Hull City match preview
WHUFC.com
Essential background information and team news ahead of the Tigers' visit
26.04.2012
WEST HAM UNITED v HULL CITY
npower CHAMPIONSHIP
SATURDAY 28 APRIL 2012
KICK-OFF: 12:30 PM
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
Introduction
• West Ham United host Hull City in their final npower Championship match of
the 2011/12 season.
• Sam Allardyce's side start the day third in the npower Championship table.
The Hammers sit two points behind second-placed Southampton, who have a goal
difference three superior. So, West Ham will gain automatic promotion should
they win and the Saints be beaten at home by already-relegated Coventry
City.
• Should Southampton draw, West Ham United need to win by four clear goals
to overhaul the Saints. This is because Southampton have a better
head-to-head record against the Hammers this season.
• Hull City begin the afternoon in eighth position with 68 points from 45
matches. The Tigers are four points behind sixth-place Cardiff City and
therefore cannot qualify for the Play-Offs.
• The Tigers are on a good run of form, despite missing out on the
Play-Offs, having ended a run of five consecutive defeats to win three and
draw one of their previous four matches.
• West Ham United kept their promotion hopes alive with a 2-1 win at
Leicester City on Monday night. Hull City beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 in
their last home game of the season last Saturday to secure a top-ten finish.
• The reverse fixture between the two sides at the KC Stadium in November
saw the Hammers run out 2-0 winners. Sam Baldock and Jack Collison scored
the goals in the first 15 minutes of the second half.
Team News
West Ham United
• Nicky Maynard, Joey O'Brien and John Carew all look set to miss out
through injury.
• George McCartney is back in training having recovered from the concussion
he suffered during the Hammers home game with Birmingham.
• Jordan Spence (Bristol City), Pablo Barrera (Real Zaragoza), George Moncur
(AFC Wimbledon), Freddie Sears (Colchester United), Frederic Piquionne
(Doncaster Rovers), Frank Nouble (Barnsley), Cristian Montano (Oxford
United) and Rob Hall (MK Dons) are all out on loan.
Hull City
• Manager Nick Barmby is hopeful that influential midfielder Robert Koren
will be fit after the Slovenian limped out of last weekend's home win over
Nottingham Forest.
• Young left-sided midfielder Tom Cairney is also hoping to be available
after missing the victory over Forest with heavy bruising.
• Centre-back Jack Hobbs is out with a knee injury.
• Full-back Joe Dudgeon is out with a hamstring problem.
• Paul McShane (Crystal Palace), James Harper (Wycombe Wanderers), Jamie
Devitt (Accrington), Will Atkinson (Bradford City) and Dele Adebola (Notts
County) are out on loan
Last Time Out
Monday 23 April 2012
npower Championship
Leicester City 1-2 West Ham United
West Ham United: Green, Demel (Faubert 76), Reid, Tomkins, Taylor, Collison
(Lansbury 88), Noble, Nolan, O'Neil, Cole, Vaz Te
Subs not used: Diop, Baldock
Goals: Reid (39), Collison (58)
Saturday 21 April 2012
npower Championship
Hull City 2-1 Nottingham Forest
Hull City: Mannone, Rosenior, Dawson, Chester, Cooper, McKenna, Stewart
(Brady 56), Evans, Koren (King 34), Fryatt, Garcia
Subs not used: Oxley, Bradley, Olofinjana
Goals: Gunter (58 own-goal), Fryatt (81 pen)
Last Six Meetings
(Championship Unless Stated)
5 November 2011 Hull City 0-2 West Ham United
20 February 2010 West Ham United 3-0 Hull City (Premier League)
21 November 2009 Hull City 3-3 West Ham United (Premier League)
28 January 2009 West Ham United 2-0 Hull City (Premier League)
19 October 2008 Hull City 1-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
23 March 1991 Hull City 0-0 West Ham United (Division Two)
Overall record v Hull City (all competitions) W 16 D 14 L 10
Ten-year records
West Ham United
2010/11 Premier League 20th (relegated to Championship)
2009/10 Premier League 17th
2008/09 Premier League 9th
2007/08 Premier League 10th
2006/07 Premier League 15th
2005/06 Premier League 9th
2004/05 Championship 6th (promoted to Premier League via Play-Offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th
2002/03 Premier League 18th (relegated to Championship)
2001/02 Premier League 7th
Hull City
2010/11 Championship 11th
2009/10 Premier League 19th (relegated to Championship)
2008/09 Premier League 17th
2007/08 Championship 3rd (promoted to Premier League via Play-Offs)
2006/07 Championship 21st
2005/06 Championship 18th
2004/05 League One 2nd (promoted to Championship)
2003/04 Division Three 2nd (promoted to League One)
2002/03 Division Three 13th
2001/02 Division Three 11th
Referee
• Saturday's referee will be Nigel Miller.
• The 51-year-old has taken charge of 14 npower Championship games this
season showing 33 yellow cards, one red card and awarding six penalties.
• Miller took charge of the fixture between the two sides at the KC Stadium
where the Hammers ran out 2-0 winners. It was his first ever game in charge
of West Ham having been the man in black for Hull on six previous occasions.
• A former striker himself, Miller retired from playing football at the age
of 31 and immediately took up officiating. After eleven seasons in the
Wearside and UniBond leagues, he was appointed to the Football League List
of assistant referees in 1999. Miller was promoted to the Football League
List of referees in 2003.
• Miller ran the line for the 2003 FA Cup final and FA Community Shield and
also at the 2005 Championship Play-Off final between West Ham United and
Preston North End - a match which saw the Hammers promoted to the Premier
League.
• In his spare time, retired police officer and firearms and physical
training instructor Miller breeds birds including goldfinches, bullfinches,
blackbirds and thrushes.
• Miller will be assisted by Ross Joyce and Adrian Sannerude and the fourth
official will be James Adcock
.
Us and Them
• The following players have worn the colours of both West Ham United and
Hull City during their careers - Tommy Brandon, Jimmy Bullard, Roy Carroll,
Alf Fenwick, Richard Garcia, Cliff Hubbard, Mark Noble, Stuart Pearson, and
Tony Weldon.
• Mark Noble spent three months on loan at Hull City between February and
May 2006, making five Championship appearances.
• Hull City full-back Liam Rosenior is the son of former West Ham United
striker Leroy Rosenior.
• The first-ever meeting between West Ham United and Hull City took place at
Anlaby Road on 17 April 1920. Dan Bailey scored the Hammers' goal in a 1-1
Division Two draw played out in front of 8,000 spectators.
• West Ham United's biggest home win over Hull City came on 6 October 1990
in a Division Two match. The Hammers ran out 7-1 winners with the goals
coming courtesy of Steve Potts, George Parris, Trevor Morley and two each
for Jimmy Quinn and Julian Dicks.
• The Biggest crowd to ever witness a game between West Ham and the Tigers
at the Boleyn ground was for a Premier League match on 28 January 2009.
34,340 packed into the Boleyn Ground and saw Carlton Cole and David Di
Michele score a goal each as the Hammers ran out 2-0 winners.
• Hull City have only ever won twice at the Boleyn Ground in 19 visits.
Their victories came 56 years apart with the first in December 1934 and the
second in January 1990. Both of the Tigers victories were by the same score
line, 2-1.
• Eleven players have made their West Ham United debuts against Hull City -
Jim Simmons (August 1920), Albert Foan and Eric Betts (both August 1950),
George Wright, Doug Bing and Bert Hawkins (all September 1951), George
Petchey (September 1952), Paul Kelly (January 1990), Matthew Rush (October
1990), Iain Dowie (March 1991) and Savio Nsereko (January 2009). Danny Shea
also made his second Hammers 'debut' alongside Simmons in August 1920.
General Information
• The weather for the Hammers final Championship game of the season is set
for a mixture of sunshine and showers with a maximum temperature of 15C.
There are just 250 tickets left for the Hammers final game to book your seat
click on the link below.
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Play-Off semi-final ticket update
WHUFC.com
Important ticket information about the possible Play-Off semi-finals
26.04.2012
Should West Ham United have to make do with a place in the npower
Championship Play-Offs, supporters should take note of the following
important ticket information. If the Hammers finish third, tickets for a
possible Play-Off home semi-final second leg will go on sale to Season
Ticket Holders and Bondholders immediately after Saturday's visit of Hull
City.
The Club is now accepting Priority Point Applications from Season Ticket
Holders and Bondholders for the second leg, priced at just £15 Adult tickets
and £5 Under-16s - part of the Board's commitment to make football
affordable for all.
Remaining tickets will initially go on sale to Academy members on Tuesday 1
May, priced £25 Adults and £15 Youth Academy members.
Depending on Saturday's results, West Ham could face one of four teams in
the semi-finals - Blackpool/Birmingham City/Cardiff City/Middlesbrough.
Possible Play-Off semi-final second leg - Boleyn Ground, Monday 7 May 2012,
4.30pm
Prices and selling dates will be as follows:
Prices -
Season Ticket Holders/Bondholders - £15 Adults - Over-65s/Young Adults - £5
Under-16s
Academy Members - £25 Adults/Over-65s/Young Adults - £15 Youth Academy
Non-Academy Members - £25 Adults/Over-65s - £15 Under-16s
Disabled ticket prices - £5 Adults/Over-65s/Young Adults/Under-16s including
complimentary carer
Selling dates -
Season Ticket Holders/Bondholders - from the final whistle on Saturday 28
April
Academy Members - 9am Tuesday 1 May
General Sale Priority Period (for those supporters who purchased a match
ticket for the Hull City fixture) - 9am Wednesday 2 May
General Sale - 9am Thursday 3 May
For full details of the methods available for the purchase of tickets for
this fixture, click here.
Possible Play-Off semi-final first leg - Away ground, Thursday 3 May 2012,
7.45pm
For allocation and price details, methods available for the purchase of
tickets for this fixture and Coach Travel prices and departure timesclick
here.
Selling dates -
Bondholder Priority Point Post Applications - 5pm Friday 27 April*
Season Ticket Holder Priority Point Post Applications - 4pm Saturday 28
April*
Academy Members - 9am Monday 30 April (should any tickets remain)
General Sale - 9am Tuesday 1 May (should any tickets remain)
Downloadable Forms**
For details of how to download Season Ticket Holders and Disabled Season
Ticket Holders Priority Point Application Forms, click here.
*Should West Ham United clinch automatic promotion, all received forms will
be destroyed. If required, all Priority Point Forms will be processed on
Sunday 29 April.
Forms can be downloaded from whufc.com
**Please state clearly on the application form which potential
opponents/fixture you wish to attend.
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Saturday's match sold out
WHUFC.com
Tickets for the Hull City match on Saturday have completely sold out
25.04.2012
Tickets for West Ham United's Season Finale with Hull City have sold out.
There were just a few hundred left at the start of Friday and these were
quickly snapped up by Hammers fans hungry to see if the club can snatch a
dramatic last-day promotion to the Premier League. The Hammers' last game at
the Boleyn Ground saw them record their biggest win since January 1998 with
a 6-0 demolition of Brighton and Hove Albion. Ricardo Vaz Te was unstoppable
that day, scoring West Ham's first hat-trick for seven years.
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West Ham v Hull
KO 12:30
27 April 2012
By Dan O'Hagan
BBC football commentator
NPOWER CHAMPIONSHIP
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday 28 April
BBC.co.uk
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce welcomes back on-loan defender George
McCartney (concussion) for the visit of Hull. But the Hammers will be
without Nicky Maynard (knee), John Carew (knee) and Joey O'Brien for the
must-win clash.
Hull manager Nick Barmby is hoping to include midfielders Robert Koren and
Tom Cairney (leg) to his squad. Wingers Josh King and Robbie Brady are both
hoping for recalls but captain Jack Hobbs (knee) and fellow defender Joe
Dudgeon remain sidelined.
For the promotion and relegation news as it happens in the Championship this
Saturday - follow our new text commentary service Football League Live. It
has fixtures, results, as-it-happens tables and regular reports from across
the Football League. Saturday, 1100 BST, bbc.co.uk/sport
MATCH PREVIEW
"Fortune's always hiding" as the familiar Hammers refrain goes, but if luck
remains elusive on Saturday then it will be the play-offs for West Ham after
a season that has been testing and testy in equal measure. The visit of
out-of-contention Hull City is a game West Ham must win, and then hope
relegated Coventry can deny Southampton victory at St Mary's. The
permutations are complex, but in essence, Sam Allardyce's side almost
certainly need to win big to stand any realistic chance of automatic
promotion.
HOW WEST HAM CAN GO UP
West Ham are promoted if they win and Southampton lose to Coventry.
The Hammers go up if they win by at least four clear goals and Southampton
draw.
If West Ham win by three clear goals and Southampton draw, it goes to goals
scored (currently Southampton 81, West Ham 79).
I commentated for Match of the Day on Hull's last visit to West Ham, in the
Premier League two years ago - what the Hammers wouldn't give for a repeat
of that 3-0 victory, or better still the 7-1 win at this level back in
October 1990. Hull's youthful team travel with nothing tangible to play for.
Theirs has been a season of yo-yo inconsistency. Nick Barmby knows his first
summer's reshaping must be done on a tight budget, and Tigers fans will be
bidding some favourites farewell, among them former Hammer Richard Garcia.
It'll be one of those fantastic radios-pressed-to-ears days, the kind of
match we commentators love to be involved with. I for one, can't wait.
And yes, I've packed my abacus.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• West Ham lead Hull by 16 wins to 10 in their 40 competitive matches.
• The Hammers are unbeaten in four games against Hull and are chasing
a third successive win to complete their first double over the Tigers in 76
years.
• Hull's only victory in 12 league visits to Upton Park was 2-1 in
January 1990.
West Ham
• They are unbeaten in five (W3, D2), scoring a total of 16 goals in
the process.
• Sam Allardyce's side, who boast the biggest average attendance in
the division, have lost eight games - fewer than any other club in the
Championship.
Hull City
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• Hull are unbeaten in four games, but without an away win in five.
• They last won the final game of a regular league season in 2004.
• Championship games involving Hull have generated 88 goals - fewer
than any other club.
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West Ham United v Hull City
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 27th April 2012
By: Preview Percy
And so the regular season comes to a close. Let's pray for automatic
promotion or we'll have to put up with at least another two – hopefully
three – more previews from the quill of Preview Percy. Surely, nobody wants
that. John Northcutt and his stats are always more welcome hereabouts
though…..
And so the 46-game season comes to a close with our final match coming
against Hull City. Kick-off is 12.30pm so those of you planning a pre-match
gargle will probably find the taste of your favoured tipple altered by the
recent proximity of toothpaste to your tastebuds. (This will obviously be
something of an improvement for those of you who drink lager).
Like our last opponents, Hull were, until fairly recently, in with a shout
of a playoff spot. They're currently in 8th spot on 68 points which is a
tantalising four points shy of Cardiff in 6th. They've won three of their
last six 2-1 (2-1 at home to both Forest & Boro' and 3-1 at home to
Barnsley), lost two (2-0 away at Millwall and at home to Coventry) and drawn
just the once (1-1 at Watford).
When we last met the Tigers up at the Sunshine Band Arena (I think that's
what it's called) their then manager Nigel Pearson was in the process of
winding up his tenure on Humberside, with former club Leicester giving his
office an airing in advance of his return. In need of a boss they turned to
Nick Barmby who, at that point, was still on the playing staff, though
Pearson did have the player doubling up on his workload as a coach.
Barmby took over from Pearson in a caretaker capacity in mid-November
(something that I always imagine involves the wearing of one of those long
brown coats). Results were favourable and Barmby hung up his boots on 6
January, with the long brown coat joining the boots in the bin four days
later on the announcement that his managerial role had been made
"permanent".
The club's board's delight at Barmby's appointment didn't extend to
providing him with much in the way of cash to spend at the January sales and
it was to the loan market to which Barmby turned to freshen up the squad.
In goal came Arsenal back-up stopper Vito Mannone, who sounds as if he ought
to be one of the minor characters in "The Godfather". It's Mannone's second
spell on loan with the club with him having spent a spell at the Sunshine
Arena last season. Mannone has So-Called Champions League experience this
season, having been in the Arsenal XI that went down 3-1 to Olympiakos.
At the same time Hull brought in another keeper on loan, Sunderland's Trevor
Carson. He hung around for a month before returning to parent club
Sunderland and is mentioned only because his name sounds like one of those
oh so hilarious local radio DJ's who "lidderally" talk in that mid-Atlantic
accent that is peculiar to those who make their living from talking twaddle
on the wireless.
The third loan arrival in the window was Man Utd striker Joshua King who,
despite the "Louisiana Bluesman" type name actually hails from Oslo, a venue
not exactly noted for being the source of 12 bar-based music with lyrics
that always start with the compulsory phrase "Well I woke up this morning".
King was discovered by former Man Utd paper-boy cum striker Ole Gunnar
Solskjaer, or at least by the coaching school that bears his name.
He started the season on loan to Borussia Monchengladbach. Monchengladbach
was once memorably described in an episode of "Whatever Happened To The
Likely Lads" as being "The West Hartlepool of West Germany". Whether this
had any bearing on matters is not known but the player returned to Blighty
only a few months into a season-long loan and ended up joining the Tigers
until the end of term.
The well-regarded skipper Jack Hobbs will be hors de combat for this one
having picked up an injury during the 2-0 home defeat that holed their
playoff bid beneath the waterline. Ruptured knee ligaments that have an
expected recovery time of between 6-8 months will also put a mocker on his
cricket season though he's never been the same since he stopped partnering
Herbert Sutcliffe.
Hobbs' injury has left them a bit short on experience at the back where the
likes of 20 year old Liam Cooper have been pressed into service. Cooper is
another who didn't quite see out a season-long loan, this one with
Huddersfield (which is probably referred to as "The Monchengladbach of
England" in a German sitcom. If such a thing actually exists). A lack of
opportunity with the Terriers saw Cooper ask to be released by Huddersfield
in December in order to try his luck under the new management.
The skipper's armband was taken from Hobbs by Andy Dawson who, as brother of
Michael, must be having as big a chuckle over the way the wheels have come
off Spurs' campaign as we are.
Top scorer is Matthew "Matty" Fryatt. Fryatt has appeared in every league
match this season, starting in 38 of the 45 matches which have brought him
16 goals. He's in a little run of form at the moment having bagged a
hat-trick a couple of weeks ago against Barnsley and added a spot-kick to
his total in last weekend's 2-1 defeat of Forest. Early promise hinted at by
international recognition at England U19 level failed to materialise, his
progress in his early 20's being hampered by injury.
The ex-Hammer connection in the squad comes in the form of Aussie Richard
Garcia. Garcia – best mates with Michael Carrick apparently, was offered a
one year extension to his contract but this offer was withdrawn when it
became apparent that he would miss much of this season with knee ligament
problems, an issue which has blighted his recent career. He returned to
action last November and was in the side that faced Forest last weekend.
Slovenian skipper Robert Koren is second in the goalscoring charts and
picked up the player of the year award for this season. He's picked up ten
goals this season, all of which have come in the league. There is a slight
doubt over his involvement this weekend with him coming off after half an
hour of the Forest match with a damaged hip.
Our turn now. It's rather out of our hands really, though if a side as poor
as Chelsea can beat Barcelona I suppose anything is possible at Southampton,
though expect a Lambert dive to get them out of trouble again in the
unlikely event that they're struggling. It's what they've done all season
after all.
Monday's win was well-deserved, though the failure to convert one or two of
the further chances that came our way will be nagging at the back of my head
until the final whistle goes on Saturday.
Having persuaded Matron that Leicester was a suitable place for a day trip
(what with Thomas Cook having started out there) I was slightly put out by
some of the comments put about by the less-informed youngsters amongst the
travelling support concerning Carlton Cole. Carlton can be accused of many
things but on Monday night laziness was definitely not amongst the
accusations that could sensibly be levelled at the player who definitely
"put in a shift" as I believe pundits refer to it.
Team news is that the squad from Monday may be boosted by the return to
availability of George McCartney, though Messrs Maynard, O'Brien and Carew
are all bigger doubts. We'll need a decent win here irrespective of what
goes on elsewhere. The word "momentum" has been bandied about lately. Though
that sounds like the name of the sort of lager that would have its taste
improved by the addition of toothpaste (i.e. lager), a decent win in this
match would go some way to easing the psychological downside of not getting
automatic promotion – not to mention the defiant message that such a result
would send out to those currently scrabbling about beneath us.
My prediction for this one (on which I will be putting all £2.50 that
remains of the Rest Home's beer kitty from Monday night) will be a 3-0 win.
As George Michael said "you gotta have faith" (though something tells me
that he probably wasn't referring to the rather pneumatic nurse of that name
that used to work in these parts). Sky Blues, it's over to you.
Enjoy the game!
When last we met: Won 2-0. Not quite as comfortable as the score suggests -
in the first half Rob Green was responsible for several decent saves to keep
the scores level. Baldock's volley early in the second half and Collison's
composed finish from a decent flowing move were enough to bring home the
points.
Referee: Nigel Miller. Only the second time we've had him - the other match,
unusually, being the reverse fixture at the Sunshine Stadium.
Danger man: Matty Fryatt. Four goals in his last two tells its own story.
Daft fact of the week: Hull is not a place overly-represented in the world
of song (unless you start counting amusing plays on the word "Hell").
However, we do have, of course, the legendary Barry Wom's track and album
"When You Find The Girl Of Your Dreams In The Arms Of Some Scotsmen From
Hull". The song is a haunting ballad inspired by the events that took place
at Wom's wedding at which, amongst some confusion, he ended up married to
the wrong person. The album was the first solo album by a Rutle to get to
number 1.
Stat man John: Northcutt's corner
Head to Head
Pld 36; West Ham Utd 16, Hull City 10, Draws 10.
Biggest Win
6th October 1990: West Ham Utd 7-1 Hull City (Boleyn Ground, Division Two)
Heaviest Defeat
17th September 1934: Hull City 4-0 West Ham Utd (Anlaby Road, Division Two)
First Meeting
17th April 1920: Hull City 1-1 West Ham Utd (Anlaby Road, Division Two)
Last Five Meetings
5th November 2011: Hull City 0-2 West Ham Utd (KC Stadium, Championship)
20th February 2010: West Ham Utd 3-0 Hull City (Boleyn Ground, Premier
League)
21st November 2009: Hull City 3-3 West Ham Utd (KC Stadium, Premier League)
28th January 2009: West Ham Utd 2-0 Hull City (Boleyn Ground, Premier
League)
19th October 2008: Hull City 1-0 West Ham Utd (KC Stadium, Premier League)
Memorable Match
9th September 1970: West Ham Utd 1-0 Hull City (Boleyn Ground, League Cup
2nd Round)
There was a right royal tear-up towards the end of this League Cup tie back
in 1970 which ended with West Ham's Billy Bonds receiving the first of two
red cards in a wonderful career. Many people remember the dust-up with
Birmingham's Colin Todd prior to the FA Cup Final in 1980 - but few recall
the rather less salubrious circumstances that led to King Billy's first ever
dismissal. With West Ham having taken an 85th minute lead against their
Division Two opponents though Peter Eustace, Bonds, just 23 at the time
became embroiled in an row with City's Chris Simpkin before spitting at his
opponent - a regrettable action that led to referee Norman Burtenshaw
producing an instant red card. Arsenal fan Burtenshaw - whose controversial
career saw him knocked unconscious by angry Millwall fans and chased off the
pitch by Benfica players - needed a Police escort after the game; Chris
Simpkin was jailed in 2009 for running a brothel and money laundering.
They Played For Both
Jimmy Bullard; Stuart Pearson; Dennis Burnett; John Dowen; Robbie Stockdale;
Steve Bywater; Richard Garcia; Cliff Hubbard; Matt Smailes; Nobby Solano;
Alf Fenwick; Tony Weldon; Mark Noble; Alan Taylor; Roy Carroll; Tommy
Brandon.
You're off! Red cards received
1970/71: Billy Bonds (h); 1989-90: David Kelly (a).
Previous Friendlies
March 1967 : Hull City 1-1 West Ham Utd (Hurst 3, Sissons).
May 1973: Hull City 5-3 West Ham Utd (MacDougall 3).
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Allardyce: you never know
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 27th April 2012
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce has told his players to concentrate on their own game as the
Hammers seek to steal the second Championship promotion place from
Southampton.
West Ham face Hull City at the Boleyn tomorrow lunchtime knowing that even a
win is unlikely to be enough to secure an automatic promotion spot, with
Southampton considered overwhelming favourites to do so due to what is
widely considered to be a home banker against relegated Coventry City. But
despite the odds being massively against West Ham, Allardyce has told his
team to go out and do all they can to affect the situation - namely beat a
decent Hull side - and by as many goals as possible. "I don't think we are
too nervous because we only have a slim chance," he told the pre-match press
conference. "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."
Even if West Ham fail to upset th odds tomorrow Allardyce insisted that a
win was vital in terms of the ensuing play-offs. "Our momentum is fantastic
at the moment," he added. "We have only lost one game in 17 so hopefully we
can take that forward into the play-offs if needs be. 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."
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West Ham v Hull preview
Last updated: 27th April 2012
SSN
Team news ahead of Saturday's final Championship clash of the season between
West Ham and Hull at Upton Park (kick-off 12.30pm). West Ham welcome back
George McCartneyfor the game but will be without Nicky Maynard, John Carew
and Joey O'Brien. McCartney is set to come straight back in at left-back
having missed the last three matches after suffering concussion against
Birmingham earlier this month. Strikers Maynard and Carew are struggling
with knee injuries while right-back O'Brien is still missing with a thigh
problem. Carlton Cole should keep his place in attack in Maynard's absence,
although Sam Baldockcould also come into the reckoning. Sam Allardyce's side
need a victory to stand any chance of overtaking Southampton and snatching
the second automatic promotion spot.
Hull manager Nick Barmby is hoping to add midfield pair Robert Koren and Tom
Cairney to his squad. Koren, voted player of the year by Hull fans this
week, was forced out of last weekend's win over Nottingham Forest after
taking a knock, but is expected to return to full training in time. Cairney
missed out against Forest with heavy bruising to his leg, but will also be
back in contention.
Skipper Jack Hobbs (knee), fellow defender Joe Dudgeon and striker Aaron
McLean (both hamstring) remain sidelined, but Barmby has no other new injury
or suspension worries. Wingers Josh King and Robbie Brady are both hoping
for recalls after stepping off the bench last week, while midfielder Seyi
Olofinjana, who last appeared as a late substitute in the win over
Middlesbrough earlier this month, will be hoping for a rare run out in the
Tigers' last match of the season.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Match Preview: West Ham v Hull City - Attack From the Start?
By Iain Dale About 19 hours ago
West Ham Till I Die
Sam Allardyce's tactics tomorrow will be interesting. Will he order his
starting eleven to bombard Hull from the start on the basis there's nothing
to lose, or play the patient game. The key thing is to win and get three
points, but if we were a couple of goals up after twenty minutes, wouldn't
that put a huge amount of pressure on Southampton? Strange things happen to
teams on the final day of the season. I think it's imperative to put out a
very attacking side tomorrow. I reckon Matt Taylor and Carlton Cole are the
pivotal players. Taylor needs to rain in the crosses like he has never done
before and whoever plays on the right needs to do the same. With Vaz Te
playing a free role, I think we could batter Hull if we play it right.
However, Hull are no mugs and and they are unlikely to lay down and
capitulate. They have won three of their last six and have only just missed
out on the pllayoffs.They have a prolific striker in Matt Fryatt and it will
be good to see Ricchard Garcia back at Upton Park.
George McCartney is likely to return at left back, or at least make the subs
bench, but Joey O'Brien and Nicky Maynard are injured.
So, here's the team I'd like to see - Green, Demel, Reid, Tomkins,
McCartney, Taylor, Noble, Nolan, Vaz Te, Collison, Cole. My fear is that
O'Neil will play instead of Taylor.
And a final thought. This could be the last time we see Robert Green play at
Upton Park in a league game. Terrible thought, eh? Another reason for us to
shout ourselves horse tomorrow and ensure that the team gets every
encouragement.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Hull: Hammers win may not be enough for promotion
Southampton sit two points clear of Allardyce's men who must win to stand a
chance
West Ham are priced at 2/5 to beat Hull as they head into a game they have
to win to stand any chance of gaining automatic promotion. The Hammers are
two points behind second-placed Southampton going into this final game, with
a goal difference Inferior by three and will be hoping their rivals slip up.
The Irons have only lost one of their last 17 games and had a 2-0 victory
earlier in the season over the Yorkshire club. Hull, who are 13/2 to come
out on top, had been on a poor run that saw them pick up on one win in 11
but their last four games has seen a complete turnaround as they have gone
on to win three and draw one. The draw is available at 10/3 and may see some
action as the hosts main problem this season has been their inability to
convert one point into three as they have gone on to share the spoils in
eight matches at home. Ricardo Vaz Te has eight in his last seven outings
and has flourished since he was reunited with Sam Allardyce, the Portuguese
is 7/2 to get the scoring started at Upton Park. Matt Fryatt is the
visitor's biggest threat, the ex-Leicester striker is in form and has four
in his last two games and looks good value to be the man to break the
deadlock at 8/1. The Tigers have been level at the break in 22 fixtures this
term whilst the hosts have been all-square 18 times, so getting behind it to
be a draw at half-time with a home win at 7/2 may be the way to go here. The
London club have notched two fours and a six in their last six matches and
they are 7/2 to score four or more again in this fixture.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Saturday, April 28
Friday, April 27
Daily WHUFC News - 27th April 2012
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.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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. *
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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.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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.
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