Daily WHUFC News - 9th March 2012

Vaz Te on target
WHUFC.com
Ricardo Vaz Te spoke to West Ham TV after netting his first Boleyn Ground
goal against Watford
08.03.2012

Ricardo Vaz Te admitted to feeling mixed emotions after netting his first
Boleyn Ground goal on Wednesday. The winger climbed off the substitutes'
bench before firing in a late equaliser to earn West Ham United a 1-1 npower
Championship draw with Watford. While the No12 was pleased to find the
target for the second time in a claret and blue shirt, he admitted the
Hammers would look back on the game as being two points dropped. Looking
ahead to Saturday's visit of Doncaster Rovers, Vaz Te said it was important
that the players and fans formed a united front to score a vital victory
against their relegation-threatened visitors.

Were you pleased with your contribution and goal?

"Yes. I was a bit disappointed with the result because we expected to win
really - me more than anyone and obviously the fans as well. I'm delighted
to be on the pitch and to play any part in the game. At the end it was
important not to lose and we can build on that."

Talk us through your goal?

"I just thought I'd make sure I hit the target. That's all that was in my
mind. I saw Sam run for the ball and I knew he was going to lay it off. It
helps that I've been here for a while now and I understand each individual
player so we're starting to gel now."

Does a positive atmosphere in the stadium help the players?

"If you saw the last 15 minutes, when we were on top of them, they didn't
know where to kick the ball. They were just desperate for the game to calm
down a bit. When it's not going so well, that's when the crowd should lift
us up because they play a huge part. That's my feeling towards it, anyway.
"I think they are great, to be fair. They are always there and they travel
and we're never short on fans. I just hope that if they could help with that
little tiny detail it would be great for each individual on the pitch."

What didn't go right for the first 75 minutes?

"I don't know. That's for the manager to answer. I watched the game and
tried to pick a few things like when to run at them and to make them turn.
Sometimes it didn't look good but the boys tried their best. We always try
our best. Some days it doesn't seem good enough, but they tried their best."

Do you think we need to be patient against Doncaster Rovers on Saturday?

"The level of expectation in the football club is huge and we're expected to
win every football game, especially against the bottom teams. Any team that
comes here wants to play great football because this is the stage. I
remember coming here with Barnsley and I was buzzing, so I'm sure everybody
is buzzing when they come here to play.

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Sam reflects on Watford draw
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce was frustrated after watching West Ham United draw at home to
Watford
08.03.2012

Sam Allardyce was left to lament West Ham United's lack of a finishing touch
as they were held to a 1-1 draw with Watford on Wednesday evening. The home
side passed up a number of chances throughout the game with a mixture of
wayward shooting and the excellence of Thomas Kuszczak denying them.
Substitute Ricardo Vaz Te did find a way past the on-loan Manchester United
stopper eventually to cancel out Sean Murray's deflected opener on 64
minutes, but despite plenty of effort the Hammers could not find that second
killer goal. "It was very frustrating, we didn't have enough quality to
finish off the chances to see off Watford and we nearly paid the price for
it," Big Sam said. "The frustrating part of it is we know where we want to
be and what we want but we just can't find the cutting edge at home.
"Watford are a stubborn unit who made it difficult, but based on the chances
we have had and missed we should have won."

Big Sam was once again left to rue his side's lack of a clinical edge as a
number of players failed to take advantage of good openings. The eight
minutes of added time provided plenty of frantic action in the Watford box
but the ball would not quite drop for the hosts. "One of our strikers scored
to get us back in the game but some of our best chances didn't fall to the
strikers. Carlton Cole had a good chance that he didn't take, but the whole
team was guilty of missed opportunities. "Watford's goal is typical of a
night like this. It wasn't troubling Robert Green at all until it took a
deflection off [Abdoulaye] Faye and went in off the post. "To be fair to the
lads they picked themselves up and got back into the game and got into a
winning position too."

The point means West Ham are now six unbeaten in the league and have not
lost at home since the Burnley game on 3 December. However, Big Sam concedes
that the home performances are currently not quite emulating the superb away
day efforts seen of late. "In the last two games we have struggled at home
which is not representative of our home form for the season. Just recently
that magnificent form has turned into frustrating results. We need to stick
the ball in the net - it eases the tension and relaxes both the team and the
crowd. We have got to start taking our chances again "Maybe we are finding
it easier away from home, people attack us away from home and we exploit the
space. At home teams tend to place two blocks of four in front of us and we
are having difficulties trying to break them down."

Despite the frustration of not picking up the maximum points there were
still positives to be gleamed from the game. The draw moves the Hammers to
within one point of leaders Southampton, still with a game in hand. With
another home match against Doncaster Rovers to follow on Saturday, Allardyce
is eager to return to winning ways as soon as possible. "We nearly lost this
one instead of winning comfortably. We haven't looked like that for a long
time. At least we had the ability and desire to grab a point and I did
expect us to win it late on with the long stoppage time. It was a
frustrating night for us all but in the end you have to respect the point we
got and move on to Doncaster. "I am expecting us to be brave enough to go
out there and win. It's never easy to win a football game and Doncaster will
be riding high after beating Nottingham Forest on Tuesday so we must be
careful. But if we play to our best then the result will look after itself.
"

The Hammers' ability to call on a quartet of striking options in Carlton
Cole, Sam Baldock, Nicky Maynard and Ricardo Vaz Te in addition to
available-again widemen Matt Taylor and Julien Faubert has given Big Sam the
confidence that a positive result is achievable. "The players must use their
superior skills and ability to overcome these difficult opponents and the
way to do this is to take your chances when they arrive. At the moment we
are struggling to take the chances when they present themselves. "Nobody in
our team has scored ten goals this season. We are second in the league
without anybody scoring ten goals for us. That is a magnificent achievement
from the team but shows a lack of goal efficiency from any one particular
player. "Ricardo Vaz Te has got 16 for the season - 14 of which were for
Barnsley - so he's the man that will hopefully fire the goals in that will
win us promotion."

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Development Squad downed
WHUFC.com
The Development Squad have been beaten by a strong Colchester United side
08.03.2012

A young West Ham United Development Squad side have lost 2-0 tp a strong
Colchester United side. A goal in either half from Colchester striker
Freddie Ladapo saw off Ian Hendon's side but the Development Squad manager
was pleased with the performances of his own players, six of whom are still
serving their scholarships with the Academy. "We brought up the second-year
scholars from the Youth Team who are going to be next year's first-year
professionals," said Hendon. "They are out of the FA Youth Cup and we
thought we would bring them up and give them a couple of months in the
Development Squad."

With John Carew the only member of Wednesday's squad with any first-team
experience, he and captain Ravel Morrison joined youngsters such as Callum
Driver and Dominic Vose in the starting XI. Hendon was very impressed with
the performances of both his skipper and Vose. "Rav came in and he got on
the ball and was lively and tricky. Dominic Vose also did extremely well, he
has set his standards recently and let's hope he can carry on. "I think
Dominic is very concentrated and focused on his football and we are getting
the best out of him - long may it continue."

West Ham did create some good opportunities during the match on Wednesday
with Carew and Vose coming closest, only for the Norwegian to see his effort
saved by goalkeeper Mark Cousins and Vose putting his effort just wide.

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Faye reveals Upton Park nerves
West Ham defender wants fans to get behind players
Last Updated: March 8, 2012 5:15pm
SSN

Abdoulaye Faye believes West Ham are underperforming at Upton Park because
the players are being affected by tension in the crowd. The Hammers missed
the chance to take over from Southamptonat the top of the Championship after
being held to a 1-1 home draw by Watford on Wednesday night. Manager Sam
Allardyce was left unimpressed by his side as they were forced to rely on a
late equaliser from substitute Ricardo Vaz Te to rescue a point against the
Hornets, who had taken the lead through Sean Murray. Faye feels that as the
race for promotion to the Premier League heats up the East London club need
to present a united front on the field and in the stands.

Mental barrier

Faye told the Evening Standard: "We are nervous now every time we play at
home but that doesn't happen away when we are more confident. "Everybody
should help the team. After two minutes against Watford the stadium was
quiet and then, when a player loses the ball, you hear the shouts. That is
no good for the team. "We have got to be stronger mentally when we play at
home. At the moment we don't relax but we have to beat Doncaster at home on
Saturday. This is a big game for us.
"We have to overcome this mental barrier now because this is an important
time and we must win every game. Every player here understands that
expectations are high and the fans believe we should win every game."

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Home Form: Are We to Blame?
March 8th, 2012 - 5:31 pm by Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die

Upton Park has often been a fortress. Particularly in evening games, the
opposition have been affected by the atmosphere. But that seems to have
changed. There's a quietness about the crowd. Perhaps it's down to nerves.
But it's clearly affecting the players. This is what Abdoulaye Faye has said
in tonight's Evening Standard.

"We are nervous now every time we play at home but that doesn't happen away
when we are more confident. Everybody should help the team. After two
minutes against Watford the stadium was quiet and then, when a player loses
the ball, you hear the shouts. That is no good for the team. We have got to
be stronger mentally when we play at home. At the moment we don't relax but
we have to beat Doncaster at home on Saturday. This is a big game for us. We
have to overcome this mental barrier now because this is an important time
and we must win every game. Every player here understands that expectations
are high and the fans believe we should win every game."

I have some sympathy with his words. The Upton Park crowd has come to
reflect wider society, in that it seems to be that our maxim is "we want it
and we want it now" and we won't put up with a single mistake. What a player
needs when they make a mistake is a collective arm round his shoulder and an
encouragement to do better next time. But instead, what players get nowadays
from their home crowd is a load of derision and abuse. If a player isn't
trying there may even be some justification for that, but it's not right
when a simple mistake has been made.

Before we slag off players, perhaps we should look at ourselves.

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Big Sam fears rampant Royals as Hammers wobble
Published 11:59 08/03/12 By Neil McLeman
The Mirror

Sam Allardyce has admitted Reading are serious contenders for automatic
promotion after winning seven straight games. Brian McDermott's side are now
only two points behind the second-placed Hammers after the top two were both
held to home draws this week. Leaders Southampton shared the points with
Ipswich while West Ham needed an 87th-minute equaliser from Ricardo Vaz Te
to salvage a draw with Watford. Allardyce said: "Reading are as serious
contenders for automatic promotion as Southampton now. I wish we could go on
a run like Reading - they have had a the best recent run in the league. "It
is fantastic run of games. Birmingham went 15 games without defeat and found
that a little difficult to keep up. Brighton are back on track. Somebody
will always come up from the pack and challenge you. "What you have got to
do is get back to the old boring two points a game and you don't have to
worry about that then."

West Ham are now unbeaten in six Championship matches but after picking up
65 points from 34 games, they have fallen behind Allardyce's promotion
blueprint of two points a game after missing the chance to go back top of
the table on Wednesday night. "It is a psychological blow for us because we
could have gone back top of the league and got closer to two points a game
which is our target," the Irons boss continued. "Forget the position in the
league - our target is two points per game. "The position in the league is
not as important as getting two points a game because I know what two points
a game gives us: automatic promotion."

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Get behind West Ham, pleads Abdoulaye Faye
Evening Standard
Ken Dyer
08 March 2012

Abdoulaye Faye today pleaded with West Ham fans to throw their support
behind the team. The Hammers - who missed the chance to go top of the
Championship with a nervy 1-1 draw against Watford at Upton Park last night
- have won more games away than at home, where they have dropped 19 points.
The visitors took the lead in the 68th minute when teenager Sean Murray hit
a fierce low drive across keeper Robert Green. Only a late equaliser from
substitute Ricardo Vaz Te salvaged a point for his misfiring team and
defender Faye, who has been outstanding this season, said: "We are nervous
now every time we play at home but that doesn't happen away when we are more
confident. "Everybody should help the team. After two minutes against
Watford the stadium was quiet and then, when a player loses the ball, you
hear the shouts. That is no good for the team. "We have got to be stronger
mentally when we play at home. At the moment we don't relax but we have to
beat Doncaster at home on Saturday. This is a big game for us. "We have to
overcome this mental barrier now because this is an important time and we
must win every game. Every player here understands that expectations are
high and the fans believe we should win every game."

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Rovers want Ilunga back
Saunders wants to ensure he has full-back cover for Spurr
Last Updated: March 8, 2012 7:51pm
SSN

Doncaster Rovers manager Dean Saunders is trying to arrange a deal to sign
full-back Herita Ilunga for a second time this season. Ilunga made 15
appearances on loan for Doncaster earlier in the campaign before the
30-year-old's contract at West Ham Unitedwas cancelled in January. He has
recently been training with Leyton Orient, but the left-back has been
invited back to the Keepmoat Stadium by Saunders. Tommy Spurr picked up a
hip injury in training and Saunders is hoping to add Ilunga to his squad on
a short-term deal to provide cover. "I'm thinking about bringing Ilunga in
so he's here," said Saunders. "He's terminated his contract with West Ham
and he's been training with Orient just trying to keep himself right. "We
need to do something because if you get injured now you're having to miss
four or five games with us playing three a week. We can't afford to go into
these games being under-prepared and under-strength. I don't really want to
play a right-back and left-back. "Hopefully we can get him. I'm trying.
We'll see how Tommy is. Hopefully Tommy will be okay but, if he's not, we've
got someone there who can step in."

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 8th March 2012

Noble wins SBOBET Player Poll
WHUFC.com
Hammers fans have voted Mark Noble as thier SBOBET Player of the Month for
February
07.03.2012

Mark Noble was the overwhelming winner of February's SBOBET Player of the
Month poll on whufc.com. The club's longest-serving player polled 51.5% of
the vote after a fantastic month in which he netted a crucial penalty
against Southampton and helped West Ham United pick up eight points and
remain unbeaten in all four February games. That run was all the more
remarkable given the fact that the Hammers went down to ten men in three of
those games. The Hammers No16 picked up his award before the Watford match
from reality star Amy Childs. Robert Green marked his call up to the England
squad with some outstanding, match-winning saves that secured him second
place with 30% of the vote, while James Tomkins continued his outstanding
season with 9% of the vote in third place. It was Noble's second consecutive
win and he joins previous winners Tomkins (August), Henri Lansbury
(September), Sam Baldock (October), Carlton Cole (November), Dan Potts
(December) and Noble (January).

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Under 2,500 left for Doncaster
WHUFC.com
Saturday's Kids for a Quid game with Doncaster is proving popular
07.03.2012

Tickets for Saturday's Kids for a Quid game with Doncaster are selling fast
so fans should move fast to avoid missing out. The Hammers are into the
final stretch in their push for promotion and are still riding high in the
npower Championship. With West Ham's last Kids for a Quid game at home to
Crystal Palace selling out in advance, fans wanting to attend this vital
Championship match should buy now to avoid disappointment. The scheme
entitles all Under-16s to purchase a match ticket for just £1 and with adult
tickets starting from just £32 it's never been cheaper to bring the whole
family down to the Boleyn Ground. With the game against Doncaster coming
only three days after playing Watford, the fans will need to play their part
in cheering the Hammers towards their promotion goal.

Manager Sam Allardyce is a great supporter of the Kids for a Quid Scheme. He
said "When you look at the current economic climate, to come and enjoy a
game of football for a quid with your son or daughter is fantastic. I think
a bus or train fare costs more these days so this is increasing the West Ham
support and the future support. "I hope we can repay everybody that comes
along to the Doncaster game by giving them a victory to celebrate."

Tickets are already on General Sale and fans should book now to avoid
disappointment. To do so call 0871 222 2700 (calls cost 10p per minute plus
network extras), visit the Alpari Stand Ticket Office during normal opening
hours or book online here.

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West Ham 1 Watford 1
BBC.co.uk
7 March 2012
Last updated at 22:26

West Ham needed a late Ricardo Vaz Te goal to earn a point as they blew
their chance to go top of the Championship. Teenager Sean Murray fired
Watford ahead midway through the second half with a fierce low drive.
Hornets keeper Tomasz Kuszczak, on loan from Manchester United, produced
excellent saves to deny Mark Noble and James Tomkins. But Vaz Te scored via
the far post as West Ham moved to within a point of Championship leaders
Southampton. Although the Hammers have a game in hand over Southampton,
manager Sam Allardyce will see this as two points dropped, particularly as
his side created enough chances to secure a comfortable victory. Watford,
for their part, defended doggedly and were just three minutes away from
securing a third successive win at Upton Park. Matt Taylor, back in the West
Ham line-up after a three-match ban, crashed a shot against the crossbar
from 30 yards with less than a minute of the game gone. The Hammers twice
opened up a stubborn Watford defence just before half-time, only for
Kuszczak to come to the visitors' rescue with saves from Noble and Tomkins.
Just before the hour mark, Watford lost Dale Bennett, who was carried off on
a stretcher wearing a neck brace after colliding with team-mate John
Eustace. West Ham's failure to punish Watford proved costly as 18-year-old
midfielder Murray shot home off the far post. However, Vaz Te fired
goalwards from a corner and the ball squeezed over the line before Kuszczak
could react.

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West Ham Utd 1 Watford 1
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 8th March 2012
By: Staff Writer

Super sub Ricardo Vaz Te's late strike salvaged a point for Sam Allardyce's
underperforming West Ham side against Watford at the Boleyn Ground tonight.
Despite controlling the vast majority of the game, the Hammers has to rely
on the Portuguese forward's second goal since joining the club in order to
get them out of jail on a frustrating night. The midweek curse - which has
seen West Ham win just one of their home matches under the lights this
season (drawing two and losing the remaining three) - struck again as
Watford came perilously close to grabbing all three points. The Hornets -
who have managed just three wins away from Vicarage Road all season - were a
matter of minutes away from winning for a third successive time at the BG
after Murrays's goal out of nothing gave the visitors an 68th minute lead.

The freak goal - which came completely against the run of play - was scored
just as the Hammers were appearing to run out of ideas. Murray's speculative
effort was going wide before taking a deflection off Abdoulaye Faye that
turned it into the corner of Rob Green's net. Fortunately for a
disappointing West Ham, Vaz Te - who looked lively from the moment he
entered the fray - popped up with just two minutes of normal time remaining
to fire home from close range and earn United a point - the very least they
deserved for their efforts.

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Watch out watch out, there's a steward about
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 7th March 2012
By: Staff Writer

Supporters are being advised not to stand for prolonged periods during
tonight's Championship clash with Watford after a handful of fans received
warning letters from the club threatening to ban them from the Boleyn
Ground. Around ten supporters, all of whom are understood to be season
ticket holders in the corner of the Trevor Brooking Stand that meets the
West Stand were sent a copy of the letter - headed 'Final Warning- Standing'
- last week. The letter threatened to withdraw access to the stadium should
they continue to refrain from being seated, with the Police to be advised of
any such banning order. However one of the handful of supporters who
received a copy of the letter following the home clash with Crystal Palace
is furious at being picked out. The season ticket holder - who asked not to
be named - told KUMB.com he was angered not just because he was one of a
select few to receive the warning, but also because once he complied with
the steward's demands to be seated he was unable to see much of the ensuing
game due to fellow fans standing in front of him - many of whom continued to
stand.
"There was defintely people standing in front of me," the fan told KUMB.com.
"The guy in front of me is about 6'2" and 14-15 stone! "I was asked as I
took my seat to sit, if possible. We agreed that if everyone in front - and
to the side, due to the angle we are at - sat then so would we. That was it;
I was not asked [to sit] again during the game and neither was anyone around
us. I have never received any other warnings in the time I have held that
seat."

The problem, claims the fan, was due mainly to one particular over-zealous
steward randomly picking out supporters from those standing, rather than
beginning at the front and working backwards. "I saw [the steward] picking
on groups in the middle of large standing areas," the season ticket holder
continued. "We were joking at the time that she may have been a Millwall fan
on a power trip! "But I am annoyed that there has been no dialogue with the
club. And where does it end? If i stand to celebrate a goal and am one of
the last to sit, will that be used against me? It's the run-in to an
important season and I can't believe they are doing this."

West Ham told us that they have no option but to comply with the
requirements of the football authorities who banned standing in the nation's
top divisions following the reccomendations made by the Taylor Report back
in 1990. Although the club would prefer not to ban any supporters, they too
face sanctions from the authorities if it is deemed that they are not taking
appropriate measures in order to prevent standing at the Boleyn Ground.
Moves to relax the rules and reintroduce safe standing areas at football
grounds recently led to 145 Members of Parliament signing an Early Day
Motion calling for the debate to be re-opened.

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Late Vaz Te strike saves Hammers
Last updated: 7th March 2012
SSN

West Ham needed a late Ricardo Vaz Te goal to earn a point in a 1-1 draw
with Watford as they missed the chance to go top of the Championship. The
Hammers, needing a win to leapfrog Southampton at the summit, created a host
of chances at Upton Park only to fall behind to a second-half sucker-punch
from Watford teenager Sean Murray. Substitute Vaz Te struck with three
minutes of normal time to play and West Ham laid siege on the Watford goal
throughout nine minutes of stoppage time following a nasty injury to Dale
Bennett. Manager Sam Allardyce felt they should have had a last-gasp penalty
as the final whistle approached when Carl Dickinson appeared to handle. But
an expectant crowd, anticipating a comfortable home win against a side they
had beaten 4-0 in August, had to settle for a point.

Matt Taylor was back in the West Ham line-up after a three-match ban and
looked determined to make up for lost time, crashing a shot against the
crossbar from 30 yards with less than a minute on the clock. It set the tone
for the match with Julien Faubert then missing a gilt-edged chance when, six
yards out at the far post, he sidefooted the ball back across goal. The
Hammers twice opened up a stubborn Watford defence just before half-time,
only for Tomasz Kuszczak to come to the visitors' rescue with saves from
Mark Noble and James Tomkins. The hosts began the second half in the same
vein, Tomkins heading Noble's cross into the ground and over the bar after
just two minutes.

Moments later, as three Watford players threw themselves in front of Joey
O'Brien's shot, defender Bennett came off worse in a clash of heads with
team-mate John Eustace. Eustace returned to the field in a heavy bandage but
Bennett received lengthy treatment on the pitch before he was gingerly
carried from the field in a neck brace.

Allardyce sent on Sam Baldock in a bid to pep up his misfiring attack, but
instead it was Watford who took a shock lead. There appeared to be little
danger when Murray collected the ball 20 yards out to the right of West
Ham's penalty area, but the rookie midfielder lashed a fierce low drive
across Green and in off the post.
Watford promptly retreated back into their own half and Faubert fired over,
Nolan shot wide and Kuszczak pushed a Vaz Te header wide. But from the
resulting corner Vaz Te fired goalwards and the ball squeezed over the line,
via the far post, before Kuszczak could react. There was still time for the
Hammers' penalty appeals to fall on the deaf ears of referee Keith Stroud to
leave them contemplating a missed opportunity in the title race.

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Big Sam annoyed with draw
Allardyce feels his side should be beating Watford
By Graeme Bailey - Tweet me: @skygraemebailey. Last Updated: March
7, 2012 11:06pm
SSN

West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce bemoaned his side's failure to beat
Watford at Upton Park. The Hammers went into the match knowing victory would
put them on top of the Championship but they missed their chance and were
held to a 1-1 draw. It even seemed like they were heading for defeat after
Sean Murray put Watford ahead with just over 20 minutes left. But with three
minutes left on the clock Ricardo Vaz Te struck for West Ham to salvage a
point for the home side.
However, Allardyce was less than amused with the efforts of his side.

Frustrated

"If we are to get where we want to get this is where you have to get your
three points," he told Sky Sports. "And with all due respect to Watford we
should be beating them at Upton Park. "We are capable of beating them and
have the players, but we didn't show enough desire in terms of the quality
of our finishes. "And that is something that has disappointed me and
frustrated me."

Dyche

Watford boss Sean Dyche felt his side could easily have taken victory away
from East London as he felt Vaz Te's goal should not have stood. "In the end
on the night, we are disappointed at the decision to allow them the goal,"
said Dyche. "But overall to come here, a massive club, with big players, you
have to deal with how they play and it can be hard at times."

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West Ham 1-1 Watford: Hammers fail to go top
Published 21:58 07/03/12 By Neil McLeman
The Mirror

Sam Allardyce watched his West Ham side blow the chance to go top of the
Championship, then claimed they would have won the title already with Rickie
Lambert leading the attack. The Hammers needed an 88th minute equaliser from
sub Ricardo Vaz Te to salvage a home draw and were again booed from the
Upton Park pitch after a drab performance with little spark in front of
goal. Allardyce's side moved within a point of leaders Southampton with a
game in hand but have now dropped 19 points at home this season. And the
Irons boss reckons they would have already booked an immediate return to the
Premier League if Saints' 25-goal forward Lambert was wearing claret and
blue instead. "It is very frustrating - you need to take your chances," said
Big Sam. "What we are not good at is taking our chances when they come
along. "If we had Lambert in our team, we would have won the Championship
already. "We haven't got one person with 10 goals yet (Carlton Cole is top
scorer with nine). That is the key element. We are second in the league
without anyone scoring 10. That is a magnificent achievement in terms of the
lack of goals efficiency. "Vaz Te has got two now, so hopefully he will go
on. He scored 14 at Barnsley - we could have done with him at the start of
the season. "If you are not clinical enough, it nearly ended up with us
losing. At least we had the ability and desire to claw it back for a draw."

The promotion favourites have still got a better record away from Upton Park
than on home turf. "It comes down to sticking the ball in the net - it eases
the anxiety on everybody," Allardyce continued. "What we have got to do is
do the same at home as we do away and be clinical." The match had started
with more promise for the home side - Matt Taylor announced his return from
a three-match ban by hitting the bar with a 35-yard shot after only 58
seconds. And on-loan Manchester United keeper Tomasz Kuszcak denied Mark
Noble and James Tomkins with two fine first-half saves. The game was delayed
for over six minutes at the start of the second half when Watford pair Dale
Bennett and John Eustace clashed heads in their own box. While the Hornets'
skipper returned with a bandage and clean shirt, his centre-back was
stretchered off and taken to hospital for scans. It was the plucky visitors
who benefited from the break in the game. After 68 minutes, Watford-born
teenager Sean Murray rifled a low shot home off Abdoulaye Faye and the far
post. Allardyce reacted with a double substitution and switched to 4-3-3 -
replacement Sam Baldock immediately added more movement and January signing
Vaz Te forced Kuszczak into another good stop.

From the resulting Mark Noble corner in the 87th-minute corner, the
Portuguese drove home a low shot off the post. Watford then held out for the
nine minutes of injury time for a deserved point. "My only disappointment is
their goal was a foul," said manager Sean Dyche. "There was an overhead from
Carlton Cole at head height and anywhere else on the pitch it is a foul. "I
cannot see why it was not a foul. But there is only a smidgen of
disappointment because we played very well."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Double loan spell for Nouble at Reds
www.thestar.co.uk
Barnsley FC
By Neil Goulding Barnsley
Published on Thursday 8 March 2012 06:32

BARNSLEY have signed West Ham striker Frank Nouble on a one-month loan deal.
Nouble played four games for the Reds on loan last season and has returned
for a second playing spell at Oakwell. Barnsley boss Keith Hill said: "Frank
represents value for money. We've got him for a month initially, then we'll
see what happens. I know he's been to the club on loan but it's a good
opportunity for us to have a look at him. Everyone forgets he's a young lad,
but he's very talented and he's a little bit more mature now."

Nouble, 20, has played 13 times for West Ham but has struggled to cement a
regular starting place. The former England U17 and U19 international has
featured three times as a second half substitute for the Hammers, but has
spent most of this season on loan at Gillingham. He scored six goals in 14
games for the Gills and in the past two season has been on loan at six clubs
in an attempt to gain experience. "He's been pulled from pillar to post, I
think he'd benefit from a home," added Hill. "It's an ideal opportunity for
him to come in and play some games. "He's match fit and will be in our squad
for Saturday's match at Southampton. "Whether he starts or not I'll decide
later in the week. We need to make sure we look after him and give him the
chance to be successful. It's a good deal for us because we have definitely
been missing an ingredient from our creative side."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce laments lack of proven goalscorer
West Ham United 1 Watford 1
JON WEST UPTON PARK THURSDAY 08 MARCH 2012
The Independent

Sam Allardyce spent January adding strikers to his West Ham squad, just as
in August, but still he fears that he lacks the firepower to secure
automatic promotion in May. This game was a case in point. Chances were
created, chances were spurned and in the end it was down to Ricardo Vaz Te,
a substitute, to score the late equaliser that stopped Watford taking all
three points.

Southampton are top, a point ahead of the Hammers, and Allardyce wishes his
squad contained the equivalent of Saints' Rickie Lambert. "It all boils down
to sticking the ball in the net," the manager said. "If we had Lambert in
our team we would have won the title already. "We haven't got a anybody with
10 yet."

At least Vaz Te found the net, from 12 yards and off a post, just as
Watford's teenage winger Sean Murray had at the other end in the 68th
minute.

Sean Dyche, the Watford manager, was convinced that the home side's goal
should not have been allowed.

"It should have been a free-kick for an overhead kick to the head by Carlton
Cole in the build-up," he said. "Anywhere else on the pitch and it would
have been a foul."

Allardyce countered that fortune had favoured the Hornets with their goal.
Murray's shot beat the Hammers' goalkeeper, Robert Green, from a tight angle
on the right. Replays indicated a deflection off Abdoulaye Faye.

"It was going nowhere until it was deflected," Allardyce said, "and when it
went in I thought it was going to be one of those nights. Fair play to the
lads, they got back into a winning position."

Allardyce admitted that his side's home form was poor. "It is very
frustrating," he said. "We haven't shown nearly enough quality in the
chances we created and nearly paid the price for it. We just can't find the
cutting edge here at Upton Park. The chances we had and missed were
disappointing. We nearly ended up losing this one.

"If we had won we would have been where we wanted to be but now we have
dropped behind again. The most important thing is two points a game because
I know what that gives us – automatic promotion."

A point was bittersweet for Dyche, not least because of an injury suffered
by the defender Dale Bennett, who had to be carried off with his neck in a
brace after receiving lengthy treatment on the pitch, early in the second
half.

"He has gone to hospital and we are waiting for feedback," Dyche said. "We
have been told it might not be as bad as it looked."

West Ham United (4-4-2): Green; O'Brien ( Lansbury, 74), Faye, Tomkins,
McCartney; Faubert, Noble, Nolan, Matt Taylor (Vaz Te, 74); Maynard
(Baldock, 62), Cole. Substitutes not used Boffin (gk), O'Neil.

Watford (4-4-2): Kuszczak; Doyley, Mariappa, Bennett (Martin Taylor, 58),
Dickinson; Murray (Buaben, 88), Eustace, Hogg, Kacaniklic; Deeney, Iwelumo.
Substitutes not used Loach (gk), Trotta, Garner.

Referee K Stroud (Hampshire).

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Vaz Te rescues a point for West Ham
London 24
Dave Evans, West Ham Correspondent
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
11:01 PM

Ricardo Vaz Te rescued a point for the lacklustre Hammers against Watford on
Wednesday night as they missed their chance to go back to the top of the
Championship. The Hammers seemed to be heading to a dismal home defeat after
Sean Murray had given the Hornets the lead with 20 minutes left, but on 87
minutes West Ham finally earned some reward for their efforts. Mark Noble's
corner led to a goalmouth scramble and when the ball came out to the edge of
the box, substitute Vaz Te was there to thump a shot through a crowd of
players and in off the post to make it 1-1. A head injury to Dale Bennett
led to a lengthy stoppage, resulting in nine minutes of injury time, but the
tiring Hammers could not summon the effort to force a last-gasp victory. The
nearest they came was when the lively Vaz Te pulled the ball back for George
McCartney and when his cross went to the far post, Julien Faubert's effort
was straight at the keeper.

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce had opted for a 4-4-2 formation with Carlton
Cole partnering Nicky Maynard up front, while Matt Taylor returned after his
three-match ban, and it was the winger who almost opened the scoring in the
opening minute when his thumping 25-yarder crashed against the crossbar.
Taylor provided the perfect cross for Faubert on the far post, but he
somehow managed to shoot away from goal, while the best chance came on 37
minutes when Cole's clever pass released Mark Noble in the box, but his shot
was superbly saved by Tomasz Kuszczak. But as the half wore on, West Ham's
passing became more erratic and the fans grew more impatient, with Murray
going close for Watford with a drilled shot that went inches wide.

Things did not improve after the break with only James Tomkins' header into
the ground and over the bar to get the fans off their feet and after the
injury to Bennett, it was Watford who seemed to capitalise on the break as
first Alex Kacaniklic saw his shot deflected inches wide and then John
Eustace almost caught Rob Green out with a 30-yard chip. On 69 minutes,
Murray hit a shot which flew in off the post and West Ham looked
shell-shocked as Kacaniklik forced a save from Green five minutes later.
Allardyce threw on Vaz Te and Henri Lansbury, but the equaliser still did
not look like coming despite some pressure and plenty of corners. They
finally managed it on 87 minutes with Vaz Te's strike, but that was as good
as it got for the Hammers and they remain second in the table.

West Ham: Green, O'Brien (Lansbury 75), McCartney, Tomkins, Faye, Faubert,
Nolan, Noble, Taylor (Vaz Te 75), Maynard (Baldock 62), Cole.
Unused subs: Boffin, O'Neil.
Attendance: 31,674.

Referee: Keith Stroud.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United boss claims they would have won Championship by now if they
had Southampton striker Rickie Lambert
11:04pm Wednesday 7th March 2012 in News By Simon Mail
Guardian Series

West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce claims his team would already be crowned
champions if they had Southampton striker Rickie Lambert in their team. The
Hammers failed to go top of the Championship after a frustrating 1-1 draw
with Watford as they again paid the price for a number of missed chances.
Lambert has netted 25 goals this season for the league leaders while West
Ham's players have yet to hit double figures for them this campaign.
Allardyce said: "What we haven't been good at is taking our chances when
they come along. If we'd had Lambert in our team we'd have won the
Championship already. "We haven't got one person with ten goals yet. That's
the key element missing. To be second in the league without anyone scoring
ten is a magnificent achievement from the squad in terms of the lack of goal
efficiency we knew we had to show."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 7th March 2012

Henri out to sting old Hornets pals
WHUFC.com
Henri Lansbury will come up against some familiar faces when Watford visit
on Wednesday evening
06.03.2012

Henri Lansbury wants to upset his old Watford team-mates when the Hornets
visit West Ham United in the npower Championship on Wednesday evening. The
Hammers midfielder and some-time goalkeeper spent the 2009/10 season on loan
at Vicarage Road, scoring five goals in 39 appearances to help the Hornets
steer clear of relegation. Lansbury is still in contact with a number of his
old colleagues, most notably Watford captain and former midfield partner
John Eustace, and he is itching to get one over his friend. "There are a few
of them still there," said the No22. "I used to play in midfield with John
Eustace and I'm still good friends with him. He obviously named his son
Henry after me, which was nice. I talk to Eusty all the time, so I'm sure
we'll have a bit of banter before the game and if I'm playing I'll just run
past him! "Our strength and conditioning coach Monte [Mathew Monte-Colombo]
is very close to him too as he used to work at Watford and they go out for
dinner all the time, so I'm sure we'll both be on the phone and texting
him."

Henri Lansbury was a popular figure during his loan spell at Watford
Lansbury remembers his season with Watford fondly - particularly the early
part of the campaign that saw the Hornets lose just one of their opening
nine league matches to set the pace among the leaders at the top of the
Championship table. Two years on and Sean Dyche's side arrive in east London
on the back of a 3-2 win over Burnley at the weekend. The Hertfordshire-born
player knows West Ham will not have everything their own way against his
former club. "When I was there we started the season really well and were in
the top-six and I thought we were going to fight for promotion but within a
few games we were down at the bottom. Just like that season, the league is
very tight this year and anyone can beat anyone. They're a good team and I
hope they stay up. "We're going to have to be careful of Lloyd Doyley
cutting in and shooting! (Doyley has scored one goal in more than 350
appearances for Watford). Seriously, though, they are a well set-up team. As
manager, Malky Mackay sorted them out and Sean Dyche has carried on the good
work. We put one over Malky at Cardiff on Sunday and hopefully we can put on
over Dychey, who was the assistant manager when I was there, on Wednesday."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
George's nine-point plan
WHUFC.com
Goalscoring left-back George McCartney is determined to end the week with
nine points
06.03.2012

After helping West Ham United to victory against Cardiff City on Sunday with
his first goal of the season, Hammers full-back George McCartney is keen to
carry on winning. The 30-year-old-defender rounded off a superb 2-0 victory
by scoring the second goal of the game, while helping keep a clean sheet at
the other end. McCartney's strike was just his second goal for the Hammers
in 101 appearances and was certainly a moment to cherish. "It doesn't happen
too often, I think the last one was four years ago," McCartney said. "I got
a bit of luck after it bounced off of their right back but I managed to tuck
it away with my right foot. It doesn't matter how they go in as long they do
I'm happy!"

Although pleased with netting his first goal since returning to West Ham
after a three year hiatus, McCartney is still looking at the bigger picture.
While the win against promotion rivals Cardiff was vital in keeping the
pressure on Southampton, only two more wins in back-to-back home matches
will now do. "It's nice to score but the most important thing is the three
points. We all watched the results coming in on Saturday. Middlesbrough,
Reading and Southampton all won so a win for us against Cardiff was
important."

With three games in the space of just seven days, the Northern Ireland
defender is keen to take Sunday's form back to the Boleyn Ground. With games
against Watford on Wednesday night and Doncaster on Saturday afternoon,
McCartney is keen to pick up six more points. "When it's a three-game week,
we always seem to beat the toughest opposition and then when it comes to
game against a lesser team, no disrespect to anyone, we seem to struggle.
Take for example our great win against Blackpool we then struggled at home
to Crystal Palace, a team we feel that at home we should beat."

McCartney is determined not to let a similar fate occur this week and the
league standings suggest that if West Ham play to their potential then there
is every opportunity they can pick up vital points. "We know what we have
got to do now, it's getting to the business end of the season and we have
got to keep on picking up points; come Watford on Wednesday night, three
points is definitely what we are looking for."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Piquionne joins Doncaster on loan
WHUFC.com
Frederic Piquionne has joined Doncaster Rovers on an initial one-month loan
06.03.2012

Frederic Piquionne has joined Doncaster Rovers on an initial one-month loan.
The 33-year-old will remain with the npower Championship club until Monday 9
April. Piquionne could make his Rovers debut in the league fixture at
Nottingham Forest on Tuesday evening, but he will not be eligible for
Saturday's visit to the Boleyn Ground.

The former France international has made 21 appearances for the Hammers this
season, scoring twice, but has found his first-team opportunities limited
since the January transfer window arrivals of Nicky Maynard and Ricardo Vaz
Te.

Piquionne becomes the eighth West Ham player out on loan at present, joining
Pablo Barrera (Real Zaragoza), Jordan Spence (Bristol City), Freddie Sears
(Colchester United), Peter Kurucz (Rochdale), Marek Stech (Leyton Orient),
Cristian Montano (Notts County), Olly Lee (Gillingham) and George Moncur
(AFC Wimbledon)
As well as Piquionne, Spence, Kurucz, Stech, Sears, Montano, Lee and Moncur
could all be in action for their respective loan clubs on Tuesday evening.

Full-back Callum Driver and forward Paul McCallum have returned to Chadwell
Heath after their respective loan spells at Burton Albion and Rochdale ended
on Monday. Meanwhile, Academy graduates Matt Fry, Jordan Brown and Ahmed
Abdulla have joined npower League Two clubs Bradford City, Crewe Alexandra
and Dagenham and Redbridge following their release by West Ham in January

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dev Squad head for Colchester
WHUFC.com
Ian Hendon's young squad will take on Colchester United in Essex on
Wednesday afternoon
06.03.2012

Ian Hendon's West Ham United Development Squad will travel to Essex to take
on Colchester United on Wednesday afternoon. The young Hammers will travel
to the Weston Homes Community Stadium for a 3pm kick-off against the npower
League One side, with the match being open to members of the public. Tickets
for the match will be available through cash turnstiles priced at £5 for
Adults, £2 for Under-16s and Over-65s and free for West Ham season ticket
holders. With the first team in npower Championship action against Watford
on Wednesday evening, Hendon will have an inexperienced squad at his
disposal, with the likes of United States Under-23 midfielder Sebastian
Lletget, Republic of Ireland Under-19 international Eoin Wearen and
first-year professional Callum Driver among those expected to be on duty.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Watford
KO 19:45
6 March 2012
NPOWER CHAMPIONSHIP
Venue: Upton Park Date: Wednesday, 7 March Kick-off: 1945 GMT
Coverage: Watch highlights on The Football League Show; listen on BBC Radio
5 live and BBC local radio

TEAM NEWS

Matt Taylor returns to the West Ham squad for the visit of Watford after
serving a three-game ban. Julien Faubert (virus) is doubtful while John
Carew is struggling with a knee problem. Defender Winston Reid could miss
out after he was knocked unconscious on international duty.

Watford are without long-term absentees Martin Taylor (shoulder) and Stephen
McGinn (knee). Ross Jenkins (groin) and Gavin Massey (tooth infection) both
miss out.
MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
• West Ham lead 21-5 in the overall head-to-head, with five of their
31 league meetings drawn.
• Watford were trounced 4-0 when they faced West Ham at Vicarage Road
seven months ago, but they recorded a 1-0 win on their last visit to Upton
Park, in the Premier League in February 2007. It was their only victory over
these opponents in 21 league fixtures since November 1985.
• The Hammers need to score twice to total 50 league goals against
Watford.

West Ham United
• The second-placed Hammers resume the race with Southampton for top
spot in the Championship, looking to stretch their unbeaten league run to
six games.
• Sam Allardyce has masterminded three wins and two draws since a
shock 5-1 away loss to Ipswich; their only reverse in nine league games this
calendar year.
• The East London club, who are aiming for an immediate return to the
Premier League, are also a seventh home league game without defeat. They
have drawn the last two at Upton Park, but have not been beaten before the
home faithful since the visit of Burnley on 3 December.

Watford
• On Saturday they came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at home against
Burnley. It was the fourth time the Hornets have come from behind to win in
the league this season.
• Sean Dyche's men have managed just three away victories in the
Championship and their total of 12 goals scored is the second lowest away
return in the division. Only Coventry (seven) have a worse record.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Frederic Piquionne joins Doncaster Rovers on loan
BBC.co.uk

Doncaster Rovers have signed striker Frederic Piqiuionne from West Ham on an
initial one-month loan. Rovers boss Dean Saunders has been interested in the
former France international since last autumn. And the deal was agreed
during talks between the pair on Monday evening. Piquionne, 33, has been
with West Ham since July 2010, when he joined them from Lyon for an
undisclosed fee, but has been unable to command a regular starting role this
season. He has made 21 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring
twice, but a dozen of them have come from the substitutes' bench. However,
Saunders hopes his arrival at the Keepmoat Stadium will give a boost to a
Rovers side that has only scored 28 goals in 32 Championship games this
season and is currently bottom of the table. Piquionne, who will be in the
Doncaster squad for Tuesday's game at Nottingham Forest, first came to
England in 2009 when he joined Portsmouth on a season-long loan . His spell
on the south coast proved successful and he scored one of the goals in a 2-0
FA Cup win over Tottenham which put Pompey into the final for the second
time in three seasons. He played against Chelsea at Wembley, but it was the
Londoners who lifted the trophy following a 1-0 victory .

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Piq off to a flyer as Saints falter
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th March 2012
By: Staff Writer

It was a good night for Freddie Piquionne as he scored on his Doncaster
debut - and not a bad one for West Ham either as Championship leaders
Southampton dropped two points at home to Ipswich. Piquionne, who made his
debut for new club Doncaster at Nottingham Forest tonight scored the first
of Rovers' two goals in a 2-1 win that lifts Dean Saunders' side off the
bottom of the Championship. Meanwhile Southampton blew the chance to go four
points clear of West Ham - who face Watford at the Boleyn Ground tomorrow
night - after conceding a late goal at home to Ipswich at St Mary's. Ricky
Lambert's 74th minute goal - his 25th goal of the season and his fifth in
the last three appearances - looked like it would be enough to earn the
Saints a fourth successive Championship win. However the Tractor Boys - who
have already beaten Sam Allardyce's West Ham both home and away this season
- salvaged a point courtesy of an 85th minute equalise from Jason Scotland.
The point extends Southampton's lead at the top of the table to two points -
but crucially, the Hammers now have two games in hand over Nigel Adkins'
side. Elsewhere Reading continued their charge up the table with a SEVENTH
successive Championship win after grabbing a narrow 1-0 win over bottom club
Portsmouth. The Royals are now just one point behind West Ham, albeit having
played a game more. Fourth-placed Middlesbrough maintained their outside
hopes of automatic promotion with a 2-0 win over Barnsley but Ian Holloway's
Blackpool suffered a setback going down 2-1 at Derby.

The other club in the top six, Birmingham, were beaten 2-0 by Chelsea in an
FA Cup fifth round replay.

Squeaky bum time? The top of the Championship tonight

1. Southampton 35-66 +30
2. West Ham Utd 33-64 +21
----------------------------------------
3. Reading 34-63 +16
4. Middlesbrough 34-59 +8
5. Blackpool 35-56 +12
6. Birmingham 33-55 +21

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I'm a warrior
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th March 2012
By: Staff Writer

Freddie Piquionne has completed a move to Doncaster on a month's loan -
although West Ham will continue to bear the brunt of the player's salary.
The French striker has moved to the Keepmoat Stadium until the beginning of
April with an option to extend the loan for the remainder of the season.
Speaking on doncasterroversfc.co.uk this morning, Piquionne said: "I have
been in involved in scraps like that before at some of my previous clubs and
I'm ready. "I hope to score goals and do my best for the club. In my head
I'm a warrior and I will fight to keep Doncaster in the Championship."

A warrior in his head he may be although his feet appeared to have other
ideas in a season during which he has managed to find the back of the net on
just two occasions. Not that that appears to be a major concern for Donny
boss Dean Saunders, who expressed his delight at landing the 33-year-old.
"He's a player we've been after for a while and it's a big signing for us,"
he said. "Obviously Willie McKay has been involved and it's helped that he
[Piquionne] is good friends with Lamine Diatta. "I want to thank West Ham as
well for helping us with the wages otherwise we would never have been able
to afford to sign him." Piquione is set to make his debut for his new club
against Nottingham Forest tonight. A condition of the deal is that he will
not be available to face the Hammers at the Boleyn Ground this weekend.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carr pleased with progress
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th March 2012
By: Staff Writer

Academy Director Tony Carr has told the club's website that he expects to
discover "by the beginning of the summer" whether West Ham United have been
granted Category One status in the controversial Elite Player Performance
Plan. Carr, who has worked with the clubs youth players since 1973 told
whufc.com that he and his team are working hard towards gaining the highest
possible rank which will guarantee the club additional funding for the
Academy - and prevent the nation's richest clubs from cherry-picking his
most promising youngsters. "Once we have told the Premier League we have got
all of our ducks in line, they will come and audit the Academy," he said.
"There are ten Key Performance Indicators and each has a points system. We
need to get 75 per cent of the points available to be categorised as a
Category One. "We are working hard to make sure all of our departments are
up to speed and hopefully, by the beginning of the summer, we'll know what
category we have attained."

Carr also thanked the club's owners for offering the necessary financial
backing to bring the club's facilities up to standard. "The Board have been
fantastically supportive right from the word go which means a lot more
investment," he added. "We are putting that investment in place by providing
classrooms and employing more full and part-time staff, so we're getting
ready for next season. "

The Premier League-driven scheme, which begins next season (2012/13) will
introduce a four-tier system which, critics argue, will increase the power
of the country's elite clubs by ensuring that Football League clubs receive
just a fraction of the fees they can currently command for promising
youngsters. Category One clubs - aka 'Super Academies' - will be able to
offer young players vastly suprior training programs whereas those clubs at
the bottom of the scale - Category Four Academies - will only be able to
take on players released by other teams. Meanwhile selling clubs will now
only receive between £12,500 and £40,000 for ever year a player has trained
with them between the ages of 12 and 16 - whilst the existing '90-minute
rule' - a rule that states a player must live within an hour-and-a-half of
the club with whom he trains - will also be abolished. The EPPP was ratified
- reluctantly - by the 72 Football League clubs last October after the
Premier League threatened to withhold a £5million annual youth development
payment should its plans be rejected.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Watford preview
Last updated: 6th March 2012
SSN

Team news ahead of West Ham's Championship clash with Watford at Upton Park
on Wednesday. Matt Taylor returns to the West Ham squad for the visit of
Watford.
The midfielder has missed the last three matches through suspension after he
was sent off in the 1-1 draw with Southampton last month. Defender Winston
Reid could miss out again after he was knocked unconscious playing for New
Zealand last week and winger Julien Faubert will be checked over having sat
out Sunday's win at Cardiff with a virus. Midfielder Papa Bouba Diop is
still on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, John Carewis struggling with
a knee problem and fellow striker Freddie Piquionne has moved to Doncaster
on loan. Carlton Cole could be handed a start up front after coming off the
bench at Cardiff. Watford will continue to be without long-term injury
victims Martin Taylor and Stephen McGinn for their Championship clash with
West Ham.

Defender Taylor has a shoulder problem which is preventing him from being a
part of manager Sean Dyche's matchday squad, while midfielder McGinn is
still not ready for a first-team return from a knee problem despite playing
45 minutes of a reserve team match last week - his first outing for a year.
Dyche hopes both players will feature for the second string next week as
they step up their recoveries. Midfielder Ross Jenkins, who has been on the
periphery of the squad of late, has been ruled out with a groin strain,
while Dyche will not be able to call on winger Gavin Massey because of a
tooth infection. Dyche may consider a starting role for on-loan Fulham man
Alex Kacaniklic, who impressed off the bench during the 3-2 victory over
Burnley on Saturday.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Rovers pounce for Piquionne
Championship strugglers land French striker on loan
Last Updated: March 6, 2012 2:43pm
SSN

Doncaster have taken Frederic Piquionne on loan from Championship rivals
West Ham, with the deal initially set to run for one month. The French
forward will definitely remain with Rovers until early April, but could see
his stay extended past that point if the two clubs reach an agreement. The
33-year-old has been a prominent figure for the Hammers in their promotion
chase this season, making 21 appearances. He has, however, slipped out of
favour in recent weeks and Sam Allardyce is prepared to let him go in search
of regular football elsewhere. Doncaster are prepared to offer him those
opportunities, with the club desperately trying to scramble clear of
relegation trouble. Piquionne is hoping to help Rovers edge in the right
direction, with it possible that he could make his debut in Tuesday's trip
to Nottingham Forest.

Scraps

He told the club's official website: "I have been involved in scraps like
this before at some of my previous clubs and I'm ready. "In my head I'm a
warrior and I will fight to keep Doncaster in the Championship." Doncaster
boss Dean Saunders is delighted to have got another experienced body on
board, with Rovers doing all they can to piece together a strong finish to
the campaign. He said: "He's a player we've been after for a while and it's
a big signing for us. "I want to thank West Ham as well for helping us with
the wages otherwise we would never have been able to afford to sign him."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Match Preview: West Ham v Watford
March 7th, 2012 - 12:02 am by Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die

The matches last night were a mixed blessing for us. Yes, Southampton
dropped two points after only managing a draw with Ipswich, but Reading win
yet again to move within a point of us. They really are on fire at the
moment and our game with them at the end of the month could have a huge
bearing on our promotion prospects. I still think Southampton will falter in
the end.

And so to the Watford game. Three points and the odd goal in several
wouldn't go amiss. I suspect that a few changes will be rung, with Matt
Taylor returning on the left, replacing Ricardo Vaz Te. I think Taylor is a
key player for us and really provides some danger from set pieces. I'd also
play two up front, with Cole coming in for Jack Collison. But I have been
wrong before and I will be wrong again. Acualy, what I would really like to
see is Maynard and Baldock starting together. Echoes of McAvennie and
Cottee? We can but dream.

On their day, Watford are a good side. They've won four and lost five of
their last ten games. They're safe from the drop but are too far behind (on
43 points) to challenge for a play-off place. But they are no mugs and are
well organised.

We can't afford another hitch at home. Nicky Maynard, Carlton Cole, do your
stuff.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Watford preview: Big Sam - Stop playing like Angela Lansbury
Published 22:28 06/03/12 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has challenged Henri Lansbury to rediscover his
England Under-21 form and show why he is rated one of the best youngsters in
the country. Lansbury has struggled to nail a first-team place at Upton Park
this season, and has only scored one goal following his season-long loan
move from Arsenal last summer. It's a different story when it comes to
playing for England U21s, where he has been one of the star performers,
scoring five goals - including a stunning strike during the 4-0 win over
Belgium last week. Lansbury made a rare start in the Hammers' 2-0 win over
Cardiff on Sunday and Allardyce is now hoping he can start to fulfil his
potential against Watford on Wednesday and become a big hit for the club in
the final two months of the season. Allardyce said: "Under-21 football is a
lot easier than Championship football and you get a lot more opportunities
to score. The Championship is a lot tougher, both mentally and physically.
"The disappointment is that we know the good form he can show. "One good
performance is fine but it sets the standard. He has got to be more
consistent. We know what he can do."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers must nail promotion, says McCartney
ANDY HAMPSON WEDNESDAY 07 MARCH 2012
The Independent

The West Ham United defender George McCartney has warned his team-mates
against complacency as they look to keep up the pressure at the top of the
Championship. The Hammers secured a vital victory in their push for
automatic promotion with a 2-0 defeat of play-off hopefuls Cardiff City last
weekend. The second-placed Londoners now have two easier-looking fixtures
against bottom-half sides in Watford tonight and relegation-threatened
Doncaster Rovers on Saturday, but McCartney insists they cannot afford to
ease up. McCartney said yesterday: "When it's a three-game week, we always
seem to beat the toughest opposition and then when it comes to a game
against a lesser team, no disrespect to anyone, we seem to struggle. Take,
for example, our great win against Blackpool, we then struggled at home to
Crystal Palace, a team we feel that at home we should beat. "We know what we
have got to do now, it's getting to the business end of the season and we
have got to keep on picking up points. Come Watford on Wednesday, three
points is definitely what we are looking for."

McCartney is in particularly good spirits after getting on the scoresheet
against Cardiff, his first goal since returning to the club from Sunderland
last summer. The Northern Irishman said: "It doesn't happen too often, I
think the last one was four years ago. I got a bit of luck after it bounced
off of their right-back but I managed to tuck it away with my right foot.
"It doesn't matter how they go in, as long they do I'm happy! It's nice to
score but the most important thing is the three points."

West Ham are unbeaten in five games but will be hosting a Watford side at
Upton Park buoyed by their recovery from 2-0 down to defeat Burnley 3-2 last
Saturday.
Also tonight, Cardiff face another tough test as they return to action
against play-off rivals Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium. Both
sides ended the weekend outside the play-off positions after the Seagulls
were held to a frustrating draw at bottom side Doncaster. Cardiff have hit a
slump since reaching the Carling Cup final, winning just one of their last
six league games. Their midfielder Liam Lawrence, who joined the club on
loan from Portsmouth last week, is poised to make his debut and hoping to
give the side a lift. Lawrence, fit again after a recent calf injury, said:
"The move all came about quite quickly really. I learnt about it late
Thursday, early Friday and when I knew there was interest from Cardiff City
I was quite happy to come here and try to help the club secure its goal of
promotion. "Hopefully, I can play some part against Brighton. Sunday against
West Ham was a little bit too early for me but, hopefully, I'll be ready to
go midweek."

Despite their weekend frustration, spirits remain high at Brighton, where
the assistant manager, Mauricio Taricco, says competition for places is
intense. "Results have not been bad recently so the manager has got
decisions to make because he has a big squad now," Taricco explained. "Every
player that starts knows that he has got to perform to his best because
there are other players fighting to get into the team. "The basics are not
enough any more, there needs to be something else for the players to keep
their place."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nottingham Forest 1 Doncaster 2: Rovers off the bottom after Piquionne
screamer
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 11:29 PM on 6th March 2012
Daily Mail

Doncaster claimed all three points against a well below-par Nottingham
Forest to triumph in a proverbial relegation six-pointer at the City Ground.
The crucial victory takes Rovers off the foot of the npower Championship
table and within three points of Forest, with a game in hand over their
relegation rivals who occupy the final position of safety. It was a
deserved victory for the visitors, for whom loan signing Frederic Piquionne,
a month-long arrival from West Ham this morning, capped the dullest possible
first half with a screaming 30-yard strike on the stroke of half-time.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers enter race to capture Leicester defender Mills
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 10:30 PM on 6th March 2012
Daily Mail

West Ham have joined the chase for Leicester defender Matt Mills. Manager
Sam Allardyce is keen to sign the 25-year-old centre-back on loan. Leeds
United have also made an enquiry for Mills and on Tuesday agreed the
month-long loan signing of Bolton left-back Paul Robinson, 33. Leeds
goalkeeper Paul Rachubka has joined Orient on loan.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 6th March 2012

Academy update
WHUFC.com
Tony Carr MBE has updated fans on the club's application for the Elite
Player Performance Plan
05.03.2012

Tony Carr MBE believes the future is looking good for West Ham United's
Academy with the application for the new Elite Player Performance Plan going
well.
The long-serving Academy Director, who has overseen the development of wave
after wave of exciting young talent at the club, is delighted with the
support the Board have provided towards the Hammers' application. In this
exclusive interview, he talks about what the EPPP is and how everyone at the
club wants to ensure the Academy maintains its status as one of the best in
the country.

Tony, please can you give us a quick overview of what the EPPP is?

TC: "The Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) is a new youth development
system being introduced by the Premier League and Football League next
season.
"The short and long of it is that the programme will be revamped. Coaching
hours could potentially double and a lot of education will become the club's
responsibility so much of it will be done in-house. "This requires a greater
investment from the club and I'm delighted to say the Board have put in
every penny required to get us the highest Category One status available.
"Clubs that gain Category One status will only play against teams of the
same status so it is really important."

How committed are West Ham United to achieving Category One status?

TC: "The Board have been fantastically supportive right from the word go and
have decided that they want us to be a Category One Academy, which means a
lot more investment. "We are putting that investment in place by providing
classrooms and employing more full and part-time staff, so we're getting
ready for next season. "At this stage, I think it's also important to stress
that our quest to become a Category One Academy has never been dependent on
us moving to the Olympic Stadium. So whatever the outcome of that process,
our application will continue as planned."

What are the next steps?

TC: "Once we have told the Premier League we have got all of our ducks in
line, they will come and audit the Academy. "There are ten Key Performance
Indicators, including coaching, medical department, education and welfare
and video analysis and feedback, and each has a points system. We need to
get 75 per cent of the points available to be categorised as a Category One.
"We are working hard to make sure all of our departments are up to speed and
hopefully, by the beginning of the summer, we'll know what category we have
attained.

What would the benefits be of being Category One be?

TC: "It is more intensive and more staff would be required, but the players
would certainly get more hours of training and playing under their belts.

"A boy coming into the EPPP system at the age of nine or ten would have more
than doubled their coaching hours by the time they are assessed at the age
of 16, compared to the current system. "You hope over that period of time
that a youngster would be a much better player because of the extra work he
has put in. I'm sure fans will agree that, with our reputation as an
Academy, the only place we can be is in Category One so that's what we're
going for."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce was delighted with another fine away day for West Ham United
04.03.2012

Sam Allardyce was pleased to see West Ham United record another fine superb
away result on Sunday but stressed the need to complete a nine-point week.
Big Sam oversaw a fine 2-0 win at fellow promotion-chasers Cardiff City
through goals from the returning Kevin Nolan and left-back George McCartney.
The result extended West Ham's unbeaten run to five games and moved them
back to one point behind table-toppers Southampton ahead of the Boleyn
Ground visits of Watford and Doncaster on Wednesday and Saturday
respectively. "The performance wasn't quite as good as Blackpool but it was
nearly there and we kept eleven men on the field! We had an exquisite goal
from Kevin Nolan and that exceptionally good goal from George McCartney,
which from our point of view was unexpected.," Allardyce said. "We've got an
opportunity after this great platform we've put ourselves on to go for a
nine point week. We must perform at this level but be more clinical in front
of goal and not waste this fantastic victory by slipping up at home against
Watford or Doncaster. "We've got to go all out to try to win the two and
make it a big week for West Ham United."

In truth, Big Sam had every reason to be a bit frustrated with his side as
2-0 did not do their dominance justice. Nicky Maynard, Ricardo Vas Te and
Jack Collison all passed up good opportunities while Cardiff's only effort
of note was a Peter Whittingham free-kick that cannoned off the inside of
the post. "The only disappointing thing was how many chances we missed. Our
front line of Carlton Cole, Nicky Maynard, Carlton Cole and Ricardo Vaz Te
all had superb opportunities to score and that is where we need to improve
as this game could have been well beyond Cardiff before we got our second.
"We had a blistering start to the second half that created goal chance after
goal chance so I'm a little disappointed in that area, but delighted with
our overall performance and attitude of the team. We came out and won our
tenth game away from home, which is by no means an easy achievement."

The duo who did manage to find the back of the net would have appreciated
their strikes greatly, but for very different reasons. Nolan was marking his
first game back since a red card against Millwall on 4 February, while
McCartney's goal was only his second strike in 101 games for the club.
"Georgey is consistent and as a full-back and a defender your performance
has to stay at a high level. He does his defending, snuffs out his opponents
first and then joins in to try and help attacks.
"It's a great feeling for anyone to score a goal but when it's your
left-back, he knows he should enjoy the journey home! He could normally
enjoy it for a bit longer but we've got to start focusing on Watford on
Monday morning!"

Nolan's manager was effusive in his praise for his returning captain, whom
he felt added another dimension to the Hammers' attacking play during an
explosive start to the second half. "That's the quality of the man. You put
him in the box and he's a top-quality finisher. You get that from most
centre forwards and not midfield players and that's why he's so valuable.
That was his eighth goal of the season and it came at a very important time
for us. "We'd missed a couple of chances before that and then Kevin pops up
with a superb first-time finish into the bottom corner. It took the
goalkeeper by surprise as he didn't expect him to hit it first time and
that's the talent of the man shining through again. "The other side of it is
how he led the midfield and how he created for other players to score many
goals, particularly after half-time. "I have to also say the back four were
terrific, especially the two central defenders, and Greeny at the end when
we needed him touched one on to the bar even though it might not have
mattered. All round it was a very satisfying afternoon."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Finally, Fred
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 5th March 2012
By: Staff Writer

Freddie Piquionne could finally be on his way to Doncaster for the rest of
the season. The French striker, who has made just one appearance for West
Ham United's first team in 2012 has been linked with the South Yorkshire
club since the January transfer window when a deal was first mooted. And
despite that having fell through, the 33-year-old is finally poised to
complete a move to the Keepmoat Stadium after Rovers boss Dean Saunders told
Sky Sports that a deal had been done.
"I would like to thank Sam Allardyce and David Sullivan for allowing
Frederic to come on loan to Doncaster," said the former Derby and Aston
Villa striker, who has been in control of the Championship strugglers since
succeeding Sean O'Driscoll last September. West Ham face Watford at the
Boleyn Ground on Wednesday night (March 7) before hosting Doncaster on
Saturday (March 10). Should Piquionne complete a move to the Yorkshire club,
he is unlikely to be able to feature in that fixture.

Freddie Piquionne - WHUFC stats

2010/11: Pld 41; Gls 9; Yellow 2; Red 1.
2011/12: Pld 20; Gls 2; Red 1.

Total: Pld 61; Gls 11; Yellow 2; Red 2.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Striker in demand
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 5th March 2012
By: Staff Writer

Tonight's edition of the Chronicle Online claims that West Ham youngster
Frank Nouble is set to join Barnsley - a matter of hours after it was
claimed he was set to sign for Walsall. Earlier today, the Birmingham
edition of the Express & Star claimed that the 20-year-old out-of-favour
striker was on the verge of completing a move to League One strugglers
Walsall. However Nouble is now being linked with a move to Oakwell to rejoin
the club with whom he spent six weeks on loan last season by the Chronicle,
who 'understand' tonight that the player is set to join on loan. The former
Chelsea youngster, who was one of a number of youngsters signed as part of
Scott Duxbury and Gianluca Nani's ill-fated 'Project' back in 2009 has been
out on loan SIX times since moving to West Ham in July 2009. But despite
spells at West Bromwich Albion (February 2010), Swindon (March 2010),
Swansea (September 2010), Barnsley (January 2011), Charlton (March 2011) and
Gillingham (September 2011), he has failed to make the breakthrough at West
Ham.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
AA driven by new deal
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 5th March 2012
By: Staff Writer

Ex-Academy youngster Ahmed Abdullah has joined Dagenham & Redbridge on a
short-term contract. The 20-year-old midfielder has returned to the club
with whom he spent a month on loan back in January for the remainder of the
current season. Daggers boss John Still confirmed the news earlier today,
telling daggers.co.uk: "During his spell here [on loan] he showed that he
was a very accomplished player; he impressed every member of staff with his
passing and his commitment.
"Since he returned to West Ham we've been speaking to him and we've now
signed him on a short term deal until the end of the season. I'm delighted
to have him and with the injuries I think he's the right addition for us.
Because he's been here, he knows what we do, he knows how we do it and I'm
sure he'll do well between now and the end of the season."

Saudi Arabian-born Abdullah joined West Ham in 2008 having been released by
Arsenal that summer as a 16-year-old. Predominantly a forward during his
spell at West Ham, he scored five times in 23 appearances for Tony Carr's
under 18 side in 2008/09. Since then Abdullah graduated to the reserve squad
but has spent much of the current campaign out on loan - firstly at Paolo Di
Canio's Swindon, where he made seven appearances, then at Dagenham to where
he has now returned.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers almost signed Cavani
KUMb.com
Filed: Monday, 5th March 2012
By: Staff Writer

Former Palermo coach Stefano Colantuono has confirmed that West Ham were
close to signing Uruguayan goalscoring sensation Edinson Cavani. 49-year-old
Colantuono, who took current club Atalanta back to the Italian top flight by
winning Serie B last season revealed that the 25-year-old - who has scored
57 goals in 81 appearances for his current club and is a transfer target for
both Chelsea and Manchester City - almost joined the Hammers three years
ago. Speaking to La Domenica Sportiva, Colantuono, who moved from Palermo to
the Nerazzurri via Torino said: "When I was at Palermo, the Matador wanted a
move to West Ham as he wanted to try out an adventure in the Premier
League." KUMB.com revealed back in June 2008 that Gianluca Nani, then West
Ham's Technical Director was on the verge of signing Cavani, who is now
valued around the £35million mark, on loan. However for reasons unknown a
subsequent transfer deadline day move failed to materialise - as was the
case when West Ham (managed at the time by Gianfranco Zola) and Nani were
linked with Cavani in the next transfer window, in January 2009. The
37-times capped Cavani - who signed for Napoli in a £14million deal back in
2010 - has since gone on to become one of world football's most sought-after
players. Nani was sacked by West Ham less than a month after Davids
Sullivan and Gold purchased a half-share of the club in January 2010.

El Matador in action: career stats

Palermo
2006/07: Pld 7, Gls 2
2007/08: Pld 37, Gls 5
2008/09: Pld 36, Gls 15
2009/10: Pld 37, Gls 15

Napoli
2010/11: Pld 47, Gls 33
2011/12 Pld 32, Gls 24

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Three in five say 'no' to Stratford
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 5th March 2012
By: Staff Writer

61 per cent of supporters who have voted in the latest KUMB.com Olympic
Stadium poll so far have expressed a preference not to move to Stratford.
The KUMB poll, which has been running since February 23 asked supporters 'Do
you support the Board's plans to move WHUFC to the Olympic Stadium post-this
summer's games?'
And to date, the majority of fans - some 61 per cent - have voted AGAINST a
move to the Olympic Park - in stark contrast to our most recent poll,
conducted a year ago, that resulted in 57 per cent of supporters BACKING the
move. A number of supporters claim to have changed their minds over the move
to the stadium in which this summer's Olympic games will be held as a result
of the goalposts being moved in terms of the conditions of tenancy. When
West Ham United and Newham Council were initially granted use of the stadium
by the OLPC last year, they were granted almost total control over the use
of the £500million structure and, most importantly, 100 per cent of the
revenue generated. However since the OPLC's original decision was reversed
as a result of a string of legal challenges, primarily from Tottenham
Hotspur and Leyton Orient, potential bidders have been told that they will
have less control and receive a share of the profits - which has led to a
number of voters rejecting the move in our poll.

With a further 19 per cent of voters declaring they are 'Unsure' over the
move, just one in five - or 20 per cent - now back the Board's plans to
press ahead with its plans to move West Ham United away from its spiritual
home in Upton Park. All potential tenants must submit their proposals by
March 23. West Ham are thought to be just one of sixteen parties to have
declared an interest in taking on the stadium. If you haven't already voted
in our latest Olympic Stadium poll, you may do so by visiting the poll
thread on the KUMB Forum. Please note that in order to vote, you must be a
registered member of KUMB.com; if you are not already a member, you may
obtain free membership here*.

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Frankly, not enough
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 5th March 2012
By: Staff Writer

Frank Nouble is set to be confirmed as a Walsall player later today,
according to reports. The 20-year-old striker has barely featured for West
Ham United's first team since signing from Chelsea in July 2009 and is set
to sign for the League One strugglers, who currently reside in 21st place -
just four points off the bottom.
Despite bing tipped as a hot prospect for the future, the Lewisham-born
forward has barely made an impact in east London. His 19 first team
appearances include just six starts, only four of which came in the league.
This season Nouble has featured on just five occasions, most recently when
coming off the bench as a 69th minute replacement for Carlton Cole during
the 5-1 defeat at Ipswich on January transfer deadline day. According to the
Express & Star, Nouble is just one of two signings Walsall boss Dean Smith
is hoping to make today; the other being 36-year-old former Aston Villa
midfielder George Boateng.

Nouble in 2009

"I am really looking forward to showing what I can do. West Ham are renowned
for bringing through young players and hopefully I can be in the next batch.
"This came out of the blue. The news came out that I rejected at Chelsea and
obviously I thank them for what they have done for me but I am just happy
that a club like West Ham came in for me. They showed their interest and for
me it was a case of saying 'Yes' straight away. I am just happy to be here.
"I am reaching the age where I want to be in and around the first team more
than anything - learning from the big players that have done really well
here; Mark Noble, Carlton Cole and players like that. I want to emulate what
they have done."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Newcastle's best bitter
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 5th March 2012
By: Staff Writer

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has taken a sideswipe at unnamed members of his
former West Ham squad for making his life 'very difficult'. Pardew, who was
responding to a question regarding yesterday's sacking of Andre Villas-Boas
by Chelsea told reporters that the Portuguese manager's situation was
similar to his when succeeding Glenn Roeder at West Ham nine years ago. "I
have a lot of sympathy for him because that is a really, really talented
coach we have lost in this country," said the man formerly dubbed as
'Pards'. "He has had to take on a club there with a lot of senior pros and
probably had a very, very difficult job. 'When you are in a transition year
like that - and I have been in it because I was at West Ham when I inherited
a lot of senior pros who had just been relegated - it is very, very
difficult.
"They made it difficult for me and one or two of them have apologised since
- and so they should."

Who could he possibly mean?
Pardew's over 30s at West Ham in 2003/04.

Goalkeepers: David James.

Defenders: Rufus Brevett; Christian Dailly; Andy Melville*.

Midfielders: Don Hutchison; Rob Lee; Kevin Horlock; Niclas Alexandersson
(loan).

Forwards: Brian Deane*.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers eye Mills move
Allardyce could move for out of favour defender
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated: March
5, 2012 10:42pm
SSN

Sky Sports understands West Ham are eyeing a move for Leicester City
defender Matt Mills. Mills has found himself frozen out of things at the
King Power Stadium following a reported bust-up with Foxes boss Nigel
Pearson. The summer signing from Reading has been left out of the Leicester
squad for the last three games and the news has alerted a number of clubs
who are now ready to take the 25-year-old on loan for the rest of the
season. Foxes boss Pearson admitted last week Leeds have shown an interest
in the former Reading ace, but now West Ham are weighing up a move for the
central defender. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce could be interested in Mills as
he looks to bolster his squad for the final run-in as they bid for promotion
back to the Premier League.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Rovers pounce for Piquionne
Saunders moves to bring in striker
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated: March
5, 2012 7:05pm
SSN

Sky Sports understands Doncaster Rovers have agreed a deal to sign West Ham
striker Frederic Piquionne. As revealed by skysports.com last month, Rovers
were in talks with West Ham about a possible loan deal for the frontman.
Piquionne has agreed a loan deal until the end of the season at the Keepmoat
Stadium as he joins the club's battle for survival in the Championship. West
Ham are willing to loan out the 33-year-old as the former Portsmouth man
does not figure in Sam Allardyce's immediate plans. Piquionne has found
himself out of the picture at Upton Park and the recent arrivals of Ricardo
Vaz Te and Nicky Maynard have pushed the Frenchman further down the pecking
order. Doncaster boss Dean Saunders is keen to bolster his attacking options
and he has moved to strike a deal for former Portsmouth man Piquionne.
Rovers agent, Willie McKay, has confirmed the club have agreed a deal for
Piquionne and the move is a coup for Rovers after the striker snubbed offers
from Premier League duo Fulham and Sunderland during the January transfer
window. "I would like to thank Sam Allardyce and David Sullivan for allowing
Frederic to come on loan to Doncaster," Saunders told skysports.com.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nolan is happy go clucky
Cardiff 0 West Ham 2
The Sun
By GARETH DAVIES
Published: 05th March 2012

KEVIN NOLAN likes to flap his arms after scoring — and he was chicken
supreme as the Hammers powered on towards promotion. The midfielder fired
the 42nd-minute opener and ran the show to sting Cardiff's play-off hopes.
Hammers chief Sam Allardyce made one of the shrewdest signings of last
summer when he recruited Nolan from Newcastle. And on his return from a
three-match ban, Nolan showed just what the Hammers were missing to fire
them one point off leaders Southampton. Full-back George McCartney added a
late second, but it was Nolan who took the plaudits. Allardyce said: "Kevin
scored a fantastic goal on the back of a really good performance. "He showed
the strikers how to do it. They still didn't learn from that as they kept
missing sitters in the second half! "The quality of Kevin's finish meant the
keeper was taken by surprise. It was past him before he could dive and get
it. "Kevin's a midfield goalscorer, not a playmaker. He has the sort of
finish only afforded to top centre-forwards. "He made the difference today.
The players have done well while he was missing but he's a big player for
us."

The Hammers spent the week basking in the heat of Dubai while the Welsh side
recovered from their Carling Cup final defeat to Liverpool. Allardyce added:
"We had a totally opposite build-up, it told in the end. "Did we get Cardiff
at the right time? Today the answer is probably yes." Hammers could have
been out of sight long before the end.Nolan netted after Cardiff twice
failed to clear, steaming into the box to fire home a low shot. Cue the
chicken celebrations. The second half started with a string of West Ham
misses. Ricardo Vaz Te was sent clear on 48 minutes down the left and
slipped past keeper David Marshall into the box. But the striker took too
much time and City skipper Mark Hudson got back to tidy up. Then Vaz Te
could have put Nolan in on goal but instead produced a weak shot. After two
first-half misses, Nicky Maynard made it a hat-trick of wasted opportunities
when he dragged his shot wide from a great position. And with Cardiff all
over the place, Maynard missed again with a poor shot — allowing Marshall to
save at his feet. West Ham finally put the game to bed on 76 minutes when
McCartney ran into the box unchallenged to slide the ball home from a narrow
angle. As with the first goal, Cardiff's defence had every opportunity to
clear. Boss Malky Mackay admitted: "I'm disappointed with the goals we
conceded. "We were up against a team of experienced men, a club who have a
huge wage bill and can afford to bring on Carlton Cole and Gary O'Neil as
subs. "To gift them goals gives us a mountain to climb. "As well as the
Carling Cup final last Sunday, we've had a group who have been away on
international duty. "So I didn't get the players together until Friday. "We
had a lot of tired bodies near the end but that's no excuse. Our
decision-making was at fault."

SUN STAR MAN KEVIN NOLAN (West Ham). Took charge — and took the points

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West Ham eye keeper and loan out Piquionne
Published 22:29 05/03/12 By Alan Nixon
The Mirror

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is ready to sign keeper Stephen Henderson on
loan from crisis club Portsmouth, with a view to a full-time switch.
Allardyce wants to bring in the highly-rated Irishman, who would be cover
for England's Robert Green - and a potential replacement if he leaves in the
summer. Henderson's move would bring in cash for Pompey in the form of a
loan fee and a guaranteed payment down the line of around £750,000 as they
try to survive the season. The 6ft 4in shot-stopper turned down a move to
Ipswich recently, but the drastic change of circumstances at Fratton Park
means it has become vital. Henderson will also have the chance of being a
Premier League keeper next season - and possibly a number one - if Green's
current contract discussions go wrong.

***

DONCASTER have pulled off a coup by signing striker Frederic Piquionne on
loan from West Ham in a bargain deal. Piquionne agreed to the switch on
Monday night after being frozen out of Sam Allardyce's plans following the
January arrivals of fellow forwards Nicky Maynard and Ricardo Vaz Te. He
will make his debut in Tuesday's relegation crunch with Nottingham Forest.

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Piquionne exits Hammers to link up with former team-mate Diatta at Doncaster
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 10:45 PM on 5th March 2012
Daily Mail

Doncaster Rovers have persuaded striker Frederic Piquionne to join on loan
from West Ham. The 33-year-old turned down a move to China in favour of
linking up with former St Etienne team-mate Lamine Diatta.

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