Hammers beaten as City claim title
WHUFC.com
Manchester City defeated West Ham United 2-0 at the Eithad Stadium to win
the Barclays Premier League
11.05.2014
Manchester City 2-0 West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United were unable to prevent Manchester City from sealing a second
Barclays Premier League title in three years, going down to a 2-0 defeat at
the Etihad Stadium on the final day of the 2013/14 season. The Hammers gave
a far better account of themselves than in their heavy Capital One Cup
semi-final defeat at the same venue in January, but City still found a way
to break them down. They had to wait until the 39th minute to open the
scoring, and once Samir Nasri's low drive arrowed into the corner the
destination of the championship was rarely in doubt. Vincent Kompany made
sure of their success with a second shortly after the restart to spark wild
celebrations among the home support. City came into the contest bearing the
weight of expectation on their shoulders, knowing just a point would be
enough to hand them the title again. They soon settled into a rhythm,
however, enjoying the lion's share of possession and keeping play in Hammers
territory. Before long, David Silva volleyed powerfully over the top from
inside the box and Sergio Aguero tested Adrian's handling with a low shot
from range. Adrian then had to be at his best to tip a 30-yard Aleksandar
Kolorov effort that looked destined for the top corner over the bar. The
Hammers were defending well and in numbers, and for all City's passing and
probing around the Hammers' box, the opening goal eventually arrived from a
simpler, more direct approach. When space opened up for Nasri 20 yards out
he opted to shoot for goal, and although Adrian got fingers to his effort as
it flew past him, he could only tip onto the inside of the post and in. With
Newcastle also winning at Liverpool at that point, City were able to relax
and Pablo Zabalata almost added a quickfire second as Aguero crossed low
from the right, but James Tomkins got across well to block behind for a
corner. They went even closer wih the final action of the opening period
when Toure worked the ball to Silva, whose shot skipped up off Andy
Carroll's foot and crashed against the far post.
It did not take the hosts long after the break to notch the decisive second
as, with just four second half minutes played, a corner from the right hit
Edin Dzeko on the back and dropped perfectly for Kompany to smash home. That
got the party started at the Etihad, although City perhaps took their eyes
off the ball on the pitch for a moment as a bouncing Matty Taylor shot
bobbled wide of the post, then Joe Hart had to use all of his spring to
divert a left-wing cross away from Carroll. The City chances soon started
coming again and only Aguero will know how he failed to convert Zabaleta's
66th minute low cross. The goal was at his mercy, but he failed to make
proper contact and the ball dribbled into a grateful Adrian's hands. West
Ham's No13 had to stand up by his near post to block Nasri's shot as City
looked for a third, but in truth much of the sting had come out of the game
with the home side having completed the job and 2-0 was how it ended.
Manchester City: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Kolarov; Nasri, Toure
(Negredo 86), Garcia, Silva (Milner 76); Dzeko (Fernandinho 69), Aguero
Subs: Pantilimon, Lescott, Clichy, Jovetic
Goals: Nasri 39, Kompany 49
Booked: Demichelis, Aguero
West Ham United: Adrian; O'Brien, Tomkins, Reid, McCartney; Nolan (Jarvis
63), Noble, Taylor; Downing, Carroll (C.Cole 72), Diame (J.Cole 81)
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Armero, Vaz Te, Collins
Booked: Nolan, Noble
Referee: Martin Atkinson
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Big Sam proud of Hammers' efforts
WHUFc.com
Sam Allardyce said Sunday's display in defeat at Manchester City was one
West Ham United could be proud of
11.05.2014
Sam Allardyce was proud of his West Ham United players efforts in Sunday's
2-0 defeat at Barclays Premier League champions Manchester City. The Hammers
worked as hard as they have all season against a City side who knew a point
would be enough to secure a second title in three seasons, keeping the hosts
at arm's length for much of the opening half. Manuel Pellegrini's side
finally broke West Ham's resistance on 39 minutes, when Samir Nasri's low
shot went in via Adrian's hand and the inside of the far post. After the
break, West Ham improved, only for City to double their lead in fortuitious
circumstances when a corner hit Edin Dzeko and a defender before being
lashed in by captain Vincent Kompany. Kevin Nolan and Matt Taylor both fired
shots off-target for the visitors, who increasingly came into the game in
the final half-hour, but Big Sam's men could not find the goal that their
considerable efforts warranted. With the final whistle, West Ham ended a
difficult, injury-affected season 13th in the table, securing a third
straight season of Barclays Premier League football in 2014/15.
"City have scored 61 goals at home and, with the quality they have, every
single gem in their squad was out there playing, so we had to defend with
everything we had," said the manager. "It's just a shame Adrian let the goal
slip in. He got a full hand on it, but not a strong enough hand. Otherwise,
we may have got in at half-time at nil-nil. "On the other side, we didn't
really cause them too many problems, which was a little disappointing. We
did some really good defending, but then wasted a lot of good possession
with our final ball and didn't create chances. To be fair, we weren't
expecting many, but we were expecting a little better. "Then of course the
sickener was just after half-time when they got a goal off a corner which,
when you look at it, was extremely lucky from Manchester City's point of
view. It just bobbled around and fell to Vincent Kompany, who put it in. "It
was always going to be hard work to come back form that against such a great
team, having only lost one game here. The lads put their best efforts in and
tried as hard as they could but we finished the season not quite as high as
we wanted to. For us, it's about re-grouping for next season and getting
ready for pre-season training."
Having sat 19th in the table with 15 points from 20 games, West Ham won
eight of their remaining 18 games and drew at Chelsea to climb to a
finishing position of 13th on 40 points. "In 2014 we have turned it around,"
said the manager. "We've won seven of our 15 games and if you tot that up
over a full season, you can see what sort of season we would have had and
that's similar to last year. "We know one thing we're short of and which
we've missed out on this year, apart from having to suffered from all the
injuries which cost us results, is scoring goals. We didn't create many
chances on Sunday, but when we have created chances we have not converted
enough of them. "Our focus is to be as good as we were defensively this
season and to create more chances and be more clinical in front of goal.
When we do that, we are fine, but on too many occasions we have suffered the
negative effect of not turning our chances into goals. "Two or three more
one-nil wins and we'd have matched the 46 points we got last season, so it's
very small margins of improvement that we need to do better."
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U18s suffer semi-final defeat
WHUFc.com
West Ham United suffered a dramatic Barclays U18 Premier League Play-Off
semi-final loss at Manchester City
11.05.2014
West Ham United were knocked out of the Barclays Premier League Play-Offs
after a 2-1 defeat by Manchester City at Platt Lane on Saturday. West Ham
led for 73 minutes after Jordan Brown's early opener, only for the Northern
Division winners to snatch victory and a place in the final with two goals
in the final ten minutes. The Hammers went ahead after just seven minutes
when Josh Cullen chased down the City back line to open up a chance for
Brown to slide the ball into an empty net. City captain Ashley Smith-Brown
popped up with ten minutes remaining to pull the hosts level, before Kean
Byran converted an 88th minute penalty after a handball from Nathan Mavila.
U18s boss Steve Potts took an almost full-strength team up to Manchester for
this vital fixture, although he was without England U17 goalkeeper Sam
Howes, who. Is away with England at the UEFA European U17 Championship
finals in Malta. The hosts started well and had the first mentionable
opportunity of the game just four minutes in when a free-kick from City
left-back Jose Tasende found Jorge Intima at the back post, who headed back
across the face for Tosin Adarabioyo to slice wide of the goal. West Ham
reacted well and went ahead two minutes later when tireless midfielder
Cullen worked hard to hunt down the Manchester City defence, giving Brown
the opportunity to roll the ball into the net. The Hammers could have had a
chance to double their lead minutes later when Brown was bundled over in the
penalty box, but the referee decided against pointing to the spot.
Manchester City came back strongly in the first half and had several efforts
to grab an equaliser, although the closest they came to scoring was when
Smith-Brown played in Thierry Ambrose, who hit the far post. Just before
half-time the visitors had a golden opportunity to push further ahead when
Jamie Harney saw his header from a corner cleared off the line by the face
of a City defender. Into the second half and the Hammers came out looking
for the important second goal, with Kieran Bywater curling an effort just
round the far post after being set up by Djair Parfitt-Williams. From there,
City grew in confidence and appeared to get stronger, with talented striker
Brandon Barker having two opportunities from the edge of the Hammers penalty
area. However, the visitors blocked both efforts. If the Hammers were going
to hold on, it was going to take every piece of energy they had. Centre-back
Harney was showing the Hammers' desire to win by taking several shots to the
chest and other painful areas. But City continued to press for the equaliser
and were finally rewarded when the Hammers half cleared their lines,
allowing Smith-Brown to run at the defence and fire a shot that was
deflected into the back of the net. The goal clearly deflated the Hammers,
who had worked so hard to maintain their advantage. With just two minutes
remaining, the situation got even worse when the referee pointed to the
penalty spot after an apparent handball by Mavila. The decision was strongly
disputed by the West Ham players and staff, but that did not stop City
substitute Bryan slotting the ball into the corner of the Hammers net from
12 yards.
The result brought the curtain down on West Ham's 2013/14 campaign, with
Manchester City preparing to face either Everton or Tottenham Hotspur in the
final. Defender Harney summed up the players' emotions after the game, but
insisted that the side have had a brilliant season that they should be proud
of.
"It's a very difficult result to take, but I thought the lads defended
superbly throughout the game," admitted Harney. "In the last ten minutes, we
were up against it and it seems that a couple of penalty decisions have
decided it. "All we can do it congratulate Manchester City because you can't
take away the fact that they are a good team that played well, but we
deserved to get something out the game. "For the team, it's been a good
season, except for the Youth Cup game [which saw West Ham lose at Accrington
Stanley in the third round]. We've played well this season against the big
teams and I think that showed against Man City because we should've got a
result and given ourselves a chance to reach the final."
U18s: Nemrava, Knoyle, Burke, Harney, Mavila, Nasha (Amoo), Makasi, Cullen,
Bywater, J.Brown, Parfitt-Williams (Gordon)
Subs not used: T.Brown, Pike, Onariase
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Manchester City crowned Premier League champions with 2-0 victory over West
Ham
Last Updated: 11/05/14 8:29pm
SSN
Manchester City cruised to their second Premier League title in three years
with a comfortable 2-0 victory over West Ham at the Etihad Stadium. Needing
only a point for glory, City finally broke through the massed ranks of West
Ham defenders in the 39th minute when Samir Nasri's low long-range shot
proved too hot to handle for goalkeeper Adrian.
Best of the match
Man of the match: Samir Nasri opened the scoring, set up the second for
Vincent Kompany with his corner and was a constant threat.
Goal of the match: Nasri's opener was a well-struck effort from long range,
but Adrian may feel he could have done better.
Moment of the match: The outpouring of jubilation from the City supporters
as they flooded onto the field at the final whistle.
Pass of the match: Yaya Toure played a delightful one-two with Nasri as he
scooped the ball over the West Ham backline, only for Adrian to save.
Talking points: Can City build on this success and mount a serious defence
of their title? How should West Ham regard their second season back in the
Premier League?
That removed any lingering nerves for Manuel Pellegrini's men, who have only
led the Premier League for 14 days this season, with Liverpool's 2-1 win
against Newcastle at Anfield ensuring City ended the season as they began
the final day - two points clear of their nearest rivals. Vincent Kompany
gleefully lashed home a Nasri corner from six yards out early in the second
half to start the party at the Etihad, and with Joe Hart a virtual spectator
throughout the game, there was never even a hint of a West Ham fightback. It
was raining heavily at kick-off but the atmosphere was raucous and City
approached the game with the confidence of a side that were comfortable and
in control of their destiny.
City's top scorer Sergio Aguero was back in their side after injury but not
at his sharpest, although on this occasion his brilliance was not needed.
West Ham did play a little more positively than the previous visitors, Aston
Villa in midweek, but the occasions they threatened were still few and far
between. The hosts appealed unsuccessfully for a penalty early on after Mark
Noble deflected a Pablo Zabaleta cross onto his hand.
Pressure
Their first real chance came after David Silva and Aguero combined well on
the edge of the box. Yaya Toure's initial effort was blocked before Silva
volleyed over from a Zabaleta cross. Vincent Kompany lifts the Premier
League trophy after Manchester City sealed the title with a 2-0 win over
West Ham. Zabaleta then wanted a penalty after going down under a challenge
from Mohamed Diame before Aguero showed some nimble footwork to spark an
attack from inside his own half. The ball was worked across the field and
Aguero tried to finish from distance but slipped as he shot and Adrian saved
comfortably. Nasri then had a good cross turned behind and Toure curled a
shot narrowly wide as news filtered through that Liverpool had fallen behind
in their game against Newcastle.
Manuel Pellegrini chats to Ed Chamberlin following Manchester City's 2-0 win
over West Ham that sealed the title. City maintained the pressure, with
Aleksandar Kolarov forcing Adrian to tip over a powerful drive from
distance. Nasri finally broke through six minutes before the interval as he
took aim from 20 yards and struck a powerful low shot which flew beyond
Adrian and into the side-netting. City fans then increased the volume
significantly and Aguero glanced a header wide before Silva saw an effort
deflected onto the bar off Andy Carroll. Joe Hart says Manchester City's
form in the final weeks of the season is what won them the title. City truly
got the party started four minutes into the second half when Kompany stabbed
home from six yards after Edin Dzeko won the ball from a corner - the City
captain celebrating with unconfined joy.
West Ham did make a rare charge to the City end but Matt Taylor's mistimed
shot bounced wide. Aguero had two opportunities to extend City's lead but
headed wide at the near post and then failed to connect cleanly in front of
an open goal from a Zabaleta cross. Samir Nasri gives his immediate reaction
to Manchester City winning the title following their 2-0 win against West
Ham. Aguero appeared to pick up another knock in the closing moments and he
showed his frustration by bundling over Noble off the ball. That sparked an
unnecessary scuffle between several players of both sides and Aguero was
eventually booked, but it could not dampen City's celebrations. They knew
the job was completed and the hosts duly played out the closing minutes with
little alarm to prompt a pitch invasion and jubilant scenes.
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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce remains defiant over future
Last Updated: 11/05/14 8:06pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce remained defiant over his future at West Ham and believes he
has proved his ability at the very highest level. Rumblings over Allardyce's
role at Upton Park have persisted amid protests from some supporters in
recent weeks and he is expected to deal with the issue at an end-of-season
meeting with the club's owners on Tuesday. Speaking after West Ham's 2-0
defeat at Manchester City that saw the home side secure the league title,
Allardyce said: "If you are a manager, this is the highest level in the
world. "I have competed at this level for many, many years. There's only
Arsene Wenger has competed at this level longer than me. Vincent Kompany
lifts the Premier League trophy after Manchester City sealed the title with
a 2-0 win over West Ham. "I know how to manage in this league and I know how
to turn teams into better teams than when you first take them over, so there
you go. "I find the game strange. I think the volatility of this year's game
has been spread across the board by the amount of sackings of managers
throughout the Barclays Premier League. "I think 10 have been changed
already and I don't think it has ever been 50 per cent in one season, and if
another goes, who knows, it will be more than 50 per cent.
"It's not a very secure industry but it's one we all love and enjoy doing.
"We have had no real threat of relegation for a while and we have done the
job after our difficulties in December and January. "We have won seven of
15, nearly a 50 per cent win rate and we have 14 clean sheets. "I have
competed at this level for many, many years. There's only Arsene Wenger has
competed at this level longer than me." "The lads have withstood the
pressure and we are established in the Premier League for the second season
on the trot, exactly where I was asked to get us to be. Statistically, year
three is better but that depends if you can improve your squad."
Allardyce added that City deserved to be champions, as goals from Samir
Nasri and Vincent Kompany secured the title. He said: "They are head and
shoulders above the rest because they are top of the Premier League and
because they have the best squad. "They have competed in all four
competitions to the maximum level. To win a double - the Capital One Cup and
the Barclays Premier League - one has to say they are the best squad and the
best team in the league at this moment. "Liverpool came on a fantastic run
but they had no FA Cup, no Capital One Cup and no Europe."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
THANK GOD THAT'S OVER!
By Iain Dale 11 May 2014 at 17:17
West Ham Till I Die
Another woeful performance which in many ways summed up our season. We had
no shots on goal in 90 minutes. Repeat. None. Nada. Zero. And not for the
first time. Yes, we were playing the Champions, but we had no game plan
apart from the usual. Which in turn meant we didn't have a chance. There
wasn't one offensive player who covered themselves in glory or who would
merit more than a 5/10 rating. Andy Carroll ought to have been playing for a
place in England's World Cup squad. Well, he's got no chance of that now,
I'd say. Kevin Nolan, who was supposed to be desperate to win so his home
city of Liverpool could win the championship, put in a performance which
veered between embarrassing and appalling. And if those two weren't
interested, the rest of the team wasn't going to perform.
The best thing you can say about this performance from West Ham was that the
defence performed adequately. But even then, you'd have to say Adrian should
have palmed Nasri's shot at goal which put them one up round the post. Yet
again Adrian failed to convince. I thought Winston Reid had a very decent
game and looks to be getting back to his best. He got us out of trouble on
several occasions.
I haven't yet heard Sam Allardyce's post match comments, but they will no
doubt be filled with the usual hubris. On Tuesday he meets with the Board to
discuss the future. Had he been able to use the right tactics today and
avoid defeat he might have given the Board a lot of food for thought. But he
didn't. He showed that yet again he is a one trick pony.
It's great that we kept 14 clean sheets. But we also failed to score in 15
Premier League games, but no one mentions that. We only scored 40 goals in
38 games. The priority for next season has to be to play with two strikers,
one of whom is capable of scoring 15 goals. I'm afraid we'll never do that
with the kind of tactics that are currently employed.
So we finished on 40 points, in 13th place, seven points above the drop
zone. If we'd been offered that at Christmas we'd have snapped a few hands
off. But look at Stoke. They too were down with us at the time. They
finished in 9th place with 50 points, and they've done that with some
decidedly average players, but playing neat passing football. Mark Hughes
has transformed them from a hoof it team to a team which likes to play good
football. It can be done, and let's hope our owners recognise this.
UPDATE: Read this report of the game on the club's website. It's like bloody
Pravda. Sam was apparently "proud" of his players' efforts. And " it's very
small margins of improvement that we need to do better." Jesus wept.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Allardyce warns sacking him would be wrong despite fans'
grumblings
May 11, 2014 18:28 By David Anderson
The Mirrpr
Sam Allardyce claims West Ham shouldn't sack him, because he has met all
their targets. Big Sam mounted a robust defence of his record as the Hammers
prepare to end his three-year reign and he has kept them up for a second
successive season. "We've had no real threat of relegation for a while,"
said Allardyce, following Sunday's 2-0 loss at Manchester City. "We've won
seven out of the last 15, which is nearly a 50 per cent win rate. So we've
pulled ourselves out of the bottom three in the league and finished 13th.
"We've got 14 clean sheets. I suppose the problem is when you have your best
run at the end of the season rather than at the beginning. "Our best run
last season was in the beginning of the season when we got 15 or 16 points
in the first 10 games and were never really threatened with relegation.
"This year, we've had it at the end rather than in the beginning so the
pressure has been on us. "The lads have withstood the pressure and we are
established in the Premier League for the second season on the trot, exactly
where I was asked to get us to be."
Allardyce has been booed by West Ham fans when he has won at home and he
highlighted the fact only Arsene Wenger has more Premier League experience
than him. "Only Arsene Wenger has competed at this level longer than me," he
said defiantly. "I know how to manage in this league and I know how to turn
teams into better teams than when you first took them over."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Will 13th place prove unlucky for West Ham manager Sam Allardyce?
Sunday 11 May 2014 9:15 pm
METRO.CO.UK
The Irons had gone into the final game of the season at Manchester City
knowing that, potentially, they could be the decision makers in the Premier
League title race, but once Liverpool conceded an early goal, surely
everyone watching events at the Etihad knew that the writing was not so much
on the wall as carved into it. No surprises here.
At the final whistle, the locals celebrated a 2-0 win to secure their second
title in three seasons, and West Ham fans were left looking at the league
table, considering the season-long course of events which had taken them to
13th place – and wondering what impact that will have on the future of
manager Sam Allardyce.
West Ham's second season back in the top flight has been a tortuous affair,
with the finger of blame pointed squarely at Allardyce – the world's 13th
best paid manager – for his perceived tactical stubbornness, poor results
and the lack of flair provided by the teams he has picked and instructed.
A recent survey of over 12,000 fans showed almost 80% want him replaced,
with booing of the team after their home win over Hull and banners on
display in the defeat at West Brom the most public demonstrations of
dissatisfaction, and club owner David Gold, who makes a point of
communicating directly with fans, has been made fully aware of this view.
Sunderland's manager Gus Poyet has been linked with the West Ham job
(Picture: AP Photo)
Victory over Tottenham in the final home game of the season not only ensured
West Ham's Premier League place was secured with one game to spare, but also
avoided the statistic of 10 home league defeats for the season, which would
have been yet another piece of ammunition for Allardyce's critics.
In the run-up to the City game, Friday's papers were full of reports that a
decision had already been taken that Allardyce would be out of a job once
the season was over, and many fans noticed that on that same day, former
West Ham player and highly-regarded young manager Malky Mackay announced a
very sudden end to his on-going dispute with former club Cardiff.
Coincidence?
Pre-match, there was talk linking Gus Poyet, the man who so successfully
transformed Sunderland's seemingly doomed season, with the Boleyn Ground
job. Ironically, the Uruguayan has made his name by undoing the damage done
by the ill-fated reign of predecessor and West Ham legend Paolo di Canio, a
man often mentioned as a future Irons boss.
Allardyce will have been hugely relieved to have been spared the nightmare
scenario of going to City in need of something to ensure survival, and
considering his side's previous record against the champions this season,
2-0 was hardly a disgrace.
But having hauled themselves over the line, now is the time for West Ham to
have a long hard think about their future. And many fans will wonder whether
someone drawing the 13th highest managerial salary in world football to
produce the 13th best results in England should be part of it.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham Chase Norwich City Midfielder and San Siro Wonder-Kid In Hammers
Spending Spree
by The Newshound May 11th, 2014
CAUGHTOFFSIDE.COM
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce will be handed funds to make significant moves
in the summer transfer window and the Sunday Mirror claims the east London
side have set their sights on Norwich City wide-man Robert Snodgrass and a
number of other potential targets. The Hammers can pick up Snodgrass for as
little as £3m with the Canaries no doubt looking to balance the books as
they prepare for life in the Championship. West Ham are ready to target AC
Milan youngster M'Baye Niang, who has impressed during his loan spell at
Montpellier this season and would also cost £3m. Allardyce also wants to
sign Ipswich's highly-rated left-back Aaron Cresswell. There are still
doubts over Allardyce's long term future in charge of the club but if he
were to start conducting transfer business early in the window that would at
least give the impression that the former Bolton manager is going nowhere.
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Sunday, May 11
Daily WHUFC News - 11th May 2014
Manchester City match preview
WHUFC.com
West Ham journey to Manchester City on Sunday for their final Barclays Premier League game of the season
10.05.2014
MANCHESTER CITY v WEST HAM UNITED
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
ETIHAD STADIUM
SUNDAY 11 MAY 2014
KICK-OFF: 3PM
REFEREE: MARTIN ATKINSON
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
Introduction
• West Ham United face Manchester City for the fourth time this season when they play their final Barclays Premier League fixture of the campaign at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
• Sam Allardyce's side have lost all three meetings with the Citizens this season, including a 3-1 loss in the reverse fixture.
• The Hammers do however head into the season finale having produced a superb performance to beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 at the Boleyn Ground last time out, securing their top flight status.
• West Ham can't finish any higher than their current placing of 12th, but could drop down to 15th if all results go against them on the final day.
• Exactly half of the Hammers 14 clean sheets this season have come away from home, a statistic they will be hoping to add to against the free-scoring hosts.
• Manuel Pellegrini's team will be crowned champions if they manage to beat West Ham on Sunday, with a draw also likely to be sufficient for the home side.
• The Sky Blues beat Aston Villa 4-0 at home on Wednesday night to rack up 100 goals for the league campaign and return to the summit of the Premier League.
• City have been formidable at the Etihad this season, winning 16 of their 18 league outings on home turf and losing just once, a 1-0 loss against Chelsea in February.
• Pellegrini's team have won four straight league matches and need only to deny West Ham a first away win over them since 2003 to secure the Premier League title.
Team news
West Ham United
• Marco Borriello is the Hammers only injury absentee, with the striker unavailable due to a calf injury.
• Fellow Italian Antonio Nocerino will play no part in the final match of the season after returning to AC Milan following a short loan spell.
Manchester City
• Sergio Aguero is a doubt for the season finale with a hamstring injury making him likely to miss the match.
• Jesus Navas and Matija Nastasic are both out of Sunday's match, with ankle and knee injuries respectively.
Last time out
West Ham United 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Barclays Premier League
3 May 2014
West Ham United: Adrian, Demel, Reid, Tomkins, McCartney, Taylor, Noble, Nolan (Jarvis 88), Diame, Downing, Carroll (C Cole 84)
Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, Collins, Vaz Te, Armero, Nocerino
Goals: Kane og 27, Downing 44
Manchester City 4-0 Aston Villa
Barclays Premier League
7 May 2014
Manchester City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kolarov, Kompany, Demichelis, Toure, Milner (Jovetic 60), Garcia, Silva (Fernandinho 76), Nasri, Dzeko (Negredo 86)
Subs not used: Pantilimon, Richards, Lescott, Clichy
Goals: Dzeko 64, 72; Jovetic 89; Toure 90
Previous meeting
West Ham United 0-3 Manchester City
Capital One Cup semi-final second leg
21 January 2014
The last time West Ham met Manchester City, the game ended in a comprehensive victory which saw the Citizens reach the Capital One Cup final. Trailing 6-0 from the first leg it was always going to be an uphill task for the hosts who were powerless to prevent a further two goals from Alvaro Negredo and one from Sergio Aguero.
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Taylor, Johnson, Tomkins, Rat, Diarra, Nolan, Diame (Collison 89), Morrison, J Cole (Downing 47), Carroll (C Cole 46)
Subs not used: Adrian, Noble, Jarvis, Chambers
Manchester City: Pantilimon, Boyata, Lescott, Nastasic, Clichy, Navas (Kolarov 79), Garcia (Rodwell 63), Fernandinho, Lopes, Negredo, Aguero (Jovetic 65)
Subs not used: Hart, Zabaleta, Dzeko, Demichelis
Goals: Negredo 3, 59; Aguero 24
Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated)
21 January 2014 - West Ham United 0-3 Manchester City (Capital One Cup)
8 January 2014 - Manchester City 6-0 West Ham United (Capital One Cup)
19 October 2013 - West Ham United 1-3 Manchester City
27 April 2013 - Manchester City 2-1 West Ham United
3 November 2012 - West Ham United 0-0 Manchester City
1 May 2011 - Manchester City 2-1 West Ham United
11 December 2010 - West Ham United 1-3 Manchester City
Overall record v Manchester City (all competitions) W 35 D 16 L 46
Ten-year records
West Ham United
2012/13 Premier League 10th (46 points)
2011/12 Championship 3rd (86 points - promoted to Premier League via Play-Offs)
2010/11 Premier League 20th (33 points - relegated to Championship)
2009/10 Premier League 17th (35 points)
2008/09 Premier League 9th (51 points)
2007/08 Premier League 10th (49 points)
2006/07 Premier League 15th (41 points)
2005/06 Premier League 9th (55 points)
2004/05 Championship 6th (73 points - promoted to Premier League via Play-Offs)
2003/04 Division One 4th (74 points)
Manchester City
2012/13 Premier League 2nd (78 points)
2011/12 Premier League 1st (89 points - champions)
2010/11 Premier League 3rd (71 points)
2009/10 Premier League 5th (67 points)
2008/09 Premier League 10th (50 points)
2007/08 Premier League 9th (55 points)
2006/07 Premier League 14th (42 points)
2005/06 Premier League 15th (43 points)
2004/05 Premier League 8th (52 points)
2003/04 Premier League 16th (41 points)
Old boys
• Richard Wright signed for West Ham United in July 2007 following his release by Everton. The goalkeeper did not make a first-team appearance for the Hammers and, after being loaned to Southampton in March 2008, joined Ipswich Town in July of the same year. He is currently with Manchester City
• Other players to have turned out for both clubs include Tal Ben Haim, Craig Bellamy, Wayne Bridge, Ian Bishop, James Cumming, Justin Fashanu, Marc-Vivien Foe, Kevin Horlock, David James, Patrick Leonard, Steve Lomas, Trevor Morley, John Payne, Stuart Pearce, Trevor Sinclair, Carlos Tevez, Paulo Wanchope and Mark Ward.
• Former West Ham United centre-back Malcolm Allison joined Manchester City as assistant manager in 1965. Under the guidance of Allison and manager Joe Mercer, the club enjoyed a sustained period of success, winning the Division One title in 1968, the FA Cup in 1969 and both the League Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup in 1970. After taking over from Mercer in 1971, Allison resigned in March 1973, later returning to Maine Road for a second spell in charge between 1979 and 1980.
• Allison's former West Ham United team-mate John Bond took charge of Manchester City following Allison's departure in October 1983, remaining in charge until February 1983.
• One-time West Ham United left-back Stuart Pearce took charge of Manchester City between March 2005 and May 2007.
Background
• West Ham United have played Manchester City on 97 occasions with the Hammers winning 35, losing 46 and 16 meetings ending as draws.
• The first meeting between the two sides came back on 26 April 1924 when a William Moore goal wasn't enough to prevent the Hammers losing 2-1 at the Boleyn Ground.
• West Ham United's biggest home and away victories over Manchester City both came in the same season - 1962/63. A 6-1 away Division One success on 8 September 1962 was followed by victory by the same scoreline here on 18 May 1963 - a result that relegated the Citizens.
• West Ham United have not scored more than one goal in any of their last 15 matches against Manchester City and have only done so once in the previous 20 meetings - a 2-1 FA Cup sixth-round win at the City of Manchester Stadium on 20 March 2006, when Dean Ashton netted both. Yossi Benayoun also started the game.
• Tony Cottee is the only West Ham United player ever to score a hat-trick against Manchester City. His treble fired the Hammers to a 3-0 Premier League win at the Boleyn Ground on 17 December 1994.
• Peter Dobing scored hat-tricks for Manchester City in both Division One meetings with West Ham United in 1961/62.
• Manchester City have twice recorded 4-0 victories at the Boleyn Ground - both in the old Division One on 24 March 1962 and 6 December 1969.
Referee
• Sunday'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 fourth time this season after taking charge of the Hammers 3-0 win over Fulham in the Barclays Premier League in November, the 5-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup with Budweiser and a 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at the Boleyn Ground.
• Atkinson's assistants on the weekend will be Harry Lennard and Peter Kirkup, while the fourth official will be Neil Swarbrick.
General information
• The weather forecast for Sunday's game is cloudy with showers and temperatures around 11C (52F).
• The Club's allocation of tickets for Sunday's match are SOLD OUT.
• If travelling to the game via train from London, click here for travel updates.
Visiting Supporters Access to the Etihad Campus & Etihad Stadium
In order to ensure that service diversion works can be carried out safely, hoardings have been erected at the South end (away end) of the Etihad Stadium.
This impacts the amount of space immediately outside the visiting supporters entrances and may impact queuing and access through these entrances. To assist fans arriving at the stadium, both additional signage and staff will be in place.
To ensure that supporters enter the stadium via the correct entrances, we have implemented an additional soft ticket check upon arrival. We therefore advise all visiting supporters to arrive early to avoid any delays when entering the stadium.
You can find the Manchester City Visiting Supporter Guide here.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and Manchester City look forward to welcoming you to the Etihad Stadium.
Etihad Stadium Tour
Manchester City invite West Ham fans to complete their matchday experience and take a peek behind the scenes on a professionally guided tour around the Etihad Stadium just hours before the big game.
Take in the full view of the stadium from the Directors seating area before making your way down to pitch-side to feel the pre-match buzz. From there immerse yourself further using a self-guided interactive exhibition area.
To book, please contact the Stadium & Club Tour Office on +44 (0) 161 444 1894 (Option 4 Option 2) quoting Match Day Experience. This exclusive one-hour tour is priced £10 per person. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your tour's departure time in the Colin Bell Stand.
Guests also receive a souvenir club lanyard and tickets include membership of the MCFC supporters' club and a 10% discount in the club shop and hospitality.
To get to the Etihad Stadium, take the Metrolink to Etihad Campus, bus 216 from Piccadilly Gardens, or a taxi from the City Centre to Gate 11 Etihad Campus M11 3FF.
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Kit man Pete hits the road in style
WHUFC.com
West Ham United kit manager Pete Williams has taken possession of a new van courtesy of Vauxhall
10.05.2014
If you are on the road to Manchester City this weekend and pass a smart, new Vauxhall van, it may well be driven by West Ham United kit manager Pete Williams. The van was recently delivered to Chadwell Heath after the Hammers and Wales national team goalkeeper coach Martyn Margetson brokered a deal with Welsh FA sponsor Vauxhall. The smart Movano van will enable Williams and his assistant James Saban to carry the first-team playing kit, gym and medical equipment and other accessories to the Etihad Stadium in style and comfort. "This is massive for us, really," said a grateful Williams, who began his kit management career at Billericay Town many years ago. "Also, in pre-season when we go all over Europe it will be important because we take all the kit with us. It's just magnificent really. "I just want to thank Marge for pushing this forward and getting us the van. This will be a big help for me and the lads. "We never had a kit van at Billericay. I used to put it in the boot of my car when I first started! We've moved a long way forward since then, but I'll never forget my roots and I'll always love Billericay Town."
Margetson said he was just happy to be able to secure a vehicle that will travel thousands of miles over the coming seasons, ensuring the Hammers are always immaculately turned out when they take to the pitch. "Vauxhall sponsor the Welsh FA and Pete needed a new van to get the skips and things to and from the games," said the former Wales international. "There is so much involved now at Premier League level that it doesn't all fit on the team bus. "Pete has a lot of travelling to do up and down the country taking the kit, so with the connection through the Welsh FA and Vauxhall's sponsorship, I started the ball rolling and looked into how we could possibly get a van. To be fair to Vauxhall, they've been brilliant."
While he is not often seen in front of the camera, Williams is one of the most hard-working and dilligent members of staff at the whole Club, and Margetson believes he deserves this important new tool of his trade. "Pete is massive to the Club. We're at Premier League level so players don't have just one pair of boots. Each player individually needs four or five pairs of different boots and shin pads and different pieces of kit. "Week-in, week-out, he ensures all the kit is there and ready and that's why he needs such a big van."
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Cullen's final goal
WHUFC.com
Josh Cullen's aspiration is to help West Ham United reach the Barclays U18 Premier League Play-Off final
09.05.2014
Josh Cullen would love to complete a fine personal week by helping West Ham United reach the Barclays U18 Premier League Play-Off final. The Hammers reached the Play-Offs after finishing second in the Southern Division and travel to Northern Division champions Manchester City for a one-legged semi-final on Saturday morning. While West Ham will be the outsiders in the 11am kick-off at Platt Lane, Republic of Ireland U18 international Cullen is determined to end a memorable week on a high, having secured the Dylan Tombides Award for the Academy's best player of the season on Tuesday evening. "We're in the Play-Offs and have a big match at Manchester City on Saturday and hopefully we can get the result there and finish the season well by ultimately winning the league," said the midfielder. "That's our aim as a team."
For Cullen, victory at Manchester City would give him the chance to lift a second piece of silverware after he was picked to win the Dylan Tombides Award ahead of 19-goal captain Kieran Bywater and full-back Lewis Page by Academy Director Tony Carr MBE. "It's credit to all the other lads, as well, because they've been excellent this season. I don't think you could pick too many players and say they haven't had a good season, so I was pleased I managed to get the award. It's a great achievement for me and also for the other two nominees, who have also had very good seasons."
A central midfield player who joined West Ham from junior club Rayleigh Boys as a nine-year-old, Cullen has long been considered one of the brightest prospects within the Academy. Having turned 18 just last month, he is already targeting a place in the first-team squad after making nine Barclays U21 Premier League appearances in 2013/14. "It's about trying to push for the first team now. It's been good stepping up to the Development Squad this season, but it's about taking it to the next level and hopefully I've settled in quite well. Hopefully I can push on next season and get in and around the first team and get that experience, because that's what it's all about. "I try to work on all the aspects of my game. Being a modern midfielder is not easy because you've got to be able to do a lot of different things. I'm constantly working on my game, training hard and hoping to improve and become an all-round midfielder."
While a first-team squad place at West Ham is Cullen's long-term aim, he also holds international ambitions. After helping England U16s to win the Victory Shield in 2011, the teenager has switched allegiance to Republic of Ireland, where his family hail from. Having featured twice for the Irish U18s in friendly matches with Czech Republic in April this year, the Westcliff-on-Sea born player is hoping to pull on the green shirt again in the near future. "It's a great privilege to play international football. I played for England which was a nice touch, but now I've moved to play for Ireland as I have family who are fully Irish. It's representing a country I care about and it's another chance to show what I can do at a another level. "We have got the UEFA European U19 Championship qualifiers next season, so that's another aim, to keep pushing on there and see what comes of it."
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Matty wants to win at City
WHUFC.com
In-form midfielder Matt Taylor wants to end the 2013/14 season on a high at Manchester City
09.05.2014
West Ham United head for the Etihad Stadium on Sunday knowing only a win will realistically deny hosts Manchester City the Barclays Premier League title.
While the bookmakers, pundits and fans of title rivals Liverpool likely consider the Hammers to be massive outsiders to score a victory, midfielder Matt Taylor would love nothing more than to do just that. Having started all eight of West Ham's wins since the turn of the year, the No14 is aiming to end a fantastic 2014 on a high by making that nine this weekend. "I am delighted with the way things have gone, of course, because at the beginning of the season I struggled to get into the team and, at times, struggled to get into the 18-man matchday squad," said Taylor. "I was given the opportunity and I took it. "Obviously it's about the team, though. We have been very resilient and have kept a lot of clean sheets and we are looking forward to ending the season on a high now [at Manchester City]. Had we scored a few more goals, we'd probably be sitting prettier in the league. "Personally, I've enjoyed it. You do get disappointed when you're not playing, which is a natural human reaction, but I was given the opportunity to come into the team and asked to do a specific job and I felt I did that. For a little bit, the pressure was off because nobody expected me to come in and play well, but I obviously backed myself in terms of performing and I felt I did well, so I can't really complain. "The older you get, you sometimes start to think everything is behind you, but the important thing for me now is that I think things are still in front of me after this season."
Looking back on the past season, one might expect Taylor's block-laden performance in the pivotal goalless draw at Chelsea in January to be his personal highlight, but you would be wrong. Instead, the 32-year-old picked out the 2-1 Capital One Cup fifth-round win at Tottenham Hotspur in December as his favourite moment of 2013/14. "I enjoyed the win away in the cup against Tottenham, purely and simply because the manager named a lot of the boys who were in a similar situation to me. We weren't playing, but we went out and stayed in the game at vital times when we had to. "When they scored, we could have gone under because it was Tim Sherwood's first home game in charge, but we came back and were fantastic. We got a well-deserved result and we progressed in the competition - it's just a shame how it went after that!"
Taylor joined West Ham following the Club's relegation in 2011 and has enjoyed many other memorable moments over the past three seasons - most notably setting up Carlton Cole's opener in the 2012 Championship Play-Off final win over Blackpool at Wembley. The midfielder's contract expires in June and, whatever happens this summer, he has thoroughly enjoyed his time in east London. "I've been very fortunate to play here. It's arguably the biggest club I have played for in terms of fans and structure, so I've enjoyed my time here. Whether or not that time is up, I don't know. I haven't had that conversation with the manager yet. Hopefully, playing the way I have done in the last three or four months will give me some options, but we'll have to wait and see. "As a footballer and football supporter, all I want to see is players giving 100 per cent and that's what I do week-in, week-out. I have been moved into a slightly different position now, but I've thoroughly enjoyed it. "We have a great group of lads here as well, so it's been good for us to try and achieve things together."
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Phil Parkes battling cancer
KUMb.com
Filed: Saturday, 10th May 2014
By: Staff Writer
The man who may just be West Ham United's greatest goalkeeper of all time has been diagnosed with bowel cancer. Phil Parkes, who played for the Hammers (primarily under John Lyall) between 1979 and 1990 is to undergo surgery shortly having been diagnosed with the disease, which is the third most-commonly diagnosed variant of cancer worldwide. When Phil, now 63, moved from QPR to West Ham in 1979 for £565,000 he became the most expensive goalkeeper in the world - a title currently held by Gianluigi Buffon who cost Juventus £32.6m in 2001. Parkes went on to make 344 appearances for West Ham including appearances in the 1980 FA Cup Final and the 1981 League Cup Final. He was also key to the Hammers' highest ever top flight finish, third place in the 1985/86 season. Everyone at KUMB.com would like to wish Phil the very best of luck.
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West Ham's Adrian out to spoil Manchester City title party
Last Updated: 10/05/14 2:53pm
SSN
Goalkeeper Adrian insists West Ham United travel to the Etihad Stadium determined to upset Manchester City's Premier League title bid. Manuel Pellegrini's side enter the final day of the season knowing victory over West Ham would seal them a second championship in three years. However Adrian, who has overlooked six of West Ham's 14 clean sheets this season, claims his side travel to Manchester with nothing but victory on their minds. Sam Allardyce's side retained a clean sheet against Europa League chasing Tottenham last weekend and Adrian believes there is no reason they cannot replicate that against the Premier League leaders. "We're going to City only thinking about victory," the Spaniard told The Sun. "Although we're safe, we have pride. We're professionals and go into this game looking to finish the season with a win. "No doubt it's going to be a very tough match. But this game is very different to the defeat in the Capital One Cup because City have that pressure of needing a result to win the title. "And we're now safe - we want to sign off with a result for our loyal fans and ourselves."
Attacking
City became only the second side to score 100 goals in a Premier League season when they beat Aston Villa 4-0 and Adrian is wary of threat posed by the free-scoring attackers. "The biggest thing that has struck me is the respect English people have for one another. You can go out and dress in any way, sport whatever haircuts, be shaved or unshaven, and people will respect you for what you are, not for your appearance." "City have a great squad with good attacking players like [Edin] Dzeko, [Alvaro] Negredo, [Sergio] Aguero, [Samir] Nasri and [David] Silva," he acknowledged. "Yet we have proved this season that when we work very hard, which has happened on a number of occasions, we can keep clean sheets. "We train every day this style - to be strong and united in defence and then counter-attack and be good at set-plays." Adrian, who joined the capital club from Real Betis in the summer, was honoured with awards for signing, performance and save of the season at the club's annual celebration and revealed he has enjoyed his first year in England.
Unbelievable
"It was an unbelievable evening for me to be given a hat-trick of awards, I must thank the fans so much," he added. "My first season here in England has been positive because I've found a good group of team-mates, who have helped me adapt to a new club, culture and a new style of playing. "Personally, I'm so happy to get the confidence of the manager and West Ham fans. The best moment for me was that match against Chelsea away - because it was very busy in the goal and I kept a clean sheet. "It was a perfect point earned for us that night. We will try to do this again at City." The 27-year-old revealed his love for the English capital and admits he has been amazed by the warmth of welcome he has received. "I've fallen in love with London and enjoyed going to the theatre or catching a movie with my girlfriend," he said. "The biggest thing that has struck me is the respect English people have for one another. You can go out and dress in any way, sport whatever haircuts, be shaved or unshaven, and people will respect you for what you are, not for your appearance. "And it doesn't matter if you are a banker, builder, professional footballer or cleaner. This is a fantastic country and I love being here."
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Sam Allardyce has full backing of West Ham squad
Last Updated: 11/05/14 6:55am
SSN
Kevin Nolan has admitted he was shocked by reports West Ham were planning to remove manager Sam Allardyce. Allardyce guided the Hammers to Premier League safety but he has been the subject of criticism from supporters and reports on Thursday suggested he was facing the sack after Sunday's clash with Manchester City. But Nolan, who played under Allardyce at Bolton, says the squad is firmly behind their manager and issued a passionate plea to the Hammers board to stick by him. "It shocked a lot of the boys," he said. "We found it all quite surprising to be honest and we are still quite shocked that people can write that stuff. "If you ask anyone in that dressing room, the gaffer has got the full backing of every one of us. "It's a sad occasion when we are talking about him getting sacked after the magnificent job he has done over the last three seasons and I've been a part of that with him. "I've seen the difference he's made from when he first walked in - the state of the club from then to what it is now - I'm sure the owners would recognise the magnificent job he's done. "I firmly believe and the gaffer firmly believes we could have done a lot better, we know that, but there's been some massive obstacles. "So I'd tell the chairman you've got to stick with him because you've only got to look at what he built at Bolton. "He took us from a Championship side to Europe in five years and his record speaks for itself when he's given time to develop a club."
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WEST HAM LEGENDS FACE SURGERY
By Sean Whetstone 10 May 2014 at 22:23
West Ham Till I Die
Sad news has broken that two West Ham Legends Phil Parkes and Ray Stewart are seriously ill and both are soon to face major surgery.
Phil Parkes has been diagnosed with Bowell Cancer and faces surgery as part of his treatment in his battle with the illness that took the life of Bobby Moore.
Phil made over 400 appearances for West Ham after joining from QPR for a record transfer fee in 1979. If you are not so familiar with his hammers career you can find more out more from this article by Tony Hanna published late last year HERE
Ray Stewart faces open heart surgery, revealed by West Ham photographer Stevie Bacon on social media this evening. Ray made 432 appearances for West Ham and scored 84 goals from right back. All but eight of his goals were from the penalty spot. Tony Hanna also published an article earlier this year on his career with West Ham which can be read HERE
All of us here at WHTID wish them both a speedy and full recovery.
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"I HAVE MORE AMBITION THAN WEST HAM" - ALLARDYCE'S SUICIDE NOTE OF AN INTERVIEW
By Iain Dale 10 May 2014 at 10:
West Ham Till I Die
Perhaps Sam Allardyce sees what is coming. Perhaps he has a death wish, but if I were David Sullivan I'd be fuming over an interview Sam Allardyce has given to the Daily Mail. In the interview he questions whether West Ham match his own ambition. How arrogant can you get. This is the relevant part…
'I have more ambition than West Ham ever have. I have more ambition than them, or the same ambition as them. I want to get into Europe. I want to get into the new stadium. I want to win a cup. If I don't have ambition I don't do this job. If I don't have drive, or motivation, I don't do this job. I am ambitious. I have seen it all before and you use your experience to try to achieve that ambition. Can West Ham match my ambition? Eventually, yes. It is whether everyone is patient enough to wait to get there. That is the problem today: a lack of patience across the board.'
Self indulgent rubbish. Managers have been sacked for less. I detect no lack of ambition among either the fans or the owners. What I do detect is a lack of ambition among the management to play the kind of football that we're used to.
Of course there's always the possibility that his words have been twisted or selectively quoted, but it doesn't look like that to me.
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Hubris the Wonderhorse
Nick Miller
theguardian.com, Thursday 8 May 2014 16.23 BST
FATE ACCOMPLI
Sam Allardyce's reputation has taken something of a hit this season. When he hasn't been guzzling his third goose fat milkshake of the morning, Allardyce has been cupping his ears, counter-productively enhancing the sound of the boos ringing out from those West Ham fans impertinent enough to think the gruel with water that's been shoved into their faces isn't particularly satisfying, just because it's keeping them alive. In fact, so little does Manuel Pellegrini think of Sam and his Hammers that the Chilean, who has hitherto skilfully avoided saying anything at all of interest since arriving at Manchester City, has chosen this moment to clamber atop Hubris the Wonderhorse and load up a Noel's House Party-style gunge tank with egg, leaving it perilously close to his face.
City, of course, gave Aston Villa a not-entirely convincing 4-0 shoeing on Wednesday night, helped by two goals from Edin Dzeko (surely the best bad footballer the Premier League has to offer), and thus only realistically require a draw against Sam's West Ham to secure the Premier League title on Sunday. Which will definitely happen, because as this season has repeatedly demonstrated, when a good team plays a bad team, the good team always, always, always wins. Without exception. Every time.
More than that, Pellegrini is already looking beyond actually winning the thing, and towards the manner in which they will swat West Ham aside. "Now we can talk about the title because if we win the next game we are going to win it," Pellegrini mused, briefly looking up from ordering a job lot of blue and white ribbons and ticker tape. "We could not do the same before this game because we had to beat Aston Villa. I think it will be very important, not only the title but in the way we are going to win the title if finally we win it." He continued, not really giving the words coming out of his mouth his full attention because the website of this trophy polish company he's ordering an extra batch from is a bit tricky to navigate: "We have a style of play. I think we are an attractive team, we score many goals and we are always thinking to score more goals. That to me has the same importance as winning the title."
It does seem to be a curious time to tempt fate, not least because it isn't like the old boy doesn't have a pretty recent cautionary tale on which to call. The reason that City are in this enviable position is because Liverpool got ahead of themselves on Monday night against Crystal Palace, comically trying to wipe out the massive goal difference … erm … difference between them and City, absent-mindedly forgetting to make sure they actually won the bloody game first. Thus, instead of Liverpool taking a puncher's chance into the final day, they were left with grown men blubbing on national television and a final 10 minutes that resembled Sideshow Bob stepping on all the rakes.
No matter, for Pellegrini has saddled up Hubris the Wonderhorse, fed him a few cubes of pride sugar and is riding him straight towards Big Sam's lot, confident they will provide all the resistance of a bungee cord made of candy floss, and like good old sports simply step aside and allow City win the title with a flourish. Because that's how it's going to happen. The good team is going to beat the bad team. It always, always, always happens. Without exception. Every time. Full speed ahead Hubris! Fly like the wind!
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Allardyce braced for sacking by West Ham following season finale at Manchester City
May 10, 2014 23:00 By Steve Bates
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce is preparing for the bullet from Upton Park after admitting: "If Manchester United can sack David Moyes then West Ham can dump me", writes Steve Bates in the Sunday People. The Hammers' boss has been under fire from fans who don't like his style of football – despite guiding the east London club to promotion to the Premier League and keeping them there the last two seasons. West Ham are currently 12th as they prepare to face Champions elect Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium today. But some sources suggest Allardyce will be sacked by co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold next week.
Allardyce said: "If United can get rid of David Moyes 10 months into a six-year contract then West Ham can sack me. "I've heard the rumours but I've been in the game a long time, so I'll wait and see what happens."
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West Ham captain Kevin Nolan won't say sorry to fans for their disappointing season
May 10, 2014 22:30 By Steve Stammers
The Mirror
Kevin Nolan has contradicted his West Ham boardroom boss by insisting NO apology is needed by the players at the end of a disappointing campaign. The Hammers' co-chairman David Sullivan said at the club's end-of-season awards dinner: "I want to apologise to the supporters for this season. "It has not been good enough. We will sit down next week and look at what we need to take things forward." But Nolan – whose team can have a major say in the destiny of the Premier League title when they take on Manchester City at the Etihad – declared: "Apologise? No I wouldn't go along with that. "I think this season has been a testing season for us all. It is the owner's prerogative to say what he wants, the way he sees it. "But I think if he looks back on this season, he will see how difficult it has been. It has been a tough old season, I am not going to deny that. But I don't think there is a need to apologise to the fans. "If you speak to the fans, I don't think they would want an apology. The minority might, the majority won't. "What they have seen this year is that they have a team who really want to play for this club and really want to do well for this club and I am sure, given time with this squad, and hopefully with a few new additions that the gaffer will be sorting out this summer, you will see a different us next season."
And he pointed to the manner of the 2-0 win over Tottenham eight days ago as proof that West Ham are not content to play percentage football geared just for survival. He said: "Anyone who was here for that game cannot say we are a long-ball team." Nolan then made an impassioned defence of manager Sam Allardyce, whose position has been open to question in recent weeks – including a banner calling for his dismissal during the 1-0 defeat at West Brom. "The talk about Sam shocked a lot of the boys," said Nolan, who played for Allardyce at Bolton. "All I would say is that the Gaffer has got us all behind him. From day one, when he walked in here, he has proved to everyone what he can do. "This year we have been blighted by injuries. I don't think any other team in the bottom 10 would have been able to stay in the Premier League if they had the injuries we had."
Allardyce will have an end-of-season de-brief later this week, and Nolan said: "I would tell the chairman you have to stick with him because you have to look at what he built at Bolton. He took them from the Championship into Europe within five years. "It is a sad occasion when we are talking about him getting sacked when you look at the magnificent job he has done for three seasons." Nolan – who was at Liverpool as a schoolboy before leaving to join Bolton – is a fan of the Anfield club and has been inundated with messages in the last week pleading for a West Ham win against the odds . "You have to go there and believe you can win," said Nolan, mindful of the 6-0 thrashing dished out by City to West Ham in the Capital One Cup. "If you lay down, another 6-0 can happen to you. It will be a different game this time. All the pressure is on them."
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Sam Allardyce West Ham sacking IS under consideration by Hammers' top brass
May 08, 2014 18:45 By John Cross
The Mirror
The Upton Park club's hierarchy are considering axing Big Sam after the club's final game of the season, at champions-elect Manchester City on Sunday.
Manager Allardyce has upset the Hammers' fans this season with his style of play, defiant refusal to change his methods and open mocking of the supporters' grumblings. That has left West Ham co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold in a difficult position, and they believe the time may have come to make a change. Allardyce has been planning for the future, looking at new signings and budgets for next season, but time and patience is running out - and it is the backlash from supporters which has really put his job on the line. West Ham will consider their next move, and the emphasis will be to return to their footballing traditions. Allardyce made noises recently that he is reluctant to go in that direction and that safety from relegation comes first, and the club's hierarchy are concerned about the future.
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WHUFC.com
West Ham journey to Manchester City on Sunday for their final Barclays Premier League game of the season
10.05.2014
MANCHESTER CITY v WEST HAM UNITED
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
ETIHAD STADIUM
SUNDAY 11 MAY 2014
KICK-OFF: 3PM
REFEREE: MARTIN ATKINSON
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
Introduction
• West Ham United face Manchester City for the fourth time this season when they play their final Barclays Premier League fixture of the campaign at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
• Sam Allardyce's side have lost all three meetings with the Citizens this season, including a 3-1 loss in the reverse fixture.
• The Hammers do however head into the season finale having produced a superb performance to beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 at the Boleyn Ground last time out, securing their top flight status.
• West Ham can't finish any higher than their current placing of 12th, but could drop down to 15th if all results go against them on the final day.
• Exactly half of the Hammers 14 clean sheets this season have come away from home, a statistic they will be hoping to add to against the free-scoring hosts.
• Manuel Pellegrini's team will be crowned champions if they manage to beat West Ham on Sunday, with a draw also likely to be sufficient for the home side.
• The Sky Blues beat Aston Villa 4-0 at home on Wednesday night to rack up 100 goals for the league campaign and return to the summit of the Premier League.
• City have been formidable at the Etihad this season, winning 16 of their 18 league outings on home turf and losing just once, a 1-0 loss against Chelsea in February.
• Pellegrini's team have won four straight league matches and need only to deny West Ham a first away win over them since 2003 to secure the Premier League title.
Team news
West Ham United
• Marco Borriello is the Hammers only injury absentee, with the striker unavailable due to a calf injury.
• Fellow Italian Antonio Nocerino will play no part in the final match of the season after returning to AC Milan following a short loan spell.
Manchester City
• Sergio Aguero is a doubt for the season finale with a hamstring injury making him likely to miss the match.
• Jesus Navas and Matija Nastasic are both out of Sunday's match, with ankle and knee injuries respectively.
Last time out
West Ham United 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Barclays Premier League
3 May 2014
West Ham United: Adrian, Demel, Reid, Tomkins, McCartney, Taylor, Noble, Nolan (Jarvis 88), Diame, Downing, Carroll (C Cole 84)
Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, Collins, Vaz Te, Armero, Nocerino
Goals: Kane og 27, Downing 44
Manchester City 4-0 Aston Villa
Barclays Premier League
7 May 2014
Manchester City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kolarov, Kompany, Demichelis, Toure, Milner (Jovetic 60), Garcia, Silva (Fernandinho 76), Nasri, Dzeko (Negredo 86)
Subs not used: Pantilimon, Richards, Lescott, Clichy
Goals: Dzeko 64, 72; Jovetic 89; Toure 90
Previous meeting
West Ham United 0-3 Manchester City
Capital One Cup semi-final second leg
21 January 2014
The last time West Ham met Manchester City, the game ended in a comprehensive victory which saw the Citizens reach the Capital One Cup final. Trailing 6-0 from the first leg it was always going to be an uphill task for the hosts who were powerless to prevent a further two goals from Alvaro Negredo and one from Sergio Aguero.
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Taylor, Johnson, Tomkins, Rat, Diarra, Nolan, Diame (Collison 89), Morrison, J Cole (Downing 47), Carroll (C Cole 46)
Subs not used: Adrian, Noble, Jarvis, Chambers
Manchester City: Pantilimon, Boyata, Lescott, Nastasic, Clichy, Navas (Kolarov 79), Garcia (Rodwell 63), Fernandinho, Lopes, Negredo, Aguero (Jovetic 65)
Subs not used: Hart, Zabaleta, Dzeko, Demichelis
Goals: Negredo 3, 59; Aguero 24
Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated)
21 January 2014 - West Ham United 0-3 Manchester City (Capital One Cup)
8 January 2014 - Manchester City 6-0 West Ham United (Capital One Cup)
19 October 2013 - West Ham United 1-3 Manchester City
27 April 2013 - Manchester City 2-1 West Ham United
3 November 2012 - West Ham United 0-0 Manchester City
1 May 2011 - Manchester City 2-1 West Ham United
11 December 2010 - West Ham United 1-3 Manchester City
Overall record v Manchester City (all competitions) W 35 D 16 L 46
Ten-year records
West Ham United
2012/13 Premier League 10th (46 points)
2011/12 Championship 3rd (86 points - promoted to Premier League via Play-Offs)
2010/11 Premier League 20th (33 points - relegated to Championship)
2009/10 Premier League 17th (35 points)
2008/09 Premier League 9th (51 points)
2007/08 Premier League 10th (49 points)
2006/07 Premier League 15th (41 points)
2005/06 Premier League 9th (55 points)
2004/05 Championship 6th (73 points - promoted to Premier League via Play-Offs)
2003/04 Division One 4th (74 points)
Manchester City
2012/13 Premier League 2nd (78 points)
2011/12 Premier League 1st (89 points - champions)
2010/11 Premier League 3rd (71 points)
2009/10 Premier League 5th (67 points)
2008/09 Premier League 10th (50 points)
2007/08 Premier League 9th (55 points)
2006/07 Premier League 14th (42 points)
2005/06 Premier League 15th (43 points)
2004/05 Premier League 8th (52 points)
2003/04 Premier League 16th (41 points)
Old boys
• Richard Wright signed for West Ham United in July 2007 following his release by Everton. The goalkeeper did not make a first-team appearance for the Hammers and, after being loaned to Southampton in March 2008, joined Ipswich Town in July of the same year. He is currently with Manchester City
• Other players to have turned out for both clubs include Tal Ben Haim, Craig Bellamy, Wayne Bridge, Ian Bishop, James Cumming, Justin Fashanu, Marc-Vivien Foe, Kevin Horlock, David James, Patrick Leonard, Steve Lomas, Trevor Morley, John Payne, Stuart Pearce, Trevor Sinclair, Carlos Tevez, Paulo Wanchope and Mark Ward.
• Former West Ham United centre-back Malcolm Allison joined Manchester City as assistant manager in 1965. Under the guidance of Allison and manager Joe Mercer, the club enjoyed a sustained period of success, winning the Division One title in 1968, the FA Cup in 1969 and both the League Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup in 1970. After taking over from Mercer in 1971, Allison resigned in March 1973, later returning to Maine Road for a second spell in charge between 1979 and 1980.
• Allison's former West Ham United team-mate John Bond took charge of Manchester City following Allison's departure in October 1983, remaining in charge until February 1983.
• One-time West Ham United left-back Stuart Pearce took charge of Manchester City between March 2005 and May 2007.
Background
• West Ham United have played Manchester City on 97 occasions with the Hammers winning 35, losing 46 and 16 meetings ending as draws.
• The first meeting between the two sides came back on 26 April 1924 when a William Moore goal wasn't enough to prevent the Hammers losing 2-1 at the Boleyn Ground.
• West Ham United's biggest home and away victories over Manchester City both came in the same season - 1962/63. A 6-1 away Division One success on 8 September 1962 was followed by victory by the same scoreline here on 18 May 1963 - a result that relegated the Citizens.
• West Ham United have not scored more than one goal in any of their last 15 matches against Manchester City and have only done so once in the previous 20 meetings - a 2-1 FA Cup sixth-round win at the City of Manchester Stadium on 20 March 2006, when Dean Ashton netted both. Yossi Benayoun also started the game.
• Tony Cottee is the only West Ham United player ever to score a hat-trick against Manchester City. His treble fired the Hammers to a 3-0 Premier League win at the Boleyn Ground on 17 December 1994.
• Peter Dobing scored hat-tricks for Manchester City in both Division One meetings with West Ham United in 1961/62.
• Manchester City have twice recorded 4-0 victories at the Boleyn Ground - both in the old Division One on 24 March 1962 and 6 December 1969.
Referee
• Sunday'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 fourth time this season after taking charge of the Hammers 3-0 win over Fulham in the Barclays Premier League in November, the 5-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup with Budweiser and a 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at the Boleyn Ground.
• Atkinson's assistants on the weekend will be Harry Lennard and Peter Kirkup, while the fourth official will be Neil Swarbrick.
General information
• The weather forecast for Sunday's game is cloudy with showers and temperatures around 11C (52F).
• The Club's allocation of tickets for Sunday's match are SOLD OUT.
• If travelling to the game via train from London, click here for travel updates.
Visiting Supporters Access to the Etihad Campus & Etihad Stadium
In order to ensure that service diversion works can be carried out safely, hoardings have been erected at the South end (away end) of the Etihad Stadium.
This impacts the amount of space immediately outside the visiting supporters entrances and may impact queuing and access through these entrances. To assist fans arriving at the stadium, both additional signage and staff will be in place.
To ensure that supporters enter the stadium via the correct entrances, we have implemented an additional soft ticket check upon arrival. We therefore advise all visiting supporters to arrive early to avoid any delays when entering the stadium.
You can find the Manchester City Visiting Supporter Guide here.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and Manchester City look forward to welcoming you to the Etihad Stadium.
Etihad Stadium Tour
Manchester City invite West Ham fans to complete their matchday experience and take a peek behind the scenes on a professionally guided tour around the Etihad Stadium just hours before the big game.
Take in the full view of the stadium from the Directors seating area before making your way down to pitch-side to feel the pre-match buzz. From there immerse yourself further using a self-guided interactive exhibition area.
To book, please contact the Stadium & Club Tour Office on +44 (0) 161 444 1894 (Option 4 Option 2) quoting Match Day Experience. This exclusive one-hour tour is priced £10 per person. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your tour's departure time in the Colin Bell Stand.
Guests also receive a souvenir club lanyard and tickets include membership of the MCFC supporters' club and a 10% discount in the club shop and hospitality.
To get to the Etihad Stadium, take the Metrolink to Etihad Campus, bus 216 from Piccadilly Gardens, or a taxi from the City Centre to Gate 11 Etihad Campus M11 3FF.
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Kit man Pete hits the road in style
WHUFC.com
West Ham United kit manager Pete Williams has taken possession of a new van courtesy of Vauxhall
10.05.2014
If you are on the road to Manchester City this weekend and pass a smart, new Vauxhall van, it may well be driven by West Ham United kit manager Pete Williams. The van was recently delivered to Chadwell Heath after the Hammers and Wales national team goalkeeper coach Martyn Margetson brokered a deal with Welsh FA sponsor Vauxhall. The smart Movano van will enable Williams and his assistant James Saban to carry the first-team playing kit, gym and medical equipment and other accessories to the Etihad Stadium in style and comfort. "This is massive for us, really," said a grateful Williams, who began his kit management career at Billericay Town many years ago. "Also, in pre-season when we go all over Europe it will be important because we take all the kit with us. It's just magnificent really. "I just want to thank Marge for pushing this forward and getting us the van. This will be a big help for me and the lads. "We never had a kit van at Billericay. I used to put it in the boot of my car when I first started! We've moved a long way forward since then, but I'll never forget my roots and I'll always love Billericay Town."
Margetson said he was just happy to be able to secure a vehicle that will travel thousands of miles over the coming seasons, ensuring the Hammers are always immaculately turned out when they take to the pitch. "Vauxhall sponsor the Welsh FA and Pete needed a new van to get the skips and things to and from the games," said the former Wales international. "There is so much involved now at Premier League level that it doesn't all fit on the team bus. "Pete has a lot of travelling to do up and down the country taking the kit, so with the connection through the Welsh FA and Vauxhall's sponsorship, I started the ball rolling and looked into how we could possibly get a van. To be fair to Vauxhall, they've been brilliant."
While he is not often seen in front of the camera, Williams is one of the most hard-working and dilligent members of staff at the whole Club, and Margetson believes he deserves this important new tool of his trade. "Pete is massive to the Club. We're at Premier League level so players don't have just one pair of boots. Each player individually needs four or five pairs of different boots and shin pads and different pieces of kit. "Week-in, week-out, he ensures all the kit is there and ready and that's why he needs such a big van."
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Cullen's final goal
WHUFC.com
Josh Cullen's aspiration is to help West Ham United reach the Barclays U18 Premier League Play-Off final
09.05.2014
Josh Cullen would love to complete a fine personal week by helping West Ham United reach the Barclays U18 Premier League Play-Off final. The Hammers reached the Play-Offs after finishing second in the Southern Division and travel to Northern Division champions Manchester City for a one-legged semi-final on Saturday morning. While West Ham will be the outsiders in the 11am kick-off at Platt Lane, Republic of Ireland U18 international Cullen is determined to end a memorable week on a high, having secured the Dylan Tombides Award for the Academy's best player of the season on Tuesday evening. "We're in the Play-Offs and have a big match at Manchester City on Saturday and hopefully we can get the result there and finish the season well by ultimately winning the league," said the midfielder. "That's our aim as a team."
For Cullen, victory at Manchester City would give him the chance to lift a second piece of silverware after he was picked to win the Dylan Tombides Award ahead of 19-goal captain Kieran Bywater and full-back Lewis Page by Academy Director Tony Carr MBE. "It's credit to all the other lads, as well, because they've been excellent this season. I don't think you could pick too many players and say they haven't had a good season, so I was pleased I managed to get the award. It's a great achievement for me and also for the other two nominees, who have also had very good seasons."
A central midfield player who joined West Ham from junior club Rayleigh Boys as a nine-year-old, Cullen has long been considered one of the brightest prospects within the Academy. Having turned 18 just last month, he is already targeting a place in the first-team squad after making nine Barclays U21 Premier League appearances in 2013/14. "It's about trying to push for the first team now. It's been good stepping up to the Development Squad this season, but it's about taking it to the next level and hopefully I've settled in quite well. Hopefully I can push on next season and get in and around the first team and get that experience, because that's what it's all about. "I try to work on all the aspects of my game. Being a modern midfielder is not easy because you've got to be able to do a lot of different things. I'm constantly working on my game, training hard and hoping to improve and become an all-round midfielder."
While a first-team squad place at West Ham is Cullen's long-term aim, he also holds international ambitions. After helping England U16s to win the Victory Shield in 2011, the teenager has switched allegiance to Republic of Ireland, where his family hail from. Having featured twice for the Irish U18s in friendly matches with Czech Republic in April this year, the Westcliff-on-Sea born player is hoping to pull on the green shirt again in the near future. "It's a great privilege to play international football. I played for England which was a nice touch, but now I've moved to play for Ireland as I have family who are fully Irish. It's representing a country I care about and it's another chance to show what I can do at a another level. "We have got the UEFA European U19 Championship qualifiers next season, so that's another aim, to keep pushing on there and see what comes of it."
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Matty wants to win at City
WHUFC.com
In-form midfielder Matt Taylor wants to end the 2013/14 season on a high at Manchester City
09.05.2014
West Ham United head for the Etihad Stadium on Sunday knowing only a win will realistically deny hosts Manchester City the Barclays Premier League title.
While the bookmakers, pundits and fans of title rivals Liverpool likely consider the Hammers to be massive outsiders to score a victory, midfielder Matt Taylor would love nothing more than to do just that. Having started all eight of West Ham's wins since the turn of the year, the No14 is aiming to end a fantastic 2014 on a high by making that nine this weekend. "I am delighted with the way things have gone, of course, because at the beginning of the season I struggled to get into the team and, at times, struggled to get into the 18-man matchday squad," said Taylor. "I was given the opportunity and I took it. "Obviously it's about the team, though. We have been very resilient and have kept a lot of clean sheets and we are looking forward to ending the season on a high now [at Manchester City]. Had we scored a few more goals, we'd probably be sitting prettier in the league. "Personally, I've enjoyed it. You do get disappointed when you're not playing, which is a natural human reaction, but I was given the opportunity to come into the team and asked to do a specific job and I felt I did that. For a little bit, the pressure was off because nobody expected me to come in and play well, but I obviously backed myself in terms of performing and I felt I did well, so I can't really complain. "The older you get, you sometimes start to think everything is behind you, but the important thing for me now is that I think things are still in front of me after this season."
Looking back on the past season, one might expect Taylor's block-laden performance in the pivotal goalless draw at Chelsea in January to be his personal highlight, but you would be wrong. Instead, the 32-year-old picked out the 2-1 Capital One Cup fifth-round win at Tottenham Hotspur in December as his favourite moment of 2013/14. "I enjoyed the win away in the cup against Tottenham, purely and simply because the manager named a lot of the boys who were in a similar situation to me. We weren't playing, but we went out and stayed in the game at vital times when we had to. "When they scored, we could have gone under because it was Tim Sherwood's first home game in charge, but we came back and were fantastic. We got a well-deserved result and we progressed in the competition - it's just a shame how it went after that!"
Taylor joined West Ham following the Club's relegation in 2011 and has enjoyed many other memorable moments over the past three seasons - most notably setting up Carlton Cole's opener in the 2012 Championship Play-Off final win over Blackpool at Wembley. The midfielder's contract expires in June and, whatever happens this summer, he has thoroughly enjoyed his time in east London. "I've been very fortunate to play here. It's arguably the biggest club I have played for in terms of fans and structure, so I've enjoyed my time here. Whether or not that time is up, I don't know. I haven't had that conversation with the manager yet. Hopefully, playing the way I have done in the last three or four months will give me some options, but we'll have to wait and see. "As a footballer and football supporter, all I want to see is players giving 100 per cent and that's what I do week-in, week-out. I have been moved into a slightly different position now, but I've thoroughly enjoyed it. "We have a great group of lads here as well, so it's been good for us to try and achieve things together."
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Phil Parkes battling cancer
KUMb.com
Filed: Saturday, 10th May 2014
By: Staff Writer
The man who may just be West Ham United's greatest goalkeeper of all time has been diagnosed with bowel cancer. Phil Parkes, who played for the Hammers (primarily under John Lyall) between 1979 and 1990 is to undergo surgery shortly having been diagnosed with the disease, which is the third most-commonly diagnosed variant of cancer worldwide. When Phil, now 63, moved from QPR to West Ham in 1979 for £565,000 he became the most expensive goalkeeper in the world - a title currently held by Gianluigi Buffon who cost Juventus £32.6m in 2001. Parkes went on to make 344 appearances for West Ham including appearances in the 1980 FA Cup Final and the 1981 League Cup Final. He was also key to the Hammers' highest ever top flight finish, third place in the 1985/86 season. Everyone at KUMB.com would like to wish Phil the very best of luck.
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West Ham's Adrian out to spoil Manchester City title party
Last Updated: 10/05/14 2:53pm
SSN
Goalkeeper Adrian insists West Ham United travel to the Etihad Stadium determined to upset Manchester City's Premier League title bid. Manuel Pellegrini's side enter the final day of the season knowing victory over West Ham would seal them a second championship in three years. However Adrian, who has overlooked six of West Ham's 14 clean sheets this season, claims his side travel to Manchester with nothing but victory on their minds. Sam Allardyce's side retained a clean sheet against Europa League chasing Tottenham last weekend and Adrian believes there is no reason they cannot replicate that against the Premier League leaders. "We're going to City only thinking about victory," the Spaniard told The Sun. "Although we're safe, we have pride. We're professionals and go into this game looking to finish the season with a win. "No doubt it's going to be a very tough match. But this game is very different to the defeat in the Capital One Cup because City have that pressure of needing a result to win the title. "And we're now safe - we want to sign off with a result for our loyal fans and ourselves."
Attacking
City became only the second side to score 100 goals in a Premier League season when they beat Aston Villa 4-0 and Adrian is wary of threat posed by the free-scoring attackers. "The biggest thing that has struck me is the respect English people have for one another. You can go out and dress in any way, sport whatever haircuts, be shaved or unshaven, and people will respect you for what you are, not for your appearance." "City have a great squad with good attacking players like [Edin] Dzeko, [Alvaro] Negredo, [Sergio] Aguero, [Samir] Nasri and [David] Silva," he acknowledged. "Yet we have proved this season that when we work very hard, which has happened on a number of occasions, we can keep clean sheets. "We train every day this style - to be strong and united in defence and then counter-attack and be good at set-plays." Adrian, who joined the capital club from Real Betis in the summer, was honoured with awards for signing, performance and save of the season at the club's annual celebration and revealed he has enjoyed his first year in England.
Unbelievable
"It was an unbelievable evening for me to be given a hat-trick of awards, I must thank the fans so much," he added. "My first season here in England has been positive because I've found a good group of team-mates, who have helped me adapt to a new club, culture and a new style of playing. "Personally, I'm so happy to get the confidence of the manager and West Ham fans. The best moment for me was that match against Chelsea away - because it was very busy in the goal and I kept a clean sheet. "It was a perfect point earned for us that night. We will try to do this again at City." The 27-year-old revealed his love for the English capital and admits he has been amazed by the warmth of welcome he has received. "I've fallen in love with London and enjoyed going to the theatre or catching a movie with my girlfriend," he said. "The biggest thing that has struck me is the respect English people have for one another. You can go out and dress in any way, sport whatever haircuts, be shaved or unshaven, and people will respect you for what you are, not for your appearance. "And it doesn't matter if you are a banker, builder, professional footballer or cleaner. This is a fantastic country and I love being here."
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Sam Allardyce has full backing of West Ham squad
Last Updated: 11/05/14 6:55am
SSN
Kevin Nolan has admitted he was shocked by reports West Ham were planning to remove manager Sam Allardyce. Allardyce guided the Hammers to Premier League safety but he has been the subject of criticism from supporters and reports on Thursday suggested he was facing the sack after Sunday's clash with Manchester City. But Nolan, who played under Allardyce at Bolton, says the squad is firmly behind their manager and issued a passionate plea to the Hammers board to stick by him. "It shocked a lot of the boys," he said. "We found it all quite surprising to be honest and we are still quite shocked that people can write that stuff. "If you ask anyone in that dressing room, the gaffer has got the full backing of every one of us. "It's a sad occasion when we are talking about him getting sacked after the magnificent job he has done over the last three seasons and I've been a part of that with him. "I've seen the difference he's made from when he first walked in - the state of the club from then to what it is now - I'm sure the owners would recognise the magnificent job he's done. "I firmly believe and the gaffer firmly believes we could have done a lot better, we know that, but there's been some massive obstacles. "So I'd tell the chairman you've got to stick with him because you've only got to look at what he built at Bolton. "He took us from a Championship side to Europe in five years and his record speaks for itself when he's given time to develop a club."
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WEST HAM LEGENDS FACE SURGERY
By Sean Whetstone 10 May 2014 at 22:23
West Ham Till I Die
Sad news has broken that two West Ham Legends Phil Parkes and Ray Stewart are seriously ill and both are soon to face major surgery.
Phil Parkes has been diagnosed with Bowell Cancer and faces surgery as part of his treatment in his battle with the illness that took the life of Bobby Moore.
Phil made over 400 appearances for West Ham after joining from QPR for a record transfer fee in 1979. If you are not so familiar with his hammers career you can find more out more from this article by Tony Hanna published late last year HERE
Ray Stewart faces open heart surgery, revealed by West Ham photographer Stevie Bacon on social media this evening. Ray made 432 appearances for West Ham and scored 84 goals from right back. All but eight of his goals were from the penalty spot. Tony Hanna also published an article earlier this year on his career with West Ham which can be read HERE
All of us here at WHTID wish them both a speedy and full recovery.
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"I HAVE MORE AMBITION THAN WEST HAM" - ALLARDYCE'S SUICIDE NOTE OF AN INTERVIEW
By Iain Dale 10 May 2014 at 10:
West Ham Till I Die
Perhaps Sam Allardyce sees what is coming. Perhaps he has a death wish, but if I were David Sullivan I'd be fuming over an interview Sam Allardyce has given to the Daily Mail. In the interview he questions whether West Ham match his own ambition. How arrogant can you get. This is the relevant part…
'I have more ambition than West Ham ever have. I have more ambition than them, or the same ambition as them. I want to get into Europe. I want to get into the new stadium. I want to win a cup. If I don't have ambition I don't do this job. If I don't have drive, or motivation, I don't do this job. I am ambitious. I have seen it all before and you use your experience to try to achieve that ambition. Can West Ham match my ambition? Eventually, yes. It is whether everyone is patient enough to wait to get there. That is the problem today: a lack of patience across the board.'
Self indulgent rubbish. Managers have been sacked for less. I detect no lack of ambition among either the fans or the owners. What I do detect is a lack of ambition among the management to play the kind of football that we're used to.
Of course there's always the possibility that his words have been twisted or selectively quoted, but it doesn't look like that to me.
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Hubris the Wonderhorse
Nick Miller
theguardian.com, Thursday 8 May 2014 16.23 BST
FATE ACCOMPLI
Sam Allardyce's reputation has taken something of a hit this season. When he hasn't been guzzling his third goose fat milkshake of the morning, Allardyce has been cupping his ears, counter-productively enhancing the sound of the boos ringing out from those West Ham fans impertinent enough to think the gruel with water that's been shoved into their faces isn't particularly satisfying, just because it's keeping them alive. In fact, so little does Manuel Pellegrini think of Sam and his Hammers that the Chilean, who has hitherto skilfully avoided saying anything at all of interest since arriving at Manchester City, has chosen this moment to clamber atop Hubris the Wonderhorse and load up a Noel's House Party-style gunge tank with egg, leaving it perilously close to his face.
City, of course, gave Aston Villa a not-entirely convincing 4-0 shoeing on Wednesday night, helped by two goals from Edin Dzeko (surely the best bad footballer the Premier League has to offer), and thus only realistically require a draw against Sam's West Ham to secure the Premier League title on Sunday. Which will definitely happen, because as this season has repeatedly demonstrated, when a good team plays a bad team, the good team always, always, always wins. Without exception. Every time.
More than that, Pellegrini is already looking beyond actually winning the thing, and towards the manner in which they will swat West Ham aside. "Now we can talk about the title because if we win the next game we are going to win it," Pellegrini mused, briefly looking up from ordering a job lot of blue and white ribbons and ticker tape. "We could not do the same before this game because we had to beat Aston Villa. I think it will be very important, not only the title but in the way we are going to win the title if finally we win it." He continued, not really giving the words coming out of his mouth his full attention because the website of this trophy polish company he's ordering an extra batch from is a bit tricky to navigate: "We have a style of play. I think we are an attractive team, we score many goals and we are always thinking to score more goals. That to me has the same importance as winning the title."
It does seem to be a curious time to tempt fate, not least because it isn't like the old boy doesn't have a pretty recent cautionary tale on which to call. The reason that City are in this enviable position is because Liverpool got ahead of themselves on Monday night against Crystal Palace, comically trying to wipe out the massive goal difference … erm … difference between them and City, absent-mindedly forgetting to make sure they actually won the bloody game first. Thus, instead of Liverpool taking a puncher's chance into the final day, they were left with grown men blubbing on national television and a final 10 minutes that resembled Sideshow Bob stepping on all the rakes.
No matter, for Pellegrini has saddled up Hubris the Wonderhorse, fed him a few cubes of pride sugar and is riding him straight towards Big Sam's lot, confident they will provide all the resistance of a bungee cord made of candy floss, and like good old sports simply step aside and allow City win the title with a flourish. Because that's how it's going to happen. The good team is going to beat the bad team. It always, always, always happens. Without exception. Every time. Full speed ahead Hubris! Fly like the wind!
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Allardyce braced for sacking by West Ham following season finale at Manchester City
May 10, 2014 23:00 By Steve Bates
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce is preparing for the bullet from Upton Park after admitting: "If Manchester United can sack David Moyes then West Ham can dump me", writes Steve Bates in the Sunday People. The Hammers' boss has been under fire from fans who don't like his style of football – despite guiding the east London club to promotion to the Premier League and keeping them there the last two seasons. West Ham are currently 12th as they prepare to face Champions elect Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium today. But some sources suggest Allardyce will be sacked by co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold next week.
Allardyce said: "If United can get rid of David Moyes 10 months into a six-year contract then West Ham can sack me. "I've heard the rumours but I've been in the game a long time, so I'll wait and see what happens."
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West Ham captain Kevin Nolan won't say sorry to fans for their disappointing season
May 10, 2014 22:30 By Steve Stammers
The Mirror
Kevin Nolan has contradicted his West Ham boardroom boss by insisting NO apology is needed by the players at the end of a disappointing campaign. The Hammers' co-chairman David Sullivan said at the club's end-of-season awards dinner: "I want to apologise to the supporters for this season. "It has not been good enough. We will sit down next week and look at what we need to take things forward." But Nolan – whose team can have a major say in the destiny of the Premier League title when they take on Manchester City at the Etihad – declared: "Apologise? No I wouldn't go along with that. "I think this season has been a testing season for us all. It is the owner's prerogative to say what he wants, the way he sees it. "But I think if he looks back on this season, he will see how difficult it has been. It has been a tough old season, I am not going to deny that. But I don't think there is a need to apologise to the fans. "If you speak to the fans, I don't think they would want an apology. The minority might, the majority won't. "What they have seen this year is that they have a team who really want to play for this club and really want to do well for this club and I am sure, given time with this squad, and hopefully with a few new additions that the gaffer will be sorting out this summer, you will see a different us next season."
And he pointed to the manner of the 2-0 win over Tottenham eight days ago as proof that West Ham are not content to play percentage football geared just for survival. He said: "Anyone who was here for that game cannot say we are a long-ball team." Nolan then made an impassioned defence of manager Sam Allardyce, whose position has been open to question in recent weeks – including a banner calling for his dismissal during the 1-0 defeat at West Brom. "The talk about Sam shocked a lot of the boys," said Nolan, who played for Allardyce at Bolton. "All I would say is that the Gaffer has got us all behind him. From day one, when he walked in here, he has proved to everyone what he can do. "This year we have been blighted by injuries. I don't think any other team in the bottom 10 would have been able to stay in the Premier League if they had the injuries we had."
Allardyce will have an end-of-season de-brief later this week, and Nolan said: "I would tell the chairman you have to stick with him because you have to look at what he built at Bolton. He took them from the Championship into Europe within five years. "It is a sad occasion when we are talking about him getting sacked when you look at the magnificent job he has done for three seasons." Nolan – who was at Liverpool as a schoolboy before leaving to join Bolton – is a fan of the Anfield club and has been inundated with messages in the last week pleading for a West Ham win against the odds . "You have to go there and believe you can win," said Nolan, mindful of the 6-0 thrashing dished out by City to West Ham in the Capital One Cup. "If you lay down, another 6-0 can happen to you. It will be a different game this time. All the pressure is on them."
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Sam Allardyce West Ham sacking IS under consideration by Hammers' top brass
May 08, 2014 18:45 By John Cross
The Mirror
The Upton Park club's hierarchy are considering axing Big Sam after the club's final game of the season, at champions-elect Manchester City on Sunday.
Manager Allardyce has upset the Hammers' fans this season with his style of play, defiant refusal to change his methods and open mocking of the supporters' grumblings. That has left West Ham co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold in a difficult position, and they believe the time may have come to make a change. Allardyce has been planning for the future, looking at new signings and budgets for next season, but time and patience is running out - and it is the backlash from supporters which has really put his job on the line. West Ham will consider their next move, and the emphasis will be to return to their footballing traditions. Allardyce made noises recently that he is reluctant to go in that direction and that safety from relegation comes first, and the club's hierarchy are concerned about the future.
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Daily WHUFC News - 10th May 2014
Big Sam on: Manchester City
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce looks ahead to West Ham United's season finale at Manchester City on Sunday
09.05.2014
Sam Allardyce spoke to the media at the Boleyn Ground on Friday morning ahead of West Ham United's final Barclays Premier League game of the season against Manchester City on Sunday. Big Sam discussed the latest team news, the chances of causing an upset on Sunday and his verdict on the team's performance this campaign.
Morning Sam, it's the last game of what's been a tough season for you. How would you assess your team's season?
SA: "I think it's been a very tough season. Everybody's found this season to be rather unique in terms of how it's panned out here and there. We've all had our ups and downs, but the bottom line is we've delivered the ultimate goal, to stay in the Barclays Premier League. We obviously wanted to do a little better than we've actually done, but 12th at the moment comes in around where we thought we might have finished in budget terms. After Sunday's result it may change a position or two depending on what result we get. "Sustaining our position in the Barclays Premier League was obviously critical for us. Yes we'd have liked to done a little better, particularly at home because our away record has improved compared to last season, but our home record hasn't produced as many points as last season. We had some extenuating circumstances that everybody's aware of, we overcame those and we finished the season on a high last week with a third victory over Tottenham which has never happened before in the history of the Club against our old rivals."
How much of a say do you think you can have on the destination of the title?
SA: "I watched the game against Aston Villa the other night and we all know that Manchester City in full flow are very difficult to play against. We've got to go out there and give a fantastic performance to stop them trying to grasp the title. It will be hugely difficult because they're the best team at home in the league, they've only lost once against Chelsea. Their goal record is fantastic and they have great players. Every player on top of his form, every player can go out and give everything they've got on the basis that they know we're in the Premier League next year, but let's try and spoil Manchester City's party."
Will Andy Carroll want to score the goals that could win Liverpool the title?
SA: "I'm not so sure he's thinking about that, I think he'd like to score the goals for West Ham. All we can do is concentrate on ourselves and concentrate on getting our tactics and performance right. The team will probably be at full strength and I think we have some very good players that we have to make sure that we cope as a team. Individually they're better than us, but as a team we can build a resilience, a frustration and then maybe create a chance or two when we have possession which is going to be critical for us on the day."
Who do you want to win the title going into the last day of the season?
SA: "From a neutral point of view, everybody would like to see Liverpool win it. From a personal point of view I'd like to see Steven Gerrard win it. It's the last thing for him which he hasn't quite achieved at Liverpool. He's been a one club man all his life. Obviously they've let it slip out of their hands. They had it to take, but they've now left it in the hands of Manchester City. On form and the position they're in, you'd have to say Manchester City are the favourites."
How much credit does Manuel Pellegrini deserve if City do go on to win the title?
SA: "Huge, I think. It's his first season and I think that anybody arriving for their first season at a football club and to achieve what he's achieved if he does win the Premier League and the Capital One Cup, means that they've done the double and there's not a lot more you can ask. There's money spent at every club, but everyone knows that this is the hardest league in the world to win and it's been shown this year more than ever before."
Do you think that some fans have been quick to forget what the team achieved last season?
SA: "No, not really. I think that what we have to do is plan to get better. Each season as we go along we've got to try and use the money that we have to find better players and make sure the team when it starts the following season is better than the season before. That's our main priority. There's an exceptionally good pre-season planned for us to get ready for next season and hopefully we'll have fewer injuries. That's the big key for us, the big key to this season has been to plan for next season and make sure that we don't suffer as many injuries as we have this season."
Have you discussed how much you'll have to spend in the summer?
SA: "No, not yet. That comes in the meeting next week, when we join up to discuss the way forward and discuss what's happened this season."
What's your evaluation of the season as a whole?
SA: "We're in 12th position and we know we have a strong squad that we need to build on. We know that when everyone's fit and available that we can compete at this level. Without any doubt the highs were the three victories against Tottenham. People will remember it for a long time because it's created a little bit of history as it's never happened before. It will go down in the history books as something which happened this season and people will not forget it as time goes by. People will remember that we've beaten Tottenham three times in one season."
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West Ham: Sam Allardyce confident on managerial future
BBC.co.uk
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce claims co-owner David Sullivan has not given him any indication he will be sacked. They lost every match in April and some fans want the manager removed, despite being 12th in the Premier League. But Allardyce, 59, says there are no signs he will be relieved of his duties at the end of the season.
Big Sam's West Ham record
137 games
55 wins
50 defeats
32 draws
"I spoke to David Sullivan yesterday about arranging our usual end-of-season meeting. I had no indication my position was under threat," he said. "As a whole it's been a tough season. But we've delivered our goals to stay in the Premier League." West Ham face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in their final match of the season. Liverpool need the Hammers to beat City if they are to have any hope of winning the title, and Allardyce has urged his players to ruin the day for Manuel Pellegrini's side. "We know we're in the Premier League next year, let's go and try to spoil Manchester City's party," said Allardyce.
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Man City v West Ham
KO 15:00
9 May 2014
Last updated at 13:11
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By Guy Mowbray
BBC Match of the Day commentator
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Etihad Stadium Date: Sunday, 11 May
TEAM NEWS
Manchester City top scorer Sergio Aguero is fit after missing the win over Aston Villa with a groin injury. Midfielder Fernandinho has been used sparingly recently because of a leg problem but could be fit enough to start.
West Ham have no new injury worries ahead of the trip to the Etihad Stadium. Marco Borriello is the only absentee with a long-term calf problem.
MATCH PREVIEW
Yaya Toure's magnificent solo goal to seal Wednesday's 4-0 win v Aston Villa brought about the most emotional reaction we've seen yet from Manuel Pellegrini as Man City's manager - a turn, a broad smile, and two arms raised in triumph. As ever with the unflappable Chilean, nothing hysterical - but it did suggest acknowledgement of a job almost done. "I look at this fixture and, if there was not so much riding on it, I would say it would end up three or four-nil to Manchester City - but then I remember it is City, and how they always make things a bit difficult for themselves. "West Ham can be awkward, difficult opponents - ask Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho about what he called '19th-Century football'. They'll need to him to stay typically ice-cool on Sunday too. Yes, just one more point will secure the title, but though you'd struggle to find anyone who's not a City fan doubting them, long-in-the-tooth Blues know not to pop the champagne early. Underneath the new layers of glamour and gold, this is still Manchester City, the club that prompted former player and chairman Francis Lee to say: "If there was a cup for cock-ups, City would win it." West Ham won't make it easy. Actually, let's put it another way: Sam Allardyce certainly won't make it easy, especially with talk growing of this being his final game in charge. Nothing to play for? Well, he'll want to make sure of avoiding more humiliation at a ground where the Hammers lost 6-0 in January , and for the club overall, there's pots of Premier League prize money at stake. Defeat would mean a guaranteed drop of at least one place in the table. Every place lower you finish means £1.2 million less in the bank. Picture the scene: Liverpool are 2-0 up and cruising, whilst it's goalless at the Etihad. City - not programmed to play for a draw - are being held out by stubborn West Ham resistance. All the time there's the threat of pushing a little too strongly and offering a counter-attacking chance. One combination later between former Liverpool men Downing and Carroll...
That's how Hollywood would develop the story anyway, presumably with Sergio Aguero scoring a title-winning goal after 93 minutes and 20 seconds. As if THAT could ever happen.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
City have beaten the Hammers twice already in 2014, putting nine goals past them without reply over the two legs of the Capital One Cup semi-final.
West Ham have not beaten Manchester City in their last seven league meetings (L5, D2).
City have won their last five home games against West Ham (in all competitions).
Manchester City
City have won their last four league matches.
Their only home league defeat so far this season came against Chelsea on 3 February. Sunderland are the only other side to have taken any points away from the Etihad in the 2013-14 Premier League campaign - they drew 2-2 there last month.
City have been top of the table this season for fewer days than any other of the teams in the top four.
Man City are only the second team in Premier League history to score 100+ goals in a single season (after Chelsea with 103 in 2009-10). They have exactly 100 goals, compared to the 40 scored by West Ham.
West Ham
West Ham have lost four of their last five Premier League matches.
They have also lost four of their last five league matches on the road.
West Ham kept a clean sheet for the first time in 11 games against Tottenham last weekend.
The Hammers finished last season in 10th place with 46 points. They cannot match that performance in this campaign, even if they beat City.
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Allardyce ignoring sack rumours
KUMb.com
Filed: Thursday, 8th May 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce may have been tipped for the sack by at least one tabloid today - but that wasn't stopping him from continuing to plan for the close season.
Journalist Sami Mokbel claimed in the Mail this morning that Allardyce is set to be removed from his position after West Ham face Manchester City in the title-decider at the Etihad Stadium this coming weekend. However Big Sam, who celebrates three years in the job later this month is already making plans for next season, having previously decided who he wants to move on and and in which positions he needs to strengthen this summer. Several first team squad members - including fringe players such Joe Cole, Jordan Spence, Jack Collison and Jussi Jaaskelainen - are out of contract this summer whilst Alladyce has already said goodbye to Italian duo Antonio Nocerino and Marco Borriello, both on loan at the club since January. It is perhaps no surprise that the manager has identified a striker to support Andy Carroll as his main target for pre-season but Allardyce is also looking to improve his defensive options, with full backs close to the top of the list of priorities. With Alou Diarra also considered likely to leave the club this summer - if West Ham can find anyone to take the former Franch international off their hands, that is - Big Sam is seeking cover in midfield, with Stade de Reims' 24-year-old Grzegorz Krychowiak mooted as one possible target by Polish media today. Some of the other names the Hammers have been linked with during the past 48 hours include Chelsea's Demba Ba, Diafra Sakho of Metz, Portuguese striker Hugo Almeida (currently with Besiktas) and Gabriel Obertan.
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Manchester City look to claim title against West Ham
By Rob Parrish - Follow me on Twitter @RobParrish75. Last Updated: 09/05/14 1:28pm
SSN
Manchester City are set to be crowned Premier League champions for the second time in three years if they avoid defeat in their final game of the season at home to West Ham United, live on Sky Sports 1HD. Manuel Pellegrini's men put one hand on the trophy with their resounding 4-0 home success against Aston Villa in midweek after challengers Liverpool suffered an untimely stumble, blowing a 3-0 lead at Crystal Palace to draw 3-3.
The Etihad Stadium side now hold a two-point cushion on Brendan Rodgers' men, who end their season at home to Newcastle, and with City's goal difference 13 better than Liverpool only a shock West Ham win will offer the Reds any hope. City have timed their run to the summit to perfection on the back of four successive victories, having so often been behind Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal during arguably the most enthralling title race of the Premier League era.
Pellegrini's men are odds-on favourites for glory, but in a campaign which has thrown up an endless string of shock results there can be no room for complacency. There are echoes, too, of the 2011/12 season when City were expected to brush aside relegation-threatened QPR en route to their first Premier League title, but ended up needing a last-gasp goal from Sergio Aguero to defeat their 10-man opponents 3-2 and pip Manchester United to the crown.
West Ham's only incentive is retaining 12th place in the table and a greater share of the end-of-season prize money as they are four adrift of Crystal Palace in 11th, but have Swansea, Sunderland, Aston Villa and Hull City within striking distance. The Hammers have not enjoyed their meetings with City this season, going down 3-1 in the Premier League at Upton Park and suffering a 9-0 aggregate drubbing over the two legs of the Capital One Cup semi-final in January.
Sam Allardyce, who has seen his position come under fire from sections of the West Ham fans in recent weeks, saw his side snap a four-game losing streak with a 2-0 home success against Tottenham Hotspur last time out.
Paul Merson's prediction
If Man City had to win it, then this would be a different kettle of fish, but they have to draw and I can't see them failing to win the league. Remember, West Ham went up there in the Capital One Cup a few months ago and got rinsed 6-0 and won't take much confidence out of that. I have got to go for Man City to win - but honestly, after what I've seen in the Premier League in the last month, it wouldn't surprise me if West Ham scored in the first 10 minutes and then suddenly it's game on!
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0
Man City
Last 6
A Villa (h)4-0
Everton (a)2-3
C Palace (a)0-2
West Brom (h)3-1
Sunderland (h)2-2
Liverpool (a)3-2
Manchester City are boosted by the availability of star striker Aguero as they go in search of the point they need to claim the Premier League title. Aguero, who secured the 2011/12 crown with virtually the last kick of the season, suffered a groin injury in the 3-2 win over Everton and missed the midweek victory over Aston Villa. But he has been passed fit to face the Hammers, although with Edin Dzeko having scored five goals in his last three games, Pellegrini has another in-form option, with Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic providing further back up.
West Ham
Last 6
2-0
West Brom (a)1-0
C Palace (h)0-1
Arsenal (a)3-1
Liverpool (h)1-2
Sunderland (a)1-2
West Ham boss Allardyce could be tempted to stick with the same players on duty for last weekend's 2-0 home win over Tottenham. The Hammers halted their four-game losing run against their 10-man London rivals and the starting XI may be rewarded with further action. Marco Borriello was the only absentee from Allardyce's squad against Spurs, with the on-loan striker still hampered by a calf injury which has troubled him since his January arrival.
Opta stats
Man City have lost just one of their last 13 Premier League meetings with West Ham (W9 D3).
West Ham have won just two of their last 25 away league games against Man City, losing 20 and drawing three.
Andy Carroll has scored five Premier League goals against Man City; more than he has against any other opponent in the competition.
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Sam Allardyce: I want Steven Gerrard to win Premier League and spoil Manchester City's party
Last Updated: 09/05/14 2:00pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce says West Ham will give everything to upset Manchester City on Sunday and deliver the title to "neutrals' choice" Liverpool. Allardyce and his players are now all that stand between City and a second Premier League in three years, and a point at the Etihad will be good enough barring a 13-goal victory for Liverpool over Newcastle. The omens are good for Manuel Pellegrini's side - in three previous meetings with West Ham this season they have won three times and scored 12 goals - but Allardyce has a personal motive for spoiling City's title party. Sam Allardyce has played down reports that he could leave West Ham at the end of the season. He said: "From a neutral's point of view I think everybody would like to see Liverpool win it, and from a personal point of view I'd like to see Steven Gerrard win it. "It's the last thing for him which he hasn't quite achieved at Liverpool. He's been a one club man all his life. Obviously they've let it slip out of their hands. They had it to take, but they've now left it in the hands of Manchester City. "We all know Man City in full cry are very difficult to play against. We've got to go out there and give a fantastic performance to stop them trying to grasp the title on that day. "Of course that will be hugely difficult - this is the best team at home in the league. They've only lost once, against Chelsea, their goal record is fantastic and they've got great, great players. "So every player on top of his form, every player can go out and give everything they've got from the basis we're already in the Premier League next season. "Let's try and spoil Manchester City's party."
West Ham will have to contend with the threat of Sergio Aguero who returns from injury. The Argentina international missed the midweek victory over Aston Villa after suffering a groin strain during the first half of last weekend's 3-2 win at Everton. Aguero, City's top scorer this season with 28 goals, was also rated doubtful for the visit of the Hammers to the Etihad Stadium but Pellegrini has revealed he will have a fully fit squad at his disposal. "The whole squad is fit," said Pellegrini, whose side need only a draw to secure the Premier League crown. "It is very important. If you have your whole squad you can choose between all your players - that is the most important thing for a manager."
Pellegrini has attempted to play down the importance of the game as City look to pip Liverpool to the title. He said: "It is a very important weekend because it is the last game - it is the work from the whole year - but also it is a normal game because I think the best way to do it is to repeat what we did the whole season so far here. "I think it is very important for the manager to be calm, to try to repeat what we did the whole year preparing for the games here at home.
The 60-year-old Chilean, whose side are two points clear of the Reds, insists he will be able to control his nerves on Sunday. He said: "After so many years I think it is very important to control your emotions because when you have to take decisions under emotion, normally you will do it in the wrong way." Pellegrini also insists he has no interest in playing for a draw against West Ham. "Every team must play every game to win," he said. "It doesn't matter in which conditions they are playing, every team must want to win."
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Premier League sides linked with Marseille's Alaixys Romao
Last Updated: 09/05/14 2:58pm
SSN
A host of Premier League clubs are tracking Marseille midfielder Alaixys Romao, Sky Sports understands. Marseille are thought to be ready to offload a number of players after a disappointing season in Ligue 1. Togo international Romao has been a regular in the Marseille side since arriving from Lorient in January 2013 and a number of top-flight English clubs have been keeping tabs on the all-action midfielder for some time. The likes of West Ham, Everton, Sunderland, Newcastle and Hull City are all thought to be admirers of Romao and are keeping tabs on his situation at the Stade Velodrome. Romao, who still has two years to run on his current deal at Marseille, is thought to be available for a fee in the region of €3million (£2.4million) and the player is understood to be keen on a move to England.
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West Ham manager Sam Allardyce: I've had no word my job is under threat
Last Updated: 09/05/14 12:56pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce says he has had no indication he is about to lose his job as West Ham manager. Allardyce has faced speculation over his future for much of the season amid persistent criticism from some of the club's supporters. One newspaper this week claimed West Ham's owners have already taken the decision to seek a new manager once Sunday's final game at Manchester City is out of the way. But Allardyce is on the brink of delivering a second successive mid-table finish and is continuing to plan for next season until told otherwise by owners David Sullivan and David Gold. He said: "I spoke to David Sullivan on Thursday about us arranging our usual meeting to go through pre-season budgets and what's going to happen next season, and I had no indication about my position being under threat. "That's all I can say, that's all I know, and he's the boss. That's the bottom line for me. "I rang him up, spoke about what was being bantered around, and under those circumstances we talked about getting together and having our meeting next week. "Has the speculation undermined my position? I'm not so sure about that. People in the game have to write speculation about what's happening at certain clubs because they have to sell papers.
"Whether it's right or wrong only time will tell. Speculation's part of the game, whether that speculation becomes a reality at this moment in time we don't know. I will find out next week."
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POYET NOW THE FAVOURITE TO BE NEXT WEST HAM MANAGER
By Iain Dale 9 May 2014 at 13:43
West Ham Till I Die
If I were a betting man, I would save my money on Sam Allardyce departing West Ham next week. I do think at least one of Brady, Gold and Sullivan would like to see him go, but the compensation that would have to be paid is truly eye watering. But the newspapers seem to think the decision has already been taken and it is just a mater of time before it is announced. By this time next week we will know.
What is interesting is to see the shift in the betting markets. Gus Poyet is now the favourite to be the next manager at Upton Park. A few weeks ago he was 66/1. Do dthe bookies know something the rest of us don't?
I am a big fan of Poyet and I suspect he would fit in very well in all sorts of ways. He apparently has some sort of get-out clause in his current contract and is unhappy at the level of control over football matters he enjoys at Sunderland. Mind you, if I were them I'd move heaven and earth to keep him.
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GIVE US OUR FOOTBALL BACK
By Tony McDonald 9 May 2014 at 09:10
West Ham Till I Die
WHEN the long-awaited celebrations following Big Sham's impending dismissal finally subside and we recover from our hangovers, the next big question will soon sober us up: 'So who's next?'
Naturally, I'll be delighted to see the back of Allardyce, who is without doubt the manager who has presided over the worst football witnessed at this club in living memory, but there was a depressing inevitability about where we're at now.
Much as I have protested bitterly from day one of his reign almost three years ago that Allardyce was the wrong choice for West Ham United, the fact is the owners must shoulder their responsibility for where the club finds itself now . . . a couple of lucky results away from the brink of relegation.
David Sullivan, David Gold and Karren Brady chose to ignore the evidence of Allardyce's previous 25 years in management – a quarter-of a century in which he'd failed to win a single meaningful trophy while consistently playing probably the most wretched football ever seen in the English top flight – when they rescued him from the dole queue in the summer of 2011.
In trying to salvage the disaster they had inflicted on the club with their implausible appointment of hapless Avram Grant a year earlier (just after he had taken Portsmouth down), they carelessly turned a blind eye to irrefutable widespread evidence that they were putting the club in the hands of a tactically inflexible managerial dinosaur with a well-deserved reputation as the biggest long-ball advocate in the history of the Premier League.
Those negative tactics from the dark ages served him well for many years at Bolton Wanderers but they were never going to be tolerated for too long at West Ham, where we have a tradition of expecting a little more creativity from managers and players.
Allardyce and West Ham are incompatible and the owners should have known better. I was pleased to hear that David Sullivan stood up at last week's awards dinner to puncture a few egos and bring a sense or harsh reality to the swanky proceedings, but it should never have come to this. Hopefully, another costly lesson has been learned.
But what did any of us really expect from Allardyce? While I was surprised that even he had the front to mockingly cup his ears at a relatively small group of angry, frustrated fans who had the temerity to boo him (yes Sam, make no mistake, it was YOU they were jeering at, not your players), the way West Ham have played under him has been as woefully predictable as his 'tactics'.
"He'll do a job for us," came the defiant cry from the BS defence committee whenever any of us questioned his suitability to the top job at Upton Park. True, he did deliver on his mandate from the board by returning us to the Promised Land at the first time of asking, although maybe the delirious scenes following the play-off final – our first day out at Wembley since 1981 – papered over a few cracks. West Ham had failed to beat either of the two teams that finished above them, Reading and Southampton, and in all honesty Blackpool were the better side at Wembley, where a late Vaz Te goal against the run of play clinched promotion and probably saved lucky BS his job.
The counter-argument to BS being acclaimed as some mythical go-to man of clubs in distress is that quite a number of other half-competent managers, given the depth of squad and financial resources he inherited compared to his second tier rivals, would have equally got the club promoted from the Championship.
Using the same rationale, and as I've had to repeatedly remind those who've been blinded by BS's bull**** and his sycophantic mates in the media, winning football does not have to be ugly. Do you really believe that hoofing endless high balls in the general direction of our big lump up front, in the vain hope that someone might feed off the scraps, is the ONLY way to Premier League salvation? Look at Swansea and look at Southampton – two clubs much smaller than ours who have both relatively recently been promoted to the top flight and stayed there without compromising their footballing principles. In his first season in English football, Michael Laudrup arrived from Getafe in Spain to guide the Swans to ninth place, won the League Cup (their first trophy in 100 years) and qualified them for Europe. Oh, and he didn't do too badly with the signing of star strikers Michu and Bony either.
It would be hard enough to swallow BS's long-ball dogma and negative tactics – putting greater emphasis on keeping clean sheets than trying to score goals – if it actually produced results. But when it repeatedly ends in tedious goalless draws and defeats . . . well, who in their right mind wants to pay good money to watch that?
If promotion didn't quite dupe the board into fully believing that BS was the second coming, then a 10th place finish on Hammers' return to the Premier League surely did. They will now begin paying hefty compensation to a man who, despite never having won anything in his 25-year career, was inexplicably elevated to the status of 13th highest paid manager in world football when awarded a new two-year contract worth an annual salary of £2.95m at the end of 2012-13.
On the surface, to finish halfway up the table was no mean achievement. But scratch beyond that gloss veneer and you'll see that only five points separated the ninth-placed team (Swansea City) and 16th (Newcastle United). The directors only had to make a cursory glance at Hammers' recent history to see a dangerous recurring pattern of managers enjoying one satisfactory season followed immediately by a disastrous one, as this table illustrates:
Glenn Roeder 7th (2001-02) 18th (relegated in 2002-03)
Alan Pardew 9th (2005-06) 18th (when sacked in Dec 2006)
Alan Curbishley 10th (2006-07) 10th (2007-08)
Gianfranco Zola 9th (2008-09) 17th (2009-10)
Allardyce can't complain about being sacked now. He has been handsomely rewarded throughout his three-year tenure and he'll sail off into the sunset much richer than when West Ham short-sightedly plucked him from obscurity and gave his ego a new lease of life.
His team has gone backwards and this season the entertainment value has been zilch, absolutely dire. It would be easy for him to blame what has been a season-long struggle on injuries to key players but the fact is his one-dimensional approach to every game is built around one lone target man whose fitness remains questionable.
There is clearly no Plan B, the manager and the players are bereft of ideas and let's face facts . . . save for an unprecedented run of four straight wins in February, we could be back in the Championship by now. That we are relieved to still be clinging on to the Premier League's TV riches to clear our bank debt owes much more to the ineptitude of the teams who ended up in the bottom three than anything BS and his players have done beyond those three results against Spurs.
Whoever follows BS, it will not be a seamless transition. If we assume that the new incumbent will be asked – no, make that implored – to follow clear terms of reference to re-introduce a traditional passing game that will at least raise entertainment levels and give the long-suffering fans some semblance of value for their hefty admission money, then that will mean trying to implement fundamental changes to the 'style' of the team he will inherit.
Whilst some players will be offloaded this summer, it won't be easy to shift the big earners towards the exit door. In several cases, it will prove impossible.
If Andy Carroll isn't the new man's cup of tea, then we'll have a big problem in more ways than one. Who will want to take an injury-prone, one-dimensional player who cost £17m-plus in transfer fees (how Liverpool have missed him) and a reported £80,000 per week in wages over a six-year contract? Remember, in the period before BS turned Carroll's loan period into a full transfer last summer, absolutely no other club showed any interest in signing him. It was only at this point that the England striker finally accepted that it was either West Ham or wilderness and belatedly pledged his allegiance to the claret and blue flag. Yet we still went ahead and smashed the club's record transfer fee to get him.
Which club will be even remotely interested in the ageing legs of Kevin Nolan, who still has two years left on his original five-year contract and is reportedly on a basic of £50,000 per week? Much as BS and Nolan appear besotted with each other, this high-earning captain of rapidly diminishing value is very unlikely to walk away and accept less money elsewhere any time soon. He will be 32 at the start of next season; 34 when his contract is up.
And then there is the crazy issue surrounding BS's cosy long-term relationship with his favoured agent and pal Mark Curtis, dating back to at least 1996, which journalist Daniel Taylor highlighted with a piece in a recent issue of The Observer. As Taylor pointed out, at the last count the controversial Curtis now has under contract or links to not only the departing West Ham boss, but nine (yes, NINE!) of his first team squad: Carroll, Nolan, Jarvis, Tomkins, Adrian, Demel, O'Brien, Collison and Jaaskelainen. It's wishful thinking to hope that BS and Curtis will bugger off and take their unwanted players with them. I read somewhere that 27-year-old part-time right-back Joey O'Brien is on £33,000 a week but the website concerned must have added an extra '3' in error. Surely not even Curtis can be that persuasive, nor Gold and Sullivan that gullible?
At a hugely inflated combined cost of an estimated minimum £33m in transfer fees alone, Carroll (only two league goals in 14 matches this season), Downing (one goal in 34 games) and Jarvis (four goals in 26 games) are probably worth barely half as much today. Downing will be 30 at the start of next season; 32 when his four-year contract ends.
Jarvis will be 30 when his current deal expires three years from now. The two under-performing wingers are reportedly receiving a weekly wage of somewhere between £45-50,000 a week. Good job they're not performance-related deals tied to goal bonuses, or else they'd both be selling the Big Issue this summer.
Quite how this ludicrous situation where a manager and his agent friend have assumed such power and influence at a Premier League was allowed to happen is incomprehensible. Talk about a conflict of interests. It's a tangled web that the club will do well to extract itself from without too much financial pain.
By sacking BS, the owners have transferred the spotlight and pressure back onto themselves but I very much hope that they will not allow the fact that the move to the Olympic Stadium is just two years away to cloud their judgement when it comes to choosing his successor. Knee-jerk appointments should have no place in a club that has serious ambitions to be playing European football in the next five-to-10 years. Now is the time to build a solid platform that will serve the club well for generations to come.
So back to our original question: who's next?
Rumours that the hierarchy are to focus their attention exclusively on British candidates will hopefully prove unfounded, if you consider the dearth of quality coaching talent out there. The abysmal treatment Malky Mackay – one of the early front-runners, if the bookies are to be believed – received at the hands of the lunatic Cardiff owner earlier this season should not camouflage the fact that his team were no joy to watch and already looking doomed well before Solskjaer was brought in to perform the last rites. A nice guy who understands the 'West Ham Way', but we should be setting our sights much higher.
OK, so we are not going to lure a Pellegrini, a Wenger or a Mourinho (Heaven forbid) to East London but Michael Laudrup has proved himself very capable in all areas of management in a very short time at Swansea, while Spain's La Liga has several potential candidates, notably Luis Enrique. The former Spain, Barcelona and Real Madrid captain looks ripe to follow in the impressive footsteps of Martinez, Poyet and Pochettino by making his mark in England's top flight. Our board would do well to consider why fewer and fewer British managers are not being offered good Premier League jobs. It's no mystery. The vast majority simply are not good enough.
Whoever comes in should be heading up a restructured football management set-up that promotes long-term continuity and understand that he must follow clear guidelines laid down by the owners, not given carte blanche – as seems to have been the case with Grant and BS – to do whatever he chooses in terms of playing style. Don't appoint a manager and tell him to "do whatever it takes to keep us in the Premier League". Allardyce was a short-term fix; his replacement should be a man with a clear vision of the long-term future and how best to achieve it.
The new Head Coach should be presented with a clear blueprint that looks much like the following:
*Set the team up in a way to always encourage attacking, enterprising creative and entertaining football in the best traditions of the club. Of course it's not always possible to play offensively (other teams impose themselves on you, so tactics must always be flexible and applied and adapted to different situations), but there should always be a natural INTENT to go forward, as teams produced by Greenwood, Lyall, Bonds and Redknapp always did.
*If we are going to lose, let's at least do so in a little style – not go out cautiously hoping for a draw, looking to nick a goal on the break, only to then losing without even having had an attempt at goal.
*Although the pressure on modern managers to produce immediate results is paramount given the game's obsession with money, he must not ignore the need to keep half an eye on the development of young players. While vowing never to throw them to the lions in the horrific manner BS did in the FA Cup debacle at Forest last January, he should be expected to slowly but steadily integrate them in the first team squad as quickly as possible, for the long-term good of the club.
*Appoint at least one, ideally two, coaching assistants (if necessary, in addition to his preferred first choice if he already has someone in mind to be his No.2) with past West Ham connections who understand the ethos of the club and what it means to the supporters. They should be coaches who have the talent and ambition to aspire to the top job themselves one day – not just put out the training ground cones and behave as mere 'yes' men around their boss.
*Adopt the American football and cricket coaching philosophy by bringing in specialist part-time coaches who will command respect and who have played the game at a high level – for example, Tony Cottee or Stuart Slater/strikers, Alvin Martin or Julian Dicks/defenders – to come in and work on an occasional, affordable ad-hoc basis to support the head coach and his full-time assistants. Fresh faces can also help to give the players a lift and provide variety to training routines.
*Understand and respect the club's history and the important people who helped shape it. The 'West Ham Way' is to be jealously guarded and cherished, not mocked and ridiculed as it has been by BS. This should always apply to the manager, players and, yes, the owners too.
Above all, the next manager of West Ham United must promise us all one thing: to give us our football back.
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Bullish Sam Allardyce claims he has ''more ambition'' than West Ham as future remains uncertain
May 09, 2014 22:30 By Neil McLeman
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce has claimed he has "more ambition" than West Ham as uncertainty continued about his future. The Irons boss claimed yesterday he has not been told his job is in danger and he is already planning for next season. Club sources insisted no decision has been made about the manager before a scheduled meeting on Tuesday. Allardyce said yesterday he had "delivered what I have been asked to deliver" by getting West Ham promoted and keeping them in the Premier League for two seasons at they plan the move to the Olympic Stadium. He has been fired twice before - and Blackburn and Newcastle were subsequently relegated. And Allardyce said: "The past two jobs I only left as new ownership told me to. If you look at the one before that (Bolton) I was there for seven or eight years and I left there as there was no ambition left at that club for me to achieve what I wanted to achieve. "That was not good enough for me. I want to get better. "I have more ambition than West Ham ever has - I have more ambition than them. Or the same ambition as them.
"I want to get into Europe. I want to get into the new stadium. I want to win a cup. If I don't have ambition I don't do this job. I have seen it all before and you use your experience to try and achieve that ambition." But Allardyce, 59, added: "You have to accept what owners do, whether you like it or not. We've had more (managerial) changes in the Barclays Premier League than ever before and one never knows when it's gong to happen to you."
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Sam Allardyce handed West Ham players a FOUR-DAY BREAK ahead of title decider at Manchester City
May 09, 2014 22:30 By Neil McLeman
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce gave his West Ham players a four-day break ahead of tomorrow's title decider at Manchester City. Liverpool need the Hammers to beat the Premier League leaders to have any chance of being crowned champions. However, after confirming their top-flight status by beating Spurs a week ago, West Ham had a warm-down on Sunday and only returned to training yesterday. The players were at the club's annual awards dinner at a Park Lane hotel in London on Tuesday night. Allardyce said: "It was a little motivation by me before the game – beat Tottenham and you will have a few days off to spend with your family and get ready for this day. "We had lost four on the trot. I wanted to make sure our last home game would be something we could all enjoy and remember. It was a little teaser for the lads. "You don't need any training now. We can't be any fitter than we are. We can rest and come back in fresh.
"Our minds are clear, we're looking forward to the game and we're getting ready to go to plan our tactics against a team that is trying to win the Premier League."
West Ham have conceded 12 goals in losing three times to City this season, including a 6-0 thrashing at the Etihad in the Capital One Cup semi-final in January.
City need just a point to clinch the title but Irons boss Allardyce said: "From a neutral's point of view, I think everybody would like to see Liverpool win it.
"From a personal point of view, I'd like to see Steven Gerrard win it. "It's the one thing he hasn't achieved for Liverpool, but obviously they've let it slip out of their hands. "On form and where they are, Manchester City are the favourites. "But every West Ham player can go and give his best because we know we're safe in the league, so let's go and spoil Manchester City's party." Allardyce has his critics among sections of the Upton Park faithful, but the club yesterday insisted no decision had been made about his future as manager. A meeting on Tuesday will clarify his position. Allardyce added: "I have more ambition than West Ham ever has – I have more ambition than them. Or the same ambition as them." Gus Poyet, whose job as Sunderland boss is in doubt, has emerged as the new favourite to replace Allardyce.
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'It's not over': Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers backs West Ham to deliver title race twist
May 09, 2014 15:06 By David Maddock
The Mirror
Brendan Rodgers is backing West Ham to deliver one last dramatic twist in a roller-coaster Premier League season. The Liverpool boss seemed to have surrendered the title race on Monday night, when his side blew a three goal lead at Palace in a crazy final 10 minutes. But after hearing Hammers boss Sam Allardyce promise that his side will not lie down and roll over, the Reds coach believes that anything can still happen and the tension fuelled final day. "It's certainly not over. We know it is a tough game for us. For City, West Ham have some talented players and if they can go to Tottenham and win 3-0 then they can certainly go to City and win," Rodgers said. "We will fight to the very end. If we win the game and don't win the title, then to finish second to the richest team in sport is a huge compliment to what we are doing. "They've got Big Andy up front, and they can cause real problems. The expectancy is City will win, but it won't be easy for them. West Ham know they have the players who can cause problems. Whatever happens, Rodgers insisted his side will be better for the experience. "I think we will improve dramatically again next season, the young players will be better for what they have experienced this season," he added. "I want to congratulate my players on this season - we have had a remarkable season and put Liverpool on the road-map again. Rodgers also confirmed he has an agreement in principle over a new contract, which he hopes will be signed when the season concludes. "I've been in discussion with the club and there is the framework of a deal in place," he explained. "It is something I've always said will be resolved in the summer, and I hope we will be able to sort something then."
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Sam Allardyce looks ahead to West Ham United's season finale at Manchester City on Sunday
09.05.2014
Sam Allardyce spoke to the media at the Boleyn Ground on Friday morning ahead of West Ham United's final Barclays Premier League game of the season against Manchester City on Sunday. Big Sam discussed the latest team news, the chances of causing an upset on Sunday and his verdict on the team's performance this campaign.
Morning Sam, it's the last game of what's been a tough season for you. How would you assess your team's season?
SA: "I think it's been a very tough season. Everybody's found this season to be rather unique in terms of how it's panned out here and there. We've all had our ups and downs, but the bottom line is we've delivered the ultimate goal, to stay in the Barclays Premier League. We obviously wanted to do a little better than we've actually done, but 12th at the moment comes in around where we thought we might have finished in budget terms. After Sunday's result it may change a position or two depending on what result we get. "Sustaining our position in the Barclays Premier League was obviously critical for us. Yes we'd have liked to done a little better, particularly at home because our away record has improved compared to last season, but our home record hasn't produced as many points as last season. We had some extenuating circumstances that everybody's aware of, we overcame those and we finished the season on a high last week with a third victory over Tottenham which has never happened before in the history of the Club against our old rivals."
How much of a say do you think you can have on the destination of the title?
SA: "I watched the game against Aston Villa the other night and we all know that Manchester City in full flow are very difficult to play against. We've got to go out there and give a fantastic performance to stop them trying to grasp the title. It will be hugely difficult because they're the best team at home in the league, they've only lost once against Chelsea. Their goal record is fantastic and they have great players. Every player on top of his form, every player can go out and give everything they've got on the basis that they know we're in the Premier League next year, but let's try and spoil Manchester City's party."
Will Andy Carroll want to score the goals that could win Liverpool the title?
SA: "I'm not so sure he's thinking about that, I think he'd like to score the goals for West Ham. All we can do is concentrate on ourselves and concentrate on getting our tactics and performance right. The team will probably be at full strength and I think we have some very good players that we have to make sure that we cope as a team. Individually they're better than us, but as a team we can build a resilience, a frustration and then maybe create a chance or two when we have possession which is going to be critical for us on the day."
Who do you want to win the title going into the last day of the season?
SA: "From a neutral point of view, everybody would like to see Liverpool win it. From a personal point of view I'd like to see Steven Gerrard win it. It's the last thing for him which he hasn't quite achieved at Liverpool. He's been a one club man all his life. Obviously they've let it slip out of their hands. They had it to take, but they've now left it in the hands of Manchester City. On form and the position they're in, you'd have to say Manchester City are the favourites."
How much credit does Manuel Pellegrini deserve if City do go on to win the title?
SA: "Huge, I think. It's his first season and I think that anybody arriving for their first season at a football club and to achieve what he's achieved if he does win the Premier League and the Capital One Cup, means that they've done the double and there's not a lot more you can ask. There's money spent at every club, but everyone knows that this is the hardest league in the world to win and it's been shown this year more than ever before."
Do you think that some fans have been quick to forget what the team achieved last season?
SA: "No, not really. I think that what we have to do is plan to get better. Each season as we go along we've got to try and use the money that we have to find better players and make sure the team when it starts the following season is better than the season before. That's our main priority. There's an exceptionally good pre-season planned for us to get ready for next season and hopefully we'll have fewer injuries. That's the big key for us, the big key to this season has been to plan for next season and make sure that we don't suffer as many injuries as we have this season."
Have you discussed how much you'll have to spend in the summer?
SA: "No, not yet. That comes in the meeting next week, when we join up to discuss the way forward and discuss what's happened this season."
What's your evaluation of the season as a whole?
SA: "We're in 12th position and we know we have a strong squad that we need to build on. We know that when everyone's fit and available that we can compete at this level. Without any doubt the highs were the three victories against Tottenham. People will remember it for a long time because it's created a little bit of history as it's never happened before. It will go down in the history books as something which happened this season and people will not forget it as time goes by. People will remember that we've beaten Tottenham three times in one season."
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West Ham: Sam Allardyce confident on managerial future
BBC.co.uk
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce claims co-owner David Sullivan has not given him any indication he will be sacked. They lost every match in April and some fans want the manager removed, despite being 12th in the Premier League. But Allardyce, 59, says there are no signs he will be relieved of his duties at the end of the season.
Big Sam's West Ham record
137 games
55 wins
50 defeats
32 draws
"I spoke to David Sullivan yesterday about arranging our usual end-of-season meeting. I had no indication my position was under threat," he said. "As a whole it's been a tough season. But we've delivered our goals to stay in the Premier League." West Ham face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in their final match of the season. Liverpool need the Hammers to beat City if they are to have any hope of winning the title, and Allardyce has urged his players to ruin the day for Manuel Pellegrini's side. "We know we're in the Premier League next year, let's go and try to spoil Manchester City's party," said Allardyce.
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Man City v West Ham
KO 15:00
9 May 2014
Last updated at 13:11
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By Guy Mowbray
BBC Match of the Day commentator
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Etihad Stadium Date: Sunday, 11 May
TEAM NEWS
Manchester City top scorer Sergio Aguero is fit after missing the win over Aston Villa with a groin injury. Midfielder Fernandinho has been used sparingly recently because of a leg problem but could be fit enough to start.
West Ham have no new injury worries ahead of the trip to the Etihad Stadium. Marco Borriello is the only absentee with a long-term calf problem.
MATCH PREVIEW
Yaya Toure's magnificent solo goal to seal Wednesday's 4-0 win v Aston Villa brought about the most emotional reaction we've seen yet from Manuel Pellegrini as Man City's manager - a turn, a broad smile, and two arms raised in triumph. As ever with the unflappable Chilean, nothing hysterical - but it did suggest acknowledgement of a job almost done. "I look at this fixture and, if there was not so much riding on it, I would say it would end up three or four-nil to Manchester City - but then I remember it is City, and how they always make things a bit difficult for themselves. "West Ham can be awkward, difficult opponents - ask Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho about what he called '19th-Century football'. They'll need to him to stay typically ice-cool on Sunday too. Yes, just one more point will secure the title, but though you'd struggle to find anyone who's not a City fan doubting them, long-in-the-tooth Blues know not to pop the champagne early. Underneath the new layers of glamour and gold, this is still Manchester City, the club that prompted former player and chairman Francis Lee to say: "If there was a cup for cock-ups, City would win it." West Ham won't make it easy. Actually, let's put it another way: Sam Allardyce certainly won't make it easy, especially with talk growing of this being his final game in charge. Nothing to play for? Well, he'll want to make sure of avoiding more humiliation at a ground where the Hammers lost 6-0 in January , and for the club overall, there's pots of Premier League prize money at stake. Defeat would mean a guaranteed drop of at least one place in the table. Every place lower you finish means £1.2 million less in the bank. Picture the scene: Liverpool are 2-0 up and cruising, whilst it's goalless at the Etihad. City - not programmed to play for a draw - are being held out by stubborn West Ham resistance. All the time there's the threat of pushing a little too strongly and offering a counter-attacking chance. One combination later between former Liverpool men Downing and Carroll...
That's how Hollywood would develop the story anyway, presumably with Sergio Aguero scoring a title-winning goal after 93 minutes and 20 seconds. As if THAT could ever happen.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
City have beaten the Hammers twice already in 2014, putting nine goals past them without reply over the two legs of the Capital One Cup semi-final.
West Ham have not beaten Manchester City in their last seven league meetings (L5, D2).
City have won their last five home games against West Ham (in all competitions).
Manchester City
City have won their last four league matches.
Their only home league defeat so far this season came against Chelsea on 3 February. Sunderland are the only other side to have taken any points away from the Etihad in the 2013-14 Premier League campaign - they drew 2-2 there last month.
City have been top of the table this season for fewer days than any other of the teams in the top four.
Man City are only the second team in Premier League history to score 100+ goals in a single season (after Chelsea with 103 in 2009-10). They have exactly 100 goals, compared to the 40 scored by West Ham.
West Ham
West Ham have lost four of their last five Premier League matches.
They have also lost four of their last five league matches on the road.
West Ham kept a clean sheet for the first time in 11 games against Tottenham last weekend.
The Hammers finished last season in 10th place with 46 points. They cannot match that performance in this campaign, even if they beat City.
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Allardyce ignoring sack rumours
KUMb.com
Filed: Thursday, 8th May 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce may have been tipped for the sack by at least one tabloid today - but that wasn't stopping him from continuing to plan for the close season.
Journalist Sami Mokbel claimed in the Mail this morning that Allardyce is set to be removed from his position after West Ham face Manchester City in the title-decider at the Etihad Stadium this coming weekend. However Big Sam, who celebrates three years in the job later this month is already making plans for next season, having previously decided who he wants to move on and and in which positions he needs to strengthen this summer. Several first team squad members - including fringe players such Joe Cole, Jordan Spence, Jack Collison and Jussi Jaaskelainen - are out of contract this summer whilst Alladyce has already said goodbye to Italian duo Antonio Nocerino and Marco Borriello, both on loan at the club since January. It is perhaps no surprise that the manager has identified a striker to support Andy Carroll as his main target for pre-season but Allardyce is also looking to improve his defensive options, with full backs close to the top of the list of priorities. With Alou Diarra also considered likely to leave the club this summer - if West Ham can find anyone to take the former Franch international off their hands, that is - Big Sam is seeking cover in midfield, with Stade de Reims' 24-year-old Grzegorz Krychowiak mooted as one possible target by Polish media today. Some of the other names the Hammers have been linked with during the past 48 hours include Chelsea's Demba Ba, Diafra Sakho of Metz, Portuguese striker Hugo Almeida (currently with Besiktas) and Gabriel Obertan.
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Manchester City look to claim title against West Ham
By Rob Parrish - Follow me on Twitter @RobParrish75. Last Updated: 09/05/14 1:28pm
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Manchester City are set to be crowned Premier League champions for the second time in three years if they avoid defeat in their final game of the season at home to West Ham United, live on Sky Sports 1HD. Manuel Pellegrini's men put one hand on the trophy with their resounding 4-0 home success against Aston Villa in midweek after challengers Liverpool suffered an untimely stumble, blowing a 3-0 lead at Crystal Palace to draw 3-3.
The Etihad Stadium side now hold a two-point cushion on Brendan Rodgers' men, who end their season at home to Newcastle, and with City's goal difference 13 better than Liverpool only a shock West Ham win will offer the Reds any hope. City have timed their run to the summit to perfection on the back of four successive victories, having so often been behind Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal during arguably the most enthralling title race of the Premier League era.
Pellegrini's men are odds-on favourites for glory, but in a campaign which has thrown up an endless string of shock results there can be no room for complacency. There are echoes, too, of the 2011/12 season when City were expected to brush aside relegation-threatened QPR en route to their first Premier League title, but ended up needing a last-gasp goal from Sergio Aguero to defeat their 10-man opponents 3-2 and pip Manchester United to the crown.
West Ham's only incentive is retaining 12th place in the table and a greater share of the end-of-season prize money as they are four adrift of Crystal Palace in 11th, but have Swansea, Sunderland, Aston Villa and Hull City within striking distance. The Hammers have not enjoyed their meetings with City this season, going down 3-1 in the Premier League at Upton Park and suffering a 9-0 aggregate drubbing over the two legs of the Capital One Cup semi-final in January.
Sam Allardyce, who has seen his position come under fire from sections of the West Ham fans in recent weeks, saw his side snap a four-game losing streak with a 2-0 home success against Tottenham Hotspur last time out.
Paul Merson's prediction
If Man City had to win it, then this would be a different kettle of fish, but they have to draw and I can't see them failing to win the league. Remember, West Ham went up there in the Capital One Cup a few months ago and got rinsed 6-0 and won't take much confidence out of that. I have got to go for Man City to win - but honestly, after what I've seen in the Premier League in the last month, it wouldn't surprise me if West Ham scored in the first 10 minutes and then suddenly it's game on!
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0
Man City
Last 6
A Villa (h)4-0
Everton (a)2-3
C Palace (a)0-2
West Brom (h)3-1
Sunderland (h)2-2
Liverpool (a)3-2
Manchester City are boosted by the availability of star striker Aguero as they go in search of the point they need to claim the Premier League title. Aguero, who secured the 2011/12 crown with virtually the last kick of the season, suffered a groin injury in the 3-2 win over Everton and missed the midweek victory over Aston Villa. But he has been passed fit to face the Hammers, although with Edin Dzeko having scored five goals in his last three games, Pellegrini has another in-form option, with Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic providing further back up.
West Ham
Last 6
2-0
West Brom (a)1-0
C Palace (h)0-1
Arsenal (a)3-1
Liverpool (h)1-2
Sunderland (a)1-2
West Ham boss Allardyce could be tempted to stick with the same players on duty for last weekend's 2-0 home win over Tottenham. The Hammers halted their four-game losing run against their 10-man London rivals and the starting XI may be rewarded with further action. Marco Borriello was the only absentee from Allardyce's squad against Spurs, with the on-loan striker still hampered by a calf injury which has troubled him since his January arrival.
Opta stats
Man City have lost just one of their last 13 Premier League meetings with West Ham (W9 D3).
West Ham have won just two of their last 25 away league games against Man City, losing 20 and drawing three.
Andy Carroll has scored five Premier League goals against Man City; more than he has against any other opponent in the competition.
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Sam Allardyce: I want Steven Gerrard to win Premier League and spoil Manchester City's party
Last Updated: 09/05/14 2:00pm
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Sam Allardyce says West Ham will give everything to upset Manchester City on Sunday and deliver the title to "neutrals' choice" Liverpool. Allardyce and his players are now all that stand between City and a second Premier League in three years, and a point at the Etihad will be good enough barring a 13-goal victory for Liverpool over Newcastle. The omens are good for Manuel Pellegrini's side - in three previous meetings with West Ham this season they have won three times and scored 12 goals - but Allardyce has a personal motive for spoiling City's title party. Sam Allardyce has played down reports that he could leave West Ham at the end of the season. He said: "From a neutral's point of view I think everybody would like to see Liverpool win it, and from a personal point of view I'd like to see Steven Gerrard win it. "It's the last thing for him which he hasn't quite achieved at Liverpool. He's been a one club man all his life. Obviously they've let it slip out of their hands. They had it to take, but they've now left it in the hands of Manchester City. "We all know Man City in full cry are very difficult to play against. We've got to go out there and give a fantastic performance to stop them trying to grasp the title on that day. "Of course that will be hugely difficult - this is the best team at home in the league. They've only lost once, against Chelsea, their goal record is fantastic and they've got great, great players. "So every player on top of his form, every player can go out and give everything they've got from the basis we're already in the Premier League next season. "Let's try and spoil Manchester City's party."
West Ham will have to contend with the threat of Sergio Aguero who returns from injury. The Argentina international missed the midweek victory over Aston Villa after suffering a groin strain during the first half of last weekend's 3-2 win at Everton. Aguero, City's top scorer this season with 28 goals, was also rated doubtful for the visit of the Hammers to the Etihad Stadium but Pellegrini has revealed he will have a fully fit squad at his disposal. "The whole squad is fit," said Pellegrini, whose side need only a draw to secure the Premier League crown. "It is very important. If you have your whole squad you can choose between all your players - that is the most important thing for a manager."
Pellegrini has attempted to play down the importance of the game as City look to pip Liverpool to the title. He said: "It is a very important weekend because it is the last game - it is the work from the whole year - but also it is a normal game because I think the best way to do it is to repeat what we did the whole season so far here. "I think it is very important for the manager to be calm, to try to repeat what we did the whole year preparing for the games here at home.
The 60-year-old Chilean, whose side are two points clear of the Reds, insists he will be able to control his nerves on Sunday. He said: "After so many years I think it is very important to control your emotions because when you have to take decisions under emotion, normally you will do it in the wrong way." Pellegrini also insists he has no interest in playing for a draw against West Ham. "Every team must play every game to win," he said. "It doesn't matter in which conditions they are playing, every team must want to win."
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Premier League sides linked with Marseille's Alaixys Romao
Last Updated: 09/05/14 2:58pm
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A host of Premier League clubs are tracking Marseille midfielder Alaixys Romao, Sky Sports understands. Marseille are thought to be ready to offload a number of players after a disappointing season in Ligue 1. Togo international Romao has been a regular in the Marseille side since arriving from Lorient in January 2013 and a number of top-flight English clubs have been keeping tabs on the all-action midfielder for some time. The likes of West Ham, Everton, Sunderland, Newcastle and Hull City are all thought to be admirers of Romao and are keeping tabs on his situation at the Stade Velodrome. Romao, who still has two years to run on his current deal at Marseille, is thought to be available for a fee in the region of €3million (£2.4million) and the player is understood to be keen on a move to England.
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West Ham manager Sam Allardyce: I've had no word my job is under threat
Last Updated: 09/05/14 12:56pm
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Sam Allardyce says he has had no indication he is about to lose his job as West Ham manager. Allardyce has faced speculation over his future for much of the season amid persistent criticism from some of the club's supporters. One newspaper this week claimed West Ham's owners have already taken the decision to seek a new manager once Sunday's final game at Manchester City is out of the way. But Allardyce is on the brink of delivering a second successive mid-table finish and is continuing to plan for next season until told otherwise by owners David Sullivan and David Gold. He said: "I spoke to David Sullivan on Thursday about us arranging our usual meeting to go through pre-season budgets and what's going to happen next season, and I had no indication about my position being under threat. "That's all I can say, that's all I know, and he's the boss. That's the bottom line for me. "I rang him up, spoke about what was being bantered around, and under those circumstances we talked about getting together and having our meeting next week. "Has the speculation undermined my position? I'm not so sure about that. People in the game have to write speculation about what's happening at certain clubs because they have to sell papers.
"Whether it's right or wrong only time will tell. Speculation's part of the game, whether that speculation becomes a reality at this moment in time we don't know. I will find out next week."
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POYET NOW THE FAVOURITE TO BE NEXT WEST HAM MANAGER
By Iain Dale 9 May 2014 at 13:43
West Ham Till I Die
If I were a betting man, I would save my money on Sam Allardyce departing West Ham next week. I do think at least one of Brady, Gold and Sullivan would like to see him go, but the compensation that would have to be paid is truly eye watering. But the newspapers seem to think the decision has already been taken and it is just a mater of time before it is announced. By this time next week we will know.
What is interesting is to see the shift in the betting markets. Gus Poyet is now the favourite to be the next manager at Upton Park. A few weeks ago he was 66/1. Do dthe bookies know something the rest of us don't?
I am a big fan of Poyet and I suspect he would fit in very well in all sorts of ways. He apparently has some sort of get-out clause in his current contract and is unhappy at the level of control over football matters he enjoys at Sunderland. Mind you, if I were them I'd move heaven and earth to keep him.
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GIVE US OUR FOOTBALL BACK
By Tony McDonald 9 May 2014 at 09:10
West Ham Till I Die
WHEN the long-awaited celebrations following Big Sham's impending dismissal finally subside and we recover from our hangovers, the next big question will soon sober us up: 'So who's next?'
Naturally, I'll be delighted to see the back of Allardyce, who is without doubt the manager who has presided over the worst football witnessed at this club in living memory, but there was a depressing inevitability about where we're at now.
Much as I have protested bitterly from day one of his reign almost three years ago that Allardyce was the wrong choice for West Ham United, the fact is the owners must shoulder their responsibility for where the club finds itself now . . . a couple of lucky results away from the brink of relegation.
David Sullivan, David Gold and Karren Brady chose to ignore the evidence of Allardyce's previous 25 years in management – a quarter-of a century in which he'd failed to win a single meaningful trophy while consistently playing probably the most wretched football ever seen in the English top flight – when they rescued him from the dole queue in the summer of 2011.
In trying to salvage the disaster they had inflicted on the club with their implausible appointment of hapless Avram Grant a year earlier (just after he had taken Portsmouth down), they carelessly turned a blind eye to irrefutable widespread evidence that they were putting the club in the hands of a tactically inflexible managerial dinosaur with a well-deserved reputation as the biggest long-ball advocate in the history of the Premier League.
Those negative tactics from the dark ages served him well for many years at Bolton Wanderers but they were never going to be tolerated for too long at West Ham, where we have a tradition of expecting a little more creativity from managers and players.
Allardyce and West Ham are incompatible and the owners should have known better. I was pleased to hear that David Sullivan stood up at last week's awards dinner to puncture a few egos and bring a sense or harsh reality to the swanky proceedings, but it should never have come to this. Hopefully, another costly lesson has been learned.
But what did any of us really expect from Allardyce? While I was surprised that even he had the front to mockingly cup his ears at a relatively small group of angry, frustrated fans who had the temerity to boo him (yes Sam, make no mistake, it was YOU they were jeering at, not your players), the way West Ham have played under him has been as woefully predictable as his 'tactics'.
"He'll do a job for us," came the defiant cry from the BS defence committee whenever any of us questioned his suitability to the top job at Upton Park. True, he did deliver on his mandate from the board by returning us to the Promised Land at the first time of asking, although maybe the delirious scenes following the play-off final – our first day out at Wembley since 1981 – papered over a few cracks. West Ham had failed to beat either of the two teams that finished above them, Reading and Southampton, and in all honesty Blackpool were the better side at Wembley, where a late Vaz Te goal against the run of play clinched promotion and probably saved lucky BS his job.
The counter-argument to BS being acclaimed as some mythical go-to man of clubs in distress is that quite a number of other half-competent managers, given the depth of squad and financial resources he inherited compared to his second tier rivals, would have equally got the club promoted from the Championship.
Using the same rationale, and as I've had to repeatedly remind those who've been blinded by BS's bull**** and his sycophantic mates in the media, winning football does not have to be ugly. Do you really believe that hoofing endless high balls in the general direction of our big lump up front, in the vain hope that someone might feed off the scraps, is the ONLY way to Premier League salvation? Look at Swansea and look at Southampton – two clubs much smaller than ours who have both relatively recently been promoted to the top flight and stayed there without compromising their footballing principles. In his first season in English football, Michael Laudrup arrived from Getafe in Spain to guide the Swans to ninth place, won the League Cup (their first trophy in 100 years) and qualified them for Europe. Oh, and he didn't do too badly with the signing of star strikers Michu and Bony either.
It would be hard enough to swallow BS's long-ball dogma and negative tactics – putting greater emphasis on keeping clean sheets than trying to score goals – if it actually produced results. But when it repeatedly ends in tedious goalless draws and defeats . . . well, who in their right mind wants to pay good money to watch that?
If promotion didn't quite dupe the board into fully believing that BS was the second coming, then a 10th place finish on Hammers' return to the Premier League surely did. They will now begin paying hefty compensation to a man who, despite never having won anything in his 25-year career, was inexplicably elevated to the status of 13th highest paid manager in world football when awarded a new two-year contract worth an annual salary of £2.95m at the end of 2012-13.
On the surface, to finish halfway up the table was no mean achievement. But scratch beyond that gloss veneer and you'll see that only five points separated the ninth-placed team (Swansea City) and 16th (Newcastle United). The directors only had to make a cursory glance at Hammers' recent history to see a dangerous recurring pattern of managers enjoying one satisfactory season followed immediately by a disastrous one, as this table illustrates:
Glenn Roeder 7th (2001-02) 18th (relegated in 2002-03)
Alan Pardew 9th (2005-06) 18th (when sacked in Dec 2006)
Alan Curbishley 10th (2006-07) 10th (2007-08)
Gianfranco Zola 9th (2008-09) 17th (2009-10)
Allardyce can't complain about being sacked now. He has been handsomely rewarded throughout his three-year tenure and he'll sail off into the sunset much richer than when West Ham short-sightedly plucked him from obscurity and gave his ego a new lease of life.
His team has gone backwards and this season the entertainment value has been zilch, absolutely dire. It would be easy for him to blame what has been a season-long struggle on injuries to key players but the fact is his one-dimensional approach to every game is built around one lone target man whose fitness remains questionable.
There is clearly no Plan B, the manager and the players are bereft of ideas and let's face facts . . . save for an unprecedented run of four straight wins in February, we could be back in the Championship by now. That we are relieved to still be clinging on to the Premier League's TV riches to clear our bank debt owes much more to the ineptitude of the teams who ended up in the bottom three than anything BS and his players have done beyond those three results against Spurs.
Whoever follows BS, it will not be a seamless transition. If we assume that the new incumbent will be asked – no, make that implored – to follow clear terms of reference to re-introduce a traditional passing game that will at least raise entertainment levels and give the long-suffering fans some semblance of value for their hefty admission money, then that will mean trying to implement fundamental changes to the 'style' of the team he will inherit.
Whilst some players will be offloaded this summer, it won't be easy to shift the big earners towards the exit door. In several cases, it will prove impossible.
If Andy Carroll isn't the new man's cup of tea, then we'll have a big problem in more ways than one. Who will want to take an injury-prone, one-dimensional player who cost £17m-plus in transfer fees (how Liverpool have missed him) and a reported £80,000 per week in wages over a six-year contract? Remember, in the period before BS turned Carroll's loan period into a full transfer last summer, absolutely no other club showed any interest in signing him. It was only at this point that the England striker finally accepted that it was either West Ham or wilderness and belatedly pledged his allegiance to the claret and blue flag. Yet we still went ahead and smashed the club's record transfer fee to get him.
Which club will be even remotely interested in the ageing legs of Kevin Nolan, who still has two years left on his original five-year contract and is reportedly on a basic of £50,000 per week? Much as BS and Nolan appear besotted with each other, this high-earning captain of rapidly diminishing value is very unlikely to walk away and accept less money elsewhere any time soon. He will be 32 at the start of next season; 34 when his contract is up.
And then there is the crazy issue surrounding BS's cosy long-term relationship with his favoured agent and pal Mark Curtis, dating back to at least 1996, which journalist Daniel Taylor highlighted with a piece in a recent issue of The Observer. As Taylor pointed out, at the last count the controversial Curtis now has under contract or links to not only the departing West Ham boss, but nine (yes, NINE!) of his first team squad: Carroll, Nolan, Jarvis, Tomkins, Adrian, Demel, O'Brien, Collison and Jaaskelainen. It's wishful thinking to hope that BS and Curtis will bugger off and take their unwanted players with them. I read somewhere that 27-year-old part-time right-back Joey O'Brien is on £33,000 a week but the website concerned must have added an extra '3' in error. Surely not even Curtis can be that persuasive, nor Gold and Sullivan that gullible?
At a hugely inflated combined cost of an estimated minimum £33m in transfer fees alone, Carroll (only two league goals in 14 matches this season), Downing (one goal in 34 games) and Jarvis (four goals in 26 games) are probably worth barely half as much today. Downing will be 30 at the start of next season; 32 when his four-year contract ends.
Jarvis will be 30 when his current deal expires three years from now. The two under-performing wingers are reportedly receiving a weekly wage of somewhere between £45-50,000 a week. Good job they're not performance-related deals tied to goal bonuses, or else they'd both be selling the Big Issue this summer.
Quite how this ludicrous situation where a manager and his agent friend have assumed such power and influence at a Premier League was allowed to happen is incomprehensible. Talk about a conflict of interests. It's a tangled web that the club will do well to extract itself from without too much financial pain.
By sacking BS, the owners have transferred the spotlight and pressure back onto themselves but I very much hope that they will not allow the fact that the move to the Olympic Stadium is just two years away to cloud their judgement when it comes to choosing his successor. Knee-jerk appointments should have no place in a club that has serious ambitions to be playing European football in the next five-to-10 years. Now is the time to build a solid platform that will serve the club well for generations to come.
So back to our original question: who's next?
Rumours that the hierarchy are to focus their attention exclusively on British candidates will hopefully prove unfounded, if you consider the dearth of quality coaching talent out there. The abysmal treatment Malky Mackay – one of the early front-runners, if the bookies are to be believed – received at the hands of the lunatic Cardiff owner earlier this season should not camouflage the fact that his team were no joy to watch and already looking doomed well before Solskjaer was brought in to perform the last rites. A nice guy who understands the 'West Ham Way', but we should be setting our sights much higher.
OK, so we are not going to lure a Pellegrini, a Wenger or a Mourinho (Heaven forbid) to East London but Michael Laudrup has proved himself very capable in all areas of management in a very short time at Swansea, while Spain's La Liga has several potential candidates, notably Luis Enrique. The former Spain, Barcelona and Real Madrid captain looks ripe to follow in the impressive footsteps of Martinez, Poyet and Pochettino by making his mark in England's top flight. Our board would do well to consider why fewer and fewer British managers are not being offered good Premier League jobs. It's no mystery. The vast majority simply are not good enough.
Whoever comes in should be heading up a restructured football management set-up that promotes long-term continuity and understand that he must follow clear guidelines laid down by the owners, not given carte blanche – as seems to have been the case with Grant and BS – to do whatever he chooses in terms of playing style. Don't appoint a manager and tell him to "do whatever it takes to keep us in the Premier League". Allardyce was a short-term fix; his replacement should be a man with a clear vision of the long-term future and how best to achieve it.
The new Head Coach should be presented with a clear blueprint that looks much like the following:
*Set the team up in a way to always encourage attacking, enterprising creative and entertaining football in the best traditions of the club. Of course it's not always possible to play offensively (other teams impose themselves on you, so tactics must always be flexible and applied and adapted to different situations), but there should always be a natural INTENT to go forward, as teams produced by Greenwood, Lyall, Bonds and Redknapp always did.
*If we are going to lose, let's at least do so in a little style – not go out cautiously hoping for a draw, looking to nick a goal on the break, only to then losing without even having had an attempt at goal.
*Although the pressure on modern managers to produce immediate results is paramount given the game's obsession with money, he must not ignore the need to keep half an eye on the development of young players. While vowing never to throw them to the lions in the horrific manner BS did in the FA Cup debacle at Forest last January, he should be expected to slowly but steadily integrate them in the first team squad as quickly as possible, for the long-term good of the club.
*Appoint at least one, ideally two, coaching assistants (if necessary, in addition to his preferred first choice if he already has someone in mind to be his No.2) with past West Ham connections who understand the ethos of the club and what it means to the supporters. They should be coaches who have the talent and ambition to aspire to the top job themselves one day – not just put out the training ground cones and behave as mere 'yes' men around their boss.
*Adopt the American football and cricket coaching philosophy by bringing in specialist part-time coaches who will command respect and who have played the game at a high level – for example, Tony Cottee or Stuart Slater/strikers, Alvin Martin or Julian Dicks/defenders – to come in and work on an occasional, affordable ad-hoc basis to support the head coach and his full-time assistants. Fresh faces can also help to give the players a lift and provide variety to training routines.
*Understand and respect the club's history and the important people who helped shape it. The 'West Ham Way' is to be jealously guarded and cherished, not mocked and ridiculed as it has been by BS. This should always apply to the manager, players and, yes, the owners too.
Above all, the next manager of West Ham United must promise us all one thing: to give us our football back.
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Bullish Sam Allardyce claims he has ''more ambition'' than West Ham as future remains uncertain
May 09, 2014 22:30 By Neil McLeman
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce has claimed he has "more ambition" than West Ham as uncertainty continued about his future. The Irons boss claimed yesterday he has not been told his job is in danger and he is already planning for next season. Club sources insisted no decision has been made about the manager before a scheduled meeting on Tuesday. Allardyce said yesterday he had "delivered what I have been asked to deliver" by getting West Ham promoted and keeping them in the Premier League for two seasons at they plan the move to the Olympic Stadium. He has been fired twice before - and Blackburn and Newcastle were subsequently relegated. And Allardyce said: "The past two jobs I only left as new ownership told me to. If you look at the one before that (Bolton) I was there for seven or eight years and I left there as there was no ambition left at that club for me to achieve what I wanted to achieve. "That was not good enough for me. I want to get better. "I have more ambition than West Ham ever has - I have more ambition than them. Or the same ambition as them.
"I want to get into Europe. I want to get into the new stadium. I want to win a cup. If I don't have ambition I don't do this job. I have seen it all before and you use your experience to try and achieve that ambition." But Allardyce, 59, added: "You have to accept what owners do, whether you like it or not. We've had more (managerial) changes in the Barclays Premier League than ever before and one never knows when it's gong to happen to you."
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Sam Allardyce handed West Ham players a FOUR-DAY BREAK ahead of title decider at Manchester City
May 09, 2014 22:30 By Neil McLeman
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce gave his West Ham players a four-day break ahead of tomorrow's title decider at Manchester City. Liverpool need the Hammers to beat the Premier League leaders to have any chance of being crowned champions. However, after confirming their top-flight status by beating Spurs a week ago, West Ham had a warm-down on Sunday and only returned to training yesterday. The players were at the club's annual awards dinner at a Park Lane hotel in London on Tuesday night. Allardyce said: "It was a little motivation by me before the game – beat Tottenham and you will have a few days off to spend with your family and get ready for this day. "We had lost four on the trot. I wanted to make sure our last home game would be something we could all enjoy and remember. It was a little teaser for the lads. "You don't need any training now. We can't be any fitter than we are. We can rest and come back in fresh.
"Our minds are clear, we're looking forward to the game and we're getting ready to go to plan our tactics against a team that is trying to win the Premier League."
West Ham have conceded 12 goals in losing three times to City this season, including a 6-0 thrashing at the Etihad in the Capital One Cup semi-final in January.
City need just a point to clinch the title but Irons boss Allardyce said: "From a neutral's point of view, I think everybody would like to see Liverpool win it.
"From a personal point of view, I'd like to see Steven Gerrard win it. "It's the one thing he hasn't achieved for Liverpool, but obviously they've let it slip out of their hands. "On form and where they are, Manchester City are the favourites. "But every West Ham player can go and give his best because we know we're safe in the league, so let's go and spoil Manchester City's party." Allardyce has his critics among sections of the Upton Park faithful, but the club yesterday insisted no decision had been made about his future as manager. A meeting on Tuesday will clarify his position. Allardyce added: "I have more ambition than West Ham ever has – I have more ambition than them. Or the same ambition as them." Gus Poyet, whose job as Sunderland boss is in doubt, has emerged as the new favourite to replace Allardyce.
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'It's not over': Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers backs West Ham to deliver title race twist
May 09, 2014 15:06 By David Maddock
The Mirror
Brendan Rodgers is backing West Ham to deliver one last dramatic twist in a roller-coaster Premier League season. The Liverpool boss seemed to have surrendered the title race on Monday night, when his side blew a three goal lead at Palace in a crazy final 10 minutes. But after hearing Hammers boss Sam Allardyce promise that his side will not lie down and roll over, the Reds coach believes that anything can still happen and the tension fuelled final day. "It's certainly not over. We know it is a tough game for us. For City, West Ham have some talented players and if they can go to Tottenham and win 3-0 then they can certainly go to City and win," Rodgers said. "We will fight to the very end. If we win the game and don't win the title, then to finish second to the richest team in sport is a huge compliment to what we are doing. "They've got Big Andy up front, and they can cause real problems. The expectancy is City will win, but it won't be easy for them. West Ham know they have the players who can cause problems. Whatever happens, Rodgers insisted his side will be better for the experience. "I think we will improve dramatically again next season, the young players will be better for what they have experienced this season," he added. "I want to congratulate my players on this season - we have had a remarkable season and put Liverpool on the road-map again. Rodgers also confirmed he has an agreement in principle over a new contract, which he hopes will be signed when the season concludes. "I've been in discussion with the club and there is the framework of a deal in place," he explained. "It is something I've always said will be resolved in the summer, and I hope we will be able to sort something then."
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