Diafra's Sak-full of goals
WHUFC.com
The striker has been in deadly goalscoring form since joining the Hammers
20.10.2014
Diafra Sakho has made a wonderful start to his career at West Ham United having scored six goals in his short time at the Boleyn Ground.
His latest came when he opened the scoring against Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday as he headed home Aaron Cresswell's pinpoint cross. The Hammers went on to win 3-1, with a goal apiece from fellow strikers Enner Valencia and Carlton Cole. Having netted in his past six matches, Sakho is not far behind some West Ham legends who also went on impressive scoring runs. Scoring in six consecutive matches, Sakho has equalled the tally of the likes of David Cross (September-October 1980), Bryan 'Pop' Robson (December 1978-January 1979) and John Dick who went on a six-goal streak twice between November-December 1954 & November-December 1957. West Ham strikers Tony Cottee (September-October 1985) and Johnny Byrne (February-March 1964) complete the select group of players. Sir Geoff Hurst scored a total of eleven goals in seven consecutive games between January-February 1964. His goals came in two FA Cup ties, a League Cup tie and four league matches.
After returning from the historic 1966 World Cup victory he proceeded to score 14 goals in seven matches between November-December 1966. This prolific scoring touch was part of a wider purple patch as Hurst scored in 17 out of 19 matches between August-December 1966!
Also on seven consecutive games is Doncaster-born Jimmy Ruffell who scored in seven straight games in December 1934. Even more impressive was the fact those seven games came within 29 days!
Another prolific scorer for the Hammers was centre-forward Vic Watson. Not only did he score in seven consecutive games between April-September 1929 and December 1931-January 1932, the striker was in fine form when scoring in nine straight games between January-February 1930. Watson scored 15 goals in those matches, which constituted six Division One matches and three FA Cup ties. Sakho will need to continue his run of form for a long while yet if he is to break the current record. Syd Puddefoot scored in 18 consecutive matches in the War-time London Combination between February 1918 and January 1919! Sakho's opportunity to score in his sixth consecutive league game is this Saturday as Sam Allardyce's men take on Champions Manchester City on Saturday 25th October at the Boleyn Ground, kick-off is 12.45pm.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
'The table's looking good'
WHUFC.com
James Collins is thrilled with the Hammers' start to the 2014/15 campaign
20.10.2014
James Collins is enjoying looking at the Barclays Premier League table at the moment, after Saturday's win at Burnley took West Ham United into the top four. The Hammers' bright start to the campaign has seen them win four of the first eight fixtures, including back-to-back victories from their last two games. Collins returned to action at Burnley following a groin injury and he was delighted with the result and performance. "The table is good viewing at the minute," he smiled. "It's all down to the way we're playing, it's been a great season so far. "We're defending well and with the way the two boys we've got up front are playing, it's looking good. "Away wins are always great and Saturday's was hard-fought. They had us on the ropes in the first half and we had to weather the storm and defend well. "There's goals in the lads up front so it's all about staying in the game when the opposition are on top."
Next up for the Hammers is a home game against Manchester City and Collins says his side should have nothing to fear. He added: "It's going to be a tough game against Manchester City next week. The win at Burnley wasn't easy by any stretch of the imagination. "It's about resting up now, but with our fans behind us at home and the way we're playing we're looking forward to it."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce is plotting another big result at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday
19.10.2014
Sam Allardyce is hoping West Ham United can cause another 'storm' in East London when Manchester City visit the Boleyn Ground on Saturday.
Allardyce believes his side will be full of confidence following the 3-1 win at Burnley at the weekend - their second consecutive Barclays Premier League victory. However, the West Ham manager is fully aware that the reigning champions are likely to provide the biggest test yet of his of new-look Hammers side, but is determined to give the home fans something to cheer. "In the last two seasons we've had to wait a long time for back-to-back wins. This time we've got it in the first eight games, but we needed it as it's one of the big boys this weekend," he said. "I think when you have had back-to-back wins you go into a game that you're not expected to win with much more confidence than you would normally. West Ham fans would expect us to get something from the game but across the board not many other people will. "So we will be looking to cause another storm and another shock like we did against Liverpool a couple of weeks ago."
With both the Hammers and the Citizens in freescoring mood, the game promises goals and while City possess big name forwards in Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko, West Ham have a couple of striking superstars themselves in Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia. Sakho's headed opener at Burnley made it six goals in as many starts, while Enner Valencia's also nodded a second - his fourth for Club and country within the space of a week. "I would tell Diafra to just keep going," Big Sam enthused. "He's hit the ground well and surprised us all and we just want to make sure it continues. It's my job to make sure he keeps his feet on the ground and doesn't get carried away.
"He has so much energy and desire. Before he goes out I can see it in him - he just feels like he's going to score and when we needed him again he delivered. "When Enner came back having scored three goals [for Ecuador], he was never not going to play as we hoped he would carry that on and he has. It was very similar to Diafra's goal - fantastic cross and a brilliant header. He's only 5fit 9in and has such a great spring to get between defenders and they can't stop him. "These two lads will get more and more attention. At the moment they're a bit of nobodies in the Premier League but soon people will catch on and will make life a bit more difficult for them. We'll see if they can handle that but they're certainly the big two for us at the moment in terms of these victories."
The win moved West Ham to fourth in the table but Big Sam is insistent that his squad keep their feet on the ground. "I think 13 points in eight matches is a really good score and our players in the dressing room think it should have been more from some of the performances. If the referee at Old Trafford hadn't wrongly disallowed a goal we would still be undefeated away from home. "That's very important as not only have we turned our home form into victories, having lost the first two, but our away form is fantastic having two wins, a draw and only one defeat. If we can keep that going we can have a good season but we must keep our feet on the ground as it's only eight games so far. "We'll have a better idea when we get to 12 or 14 games as that'll be the big telling point but the squad is looking very good in its strength in depth."
Big Sam celebrated his 60th birthday on Sunday and he confessed the celebrations on Saturday night were all the more enjoyable following the Turf Moor victory. He was quick to credit his players for delivering the number one present on his gift list. "I went out with some friends on Saturday and the wine tasted exceptionally good. If I wanted one present I said it would be a win at Burnley and the lads have made me very, very happy. I don't ask the lads for much but I told them it was my birthday this weekend so please get me a result! "As hard as it was in the first half, the second half was where the quality of our team stood out and the quality of the first two goals made it difficult to beat us."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Loan round-up
WHUFC.com
Catch up with how the Hammers on loan fared this weekend
20.10.2014
Modibo Maiga started for FC Metz as they drew 0-0 at home with Rennes. The striker was replaced by Thibaut Vion after 82 minutes. The newly promoted team - Diafra Sakho's previous employers - are up to seventh in Ligue Un.
George Moncur played 80 minutes for Colchester United as they secured a 1-1 away draw with lowly Scunthorpe United. Moncur was replaced by Sammie Szmodics, and ex-West Ham striker Freddie Sears equalised in the 33rd minute after Rory Fallon opened the scoring.
Accrington Stanley's Sean Maguire started as they lost 2-1 away to Stevenage. Maguire was substituted in the 64th for Seamus McCartan. The win sees Stevenage leapfrog Stanley into 15th in League Two.
Tim Brown put in a Man of the Match display as Canvey Island slipped to a 3-0 home defeat to AFC Hornchurch. Despite losing heavily, Brown made a string of fantastic saves to deny Canvey Island further humiliation. West Ham midfielder Ben Marlow also featured, playing the whole game.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
By George, we were unlucky
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 20th October 2014
By: Staff Writer
Burnley's Man of the Match against West Ham on Saturday has backed his team to avoid an instant return to the Championship. Former Peterborough midfielder George Boyd has an excellent game against Sam Allardyce's team (again), hitting the bar with a fiece effort after just five minutes before scoring the Clarets' sole goal of the game in the second half. However he believes that his side were unlucky to come away from the game with nothing to show for their efforts - whilst insisting that Burnley "dominated" West Ham at times. "The result is disappointing but I don't think confidence will be knocked, because of the way we played," he told the Citizen. "For large parts we dominated them and West Ham will be a top team. I'm sure they will be in the top 10 at the end of the season. "There were loads of positives. It was just a 10-minute spell we need to learn from. If we had gone 1-0 up we could have scored two or three and the confidence would have been through the roof, so we will keep believing. "Hitting the bar was just our luck at the moment - my effort and Barnesy's. A couple of inches either side and we could have been coming away with three points. The way we played in the first half, we dominated for large spells and the gaffer warned us they would come out with a bit of a response. "But those two goals at the start of the second half killed the game. We believed we could go and do it again for another 45 minutes, but the goals took it out of us a bit."
Boyd's team mate Kieran Trippier was just as disappointed but equally enthusiastic about the immediate future. "It's a lesson learned, it's a disappointing defeat," he added. "We dominated the first half but in the second half they got two early goals. It's just one of those things, it wasn't our day and things wouldn't go in the back of the net. But it's gone now and we have to move on."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Much Ayew about nothing, reprised
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 20th October 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are rumoured to be taking another look at Marseille winger Andre Ayew. Back in 2012 KUMB revealed how the Hammers were linked with a move for the Ghana international. Speaking at the time, 'Dede' admitted that he would be keen to speak with the club should an opportunity arise. Fast forward two seasons and speculation emanating from France is once again linking West Ham with Ayew, who has spent his entire senior career thus far with Les Olympiens. Out of contract next summer, much like West Ham's own Winston Reid he has refused to sign a new with the Ligue 1 side leading to speculation that he could be coming to England. With Everton and Liverpool also said to have expressed an interest in bringing Ayew to England, West Ham should face stiff opposition if they are indeed interested in signing the £10million-rated star. The French-born forward - son of former African Footballer of the Year Abedi Pele - made more than 100 appearances for Marseille before his 23rd birthday. He also featured for Ghana in the 2010 World Cup Finals, in which the Black Stars reached the quarter finals of the competition.
In other transfer news, West Ham are said to be monitoring former Netherlands Under-21 international Virgil van Dijk, who currently plays for Celtic in the Scottish Premier League. The £7million-rated central defender is a possible replacement for Winston Reid, who has rejected all offers of a new contract so far. Elsewhere it is claimed that West Ham are one of four clubs keeping tabs on Manchester United's 21-year-old attacking midfielder Jesse Lingard. The Warrington-born former England under 21 international has made just one first team appearance for the Red Devils.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Olympic Stadium cost set to spiral
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 20th October 2014
By: Staff Writer
Building contractor Balfour Beatty are understood to have requested an extra £50million to complete the Olympic Stadium conversion. West Ham's new home is not due to be completed until the summer of 2016, although work on converting the £500million stadium is already well under way. However meetings between the contractors and E20 Stadium LLP, the stadium administrators are understood to have taken place last week during which Balfour Beatty are said to have requested further investment. The construction firm won the contract to convert the stadium into a home for West Ham United last year with a £154million bid. However they insist costs have needed to be revised partly as the result of cracks appearing in some of the new welding. Au unnamed source told the Enquirer: "While lifting the cables in using strand jacks some cracks were noticed in the welds. Some strengthening plates had also been missed so work was stopped and now it's a case of working round the clock to put it right." The steelwork inside the stadium has been sub-contracted to William Hare, who are currently working "around the clock" to resolve the recently-discovered problems. A spokesman for E20 Stadium LLP added: "The project still has close to two years to run and we are in no doubt Balfour Beatty can deliver the programme as planned. This is a complex project and there are always ongoing discussions about specific elements within it."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce says 'I've done a fantastic job for West Ham'
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 20th October 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce has reiterated his position with view to a potential contract extension - whilst maintaining that he's done a "fantastic job" for West Ham. Big Sam took control the managerial reigns at the Boleyn Ground three years ago this summer when the Hammers had been relegated to the Championsip. Since then Allardyce has led the team to instant promotion, 10th and 13th place in the Premier League and a Capital One Cup semi final. With his existing contract set to expire next summer Allardyce remains nonplussed about talks, none of which are impending (in line with club policy). However he believes that regardless of what the future holds, he can be pleased with the progress the club has made during his tenure. "The owners have chosen to wait and see how we go," he said, speaking after the 3-1 win over Burnley that lifted his latest West Ham team into a Champions League position. "We chose to wait the last time. "We had no problems then and if we carry on the way we are, we'll have no problems sorting this one out. "If there is a turn in fortunes then I know I've still done a fantastic job for West Ham in my time here. At the moment, the contract is the last thing on my mind. "I don't feel the pressure like I used to. I've learned to deal with it. I've proved myself at this level and that makes life all the more enjoyable."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
More boos for West Ham forward
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 20th October 2014
By: Staff Writer
One of West Ham's strikers left the field of play to a chorus of boos at the weekend - and not the one you might think... After an uninspiring 82 minutes for Metz in their goalless draw at home to Stade Rennais, on-loan forward Modibo Maiga was roundly booed for what the home fans had obviously deemed a substandard performance. The Mali international scored the lowest pass completion rate of any outfield player to begin the match, with just 46 per cent of passes reaching their target. He did however manage to hit the target, but his one sole shot in the game was saved.
Since moving back to France in the summer for the duration of the 2014/15 season Maiga has featured on five occasions for Metz (three starts) without contributing a single goal or assist. In his 282 minutes on the field he has managed just four shots - two of which were off target.
Unfortunately for the poor Les Grenats fans, they may have to get used to seeing Maiga a little more often for key striker Juan Manuel Falcon - who has four goals to his name already this season - has been ruled out of action for a month with a calf injury.
Metz, who won the Ligue 2 title last season largely due to the prolific form of Diafra Sakho, now at West Ham, are currently seventh in Ligue 1 having taken 15 points from their opening ten fixtures.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Diafra Sakho says West Ham wins are priority
Last Updated: 20/10/14 4:54pm
SSN
West Ham United hot-shot Diafra Sakho admits winning games is more important than his own goalscoring exploits. Sakho has been one of the revelations of the season after scoring his sixth goal in his last six games in Saturday's win over Burnley. The 24-year-old was also involved in the other goals for Enner Valencia and Carlton Cole and is proving to be one of the bargains of the season following his £3.5million switch from Metz. Sakho joined West Ham after scoring 20 goals in 36 matches last season to help win the French Second Division and Hammers co-owner David Sullivan played a key role in pushing through a deal for the skilful forward. The Senegal international is loving life at West Ham and is keen to keep on scoring, but insists winning games comes before his own personal glory.
"I am delighted with my goalscoring form, but the most important thing is that West Ham keep winning games," Sakho told Sky Sports.
"It is nice to have made such a good start to playing in the Premier League, but I do not mind who scores the goals as long as West Ham win. "I have settled well into life in England and I thank my team-mates for helping me a lot since I arrived. "Everyone at the club - the manager, the coaching staff and the owners have been very good to me and I just want to repay them by scoring goals and doing my best for the team. "I love playing for West Ham and playing for our fans is such a great experience as they have been so supportive of me and they help inspire me when I play."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce hopes West Ham can cause another upset
Last Updated: 20/10/14 1:55pm
SSN
Allardyce's side are currently fourth in the Premier League table having claimed four victories this season, two of which have come in their last two matches, at home against QPR and away at Burnley. Their most impressive win of the campaign, though, came in September when they claimed a 3-1 victory over Liverpool. And Allardyce is now eyeing further success at Upton Park against City, who are second in the table. "In the last two seasons we've had to wait a long time for back-to-back wins. This time we've got it in the first eight games, but we needed it as it's one of the big boys this weekend," Allardyce told the club's official website. I think when you have had back-to-back wins you go into a game that you're not expected to win with much more confidence than you would normally. "West Ham fans would expect us to get something from the game but across the board not many other people will. "So we will be looking to cause another storm and another shock like we did against Liverpool a couple of weeks ago."
Allardyce, whose side finished 13th last season, has been buoyed by the Hammers' start to this campaign, but is refusing to get carried away after just eight games. "I think 13 points in eight matches is a really good score and our players in the dressing room think it should have been more from some of the performances. If the referee at Old Trafford hadn't wrongly disallowed a goal we would still be undefeated away from home." he added. "That's very important as not only have we turned our home form into victories, having lost the first two, but our away form is fantastic having two wins, a draw and only one defeat. "If we can keep that going we can have a good season but we must keep our feet on the ground as it's only eight games so far. "We'll have a better idea when we get to 12 or 14 games as that'll be the big telling point but the squad is looking very good in its strength in depth."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Modibo Maiga backed by Metz coach and team-mates after he is booed by his own fans
Last Updated: 20/10/14 12:01pm
SSN
Metz's on-loan striker Modibo Maiga has received the backing of his coach and team-mates after he was booed by his own fans during Saturday's 0-0 draw with Rennes. Maiga, 27, has yet to score in five appearances for the French club since joining on loan from West Ham in the summer. But coach Albert Cartier told L'Equipe: "It is not the style of the club to give up a player in a difficult situation.
"We will help him and do our best for him to improve with us. He will soon show his qualities." Team-mate Florent Malouda added: "People don't realize but he sacrificed for the team working hard to defend, which is an unrewarding and precious job." Metz are currently sixth in Ligue 1, having won four of their 10 games so far this season. They have an option to sign Maiga on a permanent deal at the end of the season. The Mali international, who scored six goals in 38 appearances for West Ham after joining them from Sochaux in the summer of 2012, spent the second half of last season on loan at QPR, where he scored once.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WERE YOU AT THE BURNLEY GAME? YOU MAY BE ABLE TO HELP A FELLOW WEST HAM FAN.
By Iron Liddy 20 Oct 2014 at 12:48
West Ham Till I Die
CALLING FOR HELP FROM THE WEST HAM COMMUNITY
I had a call from a friend last night to ask me to reach out for help from our fellow West Ham fans. He and his daughter were at the Burnley game on Saturday and unfortunately when they were celebrating our first goal his daughter's white iPhone 6 flew out of her pocket. They only realised that it had been lost at the end of the game and subsequently found out that a young lad had picked it up and was waving it at the crowd trying to find out who the owner was. It wasn't handed in to the stewards so they're hoping that whoever found it will hand it in to the club but if you could share this with anybody that you know who went to the game on Saturday it would be very helpful.
They were sitting centrally 3 rows from the front. As we all know it's not just the price of a replacement phone at stake but all the photos, contacts and other bits and pieces of our life that we entrust to our mobile devices. If you could share this on any other West Ham forum that you frequent and let me know if you have any information we'd be very grateful.
Lids x
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce remains coy over new contract talks as West Ham surge into top four
Oct 19, 2014 22:30 By Paul Hassall
The former Bolton manager led his West Ham side into the top four with an impressive victory over Burnley at Turf Moor
The Mirror
As Sam Allardyce toasted his 60th birthday he will have no doubt raised a glass to a strike duo who are firing him towards a new West Ham deal. Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho won't have been on the wish-lists of many fans this summer, but it's their blooming partnership that has helped transform the Hammers, in more ways than one. The pair hit the goal trail again at Burnley as Allardyce's rejuvenation in the Upton Park hot-seat gathers pace. Not so long ago the former Blackburn boss appeared to be on the verge of the axe for failing to deliver the exciting brand of football West Ham supporters crave. But now they are combining moments of flair with the all-important results. And if Big Sam keeps this up he won't be far from completing a turnaround that could see the Irons board extend his contract beyond the end of the season. "The owners have chosen to wait and see how we go," said Allardyce. "We chose to wait the last time.
e had no problems then and if we carry on the way we are, we'll have no problems sorting this one out. "If there is a turn in fortunes then I know I've still done a fantastic job for West Ham in my time here. At the moment, the contract is the last thing on my mind. "I don't feel the pressure like I used to. I've learned to deal with it. I've proved myself at this level and that makes life all the more enjoyable."
It may not be tiki-taka just yet, but with West Ham on the rise you can see why there are few sleepless nights in the Allardyce household.
The Hammers boss is reaping the rewards of some astute business in the summer, including the inspired gamble that saw him recruit Sakho alongside Valencia. The duo struck a goal apiece inside five minutes after the restart against the Clarets to provide the springboard for a fourth league win of the season. George Boyd pulled one back for Burnley, but substitute Carlton Cole made sure of victory when he nodded home the Hammers' third. Allardyce admits he has been delighted by the impact of a front two who must already be on the shortlist for 'signing of the season.' "I didn't expect them to click straight away," said Allardyce. "We wanted to introduce Valencia and Sakho slowly but due to the circumstances we haven't, and we've done absolutely brilliant." West Ham produced some free-flowing football but the fact their three goals at Turf Moor all came via headers from crosses will not have gone unnoticed by Allardyce's critics."I haven't played long ball, but it's with me," he added wistfully. "It'll never leave me. We changed the system at half-time and don't play the same way every week."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's new Olympic Stadium home could cost taxpayers further £50 million
Complications with roof at venue likely to require massive further funding, and West Ham will not have to spend a penny
West Ham's new Olympic Stadium home could cost taxpayers further £50 million
By Ben Rumsby, Sports News Correspondent8:23PM BST 20 Oct 2014
Telegraph.co.uk
Taxpayers are being asked for another £50 million to convert the Olympic Stadium into West Ham United's new home – but the club will not pay another penny towards the cost. Construction firm Balfour Beatty has lobbied for more cash to complete the work on the stadium after complications emerged last month over extending its roof. The public has footed the bill for the original £429 million cost of the London 2012 main venue and all but £15 million of the £154 million conversion contract – the smaller figure being West Ham's contribution.
Now, amid a succession of profit warnings, Balfour Beatty wants up to £50 million on top of that figure to finish the job, which could take the total price of the venue beyond £600 million. The stadium's operator, the London Legacy Development Corporation, is in talks with the firm over the increased cost, none of which will be met by West Ham due to the terms and conditions they negotiated of their 99-year lease. The club are still on schedule to move into the venue in 2016, after five Rugby World Cup matches are played there in September and October next year. There was a flexible cost element to the roof work at the stadium as it is unique in terms of stadium development, with money put aside in a contingency fund. However, any unused portion of that fund would return to the public purse. It is understood that a rise in cost, which the LLDC – chaired by Boris Johnson, the London mayor – is hopeful will be far less than £50 million, could also be met by savings elsewhere on the Olympic Park.
Yet, that would call into question the London 2012 legacy. One of the biggest critics of the amount spent on the Olympic Stadium, the Conservative London Assembly member Andrew Boff, blamed the latest news on the decision to retain an athletics track and install retractable seating at the stadium in east London. "I think there is more bad news to come, I think all that money that is being used is taking away from the legacy of the park," he said. "Pretty soon, I think Londoners will be clamouring to rip that stadium down."
An E20 Stadium LLP spokesperson said: "The project still has close to two years to run and we are in no doubt Balfour Beatty can deliver the programme as planned. "This is a complex project and there are always ongoing discussions about specific elements within it."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Olympic Stadium costs soar to more than £600m after roof complications
• Complex structure will not cost West Ham more money
• Balfour Beatty reported to have requested extra £50m
Owen Gibson
The Guardian, Monday 20 October 2014 20.02 BST
The overall bill for the Olympic Stadium is set to soar well beyond £600m before West Ham United move in after it emerged that installing the complex roof would be far more expensive than originally thought.
The complications will not cost West Ham – due to move into the 54,000-seat stadium from the start of the 2016-17 season – another penny on top of the £15m they have pledged towards the conversion.
Construction Enquirer magazine reported that Balfour Beatty had asked for an extra £50m to cover complications in strengthening the roof and extending it over a new cantilevered structure that will cover retractable seats to be rolled out during the football season.
It adds to the workload to complete the project by August 2016 – itself an extension of the original timetable. Building must pause during the 2015 Rugby World Cup next summer, when five matches will be played in the stadium.
Sources at the London Legacy Development Corporation, which is responsible for the development of the Olympic Park, insisted that the overspend would not be as much as £50m and that some of it would be met by Balfour Beatty. It said any overspend would be covered within the LLDC's wider existing budgets without recourse to the taxpayer and that there would be no ramifications for the schedule.
The rising costs are likely to provoke renewed criticism from those who think the project has been badly thought-out from the start.
In addition to the £154m contract agreed with Balfour Beatty, which will rise because of the roof issues, there are believed to be additional elements that will take the overall cost to more than £600m by even the most conservative estimate.
Following a protracted saga that included a bitter battle with Tottenham Hotspur and a lengthy standoff over how much West Ham should contribute, the East End club agreed to pay a one-off fee of £15m towards the conversion costs and a rent of around £2.5m a year.
The LLDC, chaired by Boris Johnson, is in negotiations with Balfour Beatty over how the additional costs will be split.
Under the terms of the deal announced in March last year Newham Council borrowed £40m towards the conversion, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport supplied £38.7m and a further £25m will come from the Department for Communities and Local Government. West Ham will pay £15m and the rest will be borrowed by the LLDC.
The LLDC had previously argued that the Balfour Beattie agreement was a fixed price contract but it is understood that an element relating to the roof is negotiable, given the complexity of the work.
Originally the Olympic Stadium was priced up at £280m in the London 2012 bid book before the price tag rose to £429m. The initial plan was to remove the upper tiers of the stadium and scale it back to a modest 25,000-seat bowl after the Games. But the coalition government and Johnson urged a rethink in 2010 and eventually agreed a deal with West Ham that later collapsed under legal challenge.
Following another tender process, the club were awarded a 99-year lease to share the stadium with other tenants including UK Athletics. An operator such as AEG or Live Nation will shortly be appointed to manage bookings in the stadium.
A spokesperson for E20 Stadium LLP, the partnership that is managing the stadium, said: "The project still has close to two years to run and we are in no doubt Balfour Beatty can deliver the programme as planned. This is a complex project and there are always ongoing discussions about specific elements within it."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gunners star unlikely to sign long term deal
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 20, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham are unlikely to be able to make Carl Jenkinson's stay at Upton Park permanent at the end of the season! The on-loan Arsenal star produced his most impressive performance in a West Ham shirt at Burnley on Saturday and, with Aaron Cresswell, was singled out for special praise manager Sam Allardyce. The club would love to believe that they can make the deal a permanent arrangement but ClaretandHugh has learned that this was one of the few loan deals in which there was no 'to buy' clause involved. On asking the question about a permanent deal earlier this evening we were told: "Sadly, there's no option to buy and we believe Arsenal will want him back. "We will have a go but he's a top young player and it would be a surprise if we could do a deal although much could depend on Arsenal's injury position.
"As an England under 21 international he has a big future ahead of him and he is one we would like to get but it's very much odds against as things stand."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
---
This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active.
http://www.avast.com
Tuesday, October 21
Monday, October 20
Daily WHUFC News - 20th October 2014
Cole - 'It was a brilliant win'
WHUFC.com
Carlton Cole says the Hammers are loving life at the moment after a second
straight win
19.10.2014
Carlton Cole is developing a handy habit this season of popping up with the
game-clinching goal in away day West Ham United victories.
Having scored the third in August's 3-1 win at Crystal Palace, he repeated
the feat on Saturday at Burnley, nodding home with 70 minutes played to seal
an identical scoreline. It was a vital goal for Sam Allardyce's men, after
George Boyd gave his side hope by making it 2-1 and Cole was delighted to
play his part. "It was a brilliant win away from home and another three
points that we needed," he beamed.
"We knew it wouldn't be easy and we had to set our stall out early and make
sure they didn't score. As the game went on we knew we could break them down
and that's what the boys did, so fair play to all the lads involved."
All three of the strikers involved on the day came up with a goal, as Cole's
header followed headed efforts from Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia. Cole
has been impressed with the pair of summer signings and relishes the
opportunity of playing alongside them. Cole continued: "The boys are playing
brilliantly, Sakho's got another goal and you can't knock the boy at the
moment - he's brilliant! You've got Enner too, who's been travelling for
ages this week with the Ecuador team and he was a little leggy but he came
up with the goods. "I came on and notched my second goal of the season,
which I'm very happy with. I had a couple of chances as soon as I came on
and I just put it down to trying to work hard. The manager said to go on and
make a nuisance of yourself, which I tried to do, and I linked up well with
Diafra.
"Diafra works so hard and it makes a difference when you have players like
that up front with you as it takes a lot of pressure off the other strikers.
That's why he's getting his rewards. "For my goal it was an instinctive
finish. I saw that Diafra was leaning back to try and send the ball back
across, and then there's only one place it's going to go. I went towards the
ball and I wanted to get there before the defender, so I did a flying
header, rolling back the years! "It was a brilliant all round game from
Sakhs and I appreciate playing up front with him at the minute."
Cole had special praise for the near-3,000 travelling contingent, who gave
outstanding backing to their side throughout the 90 minutes.
He added: "The fans are always giving 100 per cent support to us and all we
can do it reward them with goals and wins. "That's what we're doing at the
moment and I know they're loving it."
The No24 might be having to bide his time for a chance from the start, given
Sakho and Valencia's fine form, but he explains the whole squad is thrilled
with how the team is performing right now. He said: "It's a squad game and
even the substitutes, the ones who didn't get on, are buzzing. We've got a
good unit at the moment, everything's flowing in the direction we want it
to. "Everybody that's involved, from the staff to the manager and the fans,
everybody's enjoying it. We're going through a good period."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Supporter Advisory Board update
WHUFC.com
The Supporter Advisory Board is to be revamped as part of the Club's new
supporter consultation strategy
19.10.2014
The West Ham United Supporter Advisory Board is to undergo an exciting
transformation in the coming weeks, as the Club seeks to revamp its
supporter consultation strategy. With an ever growing need to involve
supporters in the Club's decision making mechanisms, it was felt that the
time was right to take a fresh look at supporter consultation as a whole, of
which the SAB is naturally a pivotal part.
Originally founded in May 2011, the SAB has been instrumental spearheading
all manner of high-profile campaigns, not least the hugely popular
partnership with adidas. Among their many other telling contributions, they
paved the way for the introduction of a new digital platform, the digital
matchday programme and helped to revitalise the Boleyn Ground's matchday
entertainment line-up to the benefit of their fellow supporters.
Most recently and perhaps most significantly the group has played a vital
role in informing new Stadium policy, as well as helping to steer the Club's
commemorative plans for the final Boleyn Ground season. The Club are
determined to build on those strong foundations and are confident that, with
the appointment of a dedicated Supporter Liaison Officer (SLO), a new-look
SAB can have an even more meaningful impact on the most important matters.
Vice-Chairman Karren Brady was a key driver in establishing this fan
initiative three years ago and is rightly proud of its evolution. "We are
enormously grateful to the SAB for all their hard work over the past three
years and I personally want them to know that they have made a considerable
difference to this football club," the Vice-Chairman confirmed. "I am proud
of all that we have achieved together and their input is going to be more
important than ever as we continue the exciting transition to Queen
Elizabeth Olympic Park. It's imperative to us that our supporters are
comfortable with and understand the process, so there will be much to
discuss in the coming weeks and months."
As has always been the case, the SAB will continue to be a key sounding
board on core issues, while also advising on strategy, not least where the
new Stadium is concerned. Additionally, for the first time ever, the SAB and
its members are now to be called upon to represent the Club at major
external meetings, for example at the Premier League and the like. A
modified selection process will see the formation of a slightly smaller
overall group, but one that better represents the diversity of the Club's
fans. Though membership has previously been restricted to Season Ticket
Holders and Members, match attendees are now also welcome to apply. The
Club are actively seeking applications from across the supporter base
demographic, so that all ages, genders and backgrounds have appropriate
representation.
Additionally, the Club is calling upon representatives of all independent
supporter groups from the many key sectors of the wider West Ham family to
add to the offers of official representation from groups such as
Bondholders, Corporate Members, wheelchair and ambulant fans, and other
representative groups that have already approached the Club.
Crucially, in order to ensure that the SAB's reach extends far beyond its
membership, the most pressing topics will be communicated via Club channels,
as and when they are discussed during meetings. While supporters can
certainly still channel their feedback through SAB members, they are also
encouraged to share those comments directly with the Club's newly-recruited
Supporter Liaison Officer, James Rutherford. Himself a former SAB Member,
James is enthused by the Club's fresh approach to supporter consultation and
is looking forward to hearing from fans from far and wide. He explained: "I
know from my own experiences how valuable the Supporter Advisory Board is
and I'm excited about what the future holds. This is a massive opportunity
to develop what has already proven to be a very successful SAB. "I'm here to
listen to the fans and I intend to make that process as simple and effective
as it possibly can be. Fans have an unique insight into this football club
and it's important to us all that your voice is always heard."
A meeting of the existing SAB has been convened for Tuesday 21 October,
during which the aforementioned new proposals will be set out. While it is
only fair that existing SAB Members are the first to learn of the revamped
process, we ask that supporters keep a lookout on Tuesday evening for
extensive details of how to apply to join the 2014/15 SAB.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ladies secure spot-kick success
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Ladies defeated Tottenham Hotspur on penalties in the London
Capital Cup first round
19.10.2014
West Ham United Ladies won through to the London Capital Cup second round
with a thrilling penalty shootout victory at Tottenham Hotspur.
The Hammers led on no fewer than four occasions during normal and extra
time, only for their opponents to strike back on each occasion to make the
final score 4-4, forcing the game to a spot-kick showdown. Goalkeeper Nikita
Runnacles (pictured) then took centre-stage at Ware FC, saving Tottenham's
third penalty from Alex Keown and paving the way for Danica Revell to clinch
victory from 12 yards. West Ham took the lead as early as the fourth minute
when April Bowers was on hand to convert from a corner. Spurs levelled for
the first time on 15 minutes through Wendy Martin before Lily Mellors
appeaered to be brought down by former Hammer Toni-Anne Wayne inside the
penalty area, but the appeals were waved away.
Captain Stacey Little saw her effort headed off the line and Vicky Kinsman
hit the crossbar as West Ham were frustrated in the final minutes of the
first half. Ten minutes after the break, that frustration abated as McCrea
latched onto Revell's long free-kick into the Spurs box to put her side in
front for a second time. However, that lead would again be relatively
short-lived as Avilla Bergin equalised for a second time with 20 minutes
remaining. Both sides pressed for a winner in normal time, but could not
find one, despite seven minutes being added on by the referee for a variety
of earlier stoppages. Into extra-time and, moments after Kelley Blanchflower
had curled a free-kick inches wide, McCrea bagged her second goal of the
game with a stupendous 35-yard lobbed volley in the 97th minute. Spurs
equalised for a third time on 109 minutes when Martin netted her second of
the game, scrambling home despite the best efforts of Runnacles and defender
Vicky King. With just two minutes of extra-time remaining, West Ham thought
they had finally seen off their rivals when summer signing Vicky Kinsman
clipped the ball past Wayne to make it 4-3. Amazingly, there was still time
for Tottenham to equalise a fourth time, with Leah Rawle finishing past
Runnacles in the final minute and sending the tie to penalties. McCrea,
Kinsman, Katie Bottom, Mellors and Revell all kept their nerve for West Ham,
while Runnacles guessed right to save Keown's kick and send the Hammers
through to the second round.
Ladies: Runnacles, King, Little (c), Revell, Bottom, McCrea, Lipley-Hinton,
Mellors, Kinsman, Blanchflower, Bowers (Masters 111)
Subs not used: Donohoe, Locke, Humphreys, Baxter
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WEST HAM 3, BURNLEY 1. A WINNING CODE.
By David Hautzig 19 Oct 2014 at 13:59
West Ham till I Die
During World War II, the British mathematician Alan Turing used his rather
elite level of intelligence to help the Allies break the code of the Enigma
machine the Nazi's used to send coded messages. And the rest, as they say,
is history. Yesterday was my turn. Sort of. Because instead of helping break
a code, my best mate Jon and I had to create a code that my wife couldn't
break.
As Iain told you yesterday, I had a family event yesterday that started at
kickoff. It had been planned for months, and family and friends had traveled
far and wide to gather for it. Watching the game live was out of the
question, unless divorce proceedings were something I wanted to "check out".
And since my wife and I were kind of the hosts of this shindig, looking at
my phone during the game was also not in the cards. The same restrictions,
however, did not apply to Jon. So he and I devised a plan. A code. A code of
such simplicity yet genius that I am willing to bet six pence that good ol'
Alan himself would have looked at me and said "Well done, son".
Jon sat directly behind my dad. Thus it was perfectly natural for me to
glance his way every now and then, right? If I caught Jon's eye, he would
scratch his head with his right hand for every goal we had and with his left
hand for Burnley. A slight shake of his head meant no change since the last
scratch report. It worked perfectly. As did many other things yesterday.
Needless to say, this report will read a bit differently than my previous
ones because I am writing it a bit differently. Last night, basking in the
double joy of a very good time with family and friends as well as the
knowledge of three points in the bag, Jon and I opened a bottle of Vineyard
29 Cru Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 (ridiculously good wine) and watched the
match. In some ways, it's a useful thing to do from time to time. Emotion
plays very little part. You watch in a more analytical way because the
normal West Ham paranoia that takes over at 2-0 up isn't there.
If I didn't know the result, the first ten minutes or so would have scared
me to death. Burnley were all over us. We could have been down 2-0 before I
finished my first glass of vino. George Boyd deserved a goal not only for
his 7th minute strike but for the skill he showed to chest the ball down and
get himself into position to blast it with his left foot. A couple of
minutes later Danny Ings splits us apart and fired. Adrian makes a nice save
and Lukas Jutkiewicz was ruled offside on his shot off the rebound. There
were times last season that I thought Reid and Collins were our best tandem
in central defense. In those first few minutes yesterday, however, they
looked out of synch with each other. "You got that? Wait, I thought you had
him? Where's the ball?" Not that Burnley didn't cause some of those
problems. Jutkiewicz in particular was a handful.
"I didn't realize we were that outplayed early on" Jon said when the
possession stats for the first 15 minutes or so came on. 66 percent for the
home team. In fact, we really didn't look like we had even gotten out of bed
for the first twenty. But then West Ham showed a glimpse of waking up when
Noble sent Valencia on a run that ended in a shot that sailed way over the
bar. In the 27th minute Cresswell made the first of what would be many fine
runs to send in a cross that Sakho almost put away for the opener. I know
Sam said in post match interviews that he told Cresswell and Jenkinson to
attack more in the second half, but Cresswell in particular looked like he
had that in mind all along.
Can I get something out of the way? Hey Sky. Or BT. Or whoever did the game
over there. We got it. David Moyes was at the game. And then he was still at
the game. Oh look, Moyes didn't leave! Isn't that interesting?!?!
No.
"Collins looks really shaky" I said to Jon at the half hour mark. I would
have been very nervous about that had I watched the game live. Even Downing
made a few bad passes, something I don't think I've seen him do this season.
Jutkiewicz and Boyd, Burnley's two best players so far, again almost gave
them the lead before Downing hit the post a minute later.
Halftime took me 30 seconds. I wish DVR's were a bit more accurate when you
fast forward or rewind. You never quite end up where you think you will so
you have to go back and forth a few times. My only quibble of the day.
It isn't often that a player from a lower division comes up to the Premier
League and looks like he's been there for years. If Sakho was a bargain at
3.5 million pounds, then Cresswell is nearly of equal value. Those two
hooked up to put us ahead in the 49th minute. And while Cresswell deserves
the lion share of the credit for his amazing cross, Sakho still had to be
where the ball was going to make it all worthwhile. He was, and West Ham
were in the lead.
When you know a goal is about to be scored and you still yell WHOA! when you
see it happen it has to be a pretty special bit of play. My daughter walked
into the room after Sakho's goal and sat down next to me on the couch.
Jenkinson has a post football career in propulsion and laser guided
technology if his cross to Sakho is any indication. When Valencia snapped
his head back to meet Sakho's header to him, even my little girl knew it was
something special. "That was amazing" she said with real excitement. I leapt
up, careful not to spill my wine, and high fived her. Then she left. She
will stay longer as she gets older. Or not watch at all. We shall see.
Adrian is a good keeper. I like him. I'm glad he's with us and over time I
think he will make far fewer mistakes than he has this season. But he
botched the corner in a way that could rival many How To Screw Up An
Attempted Catch entries in Rob Green's highlight reel. Not to say that
George Boyd didn't deserve a goal from his overall play. He did. And maybe
Ings deserved a goal a minute later when his header came inches away from
leveling things. Not to be.
The introduction of Carlton Cole didn't surprise me, and I doubt it
surprised any of you either considering the options available to replace
Valencia. What did surprise me was how damned effective he was. Seconds
after he came on Cole almost came out of a scramble inside the penalty area
with the ball in prime shooting position, then had a header cleared off the
line. He was everywhere, showing glimpses of the player Zola found napping
inside of him yet had all but vanished of late. Downing's corner was great.
Sakho's header across the goal mouth was also great. But Cole's commitment
to get on the end of that Sakho pass and slam it home with his shiny noggin
was awe inspiring. It was also a reminder that just when you think you have
a guy figured out, you don't. I wonder if a certain scouser in our squad
will be the next "has been" to be reborn.
Downing came close to a fourth, as did Sakho. Burnley might have made the
last five minutes painful to watch….live, that is….had Ashley Barnes shot
from a Kieran Trippier pass not hit the bar. But it did. And we won 3-1.
Maybe because I had a very nice day with my family I was a bit more
emotional than usual. But yesterdays win felt oddly special. We all know
that games like Burnley away are exactly the kind of game we screw up when
we either have a chance to end a bad run or kick on with a good one. The
fact that we did what we should do if we are to push forward as a club gave
me a feeling I don't think I've had.
This thing, building a club worthy of the move into the OS, might actually
work.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
TWO, ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR
By Iain Dale 19 Oct 2014 at 13:00
West Ham Till I Die
Guest Post by Neil Clack
Everybody's talking about
Bagism, Nolanism, Carrollism, same-agentism,
this-ism, that-ism, Ism ism ism
All we are saying is Give Sam A Chance
Hoofism, Ravelism, chewing-gumism, midfield-diamondism, ism, ism..'
All we are saying is GIVE SAM A CHANCE
Anger, disappointment, and resigned shrugs were the emotions that greeted
the news of Sam Allardyce's appointment in the Essex pubs I frequent, back
in the summer of 2011 (though, to be fair, I did spot, amongst all the
angst, a handful of more positive comments on WHTID and other fan forums).
Allardyce's big problem, of course, was that, rightly or wrongly, he has
always been 'perceived' as everything West Ham are not. Apart from being a
scruffy Northerner (ie. North of Watford), the man from Dudley is a disciple
of Charles 'long-ball' Hughes, the 1980s FA technical director whose
teachings clashed with Ron Greenwood's, eventually driving the former West
Ham and England manager away from the game forever, a disillusioned man.
Indeed in John Lyall's last ever interview, shortly before he died, for the
(West Ham) Managers book, it was Allardyce whom he turned on when expressing
his dislike of some aspects of the English game, "Who's on the end of that
earpiece, what can't he see for himself", complained the normally placid
Lyall, who believed managing was all about using your eyes, and giving
players freedom to express themselves, and not some exercise in statistics
and percentages.
Not being the most handsome of men doesn't help Allardyce's cause either at
West Ham, where the all-time heroes, Bonds, Brooking and Moore, have always
been dapper eloquent gentlemen, who, as a matter of principle, would refuse
to whinge in public, or, heaven forbid, swear.
When referee Keith Hackett sent off Tony Gale in the 22nd minute of the 1991
FA Cup semi-final, an outrageous decision, and one of the biggest
injusticies in FA Cup history, manager Billy Bonds, when questioned about it
in the immediate post-match interview, just politefully and respectfully
said, "I don't want to talk about that", before waxing lyrical about how
marvelous West Ham fans are.
Compare that to Sam at Old Trafford a couple of weeks ago, where the whole
world and his wife could see that Nolan was offside, albeit only slightly,
and yet he still goes on TV, representing West Ham United, accusing the
linesman of "dropping a bollock". Charming.
In the same match, whenever the camera zoomed in on Allardcye, he was
chewing gum with his mouth wide open, looking like a slobbering sea-lion,
devouring a piece of fish. He even has the audacity to appear on TV with the
knot of his tie halfway down his shirt, and his top-button undone. Bobby
Moore must be turning in his grave.
"Take that, you big fat moaning Northern walrus", was one of the comments I
distinctly remember reading in the OLAS fanzine when West Ham beat Bolton in
the 2006 FA Cup run.
But, in a way, none of this is Sam Allardcye's fault. For the fact that he
and West Ham are such an ill-fit, the finger should be pointed at the people
who appointed him in the first place. Because Leopards don't change their
spots. Or do they?
Here are some of the biggest complaints I heard from West Ham supporting
friends last season, most of whom are season-ticket holders and some of whom
seem to align the name Allardcye alongside Pol Pot, and Joseph Stalin:
- "it's long ball football" (Ok, so in other words, Allardyce is doing
exactly what it says on the tin, acting totally in character, and being Sam
Allardyce).
- "he buys all his players from the same agent, Mark Curtis, and puts them
on big salaries (In other words, Allardyce is doing exactly what it says on
the tin, acting totally in character, and being Sam Allardyce).
- "he constantly criticises referees and blames everyone but himself" (In
other words, Allardyce is doing exactly what it says on the tin, acting
totally in character, and being Sam Allardyce).
- "he swears too much" (my mum doesn't like that one) – apparently one of
those emails sent round last season contained some expletives?
My point is this – you can't knock a man for being himself. You can't blame
Sam Allardyce for getting appointed West Ham manager, and then rocking up at
Upton Park, and acting like Sam Allardyce!
Poor Sam wasn't helped by events last summer. Clearly his job was on the
line, but it seems a combination of the board not wanting to pay up the
remaining year of his contract, and the lack of available suitable
successors allowed Sam a stay of execution, much to the disappointment of
many – I would say, the majority – of West Ham fans. (Personally, I reckon
the reports that Sullivan wanted to sack Sam, but Gold and Brady persuaded
him against it, aren't too far removed from the truth).
But, anyway, as a result of a those week-long shenanigans back in May, Sam
now finds himself in a bit of a lose-lose situation. If the team does well
this season and plays good football, then it's because the owners, influened
by the fans, forced it upon him, and also, of course, because of the new
signings, who were all signed by the board.
Personally, I think that's very unfair. I can't believe a manager with so
much experience knows only how to play one way? With the team looking so
impressive in recent games, maybe the manager's coaching has also played a
part? Maybe it's time to cut Sam some slack?
One of my favourite moments of the season so far – and there have been many
already, more than last season already – was when Carlton scored at Crystal
Palace and the crowd started chanting his name. Yes, there was a touch of
pathos about it, gallows humour if you like, but it was sung with genuine
love and affection.
Maybe we could turn Sam into a cult figure too. The first club to really
embrace him as a manager. Who knows, he might reciprocate the love?
Unfortunately, 'Sam Allardyce's Claret and Blue Army' doesn't scan, but
(unfortuantely for Sam), 'Big Fat Sam's Claret and Bue Army' fits perfectly,
and if he's got a sense of humour, he'd appreciate it, surely? How about
some chants of 'Sam In, Sam In'? With a 'Fat Sam In' banner to accompany it
if we continue to play as we did against Hull and Liverpool.
But love is a two way thing, and the least Sam could do is try and meet the
fans halfway. He seemed to be on a mission to deliberately rile the fans
when he first tookover, riding rough shod over our history, with disparaging
remarks about the West Ham way etc.
Maybe Allardyce could take a leaf out of Alan Pardew's book, a manager who
became very poular at West Ham, despite, one good season aside, the football
being pretty dire most of the time. Pardew's trick was to constantly praise
the fans, taking time out to read up on the club's history, name-dropping
Bobby Moore, Di Canio and the greats at every opportunity, making it seem
like he felt priveliged to be part of the club. Small things, but they can
go a long way. At the height of his popularity, the club even produced a
Pocket Pardew character for your desktop computer.
A mate told me after the infamous Hull match last season that "there's no
way back for him after that". Not only did he cup his hands at the crowd, he
was still going on about it in his column in the Standard a few days later.
What I never understood is that Allardyce and Nolan, who also had a dig at
the fans that night, had been in the game long enough to know their comments
were headliners' dreams.
He also made the Lampard error in that some of the fans were booing, but by
no means all of them. Hopefully he has learnt from that, but, if he hasn't
that will be his downfall, regardless of what happens on the pitch. Engaging
with the fans is a massive part of the remit of a West Ham manager, and you
need a certain personality to be a West Ham manager. Sadly, from day one,
there was a bristling, uneasy tension between Sam and the fans. Perhaps he
thought he could walk into this job, get results and the fans would all be
bowing down to him, but he underestimated our complex crowd. He has to show
more humility.
So a few tips, Sam:
- Have some respect for the club's history, -Don't whinge about referees and
make excuses all the time.
-Cut out all the mumbo-jumbo about Penalty Box Entries (PBEs) – fans don't
want to hear this, and don't try and tell the fans the team created loads of
chances when they can see with their own eyes they didn't.
- Don't go on TV/Radio shows singing the praises of Charles Hughes,
- And, as my mum always used to tell me when I was about 9 years old, if you
must chew gum all the time, try and keep your mouth shut while you do it.
Simple little things that would really help your relationship with
Essex/East London folk.
If he ever became popular enough, we could have a lot fun with a pocket Fat
Sam. Actually, the last time I visited the Romford store, I laughed out
loud, when I saw those gnome-like figures of David Sullivan and David Gold
on sale. They're so bizarre I've put them on on my xmas list. But how about
one of Sam? With a fat stomach that, whenever you press it, he says, "I love
the West Ham way, I love Bobby Moore, football on the floor, football on the
floor".
So, grow your hair and beards, get those 'Sam In' placards made up. All you
need is Love.
Let me tell you now,
Everybody's talking about John and Sakho,
Karen Brady, David Gold, Enner Valencia,
David Moyes, Kevin Nolan, Mark Noble,
Tommy Cooper, Norman Mailer, Hare Krishna, Hare Hare Krishna
All we are saying is give Sam a chance
All we are saying is give Sam a chance.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fragile Burnley exposed by West Ham's prolific goalscorer Diafra Sakho
• Scorer Carlton Cole inspired by competition for places
• Sakho nets sixth goal in six games in Turf Moor win
Burnley 1 West Ham 3
Premier League
Press Association
The Guardian, Sunday 19 October 2014 22.01 BST
Carlton Cole says he has been inspired by West Ham United's summer signings,
even though they are keeping him out of the side. Enner Valencia and Diafra
Sakho have formed an impressive partnership up front for the Hammers and
both scored in this victory. Aaron Cresswell and Carl Jenkinson set up the
opening two goals, and Sakho was involved in the third scored by the
substitute Cole. The 31-year-old, who is into his ninth season with the
club, said: "You always want new players to bed in as soon as possible and
these players have just hit the ground running. You can't ask for any more
and they've really energised the older players as well. Players like myself
who are experienced, you just want to get up to the level they're getting up
to. It reminds you you're not finished yet, you've still got a lot to show
and give."
West Ham managed just 40 goals in 38 games last season but are averaging
nearly two a game so far. Sakho has had a lot to do with that, the former
Metz man scoring his sixth goal in his last six games – five in the Premier
League. "If he keeps on going like that, there's no chance of me getting
in," said Cole. "As long as I can come on and contribute and try to do the
best I can, that's all I can do at the moment. Any chance I get, I try to do
a professional job."
The victory was enough to lift West Ham, at least temporarily, to the dizzy
heights of fourth and give Sam Allardyce the perfect 60th birthday present.
"I was saying to the boys I can't remember being here and at this stage of
the season being in a Champions League spot," said Cole. "We're doing really
well, we're not letting it go to our heads, we're taking each game as it
comes and that's all we need to do really. The players are playing
brilliantly and the manager can't ask much more from us. "It's very
rewarding. I'm just happy to be a part of it and I'll hopefully be a part of
it for as long as I can. I love playing for the club and I've always enjoyed
playing under Sam as well. "Everything's going well and we just need to keep
it going and see how far we can get."
It was an afternoon of mixed feelings for Burnley, who were much the better
side in the first half but came away with nothing as they continue their
search for a first win of the season. They hit the bar twice and saw a goal
correctly disallowed for offside, as well as scoring through one of their
own summer signings, George Boyd. It was the Scottish winger's first for the
club but there was more frustration for the strikers, none of whom have yet
found the net this season. Boyd is confident the team's luck will change but
admitted they need to learn fast after a sloppy start to the second half
cost them dearly. "We dominated for large spells and the gaffer warned us
they would come out and give us a bit of a response, and those two goals at
the start of the second half have killed the game really," Boyd said. "We
came back at 2-1, and even at 3-1, [Ashley] Barnes has hit the crossbar. I
think it's good we showed a bit of character and kept coming back. "There's
loads of positives, we played some fantastic stuff in the first half. It was
just a 10-minute spell we have to learn from. "It's devastating that we've
lost because of the way we played. The amount of chances we created in the
first half, I've no doubt people will score goals and that will be enough to
keep us in the division."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gold: "We're classy, tough and streetwise"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 19, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
David Gold believes there's much more to come from the new West Ham and
believes the fans saw them maturing by the minute at Turf Moor.
He wasn't surprised to see Sean Dyche's outfit attack us from the start but
was equally sure the Hammers would see them off in the second period because
we are "classy, tough and streetwise." Speaking exclusively to
ClaretandHugh he explained: "It was no surprise to anybody that they tore
out of the traps and they had us on the back foot for a long time. But we
were so reslient and when the chips were down in the second period, class
told. We have some great players at this club now and both Valencia and
Sakho are very special along with two full backs who had tremendous games.
It was also brilliant to see Carlton score and he had as big a smile on his
face as I can remember seeing for a long time. He was terrific and is loving
what's going on here. A lot may have given up on him but he showed us
there's still a lot in the locker alongside Sakho. We are all trying to stay
cool, calm and collected but my aspirations are rising, these times have
been a long time coming – we all deserve them."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sakho's double your money deal just the job
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 19, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Diafra Sakho doubled his wages when signing for West Ham. The scoring
sensation accepted a deal worth £15k a week at Upton Park boosteed by
appearance money. A source told ClaretandHugh exclusively: "After our last
experience with Modibo Maiga there was no way we were prepared to be
offering terms in the area of £40k a week again. "Diafra was always
desperately keen to sign and sometimes you have to take a punt. We learned a
lesson with the last deal and this was a kid who although he was a
goalscorer hadn't proved enough in the French second division. "So a deal of
£15k plus appearance bonuses was good for us and great for him given it
doubled his wage with Metz and we could hardly be more pleased at the way
things are working out!"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Irons top trio on "no escape clause" contracts
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 19, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
It's more good news on this sunny Sunday. ClaretandHugh can reveal that
Enner Valencia is locked into a Hammers contract without a single escape
clause in place. The brilliant Ecuador international signed a five year deal
with the club and the Irons were insistent on both that contract and those
involving Diafra Sakho and Aaron Cresswell, that such clauses were not an
option. A source told us exclusively: "We have had enough of that. It causes
a lot of problems and puts worries in supporters' minds but there are times
when it has to be done. "If you are a side that may be flirting around the
bottom of the league, then players need those sort of assurances but we were
looking upwards this year and decided to end that sort of thinking. "Enner,
Aaron and Diafra all signed watertight deals which is great news for all the
fans. They will be around for a long time to help take this club to where we
want it to be."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Silly Sunderland did Irons such a big favour
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 19, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
It might well have been Connor Wickham (right) at £8 million if Sunderland
had had their way. Instead it was a desperate Diafro Sakho at £3,5 million
after some well known hiccups along the way. We won't go into the whys and
wherefores of why that on/off situation situation with Metz developed.
Sufficient to say that at last the Hammers have had a result in the striker
market. So far this season Wickham has managed one league goal in eight
appearaances whilst Sakho – oh go on say it again – has managed six from six
including the League Cup defeat.ig favour My understanding is that Wickham
was very much the first choice of Sam Allardyce and Teddy Sheringham but
Sunderland did us an enormous by over-pricing the player by some distance.
Sometimes you get lucky and the Hammers went back for the Metz player at
£3.5 million – rising after 140 appearances to £7 million. Thank you very
much Metz. It's all very easy in retrospect of course and after the Modibo
Maiga disaster it's easy to see why the club may have wanted to stay British
but I never got the Wickham thing at all. Too many injuries, not enough
goals. We certainly deserved a break on the striker front. In fact no club
deserved one more given the record over recent seasons. So thank you silly
Sunderland for your over-pricing of an average striker, thank you Metz for
kicking up a fuss, thank you Mr Sullivan for going back in for Sakho and
thank you Diafra for the goals.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Thrill a minute stuff – time to get over ourselves
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 19, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Yes it was great…well at the least the second half was after the manager had
got after the players and changed things around. And he was spot-on in his
assessment that the victory against Burnley was based on the right and left
sided defenders, Carl Jenkinson and Aaron Creswell who answered his call to
get into threatening positions and find some real quality crosses. Enner
Valencia then showed he's as great in the air as he is on the ground with a
magnificent top corner header whilst Diafra Sakho scored a beauty.
Naturally, it didn't take the Match of the Day lads long to start asking
where the "Sam Out Brigade" had got to – and that of course was repeated on
Twitter. Let's deal with that once and for all and attempt to take the
discusssion out of the simplistic ' love him or hate him ' arena.
I for one, despite many accusations to the contrary, do not hate Sam
Allardyce. I just hate BAD FOOTBALL and that was what we were watching last
season. This season – after a summer when fans, board, and the manager and
his coaching staff all had their input - we are watching some of the best
football we have seen in many years at the Boleyn. So well done Sam, well
done Macca, well done Teddy, well done the Davids and well done the fans for
insisting that we saw a return to the West Ham Way which quite simply is
this – a passing and creative game with goals at the end of it. Sam
Allardyce and his staff get a ten out out of ten for producing a system that
is thrill-a-minute stuff for most of the time. Sam gets judged at
personality level as well. Some love him – some hate him as a bloke. There's
an arrogance and obstinacy in there and occasionally a tendency to take
credit when things are going well and to criticise players when it goes
wrong. Even that has changed a bit this season and that's to the good. But
whether we warm to him as a bloke is unimportant. only the end product
matters.
West Ham United are emerging as a serious force this year – we are beating
the teams we should beat and raising our game sufficiently to get results or
play with great credit against those. who are supposedly at a higher level.
So can we now just get on with it, free ourselves of the "told you so"
culture and unite behind the manager, staff, board and team. Now I know
that's quite a revolutionary suggestion :-) but it's perhaps worth a try.
COYI!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
---
This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active.
http://www.avast.com
WHUFC.com
Carlton Cole says the Hammers are loving life at the moment after a second
straight win
19.10.2014
Carlton Cole is developing a handy habit this season of popping up with the
game-clinching goal in away day West Ham United victories.
Having scored the third in August's 3-1 win at Crystal Palace, he repeated
the feat on Saturday at Burnley, nodding home with 70 minutes played to seal
an identical scoreline. It was a vital goal for Sam Allardyce's men, after
George Boyd gave his side hope by making it 2-1 and Cole was delighted to
play his part. "It was a brilliant win away from home and another three
points that we needed," he beamed.
"We knew it wouldn't be easy and we had to set our stall out early and make
sure they didn't score. As the game went on we knew we could break them down
and that's what the boys did, so fair play to all the lads involved."
All three of the strikers involved on the day came up with a goal, as Cole's
header followed headed efforts from Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia. Cole
has been impressed with the pair of summer signings and relishes the
opportunity of playing alongside them. Cole continued: "The boys are playing
brilliantly, Sakho's got another goal and you can't knock the boy at the
moment - he's brilliant! You've got Enner too, who's been travelling for
ages this week with the Ecuador team and he was a little leggy but he came
up with the goods. "I came on and notched my second goal of the season,
which I'm very happy with. I had a couple of chances as soon as I came on
and I just put it down to trying to work hard. The manager said to go on and
make a nuisance of yourself, which I tried to do, and I linked up well with
Diafra.
"Diafra works so hard and it makes a difference when you have players like
that up front with you as it takes a lot of pressure off the other strikers.
That's why he's getting his rewards. "For my goal it was an instinctive
finish. I saw that Diafra was leaning back to try and send the ball back
across, and then there's only one place it's going to go. I went towards the
ball and I wanted to get there before the defender, so I did a flying
header, rolling back the years! "It was a brilliant all round game from
Sakhs and I appreciate playing up front with him at the minute."
Cole had special praise for the near-3,000 travelling contingent, who gave
outstanding backing to their side throughout the 90 minutes.
He added: "The fans are always giving 100 per cent support to us and all we
can do it reward them with goals and wins. "That's what we're doing at the
moment and I know they're loving it."
The No24 might be having to bide his time for a chance from the start, given
Sakho and Valencia's fine form, but he explains the whole squad is thrilled
with how the team is performing right now. He said: "It's a squad game and
even the substitutes, the ones who didn't get on, are buzzing. We've got a
good unit at the moment, everything's flowing in the direction we want it
to. "Everybody that's involved, from the staff to the manager and the fans,
everybody's enjoying it. We're going through a good period."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Supporter Advisory Board update
WHUFC.com
The Supporter Advisory Board is to be revamped as part of the Club's new
supporter consultation strategy
19.10.2014
The West Ham United Supporter Advisory Board is to undergo an exciting
transformation in the coming weeks, as the Club seeks to revamp its
supporter consultation strategy. With an ever growing need to involve
supporters in the Club's decision making mechanisms, it was felt that the
time was right to take a fresh look at supporter consultation as a whole, of
which the SAB is naturally a pivotal part.
Originally founded in May 2011, the SAB has been instrumental spearheading
all manner of high-profile campaigns, not least the hugely popular
partnership with adidas. Among their many other telling contributions, they
paved the way for the introduction of a new digital platform, the digital
matchday programme and helped to revitalise the Boleyn Ground's matchday
entertainment line-up to the benefit of their fellow supporters.
Most recently and perhaps most significantly the group has played a vital
role in informing new Stadium policy, as well as helping to steer the Club's
commemorative plans for the final Boleyn Ground season. The Club are
determined to build on those strong foundations and are confident that, with
the appointment of a dedicated Supporter Liaison Officer (SLO), a new-look
SAB can have an even more meaningful impact on the most important matters.
Vice-Chairman Karren Brady was a key driver in establishing this fan
initiative three years ago and is rightly proud of its evolution. "We are
enormously grateful to the SAB for all their hard work over the past three
years and I personally want them to know that they have made a considerable
difference to this football club," the Vice-Chairman confirmed. "I am proud
of all that we have achieved together and their input is going to be more
important than ever as we continue the exciting transition to Queen
Elizabeth Olympic Park. It's imperative to us that our supporters are
comfortable with and understand the process, so there will be much to
discuss in the coming weeks and months."
As has always been the case, the SAB will continue to be a key sounding
board on core issues, while also advising on strategy, not least where the
new Stadium is concerned. Additionally, for the first time ever, the SAB and
its members are now to be called upon to represent the Club at major
external meetings, for example at the Premier League and the like. A
modified selection process will see the formation of a slightly smaller
overall group, but one that better represents the diversity of the Club's
fans. Though membership has previously been restricted to Season Ticket
Holders and Members, match attendees are now also welcome to apply. The
Club are actively seeking applications from across the supporter base
demographic, so that all ages, genders and backgrounds have appropriate
representation.
Additionally, the Club is calling upon representatives of all independent
supporter groups from the many key sectors of the wider West Ham family to
add to the offers of official representation from groups such as
Bondholders, Corporate Members, wheelchair and ambulant fans, and other
representative groups that have already approached the Club.
Crucially, in order to ensure that the SAB's reach extends far beyond its
membership, the most pressing topics will be communicated via Club channels,
as and when they are discussed during meetings. While supporters can
certainly still channel their feedback through SAB members, they are also
encouraged to share those comments directly with the Club's newly-recruited
Supporter Liaison Officer, James Rutherford. Himself a former SAB Member,
James is enthused by the Club's fresh approach to supporter consultation and
is looking forward to hearing from fans from far and wide. He explained: "I
know from my own experiences how valuable the Supporter Advisory Board is
and I'm excited about what the future holds. This is a massive opportunity
to develop what has already proven to be a very successful SAB. "I'm here to
listen to the fans and I intend to make that process as simple and effective
as it possibly can be. Fans have an unique insight into this football club
and it's important to us all that your voice is always heard."
A meeting of the existing SAB has been convened for Tuesday 21 October,
during which the aforementioned new proposals will be set out. While it is
only fair that existing SAB Members are the first to learn of the revamped
process, we ask that supporters keep a lookout on Tuesday evening for
extensive details of how to apply to join the 2014/15 SAB.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ladies secure spot-kick success
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Ladies defeated Tottenham Hotspur on penalties in the London
Capital Cup first round
19.10.2014
West Ham United Ladies won through to the London Capital Cup second round
with a thrilling penalty shootout victory at Tottenham Hotspur.
The Hammers led on no fewer than four occasions during normal and extra
time, only for their opponents to strike back on each occasion to make the
final score 4-4, forcing the game to a spot-kick showdown. Goalkeeper Nikita
Runnacles (pictured) then took centre-stage at Ware FC, saving Tottenham's
third penalty from Alex Keown and paving the way for Danica Revell to clinch
victory from 12 yards. West Ham took the lead as early as the fourth minute
when April Bowers was on hand to convert from a corner. Spurs levelled for
the first time on 15 minutes through Wendy Martin before Lily Mellors
appeaered to be brought down by former Hammer Toni-Anne Wayne inside the
penalty area, but the appeals were waved away.
Captain Stacey Little saw her effort headed off the line and Vicky Kinsman
hit the crossbar as West Ham were frustrated in the final minutes of the
first half. Ten minutes after the break, that frustration abated as McCrea
latched onto Revell's long free-kick into the Spurs box to put her side in
front for a second time. However, that lead would again be relatively
short-lived as Avilla Bergin equalised for a second time with 20 minutes
remaining. Both sides pressed for a winner in normal time, but could not
find one, despite seven minutes being added on by the referee for a variety
of earlier stoppages. Into extra-time and, moments after Kelley Blanchflower
had curled a free-kick inches wide, McCrea bagged her second goal of the
game with a stupendous 35-yard lobbed volley in the 97th minute. Spurs
equalised for a third time on 109 minutes when Martin netted her second of
the game, scrambling home despite the best efforts of Runnacles and defender
Vicky King. With just two minutes of extra-time remaining, West Ham thought
they had finally seen off their rivals when summer signing Vicky Kinsman
clipped the ball past Wayne to make it 4-3. Amazingly, there was still time
for Tottenham to equalise a fourth time, with Leah Rawle finishing past
Runnacles in the final minute and sending the tie to penalties. McCrea,
Kinsman, Katie Bottom, Mellors and Revell all kept their nerve for West Ham,
while Runnacles guessed right to save Keown's kick and send the Hammers
through to the second round.
Ladies: Runnacles, King, Little (c), Revell, Bottom, McCrea, Lipley-Hinton,
Mellors, Kinsman, Blanchflower, Bowers (Masters 111)
Subs not used: Donohoe, Locke, Humphreys, Baxter
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WEST HAM 3, BURNLEY 1. A WINNING CODE.
By David Hautzig 19 Oct 2014 at 13:59
West Ham till I Die
During World War II, the British mathematician Alan Turing used his rather
elite level of intelligence to help the Allies break the code of the Enigma
machine the Nazi's used to send coded messages. And the rest, as they say,
is history. Yesterday was my turn. Sort of. Because instead of helping break
a code, my best mate Jon and I had to create a code that my wife couldn't
break.
As Iain told you yesterday, I had a family event yesterday that started at
kickoff. It had been planned for months, and family and friends had traveled
far and wide to gather for it. Watching the game live was out of the
question, unless divorce proceedings were something I wanted to "check out".
And since my wife and I were kind of the hosts of this shindig, looking at
my phone during the game was also not in the cards. The same restrictions,
however, did not apply to Jon. So he and I devised a plan. A code. A code of
such simplicity yet genius that I am willing to bet six pence that good ol'
Alan himself would have looked at me and said "Well done, son".
Jon sat directly behind my dad. Thus it was perfectly natural for me to
glance his way every now and then, right? If I caught Jon's eye, he would
scratch his head with his right hand for every goal we had and with his left
hand for Burnley. A slight shake of his head meant no change since the last
scratch report. It worked perfectly. As did many other things yesterday.
Needless to say, this report will read a bit differently than my previous
ones because I am writing it a bit differently. Last night, basking in the
double joy of a very good time with family and friends as well as the
knowledge of three points in the bag, Jon and I opened a bottle of Vineyard
29 Cru Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 (ridiculously good wine) and watched the
match. In some ways, it's a useful thing to do from time to time. Emotion
plays very little part. You watch in a more analytical way because the
normal West Ham paranoia that takes over at 2-0 up isn't there.
If I didn't know the result, the first ten minutes or so would have scared
me to death. Burnley were all over us. We could have been down 2-0 before I
finished my first glass of vino. George Boyd deserved a goal not only for
his 7th minute strike but for the skill he showed to chest the ball down and
get himself into position to blast it with his left foot. A couple of
minutes later Danny Ings splits us apart and fired. Adrian makes a nice save
and Lukas Jutkiewicz was ruled offside on his shot off the rebound. There
were times last season that I thought Reid and Collins were our best tandem
in central defense. In those first few minutes yesterday, however, they
looked out of synch with each other. "You got that? Wait, I thought you had
him? Where's the ball?" Not that Burnley didn't cause some of those
problems. Jutkiewicz in particular was a handful.
"I didn't realize we were that outplayed early on" Jon said when the
possession stats for the first 15 minutes or so came on. 66 percent for the
home team. In fact, we really didn't look like we had even gotten out of bed
for the first twenty. But then West Ham showed a glimpse of waking up when
Noble sent Valencia on a run that ended in a shot that sailed way over the
bar. In the 27th minute Cresswell made the first of what would be many fine
runs to send in a cross that Sakho almost put away for the opener. I know
Sam said in post match interviews that he told Cresswell and Jenkinson to
attack more in the second half, but Cresswell in particular looked like he
had that in mind all along.
Can I get something out of the way? Hey Sky. Or BT. Or whoever did the game
over there. We got it. David Moyes was at the game. And then he was still at
the game. Oh look, Moyes didn't leave! Isn't that interesting?!?!
No.
"Collins looks really shaky" I said to Jon at the half hour mark. I would
have been very nervous about that had I watched the game live. Even Downing
made a few bad passes, something I don't think I've seen him do this season.
Jutkiewicz and Boyd, Burnley's two best players so far, again almost gave
them the lead before Downing hit the post a minute later.
Halftime took me 30 seconds. I wish DVR's were a bit more accurate when you
fast forward or rewind. You never quite end up where you think you will so
you have to go back and forth a few times. My only quibble of the day.
It isn't often that a player from a lower division comes up to the Premier
League and looks like he's been there for years. If Sakho was a bargain at
3.5 million pounds, then Cresswell is nearly of equal value. Those two
hooked up to put us ahead in the 49th minute. And while Cresswell deserves
the lion share of the credit for his amazing cross, Sakho still had to be
where the ball was going to make it all worthwhile. He was, and West Ham
were in the lead.
When you know a goal is about to be scored and you still yell WHOA! when you
see it happen it has to be a pretty special bit of play. My daughter walked
into the room after Sakho's goal and sat down next to me on the couch.
Jenkinson has a post football career in propulsion and laser guided
technology if his cross to Sakho is any indication. When Valencia snapped
his head back to meet Sakho's header to him, even my little girl knew it was
something special. "That was amazing" she said with real excitement. I leapt
up, careful not to spill my wine, and high fived her. Then she left. She
will stay longer as she gets older. Or not watch at all. We shall see.
Adrian is a good keeper. I like him. I'm glad he's with us and over time I
think he will make far fewer mistakes than he has this season. But he
botched the corner in a way that could rival many How To Screw Up An
Attempted Catch entries in Rob Green's highlight reel. Not to say that
George Boyd didn't deserve a goal from his overall play. He did. And maybe
Ings deserved a goal a minute later when his header came inches away from
leveling things. Not to be.
The introduction of Carlton Cole didn't surprise me, and I doubt it
surprised any of you either considering the options available to replace
Valencia. What did surprise me was how damned effective he was. Seconds
after he came on Cole almost came out of a scramble inside the penalty area
with the ball in prime shooting position, then had a header cleared off the
line. He was everywhere, showing glimpses of the player Zola found napping
inside of him yet had all but vanished of late. Downing's corner was great.
Sakho's header across the goal mouth was also great. But Cole's commitment
to get on the end of that Sakho pass and slam it home with his shiny noggin
was awe inspiring. It was also a reminder that just when you think you have
a guy figured out, you don't. I wonder if a certain scouser in our squad
will be the next "has been" to be reborn.
Downing came close to a fourth, as did Sakho. Burnley might have made the
last five minutes painful to watch….live, that is….had Ashley Barnes shot
from a Kieran Trippier pass not hit the bar. But it did. And we won 3-1.
Maybe because I had a very nice day with my family I was a bit more
emotional than usual. But yesterdays win felt oddly special. We all know
that games like Burnley away are exactly the kind of game we screw up when
we either have a chance to end a bad run or kick on with a good one. The
fact that we did what we should do if we are to push forward as a club gave
me a feeling I don't think I've had.
This thing, building a club worthy of the move into the OS, might actually
work.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
TWO, ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR
By Iain Dale 19 Oct 2014 at 13:00
West Ham Till I Die
Guest Post by Neil Clack
Everybody's talking about
Bagism, Nolanism, Carrollism, same-agentism,
this-ism, that-ism, Ism ism ism
All we are saying is Give Sam A Chance
Hoofism, Ravelism, chewing-gumism, midfield-diamondism, ism, ism..'
All we are saying is GIVE SAM A CHANCE
Anger, disappointment, and resigned shrugs were the emotions that greeted
the news of Sam Allardyce's appointment in the Essex pubs I frequent, back
in the summer of 2011 (though, to be fair, I did spot, amongst all the
angst, a handful of more positive comments on WHTID and other fan forums).
Allardyce's big problem, of course, was that, rightly or wrongly, he has
always been 'perceived' as everything West Ham are not. Apart from being a
scruffy Northerner (ie. North of Watford), the man from Dudley is a disciple
of Charles 'long-ball' Hughes, the 1980s FA technical director whose
teachings clashed with Ron Greenwood's, eventually driving the former West
Ham and England manager away from the game forever, a disillusioned man.
Indeed in John Lyall's last ever interview, shortly before he died, for the
(West Ham) Managers book, it was Allardyce whom he turned on when expressing
his dislike of some aspects of the English game, "Who's on the end of that
earpiece, what can't he see for himself", complained the normally placid
Lyall, who believed managing was all about using your eyes, and giving
players freedom to express themselves, and not some exercise in statistics
and percentages.
Not being the most handsome of men doesn't help Allardyce's cause either at
West Ham, where the all-time heroes, Bonds, Brooking and Moore, have always
been dapper eloquent gentlemen, who, as a matter of principle, would refuse
to whinge in public, or, heaven forbid, swear.
When referee Keith Hackett sent off Tony Gale in the 22nd minute of the 1991
FA Cup semi-final, an outrageous decision, and one of the biggest
injusticies in FA Cup history, manager Billy Bonds, when questioned about it
in the immediate post-match interview, just politefully and respectfully
said, "I don't want to talk about that", before waxing lyrical about how
marvelous West Ham fans are.
Compare that to Sam at Old Trafford a couple of weeks ago, where the whole
world and his wife could see that Nolan was offside, albeit only slightly,
and yet he still goes on TV, representing West Ham United, accusing the
linesman of "dropping a bollock". Charming.
In the same match, whenever the camera zoomed in on Allardcye, he was
chewing gum with his mouth wide open, looking like a slobbering sea-lion,
devouring a piece of fish. He even has the audacity to appear on TV with the
knot of his tie halfway down his shirt, and his top-button undone. Bobby
Moore must be turning in his grave.
"Take that, you big fat moaning Northern walrus", was one of the comments I
distinctly remember reading in the OLAS fanzine when West Ham beat Bolton in
the 2006 FA Cup run.
But, in a way, none of this is Sam Allardcye's fault. For the fact that he
and West Ham are such an ill-fit, the finger should be pointed at the people
who appointed him in the first place. Because Leopards don't change their
spots. Or do they?
Here are some of the biggest complaints I heard from West Ham supporting
friends last season, most of whom are season-ticket holders and some of whom
seem to align the name Allardcye alongside Pol Pot, and Joseph Stalin:
- "it's long ball football" (Ok, so in other words, Allardyce is doing
exactly what it says on the tin, acting totally in character, and being Sam
Allardyce).
- "he buys all his players from the same agent, Mark Curtis, and puts them
on big salaries (In other words, Allardyce is doing exactly what it says on
the tin, acting totally in character, and being Sam Allardyce).
- "he constantly criticises referees and blames everyone but himself" (In
other words, Allardyce is doing exactly what it says on the tin, acting
totally in character, and being Sam Allardyce).
- "he swears too much" (my mum doesn't like that one) – apparently one of
those emails sent round last season contained some expletives?
My point is this – you can't knock a man for being himself. You can't blame
Sam Allardyce for getting appointed West Ham manager, and then rocking up at
Upton Park, and acting like Sam Allardyce!
Poor Sam wasn't helped by events last summer. Clearly his job was on the
line, but it seems a combination of the board not wanting to pay up the
remaining year of his contract, and the lack of available suitable
successors allowed Sam a stay of execution, much to the disappointment of
many – I would say, the majority – of West Ham fans. (Personally, I reckon
the reports that Sullivan wanted to sack Sam, but Gold and Brady persuaded
him against it, aren't too far removed from the truth).
But, anyway, as a result of a those week-long shenanigans back in May, Sam
now finds himself in a bit of a lose-lose situation. If the team does well
this season and plays good football, then it's because the owners, influened
by the fans, forced it upon him, and also, of course, because of the new
signings, who were all signed by the board.
Personally, I think that's very unfair. I can't believe a manager with so
much experience knows only how to play one way? With the team looking so
impressive in recent games, maybe the manager's coaching has also played a
part? Maybe it's time to cut Sam some slack?
One of my favourite moments of the season so far – and there have been many
already, more than last season already – was when Carlton scored at Crystal
Palace and the crowd started chanting his name. Yes, there was a touch of
pathos about it, gallows humour if you like, but it was sung with genuine
love and affection.
Maybe we could turn Sam into a cult figure too. The first club to really
embrace him as a manager. Who knows, he might reciprocate the love?
Unfortunately, 'Sam Allardyce's Claret and Blue Army' doesn't scan, but
(unfortuantely for Sam), 'Big Fat Sam's Claret and Bue Army' fits perfectly,
and if he's got a sense of humour, he'd appreciate it, surely? How about
some chants of 'Sam In, Sam In'? With a 'Fat Sam In' banner to accompany it
if we continue to play as we did against Hull and Liverpool.
But love is a two way thing, and the least Sam could do is try and meet the
fans halfway. He seemed to be on a mission to deliberately rile the fans
when he first tookover, riding rough shod over our history, with disparaging
remarks about the West Ham way etc.
Maybe Allardyce could take a leaf out of Alan Pardew's book, a manager who
became very poular at West Ham, despite, one good season aside, the football
being pretty dire most of the time. Pardew's trick was to constantly praise
the fans, taking time out to read up on the club's history, name-dropping
Bobby Moore, Di Canio and the greats at every opportunity, making it seem
like he felt priveliged to be part of the club. Small things, but they can
go a long way. At the height of his popularity, the club even produced a
Pocket Pardew character for your desktop computer.
A mate told me after the infamous Hull match last season that "there's no
way back for him after that". Not only did he cup his hands at the crowd, he
was still going on about it in his column in the Standard a few days later.
What I never understood is that Allardyce and Nolan, who also had a dig at
the fans that night, had been in the game long enough to know their comments
were headliners' dreams.
He also made the Lampard error in that some of the fans were booing, but by
no means all of them. Hopefully he has learnt from that, but, if he hasn't
that will be his downfall, regardless of what happens on the pitch. Engaging
with the fans is a massive part of the remit of a West Ham manager, and you
need a certain personality to be a West Ham manager. Sadly, from day one,
there was a bristling, uneasy tension between Sam and the fans. Perhaps he
thought he could walk into this job, get results and the fans would all be
bowing down to him, but he underestimated our complex crowd. He has to show
more humility.
So a few tips, Sam:
- Have some respect for the club's history, -Don't whinge about referees and
make excuses all the time.
-Cut out all the mumbo-jumbo about Penalty Box Entries (PBEs) – fans don't
want to hear this, and don't try and tell the fans the team created loads of
chances when they can see with their own eyes they didn't.
- Don't go on TV/Radio shows singing the praises of Charles Hughes,
- And, as my mum always used to tell me when I was about 9 years old, if you
must chew gum all the time, try and keep your mouth shut while you do it.
Simple little things that would really help your relationship with
Essex/East London folk.
If he ever became popular enough, we could have a lot fun with a pocket Fat
Sam. Actually, the last time I visited the Romford store, I laughed out
loud, when I saw those gnome-like figures of David Sullivan and David Gold
on sale. They're so bizarre I've put them on on my xmas list. But how about
one of Sam? With a fat stomach that, whenever you press it, he says, "I love
the West Ham way, I love Bobby Moore, football on the floor, football on the
floor".
So, grow your hair and beards, get those 'Sam In' placards made up. All you
need is Love.
Let me tell you now,
Everybody's talking about John and Sakho,
Karen Brady, David Gold, Enner Valencia,
David Moyes, Kevin Nolan, Mark Noble,
Tommy Cooper, Norman Mailer, Hare Krishna, Hare Hare Krishna
All we are saying is give Sam a chance
All we are saying is give Sam a chance.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fragile Burnley exposed by West Ham's prolific goalscorer Diafra Sakho
• Scorer Carlton Cole inspired by competition for places
• Sakho nets sixth goal in six games in Turf Moor win
Burnley 1 West Ham 3
Premier League
Press Association
The Guardian, Sunday 19 October 2014 22.01 BST
Carlton Cole says he has been inspired by West Ham United's summer signings,
even though they are keeping him out of the side. Enner Valencia and Diafra
Sakho have formed an impressive partnership up front for the Hammers and
both scored in this victory. Aaron Cresswell and Carl Jenkinson set up the
opening two goals, and Sakho was involved in the third scored by the
substitute Cole. The 31-year-old, who is into his ninth season with the
club, said: "You always want new players to bed in as soon as possible and
these players have just hit the ground running. You can't ask for any more
and they've really energised the older players as well. Players like myself
who are experienced, you just want to get up to the level they're getting up
to. It reminds you you're not finished yet, you've still got a lot to show
and give."
West Ham managed just 40 goals in 38 games last season but are averaging
nearly two a game so far. Sakho has had a lot to do with that, the former
Metz man scoring his sixth goal in his last six games – five in the Premier
League. "If he keeps on going like that, there's no chance of me getting
in," said Cole. "As long as I can come on and contribute and try to do the
best I can, that's all I can do at the moment. Any chance I get, I try to do
a professional job."
The victory was enough to lift West Ham, at least temporarily, to the dizzy
heights of fourth and give Sam Allardyce the perfect 60th birthday present.
"I was saying to the boys I can't remember being here and at this stage of
the season being in a Champions League spot," said Cole. "We're doing really
well, we're not letting it go to our heads, we're taking each game as it
comes and that's all we need to do really. The players are playing
brilliantly and the manager can't ask much more from us. "It's very
rewarding. I'm just happy to be a part of it and I'll hopefully be a part of
it for as long as I can. I love playing for the club and I've always enjoyed
playing under Sam as well. "Everything's going well and we just need to keep
it going and see how far we can get."
It was an afternoon of mixed feelings for Burnley, who were much the better
side in the first half but came away with nothing as they continue their
search for a first win of the season. They hit the bar twice and saw a goal
correctly disallowed for offside, as well as scoring through one of their
own summer signings, George Boyd. It was the Scottish winger's first for the
club but there was more frustration for the strikers, none of whom have yet
found the net this season. Boyd is confident the team's luck will change but
admitted they need to learn fast after a sloppy start to the second half
cost them dearly. "We dominated for large spells and the gaffer warned us
they would come out and give us a bit of a response, and those two goals at
the start of the second half have killed the game really," Boyd said. "We
came back at 2-1, and even at 3-1, [Ashley] Barnes has hit the crossbar. I
think it's good we showed a bit of character and kept coming back. "There's
loads of positives, we played some fantastic stuff in the first half. It was
just a 10-minute spell we have to learn from. "It's devastating that we've
lost because of the way we played. The amount of chances we created in the
first half, I've no doubt people will score goals and that will be enough to
keep us in the division."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gold: "We're classy, tough and streetwise"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 19, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
David Gold believes there's much more to come from the new West Ham and
believes the fans saw them maturing by the minute at Turf Moor.
He wasn't surprised to see Sean Dyche's outfit attack us from the start but
was equally sure the Hammers would see them off in the second period because
we are "classy, tough and streetwise." Speaking exclusively to
ClaretandHugh he explained: "It was no surprise to anybody that they tore
out of the traps and they had us on the back foot for a long time. But we
were so reslient and when the chips were down in the second period, class
told. We have some great players at this club now and both Valencia and
Sakho are very special along with two full backs who had tremendous games.
It was also brilliant to see Carlton score and he had as big a smile on his
face as I can remember seeing for a long time. He was terrific and is loving
what's going on here. A lot may have given up on him but he showed us
there's still a lot in the locker alongside Sakho. We are all trying to stay
cool, calm and collected but my aspirations are rising, these times have
been a long time coming – we all deserve them."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sakho's double your money deal just the job
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 19, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Diafra Sakho doubled his wages when signing for West Ham. The scoring
sensation accepted a deal worth £15k a week at Upton Park boosteed by
appearance money. A source told ClaretandHugh exclusively: "After our last
experience with Modibo Maiga there was no way we were prepared to be
offering terms in the area of £40k a week again. "Diafra was always
desperately keen to sign and sometimes you have to take a punt. We learned a
lesson with the last deal and this was a kid who although he was a
goalscorer hadn't proved enough in the French second division. "So a deal of
£15k plus appearance bonuses was good for us and great for him given it
doubled his wage with Metz and we could hardly be more pleased at the way
things are working out!"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Irons top trio on "no escape clause" contracts
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 19, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
It's more good news on this sunny Sunday. ClaretandHugh can reveal that
Enner Valencia is locked into a Hammers contract without a single escape
clause in place. The brilliant Ecuador international signed a five year deal
with the club and the Irons were insistent on both that contract and those
involving Diafra Sakho and Aaron Cresswell, that such clauses were not an
option. A source told us exclusively: "We have had enough of that. It causes
a lot of problems and puts worries in supporters' minds but there are times
when it has to be done. "If you are a side that may be flirting around the
bottom of the league, then players need those sort of assurances but we were
looking upwards this year and decided to end that sort of thinking. "Enner,
Aaron and Diafra all signed watertight deals which is great news for all the
fans. They will be around for a long time to help take this club to where we
want it to be."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Silly Sunderland did Irons such a big favour
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 19, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
It might well have been Connor Wickham (right) at £8 million if Sunderland
had had their way. Instead it was a desperate Diafro Sakho at £3,5 million
after some well known hiccups along the way. We won't go into the whys and
wherefores of why that on/off situation situation with Metz developed.
Sufficient to say that at last the Hammers have had a result in the striker
market. So far this season Wickham has managed one league goal in eight
appearaances whilst Sakho – oh go on say it again – has managed six from six
including the League Cup defeat.ig favour My understanding is that Wickham
was very much the first choice of Sam Allardyce and Teddy Sheringham but
Sunderland did us an enormous by over-pricing the player by some distance.
Sometimes you get lucky and the Hammers went back for the Metz player at
£3.5 million – rising after 140 appearances to £7 million. Thank you very
much Metz. It's all very easy in retrospect of course and after the Modibo
Maiga disaster it's easy to see why the club may have wanted to stay British
but I never got the Wickham thing at all. Too many injuries, not enough
goals. We certainly deserved a break on the striker front. In fact no club
deserved one more given the record over recent seasons. So thank you silly
Sunderland for your over-pricing of an average striker, thank you Metz for
kicking up a fuss, thank you Mr Sullivan for going back in for Sakho and
thank you Diafra for the goals.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Thrill a minute stuff – time to get over ourselves
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 19, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Yes it was great…well at the least the second half was after the manager had
got after the players and changed things around. And he was spot-on in his
assessment that the victory against Burnley was based on the right and left
sided defenders, Carl Jenkinson and Aaron Creswell who answered his call to
get into threatening positions and find some real quality crosses. Enner
Valencia then showed he's as great in the air as he is on the ground with a
magnificent top corner header whilst Diafra Sakho scored a beauty.
Naturally, it didn't take the Match of the Day lads long to start asking
where the "Sam Out Brigade" had got to – and that of course was repeated on
Twitter. Let's deal with that once and for all and attempt to take the
discusssion out of the simplistic ' love him or hate him ' arena.
I for one, despite many accusations to the contrary, do not hate Sam
Allardyce. I just hate BAD FOOTBALL and that was what we were watching last
season. This season – after a summer when fans, board, and the manager and
his coaching staff all had their input - we are watching some of the best
football we have seen in many years at the Boleyn. So well done Sam, well
done Macca, well done Teddy, well done the Davids and well done the fans for
insisting that we saw a return to the West Ham Way which quite simply is
this – a passing and creative game with goals at the end of it. Sam
Allardyce and his staff get a ten out out of ten for producing a system that
is thrill-a-minute stuff for most of the time. Sam gets judged at
personality level as well. Some love him – some hate him as a bloke. There's
an arrogance and obstinacy in there and occasionally a tendency to take
credit when things are going well and to criticise players when it goes
wrong. Even that has changed a bit this season and that's to the good. But
whether we warm to him as a bloke is unimportant. only the end product
matters.
West Ham United are emerging as a serious force this year – we are beating
the teams we should beat and raising our game sufficiently to get results or
play with great credit against those. who are supposedly at a higher level.
So can we now just get on with it, free ourselves of the "told you so"
culture and unite behind the manager, staff, board and team. Now I know
that's quite a revolutionary suggestion :-) but it's perhaps worth a try.
COYI!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
---
This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active.
http://www.avast.com
Sunday, October 19
Daily WHUFC News - 19th October 2014
Big Sam's perfect birthday present
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce celebrated his 60th birthday with three points at Burnley on Saturday
18.10.2014
Sam Allardyce hailed the quality of his triumvirate of frontmen, after West Ham United's striking trio each bagged a goal in Saturday's 3-1 Barclays Premier League win at Burnley on Saturday. With the game still goalless at the break, brilliant headers from summer signings Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia saw the Hammers two goals to the good within just ten second-half minutes. Though George Boyd's scrappy goal prompted a brief Burnley revival, substitute Carlton Cole joined the party too, nodding home a decisive third with 20 minutes still to play. Victory lifts Big Sam's men up to fourth and, on the eve of his 60th birthday, the West Ham boss had plenty to celebrate.
"What about those two headers! They were absolutely fantastic. These two lads, [Sakho and Valencia] have come in and hit ground the running and they're certainly making a name for themselves. "We then felt that with Enner, having been away to South America and having played twice, he's got a goal, brilliant. Let's bring Coley on and lo and behold for me today, the front three scored three goals today. In the end it looks like a comfortable win but it was never that comfortable. "This was a massive, massive win. These are the teams you've got to get your points against. We did it against QPR, we've done it against Burnley and that makes our life a lot easier to go and attack Manchester City next week."
While all's well that ends well, Big Sam admitted that he had plenty to change at the interval, after the hosts had launched an early onslaught on the West Ham goal. Though the Hammers were to survive, the West Ham manager still felt there was a great deal more to come from his side. "I was disappointed that, even though we didn't play that well in the first half, we hadn't converted any of the three or four chances that we had. Again, at the other end, we had a little bit of fortune when they hit the woodwork, so it went in swings and roundabouts."
"My reaction was that I had to change something at half-time," he confirmed. "Two things, to give the players a kick up the backside and secondly, change the shape of the team. It's all well and good saying it's all about keeping the ball, but it's what you do with that's the most important thing. And what we were doing in the first half was not sufficient to hurt Burnley. "I asked them to get in wide areas and to do it quicker. Then they come up with two unbelievable crosses, one from Aaron Cresswell, for a great Sakho header and then an unbelievable cross again from Carl Jenkinson and a brilliant header from Valencia."
With an assist apiece, Big Sam reserved special praise for his two full-backs, delighted to see them making their mark at both ends of the pitch. He continued: "They're young, they're enthusiastic and they've got lots of energy. They've got quality on the ball and not only do they get up there, they get back. That's the key element. You've got to have the capacity to get all the way back into your position as quickly as you can and both these lads can do that. Their outstanding quality has put us on the road to victory."
All things considered, Big Sam is understandably thrilled with how things are going at present and believes the Hammers have now laid the foundations for a positive campaign. I hope that we can continue the way we're going at the moment. That's our phase one finished and we've got 13 points. Last season we only got eight, the season before we got 14 and we know what happened that season, we ended up with a very good one. So we've given ourselves a platform to hopefully have a very good season. "The lads are making me feel good, they're making my job easy at the minute, so long may it continue."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nobes thrilled with landmark win
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble was delighted to mark his 200th Barclays Premier League appearance with victory at Burnley
18.10.2014
Mark Noble marked his 200th Barclays Premier League appearance in the best possible manner at Burnley on Saturday - with three points.
Noble returned from a calf injury to captain the Londoners at Turf Moor, and he played the 90 minutes as West Ham earned a second straight victory. Goals from Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia in the first ten minutes of the second half put the Hammers in command, and although George Boyd's close range finish got Burnley back in the contest, Carlton Cole sealed the success and Noble felt his team were worthy winners. He said: "I didn't even know it was my 200th Premier League appearance to be honest! But it's nice to reach it - it's a good marker when they're 38-game seasons. "It's nice to get to 200 with a win too. It was important that we weathered their storm and stayed at 0-0 [at that stage], then come out for the second half and show our quality. "We did that and deservedly got the win."
All three West Ham goals came from headers and Noble said it was the inevitable result of two elements coming together in perfect harmony - the delivery and finish. He continued: "The pace on the balls was incredible. To get that much power with the accuracy was fantastic, and we didn't have those goals last season. We had it when Andy Carroll was fit and he's coming back, so with those boys up front and Andy coming back things are looking up. "I'm buzzing for Coley too. He's come on and scored, and had one cleared off the line as well. When you can bring someone like that on it means we're looking a good side at the minute"
The victory pushes the Hammers up into the top four - for 24 hours at least - and Noble says the future looks bright with West Ham in this kind of form. He added: "It sounds good, obviously but there are a lot of games to go! To have 13 points from eight games is good but we need to keep working hard. "We've got good players coming back into the squad too. We've got Manchester City next week and that's going to be a good test for us. "We're buzzing - we go into every game thinking we can score goals."
For Noble personally, he was pleased to be back on the pitch and he explained he will feel better for the run out. He said: "The first 20 minutes was a bit of a lung burner, but I edged my way into the game today and got stronger and stronger as the game went on. As you could probably tell I was really enjoying it at the end!"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
U18s lose unbeaten record
WHUFC.com
A missed penalty cost West Ham United U18s dear as they lost their unbeaten record at Fulham
18.10.2014
It was a tale of two penalties as West Ham United's unbeaten start to the Barclays U18 Premier League South Group season came to an end at Fulham. The Hammers missed a spot-kick before the Cottagers roared into a three-goal lead at Motspur Park, with a second penalty converted by Alex Pike (pictured) providing a late consoltation. Elijah Adebayo, Josh Walker and Stephen Humphrys got the goals for the hosts, who ended West Ham's eight-match unbeaten run to start the 2014/15 campaign. After a high tempo start , it was the visitors who were presented with a great chance to open the scoring when they were awarded a penalty when Ryheem Sheckleford fouled Decarrey Sheriff. However, goalkeeper Magnus Norman kept out the subsequent 12-yard effort from Jerry Amoo. That miss proved costly as Fulham went up the other end to score moments later. Following a corner the ball fell to feet of Adebayo who lashed home. It could have been two going into the break after Luca De La Torre beat two men in the area before firing in a decent strike that goalkeeper Sam Howes did well to save at his near post. The end-to-end nature of the game continued after the restart and so the next goal was always going to prove crucial, and it was the Whites who got it as Walker showed great composure to cut past his marker and beat Howes. Walker then went from scorer to provider for Fulham's third as a twisting run culminated in him finding his strike partner Humphrys, who slotted home for 3-0. West Ham secured a consolation goal in the closing stages after another foul on Sheriff. This time Pike provided the finish from the spot.
The Hammers will hope to return to winning ways when they welcome Aston Villa to Little Heath on Saturday 25 October, with kick-off at 12noon.
U18s: Howes, Pike, Akinola, Onariase, Neufville, Carter, Sylvestre, Diangana, Amoo, Sheriff, Parfitt-Williams
Subs not used: Bainey, Boness, Borg, Powell, Adebayo
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
On this day - 19 October
WHUFC.com
Geoff Hurst scored a double hat-trick to sink the Mackems on this day in 1968
19.10.2014
Classic match
West Ham United 8-0 Sunderland
First Division
19 October 1968
Geoff Hurst ran riot against The Black Cats, netting an incredible double hat-trick as the Hammers recorded a huge win on this day 46 years ago. Hurst stole the show with six goals of his own but Trevor Brooking and Bobby Moore also managed to get their names on the scoresheet. The 8-0 victory remains the Hammers' record league win, alongside another 8-0 triumph over Rotherham United ten years previously. The striker's haul helped to take him to an impressive 31 goals by the end of the season as he helped fire West Ham to an eighth place finish whilst Sunderland were well below them finishing 17th.
Complete record - 19 October
1929 Manchester City 4-3 West Ham United (Division One)
1935 Plymouth Argyle 4-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1946 West Ham United 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur (Division Two)
1957 West Ham United 1-1 Doncaster Rovers (Division Two)
1963 West Ham United 4-2 Everton (Division One)
1968 West Ham United 8-0 Sunderland (Division One)
1974 West Ham United 1-0 Ipswich Town (Division One)
1985 West Ham United 4-1 Aston Villa (Division One)
1991 Oldham Athletic 2-2 West Ham United (Division One)
1996 West Ham United 1-0 Leicester City (Premier League)
2002 Sunderland 0-1 West Ham United (Premier League)
2004 West Ham United 2-0 Stoke City (Championship)
2008 Hull City 1-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
2013 West Ham United 1-3 Manchester City (Premier League)
Played 14, Won 7, Drawn 3, Lost 4, Scored 31, Conceded 20
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Burnley 1 West Ham 3
18 October 2014
Last updated at 17:47
By Timothy Abraham
BBC Sport
Diafra Sakho scored his sixth goal in as many starts as West Ham secured a comfortable victory over winless Burnley at Turf Moor.Senegal forward Sakho, who joined the Hammers from Metz in August, opened the scoring with a header just after break. Enner Valencia, Sakho's strike partner, added a second soon after when he powerfully headed home. George Boyd pulled a goal back for Burnley but West Ham substitute Carlton Cole nodded in to seal the points. Hammers manager Sam Allardyce was urged by the club's hierarchy to play more attractive football this season. And Allardyce, who turns 60 on Sunday, has started to deliver on that directive, with his side brushing Burnley aside with a clinical second-half display. In Sakho and Ecuador striker Valencia, a £12m summer signing from Mexican club Pachuca, Allardyce has a forward line that can cause opposition teams problems. Burnley, meanwhile, have struggled to find the net this season, with just three goals from their opening seven league matches before this meeting. The Clarets were boosted by the return of striker Danny Ings, who played his first game since a goalless draw with Crystal Palace on 13 September. Ings, Burnley's top scorer last season with 21 goals as they clinched promotion to the top flight, showed his predatory instincts in the eighth minute. The England Under-21 international tapped home from close range after Adrian parried Lukas Jutkiewicz's shot, only for an assistant referee to flag for offside.
Match facts
Diafra Sakho is only the second West Ham player to score in five consecutive Premier League games after Carlton Cole.
Burnley are still looking for their first Premier League win since May 2010.
Mark Noble made his 200th Premier League appearance for West Ham at Turf Moor.
West Ham clinch consecutive league wins for the first time since March.
Moments earlier, Boyd had gone close when he showed great technique to flick the ball over Mark Noble, but his left-footed effort struck the crossbar. West Ham struggled to find their rhythm in the first half, though Stewart Downing - who Allardyce recently claimed was the Premier League's best midfielder on current form - shaved the outside of a post with a shot from a tight angle. Allardyce's side were much improved in the second period and exploited wide areas to seize the initiative with two goals in the space of five minutes. Sakho put the Hammers ahead in the 49th minute when he got on the end of Aaron Cresswell's cross from the left and directed a close-range header past Tom Heaton. And the visitors added a second when Carl Jenkinson's delivery from the right picked out Valencia, who powerfully headed home from just inside the area. Burnley pulled a goal back from a corner on the hour mark when Adrian spilt Michael Kightly's high delivery and Boyd reacted quickest to fire high into the net. But West Ham made the points safe when Downing's corner was headed back across goal by Sakho and substitute Cole nodded in from a yard out.
Burnley manager Sean Dyche: "We were dominant first half and created enough chances to go ahead. We went in at half-time feeling good. "We didn't get going in the second half and that feeling changes afterwards. Goals change games and we saw that. "The margins are tight and if keep working away and tidy a few things up around the edges we'll get that first win."
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce: "It's my birthday tomorrow and I asked the lads to get me a result because I am going out with my friends here in the north west this evening. "Our quality, especially with the first two goals, was the difference. They were two outstanding crosses, and two outstanding headers. "Diafra Sakho is a determined lad, and he has six in all games now. We look like we have goals in the team."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers rise in all-time league table
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 18th October 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United have risen one place in the all-time league table as a result of today's 3-1 win at Burnley. Sam Allardyce's side went into today's game at Turf Moor having accrued a total of 2,478 points in the top flight of English football - that's the Premier League plus the old Division One - two points behind Wolves, who are currently playing in the Championship. However today's win at Turf Moor - which arrived courtesy of second half goals from Diafra Sakho, Enner Valencia and Carlton Cole - lifts West Ham one point above Wolves into 16th place, just 29 points behind Derby County in 15th spot. Whilst that target should be easily attainable this season, you can discount the chances of West Ham rising any higher any time soon ... for above Derby are Sheffield Wednesday with a total of 2,781 points - exactly 300 points more than West Ham!
English Premier League : All Time Table (Top 20)
1. Liverpool Pld 3951 Pts 5325
2. Arsenal Pld 3952 Pts 5263
3. Everton Pld 4336 Pts 5144
4. Manchester United Pld 3595 Pts 5059
5. Aston Villa Pld 4002 Pts 4667
6. Chelsea Pld 3216 Pts 3958
7. Tottenham Hotspur Pld 3212 Pts 3921
8. Manchester City Pld 3438 Pts 3860
9. Newcastle United Pld 3320 Pts 3765
10. Sunderland Pld 3234 Pts 3412
11. West Bromwich Albion Pld 2963 Pts 2982
12. Blackburn Rovers Pld 2720 Pts 2947
13. Bolton Wanderers Pld 2802 Pts 2824
14. Sheffield Wednesday Pld 2582 Pts 2781
15. Derby County Pld 2468 Pts 2510
16. West Ham United Pld 2290 Pts 2481
17. Wolverhampton Wanderers Pld 2422Pts 2480
18. Leeds United Pld 2060 Pts 2455
19. Nottingham Forest Pld 2178 Pts 2404
20. Middlesbrough Pld 2400 Pts 2401
The current Premier League clubs outside of the all-time Top 20 are Stoke City (23rd, 2,125 points), Burnley (24th, 2,049 points), Leicester City (25th, 1,848 points), Southampton (26th, 1,746 points), Queens Park Rangers (35th, 1,035 points), Crystal Palace (42nd, 567 points), Swansea City (49th, 256 points) and Hull City (54th, 112 points).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Winston Reid offered improved terms, says David Gold
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 18th October 2014
By: Staff Writer
Contract rebel Winston Reid has been offered improved terms on a new deal, according to co-chairman David Gold. Reid, who is out of contract next summer has thus far refused all previous offers by the club to extend his current arrangement. However Gold revealed this afternoon that the 26-year-old Kiwi has been offered new, improved terms. Speaking to a KUMB member after today's win at Burnley, Gold confirmed that: "We hope to keep him and have made him a very competitive offer." Fellow chairman David Sullivan also watched West Ham's 3-1 win over Burnley from the stands today. Reid moved to West Ham in a £4million switch from Danish club Midtjylland in 2010, following a successful World Cup campaign during which he scored for New Zealand. Having initially struggled to hold a first team place down, following the departure of Avram Grant he became a staple in Allardyce's defence and has gone on to make 111 appearances for West Ham.
In recent months he has been linked with clubs such as Arsenal and Liverpool - both of whom are currently below West Ham in the Premier League - and despite having been offered improved terms to extend his stay, has thus far refused to sign a new deal with West Ham. It is rumoured that Reid is seeking circa £80,000 per week; West Ham's latest offer is said to be worth around £60,000 per week.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Burnley 1-3 West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 18th October 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are fourth in the Premier League tonight after a second half blitz did for top flight newcomers Burnley at Turf Moor this afternoon. Despite enjoying the best chances in the opening half it was a familiar story for Clarets fans come the final whistle, as they ended the game still searching for their first win in the Premier League since winning promotion from the Championship last May.As for West Ham, it was a case of deplete, punish and destroy as they soaked up Burnley's early pressure before dismantling the Clarets in the second half. However the Hammers were distinctly second best in the opening 45 minutes where Burnley's profligacy, as opposed to West Ham's technical prowess or efficiency was largely responsible for the home side failing to score in a half they largely controlled.
None went closer to opening the scoring than former Peterborough midfield George Boyd, who saw his 16-yard effort crash off the underside of the crossbar with just five minutes on the clock - an effort which set the standard for the rest of the half.
Lucas Jutkiewicz, who remains without a goal for his new club thought he'd broken his duck on eight minutes but saw his effort (correctly) ruled out for offside as he'd strayed marginally beyond his marker. The Southampton-born marksman should have done better with a free header on the quarter-hour mark but failed to find the target. Jutkiewicz also went close on the half hour mark when he failed to provide an adequate connection on a deep cross; Hammers fan Michael Kightly, closing in behind him, was perhaps better placed to score.
At the other end, chances were few and far between in the first half although Stewart Downing was centimetres away from grabbing the game's first goal when he cut inside - a la Crystal Palace - only to see his shot crash against the far post. Diafra Sakho should have increased his record of having scored in every game he's started for West Ham long before he eventually did but the former Metz striker failed to connect with superb crosses from Carl Jenkinson (5th minute) and Aaron Cresswell (44). However he did manage to get on the end of an Enner Valencia centre that he could only nod wide from no more than three yards out, whilst unopposed.
Fortunately for the Hammers they were able to produce a far more accomplished performance in the second half. Just three minutes after the restart, Diafra Sakho continued his prolific run of goalscoring form when converting an Aaron Cresswell cross from close range.
Still shellshocked from conceding that one, Burnley found themselves two behind just three minutes later when Enner Valencia, who has been in unstoppable form for Ecuador in recent weeks sent a bullet header past Tom Heaton. Carl Jenkinson, in for the injured Guy Demel earned the assist for a fabulous cross.
Having only returned from international duty on Wednesday, Valencia was removed at the hour mark to be replaced by Carlton Cole. Within seconds the popular forward forced a goal-line clearance by the home side - who reacted by grabbing a perhaps deserved goal.
It was one that Adrian - not for the first time - will feel at least partly culpable for; a deep corner hung momentarily in the wind which led to the Spanish 'keeper mistiming his jump and dropping the ball at the feet of George Boyd who turned it into an empty net.
However any concerns of a late come back by the Clarets was finally dispelled when Cole scored his first goal since August with a header from three yards that followed another pinpoint Stewart Downing corner.
West Ham almost added a fourth with ten minutes of play remaining when a wonderful passing move resulted in Heaton producing a point-blank save from Cresswell. Though had that gone in, it would perhaps have been harsh on the home side who whilst lacking in technical ability and pace, certainly matched West Ham for effort and endeavour.
In the end, the main difference between the two teams was the standard of finishing. Despite creating 17 efforts on goal, Burnley found the target with just three of them - whilst West Ham were rather more clinical with their six shots (of 22 overall) on target.
The three points - West Ham's fourth win in eight league games - lifts the Irons into fourth place in the Premier League - their highest position at this stage of the season for more than 15 years. It also ensures manager Sam Allardyce will enjoy a very happy 60th birthday tomorrow...
Burnley 1-3 West Ham Utd: Match Facts
West Ham Utd: Adrian, Reid, Cresswell, Downing, Sakho, Noble (c), Jenkinson, Collins, Amalfitano, Song, Valencia.
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Nolan, Jarvis, Vaz Te, O'Brien, Cole, Burke.
Burnley: Heaton, Trippier, Shackell, Duff, Mee, Kightly, Arfield, Jones, Boyd, Ings, Jutkiewicz
Subs: Gilks, Long, Ward, Barnes, Chalobah, Wallace, Sordell.
Referee: Kevin Friend.
Assistants: L Betts, M Wilkes.
Fourth Official: Lee Mason.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce pleased with West Ham's 3-1 win at Burnley
Last Updated: 18/10/14 6:59pm
SSN
Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia headed goals in the opening 10 minutes of the second half and, although George Boyd pulled one back, substitute Carlton Cole sealed a 3-1 victory for the Hammers. The win helped the Londoners temporarily climb into fourth spot in the Premier League table which put a spring in the step of Allardyce, who will be staying in the north west to mark the special occasion.
Allardyce said: "I said to the players before the game, 'Come on lads I need a result, because it is my birthday, and if I can't get a result it's not going to be very pleasing for me, no matter that I'm with my old mates'."I think a change of system was the key element for us winning the game, which then brought better outstanding quality from us in wide areas."If we get into December and we're still getting results and maintaining a top-half position, then we can start thinking about maybe maintaining that for the rest of the season."
Sam Allardyce "Our two centre-forwards that we bought paid massive dividends with the quality of the headers off brilliant crosses, and that really in the end put Burnley to bed after they had a very lively first half. "Then Carlton comes on and scores a third when we've gifted them a goal to get back into it, which just summed up our performance today. It's our first back-to-back victories and it's fantastic that we're now on 13 points.''
Valencia and Sakho were both summer signings, and the latter, who joined from French side Metz, has now scored in six successive games.
Allardyce said: "He is a bargain. This lad has been very exciting, and he's excited the rest of the players. "I think all our players that were here last season, having had some of the depressing times that they didn't expect, have all been lifted by the new players and their performances have increased as well as the news lads hitting the ground running. "We just hope it continues. It's too early to say what we're going to be or what we're going to do but things are looking very good. "If we get into December and we're still getting results and maintaining a top-half position, then we can start thinking about maybe maintaining that for the rest of the season.''
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham ease past Burnley 3-1 at Turf Moor to climb into top four
Last Updated: 18/10/14 7:30pm
SSN
On the eve of his 60th birthday, West Ham handed Sam Allardyce the perfect present thanks to a 3-1 success at Burnley for their third win in four games. Two goals just after the break from their new look front two, Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia, were added to by substitute Carlton Cole - all with headers.
Best of the Match:
Man of the match: Stewart Downing - The winger is showing his best form for a long time and produced another superb performance at Turf Moor.
Goal of the match: Enner Valencia - Carl Jenkinson's beautiful cross was powerfully headed into the back of the net by Ecuador's World Cup star.
Moment of the match: Diafra Sakho became only the second West Ham player to score in five consecutive Premier League games, after Carlton Cole, with a fine header.
Effort of the match: George Boyd chested the ball down and arrowed his left-foot half-volley flush against the woodwork.
Sub of the match: Carlton Cole - Within minutes of coming on the striker headed in the Hammers third to hand them three points.
Stat of the match: West Ham are the first team to score three headed goals in a Premier League game since Norwich vs Newcastle in December 2011.
The hosts pulled a goal back through George Boyd with his first goal for the club to put the game back in the balance, but in the end the Hammers were good value for their win. Allardyce, once the manager of Burnley's bitter rivals Blackburn, is staying in the north-west to celebrate, and will do so in good spirits after the victory lifted them, at least temporarily, into the top four in the Premier League, while Sean Dyche's side are still searching for a first win back in the top flight.
Burnley came close in the fifth minute, Boyd controlling Kieran Trippier's deflected cross and firing a brilliant left-footed volley against the underside of the bar. Lukas Jutkiewicz did have the ball in the net three minutes later but the former Middlesbrough man was denied a first Burnley goal, correctly, by an offside flag. Danny Ings had created the opening with a jinking run into the box and shot that was fumbled by Adrian into Jutkiewicz's path. It was a frustrating 10 minutes for Jutkiewicz, who then headed Trippier's cross over the bar before being unable to capitalise after two West Ham defenders fell over in the area. The Hammers had not got going, and Allardyce was unimpressed with Sakho, who appeared more concerned by an impending challenge from Jason Shackell than Aaron's Cresswell's fine cross and headed well wide from close range. The classy presence of Boyd in midfield had caught the eye and more trickery from him on the half-hour mark created another opening for Burnley.
Michael Kightly looked poised for a free header from Boyd's cross at the far post but Jutkiewicz took the ball away from his team-mate, leaving Kightly with head in hands. There was a narrow escape for the hosts down the other end as Stewart Downing cut inside on the right of the area and curled a shot against the far post. Burnley manager Sean Dyche says his team created plenty of quality chances against West Ham but failed to convert them. Dyche would have been encouraged by his side's first-half display but frustrated they could not make the most of their superior chances. And they were made to pay four minutes into the second half when Cresswell curled over a superb cross and Sakho, this time with his eyes firmly on the target, headed in. Five minutes later it was 2-0, Carl Jenkinson the architect from the right this time and Valencia applying the finishing touch with a fine header from 10 yards. It was very nearly three as Cole - on for Valencia - got his head to a corner only to see it cleared off the line by Kightly, and from there Burnley went down the other end and pulled one back.
On the eve of his 60th birthday, West Ham handed Sam Allardyce the perfect present thanks to a 3-1 success at Burnley. Ings won a corner and then made a nuisance of himself as Adrian tried to collect the cross, allowing Boyd to slam the ball home. Adrian appealed for a free-kick but the blame appeared to lie squarely with him. It was the boost Burnley needed and they almost drew level immediately but Ings' header from Trippier's cross flew agonisingly wide of the far post.
However, West Ham did a good job of seizing back the momentum and quietening the crowd and, with 20 minutes to go, they restored their two-goal advantage. It was another cross that undid Burnley, Noble's corner picking out Sakho, who headed across the six-yard box for Cole to nod in. Downing almost added a fourth with a rasping shot that flew just wide, while Cresswell poked a shot straight at Heaton.
Burnley's afternoon was rather summed up three minutes from time when the excellent Trippier crossed for substitute Ashley Barnes to slam a shot against the bar.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Burnley 1-3 West Ham: Diafra Sakho bags again as high-flying Hammers dream of Europe
Oct 18, 2014 21:42 By Derick Allsop
The Senegalese striker got his fifth in five games at Turf Moor to lift Sam Allardyce's men to fourth and hand the Hammers boss the perfect birthday present
The Mirror
Smooth claret is all well and good, but West Ham are now serving up stuff that packs an intoxicating punch. And that is just what manager Sam Allardyce ordered to celebrate his 60th birthday today. Two clubs who traditionally wear the claret and blue with style were eventually separated by the new-look power and purpose of Sam Allardyce's men. Much more of this, and the Hammers will be taking fine wine at Europe's top table. West Ham's strike duo Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia plundered the second-half goals that squashed Burnley's hopes of breaking their season's duck. Sakho, especially, tormented the Burnley defenders with his turn of pace and combative style. Six goals from six starts is a blistering opening to his West Ham career.
George Boyd gleaned a measure of personal reward for his display with a rare strike for Burnley, but substitute Carlton Cole completed their misery. Big Sam revealed: "I said to the players that I needed a result because it is my birthday. Our two centre-forwards we've bought scored excellent headers and Carlton's goal summed up our performance. They've got goals in them and all the players who were here last year have been lifted by the new players. We weren't good enough in the first half but we changed the system and that made the difference."We're only just starting the marathon, but if we're still there in December we'll maybe start thinking of staying there."
Burnley manager Sean Dyche watched his team squander early chances and admits they must stop the rot."We have to find a way of winning," he said. "We're learning the hard way that you have to take your chances. You can't afford to have a soft 15 minutes in the Premier League."We've got to believe in what we are doing and I do."
Burnley started well as Boyd controlled smartly and struck sweetly from the edge of the area only to see the ball come back off the bar.
Then Lukas Jutkiewicz headed over from Kieran Trippier's cross and keeper Adrian rushed out to deny Danny Ings as Dyche's side kept up the assault. And yet they were almost undone by West Ham's swift counter, Sakho heading wide from Aaron Cresswell's cross. Burnley were relieved again when Stewart Downing predictably cut in on his left foot and smacked the far post. The shift in the balance of the match was confirmed early in the second half. Another fine delivery from Cresswell found Sakho, and this time the Senegal star headed in.
Before Burnley could clear their heads, West Ham repeated the dose from the right flank. Carl Jenkinson crossed and Valencia converted with a stunning header. The home side battled on and were rewarded when Boyd pulled a goal back after Adrian made a hash of gathering a corner from Michael Kightly. But West Ham restored their two-goal advantage as Sakho turned provider for Cole to score with a lunging header. Ashley Barnes hit the West Ham bar late on but Burnley knew the game was up.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
David Gold, Adrian & Cresswell react on Twitter to West Ham's win over Burnley
HITC.com
West Ham co-owner David Gold was joined by goalkeeper Adrian and defender Aaron Cresswell in praising his side after their 3-1 win at Burnley on Saturday afternoon. Goals from Diafra Sakho, Enner Valencia and Carlton Cole sealed the three points for Sam Allardyce's side - three points that took them to fourth in the Premier League table. And Gold was keen to single out West Ham United stalwart Mark Noble after the victory, praising his 'passion' and 'determination.'
David Gold ✔ @davidgold
Mark Noble. West Ham through and through. Passion,determination and inspirational and it shows. dg pic.twitter.com/4t9CB5GjEz
Meanwhile, defender Aaron Cresswell praised the Hammers' travelling support, who certainly made themselves heard at Turf Moor.
Aaron cresswell ✔ @Aaron_Cresswell
Great 3 points today.. Fans were class 👏 another big game next week.. #COYI
And shot stopper Adrian joined Cresswell in crediting the 3,000 West Ham fans that traveled north.
Adrián San Miguel ✔ @AdriSanMiguel
Well done boys👏Excellent 3 points away!Amazing support of 3.000 great West Ham fans!See you saturday in Upton Park💪
Things get harder for Allardyce's men, however, as defending champions Manchester City visit Upton Park next weekend. Hammers fans will hope their home support can get their side over the line, though, and their current form certainly puts them in with a chance against Manuel Pellegrini's outfit.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sullivan: It's great to win the West Ham Way
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 18, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham's fabulous second half performance against Burnley this afternoon is tonight being celebrated by David Sullivan as a victory for the "West Ham Way." The Irons looked a class apart again as they turned on the style against the newly promoted outfit who more than bossed the first half but Sullivan was thriulled with the way the Irons responded. In his only comment on the match he told ClaretandHugh exclusively: "It really is great to see us playing the West Ham Way."And he added: "We passed the ball, attacked and scored goals. It really was a very pleasing performance after the first 30 minutes." With both Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho scoring and warhorse Carlton Cole grabbing the third and having another cleared off the line, the Hammers are now a serious force with Manchester City the visitors next weekend.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Shadow over Adrian
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 18, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
There's just one small shadow over the Hammers at the moment – Adrian! With everything going brilliantly this afternoon the lad allowed Burnley back into the game on the hour after we had taken a two goal lead. Despite appealing for a free kick he was clearly responsible for failing to collect a routine cross and allowed George Boyd to give his team some hope. We all love the stopper.He has a brilliant rapport with the fans but he hasn't been covering himself in glory this season with the Mario Balotelli 'ruck' and high leg which could have seen him get a second yellow. Phil Parkes told us in a recent interview that it would be wrong to drop him and that he really had to learn from his mistakes as he is a late starter in first team terms given his long wait for the job at Real Betis before then being plunged into the Premiership. Jussi Jaakalainen maybe watching and wondering at the moment! This isn't a crisis because the rest of the team are playing so well but it's a situation that we are sure the manager is keeping a very keen eye on.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Leroy: "Watch out City we're better than Spurs "
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 18, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
I watched the Irons/Burnley game from the Premier League studios this afternoon along with the Manchester City v Spurs game and I'll tell you this: The Irons are gonna give Manchester City a much better game next weekend than the north Londoners did today. We have more pace, movement and ability in our team than Spurs and can cause City some real problems. To be honest I didn't think they looked great despite the scoreline which could honestly have been 8-5. They are uncertain at the back if you get after them as I'm sure we will and in our current form a win is on at the Boleyn.
We were excellent at Burnley today and Enner Valencia's header was superb. That man Sakho just goes on and on and is an out and out goalscorer. I love him to bits. You will have read enough by now to know the first half was poor by our standards but in the second we were excellent and even when we let them back in with a poor goal – Adrian really should have done better than that – we went again and put it to bed. That really bodes well for the future. This is a young exciting squad and a joy to watch. Yes it's great to be entertained but the real sensation is of a deep warm winning in the West Ham Way that's so pleasing. We look a great team and have come a very long way. Watch out City we are coming to get yer!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
---
This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active.
http://www.avast.com
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce celebrated his 60th birthday with three points at Burnley on Saturday
18.10.2014
Sam Allardyce hailed the quality of his triumvirate of frontmen, after West Ham United's striking trio each bagged a goal in Saturday's 3-1 Barclays Premier League win at Burnley on Saturday. With the game still goalless at the break, brilliant headers from summer signings Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia saw the Hammers two goals to the good within just ten second-half minutes. Though George Boyd's scrappy goal prompted a brief Burnley revival, substitute Carlton Cole joined the party too, nodding home a decisive third with 20 minutes still to play. Victory lifts Big Sam's men up to fourth and, on the eve of his 60th birthday, the West Ham boss had plenty to celebrate.
"What about those two headers! They were absolutely fantastic. These two lads, [Sakho and Valencia] have come in and hit ground the running and they're certainly making a name for themselves. "We then felt that with Enner, having been away to South America and having played twice, he's got a goal, brilliant. Let's bring Coley on and lo and behold for me today, the front three scored three goals today. In the end it looks like a comfortable win but it was never that comfortable. "This was a massive, massive win. These are the teams you've got to get your points against. We did it against QPR, we've done it against Burnley and that makes our life a lot easier to go and attack Manchester City next week."
While all's well that ends well, Big Sam admitted that he had plenty to change at the interval, after the hosts had launched an early onslaught on the West Ham goal. Though the Hammers were to survive, the West Ham manager still felt there was a great deal more to come from his side. "I was disappointed that, even though we didn't play that well in the first half, we hadn't converted any of the three or four chances that we had. Again, at the other end, we had a little bit of fortune when they hit the woodwork, so it went in swings and roundabouts."
"My reaction was that I had to change something at half-time," he confirmed. "Two things, to give the players a kick up the backside and secondly, change the shape of the team. It's all well and good saying it's all about keeping the ball, but it's what you do with that's the most important thing. And what we were doing in the first half was not sufficient to hurt Burnley. "I asked them to get in wide areas and to do it quicker. Then they come up with two unbelievable crosses, one from Aaron Cresswell, for a great Sakho header and then an unbelievable cross again from Carl Jenkinson and a brilliant header from Valencia."
With an assist apiece, Big Sam reserved special praise for his two full-backs, delighted to see them making their mark at both ends of the pitch. He continued: "They're young, they're enthusiastic and they've got lots of energy. They've got quality on the ball and not only do they get up there, they get back. That's the key element. You've got to have the capacity to get all the way back into your position as quickly as you can and both these lads can do that. Their outstanding quality has put us on the road to victory."
All things considered, Big Sam is understandably thrilled with how things are going at present and believes the Hammers have now laid the foundations for a positive campaign. I hope that we can continue the way we're going at the moment. That's our phase one finished and we've got 13 points. Last season we only got eight, the season before we got 14 and we know what happened that season, we ended up with a very good one. So we've given ourselves a platform to hopefully have a very good season. "The lads are making me feel good, they're making my job easy at the minute, so long may it continue."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nobes thrilled with landmark win
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble was delighted to mark his 200th Barclays Premier League appearance with victory at Burnley
18.10.2014
Mark Noble marked his 200th Barclays Premier League appearance in the best possible manner at Burnley on Saturday - with three points.
Noble returned from a calf injury to captain the Londoners at Turf Moor, and he played the 90 minutes as West Ham earned a second straight victory. Goals from Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia in the first ten minutes of the second half put the Hammers in command, and although George Boyd's close range finish got Burnley back in the contest, Carlton Cole sealed the success and Noble felt his team were worthy winners. He said: "I didn't even know it was my 200th Premier League appearance to be honest! But it's nice to reach it - it's a good marker when they're 38-game seasons. "It's nice to get to 200 with a win too. It was important that we weathered their storm and stayed at 0-0 [at that stage], then come out for the second half and show our quality. "We did that and deservedly got the win."
All three West Ham goals came from headers and Noble said it was the inevitable result of two elements coming together in perfect harmony - the delivery and finish. He continued: "The pace on the balls was incredible. To get that much power with the accuracy was fantastic, and we didn't have those goals last season. We had it when Andy Carroll was fit and he's coming back, so with those boys up front and Andy coming back things are looking up. "I'm buzzing for Coley too. He's come on and scored, and had one cleared off the line as well. When you can bring someone like that on it means we're looking a good side at the minute"
The victory pushes the Hammers up into the top four - for 24 hours at least - and Noble says the future looks bright with West Ham in this kind of form. He added: "It sounds good, obviously but there are a lot of games to go! To have 13 points from eight games is good but we need to keep working hard. "We've got good players coming back into the squad too. We've got Manchester City next week and that's going to be a good test for us. "We're buzzing - we go into every game thinking we can score goals."
For Noble personally, he was pleased to be back on the pitch and he explained he will feel better for the run out. He said: "The first 20 minutes was a bit of a lung burner, but I edged my way into the game today and got stronger and stronger as the game went on. As you could probably tell I was really enjoying it at the end!"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
U18s lose unbeaten record
WHUFC.com
A missed penalty cost West Ham United U18s dear as they lost their unbeaten record at Fulham
18.10.2014
It was a tale of two penalties as West Ham United's unbeaten start to the Barclays U18 Premier League South Group season came to an end at Fulham. The Hammers missed a spot-kick before the Cottagers roared into a three-goal lead at Motspur Park, with a second penalty converted by Alex Pike (pictured) providing a late consoltation. Elijah Adebayo, Josh Walker and Stephen Humphrys got the goals for the hosts, who ended West Ham's eight-match unbeaten run to start the 2014/15 campaign. After a high tempo start , it was the visitors who were presented with a great chance to open the scoring when they were awarded a penalty when Ryheem Sheckleford fouled Decarrey Sheriff. However, goalkeeper Magnus Norman kept out the subsequent 12-yard effort from Jerry Amoo. That miss proved costly as Fulham went up the other end to score moments later. Following a corner the ball fell to feet of Adebayo who lashed home. It could have been two going into the break after Luca De La Torre beat two men in the area before firing in a decent strike that goalkeeper Sam Howes did well to save at his near post. The end-to-end nature of the game continued after the restart and so the next goal was always going to prove crucial, and it was the Whites who got it as Walker showed great composure to cut past his marker and beat Howes. Walker then went from scorer to provider for Fulham's third as a twisting run culminated in him finding his strike partner Humphrys, who slotted home for 3-0. West Ham secured a consolation goal in the closing stages after another foul on Sheriff. This time Pike provided the finish from the spot.
The Hammers will hope to return to winning ways when they welcome Aston Villa to Little Heath on Saturday 25 October, with kick-off at 12noon.
U18s: Howes, Pike, Akinola, Onariase, Neufville, Carter, Sylvestre, Diangana, Amoo, Sheriff, Parfitt-Williams
Subs not used: Bainey, Boness, Borg, Powell, Adebayo
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
On this day - 19 October
WHUFC.com
Geoff Hurst scored a double hat-trick to sink the Mackems on this day in 1968
19.10.2014
Classic match
West Ham United 8-0 Sunderland
First Division
19 October 1968
Geoff Hurst ran riot against The Black Cats, netting an incredible double hat-trick as the Hammers recorded a huge win on this day 46 years ago. Hurst stole the show with six goals of his own but Trevor Brooking and Bobby Moore also managed to get their names on the scoresheet. The 8-0 victory remains the Hammers' record league win, alongside another 8-0 triumph over Rotherham United ten years previously. The striker's haul helped to take him to an impressive 31 goals by the end of the season as he helped fire West Ham to an eighth place finish whilst Sunderland were well below them finishing 17th.
Complete record - 19 October
1929 Manchester City 4-3 West Ham United (Division One)
1935 Plymouth Argyle 4-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1946 West Ham United 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur (Division Two)
1957 West Ham United 1-1 Doncaster Rovers (Division Two)
1963 West Ham United 4-2 Everton (Division One)
1968 West Ham United 8-0 Sunderland (Division One)
1974 West Ham United 1-0 Ipswich Town (Division One)
1985 West Ham United 4-1 Aston Villa (Division One)
1991 Oldham Athletic 2-2 West Ham United (Division One)
1996 West Ham United 1-0 Leicester City (Premier League)
2002 Sunderland 0-1 West Ham United (Premier League)
2004 West Ham United 2-0 Stoke City (Championship)
2008 Hull City 1-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
2013 West Ham United 1-3 Manchester City (Premier League)
Played 14, Won 7, Drawn 3, Lost 4, Scored 31, Conceded 20
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Burnley 1 West Ham 3
18 October 2014
Last updated at 17:47
By Timothy Abraham
BBC Sport
Diafra Sakho scored his sixth goal in as many starts as West Ham secured a comfortable victory over winless Burnley at Turf Moor.Senegal forward Sakho, who joined the Hammers from Metz in August, opened the scoring with a header just after break. Enner Valencia, Sakho's strike partner, added a second soon after when he powerfully headed home. George Boyd pulled a goal back for Burnley but West Ham substitute Carlton Cole nodded in to seal the points. Hammers manager Sam Allardyce was urged by the club's hierarchy to play more attractive football this season. And Allardyce, who turns 60 on Sunday, has started to deliver on that directive, with his side brushing Burnley aside with a clinical second-half display. In Sakho and Ecuador striker Valencia, a £12m summer signing from Mexican club Pachuca, Allardyce has a forward line that can cause opposition teams problems. Burnley, meanwhile, have struggled to find the net this season, with just three goals from their opening seven league matches before this meeting. The Clarets were boosted by the return of striker Danny Ings, who played his first game since a goalless draw with Crystal Palace on 13 September. Ings, Burnley's top scorer last season with 21 goals as they clinched promotion to the top flight, showed his predatory instincts in the eighth minute. The England Under-21 international tapped home from close range after Adrian parried Lukas Jutkiewicz's shot, only for an assistant referee to flag for offside.
Match facts
Diafra Sakho is only the second West Ham player to score in five consecutive Premier League games after Carlton Cole.
Burnley are still looking for their first Premier League win since May 2010.
Mark Noble made his 200th Premier League appearance for West Ham at Turf Moor.
West Ham clinch consecutive league wins for the first time since March.
Moments earlier, Boyd had gone close when he showed great technique to flick the ball over Mark Noble, but his left-footed effort struck the crossbar. West Ham struggled to find their rhythm in the first half, though Stewart Downing - who Allardyce recently claimed was the Premier League's best midfielder on current form - shaved the outside of a post with a shot from a tight angle. Allardyce's side were much improved in the second period and exploited wide areas to seize the initiative with two goals in the space of five minutes. Sakho put the Hammers ahead in the 49th minute when he got on the end of Aaron Cresswell's cross from the left and directed a close-range header past Tom Heaton. And the visitors added a second when Carl Jenkinson's delivery from the right picked out Valencia, who powerfully headed home from just inside the area. Burnley pulled a goal back from a corner on the hour mark when Adrian spilt Michael Kightly's high delivery and Boyd reacted quickest to fire high into the net. But West Ham made the points safe when Downing's corner was headed back across goal by Sakho and substitute Cole nodded in from a yard out.
Burnley manager Sean Dyche: "We were dominant first half and created enough chances to go ahead. We went in at half-time feeling good. "We didn't get going in the second half and that feeling changes afterwards. Goals change games and we saw that. "The margins are tight and if keep working away and tidy a few things up around the edges we'll get that first win."
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce: "It's my birthday tomorrow and I asked the lads to get me a result because I am going out with my friends here in the north west this evening. "Our quality, especially with the first two goals, was the difference. They were two outstanding crosses, and two outstanding headers. "Diafra Sakho is a determined lad, and he has six in all games now. We look like we have goals in the team."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers rise in all-time league table
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 18th October 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United have risen one place in the all-time league table as a result of today's 3-1 win at Burnley. Sam Allardyce's side went into today's game at Turf Moor having accrued a total of 2,478 points in the top flight of English football - that's the Premier League plus the old Division One - two points behind Wolves, who are currently playing in the Championship. However today's win at Turf Moor - which arrived courtesy of second half goals from Diafra Sakho, Enner Valencia and Carlton Cole - lifts West Ham one point above Wolves into 16th place, just 29 points behind Derby County in 15th spot. Whilst that target should be easily attainable this season, you can discount the chances of West Ham rising any higher any time soon ... for above Derby are Sheffield Wednesday with a total of 2,781 points - exactly 300 points more than West Ham!
English Premier League : All Time Table (Top 20)
1. Liverpool Pld 3951 Pts 5325
2. Arsenal Pld 3952 Pts 5263
3. Everton Pld 4336 Pts 5144
4. Manchester United Pld 3595 Pts 5059
5. Aston Villa Pld 4002 Pts 4667
6. Chelsea Pld 3216 Pts 3958
7. Tottenham Hotspur Pld 3212 Pts 3921
8. Manchester City Pld 3438 Pts 3860
9. Newcastle United Pld 3320 Pts 3765
10. Sunderland Pld 3234 Pts 3412
11. West Bromwich Albion Pld 2963 Pts 2982
12. Blackburn Rovers Pld 2720 Pts 2947
13. Bolton Wanderers Pld 2802 Pts 2824
14. Sheffield Wednesday Pld 2582 Pts 2781
15. Derby County Pld 2468 Pts 2510
16. West Ham United Pld 2290 Pts 2481
17. Wolverhampton Wanderers Pld 2422Pts 2480
18. Leeds United Pld 2060 Pts 2455
19. Nottingham Forest Pld 2178 Pts 2404
20. Middlesbrough Pld 2400 Pts 2401
The current Premier League clubs outside of the all-time Top 20 are Stoke City (23rd, 2,125 points), Burnley (24th, 2,049 points), Leicester City (25th, 1,848 points), Southampton (26th, 1,746 points), Queens Park Rangers (35th, 1,035 points), Crystal Palace (42nd, 567 points), Swansea City (49th, 256 points) and Hull City (54th, 112 points).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Winston Reid offered improved terms, says David Gold
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 18th October 2014
By: Staff Writer
Contract rebel Winston Reid has been offered improved terms on a new deal, according to co-chairman David Gold. Reid, who is out of contract next summer has thus far refused all previous offers by the club to extend his current arrangement. However Gold revealed this afternoon that the 26-year-old Kiwi has been offered new, improved terms. Speaking to a KUMB member after today's win at Burnley, Gold confirmed that: "We hope to keep him and have made him a very competitive offer." Fellow chairman David Sullivan also watched West Ham's 3-1 win over Burnley from the stands today. Reid moved to West Ham in a £4million switch from Danish club Midtjylland in 2010, following a successful World Cup campaign during which he scored for New Zealand. Having initially struggled to hold a first team place down, following the departure of Avram Grant he became a staple in Allardyce's defence and has gone on to make 111 appearances for West Ham.
In recent months he has been linked with clubs such as Arsenal and Liverpool - both of whom are currently below West Ham in the Premier League - and despite having been offered improved terms to extend his stay, has thus far refused to sign a new deal with West Ham. It is rumoured that Reid is seeking circa £80,000 per week; West Ham's latest offer is said to be worth around £60,000 per week.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Burnley 1-3 West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 18th October 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are fourth in the Premier League tonight after a second half blitz did for top flight newcomers Burnley at Turf Moor this afternoon. Despite enjoying the best chances in the opening half it was a familiar story for Clarets fans come the final whistle, as they ended the game still searching for their first win in the Premier League since winning promotion from the Championship last May.As for West Ham, it was a case of deplete, punish and destroy as they soaked up Burnley's early pressure before dismantling the Clarets in the second half. However the Hammers were distinctly second best in the opening 45 minutes where Burnley's profligacy, as opposed to West Ham's technical prowess or efficiency was largely responsible for the home side failing to score in a half they largely controlled.
None went closer to opening the scoring than former Peterborough midfield George Boyd, who saw his 16-yard effort crash off the underside of the crossbar with just five minutes on the clock - an effort which set the standard for the rest of the half.
Lucas Jutkiewicz, who remains without a goal for his new club thought he'd broken his duck on eight minutes but saw his effort (correctly) ruled out for offside as he'd strayed marginally beyond his marker. The Southampton-born marksman should have done better with a free header on the quarter-hour mark but failed to find the target. Jutkiewicz also went close on the half hour mark when he failed to provide an adequate connection on a deep cross; Hammers fan Michael Kightly, closing in behind him, was perhaps better placed to score.
At the other end, chances were few and far between in the first half although Stewart Downing was centimetres away from grabbing the game's first goal when he cut inside - a la Crystal Palace - only to see his shot crash against the far post. Diafra Sakho should have increased his record of having scored in every game he's started for West Ham long before he eventually did but the former Metz striker failed to connect with superb crosses from Carl Jenkinson (5th minute) and Aaron Cresswell (44). However he did manage to get on the end of an Enner Valencia centre that he could only nod wide from no more than three yards out, whilst unopposed.
Fortunately for the Hammers they were able to produce a far more accomplished performance in the second half. Just three minutes after the restart, Diafra Sakho continued his prolific run of goalscoring form when converting an Aaron Cresswell cross from close range.
Still shellshocked from conceding that one, Burnley found themselves two behind just three minutes later when Enner Valencia, who has been in unstoppable form for Ecuador in recent weeks sent a bullet header past Tom Heaton. Carl Jenkinson, in for the injured Guy Demel earned the assist for a fabulous cross.
Having only returned from international duty on Wednesday, Valencia was removed at the hour mark to be replaced by Carlton Cole. Within seconds the popular forward forced a goal-line clearance by the home side - who reacted by grabbing a perhaps deserved goal.
It was one that Adrian - not for the first time - will feel at least partly culpable for; a deep corner hung momentarily in the wind which led to the Spanish 'keeper mistiming his jump and dropping the ball at the feet of George Boyd who turned it into an empty net.
However any concerns of a late come back by the Clarets was finally dispelled when Cole scored his first goal since August with a header from three yards that followed another pinpoint Stewart Downing corner.
West Ham almost added a fourth with ten minutes of play remaining when a wonderful passing move resulted in Heaton producing a point-blank save from Cresswell. Though had that gone in, it would perhaps have been harsh on the home side who whilst lacking in technical ability and pace, certainly matched West Ham for effort and endeavour.
In the end, the main difference between the two teams was the standard of finishing. Despite creating 17 efforts on goal, Burnley found the target with just three of them - whilst West Ham were rather more clinical with their six shots (of 22 overall) on target.
The three points - West Ham's fourth win in eight league games - lifts the Irons into fourth place in the Premier League - their highest position at this stage of the season for more than 15 years. It also ensures manager Sam Allardyce will enjoy a very happy 60th birthday tomorrow...
Burnley 1-3 West Ham Utd: Match Facts
West Ham Utd: Adrian, Reid, Cresswell, Downing, Sakho, Noble (c), Jenkinson, Collins, Amalfitano, Song, Valencia.
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Nolan, Jarvis, Vaz Te, O'Brien, Cole, Burke.
Burnley: Heaton, Trippier, Shackell, Duff, Mee, Kightly, Arfield, Jones, Boyd, Ings, Jutkiewicz
Subs: Gilks, Long, Ward, Barnes, Chalobah, Wallace, Sordell.
Referee: Kevin Friend.
Assistants: L Betts, M Wilkes.
Fourth Official: Lee Mason.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce pleased with West Ham's 3-1 win at Burnley
Last Updated: 18/10/14 6:59pm
SSN
Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia headed goals in the opening 10 minutes of the second half and, although George Boyd pulled one back, substitute Carlton Cole sealed a 3-1 victory for the Hammers. The win helped the Londoners temporarily climb into fourth spot in the Premier League table which put a spring in the step of Allardyce, who will be staying in the north west to mark the special occasion.
Allardyce said: "I said to the players before the game, 'Come on lads I need a result, because it is my birthday, and if I can't get a result it's not going to be very pleasing for me, no matter that I'm with my old mates'."I think a change of system was the key element for us winning the game, which then brought better outstanding quality from us in wide areas."If we get into December and we're still getting results and maintaining a top-half position, then we can start thinking about maybe maintaining that for the rest of the season."
Sam Allardyce "Our two centre-forwards that we bought paid massive dividends with the quality of the headers off brilliant crosses, and that really in the end put Burnley to bed after they had a very lively first half. "Then Carlton comes on and scores a third when we've gifted them a goal to get back into it, which just summed up our performance today. It's our first back-to-back victories and it's fantastic that we're now on 13 points.''
Valencia and Sakho were both summer signings, and the latter, who joined from French side Metz, has now scored in six successive games.
Allardyce said: "He is a bargain. This lad has been very exciting, and he's excited the rest of the players. "I think all our players that were here last season, having had some of the depressing times that they didn't expect, have all been lifted by the new players and their performances have increased as well as the news lads hitting the ground running. "We just hope it continues. It's too early to say what we're going to be or what we're going to do but things are looking very good. "If we get into December and we're still getting results and maintaining a top-half position, then we can start thinking about maybe maintaining that for the rest of the season.''
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham ease past Burnley 3-1 at Turf Moor to climb into top four
Last Updated: 18/10/14 7:30pm
SSN
On the eve of his 60th birthday, West Ham handed Sam Allardyce the perfect present thanks to a 3-1 success at Burnley for their third win in four games. Two goals just after the break from their new look front two, Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia, were added to by substitute Carlton Cole - all with headers.
Best of the Match:
Man of the match: Stewart Downing - The winger is showing his best form for a long time and produced another superb performance at Turf Moor.
Goal of the match: Enner Valencia - Carl Jenkinson's beautiful cross was powerfully headed into the back of the net by Ecuador's World Cup star.
Moment of the match: Diafra Sakho became only the second West Ham player to score in five consecutive Premier League games, after Carlton Cole, with a fine header.
Effort of the match: George Boyd chested the ball down and arrowed his left-foot half-volley flush against the woodwork.
Sub of the match: Carlton Cole - Within minutes of coming on the striker headed in the Hammers third to hand them three points.
Stat of the match: West Ham are the first team to score three headed goals in a Premier League game since Norwich vs Newcastle in December 2011.
The hosts pulled a goal back through George Boyd with his first goal for the club to put the game back in the balance, but in the end the Hammers were good value for their win. Allardyce, once the manager of Burnley's bitter rivals Blackburn, is staying in the north-west to celebrate, and will do so in good spirits after the victory lifted them, at least temporarily, into the top four in the Premier League, while Sean Dyche's side are still searching for a first win back in the top flight.
Burnley came close in the fifth minute, Boyd controlling Kieran Trippier's deflected cross and firing a brilliant left-footed volley against the underside of the bar. Lukas Jutkiewicz did have the ball in the net three minutes later but the former Middlesbrough man was denied a first Burnley goal, correctly, by an offside flag. Danny Ings had created the opening with a jinking run into the box and shot that was fumbled by Adrian into Jutkiewicz's path. It was a frustrating 10 minutes for Jutkiewicz, who then headed Trippier's cross over the bar before being unable to capitalise after two West Ham defenders fell over in the area. The Hammers had not got going, and Allardyce was unimpressed with Sakho, who appeared more concerned by an impending challenge from Jason Shackell than Aaron's Cresswell's fine cross and headed well wide from close range. The classy presence of Boyd in midfield had caught the eye and more trickery from him on the half-hour mark created another opening for Burnley.
Michael Kightly looked poised for a free header from Boyd's cross at the far post but Jutkiewicz took the ball away from his team-mate, leaving Kightly with head in hands. There was a narrow escape for the hosts down the other end as Stewart Downing cut inside on the right of the area and curled a shot against the far post. Burnley manager Sean Dyche says his team created plenty of quality chances against West Ham but failed to convert them. Dyche would have been encouraged by his side's first-half display but frustrated they could not make the most of their superior chances. And they were made to pay four minutes into the second half when Cresswell curled over a superb cross and Sakho, this time with his eyes firmly on the target, headed in. Five minutes later it was 2-0, Carl Jenkinson the architect from the right this time and Valencia applying the finishing touch with a fine header from 10 yards. It was very nearly three as Cole - on for Valencia - got his head to a corner only to see it cleared off the line by Kightly, and from there Burnley went down the other end and pulled one back.
On the eve of his 60th birthday, West Ham handed Sam Allardyce the perfect present thanks to a 3-1 success at Burnley. Ings won a corner and then made a nuisance of himself as Adrian tried to collect the cross, allowing Boyd to slam the ball home. Adrian appealed for a free-kick but the blame appeared to lie squarely with him. It was the boost Burnley needed and they almost drew level immediately but Ings' header from Trippier's cross flew agonisingly wide of the far post.
However, West Ham did a good job of seizing back the momentum and quietening the crowd and, with 20 minutes to go, they restored their two-goal advantage. It was another cross that undid Burnley, Noble's corner picking out Sakho, who headed across the six-yard box for Cole to nod in. Downing almost added a fourth with a rasping shot that flew just wide, while Cresswell poked a shot straight at Heaton.
Burnley's afternoon was rather summed up three minutes from time when the excellent Trippier crossed for substitute Ashley Barnes to slam a shot against the bar.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Burnley 1-3 West Ham: Diafra Sakho bags again as high-flying Hammers dream of Europe
Oct 18, 2014 21:42 By Derick Allsop
The Senegalese striker got his fifth in five games at Turf Moor to lift Sam Allardyce's men to fourth and hand the Hammers boss the perfect birthday present
The Mirror
Smooth claret is all well and good, but West Ham are now serving up stuff that packs an intoxicating punch. And that is just what manager Sam Allardyce ordered to celebrate his 60th birthday today. Two clubs who traditionally wear the claret and blue with style were eventually separated by the new-look power and purpose of Sam Allardyce's men. Much more of this, and the Hammers will be taking fine wine at Europe's top table. West Ham's strike duo Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia plundered the second-half goals that squashed Burnley's hopes of breaking their season's duck. Sakho, especially, tormented the Burnley defenders with his turn of pace and combative style. Six goals from six starts is a blistering opening to his West Ham career.
George Boyd gleaned a measure of personal reward for his display with a rare strike for Burnley, but substitute Carlton Cole completed their misery. Big Sam revealed: "I said to the players that I needed a result because it is my birthday. Our two centre-forwards we've bought scored excellent headers and Carlton's goal summed up our performance. They've got goals in them and all the players who were here last year have been lifted by the new players. We weren't good enough in the first half but we changed the system and that made the difference."We're only just starting the marathon, but if we're still there in December we'll maybe start thinking of staying there."
Burnley manager Sean Dyche watched his team squander early chances and admits they must stop the rot."We have to find a way of winning," he said. "We're learning the hard way that you have to take your chances. You can't afford to have a soft 15 minutes in the Premier League."We've got to believe in what we are doing and I do."
Burnley started well as Boyd controlled smartly and struck sweetly from the edge of the area only to see the ball come back off the bar.
Then Lukas Jutkiewicz headed over from Kieran Trippier's cross and keeper Adrian rushed out to deny Danny Ings as Dyche's side kept up the assault. And yet they were almost undone by West Ham's swift counter, Sakho heading wide from Aaron Cresswell's cross. Burnley were relieved again when Stewart Downing predictably cut in on his left foot and smacked the far post. The shift in the balance of the match was confirmed early in the second half. Another fine delivery from Cresswell found Sakho, and this time the Senegal star headed in.
Before Burnley could clear their heads, West Ham repeated the dose from the right flank. Carl Jenkinson crossed and Valencia converted with a stunning header. The home side battled on and were rewarded when Boyd pulled a goal back after Adrian made a hash of gathering a corner from Michael Kightly. But West Ham restored their two-goal advantage as Sakho turned provider for Cole to score with a lunging header. Ashley Barnes hit the West Ham bar late on but Burnley knew the game was up.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
David Gold, Adrian & Cresswell react on Twitter to West Ham's win over Burnley
HITC.com
West Ham co-owner David Gold was joined by goalkeeper Adrian and defender Aaron Cresswell in praising his side after their 3-1 win at Burnley on Saturday afternoon. Goals from Diafra Sakho, Enner Valencia and Carlton Cole sealed the three points for Sam Allardyce's side - three points that took them to fourth in the Premier League table. And Gold was keen to single out West Ham United stalwart Mark Noble after the victory, praising his 'passion' and 'determination.'
David Gold ✔ @davidgold
Mark Noble. West Ham through and through. Passion,determination and inspirational and it shows. dg pic.twitter.com/4t9CB5GjEz
Meanwhile, defender Aaron Cresswell praised the Hammers' travelling support, who certainly made themselves heard at Turf Moor.
Aaron cresswell ✔ @Aaron_Cresswell
Great 3 points today.. Fans were class 👏 another big game next week.. #COYI
And shot stopper Adrian joined Cresswell in crediting the 3,000 West Ham fans that traveled north.
Adrián San Miguel ✔ @AdriSanMiguel
Well done boys👏Excellent 3 points away!Amazing support of 3.000 great West Ham fans!See you saturday in Upton Park💪
Things get harder for Allardyce's men, however, as defending champions Manchester City visit Upton Park next weekend. Hammers fans will hope their home support can get their side over the line, though, and their current form certainly puts them in with a chance against Manuel Pellegrini's outfit.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sullivan: It's great to win the West Ham Way
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 18, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham's fabulous second half performance against Burnley this afternoon is tonight being celebrated by David Sullivan as a victory for the "West Ham Way." The Irons looked a class apart again as they turned on the style against the newly promoted outfit who more than bossed the first half but Sullivan was thriulled with the way the Irons responded. In his only comment on the match he told ClaretandHugh exclusively: "It really is great to see us playing the West Ham Way."And he added: "We passed the ball, attacked and scored goals. It really was a very pleasing performance after the first 30 minutes." With both Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho scoring and warhorse Carlton Cole grabbing the third and having another cleared off the line, the Hammers are now a serious force with Manchester City the visitors next weekend.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Shadow over Adrian
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 18, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
There's just one small shadow over the Hammers at the moment – Adrian! With everything going brilliantly this afternoon the lad allowed Burnley back into the game on the hour after we had taken a two goal lead. Despite appealing for a free kick he was clearly responsible for failing to collect a routine cross and allowed George Boyd to give his team some hope. We all love the stopper.He has a brilliant rapport with the fans but he hasn't been covering himself in glory this season with the Mario Balotelli 'ruck' and high leg which could have seen him get a second yellow. Phil Parkes told us in a recent interview that it would be wrong to drop him and that he really had to learn from his mistakes as he is a late starter in first team terms given his long wait for the job at Real Betis before then being plunged into the Premiership. Jussi Jaakalainen maybe watching and wondering at the moment! This isn't a crisis because the rest of the team are playing so well but it's a situation that we are sure the manager is keeping a very keen eye on.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Leroy: "Watch out City we're better than Spurs "
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 18, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
I watched the Irons/Burnley game from the Premier League studios this afternoon along with the Manchester City v Spurs game and I'll tell you this: The Irons are gonna give Manchester City a much better game next weekend than the north Londoners did today. We have more pace, movement and ability in our team than Spurs and can cause City some real problems. To be honest I didn't think they looked great despite the scoreline which could honestly have been 8-5. They are uncertain at the back if you get after them as I'm sure we will and in our current form a win is on at the Boleyn.
We were excellent at Burnley today and Enner Valencia's header was superb. That man Sakho just goes on and on and is an out and out goalscorer. I love him to bits. You will have read enough by now to know the first half was poor by our standards but in the second we were excellent and even when we let them back in with a poor goal – Adrian really should have done better than that – we went again and put it to bed. That really bodes well for the future. This is a young exciting squad and a joy to watch. Yes it's great to be entertained but the real sensation is of a deep warm winning in the West Ham Way that's so pleasing. We look a great team and have come a very long way. Watch out City we are coming to get yer!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
---
This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active.
http://www.avast.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
