Big Sam on: Hull City
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce has wants his side to focus solely on beating Hull City on
Saturday
26.04.2012
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce wants his players to focus on their
job in hand and put the Southampton result at the back of their mind when
Hull City visit the Boleyn Ground on Saturday. With West Ham just two points
off Southampton and an automatic promotion place there is all to play for at
Saturday's Season Finale, for which there just 250 tickets left. Big Sam
wants his squad to making sure they take the three points from Hull first
and foremost, before they think of any slip up by the Saints, who play host
to Coventry City.
How are the nerves approaching Saturday?
SA: I don't think we are too nervous because we only have slim chance. Most
of the pressure lies with Southampton on the day because they have more to
lose than we do. We have to rely on Coventry doing a big favour for us at St
Marys which is going to be difficult. But you never know do you? Anything
can happen under the pressures of a final game of the season when so much is
at stake. There can be a twist and a turn along the way and if there is and
it's in our favour we must make sure we are in a position to take advantage.
We need to focus on getting a result against Hull by 3-0 or more. So from
the very start it's a difficult task for us but it's a task we must try and
meet. Only after we have done that can we look to see how Southampton have
faired against Coventry. Winning by three or more is our only objective for
Saturday right now.
Do you think a draw is the more likely result than a Coventry win at St
Mary's?
SA: Everyone will look at their away record and see it hasn't been that
great this year. But then again we didn't expect to draw against Doncaster
Rovers or against Watford but we did so you never know. If Coventry are
going to do us a favour I think a draw is as much as we can ask for. I'm
sure the fans will keep us in touch on Saturday, if we get the right kind of
roar I think we will know is what happening at Southampton. We are going to
have to try and emulate the type of start we had against Brighton to give
ourselves a fighting chance. If we don't get the result and Coventry have
managed to get one then that will be a big disappointment. We need to do our
job properly.
The 6-0 win over Brighton at home shows that the goalscoring jinx has gone?
SA: Yes it was a great start to the game and a terrific performance over
all. Aside from some other excellent results at home, the win against
Brighton was the best this season. That is what we must do against Hull. Our
Leicester performance showed we can handle the end of season pressure. It
was a mature and quality performance by the entire team that gave us our
just rewards. A win is what we wanted and a win is what we got to take it to
the final day of the season. As slim a chance as it is we want to put
ourselves in a position where we can take advantage of any slip by
Southampton.
Is the message to the players that you cannot be distracted on Saturday by
what is happening elsewhere?
SA: Yes we will handle it as professionally as we did against Leicester and
hopefully produce that type of performance again. If we take our chances
then we should have enough to beat Hull - it's by how many that is the
question. To stand a good chance of getting into that second spot we need to
score three to get ahead on goal difference. We must be careful with regards
to injuries and sending-offs. If things don't go our way on Saturday we will
have a game on Thursday so we must make sure that we keep as near to full
strength squad as we can. Our momentum is fantastic at the moment we have
only lost one game in 17 so hopefully we can take that forward into the
Play-Offs if needs be. As I said what we don't want to happen on Saturday is
to come off the field having not taken advantage of a slip up by
Southampton. That would be my biggest concern; we need to win the game and
then we can look towards the Southampton result.
With a need to score goals on Saturday, will we see a more attacking line
up?
SA: I don't think so because I think we create more chances than any team in
this division anyway. Our ratio of attempts at goal is probably the greatest
in the division our problem has been the percentage we have converted into
goals, hence why we are where we are.
Any team news ahead of the final game?
SA: I think Nicky Maynard, Joey O'Brien and John Carew may miss out through
injury. But we have George McCartney back in training, which is fantastic
news. McCartney has been one of our most consistent players this season so
it's great to have him back for the final game. Other than that I think we
have a good squad to choose from.
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Sam Allardyce hails 'magnificent' West Ham achievements
BBC.co.uk
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce says they will have had a great season even if
they miss out on automatic promotion. The Hammers need to win on Saturday
and hope Southampton drop points in order to finish second in the
Championship. He told BBC London 94.9: "Considering the turnover of players
and the state of the club when I walked in, this is a happy club now with a
soul. "We know we were good enough to clinch first or second but where we've
come from we've had a magnificent season." He added: "There's been peaks and
troughs but overall the team has gone through the whole season losing only
eight [league] games. "That is a magnificent achievement whether we finish
third or second." If Southampton draw at home to Coventry, West Ham would
need to beat Hull by a margin of three or four goals - depending on how many
Southampton score - to clinch an immediate return to the Premier League.
Allardyce has called on his players to do all they can and fulfil their half
of the equation just in case Saints drop points. "We don't want to come off
the field and not having taken advantage of a slip-up by Southampton," he
continued. "Let's do the job. If it's not to be, it's not to be. "But at
least we'll finish on a high. We've only lost one game in 17 and our
momentum will take us forwards into the play-offs if need be."
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A Thorn in your side?
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 26th April 2012
By: Staff Writer
Coventry boss Andy Thorn says his team will be doing their best to upset the
apple cart at St Mary's this weekend - despite the Sky Blues having nothing
to play for but professional pride. City's gutless display at home to bottom
club Doncaster last weekend confirmed the club's relegation from the
Championship. A 2-0 defeat - their 23rd reversal of the current campaign -
was enough to condemn them to League One football next season. Having won
just one league game away from home during the current campaign, Thorn's
side are expected to provide little resistance when they face
promotion-chasing Southampton this weekend, with the Saints needing a win to
confirm their place in next season's Premier League. However Thorn - a
born-and-bred Londoner - says that his Coventry side will not be rolling
over for anybody - adding that he wants his team to end their campaign with
a performance to remember. "If people think we're going to go there and lay
down then fine," he told a press-conference this morning. "But we are going
there to try and affect things and put some pride back into the shirt for
the fans who have been brilliant for us. "We go to Southampton and we need
to get some pride back. If you cant get up for this game you need to look at
yourself - and all of our lads are up for it.
"We want to end the season with a bit of dignity; we want to give some pride
back to the shirt. The season as a whole has been tough but I said to the
boys this morning that Saturday is a chance to affect things, affect the
league and get a bit of pride back."
West Ham's only chance of snatching the second promotion spot from
Southampton's grasp is by virtue of an unlikely Coventry win - or draw, IF
the Hammers can simultaneously rack up a big win against Hull at the Boleyn
Ground. And Coventry captain Gary McSheffrey echoed his manager's comments
by stating that he and his team mates will be doing their utmost to aid West
Ham's cause. "We're professionals and we still have a job to do," he said.
"Hopefully the lads can go into this last game and play with a bit of
freedom and go into the summer with a bit of pride. "The first few days
[since our relegation was confirmed] have been gutting, but we've tried to
get on as normal because we still have a big game on Saturday."
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Allardyce calls for focus
Hammers chief hopes for Coventry favour
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated: April
26, 2012 5:27pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce has urged his West Ham players to concentrate on the job in
hand on Saturday, rather than be distracted by what is happening elsewhere.
The Hammers will be condemned to the play-offs if second-placed Southampton
beat relegated Coventry at St Mary's. But if they are to take advantage of
any slip-up on the South Coast, Allardyce's side have to win their home game
against Hull City, live on Sky Sports HD2. "I don't think we are too nervous
because we only have a slim chance," said Allardyce. "Most of the pressure
lies with Southampton because they have more to lose. We have to rely on
Coventry doing us a big favour which is going to be difficult. But you never
know, do you? Anything can happen under the pressures of a final game of the
season when so much is at stake. "There can be a twist and a turn along the
way and if there is, and it's in our favour, we must make sure we are in a
position to take advantage."
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Soul man Sam fired Hammers
The Sun
By PAT SHEEHAN
Published: Today at 00:14
SAM ALLARDYCE insists he has helped put the soul back into West Ham after
relegation ripped the club apart last season. The Hammers boss goes into
tomorrow's promotion crunch against Hull at Upton Park knowing no matter
what his team do, their fate will be decided 140 miles away when
second-placed Southampton face relegated Coventry. A victory for Saints will
condemn West Ham to the play-offs. But Allardyce reckons massive strides
have been taken to repair the damage the drop brought to the club.
Allardyce, who took over from the axed Avram Grant last summer, said:
"Considering the state of the club when I walked through the door, this is a
happy place now. It has a soul again. "The doom and gloom was something you
could smell, taste and feel as a manager. When you walk into a situation
like that, you have to rip the backside out of it and start again. I did
this as quickly as I could." West Ham's finances are still in a precarious
position following the fall- out from the banking collapse that wreaked
havoc at Upton Park. But promotion to the Premier League is worth £90m,
although Allardyce says the cash quickly gets eaten up in the top-flight. He
said: "Promotion is not going to make you much money because you need to
spend it on huge transfer fees and wages for players to compete."
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Tony Cottee Column: I'm keeping the faith, but believe Wembley is West Ham's
destiny
Tony Cottee, London24 West Ham Columnist
Thursday, April 26, 2012
11:08 AM
What a brilliant way for West Ham to round off their away games for the
season on Monday night with a superb win at another of my old clubs,
Leicester City. The Hammers had a whole heap of pressure on them following
Southampton's loss at Middlesbrough the weekend before, but I thought that
we dealt with it amazingly well. It would have been easy for us to have been
beaten, but we showed real courage and determination to come from a goal
down to secure three points. The Foxes scored a good goal to be fair, but it
was disappointing from our point of view to concede at a point where we were
dominating the game. However, West Ham showed tremendous spirit to equalise
just five minutes later through Winston Reid, who I think when fit is a
great central defender, in our box and the opposition's.
As soon as we scored and silenced the home crowd, I knew that there was only
one team that was going to go on and win the game. We came out all guns
firing in the second half and it was just a matter of time before we started
creating chances. And just before the hour mark, Jack Collison scored a
great goal to give us the lead for the first time. I was delighted to see
Jack back in the team and back on the scoresheet as it has been a really
difficult last two years for him. Since his knee injury, he has had to work
really hard to get back into the first team and it just goes to show the
confidence that Sam Allardyce has in the Wales international to play him
every week at this crucial part of the season. The one negative for me on
Monday is that we didn't manage to score any more goals as goal difference
could well be crucial, but the important thing was getting the three points
to remain within striking distance of Southampton. The victory also gives us
some momentum going into the last game and what could possibly be the
play-offs.
I feel like our destiny is not in our own hands, and I fully expect
Southampton to beat Coventry, but who knows? Stranger things have happened
in football before, just look at what happened in the Nou Camp with Chelsea
and Barcelona! All the Hammers can do now is make sure that they beat Hull
City this Saturday and make sure that it is by as many goals as possible.
The Tigers have had a funny season really with their change of manager, but
they have players like Matty Fryatt and Aaron McLean that will pose a threat
to our defence. I think that we will have too much for Hull though and that
another win will keep the confidence high. The last home game of the season
is always great to play in and the sold out atmosphere should be fantastic.
Personally, I still think that a Wembley play-off final is West Ham's
destiny this season, and it would be a just reward for all of the fans that
have stuck by the club through thick and thin. As is stands, the Hammers
would play Cardiff City in the play-off semi-finals and I think that the
Bluebirds along with Middlesbrough would be my preferred opponents. I think
that Blackpool and Birmingham are dangerous sides, and a final against
either of those two teams would be dangerous. However, we will cross that
bridge if or when it comes to that.
For now, all we can do is get behind the team and cheer them on to what
could be three vital points this weekend.
Come on you Irons!
Tony Cottee was talking to Nathaniel John
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Allardyce: West Ham had no soul when I arrived
London 24
Nathaniel John, West Ham Correspondent
Thursday, April 26, 2012
1:25 PM
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has revealed how the club had 'no soul' when he
arrived at the start of last summer, following the Hammers' relegation from
the Premier League. The former Bolton Wanderers and Newcastle boss was
appointed by co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan in June of last year,
and has guided the Upton Park outfit to an outside chance of automatic
promotion heading into the last game of the season. However, the 57-year-old
admitted that when he arrived, things were very different to what they are
now. "This is now a happy club, it has a soul," he said. "It didn't have a
soul when I arrived so we've enjoyed the season, but we are disappointed
that we are where we are as we were good enough to clinch one of the top two
spot, but then again from where we have come from it is still a magnificent
season. "The club got relegated and it was not very nice, the doom and gloom
that was around the place was something that you could smell, taste and feel
as a manager. "It was something that I had to rip the backside out of and
start again, which I did as quick as I could. "To have only lost eight games
all season is a magnificent achievement considering the turnover of players
that we have had, and considering the state of the club when I walked
through the door."
The Hammers were hot favourites for automatic promotion at the start of the
season, but a succession of poor results at home during the last few months
of the campaign has seen West Ham slip out of the top two. However,
Allardyce is adamant that his men have had a strong and successful season.
"We are kicking ourselves, but that is football," he said. "We have had to
live with the expectation all season, and that has made the opposition
always give that bit more where were the big scalp. "In the end we slipped
up too many times by drawing at home. "It's disappointing but we have still
had a very good season. "To play 45 games and only lose eight and to beat
the club's away record is fantastic."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Friday, April 27
Thursday, April 26
Daily WHUFC News - 26th April 2012
Reid pleased to hit the mark
WHUFC.com
Winston Reid is looking to end the week as it started after a fine display
at Leicester City
25.04.2012
Winston Reid will be looking to carry on where he left off at Leicester City
in Saturday's Season Finale with Hull City. The New Zealand international
had another superb evening at the King Power Stadium and was on hand to tap
home his third goal of the season from just yards out. The strike saw the
Hammers' equalise on the night before Jack Collison wrapped up all three
points with a superb 25-yard thunderbolt that flew past Kasper Schmeichel
just before the hour mark. The win was the Hammers' 13th on the road this
season and was enough to keep the pressure on Southampton, who sit in the
last automatic promotion spot - two points ahead - with just one game to go.
"It was a deserved win in my opinion," Reid said. "I thought we had the vast
majority of chances in the game. Obviously the last ten minutes was always
going to be hectic. They put us under a bit of late pressure, but in the end
I think we could have scored a couple more goals." "We all wanted to go into
the last game with something to play for. Hopefully Southampton will stuff
up and then we'll be ready to pounce, and hopefully score enough goals to go
up."
It was another great performance from the central defender, who has grabbed
his first-team opportunities with both hands since coming back from a head
injury sustained whilst on duty with the All-Whites back in February. With
the Olympics just around the corner, Reid is hoping to continue his
formidable form and celebrate a successful promotion with a call up to the
New Zealand squad for the tournament. "It's something that I'd love to do.
Especially as it's in London, it'll be an amazing opportunity but we'll have
to see."
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We only wing when we're winning…
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 25th April 2012
By: Richard Williams
With the play offs/automatic promotion and will we/won't we in the balance,
there has been a lacking ingredient. This ingredient would have tipped us
(Great Escape style) back onto the cliff and away to the Premier League. It
appears very inconsistently but when it does, it has an effect so profound
that the points are ours. The ingredient?
Width.
There has been an incessant need for each and every manager in recent years
to flood our squad with central midfield players, ignoring our immediate
concerns for diversity and width. Even the most staunch Hammer would agree
that a successful squad must have balance and to have balance, we must have
wide players.
While watching Leicester I began making and reading comments on how Collison
"wasn't what he used to be, pre injury". I even said, "He just isn't the
same player" but I began thinking about it and what I should have been
saying was, "He just isn't a wide player!" I firmly believe that Jack
Collison summarises the biggest problem West Ham United have faced in the
'yo yo' years of late. Too many players out of position.
Let me give you a few examples. Take this season for example; Ricardo Vaz Te
who has been exceptional as a front-three wide striker, has often found
himself on the left wing in a 4-5-1 formation and Jack Collison as a right
winger when he struggles to beat a man or cross the ball. Last season? Mark
Noble played right midfield to accommodate Scott Parker and Radoslav Kovac
(sends shivers down my spine, that one). I could go all day but instead I
will list the players we have forced out wide over the recent years:
Joe Cole; Marc Vivien Foe; Freddi Kanoute; Titi Camara; Steve Lomas; Thomas
Repka; David Bellion; Luis Boa Morte; Lee Bowyer; Yossi Benayoun.
Just a selection, but it drives the point home that wide players have not
been our priority and if you are debating the importance of wide players,
how well do you think Real Madrid would play without Ronaldo, Man United
without Valencia, Bayern without Robben?
Just a brief look at the Premier League Assists chart tells it's own story.
In the top 20 you have Valencia, Bale, Wallcott, Pennant, Brunt,
Etherington, Mata, Nani and Young. Would Blackburn have won the Premier
League without arguably their most dangerous players Ripley and Wilcox
providing Shearer with his service? The link between quick, wide players and
success is evident.
This season we were dominated twice by the eventual champions Reading. "Look
at our squad compared to theirs!" was heard before they beat us.
Unfortunately football isn't won on paper and the defeats showed us that we
could not deal with a team who broke well with their quick wide players in
Kebe (who we failed to sign; if we had this blog would never have seen
fruition) and Jobi McAnuff (ironically a West Ham cast off).
The importance of a balanced team with quick, wide players who can deliver
quality, pose a threat, and pull teams about is highly important in top
level football. Sam Allardyce has shown that he likes a direct playing
style, much to the anger of many, but if it works we'll stick with him.
Unfortunately for Allardyce it hasn't worked every time and there has been
little in the form of a 'Plan B'.
The lack of creativity has been present for all but the blindest to see this
season. Lack of creativity is often the result when forcing players to play
outside of their comfort zone, or more accurately, out of position. What
happened when Collison drifted inside to his natural position against
Leicester? He rifled in the winner from 30 yards!
When things haven't been working for Sam and with some hindsight, it would
have been fantastic to switch up the playing style and throw on Rob Hall out
wide to get at defenders, giving Carlton Cole the service in the box he
needs. (From the by-line not the half way line!) The praise given to Zola as
being the "only man" to get the best out of Carlton Cole is true enough but
is it any coincidence that it was the same season we had Etherington down
the left and Behrami down the right? Natural wide players? Both of whom are
still notching assists in the top flight week in, week out?
At times we have been fantastic this season, we have controlled, dominated
and passed our way through teams but the beauty of football is that there is
no magic formula. Sometimes the beautiful passing game won't cut it,
sometimes you just have to give it the old hoof ball and sometimes you need
that spark of brilliance out wide followed by a daisy splitting cross.
The difference between the top teams and the also rans, is the diversity of
a balanced squad played in their true positions. Regardless of what happens
over the next few games, high priority needs to be given to bringing the
balance for success.
* Richard Williams is the host of the claretsweatandtears.co.uk blog. He can
also be found on Twitter at @CSAT_whufc.
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Championship clubs vote in financial fair play rules
Published 14:35 25/04/12 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Championship clubs have voted in favour of introducing a groundbreaking new
financial fair play model, the Football League announced today. All but
three of the npower Championship's 24 clubs voted in favour of introducing
the model, which is based on UEFA's financial fair play regulations, and
plans to curb Football League debt by limiting investment from owners and
total spending. Football League research has revealed that the 72 clubs that
form the Championship, League One and League Two are on course to rack up a
combined £2billion of debt unless spending and investment from 'sugar daddy'
owners is curbed. The regulations will be introduced next season on a
gradual basis, but sanctions for non-compliance will not be put in place
until the 2014-15 season. Under the regulations, from the 2014-15 season,
clubs who record total losses of over £6million will be hit with either a
transfer embargo or a fine that could run in to the millions. The club in
question will be fined if they are promoted to the Barclays Premier League
and will be hit with a transfer embargo if they remain in the Championship.
Owners will be allowed to invest £6million next season, £5million the
following and £3million the following season. Financial losses per season
will also be curbed under the new regulations. Clubs will be allowed to
record a £4million loss next season, £3million per season for the next two
campaigns, and £2million per season from 2015-16 onwards. The money
generated from any fine imposed will be shared among the clubs in the
Championship who are compliant with the regulations.
The initiative is seen as an important step to stopping Football League
clubs going bust.
Earlier this season Portsmouth went into administration and Football League
chairman Greg Clarke predicts several clubs will go out of business if this
scheme is not adopted. The Football League have been consulting with the
Premier League and the FA, and are confident the initiative will get the
official backing of both bodies.
The scheme applies to the Championship only, but League One and League Two
already have initiatives to make them more financially sound. League Two
clubs are already allowed to spend 55% of turnover on wages and a similar
scheme will be introduced to League One next season after a successful pilot
scheme this term.
Any League One club spending over 65% of their turnover in the 2012-13
season, or 60% of their turnover in the 2013-14 season will be hit with a
transfer embargo.
Clarke said: "On the pitch we have three exciting, competitive divisions
with crowds at their highest levels for 50 years. But that success isn't
necessarily being reflected on our clubs' balance sheets and we have to
remedy that situation or face an uncertain future. "I'd like to commend the
Championship clubs for the courageous decision they have taken today. "It
means that for the first time, all 72 Football League clubs have agreed to
take concerted action towards controlling their financial destiny. "Whilst
we cannot promise that these rules will deliver results overnight, they will
begin to lay the foundations for a league of financially self-sustaining
football clubs."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Winston Reid is looking to end the week as it started after a fine display
at Leicester City
25.04.2012
Winston Reid will be looking to carry on where he left off at Leicester City
in Saturday's Season Finale with Hull City. The New Zealand international
had another superb evening at the King Power Stadium and was on hand to tap
home his third goal of the season from just yards out. The strike saw the
Hammers' equalise on the night before Jack Collison wrapped up all three
points with a superb 25-yard thunderbolt that flew past Kasper Schmeichel
just before the hour mark. The win was the Hammers' 13th on the road this
season and was enough to keep the pressure on Southampton, who sit in the
last automatic promotion spot - two points ahead - with just one game to go.
"It was a deserved win in my opinion," Reid said. "I thought we had the vast
majority of chances in the game. Obviously the last ten minutes was always
going to be hectic. They put us under a bit of late pressure, but in the end
I think we could have scored a couple more goals." "We all wanted to go into
the last game with something to play for. Hopefully Southampton will stuff
up and then we'll be ready to pounce, and hopefully score enough goals to go
up."
It was another great performance from the central defender, who has grabbed
his first-team opportunities with both hands since coming back from a head
injury sustained whilst on duty with the All-Whites back in February. With
the Olympics just around the corner, Reid is hoping to continue his
formidable form and celebrate a successful promotion with a call up to the
New Zealand squad for the tournament. "It's something that I'd love to do.
Especially as it's in London, it'll be an amazing opportunity but we'll have
to see."
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We only wing when we're winning…
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 25th April 2012
By: Richard Williams
With the play offs/automatic promotion and will we/won't we in the balance,
there has been a lacking ingredient. This ingredient would have tipped us
(Great Escape style) back onto the cliff and away to the Premier League. It
appears very inconsistently but when it does, it has an effect so profound
that the points are ours. The ingredient?
Width.
There has been an incessant need for each and every manager in recent years
to flood our squad with central midfield players, ignoring our immediate
concerns for diversity and width. Even the most staunch Hammer would agree
that a successful squad must have balance and to have balance, we must have
wide players.
While watching Leicester I began making and reading comments on how Collison
"wasn't what he used to be, pre injury". I even said, "He just isn't the
same player" but I began thinking about it and what I should have been
saying was, "He just isn't a wide player!" I firmly believe that Jack
Collison summarises the biggest problem West Ham United have faced in the
'yo yo' years of late. Too many players out of position.
Let me give you a few examples. Take this season for example; Ricardo Vaz Te
who has been exceptional as a front-three wide striker, has often found
himself on the left wing in a 4-5-1 formation and Jack Collison as a right
winger when he struggles to beat a man or cross the ball. Last season? Mark
Noble played right midfield to accommodate Scott Parker and Radoslav Kovac
(sends shivers down my spine, that one). I could go all day but instead I
will list the players we have forced out wide over the recent years:
Joe Cole; Marc Vivien Foe; Freddi Kanoute; Titi Camara; Steve Lomas; Thomas
Repka; David Bellion; Luis Boa Morte; Lee Bowyer; Yossi Benayoun.
Just a selection, but it drives the point home that wide players have not
been our priority and if you are debating the importance of wide players,
how well do you think Real Madrid would play without Ronaldo, Man United
without Valencia, Bayern without Robben?
Just a brief look at the Premier League Assists chart tells it's own story.
In the top 20 you have Valencia, Bale, Wallcott, Pennant, Brunt,
Etherington, Mata, Nani and Young. Would Blackburn have won the Premier
League without arguably their most dangerous players Ripley and Wilcox
providing Shearer with his service? The link between quick, wide players and
success is evident.
This season we were dominated twice by the eventual champions Reading. "Look
at our squad compared to theirs!" was heard before they beat us.
Unfortunately football isn't won on paper and the defeats showed us that we
could not deal with a team who broke well with their quick wide players in
Kebe (who we failed to sign; if we had this blog would never have seen
fruition) and Jobi McAnuff (ironically a West Ham cast off).
The importance of a balanced team with quick, wide players who can deliver
quality, pose a threat, and pull teams about is highly important in top
level football. Sam Allardyce has shown that he likes a direct playing
style, much to the anger of many, but if it works we'll stick with him.
Unfortunately for Allardyce it hasn't worked every time and there has been
little in the form of a 'Plan B'.
The lack of creativity has been present for all but the blindest to see this
season. Lack of creativity is often the result when forcing players to play
outside of their comfort zone, or more accurately, out of position. What
happened when Collison drifted inside to his natural position against
Leicester? He rifled in the winner from 30 yards!
When things haven't been working for Sam and with some hindsight, it would
have been fantastic to switch up the playing style and throw on Rob Hall out
wide to get at defenders, giving Carlton Cole the service in the box he
needs. (From the by-line not the half way line!) The praise given to Zola as
being the "only man" to get the best out of Carlton Cole is true enough but
is it any coincidence that it was the same season we had Etherington down
the left and Behrami down the right? Natural wide players? Both of whom are
still notching assists in the top flight week in, week out?
At times we have been fantastic this season, we have controlled, dominated
and passed our way through teams but the beauty of football is that there is
no magic formula. Sometimes the beautiful passing game won't cut it,
sometimes you just have to give it the old hoof ball and sometimes you need
that spark of brilliance out wide followed by a daisy splitting cross.
The difference between the top teams and the also rans, is the diversity of
a balanced squad played in their true positions. Regardless of what happens
over the next few games, high priority needs to be given to bringing the
balance for success.
* Richard Williams is the host of the claretsweatandtears.co.uk blog. He can
also be found on Twitter at @CSAT_whufc.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Championship clubs vote in financial fair play rules
Published 14:35 25/04/12 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Championship clubs have voted in favour of introducing a groundbreaking new
financial fair play model, the Football League announced today. All but
three of the npower Championship's 24 clubs voted in favour of introducing
the model, which is based on UEFA's financial fair play regulations, and
plans to curb Football League debt by limiting investment from owners and
total spending. Football League research has revealed that the 72 clubs that
form the Championship, League One and League Two are on course to rack up a
combined £2billion of debt unless spending and investment from 'sugar daddy'
owners is curbed. The regulations will be introduced next season on a
gradual basis, but sanctions for non-compliance will not be put in place
until the 2014-15 season. Under the regulations, from the 2014-15 season,
clubs who record total losses of over £6million will be hit with either a
transfer embargo or a fine that could run in to the millions. The club in
question will be fined if they are promoted to the Barclays Premier League
and will be hit with a transfer embargo if they remain in the Championship.
Owners will be allowed to invest £6million next season, £5million the
following and £3million the following season. Financial losses per season
will also be curbed under the new regulations. Clubs will be allowed to
record a £4million loss next season, £3million per season for the next two
campaigns, and £2million per season from 2015-16 onwards. The money
generated from any fine imposed will be shared among the clubs in the
Championship who are compliant with the regulations.
The initiative is seen as an important step to stopping Football League
clubs going bust.
Earlier this season Portsmouth went into administration and Football League
chairman Greg Clarke predicts several clubs will go out of business if this
scheme is not adopted. The Football League have been consulting with the
Premier League and the FA, and are confident the initiative will get the
official backing of both bodies.
The scheme applies to the Championship only, but League One and League Two
already have initiatives to make them more financially sound. League Two
clubs are already allowed to spend 55% of turnover on wages and a similar
scheme will be introduced to League One next season after a successful pilot
scheme this term.
Any League One club spending over 65% of their turnover in the 2012-13
season, or 60% of their turnover in the 2013-14 season will be hit with a
transfer embargo.
Clarke said: "On the pitch we have three exciting, competitive divisions
with crowds at their highest levels for 50 years. But that success isn't
necessarily being reflected on our clubs' balance sheets and we have to
remedy that situation or face an uncertain future. "I'd like to commend the
Championship clubs for the courageous decision they have taken today. "It
means that for the first time, all 72 Football League clubs have agreed to
take concerted action towards controlling their financial destiny. "Whilst
we cannot promise that these rules will deliver results overnight, they will
begin to lay the foundations for a league of financially self-sustaining
football clubs."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Wednesday, April 25
Daily WHUFC News - 25th April 2012
Collison 'buzzing' for Hull
WHUFC.com
Jack Collison was delighted to get back among the goals at Leicester on
Monday night
24.04.2012
WHUFC.com
Jack Collison was delighted to get back among the goals at Leicester on
Monday night
24.04.2012
Jack Collison was all smiles after his goal helped the Hammers keep their
automatic promotion dream alive with a win at Leicester City. The Welshman
was on hand to smash home from 25-yards after a Gary O'Neill shot was
blocked to put West Ham United 2-1 up. The goal proved vital as the Hammers
earned all three points at The King Power Stadium to move within striking
distance of second-placed Southampton with just one game left to go. "It was
massive that we got the three points," Collison told West Ham TV. "Obviously
all the pressure now is on Southampton for Saturday, and if we do the
business our end then who knows - stranger things have happened. "On a
personal level it was nice to get a goal because it was long overdue. It
dropped to me lovely and it's probably one in 50 of them that goes in, and
luckily for me it did."
The win leaves West Ham just two points behind the Saints, who host Coventry
City on Saturday. The Hammers play host to Hull City on the same day and
Collison believes the Hammers did all they could at Leicester to ensure the
pressure is on the Saints on the final day. "It was nice to score but it's
more important that we got the three points and it means that it's going to
be a cracking game on Saturday. So I'm buzzing for the goal, I'm buzzing for
the win and hopefully the fans will be up for it on Saturday with all the
pressure on Southampton."
Collison's stunning winner capped a fine evening for Sam Allardyce's side,
who came back from a goal down to extend their record-breaking series of
away wins to 13 for the season. Now, the Academy graduate is hoping that the
Hammers can pick up where they left off on home soil after the 6-0 win
against Brighton & Hove Albion last time out. "We had a job, we had a game
plan and it's worked wonders for us. We could have maybe had one or two more
but at the end of the day we've got three points on the board. It's been a
good team performance and we've come through without any injuries so
everybody is ready and raring to go for the weekend.
"Saturday is going to be a Cup final for us, we'll be right up for it and
all we can do is our job as it's out of our hands. Hopefully we can get an
early goal against Hull and I'm sure the pressure at Southampton will be on
when they find out about it."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam happy to keep pressure up
WHUFC.com
West Ham United outfoxed Leicester City to win 2-1 and keep their automatic
promotion hopes alive
23.04.2012
West Ham United came from a goal down to record their thirteenth away win of
the season and take the race for automatic promotion to the final day of the
season.
The Hammers won the game 2-1 courtesy of goals from defender Winston Reid
and midfielder Jack Collison having gone behind to a Jermaine Beckford
header. Manager Sam Allardyce was delighted with what he felt was a merited
victory for the Hammers at the King Power Stadium on Monday night, "That
was a well-deserved victory for us I feel," the West Ham United manager
said. "We got what we wanted which was the three points; it was a really
good performance but just maybe we were a bit slack on the finishing in the
second half. "The fans were great singing away in the corner for the whole
game. I think we've managed to send them home happy again which is
fantastic."
The Hammers began the game the better side with Ricardo Vaz Te, Collison and
captain Kevin Nolan all testing Kaspar Schmeichel in the Leicester goal. But
the visitors found themselves behind just after the half hour mark when
Beckford headed in Ben Marshall's cross. West Ham regrouped immediately and
fought their way back into the game just five minutes after the opener.
Matthew Taylor's fantastic driven cross from the left only needed a touch
and Reid obliged, stabbing the ball past Schmeichel. After the break there
was only one team who looked like winning it and after skipper Nolan had
passed up two good chances, the Hammers eventually took the lead just before
the hour mark. Gary O'Neil's shot was cleared by the Leicester defence but
only to Collison on the edge of the area who powered the ball into the
bottom corner from all of 25 yards. Manager Allardyce was delighted with the
way his team coped with going 1-0 down and fought their way back into the
game. "We came back from being 1-0 down, which I didn't think we deserved to
be, so that was great and we carried on controlling the game from there on
in. We created a lot of chances after we got our second goal but
unfortunately we didn't put any away."
The chances to make the game completely safe fell firstly to defender James
Tomkins, who headed wide, then Vaz Te and Collison failed to make the best
of a good shooting opportunity before Nolan missed a good chance right at
the end. However, Big Sam saw the victory as job done for West Ham and is
looking towards a dramatic final day with Southmapton now just two points
ahead. "We have stayed in the race until the final day which is what we
wanted to do and we will have to do our job on Saturday and hope Coventry
can help us at Southampton." Allardye said. "Our chance of automatic
promotion is better than before the game because we have won. Who knows what
will happen on Saturday, maybe Southampton will get the jitters or Coventry
will play without fear having already been relegated. What we have to do is
our job and win the game at home to Hull, if we do that you never know."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dev Squad win at Cambridge
WHUFC.com
Ian Hendon's side enjoyed a fine 5-1 victory at Cambridge United on Tuesday
evening
24.04.2012
West Ham United's Development Squad continued a good week for the Club by
scoring a 5-1 victory at Cambridge United on Tuesday. Just 24 hours after
the first team kept their npower Championship automatic promotion hopes
alive by winning at Leicester City, the Hammers' youngsters put on a fine
show at the Abbey Stadium. Paul McCallum, Blair Turgott, Dominic Vose, Brian
Montenegro and Elliot Lee (pictured) were all on target in the second half
as the U's kicked-off their centenary celebrations by welcoming Ian Hendon's
side. Hendon was delighted with his young team's showing on their final
outing of the 2011/12 season, saying: "The boys played well and they scored
some cracking goals. It was a great way for us to sign-off a good season for
the Development Squad."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Kevin Nolan hoping for favour from Coventry
BBC.co.uk
West Ham captain Kevin Nolan hopes relegated Coventry can do his side a
favour in the automatic promotion race. The Hammers must beat Hull and hope
Southampton drop points at home to the Sky Blues to have a chance of
finishing in second place in the Championship. The 29-year-old told BBC
London 94.9: "The main thing for us was to take it to the final day. We are
asking Coventry to do us a massive favour."We're really hoping Coventry go
there and give them a good game."
After beating Leicester 2-1 on Monday, West Ham are now two points behind
Southampton in the table. A win for West Ham coupled with a defeat for
Saints on Saturday would seal an immediate return to the top flight. If the
Saints draw, West Ham would need to win by a margin of three or four goals -
depending on how many Southampton score - to clinch promotion. "It's going
to be tough on Southampton," Nolan added. "Hopefully when they put that
shirt on on Saturday it'll be a little bit heavier as there are expectations
on them to win the game. Hopefully Coventry will give us something to play
for. "The main thing is making sure we win our game. "No matter what
happens, we've got momentum going into the end of the season and maybe into
the play-offs."
Irons boss Sam Allardyce added: "I'm fearing I'll have to tell the players
to go out and win 3-0 or 4-0 and hope Southampton slip up. "We might need
that margin because we'd be absolutely gutted if Southampton end up drawing,
we don't score enough goals and end up staying in the play-offs on goal
difference."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hull clash goes live
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 24th April 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's promotion decider with Hull City at the Boleyn Ground this
Saturday is being televised live. Sky Sports confirmed this morning that
they will be featuring West Ham's clash with the Tigers - which kick off at
12:30pm - live on Saturday lunchtime. Meanwhile Southampton's match against
Coventry City is also being televised live, this time by the BBC.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
We've piled the pressure on Southampton, says Jack Collison
Evening Standard
24 April 2012
Jack Collison today threw down the gauntlet to promotion rivals Southampton
as he said: "Now it's time to see what they are made of." Collison scored a
spectacular second-half winner at Leicester to ensure the shoot-out between
West Ham and Southampton goes into Saturday, the final day of the season.
Despite West Ham's victory last night the south-coast club remain strong
favourites to take the second automatic Championship promotion spot behind
Reading. Nigel Adkins's team are two points clear of West Ham and with a
three-goal superior goal difference. They play already relegated Coventry at
St Mary's, where they have lost only three times in the League this season,
while the Hammers are at home to Hull City. West Ham's victory over
Leicester, their 13th away win this season, takes things to the wire,
though, and Collison is still firmly clinging to the automatic promotion
lifeline. "All the pressure is on Southampton on Saturday and if we do the
business at home, who knows? Stranger things have happened," said the Wales
midfielder. "It's going to be a cracking game against Hull. Everyone here is
raring to go. "I'm buzzing after that goal against Leicester and more
importantly, the three points. Everyone will be up for it on Saturday and
let's see what Southampton are made of.
"It's still not in our hands and Hull won't be an easy game but we will give
it a right go, try to do our bit and then see what happens."
West Ham were always the better team last night but had to come from behind
after Jermaine Beckford's headed goal in the 34th minute. Centre-half
Winston Reid turned in Matt Taylor's searching left-wing cross five minutes
later and it was Collison who crashed home the winner, his first goal for
almost three months, 13 minutes into the second half. "On a personal level
it was nice to score the goal, it's been long overdue and it was probably
the most difficult of the two or three chances that I had last night," he
said. "I caught it sweet and luckily for me it went in but it was more
important we got the three points. "We had a game plan against Leicester and
it worked well. We could have nicked one or two more goals but the win was
the main thing, plus a good team performance and no injuries. "It's my first
full season back after a long-term injury and I'm pleased with the number of
games I've played. I've been a bit in and out of the team but it's something
I have to learn to deal with and when the opportunities come it's up to me
to make the most of them."
Manager Sam Allardyce also believes the victory will increase the pressure
on Southampton. He said: "All we can do is our job which is trying to beat
Hull at home. If we can do that, you never know. Southampton will be a
little more nervous now than before we beat Leicester. "We've stayed in the
race until the final day of the season which is what we wanted to do. "We
will have to do our job against Hull and hope Coventry can help us against
Southampton. "It's still a slim chance but is better than the one we had
before the Leicester game. Who knows what will happen on Saturday? Maybe
Southampton will get the jitters and Coventry will play without fear having
already been relegated."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tuesday, April 24
Daily WHUFC News - 24th April 2012
Big Sam happy to keep pressure up
WHUFC.com
West Ham United outfoxed Leicester City to win 2-1 and keep their automatic
promotion hopes alive
23.04.2012
WHUFC.com
West Ham United outfoxed Leicester City to win 2-1 and keep their automatic
promotion hopes alive
23.04.2012
West Ham United came from a goal down to record their thirteenth away win of
the season and take the race for automatic promotion to the final day of the
season.
The Hammers won the game 2-1 courtesy of goals from defender Winston Reid
and midfielder Jack Collison having gone behind to a Jermaine Beckford
header. Manager Sam Allardyce was delighted with what he felt was a merited
victory for the Hammers at the King Power Stadium on Monday night, "That
was a well-deserved victory for us I feel," the West Ham United manager
said. "We got what we wanted which was the three points; it was a really
good performance but just maybe we were a bit slack on the finishing in the
second half. "The fans were great singing away in the corner for the whole
game. I think we've managed to send them home happy again which is
fantastic."
The Hammers began the game the better side with Ricardo Vaz Te, Collison and
captain Kevin Nolan all testing Kaspar Schmeichel in the Leicester goal. But
the visitors found themselves behind just after the half hour mark when
Beckford headed in Ben Marshall's cross. West Ham regrouped immediately and
fought their way back into the game just five minutes after the opener.
Matthew Taylor's fantastic driven cross from the left only needed a touch
and Reid obliged, stabbing the ball past Schmeichel. After the break there
was only one team who looked like winning it and after skipper Nolan had
passed up two good chances, the Hammers eventually took the lead just before
the hour mark. Gary O'Neil's shot was cleared by the Leicester defence but
only to Collison on the edge of the area who powered the ball into the
bottom corner from all of 25 yards.
Manager Allardyce was delighted with the way his team coped with going 1-0
down and fought their way back into the game. "We came back from being 1-0
down, which I didn't think we deserved to be, so that was great and we
carried on controlling the game from there on in. We created a lot of
chances after we got our second goal but unfortunately we didn't put any
away."
The chances to make the game completely safe fell firstly to defender James
Tomkins, who headed wide, then Vaz Te and Collison failed to make the best
of a good shooting opportunity before Nolan missed a good chance right at
the end. However, Big Sam saw the victory as job done for West Ham and is
looking towards a dramatic final day with Southmapton now just two points
ahead. "We have stayed in the race until the final day which is what we
wanted to do and we will have to do our job on Saturday and hope Coventry
can help us at Southampton." Allardye said. "Our chance of automatic
promotion is better than before the game because we have won. Who knows what
will happen on Saturday, maybe Southampton will get the jitters or Coventry
will play without fear having already been relegated. What we have to do is
our job and win the game at home to Hull, if we do that you never know."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Duo receive PFA acclaim
WHUFC.com
James Tomkins and Mark Noble are in the 2011/12 PFA Championship Team of the
Year
23.04.2012
West Ham United pair James Tomkins and Mark Noble have been voted into the
2011/12 PFA Championship Team of the Year by their fellow professionals.
Centre-back Tomkins and midfielder Noble have both been recognised for their
outstanding contributions this season by being named in the XI at the PFA
Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on Sunday evening. However,
neither player was on hand to celebrate as the Hammers are preparing for
Monday's crucial npower Championship fixture at Leicester City in the
Midlands. Academy product Tomkins, 23, has netted four goals in 42 npower
Championship appearances this season, while also impressing with his
defensive strength and composure in possession. Noble, another homegrown
Hammer and the club's longest-serving player at the age of 24, has scored
eight goals - including seven nerveless penalties - in 43 league games this
term. Promotion rivals Southampton contributed three members of the side in
goalkeeper Kelvin Davis, midfielder Adam Lallana and striker Rickie Lambert,
while champions Reading are represented by left-back Ian Harte.
PFA Championship Team of the Year: Davis (Southampton), Clyne (Crystal
Palace), Tomkins (West Ham United), Davies (Birmingham City), Harte
(Reading), Lallana (Southampton), Whittingham (Cardiff), Noble (West Ham
United), Phillips (Blackpool), Lambert (Southampton), Rodriguez (Burnley).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers fans win Cup
WHUFC.com
Supporters team West Ham iFC won the first-ever London Supporters' Cup on
Saturday
23.04.2012
West Ham iFC managed to lift the inaugural London Supporters' Cup on
Saturday, despite doing things the hard way. The Hammers looked all set to
lift the cup in a fairly routine manner as they went into the break two
goals to the good. Mark Blackburn put the fans' side 1-0 up after slotting
home from close range, after a dangerous deep free-kick from Will Bush found
its way to the defender. The Hammers had a chance to double that lead from
the spot just moments later. A blatant handball in the area from a Watford
player didn't go unnoticed from the man in black and he quickly gave the
penalty West Ham's way. Up stepped Bush to fire the boys in Claret and Blue
into a two goal lead going into the second half. Watford however still had
dreams of lifting the Cup themselves, and looked a much brighter side in the
second half. The Hornets managed to pull one back as a free-kick found the
back of the net, and within minutes West Ham's defence was punished again. A
long throw was only half cleared before eventually being bundled over the
line as the Hornets got their sting back. With just minutes to go it was
Watford that almost earnt themselves a fairytale win. Luckily Irons keeper
Cates was on top form as he saved from point-blank range, meaning that the
tie would have to be settled by penalties.
After a tense penalty shoot-out it was West Ham who lifted the silverware,
but yet again Watford made them sweat. Both sides scored four out of five of
their penalties meaning that sudden death was on the cards. However, Watford
missing their eighth penalty ended their dreams of Cup glory as the Hammers
punished the miss, meaning that Vinnie White's side were left victorious.
West Ham iFC manager White said: "We knew Watford would have a stronger
squad than when we faced earlier in the season so it certainly wasn't a
shock that they pushed us every minute. It was a great performance and
neither team deserved to lose. "Coates has pulled off a wonderful save
towards the end. I'm not sure how much he knew about but to me it looks like
it's going in all the way so it's a vital save. "In the end both teams
celebrated together as we're all good friends and I'd like to think it would
be the same if the boot was on the other foot. Neither team deserved to lose
that game, especially with the cruel way of the penalties."
* West Ham iFC are running a fundraising night at The Boleyn pub on 25 May
with tickets available on the door or from @westhamfansfc in advance. They
are £6 each and include a raffle ticket, where the prizes include a signed
Mark Noble shirt. *
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Moncur stars for Dons
WHUFC.com
George Moncur was one of three West Ham United loanees in action at the
weekend
23.04.2012
George Moncur celebrated an AFC Wimbledon win with a goal against promotion
hopefuls Torquay United on Saturday as three West Ham United loanees were in
action. The West Ham starlet curled expert goal past Gulls' keeper Robert
Olenik in the 85th minute, helping to earn the Don's their first win in five
and severely denting Torquay's bid for promotion. Elsewhere, Cristian
Montano played just over an hour for Oxford United as they claimed a point
against Plymouth Argyle. The away side dominated the game but just couldn't
capitalise on the pressure they were putting Plymouth under. The result
leaves Oxford in eighth place - two outside the play-offs. Meanwhile in
Spain winger Pablo Barrera made a substitute appearance for Real Zaragoza
but couldn't stop his side from going down to a 1-0 defeat away at Real
Mallorca. The Mexican winger played the final 20 minutes at the Iberostar
Stadium, his 14th appearance of the season.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Leicester 1 West Ham 2
23 April 2012
Last updated at 21:53
By Emlyn Begley
BBC Sport
West Ham came from behind to beat Leicester and take their battle with
Southampton for automatic promotion to the Premier League to the final day.
The Foxes led when Ben Marshall's cross was headed home by Jermaine Beckford
but five minutes later Winston Reid prodded home a leveller from Matty
Taylor's centre. And Jack Collison scored the Hammers' winner, firing home
from 25 yards. West Ham are two points behind the Saints going into the
final day. The Hammers need to beat Hull City on the final day and hope that
Southampton lose to relegated Coventry. If the Saints draw, West Ham would
need to win by three or four - depending on how many goals the Saints score
- to clinch promotion. West Ham started the brighter and Ricardo Vaz Te
almost got onto the end of Mark Noble's through ball but it ran just too far
and into Kasper Schmeichel's hands in the Leicester goal. The Foxes
goalkeeper then saved well down low from Collison's shot after Sol Bamba was
caught dawdling by Carlton Cole. Noble's free-kick was headed wide by Cole,
who was then only denied by a last-ditch Wes Morgan challenge after chasing
onto Noble's 60-yard ball.
Final day permutations
If Southampton draw on the final day and West Ham win but score four more
goals than the Saints, their records would be identical. Their head-to-head
record would then be taken into account, which Southampton would win after a
1-0 win and 1-1 draw.
Leicester showed they would give the Hammers a game, despite having little
to play for, and Beckford headed wide from Lloyd Dyer's cross. At the other
end, Nolan flashed a half-volley wide with the outside of his boot and
moments later his side fell behind. Marshall won the ball from Taylor on the
right-hand side and floated it into the centre where Beckford made amends
for his previous miss. Leicester's lead was shortlived though. Noble rolled
the ball to Taylor, whose wonderful low cross was converted from close range
by Reid. And with the momentum all West Ham's, Vaz Te had a powerful effort
deflected wide by Morgan, Tomkins headed past the post and Vaz Te flashed a
free-kick wide.
After the break, West Ham continued to chase the goal they needed to keep
their automatic promotion dreams alive. Soon after the restart, Noble hit a
brilliant shot from the edge of box that went just wide and then fired well
over after Gary O'Neil found him unmarked from a similar distance. And their
persistence paid off when O'Neil's shot was cleared by the Leicester defence
but only as far as Collison, who smashed the ball home. Schmeichel got a
hand to the effort but could not keep it out. Moments later Collison could
have killed the game off but his shot was deflected over by Bamba. The
Hammers continued to push for a third goal to seal the game and boost their
goal difference and Tomkins headed wide, while Vaz Te and Collison failed to
capitalise on a great chance to shoot in the box. Leicester's Marshall had
an effort from 25 yards out that was easily handed by Green. And minutes
later, perhaps sensing that the game was not yet won, Sam Allardyce brought
on defender Danny Collins for striker Cole and the Hammers saw the game out.
After Nolan missed a chance to add a late third, they almost paid the
ultimate price with Green having to save Morgan's last-gasp header.
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce: "I think that under the pressure and under the
circumstances it was a fantastic victory, especially as we had to come from
behind - and Jack Collison's winning goal was a cracker. "It is a good night
and we have stayed in the race, which is what we wanted, and now we have got
to do our job and hope that Southampton get the jitters and Coventry can do
us a favour. "The pressure on them will be enormous to finish off the
fantastic season they have had and hopefully that will put them off their
game. "The odds are Southampton will win the game - that is what everyone
expects - but football is a strange game and any team on a day can cause an
upset, as we have seen all season."
Leicester boss Nigel Pearson: "It is a disappointing way to round off the
home campaign. Their clinical finishing was the difference but in the end
they had too much for us and I have no complaints. "Richie Wellens will have
a scan on Tuesday. It doesn't look promising at the moment. And likewise
with Andy King, who has a foot injury that is maybe similar to his original
injury but hopefully isn't as bad. "They are things we could do without at
this stage of the season, certainly with our numbers being short in
midfield."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Leicester City 1 West Ham Utd 2
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 23rd April 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's slim chances of automatic promotion are still alive following a
narrow yet well-deserved victory at the King Power stadium tonight. Winston
Reid's first half strike and a thunderbolt from Jack Collison after the
break earned Sam Allardyce's side three priceless points that brings
automatic promotion tantalisingly close.
Should West Ham beat Hull at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday and Southampton
lose at home to Coventry, the Irons will finish the season in second spot.
Alternatively should Southamton draw against the Sky Blues any West Ham win
by a three clear goals or more would be enough to see United promoted. Of
course, with Coventry already relegated the odds are still heavily stacked
in Southampton's favour this weekend. But having already blown one chance to
gain promotion at Middlesbrough last weekend, who's to say that nerves won't
get the better of Nigel Adkins' side once again? Naturally, Saturday's games
would have been academic had the Hammers failed to beat Leicester tonight -
and that looked to be on the cards when Jermaine Beckford put the home side
ahead on 25 minutes against the run of play with a header.
But when Winston Reid pounced on Matt Taylor's near post cross six minutes
ahead of the break to restore parity it was game on once again. West Ham
came out of the blocks the stronger after the break and it was no surprise
when Jack Collison fired the Irons into the lead for the first time on the
night with a wonderful strike from all of 25 yards. That goal was enough to
win the game for West Ham, who completed an incredible 13th away win of the
season with tonight's victory. It could have been even more comprehensive
had Kevin Nolan managed to beat Kaspar Schmeichel when left with just the
'keeper to beat in the final minute of the game but the Dane smothered the
West Ham captain's shot. How instrumental that miss will be for West Ham
will only be revealed this weekend - but at least the Hammers have given
themselves a great chance of finishing in the top two, even if their fate is
out of their hands.
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Allardyce harbours slim hopes
Big Sam hopes Southampton will get the jitters
By Razwan Mirza. Last Updated: April 23, 2012 10:31pm
SSN
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce believes his side have a 'slim chance' of
claiming the final automatic promotion spot in the Championship following
their 2-1 win at Leicester City. The third-placed Hammers took advantage of
Southampton'sdefeat to Middlesbrough to ensure the race goes to the final
weekend of the season. West Ham will now need to beat Hull City at Upton
Park on Saturday and hope relegated Coventry do them a favour against the
Saints. Allardyce's side extended their club record of away wins in a season
to 13 at the King Power Stadium despite going a goal behind as Jermaine
Beckford gave City the lead. However, Winston Reid restored parity six
minutes before the break and just before the hour mark Jack Collison's
thunderbolt won the game for the visitors.
Good night
Manage Allardyce told Sky Sports 1: "It was a well deserved victory and I
think in the end it should have been by more but unfortunately we squandered
too many simple chances which left us a little nervous towards the end. "We
got exactly what we wanted tonight which was the victory. Like I said, I
thought it should have been by more if were a bit sharper, but a really good
performance and having to come from a goal down to win the game, which was a
terrific goal by Jack Collison, so it's a good night for us. "We've stayed
in the race now until the very, very end, which is what we wanted and we'll
have to do our job on Saturday and hope that Coventry can do a little bit at
Southampton and wait and see. "If Southampton get the jitters or the nerves
or Coventry play with no fear because they've got relegated now, you know,
who knows. But we have to beat Hull."
Asked how Southampton will be feeling after Monday night, Allardyce added:
"A little bit more nervous now than they were before the game I would think.
"We've kept the pressure on them, but it's still a slim chance."
Pressure
Meanwhile, Kevin Nolan admits he's also hoping for a helping hand from
already-relegated Coventry. We knew we had to put the pressure on
Southampton. We're not expecting much on Saturday, but it was always
positive for us to make sure that we kept our momentum going and our wins
going," said the Hammers captain.
"Hopefully Coventry can do us a favour on Saturday, but it will be a bit
tougher for Southampton now. We didn't want to give it to them, we wanted to
make them earn it. They've been great all season but let's see if they can
get over the finishing line now."
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West Ham ensure final day drama
Last updated: 23rd April 2012
SSN
West Ham kept their hopes of automatic promotion alive from the Championship
with a 2-1 win at Leicester City on Monday night. Anything but victory would
have handed Southampton their return to the Premier League behind champions
Reading and left the Hammers in the play-offs. Saints remain favourites to
follow the Royals up in second spot but at least Sam Allardyce's men have
made the south coast club earn their reward on the pitch at Saturday
lunchtime against already-relegated Coventry. It looked like that may not be
the case when Jermaine Beckford headed Leicester in front against the run of
play. But West Ham responded quickly through Winston Reid before Jack
Collison smashed home the winning goal in the second half. Joint-leading
scorer Carlton Cole looked a handful on his return from a knee problem and
it was his presence that forced a mistake from Sol Bamba inside his own
penalty area after six minutes. The Leicester centre-half dwelled on the
ball, Cole dispossessed him and teed-up Gary O'Neil whose low shot was well
held by Kasper Schmeichel getting down to his right at full stretch. Cole
went close himself with 15 minutes gone, glancing a header wide from Mark
Noble's whipped free-kick.
Immediately afterwards, the England striker found himself bearing down on
Schmeichel - with Wes Morgan in tow - after latching on to Noble's
through-ball. As Cole was about to pull the trigger 12 yards out, Morgan
made a superb last-ditch tackle. Leicester were forced into a change after
22 minutes when captain Richie Wellens limped off injured. Lloyd Dyer
replaced him and the winger almost made an immediate impact, crossing
dangerously from the right but Beckford headed wide.
West Ham threatened again when Kevin Nolan volleyed a dropping ball narrowly
wide from the left-hand side of the area. It was against the run of play
when Beckford put the hosts in front after 34 minutes. Ben Marshall evaded
Matt Taylor down the right and crossed for Beckford to plant a header past
Robert Green. But it was a terrific response from the promotion chasers, who
were level within five minutes. Taylor whipped in a brilliant low cross and
Reid poked home from inside the six yard box. James Tomkins almost sent the
Hammers into half-time in front but his header from another Taylor cross
went inches wide. Perhaps concerned by the number of chances West Ham were
creating, Leicester boss Nigel Pearson made another change at the break.
Sean St Ledger replaced King, with Bamba moving into midfield.
However, West Ham still created opportunities and should have gone ahead
after 57 minutes but Nolan miscued horribly from a useful Noble pass. A
minute later though it was 2-1 as Collison thumped a powerful 18-yard effort
beyond an unsighted Schmeichel after St Ledger had initially blocked a shot
from O'Neil. The visitors took their foot off the gas a little, perhaps
trying to defend what they had, but still looked a threat on the break.
Ricardo Vaz Te and Collison passed up the chance to settle the game between
them with 16 minutes remaining - both hesitating inside the box to allow
former Hammer Paul Konchesky to make a brilliant saving tackle.
West Ham came within inches of a third goal late on as Taylor's low cross
from the left was turned inches past his own post by St Ledger. Nolan then
spurned a one-on-one in injury-time, tamely shooting straight at Schmeichel.
And the Hammers were almost made to pay for their latest missed chance but
Green hung on to Morgan's header at the death.
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Vinny's Leicester Report
Vinny 2:53 Tue Apr 24
West Ham Online
Leicester City 1 West Ham United 2
West Ham kept their faint automatic promotion hopes alive with a 2-1 victory
at the King Power Stadium as Leicester became the latest team to be beaten
by a West Ham side whose away form continues to impress.
This was as standard as victory as you will see and we can be pleased that
in what was clearly a must win game that we actually succeeded in our task.
Whilst automatic promotion looks very unlikely given that all Southampton
need to do is beat relegated Coventry City on Saturday it still gives us a
chance and at least we will go into the last game of the season with
something to play for, however unlikely.
Although Leicester took a shock lead in the first half we always looked
comfortable and it was no surprise to see us get back on level terms quickly
and then take it to them in the second period.
The disappointing thing was not scoring more goals and that is not just
because I wanted to see us score a load for my own enjoyment but that with
Southampton's goal difference slightly better than ours, every goal counts.
After the game I couldn't help but dwell on all those missed opportunities
over the last few months. Even a win at Bristol City last week would have
made things a whole lot different and sent us into the last game on a more
even keel.
But the time for 'if's' are now over and although the Play Off's look very
likely we need to go out against Hull and beat them so at least we can say
that we did our part. How awful would it be if Southampton did somehow get
beat and we only managed a draw? That would certainly irk me more than
Southampton just plainly winning.
There is little to complain about when reviewing this game against Leicester
as we were better than them for most of the game and fully deserved the
three points. For large periods they couldn't get near to us as we knocked
the ball about and if we had a bit more about ourselves in the striking
department then more goals would have followed.
But anything other than a win would have seen Southampton promoted and we
now have a chance and I am sure they will be feeling the pressure.
The Team
Allardyce made two changes to the side who were held at Ashton Gate last
week.
In midfield Henri Lansbury was dropped to the bench and replaced by Jack
Collison. This was a surprise to many given that Lansbury had been playing
well of late and Collison has been in retched form for the majority of the
season.
Up front Carlton Cole returned after being side-lined with injury which
ruled him out of the Bristol City game and he replaced Nicky Maynard who had
picked up a knock.
Starting for Leicester City was former Hammer Paul Konchesky.
First Half
Much like our previous two games we started well and looked confident on the
ball with the opposition struggling to string passes together. It was clear
again that we were looking to hit our opponents early and then use our
formation to sit back.
Some early work down the left hand side saw Vaz Te put in a cross where Jack
Collison met the ball with a left footed effort which was perhaps not going
to hit the target but regardless it was blocked by the defender.
Cole won the ball from Leicester defender Bamba who had got himself into a
bit of a mess and Cole laid the ball back for Jack Collison to again strike
with his left foot and he made good connection with the ball but was saved
down low by Kasper Schmeichel.
With a quarter of the game gone, Cole had been doing well up against the big
defender Morgan in what seemed like a bit of a battle. A good turn from Cole
down the left saw Morgan bundle him to the ground with a free kick given.
It was take by Mark Noble and Cole got a flick on the ball but it went well
wide and the chance was gone.
About a minute later it would be those same two players involved again as
Noble played a brilliant pass in behind the Leicester back line for Cole to
run on to. With just the keeper to beat he hesitated for too long and Morgan
got back with a terrific challenge before he could pull the trigger.
Leicester midfielder Richie Wellens went down with injury and was forced to
come off moments later as he was replaced by Lloyd Dyer.
This change actually worked for Leicester as it gave them a bit of pace in
midfield and instantly Dyer was causing Demel problems with his first run
down the line ending in a good cross for Jermaine Beckford but his header
was poor and well wide when I thought he should have hit the target.
A ball into the area saw Nolan go up to challenge and his knock down into
space found Vaz Te who hit his shot into the ground goalwards but it was
blocked and away for a corner.
With around 30 minutes on the clock Gary O'Neil was booked for a cynical
challenge on Dyer.
Despite controlling most of the game and Robert Green having virtually
nothing to do, it was the home side who took the lead with 34 minutes
played.
It was a frustrating goal to watch (most of them are) as Taylor was
dispossessed and Ben Marshall showed a good turn of pace down the right. He
only had one man to pick out in the area and that was Beckford and the cross
was inch perfect as Jermaine Beckford planted his header past the stranded
Green.
For me it was poor marking from James Tomkins who should have been closer to
him. There was only Beckford in the area so I am not sure who the defenders
were looking at. For all our possession and forward play we found ourselves
1-0 down pretty much out of the blue.
The West Ham support didn't let this get them down and they kept singing. I
think we knew that this was a bit of a shock goal and that we looked as if
we would open Leicester up at some point.
Only five minutes after conceding we got back on level terms as half time
approached.
It was a well worked goal as Matthew Taylor put in a superb low cross which
was on a plate for Winston Reid to score and make it 1-1.
The final few moments of the half saw a lot of end to end action with both
sides having a couple of corners although they came to nothing.
I was happy enough going in at half time because we simply had been the
better side and even after going a goal down we reacted well and got back
quickly. We had the momentum and I had the confidence that we would win this
one mainly because Leicester were not very good and we had so much space
when we were attacking.
Second Half
We began the half much like the first in that we saw a lot of the ball and
it was Leicester doing the chasing. It was like we would have expected to
see at home this season with the opposition chasing us and making them work
for the ball.
Sadly it has more than often been the other way around which is why we find
ourselves coming up short.
Mark Noble had the first chance of the half as his corner was cleared and
worked back to him by Collison which saw Noble cut inside and unleash an
effort which flew just past the post in what would have been a fabulous
goal.
Another corner followed soon after as we continued our positive start to the
half. It really did look as though only one side cared about winning and
with Leicester having nothing to play for this can go some way to explaining
this.
We should have be ahead on 57 minutes when Noble played a delightful ball
through to Kevin Nolan who had the goal at his mercy but he blazed his side
footed effort over the bar in what was a poor attempt.
But just two minutes later we would take the lead we had be threatening.
The passing move found O'Neil who had time to hit a shot which was blocked
and although O'Neil went forward to hit it again it was Jack Collison who
reacted quicker and unleashed an unstoppable effort from 25 yards out which
flew into the goal to make it 2-1.
It was a cracker of a goal from Collison whom I am led to believe was just
about to be subbed before he scored.
We did not seem to want to let up on Leicester who really looked ragged at
this point and another good move saw Vaz Te get into the area but Collison
couldn't find space for a shot and it was put out for a corner which Noble
took but the header from Tomkins went over.
We were frequently winning corners and most of these were aimed towards
James Tomkins who seemed to be getting to every one although with little
success when it came to scoring or creating a chance.
With just over fifteen minutes remaining Guy Demel was replaced by Julien
Faubert. I can only presume this is because of Demel being knackered because
other than that there was no reason to make such a substitution.
Leicester were forcing a few corners and seeing more of the ball in our half
but really they didn't do a lot with it and there wasn't much trouble for
Robert Green.
With three minutes of normal time remaining we came so close to scoring a
third as Matthew Taylor again put in a superb low cross which was nearly
turned into his own net by the Leicester defender St Ledger.
Allardyce made another change with the goal scorer Collison coming off and
Henri Lansbury replacing him.
We were into the final minute and Julien Faubert nearly gifted Leicester a
chance with a quite ghastly header as he showed how poor a defender he
really is once again. Luckily the shot went well over the bar.
Four minutes of injury time were given by a referee we had hardly noticed
all evening. The Leicester fans began to depart as chants of 'Is there a
fire drill' rang out from the 2,237 travelling West Ham fans who will be
hoping that this is their last away trip of the season.
The only team who should have scored in the injury time was West Ham and it
was a very poor finish.
A ball into the feet of Kevin Nolan saw the captain cleverly turn his man
and he was in on goal, he waited for the keeper to come out and had Lansbury
to his right who could have tapped the ball in but he tried to score himself
and it was easily saved. We may remember this moment on Saturday against
Hull.
Regardless of automatic promotion this was another showcase in how to get
results away from home. We were better than Leicester City all over the
pitch and Allardyce was tactically spot on in this one.
Player Reviews
Robert Green
Apart from picking the ball out of the net Green had very little to do.
There was no great effort from Leicester than Green had to make a diving
save. Everything was straight at him and aside from a few punches and
catches he had an easy evening.
Guy Demel
A solid if unspectacular display from Demel who appears to have made the
right back slot his own from now until the end of the season (whenever that
may be). Although Leicester's Lloyd caught him by surprise when he first
came on Demel got to grips with him quickly and marked him out of the game.
Winston Reid
Scored the first goal and put in an excellent defensive display. Reid has
been one of the positives of the season given the standard of his
performances in his first season at the club and he continues to improve and
impress.
James Tomkins
I thought he could have done better for their goal as he totally lost the
whereabouts of Beckford. If he had stayed tighter to him then I do not think
he would have scored. Apart from that he was very good otherwise and a
monster in the air.
Matthew Taylor
His crossing was excellent and the assist for the equaliser was superb.
Maybe I am being harsh but I thought he was poor overall and struggled to
distribute the ball to a team mate when in his own half.
Ricardo Vaz Te
Stuck on the left wing Vaz Te did not have much of an impact on the game.
There were bits where he looked good but he was not exactly constantly
involved and came in and out of the game.
Gary O'Neil
Struggled a bit initially but got to grips with the game and was working
hard before his substitution. He gets stuck in and is tight on the
opposition's midfield players.
Mark Noble
Made a few fantastic passes which opened up Leicester giving Cole a chance
one on one and Nolan a great chance to score. Rarely gave the ball away,
controlled the tempo of the game and waited for players to run into space.
Noble takes his time and for me he ran the game.
Kevin Nolan
Two poor finishes from the captain is my lasting memory of his performance.
He was hardworking in bursts but faded in and out of the game too much for
my liking.
Jack Collison
He was certainly getting forward in the first half and had a couple of
efforts. If he does give anything it is that he will get forward with the
attack and be in a position to get a shot off. His goal was superb and a
real great strike. Overall he was decent but nothing to get too excited
about.
Carlton Cole
He was very good in the first twenty minutes and looked to have the better
of the Leicester defence. And then that was it. We hardly saw him again and
he had little to no impact on the second half at all.
Subs Used
Julien Faubert (on for Demel 77 mins)
His first action of the game was to try and put a cross into the area but it
was so poor it didn't beat the first man. The majority of times he cleared
the ball he put it out for a throw and nearly cost us a goal with a stupid
header.
Danny Collins (on for Cole 81 mins)
Allardyce loves a bit of Danny Collins and you just knew he would get on at
some point. Did alright and was on to give us more at the back.
Henri Lansbury (on for Collison 88 mins)
Not on for long.
Subs Not Used: Baldock, Diop
Bookings: O'Neil
Man Of The Match: Mark Noble
Leicester City: Schmeichel, Peltier, Konchesky, Bamba, Morgan, Marshall,
King, Drinkwater, Wellens, Beckford, Nugent
Subs: St.Ledger, Howard, Dyer, Waghorn, Vassell
Attendance: 23,172
Overall
To win thirteen games away from home in one season is a remarkable record
and whilst I am no fan of Sam Allardyce I to think that this is a great
achievement. For the travelling away fans it has been a good season because
watching your side win away from home is always brilliant.
But as our season comes to an end we know that the goal that we had at the
beginning has not been met and unless something quite special happens next
week we will have to go through the play offs to meet this goal.
It is perhaps foolish of me to expect relegated Coventry to go to one of the
best teams in the league and beat them on their own patch. I could see them
maybe snatching an unlikely draw but then we will need to win by a few
goals.
Next Game – Hull City (h) Saturday 28th April 12.30 Kick Off
Nothing other than a win will do and that is certainly stating the obvious.
It is not very likely that next week I will be talking about our promotion
but if something amazing does happen this could be one of the best days I
have had at West Ham.
Do not dismiss the hope you might be feeling.
If supporting West Ham has taught you anything then surely it is to expect
the unexpected.
It has probably taught us many other things too....
Sam's View
"That was a well-deserved victory for us I feel,"
"We got what we wanted which was the three points; it was a really good
performance but just maybe we were a bit slack on the finishing in the
second half.
"The fans were great singing away in the corner for the whole game. I think
we've managed to send them home happy again which is fantastic."
"We came back from being 1-0 down, which I didn't think we deserved to be,
so that was great and we carried on controlling the game from there on in.
We created a lot of chances after we got our second goal but unfortunately
we didn't put any away."
"We have stayed in the race until the final day which is what we wanted to
do and we will have to do our job on Saturday and hope Coventry can help us
at Southampton."
"Our chance of automatic promotion is better than before the game because we
have won. Who knows what will happen on Saturday, maybe Southampton will get
the jitters or Coventry will play without fear having already been
relegated. What we have to do is our job and win the game at home to Hull,
if we do that you never know."
Season 2011/12 Scorers and Red Cards
Kevin Nolan - 12 (12 League)
Carlton Cole - 11 (11 League)
Ricardo Vaz Te - 10(10 League)
Mark Noble - 8 (8 League)
Sam Baldock - 5 (5 League)
Jack Collison - 4 (4 League)
Own Goal - 4 (4 League)
Winston Reid - 3 (3 League)
James Tomkins - 3 (3 League)
Gary O'Neil - 2 (2 League)
Nicky Maynard - 2 (2 League)
Henri Lansbury - 2 (2 League)
John Carew - 2 (2 League)
Frederique Piquionne - 2 (2 League)
Papa Bouba Diop - 1 (1 League)
Joey O'Brien - 1 (1 League)
Matthew Taylor - 1 (1 League)
Julien Faubert - 1 (1 League)
Frank Nouble - 1 (1 League)
George McCartney - 1 (1 League)
Danny Collins - 1 (1 League)
Scott Parker - 1 (1 League)
Junior Stanislas - 1 (1 Cup)
Red Cards
Callum McNaughton - 1 (vs Aldershot home)
Frederique Piquionne - 1 (vs Portsmouth home)
Joey O'Brien - 1 (vs Reading away)
Jack Collison - 1 (vs Reading away)
Kevin Nolan - 1 (vs Millwall home)
Matthew Taylor - 1 (vs Southampton home)
Robert Green - 1 (vs Blackpool away)*
*rescinded by FA on appeal
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Down to The Wire
By Iain Dale About 8 hours ago
West Ham Till I Die
Well, another goal or two would have been nice, but we got the three points
and have put Southampton under a bit of pressure on Saturday. Strange things
happen on the final day of the season and Southampton fans know that too. I
still think we only have a 25% chance of overtaking them, but you never
know. If my calculations are right, if we win and Southampton lose we are
up. If we draw, Southampton go up regardless. But where the real fun starts
is if Southampton draw and we win. Even then it depends on whether it's a
0-0, 1-1 or 2-2 draw and so on. If I am right we would need to win by three
more goals than Southampton score in their draw. So if it's 0-0 at St Mary's
we need to win 3-0. If it's 1-1 we need to win 4-0, and so on.
Can we do it? Yes we can. Will we do it? Well, probably not. But the main
thing is that if we don't do it, we are able to pick ourselves up very
quickly indeed and prepare properly for the play-offs.
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Leicester 1-2 West Ham: Collison takes promotion battle to final day
Published 21:47 23/04/12 By James Nursey
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce hopes this gritty win will give Southampton "the jitters" as
the race for automatic promotion goes to the wire. West Ham kept alive their
hopes of overhauling second-placed Saints with a vital win at the King Power
Stadium. The visitors trailed to Jermaine Beckford's first half headed
opener but quickly levelled through Winston Reid. Jack Collison then capped
a fine display in midfield alongside Mark Noble with a superb winner in the
58th minute. Now West Ham must beat Hull at home in their final game on
Saturday and hope Saints - two points ahead and with a +3 goal difference
advantage - shoot themselves in the foot at home to already-relegated
Coventry. A draw for Southampton could even see Allardyce's men sneak
through on goal difference if they plunder enough against the Tigers. Boss
Allardyce, whose side topped the table earlier this term, said: "It was a
well deserved victory. "We got exactly what we wanted, which was the win.
Having to come back away from home at Leicester 1-0 down to win the game
with a terrific goal makes it a good night for us. "We have stayed in the
race now until the very end. We have to do our job on Saturday now and just
hope Coventry can do a little bit at Southampton. "It is one game left now
and who knows if Southampton get the jitters or Coventry play with no fear
because they have got relegated. "Southampton are under enormous pressure to
finish off their tremendous season with promotion. "We just have to win the
game against Hull and whatever happens after that, it has still been a very
good season from the players. "We have broken the club away record with our
13th away victory and only lost eight games in the entire season. "It is a
bit disappointing we don't have our destiny in our own hands but let's win
the game and see what happens."
The visitors started well, but it was the Foxes who took the lead in the
34th minute when Ben Marshall crossed for Beckford to head in his 16th of
the season. The hosts' lead only lasted five minutes though as Allardyce's
men quickly levelled through a well-worked goal down the left. Defender
Winston Reid finished off Matt Taylor's cross after clever play by skipper
Kevin Nolan. West Ham continued to press after the re-start as Noble thumped
a shot just wide from outside the area.
And midfielder Collison smashed in a scorcher after Gary O'Neil had a shot
blocked at the top of the box. Schmeichel got a hand to it, but the power on
the ball ensured it ended high in the net to the delight of 2,327 away fans.
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West Ham storm through to Premier League finals
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - Apr 24 2012 07:15
Mail & Guardian Online
West Ham ensured their bid for automatic promotion to the English Premier
League will go to the final day of the season after coming from behind to
win 2-1 away to Leicester on Monday. The Hammers had to take all three
points at the Walkers Stadium otherwise Southampton would have been assured
of the second and final automatic promotion spot behind already crowned
Championship winners Reading. Leicester led when Ben Marshall's cross was
headed home by Jermaine Beckford in the 34th minute but five minutes later
Winston Reid equalised from Matty Taylor's centre. Jack Collison settled the
match in West Ham's favour with a 25-yard shot shortly before the hour mark.
West Ham are two points behind the Saints going into Saturday's final. The
London club need to beat Hull City on the final day and hope Southampton
lose to relegated Coventry. If the Saints draw, West Ham would need to win
by three or four goals -- depending on how many Southampton score -- to
clinch promotion. "We got exactly what we wanted tonight," said West Ham
manager Sam Allardyce after Monday's win over the Foxes. "It's a good night
for us and of course we've stayed in the race until the very end, which is
what we wanted and we have to do our job on Saturday and just hope that
Coventry can do a little bit at Southampton and then we'll wait and see,"
added Allardyce, who has premier league managerial experience with Bolton,
Newcastle and Blackburn. "It's one game left and who knows, if Southampton
get the jitters or the nerves, or Coventry play with no fear because they've
been relegated now, who knows, but we need to make sure we do our job and
win against Hull. "Whether we go straight up, which is a slim chance, or
whether we go in the play-offs, it's still been a very good season from the
players and everybody concerned," Allardyce insisted. Teams that finish
third, fourth, fifth and sixth in the regular Championship season will enter
play-offs, which culminate in a Wembley final for the prize of the third and
last promotion place to the Premier League. West Ham are looking to bounce
straight back to the top flight following their relegation at the end of the
2010/11 season while it is seven years since south coast side Southampton
last played in the Premier League. -- Sapa-AFP
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Collison's cracker takes promotion fight to wire
Leicester City 1 West Ham United 2
GORDON TYNAN KING POWER STADIUM TUESDAY 24 APRIL 2012
Independent
Sam Allardyce last night cranked up the tension on Southampton as the race
for automatic promotion in the Championship approaches a nerve-shredding
conclusion.
Allardyce took a leaf out of old friend Sir Alex Ferguson's management
manual by insisting the pressure is all on Nigel Adkins' team after Jack
Collison secured West Ham the victory they desperately needed to keep their
automatic promotion hopes alive. Collison's 58th-minute winner enabled the
Hammers to move within two points of second-placed Southampton, and now
Allardyce's players must beat Hull on Saturday and hope that their promotion
rivals produce another unexpected defeat, against already relegated
Coventry. The odds may be stacked against them, and a place in the play-offs
looks the most likely scenario, but at least they have ensured it remains
interesting up until the final stages of a long slog. Allardyce said: "We've
got that little bit of light at the end of the tunnel. We've got to hope
Coventry do us a favour. Strange results happen all the time and we've got
to hope that Southampton slip up and Coventry enjoy the game with no
pressure and cause an upset. "The pressure on Southampton is enormous to
finish the outstanding season they've had. The nerve-endings could be
jangling and the pressure might get to the players."
It was not an emphatic victory but a 13th away win of the season got the job
done, and delayed hopes on the South Coast of Adkins ending Saints'
seven-year exile from the Premier League . The remit was simple for West Ham
here, with Southampton's surprise defeat at Middlesbrough presenting them
with some unexpected encouragement. This was a dead rubber for the hosts,
with their hopes of sneaking a play-off place extinguished after last
Tuesday's 0-0 draw with Burnley. But they responded after a hesitant start
to take the lead on 34 minutes. Ben Marshall bypassed Matt Taylor on the
right before sending over a cross that presented Jermaine Beckford with a
simple header. But the picture changed again five minutes later when the
visitors were level. Taylor's cross from the touchline seemed innocuous
enough but completely bamboozled the Leicester defence and Winston Reid
stabbed the ball in at the near post. And their superiority was rewarded
when Gary O'Neil's shot was blocked but Collison capitalised swiftly to
arrow the loose ball into the corner.
Leicester Schmeichel, Peltier, Morgan, Bamba, Konchesky, Marshall, Wellens
(Dyer, 22), Drinkwater, King (St Ledger , 46), Beckford, Nugent (Waghorn,
65). Substitutes not used Howard, Vassell.
West Ham Green, Demel ( Faubert, 76), Reid, Tomkins, Taylor, Collison
(Lansbury, 88), Noble, Nolan, O'Neil, Cole (Collins , 81), Vaz Te.
Substitutes not used Baldock, Diop.
Referee E Ilderton (Tyne & Wear).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham still in the hunt for automatic promotion after win at Leicester
City
Dave Evans, West Ham correspondent, at the King Power Stadium
Monday, April 23, 2012
10:36 PM
London 24
Championship: Leicester City 1 West Ham 2
Battling West Ham kept alive their slim hopes of automatic promotion as they
came from behind to grab all three points with a quality performance against
Leicester City. Nothing but victory for the Hammers would have prevented
Southampton from securing their place in the Premier League and when the
home side grabbed an unlikely first-half lead, it seemed that the game may
be up. But the Hammers hit back, equalised in the first half, before Jack
Collison's thumping second half strike earned West Ham their 13th away win
of the season and kept them in the automatic promotion hunt. West Ham
started the brighter and the recalled Collison had two shots in the first
six minutes as he first saw an effort blocked and then forced a save from
keeper Kasper Schmeichel. Carlton Cole was getting the better of his
physical battle with Wes Morgan, but after not quite getting enough on his
header from Mark Noble's free kick, he should have done better when Noble
put him in the clear. The striker sprinted forward, but then dwelt on the
ball as Morgan got back to make the vital tackle. The arrival of Lloyd Dyer
for the injured Richie Wellens was the catalyst for Leicester to come to
life and after the winger got passed Guy Demel to pick out Jermaine
Beckford, only for the striker to head wide. However, with Leicester
beginning to get a foothold in the game, they grabbed the lead on 34
minutes. Ben Marshall jinked past Matt Taylor down the right wing and when
his cross went over the head of James Tomkins, Beckford was there to head
home with relish. The goal seemed to galvanise the Hammers though and they
took just five minutes to restore parity.
The excellent Noble slipped the ball to Taylor and he had time to deliver a
low cross which centre half Winston Reid was able to slot in at the near
post. West Ham were in control and looked to force their way into the lead
before the break. Ricardo Vaz Te saw his thunderbolt blocked by Morgan as it
seemed destined for the net, while Taylor's corner was headed wide by
Tomkins as the Hammers looked for that vital winning goal. They started the
second half in dominant form, pinning Leicester back in their own half as
first Noble and then Nolan had chances that flew over the bar. But on 58
minutes came the vital goal. Gary O'Neil's shot was blocked by a defender,
but it fell invitingly for Collison who drilled a low shot into the net,
despite Schmeichel getting a hand to the shot. The Hammers proceeded to take
complete control, passing the ball around and giving Green the luxury of a
fairly incident free 45 minutes. They should have added to their tally. Vaz
Te set up Collison for a shot that was blocked, Taylor's corner was almost
turned in by Cole and then Tomkins, while defender Sean St Ledger almost put
Taylor's low cross into his own net. Marshall's long ranger was the closest
Leicester came until injury time when the Hammers almost threw away their
lead. First Nolan somehow managed to shoot straight at the keeper with the
goal at his mercy, and then as Leicester piled everyone forward for a free
kick, Morgan's close range header fortunately was straight at Green.
So West Ham are still in the race, but they are still hoping for a miracle.
They need to beat Hull City and hope that Southampton can't beat relegated
Coventry City.
But at least they are in with a chance.
West Ham: Green, Demel (Faubert 77), Taylor, Tomkins, Reid, Collison
(Lansbury 88), Nolan, Noble, O'Neil, Vaz Te, Cole (Collins 82).
Unused subs: Baldock, Diop.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Monday, April 23
Daily WHUFC News - 23rd April 2012
Leicester City match preview
WHUFC.com
All the background information and team news ahead of the Hammers' trip to
the King Power Stadium
22.04.2012
WHUFC.com
All the background information and team news ahead of the Hammers' trip to
the King Power Stadium
22.04.2012
LEICESTER CITY v WEST HAM UNITED
npower CHAMPIONSHIP
MONDAY 23 APRIL 2012
KICK-OFF: 7:45PM
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
iPHONE APP I TWITTER I FACEBOOK I PODCAST
Introduction
. West Ham United travel to Leicester City for their final away game of the
season looking to extend their new club record of 12 away wins in a season.
Southampton's defeat to Middlesbrough on Saturday evening means Sam
Allardyce's side are still in with a shout of automatic promotion, but
realistically must win in the east Midlands to stand any chance of securing
second spot.
. Leicester City host the Hammers having seen their faint hopes of clinching
a play-off spot disappear following a goalless draw with Burnley on Tuesday
evening.
. West Ham sit in third place in the npower Championship and have not lost
away from home since the end of January.
. The Foxes are comfortably in mid-table in tenth place and have not been
beaten at the King Power Stadium since the middle of January.
. The Hammers have not recorded a victory at Leicester since January 2000
when they won courtesy of two goals from Paulo Wanchope and one from Paulo
Di Canio giving them a 3-1 victory.
. The fixture earlier in the season between the two sides was an exciting
affair as the Hammers ran out 3-2 winners. Two goals from Sam Baldock and
one from Julien Faubert saw off the Foxes' challenge.
Team News
West Ham United
. Sam Allardyce was expected wait to see the outcome of Southampton's
Saturday night game before finalising his squad. Further team news will be
confirmed closer to kick-off.
. It remains to be seen whether full-backs George McCartney and Joey O'Brien
will be recover from injury in time for Monday evening. Should they not make
the squad, Matt Taylor, Danny Collins or Guy Demel are likely to be
replacements at left and right back.
. Carlton Cole's knee injury that kept him out of 1-1 draw at Bristol City
is still being assessed ahead of his possible involvement.
Leicester City
. Leicester City team news will be confirmed closer to kick-off
Last Time Out
Tuesday 17 April 2012
npower Championship
Bristol City 1-1 West Ham United
West Ham United: Green, Reid, Tomkins, Demel (Faubert 74), Collins (Carew
63), Nolan, Taylor, Noble, Lansbury, Maynard (Collison 74), Vaz Te
Subs not used: Henderson, Diop
Goal: Tomkins (25)
Tuesday 17 April 2012
npower Championship
Leicester City 0-0 Burnley
Leicester City: Schemichel, Peltier, Konchesky, Bamba, Morgan, Dyer
(Gallagher 72), Drinkwater, Wellens, Beckford (Schlupp 72), Marshall, Nugent
Subs not used: St Ledger, King, Howard
Last Six Meetings
(Championship unless stated)
29 October 2011 West Ham United 3-2 Leicester City
18 March 2005 West Ham United 2-2 Leicester City
7 August 2004 Leicester City 0-0 West Ham United
12 January 2002 West Ham United 1-0 Leicester City (Premier League)
22 December 2001 Leicester City 1-1 West Ham United (Premier League)
23 December 2000 Leicester City 2-1 West Ham United (Premier League)
Overall record v Leicester City (all competitions) W 49 D 29 L 42
Ten Year Records
West Ham United
2010/11 Premier League 20th (relegated to Championship)
2009/10 Premier League 17th
2008/09 Premier League 9th
2007/08 Premier League 10th
2006/07 Premier League 15th
2005/06 Premier League 9th
2004/05 Championship 6th (promoted to Premier League via Play-Offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th
2002/03 Premier League 18th (relegated to Championship)
2001/02 Premier League 7th
Leicester City
2010/11 Championship 10th
2009/10 Championship 5th
2008/09 League One 1st
2007/08 Championship 22nd
2006/07 Championship 19th
2005/06 Championship 16th
2004/05 Championship 15th
2003/04 Premier League 18th
2002/03 Division One, 2nd (promoted to Premier League)
2001/02 Premier League 20th (relegated to Division One)
Referee
. Monday evening's referee will be Mr Eddie Ilderton.
. Ilderton was born 16 March 1970 on Tyneside and has been a professional
referee since 1991.
. Ilderton has never taken charge of a West Ham United game but has refereed
one Leicester City game this season. He was the man in black for the Foxes
3-0 home defeat at the hands of Millwall.
. Mr Ilderton has taken charge of 15 Championship games this season, issuing
31 yellow cards, two red cards and awarding six penalties.
. Ilderton will be assisted by Nick Hobbis and Ian Rathbone and the fourth
official will be David Coote.
Us and Them
. The following players have worn the colours of both West Ham United and
Leicester City during their careers - Syd Bishop, David Connolly, Tony
Cottee, Brian Deane, Les Ferdinand, George Hebden, Andrew Impey, Dai Jones,
David Kelly, Paul Konchesky, Colin Mackleworth, William Oakes, John Pantsil
and Norman Proctor.
. Barking-born Paul Konchesky played 70 times for West Ham United between
August 2005 and March 2007, scoring twice. The left-back netted one of those
goals in the 2006 FA Cup final defeat by Liverpool in May 2006.
. Ghana international right-back John Pantsil made 24 appearances for West
Ham United between August 2006 and May 2008.
. The largest crowd to witness a West Ham United versus Leicester City
fixture was the 39,000 who turned out to watch the Hammers defeat the Foxes
3-2 in Division Two on 10 April 1936.
. West Ham United's largest away victory at Leicester was 6-0 way back in a
Division Two match on 15 February 1923. The Hammers goals came from a
hat-trick for William Moore and a goal each for Jack Tresadern, Dick
Richards and Jimmy Ruffell.
. Leicester City's largest home win over the Hammers was 5-0 in a Division
One fixture on 15 September 1928. Goals came from Barry Leonard, Arthur
Lochhead, Ernie Hine and two for Arthur Chandler.
. Fifteen players have made their West Ham United debuts against Leicester
City - William Waugh (January 1922), Wally St Pier (October 1929), Frederick
Gamble (April 1931), Jack Weare, Charlie Walker (both September 1936), Ken
Wright (September 1946), Eric Parsons (January 1947), Bob Wyllie, Eddie
Lewis (both November 1956), Alan Sealey (April 1961), Roger Hugo (March
1964), Ian Bishop, Trevor Morley (both December 1989), Sergei Rebrov and
Teddy Sheringham (both August 2004).
. Sam Allardyce has an unbeaten record against Leicester City as a manager.
In five matches at Bolton Wanderers, Big Sam guided the Trotters to two
victories and three draws against the Foxes.
. Kevin Nolan netted twice in Bolton Wanderers' 5-0 Premier League victory
at Leicester City in August 2001. Nolan also scored in the reverse fixture,
a 2-2 draw at the Reebok Stadium in December 2001.
Up Next
. West Ham United's final game of the season is at home to Hull City on
Saturday 28 April with kick-off set for 12:30pm. There are still tickets
remaining for the Hammers' final Championship match and information on how
you can secure your seat - and gain priority for the Play-Off semi-final -
can be found by clicking here. Leicester City's final match is away at Leeds
United on Saturday with kick off scheduled for the same time.
General Information
. Monday evening's game with Leicester City has been made All-Ticket meaning
there will no tickets available on the door. West Ham United advises fans
not to travel to Leicester unless in possession of a match ticket. The
weather for Monday is set for a chilly evening with light rain showers. The
temperature will be 5C.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fanimo firing on all cylinders
WHUFC.com
Talented winger Matthias Fanimo is already planning for a big 2012/13 season
20.04.2012
The season might be coming to an end, but Matthias Fanimo is already making
big plans for the next campaign. The England Under-18 winger will embark on
his first season as a full-time professional in 2012/13 and he wants to mark
it by forcing his way into Sam Allardyce's first-team squad. Fanimo is also
targeting a place in England's squad for the UEFA European Under-19
Championship finals in Lithuania in July 2013. "Being in the Academy has
been a great experience," said Fanimo. "I think we've come a long way and
the main thing is that we're still strong as a unit. "I think, from a young
age, we knew we had a good year-group. We've had seasons where we've gone
unbeaten and seasons when we've won a lot of games. "I think it has gone
well this season. I've been in and around the reserves and have had a great
run with the youth team, so it's been a good year. "My highlight would have
to be the FA Youth Cup game against Wolves, which we won 3-2 and in which I
produced one of my better performances. "We had a good run in the Youth Cup
and we had a great chance to go all the way - going out on penalties was a
bit unlucky. Overall, we performed well against Chelsea. "I'm now just
looking forward to next season. I think it will be good for me because I'll
be closer to the first team and hopefully I'll get my chance and I'll take
it."
Fanimo is close friends with both fellow England U18 winger Blair Turgott
and U19 forward Rob Hall. The latter has gone on to make his first-team
debut this season and also enjoyed a fine loan spell at Oxford United - both
achievements Fanimo is keen to emulate. "I just have to keep working hard
and hopefully the opportunities will come. I want to push on because it is
possible. Some people have a tendency to be jealous when they see other
people push on, but I see it as motivation. "Myself and Rob are good mates.
He's done really well this season and I'm happy for him. I believe I can do
the same next season. Hopefully my hard work will pay off. "We train most
weeks against the first team. It's a good experience to see if you can adapt
to how they train - which is a higher quality and tempo than training with
the youth team or reserves. I think I adapted to it pretty well so I'm
looking forward to being around them more. "Physically, there is still a lot
of work to be done seeing as I'm not the biggest of people, but being small
can also be a good thing. I think it works both ways. "I'll be working hard
over the summer to come back fitter and stronger. That will give me a head
start on others and hopefully show the manager that I have improved over the
summer. "It would be really great to go on the first-team pre-season tour.
We'll see how things work out. "With England, I'm looking to get noticed. I
missed a friendly recently but I reckon if I start off next season well I
can get back in there. I would definitely like to get to the EUROs."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Boffin departs
BBC.co.uk
Ruud Boffin has left West Ham United after having his contract cancelled by
mutual consent
22.04.2012
Ruud Boffin has left West Ham United after having his contract with the Club
cancelled by mutual consent. The 24-year-old joined the Hammers in September
2010 to serve as cover for No1 Robert Green. A regular in the reserves,
Boffin made his first-team debut in a 1-1 Barclays Premier League draw at a
snowbound Blackburn Rovers on 18 December 2010. The Belgian made subsequent
appearances in the 2-1 home Carling Cup loss to Aldershot Town and the 1-0
FA Cup with Budweiser third-round defeat at Sheffield Wednesday this season.
West Ham United would like to thank Ruud for his contribution and wish him
all the best for the future.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Leicester v West Ham
KO 19:45
22 April 2012
Last updated at 18:13
BBC.co.uk
NPOWER CHAMPIONSHIP
Venue: King Power Stadium Date: Monday, 23 April Kick-off: 1945 BST
Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio 5 live and BBC local radio; text commentary on
the BBC Sport website
TEAM NEWS
Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson has the luxury of selecting from a fit
squad with Sean St Ledger looking for a place in the starting line-up. Andy
King and Paul Gallagher may come into the side with Steve Howard and Jeffrey
Schlupp hoping for recalls.
West Ham have a number of injury doubts including striker Carlton Cole
(knee) and George McCartney (concussion). Winger Julien Faubert (hamstring)
could return to the starting XI for the must-win game.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
. West Ham are vying for a 50th win from their 118th league meeting
with Leicester, who have gained 39 wins from the last 117, and drawn 29.
. The Hammers are defending a five-match unbeaten league run against
Leicester (W2, D3), and chasing their first double over the Foxes since
1999-2000 in the Premier League.
. The London club registered one of their biggest away league wins,
when they beat Leicester 6-0 in 1923. They need one goal to total 200 in
competitive matches against the Foxes, while Leicester need one to total 100
in home league games against the Hammers.
Leicester City
. Leicester will be spending a fourth straight season in the
Championship, and are looking for their third successive top-half finish,
after promotion from League One in 2009.
. Nigel Pearson's side are undefeated in eight home league games,
winning five and drawing three since losing to Barnsley on 14 January. They
have kept clean sheets in the last three.
. The Foxes have won six of the eight home matches against clubs
higher than themselves in the Championship table.
West Ham United
. West Ham need to win to have a chance of automatic promotion going
into the final game of the season.
. Sam Allardyce's men are unbeaten in four (W2, D2, with 14 goals
scored), and have not been beaten in seven away (W4, D3). They have found
the net in all their league games on the road in 2012.
. Three points would provide the Hammers with their 600th win in
second level league football.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Leicester v West Ham preview
Last updated: 22nd April 2012
SSN
Team news ahead of Monday evening's Championship clash between Leicester and
West Ham at the King Power Stadium. Leicester have no new problems ahead of
their final home match of the season. With City's play-off hopes now
extinguished following the goalless draw with Burnley last Tuesday, manager
Nigel Pearson might opt to tinker with his team. However, any changes are
unlikely to be wholesale ones. Sean St Ledger would be an option to come
back into the centre of the defence should Pearson wish to rest either Sol
Bamba or Wes Morgan. Fit-again Andy King and Paul Gallagher provide midfield
alternatives for the City boss while Steve Howard and Jeffery Schlupp will
be vying for recalls in attack. Ahead of the game, Pearson said: "Our home
form has been good and it is important we continue that and put on a
performance for the fans in what will be our last home match."
West Ham have injury doubts over Carlton Cole, George McCartney, Joey
O'Brienand Gary O'Neil. Striker Cole should be fit after missing Tuesday
night's 1-1 draw at Bristol City with a slight knee injury. Full-backs
McCartney (concussion) and O'Brien (thigh) were also absent at Ashton Gate
and will be checked over along with midfielder O'Neil, who has been
struggling with a groin problem. Winger Julien Faubert returned as a
substitute against City after missing the previous three matches due to a
hamstring injury so he could be recalled to the starting line-up.
Centre-back Abdoulaye Faye and striker Sam Baldock are pushing to return to
the squad after missing out in midweek.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Harte named in PFA team
Defender is Royals' only winner in team of the season
Last Updated: April 22, 2012 10:43pm
SSN
Champions Reading have only one player in the Championship Team of the Year
- experienced defender Ian Harte. Harte scored four goals from his 31
appearances as the Royals enjoyed a fantastic second half of the campaign to
clinch top spot and a return to the Premier League. Southampton, who are in
pole position to secure the second automatic promotion place, have
goalkeeper Kelvin Davis, midfielder Adam Lallana along with free-scoring
forward Rickie Lambert in the team. James Tomkins and Mark Noble were West
Ham's two representatives with the rest of the team made up of individuals
from different clubs. Crystal Palace defender Nathaniel Clyne, Curtis Davies
of Birmingham, Cardiff's Peter Whittingham, Blackpool winger Matt Phillips
and Jay Rodriguez of Burnley completed the side.
Championship: Kelvin Davis (Southampton), Nathaniel Clyne (Crystal Palace),
James Tomkins (West Ham), Curtis Davies (Birmingham), Ian Harte (Reading),
Adam Lallana (Southampton), Peter Whittingham (Cardiff), Mark Noble (West
Ham), Matt Phillips (Blackpool), Rickie Lambert (Southampton), Jay Rodriguez
(Burnley).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
It's been Sam season
The Sun
Published: 22nd April 2012
SAM ALLARDYCE insists it will be an outstanding season for West Ham - even
if their dream of automatic promotion ends tonight at Leicester. The Hammers
know anything less than victory at the King Power Stadium will rule them out
of a top-two finish and send Southampton up to the Premier League. And
finishing in the play-offs would see them face the likes of in-form
Blackpool to get into the top flight. Big Sam said: "The only game we can
think about is Leicester and try to win it to keep our glimmer of hope
alive. Then we can build up to finishing on a high against Hull. "No matter
where we finish it will be an outstanding season from the players and we
will take our destiny at the final whistle against Hull. "We'll see where we
go there from there. It will either be one hell of a celebration or we'll
start getting focused on the play-offs."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Forget the play-offs, we want automatic promotion, says Tomkins
By IVAN SPECK
Daily Mail
PUBLISHED: 22:00, 22 April 2012 | UPDATED: 23:15, 22 April 2012
The shredded nerves of the Championship play-offs are their likely
destination, but West Ham's players go into Monday night's game at Leicester
adamant that automatic promotion can still be achieved. Sam Allardyce's team
have to win at the King Power Stadium and at home to Hull on Saturday while
hoping that Southampton do not beat relegated Coventry. Defender James
Tomkins insists the play-offs can be avoided, saying: 'It's still
mathematically possible that we could go up automatically. We go into games
confident. We're disappointed to be in this position but we're still
positive. Of course, we can go into the play-offs and win them.' Two wins
for West Ham and a draw for Southampton would bring goal difference into
play come Saturday. Currently both sides have conceded the same number but
the Saints have scored four more.
Reading celebrated becoming champions on Saturday, thanks to Southampton's
2-1 defeat at Boro. On-loan striker Jason Roberts said: 'I'm honoured to be
a part of this. I will be hiding my winner's medal in the loft.' Just below
them, Blackpool and Birmingham (barring the most unlikely of 23-goal swings)
are certain of a play-off place, while Cardiff need a point to join them. A
trip to mid-table Crystal Palace would ordinarily hold no fears, except that
it was Cardiff who denied Palace a trip to Wembley when they won their
Carling Cup semi-final penalty shootout in January. Should revenge translate
into a Palace victory, Middlesbrough would need to win at Watford.
While Charlton's only remaining target after clinching the League One title
is to gather three more points to reach the 100-point mark, Sheffield
United, without their jailed 35-goal striker Ched Evans, appear vulnerable
to cross-city rivals Wednesday in the fight over the second automatic spot.
United lost 1-0 to MK Dons and face play-off chasing Stevenage at Bramall
Lane on Saturday. If they slip up, either in that match or at Exeter,
Wednesday will overhaul them with two victories. United boss Danny Wilson
said: 'You are dealt little blows at times in the season, every club is. We
have had a couple we've dealt with and we'll deal with this one.'
Three successive victories for Chesterfield, including Saturday's 2-1 win
which sent opponents Rochdale down, have given them hope that their
Johnstone's Paint Trophy triumph might not be soured by relegation after
all. They need to extend that winning run to five to have a chance of
staying up. Wycombe and Exeter face similar challenges, although one win for
Walsall and Orient will render such equations meaningless.
Should West Ham and Allardyce fail to make it to the Premier League, it will
not go unnoticed that Paolo Di Canio's Swindon will be one division below
them after their promotion - confirmed despite a 3-1 loss at Gillingham.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Adkins chooses backgammon over West Ham
Saints manager knows Hammers must win to stop his side going up - but won't
watch tonight
JACK PITT-BROOKE MONDAY 23 APRIL 2012
Independent.co.uk
Adam Lallana will watch but Nigel Adkins has decided not to as Southampton's
season goes on the line at Leicester City tonight.
If West Ham United fail to win at the King Power Stadium tonight,
Southampton will return to the Premier League after a seven-year absence.
They could have confirmed their promotion on Saturday evening at
Middlesbrough, but they did not, going ahead but eventually losing 2-1.
Should West Ham win tonight - and they are very good away from home - the
second automatic promotion place will be decided on Saturday, the final day
of the regular Championship season, when Southampton host already relegated
Coventry City and West Ham welcome Hull City.
"It will be impossible not to watch it, or at least keep an eye on what's
happening," winger Lallana said of tonight's game. "The prize is so great so
we're bound to be wanting to know what's going on. Leicester are a good team
and hopefully they'll want to go out on a high in front of their own
supporters. But West Ham are a good team as well so you never know what's
going to happen."
The West Ham defender James Tomkins believes that they can take the contest
to the final day, but would not worry about the play-offs either. "We are
still confident," he said. "We're disappointed [to be in this position] but
we're still positive. Of course we can go into the play-offs and win them.
It's not the end of the world. We will concentrate on the rest of the season
first, though, because it's still mathematically possible that we could go
up automatically. We just have to concentrate on that." Meanwhile, West Ham
keeper Ruud Boffin has parted company with the club after having his
contract cancelled by mutual consent.
Lallana will not be joined in front of the action from Leicester, though, by
his manager Adkins, who said that he would spend tonight rather differently.
"I won't watch it," he said. "I expect West Ham to win the game. But all our
focus will be on what we can do and that's prepare properly for the game at
home against Coventry.
"I might have a game of backgammon. The best thing to do is get yourself
occupied doing something else. I'm sure there will be plenty of people
texting and phoning about the result. The phone probably won't be in my
vicinity. You can't control it. I've done it previously where you are sat
there kicking every ball and then all of a sudden they score in the last
minute so you just don't put yourself in that position."
This was not expectation-management, though, as Adkins is still confident of
Southampton's promotion. "We've been able to lift the players really well
this season, they are all good professionals," he said. "We've got one game
to go, at home. We fancy our chances at home. One game to go, we win that
game, we get promoted to the Premier League."
Southampton's Hampshire rivals Portsmouth will certainly be leaving the
Championship, but in the opposite direction. Pompey lost 2-1 at home to
Derby County on Saturday, and so will be joining Coventry and Doncaster
Rovers in League One next season.
Portsmouth might well have been safe were it not for a 10-point deduction
which followed their going into administration. Liam Lawrence, who left the
club for Cardiff City on loan because of the financial crisis at Fratton
Park, said that Portsmouth's former owners, who left them in such trouble,
were a "disgrace".
"For the powers above to deduct points for the idiots who have ruined the
club, run away scot-free and left it in a mess is unfortunate," Lawrence
said. "I feel so sorry for the supporters for what they have been put
through in the last three years. It's disgraceful."
Lawrence is happier with the situation at Cardiff, who, after drawing 1-1
with Leeds United on Saturday, should secure a play-off place with a draw at
Crystal Palace next Saturday. "Cardiff is totally different," Lawrence
revealed. "The club is run a lot different. It is financially secure and has
a great fanbase like Portsmouth but we're at the other end of the spectrum."
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James Tomkins tells West Ham team-mates: we can still win automatic
promotion
Telegraph.co.uk
By Telegraph staff and agencies11:59PM BST 22 Apr 2012Comment
James Tomkins insists that West Ham must enter tonight's Championship clash
with Leicester City believing that they can still clinch automatic
promotion. The third-placed Hammers have to take advantage of Southampton's
defeat at Middlesbrough on Saturday to ensure the race goes to the final
weekend of the season.
If Sam Allardyce's men fail to win at the King Power Stadium then Saints'
place in the Premier League will be confirmed, leaving the east London club
to negotiate the play-offs. Even if West Ham win tonight they will need to
beat Hull at Upton Park next Saturday and hope relegated Coventry do them a
favour against Southampton.
Defender Tomkins, 23, said: "We're still confident. We're disappointed to be
in this position but we're still positive. Of course we can go into the
play-offs and win them. It's not the end of the world. "We will concentrate
on the rest of the season first, though, because it's still mathematically
possible that we could go up automatically. We just have to focus on that."
Allardyce is waiting on the fitness of striker Carlton Cole plus defenders
George McCartney and Joey O'Brien before finalising his line-up.
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Leicester v West Ham: Visitors' bid to catch Southampton to be ruined
Foxes will provide a premature end to the automatic promotion race
Ladbrokes.co.uk
There are several reasons to suspect that Leicester are going to extinguish
West Ham's slim chances of second place with a victory at the King Power
Stadium in Monday's televised Championship tie.
Match odds
West Ham have far more at stake in the east midlands on Monday night, with
only three points enough to take their challenge for a top-two finish to the
final day, however Leicester look the more appetising prospect at 17/10.
The Foxes have a remarkably strong record at home to the division's top
teams, triumphing on four of the five occasions that they have hosted
top-six opponents, overcoming the likes of Southampton, Blackpool and
Birmingham.
In addition, they are currently enjoying their longest unbeaten run in front
of their fans of the campaign, winning five and drawing three from eight
since a shock defeat to Barnsley in January.
West Ham are slight favourites at 6/4 and the Championship's best
travellers, but they were held last Tuesday by Bristol City and have won
just three of their last 11 fixtures at any venue.
Other markets
Leicester have kept clean sheets in each of their last three home games but
that streak looks likely to end against a Irons side that have fired just
one blank away to a club below them in the table, that being Millwall way
back in September.
Both teams to score is consequently well fancied at 4/6, and if the reverse
fixture at the Boleyn Ground - which finished 3-2 in Sam Allardyce's men's
favour - is a guideline, an entertaining contest should ensue.
West Ham's last four away encounters have averaged three goals and this one
is 4/5 to produce over 2.5 goals. Two of Leicester's five home wins against
top-eight clubs have wound up 2-1 and this is 10/1 to follow suit.
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