, how many more magazines, packets of fags, bottles of pop, packets of crisps, bars of chocolate and so on does he sell? And for the local football-hating inhabitant? Even if they only indirectly benefit, more money is coming into their locality, and that, in theory at least, will benefit them.
My gut reaction is that the top two tiers, at least, ought to be able to fully pay their own way. I'm sure any astute businessman could get extra mileage out of doing so, too. I've no particular opinion on the matter, but it's an interesting question, don't you think?
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Hammers set £3million asking price
Date: 11th April 2014 at 5:33 pm
Written by: Irons Maiden | ForeverWestHam.com
Ricardo Vaz Te scoring against Manchester CityDespite only recently signing a new one-year-deal, Football Direct News are reporting that West Ham could offload Ricardo Vaz Te, this summer.
The West Ham attacker nearly joined Norwich City in a deadline day move last summer transfer window but that fell through.
Vaz Te hasn't been able to cement his first-team place for West Ham due to injuries. However, when the Portguese ace has played, many fans believe it has been out of position, with some calling for RVT to be deployed upfront during Andy Carroll's absence.
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