Daily WHUFC News - 21st December 2014

Hammers sweep Leicester aside
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing were on target as West Ham put Leicester City to the sword
20.12.2014

Barclays Premier League
West Ham United 2-0 Leicester City

West Ham United swept aside Barclays Premier League bottom club Leicester City on Saturday afternoon, as goals in either half from Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing fired the Hammers to a third successive win at the Boleyn Ground.

Having passed up a glorious chance moments earlier, Carroll seized on a wayward Paul Konchesky backpass to hand the hosts a 24th-minute advantage. The in-form Downing then bagged his fourth of an already excellent campaign to put further daylight between the sides after 56 minutes.

It proved plenty to earn Sam Allardyce's men a fourth win in five and consign the struggling Foxes to a ninth league defeat in the their last ten. West Ham can now look forward to a Boxing Day trip to Stamford Bridge sitting pretty in fourth spot.

Big Sam had earlier named the very same starting XI and substitutes as at Sunderland a week ago and, just as he had demanded, the hosts made the faster start here, with two half chances in the first three minutes. Carroll's knockdown from a Cheikhou Kouyate centre was hacked clear in the six-yard box, before James Tomkins saw his right-footed strike deflected over the top.

With six minutes gone the prolific Diafra Sakho had his first sight of goal too, receiving from Kevin Nolan on the edge of the box before skewing wide of the far post.

The Foxes, meanwhile, were growing into the contest and briefly threatened when Jamie Vardy snuck in behind and squared, but Jeffrey Schlupp could get nothing on it.

The game burst into life midway through the half, with Carroll firstly passing up a gilt-edged chance. A long ball forward fell kindly for Downing on the left and though his cut-back for the No9 looked perfect, the England forward ballooned it over the top from no more than eight yards.

Nigel Pearson's men went straight up the other end and but for an exceptional Winston Reid block, Esteban Cambiassos's drive from the edge of the box would surely have troubled Adrian. In any case, Carl Jenkinson smashed it beyond halfway and Barking boy Paul Konchesky, facing his own goal, appeared to have all in hand. His backpass, however, was woefully underhit and once Carroll had skipped in front of Marcin Wasilewski, he finished with aplomb, dinking over Ben Hamer to bag his third of the campaign.

Leicester, for their part, were intermittently posing questions of the Hammers backline and Adrian had to be on his mettle to tip a fizzing Riyad Mahrez strike over his crossbar.

Goalscorer Carroll remained in the thick of it after the restart as he took to the air to aim an overhead goalward, but having not caught it cleanly, it trickled wide of the target. There was then a heart-stopping moment when the centre-forward lost his footing and careered into the photographers' pit. Thankfully, no harm done, as he was swiftly back to his feet.

With just eleven second-half minutes gone, West Ham doubled their lead courtesy of a glorious Downing drive. Bagging his second in as many weeks, the No11 collected Sakho's flick-on, before again cutting in onto that trusty left foot to bend a wicked curler into the far corner of Hamer's goal.

Pearson rolled the dice on the hour, with David Nugent, Leonardo Ulloa and Anthony Knockaert all summoned from the bench. It gave his side a measure of fresh impetus, but when Nugent skipped inside both Alex Song and substitute James Collins, he then blasted high and wide of Adrian's right-hand upright.

With time running out, West Ham had Adrian to thank for preventing a nervy last few minutes, as his stunning one-handed stop kept out a Nugent volley from point-blank range. There was still time for the Spaniard to deny Ulloa too, this time diving to his left to repel a firm header and ensure the Hammers have another clean sheet as well as three more points to celebrate this Christmas.

West Ham United: Adrian, Jenkinson, Tomkins (Collins 69), Reid, Cresswell, Song, Kouyate, Nolan (c) (Amalfitano 87), Downing, Sakho (Valencia 79), Carroll
Subs: Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, Zarate, Cole

Goals: Carroll 24, Downing 56

Leicester City: Hamer, Simpson, Morgan (c), Wasilewski, Konchesky (Knockaert 61), Cambiasso (Ulloa 61), Drinkwater, King, Schlupp, Mahrez, Vardy (Nugent 61)
Subs: Smith, De Laet, Hammond, James

Booked: King, Vardy, Ulloa

Referee: Martin Atkinson

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Big Sam shares Christmas cheer
WHUFC.com
With West Ham United sitting fourth, Sam Allardyce already has everything he wants this Christmas!
20.12.2014

Lynn Allardyce will not have to do any last-minute Christmas shopping this year, because her husband Sam already has everything he wants!
West Ham United will wake up on Christmas morning fourth in the Barclays Premier League after winning for the ninth time in 17 games - a 2-0 home win over Leicester City. Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing were on target as the Hammers crossed the 30-point barrier a full two months and ten matches earlier than they did last season. With his team flying high, Big Sam was asked what else he wants for Christmas. The manager responded that he is looking forward to spending Christmas Day at home with his wife. "Nothing! Those days are gone now and it's all about a very nice card and her company - that's more important to me than anything else!" he revealed. Concentrating on the football, West Ham produced a professional performance against a Leicester side which had not won in eleven previous league matches - clearly pleasing the gaffer. "We've put in some outstanding performances with victories to go with it. We're one defeat in eleven now and that was a very difficult game in many ways. "Our fans arrived here probably thinking it would be a great three points at the start of the Christmas period and West Ham would stay in the top four and we can then look forward to Chelsea and Arsenal and see how we get on against them. "The anticipation of us winning was there so it was a game where we had little to lose and nothing to gain. Leicester are bottom of the league so we did a professional job and that all-important clean sheet meant we got three points with two very well-taken goals. "We missed a few chances but we've got a 2-0 victory, a clean sheet, 31 points just before Christmas, and we have had a sustained period in the top six. That's very pleasing for me, because the lads have not taken their foot off the gas or become complacent. "They seem to have a determination and desire to stay there for as long as they possibly can, with a lot of quality as they showed on Saturday."

After an untidy opening, Carroll lashed Downing's cross high over the crossbar from eight yards on 23 minutes, only to be given an unexpected chance to make amends seconds later, racing onto Paul Konchesky's errant backpass before racing clear and clipping past Ben Hamer. West Ham doubled their lead eleven minutes after the break through Downing's sublime control of Diafra Sakho's flick-on and inch-perfect curler into the far corner - his fourth goal of an impressive season so far. Big Sam hailed his two England internationals for their match-winning contributions. "I think what it showed was just how quick Andy is when he is in his stride, because their two centre-halves are no slouches but he kept his distance away from the centre-half, even in possession of the ball. "He calmly waited to see what the goalkeeper would do and that's the sign of a good goalscorer. Many people who go one-on-one panic and don't quite make the right decision, but the little dink over the goalkeeper was a fantastic bit of quality. "Then of course the second goal was all about our main man at the minute, Stewart Downing, with a beautiful first touch and bent finish into the side-netting giving us a deserved, well-earned victory."

Late on, Leicester threw on strikers David Nugent and Leonardo Ulloa, and both tested Adrian's reflexes and concentration levels with gilt-edged chances. The goalkeeper was equal to both, saving Nugent's volley with his right arm and flying to his left to repel Ulloa's header. "There are two brilliant things about those two saves - the saves themselves and the concentration. He has had nothing to do for most of the game, but in the space of five minutes he has had to pull off two very, very good saves and he has done that for us. "If Leicester had scored then, who knows? We've seen games changed by goals, Leicester were throwing caution to the wind and it might have put a bit of panic in our team, so they were very important saves at the time, so well done to him."

While he is delighted with his own team's progress, Big Sam closed with words of support for his friend and former coach at Newcastle United, the Leicester manager Nigel Pearson. Being bottom at Christmas often means relegation is on the horizon, but the West Ham boss believes the Foxes could yet pull themselves clear of danger. "If you look at Leicester's results, they rarely lose by two goals, even though they haven't won any games since beating Manchester United [in September]. "That's disappointing for Nigel, because he is a friend of mine and I want him to do better, and also because his team shows a lot of commitment. They are not too far away and only one thing is missing in their team and that's a goalscorer. "That is eluding them at the minute and is why they are where they are, and to beat this team we had to play well. We had to be in the right frame of mind and not think we just had to turn out and win. We had to work very hard for it and we did."

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Carroll's in the goals
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll scored his third goal of the season to help down Leicester City on Saturday
20.12.2014

Andy Carroll continued his rich vein of form by netting West Ham United's opening goal in Saturday's 2-0 win over Leicester City. The No9 now has three goals from his last two Boleyn Ground outings as the Hammers maintained their hold on a top four position with victory over the Foxes. Carroll's 24th minute strike came just minutes after he blazed a fine opportunity over the top and he was glad to right that wrong so swiftly. Stewart Downing added a second after the interval to give the hosts the perfect early Christmas present. "It was a brilliant game for us," Carroll said. "We did really well - kept at it for the whole game and could probably have had more goals. "For the goal I kind of knew that he [Paul Konchesky] was looking the play the ball back to the keeper. I just had to be a little bit sneaky and get in there before the defender. "As soon as I saw him pass it I was off on my bike. The keeper came rushing out and there was only one place to put it, over the top of him. "With strikers, the chances come and go. If you don't put one away you just have to keep your head and hope for the next chance and put that one away. "That's what I did today and I was confident I was going to put the second one away."

Carroll was delighted to see Downing notch his fourth goal of a productive first half of the campaign, especially as it meant his team would be in the top four on Christmas Day. "Stewart's was a great finish," he added. "He got onto the end of it really well from Diafra's header, brought it down neatly and curled it into the top corner, which is brilliant. "It's a great position to be in with 31 points on the board now and that's brilliant with the two tough games against Chelsea and Arsenal coming up now."

There was a moment of concern for the Hammers in the second period when Carroll took a tumble into the photographers' pit in front of the Alpari Stand. It looked to be a heavy impact into the advertising boards, but Carroll was happy to confirm he was okay. "I'm fine," he smiled. "It was a tough fall, but I can get up from them no bother."

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West Ham are breaking barriers in Premier League - Sam Allardyce
BBc.co.uk

Manager Sam Allardyce said West Ham are "breaking barriers" in the Premier League as they head into the Christmas period in a Champions League spot. The Hammers are fourth in the table after a 2-0 home win against Leicester. "It's not often a team is breaking the barriers everybody else doesn't expect them to break," said Allardyce. "Being fourth is a great Christmas present for everybody at West Ham and having 31 points already is a pretty major achievement for us."

Goals from Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing secured a routine win against the Foxes and ensured the Hammers would claim their highest Premier League position at Christmas. They have not been in a higher position in the top-flight of English football on 25 December since 1985-86, when they were third in the old Division One. West Ham have already won nine Premier League matches in 2014-15. They only won 11 in the whole of 2013-14. West Ham's best Premier League campaign came in 1998-99 when they finished fifth and their last European football experience came in 2006-07 when they lost in the first round of the Uefa Cup. If they finished fourth at the end of the season they would enter the play-off round for the Champions League, a competition they have never played in before. However, with games to come at Chelsea on Boxing Day and then at home to Arsenal on 28 December, Allardyce is not getting carried away. He added: "You should enjoy the moment and continue enjoying it for as long as it lasts. Hopefully it will last for a good while yet. "We've sustained our position between sixth and fourth in recent weeks, but the end of January will tell us what we can possibly achieve. "The players who have applied themselves magnificently well are reaping the rewards."

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West Ham 2 Leicester 0
20 December 2014
Last updated at 18:45
By Michael Emons
BBC Sport

West Ham remain fourth in the Premier League after beating a Leicester side who are without a win in 12 games. Andy Carroll put the home side ahead, pouncing on a poor backpass from ex-Hammer Paul Konchesky before dinking the ball over the on-rushing Ben Hamer. Stewart Downing doubled the hosts' advantage with a curling 20-yard shot. West Ham goalkeeper Adrian denied David Nugent and Leonardo Ulloa late on as the Foxes suffered their seventh successive away Premier League defeat. After winning promotion and making a promising start to their top-flight campaign, Nigel Pearson's Leicester have failed to win since a spectacular 5-3 victory against Manchester United on 21 September. The visitors never looked like earning a point after an error from Konchesky, who spent two years at Upton Park from July 2005 to July 2007, gifted Carroll a goal with an awful backpass from the halfway line.

West Ham, whose highest ever Premier League finish was fifth in the 1998-99 season, were 2-0 up 10 minutes after the break when England winger Downing produced the best moment of an otherwise scrappy match, with a wonderfully-taken curled finish for his fourth goal of the season. Pearson, who earlier in the week was handed a one-game touchline ban, was able to take his place in the dugout as he is appealing against that decision and midway through the second half he made a triple substitution, bringing on strikers Ulloa and Nugent as well as midfielder Anthony Knockaert.

Nugent gave Leicester more of an attacking threat, shooting over from the edge of the area, before he had a close-range volley pushed away by Adrian, who later parried Ulloa's header. But that was as good as it got for the Foxes as West Ham, who visit league leaders Chelsea on Boxing Day, closed out a deserved victory. Leicester will be bottom of the Premier League table at Christmas and in the 22 seasons of the competition only Sunderland, last season, and West Brom, in 2004-05, have avoided relegation after being in similar positions. Leicester have only won once in the league in their last 28 trips to Upton Park. That victory came in the Premier League in August 2000 when Darren Eadie scored the only goal.

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce said: "Being fourth in the Premier League is a great Christmas present for everybody at West Ham. Having 31 points before Christmas is a pretty major achievement for us. There is no doubt we deserved to win with the quality finishes from Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing. Stewart is one of the best attacking players in the Premier League with the way he is playing, and he is getting goals on the back of that. It is a very big win for us before we have Chelsea next. "None of Nigel Pearson's players let him down. They gave everything and when we went 2-0 up they caused us some problems. He is a very good manager and he has proved that. I hope the club are patient with him and give him some funds to spend in January."

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson said: "The first goal we conceded was a big blow for us, the second was a quality finish from Stewart Downing and we continue to not be able to take our chances. Their goalkeeper made three saves and our players are very disappointed, but our destiny is still in our own hands. "I can look my players in their eyes and see they are very much up for the challenge. We have seen enough positive performances to suggest we will turn it around but we have to do it soon. "It is not a case of shirking the responsibility or sticking my head in the sand. I'm very aware of our situation, but we are capable of changing it."

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West Ham Utd 2-0 Leicester City
KUMb.com
Filed: Saturday, 20th December 2014
By: Staff Writer

West Ham will spend Christmas in the Champions League spots after seeing off struggling Leicester City at the Boleyn this afternoon.

Big Sam's happy Hammers enter the Christmas period a point behind third-placed Manchester United, after goals from Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing secured all three points at a packed Boleyn Ground.

The Foxes, who have mustered just ten points so far this season rarely looked likely to add to their meagre tally on a day when patience proved to be key for the Hammers.

Having set out their stall early on to defend in numbers (and with manager Nigel Pearson holding onto the ball by the touchline in the very first minute), this was clearly going to be a different kind of test for West Ham than that experienced at Sunderland last weekend.

Chances were few and far between in the opening stages and West Ham's cause wasn't helped when Andy Carroll smashed a golden opportunity to open their account well over the bar with 23 minutes on the clock. Fortunately for the in-form striker, he was able to atone for his error just 60 seconds later when West Ham countered with devastating effect.

The goal initiated from a great block by Winston Reid, who threw himself in front of Argentine legend Esteban Cambiasso's shot.

Under pressure, former Hammer Paul Konchesky - who with a full head of hair looks younger now than when he played for West Ham almost a decade ago - tried to find his goalkeeper but the pass was too short, allowing Carroll to nip in and left the ball over Ben Hamer into an empty net.

Aaron cresswell ✔ @Aaron_Cresswell
Another 3 important points.. Happy days.. #COYI

Leicester responded with a fierce drive from Algerian Riyad Mahrez that required the intervention of Adrian's fingertips before the Foxes picked up a couple of bookings - the latter, by Jamie Vardy, for the second attack on Alex Song's ankles within the space of 60 seconds that left the midfielder (genuinely) writhing in agony.

Fortunately West Ham's playmaker was able to continue and returned for the second half. It began in a similar fashion to the first, with the Hammers largely controlling the game without finding that all-important second goal; entertainment, if it can be called that, briefly reserved for the moment Andy Carroll - with his usual patent disregard for personal safety - launched himself, head first, into the advertising boards.

Like Song, the big striker was eventually able to continue and therefore able to participate in the goal celebrations that followed Stewart Downing's fourth goal of the season only five minutes later. Diafra Sakho may not have scored today, but he earned himself an assist with a downward header that the England international guided expertly into Hamer's far corner.

A host of substitutions followed; three at once for the visitors, with generous applause offered to ex-Hammer Konchesky by the Boleyn - hopefully for his past endeavours in claret and blue, rather than the questionable back-pass that led to the day's opening goal.

The game as a contest petered out with West Ham happy holding a two-goal advantage, although the previously untested Adrian was forced into two stunning stops to preserve his first clean sheet in four games.

Adrián San Miguel ✔ @AdriSanMiguel
Today was my first anniversary since I made my Premier League debut with West Ham United!Really happy and so proud of this 😀👏🇪🇸 #COYI

Substitute Nugent must have thought he'd halved the deficit when he connected superbly with a cross into the centre from eight yards out, but Adrian threw himself in front of the ball to deny the once-capped England international.

The Spaniard had hardly caught his breath before he was required to intervene once again. An even better save than the first, Ulloa's header was heading into the back of the net before Adrian flung himself acrobatically to his left - and towards the post - to push the ball away from goal.

The win takes West Ham to 31 points for the season (from 17 games); that's just two less than they achieved in the entire 2010/11 relegation season under Avram Grant.

The team's new-found strength and resilience will be fully tested immediately after Christmas, when Premier League leaders Chelsea and sixth-placed Arsenal await. However for now at least, Hammers fans can take great comfort from being in the Champions League spots at Christmas - our best ever Premier League position at this stage of the season.

Merry Christmas, everybody.

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Tomkins suffers minor hamstring injury
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 20th December 2014
By: Staff Writer

James Tomkins was taken off as a precautionary measure having tweaked his hamstring in this afternoon's Premier League fixture with Leicester. The central defender was replaced by James Collins midway through the second half of this afternoon's clash, which West Ham won 2-0 courtesy of goals from Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing. Manager Sam Allardyce confirmed after the game that Tomkins was substituted after feeling a twinge in his upper thigh. We'll have more for you from Big Sam's post-match press conference shortly.

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West Ham ease to 2-0 victory over Leicester at Upton Park
Last Updated: 20/12/14 8:57pm
SSN

West Ham's strong home form continued as they eased to a 2-0 victory over a Leicester City at Upton Park. Goals in either half from Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing sealed the points for Sam Allardyce's men and confirmed Nigel Pearson's side would occupy bottom spot in the Premier League on Christmas Day. Carroll capitalised on Paul Konchesky's backpass midway through the first half to hand the hosts the lead just moments after he missed a glorious opportunity to break the deadlock. The hosts rarely threatened to get on the scoresheet and were dealt a blow 10 minutes after interval as Downing collected Diafra Sakho's knock-down from a long ball to curl exquisitely past Ben Hamer in the Leicester goal. Substitutes David Nugent and Leonardo Ulloa saw late attempts expertly saved by Hammers keeper Adrian in the closing stages, but a comeback did not materialise as West Ham ensured they would be in the top four over the Christmas.

The Hammers have made their best Premier League start and now have an eye on Europe while Leicester must dig deep to have any hope of survival. The hosts set about imposing their physical and, at times, aerial game on the visitors from the offset. Kouyate found some space down the right wing and, after evading Konchesky down the left, floated a ball deep to the far post where Andy Carroll looked to exert his strength, but nothing came of the opening. Leicester boss Pearson then watched Jamie Vardy's dangerous cross into the six-yard box evade everyone and his side fail to capitalise on Adrian's throw straight to Esteban Cambiasso. Sakho should have given West Ham the lead but was unable to direct his first-time volley on target. But it was to be his strike partner who spurned a far easier chance when Carroll, after receiveing the ball from Downing, blasted over from six yards out. The striker quickly made amends as within two minutes the deadlock was broken. Former Hammer Konchesky aimlessly passed back to Hamer without looking and Carroll pounced to deftly finish over the on-rushing keeper.

Carroll was unable to connect with an acrobatic effort early in the second half and there was a moment of alarm when he appeared to jar his ankle and knee in an innocuous incident before he crashed into the advertisement hoarding and a photographer or two. But Carroll brushed himself down and was involved in the game's deciding goal. As West Ham reverted back to the classic route-one play, the striker made a nusciance of himself in the Leicester ranks and allowed Sakho to flick the ball into the path of Downing, who curled home an excellent astrike to all but seal the points. Nugent and Ulloa were denied by Adrian at point-blank range late on as Leicester rallied. Had either header gone in it would have set up a grandstand finsh, but as it was the Hammers eased to victory.

West Ham: Adrian (7), Jenkinson (6), Tomkins (6), Reid (6), Cresswell (7), Nolan (5), Song (), Kouyate (6), Downing (7), Sakho (6), Carroll (8).

Used subs: Collins (5), Amalfitano (4), Valencia (5).

Leicester City: Hamer (5), Simpson (4), Wasilewski (5), Morgan (5), Konchesky (3), Mahrez (6), King (6), Cambiasso (4), Drinkwater (5), Schlupp (6), Vardy (6).

Used subs: Ulloa (5), Knockaert (4), Nugent (5).

Man of the Match: Andy Carroll.

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Sam Allardyce pleased with West Ham's professionalism in 2-0 win over Leicester at Upton Park
Last Updated: 20/12/14 8:20pm
SSN

Sam Allardyce praised his West Ham side's "thoroughly professional" performance in their 2-0 victory over Leicester at Upton Park.
Andy Carroll's opportunistic opener handed the hosts a well-deserved half-time lead in Saturday's Premier League clash before Stewart Downing's exquisite curled effort sealed the points and ensured the Hammers would occupy fourth spot over Christmas. As West Ham continued their fine league form, Allardyce was pleased to see his side deal with the expectation of being favourites against a Leicester side who will be bottom at Christmas, and set his sights on the forthcoming games with Chelsea and Arsenal. "I was very pleased with how we applied ourselves today. This was a huge game for us because the expectation was so high, having done so well this season," Allardyce told Sky Sports. "When you play the team at the bottom of the table, you know the fans are going to come down and everybody expects you to just turn up and win. It's a big challenge for the players to make sure they play to their level and they've done that today. They've done a thoroughly professional job with some quality goals. "We are in a fantastic position now in the league where we are nearly halfway through the season and we're in the top four and we've sustained that for the last few weeks. Of course, our next challenge is Chelsea away and Arsenal at home, so that will be a huge test. "We could play our best football and have our best tactics available against Chelsea and Arsenal and still not win because of the quality they've got. What we have given ourselves, though, is a big cushion for when we come to play the big teams; with no pressure on us in terms of we've got to go out and get points against them. "His (Downing's) major contribution of providing goals and opportunities for other people is absolutely magnificent at this moment in time" "Saying that, we then become the underdogs rather than the favourites and sometimes that eases the pressure off our players. Hopefully they go out and play better than they did today but that doesn't mean to say that they'll beat those teams."

Magnificent

Both strikes on show at Upton Park were spectacular in their own right and when asked which one he preferred, Allardyce opted for Downing's fourth league goal of the season, and also praised the winger's ability as a provider for his teammates. "Stewart's goal for me was the better of the two," Allardyce said. "His first touch and then he's passed and bent it into the net. We've been talking about the fact he's started to control his finishes a bit better for a while now. "That's two-in-two now and four for the season. Not only that, his major contribution of providing goals and opportunities for other people is absolutely magnificent at this moment in time."

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WEST HAM 2, LEICESTER CITY 0. A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL.
By David Hautzig 20 Dec 2014 at 19:04
West Ham till I Die

It wouldn't be unreasonable to ask the following question. "What could we possibly learn from playing a team that hasn't won in eleven games and is holding up the rest of the Premier League"?

A lot.

This was a unique position for West Ham. To go into a home game against a team in the relegation zone and have it not be a six pointer. To be not only the favorite to win, but to be universally expected to win in much the same way a Chelsea or Manchester City would be expected to win a similar game. That's not to say the Foxes went into today's match as cannon fodder. On the contrary. Despite being at the foot of the table on only ten points, they hadn't been exactly hammered by anyone.

Pun obviously 100% intended.

West Ham went into the game today with close to a fully fit squad, with only the loss of Mark Noble to be concerned about. Matthew Upson continued to hurt West Ham by not being available for Leicester, denying Sakho or Carroll the pleasure of putting that useless piece of dross over their knees and spanking him. So we saw an unchanged West Ham squad from last week's draw at Sunderland, both on the pitch and on the bench, which started a mini debate on Twitter. The majority saw the logic in what Sam was doing, given that Carroll had played well since returning from injury. A few, however, argued that it was the Sakho-Valencia tandem that had gotten us here and that it should be the default choice. My opinion changes by the second, so I stayed out of it for the most part.

The past few games, regardless of how they finished, have not seen West Ham begin on the front foot. Today was a bit different, at least for the first five minutes or so. We started by pushing the ball forward with an apparent confidence that Leicester would be hard pressed to cause us many problems. Kouyate, who had his best game in a long time, started the proceedings in the 2nd minute with a cross to Carroll that was cleared for a corner. James Tomkins took a crack at it off that corner and won another one. Then Nolan, with a little help from a deflection, sent in Sakho but his volley was wide and Leicester got to take a deep breath along with a goal kick.

In the 8th minute the visitors started to assert themselves a bit when Jeff Schlupp beat Jenkinson to the byline and sent a cross in that Tomkins had to head out for a corner. Schlupp just missed being the receiver instead of the provider moments later when he couldn't get on the end of Vardy's cross. Tomkins cleared the ball out of danger and sent Sakho out on the break, but it was the first of a few times when Sakho showed that despite his remarkable start to the season he still has elements of his game that need work. Like running with the ball through the midfield, which he tried to do and lost control of. Dribbling in tight areas as well. With his level of athleticism and skill, however, I'm not bothered. For the record, I love the guy.

The game settled down into a series of bad passes, wasted possession, and a succession of crosses that floated harmlessly around both goals. Earlier in the week, Sam warned about being complacent. "There are swings and roundabouts in this game and it can all be so unpredictable. There's no good spouting off what you might or might not do because it might leap back and kick you right in the goolies". While I am unfamiliar with the word "goolies", I got his point. We all did, I bet. We looked a bit too comfortable. Heck, even Song missed some passes! It took an Aaron Cresswell run in the 21st minute to wake us up when he chased down a ball just outside the Leicester box and won a free kick. It looked like he said to himself "I've had enough of this nonsense, I want to beat these guys". A scramble inside the box ended with a Sakho lay off for Song, but his shot was blocked.

There are supporters, more than just a few in fact, that are not fans of Andy Carroll nor will they ever be. Fair enough. They were handed a moment that could have been a smoking gun in their view in the 23rd minute when Downing fed a low cross to a wide open Carroll in front of the net. Side foot, top of the foot, heck even a squib off his shin should have put it in. Instead it went miles over the bar. A proverbial sitter. Seconds later, Leicester started a counter. A moment of miscommunication between Adrian and I think Reid almost led to disaster when Adrian found himself outside the safety of his eighteen yard box. His clearance came right back in the form of Esteban Cambiasso. His attempt on goal was blocked by Reid, and cleared by Jenkinson. That should have been the end of a fairly wild couple of minutes.

Nope.

Paul Konchesky got to the ball just inside his own half and thought a back pass to Hamer was the best idea. It was a spectacular idea for Carroll, who intercepted it and placed a lovely little chip over the keeper to give West Ham the lead and himself a bit of redemption for his miss a few minutes earlier.

West Ham 1, Leicester City 0.

The goal seemed to loosen us up a bit, which was no surprise. A lead at home does that. In Reid's case, it was a bit too loose in the 30th minute when he got the ball on the top of our 18 yard box with space in front of him. The devilish voice on one shoulder told him to run and show he can be a good attacking player, while the angelic voice on the other shoulder told him to do his job and either give it to a midfielder or clear it. He took the wrong advice and launched a long ball right at Hamer. Wherever you end up, Winston, remember which voice to listen to next time.

Leicester invited Adrian into the game in the 35th minute after a James Tomkins giveaway saw the ball end up with Jamie Vardy, who passed to Riyad Mahrez. The visiting midfielder sent his shot towards the top corner, but Adrian was able to push it clear for a corner.

There was a funny tweet in which someone asked how long it would take for Leicester to take out some clubs and proceed to beat Alex Song to death. His influence on the game is so impressive at times the suggestion seemed logical from a Leicester City point of view. Vardy may have been checking Twitter during the game because in a span of a few minutes he tried to chop down our new Talisman not once, but twice. He saw yellow for the second one, and I wouldn't have been surprised to see him take a second before halftime.

Much has been made of both Cresswell's and Jenkinson's ability to attack on the flanks and cross the ball. But Jenkinson in particular does something so well that rarely gets spoken about. When the opposition tries to play a ball down his side for a full back or striker to run onto, he is soooooo good at shielding the ball while it rolls out for a goal kick. He did it for the umpteenth time this season in the 43rd minute….and I felt like pointing it out.

Cresswell ended the half with a tasty hot knife through butter move between two Leicester backs to win a free kick, which led to a corner, which led to Sakho heading the ball to nobody, which led to 15 minutes of downtime.

I got a text from my best Jon during the interval saying many of you guys and gals were on here venting about the style of play. That it was too direct, too much reverting back to the style many supporters protested against. Would Sam make a change earlier than he did at Sunderland? Not at the half, he didn't.

In the 49th minute, I wondered if Andy Carroll had some long lost relatives in Brazil and was hoping to lobby FIFA to change his affiliation. For the third time in four games, the big man attempted a bicycle kick. This time from a Winston Reid header. It went nowhere, but the lack of fear he showed again was impressive. Then it became terrifying when Carroll tried to chase down a ball heading out, twisted his ankle, fell neck first against the advertising boards and then down into the photographers pit. I was certain he was done, maybe for more than just the game. Yet out he came, running like it was no more than a hangnail.

It's only December, and West Ham already have numerous worthy candidates for Goal Of The Season. Zarate against Palace, Valencia against Hull, Sakho's chip against Liverpool. Stuart Downing added himself to the list in the 56th minute. Right in front of Carroll, Sakho decided to ask his partner if he could have a turn on an aerial ball. His knock down went to Downing. He controlled the ball with his left foot like the whole game was in slow motion and curled a 20 yard shot into the far corner. Any player on any team anywhere in the whole world would have been proud to score a goal like that.

West Ham 2, Leicester City 0.

Leicester tried to answer when Danny Drinkwater (had to look and confirm that was a real name and I wasn't hearing things) tried a very long range shot that flew harmlessly over the bar. If they had any hope of getting back into the game those kinds of efforts wouldn't help their cause.

Leicester made all three substitutions in the 61st and 62nd minute. Two made sense, the other didn't. Konchesky and Vardy came off. Konch had not been at his best, and Vardy was on a yellow. Fine. When Cambiasso came off, I was surprised. Because if they had one guy who could possibly perform a bit of magic to bring them back into it, it was him. I've been a fan for a long time.

Despite being bottom of the league, Leicester City still tried to make a game of it. Drinkwater was gifted some space in our box but couldn't get a shot on target, and David Nugent made a nice run around James Collins after he took over for Tomkins, but his shot went over the bar. In between, West Ham did their imitation of Barcelona with a three minute segment of ball control, much of which was handled by Song and Kouyate. If anybody has a count on the number of passes definitely post it.

Enner Valencia replaced Sakho in the 80th minute. I would have liked to see that done earlier, because his speed is so remarkable he looks like cartoon character. Within seconds of coming on, he made a run down the left side that I thought was over before it began because his first touch was so far ahead of himself. But he ran onto his own ball with such ease I felt guilty ever doubting him. The idea that Sam has that kind of option on the bench, when he doesn't start him, is awe inspiring.

When a goalkeeper isn't asked to do much for most of a game, he can often be vulnerable to a late quality strike. That type of strike came in the 86th minute when a cross found Nugent and he slammed it towards goal. Despite falling the wrong way, Adrian was able to use just his right palm to guide it over the bar for a corner. A world class save for sure. In added time, Adrian was asked to be a hero again when Ulloa steered a header to the near post but it was fisted away to preserve the clean sheet.

Final score. West Ham 2, Leicester City 0.

Much is made of the table at Christmas. Usually the only thought West Ham have is to not be bottom on December 25th. Being horribly superstitious I have paid close attention to that in the past. But this year will mark the first time West Ham have ever been in a top four spot the day children run to their trees like sharks to a chum line. The final stats were a bit head scratching, though, and I'm guessing they will be the cause of some chat on here. Maybe only because I'm bringing it up. So don't shoot the messenger, ok? 47% possession, only two shots on target. Against the team at the bottom of the table. Are those numbers relevant? I for one think Sam is more than willing to change things up again, and not necessarily in a predictable manner, when he sees fit. Bottom line is, we won in a professional manner and barely looked challenged at any time.

We are fourth. We are a good team. And this is a special season.

See you on Friday, Jose.

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West Ham bad-boy Ravel Morrison set to be offered ''last chance'' by QPR boss Harry Redknapp
Dec 19, 2014 22:30 By Jacob Murtagh
The talented but troubled 21-year-old midfielder did well on loan at Loftus Road last season and the Hoops' manager is open to re-signing him
The Mirror

Harry Redknapp is ready to offer a lifeline to West Ham bad-boy Ravel Morrison. The ex-Manchester United youngster was bombed out by Championship side Cardiff City and is surplus to requirements under Sam Allardyce at Upton Park. Morrison scored six goals in 17 games on loan at Loftus Road last season, and Redknapp is willing to give the 21-year-old a final chance to prove his doubters wrong. The QPR boss said: "I think Ravel's got amazing talent, but he's going to waste his career unless he gets his finger out quickly. "I think I might be last chance. He has got to sort himself out. Fergie ended up getting rid of him, Sam got rid of him and they are top, top managers.
"I'm open to taking those chances with people – I have done it over the years and maybe I will do it again. It's a gamble, but if you are in the loan business you are in the gambling business."

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West Ham 2-0 Leicester: Carroll and Downing ensure Hammers celebrate Christmas in the top four
Dec 20, 2014 17:13 By Neil McLeman
Sam Allardyce's side made short work of the Foxes, recording another win to guarantee plenty of festive cheer at Upton Park
The Mirror

Goals from Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing ensured West Ham spend Christmas in the Champions League places and Leicester remain rock bottom of the table. This season just keeps getting better for Sam Allardyce's high-flying side who have now suffered only one defeat in 11 matches. But Leicester extended their winless streak to 12 matches - they last won against Manchester United on September 21 - to stay five points from safety. The Foxes must now strive to join a select group of teams in Premier League history - West Brom (2005) and Sunderland (last season) - who have avoided the drop after being bottom on December 25. On this evidence, it ain't going to happen. Manager Nigel Pearson patrolled his technical area at Upton Park despite receiving a £10,000 fine and one-match touchline ban from the FA yesterday for that "run-in" with one of his own fans. The suspension does not kick in until the end of an appeal period so the Leicester boss has had a close up view of his side's failings. The first goal summed up their season. Last year's Championship winners had held their own in the opening period and had started to grow in confidence. But after 24 minutes, from an innocuous Carl Jenkinson clearance, former Hammer Paul Konchesky tried to find Ben Hamer with a backpass from the halfway line.

The ball was underhit and Carroll stormed into the box and finished with a delicate chip over the Foxes keeper. The England striker had missed with an easier chance from a Downing cut-back just a minute earlier. West Ham's biggest concern in this match came six minutes after the break when the irrepressible Carroll slipped while chasing over to close down right-back Danny Simpson and clattered into the advertising hoardings. But after a hush went round the Boleyn Ground, the centre-forward re-emerged to great applause. The decibel level was lifted again after 56 minutes when Downing had time and space to curl in the second from outside the box after Diafra Sakho had beaten Marcin Wasilewski to a high ball. The Upton Park crowd finished the game cheering every pass and singing: "Barcelona, we're coming for you". Pearson made three changes after 61 minutes and even then Hammers keeper Adrian made great saves from subs David Nugent and Leonardo Ulloa.

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Irons at 75pc capacity but plenty good enough
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 20, 2014 in Whispers
West Ham 2 Leicester City 0
Claret & Hugh

Ok bring on Chelsea and Arsenal and let's show the rest of English football that we are as good a team as we know we are. A very well taken Andy Carroll goal midway through the first half and a quite magnificent second from Stewart Downing sealed the points when we were really never at more than 75 per cent of capacity. Carroll should have scored a couple of minutes before the opener but skied his effort from close in after being set up by Downing. Leicester had their moments and Adrian had to be in his very best form to keep out shots from Mahrez in the first half before pulling off a couple of wondrous saves near the end from Nugent and Ulloa. However, by then the game was dead and buried after a seriously poor back bass from Paul Koncehskyhad fallen to Carroll in the 24th minute which saw the big fella stride on to bury a great effort.

Carroll fist upStewart Downing curled home a magnificent effort from 22 yards after Sakho had provided the knockdown early in the second half as the Foxes subsequently collapsed to their 12th game without a win. With Alex Song patrolling midfield, Sakho and Carroll in dominant form and Downing playing his usual highly influential role, things were never likely to slip. James Tomkins had a couple of hairy moments when losing possession in dangerous areas and came off after 69 minutes with an injury to be replaced by James Collins.
So on we go and although Chelsea is as tough as it gets next weekend we are tremendous heart and all things are now possible.

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Allardyce "don't stop scoring "warning" to strikers
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 20, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Sam Allardyce believes Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho are set to develop a good partnership as he studies his " fabulous" options.
Following the 2-0 win over Leicester City, the manager said: "He's (Carroll) match fit now. At last' He's there and him and Sakho will develop a good partnership. If it's not Sakho and Carroll it could be Valencia and Carroll. My options at this moment are fabulous.
"If the strikers stop scoring they're not going to be in. Those guys are scoring goals on a regular basis for us, I think we're the fourth-highest leading scorers in the Premier League which suits the position we're in." At the other end of the pitch Allardyce watched Adrian perform brilliantly but merely said: ""it's what he's there for. When not being tested or too busy the concentration level of a goalkeeper is critical for when needed. "I was listening to Gary Neville on Monday Night Football and he did a piece on De Gea. Because he's from Spain, there's a lot of similarities in how they keep goal. He's made a couple of saves today and a few that were at the right point to help us win the game." Allardyce added that James Tomkins has suffered a slight hamstring injury and added: "It was precautionary to bring him off in case he made a sprint and it went to a serious hamstring."

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DG relives a "sickening" Leicester moment
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 20, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

David Gold tonight paid a massive tribute to Andy Carroll declaring: "He deserves every bit of success he gets – he's been to hell and back twice and now looks the absolute real deal." But the Irons co chairman admitted that he felt nauseous when the striker went full throttle in trying to close down a Konchesky clearance and flew straight into the photographers' pit in front of the Alpari Stand.
Gold – speaking exclusively to ClaretandHugh said: "I was sure he had done himself some serious damage and felt totally sick when I saw him fly into that pit. I think we all felt that he'd be lifted out damaged. "But when he popped up totally unharmed the relief was almost tangible. I personally breathed a huge sigh of relief." Gold said that trying to put oneself in AC's position over the last year or so would be impossible as the hell he's been through is almost "indescribable." To have had months and months out with his problem, to work his way through it, make a successful return only to go through much the same with his ankle is totally horrible. "So watching him score that goal and his general performance was quite brilliant. He had the pace to get onto the back pass, aqccelarate away and score a fabulous goal. One on ones are desperately hard. I've seen many of them missed. "But Andy made it look the simplest thing in the world. I knew then that Andy Carroll was back fully fit and I'm thrilled for him. He deserves everything he gets now – nobody deserves it more."

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Daily WHUFC News - 20th December 2014

Preview - Leicester City
WHUFC.com
Everything you need to know about West Ham United's crucial game against
Leicester City
19.12.2014

WEST HAM UNITED v LEICESTER CITY
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
BOLEYN GROUND
SATURDAY 20 DECEMBER 2014
KICK-OFF: 3PM
REFEREE: MARTIN ATKINSON

In brief

West Ham United host Leicester City on Saturday 20 December, with the
Hammers looking to extend their unbeaten run to five games.
Currently, Sam Allardyce's men are fourth in the table, with 28 points from
16 games.

Saturday's opponents, Leicester City, have found life back in the Premier
League difficult as they sit at the foot of the table with ten points from
16 games. Since beating Manchester United 5-3 in September, they have yet to
win, picking up just two points in eleven matches.
Related stories

Big Sam on: Leicester
Chadwell Chatter
Betting Preview

Who are they?

Formed in 1884 and originally known as Leicester Fosse, they won their first
ever game 5-0 against Syston Fosse on 1 November 1884. In 1890 they competed
in the FA Cup for the first time, losing 4-0 to Burton Wanderers. Fosse
joined the Football League in 1894.
The Foxes won their one and only league title way back in the 1928/29
season. However they have had more success in the FA Cup, winning it four
times - 1949, 1961, 1963 and 1969.
More recently, the Foxes' silverware has come in the League Cup winning it
in 1997 and 2000 as well as being runners up in 1999.
Having being relegated from the Premier League in the 2003/04 season they
are back in the top flight after a decade away.

Team news
West Ham United

Mark Noble is unavailable as he is still recovering from a problem with his
Achilles tendon, he could be back in contention to play against Chelsea on
Boxing Day. Otherwise, Sam Allardyce has a full squad to choose from.

Leicester City

The Foxes will be without first choice goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who
broke his metatarsal in training last week. Ben Hamer played against
Manchester City and is expected to deputise.

David Nugent could return to action after missing last weekend's fixture
with Manchester City. Former West Ham United player Matthew Upson is still
battling to regain fitness.
Referee
Saturday's referee is Martin Atkinson. The West Riding based referee has
taken charge of two games involving West Ham this season - the Hammers' 2-2
draw away at Hull City and the 2-1 win over Manchester City.
Statistics
(2014/15 season - Barclays Premier League only)
Matches refereed: 13
Yellow cards shown: 47
Red cards shown: 1
Penalties awarded: 2
One to watch

West Ham United

Diafra Sakho made his first start away at Sunderland since returning from
injury and is in line to start on Saturday.
The Senegalese striker has been a revelation since joining from FC Metz,
scoring eight goals in all competitions.

Leicester City

Record signing Leonardo Ulloa cost the Foxes £8 million to bring him to the
King Power Stadium from Brighton & Hove Albion and he appeared to repay that
fee instantly as he netted five goals in the opening five games, including a
brace against Manchester United.

Since then, his dip in form has coincided with Leicester's poor run. The
Argentine has scored just once in eleven games, most recently in the Foxes'
last away game, losing 2-1 to Aston Villa.

Regardless of current form, Ulloa is a powerful striker the West Ham defence
will need to be aware of and neutralise if they are to win on Saturday
afternoon.

Tickets
Tickets for Saturday's game have all sold out. As have tickets for Chelsea
on 26 December and Arsenal on 28 December. The last few tickets are
available for West Bromwich Albion on New Years Day, to buy tickets, click
here.
Travel
No closures are planned on the District or Hammersmith & City lines on
Saturday. Click here for the latest from TfL and here for the latest from
National Rail.
Weather
Saturday afternoon is set to be an overcast day with temperature at kick-off
forecast to be 9C (48F).
Last meeting

West Ham United 3-2 Leicester City
npower Championship
Saturday 29 October 2011

Two goals in a minute set the Hammers on their way to victory as striker Sam
Baldock and Julien Faubert scored in quick succession mid-way through the
first half.

Foxes striker Andy King pulled a goal back for the visitors, yet Baldock was
on hand to restore the two goal cushion. King got his second of the
afternoon but the Hammers held out to claim the three points.
West Ham United: Green, McCartney, Faye (Tomkins 64), Faubert, O'Brien,
Reid, Nolan, Noble, Collison, Carew (Piquionne 31), Baldock (Sears 86)
Subs: Boffin, Diop

Sunderland: Schmeichel, Peltier, Koncheskey, Bamba, St.Ledger, King,
Wellens, Abe, Vassell (Dyer 45, M Johnson 73), Beckford (Howard 55), Nugent
Subs: Weale, Paintsil

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Konch returns
WHUFc.com
Barking-born former Hammer Paul Konchesky will be back at the Boleyn Ground
with Leicester City
17.12.2014

Leicester City's former West Ham United and England left-back Paul Konchesky
spoke to Steve Blowers ahead of his return to the Boleyn Ground this
Saturday. The Boleyn Ground holds many magical memories for Paul Konchesky,
who returns to his spiritual green, green grass of home with Leicester City,
on Saturday afternoon. Born just an Adrian drop-kick down the road in
Barking, the Foxes full-back surely knows every blade of the hallowed
Hammers turf. Not only did he watch his West Ham United heroes from the
terraces as a kid, but he also won his first full international cap for
Sven-Goran Eriksson's England against Australia at the Boleyn Ground in
February 2003, before going on to make 70 appearances in the Claret and
Blue, scoring twice along the way. "I grew up with West Ham United," says
Paul, who joined the newly-promoted Hammers from Charlton Athletic for £1.5m
in July 2005. "I can remember standing on the North Bank and the South Bank
watching the likes of Julian Dicks and after playing for England there, I
was th en lucky enough to go on and sign for the club, too."

Incredibly, Konchesky had been at the Millennium Stadium to roar Alan
Pardew's side to Play-Off glory over Preston North End, just a few weeks
before putting pen to paper on a deal that saw him make the perfect move
homewards, through the Blackwall Tunnel. "Bobby Zamora is a really good
friend of the family and we all went along to Cardiff to cheer him on," he
recalls. "But when he scored the winner to get West Ham promoted, I had
absolutely no idea that I'd be moving to the club just a few weeks later!
"When I signed in the summer, it was a dream come true and we had a
fantastic first season. There was a great bunch of lads at the club, I won a
second cap against Argentina and, of course, we got to the FA Cup final
against Liverpool, too."

So, almost a year after sitting with the Millennium masses watching that
Play-Off triumph, Konchesky was now out on the pitch helping Pardew's
underdogs to take a thrilling 3-2 lead over the reeling Reds. "That was one
of the highlights of my career...I scored a goal for my club in an FA Cup
final," he beams, looking back at the left-wing, long-ranger that flew over
Pepe Reina's head to the delight of an ecstatic East End. "It just doesn't
get any better than that, does it? "People still ask whether or not it was a
shot but, to tell the truth, it was actually a cross," confesses 'Konch'
with refreshing honesty. "When you're a defender, though, you'll take
anything, especially when you're playing in an FA Cup final, for your club."

While the history books will show that Liverpool went on to win the trophy
on penalties after skipper Steven Gerrard snatched a late, late leveller to
make it 3-3, that epic 2006 decider goes down as one of the all-time FA Cup
classics in which it was, for once, all about taking part. Unfortunately for
Paul, the 2006/2007 campaign was not all about winning, either, as the
Hammers soon found themselves in trouble in the Premier League basement,
only surviving on the final day of the season as they completed their very
own Great Escape with a crucial Carlos Tevez strike at Manchester United.
After seeing his first-team opportunities limited under new boss Alan
Curbishley, in July 2007 Konchesky reluctantly made a £2m move to Fulham,
where he played 122 matches, netting on two occasions. Ironically, that
included a spectacular BBC Match of the Day Goal-of-the-Month winner in
January 2009 during one of his returns along the District Line from Craven
Cottage to Upton Park. "Yeah, it was good goal against West Ham," he
concedes. "And although I've since scored a similar, long-range one for
Leicester City against Wolves, you'll never, ever beat that one in the FA
Cup final."

After signing for Liverpool in a £3m deal in August 2010, Konchesky made
just 18 appearances for the Merseysiders before going on loan to Nottingham
Forest and then heading to the Foxes in July 2011. "I loved my time at West
Ham and although it's always sad to leave, I've moved on since then and
having been here for over three years now, I look at Leicester City as a
great club, too," he continues, clearly determined to help Nigel Pearson's
side climb off the bottom of the table. Making his first return to West Ham
since City's 3-2 defeat in October 2011, there will be a new-look No3 on
display. Gone is the Dicks-esque shaven head given Paul sports a mop on top,
these days.
"My hair goes so wiry and that's why I always went for the bald look but
last year my wife and daughter persuaded me to grow it during the summer and
I guess it's stuck," he explains. "I get the odd bit of grey coming through
but that's not age, it's stress!"
Indeed, after running away with the Championship last time around,
stuttering City are finding life tough in the Premier League, where they
have managed to collect just two points from their last 11 matches. "At
first, I think we took a few teams by surprise with successive victories
over Stoke City and then Manchester United," observes Paul, who has now made
142 appearances for the Midlanders. "But we were under no illusions when we
got promoted and knew that there would be no easy games in the Premier
League. "Although we've not been picking up points, there have never been
more than one or two goals in it and we just need a little bit of luck to
make things turn for us. We've got over half-a-season to go, so there's
still plenty of time. We're certainly not out of it and you only have to
look at how well Burnley have done to lift themselves out of the bottom
three in recent weeks."

Defeat this afternoon will mean that the forlorn Foxes would be occupying
the dreaded bottom-spot on Christmas Day and, in the history of the Premier
League, only West Bromwich Albion (2005) and Sunderland (2014) have managed
to defy the odds and claw themselves to safety.
"That Christmas Day statistic is just a cliche as far as I'm concerned,"
insists the defiant Konch. "We're professional footballers and we know
exactly what we need to do - get results and get them quickly."

With wife Lyndsey plus children Jimmy, Connor and Tilly still living in
Essex, Paul has also been around to see the impressive progress of Big Sam's
side at close quarters, this season. "People were writing West Ham off at
the beginning of the year, too," he says. "But the new players came in,
settled really quickly and got the team off to a fantastic start. Once you
get up and running like that, confidence grows and you've just got to keep
it going. That's exactly what they've done."

With all those marvellous memories of his beloved Boleyn Ground indelibly
etched on his mind, Paul knows that the clock is now ticking down on further
opportunities to grace the pitch ahead of the summer 2016 move to the
Olympic Stadium. "Although it's been a little while since I've been back,
I'll be really sad to see West Ham eventually leave the old place given
everything that I've seen and done there," concludes the 33-year-old. "But
the club obviously think that it's time to move on to bigger and better
things. "The fans will all get their heads around it in time and, hopefully,
I'll get a chance to play at the new ground at some stage, too. In any
event, when I eventually retire, don't worry, I'll be making sure that I get
along to the Olympic Stadium to watch the Hammers!"

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Chadwell Chatter
WHUFC.com
Cheikhou Kouyate on settling in, Leicester and the Africa Cup of Nations
18.12.2014

Hello everyone,

We have a very important game against Leicester City on Saturday. We need to
battle for the three points. The atmosphere at home is very good, we have
very nice supporters and I'm happy to play in front of them. We want to make
them happy again on Saturday! I'm looking forward to coming up against
Marcin Wasilewski. I played with him at Anderlecht and he's a nice guy. He's
a good player and Wasil really helped me at Anderlecht for four years. He's
experienced and he won't make it easy for us. It's good to see him
succeeding in the Premier League. This is the first of our Christmas games
and it will be something new for me. I'm used to having a break at this
point of the season and we have to play a crazy amount of matches in a short
space of time. But it's ok - it's football and we'll try to win as many
games as we can. We've had a great start to the season and anything is
possible in football. We need to stay humble, work hard but it's possible
that we can qualify for Europe. We have a great set of lads here. You've
probably seen the pictures of me, Alex Song and Diafra Sakho on social
media! Alex takes some funny pictures - he's a great guy and I'm very happy
him and Diafra are here. We get on very well. Next month I have the Africa
Cup of Nations too and I'm looking foward to helping Senegal. We have the
group of death, against Algeria, Ghana and South Africa, but as I said
before anything is possible in football!

See you on Saturday!
Cheikhou

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February fixture changes
WHUFC.com
Four of West Ham United's February games have new dates or kick-off times
19.12.2014

All four of West Ham United's February fixtures have new dates or kick-off
times. The home Barclays Premier League match against Manchester United has
been moved to Sunday 8 February, with a 4.15pm kick-off.
As a result, the trip to Southampton has been put back 24 hours to Wednesday
11 February, with a 7.45pm kick-off. The away game at Tottenham Hotspur will
now be played on Sunday 22 February at 12pm. Finally, the home London derby
against Crystal Palace stays on Saturday 28 February but will now kick-off
at 12.45pm.

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West Ham v Leicester
KO 15:00
19 December 2014
By Martin Fisher
Match of the Day commentator

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday, 20 December

TEAM NEWS

West Ham midfielder Mark Noble will miss Saturday's game against Leicester
because of an Achilles problem but he could return on Boxing Day. Manager
Sam Allardyce has otherwise reported no fresh injury concerns.
David Nugent could return for Leicester after missing last week's defeat by
Manchester City with a calf injury. Full-back Ritchie de Laet should also be
available after illness but Kasper Schmeichel and Matthew Upson remain
sidelined.

MATCH PREVIEW

It is three months since Leicester City last won in the Premier League, so
it's no surprise that they're bottom of the table and five points adrift of
safety. Under-fire manager Nigel Pearson has changed personnel and formation
to no avail. He will have had the players in for extra training then tried
giving them a day off. He might have admonished them more forcefully or put
his arm around a few more. As yet, nothing has worked. I wonder if he's
superstitious? If so, I might be able to help. You see, on that memorable
day on 21 September when Leicester scored five against Manchester United, it
was my absolute pleasure to be in the commentary box, and I'll be on the
gantry at the Boleyn Ground too. I know it's a long shot - and Leicester
fans, I really don't want any credit if your side does return to winning
ways - but, short of Pearson donning the lucky underpants he wore last
season, what else is there to try?

"Sam Allardyce has got players who can come off the bench and make a
difference, which is a great thing for a manager. Sadly for Leicester boss
Nigel Pearson, he is not in the same situation." In that heady atmosphere of
Leicester's win over United, I heard some fans talk of a top-half finish,
even Europe! Others were much more circumspect. Now, two points from 11
games later, I expect it's those latter folk backing the man who got the
club promoted to turn it around, while the knee-jerk brigade demand
Pearson's exit from the club.
Surely after all he's done he deserves some time? They won the Championship
with 102 points! Just look at what's happened at West Ham. The board ignored
the fans' discontent at Sam Allardyce, and he has got them promoted,
established them in the Premier League and now has them sitting fourth in
the table. The message is clear: if you've got a good manager, give him some
time to ride through the inevitable hard times. Form and history (see below)
make this game look like a home banker but we've all watched enough football
to know that the unexpected sometimes happens. If it does, the chap who
sorts out the Match of the Day commentary rota might be getting a few texts,
tweets and emails from Foxes fans.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
Leicester's only league win in their last 27 trips to Upton Park came in the
Premier League in August 2000 when Darren Eadie scored the only goal. West
Ham have won 15 of the 17 most recent meetings in East London (D1, L1).
West Ham are undefeated in their last six league matches against Leicester
City, home and away.
West Ham
The Hammers are unbeaten in four matches and have only lost one of their
last 10 in the league (W6, D3, L1).
They have earned 16 points out of a possible 18 at Upton Park since losing
their opening two home fixtures (W5, D1). The last time they went unbeaten
at home for a longer spell was an eight-match streak between December
2001-March 2002.
Sam Allardyce's side have reached 28 points in 10 games fewer than last
season.
Kevin Nolan has scored 99 career league goals.
Stewart Downing has been directly involved in five goals in his last six
Premier League appearances (two goals, three assists). However, he is yet to
score at home this season.
Leicester City
Leicester are without a win in 11 league games, drawing two of those matches
and losing nine.
Ten points from 16 matches represents their joint-worst return at this stage
of a top-flight season, along with the equivalent tally in 1932-33
(adjusting points for a win from two to three).
They must beat West Ham to have any chance of avoiding being bottom at
Christmas. Only Sunderland, last season, and West Brom, in 2004-05, have
stayed up after being at the foot of the table at that stage of the season.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jenkinson hails Allardyce influence
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 19th December 2014
By: Staff Writer

Carl Jenkinson has praised Hammers boss Sam Allardyce for allowing him "to
express myself". The on-loan full back, who is at West Ham for the duration
of the current season has settled in well at the Boleyn Ground whilst
playing a major role in the club's resurgence this season. For that, he
says, there is only one man to thank. "He [Allardyce] has been absolutely
brilliant," Jenkinson told the Guardian's Jacob Steinberg. "I didn't want to
go on loan to a team that was just going to kick the ball long. I wanted to
go to a team where I was going to learn and improve and I think I'm
definitely doing that here at West Ham. "We focus on defending in training
and we do a lot of work on one-v-ones and heading and I feel I've developed
in those areas. He's given me the licence to get forward and express myself.
I know what I'm capable of."

Despite having no intention of leaving Arsenal - his boyhood club - either
on-loan or permanently, the 22-year-old jumped at the opportunity to move
from north to east London back in August. "I didn't want to have another
season sitting on the bench," he added. "It was starting to drive me up the
wall a little bit, I wanted to get out and play football, and I've realised
that I'm happiest when I'm playing regular football. "I have a couple of
friends who are West Ham and they're absolutely buzzing. I've got a feel of
what it means to everyone at the moment and how good it is for everyone
involved at West Ham with where we are in the league. "That gives you
motivation to keep it going and keep achieving. It's nice to see other
people enjoying your success."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Carl Jenkinson: sitting on Arsenal bench was driving me up the
wall
The right-back has played a key role in West Ham's surprise revival since
joining on loan and believes European football is a realistic target this
season
Graeme Robertson for the Guardian
Friday 19 December 2014 12.14 GMT

Carl Jenkinson is being annoyingly sensible as he contemplates the
improbable run of form that has lifted West Ham United from relegation
candidates to Champions League contenders. It is nearly Christmas and West
Ham are still fourth, their best start to a Premier League season. Their
squad is easily the finest they have seen for years at Upton Park and it is
natural to wonder if the transformation is permanent.

Jenkinson is optimistic but cautious. He says the right things, admitting
that qualifying for Europe has to be the target but he resists the urge to
make any bold claims. There is a desire at West Ham not to get carried away
and that mindset will not change even if they win for the fourth time in
five matches when Leicester City visit Upton Park on Saturday. The manager,
Sam Allardyce, believes his side should not be judged until the end of
January and Jenkinson's view is similarly measured.

At which point it is revealed to him that Andy Carroll went off-message
after he scored twice in the 3-1 win over Swansea City two weeks ago and
said that West Ham can challenge for the title. Jenkinson has a good old
chuckle about that. "I think he was getting a bit carried away there,"
Jenkinson says. "Did he actually say that? Oh, brilliant! At least he's
optimistic. I think that one's a bit far-fetched. Like I said, European
football would be fantastic. That's the goal and everyone's just working
hard to achieve that. But it's not unrealistic."

It is hard to argue with that assessment at the moment but West Ham's rise
has caught people by surprise. They are playing good football and their
new-found sense of belief is typified by the way they fought back from a
goal down in their past three matches. "A couple of lads have said to me
that in previous seasons when they would go a goal behind they wouldn't come
back," Jenkinson says. "That's a real sign not just of the quality but also
the spirit in the squad. Mentally you have to be on it to come back. You
have to be prepared to keep playing and believe in your style of play and I
think we did that against Swansea especially. It's not easy in the Premier
League to come back from behind."

Jenkinson's role in West Ham's revival should not be overlooked. Although he
has been overshadowed by the attacking players in Allardyce's squad, the
right-back has been outstanding since joining on a season-long loan from
Arsenal, the 22-year-old's speed and energy giving West Ham far more impetus
going forward.

West Ham's diamond formation has not only brought out the best in Stewart
Downing but also given their full-backs more responsibility. Jenkinson, who
supplied the cross for Carroll's first goal against Swansea, and Aaron
Cresswell have both caught the eye.

"As a full-back you always have to focus on your defensive job but the
modern-day full-back has to get forward and you have to get back if the
attack breaks down," Jenkinson says. "It's not an easy job any more. I think
you used to just be able to stay in your own half and it used to be more
straightforward but it's not like that any more. But I enjoy that, I like
getting forward and getting crosses in. It's fun, you want to be involved in
the goals. We've got the lads in the box who can head the ball like not many
others in the league can."

Jenkinson's family history helps his style of play. His father, Steve, ran
the 800m at a high standard and trained with Sebastian Coe. "I have that in
my genes," Jenkinson says. "I used to run for the school and the district. I
used to love running. I treated it as a way of getting fit for pre-season. I
would go to my local running club, Woodford Green. I used to love athletics
and always did the cross countries. It sort of went hand in hand with
football actually, because it was a sport you could do. I was playing at an
academy so I couldn't be playing rugby, but it's hard to get injured
running. If anything, it's a good thing.

"I was good at the cross country, I had good endurance. I was decent at the
100m when I was younger. I don't think I ever really got beaten until Year
10 and 11 and then I was pushed down the pecking order a little bit. It was
more 400m. If I was running now, it would probably be 400m."

He is unsure what his 100m time would be now. "I could say something wrong
here and then all of a sudden people think I think I'm Usain Bolt,"
Jenkinson says.

Jenkinson's dad also gave him a love of Arsenal. He was a Junior Gunner, his
favourite player was Tony Adams, Lee Dixon was an inspiration and his most
cherished memories are of watching The Invincibles.

His life revolves around football but it is important for Jenkinson to find
ways to relax in his spare time. "I do a bit of fishing," he says. "I go
with Mark Noble a lot. A lot of the things I do are decided around football
and fishing is the perfect hobby as a footballer because you just rest and
relax. You can do other things but a lot have you exerting energy, if you're
playing golf, say. Whereas fishing you go and chuck your rods in and you're
sitting down having a chat for hours.

"It's good for your mind as well because you can just switch off. There's
not many things you can do where it's like that. Normally we just do a night
and we'll go in the afternoon after training and stay for the night, put our
tents up. He's better than me, to be honest. He's a more experienced
fisherman. The geezer's got a souped-up fisherman's van. He's got a van
which is all insulated and he sleeps in that. I'm sleeping in a tent by the
lake freezing cold."

Jenkinson says it was important for him to leave Arsenal and start playing
regular football. Photograph: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Jenkinson is learning plenty of new things at West Ham then and he feels he
has improved under Allardyce. "He's been absolutely brilliant," Jenkinson
says. "I didn't want to go on loan to a team that was just going to kick the
ball long. I wanted to go to a team where I was going to learn and improve
and I think I'm definitely doing that here at West Ham. We focus on
defending in training and we do a lot of work on one-v-ones and heading and
I feel I've developed in those areas. He's given me the licence to get
forward and express myself. I know what I'm capable of."

Jenkinson is unrecognisable from the naive teenager who was thrown in at the
deep end after joining Arsenal from Charlton Athletic in 2011. His fourth
game was against Manchester United at Old Trafford but Arsenal lost 8-2 and
Jenkinson was sent off. It took strength of character to recover from such a
torrid experience; he won his first and only England cap a year later.

In an ideal world he would not have gone on loan but the writing was on the
wall when Arsenal signed Mathieu Debuchy. "I didn't want to have another
season sitting on the bench," Jenkinson says. "It was starting to drive me
up the wall a little bit, I wanted to get out and play football, and I've
realised that I'm happiest when I'm playing regular football."

And West Ham were a good fit. Growing up in Essex, he always had a soft spot
for them. "I have a couple of friends who are West Ham and they're
absolutely buzzing," Jenkinson says. "I've got a feel of what it means to
everyone at the moment and how good it is for everyone involved at West Ham
with where we are in the league. That gives you motivation to keep it going
and keep achieving. It's nice to see other people enjoying your success."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham host struggling Leicester looking to maintain fine form
Last Updated: 19/12/14 4:22pm
SSN

West Ham face bottom side Leicester City at Upton Park looking for their
fourth win in five games as Sam Allardyce's side prepare for a tough
Christmas period. Sitting pretty in fourth place after just two defeats in
13, the Hammers are the Premier League's surprise package this season, and
couldn't wish for a more out-of-form opponent before playing Chelsea and
Arsenal in the space of three days.
Nigel Pearson's Leicester have won just twice in the Premier League this
season and have taken one point from a possible 27 over their last nine
matches. The Foxes have lost seven of their eight games on the road, and
face Tottenham and fellow strugglers Hull before the year is out.

Sinking without a trace, Leicester are already five points from safety, and
hate travelling south to the capital. No win in 17 Premier League games in
London doesn't bode well, and Pearson's side desperately need a result to
stop the rot before the turn of the year.
Anything less than a win puts Leicester bottom on Christmas Day; only two
sides, West Bromwich Albion (2004/05) and Sunderland (2013/14) have survived
having propped up the table on December 25.

Depending on Southampton's result at home to Everton, West Ham could be in
the top four at Christmas for the first time since 1985/86, the season
legendary manager John Lyall led them to third place, their highest ever top
flight finish. Mark Noble will be missing because of an Achilles problem,
but Allardyce hopes the midfielder will be back for the Boxing Day trip to
Chelsea. The Hammers otherwise report no fresh injury problems heading into
the hectic Christmas schedule, with strikers Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho
in contention to lead the attack again. David Nugent is set to return for
Leicester after missing last week's defeat to Manchester City with a calf
injury. Kasper Schmeichel is out after breaking a metatarsal last week and
Matt Upson is close to a comeback after a long-standing foot injury but will
not be risked as he returns to full fitness.

Opta Stats

Kevin Nolan has scored three goals in four Premier League appearances
against Leicester.
Leicester City are without a win in six league meetings with West Ham United
(D3 L3).
There have been five red cards in the last eight league meetings between
West Ham and Leicester.
No player has created more goalscoring opportunities than Stewart Downing
(50) in the Premier League so far this season.

Merson's prediction

"I make West Ham an absolute certainty. I think they're a very good team who
are going under the radar at the moment. When they fall behind away from
home they fight back, they win at home and Leicester have not won in 11
games. "Leicester are in trouble. It's hard because they're on a roll and
this league is ruthless and suddenly another hard games presents itself. You
couldn't pick a tougher game than West Ham away at the moment. Leicester
have got to stick at it and hope for a bit of luck. Thankfully they haven't
been cut adrift but they need to win a football match very soon."

PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (Sky Bet odds 12/1)

Sky Bet consider this one a home banker for West Ham, making them 4/6
favourites to collect all three points. It's unlikely there will be many
backing Leicester even at odds of around 4/1 at Upton park. The Foxes have
lost their last two games by one goal and it's 11/4 for that trend to
continue on Saturday. Carroll and Sakho are considered joint favourites in
the goalscorer markets at 4/1 apiece to net first, while David Nugent, Jamie
Vardy and Leonardo Ulloa are rated the visitors' biggest threats, each at
8/1.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce hints West Ham will sell Ravel Morrison in January
Last Updated: 19/12/14 10:02am
SSN

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has hinted troubled midfielder Ravel
Morrison's future could be resolved in the January transfer window.
Morrison has returned to the Hammers early from an unsuccessful loan spell
at Cardiff City and is training with the club's U21s with Allardyce keen not
to disrupt his fourth-placed squad. Allardyce says Morrison is not a
priority for him and hinted the player will be moved on in January. "It
hasn't worked at Cardiff," Allardyce said. "We have such a big squad this
season that I felt it was better for him to try and get some football and
see how it goes. "It hasn't worked there that well and he is back here with
us now but that is before his loan expires at Cardiff so we'll have to look
at the situation over the new year.

Terminate

"But my focus isn't on Ravel, it is on my first-team squad continuing the
great run of form they are on at the moment." Morrison made just seven
appearances for the Sky Bet Championship side and they allowed him to
terminate his loan spell on compassionate grounds. A Cardiff statement read:
"Due to personal circumstances, Cardiff City have allowed Ravel Morrison
compassionate leave and permission to train in more familiar surroundings at
this time with his parent club, West Ham United." Morrison was last month
cleared of threatening to throw acid in the face of his ex-girlfriend and
have her killed. However, he will stand trial at Manchester Crown Court on
January 26 on three remaining charges of assaulting Reah Mansoor, 19, and
her mother, Parveen Mansoor, 39, in the early hours of July 24.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Carroll hails Teddy Sheringham's impact on West Ham strikers as top
four surge continues
Dec 19, 2014 18:43 By Aaron Flanagan
The former-England international has been working with the Hammers since May
and has been credited for his work in helping them fly up the league
The Mirror

Andy Carroll has hailed Teddy Sheringham's impact on West Ham's strikers,
six months into the former players' role as an attacking coach at the club.
Sheringham embarked on his first off-pitch job in football in May 2014 and
has been widely credited for the change in playing style, which has seen the
Hammers rocket up the Premier League table. New signing Diafra Sakho has
already claimed a Player of the Month award, as West Ham sit in the
Champions League places at the middle of December. And now the impact of
Sheringham has also been celebrated by Carroll, who scored twice in the
recent Premier League win over Swansea City.

In an interview with Sport magazine, he admitted that Sheringham's impact
has been crucial to their success. The former-England man, who actually
started his career at rivals Millwall, scored a total of 355 goals for nine
teams, eight of which being in England, and a further 11 for the country.
Carroll said: "Teddy Sheringham has come in and he has us working on our
movement around the box. That's clearly had an impact on our runs to get on
the end of crosses, and so on. He's just sharpening everyone up. "That's
just the way he used to play, being quick to react. That's what we were
doing, quick movement around the box and working on finishing. Obviously
it's got us moving a lot more and offering a lot more options, and it's
making a big difference."

Carroll also joked about the long-ball style of play, which West Ham were
widely criticised for in time gone by. He admits that the team do pump the
ball up towards the strikers, but only because they like to play to the
team's strengths. He describes the aerial threat as "another weapon"."Yeah,
you get a bit of stick for putting the ball in the air and heading it,"
Carroll laughs. "But it's just another weapon, you know? Obviously we can
pass it and open teams up, because we have been doing that this season. But
we have a lot of players who are good in the air as well, so we're going to
use that."
West Ham host Leicester on Saturday afternoon, boosted by the news that the
Upton Park club are looking to sign midfielder Alex Song on a permanent
deal. He admitted to a French newspaper earlier this week that he wants to
stay at the club.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cheikhou Kouyate: I'm glad West Ham signed Diafra Sakho and Alex Song
HITC
John Verrall

West Ham United midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate believes the Hammers can achieve
European qualification this season. West Ham United midfielder Cheikhou
Kouyate appears at home on and off the pitch since arriving at the Boleyn
Ground this summer. Kouyate's performances for the Hammers so far have
caught the eye, with his imposing displays allowing his side to win the
midfield battle. And it seems that settling in the dressing room has also
been a simple transition, due to the bond he has formed with some of the
Hammers' other new arrivals. Kouyate joined in what was a busy summer for
Sam Allardyce's men and having so many teammates arrive at the same time
seems to have increased team spirit in the group. The Senegalese midfielder
has already formed strong relationships with Diafra Sakho and Alex Song
since arriving in East London and he says that he is glad to be able to
share this experience with the duo. "Alex is a great guy and I'm very happy
him and Diafra are here," he said to the club's official site. "We get on
very well." This chemistry the squad have away from matches is clearly
translating into success on the pitch, as West Ham have enjoyed their best
start to a season in years. Allardyce's men are in the Champions League
qualification spots as things stand and Kouyate says that the team are
starting to think about European football. "We've had a great start to the
season and anything is possible in football," he enthused. "We need to stay
humble, work hard but it's possible that we can qualify for Europe."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Rav departure could fund Sakho deal
Posted by Sean Whetstone on December 19, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Diafra Sakho's improved contract and pay deal is likely to be funded by the
ppssible departure of Ravel Morrison. Sakho's revised pay deal which could
more than triple his weekly basic of around £7,5000. plus appearance
bonuses. The striker has made just eight full appearances in a claret and
blue shirt so factoring in the African Nations Cup, and the manager's hint
at team rotation, he is unlikely to achieve the 25 appearance mark until the
end of this season.

West Ham have previously confirmed we are right up to the upper limit on the
FFP players wage cap with little room for manoueuvre.
So the release of Ravel Morrison at the end of his contract this summer
would release another £15,000 per week of which £10,000 per week can be
re-invested in Diafra Sakho. The FFP wage limit will also rise by another
£4m (£77,000 per week) next season allowing further negotiation of
contracts such as Mark Noble's and maybe bringing in new players in the
summer. The probable release of Carlton Cole after his 18 month contract
expires this summer is likely to bring in a further £30,000 per week/£1.5m
per year in wages giving us more options for next season.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Leroy lets loose on Leicester
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 19, 2014 in Whispers
Clart & Hugh

West Ham are in such a great place at the moment that anything other than a
win is unthinkable against Leicester City tomorrow. Nigel Pearson's team are
eleven games without a win but played very well against Manchester City
last weekend before going down 1-0. However, another defeat meant they
haven't won since that crazy 5-3 against Manchester United in September.
Meanwhile, the Hammers have been outstanding and their record against the
Foxes at Upton Park shows only one defeat since the sixties. Now whilst
managers, coaches and players don't look at stuff like that, the fans do and
it creates an atmosphere not unlike the mood when we go to Everton. When the
match itself starts they will be thinking: "Oh, blimey there's Sakho, then
there's Carroll oh and here comes Downing."

Trust me, that's not a great feeling and although they won't be beaten
before the start it's a very daunting Irons line up and it can get to a team
in City's position. I'm really glad we have this match before the Christmas
games against Chelsea and Arsenal because three points will allow us to play
with freedom and adventure in those two. I'm going for Diafra Sakho and Alex
Song to score in a 2-0 win.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Irons are Stelling's team of season so far
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 19, 2014 in Whispers
Calret &Hugh

Sky's Jeff Stelling has named the Irons his team of the season so far. He
told HITC Sport: ""They've brought in players and it's hard to think of one
that hasn't really come off. Full-backs, Cresswell and Jenkinson, have been
absolutely fantastic. Song, everybody is scratching their head and wondering
how did West Ham manage that, when the likes of Arsenal have been looking
for someone like Song pretty much since he left. Up front, Sakho and Varate
and Valencia, everybody has come off. He's (Sam Allardycew) got Stewart
Downing playing the football of his life, Andy Carroll has come back. "The
thing with them is that they have got every chance of keeping it going
throughout the season because they do have a little bit of strength in
depth, they do have players battling for their place in the side because
somebody else is waiting to come in. They have been fantastic."

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