On this day - 17 April
WHUFC.com
Ian Wright made an instant impact on his return from injury to guide the
Hammers to victory 15 years ago
17.04.2014
Classic match
West Ham United 5-1 Derby County
Premier League
17 April 1999
Derby County had no answer to the Hammers' goalscoring power on this day in
1999, conceding five of the six goals scored in front of a 25,485 Boleyn
Ground crowd. Ian Wright notched his first goal following a three-month
injury absence, and his eighth in total since arriving in east London from
Arsenal the previous summer. He entered the fray as an early substitute and
notched West Ham's third goal, following first half strikes from Paolo Di
Canio and Eyal Berkovic.
Harry Redknapp's side did not let up after Wright's contribution, scoring
twice more through Neil Ruddock on 64 minutes and Trevor Sinclair four
minutes later.
Derby notched a late consolation from Paulo Wanchope, who would go on to
become a Hammers player a couple of months later, but they were well beaten.
West Ham's emphatic victory maintained their sixth position in the Premier
League, and a brace of wins from their final four fixtures earned them a
fifth-place finish.
Complete record - 17 April
2013 West Ham United 2-2 Manchester United (Premier League)
2012 Bristol City 1-1 West Ham United (Championship)
2006 Middlesbrough 2-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
2004 West Ham United 2-0 Coventry City (Division One)
1999 West Ham United 5-1 Derby County (Premier League)
1996 Aston Villa 1-1 West Ham United (Premier League)
1995 Ipswich Town 1-1 West Ham United (Premier League)
1993 West Ham United 4-0 Brentford (Division One)
1991 Ipswich Town 0-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1990 West Ham United 2-0 Ipswich Town (Division Two)
1984 West Ham United 3-1 Luton Town (Division One)
1982 Coventry City 1-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1976 West Ham United 2-2 Aston Villa (Division One)
1971 West Ham United 1-0 Stoke City (Division One)
1965 Leicester City 1-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1964 West Ham United 5-0 Birmingham City (Division One)
1954 West Ham United 0-1 Oldham Athletic (Division Two)
1948 Leicester City 1-3 West Ham United (Division Two)
1937 Aston Villa 0-2 West Ham United (Division Two)
1933 West Ham United 3-1 Chesterfield (Division Two)
1926 West Ham United 1-0 Everton (Division One)
1922 Clapton Orient 0-0 West Ham United (Division Two)
1920 Hull City 1-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
Played 23, Won 14, Drawn 7, Lost 4, Scored 40, Conceded 17
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1964 heroes to be honoured
WHUFC.com
Join our 1964 FA Cup winners by booking your place at our star-studded
Player Awards night now!
16.04.2014
Share a table with Hammers legends at the star-studded 2013/14 West Ham
United Player Awards in aid of the Academy at the Grosvenor House Hotel on
Park Lane on Tuesday 6 May 2014. Legendary 1964 FA Cup winners Eddie
Bovington, Peter Brabrook and Jack Burkett will be our guests for the event,
which will see the Hammer of the Year be crowned at the climax of an
eagerly-anticipated evening of entertainment. Hammers great Sir Trevor
Brooking - himself a two-time FA Cup winner in 1975 and 1980 - will also
become the Club's second Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. Ten awards
will be presented to the Club's brightest current and upcoming stars in
total at the event, which is to be attended by the first-team squad and
coaching staff. You and six guests can share a table with our 1964 FA Cup
winners - the first players to land a major trophy in the Club's history -
for £3,000+VAT. The package also includes a VIP reception and luxury
three-course meal with petits fours. With 800 guests in attendance, the
event presents the perfect opportunity to entertain in style and showcase
your company. In addition to a silent auction, there will also be a live
auction in aid of The Academy, with a host of once-in-a-lifetime lots up for
grabs. To book your place or for more information contact our friendly team
on 0871 091 1811 (calls 10p/min plus network extras) or email
corporatesales@westhamunited.co.uk *FA Cup heroes Eddie Bovington and Peter
Brabrook, along with the man who scored the winner against Preston North End
50 years ago, Ronnie Boyce and defender Ken Brown, will also be in
attendance at Saturday's Barclays Premier League visit of Crystal Palace.
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Sadlier keen to end on a high
WHUFC.com
Kieran Sadlier is aiming for three points from the final Development Squad
game of the season
16.04.2014
Sunderland is the last stop on the Development Squad's travels, as the
curtain comes down on their Barclays Under-21 Premier League season at the
Academy of Light on Thursday afternoon. Nick Haycock's team head to Wearside
occupying ninth position in the table going into their season finale, but
they still have plenty to play for against the Mackems. The young Hammers
know that a point against the Black Cats will be enough to secure the top
eleven finish that would place them in the top tier of U21 football next
season, but midfielder Kieran Sadlier is adamant that his side will be
chasing all three. He told West Ham TV: "We know that we want to be in top
league next year and we know that we have to win to give ourselves the best
chance of doing that. "Maybe a few results might go our way beforehand, but
we're going up there to win and I think we've got a very good chance of
doing that."
Sunderland have plenty to play for themselves on Wednesday afternoon, as
Kevin Ball's side still harbour hopes of qualifying for the end of season
Play-Offs via a top-four finish. The Black Cats are in seventh place and
require nothing less than three points against the Hammers, and Sadlier is
looking forward to a competitive game between the sides. "They're going to
be very strong. I remember playing against Sunderland a few times and
they've always got a good team. "They've got quite an experienced squad as
well, I'm not sure if they've got players on loan or not, but they're going
to be going all out for the win because they want to get into the Play-Offs.
"We'll be the same, we'll try and match them and we don't go there as
underdogs. We're going there to win."
The Hammers will be trying to avoid a third consecutive defeat when they
take to the pitch at the Academy of Light having lost to Bolton Wanderers
and Blackburn Rovers in their last two outings. Defeat against Blackburn
last time out was a narrow one, with the winning goal coming from a
free-kick which Sadlier maintains should not have been given. "Looking back
at it, we just watched the video and I think in the first half we played it
around and did ok, but I think we all know that we didn't perform to our
best. "We could have done a lot of things better. They wanted it a bit more
than us, but I think we still could have got a result. We had a few chances
and their goal came from a free-kick which wasn't a free-kick, but we have
to live with that now."
The winger will be hoping to add to his tally of three league goals for the
season when the Hammers play out their final game of the campaign, and
Sadlier is confident that both he and his teammates are ready for the task
ahead. "We have to get on the ball, play our stuff and do what we do
normally. We have to play it around and be effective in good areas. "I look
forward to every game. We're going to go up there confident and believing in
our own abilities. I remember going up there last time, it's a big pitch
which you can play it around on. It will be good, I'm looking forward to
it."
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U18s return to winning ways
WHUFC.com
West Ham United kept returned to Barclays U18 Premier League winning ways
with victory over West Brom
16.04.2014
West Ham United ended a run of four straight Barclays U18 Premier League
defeats by coming from behind to beat West Bromwich Albion 2-1 at Little
Heath on Wednesday. Despite this fixture being heavily one-sided in the
Hammers favour throughout, West Brom took the lead after just ten minutes
when Philip Gannon's free-kick went straight through the wall and into the
corner of Tim Brown's goal. However, West Ham recovered and dominated
throughout, grabbing an equaliser through the returning Ben Marlow on 51
minutes, before Marcio Martins buried the winner just after the hour mark.
Victory took West Ham back within three points of leaders Tottenham Hotspur
at the top of Barclays U18 Premier League South, although Spurs have two
games in hand and a superior goal difference. U18s assistant manager Mark
Phillips felt the Hammers deserved to take all three points against West
Brom. "I think we deserved to win, whereas we've played games this season
that we've won when we haven't deserved it," said Phillips. "There were
stages when I thought we weren't going to get the result, but we created a
lot of chances and kept going. "I thought that the midfield were brilliant.
Even when we lost possession in the middle, everyone worked hard to win in
back quickly. The defence were tight and the attack had so many chances in
the final third, but struggled with the important part of putting the ball
in the back of the net, which we will have to work on."
U18s manager Steve Potts again made do without a number of Academy players
who are part of the Development Squad team travelling up to Sunderland for
Thursday's Barclays U21 Premier League fixture. With skipper and leading
scorer Kieran Bywater among those promoted, central midfielder Amos Nasha
captained the team, where he was joined by Marlow, who returned to action
after being out injured for three months. The match actually started on a
positive note for the Hammers, with an attacking move that ended with the
Baggies' Shaun Donnellan head against his own crossbar. West Brom fought
back strongly, though, and went ahead after ten minutes when Gannon's
free-kick found a hole in the West Ham wall and flew past the grasp of Brown
and into the net.
After that, West Ham learnt from their mistakes and worked hard to find an
equaliser, although Marlow, Martins and Djair Parfitt-Williams all rushed
good chances to level the scores. Just before the half-time break, the
Hammers had a glorious chance handed to them on a plate, but defender Manny
Onariase mistimed his free header from six yards out.
As the Hammers came out for the second half, it was clear that some
half-time words of encouragement from Potts had given them some belief after
a disappointing run of four straight defeats and falling behind early to
West Brom. West Ham continued to push and dominate and were rewarded for
their persistence when Marlow received the ball in the penalty box before
finishing coolly into the net. The hosts were not going to settle for the
draw and immediately set about turning the game on its head by grabbing a
second. Left-back Kyle Knoyle's long run and shot was cleared by goalkeeper
Alex Palmer, before the post came to West Brom's aid to keep out
Parfitt-Williams' left wing free-kick. After 66 minutes, West Brom were
unable to withstand the pressure any longer as Martins received the ball and
finished well into the corner to put West Ham ahead. With the Hammers now
ahead, the hosts decided to continue their positive attacking play and tried
to net a third goal, although on three occasions Portuguese striker Martins
failed to beat Palmer. The win keeps the Hammers within touching distance of
the Play-Offs, with the top two teams in the North and South divisions
qualifying, although they will have to hope that third-place Fulham slip up
if they are to make it into the semi-finals.
U18s: Brown, Pike, Knoyle, Onariase, Pask (Borg), Amoo, Marlow, Nasha,
Diangana (Bailey), Martins, Parfitt-Williams
Subs not used: Guzman, Sheriff
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Jarvis: I should have cheated
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 16th April 2014
By: Staff Writer
Matt Jarvis admits that he may have to resort to cheating in future after
his honesty cost him the chance of winning a penalty at the Emirates last
night. Jarvis was clearly fouled during the first half inside the penalty
area but opted to stay on his feet instead of going to ground - and was
rewarded for his honesty by referee Kevin Friend waving play on instead of
penalising Arsenal's Bacary Sagna for the obvious infringement. As a result,
the West Ham winger belives that he may have to adopt some of the less
savoury tactics that have blighted the domestic game in recent years - as
many other teams, notably the likes of Liverpool who had been awarded 12
penalties already this season - already have to their considerable
advantage. "We had quite a few chances even before we scored and the manager
was disappointed as I could have had a penalty too," he told whufc.com. "I
don't know if it was a foul. I don't know if I had gone down whether it
would have been a penalty or if I had whether I'd have been booked. Maybe I
should learn from that and be a bit more clever."
Jarvis was however rewarded with his fourth goal of the campaign - a header
from close range which gave West Ham the lead in last night's game. "I was
delighted to get on the end of it and score a headed goal, which is always
nice," he added. "To score at the Emirates and put us 1-0 up and get in a
great position after a positive first half was good. I think we played
really well in the first half and got in their faces and made them make
mistakes."
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PFA deputy chief executive Bobby Barnes says referees need to reassess
penalty decisions
Last Updated: 16/04/14 4:47pm
SSN
Professional Footballers' Association deputy chief executive Bobby Barnes
says referees need to be prepared to give penalties even if a fouled player
stays on his feet. West Ham winger Matt Jarvis inadvertently sparked a
debate after he battled to stay on his feet despite being clipped by
Arsenal's Bacary Sagna in the box in his side's 3-1 defeat at the Emirates
Stadium on Tuesday. "It's ironic because of all the furore there's been in
recent weeks about simulation and players not staying on their feet," Barnes
told Sky Sports News. "Matt is a genuine and very honest lad. I've spoken to
him and he's surprised by the storm there's been. It's a bit unfair because
he's attempted to do the right thing and leave the ref to make the decision.
"And had he gone down and not got a penalty he might have ended up getting a
yellow card so it really was the case that he couldn't win."
Jarvis has himself hinted that he may change his approach, saying he may
have to be "a bit more clever" in the future. "The difficulty is that Matt
is in the situation where the next time he's touched in the box he'll have
to very seriously think about going down," admitted Barnes. "In an ideal
world you wait for the officials to make that decision but on this occasion,
Matt has been punished for doing that. "What you'd like to see is that the
officials look at the decision and see that he has been impeded and, whether
he's gone down or not, it's still a foul. "If we're not careful we'll get to
a situation where players think they can't rely on the officials and feel
like they have to embellish things slightly - and then we get back to the
whole world of simulation. "I thought there was clear contact and whether he
went down or not there should have been a penalty. I'm not going to
criticise the refs because, what they're probably now so conditioned to
expect is that, if a player is touched, the likelihood is he will go down.
"The message is that we want to stamp out simulation and players going down
too easily but Matt has been punished for that. We're having to put more
faith in the fact that referees will actually look at incidents more closely
and make the right decision."
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West Ham's Matt Jarvis thinks he may need to be more clever after Arsenal
penalty incident
Last Updated: 16/04/14 1:46pm
SSN
West Ham winger Matt Jarvis says he may have to be "a bit more clever" in
the future after staying on his feet despite a mistimed challenge from
Arsenal's Bacary Sagna. Jarvis nipped the ball past Sagna inside the penalty
box and appeared to be clipped by the full-back's challenge. But the former
Wolves player chased the loose ball rather than hit the deck, prompting a
debate over whether players should always extract the maximum advantage for
their side by going down when fouled in the area. "The manager was
disappointed as I could have had a penalty too," Jarvis, who scored his
side's goal in a 3-1 defeat, told the Hammers' official website. "I don't
know if it was a foul. I don't know if I had gone down whether it would have
been a penalty or whether I'd have been booked. Maybe I should learn from
that and be a bit more clever."
Referee Kevin Friend decided against giving a penalty after the incident,
which happened when the game was still locked at 0-0. "For years now, the
facts are that when you stay on your feet, referees do not give penalties,"
said Hammers boss Sam Allardyce. "For honesty, there is no reward, so what
do I do? A foul is a foul, it does not matter if you go down or stay on your
feet. Matt Jarvis was clipped by Bacary Sagna in the penalty area during
Arsenal's match against West Ham. "We get slaughtered for diving or being
dishonest, but when someone is honest and does not get what you should
get... so then you should go down and make the referee's mind up for him."
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville said the harsh reality was that a modern-day
professional player should be doing everything to win a penalty for his
team. "He should go down," said the former England defender. "You can either
be an angel and do what Matt Jarvis did and you can get a pat on the back
off his nan when he goes home, or he can win his team a penalty. "If Kevin
Friend gives the penalty, it would have been the perfect scenario for
football. The best scenario would be if refs give penalties where a player
doesn't have to go to ground - but they never do."
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HAS MO DIAME GOT A FUTURE AT WEST HAM?
By Sean Whetstone 16 Apr 2014 at 18:00
West Ham Till I Die
Translated from French football website FootMercato Diame is quoted as
saying: "Overall , my season was OK, although I think it is not as good as
last season. I started badly, but gradually I got my bearings, and now it is
pretty good. I feel very good, I hope to be still useful by the end of the
season, scoring goals, and why not reach the threshold of six goals (four
now).I'm not going to hide it, I have ambitions, and I would like to join a
big six English club. At the end of this season, I still have got one year
of contract with West Ham, so I do not know what will happen. But I do not
hide it, I'm ambitious, I want to see above. I am 26 years old , it is time
to take that step . Liverpool? I do not know if there is something real at
the moment, but I think my name is still there. But I can not tell you today
if I will be a Liverpool player or not . My priority is to stay in the
Premier League, because for me it is the best league in the world. It would
be a good thing for me to stay here, now I can not close the door to
overseas, where there are also large clubs. But my priority is to stay in
England."
In response to Diame's comments to the french media Big Sam said in his post
match interview last night
"If he [Mo Diame] wants to go to a top-six club he'll have to perform
better." Former Liverpool player John Aldridge has urged Liverpool to
seriously consider Diame in the summer "I would urge Liverpool to keep tabs
on Mohamed Diame. He is a brute of a midfielder. A tremendous player and so
strong and powerful in that central role,and he is exactly what the Reds
need in there. Diame is certainly one for future reference".
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THERE IS NO REWARD FOR BEING HONEST
By Sean Whetstone 16 Apr 2014 at 09:08
West Ham Till I Die
West Ham were denied a penalty against Arsenal last night when Matt Jarvis
stayed on his feet following a challenge from Bacary Sagna.
Sam Allarydce wasn't happy in his post match interview claiming there is no
reward for being honest.
'The fact is that when you stay on your feet referees don't give penalties,'
said Big Sam. 'The ref finds it very difficult to give. For honesty there is
no reward. So what do I do? A foul is a foul, it doesn't matter whether you
go down or stay on your feet. You get slaughtered for diving, but when
someone is honest and you don't get what you should get. Every team, when
you stay on your feet particularly in the penalty area, it's a critical
decision so you have to make the referee's mind up.'If there is contact, you
should go down and make the referee's mind up for him. There is no reward
for being honest. But that is not the reason we haven't won.'
Should Matt Jarvis have gone down when he felt contact or was he right to do
the honourable thing and stay on his feet?
UPDATE: Matt Jarvis has broken his silence saying: "I don't really know what
to say, maybe I should be a bit cleverer and do what other players have
done. Perhaps then, I could have got the penalty. I thought about it too
late and then, if I had gone down, it would have been a late dive."
Should players go down when they feel contact in the box even if they can
stay up?
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West Ham's Matt Jarvis Hammered for not 'diving' against Arsenal by boss
Allardyce
Apr 16, 2014 17:04 By Darren Lewis
The Mirror
Matt Jarvis has admitted he was naive not to go down to win a penalty for
West Ham against Arsenal on Tuesday. Winger Jarvis has split football after
his honesty at the Emirates cost his side a spot-kick and the chance to
apply the pressure on the Gunners far sooner than his 41st-minute goal
eventually did.
Referee Kevin Friend did not award the Hammers a penalty after Jarvis kept
his balance instead of going down when caught in the box by Bacary Sagna,
and Arsenal went on to win, 3-1. Furious Irons manager Sam Allardyce is
understood to have made his feelings clear to Jarvis, and the former Wolves
wideman has hinted he may not be as keen to do the 'right thing' next time
around. Jarvis said: "The manager was disappointed as I could have had a
penalty. "I don't know if it was a foul. I don't know if I had gone down
whether it would have been a penalty or if I had whether I'd have been
booked. "Maybe I should learn from that and be a bit more clever." Relieved
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, whose top-four bid was back on track after the
win, predictably praised Jarvis for staying on his feet. Wenger said: "I am
grateful for that. I don't think it was a penalty, but he [Sagna] touched
him, yes. "Can you be too honest? I leave you that judgment. You want people
to be honest if you thought it was a penalty. "Maybe if he made a theatrical
dive he would have got it." Allardyce was far more strident and has told his
players in no uncertain terms that if they are caught they should make the
officials' minds up for them. Big Sam said: "For years now, the facts are
that when you stay on your feet referees don't give penalties. The ref finds
it very difficult to give. For honesty there is no reward. So what do I do?
"A foul is a foul, it doesn't matter whether you go down or stay on your
feet. You get slaughtered for diving, but when someone is honest you don't
get what you should get. "Every team, when you stay on your feet
particularly in the penalty area, it's a critical decision so you have to
make the referee's mind up."
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Hull face transfer fight with West Ham and Stoke over Tottenham's Jake
Livermore
Apr 15, 2014 18:40 By Bill Cooper
The Mirror
Steve Bruce is facing a fight with big pal Sam Allardyce and former
Manchester United team-mate Mark Hughes to land Jake Livermore this summer.
Hull boss Bruce has made Livermore his priority signing after the
midfielder's crucial contribution in helping the Tigers hang on to their
Premier League place and reach the FA Cup Final in his season-long loan from
Tottenham. Bruce has already been told he can have the £6million it will
take to prise Livermore, 24, out of White Hart Lane - but West Ham and Stoke
are joining the chase for his signature. Hammers boss Allardyce and Potters
chief Hughes are both looking to strengthen in midfield, and they are
targeting Livermore after his impressive campaign on Humberside. Tim
Sherwood has also noted Livermore's form, and was planning to offer him a
new deal with the North London outfit. But Sherwood's imminent axing as head
coach has put a fresh question mark over the England international's Spurs
future. Livermore has already indicated he would be happy to seal a
permanent switch to the KC Stadium, but he admits:"I haven't got a clue
what's going to happen in the summer. "I don't know anything but, as long as
I am playing next season, I'll be happy. "It's great at Hull, and I have
really enjoyed my time here. I came to play regular first-team football
after a terrible season at Tottenham, where I was in and out of the team for
various reasons.
"It has been a fresh start for me and a breath of fresh air for someone like
Steve Bruce to have a bit of faith in me and say 'just go out and play'
every week.
"It has been a pleasure to play here - and enjoyment is a massive part of
football."
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West Ham to resurrect Joleon Lescott transfer from Manchester City in the
summer window
Apr 16, 2014 20:11 By David Anderson
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce will try again to land Joleon Lescott when he leaves
Manchester City on a free this summer. City will not offer Lescott a new
deal and the defender has made up his mind to go on a Bosman because he is
not a first choice under boss Manuel Pellegrini. Allardyce failed with a bid
to sign Lescott in January because Pellegrini was reluctant to let the
centre-half leave when the Blues were chasing a Quadruple of Premier League,
European Cup, FA Cup and League Cup. The highly-experienced Lescott has won
the clean sweep of domestic honours during his five years at the Etihad and
Big Sam feels he would strengthen his backline. Lescott, 31, is prepared to
accept less than his current £90,000-a-week salary when he quits City, which
would make him affordable for West Ham as a free transfer. Besiktas also
remain keen on the former England international after targeting him in
January and are prepared to offer him over £100,000 to come to Turkey
Lescott wants to weigh up all his options before deciding his future and is
adamant he can still perform at the top level.
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Wednesday, April 16
Daily WHUFC News - 16th April 2014
Podolski double downs Hammers
WHUFC.com
West Ham United took the lead but were beaten 3-1 by Champions League
chasing Arsenal on Tuesday
15.04.2014
Arsenal 3-1 West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
Lukas Podolski's double helped overturn a Hammers lead as Arsenal triumphed
3-1 over the east Londoners at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night. Matt
Jarvis' 40th minute header edged West Ham in front over a nervy Arsenal
side, who had fallen behind Everton in the race for fourth spot at the
weekend. But Podolski's leveller on the stroke of half-time breathed new
life into their challenge and the visitors were not able to respond in the
second half. First Olivier Giroud gave them the lead for the first time,
before Podolski - with his fourth goal in as many appearances against West
Ham - wrapped it up late on. The Hammers were without their skipper Kevin
Nolan, absent after picking up a hamstring injury in last week's defeat to
Arsenal. He was replaced in midfield by Antonio Nocerino, while Jarvis came
in for Matt Taylor. West Ham made a confident start, as Arsenal struggled to
find an early rhythm, and with seven minutes on the clock Jarvis' cross
found its way to Nocerino at the far post, whose goalbound shot needed a
block from Thomas Vermaelen. Arsenal responded on 14 minutes when Tomas
Rosicky found a pocket of space in midfield and knocked the ball through to
Podolski. The German crossed dangerously and Giroud only just failed to make
contact in the middle. West Ham were looking the more dangerous though and
Mo Diame swiped a left-footed effort over the top after a corner was played
back into the area on 18 minutes. Jarvis was finding space on the left flank
and looked to exploit it when his pace, but Arsenal began to settle around
the half-hour mark as their one-touch football around the box threatened to
unlock the Hammers. With 30 minutes on the clock, Santi Cazola slipped
Giroud in, but with only Adrian to beat, the Frenchman opted to try and
flick the ball over his dive and the Hammers keeper was able to save.
Ironically, it was just as the Gunners were finding their feet that Jarvis
struck to give the Hammers the lead. Nocerino made a strong run down the
right flank and drew a save from Wojciech Szczesny with his shot at the near
post. The Italian kept the ball alive and it popped up for Jarvis to bravely
stick his head in and nod into the empty net.
The advantage was to last just four minutes as the Hammers were punished for
a poor clearance from Stewart Downing. Cazorla picked the ball up and passed
to Podolski, who controlled with his first touch and fired into the far
corner with his second. The Hammers forced the first opening of the second
period when Guy Demel carried the ball out of defence and passed to Downing,
who advanced to the edge of the box and dragged a left-footed effort wide.
Before long though, Arsenal were in front as the visitors failed to deal
with a lofted diagonal ball from deep, and Giroud got in between Winston
Reid and Andy Carroll to bring the ball down and shoot between Adrian's
legs. Just past the hour the Gunners were inches away from a third when they
won the ball off the Hammers and broke with pace. Cazorla received
possession on the right flank and moved inside before unleashing a shot from
20 yards which whistled just past the post.
West Ham could not trouble the hosts after the interval in the same manner
as they did before, and Podolski's second of the game 12 minutes from time
made sure of the points.
Home sub Aaron Ramsey created the goal with a cleverly cushioned header
which fell perfectly into Podolski's path to smash high into the net beyond
Adrian.
Arsenal: Szczesny; Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen; Arteta,
Kallstrom; Cazorla (Jenkinson 88), Rosicky (Ramsey 72), Podolski; Giroud
Subs: Fabianski, Oxlade-Chambelain, Sanogo, Akpom, Bellerin
Goals: Podolski 44, Giroud 55, Podolski 78
Booked: Rosicky, Kallstrom
West Ham United: Adrian; Demel, Tomkins, Reid, Armero; Nocerino, Noble,
Diame; Downing (J.Cole 78), Carroll (C.Cole 84) , Jarvis (Vaz Te 78)
Subs: Jaaskelainen, McCartney, Taylor, Johnson
Goal: Jarvis 40
Booked: Nocerino, Diame
Referee: Kevin Friend
Attendance: 59,977
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Big Sam laments Hammers' errors
WHUFC.com
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce reflects on a 3-1 Barclays Premier
League defeat at Arsenal
15.04.2014
Sam Allardyce admitted West Ham United only had themselves to blame after
wasting an excellent start to go down to a 3-1 Barclays Premier League
defeat at Arsenal. The Hammers could have already been in front when Matt
Jarvis bravely nodded the visitors ahead four minutes before half-time at
the Emirates Stadium, most notably when the same player elected to stay on
his feet when earlier fouled by Bacary Sagna inside the Arsenal penalty
area. As it was, the lead lasted only three minutes as Stewart Downing's
loose clearance fell to Santi Cazorla and the Spaniard teed-up Lukas
Podolski to finish into the corner. Into the second half and another bright
opening from the Hammers was wasted when Winston Reid and Andy Carroll got
themselves in a tangle in trying to deal with Thomas Vermaelen's long ball,
allowing Olivier Giroud to control and smash a shot through Adrian's legs
for 2-1. As Arsenal grew in confidence, West Ham's own belief began to wane
and it was no surprise when Giroud's cross was headed by substitute Aaron
Ramsey to an unmarked Podolski, who finished high past an exposed Adrian to
end the game as a contest after 78 minutes. Speaking to West Ham TV, Big Sam
was clearly frustrated by his players' inability to build on their
encouraging play in the opening 40 minutes.
"I can only point at ourselves letting Arsenal back in the game,
unfortunately, after a great effort and performance and getting into the
position we wanted to be in at 1-0," lamented Big Sam. "Arguably, had we
produced a bit more quality, particularly when Mo Diame ballooned a chance
over the bar when he was on his own inside the six-yard box, [we could have
been further in front]. There was enough pace on Andy Carroll's ball into
him to place it and be more accurate, but he's tried to blast it, which
we've been going on about to him for months and months now. "We had lots of
final-third play and crosses and corners and finally got what we wanted. It
was a fantastic run from Antonio Nocerino in behind the Arsenal defence and
Matt Jarvis popped up to head it in after coming in from the wide position,
which was perfect. "Then, to not hold on to 1-0 until half-time was a great
shame, really. Sadly, if Arsenal had scored by one of their players
producing some of the outstanding genius that they have then I can't
complain too much, but it really boiled down to our own deficiency in not
seeing that half out. Mis-kicking a clearance straight to the opposition's
midfield five yards outside the box, you're asking for trouble and that's
exactly what we got.
"It was the same in the second half. We came out and controlled the second
half, looking to probe the Arsenal defence and not in any trouble
whatsoever, then one long ball went into our box and there was a mix-up and
it was 2-1. I couldn't quite believe it on the performance that we'd given.
"Sadly, in the end, we tried to get back in the game, but even when I was
going to put two subs on they went and scored the third just before I could
do so and we have lost. Performance-wise, yes, but result-wise it was not
acceptable and we have got to do better against a very tough Crystal Palace
side."
The timing of the goals, as well as the manner of them, undoubtedly changed
the course of the game. From looking like going in ahead at the break
against an anxious Arsenal, the home side suddenly had momentum and the home
crowd behind them. The Gunners then scored again ten minutes after the
re-start and seldom looked like conceding after that. "Many times you play
at Arsenal and you come away and can't complain about the result because
they have completely outplayed you, but this time I am complaining about
errors we have made at vital times that they have punished. "I suppose the
difference, at the end of the day, was that we didn't punish the errors that
Arsenal made - and they made a lot of errors, for them. They punished us
more than we punished them and that's why they won." Now, attention turns to
the visit of an in-form and resilient Crystal Palace, who have been on a
similar run to that which West Ham have enjoyed in recent months under
manager Tony Pulis. "It's not going to be easy, because Palace are in better
form than Arsenal. In their last three games, they have not conceded a goal
and they have conceded only one goal in five games. They are on a terrific
run, so form-wise they are maybe slightly ahead of Arsenal. "It's just as
difficult game and tactically it will be different because they obviously
play a very good defensive and then counter-attacking game away from home.
We have watched them and it will be extremely difficult to break down, so we
will have to be very patient in how we approach the game and not get
frustrated about the opposition making life difficult for us, which they
definitely will. "Hopefully we will produce enough quality to breach their
outstanding defensive work that Tony has put together with his team and get
the goals to win the game. One thing is for sure, if we can't win it we need
to make sure we don't lose."
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Cole taunts trophy-less Gooners
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 16th April 2014
By: Staff Writer
Joe Cole could have landed himself in a spot of bother after taunting
Arsenal fans for their team's lack of trophies in recent years. 32-year-old
Cole, who won the Premier League three times during his spell with Chelsea
mocked the home fans during a warm-up in tonight's 3-1 defeat at the
Emirates by holding aloft an imaginary trophy after being booed by some
Arsenal supporters as he ran along the touchline. The former England
international, who returned to West Ham in January 2013 played the final 12
minutes of tonight's 3-1 defeat but failed to make much of an impression.
Arsenal, who reached the FA Cup Final after squeezing past Championship side
Wigan after extra time at the weekend last won a trophy in 2005 when beating
Manchester United on penalties in the same competition.
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Allardyce dismisses Diame hopes
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 16th April 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce tonight laughed off comments by Mo Diame regarding a move to
one of the Premier League's elite clubs. The midfielder was in the press
last weekend after he told French outlet L'Equipe that he hoped to secure a
move to a "top six" club - such as Liverpool - this summer, two years after
joining West Ham on a free transfer from Wigan Athletic. But Allardyce
doesn't appear to believe the 26-year-old is showing the kind of form that
could potentially interest a club with higher aspirations than the Hammers
presently. When asked what he though about Diame's comments after tonight's
3-1 defeat against Arsenal, Allardyce replied: "What - about going to a top
six club? Well he'll have to perform better, won't he" - before exiting the
press conference. The Hammers boss, who saw his team throw away the lead
once again against the Gunners was also critical of match official Kevin
Friend, who failed to award a penalty to Matt Jarvis in the first half of
the game when it was still poised at 0-0. " The facts are that when you stay
on your feet referees don't give penalties," he said. "The big problem is
that the referee finds it very difficult to give. "There is no reward for
honesty - so what do I do?"
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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce frustrated to lose lead at Arsenal
Last Updated: 16/04/14 5:58am
SSN
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce admitted his frustration at his side's inability
to maintain their lead until half-time in the 3-1 defeat at Arsenal. The
Hammers enjoyed the better of the play for large parts of the opening 45
minutes as Matt Jarvis headed them in front five minutes before the break,
only for Lukas Podolski to equalise moments later. Second-half goals from
Olivier Giroud and another from Podolski put the game beyond West Ham's
reach and they rarely threatened after falling behind. Allardyce was
encouraged by parts of the display at Emirates Stadium, but says that they
should have made more of their early chances with Mohamed Diame guilty of
being wasteful in front of goal. "I think that we'd done so much up to then
to get the goal - I thought we deserved it," he told Sky Sports. "I think
that the one thing that disappointed me was that we didn't create more from
our opportunities in the first half but we finally got a very good goal. "At
the end of the day, we've lost 3-1 and it's more down to our deficiency
rather than the referee's deficiency." "The key was to hold onto that until
half-time and then say to the lads 'going out there now, there's more
pressure going to come on Arsenal and the home fans expect to beat us
today'.
"It preys on their mind a little bit, they've got a bit of fatigue in the
team and a few injuries. "That would've been more pressure on them but we
released the pressure on them by making two errors for both the goals and
allowed them to get in front. "Then, it's a question of whether we could
create another chance in between that and then finally they got the third
and that was the end of today. "Overall, a good performance but it makes no
difference at the end whether you've played well if you go out there and
lose."
West Ham had a penalty appeal waved away as Bacary Sagna appeared to clip
the legs of Jarvis inside the area, and Allardyce believes that it might
have been given had the West Ham winger gone to ground. "This debate is that
if people stay on their feet and it's a foul, then you don't get it. And
that's a fact because we've proven that over many, many years now," he said.
"While that makes life even more difficult for referees, they're paid to
give fouls whether people stay on their feet or they don't and in opposite
of that we continue to get slaughtered on simulation or diving and that's a
great shame. "At the end of the day, we've lost 3-1 and it's more down to
our deficiency rather than the referee's deficiency."
West Ham remain seven points above the drop zone in 11th place and although
slipping out of the Premier League appears highly unlikely, Allardyce is
keen for a positive end to the campaign with four games remaining. He said:
"I think I've got a lot to do and we've got a lot to do between now and the
end of the season in terms of making sure this season doesn't peter out and
making sure that we try and get as many points as we can and try and get as
many victories as we can on the board. "Crystal Palace is going to be a
massively tough game on their run at the moment. They're in top form at the
minute so it's going to be one at the Boleyn on Saturday that we want to be
on top form again but make sure we win if we can. "If we can't win, make
sure we don't lose. That's two on the trot we've lost and we don't want to
lose any more."
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Arsenal move back into fourth with 3-1 victory over West Ham
By Rob Parrish - Follow me on Twitter @RobParrish75. Last Updated:
15/04/14 10:48pm
SSN
Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud fired Arsenal back into the Premier League
top four as the Gunners came from behind to defeat West Ham 3-1 at Emirates
Stadium.
Best of the Match:
Man of the Match: Santi Cazorla was at the heart of every Arsenal attack and
he was instrumental in securing the three points.
Goal of the Match: Olivier Giroud showed great composure and strength to
bring the ball down from the air, holding off Carroll before firing through
Adrian's legs.
Miss of the Match: His fine finish certainly made up for it, but Giroud's
casual first-half effort with the outside of his boot when through on goal
summed up Arsenal's early frustrations.
Controversy of the Match: West Ham's penalty claim was waved away as Sagna
clipped the legs of Jarvis who stayed on his feet, perhaps swaying the
decision in Arsenal's favour.
Talking point: Arsenal are back into fourth but will they be there in a
month's time?
Giroud's superb strike early in the second half helped secure a first win in
five Premier League outings for the FA Cup finalists, who are now a point
ahead of Everton in the race for the last UEFA Champions League berth, but
have played a game more.
Matt Jarvis had nodded the Hammers into the lead late in the first half, but
that appeared to rouse Arsene Wenger's men from a sluggish display and
Podolski levelled before the interval, with the Germany international adding
a third 12 minutes from time.
Giroud had a good chance to break the deadlock with 14 minutes gone, but
there was a lack of conviction in his attempt to get on the end of
Podolski's cross on the edge of the six-yard box and the opportunity went
begging.
West Ham had started strongly and came close to finding the net twice in the
space of 60 seconds, with Thomas Vermaelen forced to head Jarvis' deep cross
away under pressure from Andy Carroll, before Mohamed Diame slashed over the
bar when well-placed from the resulting corner.
Giroud then missed a glorious opportunity when he was played in behind the
Hammers defence by Santi Cazorla, with his ponderous touch and attempted
flick with the outside of his boot making it too easy for Adrian to gather.
West Ham made the Gunners pay five minutes before the interval. Antonio
Nocerino was not tracked by Kim Kallstrom as he burst into the box and,
although his initial effort was saved, the ball looped up for Jarvis to nod
home bravely, with Laurent Koscielny's flailing boot only narrowly missing
his head.
Arsene Wenger was delighted with his players after they came from behind to
win 3-1 at home to West Ham.
Arsenal responded and Kallstrom forced Adrian to save at his near post
before Podolski levelled with a drilled low finish across the keeper after
Cazorla seized onto Stewart Downing's poor clearance and threaded a pass
through the defence.
Downing fired a low shot wide early in the second period before Diame got
away from a weak Mikel Arteta challenge far too easily only to balloon his
long-range effort way off target
Sam Allardyce says his West Ham side only have themselves to blame after
suffering a 3-1 defeat away at Arsenal.
Giroud then made amends for his earlier misses in stunning style, bringing
down Vermaelen's deep ball to the back post with a deft touch from his left
boot and then firing beyond Adrian with his right despite the close
attentions of Winston Reid and Carroll.
Arsenal were keen to press home their advantage and Adrian was forced to
fist away Podolski's powerful free-kick from the right corner of the box,
before Cazorla cut inside after a swift Arsenal break with his shot curling
away from the keeper but also inches beyond the far post.
Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla both spoke of the importance of finishing
fourth after they beat West Ham 3-1.
Aaron Ramsey, who suffered a thigh injury in the win at West Ham on Boxing
Day, was sent on in place of Tomas Rosicky for his first Emirates appearance
since late December in the 72nd minute and he lashed a long-range shot over
the bar with his first meaningful contribution soon after.
The Wales international then played a key role in Arsenal's third, with his
fine cushioned header from Giroud's cross releasing Podolski to fire over
Adrian from 10 yards out and make the points safe for the Gunners.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's James Tomkins targets survival ahead of England
Last Updated: 15/04/14 2:35pm
SSN
West Ham defender James Tomkins has prioritised Premier League survival
despite his dream to play for England. The 25-year-old has impressed at
Upton Park this season and has helped Sam Allardyce's side to keep 13 clean
sheets. His form has prompted suggestions that England manager Roy Hodgson
should look at Tomkins, who has represented the national team from the
Under-16s and through to the Under-21s. However, despite an ambition to play
for the senior team, Tomkins' eyes are focused on West Ham's quest to
guarantee their Premier League status. He told the London Evening Standard:
"It would be a dream to play for my country one day but just at the moment
my entire focus is on West Ham and helping make sure we are still in the
Premier League next season. "I think we can take great heart and confidence
from recent games, including Liverpool despite the ultimate defeat.
"Liverpool have been scoring very freely from open play but, against us,
their two goals came from penalties. I feel like I'm playing well, improving
every game. Being picked for England is my ultimate goal." West Ham take on
Arsenal tonight at the Emirates, and it will give Tomkins another chance to
impress against quality opposition. Tomkins added: "We're looking forward to
this game. "We believe we have a good chance, especially now that Arsenal
have been involved in extra-time at the weekend."
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Big match verdict: Failure to test shattered Arsenal shows West Ham have
much to work on
Apr 15, 2014 22:12
OPINION BY DARRENLEWIS
Darren Lewis was at the Emirates to see Sam Allardyce's men take a
first-half lead... and then fall apart
The Mirror
The game plan was obvious from the outset. Start fast, start hard, get into
the Arsenal ribs and find out whether or not they fancy it. Sam Allardyce
sent out his men well aware that many of the Gunners were cream-crackered
from being taken to the wire by Wigan 72 hours earlier. Five of the Arsenal
team - including key men Santi Cazorla and Mikel Arteta - played all 120
minutes of that stamina-sapping semi-final at Wembley. And just four days
earlier, Cazorla himself had expressed concerns that his side had lacked a
winning mentality. The Hammers fans played their part too, their cries of
"Top of the League and you f***** it up" referring to the fact that just two
months ago their hosts were indeed leading the title race. Now they are
battling to finish fourth. So the plan was simple. Rough up the Gunners in
midfield and bombard them from wide areas. It worked too. For all of four
minutes. Matty Jarvis bravely stuck his head in where it hurt five minutes
before half time to put West Ham ahead. Had the Irons held out until
half-time the stretched patience of their fans could have created a caustic
atmosphere here at the Emirates. Instead they committed the kind of unforced
error that had them in relegation trouble earlier this season. Lukas
Podolski and Olivier Giroud scored either side of half-time and that was
that. Their failure to exploit ailing Arsenal also highlighted something
that West Ham need to work on for next season - when Plan A fails they have
no Plan B.
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WHUFC.com
West Ham United took the lead but were beaten 3-1 by Champions League
chasing Arsenal on Tuesday
15.04.2014
Arsenal 3-1 West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
Lukas Podolski's double helped overturn a Hammers lead as Arsenal triumphed
3-1 over the east Londoners at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night. Matt
Jarvis' 40th minute header edged West Ham in front over a nervy Arsenal
side, who had fallen behind Everton in the race for fourth spot at the
weekend. But Podolski's leveller on the stroke of half-time breathed new
life into their challenge and the visitors were not able to respond in the
second half. First Olivier Giroud gave them the lead for the first time,
before Podolski - with his fourth goal in as many appearances against West
Ham - wrapped it up late on. The Hammers were without their skipper Kevin
Nolan, absent after picking up a hamstring injury in last week's defeat to
Arsenal. He was replaced in midfield by Antonio Nocerino, while Jarvis came
in for Matt Taylor. West Ham made a confident start, as Arsenal struggled to
find an early rhythm, and with seven minutes on the clock Jarvis' cross
found its way to Nocerino at the far post, whose goalbound shot needed a
block from Thomas Vermaelen. Arsenal responded on 14 minutes when Tomas
Rosicky found a pocket of space in midfield and knocked the ball through to
Podolski. The German crossed dangerously and Giroud only just failed to make
contact in the middle. West Ham were looking the more dangerous though and
Mo Diame swiped a left-footed effort over the top after a corner was played
back into the area on 18 minutes. Jarvis was finding space on the left flank
and looked to exploit it when his pace, but Arsenal began to settle around
the half-hour mark as their one-touch football around the box threatened to
unlock the Hammers. With 30 minutes on the clock, Santi Cazola slipped
Giroud in, but with only Adrian to beat, the Frenchman opted to try and
flick the ball over his dive and the Hammers keeper was able to save.
Ironically, it was just as the Gunners were finding their feet that Jarvis
struck to give the Hammers the lead. Nocerino made a strong run down the
right flank and drew a save from Wojciech Szczesny with his shot at the near
post. The Italian kept the ball alive and it popped up for Jarvis to bravely
stick his head in and nod into the empty net.
The advantage was to last just four minutes as the Hammers were punished for
a poor clearance from Stewart Downing. Cazorla picked the ball up and passed
to Podolski, who controlled with his first touch and fired into the far
corner with his second. The Hammers forced the first opening of the second
period when Guy Demel carried the ball out of defence and passed to Downing,
who advanced to the edge of the box and dragged a left-footed effort wide.
Before long though, Arsenal were in front as the visitors failed to deal
with a lofted diagonal ball from deep, and Giroud got in between Winston
Reid and Andy Carroll to bring the ball down and shoot between Adrian's
legs. Just past the hour the Gunners were inches away from a third when they
won the ball off the Hammers and broke with pace. Cazorla received
possession on the right flank and moved inside before unleashing a shot from
20 yards which whistled just past the post.
West Ham could not trouble the hosts after the interval in the same manner
as they did before, and Podolski's second of the game 12 minutes from time
made sure of the points.
Home sub Aaron Ramsey created the goal with a cleverly cushioned header
which fell perfectly into Podolski's path to smash high into the net beyond
Adrian.
Arsenal: Szczesny; Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen; Arteta,
Kallstrom; Cazorla (Jenkinson 88), Rosicky (Ramsey 72), Podolski; Giroud
Subs: Fabianski, Oxlade-Chambelain, Sanogo, Akpom, Bellerin
Goals: Podolski 44, Giroud 55, Podolski 78
Booked: Rosicky, Kallstrom
West Ham United: Adrian; Demel, Tomkins, Reid, Armero; Nocerino, Noble,
Diame; Downing (J.Cole 78), Carroll (C.Cole 84) , Jarvis (Vaz Te 78)
Subs: Jaaskelainen, McCartney, Taylor, Johnson
Goal: Jarvis 40
Booked: Nocerino, Diame
Referee: Kevin Friend
Attendance: 59,977
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Big Sam laments Hammers' errors
WHUFC.com
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce reflects on a 3-1 Barclays Premier
League defeat at Arsenal
15.04.2014
Sam Allardyce admitted West Ham United only had themselves to blame after
wasting an excellent start to go down to a 3-1 Barclays Premier League
defeat at Arsenal. The Hammers could have already been in front when Matt
Jarvis bravely nodded the visitors ahead four minutes before half-time at
the Emirates Stadium, most notably when the same player elected to stay on
his feet when earlier fouled by Bacary Sagna inside the Arsenal penalty
area. As it was, the lead lasted only three minutes as Stewart Downing's
loose clearance fell to Santi Cazorla and the Spaniard teed-up Lukas
Podolski to finish into the corner. Into the second half and another bright
opening from the Hammers was wasted when Winston Reid and Andy Carroll got
themselves in a tangle in trying to deal with Thomas Vermaelen's long ball,
allowing Olivier Giroud to control and smash a shot through Adrian's legs
for 2-1. As Arsenal grew in confidence, West Ham's own belief began to wane
and it was no surprise when Giroud's cross was headed by substitute Aaron
Ramsey to an unmarked Podolski, who finished high past an exposed Adrian to
end the game as a contest after 78 minutes. Speaking to West Ham TV, Big Sam
was clearly frustrated by his players' inability to build on their
encouraging play in the opening 40 minutes.
"I can only point at ourselves letting Arsenal back in the game,
unfortunately, after a great effort and performance and getting into the
position we wanted to be in at 1-0," lamented Big Sam. "Arguably, had we
produced a bit more quality, particularly when Mo Diame ballooned a chance
over the bar when he was on his own inside the six-yard box, [we could have
been further in front]. There was enough pace on Andy Carroll's ball into
him to place it and be more accurate, but he's tried to blast it, which
we've been going on about to him for months and months now. "We had lots of
final-third play and crosses and corners and finally got what we wanted. It
was a fantastic run from Antonio Nocerino in behind the Arsenal defence and
Matt Jarvis popped up to head it in after coming in from the wide position,
which was perfect. "Then, to not hold on to 1-0 until half-time was a great
shame, really. Sadly, if Arsenal had scored by one of their players
producing some of the outstanding genius that they have then I can't
complain too much, but it really boiled down to our own deficiency in not
seeing that half out. Mis-kicking a clearance straight to the opposition's
midfield five yards outside the box, you're asking for trouble and that's
exactly what we got.
"It was the same in the second half. We came out and controlled the second
half, looking to probe the Arsenal defence and not in any trouble
whatsoever, then one long ball went into our box and there was a mix-up and
it was 2-1. I couldn't quite believe it on the performance that we'd given.
"Sadly, in the end, we tried to get back in the game, but even when I was
going to put two subs on they went and scored the third just before I could
do so and we have lost. Performance-wise, yes, but result-wise it was not
acceptable and we have got to do better against a very tough Crystal Palace
side."
The timing of the goals, as well as the manner of them, undoubtedly changed
the course of the game. From looking like going in ahead at the break
against an anxious Arsenal, the home side suddenly had momentum and the home
crowd behind them. The Gunners then scored again ten minutes after the
re-start and seldom looked like conceding after that. "Many times you play
at Arsenal and you come away and can't complain about the result because
they have completely outplayed you, but this time I am complaining about
errors we have made at vital times that they have punished. "I suppose the
difference, at the end of the day, was that we didn't punish the errors that
Arsenal made - and they made a lot of errors, for them. They punished us
more than we punished them and that's why they won." Now, attention turns to
the visit of an in-form and resilient Crystal Palace, who have been on a
similar run to that which West Ham have enjoyed in recent months under
manager Tony Pulis. "It's not going to be easy, because Palace are in better
form than Arsenal. In their last three games, they have not conceded a goal
and they have conceded only one goal in five games. They are on a terrific
run, so form-wise they are maybe slightly ahead of Arsenal. "It's just as
difficult game and tactically it will be different because they obviously
play a very good defensive and then counter-attacking game away from home.
We have watched them and it will be extremely difficult to break down, so we
will have to be very patient in how we approach the game and not get
frustrated about the opposition making life difficult for us, which they
definitely will. "Hopefully we will produce enough quality to breach their
outstanding defensive work that Tony has put together with his team and get
the goals to win the game. One thing is for sure, if we can't win it we need
to make sure we don't lose."
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Cole taunts trophy-less Gooners
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 16th April 2014
By: Staff Writer
Joe Cole could have landed himself in a spot of bother after taunting
Arsenal fans for their team's lack of trophies in recent years. 32-year-old
Cole, who won the Premier League three times during his spell with Chelsea
mocked the home fans during a warm-up in tonight's 3-1 defeat at the
Emirates by holding aloft an imaginary trophy after being booed by some
Arsenal supporters as he ran along the touchline. The former England
international, who returned to West Ham in January 2013 played the final 12
minutes of tonight's 3-1 defeat but failed to make much of an impression.
Arsenal, who reached the FA Cup Final after squeezing past Championship side
Wigan after extra time at the weekend last won a trophy in 2005 when beating
Manchester United on penalties in the same competition.
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Allardyce dismisses Diame hopes
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 16th April 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce tonight laughed off comments by Mo Diame regarding a move to
one of the Premier League's elite clubs. The midfielder was in the press
last weekend after he told French outlet L'Equipe that he hoped to secure a
move to a "top six" club - such as Liverpool - this summer, two years after
joining West Ham on a free transfer from Wigan Athletic. But Allardyce
doesn't appear to believe the 26-year-old is showing the kind of form that
could potentially interest a club with higher aspirations than the Hammers
presently. When asked what he though about Diame's comments after tonight's
3-1 defeat against Arsenal, Allardyce replied: "What - about going to a top
six club? Well he'll have to perform better, won't he" - before exiting the
press conference. The Hammers boss, who saw his team throw away the lead
once again against the Gunners was also critical of match official Kevin
Friend, who failed to award a penalty to Matt Jarvis in the first half of
the game when it was still poised at 0-0. " The facts are that when you stay
on your feet referees don't give penalties," he said. "The big problem is
that the referee finds it very difficult to give. "There is no reward for
honesty - so what do I do?"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce frustrated to lose lead at Arsenal
Last Updated: 16/04/14 5:58am
SSN
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce admitted his frustration at his side's inability
to maintain their lead until half-time in the 3-1 defeat at Arsenal. The
Hammers enjoyed the better of the play for large parts of the opening 45
minutes as Matt Jarvis headed them in front five minutes before the break,
only for Lukas Podolski to equalise moments later. Second-half goals from
Olivier Giroud and another from Podolski put the game beyond West Ham's
reach and they rarely threatened after falling behind. Allardyce was
encouraged by parts of the display at Emirates Stadium, but says that they
should have made more of their early chances with Mohamed Diame guilty of
being wasteful in front of goal. "I think that we'd done so much up to then
to get the goal - I thought we deserved it," he told Sky Sports. "I think
that the one thing that disappointed me was that we didn't create more from
our opportunities in the first half but we finally got a very good goal. "At
the end of the day, we've lost 3-1 and it's more down to our deficiency
rather than the referee's deficiency." "The key was to hold onto that until
half-time and then say to the lads 'going out there now, there's more
pressure going to come on Arsenal and the home fans expect to beat us
today'.
"It preys on their mind a little bit, they've got a bit of fatigue in the
team and a few injuries. "That would've been more pressure on them but we
released the pressure on them by making two errors for both the goals and
allowed them to get in front. "Then, it's a question of whether we could
create another chance in between that and then finally they got the third
and that was the end of today. "Overall, a good performance but it makes no
difference at the end whether you've played well if you go out there and
lose."
West Ham had a penalty appeal waved away as Bacary Sagna appeared to clip
the legs of Jarvis inside the area, and Allardyce believes that it might
have been given had the West Ham winger gone to ground. "This debate is that
if people stay on their feet and it's a foul, then you don't get it. And
that's a fact because we've proven that over many, many years now," he said.
"While that makes life even more difficult for referees, they're paid to
give fouls whether people stay on their feet or they don't and in opposite
of that we continue to get slaughtered on simulation or diving and that's a
great shame. "At the end of the day, we've lost 3-1 and it's more down to
our deficiency rather than the referee's deficiency."
West Ham remain seven points above the drop zone in 11th place and although
slipping out of the Premier League appears highly unlikely, Allardyce is
keen for a positive end to the campaign with four games remaining. He said:
"I think I've got a lot to do and we've got a lot to do between now and the
end of the season in terms of making sure this season doesn't peter out and
making sure that we try and get as many points as we can and try and get as
many victories as we can on the board. "Crystal Palace is going to be a
massively tough game on their run at the moment. They're in top form at the
minute so it's going to be one at the Boleyn on Saturday that we want to be
on top form again but make sure we win if we can. "If we can't win, make
sure we don't lose. That's two on the trot we've lost and we don't want to
lose any more."
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Arsenal move back into fourth with 3-1 victory over West Ham
By Rob Parrish - Follow me on Twitter @RobParrish75. Last Updated:
15/04/14 10:48pm
SSN
Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud fired Arsenal back into the Premier League
top four as the Gunners came from behind to defeat West Ham 3-1 at Emirates
Stadium.
Best of the Match:
Man of the Match: Santi Cazorla was at the heart of every Arsenal attack and
he was instrumental in securing the three points.
Goal of the Match: Olivier Giroud showed great composure and strength to
bring the ball down from the air, holding off Carroll before firing through
Adrian's legs.
Miss of the Match: His fine finish certainly made up for it, but Giroud's
casual first-half effort with the outside of his boot when through on goal
summed up Arsenal's early frustrations.
Controversy of the Match: West Ham's penalty claim was waved away as Sagna
clipped the legs of Jarvis who stayed on his feet, perhaps swaying the
decision in Arsenal's favour.
Talking point: Arsenal are back into fourth but will they be there in a
month's time?
Giroud's superb strike early in the second half helped secure a first win in
five Premier League outings for the FA Cup finalists, who are now a point
ahead of Everton in the race for the last UEFA Champions League berth, but
have played a game more.
Matt Jarvis had nodded the Hammers into the lead late in the first half, but
that appeared to rouse Arsene Wenger's men from a sluggish display and
Podolski levelled before the interval, with the Germany international adding
a third 12 minutes from time.
Giroud had a good chance to break the deadlock with 14 minutes gone, but
there was a lack of conviction in his attempt to get on the end of
Podolski's cross on the edge of the six-yard box and the opportunity went
begging.
West Ham had started strongly and came close to finding the net twice in the
space of 60 seconds, with Thomas Vermaelen forced to head Jarvis' deep cross
away under pressure from Andy Carroll, before Mohamed Diame slashed over the
bar when well-placed from the resulting corner.
Giroud then missed a glorious opportunity when he was played in behind the
Hammers defence by Santi Cazorla, with his ponderous touch and attempted
flick with the outside of his boot making it too easy for Adrian to gather.
West Ham made the Gunners pay five minutes before the interval. Antonio
Nocerino was not tracked by Kim Kallstrom as he burst into the box and,
although his initial effort was saved, the ball looped up for Jarvis to nod
home bravely, with Laurent Koscielny's flailing boot only narrowly missing
his head.
Arsene Wenger was delighted with his players after they came from behind to
win 3-1 at home to West Ham.
Arsenal responded and Kallstrom forced Adrian to save at his near post
before Podolski levelled with a drilled low finish across the keeper after
Cazorla seized onto Stewart Downing's poor clearance and threaded a pass
through the defence.
Downing fired a low shot wide early in the second period before Diame got
away from a weak Mikel Arteta challenge far too easily only to balloon his
long-range effort way off target
Sam Allardyce says his West Ham side only have themselves to blame after
suffering a 3-1 defeat away at Arsenal.
Giroud then made amends for his earlier misses in stunning style, bringing
down Vermaelen's deep ball to the back post with a deft touch from his left
boot and then firing beyond Adrian with his right despite the close
attentions of Winston Reid and Carroll.
Arsenal were keen to press home their advantage and Adrian was forced to
fist away Podolski's powerful free-kick from the right corner of the box,
before Cazorla cut inside after a swift Arsenal break with his shot curling
away from the keeper but also inches beyond the far post.
Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla both spoke of the importance of finishing
fourth after they beat West Ham 3-1.
Aaron Ramsey, who suffered a thigh injury in the win at West Ham on Boxing
Day, was sent on in place of Tomas Rosicky for his first Emirates appearance
since late December in the 72nd minute and he lashed a long-range shot over
the bar with his first meaningful contribution soon after.
The Wales international then played a key role in Arsenal's third, with his
fine cushioned header from Giroud's cross releasing Podolski to fire over
Adrian from 10 yards out and make the points safe for the Gunners.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's James Tomkins targets survival ahead of England
Last Updated: 15/04/14 2:35pm
SSN
West Ham defender James Tomkins has prioritised Premier League survival
despite his dream to play for England. The 25-year-old has impressed at
Upton Park this season and has helped Sam Allardyce's side to keep 13 clean
sheets. His form has prompted suggestions that England manager Roy Hodgson
should look at Tomkins, who has represented the national team from the
Under-16s and through to the Under-21s. However, despite an ambition to play
for the senior team, Tomkins' eyes are focused on West Ham's quest to
guarantee their Premier League status. He told the London Evening Standard:
"It would be a dream to play for my country one day but just at the moment
my entire focus is on West Ham and helping make sure we are still in the
Premier League next season. "I think we can take great heart and confidence
from recent games, including Liverpool despite the ultimate defeat.
"Liverpool have been scoring very freely from open play but, against us,
their two goals came from penalties. I feel like I'm playing well, improving
every game. Being picked for England is my ultimate goal." West Ham take on
Arsenal tonight at the Emirates, and it will give Tomkins another chance to
impress against quality opposition. Tomkins added: "We're looking forward to
this game. "We believe we have a good chance, especially now that Arsenal
have been involved in extra-time at the weekend."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big match verdict: Failure to test shattered Arsenal shows West Ham have
much to work on
Apr 15, 2014 22:12
OPINION BY DARRENLEWIS
Darren Lewis was at the Emirates to see Sam Allardyce's men take a
first-half lead... and then fall apart
The Mirror
The game plan was obvious from the outset. Start fast, start hard, get into
the Arsenal ribs and find out whether or not they fancy it. Sam Allardyce
sent out his men well aware that many of the Gunners were cream-crackered
from being taken to the wire by Wigan 72 hours earlier. Five of the Arsenal
team - including key men Santi Cazorla and Mikel Arteta - played all 120
minutes of that stamina-sapping semi-final at Wembley. And just four days
earlier, Cazorla himself had expressed concerns that his side had lacked a
winning mentality. The Hammers fans played their part too, their cries of
"Top of the League and you f***** it up" referring to the fact that just two
months ago their hosts were indeed leading the title race. Now they are
battling to finish fourth. So the plan was simple. Rough up the Gunners in
midfield and bombard them from wide areas. It worked too. For all of four
minutes. Matty Jarvis bravely stuck his head in where it hurt five minutes
before half time to put West Ham ahead. Had the Irons held out until
half-time the stretched patience of their fans could have created a caustic
atmosphere here at the Emirates. Instead they committed the kind of unforced
error that had them in relegation trouble earlier this season. Lukas
Podolski and Olivier Giroud scored either side of half-time and that was
that. Their failure to exploit ailing Arsenal also highlighted something
that West Ham need to work on for next season - when Plan A fails they have
no Plan B.
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Tuesday, April 15
Daily WHUFC News - 15th April 2014
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.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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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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.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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."
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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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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."
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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?"
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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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