Daily WHUFC News - 27th September 2014

Preview - Manchester United
WHUFC.com
All the key information ahead of Saturday's Barclays Premier League visit to
Old Trafford
26.09.2014

MANCHESTER UNITED v WEST HAM UNITED
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
OLD TRAFFORD
SATURDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 2014
KICK-OFF: 3.00PM
REFEREE: LEE MASON

In brief
West Ham United travel to Old Trafford to play Manchester United on Saturday
as Sam Allardyce's men look to extend their good run of form. The Hammers
beat Liverpool 3-1 at the Boleyn Ground last Saturday through goals from
Winston Reid, Diafra Sakho and Morgan Amalfitano.

West Ham have made a bright start to the campaign, securing seven points
from five games. Yet there is a feeling around the club that the level of
performances deserve even more.

Manchester United, however, suffered a humiliating 5-3 loss to Leicester
City last Sunday as they collapsed having been 3-1 ahead. The new Red Devils
manager, Louis van Gaal, has had a turbulent start to his reign at Old
Trafford, taking only five points from as many games.

Related stories

Big Sam on: Manchester United

Chadwell Chatter

Manchester United betting preview
Who are they?

Formed in 1878, Manchester United are one of the most successful clubs in
English football. Having won the record amount of league titles - a
staggering 20 times - they have also won eleven FA Cups, four League Cups
and three European Cups.

However, since the retirement of manager Sir Alex Ferguson at the end of the
2012/13 season they have struggled. David Moyes' tenure lasted less than a
season as the Red Devils finished seventh in a poor season.

Former Barcelona, Ajax and Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal has since
taken the reigns. The Dutchman has spent over £150m on new players including
the likes of Angel Di Maria, Daley Blind and Luke Shaw, yet the Manchester
club are yet to hit their stride.

Team news

West Ham United

The Hammers will be without midfield engine Cheikhou Kouyate who picked up a
groin injury against Liverpool. He is expected to be out for around six
weeks.

Also on the sidelines are Andy Carroll (ankle) and Joey O'Brien (knee). The
good news for Hammers' fans is that captain Kevin Nolan is back in full
training. Both Nolan and Jarvis could feature in an U21 match on Monday
night in an attempt to regain match fitness.

Manchester United

The Red Devils' defensive problems have been worsened by the injury to Jonny
Evans (foot). England internationals Phil Jones (hamstring) and Chris
Smalling (thigh) are both a few weeks away from fitness. Luke Shaw is
expected to make his first league start at left-back.

United will also be without ex-West Ham midfielder Michael Carrick (ankle),
Ashley Young (groin) and Marouane Fellaini (ankle).

Referee

Lee Mason will take charge of proceedings on Saturday. The experienced
referee has overseen Liverpool's defeat to Aston Villa and Manchester City's
loss against Stoke City - two of the surprise results of the season. In his
three games so far he has given seven yellow cards and is yet to show anyone
a red card.

Last season, West Ham won only one of the four league games Mason refereed,
which included red cards for James Tomkins and Mark Noble.

The assistant referees are Andrew Garratt and Ian Hussin, Mike Dean is the
fourth official.
One to watch

West Ham United

Morgan Amalfitano was the last of nine signings to join the club in a busy
summer. The French midfielder scored four goals on loan at West Bromwich
Albion last season including a fantastic solo effort against Manchester
United.

Amalfitano is a versatile player who can play on either wing, as a No10 and
in a central position. He could play in place of the injured Cheikhou
Kouyate as Sam Allardyce looks to continue his team's good run of form.

Manchester United
Having impressed at the 2014 World Cup Daley Blind looks to be a good bit of
business at £14m. The energetic Dutchman can play in a number of positions
both in defence and midfield.

Having come through the prestigious Ajax youth system he was voted Dutch
Player of the Year for the 2013/14 season.

Alongside the capture of Angel Di Maria, Blind impressed on his debut as
Manchester United dismantled QPR 4-0. Blind has started in central midfield
in both of his two appearances, yet in light of the defensive injuries, van
Gaal may well play Blind in defence.
Tickets
All tickets for the match, including coach travel have now sold out.
Travel
By Car: Leave the M6 motorway at Junction 19 taking the A556 towards
Altrincham. This leads onto the A56 to Manchester. Follow the A56 for about
six miles and look for Sir Matt Busby Way on your left. The ground lies
about 400 metres down Sir Matt Busby way although on match days this road is
closed to all cars without parking permits.


Train: Regular services run to Manchester Piccadilly. From there you can
take a train to Old Trafford. A similar train operates after the game back
to Manchester Piccadilly.
For more information go to: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares
Tram/Metrolink: The nearest tram station to Old Trafford is located next to
Lancashire County Cricket Club on Warwick Road, which leads straight up to
Sir Matt Busby Way and takes about a ten-minute walk.

To plan your tram journey use:
http://www.gmpte.com/content.cfm?category_id=102783
Weather

Cloudy, with brief sunny spells. The temperature is forecast to be around
17C (63F).

Last Old Trafford meeting
Manchester United 3-1 West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
21 December 2013
The hosts won comfortably as Danny Welbeck and Adnan Januzaj scored to put
Man United 2-0 up at half-time. Ashley Young's goal sealed the points as
Carlton Cole netted a consolation late on. The away defeat left West Ham a
point off the relegation zone before a revival in the second half of the
season.
Manchester United: de Gea; Rafael, Evra (Buttner 80), Smalling, Evans;
Valencia, Jones, Cleverley, Januzaj (Young 69); Welbeck (Hernandez 54),
Rooney
Subs: Johnstone, Giggs, Fletcher, Kagawa
Goals: Welbeck 26, Januzaj 36, Young 72
West Ham United: Adrian; Demel, McCartney, Collins (Rat 75), Tomkins; Taylor
(Collison 62), Diame, Noble, Morrison, Jarvis (C Cole 71); Maiga
Subs: Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, Diarra, J Cole
Goal: Cole 81

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actically speaking - Man Utd
WHUFc.com
An in-depth analysis of how the Red Devils might approach Saturday's meeting
with the Hammers
26.09.2014

Tactically speaking - Manchester United
The starting XI

De Gea
Rafael Fletcher Rojo Shaw
Blind Herrera Di Maria
Rooney
Van Persie Falcao

The formation
Manchester United's formation has been a source of much fascination since
the arrival of Louis van Gaal as manager and the influx of big-money summer
signings. In last weekend's 5-3 defeat at Leicester City, the Red Devils
employed a fluid system that made it difficult to pinpoint exactly where
each player was lined up formation-wise. However, educated observers have
labelled the starting formation as a 4-3-1-2, albeit with attacking
midfielder Angel di Maria lined up alongside defensive midfielders Daley
Blind and Ander Herrera. At the back, Rafael and Marcos Rojo were flying
forward at every opportunity from their nominal starting positions as
full-backs. Both centre-backs from last weekend's defeat at the King Power
Stadium - Jonny Evans and Tyler Blackett - are expected to miss Saturday's
game, with the Northern Ireland international nursing a foot injury and
Blackett suspended after his red card against the Foxes. Up front, Wayne
Rooney lined up behind central strikers Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao.

The playing style
Manchester United are clearly still looking for a settled playing style
under new manager Van Gaal. However, it appears that one thing is already
set in stone - there will be goals and chances at both ends of the pitch
when the Red Devils are in action. With so many talented attackers and
midfielders in their side, Manchester United are a team which prize
possession of the football, playing a short, passing style inside the
opposition half. The Red Devils have thrown men forward with abandon in
recent matches, with the full-backs in particular keen to support the
attack. This, however, has left their centre-backs and defensive midfielders
exposed and allowed opposition teams to create decent opportunities to score
against them. While their defensive solidity may not be so convincing, going
forward Manchester United remain a real threat - hardly surprising when you
list the likes of Di Maria, Van Persie, Rooney and Falcao in their side.
Individually, Di Maria has caught the eye since his arrival from Real Madrid
by picking up the ball and running at pace at the defence, either creating
an opportunity to shoot, exchange passes or to play in one of his
team-mates. Di Maria is just one of a host of players who will not be afraid
to let fly from range, with the deep-lying Rooney a major threat to do just
that.

The players
While his favoured formation remains something of a mystery, Van Gaal's
selection of players also presents something of a guessing game.
David De Gea is the clear first-choice goalkeeper. The Spaniard may not
appear physically imposing, but he is 6'4 tall and is both agile and brave.
Like many continental goalkeepers, De Gea is also a quick and accurate
distributor of the football. The back four - or three - that Van Gaal
utilises against West Ham is likely to be a very unfamiliar one. Youngster
Blackett, who has started all five league games so far, will miss the game
through suspension. Meanwhile, England internationals Phil Jones and Chris
Smalling are nursing hamstring and thigh injuries respectively, and Evans is
out with the ankle problem he suffered at Leicester. If news reports are to
be believed, Argentine Marcos Rojo, who filled the left-back berth at
Leicester, could partner one of Manchester United's younger defenders at
centre-back. Either Tom Thorpe, 21, or Paddy McNair, 19, could start.
Alternatively, Scotland midfielder Darren Fletcher or Dutchman Daley Blind
could drop into the back four.

Lively Brazilian Rafael is likely to start at right-back, while the
left-back position could be filled by England youngster Luke Shaw. Should
Shaw start, it would mark a debut for the former Southampton player, who is
blessed with great pace and stamina.
In midfield, Blind and Spaniard Ander Herrera will provide the shield for
the back four. Blind is a versatile performer who came through the Ajax
Academy and has all the hallmarks of his upbringing - good technique, calm
in possession and keeps the game moving.
Herrera is more attack-minded and will appear in the opposition penalty box.
Both are mobile and get around the pitch well, as you would expect for
players aged 24 and 25 respectively.

The front four for Manchester United need little introduction.

Di Maria is a top player. Predominantly left-sided, the Argentine is quick,
technically superb and always on the move. With or without the ball, he is a
constant threat. Rooney gets on the ball regularly in his new attacking
midfielder/No10 role behind the two strikers. As always, he will work hard
for the team and help out defensively when the need arises - both from open
play and set pieces. Van Persie is well-known to Premier League audiences,
but Colombian Falcao perhaps less so. Having arrived from Monaco with a huge
reputation, Falcao is a quick, strong right-sided centre forward who
finishes accurately from all positions, when he receives service from his
colleagues.

The statistics
By Ben McAleer
Ahead of West Ham United's meeting with Manchester United, football stats
website WhoScored.com has taken the chance to preview the encounter. The
Hammers enter the fixture high on confidence after a morale-boosting 3-1 win
over Liverpool last weekend. West Ham's performance against the Reds won
them plenty of plaudits and supporters will be hopeful they can repeat the
display when they travel to Old Trafford on Saturday. United have ample
attacking talent but have proven to be shaky at the back, particularly in
the shock 5-3 reverse at Leicester on Sunday.

With Louis van Gaal short on defensive options heading into the encounter,
West Ham will be confident that the high-pressing game adopted in the win
over Liverpool will reap rewards once more. Strikers Diafra Sakho and Enner
Valencia both played essential roles in Saturday's victory and the duo
between them have netted three of West Ham's nine league goals this season.

The pair were hugely influential at the weekend, pressuring the Liverpool
defence and not allowing them time to settle, and against United, similar
could occur if they repeat their performances from the Boleyn Ground
victory.

One of United's statistically calculated WhoScored.com weaknesses is
'defending against long shots' and West Ham have developed a knack for
netting from distance this season, Valencia's effort in the 2-2 draw with
Hull a case in point. The Hammers could punish the 2012/13 Premier League
champions if they are afforded space to shoot from distance, which could
result in a second home league defeat of the season for United.

With a rejuvenated Stewart Downing operating behind Sakho and Valencia, West
Ham have become a much more unpredictable side going forwards and the team
are benefitting as a result. Only three teams - Chelsea, Everton and Arsenal
- have scored more league goals than the Hammers (nine) so far this season
and against a defence that conceded five last time out, Sam Allardyce will
look to attack on Saturday.

Despite their short time together, Sakho, Valencia and Downing's blossoming
partnership has contributed to West Ham's impressive start to the season.
With Mauro Zarate in reserve, Allardyce has plenty of options in attack and
if the starting trio are on song this weekend, the chance of West Ham coming
away from Old Trafford with all three points increases considerably.

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Chadwell Chatter
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble talks about the win over Liverpool, the Olympic Stadium and
facing Manchester United
25.09.2014

Hello,

I hope everybody enjoyed our 3-1 win over Liverpool last Saturday, I
certainly did! As captain, I was incredibly proud of the effort every single
one of players put in. The result was no less than we deserved and I came
off the pitch on Saturday thinking that was a proper team performance.

Another positive is the effect the new players have had. Diafra Sakho has
been in great goal scoring form and Enner Valencia's talent is clear to see.
Another player who has done really well who perhaps has gone under the radar
a little bit is Aaron Cresswell. He seems to have made the step up from the
Championship to the Premier League pretty seamlessly so full credit to him.
Overall the new players have all settled in really well and have undoubtedly
improved the team. It is definitely the best squad I've been involved in
during my ten years as a first team player. We are a powerful, strong team
now. We've got a lot of skilful players and boys that can finish well so
it's a pleasure to be playing at the moment.

On Tuesday I was at the opening of the Reservation Centre at Westfield
Stratford where everyone can buy their Season Tickets and hospitality
packages for the New Stadium. It's less than two years to go until the move.
As everyone knows, time goes very quickly in football. I remember making my
debut ten years ago now and the time since then has flown by! Just thinking
ahead to match-days at the new ground it's going to be amazing. The fans
will be able to do a bit of sightseeing and then come to a West Ham game,
it's going to be fantastic.

Having seen the progress made on the stadium, it looks like everything is
coming together and I'm really looking to it. Once it is completed it will
be truly be an amazing arena to play in, certainly as good, if not better
than any stadium I've ever played in before.
Speaking of great stadiums, we're heading to Old Trafford this Saturday with
every chance of coming back with a good result. I've had some mixed results
there during my time but I always look forward to playing there. How can you
not?

My most memorable game was the day Carlos Tevez scored as we won on the last
day of the season to save us from relegation. If I can have half that
feeling of when we stayed up that would be amazing.

Whereas in previous years we've had to 'park the bus' due to their quality,
we're going up there now with a good chance of getting something out of the
game. The Club, the staff and certainly the players are looking forward to
it.
Don't get me wrong, they're still a fantastic team with world class players
and we're certainly not going to underestimate them. Coming back from that
incredible 5-3 game with Leicester they'll be hurting and looking to bounce
back.
Having said that we know they've got some chinks in their armour and we'll
be looking to exploit them come Saturday. We're in good form, we've got good
players and we're feeling confident. We'll take that onto the pitch at Old
Trafford and hopefully come away with a positive result!

Come on you Irons
Nobes

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Six of the best: Manchester United
WHUFC.com
A look back at six memorable away wins over Saturday's opponents Manchester
United
25.09.2014

Old Trafford was for years regarded as a fortress for Manchester United
under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson. But perhaps now, after an
indifferent 2013/14 campaign, there is an air of vulnerability about the Red
Devils. Here, whufc.com takes a look at six memorable away wins for West Ham
against Saturday's opponents.

Manchester United 0-1 West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
13 May 2007
West Ham travelled to newly-crowned Champions Manchester United on the final
day of the 2006/07 season needing a point to be sure of their Premier League
status. As it was, the Hammers took all three points thanks to Carlos Tevez,
who scored on the stroke of half-time, placing his shot past Edwin Van der
Sar after exchanging passes with Bobby Zamora. The visitors were able to
hold out in the second half as they ensured top-flight football would be
played at the Boleyn Ground for another season.

Manchester United 0-1 West Ham United
Premier League
8 December 2001
West Ham inflicted a third straight league defeat on the Red Devils as a
single goal from Jermain Defoe was enough to earn them all three points. The
defining moment came with 64 minutes on the clock as the diminutive striker
headed home unchallenged at the far post following excellent work by Paolo
Di Canio. Visiting keeper David James then made a string of fine saves to
keep his side in front and earn himself a precious clean sheet.

Manchester United 0-1 West Ham United
FA Cup Round Four
28 January 2001
A game famous for the antics of United's eccentric French goalkeeper, Fabian
Barthez, saw the Hammers through to the fifth round of the FA Cup. 76
minutes had elapsed when Paolo Di Canio bore down on goal with Barthez
stood, one hand aloft, appealing in vain for an offside decision which never
came. The Italian proceeded to slot the ball past the Frenchman, leaving the
Red Devils and their bemused fans out of the FA Cup.

Manchester United 2-3 West Ham United
First Division
25 August 1986
The second game of the 1986/87 season saw the Hammers rise to the top of the
first division with an entertaining win over Manchester United. A goal from
Alan Devonshire and two from Frank McAvennie steered the away side to their
second successive win at Old Trafford.
United did however to go onto finish four places above West Ham, ending the
season in eleventh place.

Manchester United 0-2 West Ham United
FA Cup round five replay
9 March 1986
The Hammers had disposed of Ipswich and Charlton to earn a fifth round tie
with Manchester United. After a 1-1 draw four days earlier the visitors
eased through to the sixth round thanks to a trademark penalty from Ray
Stewart and a goal from Geoff Pike. The cup run was halted just three days
later in the next round, as a 2-1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday sent the
Hammers crashing out.

Manchester United 0-2 West Ham United
First Division
27 November 1976
West Ham had suffered eight defeats out of nine games before they journeyed
to Old Trafford lying in a precarious 22nd place in the league. Billy
Jennings and Trevor Brooking were the heroes in claret and blue as they
eased the mounting pressure on the Club. By the end of the season the
Hammers had managed to stabilise and finished the campaign in 17th place.

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Brown aims to bring down Royals
WHUFC.com
Goal-hungry U18s striker Jordan Brown wants to fire the Hammers to victory
over Reading on Saturday
26.09.2014

West Ham United U18s striker Jordan Brown is aiming to continue his
impressive goal scoring record when the Hammers travel to Reading on
Saturday. Having started the season with four goals in five Barclays U18
Premier League fixtures, along with a further two at the Champions Cup event
at Tottenham Hotspur in early September, Brown told whufc.com that he is
determined to keep banging in the goals.
"The season has gone well for me personally," said Brown, who joined the
Hammers from Arsenal at the start of his two-year scholarship in summer
2013. "There are areas of my game that I still need to work on that, if I
put the work in to change them, I'll be able to take my game to a higher
level."I'd like to be adding more goals to my game. I've scored a few now
but I want to score even more."That's four goals in five league games for
me, but I also scored two in the Champions Cup tournament at Spurs so things
are going well for me!"
This season, Brown has become one of the more experienced players in the
Hammers' Academy side, after being joined in the U18s by several members of
the U16 squad.
The former Gunner is setting his sights on moving up to Nick Haycock's
Development Squad, for whom he featured at Tottenham Hotspur from the bench
in August. Despite wanting to reach that level as soon as possible, Brown
understands that with the quality ahead of him, he will have to be
patient."I want to be playing at the highest level that is available," Brown
continued. "I'm being patient at the moment because I know that there are
some fantastic strikers ahead of me."I know that I've just got to keep
performing well on the pitch and also keep banging the goals in because it's
playing well like that will get me noticed more."

West Ham's U18s head into Saturday's fixture at Reading off the back of a
3-2 home victory over Southampton last weekend. England U16 international
Brown got himself on the scoresheet again by netting the equaliser as the
Hammers came back from 2-0 down after 22 minutes to be level by half-time,
before substitute midfielder Kieran Bailey volleyed in a late winner. Brown
and his team-mates were delighted to achieve success from a losing position,
although they know how important it is to learn from the opening half-hour
as they look to push on this season. "We were impressed with the result but
know which areas that we have to work on. In the first half, we came out
quite slow. We are happy with the final hour of the match, but the first 30
minutes wasn't good enough and we know that. "We could stand here and blame
a change in formation, but we are all good enough players to be able to
adapt to whatever system that Steve Potts and Mark Phillips put out on the
pitch each game.

"It seems to happen often that we come out quite slowly in games and give
the other team the upper hand. If we can change that and come out dominating
the game from the start, it will give us a better chance of scoring more
goals and winning more games in the future."
West Ham take on Reading at Hogwood Park on Saturday 27 September at 11am.
The game will be played behind closed doors, but we will bring you live
Twitter updates here.

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Mediawatch - 26 September
WHUFC.com
Our daily look at West Ham United in the news
26.09.2014

The manager's pre-Manchester United press conference is covered extensively
in Friday morning's papers, with Big Sam admitting in the Mirror that he
expects a Red Devils backlash following their 5-3 defeat to Leicester City.
The Daily Express carries quotes from Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal,
in which he suggests he has only one fit central defender. In the Guardian,
Enner Valencia says the Hammers have a bright future, particularly with
their impending move to the Olympic Stadium. The Evening Standard says Kevin
Nolan and Matt Jarvis are on the verge of returning from injury.

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Nations Cup 2015: No place for Song in Cameroon squad
BBC.co.uk

There is no place in the latest Cameroon squad for West Ham's Alex Song,
despite the fact he has completed a three-match ban. The Indomitable Lions
are set to play Sierra Leone on 10 and 15 October in Group D of 2015 Africa
Cup of Nations qualifiers. Song was given the suspension after being sent
off during Cameroon's second match at the World Cup. He was dismissed for
elbowing Croatia's Mario Mandzukic in the 4-0 loss. The 28-year-old missed
the final Group A match in Brazil, a 4-1 loss to the hosts, and then
Cameroon's opening two Nations Cup qualifiers. Following the World Cup, he
joined English Premier League side West Ham on a season-long loan from
Spanish giants Barcelona. There is a recall for the Lyon defender Henri
Bedimo, who missed the qualifying wins against DR Congo and Ivory Coast
through injury. Cameroon are set to host both qualifiers against Sierra
Leone in Yaounde as the Leone Stars are unable to play at home due to the
ongoing outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in the country.The Indomitable
Lions are top of Group D after the first two matches with the top two sides
in each group guaranteed to qualify for January's finals in Morocco.

Cameroon squad:
Goalkeepers: Pierre Sylvain Abogo (Tonnerre Yaounde), Guy Roland Ndy Assembe
(Nancy, France), Joseph Ondoua (Barcelona, Spain)
Defenders: Frank Bagnack (Barcelona, Spain), Henri Bedimo (Lyon, France),
Cedric Djeugoue (Coton Sport), Jerome Guihoata (Valenciennes, France), Bana
Moussa (Coton Sport), Nicolas Nkoulou, Brice Nlate (both Marseille),
Ambroise Oyongo (New York Red Bulls, USA)
Midfielders: Enoh Eyong (Standard Liege, Belgium), Marc Kibong Mbamba
(Konyaspor, Turkey), Raoul Cedric Loe (Osasuna, Spain), Georges Mandjeck
(Kayseri Erciyesspor, Turkey), Stephane Mbia (Sevilla, Spain), Benjamin
Moukandjo (Stade Reims, France), Edgar Salli (Monaco, France), Guy Christian
Zock (Cosmos Bafia)
Forwards: Vincent Aboubakar (Porto, Portugal), Eric-Maxim Choupo Moting
(Schalke 04, Germany), Jean Marie Dongou (Barcelona, Spain), Frank Etoundi
(FC Zurich, Switzerland), Leonard Kwueke (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey), Clinton
N'Jie(Lyon)

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Man Utd v West Ham
KO 15:00
26 September 2014
Last updated at 11:05
By John Motson
BBC Match of the Day commentator

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Old Trafford Date: Saturday, 27 September

TEAM NEWS

Marcos Rojo is Manchester United's only fit central defender, with Phil
Jones, Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans injured and Tyler Blackett suspended.
That could mean a debut for Tom Thorpe or Paddy McNair, along with summer
signing Luke Shaw at left-back. West Ham will be without midfielder Cheikhou
Kouyate, who has been ruled out for six weeks with a groin injury. Fellow
midfielders Kevin Nolan and Matt Jarvis have returned to training but are
not ready to be involved. I can't remember a match in modern times when
Manchester United have needed a result more than they do this weekend.
Leicester created shockwaves with their amazing comeback victory on Sunday,
leaving United with their worst ever start to a Premier League season.
That's even more remarkable considering they are yet to face a team who
finished higher than 12th last season. It's not going to get any easier this
weekend with Louis van Gaal's fragile defence shorn of more players. Tyler
Blackett, Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling are missing from the side that lost
to the Foxes, so Van Gaal may need to turn to youth to make up the
numbers."I would like to think that West Ham will play the same way they did
against Hull and Liverpool, which was both about as far away from a typical
performance from a Sam Allardyce team as you can get. "In both of those
games, the Hammers got in the opposition's faces and attacked them with lots
of pace. I was really impressed."

Wayne Rooney hasn't had an easy to start to life as captain, but this game
comes a day before the 10th anniversary of his United debut. He hit a
hat-trick against Fenerbahce on that occasion and will be desperate to
celebrate in style this weekend. It's hardly a lucky ground for West Ham,
with 16 defeats in their 18 Premier League meetings and just two victories,
although the last of those wins in 2007 particularly sticks in the memory.
Carlos Tevez, embroiled in a row over his registration, controversially
scored the winner to save the Hammers from relegation and instead send down
Sheffield United. West Ham have improved considerably since last season -
demonstrated by last weekend's 3-1 win over Liverpool. Their attacking
reinforcements of Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho have impressed and Sam
Allardyce has praised the impact of new attacking coach Teddy Sheringham in
helping the movement of his forwards. Stewart Downing didn't have much end
product last season but has already provided three assists in this campaign,
while Alex Song has stiffened up midfield alongside Mark Noble, although
Cheikhou Kouyate's absence against United is a blow. Even with a record as
bad as theirs, West Ham can go into Saturday full of confidence. Old
Trafford is no longer the fortress it once was.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
Manchester United have taken 31 points from their last 11 Premier League
games against West Ham.
The Hammers have won just two matches in their last 21 visits to Old
Trafford in the top flight - the other 19 were defeats.
West Ham have scored nine goals in 18 Premier League games at Old Trafford
and never more than one in a single game.

Manchester United
United have made their worst ever start to a Premier League season with five
points from five games. Defeat against West Ham would make it their worst
start to a top-flight season since 1986-87, when they had four points after
six games.
They have won just one of their last six league games.
Louis van Gaal's side are yet to face a team who finished in the top half of
the table last season, having played Sunderland and Swansea and all three
promoted clubs.
They have lost 10 of their last 25 home games in the league. The previous 10
defeats came across a period of 148 games.
Wayne Rooney needs one more goal to reach 175 and become the outright
third-top scorer in Premier League history, overtaking Thierry Henry. Only
Alan Shearer (260) and Andy Cole (189) have scored more.

West Ham
West Ham have scored five goals in their last two away games. That is one
more than they managed in their previous six matches on the road.
Sam Allardyce's side have kept just one clean sheet in their last 17 Premier
League matches.
Stewart Downing's three assists in five games this season is more than he
managed in the whole of 2013-14 when he managed two in 32 appearances.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Collison completes Ipswich switch
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 26th September 2014
By: Staff Writer

Former Hammer Jack Collison has signed for Ipswich Town on short-term deal.
Collison, who was released by West Ham at the end of the last season had
been training with a number of clubs since leaving but finally put pen to
paper earlier today with the Championship club.
"There is a good squad here and a lot of competition for places so I know it
will be no easy task to get in the side," Collison told itfc.co.uk. "It's
down to me to get my head down and work hard and impress the manager enough
for him to give me a chance in the team. Then I've got to take that chance.
"In the short space of time I've been here I have enjoyed working with the
players and the manager. There is a good feel about the place and everyone
knows what a great club Ipswich is. "I'm here until the end of December and
we will see what happens after that. All I am focused on at the moment is
getting back to playing football again, enjoying my football again and
getting in the team. "It's been well documented about my injuries over the
last few years but I feel fit and ready to go. It will take me a couple of
weeks before I'm knocking on the door but I'll be working hard and doing my
best to get in the team." Collison made 121 appearances for West Ham in his
seven years at the club.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Manchester United meet West Ham at Old Trafford
Last Updated: 26/09/14 10:27am
SSN

Louis van Gaal is already having to deal with the word 'crisis' as
Manchester United welcome West Ham United to Old Trafford on Saturday.
United have won just once in six competitive games since Van Gaal took
charge in the summer and the experienced Dutchman also has defensive worries
for the visit of West Ham. Last week's 5-3 defeat at Leicester saw United
throw away a two-goal lead to lose in the Premier League for the first time
and left the 20-time champions with just five points from five games. Louis
van Gaal has confirmed he is down to just one fit centre-back for Manchester
United's home game against West Ham on Saturday. Van Gaal is also likely to
have a mix-and-match pairing at the heart of his defence as he contends with
criticism of the club's failure to sign a dominant centre-half during the
transfer window. The splurge on attacking reinforcements, though, has reaped
dividends after seven goals in the last two games, and record signing Angel
di Maria has made an instant impact since his arrival from Real Madrid.
United will hope that, given their defensive travails, West Ham will head
north displaying the impotence which has delivered just three goals in their
last nine league games at Old Trafford.

West Ham have also lost 10 of the last 11 league meetings between the two
clubs, but will go into the game four places above their opponents in the
table.Sam Allardyce's side are also unbeaten in their two away games this
season after following up a 3-1 win at Crystal Palace with a 2-2 draw at
Hull City.

Opta Facts

Manchester United's total of five points from five games is their worst haul
at this stage since 1989-90.
West Ham have scored a league-high four goals from outside the box this
season.
Manchester United have conceded six penalties in their last 15 Premier
League games – before this run, they hadn't conceded one in 85 PL matches.
Allardyce also saw his team impress in beating Liverpool at home last week
as two goals in the opening seven minutes laid the foundations for a 3-1
success.

Andy Carroll's absence will deprive West Ham of a physical presence to
unsettle United's makeshift defence, but Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho
have the talent to cause plenty of problems.

Team news

Teenage defender Paddy McNair could make his first-team debut against West
Ham after Van Gaal's squad was decimated by injury. Tyler Blackett
(suspended), Jonny Evans (ankle), Chris Smalling (thigh) and Phil Jones
(hamstring) are all out, which leaves Marcos Rojo as Van Gaal's only fit
senior centre-half. Left-back Luke Shaw is expected to make his debut, but
midfielders Ashley Young (groin), Michael Carrick (ankle), Jesse Lingard
(knee) and Marouane Fellaini (ankle) are unavailable.

West Ham will be without midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate for Saturday's trip to
United. The Senegal international has been ruled out with a groin injury
suffered in the 3-1 win over Liverpool and could be missing for up to six
weeks. Captain Kevin Nolan is back in training following a fractured
shoulder but will not be considered at Old Trafford, whilst Matt Jarvis
(thigh) is in a similar position.
Joey O'Brien (knee) and Carroll (ankle) are also missing but James Collins
is in contention to start after coming off the bench last weekend.

Paul Merson's prediction:

This game all depends on how Sam Allardyce approaches it. If West Ham go to
Old Trafford and have a go at them, like they did at home to Liverpool, then
they will cause absolutely loads of problems because United are terrible at
the back. If they go there, sit back and try to defend then they will fizzle
out and lose, so surely you have to go there and go for them? I hope they do
that because they'll give them a right game. It could go one way or another
and that's why I'm making two predictions for this game!

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2 (if Allardyce goes for it) or 2-0 (if he doesn't).

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Striker Enner Valencia glad to be playing for West Ham
Last Updated: 26/09/14 9:13am
SSN

West Ham striker Enner Valencia admits he is 'living the dream' following
his £12million summer move to the Premier League club. Having joined the
Hammers in July from Pachuca, Valencia made his first league start earlier
this month against Hull City and capped off an impressive performance with a
superb long-range goal. After getting his Premier League career off to a
good start, the Ecuador forward says his hopes have been realised and is now
eagerly anticipating Saturday's trip to Manchester United. "I had to work
with my dad on the farm milking cows and then sell the milk to buy my first
boots," Valencia explained. "I used to watch the Premier League on TV and
now I'm living the dream. I can say that it has been a good start, the way
that I have adapted to the Premier League. "I knew about West Ham mainly
from films. I remember Green Street. I was not scared. I respected the fact
they are very passionate supporters and, when I found out I was coming here,
I didn't know what to expect." "Anyone can beat anyone in this league.
Everyone loves to play United and I would love to beat them." Valencia
admits he was initially wary of life in England after watching 'Green
Street' – a film about football hooliganism which was named after a road
next to West Ham's ground Upton Park. "I knew about West Ham mainly from
films. I remember Green Street," the former Emelec striker said. "I was not
scared. I respected the fact they are very passionate supporters and, when I
found out I was coming here, I didn't know what to expect. "As soon as I
arrived I was told that all that was in the old days and it has all changed
now. "Also, here in England, fans are respectful whereas in South America,
if you lose a match you can't even go out in the street. "Here, after we
lost the opening game (to Tottenham) people stayed in the stadium and showed
their support. I liked that."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham hotshot Diafra Sakho can beat my record says former Hammer Leroy
Rosenior
Sep 26, 2014 22:30 By Darren Lewis
Sakho has enjoyed a good start to life in claret and blue scoring in his
first three fixtures; at Old Trafford, he goes in search of four in four
The Mirror

The last man to score in his first three West Ham games believes Diafra
Sakho has every chance of breaking his 26-year-old record at Manchester
United this afternoon. Leroy Rosenior netted against Watford, United and
Sheffield Wednesday back in 1988. Sakho, who has hit the target against
Sheffield United, Hull and Liverpool, has Louis van Gaal's Gaalacticos in
his sights. Rosenior, now a Premier League commentator, said: "It is
difficult as a striker at any level but scoring in three games on the trot
at the start of your career at a new club is very, very difficult. "To do it
for West Ham, with the pressure and the situation that they had found
themselves in – anxious at having not taken their opportunities in front of
goal – is even more impressive. "West Ham really do take players to their
hearts if they start well. But it isn't just the goalscoring that will have
impressed them, they'll also be delighted with Sakho's work rate and his
effort."Those goals, though, will give him time to settle in. To be playing
like that is terrific. It will give him real confidence in himself going to
Old Trafford."

Sakho, 24, signed a four-year deal at Upton Park in August after plundering
20 goals to help Metz win the Ligue 2 title in France.
Club insiders are delighted that they spent just £4.7million on the
Senegalese striker instead of the £8million Sunderland were demanding for
Connor Wickham, who has yet to score this season in five Premier League
appearances. Rosenior believes Sakho provides the cutting edge to what many
fans believe is the strongest Hammers squad for some time. He added:
"Sometimes you go to Manchester United with a bit of fear, thinking 'What
are we going to get?' "But West Ham can go there with a bit of confidence
feeling that they can definitely score.
If they can get their noses in front they have every chance of getting a
result. Sakho gives them that belief."The other new faces have helped him.
Their arrival has sparked a change of tactics. West Ham are now playing with
a diamond. "Stewart Downing is playing the best football I've seen from him
for many years and Enner Valencia is creating space for Sakho as well. "Then
you've got Alex Song behind them bringing an air of confidence. They will go
to United full of belief. Whether they can keep a clean sheet or not is
another thing.
I remember scoring on my debut for West Ham against Watford. That was
massive for me because I'd only joined the day before. "I signed on the
Friday and turned up in the dressing room at Upton Park an hour before the
game and met the team the following day! I knew Tony Gale, who had been at
Fulham."I put on my strip, went out and played, scored the winner and came
off exhausted after an hour and collapsed."I hadn't trained with the team
beforehand. I remember running through, whacking the ball and seeing it go
through the their keeper Tony Coton's legs."I took a lot of confidence from
it though – and I hope Sakho does even better now."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Downing: This West Ham United signing has helped me improve
John Verrall
HITC

Stewart Downing says that West Ham United signing Alex Song has helped his
own performances. The addition of Song at Upton Park has allowed Downing to
play with more freedom, as he knows that there is more defensive solidarity
behind him, and he cites this as one of the major reasons for the
improvement in his performances. "Signing Alex Song has helped me," Downing
said to The Telegraph. "I'm playing further up and he does a lot of the
other (defensive) work. This season it is like a totally different club. The
new signings have given everyone a lift." Song joined on a season-long loan
deal from Barcelona in the summer transfer window and was quite a coup for
Sam Allardyce's side. Although the Cameroonian has a questionable
temperament, he is a talented midfielder, who has spent large parts of his
career playing Champions League football, and his arrival offers some
valuable experience to the Hammers' squad.

Song made his debut for the side in a 2-2 draw against Hull City, where he
came off the bench late on, but it was against Liverpool last weekend where
he showed his true value. The defensive midfielder dictated player and
showed good energy in one of the most impressive performances West Ham have
put in for some time. The Hammers ran out 3-1 winners with their new brand
of attacking football catching the eye against the top-four contenders. In
that match, Downing thrived in an attacking midfield role, as he adopted a
new central position.

The England international has spent most of his playing career as a winger,
but has been resurgent as the side's main creator and he is clearly enjoying
life at Upton Park as a result. "I'm absolutely loving it at the minute,''
said the 30-year-old. "I always thought when I got older I would go inside
but probably not this early. It's certainly given me a new lease of life.''

Song and Downing will now be hoping to build on their impressive
performances when the Hammers take on Manchester United on Saturday, and
their experience should prove key for Allardyce's men as they try to cause
an upset.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
"Pressure on AC will do him the world of good"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on September 26, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

David Gold is convinced that Andy Carroll is set to thrive on the
competition provided by Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho when he returns to
action. That now looks likely to be around the middle of November with the
striker already running and preparing to start kicking balls next week.
After that he can look forward to rejoining the first team squad , reserve
team games and a return to first team action.But's not going to be a
cakewalk slipping back into the new look Irons team where Valencia and Sakho
look to have settled in double quick time.
Gold – speaking exclusively to ClaretandHugh – said: "I believe we will have
a player back who has been sorted…all his problems will be behind him. "The
plantar fascia injury is now totally understood by our medics maintained and
he has had surgery on the loose ankle – a problem suffered by many
footballers. He added: "Andy know the competition he faces and will thrive
on it. These are exciting times for him and everybody else. This is a
really good squad." Sam Allardyce has this week spoken of the importance
that Carroll suffers no more long term injuries and that he keeps himself in
tip top condition. And Gold saying: "It's up to every player to keep himself
in good shape and I'm sure Andy will do so – he's a professional who wants
to give everything to the cause. "I know too that he's desperate to get back
into the England team and the pressure for places at the club can only be
good for him on that front. Exciting times for us all."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Former Hammer: Great time to meet Man Utd
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on September 26, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Former Hammers central defender turned pundit Tony Gale disagrees with
manager Sam Allardyce that this is not a good time to meet Manchester
United. Allardyce has made it clear that he wants to hear no such talk as
the Irons squad head for Old Trafford. But Gale clearly isn't listening
declaring: "It's a terrific time to meet them but what we musn't do is sit
back and defend because we have two excellent guys up front. "Enner Valencia
and Diafra Sakho are not 6ft 4 in strikers – they have real pace and can
cause big problems.
"Luis van Gaal has some real troubles and West Ham can go up there with a
real chance."

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

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Daily WHUFC News - 26th September 2014

On this day - 25 September
WHUFC.com
Dylan Tombides made his sole first team appearance on this day two years ago
25.09.2014

Anniversary
West Ham United 1-4 Wigan Athletic
Carling Cup Round Three
25 September 2012
Dylan Tombides made his one and only first team appearance for the Hammers
on this day two years ago. Whilst the game was not one that will be
remembered by West Ham fans, it was one the sadly departed Tombides would
forever cherish. He entered the fray with six minutes left of the tie,
replacing Gary O'Neil just before Jordi Gomez stroked home Wigan's fourth
from the penalty spot. Tombides' appearance marked an impressive rise
through the Academy at the Hammers following his move to England at the age
of 15. The Australian forward had been capped by his country at U17 level
and appeared at that age group's FIFA World Cup the year before his West Ham
bow. Later in 2011 he was diagnosed with the testicular cancer which would
tragically claim his life, yet he bravely battled through treatment and
featured not only in this match, but Development Squad fixtures and the 2014
AFC U22 Championships for Australia.He sadly passed away at the age of 20 on
18 April 2014, with a minutes' applause held in his honour at the Barclays
Premier League match against Crystal Palace the following day.

Complete record
1920 Cardiff City 0-0 West Ham United (Division Two)
1926 West Ham United 1-2 Sunderland (Division One)
1937 West Ham United 2-0 Blackburn Rovers (Division Two)
1948 West Ham United 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur (Division Two)
1954 West Ham United 2-0 Port Vale (Division Two)
1965 West Ham United 1-1 Blackpool (Division One)
1971 West Ham United 2-1 Stoke City (Division One)
1974 West Ham United 3-0 Birmingham City (Division One)
1976 West Ham United 1-1 Sunderland (Division One)
1982 West Ham United 4-1 Manchester City (Division One)
1993 Newcastle United 2-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
1994 West Ham United 0-2 Arsenal (Premier League)
1999 Coventry City 1-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
2010 West Ham United 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur (Premier League)
2012 West Ham United 1-4 Wigan Athletic (League Cup Round Three)
Played 15, Won 7, Drawn 3, Lost 5, Scored 19, Conceded 15

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Kev's closing in on return
WHUFc.com
Kevin Nolan is soon to resume full training and expects to be back in
first-team action within the fortnight
24.09.2014

West Ham United skipper Kevin Nolan has earmarked the Barclays Premier
League visit of Queens Park Rangers for a possible return to action,
following a prolonged spell on the sidelines with a fractured shoulder.

The Hammers' No4 is due to resume training at the end of this week and could
yet figure for the Development Squad against Sunderland at the Boleyn Ground
on Monday evening.

Frustrating though his lay-off has been, Nolan has delighted in watching his
team-mates impress and is now desperate to play his part in the coming
weeks.

"The lads have done fantastically well," he told West Ham TV. "It's been
really tough for me, because I rarely have to sit out, but great watching
the lads do so well and everyone at the training ground's upbeat. But I'm in
and around the boys now, back training with them and hoping to be back in
the next week or so. I'm really looking forward to getting in the mix and
trying to get my place back.
"The lads have been great over the last couple of games and the system the
manager's chosen, with the way's he wanted us to play, has really suited the
boys. Fingers crossed we can continue it over the coming months and if we
can get through Christmas in and around that top ten, then we can look to
push on."

Above all, the 32-year-old hailed an outstanding summer of recruitment, with
West Ham's new boys taking the Premier League in their stride. Their obvious
football quality aside, the new additions are prepared to put in the hard
yards too, with Nolan adamant that they took little time to buy into the
Club's philosophy.
"The new boys have all settled in really well, which is massive and has been
the key to the success. They've come in with the ethos that I try to instil
in everyone and every team that I've captained. The boys have been brilliant
since they've come in and you're seeing now how much more quality West Ham
have got and the calibre of squad we've been able to assemble in the
summer."

Those exciting signings will, no doubt, play a pivotal part in the Club's
immediate future, one in which the former Olympic Stadium will figure
prominently. Following Tuesday's Club London launch and the opening of a New
Stadium Reservation Centre in Stratford, Nolan continues to be wowed by all
that he hears and sees of the Hammers' future home and plans to ensure that
the football matches the surroundings.

He continued: "It just looks unbelievable, the standard of everything that's
going to be on offer for fans and for us players. Everything about it is
going to be top notch and it gives you that little bit extra motivation to
hopefully still be around in 2016.

"First and foremost, we have to make sure that we keep doing as we are and
get this Club back to where we feel we belong and that's in and around the
top ten and pushing upwards. It's a steady process of building year upon
year and the quality of the squad this season is much higher than it has
been in previous seasons.

"You've got to realise that when players see that Stadium, they're going to
want to play for West Ham. So it only bodes well for the future."

And while Nolan anticipates rapid progress on the pitch, he expects the
supporter experience at the new Stadium to be an exceptional one too.
"When you see all the visuals, if that all comes off, it's going to be some
place and a place, where as a supporter, you get everything you need.
Imagine walking up that walkway to the game every week, with all the claret
and blue everywhere, the 'Come on you Irons'. It has taken us into the 21st
century and that's what this Club needed. It will take us to the next level.
It will be fantastic."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
From the Academy
WHUFc.com
Academy Manager Terry Westley pens his exclusive column for the Official
Website
25.09.2014

Hello everyone,

The U18s have made a good start to the season and go into this Saturday's
fixture at Reading unbeaten in their opening five Barclays U18 Premier
League matches. That record is all the more impressive when you consider
that it has coincided with some younger players playing too.

It's a combination of getting results at U18 level but also having U16
players involved too. The U21s have also got U18s and U17s in their squads
and I think that shows we're on the right track. That means we're ticking
the right boxes in terms of being development coaches.
I'm delighted we're winning matches as that is good for confidence but also
for individuals like schoolboys Vashon Neufville and Jahmal Hector-Ingram.
If you then look at Reece Oxford, he's missed the U18s by going straight
into the U21s, really. Steve Potts and Mark Phillips must be very pleased
with the work they are doing.
Looking at the Southampton game, which we won 3-2 after coming back from two
goals down - that shows great character, good temperament and they
demonstrated the work the two coaches are doing. The players are on a roll
at the moment, they're enjoying training and having to work hard to stay in
the team.
The U18s have scored eleven goals in their opening five matches, with Jordan
Brown scoring four and Jahmal getting his first at that level against
Southampton.
The week before, Jahmal scored against Chelsea at U16 level and has been
selected for England. We need to try and make room for these players. He has
to be at his absolute maximum the whole time when he plays at U18 level.
It's the same for the other schoolboys too - when they play U18 football
they're being pushed. It's also important that when they do drop back down
to their own age-group that they play properly. Playing an age lower helps
give them more time on the ball and let them dominate a game.
With Jordan, he's doing very well in matches and training and I think he's
close to the U21s.
At the other end of the pitch, the U21s tightened up defensively and were
rewarded with a 1-1 draw at Fulham last time out.
It's a toss-up which way you want to go as an Academy. You can decide to
play young players and play expansively or make sure you're tight at the
back and make sure you defend properly. We played expansively in the first
few games and created numerous chances against Tottenham, Manchester City
and Southampton, but we didn't win any of those games.
What the Fulham game showed was that if you sit a little bit deeper and
defend more than you express yourself, you can also get a good performance.
We ground out a result and a good point. Now, we're looking for a
combination and a balance of the two. I want to see players express
themselves while also defending properly.
This weekend, the U18s travel to Reading, who also produce a lot of good
players. Having worked with the Premier League in the last three years I'd
say they have one of the better Academies, even though they're not on a
massive budget. They rely a lot of home-grown players and work with the
players right the way through.
They work hard and their desire as a group and staff is excellent. They
produce good players and I think it will be a tough game.
Finally, you may have read in the Programme at the weekend about the
partnership we have with Robert Clack School, which means we can educate and
train the schoolboys full-time at Rush Green between the ages of 14-16.
The first two-year cycle ended in the summer and our schoolboys did well in
their GSCE results, which was very pleasing.
The concept and the partnership West Ham have put in place is as good as
anywhere in the country. The school is a hundred metres away from the
training ground. The boys get educated at the Club, they stay and play
football. The results show that their predicted grades have gone up. The
concept is fantastic.
We want to make sure our elite schoolboy players are part of this process,
being educated and training with us as they develop and, hopefully, become
first-team players.
If the elite players are all living, studying and training within the Club,
then this will increase the togetherness and they'll come through the system
together. The young players will learn from the behaviour and the culture of
the elite players.
We want to see scenarios where U21s are living with U13 and U14s at the
Academy House, looking after them and talking about the game with them. That
is the holistic approach we are after and, when it happens, I would hope our
achievements in the classroom and on the pitch will improve still further.

Terry Westley

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam on: Manchester United
WHUFC.com
The manager held his pre-Manchester United press conference on Thursday
25.09.2014

Sam Allardyce spoke to the media on Thursday morning ahead of Saturday's
Barclays Premier League trip to Manchester United. The manager gave an
update on injury news, spoke about Manchester United's form, and that of his
own side following last weekend's fine victory over Liverpool.

Morning Sam, any injury news for us?

SA: "Cheikhou Kouyate has had a problem, he's out for six weeks. It's a blow
due to his performances. We don't have more new injuries to worry about.
"Kevin Nolan is training today for the first time, he won't be included for
the squad against Manchester United. Same with Matt Jarvis. There's an U21
game on Monday they'll probably play a part of. It's good to have those two
players back in full training, so that leaves Andy Carrooll. Kouyate and
Joey O'Brien out, hopefully not for long. "The squad is confident and the
new guys have shown what they can do. They've got a tough game against
Manchester United where they can test their skills and abilities. Old
Trafford can be daunting for some players but hopefully it won't be for our
players."

How soon for Andy Carroll, some suggestions it can be December?

SA: "We don't want to put a time on it, it might be sooner but we don't want
to rush him back. It all depends how the rehabilitation goes. We have to be
ultra-careful and if we feel an extra week will do him good then that's what
we'll do.
"When he's back hopefully he'll be back for good. We can only guess at a day
for when he'll be back. In and around late-November or early-December I
think."

You said he's at a crossroads, what did you mean by that?

SA. "He has to overcome the injuries he's had. His career has been stunted
by injuries since his time at Liverpool really. We have to try and find a
solution. Ryan Giggs is an example, he had lots of hamstring injuries but
managed to find a way to overcome it. Obviously he played until he was 40.
We have to do that with Andy now, look at different methods and techniques
away from day-to-day training. When we do get it sorted, he'll grow and
become the player that we know he is. He's tuned 25 now and moving into the
peak of his career hopefully in peak condition. He needs a sustained run in
the team and when he gets that he'll be great for us."

What do you make of Manchester United? Excellent against QPR and then there
was the Leicester game...

SA: "I don't think they had a problem until the penalty. Even at 3-2 I
thought they would kick on again. I was surprised they lost their focus in
the way they did. A bad decision went against them but they didn't react to
it well. Leicester took full advantage of that, but up to 3-1 they looked
good, they were creating chances. "There were specific moments in the game,
like Falcao hitting the bar and that would have been it. But Leicester came
back and did very well. "We need to make sure we limit their chances and use
the possession we do have when we have it. We have to be as good at taking
the ball off them as we were against Liverpool last week. We're going to
have to dampen the outstanding talent that they do have and the exploit the
defensive weaknesses."

Five games in and Van Gaal has two points less than Moyes. Are we obsessing
about a foreign manager again?

SA: "It takes time to get players gelling together. It's not an excuse, it's
an actual fact. When they settle in that's a bonus as they have done here.
There is so much to consider with a new player, you can't expect to walk
into a club and know every player's strengths and weaknesses after two days.
You can't do that overnight. It takes time for everyone to get to know each
other. United have already changed the system once to find a solution.
They've got a few injuries, particularly defensive ones, so another
opportunity for us to exploit.
"We are going into the game with confidence, and as underdogs. Hopefully we
can go out and continue our good performances and get a result."

Do you expect to be playing a lot of counter attacking football?

SA: " I would have thought so, yes. The quality of United's team may drive
us back and if we are to contain their abilities on the ball we have to have
a compact unit. When we have the ball we have to break into the spaces they
are going to leave.They will attack us because Manchester United fans demand
that they do. There will be spells when we have to do some deep defending,
I'm sure. But if we're as good as we were against Liverpool then we can
cause them one or two problems. As always we'll have to be as clinical in
our finishing as we were last week, that is the key. We can't afford to miss
the chances we get."

Do you think this is a good time to play Manchester United coming off the
back of a defeat?

SA: "No, I think there'll be a backlash. The determination of the Manchester
United players and the demand on them means I'm sure they will be fired up.
They'll be hurting after the Leicester game and they'll know the only way
they can put it right is go out and put on a good performance."

For the injured guys looking in, what advice to you give to them?

SA: "They should say to themselves they need to get fit and fight their way
back into the team. That will hopefully be their attitude. It may not be as
easy as it was before but that leaves me in a very difficult position. It's
tough when you have to sometimes leave people out of the team and even the
bench. That's why squads nowadays have 25 players in it. We need to keep
that squad as fit and competitive as possible as we can. "You don't want the
team picking itself. You want the players on the pitch knowing that if they
slip up there's another player desperately waiting to take his place."

What psychological advantage do you have over Manchester United?

SA: "We go into the game with the confidence coming off the Liverpool
result. We have played well for the majority of the season. We have to
believe we can give a similar type of performance on Saturday. That'll have
to be the minimum we give. We have to hope we get the breaks at the right
time."

Any thoughts about Ravel Morrison going on loan to Cardiff?

SA: "It's first team football for Rav. It's important he's playing first
team football elsewhere. Cardiff are a very good club, trying to get back
into the Premier League. They have a good squad of players. He can go and
play some football. We'll keep an eye on him and come December we'll make a
decision regarding Rav because he's running into the last year of his
contract now."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Mediawatch - 25 September
WHUFC.com
Our daily look at the West Ham United stories making the news
25.09.2014

Sam Allardyce's interview with The Sun dominates the headlines today, with
the manager talking about being relaxed at the possibility of signing a new
contract with West Ham United. In a second piece taken from the same
interview, Big Sam discusses Manchester United in depth ahead of Saturday's
trip to Old Trafford. The Evening Standard have been speaking to captain
Kevin Nolan about his impending return from a fractured shoulder and the
competition for places within the West Ham squad. Elsewhere, London24 has
taken quotes from Diego Poyet's whufc.com Big Interview concentrating on his
hopes of winning a place in the starting XI with Cheikhou Kouyate absent
through injuries.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce fears Manchester United
BBC.co.uk

West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce fears his side could be on the
receiving end of a Manchester United backlash at Old Trafford on Saturday.
United have won just one of the first five Premier League games - against
QPR - under Louis van Gaal and lost 5-3 at Leicester City in their last
outing. "They will be pretty down about that performance," said Allardyce.
"But they'll be really fired up to make sure that they try and perform like
they did against QPR and beat us."

West Ham start the weekend eighth in the table following a 3-1 home victory
against Liverpool on 20 September. But the Hammers have not beaten United in
the last 11 attempts in the league. Last season West Ham went down 3-1 at
Old Trafford before losing 2-0 at home, with Wayne Rooney scoring both
goals, the first a brilliant lob from just inside the Hammers' half.

Allardyce knows the likes of Rooney, Radamel Falcao and Angel Di Maria will
be desperate to atone last weekend's defeat when United lost after
squandering a 3-1 lead to newly-promoted Leicester. Asked if it was a good
time to face Van Gaal's side, the Hammers boss added: "No. I'm thinking a
backlash. "They will be hurting and they know the only way they can put that
right is to get out on to the field and punish us for it. "We will have to
be careful about that. "A draw would be great for me, anything more than a
draw would be outstanding as far as I'm concerned. "My players have got to
look forward to a tough game at Old Trafford now and test their skills and
test their ability at a stadium that can obviously be daunting for some
players."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Clinical and compact
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 25th September 2014
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce believes West Ham may have to curb their attacking intent in
order to get anything out of this weekend's trip to Old Trafford.

Having watched his team take four points from their last two outings at Hull
and at home to Liverpool last weekend, morale is high in the Hammers camp as
they prepare for what is traditionally one of the season's toughest tests.

However with West Ham in good form and Manchester United having shipped five
at Leicester last weekend, there couldn't be a better time to play a team
who once dominated domestic football but now find themselves struggling to
emulate their previous achievements.

Despite that defeat, the Reds' forward line remains one of the most
expensively-assembled in world football.

Whilst their defensive woes have been well-documented the likes of Rooney,
van Persie, Falcao and Di Maria remain a constant threat - something that
Allardyce, who is still seeking his first win over Man U as a West Ham
manager acknowledged during his pre-match press conference this morning.

"The quality of United's team may drive us back and if we are to contain
their abilities on the ball we have to have a compact unit," he surmised.
"When we have the ball we have to break into the spaces they are going to
leave.

"They will attack us because Manchester United fans demand that they do.
There will be spells when we have to do some deep defending, I'm sure. But
if we're as good as we were against Liverpool then we can cause them one or
two problems.

"As always we'll have to be as clinical in our finishing as we were last
week, that is the key. We can't afford to miss the chances we get.

"We need to make sure we limit their chances and use the possession we do
have when we have it. We have to be as good at taking the ball off them as
we were against Liverpool last week. We're going to have to dampen the
outstanding talent that they do have and the exploit the defensive
weaknesses.

"We are going into the game with confidence, and as underdogs. Hopefully we
can go out, continue our good performances and get a result."

To read Big Sam's pre-Man Utd presser in full, visit whufc.com.


Sam Allardyce vs Manchester United: the record so far

2013/13
28 Nov 2012 (Premier League): Man Utd 1-0 West Ham Utd
5 Jan 2013 (FA Cup): West Ham Utd 2-2 Man Utd (Collins 2)
16 Jan 2013 (FA Cup replay): Man Utd 1-0 West Ham Utd
17 Apr 2013: West Ham Utd 2-2 Man Utd (Vaz Te, Diame)

2013/14
2 Dec 2013 (Premier League): Man Utd 3-1 West Ham Utd (C Cole)
22 Mar 2013 (Premier League): West Ham Utd 0-2 Man Utd

Totals: Played 6; Won 0; Drawn 2; Lost 4; For 5 Against 11.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nolan and Jarvis on the comeback trail
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 25th September 2014
By: Staff Writer

Kevin Nolan and Matt Jarvis are set to make their respective returns from
injury on Monday. Wide-man Jarvis is yet to kick a ball this season whilst
club captain Nolan has been out of contention since the opening weeks of the
campaign, having sustained a fractured shoulder. However Sam Allardyce
confirmed during a press conference this morning that the duo are set to
feature on Monday night when the Under 21s take on Sunderland at the Boleyn
Ground. "Kevin Nolan is training today for the first time but he won't be
included for the squad against Manchester United. Same with Matt Jarvis,"
said Allardyce. "There's an U21 game on Monday they'll probably play a part
of. It's good to have those two players back in full training which that
leaves Andy Carroll, Cheikhou Kouyate and Joey O'Brien out, hopefully not
for long."

And despite suggestions a fortnight ago that Carroll could be set to return
sooner than initially expected, Allardyce suggested the striker is unlikely
to feature again until close to Christmas."We don't want to put a time on
it," he said. "It might be sooner but we don't want to rush him back. It all
depends how the rehabilitation goes. "We have to be ultra-careful and if we
feel an extra week will do him good then that's what we'll do. When he's
back hopefully he'll be back for good. We can only guess at a day for when
he'll be back. In and around late-November or early-December, I think."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Mears hoping for Premier League return
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 25th September 2014
By: Staff Writer

Former Hammer Tyrone Mears is hoping to secure a contract with Premier
League Everton. Now 31, the former right back - who was signed by Alan
Pardew from Preston eight years ago, in 2006 - is currently on trial with
the Merseysiders having been released by Championship club Bolton at the end
of last season. One of the country's most highly-rated young full backs when
he arrived at West Ham, Mears' career in east London was blighted by injury.

After just half-a-season at the Boleyn - which equated to a mere six
appearances - he was farmed out on loan to Championship side Derby County by
Pardew's replacement Alan Curbishley, having made just three first team
starts; a deal made permanent that summer (£1million).

A year later Mears surprised the football world when he secured a loan move
from the Rams to top French club Marseille. However that season-long loan
was also interrupted by injury, with the full back only making four
appearances that season.

Mears returned to England in the summer of 2009 when Burnley paid £500,000
to bring him back to the UK. It was the defender's most productive spell of
an injury-ravaged career, as he went on to make nearly 90 appearances for
the Clarets in a two-year spell and win the club's Player of the Year award
in 2011.

In 2001 Bolton snapped the Stockport-born right back up on a free transfer.
Sadly for Mears, injury yet again derailed much of his time at the Reebok
Stadium - with a broken leg keeping him sidelined for much of his first
season at Wanderers.

Now fully recovered from a numerous injuries that have restricted him to
less than 250 competitive appearances in a career spanning 13 years, Mears
is hoping to tie up a deal with Everton who are searching for a back-up to
John Stones and 33-year-old Tony Hibbert.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce fears West Ham face Manchester United backlash
Last Updated: 25/09/14 2:40pm
SSN

Sam Allardyce fears a backlash from Manchester United's big names when he
takes his buoyant West Ham to Old Trafford on Saturday.
Allardyce believes the likes of Wayne Rooney, Radamel Falcao and Angel di
Maria will be hurting deeply from the way the Red Devils let a two-goal lead
slip to lose 5-3 at Leicester on Sunday. When asked if it was a good time to
face Louis van Gaal's side, the West Ham boss said: "No. I'm thinking a
backlash. "I think that because of the determination of the Manchester
United players and the fact they are playing at Old Trafford. "I know
there's quite a lot of new players playing there but certainly the demand of
Manchester United is huge and they'll be really fired up to make sure that
they try and perform like they did against QPR and beat us. "They will be
pretty down about that performance they gave at Leicester and they will be
hurting and they know the only way they can put that right is to get out
onto the field and punish us for it - so we will have to be careful about
that. "A draw would be great for me, anything more than a draw would be
outstanding as far as I'm concerned. "They (the West Ham players) have got
to look forward to a tough game at Old Trafford now and test their skills
and test their ability at a stadium that can obviously be daunting for some
players. "Hopefully our new players won't be daunted about the prospect of
playing at Old Trafford on Saturday."

The Hammers travel to Old Trafford in good heart following a 3-1 home win
over Liverpool last weekend. Many will still see the hosts as favourites
going into the game and they enjoyed a comfortable 4-0 victory over QPR on
their last home outing. But they have struggled for consistency despite van
Gaal's £150million summer spending spree and their vulnerabilities in
defence were highlighted again by Leicester.
Allardyce sympathises with Van Gaal's problems with integrating his new
recruits into the set-up at Old Trafford. West Ham themselves have brought
in nine new faces since the end of last season and Allardyce insists getting
so many new players to gel is not an easy task for anyone. "It's not an
excuse, it is an actual fact," he said. "If you've got your players to
settle quicker then that is a bonus when you have brought in as many players
as I have and as many players as Man United have. "Irrespective of the
talent, you've got to work as a team and to do that you need to understand
each other - you need time. "You can't just walk into a club for two days
and say 'I know his strengths and weaknesses, I know his talent'."

Allardyce admitted the loss for up to six weeks of one of his summer
signings, Senegal international midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate (groin injury),
was a 'blow'. Captain Kevin Nolan is back training but will not feature at
Old Trafford, while Ravel Morrison has been loaned to Championship side
Cardiff.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce comes to David Moyes' defence
Last Updated: 25/09/14 8:37am
SSN

West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has defended David Moyes' time as
Manchester United manager. The Scotsman succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson as the
Red Devils boss last summer but was sacked four games before the end of the
season after failing to secure them a place in the top four of the Premier
League. The only major signing that United made last summer was that of
midfielder Marouane Fellaini from Everton for £27.5million, and they brought
in Spanish playmaker Juan Mata from Chelsea for £37.1m in January. In
contrast this summer, following the appointment of Louis van Gaal as the
manager, United have signed Ander Herrera (£29m), Luke Shaw (£27m), Marcos
Rojo (£16m), Angel di Maria (£59.7m), Daley Blind (£14m), Vanja Milinkovic
(sent back to FK Vojvodina on loan) and Radamel Falcao (on loan from AS
Monaco).

Allardyce has now questioned United's failure to sign the players that Moyes
wanted when he was in charge of the club. "If I was sat at home in David's
shoes, I would be wondering why they didn't spend the £150m with me," he
told The Sun. "There was a complacency by United in not going out and
delivering the signings David felt he needed. Now there's a panic on. "If I
was sat at home in David's shoes, I would be wondering why they didn't spend
the £150m with me." "He will obviously look at what he might have done
better but he should have got the players and he tells me he didn't get any
of them. "It was difficult enough taking over from Alex Ferguson but if,
when you take over, you don't get what you want, it's so much harder. "It
was a great shame because he'd done everything right at Everton and Sir Alex
saw the fact he wanted to build at United like he had done at Everton. "I'm
not so sure anybody would have been successful in that season – history
tells you that. Look at other examples, like when Brian Clough took over
from a legend in Don Revie at Leeds and only lasted 44 days."

New deal

Allardyce's own future at West Ham has been the subject of scrutiny after a
tough year last season. The 59-year-old's current contract with the Premier
League club runs out in June 2015, but he has yet to be offered a new
deal.However, Allardyce is not worried and said: "I've not been offered
anything but it's not an issue, like it's not an issue, like it wasn't last
time. "The team will speak for itself with results and that will put me in a
position to make the owners want to start negotiations if and when they are
ready. "I'm not saying whether I want to stay or not. If I say I want to
stay and three or four results go against me and I get the bullet, then it
sounds silly. "What I will say if I'm comfortable with my life, myself and
the job I'm doing working with the players."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
ANOTHER UNDEFEATED WEEKEND THE TARGET FOR WEST HAM
By Tommy Wathen 25 Sep 2014 at 21:00
West Ham Till I Die

West Ham United's Development Squad, U18's and Ladies are all aiming to
continue their good form this weekend after all gaining results last week.

I was personally at the U18's game and first team games on Saturday, along
with the Ladies win on Sunday which made it a nice 3/3 weekend for me which
makes the weekend that much sweeter.

Nick Haycock's Development Squad kicked off the run of fixtures over the
weekend when they drew 1-1 away at Fulham U21 on Friday night thanks to
Elliott Lee's goal, before goals from Jahmal Hector-Ingram, Jordan Brown and
Kieran Bailey helped the Hammers U18 side come from behind to beat
Southampton 3-2 at Little Heath on Saturday morning.

Then on Sunday afternoon, Julian Dicks watched winger Sarah McCrea netted a
hat trick, along with goals from striker Vicky Kinsman and captain Stacey
Little, as his Ladies team put five goals past Plymouth Ladies to win 5-2 at
Mill Field.

This weekend's fixtures are spread out over the whole weekend. On Saturday
morning at 11am, Steve Potts and his U18 side travel to Reading U18 hoping
to continue their unbeaten start to this season.

Following that, West Ham United Ladies are in action against Portsmouth
Ladies at Aveley FC's Mill Field on Sunday afternoon. Kick off for that
fixture has been bought forward to 1pm, with admission priced at £4 adults
and £2 U16's.

On Monday night, West Ham's Development Squad host Sunderland at Upton Park.
Kick off in that game is at 7pm with admission likely to be free for season
ticket holders and around £2 for non-season ticket holders. Keep an eye on
whufc.com for confirmed details later this weekend.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WHO WILL PAY FOR ELECTRONIC WRAP?
By Sean Whetstone 25 Sep 2014 at 17:00
West Ham till I Die

News broke this week of a planned electronic wrap around the rebuild Olympic
Stadium presumably using LED technology to make the outside of the Olympic
Stadium is one giant curved screen to brand it West Ham on the 25 days per
year we are guaranteed the stadium as winter anchor concessionaires.

It is a clever move by the club and the LLDC but it indicates that West Ham
branding may not be so permanent at the new stadium but just switched on
during match days. What will happen on non match days is unclear and I guess
it is possibility it becomes a glorified advertising screen on non match
days for hire to recoup the £600m+ it has cost to build the stadium .

I also understand they will be extensive use of mood lighting to create a
West Ham feel on match days, I believe this means they will use the latest
lighting to project claret and blue themes in the mainly white stadium.

What will happen to the black and white seats remains unclear, the club have
publicly said they are looking at the possibility of sponsored seat covers
or whether the seats could be coloured in some way but complete replacement
seems very unlikely in my opinion and completely against the environmental
policy of the LLDC.

This didn't stop David Gold making a bold claim on twitter yesterday that
"The black and white seats will be changed. dg" when asked "Why are the
seats white in OS? , don't like the look of that !" by one fan.

In reality all these ideas need both planning permission approval and
funding before they can become a reality.

The redevelopment with retractable seating is estimated to cost £195m on top
of the £429m it cost to build the first time. £185m of that redevelopment
cost will come from tax payers with just £15m from West Ham. Costs could
also increase up from that due to complications with the roof contract after
cracks were found in the steel work.

I can't see the tax payers stomaching more cash for this LED wrap and
replacing all the seats just to make it feel more like home for West Ham
fans. The only obvious answer is sponsorship and advertising.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WILL POYET OR AMALFITANO STEP UP AT OLD TRAFFORD?
By S J Chandos 25 Sep 2014 at 13:00
West Ham till I Die

The confirmation of Kouyate's six week injury absence is an undoubted blow.
As a signing, he is proving everything that I originally predicted, a
massive and dynamic influence in our midfield unit. Indeed, the
Noble-Kouyate-Song combination could be a key factor in delivering a 8 PL
finish for the club this season. One can only hope that he has a speedy
recovery. But injury is unfortunately part and parcel of the game and
hopefully the squad now has the strength in depth depth to enable us to
cope.

I anticipate that Sam Allardyce would want to continue with the formation
that proved so successful against Liverpool. At its heart was a a solid
midfield triumvirite who were absolutely crucial in delivering an impressive
victory. Plus, hopefully, Stewart Downing will continue in the more central
play-maker role that he has excelled in recently, in a 4-3-1-2 system. The
obvious deputy for Kouyate is Diego Poyet, who can easily slot in along side
Mark Noble and Alex Song. But will Sam Allardyce be brave enough to select
the 19 year old prospect? I certainly hope that he does. Essentially, if
Poyet is good enough (which the indicators are that he is), then he is old
enough. Also, he will have the benefit of experienced midfield partners
alongside him and there is no reason why he cannot come in to the side and
deliver a good performance. After all, that is what a competitive squad
ethos is all about. Players train, compete for a first team chance and then
grab the opportunity with both hands when it comes along.

Poyet certainly seems clear that he is ready for the opportunity and will
give it 100%. He has been quoted as stating that:

'If the opportunity came, I can tell you now that that I'd give it
everything I have got. I will leave everything I have got on the pitch.'

Whilst simultaneously demonstrating a good attitude and belief in the
current squad:

'If I am on the bench and have to wait for my chance, I'll be supporting the
boys. That's how I am. We a squad and it is the squad that will help us do
well this season.'

I certainly believe that Poyet should get his chance up at Old Trafford. The
question is will Sam Allardyce concur or will he prefer to draft in a more
experienced player, such as Morgan Amalfitano? Amalfitano could play in the
midfield three, although he will need to adapt his game to do so. In
particular, he will be required to play a more disciplined role and put in
his share of the graft. As readers will know, I am a big fan of Amalfitano,
although I ideally prefer to see him play in a more advanced attacking
position. However, there is little doubt he is a viable alternative in this
role. While a longer shot could see Collins come in to defence and Tomkins
moved in to midfield, as he has done in the past, admittedly with variable
results. Arguably, this is a selection of the last resort and there are
better options available.

Of course, there is also the possibility that Allardyce might go for a more
defensive 4-5-1, with both Poyet and Amalfitano selected. But that would
ultimately mean sacrificing Sakho or Valencia, thus undermining our cutting
edge in the final third. Would the manager do that after the outstanding
performances put in by both strikers against Liverpool? It would be
surprisiing, especially with Man Utd exhibiting some notable defensive
vulnerabilities at present. If Leicester City were able to exploit those
vulnerabilities, then we certainly should be able to do the same.

Regardless of the significance of Kouyate's absence, confidence in the squad
must be very high after the victory over Liverpool. Arguably, whilst
ensuring that we have a solid shape, we should not be overly negative in our
tactics. Rather, we must look to utilise that self-confidence to deliver
another good result. We have the attacking players to hurt Man Utd and they
must be encouraged, not curtailed, in that endeavour.

So, for me, it is Poyet deputising and the same formation deployed that was
so effective against Liverpool, but we shall see?

Elsewhere, it has been confirmed that Ravel Morrison has been farmed out on
loan to Cardiff City until Christmas. I can see the logic in Morrison
getting in some regular first team football, especially as he is currently
competing with the likes of Downing, Zarate and Amalfitano for a starting
spot at West Ham. But it does raise question marks about his future at the
club. I know that there are complicating factors, in the form of his much
publicised pending court case, but I still sincerely hope that he will
eventually sign a new contract with the club. He is a huge talent and it
would be a great pity to see him realise it elsewhere, especially as we had
the original foresight to sign him from Man Utd.

Unfortunately, regardless of comments to the contrary, I do get the distinct
impression that Morrison is only heading in one direction under the current
management and that is towards the exit door. We shall see in the fullness
of time whether the West Ham board really do have ideas/ambitions to the
contrary where this particular player is concerned?

SJ. Chandos.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED
By Bianca Westwood 25 Sep 2014 at 08:00
West Ham till I Die

It may have been five days ago but I'm still buzzing. It feels weird though.
Being so upbeat and buoyant. With my fellow fans basking in the glow of two
monumental performances in a week. I cast my mind back and admittedly my
memory is not what it once was but I can't remember a time where the feeling
of positivity among us was as strong and as ubiquitous. No I'm not getting
carried away. Yes I know it's only two games on the spin. But come on!!!!!

All of a sudden we seem to have a team!


Going one up so early against a side like Liverpool is always nice. It's a
pleasant experience. You celebrate but only semi-enthusiastically in truth
because there's always that nagging bark in the depths of your monkey mind,
terrorised and traumatised by years of squandered leads and hope in vain. It
pours ice-cold water onto your untethered joy and slaps some sense into you
and your glee and says "calm down dear…it won't last."

But it's a lovely little buffer to have which is an unexpected bonus.

Then a second goal appears. Even more sublime than the first. What the….???

Now you let loose a bit more. Looking around you wild-eyed at your mates in
a frenzy. Mentally asking the questions…is this really happening? Is this
for real?? Unless, like me, you're in the dour confines of the press box,
locked in a strange mute paralysis, like you're gagged and wearing a
straitjacket, unable to speak or move for fear of disturbing the
professionals at work. Surrounded by poker faces, expressionless journos
bellowing into mics, furiously scribbling notes or tap tap tapping tweets. A
tiny involuntary squeak escapes. A spasm of movement, a flinch. I check
myself and smile broadly instead.

Is it full time yet? No actually there are 83 minutes left. Oh good God!

I know from years of experience that two is still not enough. A painful
memory surfaces momentarily. The Millennium stadium. Ecstasy and agony
combined. I bat it away. We can do this! Our diamond is shining brighter
than theirs!

The Claret & Blue press high. High energy. High tempo. High octane.

It's like an East End revolution! A cockney boys revolt. Liverpool have been
blown apart.

Wave after wave of attacks are launched. The intensity of the encounter
surprises me. Sakho and Valencia dovetail like spitfires. Seeking possession
like missiles. There's no fear, the demand is there and, finally, so is the
supply! Balls like bombs launched into danger areas. The red army in
retreat. Gone AWOL. Winston Reid the general leads his defensive line
calmly. Downing, Noble and Song are marshalling the midfield. The stalwart
and one-time saviour Stevie is struggling to maintain his usual grip and the
Napoleonic Rodgers looks perturbed on the touchline. Allardici grins and
chomps on his gum. It's your move.

Brendan balks and changes it up. It has an immediate impact. Sterling's
sweet strike snaffles one back. Uh-oh here we go.

The roar of the crowd slowly fades. Tension and fear creep into our hearts
and minds. Our fortunes always hiding. From my seat I mentally will the
legions to sing up. Our troops seem weary. Kouyate, kicked from pillar to
post, looks battle-scarred but bravely fights on. Jenkinson makes his
presence known swiftly. Adrian shields his goal like a man possessed.
Amalfitano goes on for A Song. James Collins steams into challenges with all
the subtlety of a tornado. Flattening everything in his wake. Every
Liverpool affront dwindles to nothing. Corners crumble. Attacks are stifled.
The wall holds!

Instead…what's this? Stewart Downing, revitalised, again shows the quality
of his technique and his vision. He produces the kind of pass that evokes
the finesse of Sheringham himself. Amalfitano coolly slips the ball into the
waiting net. It's over.

Another colossal performance. This time in the warm and grateful embrace of
home.

The dust settles…the build up to another engagement begins. A second
excruciating memory dances before my eyes. The one and only time I've made
the journey to Old Trafford as a fan. The road to hell. An overheated engine
on the M6. So much for the Ford Orion. We arrive at half time. Missing
Wanchope's opener. No matter. We're 3-1 down.
We sing our songs. Our voices constant. But unlike my friend's extinguished
Orion, United's constellation sparkles. Scholes, Beckham & Solskjaer make it
seven. We trudge out in the depths of depression.

We've had our glorious league moments in Stretford since. Defoe and Tevez
leading the charge.

Yet again the red opponent awaits. This time a devil! But something tells me
we can ride with this one. We live in hope. As I said…all of a sudden we
seem to have a team. And I believe that, like Foxes, we can steal away with
the spoils….

Good luck up there.

B

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West Ham new boy Enner Valencia learned about the club watching hooligan
movie Green Street
Sep 25, 2014 22:30 By Darren Lewis
World Cup striker says despite the film's portrayal of Hammers fans he has
found them far friendlier than their counterparts in his homeland Ecuador
The Mirror

Enner Valencia is pleased that the perception he got of his new club West
Ham watching TV back in South America was nothing like the reality. The
£12million World Cup star, who has been an instant hit with Hammers fans
this season, knew of the club from watching films such as Green Street.
While that movie starring Lord Of The Rings actor Elijah Wood focuses on a
fictitious hooligan element, however, Valencia maintains he is delighted
with the way that the club and their supporters have conducted themselves
since his arrival.The Ecuadorian said: "I knew about West Ham mainly from
watching films and I know that the supporters were very passionate. I don't
remember the names of all the films, but I remember Green Street."I
respected the fact that they are vey passionate supporters and when I found
out I was coming here I didn't know what to expect."But here in England, the
fans are respectful in the sense that in South America if you lose a match
you can't even go out in the street."Here, after we lost the opening game
[against Tottenham] people stayed in the stadium and showed their support.
That's something I really liked."

In fact, Valencia has found the backing of West Ham's fans to be totally
different at odds with the pressure he found himself under at his first
club, Emelec, back in Ecuador. Explaining how his team found once themselves
under siege from angry fans after one key defeat, Valencia said: "It was a
derby, the Clasico, and our main rivals were top of the league."We had to
beat them in order to move onto the same points and we couldn't get the win.
It was very difficult to get everyone out of the stadium!"

One stadium West Ham cannot wait to get into is the Olympic version which
Valencia hopes to lead them into in two seasons' time as a heavyweight
Premier League outfit.The 25-year-old was the biggest of the wave of
signings that many fans believe have given the club their best squad for
years.Optimism is high going into Saturday's trip to Manchester United to
take on Radamel Falcao, Wayne Rooney and co.
But Valencia maintains he is simply living the dream having come this far
from humble beginnings."I come from a very poor background." he said, "In
order to buy my first boots I had to go and work with my dad on a farm,
milking cows. I had to sell the milk and stuff in order to afford to buy my
first boots. PAWest Ham's Olympic StadiumThe shape of things to come:
Artist's impression of West Ham playing at the Olympic Stadium "Now I'm
extremely happy. Very, very thankful to be here and I am trying to enjoy
every minute. I have said it many times during the World Cup as well. The
Premier League, I used to watch it on the television and now, being here, I
am living the dream.
"The culture here in England is very, very different to South America. The
main thing for me is the language barrier at the moment. But I am improving
my English and the fact that people here are very respectful is something
that is very good."The versatile attacker, who netted a screamer in the 2-2
draw at Hull, went on: "I hope I can continue to score and to help the team
to get as high up the table as possible."Everyone loves to play against
Manchester United and if you get the chance you would love to beat them."

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Matt Jarvis available for Saturday
Posted by Sean Whetstone on September 25, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham joint Chairman David Gold claims that Matt Jarvis is now fit and
available for selection this Saturday as the Hammers travel to Old Trafford.
The 28-year-old winger has missed the Hammers first five games of the new
season after picking up a thigh injury during pre-season.Jarvis made 34
appearances for West Ham last season scoring four goals and is keen to get
back on-the-pitch. He previously told the club's official website 'I was
very frustrated to pick up the injury, so yeah I really want to get back,
work hard and try and get back in the team. I'm gutted I'm injured, I can't
believe it. I did all pre-season and then missed all the games. I'm really
looking forward to getting back.'Back in 2012 West Ham have smashed their
transfer fee record with a £10.75m swoop for Matt Jarvis from Wolves.Whether
he can regain his first team place remains the unanswered question.Sam seems
to disagree with his chairman by saying "Kevin Nolan is training today for
the first time but he won't be included for the squad against Manchester
United. Same with Matt Jarvis"

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Black, white, pink, blue, orange…it must be Song!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on September 25, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

He may be one of the best players to arrive at West Ham for many a moon but
Mark Noble is right, Alex Song has to be the worst dresser in the club. No
hang on, let's be a little more honest. He may even be the worst in the
world given the garb he's decided to adorn himself with in this picture.
Here he is on his way to training and it's probably fair to say that boss
Sam Allardyce will slaughtered him!
The picture emerged on Twitter and demonstrated that perhaps the boy from
Barcelona needs a little help with colour coordination!

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