Daily WHUFC News - 20th April 2014

Hammers pay tribute to Dylan
WHUFC.com
West Ham United paid their respects to Dylan Tombides on Saturday afternoon
19.04.2014

West Ham United paid their respects to Dylan Tombides before the Barclays
Premier League match against Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon. The
20-year-old lost his battle with testicular cancer on Friday, which led to
an emotionally-charged afternoon at the Boleyn Ground. The Club announced
before kick-off that the No38 shirt would be retired in Dylan's honour and
then, during an moving minute's applause, his father Jim and brother Taylor
carried out his shirt to lay it on the centre circle. Flags were also flown
at half-mast around the stadium. Hammers' fans also paid their own tributes
by placing an array of cards, flowers and shirts, emblazoned with his name,
on the gates leading into the Boleyn Ground. The Claret and Blue army also
partook in a rousing minute of applause with 38 minutes on the clock - the
squad number which the Australian wore during his time with the Club.

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Hammers unable to stop Palace march
WHUFC.com
Crystal Palace won for the fifth game in a row when Mile Jedinak's penalty
defeated the Hammers
19.04.2014

West Ham United 0-1 Crystal Palace
Barclays Premier League

West Ham United were unable to prevent Crystal Palace from registering a
fifth straight victory as Mile Jedinak's second half penalty earned his side
the points at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday. Jedinak coverted emphatically
from the spot after Pablo Armero clipped Cameron Jerome inside the box and
West Ham could not find a way back. Despite creating chances before the
break, the home side struggled to break down the resolute Eagles in the
second half. It means West Ham remain on 37 points, still seven clear of the
bottom three. Following an emotional tribute to Dylan Tombides, as the Club
retired his No38 shirt during a minute's applause, the Hammers created the
first opening of the game when Andy Carroll rose well at the far post, but
headed Kevin Nolan's cross over the top. Palace went close themselves with a
header on 15 minutes when Kagisho Dikgacoi nodded Yannick Bolasie's corner
towards goal, but Carroll was in position to block on the line.

West Ham's threat grew as the half went on and Mo Diame brought the best out
of Julian Speroni in the Palace goal with a rasping shot from the edge of
the box which needed tipping over. With 35 minutes on the clock Speroni
denied Diame again, blocking down low to his right at the near post, and as
the Hammers recycled possession Carroll thundered a header goalwards that
Speroni saved on instinct. Carroll was in the thick of the action at the
start of the second period, getting on the end of a Stewart Downing cross on
51 minutes, but scuffing his shot wide of the near post. Then, five minutes
later, another ball broke to the big No9 in the box, but Damien Delaney
threw himself in front of the shot to block. His intervention gained even
greater value shortly afterwards as Palace took the lead. Cameron Jerome's
run took Winston Reid out of the game, then as he entered the area he was
clipped by Pablo Armero and went down to the turf.
Referee Martin Atkinson pointed to the spot, and Jedinak did the rest,
burying his penalty in the top left hand corner of the goal. The goal
seemed to knock the wind out of West Ham's sails as Palace pressed on for
another. It nearly arrived on 66 minutes when a scramble in the Hammers box
ended with Jason Puncheon having a shot blocked behind. Joe Cole came off
the bench and drilled a shot wide of the mark with time running out, but a
Hammers equaliser would not come on a frustrating afternoon.

West Ham United: Adrian; McCartney, Tomkins, Reid, Armero; Nolan (Nocerino ,
Noble, Diame; Downing (J.Cole 78), Carroll, Jarvis (C.Cole 70)
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Taylor, O'Brien, Johnson
Booked: McCartney

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Mariappa, Dann, Delaney, Ward; Digkacoi, Jedinak;
Puncheon (Gabbidon 87), Ledley, Bolasie (Parr 90); Jerome (Murray 82)
Subs: Hennessey, ince, Gayle, Guedioura
Goal: Jedinak pen 59
Booked: Murray

Referee: Martin Atkinson
Attendance: 34,977

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Big Sam on Crystal Palace defeat
WHUFc.com
Sam Allardyce was not happy following West Ham United's 1-0 home defeat by
Crystal Palace
19.04.2014

Sam Allardyce was far from happy after seeing his West Ham United side fall
to a 1-0 home Barclays Premier League defeat by Crystal Palace. The Hammers
controlled possession and territory for much of the first half, but could
not turn their domination into goals. Instead, both clubs came close twice
to opening the scoring - West Ham when Speroni saved well from Mohamed Diame
and Andy Carroll and Palace when Carroll and Adrian kept out efforts from
Kagisho Dikcagoi. The second half was hugely disappointing from the home
side, who saw the game slip away despite again spending the majority of
their time inside the Palace half. The match was settled in frustrating
fashion as Cameron Jerome spun Winston Reid on halfway and ran down the
right flank. Despite having little support, Jerome was brought down by Pablo
Armero just inside the penalty area and Mile Jedinak rifled the spot-kick
high past Adrian. Big Sam made three changes in an attempt to get his side
back in the game, but Speroni's goal remained intact as Tony Pulis's
well-drilled side held firm with relative comfort.
"This is Crystal Palace and how they play, with the effectiveness of the way
that they protect their own goal which has been the basis of what they have
achieved in their last five games and beyond," said the manager. "To lose to
another penalty, having lost to Liverpool on two penalties is just
heart-wrenching for us. I have to be fair - it was a silly penalty and Pablo
didn't need to do it, and it's cost us dear again. "In front of goal, we
failed. Chances weren't going to be easy to come by against this
well-organised team that drop eleven men back into their own half and shut
the spaces down, so we had to be clinically good, but unfortunately we
weren't. "In the end, we've had a very disappointing 1-0 defeat to another
penalty. When you look that we've only had two penalties all season, it just
hasn't panned out for us that way. "It was really disappointing and I was a
bit frustrated that the players didn't continue what they were doing very
well at before they lost the goal - they lost their rhythm by allowing their
passing to go astray too much and became a little bit panicky, I feel. They
tried their best to get us back in the game and get us a result, but it
wasn't to be."

West Ham continually threatened before the Palace goal, getting in behind
down the flanks and occasionally through the middle, most notably when Diame
twice worked Speroni with shots before half-time. After Jedinak's spot-kick,
however, the confidence clearly flowed from West Ham and into the visitors.
"The players tried to force it too much after Palace's goal. They had got
what they wanted and were defensively resilient anyway, but would just sit
there after the goal. They weren'y going to venture too quickly forward,
unless they had an open attacking area when we've over-committed going
forward. "We got in final third so many times that we should have produced
something that we usually produce to get at least one goal, but
unfortunately we didn't do that."

While a home defeat was naturally disappointing for all concerned, Big Sam
put things into perspective when talking about Dylan Tombides, who passed
away on Friday aged just 20 following a long battle with cancer. The manager
who gave the striker his first-team debut in a Capital One Cup tie in
September 2012 was full of praise for the Australian for his attitude,
resilience and talent. "It has been a difficult day and my thoughts are
obviously with Dylan's family, who have supported him from the very
beginning of this horrible disease. When I first got here, he was just
starting, they thought, to get well following his initial operation, then
all of a sudden another problem arose in another area and he tried to fight
that particular area for so long. "Dylan's fight inside him and desire to
overcome this disease and play football again were just unbelievable. The
way he came in after long bouts of really hard, strenuous treatment that
made him very ill indeed, was amazing. He kept bouncing back because
football was the only thing he wanted to do. He wanted to play again. "He
recovered from so many treatments, we thought that one would work for him in
the end, but unfortunately it hasn't."

A minute's applause before the game accompanied the moving sight of Dylan's
father Jim and brother Taylor carrying his No38 shirt to the centre circle,
with the number being retired in the forward's honour. For Big Sam, who
monitored Dylan's progress closely, the sadness is magnified by the fact we
never got to see him play the regular first-team football his ability would
surely have granted him. "Wally Downes told me as soon as I got here that
the best player in the Academy, without a doubt, is going to be Dylan
Tombides, but because of this horrible disease we could never get him in the
first-team squad as often as we'd have liked. "I'm disappointed we lost a
game of football, but on a day like this football doesn't mean an awful lot
after what happened to Dylan this week."

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West Ham 0 Crystal Palace 1
19 April 2014
Last updated at 17:53
By Mike Henson
BBC Sport

Crystal Palace secured Premier League survival and a club-record equalling
fifth straight top-flight win as a Mile Jedinak penalty saw off West Ham.
The Eagles had a penalty appeal turned down after the ball hit Kevin Nolan's
shoulder, but almost fell behind to Andy Carroll's header before the break.
Carroll fluffed a good chance and West Ham paid the price when Pablo Armero
tripped Cameron Jerome in the box. Jedinak converted and Joe Cole shot wide
as a poor West Ham came up short. At the final whistle the Palace players
and the noisy travelling fans celebrated a result that matches their record
of five successive top-flight wins in the 1992-93 campaign and ensures they
will continue in the Premier League for another season at least. West Ham,
by contrast, departed to jeers after their direct approach failed to unlock
Palace's committed defence. With seven points and six places separating West
Ham from the drop, manager Sam Allardyce seems to have done enough to avoid
relegation but is still far from winning over the home crowd. Both sets of
fans were united before kick-off as they paid tribute to Hammers' striker
Dylan Tombides, who died earlier this week at the age of 20, with a minute's
applause. The Australian's father Jim and brother Taylor laid his number 38
shirt on the centre spot during the commemorations. The number will be
retired in his memory making him only the second player - after the
legendary Bobby Moore - to be remembered in such a way by the club.
Crystal Palace last run of five top-flight began on 5 December 1992 with a
2-0 home win over Sheffield United and finished with a 1-0 away victory over
Middlesbrough. Their run of good form could not save them from the drop.
They finished 20th in the 22-team top-flight in the final relegation
position. Clear-cut chances were rare once the action got under way with
Carroll clearing Kagisho Dikgacoi's header before the visitors' appeals for
a penalty were turned down despite Nolan appeared to lean a shoulder into
Adrian Mariappa's shot. Scott Dann and Damien Delaney had initially
marshalled Carroll well at the other end but West Ham's barrage of crosses
almost produced a goal as the striker's muscular header brought a good save
from Julian Speroni. That demonstrated the threat that Carroll carries
against even the best-organised defence, but his fluffed near-post finish
after the break will not have helped his chances of making England's World
Cup squad.

Shortly after that Armero needlessly fouled Jerome and Jedinak responded to
goalkeeper Adrian's attempts to distract him by rifling the spot kick into
the top left-hand corner. Allardyce's decision to bring on Carlton Cole for
Matt Jarvis as West Ham struggled to force their way back into the game
prompted chants of "you don't know what you're doing" from sections of the
home support. The change made little impression beyond a hopeful and
unsuccessful late penalty appeal from Cole and the action played out with
Palace's fans singing the praises of boss Tony Pulis as the Hammers joined
Chelsea and Everton as victims of their latest run.

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Crystal Palace edge out West Ham to claim fifth successive win
Last Updated: 19/04/14 7:39pm
SSN

Crystal Palace made it five wins in a row as Mile Jedinak converted from the
penalty spot to secure a 1-0 victory over West Ham United at Upton Park. The
Eagles are now guaranteed to be playing Premier League football next season,
with a 43-point haul leaving them knocking on the door of the top half.

Best of the match

Man of the match: Yannick Bolasie. Ran George McCartney ragged and was a
constant thorn in the Hammers' side.
Effort of the match: Mile Jedinak produced power and precision as he crashed
his second-half penalty into the back of the net.
Save of the match: Julian Speroni produced a smart double stop to block a
Mohamed Diame shot with his legs and bounce back up to claw away an Andy
Carroll header one-handed.
Moment of the match: Pablo Armero had no need to dangle out a leg as he
closed Cameron Jerome on the by-line, but he did and the Palace striker had
every right to tumble over it.
Talking point: What do West Ham need to change after suffering three
straight defeats? Can Palace secure a top-half finish:?

Andy Carroll was involved in the only incidents of note during a
keenly-contested opening 45 minutes between two capital rivals, as he
cleared a Kagisho Dikgacoi effort off the line and saw a powerful header of
his own beaten away by Julian Speroni at the opposite end of the field. The
England international also had a couple of penalty appeals waved away by
referee Martin Atkinson, with Palace skipper Jedinak a touch fortunate to
get away with one clear block inside his own area. It was to be the
Australian's lucky day as he was then offered the opportunity to break the
deadlock from the spot on 59 minutes, after Cameron Jerome had been tripped
by a clumsy challenge from Pablo Armero. Jedinak made no mistake, drilling
high into the top corner to give Adrian no chance, despite the Hammers
goalkeeper guessing the right way.

Memory

Upton Park rose to its feet for a minute's applause before kick-off in
memory of former West Ham forward Dylan Tombides, who died of cancer aged 20
on Friday. With the match under way, the hosts shaded an uneventful opening
10 minutes in which Carroll enjoyed the best chance, heading over Kevin
Nolan's cross after a sloppy clearance from Joe Ledley. After a tentative
opening, Palace gradually settled into the contest and almost broke the
deadlock when Dikgacoi headed towards the net, but Carroll was well-placed
to clear off the line. Palace were gathering momentum as Yannick Bolasie
turned George McCartney inside-out down the left before delivering a deep
cross to Scott Dann, who headed narrowly over under pressure. The Eagles
took the resulting corner quickly and Adrian Mariappa's driven shot was
blocked by the diving Nolan, who was fortunate the ball narrowly avoided his
arm. In the 33rd minute, the home side were aggrieved not to be awarded a
penalty, and with some justification, as Jedinak appeared to deliberately
nudge Carroll over to prevent the forward reaching Matt Jarvis' cross. West
Ham finished the first half the stronger as Mohamed Diame's drilled shot
from close range was denied by Speroni and seconds later, the Palace
goalkeeper did brilliantly to fend away Carroll's powerful header from six
yards out. The second period began brightly and Carroll should have done
better when Stewart Downing's ball reached him at the back post, but the
striker hesitated before dragging his shot wide.

Clipped

Palace could have been given a penalty when Jason Puncheon, who endured a
quiet afternoon, was brought down by Armero but referee Martin Atkinson was
unmoved. Only three minutes later, the Hammers left-back was again at fault
in the box as he clipped the legs of Jerome. This time Armero was less
fortunate as Atkinson pointed to the spot and Jedinak whipped the ball past
Adrian. Pulis' side could have doubled their advantage in the 67th minute
when some frantic defending twice presented Puncheon with chances in the
box, but the winger was unable to convert. Bolasie's cross then just eluded
Jerome as Palace began to dictate possession and enjoy the simmering
atmosphere at Upton Park. The home supporters mocked Sam Allardyce when the
West Ham boss replaced Jarvis with Carlton Cole in the 70th minute and some
jeered Downing when he was brought off for Joe Cole soon after. Joe Cole's
introduction did at least produce some attacking spark for the Hammers as
the midfielder first shot wide from the edge of the area before volleying
over with four minutes to play, to leave West Ham still seven points clear
of the drop zone and looking over their shoulder.

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Sam Allardyce disappointed to see West Ham beaten by Crystal Palace
Last Updated: 19/04/14 6:51pm
SSN

Sam Allardyce saw penalty troubles come back to haunt West Ham United as
they slipped to a 1-0 defeat at home to Crystal Palace. A clumsy challenge
from Pablo Armero on Cameron Jerome just before the hour mark presented Mile
Jedinak with an opportunity to crash home from the spot in Saturday's
Premier League clash at Upton Park. Allardyce admits that gifting the
in-form visitors an advantage was always going to make life difficult for
his side, with fortune not favouring the Hammers at present. On the back of
a third straight defeat, he told Sky Sports: "It's a stupid penalty, isn't
it? The last two games, three penalties we have conceded - two were
justified, one wasn't. Of course we haven't won a game here because of three
penalties that we have given away. The fact of the matter is that however
you set out your plans, you can't judge for things like that as a manager.
He didn't need to really make the tackle in the position he was in, so it
was a mistake. "The fact of the matter is that however you set out your
plans, you can't judge for things like that as a manager. He didn't need to
really make the tackle in the position he was in, so it was a mistake."

"You know the way that Crystal Palace set their team out, they are waiting
for something like that, they are waiting to capitalise on whatever errors
you might make. They took full advantage of that. "It was always going to be
difficult to break them down because they are the best team defensively, I
think, in the Premier League based on how they shape up and close the ball.
"Because they are in such good form as well in terms of results, beating
teams like Everton and Chelsea, the game was going to be difficult in
breaking them down. "We gave it every effort we possibly could but we
couldn't put the ball in the back of the net when we had the chance and the
opportunity to do so. "I still think Andy Carroll's is a penalty when he
gets blocked off (by Jedinak in the first half) with no attempt to play the
ball, so one goes for you and one goes against you and you end up with a
disappointing 1-0 defeat."

Another setback leaves West Ham seven points above the relegation zone with
three games to play and Allardyce has called on his side to ensure that they
end the campaign as positively as possible and do not allow themselves to be
dragged back into a basement battle. He added: "What we want to do is, we
don't want to lose any more football matches. "We have a tough run-in with
West Brom away, Tottenham at home and Manchester City away. "We have got to
try and get as many points as we can out of the next three games and try to
finish the season with as many as we can get, which is more than 37. That is
the object of the exercise of the next three games."

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THIS IS WHAT YOU HAVE DONE TO ME, MR ALLARDYCE...
By Iain Dale 19 Apr 2014 at 21:02
West Ham Till I Die

The last home game I went to was our win against Southampton. I didn't go
today, partly because I was in Norfolk, but mainly because I couldn't work
up any enthusiasm to go. You see, I am falling out of love with going to
games. Call me fickle, a fair weather fan, call me what you will, but I just
can't get excited about watching the kind of bilge Sam Allardyce has served
up this season.

Even when we win I don't feel that surge of excitement I used to. If I watch
a game on television I don't leap out of my chair and scream with delight
like I used to (and frighten the dogs). I barely crack a smile. This is what
that man has done to me. I can hardly believe I am writing this but I am
seriously considering not renewing my season ticket, and shutting down this
site.

I'm sure that in the end I won't do either (at least I think I am sure), but
that's the way I feel at the moment. I want my love for West Ham to survive
this awful period in our history, but I reckon it's got some time to go.
It's only in the last few weeks that I have realised I really want Allardyce
to leave West Ham at the end of the season. Yes, he has kept us up, but at
what cost? Realistically, I know that he won't be sacked. It would be too
risky and cost too much. The owners will stick with him for fear of being
relegated before we move to the Olympic Stadium. It is the only business
decision they can make. I understand and respect that. I suspect in their
shoes I'd do the same. Stick with nurse for fear of worse. Isn't that the
saying? But from a fans' point of view, it doesn't get a lot worse than what
we have had to endure so far.

It's all very well Allardyce saying that it's all very well playing pretty
football and losing, and that's not what he's about. And it's true, he has
put some much needed steel into the side, But at what cost to our traditions
and our flair? I've had enough.

Am I alone in feeling this way?

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Dylan Tombides honoured by moving tributes at West Ham
Father and brother of Australian who died aged 20 place his shirt in the
middle of the field before Premier League match
theguardian.com, Sunday 20 April 2014 03.31 BST

West Ham paid tribute to Dylan Tombides on a day when Premier League defeat
paled into insignificance. Promising youth international Tombides died aged
20 in London on Friday, following a three-year battle with testicular
cancer, and was honoured by his club before Saturday's 1-0 home defeat to
Crystal Palace.
In moving scenes at Upton Park, Tombides's father Jim and brother Taylor
carried his shirt into the middle of the ground as the stadium united for a
minute's applause. West Ham manager Sam Allardyce, who gave the striker his
first-team debut in a League Cup tie in September, said it had been a
"difficult day".
"I'm disappointed we lost a game of football, but on a day like this
football doesn't mean an awful lot after what happened to Dylan this week,"
Allardyce said.
The club announced it would retire Tombides's shirt number, 38, an honour
bestowed to only one other player in the club's history. Perth-born Tombides
was considered one of Australian football's brightest prospects and he was
regarded just as highly internally at West Ham. While his diagnosis in 2011
halted his progress through the ranks, he battled back to earn a first-team
call up last season before falling ill again. "Dylan's fight inside him and
desire to overcome this disease and play football again were just
unbelievable," said Allardyce, who joined the club in 2011. "The way he came
in after long bouts of really hard, strenuous treatment that made him very
ill indeed, was amazing. "[Former West Ham first team coach] Wally Downes
told me as soon as I got here that the best player in the academy, without a
doubt, is going to be Dylan Tombides. "But because of this horrible disease
we could never get him in the first-team squad as often as we'd have liked."

Football officials, players and fans mourned Tombides's death and tribute
signs, flowers and Australian flags were on display at the stadium on
Saturday.
After carrying his brother's shirt on to the ground, raising it to the sky
and placing it on the ground, Taylor Tombides -a West Ham youth player
-later tweeted: "That's for you Dylan we miss you so much i love you".
Australian Mile Jedinak, the Crystal Palace captain, scored the only goal of
the game, his first Premier League goal, but his celebration was notably
muted.

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Hammers looking to bring Premier League duo to Upton Park
Date: 20th April 2014 at 2:53 am
Written by: Irons Maiden | ForeverWestHam.com

It sounds like West Ham's summer transfer plans are in full swing with the
Times' Gary Jacob writing: "West Ham United hope to take advantage of
Sunderland's likely relegation with a move for Lee Cattermole. West Ham also
hope to persuade Micah Richards, the Manchester City defender who has one
year left on his contract to move to London."

The rumours regarding Manchester City's Micah Richards have been around for
a few months and, although he would be an improvement on Guy Demel*, I
question whether he'd actually join us?

Sunderland's Lee Cattermole has more legs - the rumour does, not the player
- and is someone that Sam Allardyce has wanted for a while. The Black Cats
midfielder is a better footballer than he is given credit for but that
doesn't stop him being a bit, erm, physical in the middle of the park -
Cattermole has scored one Premier League goal for every 66.8 fouls he has
conceded.

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West Ham 0 - Crystal Palace 1: Mile sparks Sam unrest
By: Jon West
Published: Sun, April 20, 2014
Express.co.uk

RIGHTLY or wrongly, Tony Pulis and Sam Allardyce have long been viewed as
managers who love the long ball far too much. Right now, however, their
popularity ratings could hardly be more contrasting. Pulis's Palace, thanks
to a penalty from Mile Jedinak are now safe from the drop and have won five
in a row. Meanwhile, Allardyce was subjected to catcalls from the home fans
even though the Hammers are not in any real danger themselves. "You don't
know what you're doing!" was the cry when winger Matt Jarvis was taken off
so Carlton Cole could join Andy Carroll up front in the search for an
equaliser. Predictably, the final whistle was greeted with boos from most
sections of Upton Park. Not from the away end though.

Not since 1992 have Palace won five top-flight fixtures on the bounce and
previously they have always been relegated after a single season in the
Premier League. That looked likely when Pulis, jettisoned by Stoke last
summer, succeeded Ian Holloway in November but now the Welshman is in the
running for the Manager of the Season gong. Allardyce, on the other hand,
faces an uncertain summer despite having enjoyed unwavering support from
owners David Sullivan and David Gold when his side were in the bottom three.
"We've played some really good football and we could have scored two or
three goals," Pulis said. "Don't take away what we have got - this is a
different team to Stoke, with different strengths. We have great pace on the
break." Before kick-off, there was a reminder that whatever the home
supporters think about Allardyce, it is only a game of football. A minute's
applause in memory of West Ham player Dylan Tombides, who died of cancer
aged 20 in the run-up to the game, was an emotional scene of a different
kind. Dad Jim and younger brother Taylor, who is also on the club's books,
carried a shirt with number 38 to the centre circle. This number will now be
retired as a mark of respect. "Football doesn't mean too much to me today
after the news about Dylan passing away," Allardyce said. "My thoughts are
with his family." Had it affected the players? "Not really," Allardyce
added. "The players played how they should have done to break down Crystal
Palace's effective unit. We just didn't score."

West Ham shaded the first half, with Carroll heading a couple of good
chances wide and being denied by an excellent save by Julian Speroni, the
Palace goalkeeper, seconds after he had kept out a low drive by Mohamed
Diame. It was also a half of penalty shouts that referee Martin Atkinson
ignored. The official probably didn't see Adrian Mariappa's late challenge
on Matt Jarvis. But Kevin Nolan's use of an arm to block a Mariappa shot at
the other end was far more obvious.

MAN OF MATCH: MILE JEDINAK - not only slotted away the match-winning penalty
but also bossed the midfield.

MATCH FACTS

WEST HAM: Adrian; McCartney, Tomkins, Reid, Armero; Noble, Diame; Jarvis (C
Cole 70), Nolan (Nocerino 85), Downing (J Cole 72); Carroll.

PALACE: Speroni; Mariappa, Dann, Delaney, Ward; Dikcagoi, Jedinak; Bolasie
(Parr 90), Ledley, Puncheon (Gabbidon 87); Jerome (Murray 82).

Ref: M Atkinson

Att: 34,977

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Where is West Ham's fight?
Date: 19th April 2014 at 9:37 pm
Written by: Emily Pulham | ForeverWestHam.com

The teams swirling around the relegation zone are starting to put in some
incredible performances- everyone except us, that is. Sunderland put in an
outstanding performance against Manchester City, and through some form of
witchcraft, managed to bring Chelsea to their knees. Even Fulham
beat.someone, and if Norwich City beat Liverpool, I will lose my tiny mind.
Having said that, no team has put in more work to survive than the team that
just beat a truly uninspiring West Ham, Crystal Palace.

Palace came to Upton Park knowing they were safe, even if they failed to get
a result. Their supporters had a reason to be cheerful, and they never
stopped singing. Crystal Palace's support was arguably the best away support
we've seen this season. They joined in with the Dylan Tombides tribute, for
which we are grateful, and then they blew up their beach balls and got ready
to party- and party they should.

Crystal Palace have done the enviable- they've beaten the drop, and they've
done it with a bang. This same squad looked doomed when Tony Pulis pulled
into town, and yet they've demonstrated a tremendous amount of strength to
stay up.

We shouldn't be so different from Palace. I would argue that, on paper, we
have a much stronger team- but what separates us from them, the safe from
the barely hanging on, is that they have some fight in them- and we don't.

We are so sorely lacking in fight and spirit. We head into games without
self-belief, and why would we win when we already believe we won't? The
second a team scores against us, we shut down, and the sense of disbelief on
the field is visibly noticeable from the stands.

Even today, on a day when an incredibly brave youth player had to carry his
deceased brother's shirt onto the pitch, we couldn't find a fight. It should
have been there.

I envied those Crystal Palace supporters today. We could have and should
have been able to celebrate staying up today too, but too many players wear
their negativity as a heavy weight on their shoulders and don't believe in
themselves and the team- or, worse, they don't care.

It's just not good enough. It hasn't been good enough all season, and it is
nothing short of a mathematical miracle that we are still twelfth- and we
will not be there long if the Sunderlands and Crystal Palaces of the Premier
League have anything to say about it.

Today, we got an education. Today, we saw a master class in how to avoid
relegation. It's just a shame we were on the receiving end of it

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

http://vyperz.blogspot.com



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Daily WHUFC News - 19th April 2014

Crystal Palace match preview
WHUFc.com
All the key information ahead of Saturday's visit of Crystal Palace
18.04.2014

WEST HAM UNITED v CRYSTAL PALACE
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 19 APRIL 2014
KICK-OFF: 3PM
REFEREE: MARTIN ATKINSON
FULL AUDIO COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV

Introduction
. West Ham United face their second London derby in succession on Saturday
when Crystal Palace make the short journey to the Boleyn Ground, following
Tuesday's 3-1 defeat at Arsenal.
. The Hammers put in a good performance before the break at the Emirates
Stadium to take the lead through Matt Jarvis, but Arsenal came roaring back
to win thanks to Lukas Podolski's double and an Olivier Giroud strike.
. That meant West Ham have lost their last two fixtures, although they have
put up a fight in defeat to both Liverpool and the Gunners.
. Sam Allardyce's men last tasted victory on 31 March when they saw off
Sunderland 2-1 at the Stadium of Light with goals from Andy Carroll and
Mohamed Diame.
. Palace have been in terrific form and moved above the Hammers in the table
on Wednesday when they pulled off a surprise 3-2 win at Everton - their
fourth in succession.
. The Eagles have enjoyed a new lease of life under the management of Tony
Pulis and are now almost certainly safe for another season of Barclays
Premier League football

Team news
West Ham United
. The Hammers welcome Joey O'Brien, James Collins and Kevin Nolan back into
their squad following shoulder, calf and shoulder injuries respectively.
. Marco Borriello remains sidelined with a calf problem.
Crystal Palace
To follow

Background
. The first meeting between West Ham United and Crystal Palace was a
Southern League First Division fixture played at The Crystal Palace on 29
September 1906. A 10,000-strong crowd turned out to see a 1-1 draw, with
Arthur Winterhalder on target for the Hammers.
. The two clubs met in the Division One Play-Off final at the Millennium
Stadium on 29 May 2004. Neil Shipperley's goal gave the Eagles a 1-0 victory
and secured their promotion to the Premier League.
. The largest crowd to watch a Crystal Palace versus West Ham United fixture
at Selhurst Park is the 41,540 who witnessed the Hammers' 3-0 victory in
south London on 30 October 1971. That result also marked West Ham's
largest-ever success at the home of the Eagles. However, West Ham also
recorded an 8-1 win at Palace during the First World War and a 6-1 win in
south London during the Second World War.
. West Ham's biggest home win over Crystal Palace since the two clubs joined
the Football League was a 4-0 Division One win at the Boleyn Ground on 28
October 1972, when Trevor Brooking (two), John McDowell and Bryan 'Pop'
Robson scored in front of 28,894 fans.
. West Ham United defeated Crystal Palace 11-0 in the war-time London
Combination on 6 April 1918. Syd Puddefoot netted seven times, with Burke
(two), Herbert Ashton and Andy Cunningham getting the other goals in front
of 4,000 spectators.
. Ten players have made their West Ham United debuts against Crystal Palace
- Thomas Lee (September 1907), David Waggott (September 1908), Albert Scanes
(March 1910), Thomas Lonsdale (October 1913), Alfred Tirrell (February
1914), William Henderson (March 1922), William Edwards (March 1923), Ade
Coker (October 1971), Papa Bouba Diop and Manuel Almunia (both October
2011).

Last time out
Tuesday 15 April 2014
Barclays Premier League
Arsenal 3-1 West Ham United
West Ham United: Adrian, Demel, Tomkins, Reid, Armero, Nocerino, Noble,
Diame, Downing (J.Cole 78), Carroll (C.Cole 84), Jarvis (Vaz Te 78)
Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, McCartney, Taylor, Johnson
Goal: Jarvis 40
Wednesday 16 April 2014
Barclays Premier League
Everton 2-3 Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace: Speroni, Mariappa (Parr 68), Ward, Ledley, Dann, Delaney,
Puncheon, Jedinak, Jerome (O'Keefe 76), Chamakh (Murray 80), Bolasie
Subs not used: Hennessey, McCarthy, Ince, Gayle
Goals: Puncheon 23, Dann 49, Jerome 73

Previous meeting
The Hammers last travelled to Crystal Palace on Tuesday 3 December and were
unable to build on a thumping 3-0 victory over Fulham in their previous game
as they went down to a 1-0 loss, with former West Ham loanee Marouane
Chamakh hitting the target.
Crystal Palace: Speroni; Ward, Gabbidon, Delaney, Moxey; Puncheon (Kebe 66),
Jedinak, Dikagcoi, Bannan (O'Keefe 82); Chamakh (Williams 85), Jerome
Subs: Price, Mariappa, Phillips, Gayle
Goal: Chamakh 42

West Ham United: Jaaskelainen; O'Brien, Collins, Tomkins, Rat (McCartney
78); Morrison, Noble, Nolan (J.Cole 58); Downing, C.Cole (Maiga 58), Diame
Subs: Adrian, Jarvis, Collison, Demel

Last six meetings
3 December 2013 - Crystal Palace 1-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
25 February 2012 - West Ham United 0-0 Crystal Palace (Championship)
1 October 2011 - Crystal Palace 2-2 West Ham United (Championship)
29 May 2004 - Crystal Palace 1-0 West Ham United (Championship Play-Off
final)
12 April 2004 - Crystal Palace 1-0 West Ham United (Championship)
1 October 2003 - West Ham United 3-0 Crystal Palace (Championship)
Overall record v Crystal Palace - W 30 D 22 L 20

Ten-year records
West Ham United
2012/13 Premier League 10th
2011/12 Championship 3rd (promoted to Premier League via Play-Offs
2010/11 Premier League 20th (relegated to Championship)
2009/10 Premier League 17th
2008/09 Premier League 9th
2007/08 Premier League 10th
2006/07 Premier League 15th
2005/06 Premier League 9th
2004/05 Championship 6th (promoted to Premier League via Play-Offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th
Crystal Palace
2012/13 Championship 5th (promoted to Premier League via Play-Offs)
2011/12 Championship 17th
2010/11 Championship 20th
2009/10 Championship 21st
2008/09 Championship 15th
2007/08 Championship 5th
2006/07 Championship 12th
2005/06 Championship 6th
2004/05 Premier League 18th (relegated to Championship)
2003/04 Championship 6th (promoted to Premier League via Play-Offs)

Referee
. Tuesday's match referee will be Martin Atkinson.
. A referee since the age of 16, Atkinson was promoted to the Football
League list of assistant referees in 1998. In 2000, Atkinson was promoted to
the Select Group of assistant referees, allowing him to run the line in
Premier League matches.
. Atkinson joined the National List of referees for the Football League at
the start of the 2003/04 season before taking charge of his first Premier
League fixture on 20 April 2005 when Manchester City entertained Birmingham
City.
. Atkinson was the man in the middle at the 2006 FA Community Shield between
Chelsea and Liverpool at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. He also took
charge of the 2008 FA Trophy final between Ebbsfleet United and Torquay
United at Wembley Stadium.
. Atkinson is refereeing West Ham for the third time this season after
taking charge of the Hammers 3-0 win over Fulham in the Barclays Premier
League in November and the 5-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup
with Budweiser.

General information
. Tickets for this game have SOLD OUT.
. Sunny spells are anticipated on Saturday, with maximum temperatures of 12C
(54F)
. No closures are planned on the eastern sections of the District and
Hammersmith & City lines this weekend. Please check here for tube updates
and here for National Rail.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carroll wants return to winning ways
WHUFc.com
Andy Carroll wants to turn positive performances into a result when Crystal
Palace visit the Boleyn Ground
18.04.2014

Andy Carroll believes the Hammers' level of performances in their last two
games suggests a positive result is around the corner when they host Crystal
Palace. West Ham have lost out to both Liverpool and Arsenal in the last two
weeks, but have pushed their top-four opponents all the way. That leaves
Carroll with the knowledge that the Londoners can hurt Palace and end their
four-game winning streak should they replicate those displays. The No9 said:
"I thought our counter-attack play was really good at Arsenal, and they
couldn't handle in in the first 30 minutes. "We got the goal but couldn't
hold onto the lead for long, which was disappointing. "We had a couple of
chances and we could have been 2-0 up before they scored, but it wasn't to
be and Arsenal showed their class to put their three goals away when they
had the chances. "The timing of their goals hurt us, because our goal was a
great time to score and if we could have held it until half-time it would
have been good to go in at 1-0 up. "They got back level though and it feels
like you're coming in 1-0 down. Then for them to score again just after half
time was shattering really. "Playing well against the top teams and creating
chances, gives the lads the confidence to go into the weekend and get
something against Palace."

With the Hammers back at home on Saturday, Carroll wants to clinch Barclays
Premier League survival for certain in front of the home fans. He added: "We
can't wait to get out on the pitch on Saturday - when you get beaten you
just want to get back out there and put it right. Saturday is a chance for
us to do that.
"They've been playing well, we know that and the manager knows that so we
need to stop them from doing that against us "I think we're safe anyway, but
another three points would put a sure thing on it and that's what we want to
do."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tributes pour in for Dylan
WHUFC.com
The football world has paid tribute to Dylan Tombides, who passed away on
Friday at the age of 20
18.04.2014

The football world has paid tribute to West Ham United striker Dylan
Tombides, who passed away on Friday at the age of 20 following a brave
battle with cancer. Dylan passed away on Friday morning with his family by
his side having courageously fought the disease for three years after
initially being diagnosed with testicular cancer in summer 2011. A hugely
popular figure among his team-mates, coaches, backroom staff, supporters and
opponents alike, the Australia U22 international was loved and respected
throughout the football world for his talent, determination and outstanding
character and personality. Dylan's passing has deeply touched everyone who
had the honour to know him:

Dylan's brother and West Ham United midfielder Taylor Tombides: "RIP Dylan
my beloved brother. You will be missed but never forgotten. You were a
massive inspiration to everyone."

Joint-Chairman David Sullivan: "It's such devastating news for his family
and my thoughts are with them at this time. Sometimes life can be incredibly
unkind as we lose someone so talented and so young. Dylan had a real zest
for life and everyone at the Club was inspired by his determination to fight
this awful illness to the end."

Joint-Chairman David Gold: "Incredibly sad to hear the news about Dylan
Tombides. He was always so positive despite his illness. All my thoughts are
with his family."

Manager Sam Allardyce: "Dylan was one of the bravest characters I have ever
met and nobody fought his dreadful disease as hard as this lad. Football was
his life and he didn't miss a day's training even when he wasn't fit enough
to train because of his treatment. He had an incredible hunger for life,
which was why he fought this terrible disease so strongly. All of our
thoughts are with Dylan's family at this time."

Academy Director Tony Carr MBE: "It's very, very sad news. Dylan has fought
this illness tirelessly and it was a tribute to him that he was able to make
first-team debut despite his illness. Everyone at the Academy is devastated
and words can't explain how we feel. All of our thoughts are with his
parents, his brother Taylor, who is a scholar in the Academy, and the rest
of his family. He will be sorely missed."

Football Federation Australia CEO David Gallop: "On behalf of the Australian
Football Community, we offer our deepest condolences to Dylan's family, team
mates and friends during this extremely sad time. The Tombides family has
lost a fine young man and Australian football has lost one of its most
promising football players. He will be remembered for the courage he showed
in his personal battle as much as the prodigious talent he displayed on the
football field."

FIFA President Sepp Blatter: "My thoughts & prayers are with the family of
Dylan Tombides, West Ham United and Football Federation Australia today.
Rest in peace Dylan."

FA Chairman Greg Dyke: "On behalf of The FA, I would like to send my deepest
condolences to the family and friends of Dylan Tombides. My thoughts are
with them at this very sad time, and also with those that knew Dylan at West
Ham United and Football Federation Australia. He was also close to many of
our own England development team players and I know he will be much missed."

West Ham United team-mate and friend George Moncur: "My best mate In the
whole world Dylan Tombides. We has such good times I'm absolutely
devastated. RIP I love you so much pal."

West Ham United team-mate and friend Dan Potts: "Such heartbreaking news.
Dyl you were a great friend, a great player and most of all a great person.
I'm blessed and privileged to have had such good memories with you on and
off the pitch and to have had you as such a close friend. You fought so
bravely mate and with such positivity. Everything that has happened is so
undeserved. All my love is with you and your family."

West Ham United team-mate and friend Jordan Spence: "Despite losing you so
soon, your life will live long in the hearts and minds of those who had the
privilege of knowing you."

West Ham United team-mate and friend Matthias Fanimo: "Can't believe the
news I've just heard. I'm in absolute shock. Dylan Tombides RIP - one of my
closest mates you will be dearly missed."

West Ham United team-mate and friend Elliot Lee: "Still don't want to
believe it. My strike partner forever. Rest In Paradise my brother. Miss and
love you always."

West Ham United team-mate and friend Sebastian Lletget: "I can't believe
this. The fight he put in to beat this thing. May he rest in peace. God
bless his soul. My great friend and teammate Dylan."

West Ham United team-mate and friend Kieran Sadlier: "My inspiration and one
of my closest friends! Such a talented footballer and funniest guys about!
Rest in peace I'll always love you man."

West Ham United team-mate and friend Blair Turgott: "Absolutely devastated
to hear about my good friend and teammate Dylan Tombides. Words cannot
explain, thoughts are with his family."

West Ham United team-mate and friend Ravel Morrison: "Very sad to hear the
news about Dylan Tombides.God bless you. My heart is with you and your
family. RIP Dylan."

Chelsea FC: "All at CFC are deeply saddened at the passing of West Ham's
Dylan Tombides. Thoughts and prayers with his friends, family and
team-mates."

Adelaide United FC: "From everyone at Adelaide United FC, our thoughts are
with the family of Dylan Tombides. A young, brave footballer taken far too
soon. RIP."

Australia international Tim Cahill: "I'm always grateful for life and I will
pray for you. Rest in Peace my brother Dylan Tombides."
Fox Sports Australia Premier League correspondent Daniel Garb: "The reaction
back home is absolute devastation. The Australian football community is in
complete mourning. e know he will be remembered with a minute's applause at
West Ham's game with Crystal Palace tomorrow but it speaks volumes of his
ability and potential that games in the A-League finals this weekend - the
most important matches in the Australian soccer season - will honour a
player that never played a Premier League game or full international. It is
with such sadness that we will never see that immense potential realised."

*Supporters' tributes have also poured in on the Club's Facebook and Twitter
pages. Please continue to share your memories of Dylan with us.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Lletget delight at lead role
WHUFC.com
Sebastian Lletget was delighted to take the captain's arm band against
Sunderland on Thursday
19.04.2014

Sebastian Lletget felt honoured to captain the Development Squad as they
struck late to beat Sunderland in their final Barclays Under-21 Premier
League fixture on Thursday afternoon. The American midfielder led by example
after taking the arm band from regular captain Dan Potts and helped the
Hammers recover from a goal down to steal the spoils in the last minute.
Lletget's midfield compatriot Josh Cullen equalised after the Black Cats had
surged ahead through a Mikael Mondron penalty, and just as the match looked
set to finish as a draw an own-goal by Tom McNamee handed the Hammers
victory. Lletget was delighted with the victory as well as receiving the
opportunity to lead the team in their season finale. He told West Ham TV:
"It was a great way to end the season and the boys were really up for this
one. We had a good week of training in the build-up and I think that helped
us in this one. "It's an honour to be the captain of a team, especially as
I'm so close to my teammates. It was good to lead them and I'm glad that I
have a 100 per cent record at this moment in time, so I'm happy. "I think
overall it worked well. Going into the game it's exactly what we wanted to
come out with, so I'm happy we managed to come away with the win."

The young Hammers knew the importance of a positive result from their final
game of the season as they strived to finish in the top eleven of the
league, but proceedings at the Academy of Light didn't go wholly to plan. A
questionable penalty was awarded against Dan Potts after he was adjudged to
have fouled Mondron, with the striker picking himself up to score. Lletget
admitted the side were bemused by the decision but was left delighted with
the way they responded. "In the first half we weren't on top of our game as
much as were in the second half. Our intensity was much, much higher in the
second half and I think that was the major difference in helping us to get
the last minute goal. "We were a bit down about that (the penalty), but you
can't hold a grudge against the referee for the whole game especially when
it happens early In a game, you just have to switch back on and that's what
we did. "Everyone put the work in today. If there was one person that didn't
then I don't think we would have been able to keep going to the end and get
our last minute winner."

With a place in the top tier of U21 football for next season secure, Lletget
feels the season has been a positive one as the Club continue to progress.
"I'm very happy, especially for the younger lads because they deserve to
play in the top leagues next season. They're more than good enough and
they've shown that throughout the second half of the season. It's good for
them going into next season. "The team has changed quite a bit which never
helps, but it's good that we have a lot of variety in players. It's good
experience for the younger ones, I'm one of the older ones now but I think
the chemistry and philosophy within the Club will continue to get better. "I
think Nick has been preparing for next year already and having this win will
set the tone going into pre-season."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dylan Tombides: West Ham striker, 20, dies of cancer
BBC.co.uk

West Ham have confirmed that striker Dylan Tombides has died aged 20. The
club announced Tombides, who made one senior appearance after signing as a
15-year-old, had died "following his brave battle with cancer". They said
the Australia-born player, diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2011, "will
be hugely missed by all who had the honour of knowing him". There will be a
minute's applause in his memory at West Ham's home game against Crystal
Palace on Saturday.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Crystal Palace
KO 15:00
Tony Pulis
18 April 2014
Last updated at 12:31
By John Motson
BBC Match of the Day commentator

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday, 19 April

TEAM NEWS

West Ham captain Kevin Nolan will return to the side after recovering from
the hamstring injury which saw him miss the midweek defeat by Arsenal.
Defenders James Collins and Joey O'Brien also return to the squad.
Crystal Palace have a number of injury concerns, with Marouane Chamakh, Joel
Ward and Yannick Bolasie all doubtful ahead of the trip to West Ham.
Defender Adrian Mariappa sustained a broken nose in the win over Everton but
he is expected to be available.

MATCH PREVIEW

The threat of relegation has been hanging over these two London clubs for
much of the season, but I believe they are both now assured of their Premier
League places. Crystal Palace reached the magic 40-point mark with an
outstanding win at Everton, surely the result of the week, and one more
victory will make it mathematically impossible for them to go down. When
Tony Pulis was appointed at Palace, the club were six points from safety.
Since taking charge, he has overseen 10 wins and done the almost unthinkable
by achieving safety with four games to go. I was at Selhurst Park to see
them beat Aston Villa last weekend and their superb fans have played a
crucial role in spurring on their team. "There is a really nice balance to
the Crystal Palace team with Jason Puncheon and Yannick Bolasie bringing
pace, and Marouane Chamakh playing off Cameron Jerome up front. "Defensively
they are very, very good too. They are looking a very good side in every
department, and I would back them to get something at Upton Park."

Palace are on a run of four successive wins, and a special word has to go to
Jason Puncheon who, with four goals in three games, has provided the
finishing touch to Palace's impressive build-up play. Yannick Bolasie has
also been outstanding, offering pace and power on the wing, and he is a
strong contender to be their player of the year. The remarkable turnaround
at Palace is down to Pulis, who keeps up his proud record of never having
been relegated as a manager. Hopefully the allegations this week that Palace
were given Cardiff's team-sheet before they beat their rivals won't take the
shine off the club's achievement.
They could yet emulate West Ham, who finished in 10th place last season
after earning promotion via the play-offs in the previous campaign. Sam
Allardyce's team may only be on 37 points, but they sit comfortably in 12th
place and have nothing to worry about. With both sides able to relax and
play with a certain amount freedom, it should make for an entertaining
derby. This summer's World Cup in Brazil will be on some players' minds and
West Ham striker Andy Carroll has just four games left to press home his
case for a place in England's squad.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
Crystal Palace can do the league double over West Ham for the first time in
the top flight, having won 1-0 at home last December.
West Ham are unbeaten in their last four home league matches against Palace,
winning three and drawing one.

West Ham
Sam Allardyce's side have lost five of their last seven league matches.
They have lost from a winning position six times this season - including
their previous match against Arsenal. The record number of defeats from
winning positions for a club in a Premier League season is seven.
The Hammers have only drawn one match since the turn of the year, with seven
wins and 10 defeats in their 18 matches in all competitions.
They have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last eight league matches,
despite keeping 13 in total this season - only Chelsea (16) have kept more.

Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace have won their last four Premier League games. If they beat
West Ham they will equal their top-flight record of five league wins in a
row, set in December 1992.
Victory on Saturday would also establish a new club record of three away
wins in a row in the top flight.
If the season had started when Tony Pulis took charge of Palace, the Eagles
would be in eighth place.
Only Chelsea (14) have conceded fewer goals than Palace (20) in the period
Pulis has been in charge.
Jason Puncheon has scored four goals in the last three league games.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Australia to observe Tombides silence
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 18th April 2014
By: Staff Writer

Dylan Tombides' former club will be holding a minute's silence at all
matches this weekend in honour of the 20-year-old striker, who passed away
earlier today. Stirling Lions, an Academy Partner Club of West Ham United
based in Western Australia announced this afternoon that they will observe
the silence in memory of former player Tombides, who began his career with
the Balcatta-based club. Lions president Don Evens, speaking in the wake of
the sad news said: "We have tragically lost one of the most gifted and
level-headed footballers our club has had the privilege of guiding along the
football dream path."

Those comments were echoed by the Football Federation Australia's David
Gallop. "On behalf of the Australian football community, we offer our
deepest condolences to Dylan's family, teammates and friends during this
extremely sad time," he said. "The Tombides family has lost a fine young man
and Australian football has lost one of its most promising football players.
He will be remembered for the courage he showed in his personal battle as
much as the prodigious talent he displayed on the football field."

Greg Dyke, the current chairman of the Football Association also expressed
his condolenses on behalf of the game's governming body. "On behalf of The
FA, I would like to send my deepest condolences to the family and friends of
Dylan Tombides," he said. "My thoughts are with them at this very sad time,
and also with those that knew Dylan at West Ham United and Football
Federation Australia. He was also close to many of our own England
development team players and I know he will be much missed."

In addition to the minute's applause being observed by the Sterling Lions
club, the FFA have confirmed that the Central Coast Mariners and Adelaide
United will also observe a silence at tomorrow's A-League 2014 Elimination
Final.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dylan's farewell message
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 18th April 2014
By: Staff Writer

Dylan Tombides took the trouble to personally thank everyone who had wished
him well on the occasion of his 20th birthday just one month ago. The young
Hammer passed away earlier today following a lengthy battle against
testicular cancer, just a matter of weeks after he sent a special message to
all his well-wishers. "I'd just like to say a big thank you to anybody who
took the time to wish me a happy birthday today whether you're a close
friend of mine, a family member, a West Ham United fan, a personal fan of
mine of if you have read my story and been inspired by it," he wrote.
"Anyone who has been close to me over the last 3-4 years will know the tough
times I've endured and the fight I've had to put up and continue to do so!
"Spending another birthday in hospital is never ideal but so many people
made me smile today for the effort they put in and I'm very grateful for it.
"Even if I didn't get the chance to reply to your birthday message to me
believe me when I say it doesn't go unnoticed and I'm very thankful to you
all. "I just thought I'd like to put this little message together to
collectively say 'thank you' to all who took the time to message me - it
means more than you will ever know."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
London derby as West Ham play host to Crystal Palace
Last Updated: 18/04/14 2:47pm
SSN

Derby day at Upton Park will see West Ham United looking to join Crystal
Palace on 40 points - well clear of relegation danger. The Hammers, in what
has been an inconsistent campaign, have started to falter again as they
close on a mark all but guaranteed to secure Premier League safety.
Back-to-back defeats have kept them glancing over their shoulder, with seven
points separating them from the drop zone. Most sides below them only have
12 left to play for, though, so one more positive result would preserve
their top-flight status for another year. Palace have already hit that
target and will be turning their attention towards the summer and building
for another season among the elite. Tony Pulis has done a remarkable job
since inheriting the Eagles' reins and is being billed as a serious
contender for the prestigious Manager of the Year award. He will, however,
want to ensure that his in-form side continue to surge towards the finishing
post - and a possible top-half finish - with Palace going in search of a
fifth successive victory on Saturday afternoon.

Paul Merson's prediction

If this was January I'd half fancy Palace to get in the Europa League,
they're flying aren't they! That win over Everton was very impressive - and
Tony Pulis has done a great job there since he took over. West Ham didn't
have enough against Arsenal but if these two sides draw then they'll both
definitely be safe and that's what I can see happening at Upton Park.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1

West Ham Badge West Ham
Last 6
Arsenal (a)3-1
Liverpool (h)1-2
Sunderland (a)1-2
Hull City (h)2-1
Man Utd (h)0-2
Stoke City (a)3-1
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is ready to welcome three key figures back into
his squad. Kevin Nolan, James Collins and Joey O'Brien all missed Tuesday's
3-1 defeat at Arsenal, but the trio have shaken off knocks to put themselves
back in contention. That means the only notable absentee for the Hammers as
they prepare for another tussle with London rivals will be on-loan Italian
striker Marco Borriello, who is nursing a hamstring complaint.

C Palace Badge C Palace
Last 6
Everton (a)2-3
A Villa (h)1-0
Cardiff (a)0-3
Chelsea (h)1-0
Newcastle (a)1-0
Sunderland (a)0-0
Marouane Chamakh, Joel Ward and Yannick Bolasie face late fitness tests
ahead of Crystal Palace's trip to the East End. The trio started the 3-2
midweek win at Everton and are amongst the four or five players manager
Pulis revealed are doubts for this weekend. Palace defender Adrian Mariappa
sustained a broken nose at Goodison Park, but Pulis expects him to be
available.

Opta stats

West Ham have only lost one of their 12 previous home league games against
Crystal Palace (W6 D5).
Crystal Palace have won just five of their 24 away London derbies in the
Premier League (D5 L14).
Only once in top-flight history have Palace won five games in a row before
(December 1992).

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham youngster Dylan Tombides dies, aged 20
Last Updated: 18/04/14 5:48pm
SSN

West Ham have announced that striker Dylan Tombides has died at the age of
20 following a battle with cancer. The Australia youth international, who
represented his country at the U17 World Cup in Mexico in 2010, was
diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2011. Tombides, who joined West Ham at
the age of 15, had turned out for West Ham's U18 and U21 sides and made his
senior debut for the club in the League Cup tie against Wigan in 2012. The
youngster worked tirelessly to promote awareness of male cancer, supporting
the One for the Boys campaign along with celebrities including Hollywood
actor Samuel L Jackson, snooker player Jimmy White and Australian singer
Peter Andre. A West Ham club statement read: "Dylan has passed away on
Friday morning with his family by his side having courageously fought the
disease for three years after initially being diagnosed with testicular
cancer in the summer of 2011. "Dylan was respected by everyone who knew him
for his intelligent views on the game and his larger than life character.
"He was a loving son, amazing brother and well-respected member of the West
Ham squad. He will be hugely missed by everyone who had the honour of
knowing him." West Ham have confirmed there will be a minute's applause in
Dylan's memory ahead of their match with Crystal Palace on Saturday and the
players will also wear black armbands in his honour.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham midfielder Antonio Nocerino hopes to stay in England
By Simone Bargellini | Last Updated: 18/04/14 3:52pm
SSN

West Ham midfielder Antonio Nocerino wants to stay in the Premier League
beyond this season, with Upton Park his preferred choice. The 29-year-old
started only his second game for the Hammers in their 3-1 defeat to Arsenal
in midweek since joining on loan in January, and has only a handful of
substitute appearances to his name. However, despite playing such a
peripheral role for Sam Allardyce's men, Nocerino has seen enough to
encourage him to want to extend his time in the England's top flight. "I'm
at West Ham on loan but I hope to stay in the Premier League even in the
next season," Nocerino told Corriere dello Sport. "West Ham take my
precedence over all other clubs, because they gave me confidence when AC
Milan no longer believed in me. "I'm fine in England, here there's a
different mindset and a lot less pressure than in Italy."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce says Tony Pulis deserves award
Last Updated: 18/04/14 1:17pm
SSN

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce says Tony Pulis' efforts in dragging Crystal
Palace to Premier League safety should put him in line to be named Manager
of the Year. Palace only had four points to their name when Pulis took over
from Ian Holloway on November 23 but he has led a spirited revival to steer
them to 11th in the table and 10 clear of the relegation zone. Palace's 3-2
win at Everton on Wednesday was their fourth in a row and has given them a
tally of 40 points from their 34 matches. "I think that it says a lot for
the experienced British manager," Allardyce told West Ham's official
website. "It tells you that while a lot of foreign coaches have been
selected by other clubs, there's enough quality and experience on your
doorstep to do the job in this very difficult league. "I think that he has
proven beyond any question of a doubt his qualities as a manager. Contrary
to what anyone says, his team does not play like his Stoke team did.
"There are some similarities, but he has a bunch of players who are
different to the ones he had at Stoke and he gets the best out of them.
"That's all you can do as a manager, work with the tools you've got and get
the best out of them. Certainly he's doing that at the moment."

And Allardyce hopes Pulis' lack of management at the top end of the Premier
League will count for nothing when the awards are handed out at the end ofr
the season. More pressing for the Hammers boss is the chance to ruin the
feelgood factor at Palace when the teams meet at Upton Park on Saturday, and
send his own side up to the prized 40-point 'safety mark'. "It depends
really," he said. "I think that fashionably it'll be somebody at the top
(who receives the award), but we'll have to wait and see. "What I want to do
is make Tony very disappointed on Saturday. They've overtaken us in the
league, they've got 40 points and we want to make sure by the end of the
game on Saturday that we've got 40 points as well. "Then we can really start
our planning for next year. He's done a great job and he should get the
credit he deserves, but we'll be all out to beat Crystal Palace on Saturday.
"It's another local derby and one that we've got to try and win for
everybody, including our fans of course."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
HAS THE MOOD CHANGED?
By Iain Dale 19 Apr 2014 at 07:12
West Ham Till I Die
Guest post by Rugby Irons

It's two weeks since the assorted opinions of over two thousand fans were
split over whether Sam should stay or go. I asked then, with Sam assuming we
were safe enough, whether he was a good enough manager to use the last six
games to show us if he had enough in his locker to change the 50% who want
him gone. Well two games gone , slightly improved performances, fewer shots
on target, two goals for and five against and most importantly no points,
and now not quite safe enough.

So has the mood changed? Are fans prepared to accept that if Sam did as he
did against Liverpool in that we were a little more entertaining but overall
we only had one shot on target and a dodgy goal. It's alright to argue the
Liverpool goals were no better but the fact is they counted. Against Arsenal
we started well but failed to make it count . For me the manager should have
got off his comfy Emirates seat and forced the game further. Mo and Matty
had them retreating down the left and so what did the team do after twenty
minutes? Yep they started to switch the play to the ineffectual right hand
side. Sam should have recognised this. Everyone around me did! He should
have told his midfield to stay left and let Mo and Matty force them back and
take at least one of the chances that went begging.

It was also noted that Andy Carroll completely outjumped the German for five
times running and yet we didn't get onto the end of any of them . Five
flick-ons and nothing, which begs the question what and how does Sam coach
his players to play off Carroll? Do they not practice knock downs and third
man running, which has been a feature of West Ham play for decades? It was
even more galling when Arsenal managed to do it simply with their third a
simple knock down, finish and game over. Considering Sam's knowledge of the
game said they were 'weaker' and would fade and yet they won at a canter.
Genius. Which now begs the question, are we going to lose our next four
matches too, as looks very likely.

All this rubbish from Cardiff about Palace knowing the team won't matter
tomorrow and whoever he plays it's the same style and no end result. WBA is
a banana skin, Spuds may still be laughably chasing something and Citeh are
hardly going to have to get out of second gear are they? So the question is
as it was two weeks ago, are the 50% still on favour of Sam and what he
brings, or are the other 50% right to want him out? Simple enough question.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
DYLAN TOMBIDES 1994-2014
By Iain Dale 18 Apr 2014 at 14:57
West Ham Till I Die

This is a statement issued on the club website announcing the tragic death
of Dylan Tombides. Dylan was a star in the making and it is a tragedy that
cancer has taken him at such a young age. His courage in trying to beat the
disease was there for all to see and as we try to digest this awful news,
let's think of all his teammates who will be absolutely devastated this
afternoon. There are no words to comfort them, or his family, who have been
there for him all the way. There will be no further posts on the site today.
Please just leave your thoughts and tributes in the comment.

West Ham United announce the sad news that forward Dylan Tombides has passed
away at the age of 20 following his brave battle with cancer.

Dylan passed away on Friday morning with his family by his side having
courageously fought the disease for three years after initially being
diagnosed with testicular cancer in summer 2011.

He remained a regular visitor to Chadwell Heath throughout his treatment and
his positive attitude and professional approach to his football and training
always impressed and boosted his team-mates and coaches alike.

Dylan's amazing resilience and positivity saw him through months of surgery
and chemotherapy, while his outstanding talent saw him make his first-team
debut in a League Cup tie with Wigan Athletic at the Boleyn Ground in
September 2012.

Away from the pitch, Dylan did a huge amount of work to raise awareness of
male cancer, supporting the One for the Boys campaign at a number of
high-profile events alongside the likes of Hollywood star Samuel L. Jackson,
snooker star Jimmy White and fellow Australian Peter Andre.

Dylan was respected by everyone who knew him for his intelligent views on
the game and his larger than life character. He was a loving son, amazing
brother and well-respected member of the West Ham squad. He will be hugely
missed by everyone who had the honour of knowing him.

His passing will be marked by a minute's applause ahead of Saturday's
Barclays Premier League fixture with Crystal Palace at the Boleyn Ground.
The Hammers' players will also wear black armbands in his memory.

The thoughts of everyone associated with the Club are with his parents
Tracylee and Jim, brother Taylor, his family and friends at this sad time.
The Club request that their privacy is now respected and they are allowed to
grieve their much loved son and brother in peace.
Dylan played youth team football in Australia and Hong Kong before joining
West Ham aged 15. Had his illness not struck there's little doubt he would
have played in the Premier League. He was an unused substitute in the game
against Sunderland on 22 May 2011. A month later he was diagnosed with
testicular cancer which had been discovered after a random drugs test taken
shortly after he had played for Australia U-17 team in a 4-0 defeat against
Uzbekistan in the Under-17 World Cup in Mexico. In June 2012, after
treatment, he was told he was back to full health and returned to training.
On 25 September 2012 he made his professional debut for West Ham in a 4-1
home defeat to Wigan Athletic in the League Cup coming on as an 84th minute
substitute for Gary O'Neil. This season he played seven times for the
Development Squad, scoring once.

It is almost painful to watch this video which was made in September 2013
when Dylan thought he had beaten his cancer.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham and Australia have tragically lost an immense young talent in Dylan
Tombides
Apr 18, 2014 17:01
OPINION BY DANIELGARB

The Mirror

Fox Sports Australia's Premier League correspondent Daniel Garb tells us
about a great talent, sadly lost today at the tender age of 20. As an
Australian moving to London to work as Fox Sports' correspondent over here,
I naturally had to keep our audience up to speed with the progress of
Socceroos players plying their trade in the Premier League and Europe. But
equally, I kept an eye on the next generation of youngsters coming through
and Dylan was the pick of the crop. When I moved to the UK in 2011, he had
just been diagnosed with cancer, and I've been in touch with his family ever
since and throughout that time they have been a positive and supportive
pillar of strength for him during a difficult three years. Many times we had
organised things only to be prevented by another setback in his progress,
but as an engaging and bright young man he never let relapses and returns to
chemotherapy get him down.

I was talking to his mother three weeks ago about flying out to Germany,
where he was having his treatment, and doing a story with him. So to say
that this has completely taken everyone by surprise is an understatement.
There was no sign things would or could deteriorate this quickly. Dylan was
from Perth in Western Australia and his family is one with a strong football
tradition. His brother Taylor is on the books at Upton Park too, and his
family moved over here to further both of their careers. There was
indisputably a buzz around Dylan Tombides and he was tipped to be a star.
His amazing performances at the Under-17 World Cup in Mexico had caught
everyone's imagination, with him being tipped for a place at World Cup 2014
as early as 2011.

From then on, everyone was following his progress and knew of his potential,
not to mention his heart, which was seen around the world when he wished his
mum "Happy Birthday" via his shin pad during that 2011 World Cup. When
Holger Osieck was sacked in October last year, there was once more talk of
him being fast-tracked into the full national squad amid generational change
in the Socceroos setup. Of course, it was all reliant on his recovery from
testicular cancer, an illness through which West Ham have stuck by him
brilliantly. They knew how talented he was, as we did Down Under. The
reaction back home is absolute devastation. The Australian football
community is in complete mourning.

We know he will be remembered with a minute's applause at West Ham's game
with Crystal Palace tomorrow but it speaks volumes of his ability and
potential that games in the A-League finals this weekend - the most
important matches in the Australian soccer season - will honour a player
that never played a Premier League game or full international. It is with
such sadness that we will never see that immense potential realised.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this time.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hollywood legend Samuel L Jackson tweets tribute to tragic West Ham forward
Apr 19, 2014 05:18 By Sam Adams, Paul Gorst
The Mirror

Jackson posted a Tweet on his Twitter feed of the pair attending a cancer
awareness event in London last November.

Hollywood actor Samuel L Jackson has tweeted a picture of himself with
tragic West Ham youngster Dylan Tombides. The talented 20-year-old died
after losing his battle with cancer, the club announced yesterday. Jackson
posted a Tweet on his Twitter feed of the pair attending a cancer awareness
event in London last November. He said: "Gone too soon Dylan Tombides . It
was a pleasure to have met you. My thoughts are with your family." Dylan,
who was on the books at Upton Park prior to contracting testicular cancer in
2011, passed away on Friday morning. The youngster was known for his efforts
to raise awareness about the illness following his diagnosis, and he was
involved in several high-profile events alongside likes of Jackson and
snooker legend Jimmy White. The Londoners stated that the Australian was a
"larger than life character" who will be "hugely missed" by everyone
connected with the club. A statement on the club's official website read:
"West Ham United announce the sad news that forward Dylan Tombides has
passed away at the age of 20 following his brave battle with cancer. "Dylan
passed away on Friday morning with his family by his side having
courageously fought the disease for three years after initially being
diagnosed with testicular cancer in summer 2011. "Dylan was respected by
everyone who knew him for his intelligent views on the game and his larger
than life character. He was a loving son, amazing brother and well-respected
member of the West Ham squad. He will be hugely missed by everyone who had
the honour of knowing him."

Dylan made his first-team debut for the Hammers in a League Cup tie with
Wigan Athletic in September 2012. His death will be marked with a minute's
silence before the game with Crystal Palace this weekend.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Sam Allardyce says leaked line-ups are no big deal - it's
happened to him
Apr 18, 2014 22:30 By Phil Cadden
The Mirror

Sam Allardyce reckons leaked team line-ups are no big deal - and revealed he
has been on the receiving end himself this season. Allardyce's West Ham face
Crystal Palace on Saturday in a London derby, and counterpart Tony Pulis'
resurgent side are the subject of a Premier League investigation amid spying
claims by Cardiff. The Welsh strugglers believe their team was leaked to
Palace 24 hours before their league showdown on April 5. But the Hammers'
boss claims the same thing happened when Manchester United visited Upton
Park last month. Allardyce said: "I've experienced it and it is life. We
played here in training and there was a photographer in the garden taking
pictures of our team and they had our line-up before we played Manchester
United - to the man. "United assistant Phil Neville told me they had our
line-up anyway. It can happen in many different ways. I would like to find
the cameraman! "It doesn't make a lot of difference to me. In the days of
technology that we have now, predictive teams are a part of your job."

Allardyce does not believe Palace - now on 40 points - will face a major
sanction, such as replaying the game or a points deduction, even if they are
found guilty. He added: "You look at the situation and it depends what you
consider what the Premier League rules say. If they can prove it is the case
that somebody disclosed the team I don't think the punishment will be too
severe if they do get punished at all. "I can understand Cardiff being
upset, but I don't think the lengths they want the Premier League to go to
will happen."

Allardyce, whose side are one place and three points behind 11th-placed
Palace, confirmed defender James Tomkins will play after his trial for
alleged assault was delayed. He added: "James is having a very good season
and I don't think the case will affect him in any way, shape or form. He's
maturing and learning how to defend. "He has got better and more consistent.
I'm extremely pleased with his development this season."

Skipper Kevin Nolan is fit for the Hammers after missing the 2-1 defeat at
Arsenal in midweek with a hamstring injury.

* WEST HAM will hold a minute's applause before the match in memory of their
striker Dylan Tombides, who has died at the age of 20 following a
three-year battle with testicular cancer. Australian Tombides made one
senior appearance for West Ham in a League Cup tie against Wigan in 2012.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

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Daily WHUFC News - Dylan Tombides

West Ham United statement
WHUFC.com
West Ham United forward Dylan Tombides has passed away at the age of 20
18.04.2014

West Ham United announce the sad news that forward Dylan Tombides has passed
away at the age of 20 following his brave battle with cancer. Dylan passed
away on Friday morning with his family by his side having courageously
fought the disease for three years after initially being diagnosed with
testicular cancer in summer 2011.

He remained a regular visitor to Chadwell Heath throughout his treatment and
his positive attitude and professional approach to his football and training
always impressed and boosted his team-mates and coaches alike.

Dylan's amazing resilience and positivity saw him through months of surgery
and chemotherapy, while his outstanding talent saw him make his first-team
debut in a League Cup tie with Wigan Athletic at the Boleyn Ground in
September 2012.

Away from the pitch, Dylan did a huge amount of work to raise awareness of
male cancer, supporting the One for the Boys campaign at a number of
high-profile events alongside the likes of Hollywood star Samuel L. Jackson,
snooker star Jimmy White and fellow Australian Peter Andre.

Dylan was respected by everyone who knew him for his intelligent views on
the game and his larger than life character. He was a loving son, amazing
brother and well-respected member of the West Ham squad. He will be hugely
missed by everyone who had the honour of knowing him.

His passing will be marked by a minute's applause ahead of Saturday's
Barclays Premier League fixture with Crystal Palace at the Boleyn Ground.
The Hammers' players will also wear black armbands in his memory.

The thoughts of everyone associated with the Club are with his parents
Tracylee and Jim, brother Taylor, his family and friends at this sad time.
The Club request that their privacy is now respected and they are allowed to
grieve their much loved son and brother in peace.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

http://vyperz.blogspot.com



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Daily WHUFC News - 18th April 2014

Chadwell Chatter
WHUFC.com
James Collins blogs on Saturday's visit of Crystal Palace and the form of
Gareth Bale
18.04.2014

Hello everyone,

I'm glad to say I'm fit and back in training and I hope to be involved on
Saturday, but of course it will be up to the manager to pick the squad he
believes gives us the best chance of winning against Crystal Palace. They
have done great recently and got a massive result up at Everton on
Wednesday, so it's going to be a tough game. Tony Pulis has gone in there
and turned them around. They are very solid, very hard to break down and
they're obviously scoring goals at the minute. I played with two of Palace's
likely starters, Joe Ledley and Cameron Jerome, at Cardiff City earlier in
my career, and of course with Joe for Wales as well. They are both good
players. Joe has gone there and done very well since he arrived in January.
He was up at Celtic for years, where he scored goals and did well and I know
they loved him up there. He's come down and done well for Palace as well.
Cameron is a strong lad who can score a goal, like he did on Wednesday
night, so it's going to be a tough game and if we go into it thinking
anything other than that, then that's when we will be in trouble. Palace
play some good stuff and Stoke did as well under Tony Pulis, believe it or
not. People said they lumped it, but they tried to play first and, if it
didn't work, they'd play the direct ball. I think Palace are doing a similar
thing - they try to knock it into midfield and, if it's not on, they'll go
long. Tony has massively turned them around, as he did at Stoke. They are so
well organised and know what they're doing, where to be positioned in
certain situations and they are hard to break down. All credit to Tony,
because he's done a wonderful job.

Sticking with Welshman, I watched the Copa del Rey final on Wednesday night
and my national team-mate Gareth Bale scored an unbelievable winner for Real
Madrid, running from inside his own half, off the pitch at one stage, and
out-stripping the Barcelona centre-back before finishing. The defender had
two choices - one was to put Gareth in the stand and the other was to get
back as quickly as possible - but neither would have worked. He did the same
thing a few weeks ago when I was playing for Wales against Iceland, but he
didn't run quite as far off the pitch as he did on Wednesday night! He is
just so quick and he's taken it to a new level, so defenders just don't know
how to mark him. You can see the difference in him since he joined Real
Madrid six months ago, so what's to say he won't be even better in another
six months after he has been there longer? It's great to see because he's
such a great lad, down to Earth with a lovely family back in Cardiff. He
works hard and it's obviously paying off on the pitch. He keeps himself in
shape and works tremendously hard, he got the move and he's playing well.

Getting back to ourselves and we'll be doing everything possible to get the
win that will take us to 40 points on Saturday.
Enjoy your long weekend off and a happy Easter!
Ginge

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
On this day - 18 April
WHUFC.com
The Hammers recorded a fine won over Orient on this day in 1981
18.04.2014


Classic match
Orient 0-2 West Ham United
Division Two
18 April 1981
The Hammers' march to the Division Two title continued unabated as they
completed a league double over fellow east Londoners Orient on this day 32
years ago. West Ham had topped the table ever since November and this
victory over the O's was the third in a run of five straight wins. Jimmy
Neighbour and Geoff Pike - a league ever-present that season - were the
goalscorers as the visitors notched a 25th maximum-point haul of the
campaign. John Lyall's side would go on to claim the title by a huge
13-point margin in the era of two points for a win, having dropped only 18
points all season.

Complete record - 18 April
2009 Aston Villa 1-1 West Ham United (Premier League)
2007 West Ham United 1-4 Chelsea (Premier League)
1998 West Ham United 2-1 Blackburn Rovers (Premier League)
1992 Manchester City 2-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1987 Leicester City 2-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1981 Orient 0-2 West Ham United (Division Two)
1961 Burnley 2-2 West Ham United (Division One)
1960 Manchester United 5-3 West Ham United (Division One)
1959 West Ham United 1-1 Preston North End (Division One)
1956 Nottingham Forest 0-0 West Ham United (Division Two)
1953 Sheffield United 3-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1949 Leicester City 1-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1938 Plymouth Argyle 2-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1936 West Ham United 1-3 Charlton Athletic (Division Two)
1931 Manchester City 1-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1930 West Ham United 1-0 Sheffield United (Division One)
1927 West Ham United 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur (Division One)
1925 West Ham United 4-1 Everton (Division One)
1923 Notts County 2-0 West Ham United (Division Two)
Played 19, Won 4, Drawn 6, Lost 9, Scored 23, Conceded 33

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers to subsidise Man City tickets
WHUFC.com
West Ham United are offering a 10 pound reduction on away tickets to the
final game of the season
17.04.2014

West Ham United are delighted to announce that the Club will be paying a £10
subsidy on every away ticket for the game at Manchester City to reduce the
cost for away supporters. The Hammers travel to the Etihad Stadium to round
off their Barclays Premier League campaign on Sunday 11 May and the Board
want to thank away supporters for their magnificent backing by paying ten
pounds towards the cost of each away ticket purchased. Throughout this
season, West Ham have provided a host of offers, incentives and actions
exclusively aimed at travelling supporters, including special ticket offers
and subsidies, reduced-price coach travel and enhanced matchday experiences
as part of the Premier League's Away Fans' Fund. A similar price subsidy
was offered for the away fixtures at Chelsea, Stoke City and Sunderland and
now those supporters planning on seeing the final game of the season at
Manchester City can take advantage of a special saving too. The Board,
players and staff are hugely grateful to all those who take the time, effort
and money to follow the Club away from home and will continue to do all that
we can to reward their loyalty wherever possible.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sunderland 1-2 Dev Squad FT
WHUFC.com
Live text commentary of the Development Squad's final league fixture of the
year
17.04.2014

SUNDERLAND v DEVELOPMENT SQUAD
BARCLAYS U21 PREMIER LEAGUE
ACADEMY OF LIGHT
THURSDAY 17 APRIL 2014
KICK-OFF: 12PM

iPHONE APP I TWITTER I FACEBOOK I PODCAST I YOUTUBE

Full-time: The second half, match and season are over for the Under-21s as a
last minute own-goal hands them victory against Sunderland. The Hammers
trailed at the break but an improved second half display saw Cullen equalise
before McNamee put through his own net to ensure the visitors head home with
all three points. Get in!

90 GOAL: GOAAAALLLLLLLLL! What an end to the season! Bywater whips a cross
in from the right and there seems to be little West Ham presence, but none
is required as McNamee glances a header past his keeper.
89: The game looks to be heading for a draw. A point suits the Hammers to
secure their top-eleven spot while the Black Cats needed all three.
87: Mavila makes tracks down the left and digs a cross out which floats
towards the back stick. Bywater has to backtrack and is unable to get his
shot on-target as he stretches to reach the ball.
85: Howes does well to gather from a corner as the wind blows the ball
around the penalty area. Safe hands from the young stopper.
83: Cullen does indeed make way as Makasi takes his place.
82: Cullen has worked his socks off and seems to be feeling the effects of
his work. He might be going off, but Ledger is coming off as Robson replaces
him.
80: Fanimo tries his luck again from distance. McNamee tracks him well and
makes a super block.
78: Fanimo is adamant that the referee should have awarded the Hammers a
penalty as his shot appears to strike an arm. Nothing given though as we
head toward the last ten minutes.
76: Bywater wins a free-kick near the right-hand corner flag as Watson
brings him down with a crude slide tackle. Fanimo's delivery is poor and
easily cleared.
74: Cullen is down as Oliver treads on his ankle causing his boot to come
off. The midfielder is far from happy with the referee, as has been the case
for most of the match.
72: The visitors are now in the ascendency as they look to fashion a winner.
It's certainly been a much improved second half performance.
70: Brown is replaced by Bywater as Nick Haycock makes his first change. The
manager tells Fanimo to head up top and Bywater to take his place on the
right.
68: Potts springs forward from defence and makes the keeper work with a well
struck left-foot shot which looked to be creeping inside the post.
66: Mavila is the first Hammer into the book after bringing down Laidler on
the left-hand side. From the set-piece, Cartwright tries his luck with a
first time shot but sends it high and wide of the goal.
65: Sunderland make their first change. Robson jogs on to replace Gorrin.
62: Lletget breaks over the half-way line and feeds Fanimo on the right. The
winger drives at his marker before seeing a deflected shot head straight to
the keeper.
60: Howes makes a great save to deny Mandron a second. Gorrin finds the
striker with a lovely through ball and he takes a touch before firing low at
goal. Howes stands up before saving well with his feet.
58: Sunderland go back on the attack but miss the target as Oliver sends a
header over from a free-kick.
56 GOAL: The Hammers have pulled themselves level! Cullen taps home after a
lovely flowing move which ended with Fanimo providing the perfect cross for
Cullen. Get in!
52: A loose pass by the Mackems goes unpunished as Brown opts to play it
first time to Sadlier but can only knock the ball out of play.
50: Sunderland have settled straight back into their passing rhythm ftom the
first half as they continue to probe for a way through the Hammers
back-line.
48: Mavila has a chance to cross from the left after recieving the ball back
from a throw-in. His cross however leaves a bit to be desired as it flies
over Dixon's goal.
46: The second half has begun with the Hammers trailing by a goal to nil.
The last 45 minutes of their season start now.

Half-time: The referee brings the first half to an end. The man in black is
not the most popular with the Hammers players after awarding a questionable
penalty as Potts appeared to take the ball from Mandron in the box. The ref
saw it differently and the forward picked himself up to send Howes the wrong
way. West Ham made a bright start, working several good openings but their
best chance came a minute before the break when Lletget shot wide.

44: Close! The Hammers click into gear as Lletget fires just wide from
inside the area after being picjed out by Cullen.
42: Lletget sprays a lovely pass wide to Fanimo. The winger cuts inside and
crosses left-footed but there's no Claret and Blue shirt at the back post
and the ball rolls out.
40: The wind causes havoc for Dixon as he rushes out to collect Whitehead's
through ball but mis-judges it and is extremely lucky that the ball falls to
a nearby defender.
38: Cullen looks up, spots Brown and floats a cross toward the striker. The
big man's had little service and it continues as the cross flies over his
head and into the keepers arms.
36: Sadlier looks to run in-behind the Sunderland defence but he goes a
fraction too early and the linesman on the far side raises his flag.
34: After a slow start the home side are now in full control of proceedings.
Exemplified superbly as they play their way out from the back under immense
pressure from the Hammers.
32: The away side are up in arms again as McNamee loses the ball and
crunches Cullen on the half-way line. The yellow card is out again and
rightly so.
30: The Mackems apply some pressure with consecutive corners, but are also
struggling with the wind. After the second one Gorrin sends a cross flying
over the bar.
28: The Hammers are struggling to get anything going just now and the
referee is bearing the brunt of their frustrations.
26: Cullen was hurt by that challenge from Mandron and limps away to the
sideline. He looks like he'll be ok to continue however.
24: The ball breaks loose in midfield and Oliver strikes first time. His
side-foot effort forces Howes to parry the ball wide for a corner. From the
corner, a free-kick is awarded as Mandron commits another foul. He's surely
on a final warning now.
22: The Hammers look to attack down the right with Fanimo attempting to
break into the box. The winger beats two defenders smartly but the third
nicks the ball away and the move breaks down.
20: Howes comes to the rescue to deny Mandron a second goal. The forward
runs unchallenged toward goal and looks to find the bottom corner but Howes
is there to make the save. The striker then picks up a booking for a late
tackle on Driver.
18: Sunderland have grown in confidence since going ahead and are keeping
the ball nicely with Oliver spraying the ball around.
16: It didn't look a penalty to me as Potts appeared to play the ball. The
Hammers will have to use their sense of injustice to inspire a comeback now.
13 Goal: This time Sunderland do have a penalty as Potts appears to clip the
ball before bringing down Mandron. The Hammers are rightly furious as
Mandron picks himself up to send Howes the wrong way.
11: Controversy here as the linesman seems to have flagged for a penalty
before the referee steps in to award a free-kick on the edge of the area
following an alledged hand ball by Mavila.
9: Gus Poyet is in attendance to watch his young charges, fresh from leading
the first team to a 2-2 draw against Manchester City last night.
6: Whitehead is desperately looking for a pass as he travels towards the
penalty are. Nothing opens up for the midfielder and he opts to shoot,
sending a low effort well wide.
4: Cullen dribbles towards the edge of the box before sliding a through ball
for Brown to run onto. The striker takes aim and fires but his shot is
deflected away for a throw-in.
3: The wind is already a factor as the Hammers, who are playing into the
wind, launch several balls forward, all of which come floating back.
1 min: The final U21 game of the season is under-way. Three points to end
the season please!

11:56am: The ref has blown his whistle to call the captains to the centre
circle and we're nearly ready to get under-way here.

11:50am: There's no going back into the changing rooms here. The pitch is a
fair distance from the changing rooms so as soon as the teams are ready to
go
we'll get straight into it here in Sunderland.

11:35am: After much scouting around I've found the Sunderland team for
today's fixture. They line-up as follows:

Sunderland: Dixon, Cartwright, Watson, Gorrin, Beadling, McNamee, Greenwood,
Oliver, Mandron, Laidler, T Robson
Substitutes: E Robson, Talbot, Ledger, Blinco, Sukar

11:30am: Dan Potts leads the Hammers out of their dressing room and off to
make the short walk to the pitch they'll be playing on this afternoon.
Sunderland follow close behind to begin their pre-match routine.

11:15am: The keepers are out and going through their pre-match routines.
West Ham stoppers Sam Howes and Vit Nemrava will be put through their paces
by Lee Harrison.

11am: The Under-21s have been for a look around the fantastic facilities
here at the Academy of Light and having assessed the pitch are back in the
changing rooms ahead of their final league game of the season.

The Development Squad end their Barclays Under-21 Premier League season
against Sunderland this afternoon having journeyed to the Academy of Light.
The Hammers are ninth in the table heading into the season finale against
Sunderland who need a win to keep their hopes of a top-four finish and a
place in the season ending Play-Offs alive. Nick Haycock's side will be
looking to end their year on a high having lost their last two matches to
Bolton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers.

West Ham United: Sam Howes, Callum Driver, Nathan Mavila, Sebastian Lletget,
Dan Potts, Jamie Harney, Matthias Fanimo, Danny Whitehead, Jordan Brown,
Josh Cullen, Kieran Sadlier
Substitutes: Reece Burke, Vit Nemrava, Moses Makasi, Kieran Bywater

Sunderland: Dixon, Cartwright, Watson, Gorrin, Beadling, McNamee, Greenwood,
Oliver, Mandron, Laidler, T Robson
Substitutes: E Robson, Talbot, Ledger, Blinco, Sukar

After playing in those defeats there is no Joe Cole for the away side this
afternoon, meaning Sebastian Lletget will make his return to the starting
XI. Jordan Brown will again lead the line, where he will be ably supported
by Kieran Sadlier and Matthias Fanimo on the wings. Callum Driver makes his
return at right-back with Nathan Mavila starting in the left-back berth.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Phillips happy with winning return
WHUFC.com
U18s assistant manager Mark Phillips was happy with the performance in
victory over West Brom
17.04.2014

West Ham Under-18s assistant manager Mark Phillips was pleased with the
Hammers' Academy after they returned to winning ways by beating West
Bromwich Albion 2-1 at Little Heath on Wednesday afternoon. The result ended
a run of four defeats for the Hammers as returning midfielder Ben Marlow and
Portuguese striker Marcio Martins both scored second half goals to keep the
race for the Barclays U18 Premier League play-offs alive. With the Hammers
dominating throughout the 90 minutes, Phillips was delighted that the
Hammers had managed to finally combine an impressive performance with the
deserved result that they achieved. "In amongst the four games we lost, I
thought that there were games where we deserved to win, so it's nice to
finally turn that around and get a victory," said Phillips. "I think we
thoroughly deserved it, although there were moments throughout the game
where I thought we wouldn't get there. "I thought that we played very well,
compared to games where we haven't played that well and won. I'm not too
sure whether it was through West Brom failings in a way but I thought we
moved the ball very well and created a lot of opportunities, but
unfortunately we didn't take more of them. Phillips, along with U18 manager
Steve Potts, were again forced into playing a youthful squad at the U18
level, although the assistant manager believes that everyone performed very
well. "I thought that the midfield were brilliant," continued Phillips.
"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. "Last week, we went
to Manchester City and we were predominantly a first year U18 team. We even
had 15-year-olds on the bench like we did against West Brom. We started this
game with three U16s on the pitch, but it can only help them develop as
players because they are learning. Next year when they are first year
scholars, they would have already had a taste of U18 football so they will
know what to expect."

With regular U18 midfielders Moses Makasi and captain Kieran Bywater away in
Sunderland with the Development Squad, it was down to Amos Nasha to wear the
armband, being joined in the midfield by U16 attacking midfielder Grady
Diangana and Marlow, who played his first game back after three months on
the injury list. "I thought Grady [Diangana] had an outstanding game. That
is the role he prefers to play because we have been trying to play him in a
holding role, but we put him as then point of a midfield three and that's
what suits him the best. When he is enjoying his football, you can see the
outcome as he creates a lot of opportunities for us."

"We've missed Ben Marlow this season, but having Amos [Nasha] and Moses
[Makasi] in the middle this season, who are like minded players, have done a
great job to fill in the middle. Ben's been out for a good few months now
but I think he has come back really well and it's a little bonus for him
getting a goal."
With just two league fixtures ahead of the Hammers Academy before the
play-off stage begins, Phillips knows that they can't alter other teams
results, so they will focus on trying to achieve the full six points from
their games. "It's out of our hands now how Fulham get on because I don't
think we will get above Tottenham but we have got Bolton next and then
Arsenal, both games at home, and I think that if we concentrate on winning
both of our games, I think we will make the play-offs."

Speaking to whufc.com after returning from a three month foot injury,
midfielder Marlow also believed that the Hammers got the result that they
deserved.
"It was fantastic," added Marlow. "It feels good to win 2-1 after four
defeats on the bounce. We went to Manchester City and got whacked 3-0
because of our poor performance, but to react like we did is really good.
"The manager said to us that he wanted to see a big reaction from us and I
feel like we did that. We won 2-1, but it was a comfortable win and I think
we deserved more goals. The day was even more special for Marlow as he
capped a full 90 minutes of league action with a rare but important goal.
"It's been frustrating that I've not played for three months so it's nice to
finally be back," he continued. "I had a problem with my metatarsal in my
foot and it's one of those niggling injuries, but I'm back now and looking
forward to hopefully winning the last two games and staying injury free. "I
don't score many goals but at half time, the manager said that he wanted to
see more action in the box so I thought that I've got to get myself in there
more. It was a great cut back by Jerry [Amoo] and I had to make sure I got
it on target and it went in."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Noble takes Arsenal positives
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble feels the Hammers can take heart from their first half display
against Arsenal on Tuesday
17.04.2014

Mark Noble feels West Ham United can take heart from their first half
performance in the 3-1 defeat against Arsenal at the Emirates on Tuesday
evening.
Things were looking good for the Hammers after Matt Jarvis nodded them in
front in north London with 40 minutes on the clock as the visitors proved to
be tough opposition for their top four chasing opponents. Just four minutes
later however, Lukas Podolski dragged the Gunners back level before Olivier
Giroud and the German international's second goal of the game condemned the
away side to defeat in a disappointing second half. Noble felt the Hammers
gave Arsenal a run for their money on the night, but ultimately came up
short. "To be honest, In spells, I thought we played well on the night," he
explained. "We passed it about well. Whenever you lose it's not enjoyable,
but as much as you can come here and enjoy it I did, but there's still no
points on the board. "We played really well against Liverpool and didn't get
anything and we can't keep playing well against the big teams and not
getting anything."

The major talking point during the match came with the scores level at 0-0,
when Jarvis nicked the ball away from Bacary Sagna in the penalty area and
chose to stay on his feet as the full-back clearly clipped him. The winger
could have easily chosen to go down and play for the penalty, but Noble
feels it's not in Jarvis' nature to be dishonest. "They say about honesty in
the game, but I'm pretty sure that if Jarvo had gone down we would have got
a penalty. Jarvo's probably the most honest man you'll meet in your life."

The Gunners showed little sign of fatigue following their FA Cup with
Budweiser exerts just three days earlier, when they required extra-time and
penalties to beat Wigan Athletic. Noble praised the way Arsene Wenger's side
kept the ball on Tuesday night and didn't feel that Arsenal had suffered
from their semi-final tie. "When you've got the ball you've always got
energy no matter what team you're playing in and it's not about fatigue.
When you keep the ball as well as they do it's enjoyable and you don't get
tired. "They had a lot of the ball, as they did in the semi-final on
Saturday. They probably came out here as fresh as anybody, but I thought in
the first half we looked like the better team and then it obviously got away
from us."

Sam Allardyce's side now switch their focus to Saturday afternoon, when
Crystal Palace visit the Boleyn Ground, and Noble is focused on attaining
nothing less than three points. "We're playing at home against Crystal
Palace and they're a team that we want to get three points off. "Our home
form has been good, obviously we were unfortunate to lose against Liverpool.
We need to rest up, recover and get points against Palace."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Martin Allen joins KUMB Awards Live!
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 18th April 2014
By: Staff Writer

Knees up Mother Brown are delighted to announce that Martin Allen will be
joining us at this year's KUMB Reader's Awards Live! Allen (aka 'Mad Dog'),
West Ham's midfield enforcer from 1989 to 1995 and the current Head Coach of
Barnet FC completes a star-studded line-up for our inaugural Awards Live!
event, which takes place on Tuesday, 13th May at the East Ham Working Men's
Club (three minutes walk from the Boleyn Ground). Allen joins
previously-announced guests Frank McAvennie and Jeremy Nicholas who will be
accompanied by our hosts for the evening, Chris Scull and James Longman from
the KUMB Podcast. Tickets for the event are priced at just £10 each and are
on sale now - click here to buy yours! The annual KUMB Awards began way back
in the mists of time - well, 1997 - when our readers named John Hartson as
their very first KUMB Player of the Year.

This year there will be 12 categories for you to cast your votes in,
including Goal of the Season, Most Memorable Match, Best Signing, Most
Improved Player and the always popular Hackett of the Year - a category in
which Orient supremo Barry Hearn will be going for a record-breaking third
consecutive win this year! The polls for this year's readers awards open on
KUMB.com in less than a fortnight from now, with all of the winners to be
revealed live at the aforementioned event. Keep an eye out for details of
that and if you can make May 13th, all of us at KUMB would be delighted to
see you!

Last Year's KUMB Awards Winners

KUMB.com PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Winston Reid
YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Danny Potts
GOAL OF THE SEASON: Mo Diame vs Man Utd (h)
MOST MEMORABLE MATCH: West Ham Utd 3-1 Chelsea
BEST SIGNING: Andy Carroll
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Winston Reid
MOST MISSED: Wally Downes

WORST PLAYER OF THE SEASON: Emanuel Pogatetz
WORST SIGNING OF THE SEASON: Emanuel Pogatetz
GREATEST DISAPPOINTMENT: Our form away from home
HACKETT OF THE YEAR: Barry Hearn

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Moncs: kids were thrown to the lions
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 18th April 2014
By: Staff Writer

Former Hammers midfielder John Moncur has spoken of his disappointed at Sam
Allardyce's decision to throw West Ham's youngsters - including his son
George - in at the deep end en masse back in January. Moncur Jnr was just
one of several development squad players who were brought into the first
team at short notice to answer West Ham's chronic injury situation at the
time - only to end up being thrashed 5-0 by Championship club Nottingham
Forest in the 3rd round of the FA Cup. And Moncur Snr, who spent nine years
at West Ham between 1994 and 2003 admitted that he was annoyed at the way
his son and team mates - youngsters such as Callum Driver, Seb Lletget and
Danny Whitehead - were essentially used as scapegoats. "It's been a terrible
year for him [George] after what happened at Nottingham Forest," Moncur,
speaking on the latest episode of the KUMB Podcast, said. "I think it was
unfair. "I'm not bitter, but what happened there to the kids was ridiculous.
It's not what you do to young boys. If you like a player and have high hopes
for him you blood them into good teams, like all good clubs and managers do.
"Basically, that was just throwing them to the lions. So he's had to put up
with that and all the stick they got."

Moncur, now 47, also hinted that his son - who is currently on loan at
Scottish Premier side Partick Thistle - may have to seek first team football
elsewhere if he is unable to break into Allardyce's first team set up in the
near future. "I said to him that if you're not wanted at West Ham it's sad -
because he's grown up with me being there plus it's his club and he loves it
- but you've just got to be strong, move on and just keep doing your best -
and that's what he's doing," added Moncur. "He's gone on loan to Partick
Thistle in Scotland and he's alright up there. He's still learning and I
think he'll be a good player one day but he just needs to get a chance at
the right place now and show people what he can do. "That may be at West
Ham - and it may not."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tomkins trial delayed
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 17th April 2014
By: Staff Writer

James Tomkins was in court earlier today to face charges of assault - only
to be ordered back at a later today after vital evidence went missing. The
Basildon-born defender was back in his home town today for a brief visit to
the Magistrates Court, where he was due to face charges relating to an
incident that occurred outside Brentwood's Sugar Hut nightspot last
December. The 24-year-old central defender was arrested and subsequently
charged with assaulting a police officer following a disturbance at the
nightclub a matter of hours after a West Ham squad including Tomkins had
fallen to a 3-1 at Manchester United.
Upon arriving at Basildon Magistrates Court this morning Tomkins and his
legal team were informed that the case would not proceed as planned as vital
CCTV evidence had been mislaid since being handed over by the nightspot.
Tomkins' representative, Rupert Bowers - who had previously acted on behalf
of fellow footballers Jermain Defoe, Bradley Wright-Phillips and Harry
Redknapp - immediately called for the case to be dismissed, calling the loss
of vital evidence "negligence and incompetence ... at the very top of the
scale".

However the case was adjourned to a later date by chair of the bench Dawn
Roche. "The bench is really not happy with this. We will take appropriate
steps to voice our concerns with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and
police," stated Ms Roche before dismissing the court. Alec Williams, who
leads the prosecution insisted that the missing evidence had been located
before the case was adjourned but accepted that it was too late for the
trial to proceed.
"The Crown should be ready to start a trial today and that means putting us
in a position to have a fair trial," Mr Bowers, of Doughty Street Chambers
told reporters. "It is not too strong to say that we have been somewhat
fobbed off by the CPS."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham star James Tomkins' assault trial held up after CCTV footage is
lost by police and prosecutors
Apr 17, 2014 18:25 By Laura Wileman
The Mirror

Premier League footballer James Tomkins' assault trial has been delayed –
after police and prosecutors lost vital CCTV footage of the alleged
nightclub incident.
The 25-year-old West Ham defender turned up to court but the case could not
go ahead because of the mix-up, which his counsel Rupert Bowers described as
"negligent and incompetent". Tomkins was accused of assaulting a police
constable, being drunk and disorderly in a public place and obstructing a
constable outside The Only Way is Essex's famous Sugar Hut club. He denies
the charges. The tape was seized from the night spot, but prosecutors were
unable to produce it in court as an evidence log showed it had gone missing
since being handed over for forensic examination. Mr Bowers applied for the
case to be dismissed, saying: "There are scales of negligence and
incompetence and this is at the very top of the scale of negligence and
incompetence."

But it was only adjourned to a later date by chair of the bench Dawn Roche,
who expressed her displeasure at the situation. She said: "The bench is
really not happy with this. We will take appropriate steps to voice our
concerns with the Crown Prosecution Service and police." Prosecutor Alec
Williams said the tape had been found following a search that morning but he
accepted it was too late for the case to go ahead at Basildon magistrates'
court in Essex. He added: "Nobody knows what the CCTV shows. It might show
nothing, it might show a pigeon nesting in front of it." Tomkins, of Hutton
Mount, Essex, was due to argue that he was in fact the victim of an assault
at the club in nearby Brentwood on December 21. Mr Bowers said it would be
unjust for the trial to go ahead as the tape could help support Tomkins'
version of events. He added: "The Crown should be ready to start a trial
today and that means putting us in a position to have a fair trial. "It is
not too strong to say that we have been somewhat fobbed off by the CPS."

Tomkins, a former England Under-21 international who appeared for Team GB at
the Olympics last year, had played for West Ham hours before the alleged
incident in their 3-1 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
We're not safe yet! James Tomkins warns Hammers team-mates over complacency
By: Simon YeendPublished: Fri, April 18, 2014
Express.co.uk


JAMES TOMKINS says the West Ham players are still concerned about relegation
and desperate to get one more win to guarantee safety. The Hammers are on 37
points but have lost their last two games and defender Tomkins believes
nothing is certain at this time of the season. Sam Allardyce's side face
Crystal Palace, who leapfrogged them with their victory at Everton on
Wednesday, at home tomorrow and Tomkins said: "We still feel we need a win
to keep away from getting sucked in, so Palace will be a massive game.
"People are saying that we are safe but we are not getting carried away by
that. You never know what is going to happen at the bottom so we can't be
complacent. We have to be prepared for teams getting maximum points. People
are saying that we are safe but we are not getting carried away by that. You
never know what is going to happen at the bottom so we can't be complacent
"That's why we need that win. It has always been said that the 40-point mark
is where we need to be and we need to get there. "It's a collective thing.
The gaffer is on at us to go right the way to the end. We might even have a
say in the title race or the race or maybe even the race for fourth place.
"We've got to play Tottenham and then Manchester City in the last game of
the season, so you never know. But we just want to get maximum points in
every game we play."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Striker excited by prospect of West Ham return
7:30pm Thursday 17th April 2014 in Sport By Sunni Upal
News Shopper

Marouane Chamakh is looking forward to returning to West Ham when Crystal
Palace visit Upton Park for a London derby this weekend. The Moroccan
striker started in Palace's 3-2 win at Goodison Park on Wednesday, a result
which all but secured Premier League football next season for the Eagles.
Chamakh hailed his team's "perfect" four-game win streak before looking
ahead to West Ham, where he played on loan in 2013. "Four wins, 12 points -
we can't do much better than that," said the Palace striker. "We are so
happy. Everton played very well but we concentrated hard and I think we are
sure to stay up now. "I said before the season I felt we were going to stay
up. "It was a big challenge for us but we did it - It's unbelievable. "We
were at the bottom but I still thought we were going to stay up. "West Ham
will be a good derby. "They had one more day of rest but I think it will be
a good game."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Arsenal & Liverpool striker target scouted by West Ham
Drmic has scored 16 goals for Nurnberg this season. Drmic has scored 16
goals for Nurnberg this season..
by Paul Bailey
GiveMeSport.com

West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has confirmed he scouted Arsenal and
Liverpool target Josip Drmic during Nuremberg's 4-1 defeat against Wolfsburg
last weekend. The Daily Mail reports how the Hammers boss was present at the
Volkswagen Arena to see the Switzerland international in action, but was
left disappointed as the 21-year-old failed to make any impact on the game.
"I was at Nuremburg versus Wolfsburg," Allardyce confirmed. "The sausages
were great! "They got beat quite comfortably so in terms of that player you
wouldn't be able to judge him on that particular game because they got
battered."
Drmic has also attracted admiring glances from Arsene Wenger and Brendan
Rodgers, after an impressive 2013/14 campaign which has seen him net 16
goals for the Bundesliga strugglers. A move to Anfield or the Emirates
Stadium remains a possibility, though, even if West Ham end their interest
in the player after his under-par performance against Wolfsburg on Saturday.
With a reported £5million release-clause written into his current contract,
Liverpool or Arsenal might be willing to take a gamble on the emerging young
talent, as both Premier League clubs look to strengthen their striker
options when the transfer window reopens in the summer.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com



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