Sam Allardyce targets West Ham Premier League return
BBC.co.ukNew West Ham manager Sam Allardyce claims he can "achieve the ultimate" by
leading the Hammers back into the top flight at the first time of asking.
"As difficult a task as that is going to be, it can be achieved," he said.
"With the club the size of West Ham it needs to be achieved as soon as
possible because the long term goal is the Olympic stadium."
The former Bolton and Blackburn boss replaced Avram Grant after the Hammers'
relegation to the Championship. "Without sounding too arrogant, with the
experience I have gained in the Premier League, I will be trying to bring
the club together with a spirit which will achieve the ultimate, which is to
get promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking,"
Allardyce said. "The team must be back in the Premier League when it's going
to move into that great venue. "I've got to instill a little bit of
discipline, a little bit of magic, creativty and certainly a bond and a team
spirit amongst the players and the staff to drive ourselves on in what is
going to be a very difficult season. "It won't be an easy task, but last
year we saw QPR and Norwich achieve it and we're hoping to do the same.
"I've got to try to get rid of the hangover that relegation brings to a club
and transform that as quickly as I can into a positive mental attitude."
Allardyce is aware of the financial restraints now that the club is in the
Championship. "The drastic loss in revenue is what we all have to face first
and foremost at West Ham," he acknowledged. "The owners really have to back
up with their own money to help us get back into the Premier League. "Some
of the cuts we will have to make will have to come and we will try to get
the best squad we possibly can."
Allardyce did not rule out losing some of the key earners at Upton Park.
"The speculation is probably around Robert Green, Carlton Cole and Scott
Parker. At the moment we haven't any concrete bids for those players," he
said.
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Allardyce on...
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 22nd June 2011
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce was officially unveiled as West Ham United's 14th full time
manager at a Boleyn Ground press conference this afternoon.
Here's what the former Bolton and Blackburn boss had to say on a range of
subjects...
Dropping a level
Because it's West Ham, that's why. As a football club it's such a big club
and has great tradition and a great fan base. Weighing up all the odds, I
thought let's go and try and be successful at a football club that's not
been as successful as it should've been over the last four or five years.
The excitement of rebuilding the football club was a big pitch to me - the
idea that I could go and re-invent West Ham as a club with sustainable
success. Too often this club has had fleeting moments of grandeur mixed with
too much depression in terms of the times it's been relegated. I think it's
a football club where something sustainable can be built if we all pull in
the right direction.
I've taken a risk by losing my Premier League status which has been built
over the last ten years or so and come down into the Championship to try to
bring success to West Ham. Hopefully I've made the right decision. I'm going
to do my very, very best to get them back where we all want to be. There is
nobody at this club who wants to be in the Premier League more than me now,
believe you me.
I don't want to spend too long in the Championship if I can help it. It's a
great, very competitive league and there are lots and lots of teams looking
for the gold at the end of the rainbow. At the end of the day, only three
teams can go up and we've got to be one of those - certainly in the next two
years.
Upton Park is one of the reasons I am here; even though it is one of the
oldest stadia in the country now because the fanbase is so big and vocal, it
has a great atmosphere. As players, managers and coaches, you like to feel
that atmosphere. That's why you do the job on a Saturday. I think the
atmosphere they give the players and everybody around Upton Park is fine by
me.
The forthcoming Championship campaign
Without sounding too arrogant I think that my experience and expertise I've
gained as a manager - particularly in the Premier League over the last ten
years - is trying to bring the club together to get a team spirit and a
togetherness that's going to achieve the ultimate, which is to get promotion
back into the Premier League at the first time of asking.
As difficult a task as that's going to be, it can be achieved I think.
Certainly with a club the size of West Ham it needs to be done as quickly as
possible, because obviously the long-term goal is the Olympic Stadium and
the team must be back in the Premier League when it moves into that great
venue.
I've got to instill a little bit of discipline, a little bit of magic, a
little bit of creativity and certainly a bond and a spirit amongst the
players and the staff to drive ourselves on through what is a very difficult
season, trying to get in that league now. Lots of big teams are spending
lots of money as well as ourselves to try and achieve that goal.
So it won't be an easy task, there's 46 very difficult games. Last year we
saw QPR and we saw Norwich achieve it and we're hoping to do the same. I've
got to try and get rid of the hangover that relegation brings to a football
club. I've got to transform that as quickly as I possibly can into a
positive, mental attutude really.
The playing squad
They're all on holiday, they come back next week. I've talked to some of the
younger players. Just this morning I spoke to Jack Collison and [James]
Tomkins which was great to see them around the training ground at this stage
of the season, they could still be on holiday as most are.
It's early days yet; I'll know more once we've started training and got
through the first two or three weeks and I've ironed out any particular
problems that need urgent attention, whether they be contractual, family
issues or whatever it might be. Those things will have to be dealt with
first and then we can get down to setting some goals on how we will get out
of this division.
The players will tell me whether they are good enough to get out of this
league by their attitude and by how well they train and perform in
pre-season. I'll speak to the owners if and when need be in terms of
modifying that squad or getting somebody new in.
But I think that when we all get together I've got an awful lot to sort out
in terms of pre-season training, staffing, relocation for myself. So I'm
going to try and do that before the players get back and then speak to the
players on an individual and a group basis and set out some goals; set out
what we need to do and what we need to try and achieve.
We will probably look at moving some of the players on because their desire
is to want to play in the Premier League. From a financial point of view it
suits us as well to lose that financial commitment because the drastic loss
in revenue is what we all have to face first and foremost at West Ham.
Certainly the owners, and they've got to back [us] up with their own money
to help and try to get us back into the Premier League. Some of the cuts we
have to make will have to come and some have already been made of course, as
some of the players have already left. We'll try and get the best squad we
possibly can.
On a positive note we've signed Abdoulaye Faye and Kevin Nolan already which
is a good, positive move. Like I said, I think there's still some very good
players at the football club - some very good young players and some good
experienced players. If we all want to work together and go in the right
direction we can give it our best shot and hopefully that will be good
enough next season.
Three Lions and other departures
There's speculation around Robert Green, Carlton Cole and Scott Parker. At
the moment we haven't had any concrete bids for any of those players. Other
than that, there is no rush to sell anybody else. Thomas Hitzlsperger has
already left.
I just hope it's minimal now and there's not too much to be done. It's a
very difficult job to change around a team that's been relegated, but it's
even more difficult when you lose more than 50 per cent of your players and
then have to bring ten or 12 in to actually get a team together to play as a
team.
You're basically putting a bunch of strangers together that you've got to
try to mould into a unit and a system that brings the best type of football
to the fans of West Ham, to entertain them so they can go home happy when
they've won.
The West Ham way
When did West Ham play the West Ham way? It can't be the West Ham way if you
get relegated - so I don't see that the fans see that as playing the West
Ham way. The West Ham way is about winning football matches and the
enjoyment of winning.
The fans are in the game to watch winning football, I'm in the game to play
winning football and entertain the public and that's what I do. Everywhere
I've been I've entertained the public irrespective of the perception - and
the perception from the media is 'Sam Allardyce plays long ball', but that
is only perception. Most of football is run on perception today.
Fortress Upton Park
We've got to create a very good atmosphere at West Ham and the only way I
can create that is by creating winning football on a regular basis. If the
fans get behind the team then the team will deliver to the fans and that is
what has happened wherever I've been - particularly at Bolton and even down
as far as Notts County and Blackpool where I managed before.
So we can create a fortress here at Upton Park, hopefully, and people will
not look forward to coming here. The big transition is also improving the
away form. I've done my research and over the last couple of seasons we
could be great here and win, but when we go away we seem to be a soft touch
in terms of results. That has to change if we want to get promoted.
Moving in
I haven't settled anywhere yet because I've hardly had any sleep. The phone
hasn't stopped ringing and nor have the emails so I'm haring around at the
moment, trying to get a plan together in my head to focus on what is most
important first and trying to move through that on a daily basis.
I seem to be waking at four or five in the morning and writing these notes
down, but when I get up in the morning they don't make too much sense. There
is a lot to go through but I've done it before so I know what to expect.
It's not easy for me or the club at the moment, but we've got to get through
it as quick as we can.
We've got between now and 7 August when the season starts for me to get
everybody settled in their own department - players and staff - and
hopefully we'll have a united staff and a happy and very contented
environment.
Long-term targets
My ultimate goal is to be in the top half of the Premier League searching
for European places and Cup finals as I did at the end at Bolton. That is a
long way off at the moment at West Ham; the only focus is to get promoted
and get out of this division as quick as I possibly can. If I don't do that,
I don't expect to be here, to be quite honest.
The vice-chair's newspaper column
I've got no problem with Karren's column, it's her responsibility. As far as
I'm concerned it's nothing to do with West Ham, it's to do with her and what
she thinks about football. It's not a problem to me.
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Allardyce - No bids for trio
Green, Cole and Parker all linked with returns to Premier League
By James Dall - Follow me on Twitter @James_Dall. Last Updated: June
22, 2011 6:28pm
SSN
West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce has insisted the club have yet to receive
any formal offers for Robert Green, Carlton Cole or Scott Parker. The
England trio are expected to leave the Hammers this summer following their
relegation to the Championship. Allardyce accepts that some of his squad
will want to be playing top-flight football next season, but insists no
offers have been forthcoming as yet. Parker has been linked with Tottenham
Hotspur, Cole with Stoke City and Green with Aston Villa.
Concrete bids
"The speculation is around Rob Green, Carlton Cole and Scott Parker, and at
the moment we haven't had any concrete bids for those players," he said.
"Other than that there is no rush to sell anyone else. "We will probably
look at moving some of the players on because their desire is to play in
Premier League. "From a financial point of view, it suits us to lose that
financial commitment because the drastic loss in revenue [following
relegation] is what we all have to face at West Ham; certainly the owners,
who've got to really back up with their own money to help us try to get back
in the Premier League. "We will try and get as good a squad as we can.
There's some very good players at the club. If we all want to work together
and go in the right direction, we can give it our best shot and hopefully
that will be enough next season."
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Sam targets quick comeback
Hammers boss wants club straight back in the top flight
Last Updated: June 22, 2011 4:30pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has targeted immediate promotion back to the
Premier League after their relegation to the second tier. The former Bolton
and Blackburn boss took the reins at the Hammers earlier in June, replacing
Israeli boss Avram Grant, who took his side down after finishing bottom of
the top flight.
Allardyce acknowledged the importance of taking the club back into the top
division as soon as he could, with the East London club set to move to the
Olympic Stadium after the 2012 Games in the capital. "I want to achieve the
ultimate, which is to get promotion back to the Premier League at the first
time of asking," Allardyce said.
"As difficult as that is going to be, it can be achieved, I think. "And with
a club the size of West Ham that needs to be done as soon as possible. "The
long-term goal is the Olympic Stadium and the team must be back in the
Premier League when it is going to move into that great venue."
Approach
Allardyce has long been associated with a more physical, direct approach, an
ethos his new club don't appear to share in their 'West Ham way'. When asked
whether he may have to win supporters over with his style of management and
football, the 56-year-old bristled in his response, stating that winning was
more important.
"When did West Ham play the West Ham way?" he said. "It can't be the West
Ham way if you get relegated, and the club's been up and down like a yo-yo
[in recent years]. "I don't think the fans see that as playing the West Ham
way. "The West Ham way is about winning football matches and the enjoyment
of winning. "The fans are in the game to watch winning football, I'm in the
game to play winning football and entertain the public, and that's what I
do. "Everywhere I've been I entertain the public, irrespective of the
perception from the media that Sam Allardyce plays long ball. "That is only
a perception, but most of football is run on perception today."
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Big Sam: We can bounce back
Published: 22 Jun 2011
The Sun
WEST HAM boss Sam Allardyce insists he can guide the club back to the
Premier League at the first time of asking. Allardyce was officially
unveiled by the Hammers today after succeeding Avram Grant following the
club's relegation to the Championship. And the former Bolton and Blackburn
manager acknowledged promotion is all the more crucial with the club set to
move into the Olympic Stadium after next year's Games. He said: "I want to
achieve the ultimate, which is to get promotion back to the Premier League
at the first time of asking. "As difficult as that is going to be, I think
it can be achieved. "And with a club the size of West Ham that needs to be
done as soon as possible. "The long-term goal is the Olympic Stadium and the
team must be back in the Premier League when it is going to move into that
great venue."
Speculation over the future of the club's high earners continues to rumble
on following relegation. But Allardyce revealed the likes of England
internationals Robert Green, Carlton Cole and Scott Parker have not been the
subject of any formal bids. He said: "The speculation is around Green, Cole
and Parker, but at the moment we haven't had any concrete bids for those
players. "Other than that there is no rush to sell anyone else. "We will
probably look at moving some of the players on because their desire is to
play in the Premier League. "From a financial point of view, it suits us to
lose that financial commitment because the drastic loss in revenue is what
we all have to face at West Ham. "It certainly suits the owners, who've got
to really back up with their own money to help us try to get back in the
Premier League. "We will try and get as good a squad as we can. There's some
very good players at the club. "If we all want to work together and go in
the right direction, we can give it our best shot and hopefully that will be
enough next season."
Allardyce has also rubbished the theory that his brand of football may not
be the "West Ham way". He added: "When did West Ham play the West Ham way?
"It can't be the West Ham way if you get relegated and the club's been up
and down like a yo-yo. "I don't think the fans see that as playing the West
Ham way. "The West Ham way is about winning football matches and the
enjoyment of winning. "The fans are in the game to watch winning football,
I'm in the game to play winning football and entertain the public — and
that's what I do. "Everywhere I've been I entertain the public, irrespective
of the perception from the media that Sam Allardyce plays long ball. "That
is only a perception but most of football is run on perception today."
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Hammers boss eyes Upton spark
The Sun
WEST HAM fans can look forward to more comings and goings this summer than
in an average season at Walford Town. Here is SunSport's guide to the
transfer activity at the East End's very own footballing soap opera.
DOWN AND OUT
Players who have activated release clauses after relegation: Demba Ba
(Newcastle), Thomas Hitzlsperger, Manuel Da Costa (Lokomotiv Moscow).
LOAN STRANGERS
Loanees not returning: Robbie Keane (Spurs), Wayne Bridge (Man City), Victor
Obinna (Lokomotiv Moscow).
NOT WANTED
Players out of contract who have not been offered new deals: Matthew Upson,
Kieron Dyer, Lars Jacobsen.
UNDECIDED
Out of contract but have been offered new deals: Danny Gabbidon, Jonathan
Spector, Zavon Hines.
ON THEIR WAY
Under contract but expected to leave: Scott Parker, Robert Green, Carlton
Cole.
NEW BLOOD
Already signed by Big Sam: Kevin Nolan, Abdoulaye Faye.
SAM ALLARDYCE is banking on a touch of northern grit to get his EastEnders
back in the top flight. And his first demand is no-nonsense,
straight-talking from West Ham's England trio Scott Parker, Robert Green and
Carlton Cole. Big Sam wants them to look him in the eye and say whether they
still want to be with the Hammers.
The newly-appointed Upton Park boss faces losing up to 15 of the players who
led the club to relegation. And Allardyce needs decisions quickly from his
top stars. He said: "In the middle of all the mayhem going on here, I need
Scotty, Greeny and Cole to be honest with me. "All the speculation is around
those three - but we haven't had concrete bids for any of them yet. "I don't
want to talk to them on the phone. I want them to look me in the eye and
tell me what they want to do. "They might walk out of the office and say
they don't really fancy working for me because I've got a northern accent.
"If that's the case, we'll sell them. But we can only do that if someone
bids for therm. "But they're not going to be pinched. There's no fire sale
at West Ham."
Dudley-born Allardyce has spent most of his football career either playing
or managing in the north. Big Sam, who managed Notts County, Bolton,
Newcastle and Blackburn, has turned to Liverpudlian Kevin Nolan to lead West
Ham's fight back to the top. Nolan, a £4million buy from Newcastle, has been
earmarked to replace Footballer of the Year Parker and is expected to take
over the captaincy from the already departed Matthew Upson. He said: "When
you get Joey Barton almost crying on the TV because he's left, it shows you
what a character we're getting in Kevin. "He guided Newcastle back to the
Premier League at the first time of asking, he was their top scorer last
season and he looks after all the players and drives them on. "He's not
going to come telling tales to me. He sorts out the stuff I do not need to
know about and creates the team spirit we'll need if we're going to get
promoted. "Kevin is the first to let you know if something isn't right and
he clearly felt he'd been let down by Newcastle. That allowed us to move in
and sign him."
Allardyce, 55, says his first job at Upton Park is to end the perception of
West Ham being a "soft touch". He said: "People go on about the West Ham way
- but, if that means getting relegated like they just have been, I don't
think the supporters want to see that. "The fans want to see winning
football and get enjoyment from watching their team being successful.
"Everywhere I've been I entertain the public, irrespective of the perception
that Sam Allardyce plays long-ball football. "I'm only remembered at
Newcastle for one fan jumping up in one game that TV keeps showing, but in
my first 10 matches there I was the best thing since sliced bread. "If the
West Ham fans are happy with what they see, they'll come back in their
thousands singing and shouting the players' names. "I will instil
discipline, creativity and a little bit of magic to drive West Ham through a
very difficult season. "I have got to get rid of the hangover which
relegation brings and reinvent this football club.
"Too often they have had fleeting moments of grandeur and a lot of
depression. "I have taken a big risk to risk my reputation built up over 10
years in the Premier League. "But I'm confident that if we all work together
we can win promotion straight back to the Premier League."
Big Sam insists he has no concerns about boardroom interference despite the
problems encountered by his Hammers predecessor Avram Grant last season.
He said: "They're going to be no worse and no better than any owners I've
worked with before. "And I don't have a problem with Karren Brady having a
column in The Sun. "They've supported me on the financial side by purchasing
Kevin Nolan and giving Abdoulaye Faye a contract to come here. "I was
impressed with the way they went about getting Nolan. There was no messing
about. "I mentioned it might be worth trying to sign him and two weeks later
he was here. "I've spoken at length with David Sullivan on what he wanted
and how we need to do it. "Every relegated club needs a kick-start and make
sure we are not out of the Premier League for long as that could be a
catastrophic disaster."
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West Ham Mack a move for Craig
Published: Today
The Sun
WEST HAM are interested in signing Peterborough striker Craig Mackail-Smith,
27, and keeper Joe Lewis, 23. Posh director Barry Fry said: "They've asked
me what we want for Craig."
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Sam Allardyce aiming for promotion in first season as West Ham manager
Allardyce says he has backing of West Ham owners
'By the end of the year we'll all be blowing bubbles'
Paul Doyle
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 22 June 2011 20.35 BST
Sam Allardyce is often mocked as a manager with ideas above his station, so
it perhaps surprised his detractors when he agreed to descend to the
Championship to take charge of West Ham.
True, he was unemployed until the relegated east London club came calling,
having been sacked by Blackburn Rovers in December, but for a man who was
once interviewed for the England job and who last year suggested he could
win doubles with Real Madrid or Internazionale every season, if only they
were savvy enough to look beyond his reputation and hire him, there must
have been a temptation to wait for an offer from a better-placed club.
Allardyce says that belief in his own abilities and reassurances from the
owners convinced him that he can put himself and West Ham back to where he
believes they belong. He has been given a two-year contract and says he
expects the club to be challenging for a position in Europe by the time that
expires.
"I've taken a risk by losing my Premier League status, which I'd built up
over 10 years," he said. "I don't want to spend too long in the
Championship. Without sounding too arrogant, my experience and expertise as
a manager is trying to bring clubs together and get a team spirit and
togetherness, to get back into the Premier League at the first time of
asking."
Allardyce's employers, David Gold and David Sullivan, plus the vice-chairman
Karren Brady, often made life difficult for his predecessors, Avram Grant
and Gianfranco Zola, by publicly criticising the team, but Allardyce says
the backing of Sullivan in particular was one of the main reasons he took
the job. "I spoke with David Sullivan at length about what we wanted to do
and how we needed to do it. I believe the owners will give me the support I
need to help the club be successful. "
They have already demonstrated their backing by forking out £4m to reunite
Allardyce with Kevin Nolan, the midfielder who worked with him at Bolton and
Newcastle, and also by giving a contract to Abdoulaye Faye, the former Stoke
City defender who has also worked with Allardyce before.
Those arrivals go some way to offsetting the loss of Mathew Upson, Thomas
Hitzlsperger and Demba Ba, plus the raft of players signed on loan last
season. Allardyce hopes to persuade Scott Parker, Carlton Cole and Rob Green
to stay but admits that given the cost of relegation, they may be sold if
suitable offers are received.
If Parker goes, he said, Nolan is likely to be captain. "He's already guided
Newcastle back to the Premier League and I see Kevin as not only a great
player on the field, but a great captain off it," Allardyce added. "When
you've got Joey Barton almost crying on the TV because he's left [Newcastle]
it shows you the respect that he's gained."
Nevertheless, Allardyce wants personnel turnover to be "minimal" because
"it's very difficult to change around a club that has been relegated but
even more so if you lose 50% of your players because that means you have to
bring another 10 or 12 in and you've got a bunch of strangers that you have
to mould into a team."
He also feels he needs to "reinvent" West Ham and dispel "the negative
attitude" that has engulfed the club. He is also aware that this is a chance
to reinvent himself and banish what he insists is groundless negativity
towards him.
Allardyce also rejects the depiction of his arrival at Upton Park as a
culture clash. "Playing the right way is about entertaining the public and
playing winning football. I'm only remembered at Newcastle for one [angry]
fan jumping up in one game, which TV keeps showing, but in the first 10
games I was the best thing since sliced bread because we had the best start
in 10 years. At Blackburn we increased the average attendance by 4,500.
Entertainment comes through what your fans tell you.
"And at Bolton only two of my seven years were about survival so I shouldn't
be tagged as a 'survival manager'. I'm a productive manager who breeds
success. I've got a vast array of skills and I'll put them to work here and
hopefully at the end of the year we'll all be blowing bubbles."
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Nolan in line for captaincy if Parker quits, says new Hammers boss Allardyce
By SAMI MOKBEL
Last updated at 10:30 PM on 22nd June 2011
Daily Mail
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce will hand Kevin Nolan the captain's armband
if Scott Parker leaves this summer. But Allardyce, presented as new Hammers
boss on Wednesday, has warned Parker's top-flight suitors that he has not
given up hope of persuading the midfielder to stay. West Ham owners David
Sullivan and David Gold have shown their commitment to Allardyce by
bank-rolling a move for Nolan. In addition to the £4million transfer fee
paid to Newcastle, Nolan will earn £55,000 per week and Allardyce is ready
to reward the 28-year-old further by making him club captain. Matthew
Upson's departure means the armband is up for grabs and Allardyce said: 'I
see Kevin as a great player and a great captain off the pitch. If Parker
leaves, then yes, I think Kevin would be captain - he's got the skills to do
that.
'When you get someone like Joey Barton almost crying on the TV because Kevin
left Newcastle, it shows you the respect he's gained. It's not just because
of what he does on the field but because of what he's like off it. 'He looks
after the players when they have problems and drives them on. He creates a
team spirit from within himself. 'It's not that he comes telling tales to
me, he just sorts out the stuff I don't need to know about.' Nolan landing
the armband will depend largely on whether Parker leaves. Allardyce will
hold talks with the England midfielder when he returns to pre-season
training at the start of July. Tottenham lead the chase to sign Parker -
but Allardyce has warned rival clubs that his exit is not a formality. 'I
don't want to talk to Scott Parker, Robert Green, Carlton Cole on the
phone,' said Allardyce. 'I want them to look me in the eye and be honest
with me and I'll be honest with them. 'They might walk out of the office and
say, "I don't really fancy him, so I'm off". 'If that's the case, we'll
sell. If Scott likes what he hears, he wants to stay, he wants to be
successful, then I speak to David (Sullivan).'
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West Ham United manager feels 'great player' Kevin Nolan will improve team
spirit at Upton Park
By Harry Veal
22 Jun 2011 22:55:00
'Big Sam' suggests that former Newcastle United midfielder will be a 'great
captain off the pitch' and hints that he could skipper Hammers if Scott
Parker leaves. West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has hailed new signing
Kevin Nolan as 'a great player'. Allardyce worked with Nolan at Bolton
Wanderers and feels that the 28-year-old will have a huge positive impact on
the squad at Upton Park. "Kevin has been in the Premier League an awful long
time at Bolton before he moved to Newcastle," he said. "He then guided
Newcastle back at the first time of asking, not only with 17 goals, but by
being captain. "I see Kevin as a great player and a great captain off the
pitch."
Allardyce also pointed out Nolan's great leadership skills, suggesting that
he could succeed Scott Parker as captain if the England international leaves
this summer.
"He's got the skills to do that. "He showed that, not only with me at
Bolton, but at Newcastle; when you get someone like Joey Barton almost
crying on the TV because he's left shows you the respect he has gained.
"That is not just because of what he does on the field, but because of what
he is like off it. "Kevin looks after the players and he drives them on, he
creates a team spirit within himself. "It is not that he comes telling tales
to me, he just sorts out the stuff I don't need to know about and then he
goes and scores 12 Premier League goals from midfield."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce determined to play way to promotion
By Jeremy Wilson11:00PM BST 22 Jun 2011Comment
West Ham United's reputation for a certain style of flowing football had
been politely referenced and Allardyce duly seized the opportunity to defend
himself. "When did West Ham play the West Ham way?" he said. "It can't be
the West Ham way if you get relegated, and the club's been up and down like
a yo-yo. "The West Ham way is about winning football matches and the
enjoyment of winning. I'm in the game to play winning football and entertain
the public, and that's what I do. I have to instill a bit of discipline,
magic and creativity. "Everywhere I've been I entertain the public,
irrespective of the perception from the media that Sam Allardyce plays long
ball.
"I know I have a vast array of skills and I've been employed by West Ham to
use that. Hopefully at the end of the year we'll all be blowing bubbles."
Harsh sackings at Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers have clearly not
dented Allardyce's self-confidence and he also bristled at the suggestion
that his speciality had been keeping unfashionable clubs in the Premier
League. "Survival was only two years of seven [at Bolton]," he said. "I
actually provide the benchmark for success. My last four was eighth, sixth,
seventh and fifth, so you should not tag me as a survival manager. "My
ultimate goal is to be in the top half of the Premier League and searching
for cup finals, European places. "That, though, is a long way off. My only
goal at the moment is promotion for West Ham out of this division as quickly
as possible. If I don't do that, then I don't expect to be here."
Even the England job was not dismissed. "If I get West Ham up and then into
the top half of the table in the first season, then you lads will be saying
Sam might have a chance for the England job." As for the immediate task,
Allardyce is delighted to have secured Kevin Nolan from Newcastle and
expects to make him captain if Scott Parker does leave. "Kevin clearly felt
he'd been let down by Newcastle and that allowed us to move in," he said.
Allardyce hopes that Nolan will help reverse his perception that West Ham
are "a soft touch" away from Upton Park. There will also be face-to-face
talks with Parker, Robert Green and Carlton Cole. "We haven't had any
concrete bids," he said. "They are not going to be pinched. I want to sit
them down in my office, look me in the eye."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
SAM ALLARDYCE: I'M WEST HAM'S BEST BET BY FAR
Daily Express
Thursday June 23,2011
By Matt Law
SAM ALLARDYCE has told the West Ham fans he will prove he is "the best thing
since sliced bread" and turn their relegation flops into winners. And new
manager Sam Allardyce is ready to get tough with West Ham co-owners David
Sullivan and David Gold to make sure the club are promoted back to the
Premier League at the first attempt. Allardyce, 56, believes he is cast
unfairly as a survival specialist and says his track record with Bolton,
Newcastle and Blackburn proves he can guide West Ham up and eventually
challenge for European qualification. "Survival was only two years of my
seven at Bolton," said Allardyce. "I actually provide the benchmark for
success. My last four finishes were eighth, sixth, seventh and fifth, so you
should not tag me as a survival manager. "My ultimate goal is to be in the
top half of the Premier League and searching for cup finals and European
places. But that is a long way off and my only goal at the moment is
promotion for West Ham out of the Championship as quickly as possible. "I a
m only remembered at Newcastle for one fan jumping up in one game that the
television keeps showing. But believe you me, in the first 10 games I was
the best thing since sliced bread. We had the best start in 10 years – 18
points in 10 games. "At Blackburn we increased the average attendance by
4,500. So when everyone else is suffering in the economy, we increased our
home fan base. "Without sounding too arrogant, with the experience I have
gained in the Premier League, I will be trying to bring the club together
with a spirit which will achieve the ultimate – to get promotion back to the
Premier League at the first time of asking."
West Ham supporters fear Allardyce will try to win promotion by bringing a
more direct style to Upton Park. But he claimed the best way to entertain
fans was to produce a winning team and said: "When did West Ham last play
the West Ham way? "It can't be the West Ham way if you get relegated and the
club has been up and down like a yo-yo in recent years. The West Ham way is
about winning matches and the enjoyment of winning. Everywhere I've been, I
entertain the public."
He has signed Newcastle midfielder Kevin Nolan, who is set to become
captain, and defender Abdoulaye Faye from Stoke. An enquiry has also been
made for Peterborough striker Craig Mackail-Smith. He expects to lose
Tottenham target Scott Parker, goalkeeper Robert Green and striker Carlton
Cole. But despite the fact previous West Ham managers Gianfranco Zola and
Avram Grant found it difficult to work with Sullivan and Gold, Allardyce has
vowed to fight his corner to get what he wants. "I don't want to talk to
Scott Parker, Robert Green and Carlton Cole on the phone," said Allardyce.
"I want them to look me in the eye, tell me what they want and be honest
with me and I'll be honest with them. "The owners have already supported me
on the financial side by giving Faye a contract and by purchasing Kevin
Nolan. "They'll be no better or worse than any owners I have worked with. I
can work with them, they can work with me. "I'm not saying that's a
friendship, it's a hard-working partnership in which heated discussions will
obviously take place. But decisions will be made and we'll both get on with
it for the benefit of West Ham."
Allardyce will offer defence coach Wally Downes a new role and decide on the
rest of his backroom staff next week.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce promises promotion 'without sounding arrogant'
By Jon West
Thursday, 23 June 2011
The Independent
Sam Allardyce has a plan for West Ham now he has arrived at the Championship
club as manager. This involves promotion back to the Premier League, at the
first attempt if possible but certainly before moving to the Olympic Stadium
in 2014. Then it is a question of challenging for honours and qualifying for
Europe.
You have to admire the self-belief of a man who established Bolton as
top-flight perennials but was subsequently hired and fired by Newcastle and
then Blackburn. Especially as the Hammers flirted with disaster under
Gianfranco Zola two seasons ago before embracing it whole-heartedly with
Avram Grant last term.
"Without sounding too arrogant, the expertise I have gained as a manager in
the Premier League over the last 10 years will build a togetherness that can
achieve promotion to the Premier League at the first time of asking,"
Allardyce announced.
"It's a difficult task but it can be achieved and at a club the size of West
Ham it needs to be done as quickly as possible. The team must be back in the
Premier League when it moves into the Olympic Stadium.
"My ultimate goal is to be in the top half of the Premier League searching
for European places or cup finals as I did with Bolton, although that is a
long time off."
All this must be achieved at a club where half the first team has already
departed, having allowed contracts to expire or exercised clauses, and the
best of the rest wish to leave as soon as possible, too. Though no
"concrete" bids have yet been received for England trio Scott Parker, Robert
Green and Carlton Cole, Allardyce does not expect to name any of them in his
team on the opening day of the season at home to Cardiff.
Allardyce also knows his reputation for the long ball does not sit well with
supporters of a club that styles itself the "Academy of Football" – and had
plenty to say about that, too.
"When did West Ham last play the West Ham way?" he demanded. "Getting
relegated can't be the West Ham way. The club has been up and down like a
yo-yo. The West Ham way is about winning football matches and the joy of
winning. Wherever I have been I have entertained the public irrespective of
the long ball perception. That's what I do."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce: Nolan can take us up
Wednesday 22nd June 2011 22:40
TeamTalk
Sam Allardyce believes his new signing Kevin Nolan has just what it takes to
lead West Ham back in the Premier League at the first attempt. Allardyce
succeeded Avram Grant at Upton Park after the Israeli was axed following
West Ham's relegation. The former Bolton, Newcastle and Blackburn boss knows
the challenge which awaits him to transform the Hammers from a "soft touch",
but believes Nolan - who he worked with at the Reebok Stadium - has the
perfect characteristics to meet that challenge head on. "Kevin has been in
the Premier League an awful long time at Bolton before he moved to
Newcastle," Allardyce said. "He then guided Newcastle back at the first time
of asking, not only with 17 goals, but by being captain. "I see Kevin as a
great player and a great captain off the pitch."
Asked if Nolan could perhaps succeed Scott Parker as skipper, Allardyce
added: "He's got the skills to do that. "He showed that, not only with me at
Bolton, but at Newcastle; when you get someone like Joey Barton almost
crying on the TV because he's left shows you the respect he has gained.
"That is not just because of what he does on the field, but because of what
he is like off it. "Kevin looks after the players and he drives them on, he
creates a team spirit within himself. "It is not that he comes telling tales
to me, he just sorts out the stuff I don't need to know about and then he
goes and scores 12 Premier League goals from midfield."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Soccer: Reid to stay with West Ham
1:29 PM Thursday Jun 23, 2011
Nzherald.co.nz
Winston Reid is adamant he'll be sticking with English football club West
Ham despite its relegation from the Premier League. Reid's currently in
Denmark during the off-season from the club and is set to return to
pre-season training in a fortnight. But there's been speculation that since
following the Hammer's relegation to the Championship, he'll be squeezed
out. Reid says he's staying with the club. He says its fine with him and
they have a job to do - getting West Ham back to Premier League status. Reid
says he hasnt spoken with new manager Sam Allardyce, but doesn';t believe
he'll be put on loan or transferred.
- NEWSTALK ZB
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