Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce reflects on another rollercoaster season for West Ham United
12.05.2014
Sam Allardyce says he is pleased with the way his West Ham United side
safely steered themselves away from the situation they found themselves in
at the turn of the year. Saturday's defeat to Champions Manchester City
wrapped up the 2013/14 season, but it was the vital victories that preceded
its finale which provided the West Ham United manager with his best moments
from the season. Last Saturday's 2-0 victory against Tottenham Hotspur took
the Hammers to the safety of 40 points and an eventual 13th place finish.
"We were in no real threat of relegation for a while," Big Sam said. "We
pulled ourselves out of the bottom three and finished 13th this year. We've
got 14 clean sheets and if we'd converted a few more of them into wins we'd
be on 46 points. "Overall the season has been very up and down. The way it
panned out in the end was about right, our points total being roughly where
you'd expect to finish. However, we've really done the best part of our
season in the last 15 games. "In the last 15 games we've won seven of those
so we've nearly got a 50 per cent win rate from those fixtures. To achieve
that after where we were in January is a pretty good job."
Despite the strong finish, the season has not always been plain sailing as
the Hammers went through a difficult run of results at the turn of the year.
Big Sam believes that next season should prove more straightforward for a
side that will be kicking off their third consecutive campaign in the
Barclays Premier League.
"The lads have withstood the pressure and we're established in the Premier
League for the second season in a row. "In statistic terms, the third year
should get better but that depends on how much you can improve your squad
with new players. In three years you've had the opportunity to improve your
squad and we can ask for a bit more from the players so we will hopefully
finish in a better position next season."
City secured their second Premier League title as their
expensively-assembled squad provided a performance worthy of Champions. Big
Sam admitted the better side had won, although he felt his team had suffered
at the hands of some bad defending and misfortune. "The real sickener for me
was letting that goal in just before half time so we went in 1-0 down at the
break. We should have kept it as tight as we did in the first half at the
start of the second half, but we gave a goal away from a corner. "City are a
fantastic side with quality players and they had them all out in the team on
Saturday. It was always going to be a difficult task but we tried to do as
best as we possibly could."
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Loan round-up
WHUFC.com
George Moncur finshed his loan spell at Partick Thistle with a goal at the
weekend
12.05.2014
George Moncur ended his loan spell at Scottish Premiership side Partick
Thistle with a bang, notching in the Jags' 3-2 defeat to Ross County on
Saturday. Hammers youngster Moncur has had to wait for his chance at
Firhill, and helped his team come from 2-0 down to draw level, before James
Craigen's late own goal proved decisive in the visitors' favour. Moncur was
a 67th minute substitute at the weekend, and his strike means his loan comes
to a conclusion with one goal from his two Partick appearances.
Back in England, Hammers loanees Jack Collison and Ravel Morrison faced each
other in Friday night's first leg of the Sky Bet Championship play-off
semi-final between Wigan Athletic and Queens Park Rangers. Collison was an
unused sub for the Latics, while Morrison played 77 minutes for QPR as the
pair drew 0-0. The second leg takes place at Loftus Road on Monday evening.
Meanwhile, Sean Maguire was an unused substitute as Sligo Rovers lifted the
Setanta Sports Cup with a 1-0 victory over Dundalk in the final.
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Noble points to Man City positives
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble felt West Ham United had cause for optimism after Sunday's season
finale
12.05.2014
Mark Noble commended a spirited West Ham United display at the Etihad
Stadium on Sunday, despite going down 2-0 to newly-crowned Barclays Premier
League champions Manchester City. The Hammers frustrated their fluent hosts
for some 39 minutes, before Samir Nasri's fine low strike flew in via the
right hand of Adrian and the inside of a post. Once David Silva had seen his
effort, on the stroke of half-time, thud back off the bar, City all but
settled matters five minutes after the restart, when skipper Vincent Kompany
fired Nasri's corner home from close range. Reflecting on the season finale,
Noble felt the Hammers had done themselves, not forgetting the occasion,
justice. "We didn't want to come here and just roll over, though everyone
was expecting us to," he confirmed. "We knew we were going to have to
defend. We watched Villa come here on Wednesday and they defended
brilliantly for 60 minutes. But the quality City have is incredible and they
always seem to score at home, as they did again on Sunday. "So we knew what
it was going to be like, they do that to every team that comes here. It was
a fantastic atmosphere and I thought we defended well for half-an-hour, 40
minutes. "They scored a goal out of nowhere and then it's their game to
lose. It was an uphill battle against a team, at home, that only had to draw
to win the league. They've got some of the best players in the world and
that's why they've won the league."
While City celebrate a second title in three seasons, West Ham are now
looking forward to a third successive campaign in the top flight, no mean
feat, says the Hammer of the Year. He continued: "It has been tough but
we've finished 13th now and we were second from bottom in December. This is
the best league in the world and it is credit to the lads and to everyone
involved that we've got ourselves out of that position. "It was a tight
league and a tough league this season and a couple of results pushed you
right up the table. We managed to win four in February and then against Hull
City and Sunderland, which confirmed our safety. To beat Spurs in the last
home game of the season finished it off nicely. "It was looking a bit
worrying for a while, but now it's safe and we're looking forward to next
season."
Finally, Noble, as he typically does, reserved a special mention for the
Hammers' travelling army, who made their presence felt at a jubilant Etihad
Stadium.
"We come to expect that from our fans, we don't expect anything else," he
explained. "They come away and can be heard at every away game, no matter
where you are. That's a credit to them and we can't thank them enough."
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Hammers make NZ recce
WHUFc.com
West Ham United officials have visited New Zealand ahead of the Club's
pre-season tour in July
12.05.2014
West Ham United club secretary Andrew Pincher and fitness coach Eamon Swift
visited New Zealand on a reconaissance mission ahead of the Club's
pre-season tour in July. Pincher and Swift made a flying visit to Auckland
and Wellington ahead of the Hammers' Football United Tour, which will see
the first team take on A-League clubs Wellington Phoenix and Sydney FC on 23
and 26 July respectively. The duo checked out the hotels, training
facilities and stadia which West Ham will use during their nine-day stay in
New Zealand this summer. Swift, pictured, was also keen to calculate the
effects the 11,400-mile trip would have on the players to enable him and his
colleagues to plan their training schedule accordingly. "The issues they
will have to deal with are fatigue, jet lag and lack of sleep," he
confirmed. "We will have to see how hard we can push them, bearing in mind
we're not sure how they are going to recover from the journey."
Having dropped in at the country's biggest stadium, 50,000-capacity Eden
Park in Auckland, Pincher and Swift flew south to Wellington, where they
were impressed by the 34,500-capacity Westpac Stadium. "It's a great modern
stadium and similar to some of the stadiums back home," said Swift, who has
travelled all over Europe and the Middle East in his role with the Club.
Pincher, whose role on the reconaissance trip was of a more administrative
nature, said the reaction to West Ham's impending visit had been hugely
positive in New Zealand and the surrounding region. "It's not easy for our
UK fans to get to but we've got fans in New Zealand, Australia and Asia so
it'll be great for them," said Pincher. "It's exciting, it's different, and
the facilities are first-class."
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AC rues season end
WHUFc.com
A fit Andy Carroll would rather be playing regular football than going away
on his summer holidays
12.05.2014
Whether or not Andy Carroll goes to the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals with
England, the West Ham United forward cannot wait to return to the pitch.
Having been named as one of seven standby players by England manager Roy
Hodgson, the No9 has jetted off on his holidays knowing only injury to one
of his fellow strikers will see him go to Brazil. After missing the opening
half of the 2013/14 season due to a serious foot problem, Carroll played
just 16 times last term, leaving his appetite for competitive football
unfulfilled and the player counting down the days until pre-season training
kicks-off on 3 July. "It has been a long season for me," he admitted. "When
I was going through all the recovery work to get back from injury, I had to
wait what seemed a long time for my chance to be back. "What with not being
able to come back until the last part of the season to play, I still feel
fresh now and I would be pretty happy if there were still a few games to
play, I must admit. "But it is the end of the season so I will have to wait
a bit. It will be just as important to re-charge the batteries and then I
just want to kick on and be raring to go from pre-season."
While the season just ended proved frustrating for Carroll and his
team-mates for a variety of reasons - injuries, suspensions, missed chances,
disappointing cup exits - the centre forward insisted there were still
plenty of positives to take from the way West Ham climbed out of relegation
trouble in the New Year.
"It has been a tough season in many ways, of course," he conceded. "But we
had a talk after the match and we spoke about how we won 60 per cent of our
last phase of games of the last part of the season so that was a good thing
to touch on and it means we take that on to the next year. "We came through
the tough times when players were injured, many at the same time, which
meant a lot of the lads were playing out of position when we didn't have the
numbers, but we came through it together. "We said as soon as we got those
players back, we could get better and we did that. We got ourselves out of
trouble and we knew we could be pushing more once we had everyone back. "We
kept together, the manager, players and staff, and I think that showed as we
got ourselves safe and we want to push on now. "There was the relegation
fight which we got sucked into for a bit but we were determined that, once
we were stronger, we could get out of it and we did that."
Having secured their safety by defeating local rivals Tottenham Hotspur in
their final home game, West Ham completed the campaign with a 2-0 defeat at
Barclays Premier League champions Manchester City. Yet again, the Claret and
Blue Army sold out the away section at the Eithad Stadium and the Big Man
said every member of the squad was appreciative of the support they have
received throughout a rollercoaster season. "It is always disappointing to
lose any game, but we knew facing Manchester City would be tough especially
as they were going for the title and were in prime position to do that, so
well done to them. "We were determined to finish as strongly as we could and
I think that showed in our win over Tottenham Hotspur in our final home
match of the season and for the fans. It was the result that definitely
secured our safety in the league and we were determined to do that. "The
fans were out in their numbers again for our last match of the season. There
has been frustration for them but their support was still strong and we all
appreciate that."
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Potts philosophical over Play-Off loss
WHUFC.com
Academy boss Steve Potts gives his assessment of the U18s' Play-Off defeat
to Manchester City
12.05.2014
West Ham United Under-18s were defeated 2-1 in a dramatic Barclays Under-18
Premier League Play-Off Semi-Final at Manchester City on Saturday. The
Hammers' hopes of an appearance in the final looked good when Jordan Brown
finished into an empty net in the opening 10 minutes, before the hosts
grabbed victory in the closing 10 minutes through captain Ashley
Smith-Brown's deflected effort and Kean Bryan's penalty. Despite coming out
of the game with a defeat, U18 boss Steve Potts felt that that his side
performed to the best of their abilities. "I couldn't have asked for more
from the lads," admitted Potts. "At the start of the game, we were playing
some excellent football and were by far the better team. We went a goal in
front and then could have had a penalty, but then they got back into the
game in the last 15 minutes of the first half like you expect them to. They
had a few opportunities but didn't exactly cut us open. We also had a great
chance at the end of the first half when Jamie Harney's header was cleared
off the line where we could have got the second goal.
"In the second half, we came out pretty strong again and I know they did
have a lot of possession after that but it was a case of whether we could
defend properly to keep them out and when we had the ball, could we hold
onto it and work it well to have a pop at them, which we did once or twice.
"We held on till the last 10 minutes when they were having a lot of the
possession and they managed to get a deflected goal and a penalty.
"I really couldn't have asked for more effort from the boys and I'm just
gutted for them. They've been excellent all year and they showed their
qualities again in this game but it just wasn't enough in the end."
Considering that the Hammers finished their Southern Group with 13 points
fewer than the Northern Group winners, Potts feels that his side could have
shocked the hosts with their first half performance, although it was nothing
out of the ordinary in his opinion.
"Maybe we shocked them in the first half by the way we were playing, but it
didn't surprise me as I know what these lads are capable of," continued
Potts. "We were the much better team in the first half and the lads can take
a lot of encouragement from that.
"Ideally you want to be taking the game to them for the whole 90 minutes and
take all your chances but let's not underestimate what a great team
Manchester City are. They finished at the top of the Northern Group quite
easily so we were always up against one of the best teams in the country and
we nearly got the result."
The game was filled with a number of questionable decisions, including
striker Brown not being awarded a penalty in the first half for a foul and
the referee awarding a dubious penalty for the Citizens in the 88th minute.
Potts admits that he felt both were penalties, but the referee should have
dealt with the winning penalty at the end better.
"I thought they were both penalties. Jordan went over in the first half and
I thought it was a clear penalty. He got away from his marker and in between
two bodies and was taken down when he was ready to get a shot in.
"For theirs, I think there was a handball from our player but what happened
with the referee was that he consulted his assistant, who didn't give it,
and then gave the penalty. That was the dubious part about the penalty. If
he had pointing to the spot straight away then we would have thought that it
was fair enough because there was a handball but he wasn't quite sure what
to do and he gave the penalty."
The defeat to Manchester City brings the Academy's season to an end and
Potts feels that his side can take a number of positives out of their
performances throughout the year.
"There has been plenty of positives this season, this game included. The
middle part of the season was fantastic for us when we went of the long run
of results. At the start of the season we were playing really well but were
not getting the results, but like I said, it picked up for the middle part
of the year.
"More recently we have been playing well with some mixed results at times
but we got to second in the table and I think we deserved our shot at
Manchester City in the Play-Offs.
"We have played some excellent football and plenty of positives but we
didn't quite get what we wanted against Man City."
After the match, Irish defender Jamie Harney acknowledged that the Academy
could have defended better, but believed that the club deserved to take a
result out of the game.
"It was very, very difficult for the lads to take," conceded Harney. "As a
team I thought we defended superbly throughout the game and coming up to the
last 10 minutes I really thought we were going to win it!
"A couple of refereeing decisions really cost us in the game but overall we
have to congratulate Manchester City. We also have to congratulate ourselves
on a good season but it was a tough result to take at the end of the day.
"In the first 30 minutes, I thought we were playing outstanding football and
I feel that Man City were shocked at the way we came out the blocks. Josh
Cullen did really well to close down the keeper for the first goal and
Jordan finished well and again, I felt a few penalties could have come our
way. I even had a header myself cleared off the line so in the first half I
think we did really well. In the second half though, Man City were dominant
throughout.
"I think we should have realised that with ten minutes to go, we were too
open at the back when they were breaking forward on us and we should have
just kept our back line nice and solid. One of their players got past
someone and went to put the ball in and I just went for the ball as a last
ditch attempt to win it and unfortunately I've got a touch on it and it's
gone in. It's one of those moments when you've got to put your hands up and
admit that we could have defended it much better.
"As a team, I thought we have been outstanding all season; bar the Youth
Cup. We have played well and got results against most of the big clubs in
the league and felt we really deserved this opportunity."
On a personal level, Harney is pleased with his performances and development
throughout this campaign but is already looking to better himself next
season.
"For myself, I feel like I've had a good, solid season," continued Harney.
"I've pushed myself up to the Development Squad and feel that I've shown
that I can play at that level.
"Hopefully I can come back next year and see where I am, push on and maybe
even force my way into a first team appearance at some point. All I can do
is keep playing as well as I can and I'm really happy at the moment."
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Taylor explains 'ghost punch'
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 12th May 2014
By: Staff Writer
Matt Taylor has explained the reason for his bizarre collapse on the field
during Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Manchester City. Earlier today a Vine in which
Taylor can be seen collapsing - as if "punched by a ghost", according to
Hammers youngster Blair Turgott - went viral. In the short video, the
Hammers midfielder falls to his knees before remonstrating with match
official Martin Atkinson, leading to much speculation as to what was
occurring. However the mystery was solved ealier this evening when Taylor
took to Twitter to explain. " I was just replicating the dive from Negredo
that won them a free kick!" he revealed.
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Andy Carroll out of World Cup squad
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 12th May 2014
By: Staff Writer
Andy Carroll has failed to make the cut for the England World Cup squad
taking part in the World Cup Finals in Brazil this summer. The Hammers
striker is out of the squad having been overlooked by England manager Roy
Hodgson in favour of Southampton veteran Rickie Lambert. However 25-year-old
Carroll has been named as one of seven players on a 'standby' list, which
includes two ex-Hammers in Michael Carrick and Jermain Defoe. "It's great to
see Andy Carroll back playing but it was a choice between two players and I
didn't think there was room for both," said Hodgson this afternoon. "The
fact he played for Southampton had no effect, but Lambert had been with us
throughout qualifying campaign." The very first West Ham player to represent
West Ham at a World Cup Finals was Bobby Moore in 1962. A then 21-year-old
Harry Hooper was included in the 1954 squad but the striker failed to
feature. In all, 12 Hammers have been selected for England's World Cup
squads since the nation took part in their first competition back in 1950.
The full England squad for 2014 is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion),
Fraser Forster (Celtic)
Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka
(Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Man Utd), Luke Shaw
(Southampton), Chris Smalling (Man Utd)
Midfielders: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Ross Barkley (Everton), Jordan
Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Southampton), Frank Lampard (Chelsea),
James Milner (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Raheem
Sterling (Liverpool), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
Forwards: Rickie Lambert (Southampton), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United),
Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United)
Standby: Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Andy Carroll (West Ham
United), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Jermain Defoe (Toronto FC), Jon
Flanagan (Liverpool), John Ruddy (Norwich City), John Stones (Everton)
Hammers to have represented England at the World Cup
2010 (South Africa): Robert Green; Matthew Upson.
2006 (Germany): None.
2002 (South Korea): Trevor Sinclair; Joe Cole; David James.
1998 (France): Rio Ferdinand.
1990 (Italy): None.
1986 (Mexico): Alvin Martin.
1982 (Spain): Trevor Brooking.
1970 (Mexico): Bobby Moore; Geoff Hurst.
1966 (England): Bobby Moore; Geoff Hurst; Martin Peters.
1962 (Chile): Bobby Moore.
1958 (Sweden): None.
1954 (Switzerland): Harry Hooper.
1950 (Brazil): None.
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Allardyce: we've turned it around
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 12th May 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce believes a relatively successful second half of the 2013/14
campaign has given the Hammers a springboard from which to prepare for next
season. Allardyce, speaking after the 2-0 defeat at Manchester City was
naturally disappointed at the reversal - in which the Hammers failed to
produce a single shot on target - but believes that the upturn in form since
Christmas will stand the squad in good stead for the 2014/15 campaign, which
kicks off in August. "In 2014 we have turned it around," he said. "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."
And on the game itself, which was won through courtesy of goals from Samir
Nasri and Vincent Kompany either side of the break, Allardyce admitted that
his team had perhapsd been playing within themselves. "We didn't really
cause them too many problems, which was a little disappointing," he
summised. "We defended well 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. 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 was always going
to be hard work to come back from that against such a great team. 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 [now], it's about
re-grouping for next season and getting ready for pre-season training."
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West Ham midfielder Mark Noble proud of performances
Last Updated: 12/05/14 2:10pm
SSN
Mark Noble believes West Ham's players should be proud of their performances
over the second half of the season. On New Year's Day, the Hammers were
second from bottom in the Premier League table and three points from safety.
But by May, they had moved six places up the standings to 13th to finish
seven points clear of the relegation zone. Starting with a goalless draw
against Chelsea on January 29, Sam Allardyce's side went on a run of six
wins and one draw in 10 games to secure their Premier League status for
another season. And Noble admitted: "It was a tight league and a couple of
results can push you up the table. "We managed to win four in February, then
beat Hull at home and Sunderland away to confirm our safety. "To beat Spurs
in the last home game of the season finished it off nicely. "It has been
tough but we have finished 13th and we were second from bottom in December.
"It is a credit to the lads and everyone involved in the club that we got
ourselves out of that and ended up 13th."
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Premier League rivals target Swansea defender Neil Taylor
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo | Last Updated: 12/05/14
11:32am
SSN
Sky Sports understands a host of Premier League clubs are weighing up a move
for Swansea defender Neil Taylor. Taylor, who was the subject of bids from
Fulham and West Ham in the January transfer window, is considering his
future at Swansea after struggling to hold down a regular starting place
this season.
The news has alerted a number of Swansea's Premier League rivals to Taylor's
possible availability this summer with the left-back establishing himself as
one of the best left-backs in the country before he broke his ankle in
September 2012. Ben Davies emerged as first-choice left-back for Swansea
during Taylor's enforced absence and he has forced Taylor to play second
fiddle at the Liberty Stadium since his return to fitness. Taylor, who has
started 18 games this season, is keen to be playing regular first-team
football and is expected to discuss his future with Swansea boss Garry Monk
this summer. The 25-year-old has no shortage of admirers in the Premier
League with the likes of Tottenham, Southampton, West Ham and Hull City all
actively monitoring Taylor's situation at Swansea. Taylor, who played for
Great Britain in the 2012 London Olympics, has two years to run on his
current deal and Swansea are bracing themselves for interest in the Wales
international during the summer transfer window.
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West Ham's Joey O'Brien misses Republic end-of-season friendlies
Last Updated: 12/05/14 7:33pm
SSN
West Ham defender Joey O'Brien has withdrawn from the Republic of Ireland
squad for their end-of-season matches. O'Brien was included in the
provisional 32-man party for the games against Turkey, Italy, Costa Rica and
Portugal when manager Martin O'Neill named it last week. However, he will
now not join up and will concentrate instead on his own fitness programme
ahead of the 2014/15 campaign. O'Brien missed much of the second half of
last season with a shoulder injury sustained in January, only returning in
the middle of April and finally making his first-team return on Sunday as
Manchester City took the Premier League title with a win over the Hammers. A
spokesman for the Football Association of Ireland said: "Following
discussions between FAI and West Ham's medical teams, Joey O'Brien has been
released from Martin O'Neill's provisional squad to manage his off season
medical programme." O'Brien will not be replaced in the initial party for
the clashes with Turkey in Dublin on May 25, Italy at Craven Cottage on May
31, Costa Rica in Philadelphia on June 6 and the Portugal in New Jersey on
June 10.
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West Ham manager Sam Allardyce to discover his fate on Tuesday as
speculation increases
May 12, 2014 22:30 By David Anderson, Darren Lewis
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce will discover his West Ham fate on Tuesday. The Hammers boss
faces the prospect of being the second manager to lose his job in the
end-of-season bloodletting after West Brom fired Pepe Mel on Monday
afternoon. Big Sam will meet with owners David Gold and David Sullivan to
learn his fate following a season marked by angry fans demanding his exit.
Captain Kevin Nolan has pleaded with the club to keep him on but a fan poll,
forwarded to Sullivan recently, revealed that 77 per cent of supporters want
Allardyce out of the club. Allardyce, who steered the club into the top
flight from the Championship and kept them up last season, saved them from
relegation once again this term. The campaign, however, has been marked by
widespread fan anger at what supporters perceive negative, one-dimensional
football from the Hammers boss. At times this season that frustration has
been shared by senior figures within the club. Yet Nolan believes Allardyce
is angry that the man who has worked so hard for the club is facing the
sack. The midfielder said: "At the end of the day he deserves more respect
than he has received. I'm disappointed there is all this talk, but that's
the life of a football manager. "It's crazy, but that's the world of
football these days. He's got a thick skin and he's got a meeting with the
chairman this week to discuss where we go in the future. "All the lads are
hoping it's only paper talk and that we can look forward to another season
in the Premier League."
Nolan claims all the players want Allardyce to stay and dismissed the
opposition from fans, claiming his critics in the stands are a vocal
minority. He added: "I'd be very disappointed if he lost his job. All the
boys would be very disappointed because of what he's done this year to make
sure this club remains in this league again," said the midfielder. "Before
he came, we were in the Championship and the club was in a real bad state.
Not just on the outside, but inside.
"That's what he does. He builds from the foundations up and he's starting
to build something here. "He's got the vision and if we all get behind him,
chairman, myself, players, the fans, then this club will have a successful
future. "You have to remember it's a minority of fans who do all the
shouting and sometimes they shout loudest."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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Tuesday, May 13
Monday, May 12
Daily WHUFC News - 12th May 2014
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
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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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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
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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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