Daily WHUFC News - 2nd March 2012

In good shape
WHUFC.com
Strength and conditioning coach Mathew Monte-Colombo has spoken to West Ham TV
01.03.2012

West Ham United's strength and conditioning coach Matthew Monte-Colombo has told West Ham TV about some of the tricks that have helped the Hammers through their tough run of recent fixtures. The Hammers' physical fitness and mental resilience were tested to the maximum during the club's recent trio of games when they were forced to play with ten men. Big Sam's side played for a total of 184 minutes a man down against Millwall, Southampton and Blackpool, but showed great tenacity to emerge with seven points from a possible nine. Monte-Colombo explained how the performance in those three matches was down to a combination of meticulous planning and unyielding team spirit. "It was an extreme situation having a player sent-off in three straight games and when it happened, as a medical department, we had to rely on the work that we had done previously," Monte-Colombo, who joined West Ham from tonight's opponents Watford in 2010, told West Ham TV. "It is a massive testament to the players because a lot of it just came down to their heart and guts. The players showed that they are united as a team and that they will stick together, whatever the circumstances. "In terms of the preparation that went into it, we can track that as far back as pre-season and the work and the planning that went into it. "The coaches sat down and put things in place and I believe we do a lot more than other clubs in terms of our preparation work. We are very science-led as to how long we do certain exercises for. We have had training sessions where the team plays with ten men so that the players know what their roles are in that situation.

That hard work and preparation would have been in evidence during the Hammers' warm weather training this week. The players and management are due back in tomorrow morning at Chadwell Heath for the final planning for Sunday's game with Cardiff. "We have a lot of players who go that extra yard and spend extra time in the gym doing injury-reduction work and if you look at those three games, a large amount of the players who were on the pitch are those who do that extra work. "The new players who have come in have a really good work ethos and that has really helped the team and is testament to them. "We prepare them as well as we can with nutrition and physical preparation, but a large amount comes down to what is in their hearts, at the end of the day."

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Stand-in skipper makes his Mark
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble is hoping to continue his fine run of form during Sunday's game with Cardiff City
01.03.2012

Mark Noble will relinquish the captain's armband when West Ham United travel to Carling Cup runners-up Cardiff City on Sunday but will doubtless still lead by example. The trip to south Wales will see Kevin Nolan back as skipper after a three-match ban but Noble has certainly come to the fore in his absence. The homegrown Hammer has had to shoulder extra responsibility ever since Nolan was shown a red card early in the dramatic derby victory against Millwall. Noble certainly gave star turns in the goalless draw against leaders Southampton and away in the 4-1 thumping of Blackpool, especially when the team were rocked by losing Matt Taylor and Robert Green to red cards respectively. He was then singled out for special praise by Crystal Palace manager Dougie Freedman in Saturday's goalless draw. The Scottish coach hailed Noble as the division's best player after the capital clash and no one came closer than the No16 to unlocking the Eagles rearguard with his precise passing.

The 24-year-old would gladly have swapped such personal plaudits for all three points, especially as the stalemate meant the Hammers have dropped back to second place in hugely competitive npower Championship, albeit with a game in hand on Southampton. "We look back at it now and we should have won the game, especially in the second half," Noble said. "We know teams are going to come to Upton Park and make it hard for us. We are the boys to beat. Palace did in the first half and it is disappointing. "We should have scored a couple of goals in the second half - Sam Baldock had a couple, Carlton Cole a header and the little scramble late on - but it is a clean sheet and another point and we are still on target for where we want to be."

Sam Allardyce's men will hope their Welsh hosts on Sunday will be drained after a Wembley extra-time epic that saw them lose on penalties to Liverpool on Sunday, but Noble acknowledged he and his team-mates have also been put through it of late. Not that he is one for making excuses. "We played with ten men for three games but the adrenalin has helped us get three fantastic results, Millwall, Southampton and Blackpool away. They don't come much bigger and we went into the Palace game expecting to win. "Sometimes it doesn't work out. We kept a clean sheet, that is an important thing but unfortunately we didn't get a goal."

Taking on Cardiff will also evoke memories of the shock opening-day defeat by the Bluebirds at the Boleyn, and Noble said the team have not altered their ambition since August. It is all about staying confident and avoiding complacency. "We haven't looked back from the first minute of the season. Our aim is to get promoted , that is the main thing. We are still on target, we are still looking forward. Hopefully the boys keep getting clean sheets and scoring goals. We will achieve what we want to do."

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Hammers Opening Doors
WHUFC.com
West Ham United are backing an FA-led campaign to tackle homophobia in the game
01.03.2012

West Ham United were this week invited by The Football Association to be part of a high-profile summit aimed at tackling homophobia and transphobia. At the launch of the Opening Doors and Joining In campaign at Wembley Stadium, respected names from across the football family came together to air their views. They included two former Hammers midfielders in Bobby Barnes, representing the Professional Footballers' Association, and The FA's Director of Football Development Sir Trevor Brooking - as well as the club's HR Director Michael Kerr. All present confirmed their support for a drive to help lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGB&T) communities get actively involved without fear of discrimination or prejudice. The event included a six-point FA action plan promoting inclusion, widening diversity in the game and addressing discrimination in all its forms - education, visibility, partnership,recognition, reporting and monitoring.

The issue has been brought into the public consciousness around a TV documentary by Amal Fashanu about her uncle, the former West Ham United forward Justin Fashanu who committed suicide aged 37 in 1998. Fashanu was the first openly gay footballer to come out in top-level English football. Barnes, who took part in an awareness session with the Hammers squad last week, said footballers had done much in kicking out discrimination within the game, especially in terms of racism, and said they could lead the way again in terms of homophobia and transphobia. A new poster campaign will be shown in dressing rooms around the country simply saying 'gay or straight, we are all winners'.

The PFA assistant chief executive added: "I am very proud to be here. It is a necessary step on the road to equality and inclusion in football. [In football], we don't give ourselves the credit we are due as an industry. Because of the fact football has such a resonance and reach, we can affect such areas." Sir Trevor spoke about the need to focus on those just coming into the game. Inrecalling his playing days and ongoing work with aspiring youngsters, he spoke of the need for greater education and setting the right example. "We have to make sure we treat everyone the same," he said. FA General Secretary Alex Horne had opened the conference and set the tone for a frank exchange of views which demonstrated how far the game has come, but also how far is still to go. The key going forward was to ensure an environment where discrimination will not be tolerated, and The FA outlined how they will, and already are, take a strong stance in punishing those who discriminate. Horne said: "If someone is gay, we want them to feel secure if they choose to be open and know they will not be subject to abuse or ridicule."

Home Office Minister Lynne Featherstone made clear that whilst this was another positive step and a "red letter day", there was still work to be done. "Everything I heard today made me think that this was a genuine, committed serious step forward. This is day one; we'll see where we are on day 366. That will be the test."
A successful session concluded with an address from Club England Managing Director Adrian Bevington, who underlined that there was a desire to have a 'so what' mentality in the game, should anyone choose to be open about their sexuality. Work would continue to remove barriers and to ensure an eternal legacy where individuals are judged only on their football merits. He said: "We want to ensure that if any player wishes to be open about their sexuality, then they can do it with the full support of the FA. We want a "So what?" culture in football."

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Did he mean it?
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 1st March 2012
By: Staff Writer

Henri Lansbury scored a stunning goal for England's under 21s as the Young Lions trounced Belgium 4-0 at the Riverside Stadium - but opinions are divided as to whether it was intentional or otherwise. Lansbury, who is on loan with West Ham for the current season scored the opening goal of the game after just ten minutes.
Having received the ball wide on the left, the midfielder - who added a second eight minutes into the second half - sent the ball towards the penalty box under pressure from a opposing defender. As Lansbury's cross travelled towards the penalty area the swirling wind inside the stadium caught the ball and it swerved viciously before dipping under the crossbar to give Brian Eastwick's side the lead.

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West Ham and Ipswich big losers if Pompey points are wiped out
Published 22:30 01/03/12 By Neil McLeman
The Mirror

West Ham and Ipswich will be the other big losers if Portsmouth go out of ­business and their results are wiped from the records. The Hammers would fall out of the automatic promotion places after having the six points deducted from their two Championship­ wins over the Fratton Park club this season. And at the other end of the table, Ipswich, who have also completed a double over Pompey this term, would slide down to within six points of the drop zone. However, if the unthinkable does happen and Portsmouth vanish from the league table, only two other teams would be relegated to League One, instead of the usual three. Ironically, Paul Jewell's Tractor Boys had bids for three Portsmouth players rejected during the January transfer window – keeper Stephen Henderson, centre-back Jason Pearce and utility man Joel Ward, who were all reluctant to leave the south coast club. No club has gone out of business during the season since Fourth Division Aldershot back in March 1992. But administrator Trevor Birch yesterday warned Pompey fans (right)that a club with over £100million of debts must find new money quickly to avoid a doomsday scenario. Portsmouth are scheduled to play their final match of the season on April 28 at Nottingham Forest. But Birch said: "Unless something significant happens, there is a real possibility that we may not be able to fulfil the season's fixtures. "The more we uncover, the worse the picture appears to get. Liquidation­ is an option at this moment in time."

Pompey became the first Premier League club to enter administration and to be deducted points as they were relegated in 2010. They were plunged into their latest financial crisis in November when Russian owner Vladimir Antonov was arrested over alleged fraud at a Lithuanian bank. Administrators PFK took over last month as Portsmouth were deducted another 10 points and nosedived down the table. Birch has also discovered that £2.2m in Premier League parachute payments will be paid to previous owner Sacha Gaydamak under an agreement struck in 2010. The club had been expecting the first £640,000 next month, and Birch added: "We are able to continue to early or mid-April. I thought I could plug the gap until the end of the season, but I'm not so sure. Increased crowds or loan fees from farming out players won't be enough. "We are looking at all possible options for raising further revenues in the very short term, but we realise that there is only so much that can be realistically achieved. "Any potential bidders will need to be prepared to make a major investment in the club because the outlook for next season looks challenging­ unless we can sell some players in the summer. "There is interest, but nobody is knocking my door down."

Portsmouth council leader Gerald Vernon-Jackson said: "For two years people have been trying to find new owners for the club, but the levels of debt swamping this club makes it very difficult to see who would want to take it on. "Going bust is a real possibility because the debt is so huge."

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Collison urges Green to sign
Thursday 1st March 2012 10:20
TeamTalk

West Ham midfielder Jack Collison has promised Rob Green "a few rib shots" if he does not put pen to paper on a new contract soon. Green's fine form this season has helped the Hammers into the Championship's top two and earned him an England recall, but his current deal runs out in the summer. "Greeny has been a massive part of the team and he's a world-class keeper, there's no doubt about that," said Collison. "Some of the saves he makes are just unbelievable but you can see from how hard he works, he gives the team confidence to go and play."It would be nice to get him pinned down. I might have to start having a couple of words with him and give him a few rib shots to get him to sign. "He has been brilliant for us this season and long may it continue."

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Tony Cottee Column: Having quality on the bench is vital for West Ham in March
London 24
Tony Cottee, London24 West Ham Columnist
Thursday, March 1, 2012
12:00 PM

I think that the best way to describe Saturday's goalless draw with Crystal Palace was 'flat'. From the start I thought that the team looked a little leggy, and was just lacking that killer pass. The Hammers never really got going and to be honest Palace could well have gone in at half-time 2-0 up. However, after the break, West Ham came out a new side and almost the entire half was played in Palace's territory. And credit must go to the visitors for the way that they set themselves up. I like Dougie Freedman and I think he is a young, exciting and good manager and he deserves praise for his side's performance on Saturday. I was particularly impressed with Wilfried Zaha, and I think that Palace will do well to keep him in the summer as there will no doubt be many Premier League clubs interested in him. Sam Allardyce hinted that he perhaps should have rotated his squad for the game and I think it is easy to say that in hindsight. However, I can also see Sam's logic in sticking with the same players that performed so well at Blackpool the previous week. I just thought that we lacked something up front and I felt a little sorry for Nicky Maynard. Maynard doesn't have the big physical presence of someone like Carlton Cole, so when the ball is played to him, it doesn't always stick. However, the second-half performance from West Ham was a lot 
better. I thought that Cole made a big difference when he came on and I am a big fan of what he offers to the team. Another striker that made a big impact was Sam Baldock and I thought Saturday showed the importance of being able to bring on top strikers from the bench.

West Ham are going to need that quality this month, with eight games coming up during March. This month could well determine where the Hammers finish at the end of the season. Baldock's movement was like a breath of fresh air and I am sure he will be disappointed at not converting one of his two clear-cut chances in the game. However, I think it would be harsh for fans to blame him as he hasn't had much game time recently. It is a real catch 22 situation for Sam at the moment as he wants to play football and wants to score goals, but having been out of the team for some time, when he comes back he may well be a little rusty and a little short of match fitness, but he mustn't be afraid of missing chances. I think we have to give him credit for getting into those positions in the first place. I have to say that I understood why the fans were booing at half-time as the team hadn't played well and we were expecting a better performance. The fans pay good money to watchtheir team and if they are not entertained then I don't begrudge them for showing that by booing and voicing their opinions. However, the second half was a lot better so I didn't like the booing at the final whistle. This Sunday gives the Hammers the perfect opportunity to get back to winning ways with a tough trip to Cardiff, who most fans will be hoping are still suffering following their league-cup exploits. It won't be an easy game, but I think the returning Kevin Nolan could boost the team and lead them to victory.

Tony Cottee was talking to Nathaniel John

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American international set to make West Ham debut
By talkSPORT
Thursday, March 1, 2012

American international George John could finally make his debut for West Ham against Cardiff on Sunday if Winston Reid fails to recover from a head injury. Reid was taken off just before half-time during New Zealand's 3-2 defeat against Jamaica and is now facing a race against time to prove his fitness for the televised clash.
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has been short of central defenders for the majority of the season and brought in John from the MLS on a two-month loan following his impressive displays for FC Dallas. John has been forced to wait patiently for his chance, but with his loan spell due to run out in two weeks, he is desperate to show that he can compete at the highest level and secure a permanent deal with the east London club. Allardyce has moved James Tomkins into a midfield position in recent weeks and will be reluctant to change his formation if Reid fails to overcome his injury.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 1st March 2012

Hammers on national service
WHUFC.com
Four West Ham United players were in action for their countries on Wednesday
night
29.02.2012

West Ham United had four players in action on a busy evening of
internationals on Wednesday. Henri Lansbury enjoyed the best night with a
brace of goals for England Under-21s as they took a big step towards
qualification for Euro 2013 Championships with a 4-0 win against Belgium.
The Hammers midfielder opened the scoring with a spectacular long-range
drive before Steven Caulker added a second. Lansbury then made the game safe
after slotting home a Wilfred Zaha pass before Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain added
a late penalty. The win leaves the Young Lions seven points clear at the top
of their qualification group with only games with Azerbaijan and Norway to
go.

Marek Stech also had a good night as he kept a clean sheet in the opening 45
minutes of the Czech Republic Under-21's 3-0 friendly win against Romania in
Bucharest. Stech will hope to carry that form on when he returns to his loan
club Leyton Orient for their weekend game with Walsall.

Jack Collison came on as a 64th minute substitute as Wales lost 1-0 at home
to Costa Rica on an emotional night in Cardiff. The game was set as a
tribute night to the late Gary Speed but it was the visitors who emerged
victorious following Joel Campbell's seventh-minute strike.

Further afield Wiston Reid was substituted just before half-time as New
Zealand lost 3-2 at home to Jamaica in Auckland. Reid left the field with
score at 1-0 to the visitors.

Back on home soil, Robert Green was an unused substitute as England lost 3-2
to the Netherlands at Wembley.

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Moose on the Loose - Dean Ashton
WHUFC.com
Ian 'Moose' Abrahams catches up with former West Ham United striker Dean
Ashton
29.02.2012

Dean Ashton became a hero for West Ham United during his four years at the
Boleyn Ground. The striker helped the Hammers to reach the 2006 FA Cup final
before being capped by England. However, a serious ankle injury suffered in
training after his first senior call-up in August 2006 put paid to his
career. In December 2009, Ashton was forced to retire at the age of 26,
having scored 19 goals in 56 appearances for the club. Now 28, Ashton is
pursuing career in the media. He recently dropped in to be interviewed on
radio staion talkSPORT, where he found time to speak to presenter, West Ham
fan and matchday programme columnist Ian 'Moose' Abrahams.
Published below is Abrahams' 'Moose on the Loose' column, which originally
appeared in the matchday programme for Saturday's npower Championship visit
of Crystal Palace. To order your copy of the programme, click here.

Moose on the Loose - Dean Ashton

Every now and again you come across players with prodigious talent - someone
who you think could be the answer for club and country, someone who has that
certain something to get you on your feet. Dean Ashton was such a player.
Dean came through that amazing production line of talent at Crewe Alexandra,
had a stop off at Norwich and then rocked up at Upton Park, scoring plenty
of important goals along the way. The sad thing is that none of us, not even
Dean, will know how good he could've been. On 11 December 2009, West Ham
announced that he had retired, aged 26, after failing to recover from a
long-term ankle injury originally sustained during an international training
session in August 2006. Last week Dean came into talkSPORT Towers to appear
on the Keys and Gray Show, and I grabbed him afterwards and began by asking
about his premature retirement. "It was very, very difficult," Dean told me.
"All I grew up wanting to do was to play football, and then when I became a
professional, all I wanted to do was become the best I could."

It was hard to believe that if things had been different Dean could still be
spearheading our attack.

"At the time I felt I was progressing well and had just got my first England
call. I mean, the timing was awful, the initial injury happened the day
before I was due to make my England debut. You couldn't write that kind of
stuff and how unlucky it was for me but other players have suffered the same
fate and I was very lucky to have the time I did have in the game."

That time included the 2006 FA Cup final against Liverpool in Cardiff, when
Dean scored just before the half-hour mark that put us 2-1 up.

"Yes, no-one can take scoring in that final away from me, of course."

As a fan I went to Cardiff not expecting to win against a very strong
Liverpool side, but with only a minute to go did Dean, who'd been replaced
by Teddy Sheringham at the time, think he was going to be lifting the Cup?

"Obviously towards the end I thought we were going to win, as it wasn't like
Liverpool were bombarding us with loads of pressure, so yes I thought we
were going to win and it was going to be my first taste of ever winning
anything. But you can't take anything away from Steven Gerrard and what he
did, and I suppose that's football, it's never over until the final whistle
blows."

Every player I have ever spoken to tells me that Cup final day goes by too
quickly, so I asked Dean about that and about whether he had any regrets
about the final being in Cardiff and not at Wembley.

"Not at all, because Cardiff was a fantastic stadium and it was jam-packed
for the final. People tell you the day flies by and it does go by too
quickly because you spend so long looking forward to it. "The thing was Alan
Pardew had picked the the whole team bar me and Bobby Zamora, because I had
been injured, so everyone knew they were playing except for me and Bobby
Zamora. So I didn't find out until an hour before kick-off that I was
playing, so going out onto the pitch before the game I found it hard to take
in and enjoy the occasion because I didn't know if I was playing."

I wondered what the mood was like on the morning of the game with Dean and
Bobby not knowing who would start.

"I felt it was a little bit awkward for both me and Bobby to both wonder
whether we were going to start the biggest game of our careers. It was down
to the manager, he decides who plays and I was lucky enough to start but
obviously for him, he would've been gutted but again I'm glad he got on in
the end and played quite a lot of the game."

What about the end of the final? Having been taken off Dean couldn't take a
penalty but he would he have taken one in the shootout? Dean's response was
immediate. "Definitely, definitely yes."

Would he have scored? "Probably. I have always loved taking penalties and
would've been confident to score."

I ended my chat by firstly asking who was Dean's favorite striker partner at
Upton Park? "Marlon Harewood, definitely. I think we just matched up well.
He was big, strong, quick and liked to run in behind while I preferred to
play slightly deeper and join in the play and that seemed to work really
well."

Dean's favorite game was the FA Cup quarter-final at Manchester City and his
favorite goal came in Manchester too. "It has to be the overhead kick at Old
Trafford against Manchester United. It was special to score that goal there.
I always felt I could do things like that although the fans might remember I
had to go off after that because I tweaked my groin."

Talking to Dean, it's a shame he hasn't been back to Upton Park since his
retirement, something I know he is keen to put right in the near future, and
I ended by asking why that was the case?

"To start with, it was a conscious thing. I wanted to give myself plenty of
time to get over what had happened. Coming back to West Ham would have
brought back too many memories. Recently I have definitely thought about
coming back but not really had the chance, but I would like to come back now
and watch a game soon."
Dean Ashton is proof that players' careers can be short and they should make
the most of it. I happen to think if he'd stayed clear of injury, Dean
could've been a massive hero down here at Upton Park and I know I speak for
everyone when I say it'll be great to have him back down here sooner rather
than later.

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The Big Interview - George McCartney
WHUFC.com
The ever-reliable left-back discusses reaching 100 appearances for West Ham
United
28.02.2012

West Ham United defender George McCartney has spoken about chalking up a
century of appearances in claret and blue in this week's Big Interview.
McCartney has been in typically consistent form all season long, having
rejoined the club he served between 2006 and 2008 on loan from Sunderland
last summer. The former Northern Ireland defender's latest strong display
helped his side earn another welcome clean sheet as he celebrated 100 games
as a Hammer. This week, he spoke to whufc.com about his pride at reaching
such a milestone.

First of all George, congratulations in reaching 100 matches for West Ham -
does it feel a bit strange that it has happened over two different spells?

"It is a little bit strange I suppose, but in a good way! Obviously as
everyone knows, I left the club four years ago having played around 70 or 80
games for the club then and I must admit, I didn't think I would be back
here again and playing my 100th match as a West Ham player. I am delighted
to reach this milestone - it was great going into the game knowing it was my
100th and although it was a shame we didn't win, it was a point and another
clean sheet for us. "It is definitely a nice milestone. If you ask them, I
think any footballer will tell you that it is the aim to play as many games
as you can throughout your career. I am lucky enough to have played around
350-400 games in my career so far but I know also, to be at a club like West
Ham, the size of the club and the fan base we have, it is massive for me to
be making my 100th appearance here, I am chuffed to bits."

If you could pick any particular games or moments out from your first 100
appearances, what would they be?

"I think I would pick my first season in the Premier League under Alan
Curbishley, when we escaped relegation. I still don't think the manager or
the team have got the credit for what we did or how we did it, it was a
tremendous effort from everyone. It is great for me now to be back here and
playing in what is another exciting season which will hopefully end in
promotion for us."

It can take a while to make your mark at a new club, but you seem to have
settled back in?

"I do feel very much part of it here. I think anyone moving to a new club
for the first time doesn't really feel completely part of it until later in
the season or the next season on, but because I have been here before, it is
a case for me of feeling like I haven't been away. "It has been great for me
to come back here. The manager and the Chairmen gave me the opportunity to
do this - to come back to a club where I thoroughly enjoyed it the first
time. I am just thankful it is going well for me personally and for us as a
team. I have only missed a couple of games and so hopefully I can keep
playing as much as I can."

Confidence must be high in the squad after the last few games?

"Things are going well and we must keep going now, there are 14 matches left
until the end of the season and we want to try and win every one. "The
manager has got a great squad together here and confidence is high. You
never try to look beyond the next game coming up, but confidence comes from
winning matches. In the last six games, apart from the defeat at Ipswich, we
have won three and drawn two and so confidence in what we can do and team
spirit comes from these results."

Talking about Saturday's match against Crystal Palace, the team collected a
point and another clean sheet, but did playing the previous three matches
with just ten men take its toll a bit?

"Maybe it did catch up on us, it certainly wasn't because we have played
Saturday and Tuesday, we have pretty much done that all season as this is
what the Championship is all about. We knew it would be a tough game. We had
a 2-2 draw back at Selhurst Park earlier in the season, although I thought
we should have won that day. It was also a derby match and sometimes,
wherever you are in the league table, form goes out of the window. We did
finish with eleven men this time!

With the point and another clean sheet, it will all add up at the end of the
season.

"We were frustrated that we couldn't follow up the great win we had away at
Blackpool with another win at home. But it is a long season of 46 games and
if we can keep going, our fans will be more than happy come the end of the
season if we can get promoted."

What did you make of the crazy victory at Blackpool last week?

"I think as it had happened in the previous two games against Millwall and
Southampton, we kind of knew what to expect and played well again with ten
men! When Greeny went off and it was 2-1 to us, I think everyone was
thinking we would take that. We knew we had to keep it tight, but it seemed
we were able to go up again 20 or 30 per cent in our game and produced two
more goals, which was brilliant.

Team-mate Henri Lansbury went in goal for that match Were you surprised how
confident he was?

"We knew H [Henri] had played in goal for England Under-21s and he has gone
in goal during training sometimes, but I must admit he looked like a natural
when he went between the sticks! He did great.

If asked, would you go in goal if needed?

I would if asked. I was actually a goalkeeper back in my school days for a
bit, so if I had to, I would give it a go!

We have Cardiff City this weekend and you start your second century of
matches for West Ham United. Presumably, it is all about getting points on
the board from now until the end of the season?

As long as we can keep grinding out the results and then finish the season
having got the club back up to the Premier League, only then will we know we
have all done our jobs.

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Allardyce in... Dubai
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 29th February 2012
By: Lee Kelly

Sam Allardyce is currently in Dubai along with his first team squad for a
few days' warm-weather training ahead of a busy March schedule.

Last night he was the subject of a Q&A session, hosted by former Sky Sports
presenter Rob McCaffrey, during which the current Hammers boss answered a
number of questions relating to both his playing and management career.

A summary of the main points discussed follow; our thanks to Lee Kelly for
providing the details...

The Current Squad

Jack Collison, James Tomkins and Mark Noble, in particular, have huge
affection for West Ham. When Allardyce joined he spoke to them all and
stated: "You love this club, you need to get it back into the Premier
League".

Kevin Nolan is a great captain. He's not the same player as Scott Parker,
which some West Ham fans are critical of - his words - but he does bring you
goals unlike Parker who is perhaps better on the ball. Nolan is also the
first contact for any dressing room unrest; if it gets as far as Sam, he
knows that something is wrong.

Julien Faubert was desperate to leave West Ham last summer but no club came
in for him. Allardyce put his arm around his shoulder and said: "If you play
well I'll put you back in the team - if you keep playing well, you can stay
there." Sam said the Frenchman has had a good season, so much so that he now
wants a new contract.

Ravel Morrison is a star in the making, but has been practically dragged up
in Manchester. They club can't change his background but are happy to let
him mature a bit, whereas Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson wasn't
standing for it.

Robert Green is a big believer in his own ability and Allardyce insisted
that the goalkeeper should never have been dropped from the England squad
and has rightly been recalled. He maintained that selection for the squad
shouldn't depend on playing in the Premier League, as long as the player is
in good form.

The general feeling about players wanting to leave is that if they want to
go, they can leave - adding that there's no point having them sulking about
the place, or not wanting to play for the team.

The Board and the Media

Allardyce said that when he joined West Ham, one of his first requests was
to be the main media representative as the Board got some things wrong in
the press last season. He suggested they have a tendency to bite when a
journalist tries to wind them up, or asks the wrong questions, adding that
there were some disasters in the press last year. Sometimes they still talk
to the press, but that's just the way they are.

Sam seemed to be quite happy that Karren Brady deals only with corporate
issues instead of the football; my impression was that he isn't her biggest
fan.

Last Season

When Allardyce joined West Ham last summer, morale was really low. He firmly
believes had he got the job in January 2011, he would have kept the club in
the Premier League. He mentioned that Demba Ba's goals alone should have
been enough, but the defence was terrible.

Robert Green keeps his own statistics and the first thing he mentioned to
Allardyce when he arrived was that he had to face between 15 and 20 shots
every game.

My impression was that he was unhappy at being overlooked for the position
in January 2011 (when Martin O'Neill was the Board's number one choice), but
is currently happy with life in London.

The Olympic Stadium

Sam didn't sound too keen on the Olympic Stadium whilst the running track
remains in place. He referred to Manchester City, stating that they had a
stadium that was easily transferable to football when the Commonwealth Games
were over - although it's not as easy as that with the OS as it also needs
to host athletic events.

Sports Science

He learnt all about the scientific side of football when he played in the
USA in the latter stages of his playing career. Allardyce's team shared a
training ground with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and they had several physios,
coaches, sports scientists, masseurs and sports therapists. He took some of
that on board when he started managing.

Team England

When he was last interviewed for the England job, Allardyce met David
Beckham and had a conversation regarding what needed to be done to improve
England. Beckham said that the players needed more protection from the press
- which I thought was quite ironic given how certain players love nothing
more than having the press follow them around!

Sam spoke to Brian Barwick from the FA after his interview and they told him
they would get back to him by the following Thursday. Bolton were playing
Middlesbrough, managed by Steve McClaren - the only other candidate at the
time - on the Wednesday and when he didn't hear from Barwick that night, he
put a bet on McClaren to get the job - which he did.

He believes Harry Redknapp is a shoo-in for the current vacancy.

Scott Parker

He claimed that Daniel Levy didn't want Tottenham to sign Scott Parker as he
felt he was too old, but Harry Redknapp wanted him desperately and Levy
acquiesced. The feeling at West Ham was that Parker had been told by other
people that he wouldn't get in the England squad whilst he played in the
Championship.

Newcastle United

Allardyce disclosed that he wasn't very fond of Newcastle, adding that the
club were living in the shadow of Kevin Keegan and Alan Shearer during his
time there. Every time he failed to get a result the fans were calling for
Keegan or Shearer and they ended up taking them down. Now that the Toon Army
would never take them back, he feels that the shadow has been lifted.

Without that pressure, Alan Pardew has got them playing well and got some
good results. He added that it was a big surprise Pardew got the job and
laughed when someone mentioned Pards' five-year contract - given that he had
just been sacked by a League One club. "He obviously has good contacts in
London", commented Allardyce.

Fellow Managers

Sam has little time for Arsene Wenger and Rafa Benitez as they were always
happy to shake his hand when they beat his teams but always less than
forthcoming when he beat them. "They don't like it up 'em!" he quipped. He
is good friends with a number of managers who were playing around the same
time as he did, but only mentioned Wenger and Benitez as those he didn't get
on with.

Promotion

Should West Ham achieve promotion this season, Allardyce believes that the
first season back in the Premier League will be one of consolidation, not of
struggle. Although he has spent circa £10million on players this year he
also recouped a similar figure, so would hope to have money for players to
improve the squad as a whole rather than just big money players for the sake
of it.

Although there are no guarantees, he is confident that this can be achieved
at the first time of asking.

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Awful but effective?
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 29th February 2012
By: Haim Baram

I feel a bit ashamed to grumble about Big Sam and his truly ugly football.
After all, he seems to be taking us to the Promised Land (odd to describe
the Premier League in this manner in an article written in Jerusalem) and we
don't like to argue against success - nor do we wish to evoke a malicious
jinx from the days of yore.

So, we put up with it.

We are not ideologues, God forbid, but honest to goodness West-Ham
supporters for decades, and don't tend to demand too much from our players
anymore.

Personally, I dream at times about Bobby Moore, Trevor Brooking, Johnny
Byrne and even Pop Robson; but these are mere fleeting moments, just like my
yearning for British black and white films from the 1960s.

The realities of 2012 dictate more pragmatism, entailing grim battles for
economic survival in a chaotic world and striving to achieve our immediate
goal: a promotion for a hopefully long stretch of success in the Premier
League.

Has the game against Crystal Palace clouded my judgment? Possibly, it has.

It was transmitted live here, and I watched it with growing anxiety and
dismay. We played badly, especially in the first half against a very
mediocre side and there was no creativity or imagination in our approach to
the game.

We have witnessed similar phenomena throughout the season, even when we won
famous victories.

On the other hand, the team fights gallantly in the Allardyce era and the
away victory over Blackpool caught the imagination of our supporters. This
was a great achievement, and therefore the manager deserves respect and even
certain affection from us.

We play a bit like a Second Division team from the 1950s and even more like
Bolton under Big Sam. Some elements of this style are quite endearing,
especially when we win; but when we lose, or experience a dismal draw at
Upton Park, the deep frustration and disappointment are overwhelming.

Fanzines, forums and conversations with supporters reflect the nagging
ambivalence: not only the bleeding-hearts but also hardened fans feel a bit
alienated - and the team is not really what West-Ham United are all about.

The more practical question is whether this style actually works. For now it
does, but it will become increasingly difficult to obtain three points even
from home games by these aerial tactics.

Mark Noble needs some support in the middle of the park, and the lack of
skill in this department takes its toll.

I hope there will be some improvements, in order to realise the great
potential of the team – for anything less than automatic promotion will be
regarded as a gigantic failure.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Reid in injury scare
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 29th February 2012
By: Staff Writer

Winston Reid could be a doubt for this weekend's trip to Cardiff after being
substituted during New Zealand's 3-2 defeat by Jamaica last night. The West
Ham United central defender, who has started every game for Sam Allardyce's
side since New Year's Eve was withdrawn two minutes ahead of the half time
break following a clumsy tackle. Although initial reports suggested that,
like James Tomkins aginst Crystal Palace last weekend, he had suffered minor
concussion, the severity of Reid's injury will only be fully confirmed upon
his return to England. The visitors - ranked 50th in the World - took a
two-goal lead at the Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland, after Xavian Virgo
scored against the run of play seven minutes before the break and Tramaine
Stewart added another on 53 minutes. However Bristol City's Chris Wood
brought the All Whites - currently ranked 120th - back into the game when he
grabbed a goal less than a minute after Stewart had made it 2-0, following a
neat interchange with Marco Rojas. Navian Boyd secured victory for the
Reggaeboyz when he made it 3-1 to Jamaica on 77 minutes before Chris Killen
of China League Two outfit Chongqing FC converted a Leo Bertos corner, to
restore some respectability to the scoreline.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Loan watch
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 29th February 2012
By: Staff Writer

Olly Lee was part of an amazing turnaround as his Gillingham side scored
three times in the final nine minutes to snatch victory from the jaws of
defeat. The Academy graduate and son of former Hammer Rob Lee, currently on
loan with the League Two outfit came on as a 77th-minute substitute against
Hereford at Priestfield last night with the Gills 3-2 behind. When Will
Evans added a fourth for the Bulls three minutes later, the game looked like
ending in a certain defeat for the home side. However Gillingham had other
ideas, and a brace from Charlie Lee (81, 88 minutes - no relation) levelled
the scored before Gavin Tomlin grabbed an unlikely winner in the 90th minute
to delight the vast majority of the 3,784 crowd - not to mention Gills boss
Andy Hessenthaler who subsequently declared himself 'speechless'.

Elsewhere Freddie Sears failed to break his duck for Colchester, with whom
the 22-year-old striker is on loan for the next month. Sears made a third
successive start for the Us but failed to get on the score sheet once again
as Colchester secured a point at Oldham with a 1-1 draw. The young Hammer
had a disappointing night and was replaced just 12 minutes into the second
half by fellow forward Kayode Odejayi, who joined the Essex club on a free
transfer last month.

Of the other young Hammers on loan, Callum Driver's Burton were beaten 2-0
by League Two title-chasers Swindon Town - managed by Paolo Di Canio - at
the County Ground. The former Dulwich Hamlet defender played a full 90
minutes for Albion, who were beaten by two goals within five second-half
minutes.

Meanwhile goalkeeper Peter Kurucz - one of two young Hammers currently on
loan at Rochdale - failed to prevent his side slipping to defeat at home to
League One play-off contenders Notts County.

County - for whom another Hammer, Cristian Montano was an unused substitute
- won 1-0 at Spotland despite ending the game with only ten men following
the 89th-minute dismissal of Lee Hughes.

Dale are now just one place off the bottom of the division, three points
from safety.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
England strikes for West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur pair
9:03pm Wednesday 29th February 2012 in News
Guardian Series

West Ham's Henri Lansbury struck twice for England Under-21s in a 4-0
victory over Belgium. The Arsenal loanee was joined on the scoreboard by
Spurs' youngster Steven Caulker and Arsenal's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as the
Three Lions extended their lead at the top of Group Eight of the Euro 2013
qualifiers. The hosts made the perfect start at Middlesbrough's Riverside
Stadium, as Lansbury swung in a cross-shot from the left flank which dipped
neatly under the bar to put England in front. He almost bagged a similarly
spectacular effort shortly after when he let fly from 25 yards but Koen
Casteels forced a corner. The home side took a two-goal lead at the break
though as Caulker netted his first goal for the Under-21s, converting from
Craig Dawson's header. Early in the second half, Lansbury completed a brace
after Wilfried Zaha had pulled back for him, before Chamberlain converted
from 12 yards, meaning only Norway can now catch England in their group.
Also in action among the Spurs ranks were Danny Rose, who completed 90
minutes, while Adam Smith was an unused substitute.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WEST HAM'S WINSTON REID SUFFERS HEAD INJURY
Daily Star
1st March 2012 By Daily Star Reporter

WEST HAM defender Winston Reid could miss the Cardiff clash after suffering
a head injury in New Zealand's 3-2 defeat by Jamaica.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
ENGLAND U21S 4 BELGIUM U21S 0: ALL-ROUNDER HENRI LANSBURY BOWLS OVER
BELGIANS
Express.co.uk
Thursday March 1,2012
By Niall Hickman

HENRI LANSBURY is England and West Ham's new 'Man for all Seasons' having
enjoyed a stunning last eight days in which he has saved, scored and set up
goals.
On-loan Hammers midfielder Lansbury netted two of the four goals last night
against Belgium in the Under-21 European Championship qualifier and set up a
third. Only last week Lansbury donned the keeper's gloves in the 4-1 win
over Blackpool following Robert Green's dismissal. Arsenal boss Arsene
Wenger believes Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will make a late push for a place in
England's senior squad for this summer's European Championships. But at this
rate he might not be the only Gunner to stake a claim, as Lansbury outplayed
his team-mate. Lansbury's opener was an outrageous 40-yard shot, which he
claimed was intentional. "I meant to do it," he said. "It was a
cross-cum-shot, but I will take it."

But manager Brian Eastick said: "Henri said he meant it but I am not so
sure. He had a smile on his face when he told me, but he did well. Henri
played behind the lone striker and did a very good job. "This was a very
important result. Stuart Pearce rang me at 1pm, wished me good luck and said
I had better get on and win the game. "We played well but there are still
things we can improve on and we need to be more tactically astute. The game
was far too open and I am sure that when Stuart looks at the video he will
say the same thing."

Eastick handed a first U21s cap to Ivory Coast-born winger Wilfried Zaha and
within nine minutes they were ahead, as Lansbury netted an astonishing goal.
He picked up Danny Rose's pass on the left touchline and, although there
appeared to be no danger to the visitors' goal, he planted a right-foot shot
into the top corner.

Lansbury then had a hand in their second as Craig Dawson headed his corner
into Steven Caulker's path and he nodded home from close range. Eight
minutes after the break the game was over, as Lansbury made it 3-0 before,
deep into injury-time, Oxlade-Chamberlain scored from the penalty spot after
he had been up-ended in the box.

The win leaves England seven points clear at the top of their group.

ENGLAND U21 (4-5-1): Butland; Kelly, Rose, Caulker, Dawson; McEachran,
Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lansbury (Gardner 73), Henderson, Zaha (Shelvey 68);
Sordell (Keane 82). Booked: Dawson. Goals: Lansbury 9, 53. Caulker 36,
Oxlade-Chamberlain 90.
BELGIUM U21 (4-4-2): Casteels; Ngawa, Boyata, Wuytens, Acker; De Bock,
Meunier (Naessens 60), De Pauw, Bruno (Musonda 62); Badibanga (Guillaume
83), Benteke.
Referee: L Liany (Israel).

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 29th February 2012

Cole stoked for promotion push
WHUFC.com
Carlton Cole believes the Hammers are in good shape ahead of the final two
months of the season
28.02.2012

Carlton Cole believes West Ham United have all the attacking options they
need to fire the club to promotion from the npower Championship. The No9 and
leading scorer has started the previous two league matches on the bench,
with January signing Nicky Maynard preferred in the starting role by manager
Sam Allardyce.
However, Cole has been around long enough to know he will get plenty more
chances to add to his club-leading tally of nine goals in the Hammers' final
14 fixtures - as will Maynard, Sam Baldock, John Carew and Frederic
Piquionne. "The thing is, we've got the players now to change it around if
the manager chooses to go with a different style," Cole told West Ham TV.
"I've got my own style, Nicky Maynard has got his own style and Sam Baldock
has got his own style. We've got a few other players like John Carew and
Freddie Piquionne and a young boys coming through. "Everybody has got a
different style and brings different stuff to the table. If the the manager
chooses to play anybody he sees fit for that game, he will do it. "Right
now, you can have a look. We're winning games, we've not lost since Ipswich
and have done well. We've had a few red cards that could have been avoided
but we've done well with what we've had. If I'm on the bench, I'll swallow
it. When I do get my chance, I'll give 110 per cent because that's all I can
do."

Cole was modest when it was put to him that his half-time introduction
against Crystal Palace on Saturday helped to turn the game in West Ham's
favour, despite his pass setting up fellow substiutute Baldock for the best
chance of the game late on. "I don't think it was me personally - it was the
change in formation. As soon as we went two up-front we started asking
different questions and I don't think Crystal Palace could handle us in that
way when we went 4-4-2. "Sam Baldock came on and had a couple good chances
that on another day I know he would put away. It wasn't our day to score a
goal, but I know it will come good."

While fellow England international Robert Green and Wales midfielder Jack
Collison have gone away to represent their countries, Cole has joined his
team-mates at a warm-weather training camp in Dubai. The striker believes
the trip will serve as a catalyst for the club's final push for promotion,
helping the squad to bond and rest tired limbs after a testing few weeks
that saw them reduced to ten men in three consecutive league games. "I think
the boys will be all right. We haven't got many going away on international
duty and the boys who aren't going away and will re-charge their batteries
for the next game."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Green hails Big Sam Impact
WHUFC.com
Robert Green has praised manager Sam Allardyce following his England call-up
28.02.2012

Robert Green has spoken of the positive impact West Ham United manager Sam
Allardyce has had on his form this season. Green has won a well-deserved
recall to the England set-up for Wednesday night's game with the Netherlands
after a season of fantastic performances between the posts for the Hammers.
The 32-year-old was recalled to the England squad for the first time since
last September by manager Stuart Pearce and at an England Footballers
Foundation Lion and Roses Charity dinner on Monday night, he spoke during
about the improved mood in the camp since the arrival of Big Sam last
summer. "It's been good working under the manager this season. He's turned
around a pretty depressed place and got it going in the right direction"
Green said. "One thing he does is man-manage people, it's been good so far
under him."

What Allardyce appears to have installed in the West Ham squad is a
determination that promotion to the Premier League should be their main
priority this season. The manager's words have certainly rung true with
Green. "The motivation is there, we have got to get promoted. It's been
different and in a way it's been nice to not be in a team getting a pounding
every week. But it's not Premier League football and that's where the aim is
to be."

The West Ham No1 has been called into the squad alongside regular England
stopper Joe Hart and Scott Carson for the game at Wembley after keeping ten
clean sheets in the npower Championship this season. For Green, who was at
his best again on Saturday to deny Crystal Palace on several occasions,
football at the moment is very simple. "It's about keeping it down to the
basics, the pure element of trying to keep the ball out of the goal is
something I focus on" Green said. "What affects my life is what happens on a
Saturday and how well we do at West Ham. That's really pretty much all I
care about."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Freddie impresses
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 28th February 2012
By: Staff Writer

Freddie Sears has been praised by Colchester boss John Ward following his
first full week with the Us. 22-year-old Sears joined the League One outfit
on a month's emergency loan last week and made his home debut for the Essex
club in their goalless draw with Rochdale at the Weston Homes Community
Stadium on Saturday.
Despite failing to find the net in his first start for Colchester, Sears
gave an encouraging performance during which he managed to test the
opposition goalkeeper on a couple of occasions. And Ward feels that now he
has settled into his temporary home, Sears' first goal for United won't be
too far away. "He has done fine this week," Ward told cu-fc.com. ""This is
his first time down to League One, so it's a credit to him that he's willing
to get out and play football - and it's a real credit to us that we've been
able to get him here. "It says a lot about him as a player that he wanted to
be here. He had to drive across London to sign the paperwork and fetch all
of his kit on Friday, so he was keen to meet us and be a part of the group.
"We've got a good player and a good person too. That attitude is crucial,
because if you're sloppy and lazy in football - or any job - you won't last
for long."

Sears' next chance to open his account comes when Colchester visit Boundary
Park to take on fellow mid-table side Oldham Athletic tonight.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Premier League is where it's at
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 28th February 2012
By: Staff Writer

West Ham number one Robert Green has given the clearest indication yet that
he will not consider signing a new contract if West Ham fail to return to
the Premier League this season. Green, speaking at a charity dinner last
night admitted that he was enjoying winning more games than during any
season since moving to east London but insisted that he needed to be playing
in the top flight. "This season has been different," he said. "In an ironic
way its been nice to not be on a team getting a pounding every week. But
obviously it's not Premier League football and that's where the aim is to
be. "We will see where the season takes us. If by the end we are not
promoted then you'd say its been rubbish and I wouldn't want to do it again.
It's the end outcome really."

The 32-year-old goalkeeper - who is also back in the England fold having
been given an international lifeline by temporary England boss Stuart Pearce
- added that whilst he enjoyed working under the current regime, he felt
that time was running out for his to make one final impact in the Premier
League. "It's been good working under the manager, he's turned around a
pretty depressed place and got it going in the right direction," added
Green. "One thing he can do is man-manage people.
"But it's not where we want to be. For me at West Ham, we have got to get
promoted. The motivation is there. "Whatever else happens happens is out of
my control; I'll get on with affecting what I can affect."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jonjo tops £50k mark
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 28th February 2012
By: Staff Writer

Jonjo Heuerman's fund-raising schemes have now netted the Bobby Moore Fund
for Cancer Research in excess of £55,000. The ten-year-old Hammers fan
completed his second marathon walk in aid of the charity on Saturday
morning, having been joined along the 23-mile route by a host of
well-wishers and fellow Hammers fans.
The youngster, who lost his grandmother to the same disease that cost
Hammers legend Moore his life 19 years ago this month ended his second
annual three-day walk in front of the World Cup winners' statue at the top
of Green Street ahead of the match with Crystal Palace. There he was
greeted by West Ham's co-chairmen David Gold and David Sullivan, young
Hammer Dylan Tombides plus a marching band who escorted Heuerman and his
merry band of marchers to the Boleyn Ground. The walk raised in excess of
£15,000 to add to the £40,000 young Jonjo - with the considerable help of
his elder sister Megan - had already previously raised for the fund.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Green not listening to critics
Shot-stopper believes life is more important than football
Last Updated: February 28, 2012 9:56am
SSN

Goalkeeper Robert Green insists he has never allowed his England critics to
make an impact on his life. The shot-stopper is back in the international
set-up for Wednesday's friendly against the Netherlands having been called
up by interim manager Stuart Pearce. Green had fallen out of the reckoning
under former boss Fabio Capello after his howler against the USA in the 2010
World Cup. There had even been suggestions the West Ham player would retire
from international football after remaining an unused substitute in last
March's friendly against Ghana. But the 32-year-old did not listen to the
debates over his career, as he said in the Daily Mail: "I just carry on
playing. It's about keeping football down to the basics. The pure element of
trying to keep the ball out of the goal is something I focus on. "What that
man writing for whatever newspaper, what people write or speak about, I
really don't give a monkey's about. "That's not going to affect my life.
What affects my life is what happens on a Saturday and how well we do at
West Ham. That's really pretty much all I care about. "Football's not
particularly crazy. Once you are in it, you're in the eye of the storm and
it's quite nice. "I go along, play football, work as hard as I can, play as
hard as I can and then go home and spend time with my wife and kids. "If the
phone call comes, it comes. If it doesn't, I'll still be with my wife and my
child at the end of the day. If you get picked, you get picked. If you
don't, you don't."

Green's main focus is on helping West Ham back to the Premier League, with
Sam Allardyce's side currently sitting second in the Championship. "The
motivation is there," said Green. "For me, at West Ham, we have got to get
promoted. "It's been different and in a way it's been nice to not be in a
team getting a pounding every week. But obviously it's not Premier League
football and that's where the aim is to be."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
McCartney eyes Hammers stay
Full-back open to permanent deal
Last Updated: February 28, 2012 11:12pm
SSN

George McCartney is hoping to help West Ham back into the Premier League and
earn himself a permanent switch to Upton Park. The 30-year-old is currently
taking in a season-long loan with the Hammers, with Sunderland having deemed
him to be surplus to requirements. The experienced full-back is taking in
his second spell with the capital outfit, having previously joined the club
from Sunderland in 2006 before returning to Wearside two years later.
Saturday's goalless draw with Crystal Palace saw him make his 100th
appearance for the club and he admits to thoroughly enjoying his time with
the Championship promotion hopefuls. McCartney is now looking to help West
Ham over the line and convince Sam Allardyce that he is worthy of a
full-time deal.

Opportunity

"When I left the last time, I didn't expect to get the opportunity to come
back to a club like West Ham," he told London24. "Thankfully the manager and
the chairman gave me that chance and I am grateful to them. "If there is
promotion then I am sure that the chairman and the manager will be looking
to bring in quite a few new players. I have got a year left at Sunderland
and hopefully I can sort it out. "If West Ham are back in the Premier League
and willing to talk about giving me a contract, I will be more than happy to
stay down here."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Return of Kevin Nolan
February 28th, 2012 - 11:29 pm by Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die

Kevin Nolan has been out for three games. This weekend he will no doubt
return to the first eleven despite the fact that, well, frankly we have done
rather well without him. Only against Palace could you say that the team
didn't perform well. It would be a surprise if Sam Allardyce didn't restore
his captain to the first eleven. Actually, strike that. It would be
inconceivable. So I imagine it will be Jack Collison who loses out. Jack
certainly had a shocker against Palace and maybe needs a rest. Let's hope
the rest will have done Kevin Nolan some good and that he returns all guns
blazing. He may have scored 7 goals, but we certainly haven't seen anything
like the best out of our captain this season. I can't think of a game where
he's rated more than a 6, which is just not good enough for the captain of a
side in the top two.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 28th February 2012

Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce is looking to test the strength of his Hammers squad over a busy few weeks for the club
27.02.2012

Sam Allardyce is planning to make the most of a midweek free of fixtures to fine tune his West Ham United squad during a warm weather training break. Big Sam and his squad flew out to warmer shores straight after Saturday lunchtime's 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace looking to recharge the batteries ahead of Sunday's trip to Cardiff City. After three consecutive matches in which his side had a man sent-off, including the energy-sapping 4-1 win at Blackpool on Tuesday night, Big Sam felt that his team showed signs of weariness during the Palace draw. "The fatigue is down to two things. Certainly playing so many games a man light is going to cause problems eventually, but also we played on Tuesday night against Blackpool and Crystal Palace hadn't played for seven days," Big Sam said. "The energy levels were bound to be better from Crystal Palace and it showed. Dougie Freedman set out his side very well, they were very difficult to break down and that made our tiredness even worse."

The West Ham squad is likely to be tested to the full during a busy March and Big Sam is hoping to mix up his starting XI for each fixture. The Hammers will face seven further npower Championship games after the trip to the Carling Cup runners-up as the season edges towards the home straight. "One thing that I've learnt is to get back to rotation. I felt very loyal to the lads who won at Blackpool and in the beginning it was my mistake for doing that. "We tried to rectify that which got us better but on reflection I think two or three changes should have been made and I should have disappointed two or three players that didn't deserve to be left out.
"But having said that we got another point and another clean sheet and we're another point closer to our total as another game tick by."

Key to West Ham maintaining their six-match unbeaten home run was the first-half form of goalkeeper Robert Green, who capped off a fine 48 hours with a clean sheet. Green made a series of crucial first-half stops, which more than justified his inclusion in the England squad for Wednesday night's game with the Netherlands.
"When a player is playing in a successful team and confidence is good, the selection process becomes easier. The difficulty is when you know there's a good player but he's not playing so well and then it's difficult to leave him out. "Robert Green has been playing on top of this game all season and again showed that he's worthy of his call-up. He's very solid and his basics are very good and when we need something more than that he's always there for us. "His form in the early part of the game was the reason why we've kept a clean sheet as we weren't at our best in front of him. That then gave us a chance in the second half to go on and then try to win the game, which we did but couldn't quite achieve."

One selection dilemma Big Sam will have to face for the Bluebirds match is how to incorporate the return of captain Kevin Nolan from his three-match suspension. It will not be an easy task for the Hammers manager though, with his team having turned in some impressive performances while their No4 has been sidelined.
"With what we've got coming, whether he's in the team for the next game or shortly after it won't be long. "You can't have maximum points when you play with only ten men for three games. The fourth game was with eleven men, but to remain undefeated is miraculous."

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Loanee round-up
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's band of loanees had a busy weekend in the npower Football League
27.02.2012

Jordan Spence returned to action to headline a busy weekend of action for West Ham United's loanees in the npower Football League. The defender made his first appearance in more than four months for Bristol City in their 3-1 npower Championship defeat by Blackpool at Ashton Gate. The England Under-21 international right-back forced his way back into Derek McInnes' side and completed a full 90 minutes for his team.

Into npower League One and Peter Kurucz came out on top in his personal battle with Freddie Sears as Rochdale gained a goalless draw at Colchester United. Goalkeeper Kurucz denied his fellow Hammer to keep the U's at bay on Sears' home debut at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Fellow stopper Marek Stech also helped his side to pick up a point, helping Leyton Orient to gain a 1-1 draw at Bury in the same division. Stech was making his debut for the O's at Gigg Lane. Elsewhere, Cristian Montano played for 59 minutes as Notts County scored a 1-0 home win over Chesterfield at Meadow Lane.

Into npower League Two and George Moncur played for 74 minutes as AFC Wimbledon battled back from two goals down to score a 3-3 draw at Crewe Alexandra, while Callum Driver was booked as Burton Albion dropped to a 2-0 defeat at promotion-chasing Cheltenham Town. In the same division, Olly Lee was an unused substitute for Gillingham as the Kent side won 2-0 at home to Torquay United.

Pablo Barrera was not involved as Real Zaragoza went down to a 5-1 defeat at Malaga in Spain's Primera Division.

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Collison hails Green class
WHUFC.com
Jack Collison believes goalkeeper Robert Green has been key to West Ham United's fine season
27.02.2012

Jack Collison has heaped praise on goalkeeper Robert Green following Saturday's goalless npower Championship draw with Crystal Palace. Green was in typically outstanding form for the Hammers, making superb saves to deny Chris Martin, Mile Jedinak and Wilfried Zaha during a frantic first half, earning the appreciation of Collison and his team-mates. While the majority of the Hammers squad have jetted off to a warm-weather training camp, Collison and Green have remained in Britain, where they are on international duty for Wales and England against Costa Rica and Netherlands respectively. "Greeny has been a massive part of the team and he's a world-class keeper, there's no doubt about that," Collison told West Ham TV. "Some of the saves he makes are just unbelievable but you can see from how hard he works, he gives the team confidence to go and play. "He has been brilliant for us this season and long may it continue."

Collison himself also put in a shift against the Eagles and could even have won the game for his side in the dying seconds, only to shoot over the crossbar from 18 yards. All in all, though, the No10 believes the point gained from Saturday's fixture could prove all-important come the season's end. "I think we have to respect the point and respect the draw. Obviously, we would have liked the three points, especially here at home but the boys have been magnificent in the past three games and playing with ten men might have showed a bit today. We're still on target for automatic promotion."

Like manager Sam Allardyce, the midfielder believes the exertions of playing for 184 with ten men over their previous three matches left the Hammers slightly short of energy. "It's hard to put your finger on it. The boys worked unbelievably hard on Tuesday night [at Blackpool] and perhaps it showed. We were a little bit leggy but we had chances to win the game but unfortunately none of them went in. "We came on strong and I had a chance at the death and Sam Baldock's got on and got behind them a couple of times but it was unfortunate that neither of them dropped in. We're still unbeaten [in February], we're on a good run and hopefully we can keep that going until the end of the season. "The manager has said all along that two points a game is our target and if we achieve that then we should make automatic promotion. That's our target at the end of the day and although we didn't get the three points, the boys worked very hard as a team. "I was a bit leggy towards the end and I ran out of steam a bit personally. But we've been on a magnificent run recently and it's four games unbeaten after our horror show at Ipswich [on 31 January]. We've got 14 games left and it's up to us to pick up the points to gain automatic promotion."

While he will be in action for Wales in the Gary Speed Memorial Match in Cardiff on Wednesday, Collison is hoping his team-mates return from their training camp ready for Sunday's npower Championship fixture in the same city on Sunday lunchtime. "We've got a few days to go and recharge our batteries and that's important, especially with lots of games coming up in March. I'm sure there will be a bit of squad rotation and the manager will play a huge role and obviously the whole squad. We feel we have the quality and the depth in our squad and everyone is itching to do their bit for the team."

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Ladies reach County Cup final
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Ladies are one victory away from retaining the Essex FA County Cup
27.02.2012

West Ham United Ladies are one victory away from retaining the Essex FA County Cup after a hard-fought 2-0 semi-final victory at C&K Basildon. Carly Roache was the Hammers' heroine, scoring twice inside the closing eleven minutes to send Julia Setford's team through to the final at the Selex Sports Ground. There, they will meet fellow FA Women's Premier League Southern Division side Colchester United. The holders entered their semi-final clash as hot favourites against their Women's Eastern Region Premier Division opponents, but found it difficult to break down their hosts during the opening half. Despite dominating the possession, West Ham encountered a solid C&K Basildon defence that was packed and determined not to concede. When the home defence was breached, goalkeeper Jade Freeman kept her side in the game by pulling off a number of fine saves. Gemma Shepherd had the best chance of the opening 45 minutes from the edge of the six-yard box, but drove the ball straight into the arms of Freeman. In the second half West Ham pushed the home side ddee[ into their own half and kept up almost constant pressure, but still could not find that elusive goal. With extra-time looking a possibility, it was midfielder Roache who stepped up to become the match-winner. On 79 minutes, she collected the ball on the edge of the Basildon 18-yard box and side-footed a firm shot into the far corner of the net. Roache then doubled her tally and made the game safe with three minutes remaining, volleying into the roof of the net from just outside the penalty area.

West Ham will face Colchester in the final at a neutral venue on Thursday 5 April.

Before then, the Hammers host Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup at Thurrock FC's Ship Lane stadium on Wednesday 29 February, with kick-off at 7.45pm.
Then, on Sunday 4 March, the Ladies host Brighton and Hove Albion for their final league fixture of the season, knowing victory would lift them above leaders Colchester and could seal the title if third-place Portsmouth fail to win their final three matches.

West Ham United Ladies: Nikki Duncan, Tracey Duxbury, Danica Reeve, Rosey Sullivan, Jess Barling, Carly Roache, Lindsey Morgan, Stacey Little, Becky Merritt, Kelley Blanchflower, Gemma Shepherd
Subs: Natalie Grafton, Mel Abegglen: April Bowers, Kerrie Stimpson

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Group 'baffled' by Chairman's statement
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 27th February 2012
By: Staff Writer

Campaign group WHU's View say they are 'baffled' by comments made by co-chairman David Sullivan regarding a proposed poll of supporters over the club's potential move to Stratford. The group - who are set to meet vice-chair Karren Brady later this week in order to express their concerns about the club's impending bid for the Olympic Stadium - admitted to being surprised at a recent comment by Sullivan in which he suggested there would be no consultation of the wider fanbase.
"Karren Brady sent the Committee an email on the 12th December stating that, 'We are happy to commit to conducting a poll as this really would form part of our intended consultation process'," read the group's latest missive. "We are therefore baffled by recent comments attributed to Mr David Sullivan in an interview with a fan website in which he states there will be no poll. "Hopefully this confusion will be cleared up and the Committee look forward to an open and constructive discussion with the Board."

The WHU's View group was set up last year to represent the concerns of a number of fans regarding the club's lack of consultation over their impending bid for the Olympic Stadium - a move that would see West Ham United leave the Boleyn Ground, the ground the club has called its home for the last 107 years. WHU's View are calling upon the Board to conduct a poll of all season ticket holders and Academy members with regards to their plans for Stratford. Bidders hoping to take on the stadium post this summer's Olympic games have until 23rd March to officially register their interest.

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Boo sucks!
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 27th February 2012
By: Paul Walker

Amazing, isn't it, how things come back to bite you on the bum when you are least expecting it.

West Ham seemed to have spent much of last week placing some clearly contrived pieces on the club website praising season ticket holders, and even getting players and manager to mention specific parts of the ground by name to thank them for their support. Yea, right!

Then Big Sam comes up with the criticism of fans who booed his side after Saturday's disappointing 0-0 home draw with a very decent Crystal Palace side as they trooped off the pitch at the end.

Praise one minute, to seemingly satisfy some policy decision from on high, then dishing out stick!

Sam went to the extent of revealing that some of his players were annoyed because "we are at the top of the table". Now as soon as he said that he must have known it was giving a load of headlines to the press on the same old, tired, line of West Ham fans being hard to please.

"Hammers feel fans fury" was one wild over-exaggeration. Frankly, I didn't hear any booing from my vantage point. The Bobby Moore patrons trailed away to the sound of disappointed, frustrated silence.

What there was must have come from the Alpari stand (always the West Stand to me)… whose patrons had been singled out for special praise earlier in the week. I'm a great believer in the attitude that what is said in the dressing room after the heat of battle and when tensions are high, should stay there. Sam really did not need to mention it, all it caused was negative headlines.

And I wonder if the players who did sound off really want their thoughts unveiled to the nation in that way?

Sam, if confronted with questioning about booing should not add fuel to the fire, he should brush it away. But he chose to use what his players had said in the heat of the moment to make some sort of point about patience. You didn't need to do that.

Many managers, I found in my writing career, believed they understood the media and knew how to manipulate it. No they don't.

I recall Joe Royle once banning the media from Everton's training ground. He was sacked within a few weeks, because the row just escalated. Not nice, but you cannot control media like that, they always come back to get you in the end.

The club's rather ham-fisted way of praising fans and especially season ticket holders was probably an attempt divert criticism which occasionally follows the 'kids for a quid' scheme and cheaper ticket offers to fill the Boleyn, which does annoy some season ticket holders.

But surely we all are aware of the need for a full stadium, such is this club's financial state, and we can do the maths ourselves. Dividing games into your season ticket price still makes buying your ticket upfront the cheapest option.

I have mine because it is convenient, gets me away tickets and is cheaper per game, and it may get me a cup final ticket (now stop laughing) but I'd rather it did not get me anywhere near the play-off final. No thanks, we just have to avoid that nightmare.

So after all that brown-nosing the season ticket holders, we end up with the manager being critical of the small minority - because that is all it must have been - voicing their disapproval of the result on Saturday.

Sam has admitted he should have rotated the side following the massive demands of three ten-men performances in a row, with the players looking utterly shattered after the Blackpool triumph.

Mark Noble, James Tomkins and James Collison had run themselves to a standstill at Bloomfield Road, they were bound to be weary against Palace. Noble was not man of the match on Saturday, despite being the choice of sponsors. Robert Green and Abdoulaye Faye were both outstanding against a Palace side who hounded our midfield three from start to finish.

But it wasn't so much the result that deflated everyone, but the fact that we again wasted the chance to put real pressure and daylight on our promotion rivals. All the draw did was to allow Southampton to re-claim top spot, and saw Reading, Blackpool and Brighton get closer to us.

Now Sam may have thought he was being cute in mentioning we were still top, but that was a naive attempt to gloss over reality. Everyone leaving the Boleyn knew we had wasted another great opportunity to go clear, and did anyone not believe that Southampton would take advantage?

Interestingly, we even had one newspaper twisting Sam's quote. The new Sunday edition of the Sun, on it's debut weekend, turned Sam's quote into "one or two in the dressing room were unhappy (with the fans) because we are second in the league".

Now that's only a small thing compared to some of the stuff that has been perpetrated by News International of late, but I still come from the old school which says quotes should never be altered.

And Sam deliberately said "top" to emphasise his point even if he knew that we would not be staying there for long. Sam had deliberately stretched a point, and the Sun opted to doctor his words, because we were second by the time the paper was out to bed, and it looked better for them.

Sadly, the draw has made things a whole lot harder. Southampton, with very rich owners, have been a big threat all season. Reading, with very rich perspective new owners, are an increasing worry. Players like Jimmy Kebe have been given new contracts to ward off people like us and Premier League - for now - Wolves, who tried to buy him.

It is no surprise that the clubs really challenging for promotion are those with the parachute payments, or have recently had them. Now we are only four points clear of Reading, which would have been six had we beaten Palace, with the Berkshire club on the same number of games and still having to come to the Boleyn.

It's Cardiff next, after their outstanding display against Liverpool at Wembley in the Carling Cup, and that will be tough, with must-win home games against Watford and Doncaster to follow. Then we have Leeds, Middlesbrough, Burnley and Reading next month.

Let's hope the warm-weather training this week has some good effect on the tired limbs of players who had three matches on the trot with ten men to contend with. And then everyone can forget a few muppets who chose to boo at the end of Saturday's game.

You know my views on that. I have never booed my team and never will. It only causes problems, just as we have seen in the past few days.

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Hammers hopeful over Green
Allardyce wants new deal for keeper
By Graeme Bailey - Tweet me: @skygraemebailey. Last Updated: February 27, 2012 9:48am
SSN

West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce has revealed that he is working hard to persuade Robert Green to sign a new contract. Green, who was recalled to the England squad last week, is out of contract in the summer and is yet to agree new terms. The 32-year-old has been in excellent form for The Hammers this season and they are keen to tie him down to a new deal. "We're trying, we are still negotiating like we have been for a long time with a few players," said Allardyce. "We have not got that to a conclusion yet. Green has been playing on top of his game and has done well all season. Today, he showed he is worthy of his call-up. "His all-round goalkeeping is very solid, his basics are very good and when we need something a little more, he is always there for us."

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Lies, Damned Lies & Statistics
February 27th, 2012 - 4:16 pm by PhilBones
West Ham Till I Die

FROM IAIN DALE: Let me introduce Phil Bones to you. I have asked him to write a weekly column based on statistical analysis of anything to with West Ham. Here is his first offering. I hope you will welcome him and enjoy his contributions.

I am Phil Bones and a recruitment consultant by trade. A Barking boy originally, my love affair with West Ham began one Saturday in October 1980 aged just 7. My Dad accepted an invitation from my season ticket holding Uncle and Aunt to see West Ham v Bolton (with a certain Mr Allardyce at centre half and Peter Reid in midfield). We won 2-1 thanks to an own goal and from that point on I retired my Peter Shilton goalie jersey and wore the claret and blue number 10 (Trevor Brooking was the man!). A season ticket holder ever since with just two breaks caused by a lack of money in my teens and a spell abroad in my twenties, I have also managed to see us lose at the Millennium Stadium twice (Palace and Liverpool) but actually miss the time we won against Preston thanks to losing one of the lads Grandads and spending the whole match looking around Cardiff for him. I comment here under the name PhillyHammers.

Geek!

That's what the lads say. And they are right. I am the first to admit that my love of professional sport will almost certainly descend into a trawl of facts and figures before the first pint has already been ordered. However, this has, from time to time proved my point.

For instance, when my fellow season ticket holders explained their opinions on "who should we sign or not sign?" debate in January, I was able to give a very good reason as to why we had done great business. Here are a handful of the players we were linked with:

Jordan Rhodes – 71 from 141 appearances (0.50 goals per game)

Billy Sharp – 111 goals from 236 appearances (0.47 gpg)

Nicky Maynard – 77 goals from 182 appearances (0.42 gpg)

Nikica Jelavic – 66 goals from 174 appearances (0.38 gpg)

Ricardo Vaz Tê – 16 from 104 appearances (0.15 gpg)

Doesn't look so amazing does it? But a closer look at the figures shows things in a different light. At Championship level only the following appears:

Ricardo Vaz Tê – 10 from 22 appearances (0.45 gpg)

Nicky Maynard – 45 goals from 123 appearances (0.37 gpg)

Billy Sharp – 48 goals from 134 appearances (0.36 gpg)

Jordan Rhodes –1 from 10 appearances (0.10 gpg)

Nikica Jelavic – 0 goals from 0 appearances (0.00 gpg)

Now I know that both sets need to be looked at to analyse this properly. Rhodes and Jelavic, for instance haven't played at that level much (the quality in the SPL – that's a debate for another day). Vaz Tê played many games for Bolton in wide positions before he was a fully developed footballer.

But both lists are really brought into context with the sorts of fees that were floating around – £7 million + for Jelavic despite never having performed in a league as competitive as our own, £5million + for Rhodes on a similar vein. Now look at what the combined fees were for the other 3 as paid (reportedly) by us and Southampton, £2 million for Maynard, £1.5 million for Sharp, £1 million for Vaz Tê and a clear picture emerges that clubs in our position and that of the Saints (who had their own financial difficulties) must do their level best to make sure that they are spending in accordance with a players true worth.

Of course, the only statistics that matter a jot now are the ones they produce for their new clubs:

Nicky Maynard – 1 goals from 2 appearances (0.50 gpg)

Ricardo Vaz Tê – 1 from 3 appearances (0.33 gpg)

Billy Sharp – 1 from 4 appearances (0.25 gpg)

Now this won't stop me being shouted down in any number of the pubs I frequent and rightly so, football is after all a game of opinions and many are voiced in response to the articles on this site. Hopefully the facts can enable the debate and maybe reinforce a point or two. But, as they say, there are lies, damned lies and statistics!

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England v Holland: Robert Green encouraged by Stuart Pearce's 'kind words'
By Jeremy Wilson11:00PM GMT 27 Feb 2012 Comment
Telegrpah.co.uk

As a new era starts for England on Wednesday night, assessments from within the squad of the previous managerial regime are beginning to create a familiar echo.
The problem, it would seem, was not that Fabio Capello's man-management and communication was poor but that he often did not even deem it necessary. Rio Ferdinand, who felt slighted at not being personally informed that he would lose the England captaincy, was the first to speak out following Capello's departure, noting that "we don't need anything else lost in translation". Micah Richards then complained at how he would regularly ask for an explanation over his England omission but "never got answer". David James, who was discarded after the 2010 World Cup, also told of how Capello might not even acknowledge players around the team hotel and would sometimes simply address him with the words "hey, goalkeeper". It is arguable, though, that no player has more reason to feel aggrieved than Robert Green. The West Ham United goalkeeper was named last week in Stuart Pearce's squad and, against Holland tomorrow, could make what would be his first international appearance since his mistake cost England victory in their opening game of the 2010 World Cup.

Green immediately admitted to his dreadful error in the 1-1 draw with the United States but, after he and his family were briefly thrown into a media storm, has seldom spoken in public again. Indeed, since returning from South Africa in the summer of 2010, his most notable moment of media relations was an 'up yours' signal to the press box at Upton Park after a 1-0 win over Tottenham. Green, though, was thrust back into the spotlight on Sunday night having joined up with Pearce's squad at the Lions and Roses charity dinner organised by the England Footballer Foundation. Having been dropped by Capello, Green's description of how Pearce informed him last week of his England recall felt pointed. "He said some kind words," Green said. "He phoned me up, which was a promising start, and had a chat. It doesn't take a lot but it means a bit. It is something with Stuart Pearce that he is probably trying to portray, trying to get across."

Green set the record straight over rumours that he had considered retiring from international football following his request not to be part of the squad in May for the Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland. At the time, Green was understood to be unhappy at not being given the chance in the friendly against Ghana in March, believing it to be an ideal opportunity for his first cap since the World Cup. However, his wife was also due to give birth just a few days before the Switzerland game and he stressed that was the only reason for his initial unavailability. "My son was born and I wanted to be there," said Green. "That was the end of it."

As it turned out, Green's wife gave birth earlier than expected and he agreed to serve as an emergency replacement for David Stockdale in the week leading up to the game. He was forced to withdraw from the subsequent matches against Bulgaria and Wales in September with a finger injury and was not selected by Capello again.
Green, though, rejected the suggestion that this felt like a fresh start to his international career. "If you get picked you get picked, if you don't, you don't," he said. "I'm 32 now, been around the best part of 10 years. It [international recognition] is not something that I'm really affected by. What people write or speak about, I really don't give a monkey's. That's not going to affect my life. What affects my life is what happens on a Saturday and how well we do at West Ham.

"Whatever else happens, happens. It is out of my control. It's something that, if you spend time worrying about and thinking about, you are wasting energy."
Pearce is clearly aware that Green's form has been among the main reasons for West Ham's strong promotion push. "It's been different this season," said Green. "In an ironic way, it has been nice to not be on a team getting a pounding every week, but it's not Premier League football and that's where the aim is to be.
"If we are not promoted, then you'd say it has been rubbish and I wouldn't want to do it again. But it's been good working under the manager [Sam Allardyce]. He's turned around a pretty depressed place. One thing you can do is man-manage people."

The stability and hinterland of fatherhood is clearly serving him well. "Football's not that crazy," Green said. "Go along, play football, work as hard as I can, then go home, spend time with my family. If the phone call comes [from England], it comes. If it doesn't, I'll still be with my wife and my child at the end of the day."

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Rob Green: I don't care what people say...I just want to save shots
By MATT BARLOW
Last updated at 10:30 PM on 27th February 2012
Daily Mail

The resignation of Fabio Capello has restored factory settings to the England squad as they gather for the first time since the managerial change. Capello's favourites will feel a little uneasy while others have new hope. Micah Richards was first to portray relief and Rob Green could be forgiven for celebrating the Italian's farewell as he took a call from Stuart Pearce ahead of the game against Holland. 'He had some kind words for me,' said West Ham goalkeeper Green. 'He phoned me up, which was a promising start, and we had a chat. 'It doesn't take a lot but it means a bit more. It's something with Stuart Pearce that he's probably trying to portray. On a working level, we'll wait to see what he does.'

Green was standing proudly in his suit, three lions on the badge on his chest, at the England Footballers Foundation 'Lions and Roses' charity dinner. It was the first time he had spoken publicly since the post-match interview zone in Rustenburg, South Africa, after the mistake which gifted the United States an equaliser in the opening group game of England's World Cup campaign. He was axed for the next game against Algeria, having learned of Capello's decision via the internet, and has not won a cap since. When he did not get on in a friendly against Ghana last March, a game in which most of the first team were rested, there were suggestions he might follow Paul Robinson and Ben Foster into international retirement.

He told Capello he did not want to be considered for the Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland in June because his wife was due to give birth but his son was born earlier than expected and he was able to accept a call-up after it became clear David Stockdale could not report for duty because the game clashed with his wedding.
'My son was born and I wanted to be there for that,' said Green. 'He was a bit earlier than expected and that was it. It was blown out of proportion. The world didn't end and nothing else happened.'

Injury apart, he has remained in contention despite West Ham's relegation last year, adopting the same singled-minded approach which helped him to quickly overcome his mistake in Rustenburg and the criticism and intense scrutiny which followed. 'I just carry on playing,' said Green. 'It's about keeping football down to the basics. The pure element of trying to keep the ball out of the goal is something I focus on. 'What that man writing for whatever newspaper, what people write or speak about, I really don't give a monkey's about.

'That's not going to affect my life. What affects my life is what happens on a Saturday and how well we do at West Ham. That's really pretty much all I care about.
'Football's not particularly crazy. Once you are in it, you're in the eye of the storm and it's quite nice. I go along, play football, work as hard as I can, play as hard as I can and then go home and spend time with my wife and kids. 'If the phone call comes, it comes. If it doesn't, I'll still be with my wife and my child at the end of the day. If you get picked, you get picked. If you don't, you don't. 'I'm 32 now, been around the best part of 10 years. Hopefully I've got another 10 years. It's the old adage, it's boring, taking things day by day and just going along and seeing where we go. 'Whatever else happens is out of my control and if you spend time worrying and thinking about it you're wasting energy.'

Capello's exit, however, ends an episode which ought to have been the proudest of his career and turned into a nightmare. Green was established as England's No 1 for the entire season leading to South Africa but it was not until two hours before the USA game that his place in the team was confirmed ahead of David James and Joe Hart. Hart has made the position his own since the World Cup, leaving his rivals locked in an even contest for the role of deputy ahead of Euro 2012. Pearce has recalled Green to the squad for the first time since September, when he pulled out through injury. 'The motivation is there,' said Green, hoping a return to the Premier League will help him to add to his 11 caps. 'For me, at West Ham, we have got to get promoted. It's been different and in a way it's been nice to not be in a team getting a pounding every week. But obviously it's not Premier League football and that's where the aim is to be. 'We'll see where the season takes us. If, by the end, we're not promoted then you'd say it's been rubbish and I wouldn't want to do it again. It's the end outcome really. It's been good working under the manager (Sam Allardyce). He's turned around a pretty depressed place and got it going in the right direction. 'One thing you can do is man- manage people. It's been good so far under him. It's not where we want to be; it's life. If I spend my time worrying about that, I'll be pretty old by the end of the season.'

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Baldock targets West Ham starting spot
By talkSPORT
Monday, February 27, 2012

West Ham striker Sam Baldock admits he has been frustrated at being left out of the first-team but is determined to force his way past new signings Nicky Maynard and Ricardo Vaz Te. Baldock enjoyed a successful start to his career at Upton Park following his move from Mk Dons back in August, scoring five goals in his opening nine games. But he was forced to spend a month on the sidelines with a hamstring injury and then slipped down the pecking order following the arrivals of Maynard and Vaz Te in January. Baldock's last goal for West Ham was at the start of November, but he was one of the star performers when he appeared as a substitute during the 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace at the weekend and is now hoping to get back in the starting line-up when they face Cardiff on Sunday. Baldock said: "I take the situation as it comes. Obviously I've been frustrated and I think the other players have seen that frustration, but I'm not going to let it affect me when I do get opportunities to play. I'm going to try to grab every chance that I can. "The players who we've brought in have only added to the quality that we've got in the squad and hopefully they'll help us to reach our aim of winning the league. "All I can do is try to impress the manager when I do get a chance in training and in the games. Hopefully I've shown him again what I can do on Saturday and he'll bear me in mind a bit more next time when he is picking the team. "The fans have always been good to me ever since I scored my first couple of goals against Blackpool. I think they know that I'll work for them and I'll work for the badge. The fans are a credit to the club with the noise that they make and they inspire us."

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West Ham United loanee Marek Štěch joins up with Czech Republic Under-21s after Leyton Orient debut
3:57pm Monday 27th February 2012 in News By Matt Bass
Guardian Series

Marek Štěch has linked up with the Czech Republic Under-21 squad for their international friendly with Romania. Štěch joined Orient on loan from West Ham on Friday as cover for the injured Lee Butcher and made his debut in the 1-1 draw with Bury the next day. In a busy period for the stopper, Štěch's debut was immediately followed by a flight to link up with his team-mates in Prague. The 22-year-old could feature for the Czech side when they visit Bucharest on Wednesday but will be available for Orient's next match at home to Dean Smith's Walsall at the weekend. Meanwhile, the Czech Under-19 side will be in action at Brisbane Road tomorrow night when they take on Noel Blake's England, who feature former O's loanee Harry Kane among their ranks.

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Crystal Palace captain backs West Ham to return to the Premier League
Monday, February 27, 2012
3:15 PM
London 24

Crystal Palace captain Patrick McCarthy has backed West Ham to win promotion after holding the Hammers to a 0-0 draw at Upton Park on Saturday. The Hammers are currently second in the Championship, behind Southampton, after Ricky Lambert scored a hat-trick against Watford on Saturday to take the Saints top. "They are at the top of the league and they are expected to go up and I'm sure they will," McCarthy said. "I think people around West Ham would be very disappointed if they didn't go up but I'm sure they will. "We're just happy to look at our own situation and we're just happy to come to a place like West Ham, live on television, and put on the performance we did." Crystal Palace are in 13th, nine points behind sixth placed Cardiff.

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Robert Green's West Ham future is in doubt
Evening Standard 27 Feb 2012

West Ham jetted off to UAE after their goalless draw with Crystal Palace on Saturday without England goalkeeper Robert Green, whose long-term future remains in doubt. The 32-year-old joins up with the national side ahead of Wednesday's friendly against Holland and Hammers boss Sam Allardyce admits contract talks have stalled. "We're still in negotiation with Rob but we haven't reached a conclusion," he said.

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West Ham striker angry at missing his two chances against Palace
London 24
Dave Evans, West Ham Correspondent
Monday, February 27, 2012
12:31 PM

West Ham striker Sam Baldock is in the business of scoring goals. He may strive to outpace his marker, to jink into the box and set-up chances for his team-mates, but in the end he is judged on whether he can hit the net. And so his two misses in the goalless draw against Crystal Palace on Saturday hurt the former MK Dons striker hard and anyone who suggests that he had done all he could is likely to be greeted by some stern words. "No it's not all I could have done, of course it's not," said the diminutive 22-year-old speedster after the 0-0 Upton Park stalemate. "You can score them and with the second chance I back myself nine times out of 10 to score it. "Maybe there was a bit of rustiness there I don't know, but I should have sent it further wide of the goalkeeper."

Baldock made an impact on proceedings just seconds after coming on as a substitute in the 73rd minute. First, he darted away from his marker on the left edge of the area only for keeper Julian Speroni to save with his legs by the post. And then came the best chance of the whole match for either side. On 76 minutes, Carlton Cole's delightful reverse pass put Baldock in, but his shot was too close to the keeper and blocked to safety. "The second one I was trying to guide it into the corner," explained Baldock, who has five goals to his name for West Ham, but hasn't scored since November 5. "I didn't connect with it cleanly, though to be fair if I had connected with it worse it might have gone in, because he had already started falling."

Baldock arrived in the summer in a £2million deal, but he has been hampered by manager Sam Allardyce's preference for playing just one striker and now by the arrival of Ricardo Vaz Te and in particular Nicky Maynard to add to the competition. "I take all that as it comes," he insisted. "Obviously I have been frustrated and everyone around the place has seen that. But I am not going to let it affect me and when I do get the chance to play, I am going to try and grab it. "The players we have brought in has only added to the quality we have got in the squad and hopefully it is going to help is towards our aim of winning the league."

Baldock, of course, wants to be a part of that, and with so many games to play in March, he is hopeful that his performance on Saturday will help to earn him that chance. "I think what I have got to do is impress the manager in training and on the pitch and hopefully I have impressed him enough against Palace so that he will bear me in mind a bit more next time he picks a team," said the West Ham number seven. "Everyone knows that the March period is really busy and that is why we have got such a big squad. "I think everybody is going to be needed and everyone must be trying their best in training to be sharp because you never know when you are going to get the call."

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