Daily WHUFC News - 7th November 2011

Baldock hails Green performance
WHUFC.com
Sam Baldock heaped praise on Robert Green for his role in Saturday's success
at Hull City
06.11.2011

Sam Baldock has hailed the performance of goalkeeper Robert Green in West
Ham United's 2-0 victory at Hull City as 'one of the best' he has ever seen.
Baldock scored his fifth goal in six matches to set his side on course to
another valuable npower Championship victory, but the Hammers were indebted
to Green for an outstanding performance to safeguard their third clean sheet
in four matches. The England stopper made outstanding saves to deny Robert
Koren, Aaron Mclean, Matty Fryatt and Jack Hobbs, leaving striker Baldock in
awe of his colleague. "I'm very pleased with the goal and the away win, but
I think the thing that's pleasing the team as a whole was the fact we kept
another clean sheet," the No7 told West Ham TV. "I think that performance
from Robert Green was probably one of the best that I've ever seen live. He
was absolutely outstanding. I thought the back four and the whole team
defended from the front really well and the clean sheet set the foundation
for the victory. "I wasn't here that long before Rob got injured, but he is
the best keeper I've ever worked with. His quality demands so much out of
everyone."

Concentrating on his 49th-minute goal - his eleventh in 14 matches for MK
Dons and West Ham this season - Baldock revealed that his emphatic far-post
finish from Carlton Cole's flick-on was the result of special instructions
from manager Sam Allardyce and assistant boss Neil McDonald. "It came from a
corner. I peeled off my man to the back stick to a position that the manager
and Macca have been telling me I might get more opportunities to get my
little tap-ins. "It was a good header from Coley but I'm not sure if it was
going in, so I made sure it did! "I'm confident but I think that I'm always
going to score goals if I'm given the opportunities. I think this team will
provide me with those opportunities because we're a very strong attacking
outfit."

Baldock was impressed with the contribution made by half-time substitute
Cole, who also provided the assist for Jack Collison's second eight minutes
later. The 22-year-old believes the Hammers have an embarrassment of riches
in the attacking positions. "Coley came on and made a difference. He is an
asset to us coming back from injury and he will be key for us if we're going
to maintain the good run that we've been on. "He's a very good player, as
are John Carew, Freddie Piquionne and Freddie Sears as well. Whichever
combination the manager chooses to use is going to be strong because they're
all very good players."

Saturday's victory at the KC Stadium took West Ham to 31 points from 16
matches played - one short of the 'two points a game' target set by manager
Allardyce.
With so many new faces in the squad and injured players set to return after
the international break, Baldock believes there is even better to come from
the men in claret and blue. "We're not quite where we want to be but we're
getting there. I think the manager has talked about his target and we're
just off that. "Things are slowly coming together. We've got a fair few new
players, me being one of them, so we've got to gel into the West Ham way."

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Loanee latest: Callum keeps going
WHUFC.com
Callum McNaughton continues to get valuable Football League experience under
his belt
06.11.2011

Callum McNaughton and Marek Stech were the only two homegrown Hammers in
action on Saturday. McNaughton played his eleventh game for AFC Wimbledon as
they drew 1-1 with Barnet in League Two. The young centre-back has been a
defensive regular for the Dons, although there has been speculation he could
return to the Boleyn with the club's injury concerns.

Elsewhere, Frank Nouble got 90 minutes and won the last-gasp penalty that
allowed Gillingham to triumph 4-3 at home to Northampton Town. Nouble has
four goals as well in his ten outings for the Kent club to date.

Paolo Di Canio used neither Ahmed Abdulla or Cristian Montano, whose loan is
up, as Swindon Town won 2-0 at Port Vale.

In the Championship, Jordan Spence was also unused as Bristol City won 3-1
at home to Barnsley but Herita Ilunga did play as Doncaster Rovers' 3-1
success away to Ipswich Town.

Up in League One, Stech had his fifth run-out in goal for Yeovil Town,
making a crucial save before they earned an equaliser to draw 2-2 away to
fellow strugglers
Chesterfield.

Finally, Dominic Vose got the last 21 minutes as non-league Braintree Town
drew 2-2 away to Gateshead to stay on the fringe of the promotion race for
the Football
League.

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Vinny's Hull Report
Vinny 5:45 Sun Nov 6
West Ham Online

Hull City 0 West Ham United 2

West Ham picked up their fifth away victory of the season as Hull City were
beaten by two second half strikes. This is not going to be a long match
report as I have just got in from a weekend up in Hull and Cleethorpes (how
classy). The first half performance was a bit of a concern as we were pretty
awful and Hull dominated.
Hull were pretty much on top for most of the game but we came out for the
second half fired up and had them on the back foot for the first 15 minutes
of the second period.

We actually only had two shots on goal in the entire game whereas Hull had
fourteen but it was a case of our defence being excellent and Robert Green
being in stunning form. The decision to bring on Carlton Cole for the second
half definitely changed things and we were able to move Sam Baldock up front
and it took him just four minutes to score when he was in his rightful
positions. The other goal came from Jack Collison who was played in by Cole
and although he had a lot of time he finished well.

Cole had come on and made a big impact as he dragged defenders out wide and
created both goals. It wasn't an exciting game, and it doesn't do much to
argue for the style of Football we are playing but it is getting results and
although Hull had a lot of the game I felt that extremely confident that our
defending would see us through.

Player Reviews

Robert Green
When Green is in form like this it is hard to find many better keepers in
England. He was unbeatable and some of the saves he made near the end were
quite remarkable.

Julien Faubert
Playing at right back he had a very good game and was solid throughout. Got
forward when he can and did the usual hit and miss with the quality of his
crossing.

James Tomkins
Apart from one or two moments of indecision in the first half he was very
good. His positioning was excellent and he didn't panic when Hull were
pumping balls into the area.

Abdoulaye Faye
A beast in the air once again and Faye was one of our best players in this
one. He was throwing himself at everything, making last ditch tackles,
winning every header in the air and he put in a really solid centre half
display.

George McCartney
Defensively was sound although troubled a few times in the second half by
their winger. Going forward he was usually available but his crossing was on
the whole very poor.

Jack Collison
Anonymous up until his goal which was a very well taken finish from the
midfielder. He wasn't in the game much after the goal and I still believe he
needs to get involved more.

Papa Bouba Diop
I lost count of the amount of times he broke up the play and put in a ball
winning tackle. He was vital at times and gave the defence the protection it
needed.

Mark Noble
Neat on the ball and willing to move the ball forward. Some of his passing
was wayward but that can be said for most of the team.

Kevin Nolan
An atrocious first half where he looked like someone who had never played
football before. Needlessly booked for a poor tackle and his impact on the
game was minimal. Again.

Sam Baldock
Started the game on the left wing and was poor. He looked a bit out of his
depth in that first half but as soon as he went up front, he was dangerous
and scored his fifth goal of the season making him our top goal scorer.

John Carew
Didn't win enough in the air and looked slow and immobile. Without him on
the pitch we played football on the floor and won the game.

Subs Used

Carlton Cole (on for Carew 45 mins)
Came on and changed the game. Assists for both goals and that is the sort of
impact Carlton needs to have.

Freddie Sears (on for Diop 83 mins)
Didn't see too much of the ball.

Frederique Piquionne (on for Baldock 87 mins)
Everything he did he did badly.

Subs Not Used: Kurucz, Potts

Bookings: Nolan, Tomkins

Man Of The Match: Robert Green

Hull City: Gulacsi, Rosenior, Chester, Hobbs, Dudgeon, McKenna, Evans,
Koren, Mclean, Fry Poatt. Adebola
Subs: Basso, McShane, Cairney, Harper, Brady

Attendance: 21,756

Overall

Another excellent away result and despite another uninspiring performance we
quite clearly have found a formula that works.

Despite thinking that it wasn't all that entertaining I must praise our
defending which was really top class and whatever we say about Allardyce he
is making us hard to score again which is something West Ham have never been
known for.

We surprised Hull in the second half with the way we came at them and for
that first quarter of the second period we were dominant and got the goals
at perfect times.

Next Game - Coventry City (a) Saturday, 19th November

Another away game and this time against a very poor side who are struggling
in the league but as we saw against Bristol City it doesn't matter where
they are in the league.

We are keeping up the pace and although Southampton are doing really well
they are bound to start losing points soon enough and if we continue to keep
picking up results as we are we will get to the top soon enough.

The View From Sam

"It is a difficult place to come and play," the manager said, acknowledging
that Hull had not lost at home since August and that he was so limited in
options that promising 17-year-old defender Danny Potts - son of Steve - was
on the bench.

"We know how good Hull are and we set out to see what they had to offer. We
defended very well in the first half but apart from Julien Faubert's three
crosses down the side, which were very good and we didn't get on the end of,
I think we could have done a bit more in possession.

"We changed it around in the second half by bringing Carlton Cole on and
dropping Kevin Nolan deeper into midfield. We wanted to get control and we
said let's go and score first, let's go and attack Hull City from the very
start."

"It allowed us to win the game. First the corner - a good ball, great
header, great finish with Sam pulling off to score. The second goal was
great passing and movement and resulted in a one-on-one and a very composed
finish from Jack.

"We had won the game so we don't need to go and chase it. We can sit and let
the opposition have possession in front of us and see the game out. We broke
when we got the opportunity.

"We didn't do that as well as I would have liked but it was a fantastic
result and a great performance in terms of how we changed tactically
throughout the game. We were ruthlessly clinical when it came to our good
period. We nailed Hull and come away with a well-earned 2-0 victory."

[On Green] "You are seeing a man with great stature and great ability
between the posts. At the moment, he looks pretty impregnable and the
opposition come up against him and it feels like he will save everything."

Season 2011/12 Scorers and Bookings

Sam Baldock - 5 (5 League)
Carlton Cole - 4 (4 League)
Kevin Nolan - 4 (4 League)
John Carew - 2 (2 League)
Mark Noble - 2 (2 League)
Jack Collison - 2 (2 League)
Own Goal - 2 (2 League)
James Tomkins - 1 (1 League)
Joey O'Brien - 1 (1 League)
Scott Parker - 1 (1 League)
Winston Reid - 1 (1 League)
Matthew Taylor - 1 (1 League)
Henri Lansbury - 1 (1 League)
Julien Faubert - 1 (1 League)
Junior Stanislas - 1 (1 Cup)

Yellow Cards

Kevin Nolan - 4
Mark Noble - 3
Julien Faubert - 3
Henri Lansbury - 2
Joey O'Brien - 2
James Tomkins - 2
Carlton Cole - 1
Matthew Taylor - 1
George McCartney - 1
Sam Baldock -1
Winston Reid - 1
Abdoulaye Faye - 1
John Carew - 1

Red Cards

Callum McNaughton - 1 (vs Aldershot home)
Frederique Piquionne - 1 (vs Portsmouth home)

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Hull City 0 West Ham 2
By MICHAEL MORGAN
Published: Today
The Sun

NIGEL PEARSON has been told that quitting Hull to become Leicester's new
boss would be a backward step. The Foxes want Pearson to return for a second
term as manager but had an initial approach for him rejected by their
Championship rivals last night. Pearson, 48, guided Leicester to promotion
from League One and then into the Championship play-offs in his previous two
years in the East Midlands before walking out to take charge of the Tigers
17 months ago. Now he is torn between finishing the job he has started on
Humberside or returning to the King Power Stadium, where he would be handed
a £20million war chest to buy the players to take them to the Premier
League. Hull defender Liam Rosenior has no doubts about which way his gaffer
should jump. Right-back Rosenior, 26, rapped: "I am not surprised the
manager is getting linked with the job at another club. But is it
flattering? No, because Leicester are in the same league as us. "Yes, they
have got money but they are below us in the table so it is not flattering at
all. "If it is a top Premier League club it might be different but I would
be very disappointed if the boss decided to go to Leicester because I think
we have got better players here. "We would all be devastated if he went.
Hopefully, he will stay."

Quick-fire second-half goals from Sam Baldock and Jack Collison saw West Ham
win. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce, who worked with Pearson at Newcastle, said:
"I am not at all surprised he is being linked with other jobs. "I love Nige.
The job he did at Leicester was magnificent and he has begun to turn Hull
around now."

SUN STAR MAN

ROBERT GREEN (West Ham). Rejuvenated keeper.

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West Ham's Carlton Cole shows his side's attacking strength in Championship
victory over Hull City
Carlton Cole's return to action gives Sam Allardyce plenty of options up
front but what he really wants is another central defender.
By Rajvir Rai4:50PM GMT 06 Nov 2011
Telegraph.co.uk

The West Ham manager was full of praise for Cole after he came on at
half-time and inspired West Ham to a 2-0 victory over Hull City with two
assists. "It is great to have him back," said Allardyce. "If we didn't have
Carlton as an option we might not have got the two goals. We've got Sam
Baldock, John Carew, Freddie Piquionne and now Cole back. That's four front
men who offer different threats to the opposition."

However, with no recognised first-team defender on the bench on ­Saturday,
Allardyce knows he will busy scouring the market during the international
break. "My main priority is to find a central defender to loan for the next
couple of months," said Allardyce "Abdoulaye Faye and James Tomkins are the
only two defenders we have in that position so I have got to try and get
someone in."

Despite being short on numbers, Allardyce believes his side have shown their
quality by going unbeaten in their past four games, a run that keeps them
second in the Championship, five points behind Southampton. "We are very
limited in how we can turn the team out because we have so few players
available," said Allardyce. "To produce three wins and a draw out of four
with so few numbers shows the quality of the squad is good enough but the
depth of it is not." Liam Rosenior, meanwhile, believes Hull – who have only
scored 14 goals this season – must be more clinical up front. "They had a
15-minute spell out of the 90 when they were on top and managed to score
twice," he said. "That was the difference. Against the top teams, you need
to score when you're on top."

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 6th November 2011

Big Sam on a high at Hull
WHUFC.com
Robert Green was simply brilliant as the Hammers once again showed great
attacking flair away from home
05.11.2011

Sam Allardyce pointed to a devastating spell at the start of the second half
that paved the way for his team's tremendous 2-0 win at Hull City. The
manager reorganised his team at the interval by replacing John Carew with
Carlton Cole, who he had warming up on the KC Stadium pitch for the whole of
half-time, and shifting Kevin Nolan back into a deeper-lying position. That
allowed the Hammers to wrest the initiative and score goals before the hour
via Sam Baldock and Jack Collison to strengthen their grip on second place.
Cole was behind both strikes. The first saw him nod Mark Noble's corner to
the back post, where Baldock was waiting to pounce on the volley for his
fifth Hammers goal and eleventh overall of the season. The second was a
delightful team effort that once again proved the side's ability to play
precise and poised football, with Cole slipping through the decisive last
pass for Collison. Naturally, Big Sam was delighted. The most praise was
reserved for Robert Green, who had to be alert on a number of occasions as
you would expect against a home side boasting the likes of Dele Adebola and
Matt Fryatt in attack, as well as the livewire Robbie Brady off the bench.
All in all it was a hard-fought contest, that saw the rearguard cope well -
even with Julien Faubert having to revert to right-back in place of
hamstring victim Joey O'Brien. "It is a difficult place to come and play,"
the manager said, acknowledging that Hull had not lost at home since August
and that he was so limited in options that promising 17-year-old defender
Danny Potts - son of Steve - was on the bench. "We know how good Hull are
and we set out to see what they had to offer. We defended very well in the
first half but apart from Julien Faubert's three crosses down the side,
which were very good and we didn't get on the end of, I think we could have
done a bit more in possession. "We changed it around in the second half by
bringing Carlton Cole on and dropping Kevin Nolan deeper into midfield. We
wanted to get control and we said let's go and score first, let's go and
attack Hull City from the very start."

That second-half salvo, with the Hammers roared on by 2,500 travelling fans,
was what finished off the home side's hopes. "It allowed us to win the game.
First the corner - a good ball, great header, great finish with Sam pulling
off to score. The second goal was great passing and movement and resulted in
a one-on-one and a very composed finish from Jack. "We had won the game so
we don't need to go and chase it. We can sit and let the opposition have
possession in front of us and see the game out. We broke when we got the
opportunity. "We didn't do that as well as I would have liked but it was a
fantastic result and a great performance in terms of how we changed
tactically throughout the game. We were ruthlessly clinical when it came to
our good period. We nailed Hull and come away with a well-earned 2-0
victory."

There was no doubt, though, that Green was star man and he rightly took the
post-match plaudits. "You are seeing a man with great stature and great
ability between the posts. At the moment, he looks pretty impregnable and
the opposition come up against him and it feels like he will save
everything."

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Hull 0 - 2 West Ham
Page last updated at 19:18 GMT, Saturday, 5 November 2011
BBC.co.uk

West Ham overcame a spirited Hull side to keep pace with Southampton at the
top of the Championship table. Jack Collison's composed finish added to Sam
Baldock's close-range volley to keep the Hammers within five points of the
Saints. Both goals came in the second half to complete a sixth away victory
of the season for Sam Allardyce's men. Poor finishing and good goalkeeping
from Robert Green denied City, who dominated in the opening 45 minutes.
Robert Koren and Matty Fryatt both went close in a first half which was
one-way traffic towards the West Ham goal. It took the Hammers 31 minutes to
register their first effort on goal, but they were soon into their stride
after the interval. The catalyst for the turnaround was the introduction of
Carlton Cole, in place of John Carew. The switch seemed to pay almost
instant dividends when Papa Bouba Diop set up Baldock to lash home from six
yards out. And, as the Tigers pushed men forward in a bid to get back into
the game, Cole's neat pass split the home side's defence and Collison showed
great maturity to pick his spot and double his side's advantage. Hull did
everything to get themselves back into the contest, but good defending by
Julien Faubert and more top saves from Green denied them a deserved share of
the spoils.

VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
On being linked to Leicester, Hull boss Nigel Pearson told BBC Radio
Humberside: "Did we deserve to lose the two games we've played? Probably
not. "We get back to working hard for the next game because the division is
still pretty tight. "As far as I am concerned, my job is my job and I do it
as best I can and I will always do that.
"So I am now not going to turn it around the other way. You will have to ask
the club if they have had an approach but I don't think they have. "My job
is to do this job as well as I can and if that changes then you'll know from
the club, you won't hear it from me."

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Hull City 0 West Ham Utd 2
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 5th November 2011
By: Staff Writer

West Ham have secured a fifth Championship away win of the season thanks
chiefly to super-sub Carlton Cole. Cole, a half time replacement for the
ineffective John Carew played a major role in both of West Ham's goals at
the KC Stadium this afternoon as United kept up the pressure on league
leaders Southampton with their first win at Hull since September 1954. With
Hull having won their last four successive home games today's fixture was
always going to be a tough one for West Ham, who made four changes to the
team that drew 0-0 with Bristol City at the Boleyn on Tuesday night. That's
pretty much how it's proved for Sam Allardyce's side in the first half, who
found goalscoring opportunitites at a premium. Bar a couple of half-chances
for James Tomkins and Kevin Nolan, the Hammers barely threatened Peter
Gulacsi's goal.

Conversely, Rob Green - who was outstanding all afternoon - had to be at his
very best to deny the home side a certain goal in the final minute of the
half. Robert Koran, sent through on goal ater a mistake by John Carew was
denied by the legs of the England international, making his second
appearance in the first team following a lengthy lay-off.

City were also inches away from opening the scoring around 25 minutes
earlier when veteran striker Dele Adebola's effort took a deflection off
James Tomkins and evaded Rob Green's far post by a matter of inches. The
only other major talking point of the opening half was a booking for West
Ham captain Kevin Nolan after eight minutes, to which the Liverpudlian
appeared to take issue with for the remainder of the half - so much so that
he came dangerously close to receiving a second caution. Having replaced
Carew with Cole at the break - and no doubt having received a few strong
words from manager Allardyce for a fairly indifferent performance - the
Hammers came out for the second half transformed, and had the hosts on the
backfoot from the off.

Just four minutes after the restart, West Ham found themselves in front. Sam
Baldock, who was yet to score for United away from home prior to today
popped up at the far post to volley home a Cole flick-on from a Mark Noble
corner, to make it 1-0 to the visitors. Nigel Pearson's side barely had time
to recover from that blow before they found themselves two behind. Yet again
it was the same trio of Hammers involved, with Noble finding Cole on the
edge of the box before the England international threaded a clever ball
through to Jack Collison. The Welsh international took one touch before
calmly passing the ball into the bottom right corner of 'keeper Gulacsi's
goal to make it 2-0 to West Ham; the perfect answer to the critics who
maintain Sam Allaryce's team can only play one way. Although no further
goals were forthcoming that was largely due to the excellence of Robert
Green, who made three world-class saves in the dying stages to deny the
Tigers a consolation. With 90 minutes on the clock, Green denied Matt
Fryatt, clean through on goal, from 10 yards.

A minute later it was the turn of Jack Hobbs to be denied, with Green
acrobatically tipping his goalbound header over the bar. Finally, in the
third minute of added-on time, Corry Evans was prevented from scoring when
Green tipped his dipping effort over the bar. Despite Southampton winning
4-2 at Coventry - a result that ensures the Saints maintain their five point
lead at the top of the Championship - it was a good afternoon for West Ham
who are now four points clear of third-placed Cardiff (although
Middlesbrough, in fourth place, play this evening and can reduce the deficit
to one point). Sam Allardyce - who has enjoyed an excellent month
results-wise - can now breath a sigh of relief with the two-week
international break looming, a break that he recently admitted he will
welcome as a result of the club's lengthy injury list.

Big Sam will be hoping to have players such as Joey O'Brien, Winston Reid
and Matt Taylor back in contention when West Ham visit Coventry a fortnight
from today.

Hull City 0 West Ham Utd 2: match facts

West Ham Utd: Green, Faubert, McCartney, Tomkins, Faye, Diop (Sears 83),
Noble, Nolan, Collison, Baldock (Piquionne 87), Carew (Cole 46).
Subs not used: Kurucz, Potts.
Booked: Nolan (8), Tomkins (85).
Goals: Baldock (49), Collison (57).

Hull City: Gulacsi, Rosenior, Chester, Hobbs, Dudgeon, McKenna, Evans,
Koren, Mclean, Fryatt, Adebola (Brady 61).
Subs not used: Basso, McShane, Cairney, Harper.
Referee: Nigel Miller.

Assistants: Barry Gordon and Michael Salisbury.
Fourth Official: Alf Greenwood.

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Tigers taken down by Hammers
Last updated: 5th November 2011
SSN

Sam Baldock and Jack Collison struck early in the second half as West Ham
won 2-0 at Hull to claim their fifth away victory of the season. Striker
Baldock volleyed home his fifth goal for the Hammers since arriving from MK
Dons in August in the 49th minute of Saturday's Championship clash at the KC
Stadium, and Collison applied a cool finish eight minutes later after the
visitors had withstood a first-half bombardment. Hull completely dominated
the first 45 minutes, but squandered several chances, while former England
goalkeeper Robert Green was in fine form for the Londoners. Green pulled off
fine saves to deny Robert Koren and Matty Fryatt in the first half and
turned away Aaron Mclean's goalbound effort in the second, but Sam
Allardyce's side refused to yield and clinically despatched their chances to
maintain their impressive away form this season. Dele Adebola made his first
start since the opening day of the season for Hull, up front alongside
Fryatt, and Peter Gulacsi replaced injured goalkeeper Adriano Basso who was
out with a knee injury. Defender Abdoulaye Faye, striker John Carew and
midfielders Papa Bouba Diop and Collison all returned for West Ham following
their goalless midweek draw with Bristol City. Green was by far the busier
of the two goalkeepers in the opening exchanges.

The former England number one turned away Koren's angled drive at full
stretch in the fourth minute and twice denied Fryatt, holding his shot from
inside the penalty area and then the striker's header from Liam Rosenior's
cross. Hull made all the early running and Green was at his best again in
the 28th minute when keeping out another long-range effort from Slovenia
international Koren. West Ham's travelling fans had to wait until the 31st
minute before their side's first effort on goal, defender James Tomkins
heading Kevin Nolan's corner wide.

Nolan then headed off target himself soon after following Julian Faubert's
cross, but Hull finished the first half on top and only a timely
intervention from Faye prevented Adebola's goalbound shot from inside the
area giving the home side a 42nd-minute lead. Green did well to hold another
shot from Fryatt and Mclean squandered a gilt-edged chance from 12 yards on
the stroke of half-time. Hammers boss Allardyce withdrew Carew in favour of
Carlton Cole at the break and the switch appeared to pay dividends when the
visitors snatched the lead. Bouba Diop's headed pass teed up Baldock inside
the area and he lashed home a volley high into the roof of the net from six
yards. Hull were rocked having dominated the first half, but worse was to
follow for Nigel Pearson's side.

Forced to chase the game in search of an equaliser, the Tigers were caught
on the counter-attack as West Ham doubled their lead. Cole's neat pass
caught the home defence flat-footed and sent Collison clear on goal and the
Hammers midfielder kept his composure to bury the ball into Gulacsi's bottom
right-hand corner. Hull rallied and Hammers defender Faubert blocked Jack
Hobbs' angled drive and Green turned away Mclean's left-footed effort from
the left side of the area. Green held another effort from Koren in the 82nd
minute and kept out Hobbs' header, while Tigers substitute Robbie Brady
dragged a shot wide as Hull slipped to a second successive defeat.

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Allardyce applauds Green
Hammers boss happy after 2-0 victory
Last Updated: November 5, 2011 8:06pm
SSN

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce praised goalkeeper Robert Green for his
performance in the 2-0 victory over Hull City, while Nigel Pearson was left
to bemoan the crucial first goal. Sam Baldock's fifth goal since signing
from MK Dons in August put the visitors in front four minutes into the
second half at the KC Stadium, and eight minutes later Jack Collison slotted
home a well-taken second to secure West Ham's 2-0 win. However, having
soaked up pressure for long spells, West Ham were reliant on the heroics of
Green, who recently returned from a lay-off following knee surgery. "Robert
had the operation and recovered two weeks ahead of schedule, so his
wellbeing as a goalkeeper is far better than before he had his operation,"
Allardyce said. "He's got great stature and ability between the posts and at
the moment he looks pretty impregnable. He looks like he's going to save
everything and although Hull worked us hard, Robert was there to stop them.
"The difference between us and Hull was that we were clinical at one end and
our goalkeeper produced excellent saves at the other end."

Allardyce, who is hoping to bring in a central defender on loan during the
coming international break, added: "We were ruthless when it came to the
good period we had and we were very good tactically. "We defended very well
in the first half but we didn't do enough in attack. "We changed things
around in the second half by bringing on (Carlton) Cole and we got a
fantastic result with two goals in a great 10-minute spell."

Pearson reaction

Hull boss Pearson said: "I thought it was a good game and we played pretty
well but unfortunately for us the first goal was important. "We changed our
shape with three in attack and we did very well in the first half, but we
weren't able to score when we were on top. However, it was a positive that
we came up against a side in second place and we think we were as good as
them. "We have to look at it as being a learning experience for the players.
I'm delighted with how they are as a group and the division remains very
tight."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hull City 0 West Ham United 2: match report
4:50PM GMT 05 Nov 2011
Telegraph.co.uk

Sam Baldock and Jack Collison struck early in the second half as West Ham
kept pace with npower Championship leaders Southampton with their fifth away
win of the season. Striker Baldock volleyed home his fifth goal for the
Hammers since arriving from MK Dons in August in the 49th minute and
Collison applied a cool finish eight minutes later after the visitors had
withstood a first-half bombardment at the KC Stadium. Hull completely
dominated the first 45 minutes, but squandered several chances, while former
England goalkeeper Robert Green was in fine form for the Londoners. Green
pulled off fine saves to deny Robert Koren and Matty Fryatt in the first
half and turned away Aaron Mclean's goalbound effort in the second, but Sam
Allardyce's side refused to yield and clinically despatched their chances to
maintain their impressive away form this season. Dele Adebola made his first
start since the opening day of the season for Hull, up front alongside
Fryatt, and Peter Gulacsi replaced injured goalkeeper Adriano Basso who was
out with a knee injury.

Defender Abdoulaye Faye, striker John Carew and midfielders Papa Bouba Diop
and Collison all returned for West Ham following their goalless midweek draw
with Bristol City. Green was by far the busier of the two goalkeepers in the
opening exchanges. The former England number one turned away Koren's angled
drive at full stretch in the fourth minute and twice denied Fryatt, holding
his shot from inside the penalty area and then the striker's header from
Liam Rosenior's cross. Hull made all the early running and Green was at his
best again in the 28th minute when keeping out another long-range effort
from Slovenia international Koren. West Ham's travelling fans had to wait
until the 31st minute before their side's first effort on goal, defender
James Tomkins heading Kevin Nolan's corner wide. Nolan then headed off
target himself soon after following Julian Faubert's cross, but Hull
finished the first half on top and only a timely intervention from Faye
prevented Adebola's goalbound shot from inside the area giving the home side
a 42nd-minute lead. Green did well to hold another shot from Fryatt and
Mclean squandered a gilt-edged chance from 12 yards on the stroke of
half-time. Hammers boss Allardyce withdrew Carew in favour of Carlton Cole
at the break and the switch appeared to pay dividends when the visitors
snatched the lead.

Bouba Diop's headed pass teed up Baldock inside the area and he lashed home
a volley high into the roof of the net from six yards. Hull were rocked
having dominated the first half, but worse was to follow for Nigel Pearson's
side. Forced to chase the game in search of an equaliser, the Tigers were
caught on the counter-attack as West Ham doubled their lead. Cole's neat
pass caught the home defence flat-footed and sent Collison clear on goal and
the Hammers midfielder kept his composure to bury the ball into Gulacsi's
bottom right-hand corner. Hull rallied and Hammers defender Faubert blocked
Jack Hobbs' angled drive and Green turned away Mclean's left-footed effort
from the left side of the area. Green held another effort from Koren in the
82nd minute and kept out Hobbs' header, while Tigers substitute Robbie Brady
dragged a shot wide as Hull slipped to a second successive defeat.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce overjoyed at Hammers' finishing with a flourish
Hull City 0 West Ham United 2
SIMON HART KC STADIUM SUNDAY 06 NOVEMBER 2011
Independent.co.uk

"Ruthlessly clinical" is not a phrase associated too readily with West Ham
United down the years but that was exactly how Sam Allardcye described his
team yesterday after they maintained their pursuit of Southampton at the
Championship summit with another away success. Allardyce himself was still a
month shy of making his entrance into the world - anything but Big Sam -
when West Ham last posted a win at Hull in September 1954 yet they ended the
wait for a victory here thanks to goals early in the second half from Sam
Baldock and Jack Collison.

West Ham have the Championship's best away record - 17 points from a
possible 24 now - and they earned this fifth away victory, obvious as it
sounds, thanks to their efforts in both penalty boxes. "The difference
between us and Hull today was our clinical finishing at one end and our
goalkeeper making the right saves at the right time at the other end," said
Allardyce.

Hull had been seeking a fifth straight home win but paid the price for
failing to score when on top in the first period. Robert Koren was twice
foiled by Robert Green, Dele Adebola saw a deflected shot whistle inches
wide, and then with half-time approaching Matty Fryatt broke clear only to
shoot against Green with Abdoulaye Faye scrambling the ball clear.

"I thought we played pretty well but unfortunately for us, as with most
games in the Championship, scoring first is important," said Nigel Pearson,
the Hull manager.
West Ham's only real threat before the break had come from Julien Faubert's
crosses but with the help of Carlton Cole's half-time introduction in place
of the lumbering John Carew they turned the game on its head, taking the
lead four minutes after the restart when Cole flicked on Mark Noble's corner
and Baldock volleyed home.

They finished Hull off with a slick move for their second goal eight minutes
later, Noble supplying substitute Cole, who sent Collison clear to slot past
Peter Gulacsi. "It was great passing, great movement, which resulted in a
one-on-one and a composed finish," said Allardyce.

Hull tried to respond but Noble blocked a Fryatt shot on the goalline and
Green thwarted Aaron Mclean. The closing moments saw Fryatt's shot fly over
when a goal seemed certain and Green made two more eye-catching stops. "At
the moment he looks pretty impregnable," said a satisfied Allardyce.

Hull have less cause for satisfaction, having dropped out of the top six
with this second straight defeat. And their supporters went home fearing
another even bigger loss with rumours strongly linking Pearson to the vacant
Leicester City job. He said: "I am not talking about anything other than the
game, it is not being driven by anything I've done."

Hull (4-3-3): Gulacsi; Rosenior, Chester, Hobbs, Dudgeon; Evans, McKenna,
Koren; Mclean, Adebola (Brady, 61), Fryatt.

West Ham (4-2-3-1): Green; Faubert, Faye, Tomkins, McCartney; Diop (Sears,
83), Noble; Collison, Nolan, Baldock (Piquionne, 88); Carew (Cole, 46).

Referee: Nigel Miller

Man of the match: Green (West Ham)

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 5th November 2011

Big Sam on Hull City
WHUFC.com
The manager has faced the press before Saturday's trip to Hull City and a
hoped-for return to winning ways
04.11.2011

Sam Allardyce was determined West Ham United would push for the points at
Hull City on Saturday after the midweek frustration at home. The Hammers
enjoyed one of their best performances of the season against Bristol City on
Tuesday but could not make their vast superiority count in front of goal.
Undeterred, Big Sam believed the team would enjoy better fortune at the KC
Stadium if they could match that level next time out.

The stats from the Bristol City game certainly backed the manager's words.
Technical statistics West Ham United Bristol City
Time in possession % 60% 40%
Passes in play (Success %) 513 (82%) 287 (73%)
Forward passes (Success %) 200 (69%) 103 (52%)
Final third entries 158 63
Penalty area entries 66 21
Shots (on target) 23 (8) 15 (5)
Crosses in play 34 4
Aerial challenges won % 51% 49%
Ground challenges won % 63% 37%

What surprised you most about Tuesday's game when you reviewed it?

SA: Not scoring three or four goals! That is the most disappointing and
frustrating thing for everybody. There is no one more frustrated than
ourselves. We know we dominated the game for such long periods of time and
created so many chances. We come off on a nil-nil basis rather than winning
comfortably. Sometimes that happens.

The league is very competitive isn't it?

SA: I sat and looked the results the day after we played and was shocked
when I saw Leeds 0 Blackpool 5. Then I saw Derby 0 Cardiff 3. That is how
amazing this
league is. It is very difficult to predict what results are going to be. All
I am pleased about after the frustration of only getting one point was the
performance of the team. The threat of the team was constant and I think
that the review certainly went along with my opinion that it was the most
sustained pressure we have put any team under this season, and the most
chances we have created in any one game. Unfortunately for us it wasn't to
be on the night. we were only left with a point. If we can emulate that
performance at Hull City, I am sure we will score.

The back to back games against Leicester City and Brighton mirrored each
other in terms of consistency of performance. Do you feel you are getting
there now?

SA: Based on the difficult position we find ourselves in with the constant
changing of the side because of the injuries that we have, the performances
have been excellent. Players are stepping up to the mark who haven't played
on a regular basis. They are going in the side and reproducing good
performances along with good results. We are second in the league and we are
wanting to not get too far away from Southampton.

How do you cope with the expectation on the team?

SA: We are under pressure constantly because we are expected to be where we
are and probably better. We will live with that. We don't want to disappoint
anyone on the season. That is what comes with being manager of West Ham
United.

Were you surprised that Hull lost at Barnsley on Tuesday after their good
run under Nigel Pearson?

SA: There are many surprises. It was a surprise that Nigel lost because they
have got as good an away record as home. I am looking forward to seeing
Nigel who I worked with closely for a short time at Newcastle. He has done a
really good job in difficult circumstances after the financial problems that
Hull City have had. We look forward to seeing him. If we can get to the
performance levels we showed on Tuesday and at Brighton, where we were
resilient and our tactics were superb. We took one of only three chances in
that game but couldn't take one of ten on Tuesday.

How is the squad looking?

SA: My real concern is still the injury problems. John Carew [knee] is
getting a little better, Winston [Reid] will be out for a while with his
dislocated shoulder. That leaves us short of numbers. Joey O'Brien was
feeling his hamstring on Tuesday but we'd made our three substitutions and
he couldn't come off. That is a little bit of a worry, the injury list. We
will finalise the team on Friday and get off to Hull and see if we can
continue our magnificent away results.

Do you think Hull will challenge this year?

SA: I don't' see why not. There will be this period where we are all finding
out about each other and then it will be the Christmas period and whose
squad can stand up the best. You come out the back end of the Christmas
period into January and can strengthen your squad in the short window that
we have got, then see where you go from there. A number of sides are going
to be there or thereabouts right to the very last game. Probably everything
won't get decided til then, both who is going to get promoted automatically
and who will get in the Play-Offs.

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Captain's Blog - Poppy pride
WHUFC.com
The skipper will lead the team's commemoration this weekend of those who
serve their country
04.11.2011

Our game at Hull City this weekend will see us wearing special shirts with
poppies on as part of our support for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.
Both myself and the Hull City captain will be walking our teams out on to
the pitch with a wreath from each side to show a mark of respect before
Remembrance Sunday. It is important we support such causes and initiatives
like this. We should not only remember those who fought in wars gone by but
also think of those men and women who are currently on active duty around
the world. It also helps raise money to enable the legion to do what they
can for the families of these soldiers who put their lives on the line for
all of us. For myself and all the lads, we are very proud to be wearing
poppies on our shirts and I am sure you, our fans, and those of Hull City,
will also be wearing their poppies with pride. Back to the pitch, we will be
looking to get three points on Saturday after the frustration we had against
Bristol City on Tuesday. It will be another hard fought match in which we
will have to roll up our sleeves and get stuck in if we want to boss the
game and get the right result. We will be doing our best to achieve that. It
goes without saying that the noise you make at away matches is fantastic and
once again, we will need that support behind us as we look to build on the
four points gained in the last two home matches. Let's hope we can also
follow up the great win we had at Brighton in our last match on the road.

Thanks for your support.
Kevin Nolan

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'It's a great experience for the boys'
WHUFC.com
U18s coach Nick Haycock says the club's scholars are being given every
opportunity to develop
04.11.2011

West Ham United's Academy scholars are being given every opportunity to
become complete footballers, according to Under-18s coach Nick Haycock. The
club's youngsters not only train full-time at Little Heath, but are also
taking part in weekly sessions with Sam Allardyce's first-team squad. As
well as their regular FA Premier Academy League fixtures, a number of
scholars are also regulars in Ian Hendon's development squad, while Rob Hall
was included in the first-team squad for Tuesday's npower Championship visit
of Bristol City. Speaking ahead of Saturday's FA Premier Academy League
visit of Chelsea to Little Heath, Haycock is hopeful the positive
experiences his players are enjoying will help the Hammers to bounce back
from defeats by Charlton Athletic and Fulham in their previous two matches.
"With the last two results, from day one we didn't get carried away when we
made a flying start to the season when we won five in a row and equally
we're not too despondent now," said Haycock. "In terms of their progress at
the football club, the gaffer and Neil McDonald have been superb with the
boys. They have been training with the first team and some have been
selected for first-team games and helping in that way. "It's a great
experience for the boys to be promoted to being in the first-team squad and
is a great fillip for them. The relationship between myself, Hendo and Macca
is really good and that can only benefit the players. "In terms of Chelsea
on Saturday, the boys have trained well this week and are in good spirits
and I'm expecting a more intense performance than we produced against Fulham
and Charlton. "We dropped off a little bit in those games but I think that
is because one or two of the first-year scholars have got a bit tired of
late but with the week we've had this week, I'm expecting a good performance
against Chelsea."

Haycock said the club's supporters could also play a part in inspiring the
Under-18s to producing a positive performance and result on Saturday. With
admission and parking free at Little Heath and the first team away at Hull
City, the coach urged the fans to turn out in numbers for the 11am kick-off.
"The boys thrive when they are playing in front of a crowd and we tend to
get a good turnout against Chelsea with it being a London derby. "Like last
week against Fulham, I'm expecting a good game of football. The result
didn't go our way last week but it wasn't for the want of trying. If we'd
have scored at the right time, the scoreline would have been very different
and would have been a fairer reflection of the game. "This week, the two
teams will go out and play good football. Chelsea have a 4-3-3 formation
like us and I'm looking for us to control possession, regardless of the
result, because that will give me an indication that they are taking on
board what we have told them in the pre-season and are making strides
towards being complete players."

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Hull City match preview
WHUFC.com
All the essential background information ahead of Saturday's trip to the KC
Stadium
04.11.2011

HULL CITY v WEST HAM UNITED
npower CHAMPIONSHIP
SATURDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2011
KICK-OFF: 3PM
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
iPHONE APP I TWITTER I FACEBOOK I PODCAST

Introduction
• West Ham United travel to Hull City for their 16th npower Championship
fixture of 2011/12 seeking their fifth away league victory in eight
attempts. The Hammers have previously beaten Doncaster Rovers (1-0), Watford
(4-0), Nottingham Forest (4-1) and Brighton & Hove Albion (1-0), drawn with
Millwall (0-0) and Crystal Palace (2-2) and lost at Southampton (0-1).
• West Ham United are supporting the 2011 Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.
A wreath will be presented during a pre-match ceremony on the pitch at the
KC Stadium. Also, the Hammers will be wearing special shirts embroidered
with a poppy motif which will be auctioned at a later date.
• Humberside Police have confirmed that no tickets will be available on the
day and anyone attending the match without a ticket will be refused entry to
the KC Stadium.
• Supporters are reminded that it is an offence to try and take fireworks
into a football match. To ensure no fireworks enter the ground stewards and
police will be be extra vigillant and will be searching fans prior to entry.
Anyone caught for trying to take fireworks into the stadium will be arrested
and prosecuted.
• The Hammers know a victory over the Tigers would keep them second in the
table and could reduce the gap between themselves and leaders Southampton to
two points. The Saints travel to 22nd-placed Coventry City on Saturday.
• Should the Hammers win at the KC Stadium, they would match the number of
league wins (nine) achieved in the whole of the 2010/11 season and surpass
the eight recorded in 2009/10.
• West Ham United have not won on any of their previous six visits to Hull
City dating back to a 1-0 Division Two victory at Boothferry Park on 13
September 1954. John Bond scored the Hammers' goal that afternoon.
• Hull City go into the weekend sixth in the npower Championship table,
having risen back into the Play-Off places on goal difference courtesy of
Derby County's 3-0 home defeat by Cardiff City on Wednesday.
• The Tigers' 2-1 defeat at Barnsley on Tuesday evening was their first
defeat in ten league matches.
• West Ham United and Hull City have both conceded 13 league goals in so far
this term, giving them the joint third-best defensive records in the npower
Championship behind Middlesbrough and Crystal Palace, who have both conceded
12 times. Hull, however, have played 14 league matches to West Ham's 15.

Team news
West Ham United
• Jack Collison could be back in contention after being rested for Tuesday's
goalless draw with Bristol City.
• Winston Reid will be out of action for at least a month after dislocating
his shoulder during Tuesday's match. Abdoulaye Faye is set to replace the
New Zealand international.
• John Carew is struggling to be fit for the trip to the KC Stadium after
suffering a knee injury at the training ground last Sunday.
• Guy Demel is still being treated for a hamstring injury that has delayed
his debut.
• Matt Taylor (calf) is hoping to be back after the international break.
Henri Lansbury is definitely out for several weeks with a knee injury, while
Gary O'Neil (ankle) is out with long-term ankle injury.
• Pablo Barrera and Jordan Spence are on season-long loans at Real Zaragoza
and Bristol City respectively. Ahmed Abdulla and Cristian Montano (Swindon
Town), Herita Ilunga (Doncaster Rovers), Olly Lee (Dagenham & Redbridge),
Callum McNaughton (AFC Wimbledon), Frank Nouble (Gillingham), and Dominic
Vose (Braintree) are all out on temporary loans.
Hull City
• Goalkeeper Adriano Basso has been struggling with tendonitis in his knee
and was replaced during Tuesday's 2-1 defeat at Barnsley by on-loan
Liverpool stopper Peter Gulacsi.
• On-loan Leicester City forward Martyn Waghorn (hamstring), Austria
Under-20 winger Martin Pusic (groin) and veteran former England attacker
Nick Barmby (calf) are all struggling to be fit for Saturday's game.
• England Under-20 winger Cameron Stewart (knee) has definitely been ruled
out.
• Tigers manager Nigel Pearson has allowed a number of fringe and younger
players to go out on loan, including Jay Simpson (Millwall), Jamie Devitt
(Bradford City), Kevin Kilbane (Derby County), Will Atkinson (Plymouth
Argyle), Liam Cooper (Huddersfield Town), Mark Cullen (Bury), Kamel Ghilas
(Stade de Reims) and Conor Townsend (Grimsby Town).

Last time out
Tuesday 1 November 2011
npower Championship
West Ham United 0-0 Bristol City
West Ham United: Green, Reid (Faye 7), McCartney, Tomkins, O'Brien, Faubert,
Nolan, Noble, Baldock (Cole 68), Sears (Diop 76), Piquionne
Subs not used: Kurucz, Hall
Tuesday 1 November 2011
npower Championship
Barnsley 2-1 Hull City
Hull City: Basso (Gulacsi 66), Rosenior, Chester, Hobbs, Dudgeon, McKenna,
Evans (Cairney 76), Koren, Mclean, Fryatt, Brady (Adebola 57)
Subs not used: McShane, Harper
Goals: Fryatt 79

Last six meetings
20 February 2010 West Ham United 3-0 Hull City (Premier League)
21 November 2009 Hull City 3-3 West Ham United (Premier League)
28 January 2009 West Ham United 2-0 Hull City (Premier League)
19 October 2008 Hull City 1-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
23 March 1991 Hull City 0-0 West Ham United (Division Two)
6 October 1990 West Ham United 7-1 Hull City (Division Two)
Overall record v Hull City (all competitions) W 15 D 14 L 10

Ten-year records
West Ham United
2010/11 Premier League 20th (relegated to Championship)
2009/10 Premier League 17th
2008/09 Premier League 9th
2007/08 Premier League 10th
2006/07 Premier League 15th
2005/06 Premier League 9th
2004/05 Championship 6th (promoted to Premier League via Play-Offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th
2002/03 Premier League 18th (relegated to Championship)
2001/02 Premier League 7th
Hull City
2010/11 Championship 11th
2009/10 Premier League 19th (relegated to Championship)
2008/09 Premier League 17th
2007/08 Championship 3rd (promoted to Premier League via Play-Offs)
2006/07 Championship 21st
2005/06 Championship 18th
2004/05 League One 2nd (promoted to Championship)
2003/04 Division Three 2nd (promoted to League One)
2002/03 Division Three 13th
2001/02 Division Three 11th

Referee
• Saturday's referee will be Nigel Miller.
• The 51-year-old has taken charge of 14 Football League and Carling Cup
fixtures this season, showing 46 yellow cards and two red cards.
• Miller has yet to officiate at a West Ham United or Hull City fixture this
season. However, he has refereed six previous Tigers matches, the most
recent being a 1-1 Championship draw at Leicester City on 16 October 2010.
He has never taken charge of a Hammers game.
• A former striker himself, Miller retired from playing football at the age
of 31 and immediately took up officiating. After eleven seasons in the
Wearside and UniBond leagues, he was appointed to the Football League List
of assistant referees in 1999. Miller was promoted to the Football League
List of referees in 2003.
• Miller ran the line for the 2003 FA Cup final and FA Community Shield and
also at the 2005 Championship Play-Off final between West Ham United and
Preston North End - a match which saw the Hammers promoted to the Premier
League.
• In his spare time, retired police officer and firearms and physical
training instructor Miller breeds birds including goldfinches, bullfinches,
blackbirds and thrushes.
• Miller will be assisted by Barry Gordon and Michael Salisbury, while the
fourth official will be Alf Greenwood.

Us and them
• The following players have worn the colours of both West Ham United and
Bristol City during their careers - Tommy Brandon, Jimmy Bullard, Roy
Carroll, Alf Fenwick, Richard Garcia, Cliff Hubbard, Mark Noble, Stuart
Pearson, Tony Weldon.
• Mark Noble spent three months on loan at Hull City between February and
May 2006, making five Championship appearances.
• Hull City full-back Liam Rosenior is the son of former West Ham United
striker Leroy Rosenior.
• The first-ever meeting between West Ham United and Hull City took place at
Anlaby Road on 17 April 1920. Dan Bailey scored the Hammers' goal in a 1-1
Division Two draw played out in front of 8,000 spectators.
• The largest crowd to witness a Hull City versus West Ham United fixture is
the 35,964 who turned out at Boothferry Park to watch the Tigers defeat the
Hammers 1-0 in Division Two on 25 August 1952.
• West Ham United have recorded four victories in 20 visits to Hull City in
all competitions and have never won by more than a one-goal margin on Tigers
territory. The Hammers have won 3-2 twice at Hull - in the FA Cup first
round in January 1923 and in Division Two in March 1936.
• Hull City's biggest-ever home win over West Ham United took place on 17
September 1934, when the Tigers ran out 4-0 Division Two winners at Anlaby
Road in front of a crowd of just 5,000.
• Eleven players have made their West Ham United debuts against Hull City -
Jim Simmons (August 1920), Albert Foan and Eric Betts (both August 1950),
George Wright, Doug Bing and Bert Hawkins (all September 1951), George
Petchey (September 1952), Paul Kelly (January 1990), Matthew Rush (October
1990), Iain Dowie (March 1991) and Savio Nsereko (January 2009). Danny Shea
also made his second Hammers 'debut' alongside Simmons in August 1920.

Up next
• West Ham United will be on the road again after the international break,
travelling to Coventry City for a 3pm kick-off on Saturday 19 November. Hull
City go to Derby County on the same day.

General information
• Humberside Police have confirmed that no tickets will be available on the
day and anyone attending the match without a ticket will be refused entry to
the KC Stadium.
• Saturday's weather forecast is for light rain and a daytime high
temperature of 12C (54F).

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Joey targets Hull clean sheet
WHUFC.com
Joey O'Brien is hoping for another strong defensive display when the Hammers
visit the KC Stadium
04.11.2011

A third clean sheet in four npower Championship matches is the order of the
day when West Ham United travel to Hull City on Saturday. Right-back Joey
O'Brien has helped the Hammers to blank both Brighton & Hove Albion and
Bristol City in recent weeks, while the Irishman was also part of the back
four that kept leaders Southampton at bay at St Mary's, bar one set-play.
The Republic of Ireland international knows Sam Allardyce's side will have
to remain strong and retain concentration if they are to continue their
impressive defensive record at the KC Stadium, where Hull are on a
four-match winning run. "It was a disappointing night on Tuesday," O'Brien
told West Ham TV. "We had plenty of chances, plenty of crosses and corners
and all we did was not score. It was disappointing in that way, but we did
keep a clean sheet so we move on to Saturday. "On a night like Tuesday, if
we'd got one we'd have gone on and got another couple because we had plenty
of chances to get the win. Hopefully we can go to Hull on Saturday and put
in a performance away from home and get the three points. "We can definitely
win at Hull because they're a good team and their manager has had them for a
while and they're playing good stuff. It'll be a hard place for us to go,
but hopefully we can get the win."

Looking forward to future home matches, O'Brien said the Hammers would have
to find a way to break down teams - like Bristol City - determined to defend
for the whole 90 minutes at the Boleyn Ground. "A lot of teams have started
to do it when we're at home, especially after we've scored plenty of goals
in the last few games. We've just got to find a way to get in behind them,
carve them up and put the ball in the net."

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Hammers to remember
WHUFC.com
West Ham United will rightly recognise the Royal British Legion's campaign
at Hull on Saturday
04.11.2011

West Ham United will continue their recognition of the 2011 Poppy Appeal
with Saturday's match at Hull City. A special wreath was presented by the
East Ham branch of the Royal British Legion at Tuesday night's game with
Bristol City and that will travel with the squad to the weekend fixture at
the KC Stadium. Hull are expecting their biggest home crowd of the season
and have invited crew members from HMS Iron Duke to the 3pm kick-off. They
will form a guard of honour, along with cadets from the Air Training Corps
152 (City of Hull) Squadron, as the players enter the pitch before
delivering the matchball to the centre-circle. Both sides will be wearing
shirts featuring a poppy motif, and these will be signed and auctioned at a
later date. Hammer striker Carlton Cole said the Poppy Appeal was close to
the hearts of everyone at West Ham United. "It is important to remember
those who are fighting for our country right now and for those who fought in
past wars. "Wearing a poppy at this time of year is something we can all do
to show we are thinking of them and are thankful for what they have done for
us. The Royal British Legion does a lot of valuable work and need our
support."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hull v West Ham
Page last updated at 11:45 GMT, Friday, 4 November 2011
BBC.co.uk

Npower Championship
Venue: KC Stadium Date: Saturday, 2 November Kick-off: 1500 GMT Coverage:
Watch highlights on The Football League Show; listen on BBC Radio 5 live and
BBC local radio; text commentary on the BBC Sport website

TEAM NEWS
Hull are still without Martyn Waghorn (hamstring) and will assess striker
Aaron Mclean (calf) and goalkeeper Adriano Basso (knee) ahead of the game.
Basso was taken off during the midweek defeat against Barnsley and his
injury could mean a first start since August for Peter Gulacsi.

West Ham are still without a number of key players. Winston Reid, John
Carew, Matt Taylor, David Bentley and Henri Lansbury are among those
currently sidelined.

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Hull have a 25% winning return against West Ham, having prevailed in
nine of their 36 league meetings. The Hammers have won 13, with 14 drawn.
• This is their first clash since both were in the Premier League in
2009/10. West Ham scored three goals in each of the last two meetings.
• The London club have only recorded three league wins on Hull turf.
The most recent of those was 1-0 in September 1954, at this same level.

Hull City

• Hull's 2-1 defeat to Barnsley on Tuesday ended their nine-match
unbeaten sequence.
• Nigel Pearson's side are challenging for a fifth successive home
league win, which was last achieved on New Year's Day 2005.
• The Tigers have scored 14 league goals, fewer than any Championship
club outside of the relegation zone.

West Ham United

• West Ham retained their top two placing, despite being held to a
goalless draw on Tuesday by a lowly Bristol City side under new management.
• Sam Allardyce's side are yet to beat a top seven club.
• The Hammers need to score three times to total 2,000 league goals
away from home.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Montano on the rocks
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 4th November 2011
By: Staff Writer

Cristian Montano could be on his way back to West Ham after falling foul of
Paolo Di Canio. Montano, currently on loan at Swindon has been told by Town
manager Di Canio that he will not be considered for this weekend's match
with Port Vale due to a lack of application in training. And with the young
Columbian's loan spell set to expire next weekend, it looks almost certain
that Montano - who celebrates his 20th birthday next month - will be
returning to West Ham. Speaking to BBC Wiltshire, Di Canio said: "I don't
know if he feels part of Swindon Town. He didn't prove this to me in the
past week. "Since the first day I saw quality and I was very happy. I said
this is the player that I want because I want quality. But I want to be sure
about many other things. [Other players] showed me straight away that after
one week that they wanted to stay. "By example, in training sessions, every
moment they are asking me something - it's even in their body language. His
[Montano's] body language proved to me that he didn't want to stay. So I
don't know. "I have to tell you now that Saturday I won't play him - this is
for sure, " added the former Hammers striker. "But you never know; if he
came to me and said 'this is my way to train I want to stay' then maybe I
can understand. I'm happy he was here and in 10 days time it will be a
decision we will make."

Meanwhile Montano has responded to the furore by posting the following
message on Twitter. "People have tried put me down b4, but I'm still
standing...#stayingpositive .. Hope y'all have a good day!! Never let any1
put u down."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Lomas back in work
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 3rd November 2011
By: Staff Writer

Former Hammer Steve Lomas had been appointed as manager of Scottish club St
Johnstone. Lomas, who played for West Ham for eight years between 1997 and
2005 and briefly managed the reserve team earlier this year was named as
replacement for Derek McInnes (whose new club, Bristol City, held West Ham
to a goalless draw earlier this week) by the SPL side this morning. It is an
appointment - his first full mangerial role - the likeable Irishman believes
is the ideal way to begin his new career. Speaking in an interview with St
Johnstone's website, he said: "I had a couple of opportunities in the summer
but I just didn't think they were right for me. But the St Johnstone job
just feels like the right fit. "I like the passion, honesty and commitment
of Scottish players – all values I feel I have myself and that were part of
my game when I played. Those are some of the values I want to instill in my
team. "I've chatted to [former managers] Owen Coyle and Derek McInnes about
the club and they have spoken highly of the whole set up. They have told me
it has the same values as I have. Loyalty is important [to me]; I gave eight
and a half years to Manchester City and West Ham United. "Even when I was
playing I was thinking about going into management but I haven't just waited
for something to land in my lap. I've done my coaching badges and enjoyed my
time at St Neots, with the youths at Norwich City and as reserve team
manager at West Ham."

Lomas' spell as manager of West Ham's reserve team came to an abrupt end
after just four months when the club were relegated from the Premier League
in May of this year. The reserve team was subsequently disbanded (as a
result of having no league to play in this season) and replaced by the
development squad, which is currently overseen by Ian Hendon who arrived at
West Ham a month after Lomas' departure. KUMB.com would like to wish Steve
all the very best in his new role.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hull City v West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 4th November 2011
By: Preview Percy

When we popped over to see Preview Percy he was in the gardens of his rest
home putting the finishing touches to an effigy of Mike Dean to throw on a
bonfire. The strange thing is he didn't actually realise it was Guy Fawkes'
Night this weekend. Here's the mad one's look at this weekend's visit to
Hull City. As ever John Northcutt pops in at the end with some statistics...

Our next jaunt sees us traipse up the A1(M) and M62 to visit Kingston Upon
Hull where, unsurprisingly, our hosts will be Hull City. 3pm kick-off which
is, of course, just as it should be.

Our opponents are nicely tucked in at the moment in 6th place with 24 points
from their 14 matches thus far this season. That's 4 points and places
behind us, though they do have a game in hand. Their latest outing saw them
surprisingly go down 2-1 at Barnsley, missing a penalty in a defeat that was
their first reverse in the league since 20 August. It's not a bad position
to be in considering that they lost three of their first four league matches
and also went down 2-0 at home to Macclesfield in the League Cup. In the
League, at home their six matches this season have produced four wins
(against Reading, Portsmouth, Cardiff & Watford) and two defeats (to
Blackpool and Palace).

Nigel Pearson is the man at the helm. He's been there for just under 18
months, taking over from ex-Hammer Iain Dowie, who was in charge for the
last few months of 2009/10 after Phil Brown had been placed on "gardening
leave". Pearson came in from Leicester City so may have dodged a bullet if
recent weeks there are anything to go by.

The big pre-season news on the personnel front was the departure of
ex-Hammer Jimmy Bullard who was, not to put too fine a point on it, sacked.
It was no secret that the Tigers had been concerned about the player's
salary, based as it was on levels of largesse that may have looked good in
the Premiership but were less appealing to the club after relegation.
Alleged events during and following a pre-season trip to Slovenia saw the
club seize the opportunity to lighten the burden and off Bullard went to
Ipswich.

In goal their first choice this season has been Adriano Basso, a Brazilian
who spent most of his time in England at Bristol City. After 5 years at
Ashton Gate he signed a short-term deal at Wolves that kept him there from
January until the end of the season though he failed to make a league
appearance. After the expiry of his Molineux contract in May he decided that
he liked the colours so much he would sign for Hull. He is there on a one
year deal with the club having the option to extend if all goes well. It's a
strange thing with Brazil and goalkeepers. For all the great players they've
produced over the years, they've never been that great between the sticks.
Those of us old enough to remember the 1970 Brazil World Cup side will go
all misty-eyed at the thought of Pele, Tostao, Jairzinho and the like, but
will cough embarrassedly and look at our feet at the mention of Felix the
'keeper.

Sorry off on one of my senior moments there for a bit. Basso was replaced in
midweek after just over an hour by the Hungarian-born Peter Gulacsi, who is
on loan from Liverpool. Basso has a knee problem according to the Hull Daily
Mail, a paper that regularly carries a series of front page headlines
complaining about the influx of jobseekers from the West Riding of Yorkshire
and the effect that they have on house prices. I expect.

There's a Hammer's connection in defence where Liam Rosenior plies his trade
at right back. Liam is, of course the son of Leroy who spent four years with
us in the late 80's/early 90's and wore boots made of gold if the song is to
be believed. Rosenior junior has had spells at Bristol City, Fulham, Torquay
(loan), Reading and Ipswich (loan) before signing a short term deal with the
Tigers just over a year ago. The change in club ownership in January enabled
Hull to offer a more conventional two and a half year deal. He managed to
pick up a few England U21 caps whilst he was of age and played in the 2007
European U21 Championships in which England lost a penalty shootout 13-12 to
the Dutch. Rosenior scored his, for the record.

Andy Dawson is the club skipper. He's the brother of Spurs' Michael but he
would probably not thank us for bringing that up. So we won't. Another
brother, Kevin, plays for Chesterfield which is infinitely less embarrassing
for him. Dawson (A) is one of the players that had played in all four
divisions for the club. He's another one to have successfully done the
Soccer AM Crossbar Challenge, which, nice as it is, is scant consolation for
seeing a sibling depart for N17. He's not played a major part in proceedings
this term, managing just three league starts before a knee injury in
training put paid to any thoughts of an extended run in the side.

Also in defence they have Jack Hobbs who, for you youngsters out there, was
one of the greatest opening batsmen in history. Hobbs was the second
cricketer (after Sir Don Bradman) to receive a knighthood but had a quiet
time of it after passing away in 1963. He resurfaced in 2004/05 at Lincoln
City, impressing Liverpool enough while he was there for them to shell out
£750,000 for the player. He spent some time on loan at Scunthorpe and then
Leicester, with whom he won promotion from the 3rd Division in 2008/08. His
loan deal was made permanent soon after and he remained with the Foxes until
this February. However, the player found it difficult to break into the
first team with Sven preferring to splash the Thai owners' cash on new
defenders rather than select long-deceased cricketing legends in his back
four. Hobbs moved to the KC Stadium on loan in search of first team action
and the deal was made permanent in the summer. Though Hobbs' defensive
partnership with former Man Utd youngster James Chester is well regarded by
the Hull faithful, I'm afraid that it'll have to go some to beat the one he
had during 1924-30 with Herbert Sutcliffe, a pairing which most of us regard
as the greatest opening partnership of all time.

In midfield they have Paul McKenna. A former DJ, he spends now spends his
time giving seminars on neuro-linguistic programming and, of course
hypnosis. He played against us for Preston in the 2005 play-off final, you
may remember it was his free-kick that Stephen Bywater had to save after
Jimmy Walker had gone off injured and the little "near spill" was followed
by a collective sigh of relief matched only by the one we all gave out last
week when we found out El Haj Diouf was on his way to Doncaster. McKenna
signed for Hull in the summer having had a couple of years at Forest and,
should he play on Saturday it's probable that none of us will remember a
thing about it. Those of you who smoke however will probably have given up
by ten to five.

Of course no look at the Hull midfield could pass without mention of Nicky
Barmby, and this is it.

Up front is another Leicester asylum seeker (the Hull Daily Mail must be set
to explode) in the form of Matt "Matty" Fryatt. Fryatt arrived during the
January transfer window, the negotiations conveniently being completed just
after the two clubs met each other on New Year's Day. His was the penalty
miss that contributed to the defeat to Barnsley in midweek.

Fryatt was partnered by Aaron McLean in midweek. McLean is a Dagenham boy
who has a spell with Grays Athletic on his CV, as well as 5 caps for the
England C team that surprised us by existing a few weeks ago when we were
looking at Brighton. He's the brother of some popular singer whose songs can
probably be heard spewing out from some youth's mobile telephone on a bus
near you, unless you clump the offender over the head with your walking
stick. Apparently. McLean picked up a calf injury in the Barnsley match and
faces a late fitness test.

They could also have Martyn Waghorn, currently on loan from Leicester,
available up front depending on how a hamstring problem reacts, as well as
Dele Adebola, the veteran Nigerian who seems to have played for everyone in
the league, except Leicester.

So what about us? The loss of Winston Reid is a definite blow. The
combination of the step down a level plus a manager willing to give him a
run in the side has done wonders for his form and confidence and he's
definitely been on the "most improved" list this season. Central defence is
one area where we were short of cover to begin with – even before the
current spate of injuries. We're now down to Tomkins and Faye as recognised
first team centre-halves – and Faye has been nursing a hamstring for a
couple of weeks now. All of which means that the manager has been
desperately scouring the "loan" pages of football's version of Exchange &
Mart.

Elsewhere, as Carlton Cole returns to fitness he has passed his knee problem
on to John Carew, though the Norwegian has apparently been fit enough to
train. Lansbury is out for weeks yet, Taylor is a couple of weeks away,
Demel? Who knows? Throw in Bentley – who we may never see again – and this
is an injury list of major proportions. I note from Tuesday's programme that
the players have been using cryotherapy chambers to recover from matches.
Sitting in a cold room at minus 184 (fahrenheit – none of your metric here
thank you) for three minutes is supposed to aid post-match recovery.
However, knowing our luck the door will stick and we'll become the first
team to lose players through indoor hypothermia or frostbite.

Tuesday was majorly disappointing for a number of reasons. It was
depressingly reminiscent of those days of 2003/04 and 2004/05 teams came to
the Boleyn with eleven behind the ball and we lacked the nous and
intelligence to break them down. We lacked the width which might have helped
– too often Sears and Faubert were to be found inside just at the point when
Nolan or Noble might have wanted to play the ball out into the space on the
wings.

Also disappointing (in my opinion) was the manager's reaction to the result
which, with his habitual use of statistics, sought to prove that we had
played Bristol City off the park and that only desperate defending had kept
us from running up a cricket score of Hobbsian proportions. In fact Mr
Allardyce went as far as to use the word "outstanding" to describe the
performance. It was anything but and, to be honest, I found the implication
that anyone who thought we'd struggled didn't have a clue what they were
talking about slightly patronising – and I get enough of that here at the
Avram Grant Home For The Bewildered without having to read that sort of
thing in my morning paper thank you. Since stats seem to be in vogue at
present here's a number to chew on: 1 – the number of real saves that David
James had to make on Tuesday night.

Things will, of course, be different this weekend. As the home side Hull
will obviously be on the front foot which, if the manager's comments this
week are to be a guide, will lead to us sitting back and defending in depth.
Anyone see the irony here?

Prediction? Well "respect the point" has been the buzz-phrase all week,
though the manager did think a win wouldn't be out of the question. That may
be the case but my gut feeling is that we'll pick up a draw from this one –
2-2 then for me, which, as ever, means that that is the one score it cannot
possibly be.

Enjoy the game!

When last we met: The last time we visited the KC Stadium in November 2009
the result was a bizarre 3-3 draw,inspired in part by the usual dire
performance from ref Mark Clattenburg. Franco and Collison gave us a 2-0
lead before two from Bullard – with assists from Clattenburg – and one from
Zayatte saw them go into the interval with a 3-2 lead. Da Costa restored
parity in the second half. We won the return in February 2010 as an inspired
performance from Julien Faubert gave us a 3-0 win. Behrami and Cole were
also on the scoresheet.

Referee: Nigel Miller – another first time for us ref. None too popular
about the Championship if you happen to google his name.

Danger Man: Matt Fryatt – top scorer with 4 goals and will be wanting to put
the costly midweek penalty miss behind him.

Daft fact of the week: The Ye Olde White Harte pub in Hull is said to be the
place where the English Civil War started, when officials meeting there
banned King Charles I from the City. It seemed a rather pointless exercise –
a bit like banning someone from Chernobyl – especially since professional
football in the city was nearly 300 years away leaving little reason to go
there in the first place. However, umbrage was taken by Charles and it all
ended in tears, having a spaniel named after him being little consolation
for having his head removed from his body.

Stat man John: Northcutt's corner

Bad boys: sent off

Billy Bonds H 1970-71 (LC)
David Kelly A 1989-90

They played for both

Jimmy Bullard, Stuart Pearson, Dennis Burnett
John Dowen, Robbie Stockdale, Stephen Bywater,
Richard Garcia, Cliff Hubbard, Matt Smailes, Nobby Solano,Alf Fenwick, Tony
Weldon, Mark Noble, Alan Taylor.

Away Friendlies

March 1967 4-1 Hurst 3 Sissons
May 1973 3-5 MacDougall 3

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hull v West Ham preview
Last updated: 4th November 2011
SSN

Team news for Saturday afternoon's Championship clash between Hull and West
Ham at the KC Stadium. Hull goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi could make his first
appearance since August against the Hammers. Current number one Adriano
Basso was forced out of the midweek defeat at Barnsleydue to tendonitis in
his knee and is a major doubt for the weekend, so Gulacsi, on loan from
Liverpool, could start his first game since the defeat at Leeds on August
16. Manager Nigel Pearson has no other new injury or suspension worries,
while injured trio Martyn Waghorn, Martin Pusic and Nick Barmby are battling
to prove their fitness. Striker Waghorn (hamstring), winger Pusic (groin)
and player/coach Barmby (calf) have not been ruled out of playing some part
and will be monitored. Another winger, long-term absentee Cameron Stewart
(knee ligaments), will not be included in Pearson's squad, but is closing in
on his first appearance of the season after completing 40 minutes for the
reserves this week. The Tigers will be looking to bounce back after losing
their first game in 10 at Barnsley on Tuesday night. West Ham will be
without Winston Reid when they head to Hull. The New Zealand defender
suffered a dislocated shoulder during the early stages of Tuesday night's
goalless draw against Bristol City and will be out for at least a month, so
Abdoulaye Faye will partner James Tomkins at centre-half. Striker John Carew
also looks set to miss out, having visited a specialist this week to assess
a knee problem. The duo join David Bentley, Henri Lansbury (both knee), Gary
O'Neil (ankle), Matt Taylor (calf) and Guy Demel (hamstring) on the casualty
list. Midfielder Taylor and right-back Demel are on the mend but are more
likely to be held back until after the international break.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Livermore stay cost Spurs
Redknapp paid more for Parker in order to keep promising midfielder
By Chris Burton. Last Updated: November 2, 2011 4:15pm
SSN

Harry Redknapp has revealed that Tottenham paid an inflated fee for Scott
Parker in order to keep Jake Livermore at White Hart Lane. Spurs snapped up
England international Parker over the summer following a protracted chase.
It was expected that Livermore would head in the opposite direction, with
the Hammers keen to cover the loss of an influential midfielder. Redknapp
was reluctant to part with the 21-year-old though, even on loan, and admits
Tottenham upped their offer for Parker in order to push a deal through. "I
like Jake. He's a fantastic boy and he's an established player now,"
Redknapp told London 24 of a player who has already made 12 appearances this
season. "West Ham wanted to take him and, in the end, he didn't want to go
anyway. It didn't happen and I'm pleased to have him here because he's
important for us.

Future

"He'll play in midfield and do a job anywhere for you. I think he has a good
future. "We paid more money for Scott in the end rather than throw Jake in
as part of the deal." Livermore is expected to line up for Spurs in
Thursday's Europa League clash with Rubin Kazan with Redknapp - who will be
absent from the game after undergoing a minor heart operation - confirming
that a number of youngsters will be given another opportunity to impress.
"We've played some of the younger kids in Europe and they've come in and
done well - people like young Tom Carroll, Andros Townsend, Jake Livermore
and Harry Kane," he said. "They've all had a go at it and they've all
acquitted themselves well. "We'll keep doing the same thing. I'll play those
lads and one or two who are coming back to fitness, so they'll come out and
play for us in Russia on Thursday."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Karren Brady's football diary
KARREN BRADY - First lady of football
Published: Today
The Sun

Saturday, Oct 29
REF Chris Sarginson wins the Spoilsport of the Week Award. His worship of
the rulebook overcame any generous instincts when he booked 15-year-old
Jordan Ibe for celebrating with his family seconds after scoring on his full
debut for Wycombe. If I'd been Jordan's mum, I'd have whacked the ref with
my handbag. The ref then booked Chairboys skipper Gareth Ainsworth for
coming out in Ibe's favour and again to make it red after the break.
Sarginson could start World War Three.

Sunday, Oct 30
PROTESTS coming thick and fast from the Black Country after Liverpool's Luis
Suarez fell in the area to win a penalty against West Brom. Word in the
Premier League is that the Uruguayan would tumble spectacularly at a kiss on
the cheek. I'm making no judgment. Some players go down more competently
than others but there are few who don't try it on at some time or another.
One who didn't, I'm pretty sure, was Andy Johnson, who at Birmingham
unjustly gained a reputation as a 'diver', so we should be careful with
labels.

Monday, Oct 31
NOT a great day. A lunch date with Lord Sugar and his eight-year-old
grandson rebounds with a thunk. His grandson tells me how great he is at
football, so I invite him along for a trial at the West Ham academy. "Hmm,
West Ham," he says, "No thanks." I presume this is because he's a Spurs
supporter. "No," he replies. "It's because West Ham are nothing without
Scott Parker." Lord Sugar looks satisfied. Things get even more depressing.
That evening, my father breaks off from watching Spurs win at Stoke to catch
me on Young Apprentice. "You're looking very fat in the face," he says. I
console myself with a cream cake!

Tuesday, Nov 1
SORRY being the hardest word, Carlos Tevez may have trouble expressing it in
Spanish, never mind broken English. It is generally accepted now that the
Man City striker didn't refuse to come on as a substitute against Bayern
Munich but to warm up again. This sounds like something the diplomatic corps
have dreamt up.
However, it seems that an apology from Tevez will satisfy his manager
Roberto Mancini and the Argentinian will regain his status as a player
rather than a training-ground untouchable. Cynical, I know, but he will also
recover his resale value. Yes, it appears the owners buckled after all.
Saints fly again tonight at St Mary's while West Ham draw and the
top-of-the-Championship gap is five points.

Wednesday, Nov 2
WHEN Stoke want players, the name of the game is that 'only real men should
apply'. Today, 36 hours after being run over by Newcastle's Demba Ba, they
fly out to Tel Aviv for their Europa Cup match tomorrow. The current playing
schedule isn't fair on Stoke — nor on clubs who are looking for them to be
100 per cent fresh for every Premier League match, what with relegation
strugglers Bolton coming next on Sunday. OK, Potters manager Tony Pulis may
pull off the trick this time but I'll predict heavy winter pitches will be a
challenge for his real men and I don't care if they are all strong enough to
throw a cannonball over the crossbar. As for Birmingham City's programme of
fixtures, I tremble. Blues boss Chris Hughton should be handed all the gold
in the Jewellery Quarter if his team is promoted.

Thursday, Nov 4
WE'RE less than three months into the season and already the strain is
telling — on knees, calves, hamstrings, quads, shoulders, groins, even a
fractured finger. You name the usual suspect injury areas and West Ham have
got the full set, many of them medium or long-term. I'm looking down the
list and feel slightly depressed. I suspect that more than any other
division, the grind takes its toll in the Championship. It's at times like
these that a manager earns his salary. For Saturday at Hull, Sam has to mix
and fix and keep the team competitive. I know he will.

Friday, Nov 4
A PREMIER LEAGUE director calls me. He says he has been dating a beautiful
girl who lives in a luxury flat fairly near his home. She likes his chats
about famous footballers' love lives and has been forthcoming on everything
— apart from what she does for a living. You can imagine what he was
thinking: Escort? Porn star?
This week she confessed. She's an accountant with a big City company. "Why
didn't you tell me that from the start?" he asked. She replied: "I didn't
want you to be going out with me just for my status." She should be more
concerned about his status. He's married.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Green ready for England return - Allardyce
Published 22:00 04/11/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror

Sam Allardyce believes his West Ham keeper Robert Green is ready to win back
his place for England in the forthcoming friendlies against Spain and
Sweden. Green is still dogged by his blunder against USA at the World Cup in
South Africa, when he somehow allowed a tame Clint Dempsey shot to slip
through his hands and into the net. But the Hammers keeper has refused to
buckle under pressure and has maintained good form at club level. Green is
now fit again after knee surgery and Allardyce, whose side face Hull on
Saturday, insists he is still one of the best keepers in the country.
"England will see a different Robert Green," he said. "The mental side of
recovering from the injury is that he feels so much better. "Instead of
coming back wary, he's come back better than he went in. He's right back at
his highest level." Allardyce also has no doubts Tottenham boss Harry
Redknapp will bounce back from his heart operation after undergoing similar
surgery himself two years ago. He added: "It's good to see he's up walking
about back at home and I'm sure he will have a quick recovery."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Paolo Di Canio Column: Fond memories of the FA Cup
7:00am Saturday 5th November 2011
Swindonadvertiser.co.uk
By Paolo Di Canio »

As a player I had a few good memories with West Ham in the FA Cup. We beat
Manchester United, winning 1-0 and I scored the goal to send us through in
front of thousands of our fans who had travelled there. That same season we
went through and defeated Sunderland and got through to the quarter-finals,
where we lost 3-2 to Tottenham. It was a strange game, full of passion but
we did not play well. To lose a London derby at home was obviously a bad
result but it was good to get through to the quarter-finals for West Ham. I
never regret that I never played for a team that did reach the final of the
FA Cup because I decided to play in a team for who it would be difficult to
get to the final easily, but it was for that reason that the hope to reach
the final with this team (West Ham) would feel even more special if we did
it. There are no regrets but obviously I am disappointed that as a
footballer I did not have the chance to play in a final. The tradition,
expectation and the chance to play at Wembley is the dream of every player
who plays in England. The tournament is famous around the world and everyone
knows what it means for English fans.

Obviously as a manager I hope I can do something special. Huddersfield are
one of the top two sides in League One and I am happy for this, even though
lots of people will say we were unlucky to draw this team. I will say we are
lucky though because it does not mean anything to go through to the next
round beating Cirencester away – with all respect to Cirencester. You have
to play against one of the top sides eventually and the fact we can play
Huddersfield at home, in front of our fans, is a big opportunity to improve
and do something special. To think about this in an intelligent way, if you
play Swindon Supermarine away and lose then you do not have an opportunity
to play against a top side. Therefore playing against a strong side is the
best way for us to do something special. Huddersfield play good football,
they are unbeaten in 41 games and maybe we will be the first to beat them,
so I am very happy.

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