John Bond 1932-2012
WHUFC.com
West Ham United legend John Bond has sadly passed away at the age of 79
26.09.2012
Everyone at West Ham United is deeply saddened by the passing of Hammers
legend John Bond at the age of 79. Bond made 444 first-team appearances for
the Hammers between 1952 and 1965, scoring 37 goals, and was one of the
architects of the Academy of Football. A right-back, Bond was part of the
West Ham sides that won the Division Two title in 1957/58 and lifted the
club's first-ever FA Cup in 1964. Born in the north Essex town of Colchester
on 17 December 1932, Bond was spotted by West Ham while playing for local
club Colchester Casuals, joining the Hammers as an amateur in 1950. After
impressing for the club's 'A' side, a first-team debut arrived in a 2-1
Division Two victory at Coventry City on 9 February 1952.
Bond established himself as a first-team regular during the 1954/55 season,
during which he scored his maiden goal - the winner in a 1-0 Division Two
victory at Hull City on 13 September 1954. It was during the promotion
campaign, however, that the goal-scoring full-back really found his shooting
boots, netting an amazing eight in 41 appearances as West Ham won the
Division Two title in thrilling style. Bond settled into life as a Division
One player with ease, starting all 42 Division One matches in 1958/59 and
scoring seven more goals. Another seven goals followed in 1959/60.
In 1964, he was an ever-present in West Ham's unforgettable run to the FA
Cup final, starting all seven ties as the Hammers went all the way to
Wembley before beating Preston North End 3-2 in the final. The following
season - Bond's 14th and last at the Boleyn Ground - he featured four times
in the club's successful European Cup Winners' Cup campaign.
After leaving the Boleyn Ground in 1966, the defender made more than 130
appearances for Torquay United before hanging up his boots in 1969. Off the
pitch, Bond was a deep thinker about the game and was a member of the group
of players who would visit Cassettari's Cafe in Barking Road after training
to discuss tactics and innovative ideas about the game. There, he would join
the likes of Malcolm Allison, Noel Cantwell, Dave Sexton, Malcolm Musgrove,
Frank O'Farrell and Jimmy Andrews, who passed away earlier this month at the
age of 85. Like many of his Hammers team-mates, Bond went into coaching and
enjoyed great success at AFC Bournemouth, Norwich City and Manchester City,
among others. In recent years, he has been a regular visitor to the Boleyn
Ground, where he met and swapped stories with his former colleagues and
supporters alike. In November 2009, he appeared on the Sky Sports programme
'Time Of Our Lives', where he joined Ken Brown and Ronnie Boyce in looking
back on their era at West Ham. The thoughts of everyone at West Ham United
are with John's family and friends at this sad time.
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Tributes pour in for Bond
WHUFC.com
John Bond's former team-mates have shared their memories of the West Ham
United great
26.09.2012
John Bond was simply one of the finest right-backs ever to pull on a West
Ham United shirt. Bond, who passed away this week at the age of 79, made 444
first-team appearances during a 14-year career with the Hammers, winning the
Division Two title in 1958 and FA Cup in 1964. A defender blessed with
outstanding technique, Bond scored 37 goals for the club before embarking on
a successful career in management.
Joint-Chairman David Sullivan paid his own personal tribute to Bond, saying:
"It's terribly sad news to hear of John Bond's passing. John was a fabulous
player for West Ham United and one of the most loyal servants the club has
ever had. He is in the elite group of players to have played over 400 times
for West Ham and for that he will always hold a special place in supporters'
hearts. I have fond memories of going to watch the 1964 FA Cup final with my
Dad, which of course he played a big part in helping us win. All of us at
West Ham United are thinking of John's family at this difficult time."
His former team-mates and friends have shared their memories of the man
affectionately nicknamed 'Muffin' for his ability to kick the ball 'like a
mule'.
Peter Brabrook played on the right wing in front of Bond for eight seasons
and was a close friend of both the right-back and his family: "It is very
sad news. We were the best of friends. We were more friendly than anybody in
the 1964 FA Cup-winning side to be honest. John's wife Jan and my wife
Doreen were very close and we used to go around to their house and still
kept in touch with each other. They are a lovely family and John was a
really nice guy.
"John liked to have a laugh but when the football came along he was very,
very serious. He was also a good coach and manager. John always spoke his
mind and said what he felt and sometimes that didn't go down too well with
[manager] Ron Greenwood, but that was the way he was. He had to earn his
place in the side and he did that because he was the best right-back the
club has ever had, without a shadow of a doubt.
"I played in front of John as a right winger and we played together for
eight years and I also played against him when I was at Chelsea and had some
fantastic times together. He was a character and when he was out he was
really funny to be around. "He got a few goals and was a good footballing
right-back. He liked to play and had a fantastic shot on him. His striking
of the ball was first-class, as was his technique. He was a really, really
good player. He was 6'2 tall but really good on the ball, which is hard for
someone so tall. "He also had a great understanding of the game and was
forward-thinking. We would spend hours and hours all morning and afternoon
talking about football and he loved it, as you could see from the success he
had coaching and managing, which he did very well. John will be sorely
missed."
Ronnie Boyce lined up alongside Bond in the 1964 FA Cup final at Wembley,
scoring the winning goal as West Ham beat Preston North End to lift the
trophy for the first time in the club's history: "John was a top man and a
top player and a good manager too. When I first started at West Ham John
would help me no end with a little word of advice here and there. His
experience was second to none and I enjoyed sitting and listening to him and
I learned so much. "John was a delightful guy and a good family man with a
lovely wife. His finest moments at West Ham would have been being part of
the side that won promotion to Division One and winning the FA Cup. It was
fitting that he should win one of the major trophies. "I remember that his
striking of the ball was unbelievable. One day early in my time at West Ham
I went to watch an 'A' team match at Clacton and John struck a volley that
hit the crossbar so hard that I expect it is still rattling today! Ernie
Gregory used to say that his backpasses were so hard that John used to put
him under pressure! He did have an outstanding range of passing. "His
greatest attributes were that he never looked under pressure and always
looked comfortable on the ball. He also had a great shot and scored many
memorable goals. It is so sad that he has passed away."
Ken Brown played alongside Bond at centre-half throughout his 14 seasons at
the club, winning promotion in 1958 and the FA Cup in 1964. He later served
as Bond's assistant manager during successful spells in charge at AFC
Bournemouth and Norwich City during the 1970s: "I will miss the old guy a
hell of a lot as he was a great friend. It is funny because we played
together for West Ham - he as a right-back and me as a centre-half - for a
number of years, but weren't close pals during that time. He tended to be
with one group of players and I was with another. "But after I followed him
to Torquay United and we became great mates. We were both still living in
London and travelling to and from playing for Torquay, so we spent a lot of
time together and that is where our friendship - which lasted until John's
passing - was formed. Then of course we went into partnership together on
the managerial and coaching side. When John went to Bournemouth, he asked me
to be his assistant manager in 1970. "John then went to Norwich three years
later and I followed him there to be his assistant. I was his side-kick if
you like! But it was a partnership of friendship as well as the football
side. In our managerial roles, we then travelled even more, going to games
of teams we were playing next, so again, a lot of time spent together and
doing what we loved. "When John went to Manchester City to be their manager
in 1980, he said maybe it was time our partnership ended. not as friends,
but as manager and assistant manager. It was just time really. He went off
to Manchester City and I then persuaded the then chairman of Norwich City to
let me take the manager's role at the club, which he did. "John was a great
character. He said what he thought and, at times, he riled people. But he
was honest and felt he had to say what he felt had to be said, you always
knew where you were with him. We grew up at West Ham under Ted Fenton who
was a straight up manager. But then we had Ron Greenwood and he was not only
a manager but also a coach. I know John learnt a lot from Ron, as we all
did, and I think we definitely took that into our manager and coaching
roles. "John wasn't afraid to speak up to Ron when he was left out of the
team though, to ask him why. But he had respect and knew, as we all did,
that we had to earn our place in the team every week. "As a player, he was
strong and I loved playing alongside him - but my memories are not just of a
great team-mate but as a special friend. We all knew he had been ill for a
while - I checked in on him to see how he was doing, so it is very sad that
he has now gone, I will miss him."
Tim Crane is the editor of EX, the magazine that focuses on former West Ham
players and staff, and has been in regular contact with Bond and his family
in recent years: "Everybody loved John Bond. Last season, the club invited
John, Ron Boyce, Ken Brown, Eddie Bovington and Brian Dear for a tribute to
Ron Greenwood and John got on the stage and he was gushing about Ron. He was
a huge fan of Ron, who had a huge influence on John as a player, as a coach
and as a manager. "John was a big personality and he always used to tell me
some wonderful colourful stories. He had time for everyone. We had a dinner
for the players from the 1960s FA Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup-winning
sides at the Britannia Hotel in Docklands. The players were the last people
standing and they spent all night signing memorabilia, posing for
photographs and telling stories until the sun came up. John was about
giving, giving, giving. He was warm and friendly and generous. "John made a
fantastic contribution at West Ham and was one of the best right-backs the
club has ever produced. He was called 'Muffin' because of his huge kick like
Muffin the Mule. Anybody you speak to about John would only have glowing
things to say about him. "I have kept in touch with John and I spoke to him
a few months ago on the phone when Harry Redknapp was being linked with the
England job. John's son Kevin has been Harry's long-time assistant and I
suggested it would be wonderful for his son to be involved with England. He
replied 'Wouldn't that be exciting!'. I then mentioned his old club
Manchester City, who he managed and Kevin played for, and talked about how
Kevin would have difficulty getting into the side nowadays. John said: 'Not
if I was manager. He'd be the first name on the sheet'. That was John. Loyal
and warm. A huge, proper West Ham legend has passed away."
Ken Dyer has covered West Ham United for the Evening Standard for more than
30 years and is a lifelong Hammers supporter: "A friend of mine has just
called to tell me of the passing of John Bond. 'Muffin', as he was
universally known by Hammers fans of that time, was his first boyhood
football hero and, as my mate said: 'He had the low-cut boots, the shortest
shorts, in fact, as they say these days, he was 'too cool for school.'' I
remember John as a tall, elegant full-back with a shot like a mule, hence
his nickname. He had a particular adversity to speedy little wingers and
when he tackled them - they stayed tackled. I can still see him dancing
around Wembley after the 1964 FA Cup final, grinning from ear to ear. My
thoughts are with his family at this time."
Kris Slaven worked for West Ham United as the club's former player liaison
officer and arranged for John Bond to return to the Boleyn Ground as a guest
on many occasions: "In my role at the club I had the great pleasure of
meeting John and speaking to him on the phone many times and he was always a
real gentleman. He had never lost the rapport he had with fans and even at
the Ron Greenwood tribute evening I arranged at the Bristol City match last
season, after all the years since he had played, people absolutely loved
seeing him and listening to his stories. He was always very chirpy and had
such a presence that you knew you were in the company of a legend."
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Sam Allardyce condemns West Ham defending as 'rubbish'
BBC.co.uk
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is angry at his team's "rubbish" and
"comical" defensive performance in their 4-1 Capital One Cup thrashing by
Wigan.
Striker Mauro Boselli scored twice for the Latics against a West Ham team
showing nine changes from the side that drew 1-1 with Sunderland on
Saturday.
"We couldn't defend a fish supper," Allardyce said.
Team that angered Allardyce : Henderson; McCartney, Tomkins, Spence, Potts;
Jarvis, Noble, O'Neil, Hall; Maiga, Vaz Te.
"There were howling errors in all four goals, it was comical. I never
expected us to defend so poorly." Allardyce added: "All the good work we
might have done with the ball meant nothing because out of possession we
were just rubbish." Allardyce has warned his stand-in players they have
blown their chances of pushing for a place in his Premier League line-up.
"It was an embarrassing defeat. They can't come knocking on my door about
not playing now," he added.
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John 'Muffin' Bond
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 26th September 2012
By: Paul Walker
Paul Walker reflects on the passing of former West Ham United defender John
Bond, who died today at the age of 79.... He will always be 'Muffin' to me,
a child of the '60s who idolised the famous FA Cup winning side in 1964, of
which John Bond was a major player. When you are not really expecting
something, to turn on the lap top and discover one of your boyhood heroes
has passed away, comes as a shock. I can still recite the '64 cup heroes by
heart; Standen, Bond, Burkett, Bovington, Brown, Moore, Brabrook, Boyce,
Byrne, Hurst, Sissons. Now three are gone, Bond joining Bobby Moore and
Johnny Byrne on high.
John Bond, who passed away today aged 79, acquired the Muffin nickname for
his cannonball shot as much as his slightly awkward style. A big man, tough
full back, he was never elegant. But by God he could hit a shot. I recall
standing against the wall of the Chicken Run, my old man just behind, the
day Bond raced down the line and smashed a 30 yard angled shot from the
touch line, high into the Sparta Prague net. I was so close to him I could
almost touch him. It was the second round of the European Cup Winners' Cup
tie with the Czech side, and we were not doing that well. We had struggled
through in the first round against La Gantoise, 2-1 on aggregate, and we
needed a shot in the arm against Prague. Bond's goal set us on the way to a
2-0 win, Alan Sealey - also now sadly departed - scored the other goal that
night and although we lost the second leg 2-1 John Sissons, an old school
mate of mine, scored our goal in a bruising match… We were through to the
quarter finals. But it was Muffin's goal that was crucial. It kick-started
our European campaign at a crucial moment, and although he did not play in
the Final, he had done his bit for West Ham's history.
Bond was transferred to Torquay the following season, having played over 400
games for the Irons. He was one of the 'left-overs' from the early '50s when
things really started to happen at our club, and was to be replaced by Joe
Kirkup as Ron Greenwood's squad started to evolve. Bond joined the club in
1951, having signed as an amateur from home town club Colchester Casuals,
and he left a huge mark on West Ham. Most of our younger fans will know Bond
as a flamboyant manager at Norwich, Manchester City,, Bournemouth, Burnley,
Swansea and Birmingham. But to me he will be the giant full back who could
liven up a drab day at the Boleyn with his commitment, strength and
shooting.
RIP Muffin.
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Allardyce on... Wigan Athletic
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 26th September 2012
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce held his hands up in last night's press conference - which we
bring you exclusively in full - and admitted he got it wrong on a night when
West Ham suffered only their second home defeat of 2012...
Sam: the first 25, 30 minutes looked good but then what happened?
Well you don't have to be in my position to see what happened; we couldn't
defend a fish supper could we? There were so many howling errors from our
defenders in all four goal situations; it was comical in terms of what they
did. That made life extremely easy for Wigan after we made life very
difficult for them at the start by doing the right things. It was a super
goal to get us off the mark.
You take a massive risk when you're in my position when you make so many
changes. You've got to have a look at what your squad looks like and you've
got to look at some of the young'uns who have been playing well.
Unfortunately tonight, from 15 minutes on, we weren't good enough. Our
defending just wasn't good enough and then, in the end, we've got beat 4-1.
It's very disappointing for me to have to sit there and watch that because I
didn't expect us to defend so poorly. I don't really want to say any more
than that because that's exactly what happened tonight - just really, really
poor defending and all the good work we might have done with the ball meant
nothing in the end.
Do you regret making so many changes?
I don't regret it but I'm bitterly disappointed and upset by an embarrassing
defeat. That's what it was; am embarrassing defeat playing at home. But it
tells me about the players I've got, doesn't it? That means they can't come
knocking on my door saying "I should be playing" after a performance like
that, can they? They've got to take responsibility for their own
performances and when they get the opportunity, like they did today, they
need to perform to their level and make life easier for me to put them in
the team when we need to.
There was disappointment before we started the game that I couldn't play
Alou Diarra, who picked up an injury, nor Yossi Benayoun as that would have
made it a lot better today. They needed the game but unfortunately through
Yossi's religious beliefs and Alou picking up an injury...
[Allardyce interrupted by tannoy announcement that Mr Moon is in the ground]
He'll leave in a minute! So... I can't even remember where I was? [laughs]
The fact that you moved McCartney to the middle suggested that you were
unhappy with the way things were going?
Yeah, because Danny - a young man who's still gaining experience - has
learnt a lesson tonight. We moved him back to left back and put a bit more
experience in the middle which was alright in the second half, because it
never really looked like they were going to score again until we gave a
stupid penalty away. We were hoping that we could make the game interesting
going into the last 20, 25 minutes by scoring a goal - but when the
opposition are 3-1 up they can sit back and defend in numbers and that's
difficult to break down. It's a disappointing night all round.
You haven't left many fish suppers unguarded; that was only your second home
defeat in 2012?
It is, yeah. I have to bear the brunt as manager for making a lot of changes
but I needed to. I would like to have been sat here in a much better mood
praising my team for its efforts but unfortunately I can't defend them today
in any way, shape or form. I can take a bit of joy out of blooding a few
youngsters and having the opportunity to test them at this level as they
have got good ability and hopefully that will develop over the future.
Was this the most disappointing result for you since coming to West Ham?
No, no. The Reading result last season was more disappointing for me than
this, when we had the chance to beat them which would probably have seen us
finish in the top two. But it's a disappointing performance and a
disappointing result. It's very upsetting for me but I have to take it on
the chin because I picked the team, so it's my fault.
Do you intend to send out some of your youngsters on loan?
Well the difficulty about going out on loan is that we've started this new
under 21s development league so I have to keep enough players for Ian Hendon
to play in that league. So letting them out on loan? It might be one of the
restrictions that we might have to look at in the future. I have to leave
Ian with enough players to actually play in that team and we are doing very,
very well at that level which is always very good to see. But that can only
develop them so far so ultimately; if not the first team then a loan is the
next step for them. We'll eventually let some of them out on loan.
Nearly 26,000 people turned up tonight and the Capital One Cup is often the
game where you get poor crowd figures - but a fantastic crowd tonight...
It was a great crowd because the owners made it cheap enough to make people
want to come out and watch it, but they'll go home disappointed like I am
disappointed. At the end of the day I can't defend me and I can't defend the
team today; they've let the supporters down, there's no doubt about that and
we should have given a better account of ourselves.
So I've got no excuses and neither have any of the lads who played tonight.
They should have given a lot more value for money than they did but they
haven't. We have to move on and make sure that we send them all home happy
on Monday night when we get a result against QPR.
One positive point was Mark Noble signing a new deal?
Yes, I'm very happy to have that sorted. He's a big signing for us and a lad
who's born and bred West Ham. As we continue in the Barclay's Premier League
there's not too many home grown players developed today. We've got Mark
Noble tied up now who's home grown, we've got James Tomkins and hopefully
we'll find one or two more as time goes on. But we're really glad he's
signed his contract.
How bad was the injury to Gary O'Neil?
A bad knee; he'll have a scan to assess the extent of the damage.
Did he go over or did he get a kick?
No, he got a kick. You don't know whether the kick has opened up the joint;
rather than just a bruise there might be more damage but we won't know until
we get the results.
Thank you.
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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce wants youngsters reaction
Last Updated: September 26, 2012 7:12pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce hopes Tuesday night's thrashing at the hands of Wigan will act
as a wake up call to some of his young players. Teenagers Dylan Tombides,
Daniel Potts, Robert Hall and Matt Fanimo were all given a chance to impress
Allardyce on Tuesday in the Capital One Cup clash against Wigan, but they
all left Upton Park in disappointment after a 4-1 defeat. All four have
helped West Ham climb to the top of National Group One of the newly-formed
Under-21 Premier League, but Allardyce left it clear that they did not play
up to the required standard for first-team football. The West Ham boss fumed
at his side's "comical" defending in what was an "embarrassing" result, but
the 57-year-old thinks the experience of a heavy defeat, which was followed
by loud booing from the home fans, might prove beneficial to the youngsters
in the long term. "With a result like that it can help them find out that
they have to make massive leaps and strides to play consistently at this
level," Allardyce said. "They do have ability and that will develop over the
future hopefully. "We have Mark Noble and James Tomkins in the squad who are
home-grown and hopefully we will find one or two more who can make the step
up as time goes on."
Loan moves
The under-21 league, which began this season as a means of trying to help
bridge the gap between academy and first-team level, has helped the young
players develop, Allardyce says. But the former Bolton boss is still a firm
believer in the loan system as a way of developing players and he is
therefore likely to allow some of his current crop to leave on a temporary
basis. He said: "We are doing very well at under-21 level, which is always
nice to see, but it can only develop them so far, so a loan is the next step
for some of them so we will let some of them go out."
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The missing trio: So far so good for West Ham, but is it time for Allardyce
to find room for Jarvis, Tomkins and Benayoun?
The Mirro
In his latest column, Steve Stammers says it might just be the moment for
the Hammers to be a little more expansive - and argues it's hard to see how
the inclusion of that trio will make ANY side weaker
You have to say that it is so far, so good. The opening fixtures have not
been the most exacting for West Ham but the points still need to be gathered
and Sam Allardyce has ensured that slip-ups have been at a premium. Ninth
place at the start of autumn is more than acceptable. But it may be time for
some adjustment. Not a major overhaul but a little re-vamp would not go
amiss. There must be a place, sooner rather than later, for James Tomkins.
He is one of the most gifted young defenders in the country and his constant
omission is something of a mystery. He may lack the physical presence of the
likes of James Collins and Winston Reid but he is only 23 and he will only
get stronger. He can pick a pass and he has rarely been exposed in the
tackle or in any aerial challenge.
Then there is Yossi Benayoun. He gives West Ham that unknown factor- great
touch, great vision and a nightmare to mark. He has imagination and the
experience to pose problems for any defence no matter how well they are
organised. Sunderland made an immediate team change when the skillful Israel
international came on for the last half-hour at Upton Park on Saturday.
Then there is Matt Jarvis. Presumably, he is fit now. If he is okay for the
bench then he should be ready to start. He is another who made an impact on
Saturday. He gave West Ham the kind of dimension that an authentic winger
can bring.
Three interesting options for Allardyce who, it must be said, has done more
right than he has made mistakes in his time at the club. He brought
discipline and organisation where it was badly needed. He brought in Mohamed
Diame who has been a revelation with his industry and power in central
midfield. He has managed to coax Mark Noble into accepting the deep-lying
role that is somewhat alien to his nature and Noble is emerging as one of
the most consistent and effective West Ham players of the season. But it
might just be the moment to be a little more expansive. Tomkins, Benayoun
and Jarvis .... it is hard to see how the inclusion of that trio will make
any side weaker.
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Opinion Football Opinion John Bond
26 Sep 2012 13:29
The Mirror
By
Steve Stammers
JOHN BOND 'A football man to the end': Steve Stammers remembers former West
Ham, Norwich and Manchester City man John Bond
Football was his life. But more than just providing a living it was almost a
reason for living for Bond It was just over six years ago, at the funeral of
former West Ham manager John Lyall, that I last saw John Bond. There were a
number of former Upton Park heroes in the ensemble as you can imagine. Age
had not been too kind to one or two. But not John Bond. His shock of hair
was grey but in plentiful supply and his unmistakable Mid-Essex accent made
him instantly recognisable. He had hardly put on an ounce from when he used
to maraud up the touchline as a West Ham full-back. He called me over. "Come
on then " he said. "Tell me what's happening." After he had been duly
updated he spoke glowingly about Lyall. "He loved his football and I loved
him for that." The next 30 minutes were taken up talking about England, West
Ham, World Cups, Euros - you name it, he wanted to talk about it, analyse
it, debate it. That was John Bond. Football was his life. But more than just
providing a living it was almost a reason for living for Bond. He was part
of the original academy at the club. Under Charlie Paynter, Ted Fenton and
then Ron Greenwood, Bond and his contemporaries were encouraged to think
about the game and discuss it among themselves. He would sit with the likes
of Malcolm Allison, Ken Brown, Noel Cantwell and Ronnie Boyce at the famous
Cassettari's Café just round the corner from the ground, just past the
Boleyn pub. There, salt cellars and sauce bottles became players as they
talked tactics and formations. That Bond enjoyed a long managerial career
was no surprise. And there was one hallmark of a John Bond team – they could
play and he relished an open, attractive style. "You have to entertain
people," he would say. And his most successful stints were at Norwich and
then Manchester City after he had served his apprenticeship at Bournemouth.
He worked under severe financial restraints at Carrow Road but produced a
team that was always positive and easy on the eye. He created a great
rivalry with Bobby Robson at Ipswich and Lawrie McMenemy at Southampton. The
games between them were enthralling.
At Maine Road, Bond ironically succeeded Allison. But under his guidance,
City improved and reached the 1981 FA Cup Final. They played Tottenham and
after a turgid 1-1 draw in the first encounter, the replay featured a
classic five days later. Tottenham won it 3-2 and the game is always
remembered for Ricardo Villa's stunning winning goal. But the match also
featured a stunning volley from Steve Mackenzie,a teenager at Crystal Palace
when Bond played a remarkable £1million for a youngster untested at first
team level. He did not let him down that Thursday night at Wembley. But that
was John Bond. He was always ready to take a gamble on youth but, more
importantly to him, on young players with vision and ability. "You have to
entertain." That was his credo. And he did that with the teams he managed
and later as a radio and television pundit.
A football man to the end.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Thursday, September 27
Wednesday, September 26
Daily WHUFC News - 26th September 2012
Manager makes no case for defence
WHUFC.com
Big Sam admitted his side had given Wigan Athletic an easy path through to
the Capital One Cup fourth round
25.09.2012
Sam Allardyce was making no excuses after his West Ham United side were
knocked out of the Capital One Cup courtesy of a 4-1 third-round defeat by
Wigan Athletic at the Boleyn Ground on Tuesday. A disappointing evening had
started well when Modibo Maiga rattled in his second Hammers goal after just
seven minutes, but a series of defensive lapses allowed the Latics to take a
commanding 3-1 lead in at half-time. Wigan's Argentina international striker
Mauro Boselli scored either side of Ivan Ramis' individual effort to leave a
large home crowd stunned. The second period saw West Ham attempt to mount a
comeback, but any hopes of forcing extra time were dashed by substitute
Jordi Gomez's late penalty. Afterwards, Big Sam conceded that his team had
not reached the standard required to keep Roberto Martinez's side at bay.
"It was more than disappointing because I didn't expect to be as shocked as
I am after the game," he told West Ham TV. "It was a horrific night of
defending and gifted the opposition an easy run through to the next round of
the Capital One Cup. "We started so brightly by doing the right things and
got a great goal by Maiga and then we stopped doing the right things. We did
what we had to do initially by stopping them doing what they wanted to do,
which is what you need to do in any game. "We made nine changes because I
want to see what I've got and because a lot of players want to show my what
they've got but in the end only the younger ones came out with any credit.
So did Maiga of course with his goal because I thought it was an excellent
strike. The rest of the lads were way below. "You have to give Wigan credit
because they have been in the Barclays Premier League a long time now and
their squad was stronger than ours. We paid the price for some really
horrific defending because they took advantage of it."
The manager believed all three first-half goals could have been prevented -
the first when Boselli nipped between the centre-backs to score, the second
when Ramis was allowed to run unchallenged from halfway before firing in
from 22 yards and the third when Boselli beat the offside trap before
chipping Stephen Henderson. "It was not doing your job properly and when
you don't do your job properly then you get punished heavily at this level.
It didn't look like it was going to happen because it wasn't right from the
start. We looked very comfortable and got one-nil up with a lovely goal.
"It's all well and good talking about how good these lads are in possession
but the bottom line is that when you turn the ball over you have to be good
defenders at this level and our defending was abysmal."
Big Sam handed starts to Jordan Spence, Rob Hall and Dan Potts, while
Matthias Fanimo and debutant Dylan Tombides appeared from the bench. "For
the young players it is about having the mental strength and the desire to
produce your ability on a regular basis and punish the opposition. The
experience was good for them because it showed them the level they need to
get to. "In saying that, when I make a lot of changes it is my
responsibility as well because it was my decision to make those changes so
it is as much my responsibility as it is theirs. I needed to know what I
have got. "The other disappointing thing is that Alou Diarra was injured and
Yossi Benayoun couldn't play because Yom Kippur landed on the day and he
couldn't play because of his religious commitments. They would have made us
better because they would have been playing and I think it would have been a
lot different."
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Noble signs new contract
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble has pledged his future to West Ham United with a new long-term
contract
25.09.2012
West Ham United are delighted to announce that midfielder Mark Noble has
pledged his future to the club by signing a new long-term contract. The
25-year-old reigning Hammer of the Year, who made his 200th start for the
club in Tuesday's Capital One Cup third-round tie with Wigan Athletic, has
put pen to paper on a three-year deal with an option for a further two
years. A firm fans' favourite, Noble has totalled 224 appearances for West
Ham, scoring 26 goals. Now in his eighth season in the first-team after
progressing through the Academy, the No16 is West Ham's longest-serving
player and would be eligible for a testimonial in 2014 - the first Hammers
player to reach that milestone since Julian Dicks in 1999. "I'm over the
moon now it's all agreed and done," said Noble. "It was just a matter of
getting things right for me and my family. Everyone knows I love playing at
West Ham and I enjoy my football here so it was just a case of coming to an
agreement. I'm delighted now it's all signed and sealed. "I feel like I've
grown a lot as a player since my debut and I'm still only 25. Playing for
West Ham has been a rollercoaster and I've been through two promotions, a
relegation and a 'Great Escape', but it's been thoroughly enjoyable and I
look forward to the next few years of my career here."
After becoming the youngest player to appear for West Ham's reserve team at
the age of 15 in February 2003, Noble went on to become a full-time trainee
later the same year. Named as a substitute for the first time in the
Championship visit to Crewe Alexandra in August 2004, Noble made his
first-team debut under Alan Pardew in the 2-0 League Cup win over Southend
United a few days later. He remained in the squad as Hammers won promotion
back to the Premier League in 2005, coming on as a second-half substitute in
the final against Preston North End at the Millennium stadium. Apart from
loan spells at Ipswich Town and Hull City in 2006 in order to give the then
19-year-old more competitive action, he has not looked back since, becoming
an important part of the team and reaching his 100th appearance for the club
in 2009. He has also become the main penalty taker in recent seasons and
scored eight from the spot last season, two of which came against Nottingham
Forest in a 2-1 victory, an achievement that earned him Individual
Performance of the Season at the Player Awards 2011/12.
After being named runner-up in 2005, Noble was crowned Hammer of the Year
last season. He played a key part in helping West Ham progress to the npower
Championship Play-Off final, where they beat Blackpool at Wembley to win
promotion to the Premier League. This season, Noble has again been at the
heart of the midfield as the Hammers have recorded two wins, two draws and
only one loss in their first five Barclays Premier League games. Canning
Town-born Noble's ability has also earned recognition at international level
with England. He captained the Under-21s at the 2009 UEFA European
Championship finals and appeared at the same competition again in 2011. Off
the pitch, Noble is just as committed to the cause with the club's various
community and charity initiatives and is currently patron of Richard House
Children's Hospice, an official club charity.
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The Big Interview - Joey O'Brien
WHUFC.com
The versatile Irishman is enjoying a productive season for club and country
25.09.2012
Joey O'Brien is quietly having an impressive and fulfilling start to the
2012/13 season. The No17 has started four of West Ham United's six matches
in all competitions and has also made a successful return to international
duty with Republic of Ireland, featuring in friendly matches against Serbia
and Oman.
The versatile 25-year-old has filled in at a host of positions for club and
country and, after recovering from a long-term knee injury, is clearly
relishing his growing role with both the Hammers and the Boys in Green.
Joey, it looked like that goal was never going to come in Saturday's 1-1
Barclays Premier League draw at home to Sunderland, didn't it?
JO'B - "Yep. We were knocking on the door all afternoon really and if we
hadn't got the draw I think we would have been very hard done by. To be
fair, I think we dominated the game from start to finish. All they really
had was the one shot that went in. I don't think Jussi [Jaaskelainen] had
too much to do for the whole game. Saying that, it was good to come back.
Last season I don't think there were many games we came back in after we
went behind so to get that
one in the last minute gave the boys a bit of a lift as well."
Do you think we were guilty defensively for the goal?
JO'B - "Yes, of course. I think Ginge will say that he has made a mistake,
but saying that he does have that [crossfield pass] in his game and 99 times
out of 100 it would have worked, but he didn't quite connect with it and
obviously it has got punished. But that is what happens at this level - last
year in the Championship, we might have got away with that, but at this
level we are going to get punished."
Can you take heart from the fact that you collectively didn't give up and
got your reward in the end?
JO'B - "I think it showed from the very start that we went out to win the
game. We had chances in the first half and we kept on creating chances
throughout the second half. I just thought it was going to be one of those
days just before we got the equaliser, but thank God we got it in the end."
Have we made a good start, or could we have done better?
JO'B - "It is a good start, but if we had have won on Saturday, it would
have been a great start. So, in that way I guess it is disappointing. But
like I said we got a draw out of the game and we have had a decent start for
me. I think in all the games we have played this season we haven't looked
like a team that has just come up through the Play-Offs, so I think it is a
good start to take forward. We have a massive game next up at QPR and if we
can do the business against
them away from home then it will be a great start."
Why do you think West Ham United have made a better start than the other two
promoted sides, Reading and Southampton?
JO'B - "I think we have a lot of players with experience of playing at this
level throughout their careers. The manager has also bought some smashing
players. When you look at Matt Jarvis coming on for 25 minutes and how many
crosses he managed to get into the box and how many chances he created [you
have to be impressed]. Mohamed Diame has been super since the start of the
season.
How are you finding it at left-back?
JO'B - "Well of course it is something different, but I am just really
enjoying playing. Already this season I have played at left-back, right-back
and centre-half.
But it is good to play in so many different positions, because you find
something new about your game and try to improve it. I have been working
very hard on my left foot in training every day, because I know I will be
playing more with my left, but it is nice that something like that can
improve my game."
Do you have a preferred position?
JO'B - "Obviously it is up to the manager, but we had a clean sheet against
Fulham, we had a clean sheet at Norwich, so I suppose in that way the back
four have done well and it is hard to change it around. If we continue like
that I will be happy just to be involved in the back four."
Finally, how is your knee holding up to the rigours of regular Barclays
Premier League and international football with Republic of Ireland?
JO'B - "It is sorted. It has been a long time since the last operation on my
knee and I think the main thing with long-term injuries is just about
playing as many times as you can and keeping on the pitch and in the end the
pain just goes. It is obviously something I still manage every day in
training with the staff here, but it just great to be back and playing
football again is amazing, it is great to be at the top again."
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West Ham 1 Wigan 4
25 September 2012
BBC.co.uk
Mauro Boselli scored twice to help Wigan fight back and defeat fellow
Premier League side West Ham in the Capital One Cup third round. James
McArthur's error let Modibo Maiga power in a shot for the Hammers. Wigan
responded with Boselli converting a Callum McManaman cross and Ivan Ramis
scoring with a 20-yard strike. Boselli lifted the ball over keeper Stephen
Henderson for his second and Jordi Gomez scored from the spot to seal the
win. The defeat is West Ham's first at home this season and came after both
sides made plenty of changes from last weekend's Premier League matches.
Hammers boss Sam Allardyce made nine changes to his side, while counterpart
Roberto Martinez made seven. Maiga was one of those to come in for the home
side and he quickly made his presence felt.McArthur was caught in possession
by the Mali international, who fired into the bottom corner past keeper Ali
Al-Habsi.
Mauro Boselli has yet to score in the Premier League since arriving at Wigan
in 2010. The Argentinian striker, who has spent half a season on loan at
Genoa and a year back at former club Estudiantes, has scored all four of his
Wigan goals in the League Cup. Wigan gradually improved, with David Jones
having a shot saved by Stephen Henderson and Boselli heading wide. Boselli
has struggled since a £6m move to Wigan from Estudiantes in June 2010 but
played a pivotal role in helping his side through to the last 16. The
Argentine, 27, lost his marker to get on the end of a Maynor Figueroa cross
and poke the ball past Henderson for an equaliser.West Ham allowed their
visitors too much time and space and that was epitomised when Ramis scored
his first Wigan goal. The Latics centre-back ran on goal from the halfway
line before finishing it off with a long range shot. Boselli extended his
side's lead with a lovely chip over Henderson as West Ham struggled to match
their rivals. The home side rarely looked like mounting a comeback and were
put out of their misery when Gomez scored from the spot after Henderson had
hauled down McArthur.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce: "We couldn't defend a fish supper tonight.
There were howling errors from our defenders in all four goals, it was
comical.
"I never expected us to defend so poorly. It was really poor defending and
all the good work we might have done with the ball meant nothing in the end
because out of possession we were just rubbish. "It was an embarrassing
defeat. They can't come knocking on my door about not playing now. They've
got to take responsibility for their performance. They should have given me
a lot more value for my money than they did."
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez: "We're happy with how it went given there
were changes. It was a real test of character, especially from the young
lads.
"To score four goals away is a real achievement, especially at West Ham with
the way they have started the season.
"He [Mauro Boselli] showed mental strength and how focused he is to be a
success this season and to enjoy his football. If he is at his best he will
be a real asset for us."
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West Ham Utd 1 Wigan Athletic 4
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 25th September 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are out of the Capital One Cup after being humiliated by Wigan at
the Boleyn Ground tonight. Having been beaten just once at home in 2012
hopes were high of further progression for Sam Allardyce's side in the
newly-named competition. But in the end there was very little to cheer as
the Hammers were humbled by an ordinary-looking Latics team. Modibo Maiga
had given West Ham the perfect start when he took advantage of a dreadful
back pass to fire the Hammers ahead with just six minutes on the clock. But
United's lead was to last for just nine minutes as Argentinian striker
Boselli levelled the scores when he nipped in to convert Maynor Figueroa's
centre. Ricardo Vaz Te and Jordan Spence both went close shortly after
whilst Academy graduate Robert Hall once again looked lively throughout the
first half. However Spanish defender Ivan Ramis, who looked like he was on
his way to West Ham before his move was hijacked by Wigan boss Roberto
Martínez - silenced the home crowd six minutes ahead of the half time
whistle with a goal out of nothing. The former Mallorca defender was allowed
to run from deep before unleashing an absolute piledriver of a shot from the
35 yard mark which flew into the top corner of Stephen Henderson's net.
And as if that wasn't bad enough, Boselli extended the visitor's lead even
further when he made it 3-1 just three minutes later. Having beaten West
Ham's offside trap, the £6million man lifted the ball over the oncoming
Henderson to give his side a comfortable lead to take into the half time
break. West Ham - who were misssing a string of first team regulars - never
really looked like getting back into the tie after the break although Rob
Hall rattled the woodwork when his deflected effort wrongfooted goalkeeper
Ali Al-Habsi. But the only goal of the half came from the penalty spot when
reserve goalkeeper Stephen Henderson felled James McArthur six minutes from
the end of normal time.
Substitute Jordi Gomez converted the resulting spot kick to make it 4-1 on
the night and confirm West Ham's extremely disappointing exit from the
competition.
The only positive note on a desperately disappointing night came when Dylan
Tombides replaced the injured Gary O'Neil just before Gomez's spot kick.
The 18-year-old, who was recently given the all-clear to resume his
professional career having fought cancer came on to make his first team
debut.
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Noble 'delighted' with new contract
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 25th September 2012
By: Staff Writer
Mark Noble admitted that he was "over the moon" after finally putting pen to
paper on a new three year contract. The 25-year-old midfielder, who has
already made more than 200 first team appearances for West Ham will now
remain at the Boleyn Ground until 2015 with an option to sign a further two
years thereafter. Speaking via whufc.com this evening, Noble - who started
this evening's Capital One Cup tie with Wigan - said that he was "delighted"
to finally put an end to the speculation regadring his future. "I'm over the
moon now it's all agreed and done," he said. "It was just a matter of
getting things right for me and my family. "Everyone knows I love playing
at West Ham. I enjoy my football here so it was just a case of coming to an
agreement. I'm delighted now it's all signed and sealed. "I feel like I've
grown a lot as a player since my debut and I'm still only 25. "Playing for
West Ham has been a rollercoaster and I've been through two promotions, a
relegation and a 'Great Escape', but it's been thoroughly enjoyable and I
look forward to the next few years of my career here."
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Sam Allardyce embarrassed by West Ham's defending in defeat to Wigan
Last Updated: September 25, 2012 11:45pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce fumed at his defence for putting on a "rubbish" and "comical"
performance as West Ham crashed out of the Capital One Cup with a 4-1
thrashing at the hands of Wigan. The Hammers went in to the match having
lost just one of their previous six games, but they were easily torn apart
by Wigan in the third round clash at Upton Park. The London club took the
lead through Modibo Maiga, but a series of calamitous errors allowed Roberto
Martinez's team to progress. Slack marking from Jordan Spence allowed Mauro
Boselli to equalise and the Hammers defence backed off Ivan Ramis to allow
the Spaniard to put the away side 2-1 ahead. Yet more loose marking allowed
Boselli to chip home a wonderful third and Stephen Henderson's foul on James
McArthur in the dying minutes allowed Jordi Gomez to seal the rout to leave
Allardyce red-faced with embarrassment at the final whistle. "We couldn't
defend a fish supper tonight," the West Ham boss said. "There were howling
errors from our defenders in all four goals, it was comical. "I never
expected us to defend so poorly. It was really poor defending and all the
good work we might have done with the ball meant nothing in the end because
out of possession we were just rubbish."
Allardyce made nine changes from the XI that drew 1-1 with Sunderland on
Saturday, giving the likes of James Tomkins, Gary O'Neil and George
McCartney a chance to prove to him that they should start Monday's league
game against QPR, but they all failed miserably.
Embarassing defeat
The Hammers looked shaky at the back and devoid of ideas going forward, with
18-year-old debutant Robert Hall the only home player worthy of any praise.
Allardyce added: "I made lots of changes to see what the squad looks like
and what some of the young ones are doing. They are doing well in the
Under-21s league but unfortunately from 15 minutes on tonight they weren't
good enough and in the end we have got beat 4-1 and it was very
disappointing for me to sit there and watch that. "It was an embarrassing
defeat. They can't come knocking on my door about not playing now. They've
got to take responsibility for their performance. "They should have given me
a lot more value for my money than they did." Martinez was understandably
much happier following the final whistle, which was greeted with a loud
chorus of boos from the home fans.
Boselli praise
The Spaniard's main source of pride came from the performance of Boselli.
Derided for scoring two goals in two years at the Lancashire club, the
Argentinian did little to appease his critics when he missed a sitter in the
club's 2-1 defeat to Fulham on Saturday. The 27-year-old, who has been
shipped out on loan to former club Estudiantes and Italian side Genoaduring
his time with Wigan, showed great predatory instinct to steal ahead of
Spence for his first and the chip over Henderson from 12 yards was a sublime
finish. Martinez said: "He looked strong, he looked very sharp with his
build-up play and then that clinical finishing in front of goal. "I was
very, very pleased with his work, it is now a matter of allowing him to
settle into the Barclays Premier League. "He had real good opportunity on
Saturday and today, he wasn't afraid to get in good positions to score
goals. "He showed mental strength and how focused he is to be a success this
season and to enjoy his football. If he is at his best he will be a real
asset for us." Wigan have won only one of their five league games, but
controlled the game well from midfield tonight, with Ryo Miyaichi, David
Jones and James McArthur all impressing in an experimental XI that contained
seven changes. "We're happy with how it went given there were changes," the
Spaniard said. "It was a real test of character, especially from the young
lads. "To score four goals away is a real achievement, especially at West
Ham with the way they have started the season." Martinez was understandably
much happier following the final whistle, which was greeted with a loud
chorus of boos from the home fans.
The Spaniard's main source of pride came from the performance of Boselli.
Derided for scoring two goals in two years at the Lancashire club, the
Argentinian did little to appease his critics when he missed a sitter in the
club's 2-1 defeat to Fulham on Saturday. The 27-year-old, who has been
shipped out on loan to former club Estudiantes and Italian side Genoa during
his time with Wigan, showed great predatory instinct to steal ahead of
Spence for his first and the chip over Henderson from 12 yards was a sublime
finish. Martinez said: "He looked strong, he looked very sharp with his
build-up play and then that clinical finishing in front of goal. "I was
very, very pleased with his work, it is now a matter of allowing him to
settle into the Barclays Premier League. "He had real good opportunity on
Saturday and today, he wasn't afraid to get in good positions to score
goals. "He showed mental strength and how focused he is to be a success this
season and to enjoy his football. If he is at his best he will be a real
asset for us."
Wigan have won only one of their five league games, but controlled the game
well from midfield tonight, with Ryo Miyaichi, David Jones and James
McArthur all impressing in an experimental XI that contained seven changes.
"We're happy with how it went given there were changes," the Spaniard said.
"It was a real test of character, especially from the young lads. "To score
four goals away is a real achievement, especially at West Ham with the way
they have started the season."
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Kevin sent
Big Sam happy for rivals to underestimate Nolan
The Sun
Published: 25th September 2012
SAM ALLARDYCE is happy for West Ham's rivals to underestimate Kevin Nolan.
The Hammers skipper, 30, has started the season in top form, hitting three
goals in five Premier League matches, including the late equaliser in
Satuday's 1-1 draw with Sunderland. Allardyce has also paid tribute to Irons
chiefs David Sullivan and David Gold for shelling out the cash on Nolan last
year during their stint in the Championship. The West Ham boss said: "No one
should underestimate Nolan. "Look at his CV. Premier League, Premier League,
Premier League — 10 goals, nine goals, 11 goals, nine goals etc. "I hope
they (other clubs) underestimate him for the rest of the season and he will
end up the joint-top scorer like at Newcastle. "He was great value for money
in the Premier League but very expensive in the Championship — so give
credit to David Sullivan and David Gold for spending that money on that sort
of player."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Big Sam admitted his side had given Wigan Athletic an easy path through to
the Capital One Cup fourth round
25.09.2012
Sam Allardyce was making no excuses after his West Ham United side were
knocked out of the Capital One Cup courtesy of a 4-1 third-round defeat by
Wigan Athletic at the Boleyn Ground on Tuesday. A disappointing evening had
started well when Modibo Maiga rattled in his second Hammers goal after just
seven minutes, but a series of defensive lapses allowed the Latics to take a
commanding 3-1 lead in at half-time. Wigan's Argentina international striker
Mauro Boselli scored either side of Ivan Ramis' individual effort to leave a
large home crowd stunned. The second period saw West Ham attempt to mount a
comeback, but any hopes of forcing extra time were dashed by substitute
Jordi Gomez's late penalty. Afterwards, Big Sam conceded that his team had
not reached the standard required to keep Roberto Martinez's side at bay.
"It was more than disappointing because I didn't expect to be as shocked as
I am after the game," he told West Ham TV. "It was a horrific night of
defending and gifted the opposition an easy run through to the next round of
the Capital One Cup. "We started so brightly by doing the right things and
got a great goal by Maiga and then we stopped doing the right things. We did
what we had to do initially by stopping them doing what they wanted to do,
which is what you need to do in any game. "We made nine changes because I
want to see what I've got and because a lot of players want to show my what
they've got but in the end only the younger ones came out with any credit.
So did Maiga of course with his goal because I thought it was an excellent
strike. The rest of the lads were way below. "You have to give Wigan credit
because they have been in the Barclays Premier League a long time now and
their squad was stronger than ours. We paid the price for some really
horrific defending because they took advantage of it."
The manager believed all three first-half goals could have been prevented -
the first when Boselli nipped between the centre-backs to score, the second
when Ramis was allowed to run unchallenged from halfway before firing in
from 22 yards and the third when Boselli beat the offside trap before
chipping Stephen Henderson. "It was not doing your job properly and when
you don't do your job properly then you get punished heavily at this level.
It didn't look like it was going to happen because it wasn't right from the
start. We looked very comfortable and got one-nil up with a lovely goal.
"It's all well and good talking about how good these lads are in possession
but the bottom line is that when you turn the ball over you have to be good
defenders at this level and our defending was abysmal."
Big Sam handed starts to Jordan Spence, Rob Hall and Dan Potts, while
Matthias Fanimo and debutant Dylan Tombides appeared from the bench. "For
the young players it is about having the mental strength and the desire to
produce your ability on a regular basis and punish the opposition. The
experience was good for them because it showed them the level they need to
get to. "In saying that, when I make a lot of changes it is my
responsibility as well because it was my decision to make those changes so
it is as much my responsibility as it is theirs. I needed to know what I
have got. "The other disappointing thing is that Alou Diarra was injured and
Yossi Benayoun couldn't play because Yom Kippur landed on the day and he
couldn't play because of his religious commitments. They would have made us
better because they would have been playing and I think it would have been a
lot different."
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Noble signs new contract
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble has pledged his future to West Ham United with a new long-term
contract
25.09.2012
West Ham United are delighted to announce that midfielder Mark Noble has
pledged his future to the club by signing a new long-term contract. The
25-year-old reigning Hammer of the Year, who made his 200th start for the
club in Tuesday's Capital One Cup third-round tie with Wigan Athletic, has
put pen to paper on a three-year deal with an option for a further two
years. A firm fans' favourite, Noble has totalled 224 appearances for West
Ham, scoring 26 goals. Now in his eighth season in the first-team after
progressing through the Academy, the No16 is West Ham's longest-serving
player and would be eligible for a testimonial in 2014 - the first Hammers
player to reach that milestone since Julian Dicks in 1999. "I'm over the
moon now it's all agreed and done," said Noble. "It was just a matter of
getting things right for me and my family. Everyone knows I love playing at
West Ham and I enjoy my football here so it was just a case of coming to an
agreement. I'm delighted now it's all signed and sealed. "I feel like I've
grown a lot as a player since my debut and I'm still only 25. Playing for
West Ham has been a rollercoaster and I've been through two promotions, a
relegation and a 'Great Escape', but it's been thoroughly enjoyable and I
look forward to the next few years of my career here."
After becoming the youngest player to appear for West Ham's reserve team at
the age of 15 in February 2003, Noble went on to become a full-time trainee
later the same year. Named as a substitute for the first time in the
Championship visit to Crewe Alexandra in August 2004, Noble made his
first-team debut under Alan Pardew in the 2-0 League Cup win over Southend
United a few days later. He remained in the squad as Hammers won promotion
back to the Premier League in 2005, coming on as a second-half substitute in
the final against Preston North End at the Millennium stadium. Apart from
loan spells at Ipswich Town and Hull City in 2006 in order to give the then
19-year-old more competitive action, he has not looked back since, becoming
an important part of the team and reaching his 100th appearance for the club
in 2009. He has also become the main penalty taker in recent seasons and
scored eight from the spot last season, two of which came against Nottingham
Forest in a 2-1 victory, an achievement that earned him Individual
Performance of the Season at the Player Awards 2011/12.
After being named runner-up in 2005, Noble was crowned Hammer of the Year
last season. He played a key part in helping West Ham progress to the npower
Championship Play-Off final, where they beat Blackpool at Wembley to win
promotion to the Premier League. This season, Noble has again been at the
heart of the midfield as the Hammers have recorded two wins, two draws and
only one loss in their first five Barclays Premier League games. Canning
Town-born Noble's ability has also earned recognition at international level
with England. He captained the Under-21s at the 2009 UEFA European
Championship finals and appeared at the same competition again in 2011. Off
the pitch, Noble is just as committed to the cause with the club's various
community and charity initiatives and is currently patron of Richard House
Children's Hospice, an official club charity.
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The Big Interview - Joey O'Brien
WHUFC.com
The versatile Irishman is enjoying a productive season for club and country
25.09.2012
Joey O'Brien is quietly having an impressive and fulfilling start to the
2012/13 season. The No17 has started four of West Ham United's six matches
in all competitions and has also made a successful return to international
duty with Republic of Ireland, featuring in friendly matches against Serbia
and Oman.
The versatile 25-year-old has filled in at a host of positions for club and
country and, after recovering from a long-term knee injury, is clearly
relishing his growing role with both the Hammers and the Boys in Green.
Joey, it looked like that goal was never going to come in Saturday's 1-1
Barclays Premier League draw at home to Sunderland, didn't it?
JO'B - "Yep. We were knocking on the door all afternoon really and if we
hadn't got the draw I think we would have been very hard done by. To be
fair, I think we dominated the game from start to finish. All they really
had was the one shot that went in. I don't think Jussi [Jaaskelainen] had
too much to do for the whole game. Saying that, it was good to come back.
Last season I don't think there were many games we came back in after we
went behind so to get that
one in the last minute gave the boys a bit of a lift as well."
Do you think we were guilty defensively for the goal?
JO'B - "Yes, of course. I think Ginge will say that he has made a mistake,
but saying that he does have that [crossfield pass] in his game and 99 times
out of 100 it would have worked, but he didn't quite connect with it and
obviously it has got punished. But that is what happens at this level - last
year in the Championship, we might have got away with that, but at this
level we are going to get punished."
Can you take heart from the fact that you collectively didn't give up and
got your reward in the end?
JO'B - "I think it showed from the very start that we went out to win the
game. We had chances in the first half and we kept on creating chances
throughout the second half. I just thought it was going to be one of those
days just before we got the equaliser, but thank God we got it in the end."
Have we made a good start, or could we have done better?
JO'B - "It is a good start, but if we had have won on Saturday, it would
have been a great start. So, in that way I guess it is disappointing. But
like I said we got a draw out of the game and we have had a decent start for
me. I think in all the games we have played this season we haven't looked
like a team that has just come up through the Play-Offs, so I think it is a
good start to take forward. We have a massive game next up at QPR and if we
can do the business against
them away from home then it will be a great start."
Why do you think West Ham United have made a better start than the other two
promoted sides, Reading and Southampton?
JO'B - "I think we have a lot of players with experience of playing at this
level throughout their careers. The manager has also bought some smashing
players. When you look at Matt Jarvis coming on for 25 minutes and how many
crosses he managed to get into the box and how many chances he created [you
have to be impressed]. Mohamed Diame has been super since the start of the
season.
How are you finding it at left-back?
JO'B - "Well of course it is something different, but I am just really
enjoying playing. Already this season I have played at left-back, right-back
and centre-half.
But it is good to play in so many different positions, because you find
something new about your game and try to improve it. I have been working
very hard on my left foot in training every day, because I know I will be
playing more with my left, but it is nice that something like that can
improve my game."
Do you have a preferred position?
JO'B - "Obviously it is up to the manager, but we had a clean sheet against
Fulham, we had a clean sheet at Norwich, so I suppose in that way the back
four have done well and it is hard to change it around. If we continue like
that I will be happy just to be involved in the back four."
Finally, how is your knee holding up to the rigours of regular Barclays
Premier League and international football with Republic of Ireland?
JO'B - "It is sorted. It has been a long time since the last operation on my
knee and I think the main thing with long-term injuries is just about
playing as many times as you can and keeping on the pitch and in the end the
pain just goes. It is obviously something I still manage every day in
training with the staff here, but it just great to be back and playing
football again is amazing, it is great to be at the top again."
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West Ham 1 Wigan 4
25 September 2012
BBC.co.uk
Mauro Boselli scored twice to help Wigan fight back and defeat fellow
Premier League side West Ham in the Capital One Cup third round. James
McArthur's error let Modibo Maiga power in a shot for the Hammers. Wigan
responded with Boselli converting a Callum McManaman cross and Ivan Ramis
scoring with a 20-yard strike. Boselli lifted the ball over keeper Stephen
Henderson for his second and Jordi Gomez scored from the spot to seal the
win. The defeat is West Ham's first at home this season and came after both
sides made plenty of changes from last weekend's Premier League matches.
Hammers boss Sam Allardyce made nine changes to his side, while counterpart
Roberto Martinez made seven. Maiga was one of those to come in for the home
side and he quickly made his presence felt.McArthur was caught in possession
by the Mali international, who fired into the bottom corner past keeper Ali
Al-Habsi.
Mauro Boselli has yet to score in the Premier League since arriving at Wigan
in 2010. The Argentinian striker, who has spent half a season on loan at
Genoa and a year back at former club Estudiantes, has scored all four of his
Wigan goals in the League Cup. Wigan gradually improved, with David Jones
having a shot saved by Stephen Henderson and Boselli heading wide. Boselli
has struggled since a £6m move to Wigan from Estudiantes in June 2010 but
played a pivotal role in helping his side through to the last 16. The
Argentine, 27, lost his marker to get on the end of a Maynor Figueroa cross
and poke the ball past Henderson for an equaliser.West Ham allowed their
visitors too much time and space and that was epitomised when Ramis scored
his first Wigan goal. The Latics centre-back ran on goal from the halfway
line before finishing it off with a long range shot. Boselli extended his
side's lead with a lovely chip over Henderson as West Ham struggled to match
their rivals. The home side rarely looked like mounting a comeback and were
put out of their misery when Gomez scored from the spot after Henderson had
hauled down McArthur.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce: "We couldn't defend a fish supper tonight.
There were howling errors from our defenders in all four goals, it was
comical.
"I never expected us to defend so poorly. It was really poor defending and
all the good work we might have done with the ball meant nothing in the end
because out of possession we were just rubbish. "It was an embarrassing
defeat. They can't come knocking on my door about not playing now. They've
got to take responsibility for their performance. They should have given me
a lot more value for my money than they did."
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez: "We're happy with how it went given there
were changes. It was a real test of character, especially from the young
lads.
"To score four goals away is a real achievement, especially at West Ham with
the way they have started the season.
"He [Mauro Boselli] showed mental strength and how focused he is to be a
success this season and to enjoy his football. If he is at his best he will
be a real asset for us."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham Utd 1 Wigan Athletic 4
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 25th September 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are out of the Capital One Cup after being humiliated by Wigan at
the Boleyn Ground tonight. Having been beaten just once at home in 2012
hopes were high of further progression for Sam Allardyce's side in the
newly-named competition. But in the end there was very little to cheer as
the Hammers were humbled by an ordinary-looking Latics team. Modibo Maiga
had given West Ham the perfect start when he took advantage of a dreadful
back pass to fire the Hammers ahead with just six minutes on the clock. But
United's lead was to last for just nine minutes as Argentinian striker
Boselli levelled the scores when he nipped in to convert Maynor Figueroa's
centre. Ricardo Vaz Te and Jordan Spence both went close shortly after
whilst Academy graduate Robert Hall once again looked lively throughout the
first half. However Spanish defender Ivan Ramis, who looked like he was on
his way to West Ham before his move was hijacked by Wigan boss Roberto
Martínez - silenced the home crowd six minutes ahead of the half time
whistle with a goal out of nothing. The former Mallorca defender was allowed
to run from deep before unleashing an absolute piledriver of a shot from the
35 yard mark which flew into the top corner of Stephen Henderson's net.
And as if that wasn't bad enough, Boselli extended the visitor's lead even
further when he made it 3-1 just three minutes later. Having beaten West
Ham's offside trap, the £6million man lifted the ball over the oncoming
Henderson to give his side a comfortable lead to take into the half time
break. West Ham - who were misssing a string of first team regulars - never
really looked like getting back into the tie after the break although Rob
Hall rattled the woodwork when his deflected effort wrongfooted goalkeeper
Ali Al-Habsi. But the only goal of the half came from the penalty spot when
reserve goalkeeper Stephen Henderson felled James McArthur six minutes from
the end of normal time.
Substitute Jordi Gomez converted the resulting spot kick to make it 4-1 on
the night and confirm West Ham's extremely disappointing exit from the
competition.
The only positive note on a desperately disappointing night came when Dylan
Tombides replaced the injured Gary O'Neil just before Gomez's spot kick.
The 18-year-old, who was recently given the all-clear to resume his
professional career having fought cancer came on to make his first team
debut.
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Noble 'delighted' with new contract
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 25th September 2012
By: Staff Writer
Mark Noble admitted that he was "over the moon" after finally putting pen to
paper on a new three year contract. The 25-year-old midfielder, who has
already made more than 200 first team appearances for West Ham will now
remain at the Boleyn Ground until 2015 with an option to sign a further two
years thereafter. Speaking via whufc.com this evening, Noble - who started
this evening's Capital One Cup tie with Wigan - said that he was "delighted"
to finally put an end to the speculation regadring his future. "I'm over the
moon now it's all agreed and done," he said. "It was just a matter of
getting things right for me and my family. "Everyone knows I love playing
at West Ham. I enjoy my football here so it was just a case of coming to an
agreement. I'm delighted now it's all signed and sealed. "I feel like I've
grown a lot as a player since my debut and I'm still only 25. "Playing for
West Ham has been a rollercoaster and I've been through two promotions, a
relegation and a 'Great Escape', but it's been thoroughly enjoyable and I
look forward to the next few years of my career here."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce embarrassed by West Ham's defending in defeat to Wigan
Last Updated: September 25, 2012 11:45pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce fumed at his defence for putting on a "rubbish" and "comical"
performance as West Ham crashed out of the Capital One Cup with a 4-1
thrashing at the hands of Wigan. The Hammers went in to the match having
lost just one of their previous six games, but they were easily torn apart
by Wigan in the third round clash at Upton Park. The London club took the
lead through Modibo Maiga, but a series of calamitous errors allowed Roberto
Martinez's team to progress. Slack marking from Jordan Spence allowed Mauro
Boselli to equalise and the Hammers defence backed off Ivan Ramis to allow
the Spaniard to put the away side 2-1 ahead. Yet more loose marking allowed
Boselli to chip home a wonderful third and Stephen Henderson's foul on James
McArthur in the dying minutes allowed Jordi Gomez to seal the rout to leave
Allardyce red-faced with embarrassment at the final whistle. "We couldn't
defend a fish supper tonight," the West Ham boss said. "There were howling
errors from our defenders in all four goals, it was comical. "I never
expected us to defend so poorly. It was really poor defending and all the
good work we might have done with the ball meant nothing in the end because
out of possession we were just rubbish."
Allardyce made nine changes from the XI that drew 1-1 with Sunderland on
Saturday, giving the likes of James Tomkins, Gary O'Neil and George
McCartney a chance to prove to him that they should start Monday's league
game against QPR, but they all failed miserably.
Embarassing defeat
The Hammers looked shaky at the back and devoid of ideas going forward, with
18-year-old debutant Robert Hall the only home player worthy of any praise.
Allardyce added: "I made lots of changes to see what the squad looks like
and what some of the young ones are doing. They are doing well in the
Under-21s league but unfortunately from 15 minutes on tonight they weren't
good enough and in the end we have got beat 4-1 and it was very
disappointing for me to sit there and watch that. "It was an embarrassing
defeat. They can't come knocking on my door about not playing now. They've
got to take responsibility for their performance. "They should have given me
a lot more value for my money than they did." Martinez was understandably
much happier following the final whistle, which was greeted with a loud
chorus of boos from the home fans.
Boselli praise
The Spaniard's main source of pride came from the performance of Boselli.
Derided for scoring two goals in two years at the Lancashire club, the
Argentinian did little to appease his critics when he missed a sitter in the
club's 2-1 defeat to Fulham on Saturday. The 27-year-old, who has been
shipped out on loan to former club Estudiantes and Italian side Genoaduring
his time with Wigan, showed great predatory instinct to steal ahead of
Spence for his first and the chip over Henderson from 12 yards was a sublime
finish. Martinez said: "He looked strong, he looked very sharp with his
build-up play and then that clinical finishing in front of goal. "I was
very, very pleased with his work, it is now a matter of allowing him to
settle into the Barclays Premier League. "He had real good opportunity on
Saturday and today, he wasn't afraid to get in good positions to score
goals. "He showed mental strength and how focused he is to be a success this
season and to enjoy his football. If he is at his best he will be a real
asset for us." Wigan have won only one of their five league games, but
controlled the game well from midfield tonight, with Ryo Miyaichi, David
Jones and James McArthur all impressing in an experimental XI that contained
seven changes. "We're happy with how it went given there were changes," the
Spaniard said. "It was a real test of character, especially from the young
lads. "To score four goals away is a real achievement, especially at West
Ham with the way they have started the season." Martinez was understandably
much happier following the final whistle, which was greeted with a loud
chorus of boos from the home fans.
The Spaniard's main source of pride came from the performance of Boselli.
Derided for scoring two goals in two years at the Lancashire club, the
Argentinian did little to appease his critics when he missed a sitter in the
club's 2-1 defeat to Fulham on Saturday. The 27-year-old, who has been
shipped out on loan to former club Estudiantes and Italian side Genoa during
his time with Wigan, showed great predatory instinct to steal ahead of
Spence for his first and the chip over Henderson from 12 yards was a sublime
finish. Martinez said: "He looked strong, he looked very sharp with his
build-up play and then that clinical finishing in front of goal. "I was
very, very pleased with his work, it is now a matter of allowing him to
settle into the Barclays Premier League. "He had real good opportunity on
Saturday and today, he wasn't afraid to get in good positions to score
goals. "He showed mental strength and how focused he is to be a success this
season and to enjoy his football. If he is at his best he will be a real
asset for us."
Wigan have won only one of their five league games, but controlled the game
well from midfield tonight, with Ryo Miyaichi, David Jones and James
McArthur all impressing in an experimental XI that contained seven changes.
"We're happy with how it went given there were changes," the Spaniard said.
"It was a real test of character, especially from the young lads. "To score
four goals away is a real achievement, especially at West Ham with the way
they have started the season."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Kevin sent
Big Sam happy for rivals to underestimate Nolan
The Sun
Published: 25th September 2012
SAM ALLARDYCE is happy for West Ham's rivals to underestimate Kevin Nolan.
The Hammers skipper, 30, has started the season in top form, hitting three
goals in five Premier League matches, including the late equaliser in
Satuday's 1-1 draw with Sunderland. Allardyce has also paid tribute to Irons
chiefs David Sullivan and David Gold for shelling out the cash on Nolan last
year during their stint in the Championship. The West Ham boss said: "No one
should underestimate Nolan. "Look at his CV. Premier League, Premier League,
Premier League — 10 goals, nine goals, 11 goals, nine goals etc. "I hope
they (other clubs) underestimate him for the rest of the season and he will
end up the joint-top scorer like at Newcastle. "He was great value for money
in the Premier League but very expensive in the Championship — so give
credit to David Sullivan and David Gold for spending that money on that sort
of player."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Tuesday, September 25
Daily WHUFC News - 25th September 2012
Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce is looking for another strong performance when Wigan Athletic
visit the Boleyn Ground
23.09.2012
Sam Allardyce is hoping West Ham United can maintain their unbeaten home run
when Wigan Athletic visit the Boleyn Ground on Tuesday evening. Saturday's
1-1 draw against Sunderland kept up the Hammers' loss-free home start to
this season, with the recent record standing at six wins in seven home games
and just one defeat in 17 Boleyn Ground fixtures in 2012. With Wigan on the
horizon, Big Sam is determined to see that run continue for as long as
possible before the visit of some of the teams situated towards the top of
the table in the next two months. "Having points on the board is critical
for us based on the group of fixtures that are looming round the corner
now," Allardyce said "Game seven is Arsenal, the 3 November is Manchester
City and then we go on to Chelsea and Man United, Tottenham and Newcastle.
"If we can accumulate enough points and continue the growth of confidence
we're showing now then we can go into those games with less pressure on
ourselves and have more confidence in our own ability to actually go and try
and get a result against these boys. "So the more we can continue to pick
points up at this stage of the season, the less pressure we put on ourselves
when the games get that little bit tougher."
Those 'tougher' teams may not be looking forward to their visit to east
London much either though if Saturday's performance was anything to go by.
"I don't think Sunderland enjoyed playing against us. I think what we did
was not look like a newly promoted-side into the Premier League. That's what
pleased me.
"A team that plays here and has four attempts at goal shows the domination
we had. For an experienced Premier League side to come and say they've only
had four attempts at goal shows you we are moving forward with the quality
of squad we've got. "We had a disappointing goal against us in the first
nine minutes but we then went on to dominate the game and get stronger and
stronger as the game went on and to finally get the draw shows we're
committed and passionate about what we do."
Although Nolan's strike was delivered by a fine half-volley on the swivel,
several other chances had already been passed up by a variety of different
sources. Chance after chance came and went for the hosts, who were denied by
a combination of bad luck, good goalkeeping and some wayward finishing. "We
have got a kink in our armour at the minute, by not converting the chances
created into enough goals to win the game. That is a concern of mine. If we
had shown the clinical finishing we did against Fulham we'd have won the
Sunderland game handsomely, but we didn't. "Our finishing from the point of
view of the likes of Kevin Nolan's, but also our heading ability is very
good. We had headers at goal against Sunderland. "Carlton Cole headed over
the bar. Vaz Te wide. Collins hit the bar from six yards out. In the end
it's not good enough, because they should be goals. "The good thing is
you're always happy that you can create chances and to be a newly promoted
side and create so many is a very pleasing thing for me, because I can
continue to work on the lads improving their finishing."
Nolan's third goal in as many home league games this campaign has set him up
for another season with a double-figure goals return. Nolan was just pipped
at the post by Carlton Cole for the Hammers' top-scorer award last season,
but having worked with the his captain on and off for 13 years, Big Sam is
predicting he will put in another strong challenge again this season. "I
don't think anyone underestimates Kevin Nolan. All you have to do is look at
his CV and see plenty of goals year-after-year in the Premier League. He'll
end up being our joint-leading goalscorer or better, like he did at
Newcastle. "When we bought him he was great value for money in the Premier
League, but very expensive in the Championship. So you've got to give credit
to David Sullivan and David Gold for spending that type of money on a player
to go into the Championship to get us back in the Premier League."
*Monday is the last chance for £10 Adult tickets for Wigan Athletic and £5
or Kids before prices go up to the matchday rate of £15 for Adults and £8
for Kids. To secure your seat today, click the picture below.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hendon hails 'sensational' Dev Squad
WHUFC.com
Ian Hendon revealed he was left speechless after watching his side beat
Arsenal 4-1 at Rush Green
24.09.2012
Ian Hendon was almost speechless after the Development Squad's 'sensational'
4-1 over Arsenal at Rush Green. Goals from Rob Hall, Matthias Fanimo, Dan
Potts and Blair Turgott sealed the win that took the young Hammers joint top
of the Barclays Under-21 Premier League. With a first-team Capital One Cup
match with Wigan on Tuesday, West Ham United's youngsters could not have
picked a better time to show their worth to the watching assistant manager
Neil McDonald. "It was a sensational performance from the lads and if I am
being perfectly honest I was a little stuck for words when the final whistle
blew," Hendon said. "It was nice for them to come and perform how we know
they can, they did it against Everton when we won 5-1 and I have just been
waiting for them to recreate that performance at home, which they did
against Arsenal."
Hendon was impressed by how his young side showed their defensive mettle
after their visitors took the lead in the fifth minute. "I wouldn't say we
were comfortable winners but we have come out and scored four good goals.
You can never switch off against Arsenal, they created some good chances
late on but thankfully they went wide. "All in all a fantastic performance
and I am very pleased, hopefully we can kick on now and get another good win
at home next week against Norwich City on Friday."
Sebastian Lletget and George Moncur both put in combative performances in
the centre of midfield and Hendon paid tribute to their work ethic during
the game.
"You know what you are going to get with Arsenal, they pass, it pass it and
pass it some more, so when you don't have possession you have to work very
hard and be very patient. "We worked with the midfield lads a lot last week
on breaking down the play ahead of the game and it worked a treat as we have
come away with a terrific result."
Arsenal opened the scoring when Elton Monteiro headed past Raphael Spiegel,
but the Hammers did not cave in after a bright opening. "I actually thought
we started very well," explained Hendon. "We conceded after five minutes and
it would have been easy for the lads to let their heads drop because of the
calibre of opposition we faced. "I think if you look all around the pitch we
have so many good partnerships, which all good teams need. They all have a
great understanding of one another's footballing ability."
Paul McCallum led the line alongside Hall and despite not getting on the
scoresheet, Hendon praised the impact of the 19-year-old. "I thought Paul
McCallum was fantastic tonight, he is a foil and I am just gutted he didn't
score because he did everything else. "A lot of our good play went up to him
and he won it all, he is a very good outlet for us. That is not to say we
crash it up to him all the time because we don't, we play some very
attractive football."
Hendon's side now sit joint-top of Barclays Under-21 Premier League National
Group One, but Hendon insisted the challenge will be staying there. Norwich
City are the next visitors to Rush Green on Friday night at 7pm. Entrance is
free to Season Ticket holders, £3 for Adults and £1 for Kids. "I think the
easy bit is getting to the top of the league, the most difficult part will
be staying there, Arsenal came here top of the league and you raise your
game because you want to be beat the best. "Norwich will do the same when
they come here on Friday, they will want to turn us over. Forget the league
table, yes it is about winning games of football but at the moment we need
to take every game as it comes."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Wigan
KO 19:45
24 September 2012
Last updated at 14:17
CAPITAL ONE CUP THIRD ROUND
Venue: Upton Park Date: Tuesday, 25 September
Coverage: Watch highlights on The League Cup Show on BBC One on Wednesday 26
September at 2315 BST
TEAM NEWS
West Ham have no new injury concerns but are still without on-loan Liverpool
striker Andy Carroll (hamstring) and Jack Collison (knee). Yossi Benayoun
could make his first start since returning on loan and striker Modibo Maiga
could also start.
Wigan are likely to give some of their younger players the chance to
impress. Substitutes Callum McManaman and Ryo Miyaichi performed well in the
weekend defeat to Fulham and could be both handed starts.
MATCH PREVIEW
Home advantage should give West Ham a big advantage, especially as the
Hammers are unbeaten at home this season, and have won all but two of the
last 13 League Cup matches staged at Upton Park. Sam Allardyce is likely to
rest some of his squad but will be aware of the importance of keeping up a
winning momentum, especially with Arsenal and Manchester City among the next
trio of visitors to east London. Like West Ham, the League Cup is likely to
be Wigan's best hope of silverware this season, and the Latics have a good
record in the competition in recent years, reaching the final in 2006, and
the last eight two years later. But they have lost on the last four
occasions they have drawn fellow Premier League opposition in this
competition, and come into the fixture on the back of two league defeats.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
West Ham are unbeaten in their last four home meetings with Wigan, winning
three of them.
The teams have never met in the League Cup before, but the Hammers have won
both of the previous FA Cup fixtures that the pair have played.
West Ham
West Ham have never won the League Cup, but were losing finalists to West
Brom in 1966, and to Liverpool in 1981.
The Hammers have failed to score in only one of their last 17 League Cup
outings.
West Ham are playing a Premier League club for the sixth time in eight
League Cup ties, and chasing a fifth win.
Wigan
Wigan are attempting to reach the fourth round for the third time in five
years.
The Latics have lost on the last four occasions they have drawn fellow
Premier League opposition in this competition.
Wigan have won three and lost seven of their last 10 League Cup matches away
from home.
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West Ham's Mark Noble set to sign long-term deal
BBC.co.uk
West Ham midfielder Mark Noble is set to sign a new five-year deal with the
club on Monday. The 25-year-old's current contract is due to expire next
summer.
However, he looks certain to commit his long-term future to West Ham, after
chairman David Gold tweeted: "Mark Noble should sign a new 5 year contract
on Monday." Noble, who was named player of the year last season, has made
224 appearances for West Ham, scoring 26 goals. He came through the club's
famed youth academy, making his professional debut at just 17 in a League
Cup win over Southend in August 2004. Noble has represented England at youth
level, captaining the under-21s, but has yet to make his senior debut.
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Matt's quick to conquer
West Ham 1 Sunderland 1
Published: 23rd September 2012
The Sun
MATT JARVIS capped a home debut to remember with the Man of the Match award
— after starting on the bench. The West Ham wideman's quality cameo did not
get under way until the 57th minute. But he said: "I was delighted to get on
the pitch and make my home debut. I obviously enjoyed it and liked providing
the crosses for the rest of the team. "You have to work, keep putting the
crosses in and creating the chances and we were delighted to get our goal so
near the end. "When I get the opportunity I just want to play well, keep
working hard and see where it takes me."
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West Ham 1-1 Sunderland: Nolan's equaliser is worth the weight
The Mirror
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
West Ham United 1-1 Sunderland
Julian Finney / Getty
Stargazers have solved the riddle of that so-called meteor shower spotted
over the British Isles at the weekend. After the most relentless air raids
in the East End since the Blitz, they have narrowed down the prime suspects
to space junk – falling debris from a disintegrated satellite – or West
Ham's obsession with the long ball. If only to underline the virtues of
persistence, skipper Kevin Nolan's 93rd-minute equaliser rescued a point for
the Hammers, as Sunderland, concussed by the surfeit of missiles launched
into their box, finally cracked. And Nolan, who scored a hat-trick against
the Black Cats in the Tyne-Wear derby two years ago, promised the Hammers
will "scare the life out of defenders" when Andy Carroll and Carlton Cole
are unleashed as twin warheads in the pearly kings' Luftwaffe. Crocked
England striker Carroll may have to wait until after next month's
international break to reboot his loan stint at Upton Park, while Cole
revealed in the matchday programme that he went to school with Olympic
double hero Mo Farah. Don't know about you, Mo, but some of us would love to
run 5,000 metres in 13 minutes to escape such banal scuffling. Sunderland,
without a Premier League win in 13 games, we can deal with in short measure.
They clung on gamely to £12 million striker Steven Fletcher's fourth goal in
three games, and in the land of Cockney haute cuisine, Titus Bramble took to
the battle in the sky like eels to jelly. But, inevitably, Nolan, whose
acrobatic volley had been saved brilliantly by Simon Mignolet when
dereliction briefly gave way to quality, had the final word just before
Sunderland's time-wasting could run down the clock. He said: "It always
feels sweeter to do it like that. It would have been criminal if they had
gone away with more than a point. "You are always going to miss quality
players like Andy, but Carlton has come in and done a good job – and it's
going to be interesting to see if they play together when they are both fit
because they will scare the life out of defenders."
Hammers manager Sam Allardyce's latest toy is the 'Bod Pod' at the
University of East London campus, in Stratford, a space-age phone-box which
measures his players' body fat. It is more claustrophobic than an air raid
shelter or Sunderland's penalty area when the stream of hopeful crosses
arrives from high altitude, and Nolan revealed: "I was quite pleased with my
results – although I get called 'Fat Boy' by most of the lads."
What a liberty – calling Nolan fat is like calling West Ham's long-range
warfare tiki-taka. Allardyce was grateful for the small mercies of a point
as insulation, not in the body fat sense, against a prohibitive late-autumn
sequence of games against Tottenham, Manchester United, Chelsea and
Liverpool. "Points on the board for us are critical with a difficult group
of fixtures looming around the corner," said Big Sam. "The more we can pick
up at this stage, the less pressure we will have when the games get
tougher."
Black Cats manager Martin O'Neill admitted his team were still suffering
from the hangover of last season's FA Cup quarter-final defeat by Everton.
He said: "It deflated us more than I realised at the time and it seems to
have lingered on. We have to try and win a game or two – although if we had
held on to win here, I would have been jumping through hoops, telling you
how brilliant we were." Mignolet cursed: "It's a tough one to take, but one
long ball dropped wrongly for us in the box and enabled them to get a point.
"We're aware that we haven't been able to get our first League win yet, but
we're also unbeaten towards the end of September, which is a positive sign."
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Fifty shades Parker: a homage to central midfielders
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 24th September 2012
By: Rich Hobday
Central midfielders are the engine of the team. The heartbeat. The vital
organs, without which the team doesn't function. 'Fifty Shades Parker'
remembers 10 favourite central midfielders, who brought passion, commitment
and flair. They were the spark that lit up Upton Park.
My memories may be clouded by nostalgia but most of my favorite Hammers are
from the 1980s or 1990s. It could be a wistful fondness for terraces and
sunny summers, when games were held on Saturdays at 3.00pm and not at times
to suit Sky's schedule and advertiser's demands. Or maybe players connected
more with the fans. And fans with them.
Maybe we saw players grow and flourish over many seasons. We could grow to
love them. To feel they were one of us. That West Ham really mattered to
them. In the 1980s the same players played season in, season out. Maybe one
or two changes a year, but the core side remained. The FA Cup-winning team
of 1980 played nearly 4,600 games for West Ham – an average of 418 games
each. The average number of seasons at West Ham was 13. Admittedly that team
included Bonds, Brooking and Alvin Martin, but never the less, eight of the
team played for over 10 years.
In 1990, the average games per player dropped to 230 with the average
seasons being eight. By 2000 the average games for West Ham was less than
100 and the average time with was only three seasons. This will drop still
more as players come in on loan, and others quickly move on.
Too many clubs change whole sides overnight. This year, QPR have randomly
bought anyone and everyone, with little regard for team needs or balance.
QPR fans must have to stick names on the back of the shirts with Velcro, so
they can add a new name, each week. The new name of a temporary 'hero' - a
panic buy as the window was slamming shut on their fingers. Maybe they've
bought so many players just to fill up a few empty rows at Loftus Road.
Alan Pardew used over 60 players in a couple of seasons, trying to find the
right players to move the club forward. The gates to the training ground
must have been changed to revolving doors (with plastic turrets). Fans can't
connect with players who are merely passing through. Many looking for a
final payday on their way to retirement in the sun. Despite this, a few
players remain loyal.
Mark Noble is a one-club player, making his debut in 2004. He has, I'm sure
had offers to leave, but has always remained loyal to West Ham. I like to
think that he genuinely feels affection for us. He is currently the club's
longest serving player, and last season's Hammer of the Year. He has played
over 200 games and scored 27 goals, but more importantly he is one of us. A
fan, acknowledged in the famous, but not very creative terrace chant.
"Mark Noble (whooaaoo),
Mark Noble (whooaaoo),
He's West Ham through and through,
He plays for the claret and blue."
Making his debut at 17 he has been a mainstay of the Hammers team over the
last few years. Not quick or creative but he is full of running and would do
anything to ensure West Ham win. His passing can be frustrating but at least
he wins the ball back. He may never play for England, unless they bring him
on for penalties, but he should always be in demand by a top 10 club.
I have met him on a few occasions and his love for the Hammers is clear. I
met him and James Tomkins after the 2012 play-off Final win at Wembley. They
were heading on the back of a couple of taxi-bikes to the airport – ready
for Noble's stag weekend in Dubai. He was excited about his holiday and
wedding – but more excited about helping West Ham back to the Premier
League. "The best day of my life", he said.
Trevor Brooking, an elegant master of passing. An eloquent master of
football. A master of headed FA Cup-winning goals. Sir Trevor could see
passes, long and short, no-one else would. He would glide across the pitch,
cool and calm, while all around him panicked. He had an air of control and
gravitas, which he has carried into the highest levels of football
administration. He outshone opponents, leaving them for dead with a change
of pace and a drop of the shoulder.
A creative talent - he played with grace on the field but tackled like
Gracie Fields. No petulant kicks or foul-mouthed abuse - no bookings or
sending-offs in a career spanning 17 years and 636 games. Sir Trevor saved
his aggression and anger for when he was caretaker manager. Thumping and
kicking his way along the touch line, he looked like he was made to manage.
Another one-club man, born in the heart of the east end. With 636 games, 136
goals, and four times Hammer of the Year, he is right up there as a Hammers
legend.
Alan Dickens scored on his debut, a 2-1 win at Notts County in December
1982. Although a central midfielder, Dicko had to play most of the 1987-88
season partnering Tony Cottee as a striker following the departure of Frank
McAvennie. Classy and bright he should perhaps have achieved more. Certainly
his tackling was lacking. He was more Lilly Allen than Martin Allen. He made
a total of 231 league and cup appearances for the Hammers, scoring 29 goals,
playing his last game in May 1989 against Liverpool, before heading to
Chelsea in a £635,000 move. Like so many who leave West Ham for a so called
bigger club and bigger stage, their move falls flatter than Steve Bruce's
nose. Rob Green take note.
In the 1980s there were two places to look for news; Hammers News and Huey
Lewis. It was exciting to read in the former that we had signed Stuart
Robson in 1987 for £650,000. An Arsenal regular, dynamic and skilful. He
played for two-and-a-half years, and was Player of the Year for 1987.
However, he lost his place after we were relegated in 1989, playing only
eight times in the following two years. Although injury meant we never saw
the best of him in claret and blue, he gave everything when he did play.
Often playing when injured, and perhaps risking longer term damage Robbo
never let us down.
You may wince but Paul Ince was a talented central midfielder. Not popular
now at Upton Park, but his early days in claret and blue were some of his
best. Let's not forget he was and is a West Ham fan, having been signed as a
school boy at 12 by John Lyall. Described by some as arrogant, difficult and
confrontational, but a talent who went on to become the first black England
captain.
He came to prominence in West Ham's midfield when Billy Bonds retired in
1987/88. In 1989 he had a memorable season with two sensational goals in a
4-1 win against Liverpool in the League Cup. He showed flashes of
brilliance, but in a struggling West Ham team couldn't stop us being
relegated to Division 2. He only played one game in the second division,
before his controversial and ill-advised move to Man Utd. Being photographed
in a MUFC top, while still a Hammers player (and Hammer of the Year) is hard
to condone. Was he badly advised, naïve or arrogant? We'll never know.
Ian Bishop enjoyed arguably his best football at West Ham between 1989 and
1998. He came to West Ham with Trevor Morley, in a swap deal involving Mark
Ward going in the opposite direction. Bishop was the most cultured at the
club, but looked like someone from Culture Club. With his long flowing hair,
sometimes held in place with an Alice band, and tight shorts, he played over
300 times scoring 17 goals.
Bishop was stylish and classy, with lots of flicks and tricks. He moved
diagonally and played killer diagonal balls. He made both the front and back
pages in 1991 in a mystery incident, allegedly resulting in Trevor Morley
being stabbed. No-one ever got to the bottom of it. I prefer to remember his
ball skill on the pitch, where he forged great partnerships with Eyal
Berkavic and Martin Allen, among others. Bishop - club captain, Hammer of
the Year and frequent winner of Hair of the Year.
At times in the 1990s it felt like the opposition were stampeding towards
our goal, like wildebeest across the Serengeti. Only one animal dare get in
their way. Martin Allen. The Mad Dog. He stood tall against wave upon wave
of attacks, like a lone gazelle trampled under their feet. Whilst others
turned and fled, Mad Dog stood and fought. He often ran himself into the
ground, covering every blade of grass.
He sometimes overstepped the line with his tackling and was frequently
booked. He clattered Carlton Palmer in a two-footed lunge in 1991, which saw
him carried off after 20 seconds. Signed by Lou Macari, he made his debut in
souring August temperatures in 1989 - his end to end running sapping all his
energy. He must have sweated more than Mark Ward going through customs. They
say only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun; Martin Allen was
both.
Goal scoring midfielders are worth their weight in gold. In Frank Lampard
Jnr's case £11million of Roman Abramovich's gold, which robbed us our last
consistent midfield goal scorer. In an era where we were as disappointing up
front as Kate Middleton, we needed Frank's goals. Lampard broke his leg
early in his career but in 1997-98 he was an ever-present and the following
season he finished third top scorer with 14 goals.
Frank got stick from some fans, who thought his family connections pushed
his selection. He has gone on to prove for Chelsea and England what an asset
he is to a team. He consistently scores over 20 a year for Chelsea –
something we could do with. Despite his tender years, he was the butt of
terrace songs, pertaining to his love of pies and his fat frame. The popular
terrace chant about Frank and a Forklift Truck still resonate around the
Boleyn Ground. For a "fat chubster" he has done well with Chelsea (and
latterly with Christine Bleakley). He is still one of the best 'box to box'
finishers – particularly if it's a Kentucky Fried Chicken box...
Steve Lomas put the fear of God into the opposition. He made 227 competitive
and combative appearances for West Ham between 1997-2005. Having made his
name at Man City for tough tackling and tough talking, he quickly made an
impression becoming club captain. He wore the armband with pride, in a team
of characters and livewires – Ruddock, Wright and Moncur. Another midfielder
who didn't score enough and wasn't very creative but he could tackle. An
anagram of Steve Lomas is "leaves most"- and he did leave most players
poleaxed. Lomas and Bishop complimented each other's style – one smooth, one
shaggy.
Scott Parker is the epitome of a central midfielder. Strong, energetic,
passionate. A leader. Injury delayed Parker's debut, and he took a while to
impose himself in games. However, it soon became clear that he was an
inspirational figure, often single-handedly driving the team.
Carlton Cole praised Scott Parker's "inspirational" pep talk at half time
after, being 3–0 down against West Brom. Carlton Cole was quoted as saying
"If you were there you would have had a tear in your eye" after the half
time team talk. I'm not sure whether that's a reflection of Cole's mental
state, or that it was simply a passionate and motivational plea. Either way
it worked as West Ham clawed back in the second half to get a 3–3 draw.
Scotty did like to keep the ball at his feet and weave seemingly endless and
intricate figures of eight. Although he often ended up back where he started
, no-one could get the ball off him. It was good for our possession stats.
Following his performances for West Ham and his England recall, Parker was
named the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year. In August
2011, after 129 games and 12 goals, Parker left West Ham United and joined
one of our fiercest rivals, Tottenham Hotspur. Despite this poor judgment,
Scotty cemented his place as one of the best midfielders we have seen and
his driving runs and passion will be missed and long remembered. From what
we've seen so far of Mohamed Diame, perhaps he won't be missed for all that
long.
With over 2,200 games and 11 Hammers of the Year awards between them, they
each brought something special to West Ham. Heroic midfield generals – I
salute you.
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Mark Noble Agrees New 5 Year Deal
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
Great news. The Evening Standard reports tonight that Mark Noble is about to
put pen to paper on a new five year deal. He's made more than 200
appearances for the Hammers over the last five or six years and is, I think,
one of the key members of our team. He is never less than 100% committed and
it's rare that he ever gets less than a six out of ten for his efforts,
Regular readers will know how much I rate him and I couldn't be more
delighted at this news. OK, he shouldn't ever take a corner again - that
should be left to Matt Jarvis and Matt Taylor, but that's one of the few bad
things you could ever say about Nobes. OK, he's not the fastest, but he
plays his anchor role superbly and his passes generally find their
destination. And as for his penalties, well, you don't find many with a
better record than him.
I hope you are all as pleased as I am.
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Mark Noble agrees new deal at West Ham
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated:
September 24, 2012 11:04am
SSN
Sky Sports understands West Ham midfielder Mark Noble has agreed a new deal
to extend his stay at Upton Park. Noble is currently in the final year of
his contract and a number of clubs are thought to be monitoring his
situation. Fulham made an enquiry about Noble during the summer transfer
window only to be rebuffed by West Ham. West Ham have now moved to offer
Noble a new deal as they look to keep the player who is a product of their
famed academy.
Noble has made over 200 appearances for his local club and has established
himself as a key member of the side since breaking into the first team at
the age of 17. The classy midfielder helped West Ham win promotion back to
the Premier League last season and was named Player of the Season in the
process.
Noble is expected to sign a three-year extension with the option of a
further year at Upton Park. News of Noble's new deal will come as a massive
boost to Hammers boss Sam Allardyce as the club risked losing the
25-year-old on a free transfer at the end of the season.
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Noble Mark stays loyal to Hammers
Published: 24th September 2012
The Sun
MARK NOBLE has agreed a new deal at West Ham which will tie him to the club
until 2017. There was concern in the summer that Noble, who is in the last
year of his contract, would leave at the end of the season. But the
25-year-old, who has over 200 appearances for the club, is staying put.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce is looking for another strong performance when Wigan Athletic
visit the Boleyn Ground
23.09.2012
Sam Allardyce is hoping West Ham United can maintain their unbeaten home run
when Wigan Athletic visit the Boleyn Ground on Tuesday evening. Saturday's
1-1 draw against Sunderland kept up the Hammers' loss-free home start to
this season, with the recent record standing at six wins in seven home games
and just one defeat in 17 Boleyn Ground fixtures in 2012. With Wigan on the
horizon, Big Sam is determined to see that run continue for as long as
possible before the visit of some of the teams situated towards the top of
the table in the next two months. "Having points on the board is critical
for us based on the group of fixtures that are looming round the corner
now," Allardyce said "Game seven is Arsenal, the 3 November is Manchester
City and then we go on to Chelsea and Man United, Tottenham and Newcastle.
"If we can accumulate enough points and continue the growth of confidence
we're showing now then we can go into those games with less pressure on
ourselves and have more confidence in our own ability to actually go and try
and get a result against these boys. "So the more we can continue to pick
points up at this stage of the season, the less pressure we put on ourselves
when the games get that little bit tougher."
Those 'tougher' teams may not be looking forward to their visit to east
London much either though if Saturday's performance was anything to go by.
"I don't think Sunderland enjoyed playing against us. I think what we did
was not look like a newly promoted-side into the Premier League. That's what
pleased me.
"A team that plays here and has four attempts at goal shows the domination
we had. For an experienced Premier League side to come and say they've only
had four attempts at goal shows you we are moving forward with the quality
of squad we've got. "We had a disappointing goal against us in the first
nine minutes but we then went on to dominate the game and get stronger and
stronger as the game went on and to finally get the draw shows we're
committed and passionate about what we do."
Although Nolan's strike was delivered by a fine half-volley on the swivel,
several other chances had already been passed up by a variety of different
sources. Chance after chance came and went for the hosts, who were denied by
a combination of bad luck, good goalkeeping and some wayward finishing. "We
have got a kink in our armour at the minute, by not converting the chances
created into enough goals to win the game. That is a concern of mine. If we
had shown the clinical finishing we did against Fulham we'd have won the
Sunderland game handsomely, but we didn't. "Our finishing from the point of
view of the likes of Kevin Nolan's, but also our heading ability is very
good. We had headers at goal against Sunderland. "Carlton Cole headed over
the bar. Vaz Te wide. Collins hit the bar from six yards out. In the end
it's not good enough, because they should be goals. "The good thing is
you're always happy that you can create chances and to be a newly promoted
side and create so many is a very pleasing thing for me, because I can
continue to work on the lads improving their finishing."
Nolan's third goal in as many home league games this campaign has set him up
for another season with a double-figure goals return. Nolan was just pipped
at the post by Carlton Cole for the Hammers' top-scorer award last season,
but having worked with the his captain on and off for 13 years, Big Sam is
predicting he will put in another strong challenge again this season. "I
don't think anyone underestimates Kevin Nolan. All you have to do is look at
his CV and see plenty of goals year-after-year in the Premier League. He'll
end up being our joint-leading goalscorer or better, like he did at
Newcastle. "When we bought him he was great value for money in the Premier
League, but very expensive in the Championship. So you've got to give credit
to David Sullivan and David Gold for spending that type of money on a player
to go into the Championship to get us back in the Premier League."
*Monday is the last chance for £10 Adult tickets for Wigan Athletic and £5
or Kids before prices go up to the matchday rate of £15 for Adults and £8
for Kids. To secure your seat today, click the picture below.
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Hendon hails 'sensational' Dev Squad
WHUFC.com
Ian Hendon revealed he was left speechless after watching his side beat
Arsenal 4-1 at Rush Green
24.09.2012
Ian Hendon was almost speechless after the Development Squad's 'sensational'
4-1 over Arsenal at Rush Green. Goals from Rob Hall, Matthias Fanimo, Dan
Potts and Blair Turgott sealed the win that took the young Hammers joint top
of the Barclays Under-21 Premier League. With a first-team Capital One Cup
match with Wigan on Tuesday, West Ham United's youngsters could not have
picked a better time to show their worth to the watching assistant manager
Neil McDonald. "It was a sensational performance from the lads and if I am
being perfectly honest I was a little stuck for words when the final whistle
blew," Hendon said. "It was nice for them to come and perform how we know
they can, they did it against Everton when we won 5-1 and I have just been
waiting for them to recreate that performance at home, which they did
against Arsenal."
Hendon was impressed by how his young side showed their defensive mettle
after their visitors took the lead in the fifth minute. "I wouldn't say we
were comfortable winners but we have come out and scored four good goals.
You can never switch off against Arsenal, they created some good chances
late on but thankfully they went wide. "All in all a fantastic performance
and I am very pleased, hopefully we can kick on now and get another good win
at home next week against Norwich City on Friday."
Sebastian Lletget and George Moncur both put in combative performances in
the centre of midfield and Hendon paid tribute to their work ethic during
the game.
"You know what you are going to get with Arsenal, they pass, it pass it and
pass it some more, so when you don't have possession you have to work very
hard and be very patient. "We worked with the midfield lads a lot last week
on breaking down the play ahead of the game and it worked a treat as we have
come away with a terrific result."
Arsenal opened the scoring when Elton Monteiro headed past Raphael Spiegel,
but the Hammers did not cave in after a bright opening. "I actually thought
we started very well," explained Hendon. "We conceded after five minutes and
it would have been easy for the lads to let their heads drop because of the
calibre of opposition we faced. "I think if you look all around the pitch we
have so many good partnerships, which all good teams need. They all have a
great understanding of one another's footballing ability."
Paul McCallum led the line alongside Hall and despite not getting on the
scoresheet, Hendon praised the impact of the 19-year-old. "I thought Paul
McCallum was fantastic tonight, he is a foil and I am just gutted he didn't
score because he did everything else. "A lot of our good play went up to him
and he won it all, he is a very good outlet for us. That is not to say we
crash it up to him all the time because we don't, we play some very
attractive football."
Hendon's side now sit joint-top of Barclays Under-21 Premier League National
Group One, but Hendon insisted the challenge will be staying there. Norwich
City are the next visitors to Rush Green on Friday night at 7pm. Entrance is
free to Season Ticket holders, £3 for Adults and £1 for Kids. "I think the
easy bit is getting to the top of the league, the most difficult part will
be staying there, Arsenal came here top of the league and you raise your
game because you want to be beat the best. "Norwich will do the same when
they come here on Friday, they will want to turn us over. Forget the league
table, yes it is about winning games of football but at the moment we need
to take every game as it comes."
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West Ham v Wigan
KO 19:45
24 September 2012
Last updated at 14:17
CAPITAL ONE CUP THIRD ROUND
Venue: Upton Park Date: Tuesday, 25 September
Coverage: Watch highlights on The League Cup Show on BBC One on Wednesday 26
September at 2315 BST
TEAM NEWS
West Ham have no new injury concerns but are still without on-loan Liverpool
striker Andy Carroll (hamstring) and Jack Collison (knee). Yossi Benayoun
could make his first start since returning on loan and striker Modibo Maiga
could also start.
Wigan are likely to give some of their younger players the chance to
impress. Substitutes Callum McManaman and Ryo Miyaichi performed well in the
weekend defeat to Fulham and could be both handed starts.
MATCH PREVIEW
Home advantage should give West Ham a big advantage, especially as the
Hammers are unbeaten at home this season, and have won all but two of the
last 13 League Cup matches staged at Upton Park. Sam Allardyce is likely to
rest some of his squad but will be aware of the importance of keeping up a
winning momentum, especially with Arsenal and Manchester City among the next
trio of visitors to east London. Like West Ham, the League Cup is likely to
be Wigan's best hope of silverware this season, and the Latics have a good
record in the competition in recent years, reaching the final in 2006, and
the last eight two years later. But they have lost on the last four
occasions they have drawn fellow Premier League opposition in this
competition, and come into the fixture on the back of two league defeats.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
West Ham are unbeaten in their last four home meetings with Wigan, winning
three of them.
The teams have never met in the League Cup before, but the Hammers have won
both of the previous FA Cup fixtures that the pair have played.
West Ham
West Ham have never won the League Cup, but were losing finalists to West
Brom in 1966, and to Liverpool in 1981.
The Hammers have failed to score in only one of their last 17 League Cup
outings.
West Ham are playing a Premier League club for the sixth time in eight
League Cup ties, and chasing a fifth win.
Wigan
Wigan are attempting to reach the fourth round for the third time in five
years.
The Latics have lost on the last four occasions they have drawn fellow
Premier League opposition in this competition.
Wigan have won three and lost seven of their last 10 League Cup matches away
from home.
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West Ham's Mark Noble set to sign long-term deal
BBC.co.uk
West Ham midfielder Mark Noble is set to sign a new five-year deal with the
club on Monday. The 25-year-old's current contract is due to expire next
summer.
However, he looks certain to commit his long-term future to West Ham, after
chairman David Gold tweeted: "Mark Noble should sign a new 5 year contract
on Monday." Noble, who was named player of the year last season, has made
224 appearances for West Ham, scoring 26 goals. He came through the club's
famed youth academy, making his professional debut at just 17 in a League
Cup win over Southend in August 2004. Noble has represented England at youth
level, captaining the under-21s, but has yet to make his senior debut.
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Matt's quick to conquer
West Ham 1 Sunderland 1
Published: 23rd September 2012
The Sun
MATT JARVIS capped a home debut to remember with the Man of the Match award
— after starting on the bench. The West Ham wideman's quality cameo did not
get under way until the 57th minute. But he said: "I was delighted to get on
the pitch and make my home debut. I obviously enjoyed it and liked providing
the crosses for the rest of the team. "You have to work, keep putting the
crosses in and creating the chances and we were delighted to get our goal so
near the end. "When I get the opportunity I just want to play well, keep
working hard and see where it takes me."
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West Ham 1-1 Sunderland: Nolan's equaliser is worth the weight
The Mirror
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
West Ham United 1-1 Sunderland
Julian Finney / Getty
Stargazers have solved the riddle of that so-called meteor shower spotted
over the British Isles at the weekend. After the most relentless air raids
in the East End since the Blitz, they have narrowed down the prime suspects
to space junk – falling debris from a disintegrated satellite – or West
Ham's obsession with the long ball. If only to underline the virtues of
persistence, skipper Kevin Nolan's 93rd-minute equaliser rescued a point for
the Hammers, as Sunderland, concussed by the surfeit of missiles launched
into their box, finally cracked. And Nolan, who scored a hat-trick against
the Black Cats in the Tyne-Wear derby two years ago, promised the Hammers
will "scare the life out of defenders" when Andy Carroll and Carlton Cole
are unleashed as twin warheads in the pearly kings' Luftwaffe. Crocked
England striker Carroll may have to wait until after next month's
international break to reboot his loan stint at Upton Park, while Cole
revealed in the matchday programme that he went to school with Olympic
double hero Mo Farah. Don't know about you, Mo, but some of us would love to
run 5,000 metres in 13 minutes to escape such banal scuffling. Sunderland,
without a Premier League win in 13 games, we can deal with in short measure.
They clung on gamely to £12 million striker Steven Fletcher's fourth goal in
three games, and in the land of Cockney haute cuisine, Titus Bramble took to
the battle in the sky like eels to jelly. But, inevitably, Nolan, whose
acrobatic volley had been saved brilliantly by Simon Mignolet when
dereliction briefly gave way to quality, had the final word just before
Sunderland's time-wasting could run down the clock. He said: "It always
feels sweeter to do it like that. It would have been criminal if they had
gone away with more than a point. "You are always going to miss quality
players like Andy, but Carlton has come in and done a good job – and it's
going to be interesting to see if they play together when they are both fit
because they will scare the life out of defenders."
Hammers manager Sam Allardyce's latest toy is the 'Bod Pod' at the
University of East London campus, in Stratford, a space-age phone-box which
measures his players' body fat. It is more claustrophobic than an air raid
shelter or Sunderland's penalty area when the stream of hopeful crosses
arrives from high altitude, and Nolan revealed: "I was quite pleased with my
results – although I get called 'Fat Boy' by most of the lads."
What a liberty – calling Nolan fat is like calling West Ham's long-range
warfare tiki-taka. Allardyce was grateful for the small mercies of a point
as insulation, not in the body fat sense, against a prohibitive late-autumn
sequence of games against Tottenham, Manchester United, Chelsea and
Liverpool. "Points on the board for us are critical with a difficult group
of fixtures looming around the corner," said Big Sam. "The more we can pick
up at this stage, the less pressure we will have when the games get
tougher."
Black Cats manager Martin O'Neill admitted his team were still suffering
from the hangover of last season's FA Cup quarter-final defeat by Everton.
He said: "It deflated us more than I realised at the time and it seems to
have lingered on. We have to try and win a game or two – although if we had
held on to win here, I would have been jumping through hoops, telling you
how brilliant we were." Mignolet cursed: "It's a tough one to take, but one
long ball dropped wrongly for us in the box and enabled them to get a point.
"We're aware that we haven't been able to get our first League win yet, but
we're also unbeaten towards the end of September, which is a positive sign."
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Fifty shades Parker: a homage to central midfielders
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 24th September 2012
By: Rich Hobday
Central midfielders are the engine of the team. The heartbeat. The vital
organs, without which the team doesn't function. 'Fifty Shades Parker'
remembers 10 favourite central midfielders, who brought passion, commitment
and flair. They were the spark that lit up Upton Park.
My memories may be clouded by nostalgia but most of my favorite Hammers are
from the 1980s or 1990s. It could be a wistful fondness for terraces and
sunny summers, when games were held on Saturdays at 3.00pm and not at times
to suit Sky's schedule and advertiser's demands. Or maybe players connected
more with the fans. And fans with them.
Maybe we saw players grow and flourish over many seasons. We could grow to
love them. To feel they were one of us. That West Ham really mattered to
them. In the 1980s the same players played season in, season out. Maybe one
or two changes a year, but the core side remained. The FA Cup-winning team
of 1980 played nearly 4,600 games for West Ham – an average of 418 games
each. The average number of seasons at West Ham was 13. Admittedly that team
included Bonds, Brooking and Alvin Martin, but never the less, eight of the
team played for over 10 years.
In 1990, the average games per player dropped to 230 with the average
seasons being eight. By 2000 the average games for West Ham was less than
100 and the average time with was only three seasons. This will drop still
more as players come in on loan, and others quickly move on.
Too many clubs change whole sides overnight. This year, QPR have randomly
bought anyone and everyone, with little regard for team needs or balance.
QPR fans must have to stick names on the back of the shirts with Velcro, so
they can add a new name, each week. The new name of a temporary 'hero' - a
panic buy as the window was slamming shut on their fingers. Maybe they've
bought so many players just to fill up a few empty rows at Loftus Road.
Alan Pardew used over 60 players in a couple of seasons, trying to find the
right players to move the club forward. The gates to the training ground
must have been changed to revolving doors (with plastic turrets). Fans can't
connect with players who are merely passing through. Many looking for a
final payday on their way to retirement in the sun. Despite this, a few
players remain loyal.
Mark Noble is a one-club player, making his debut in 2004. He has, I'm sure
had offers to leave, but has always remained loyal to West Ham. I like to
think that he genuinely feels affection for us. He is currently the club's
longest serving player, and last season's Hammer of the Year. He has played
over 200 games and scored 27 goals, but more importantly he is one of us. A
fan, acknowledged in the famous, but not very creative terrace chant.
"Mark Noble (whooaaoo),
Mark Noble (whooaaoo),
He's West Ham through and through,
He plays for the claret and blue."
Making his debut at 17 he has been a mainstay of the Hammers team over the
last few years. Not quick or creative but he is full of running and would do
anything to ensure West Ham win. His passing can be frustrating but at least
he wins the ball back. He may never play for England, unless they bring him
on for penalties, but he should always be in demand by a top 10 club.
I have met him on a few occasions and his love for the Hammers is clear. I
met him and James Tomkins after the 2012 play-off Final win at Wembley. They
were heading on the back of a couple of taxi-bikes to the airport – ready
for Noble's stag weekend in Dubai. He was excited about his holiday and
wedding – but more excited about helping West Ham back to the Premier
League. "The best day of my life", he said.
Trevor Brooking, an elegant master of passing. An eloquent master of
football. A master of headed FA Cup-winning goals. Sir Trevor could see
passes, long and short, no-one else would. He would glide across the pitch,
cool and calm, while all around him panicked. He had an air of control and
gravitas, which he has carried into the highest levels of football
administration. He outshone opponents, leaving them for dead with a change
of pace and a drop of the shoulder.
A creative talent - he played with grace on the field but tackled like
Gracie Fields. No petulant kicks or foul-mouthed abuse - no bookings or
sending-offs in a career spanning 17 years and 636 games. Sir Trevor saved
his aggression and anger for when he was caretaker manager. Thumping and
kicking his way along the touch line, he looked like he was made to manage.
Another one-club man, born in the heart of the east end. With 636 games, 136
goals, and four times Hammer of the Year, he is right up there as a Hammers
legend.
Alan Dickens scored on his debut, a 2-1 win at Notts County in December
1982. Although a central midfielder, Dicko had to play most of the 1987-88
season partnering Tony Cottee as a striker following the departure of Frank
McAvennie. Classy and bright he should perhaps have achieved more. Certainly
his tackling was lacking. He was more Lilly Allen than Martin Allen. He made
a total of 231 league and cup appearances for the Hammers, scoring 29 goals,
playing his last game in May 1989 against Liverpool, before heading to
Chelsea in a £635,000 move. Like so many who leave West Ham for a so called
bigger club and bigger stage, their move falls flatter than Steve Bruce's
nose. Rob Green take note.
In the 1980s there were two places to look for news; Hammers News and Huey
Lewis. It was exciting to read in the former that we had signed Stuart
Robson in 1987 for £650,000. An Arsenal regular, dynamic and skilful. He
played for two-and-a-half years, and was Player of the Year for 1987.
However, he lost his place after we were relegated in 1989, playing only
eight times in the following two years. Although injury meant we never saw
the best of him in claret and blue, he gave everything when he did play.
Often playing when injured, and perhaps risking longer term damage Robbo
never let us down.
You may wince but Paul Ince was a talented central midfielder. Not popular
now at Upton Park, but his early days in claret and blue were some of his
best. Let's not forget he was and is a West Ham fan, having been signed as a
school boy at 12 by John Lyall. Described by some as arrogant, difficult and
confrontational, but a talent who went on to become the first black England
captain.
He came to prominence in West Ham's midfield when Billy Bonds retired in
1987/88. In 1989 he had a memorable season with two sensational goals in a
4-1 win against Liverpool in the League Cup. He showed flashes of
brilliance, but in a struggling West Ham team couldn't stop us being
relegated to Division 2. He only played one game in the second division,
before his controversial and ill-advised move to Man Utd. Being photographed
in a MUFC top, while still a Hammers player (and Hammer of the Year) is hard
to condone. Was he badly advised, naïve or arrogant? We'll never know.
Ian Bishop enjoyed arguably his best football at West Ham between 1989 and
1998. He came to West Ham with Trevor Morley, in a swap deal involving Mark
Ward going in the opposite direction. Bishop was the most cultured at the
club, but looked like someone from Culture Club. With his long flowing hair,
sometimes held in place with an Alice band, and tight shorts, he played over
300 times scoring 17 goals.
Bishop was stylish and classy, with lots of flicks and tricks. He moved
diagonally and played killer diagonal balls. He made both the front and back
pages in 1991 in a mystery incident, allegedly resulting in Trevor Morley
being stabbed. No-one ever got to the bottom of it. I prefer to remember his
ball skill on the pitch, where he forged great partnerships with Eyal
Berkavic and Martin Allen, among others. Bishop - club captain, Hammer of
the Year and frequent winner of Hair of the Year.
At times in the 1990s it felt like the opposition were stampeding towards
our goal, like wildebeest across the Serengeti. Only one animal dare get in
their way. Martin Allen. The Mad Dog. He stood tall against wave upon wave
of attacks, like a lone gazelle trampled under their feet. Whilst others
turned and fled, Mad Dog stood and fought. He often ran himself into the
ground, covering every blade of grass.
He sometimes overstepped the line with his tackling and was frequently
booked. He clattered Carlton Palmer in a two-footed lunge in 1991, which saw
him carried off after 20 seconds. Signed by Lou Macari, he made his debut in
souring August temperatures in 1989 - his end to end running sapping all his
energy. He must have sweated more than Mark Ward going through customs. They
say only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun; Martin Allen was
both.
Goal scoring midfielders are worth their weight in gold. In Frank Lampard
Jnr's case £11million of Roman Abramovich's gold, which robbed us our last
consistent midfield goal scorer. In an era where we were as disappointing up
front as Kate Middleton, we needed Frank's goals. Lampard broke his leg
early in his career but in 1997-98 he was an ever-present and the following
season he finished third top scorer with 14 goals.
Frank got stick from some fans, who thought his family connections pushed
his selection. He has gone on to prove for Chelsea and England what an asset
he is to a team. He consistently scores over 20 a year for Chelsea –
something we could do with. Despite his tender years, he was the butt of
terrace songs, pertaining to his love of pies and his fat frame. The popular
terrace chant about Frank and a Forklift Truck still resonate around the
Boleyn Ground. For a "fat chubster" he has done well with Chelsea (and
latterly with Christine Bleakley). He is still one of the best 'box to box'
finishers – particularly if it's a Kentucky Fried Chicken box...
Steve Lomas put the fear of God into the opposition. He made 227 competitive
and combative appearances for West Ham between 1997-2005. Having made his
name at Man City for tough tackling and tough talking, he quickly made an
impression becoming club captain. He wore the armband with pride, in a team
of characters and livewires – Ruddock, Wright and Moncur. Another midfielder
who didn't score enough and wasn't very creative but he could tackle. An
anagram of Steve Lomas is "leaves most"- and he did leave most players
poleaxed. Lomas and Bishop complimented each other's style – one smooth, one
shaggy.
Scott Parker is the epitome of a central midfielder. Strong, energetic,
passionate. A leader. Injury delayed Parker's debut, and he took a while to
impose himself in games. However, it soon became clear that he was an
inspirational figure, often single-handedly driving the team.
Carlton Cole praised Scott Parker's "inspirational" pep talk at half time
after, being 3–0 down against West Brom. Carlton Cole was quoted as saying
"If you were there you would have had a tear in your eye" after the half
time team talk. I'm not sure whether that's a reflection of Cole's mental
state, or that it was simply a passionate and motivational plea. Either way
it worked as West Ham clawed back in the second half to get a 3–3 draw.
Scotty did like to keep the ball at his feet and weave seemingly endless and
intricate figures of eight. Although he often ended up back where he started
, no-one could get the ball off him. It was good for our possession stats.
Following his performances for West Ham and his England recall, Parker was
named the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year. In August
2011, after 129 games and 12 goals, Parker left West Ham United and joined
one of our fiercest rivals, Tottenham Hotspur. Despite this poor judgment,
Scotty cemented his place as one of the best midfielders we have seen and
his driving runs and passion will be missed and long remembered. From what
we've seen so far of Mohamed Diame, perhaps he won't be missed for all that
long.
With over 2,200 games and 11 Hammers of the Year awards between them, they
each brought something special to West Ham. Heroic midfield generals – I
salute you.
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Mark Noble Agrees New 5 Year Deal
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
Great news. The Evening Standard reports tonight that Mark Noble is about to
put pen to paper on a new five year deal. He's made more than 200
appearances for the Hammers over the last five or six years and is, I think,
one of the key members of our team. He is never less than 100% committed and
it's rare that he ever gets less than a six out of ten for his efforts,
Regular readers will know how much I rate him and I couldn't be more
delighted at this news. OK, he shouldn't ever take a corner again - that
should be left to Matt Jarvis and Matt Taylor, but that's one of the few bad
things you could ever say about Nobes. OK, he's not the fastest, but he
plays his anchor role superbly and his passes generally find their
destination. And as for his penalties, well, you don't find many with a
better record than him.
I hope you are all as pleased as I am.
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Mark Noble agrees new deal at West Ham
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated:
September 24, 2012 11:04am
SSN
Sky Sports understands West Ham midfielder Mark Noble has agreed a new deal
to extend his stay at Upton Park. Noble is currently in the final year of
his contract and a number of clubs are thought to be monitoring his
situation. Fulham made an enquiry about Noble during the summer transfer
window only to be rebuffed by West Ham. West Ham have now moved to offer
Noble a new deal as they look to keep the player who is a product of their
famed academy.
Noble has made over 200 appearances for his local club and has established
himself as a key member of the side since breaking into the first team at
the age of 17. The classy midfielder helped West Ham win promotion back to
the Premier League last season and was named Player of the Season in the
process.
Noble is expected to sign a three-year extension with the option of a
further year at Upton Park. News of Noble's new deal will come as a massive
boost to Hammers boss Sam Allardyce as the club risked losing the
25-year-old on a free transfer at the end of the season.
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Noble Mark stays loyal to Hammers
Published: 24th September 2012
The Sun
MARK NOBLE has agreed a new deal at West Ham which will tie him to the club
until 2017. There was concern in the summer that Noble, who is in the last
year of his contract, would leave at the end of the season. But the
25-year-old, who has over 200 appearances for the club, is staying put.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Sunday, September 23
Daily WHUFC News - 23rd September 2012
Big Sam reflects on Sunderland draw
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce had mixed feelings after Saturday's 1-1 Barclays Premier
League draw with Sunderland
23.09.2012
Sam Allardyce was in philosophical mood after watching his West Ham United
side draw a match they should have won but could easily have lost against
Sunderland. The Hammers outplayed the Black Cats for long periods at the
Boleyn Ground, but went into added time trailling Steven Fletcher's
ninth-minute goal after missing a succession of chances. Big Sam's players
refused to give up hope of fashioning an equaliser, though, and were
rewarded when captain Kevin Nolan smashed a low shot past the previously
unbeatable Simon Mignolet in the 93rd minute, sparking wild celebrations
among the home faithful and on the home bench. Speaking exclusively to West
Ham TV, the manager hailed his players for safeguarding their unbeaten home
record this season, but lamented the lack of clinical finishing that cost
his team two points. "If we had come out on the losing side, it would have
been our own fault because of our lack of quality when it came to finishing
chances," said Big Sam. "That would have been a very difficult thing to
stomach considering the way we played and the amount of chances we created.
"We are happy we have got a point - when you score in the last minute you
always feel that way, irrespective of the fact we were the dominant force
throughout the game. We dominated the game, created the majority of the
chances, yet we were still going into the 91st-minute a goal down. "The joy
and the relief of getting a goal at the time was exceptionally good but the
reality is that we should have won this game handsomely. We coped
brilliantly after going a goal down, it was brilliant finish from Steven
Fletcher but to let ourselves down with failing to take the chances we
created is disappointing. In my position as the manager I have to tell the
players 'Well done for equalising after being a goal down in added time',
but you also have to say look we battered them."
Big Sam pointed to the match statistics, which showed West Ham had
'battered' the Black Cats, as he had rightly pointed out. Unfortunately, all
the manager and his players had to show for their efforts was captain
Nolan's dramatic late equaliser. That West Ham were a goal down to start
with owed much to the home side giving possession away inside their own half
and then failing to prevent an in-form Fletcher from controlling and
finishing from inside the penalty area. "They had three for shots on goal
and we have north of 15. We hit the bar, we shot wide and when we got them
on target, which we didn't do enough, their 'keeper pulled off a host of
fantastic saves. Luckily Kevin Nolan popped up when it mattered with a
fantastic finish, in what was a very crowded box indeed. We thoroughly
deserved it but overall it is a mixture of joy and disappointment. "We, of
course, have to be slightly disappointed with the nature of how we conceded
but you get punished heavily in this league. I keep saying that the way
teams will punish you is by capitalising on your mistakes and with a £14
million striker who is on song, you knew when it fell to him that it was
going to end up in the back of the net. "I don't think he had another shot
on goal, but he was clinical and we need to follow him in that sense - we
showed it against Fulham and we need to show it again."
While Fletcher converted his only real chance, West Ham passed up a host of
chances, either shooting or heading off-target or finding their way blocked
by Belgium international Mignolet. "Our set-pieces were very strong, but we
had headers from Winston Reid and James Collins that more often than not hit
the back of the net. Carlton Cole and Ricardo Vaz Te also had chances from
around six yards out but they failed to hit the target - those are the
chances we need to turn into goals. "It was looking like it was going to be
a disappointing afternoon but right after the death we showed that quality
and Kev popped up with a fantastic finish to get us a point. We had 19
crosses go into the box in the second half from left and right and I think
the majority of those came via the boot of Matt Jarvis. "He put an extra bit
of pressure on the opposition that allowed us to remain on the front foot.
We knew it would be difficult to break Sunderland down and in the end they
had ten men camped in their own box or just outside. They wanted to hang
onto their lead which meant we had to be clever and getting it wide was the
way to do that. We mixed the play up well and in the end it paid off. It
should have paid off more handsomely but it paid off."
Having maintained their unbeaten start at the Boleyn Ground, West Ham return
to action on home soil in the Capital One Cup third round on Tuesday
evening, when Wigan Athletic are the visitors. Big Sam made a host of
changes to his starting XI for the second-round victory over Crewe Alexandra
- handing starts to the likes of Gary O'Neil, Alou Diarra and Dan Potts -
and is likely to do the same against the Latics. A number of the club's
in-form youngsters could also get the nod after starring in Friday's 4-1
Barclays U21 Premier League win over Arsenal at Rush Green. "I think that
Wigan will come down here and make seven or eight changes to the side that
played on Saturday, they did it against Nottingham Forest and we did the
same against Crewe Alexandra. We have got George McCartney who is returning
from injury and hasn't been able to get his place back and James Tomkins who
hasn't started many games and is desperate to get more competitive games
under his belt. "We have Dan Potts, Gary O'Neil, Alou Diarra, Modibo Maiga
who could all come in and play a part and also Matt Jarvis who didn't start
the game on Saturday. We will have a strong side out mixed with a few of our
Under-21s who are creating headlines following a string of very good
performances. "They beat Arsenal 4-1 on Friday and they need to come into
the squad to get a feel for first team football, maybe from the bench but a
couple may even start. We will go out and try and continue we are undefeated
at home, that is one thing I am very glad we didn't give up on Saturday
because I think that is now nine games without a defeat at the Boleyn
Ground.
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Three in three for Nobby
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan made it three goals in three home Barclays Premier League
matches this season on Saturday
22.09.2012
Kevin Nolan scored for the third home Barclays Premier League match in
succession to secure West Ham United a deserved 1-1 draw with Sunderland on
Saturday. The captain struck deep into added time to equalise and win a
point that the Hammers looked like missing out on, despite dominating the
game for the vast majority of the 90 minutes. Sunderland struck against the
run of play on nine minutes through club-record signing Steven Fletcher and,
despite their bombardment of the the visitors' penalty area, it looked like
West Ham would lose the game until Nolan's late intervention. The No4 had
earlier seen one volley well saved by goalkeeper Simon Mignolet and another
acrobatic effort fly narrowly wide, while James Collins hit the crossbar and
the Sunderland defenders threw themselves in the front of a succession of
goalbound shots.
Just when it appeared time would run out for Sam Allardyce's side, the
skipper controlled substitute Modibo Maiga's header before swivelling and
firing low past Belgium international Mignolet. Speaking after the game, the
captain was pleased with a point but admitted that the home players felt
they deserved all three.
What was your reaction to the game, Kevin?
KN - "We were delighted to the get the point in the end but could have and
probably should have had all three. I didn't think it was going to be my day
when he [Mignolet] got down and clawed that one away and also had the
scissor-kick over my head that went just wide. You start thinking 'Is it
going to be my day?' but we kept plugging away and managed to create another
half-chance and I managed to stick it away, even though he got another good
hand on it.
Thankfully he couldn't keep it out!"
Ghosting into the box and scoring vital goals is your game, isn't it?
KN - "I've got a good goalscoring record and I am just delighted to have
started off so well this season. That's my third goal and I'm just
delighted. It's more about goals that are going to get us points that are
vital to us and that was another vital goal. It's a fantastic point in the
end, but we feel it should have been three even though we scored in the last
minute of the game."
Do you feel West Ham have a certain solidity about them already this season?
KN - "That is what we're about but I think people have been quite surprised
by the way we have played and the way we are playing. We've played some
fantastic football on the floor and have also mixed it up. We were gutted to
lose that early goal to Sunderland because we don't like conceding goals. As
much as we enjoy scoring, we don't like conceding, but it was a fantastic
finish by Steven Fletcher."
Do you feel that West Ham are comfortable at this level?
KN - "We feel we're back where we belong and with the additions that the
gaffer and the Chairmen have made in bringing in top-quality players [we're
in good shape] - you could see that by the quality on the bench and the
players who the gaffer brought on who were able to affect the game. Hats off
to the gaffer and the Chairmen for making sure that, hopefully, this is
going to be a good season for West Ham. We certainly feel we're back where
we belong and we just need to prove it to everyone. In the last few games, I
feel we have but there is a long way to go yet."
You played against Crewe Alexandra in the Capital One Cup second round, so
will you be asking the gaffer if you can be included against Wigan Athletic
on
Tuesday evening?
KN - "Yes, of course. I always like to be involved in games and I am one of
those where, if there is a game there, I always make myself available. The
staff here know what's best for everything but I'll definitely be putting my
hand up if the gaffer asks if anyone wants to play. I'm sure they'll have
their planning and will make the final decision."
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Under-18s lose out at Arsenal
WHUFC.com
Nick Haycock's side suffered a 3-0 Barclays U18 Premier League reverse at
London Colney
22.09.2012
West Ham United suffered a 3-0 Barclays U18 Premier League defeat at Arsenal
on Saturday - but the result fails to tell the full story of the game.
Speaking post-match, U18s coach Nick Haycock pointed to the decision to
award a penalty that allowed the Gunners to go two goals up as pivotal to
the final outcome.
He did, however, draw on the positives and felt that despite losing the game
he and his players could hold their heads high. "Unfortunately we lost 3-0
but the scoreline doesn't tell the full story of the game," said Haycock.
"It sounds like an emphatic win for Arsenal but that was certainly not the
case. "We conceded early on and perhaps should have done better from a
defensive point of view. That said, we reacted well and controlled most of
the first half. "We created a lot of opportunities, particularly in the
first 20 minutes of the second half where we dominated the game, until we
were hit with a sucker punch."
After a 4-0 win against West Bromwich Albion last time out, the young
Hammers were hoping to extend their lead at the top of Group 1, but were
unable to do.
"They were awarded with a very soft penalty and, after watching the
highlights, is it very clear that the wrong decision was made. They were on
the back foot and for them it was the perfect time to score their second
goal. "After that we rightfully went for broke and they added a third from a
set-piece late on. On another day we could have won. I think one-one would
have been a fair result or maybe perhaps a narrow win for them."
Kieran Sadlier, who had scored three goals in two matches prior to Saturday,
continued to impress with Haycock praising the forward for another
outstanding performance. "Another positive was the performance of Kieran,
who was unable to continue his scoring run but did everything but."
No longer top of league, Haycock admitted the defeat was not cause for
concern and, despite going out to win every league game, he believes the
main focus is on the development of individual players for first-team
football further down the line. "Now we need to dust ourselves down and move
onto the Norwich City game next week where we will hopefully get back to
winning ways. "The main focus of the youth team is to prepare the players
for the Development Squad and the first team, we obviously want to win but
it is not the be all and end all. "We will go out to win the FA Youth Cup
because of its naturally competitive nature and the fact you play in large
stadia, but our job is to ensure they are ready to make the step up."
"That could be sooner rather than later, Dan Potts and Rob Hall both played
for Ian Hendon's side on Friday night and they have been in the first team
already this year. If they are promoted, one of the Under-18s will take
their place. Me and Ian speak every day about which players can make an
impact in what team."
West Ham United: Larkins, Siafa (Harney 70), Shaw, Cullen, Nasha (Homans
86), Onnariase, Boakye-Yiadom (Miles 67), Nana Boakye-Yiado, Bywater,
Mavila, Sadlier, E.Lee
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 1 Sunderland 1
FT 90
HT 0-1
22 September 2012
Last updated at 17:37
By Mandeep Sanghera
BBC Sport
Kevin Nolan dramatically rescued a draw for West Ham with an injury-time
goal against Sunderland. In-form striker Steven Fletcher had put the
visitors ahead when he angled home a powerful shot. West Ham piled on the
pressure but were denied when Nolan's volley was impressively saved by Simon
Mignolet. A header from Hammers defender James Collins struck the top of the
crossbar before Modibo Maiga headed on to Nolan, who hooked in a shot. The
draw leaves Sunderland without a win in 12 league games since March and
while the manner of the draw will leave them frustrated and deflated, they
will also be sick of the sight of Nolan. West Ham's skipper has scored six
goals against them in the top flight, including a hat-trick for former club
Newcastle in the Tyne-Wear derby against the Black Cats in October 2010. The
home side deserved at least a point as they finally broke the resistance of
a Sunderland side who spent most of the second period camped in their own
half trying to resolutely defend the 11th minute lead given to them by
Fletcher. There have been calls for the striker to resolve his differences
with Scotland manager Craig Levein in order to regain his place in the
national team.
"West Ham tried and tried for an equaliser but couldn't find a way though
until deep into stoppage time when the player who looked most likely to
score did as Kevin Nolan cancelled out Steven Fletcher's opener. You could
argue Sunderland deserved a point for their stoic efforts but equally you
can argue West Ham didn't deserve to lose."
His finishing prowess, including an impressive goal which put Martin
O'Neill's side ahead, added weight to the argument. Collins gave the ball
away and winger Sebastian Larsson steered a cross to the far post, where
Fletcher cushioned the ball to control with his first touch before driving
in a left-foot shot past keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen. It was a fourth goal in
three top-flight games for Fletcher this season and, shortly afterwards, he
showed there was more to his game when he held the ball up and released
James McClean. The Black Cats outnumbered the home defence but McClean's
ambitious 25-yard strike went horribly wide.
West Ham went close to an equaliser when Matt Taylor crossed for Ricardo Vaz
Te, whose far-post header went just wide. The Hammers had been kept at bay
by the visitors until they ended the first half in the ascendancy and Nolan
twice went close. He acrobatically put a shot wide before meeting a Vaz Te
cross with a sweetly struck volley. Mignolet flung himself to his right to
palm the ball away for a smart save. Sunderland had not won away in the
league since February and their goal was living a charmed life. But for all
of West Ham's pressure, they were let down by some poor finishing.
Hammers striker Carlton Cole climbed highest when he rose to meet a Mark
Noble free-kick, but his mistimed effort went wide off the top of his head.
Collins also had a good chance from a corner only to see his header graze
the top of the crossbar. It seemed West Ham would be punished for their
profligacy before their captain struck. Matt Jarvis did well to keep the
ball in play and Maiga headed the ball on to midfielder Nolan, who swivelled
and turned in a shot to preserve West Ham's unbeaten home league record this
season, while Sunderland have now drawn all of their four top-flight games.
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce: "In terms of play and chances we created enough
to get back into the game. "We had pinned them back and were waiting for the
quality of finish, which came in injury time. "Even in the dressing room the
lads are disappointed we didn't win considering the attempts on goal we
had."
Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill: "We are frustrated with the late
equaliser in terms of the way it was conceded and the timing. "We defended
manfully but I thought we could have won. We had some good chances on the
break. "Overall, it was a tough game. We knew it would be and so it proved."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The graduates
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 22nd September 2012
By: Tom Kilbey
Historically, our academy graduates have formed the backbone of our squads.
Moore, Hurst, Peters, Lampard Sr, Brooking, Ince, Lampard Jr and Ferdinand
are just a handful of names that were products of our famous youth system.
In recent years however, we haven't been able to produce the calibre of
players that we are perhaps used to seeing. Despite this, we currently have
three graduates who have established themselves as key players for the
squad, and all three of them face a different prediciment. Here, we will
look at each of the players, and assess their options for the future.
Mark Noble
As an East Londoner himself, it's obvious that Mark Noble loves the club. He
has played a part in some of West Ham's most important games in the past few
years, and many of the iconic moments of those games involve him in some
way.
Many West Ham fans will remember the fateful match at Upton Park against
Spurs where Mark scored a fantastic first goal for the club, before being
reduced to tears at the final whistle as Tottenham scored two late goals,
eventually winning the game 4-3. He has constantly proved himself as a man
for the big occassions, none less from the penalty spot, where he has scored
many crucial goals with the conviction of a veteran.
Besides this, his all round play has to be commended. His work rate is
admirable, and his new role in a defensive midfield position has allowed him
to take over the role that had once been Scott Parker's. This being said,
it's an unjust criticism to shrug him off as a player who just 'works hard'.
He can tackle and he can pass and rarely loses the ball.
Need convincing? Mark Noble has already made 22 tackles this season - the
most in the Premier League. Against Fulham, he made 81 passes with 98%
completion, far more than the average passes made by, say, Joe Allen. He has
struck an effective partnership with Mo Diame in a short period, and has
been one of the stand out players in a pleasing start to the season.
Despite this, Mark is currently locked in contract negotiations with the new
club. After refusing a new deal earlier this month, little progress had been
made. Considering Noble is in the final year of his contract, this can not
go unnoticed. Despite not being a top earner at the club, West Ham are
apparently unwilling to meet his agent's wage demands - although thankfully
there now appears to be light at the end of the tunnel.
It's sometimes very easy to criticise a player for being too greedy, but
when Mark sees the like of Kevin Nolan earning twice as much as he is,
surely he is within his rights to ask for a similar contract. I think it
would be lunacy not to offer Mark a new deal and his dedication and input to
the club is surely worthy of a new, lucrative long term contract.
Jack Collison
Signed to the West Ham academy aged 16, Collison quickly moved through the
youth and reserve teams, and just three years later, made his league debut.
After scoring on his home debut, and making some excellent performances
under Gianfranco Zola, his efforts were rewarded by receiving the award of
Young Player of the Year.
Fans will remember the iconic images of Jack leaving the field in tears in
the infamous League Cup tie against Milwall, having agreed to play just days
after his father had died in a motorcycling accident, demonstrating his
dedication to the club and the strength of his character. There was real
optimism surrounding the youngster until his progress was cruelly halted by
a serious knee injury which kept him out for over a year.
By the time Collison returned to the squad, West Ham were plying their trade
in the Championship. Its safe to say that for the majority of the season, he
looked a different player from the one that looked so comfortable in the
Premier League. This was not helped by the fact that he was forced to spend
much of the season in a wide area. After returning to a more central
position at the end of the season, he enjoyed more success, scoring a
fantastic goal in the penultimate game of the season against Leicester,
before grabbing a brace in the play-off first leg against Cardiff.
Despite this promising end to the season, he has not featured this season
for the first team due to injury. Despite stating he is nearing a comeback -
and with Sam Allardyce expressing concerns that Jack's knee may never fully
recover, it is really difficult to see how he will fit into our first team.
With a plethora of central midfielders, and with Benayoun now challenging
Nolan to Jack's best position, it may take him some time to force his way
back into contention.
Many people who have worked with the Wales international, including Craig
Bellamy, Tony Carr and Gianfranco Zola, have praised him for his dilligent
attitude in training, and if he can keep fit, I think he still has a career
at West Ham. I just hope that he is utilised in a central role, as he does
not have the attributes to be a Premier League winger.
James Tomkins
At age 23, James Tomkins has been involved with the West Ham academy for 16
years. Unlike his two aforementioned team mates, he only really established
himself as a reliable first team regular last season. Early on in his
career, he was guilty of some costly errors, resulting in him playing
understudy to the likes of James Collins and Danny Gabbidon. He showed signs
of development in the fateful 2010/11 season, but the year he spent in the
Championship allowed him to build confidence and show his true class.
After an excellent first half of the season, he signed a new long term deal
stating that loyalty to the club was far more important to him than money.
He also showed his goal-scoring threat from set-pieces too. Allardyce
utilised his big man as a back-post threat who would head the ball back
across goal and as a result, Tomkins accumulated four goals and two assists.
His performances were recognised by his inclusion in the Championship Team
of the Year, and was also voted Runner up to Mark Noble as Hammer of the
Year.
However, after missing out on the opening game against Aston Villa, a match
which saw James Collins and Winston Reid strike a fantastic partnership, his
chances have been restricted to appearances from the bench. On top of this,
Allardyce seems keen to utilise him as a defensive midfielder, a decision
which I find with our abundance of midfielders.
I am sure his future lies as a Centre Back, and given our lack of depth in
this area, he will get his chance to re-establish himself. However with
Winston Reid who has risen to something of a fan's favourite, and the
resigning of James Collins, for now, JT will have to wait patiently for his
chance to forge his way back into the first team. My only concern is that he
must be frustrated with his place on the bench, and I just hope that limited
first team opportunities do not change his loyalties and love for the club.
All three of our academy graduates are facing a crossroad in their
professional career. I hope the management do the right thing and allow them
to flourish and succeed in a West Ham shirt during an exciting period for
the club. They have the potential to be top players, and to be able to
include academy players in these important next few years will send the
message that we still have a world class youth system capable of producing
top players. If we don't make this effort, we will be turning our backs on a
great tradition that our club was forged from the vision of the likes of Ted
Fenton and Ron Greenwood over fifty years ago.
Tom Kilbey may also be found on Twitter at twitter.com/tom29whu.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham Utd 1 Sunderland 1
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 22nd September 2012
By: Staff Writer
An injury time goal from captain Kevin Nolan earned West Ham a share of the
spoils against Sunderland at the Boleyn Ground today. A point was the very
least Sam Allardyce's side deserved as they threw everything at Sunderland
having gone behind to an early goal from Steven Fletcher. But they so nearly
went home with nothing having played 84 minutes a goal behind having
conceded after just nine minutes following a James Collins error. The Welsh
international, who gifted Swansea a goal in West Ham's only defeat this
season was equally at fault when his mishit pass was intercepted by Seb
Larsson. The Swede delivered an inch-perfect pass for Fletcher who fired
between a retreating Collins' legs into the far corner to give the away side
a ninth-minute lead. West Ham soon hit back and Kevin Nolan was denied twice
in the first half - firstly by firing inches wide and then by a wonder save
from Sunderland 'keeper Simon Mignolet - before grabbing the all-important
goal in the third of four minutes of injury time.
Substitute Matt Jarvis, who had been excellent since entering the fray 12
minutes into the second period hooked the ball back over his head to prevent
it from going out for a goal kick. Fellow sub Modibo Maiga provided the
knockdown and Nolan was on hand to volley home the equaliser to the delight
of the vast majority of the Boleyn crowd, who to their credit back the team
all afternoon. The point ensures that West Ham have remained unbeaten at the
Boleyn Ground since going down 4-2 at home to Reading on March 31st - some
nine home matches ago. Whilst for the last home defeat prior to that you
have to go back to December 2011 for a 2-1 reversal against Burnley. The
point keeps the Hammers in the upper half of the Premier League table, with
a total of eight points from five games - an excellent start to the
campaign.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
O'Neill on... West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 22nd September 2012
By: Staff Writer No.2
Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill shares his thoughts on this afternoon's
1-1 draw at the Boleyn...
Martin, was that frustrating for you having held on for so long?
It was. I'm obviously disappointed because we looked as if we had dealt with
just about everything they had thrown at us.We were never able to kill the
game off. We had some great opportunities, particularly in the second half
and with a little bit more care... I know they were on the break but they
were really good opportunities, 2v2s on a couple of occasions, a great ball
by McClean and I thought David (Vaughan) might have scored. Just when we
thought we'd seen it through, it was disappointing.
Nolan's a bit of a bogeyman for Sunderland. He scored a hat-trick against
you for Newcastle?
Yes he's been a very useful player for a long time.
Was it via their pressure or from your thought of hanging on to that? You
seemed to defend very deep in the last ten minutes and seemed to invite them
on either by accident or design?
That's a good point. That said, we still have had those opportunities, great
opportunities to have scored in that time. As West Ham were pressing forward
leaving the door open for us we ought to have taken advantage of that.
Having got to that stage of the game is it all the more disappointing?
Yes it is. I just mentioned in a previous interview both in the manner in
which the goal was scored and, obviously, the timing. It was disappointing -
I thought we should have won tthe game. The first game of the season against
Arsenal we were under pressure, possibly of a different kind and we saw it
through. Swansea were flying high at the time - it was a tough game for us.
Liverpool definitely had the better of the second half against us then. Here
today I thought we should have won the game.
On the positive side today another goal from Fletcher?
He's playing brilliantly for us. He's scored all our goals so far but it's
also the rest of his game. He's bringing other players into play and is
giving us a respite from time to time. He's proving himself an all-round top
quality centre-forward.
Not being flippant but you are unbeaten, so that's one positive thing from
today?
We've not won, I think it's in twelve matches. Obviously I'm not
over-concerned as it's over the two different seasons. We got a lot of
points early on in December, January and February. Maybe we escaped
relegation quicker than we thought. At the back end of the season we never
recovered from Losing to Everton in the FA Cup Quarter Final. Our next game
was against Manchester City at the Etihad where we drew 3-3 and we should
have won that. If we'd won today - it's always "ifs" - with three games away
from home and one at home it would have been a good start to the season.
That said, we have to carry on and try to win a game. Obviously I believe
that this side is capable of doing that.
How's Fraser Campbell?
I think he may be going for some kind of X-ray after he got a stamp on the
foot. It was particularly sore. I was hoping that he'd come off the pitch a
wee bit more quickly than he did because I felt the referee would probably
add on another half an hour. We didn't want to give him the opportunity.
Whatever he added on for the second half was fine.
Was it a stamp on the foot?
When he came off as much as he's my player that wasn't my main concern, how
he was at that particular second. I was more worried about the next ball
into the box. Of course I asked him how he was later on when he was on the
treatment table. We'll see how he is.
It sounds a bit sinister somebody stamping on his foot?
Oh, no,no listen it could have been an accident. Sorry - I didn't realise
the point you were making!
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Noble resolution close
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 22nd September 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady has revealed that midfielder Mark
Noble is close to agreeing terms on a new contract. The 25-year-old
midifelder is currently the club's longest-serving player but his current
deal, signed in 2009, is set to expire next summer. At one point during the
last transfer window it appeared as if he may be leaving the club after
earlier talks had reached a stalement. However Brady believes that the two
parties are on the verge of reaching a deal that will keep Noble at the club
for several more years. "Mark is a proper Hammer, practically born and
certainly bred by the club and I'm really pleased he's about to sign a new
contract," she said. "He's 25 and already played 190 games for us so there
has to be a chance of him hitting as many as 500 one day. "Mark's a fine
midfielder but much more because he's a giver as well as a taker, always
prepared to put himself out, happy to help with anything that connects to
the club and our fans. Old-fashioned, I suppose, and I can think of no
greater praise."
Brady, speaking in her column for a tabloid newspaper also revealed that
Wigan - who travel to West Ham next Tuesday for a third round Capital One
Cup clash - have sold just 69 tickets.
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Under 21s: West Ham Utd 4 Arsenal 1
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 22nd September 2012
By: Willis Jamieson
It was a great result on a wet night at Rush Green Stadium for Ian Hendon's
West Ham under 21 side as they managed a 4-1 win against Arsenal. And it was
a win that took the young Hammers to the top of the Premier League Group 1
with 10 points. The game opened up with an early goal from the visiting
team as Elton Monteiro headed from a cross past Raphael Spiegel in the West
Ham goal after just five minutes. But with West Ham passing the ball around
well it wasn't long before they equalised. Rob Hall ran at the Arsenal
defence having received a neat ball played through before slotting the ball
home beyond James Shea. The home side then took the lead thanks to Blair
Turgott who, after some good work down the right-hand side, put a great
cross in. Although Paul McCallum narrowly missed a spectacular overhead
kick, the ball fell perfectly for Matthias Fanimo who placed it in the back
of the net.
West Ham just about deserved to go in to half time with the lead, although
the teams were very close. Therefore it was encouraging to see Hendon's team
come out and control the second half. The third goal resulted from a corner
that Arsenal failed to clear; in the ensuing scramble the ball fell to Dan
Potts who swivelled his feet so that he could prod it over the line. There
were a number of other chances before the fourth goal arrived, with the home
side controlling possession. The best of these came from a superb run by Leo
Chambers who, after cutting inside, played in Blair Turgott. Turgott's shot
was heading for the top corner but Shea made a superb save.
Just a few minutes later Turgott - who will go on from here to meet up with
the England U19 squad for the Euro qualifiers - got the goal his performance
deserved. A great through ball from Paul McCallum - who had caused the
Arsenal defence problems all evening - sliced the Arsenal defence and left
Turgott one on one with goalkeeper; he skilfully slotted it into the back of
the net. Although the game had been won with a great team performance, the
biggest cheer from the 704 in attendance came with five minutes to go for
the appearance of Dylan Tombides, who played his first minutes of
competitive football since he was diagnosed with cancer.
It was a great end to an entertaining game.
West Ham Utd player ratings
Raphael Spiegel (7) He wasn't really troubled by the Arsenal attack but made
a couple of good saves.
Callum Driver (7) Did well at right back but struggled to get forward.
Dan Potts (7) Solid and strong at centre back and did well for the third
goal.
Jordan Spence (7) The back four all played well. Arsenal didn't have many
chances.
Leo Chambers (8) Played at left back which is not his best position but did
very well. Very good on the ball as usual and considering he was one of the
youngest players on the pitch he was excellent.
Sebastian Lletget (7) Protected the back four really well. Worked very hard.
George Moncur (7) The central midfield partner for Lletget, he worked hard
and always looked at getting the ball forward.
Matthias Fanimo (7) Played on the left for most of the game, always looked
dangerous going forward and took his goal well.
Blair Turgott (9) Excelled in everything he did. He worked hard winning the
ball back and was tricky and skilful going forward. Scored one and got one
assist.
Rob Hall (7) Like all the forwards and all the team he worked hard and was
always causing Arsenal problems. A cool finish for his goal.
Paul McCallum (9) An excellent game. He won most things in the air and
brought others into the game. A great assist for the last goal and he did
everything except score.
Subs
Pelly Ruddock (7) Brought on to keep us solid in defence.
Dylan Tombides (10) He hardly got a touch of the ball but I'll still give
him a 10 for getting through his illness and getting back to playing.
Subs not used: Larkins, Piquionne, Wearen.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Collison career in the balance
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 22nd September 2012
By: Staff Writer
Jack Collison has been told that his injured knee will never fully recover.
The Welsh midfielder has been out of action since the end of last season and
according to Sam Allardyce, will have to manage the problem for the rest of
his career. Allardyce - whose West Ham team look to continue their winning
ways with a potential fourth straight victory at home this season - revealed
that the problem arose as a result of Collison's involvement in the final
few games of the 2011/12 campaign. "We thought it would be okay and he
thought it would be okay," he told reporters ahead of today's Premier League
clash. "At that particular time he had no real problems with his knee.
"Perhaps it was the excitement and the adrenalin of the games we were
playing and his strong mental state that it did not appear to be a problem.
"But once it is all over, the body relaxes and the mind relaxes you start to
feel those aches and pains. Then, the fluid got involved around the knee and
we have had a lot of trouble overcoming that. "It is a concern to us because
we would hope Jack would recover enough to start training and playing. If
that does not happen very soon our medical staff will have to seek somebody
else's advice on what we can do. "An operation would make it better but it
would never recover 100 per cent. I don't know how long that would put him
out for and I hope it doesn't get to that."
Collison, who played a major part in West Ham's return to the Premier League
having scored both goals in the play-off semi final first leg win at Cardiff
hasn't played since appearing at Wembley in May. The 23-year-old, who made
his debut for West Ham at Arsenal on New Years Day 2008 has made a total of
87 appearances for the Hammers.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nolan rescues Irons a point
Hammers skipper denies Sunderland first win
Last Updated: September 22, 2012 7:27pm
SSN
Kevin Nolan's injury-time strike secured West Ham a 1-1 draw and condemned
Sunderland to their fourth consecutive Premier League draw.
Man of the match : Mohamed Diame ran the show from the West Ham engine room.
Save of the match : Simon Mignolet brilliantly dived to his left to push
away Kevin Nolan's spectacular volley just before half-time.
Miss of the match : None stood out but the quantity of misses will worry
Allardyce. West Ham had 24 shots on goal but only four on target.
Steven Fletcher's fourth goal in three matches had put Sunderland ahead and
seemingly set them on the road to victory at Upton Park. West Ham had huffed
and puffed without reward until Matt Jarvis hooked the ball back to fellow
substitute Modibo Maiga and Nolan beat goalkeeper Simon Mignolet with a shot
on the turn.
In many ways it was nothing more than West Ham had deserved after dominating
possession, but they had been too direct and too predictable until Jarvis
and Yossi Benayoun were sent on after 57 minutes. Nolan had already brought
a magnificent save from Mignolet and missed an effort from close range
before volleying the equaliser for his third goal of the campaign. Hammers
boss Sam Allardyce had named an unchanged starting XI from the goalless draw
at Norwich, which meant Jarvis, Benayoun and Maiga were consigned to bench
duty. Sunderland were forced into one change from their draw with Liverpool,
with Titus Bramble replacing the injured Carlos Cuellar while Adam Johnson
was still absent with a thigh injury.
Route one
Allardyce and his coaching staff rail at suggestions they are a long-ball
team and they did have some craft in the side, with man of the match Mohamed
Diame looking a shrewd signing and Ricardo Vaz Te willing to run at
defenders. But more often than not their enterprise stretched no further
than playing it long to Carlton Cole in the hope of causing some confusion
in the Sunderland defence. This approach came as no surprise to the Black
Cats, who scrambled well at the back and almost preserved the lead gifted to
them after just nine minutes by a double mistake from James Collins.
Sebastian Larsson pounced on Collins' scuffed clearance and lofted the ball
back over his head for Fletcher, who had peeled away into space, to drill a
low shot that Jussi Jaaskelainen got a hand on but could not keep out. West
Ham came close to an equaliser after 23 minutes when Nolan's shot on the
turn was blocked and Matt Taylor turned the ball back in for Vaz Te, whose
far-post header was just wide. Diame worked some space for himself on the
edge of the box but shot wide before earning a free-kick, which Nolan struck
against the wall. Sunderland broke quickly and should have punished West
Ham. They had a three-on-two advantage but James McLean wasted the
opportunity with a tame shot from distance.
Too predictable
For all their possession, West Ham had so few ideas. Cole was not providing
the same kind of silver service as Andy Carroll but they were keeping
Sunderland busy. Diame's quick feet drew another free-kick and Cole's flick
on fell to Noble, who had his back to goal on the edge of the six-yard box
and turned his shot just wide. Vaz Te then combined with Guy Demel to reach
the byline and pick out Nolan, whose acrobatic volley was brilliantly saved
by Mignolet. Allardyce eventually sent on Jarvis and Benayoun after 57
minutes and West Ham immediately looked more varied and dangerous in attack.
Jarvis was a constant thorn in Sunderland's side. He immediately ran at
opponents down the left and Craig Gardner was booked for a cynical block,
but Cole headed wide from Noble's free-kick. Jarvis teed up Joey O'Brien for
a shot that was saved by Mignolet and he then caused more panic in the
Sunderland box with another teasing cross which earned a corner. From
Noble's delivery, Collins rose well but planted his header onto the bar and
over as Sunderland clung on. The visitors were still dangerous on the
counter-attack but Winston Reid was standing firm and Fletcher's left-foot
shot flew over the bar. In the fourth minute of added time, Sunderland's
rearguard effort finally cracked and it was no surprise that Jarvis played a
key role. Noble launched the ball forward and Jarvis threw himself at it to
just keep it from going out for a goal-kick. The England winger hooked it
back to Maiga, who headed down to Nolan and the West Ham captain volleyed on
the turn to beat Mignolet and earn a point.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce concedes relief
Hammers boss frustrated but happy to take a point in the end
Last Updated: September 22, 2012 6:49pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce was relieved that his side snatched a point
against Sunderland through Kevin Nolan's injury-time equaliser, but his
overriding emotion was one of frustration. Steven Fletcher's fourth goal in
three matches had put Sunderland ahead and West Ham dominated the game
without reward until Nolan beat goalkeeper Simon Mignolet with a shot on the
turn in the dying seconds. "Didn't we deserve more than that on the balance
of play? I thought from the start to finish we were the dominant side and
created far more chances," Allardyce said. "Because we didn't capitalise by
having enough players showing a clinical finish we have ended up having to
be satisfied with a draw. "We are relieved and happy to have a point
because, irrespective of who was the better side, we were still 1-0 down.
"But we will wake up tomorrow disappointed, knowing we should have won the
game on the chances we created.
Mixed emotions
"At that late stage the point is something we are happy with but overall we
are disappointed." Nolan had an acrobatic volley saved brilliantly by
Mignolet and missed another effort from close range while Carlton Cole,
Ricardo Vaz Te and James Collins all squandered good chances. "Sunderland
had four attempts at goal today. That shows the dominance we created but our
Achilles heel was our finishing," Allardyce added. "It wasn't good enough
and that made us struggle to the very end. From a manager's point of view I
have to be concerned about that."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
O'Neill rues late lapse
Black Cats boss praises record signing after another goalscoring performance
Last Updated: September 22, 2012 6:51pm
SSN
Martin O'Neill concedes he thought his Sunderland side had got the job done
at Upton Park prior to Kevin Nolan's goal in the final minute that rescued
West Ham a point. Steven Fletcher's fourth goal in three games since joining
Sunderland from Wolves had looked set to earn the Black Cats a first win of
the season when he capitalised on a misplaced James Collins pass in the
ninth minute. After that, the Black Cats were under siege but could still
have put the game to bed with chances on the counter-attack wasted by David
Vaughan and James McClean. In the end, Sunderland had to settle for a fourth
consecutive Premier League draw courtesy of Nolan's late intervention. "I am
obviously disappointed," manager Martin O'Neill said. "We looked as if we
had dealt with just about everything that had been thrown at us but we were
never able to kill the game off.
Missed chances
"We had some great opportunities in the second half. West Ham were pressing
forward and leaving the door open for us. "We should have taken advantage of
it. We should have won the game." O'Neill was again quick to praise the
performance of Fletcher, who many felt could struggle to justify the record
transfer fee Sunderland paid for him. "Fletcher is playing brilliantly for
us. He has scored all of our goals so far," add O'Neill. "He is bringing
players into play, he is proving himself an all-round high quality centre
forward."
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Match Report: West Ham 1 Sunderland 1
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
I've just driven from Upton Park to Brighton, as I have to spend three days
at the LibDem conference. No, really... So I have had a couple of hours to
mull over what happened. There's little doubt that the performance warranted
a point at the very least, but the more I think about it, the more I think
that with different team selection, we'd have had all three. Lack of fitness
can surely be the only reason that Matt Jarvis and Yossi Benayoun didn't
start. Jarvis was a revelation when he came on. Every time he crossed the
ball, you felt a goal was possible. Benayoun didn't have quite the same
impact, but he was better than the player he replaced. It was another
ineffective performance from Vaz Te, who stormed down the tunnel when he was
subbed. He's developing into a right little prima donna.
We can all agree that Fletcher's goal was a soft one, But apart from that
chance Sunderland threatened very little. But they were well organised, and
a typical Martin O'Neill side. Many of their players were new to me, but
they worked well together and always looked dangerous on the break. But the
more the game went on, the more West Ham dominated possession. In the second
half we spent large parts of it camped in their penalty area. But they
packed their defence and most of our shots ricocheted off a Sunderland
player. Their goalkeeper was in good form too and saved a dead cert Kevin
Nolan bicycle kick at the end of the first half.
I thought Winston Reid had a superb game today, eclipsing his defensive
colleagues. In midfield Diame was given Man of the Match by the sponsors and
you could see why. He improves with every game. I also thought Mark Noble
had an immense game, anchoring the midfield and spraying balls all over the
field. Carlton Cole didn't get much joy again and only had one header which
genuinely threatened the Sunderland goal. I didn't think Madiba did a lot
after he came on either.
We've got to be pleased that we're in 8th place, but I am sure we're all a
bit disappointed that we didn't win, because we could have gone second
today.
Jaaskelainen 6
Reid 8
Collins 6
O'Brien 6
Demel 6
Noble 7
Diame 8
Nolan 6
Vaz Te 4
Taylor 5
Cole 5
Madiba 5
Jarvis 8
Benayoun 6
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Relief for Allardyce after Nolan equaliser, but Hammers could have got more
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
PUBLISHED: 19:07, 22 September 2012 | UPDATED: 19:07, 22 September 2012
Daily Mail
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce was relieved that his side snatched a point
against Sunderland through Kevin Nolan's injury-time equaliser, but his
overriding emotion was one of frustration. Steven Fletcher's fourth goal in
three matches had put Sunderland ahead and West Ham dominated the game
without reward until Nolan beat goalkeeper Simon Mignolet with a shot on the
turn in the dying seconds. 'Didn't we deserve more than that on the balance
of play? I thought from the start to finish we were the dominant side and
created far more chances,' Allardyce said.
'Because we didn't capitalise by having enough players showing a clinical
finish we have ended up having to be satisfied with a draw. 'We are
relieved and happy to have a point because, irrespective of who was the
better side, we were still 1-0 down. 'But we will wake up tomorrow
disappointed, knowing we should have won the game on the chances we created.
'At that late stage the point is something we are happy with but overall we
are disappointed.'
Nolan had an acrobatic volley saved brilliantly by Mignolet and missed
another effort from close range while Carlton Cole, Ricardo Vaz Te and James
Collins all squandered good chances. 'Sunderland had four attempts at goal
today. That shows the dominance we created but our Achilles heel was our
finishing,' Allardyce added. 'It wasn't good enough and that made us
struggle to the very end. From a manager's point of view I have to be
concerned about that.' Fletcher had taken advantage of a mis-hit pass from
Collins to put Sunderland ahead after nine minutes. After that, the Black
Cats were under siege but could still have put the game to bed with chances
on the counter-attack wasted by David Vaughan and James McClean. In the end,
Sunderland had to settle for a fourth consecutive Premier League draw. 'I
am obviously disappointed,' manager Martin O'Neill said. 'We looked as if
we had dealt with just about everything that had been thrown at us but we
were never able to kill the game off. 'We had some great opportunities in
the second half. West Ham were pressing forward and leaving the door open
for us. We should have taken advantage of it. We should have won the game.
'Fletcher is playing brilliantly for us. He has scored all of our goals so
far. 'He is bringing players into play, he is proving himself an all-round
high quality centre forward.'
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Vinny's Sunderland Report
Vinny 2:59 Sun Sep 23
West Ham Online
West Ham United 1 Sunderland 1
Kevin Nolan struck deep in injury time to ensure West Ham went away with a
more than deserved point in a dramatic ending to a good game. With the way
we scored our equaliser I think many of us came away from the ground feeling
as if we had won give the injury time dramatics which saw us come away with
a point. As I walked to the train station my view became a little clearer
and frustration is certainly at the forefront of my mind as we controlled
the game and in the second half we battered Sunderland who sat so deep they
were almost camped in their area.
Our style was direct for the majority of the game and when Matt Jarvis was
introduced there was a lot more quality to our delivery into the area. A
draw was the least we deserved and it is disappointing that we could not
find the equaliser a few minutes earlier as I believe we would have gone on
to win the game.
The stats back up our dominance with 20 shots at goal and 11 on target
compared to that of Sunderland who had just 4 shots and 2 on target. For a
'long ball' side we certainly had a lot of the ball with 61% possession in
or favour and we also amassed 10 corners whereas Sunderland had just the
one. The Sunderland keeper made a wonderful save to deny Kevin Nolan in the
first half, and James Collins saw his header crash off the crossbar. There
is no doubt about it – we dominated the game and this is exactly how I want
us to be playing at Upton Park as we took the game to the opposition and
made them work.
Whilst we may not have been as effective as we were against Fulham we were
still dangerous and this is yet another indication that we are not out of
place at this level which was an accusation spouted by many before the
season kicked off. The strangest thing I witnessed was the streams of 'fans'
walking out before the final whistle and many of them were leaving before
the 90 minutes were even up. I could perhaps understand this if we were 4-0
down but we were really going for it and the game was quite exciting.
How disappointing for those 'fans' as they missed Kevin Nolan's goal in the
93rd minute which sent Upton Park mad. I cannot understand the mentality of
some but then when I am asked which football supporters annoy me the most I
tend to always say 'West Ham'.
The Team
I like many expected there to be changes to side who drew 0-0 at Norwich but
the team announced was exactly the same. O'Brien was at left back again
despite being right footed and George McCartney being fit and Matthew Taylor
kept his place with Matt Jarvis again having to settle for a place on the
bench which was probably the most surprising.
Many had expected Modibo Maiga to perhaps start but he was also on the bench
with Carlton Cole given another chance up front. On the bench Gary O'Neill
was named amongst the subs with Diarra not included in the 18 man squad. On
the bench for Sunderland was former Hammer Matthew Kilgallon who was at the
club on loan in 2003 from Leeds United. He made two league starts and two
substitute appearances before going back to Leeds.
The referee was 40 year old Lee Mason from Lancashire.
First Half
It was clear that we wanted to start the game at a high tempo similar to
that of the Fulham game and with Mohammed Diame we had a player who could
burst forward with speed and power which he attempted to do early on.
The early stages of the game were scrappy with both sides surrounding
possession easily and in our case we just looked a bit too eager and were
rushing the passes.
With little going on in the way of chances Sunderland scored the opener
after only 9 minutes in a goal which seemed to come out of nowhere.
Again it was largely down to James Collins who mishit his pass cross the
defence and straight into the path of Seb Larsson who picked out Steven
Fletcher in the area and the striker took a touch and smashed it past Jussi
Jaaskelainen who did get a hand to the ball but couldn't keep it out.
So 1-0 to Sunderland out of the blue and bit of a shock as we conceded our
first goal at home this season.
We attempted to get back on level terms straight from the restart as Noble
put a corner into the area which was cleared but only as far as Diame but
his cross was knocked behind for another corner.
We had begun to win a number of free kicks but Sunderland defended them well
although in fairness some of the balls played into the area by Noble were
not all that great.
Sunderland were starting to commit quite a few fouls with many of them being
obvious although any side with a player such as Lee Cattermole in the
midfield is not going to get much else.
Diame was doing all the running and he won a free kick just outside the
area. It looked as though Noble might have a go but he prodded the ball to
Kevin Nolan who saw his shot smash into the wall and it was cleared.
Nothing was really going for us and although we were comfortable at the back
(given that Sunderland didn't really want to attack us) we were struggling
to find any fluidity going forward.
A free kick was pumped into the area by Reid and the ball fell to Demel who
hit a shot which was deflected wide for a corner. The resulting corner
eventually found its way to Nolan who hit a sort of cross shot across goal
which no one could get on the end of.
With ten minutes to go until half time we were starting to knock on the door
and another free kick was put into the area, this time by Noble and Cole
nodded the ball down for Nolan with his back to goal to turn and shoot just
wide.
Two minutes remained of the half and we created our best chance so far when
Vaz Te received the ball on the right and did well to get a cross into the
area for Kevin Nolan to meet the ball with an acrobatic effort which was
superbly saved by the Sunderland keeper Mignolet. It had looked destined for
the back of the net but for a terrific save from the keeper.
We may have gone in at half time losing but I was not too despondent as we
had created chances and if we did more of the same in the second period we
would surely get the goal.
Second Half
If anyone tells you that we didn't batter Sunderland in the second half then
they are either a little simple or of course a Sunderland supporter. But
surely not even the most ardent Sunderland fan can deny that all they did in
the second half was hold on.
We started fast and the noise inside the ground was creeping up as we took
it to them and got the ball into the area quicker.
On the 56 minute mark we should have equalised when a ball forward saw Cole
flick the ball into the path of Vaz Te but he couldn't apply the finish
which he had looked poised to do.
Vaz Te and Matthew Taylor were replaced a minute later with Matt Jarvis and
Yossi Benayoun coming on in their place.
Jarvis was in the thick of things just moments after coming on as Gardener
cynically took him out and was shown the yellow card. This card had been
coming for Sunderland as they had begun to try and disrupt any flow to the
game but making a number of poor tackles.
Sunderland looked as though they may catch us on the counter attack but some
last ditch defending from Winston Reid made sure one of their moves broke
down.
Joey O'Brien collected a ball from Jarvis and the full back burst forward
and hit a decent effort at goal but Mignolet was right behind it.
Jarvis was making a real difference for us and was putting some quality
balls into the area but there were not enough players in the box attacking
the ball which was frustrating to watch.
Another corner was won and put into the area by Noble as it landed at the
feet of James Collins who smashed a shot at goal but it was charged down and
despite appeals for handball Sunderland survived again.
Sunderland had got deeper and deeper and were defending from their own area.
If this was a boxing match we would be winning on points by some way but we
needed that killer blow.
With 77 minutes on the clock Carlton Cole was taken off with Modibo Maiga
replacing him.
A lapse in concentration saw Noble caught in possession and he was saved by
a superb sliding tackle from Winston Reid who was really having an excellent
game.
We continued to push forward and another corner was won. Noble played it in
again and Collins met the ball with a thumping header which crashed off the
cross bar and went over.
It was at this point where I thought this just wasn't going to be our day. I
couldn't believe we hadn't scored because there had only been one team in
the game.
Sunderland were playing time wasting tactics which was infuriating the West
Ham players and support. Frazer Campbell had gone down with injury but the
Sunderland players had not put the ball out and we got possession back.
When the ball did go out Campbell was up on his feet but the referee then
allowed the physio to come on the pitch which saw Campbell go down again.
This really enraged Jussi Jaaskelainen who raced over to the referee in the
other half to protest. This saw the keeper booked.
So as Campbell was about to hobble off with the touchline about a foot away
Sunderland decided to take him off and he had to then hobble all the way
across the pitch which seemed to take forever. In fairness to Sunderland
Manager Martin O'Neill he was urging his player to hurry up.
As we went into four minutes of added on time it seemed as though we were
not going to get the deserved goal.
Noble (who was now almost a centre half) drove a long ball forward which
looked to be going out but Matt Jarvis kept going and hooked the ball back
into the area for Maiga to nod down and Kevin Nolan to turn and shoot past
Mignolet and send Upton Park absolutely fucking mental.
A last minute goal in football is amongst one of the most joyous feelings
one can have and the celebrations were fantastic.
Kevin Nolan had yet again come up with the goods and he scored his 3rd goal
of the season.
Unfortunately there was just not enough time to muster another attack and we
had to settle for the 1-1 draw.
An entertaining game and one which we never deserved to lose.
Player Reviews
Jussi Jaaskelainen
Having not seen a replay of the goal from Fletcher I did think at the time
he may have done better with the shot although it was probably hit with too
much power. Apart from that I don't think he had to make another save. 6
Guy Demel
With no Adam Johnson to trouble him he had a relatively easy afternoon. His
link up play with Vaz Te was not great and both players offered little going
forward on the right hand side. 6
James Collins
For the most part he was decent and won a lot of headers but the fact is yet
again he has had a major part to play is us conceding a goal and you almost
wince every time he has the ball at his feet. 5
Winston Reid
An excellent display from Reid who showed great recovery on a number of
occasions. Solid, and starting to become quite dependable. 7
Joey O'Brien
Reluctant to use his left foot which for a player playing at left back is
quite odd to see. In the first half when he was moving forward he would slow
the play down to adjust the ball to his better foot. He could have at least
attempted to use the left foot. I remember him using it away at Watford last
season. He needs to be replaced by McCartney now. 6
Mark Noble
There was a few complaints about his set pieces although the majority of
them did cause problems in the Sunderland area and we were unlucky that
nothing fell our way in and around the box. He sat deep, sprayed the balls
about and did what he does usually. Not a bad display from Noble. 6
Mohammed Diame
The beast of our midfield. Another display of his ability to be an
all-rounder. He can run with the ball, he can head, he tackle and soon we
will be seeing him score I suspect. He was given the man of the match award
by the sponsors and I cannot disagree. 8
Kevin Nolan
With little going on in the way of a 'strike force' Nolan was usually the
man who was getting on the end of the chances. If anyone was going to score
it was going to be him and he took his goal so very well. It has been a long
time since we had such a good goal scoring midfielder. 7
Ricardo Vaz Te
Poor for most of his time of the pitch although he did nearly get an assist
for the Nolan chance in the first half. His attitude didn't look great and
it wasn't a shock to see him taken off. I would also think he will be
sitting out the next league game. 5
Matthew Taylor
Just never really got into the game. He put in a few decent crosses but
there wasn't enough aggression in his game to make an impact. I would have
actually kept him on and put him at left back and took off O'Brien. 5
Carlton Cole
Much like against Norwich it is difficult to remember him doing much. He
never saw even of sniff of a shot at goal and never once was in a position
to have a go at goal. He was never given a ball over his shoulder or into
the channels and had no impact whatsoever. It's time for Maiga to have a go
now. 5
Subs Used
Matt Jarvis (on for Taylor 57 mins)
A really brilliant contribution from Jarvis who I am again extremely
impressed with. I look forward to watching him play and he will start
against QPR surely. 7
Yossi Benayoun (on for Vaz Te 57 mins)
Always comfortable on the ball and gave us something different on the right
but drifted inside too much which really saw us lose the right hand side as
a way to get the balls into the box. 6
Modibo Maiga (on for Cole 77 mins)
Like Cole he was given very little to work with but he did have a telling
contribution as his header made the goal for Kevin Nolan. He deserve a go
against QPR if Carroll is not fit.
Sub Not Used: Henderson, O'Neil, Tomkins, McCartney
Bookings: WH: Jaaskelainen, Reid SUN: Gardener
Goals: WH: Nolan (90+3) SUN: Fletcher (9)
Man Of The Match: Mohammed Diame
Sunderland: Mignolet, Gardner, Bramble, O'Shea, Rose, Cattermole, Larsson,
Colback, McClean, Sessegnon, Fletcher
Subs: Westwood, Kilgallon, Vaughan, Meyler, Campbell, Wickham, Saha
Referee: Lee Mason, 4
Attendance: 33,052
Overall
We know how tough this league is and we do not have a divine right to win
every game especially against a well organised unit such as Sunderland. But
if we are going to draw games then at least we can do it like this by which
I mean we dominated the game, were the better team and on another day we
would have won the game comfortably. The positives outweigh the negatives
for me and we clearly are not even playing our best side. By my reckoning
there are three and maybe even four players who will come into the team and
make it better. Jarvis, Benayoun, McCartney and of course Andy Carroll will
make the team even stronger and none of those players even started this
game. I firmly believe we are going to get better and we are still finding
out style and also bedding in the new signings.
Next Game – Wigan Athletic (h) Wednesday 25th September 7.45 Kick Off –
League Cup 3rd Round
Not exactly the most exciting tie but one which sees a chance to get into
the next round of the League Cup which I should point out is one of just two
things West Ham can realistically win this season and I hope we take it
seriously because I am never going to subscribe to the notion that you can't
have a good league season if you have a cup run. This is a media myth. I
would think a few of the players who were on the bench for this game against
Sunderland will make an appearance but that should still be strong enough to
be Wigan.
We may not have beaten Sunderland but we can still come away feeling
positive about the game and the manner in which we scored our goal.
The View From Sam
"Didn't we deserve more than that on the balance of play? I thought from the
start to finish we were the dominant side and created far more chances,"
Allardyce said. "Because we didn't capitalise by having enough players
showing a clinical finish we have ended up having to be satisfied with a
draw. "We are relieved and happy to have a point because, irrespective of
who was the better side, we were still 1-0 down. "But we will wake up
tomorrow disappointed, knowing we should have won the game on the chances we
created. "At that late stage the point is something we are happy with but
overall we are disappointed." "Sunderland had four attempts at goal today.
That shows the dominance we created but our Achilles heel was our
finishing," "It wasn't good enough and that made us struggle to the very
end. From a manager's point of view I have to be concerned about that."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce had mixed feelings after Saturday's 1-1 Barclays Premier
League draw with Sunderland
23.09.2012
Sam Allardyce was in philosophical mood after watching his West Ham United
side draw a match they should have won but could easily have lost against
Sunderland. The Hammers outplayed the Black Cats for long periods at the
Boleyn Ground, but went into added time trailling Steven Fletcher's
ninth-minute goal after missing a succession of chances. Big Sam's players
refused to give up hope of fashioning an equaliser, though, and were
rewarded when captain Kevin Nolan smashed a low shot past the previously
unbeatable Simon Mignolet in the 93rd minute, sparking wild celebrations
among the home faithful and on the home bench. Speaking exclusively to West
Ham TV, the manager hailed his players for safeguarding their unbeaten home
record this season, but lamented the lack of clinical finishing that cost
his team two points. "If we had come out on the losing side, it would have
been our own fault because of our lack of quality when it came to finishing
chances," said Big Sam. "That would have been a very difficult thing to
stomach considering the way we played and the amount of chances we created.
"We are happy we have got a point - when you score in the last minute you
always feel that way, irrespective of the fact we were the dominant force
throughout the game. We dominated the game, created the majority of the
chances, yet we were still going into the 91st-minute a goal down. "The joy
and the relief of getting a goal at the time was exceptionally good but the
reality is that we should have won this game handsomely. We coped
brilliantly after going a goal down, it was brilliant finish from Steven
Fletcher but to let ourselves down with failing to take the chances we
created is disappointing. In my position as the manager I have to tell the
players 'Well done for equalising after being a goal down in added time',
but you also have to say look we battered them."
Big Sam pointed to the match statistics, which showed West Ham had
'battered' the Black Cats, as he had rightly pointed out. Unfortunately, all
the manager and his players had to show for their efforts was captain
Nolan's dramatic late equaliser. That West Ham were a goal down to start
with owed much to the home side giving possession away inside their own half
and then failing to prevent an in-form Fletcher from controlling and
finishing from inside the penalty area. "They had three for shots on goal
and we have north of 15. We hit the bar, we shot wide and when we got them
on target, which we didn't do enough, their 'keeper pulled off a host of
fantastic saves. Luckily Kevin Nolan popped up when it mattered with a
fantastic finish, in what was a very crowded box indeed. We thoroughly
deserved it but overall it is a mixture of joy and disappointment. "We, of
course, have to be slightly disappointed with the nature of how we conceded
but you get punished heavily in this league. I keep saying that the way
teams will punish you is by capitalising on your mistakes and with a £14
million striker who is on song, you knew when it fell to him that it was
going to end up in the back of the net. "I don't think he had another shot
on goal, but he was clinical and we need to follow him in that sense - we
showed it against Fulham and we need to show it again."
While Fletcher converted his only real chance, West Ham passed up a host of
chances, either shooting or heading off-target or finding their way blocked
by Belgium international Mignolet. "Our set-pieces were very strong, but we
had headers from Winston Reid and James Collins that more often than not hit
the back of the net. Carlton Cole and Ricardo Vaz Te also had chances from
around six yards out but they failed to hit the target - those are the
chances we need to turn into goals. "It was looking like it was going to be
a disappointing afternoon but right after the death we showed that quality
and Kev popped up with a fantastic finish to get us a point. We had 19
crosses go into the box in the second half from left and right and I think
the majority of those came via the boot of Matt Jarvis. "He put an extra bit
of pressure on the opposition that allowed us to remain on the front foot.
We knew it would be difficult to break Sunderland down and in the end they
had ten men camped in their own box or just outside. They wanted to hang
onto their lead which meant we had to be clever and getting it wide was the
way to do that. We mixed the play up well and in the end it paid off. It
should have paid off more handsomely but it paid off."
Having maintained their unbeaten start at the Boleyn Ground, West Ham return
to action on home soil in the Capital One Cup third round on Tuesday
evening, when Wigan Athletic are the visitors. Big Sam made a host of
changes to his starting XI for the second-round victory over Crewe Alexandra
- handing starts to the likes of Gary O'Neil, Alou Diarra and Dan Potts -
and is likely to do the same against the Latics. A number of the club's
in-form youngsters could also get the nod after starring in Friday's 4-1
Barclays U21 Premier League win over Arsenal at Rush Green. "I think that
Wigan will come down here and make seven or eight changes to the side that
played on Saturday, they did it against Nottingham Forest and we did the
same against Crewe Alexandra. We have got George McCartney who is returning
from injury and hasn't been able to get his place back and James Tomkins who
hasn't started many games and is desperate to get more competitive games
under his belt. "We have Dan Potts, Gary O'Neil, Alou Diarra, Modibo Maiga
who could all come in and play a part and also Matt Jarvis who didn't start
the game on Saturday. We will have a strong side out mixed with a few of our
Under-21s who are creating headlines following a string of very good
performances. "They beat Arsenal 4-1 on Friday and they need to come into
the squad to get a feel for first team football, maybe from the bench but a
couple may even start. We will go out and try and continue we are undefeated
at home, that is one thing I am very glad we didn't give up on Saturday
because I think that is now nine games without a defeat at the Boleyn
Ground.
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Three in three for Nobby
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan made it three goals in three home Barclays Premier League
matches this season on Saturday
22.09.2012
Kevin Nolan scored for the third home Barclays Premier League match in
succession to secure West Ham United a deserved 1-1 draw with Sunderland on
Saturday. The captain struck deep into added time to equalise and win a
point that the Hammers looked like missing out on, despite dominating the
game for the vast majority of the 90 minutes. Sunderland struck against the
run of play on nine minutes through club-record signing Steven Fletcher and,
despite their bombardment of the the visitors' penalty area, it looked like
West Ham would lose the game until Nolan's late intervention. The No4 had
earlier seen one volley well saved by goalkeeper Simon Mignolet and another
acrobatic effort fly narrowly wide, while James Collins hit the crossbar and
the Sunderland defenders threw themselves in the front of a succession of
goalbound shots.
Just when it appeared time would run out for Sam Allardyce's side, the
skipper controlled substitute Modibo Maiga's header before swivelling and
firing low past Belgium international Mignolet. Speaking after the game, the
captain was pleased with a point but admitted that the home players felt
they deserved all three.
What was your reaction to the game, Kevin?
KN - "We were delighted to the get the point in the end but could have and
probably should have had all three. I didn't think it was going to be my day
when he [Mignolet] got down and clawed that one away and also had the
scissor-kick over my head that went just wide. You start thinking 'Is it
going to be my day?' but we kept plugging away and managed to create another
half-chance and I managed to stick it away, even though he got another good
hand on it.
Thankfully he couldn't keep it out!"
Ghosting into the box and scoring vital goals is your game, isn't it?
KN - "I've got a good goalscoring record and I am just delighted to have
started off so well this season. That's my third goal and I'm just
delighted. It's more about goals that are going to get us points that are
vital to us and that was another vital goal. It's a fantastic point in the
end, but we feel it should have been three even though we scored in the last
minute of the game."
Do you feel West Ham have a certain solidity about them already this season?
KN - "That is what we're about but I think people have been quite surprised
by the way we have played and the way we are playing. We've played some
fantastic football on the floor and have also mixed it up. We were gutted to
lose that early goal to Sunderland because we don't like conceding goals. As
much as we enjoy scoring, we don't like conceding, but it was a fantastic
finish by Steven Fletcher."
Do you feel that West Ham are comfortable at this level?
KN - "We feel we're back where we belong and with the additions that the
gaffer and the Chairmen have made in bringing in top-quality players [we're
in good shape] - you could see that by the quality on the bench and the
players who the gaffer brought on who were able to affect the game. Hats off
to the gaffer and the Chairmen for making sure that, hopefully, this is
going to be a good season for West Ham. We certainly feel we're back where
we belong and we just need to prove it to everyone. In the last few games, I
feel we have but there is a long way to go yet."
You played against Crewe Alexandra in the Capital One Cup second round, so
will you be asking the gaffer if you can be included against Wigan Athletic
on
Tuesday evening?
KN - "Yes, of course. I always like to be involved in games and I am one of
those where, if there is a game there, I always make myself available. The
staff here know what's best for everything but I'll definitely be putting my
hand up if the gaffer asks if anyone wants to play. I'm sure they'll have
their planning and will make the final decision."
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Under-18s lose out at Arsenal
WHUFC.com
Nick Haycock's side suffered a 3-0 Barclays U18 Premier League reverse at
London Colney
22.09.2012
West Ham United suffered a 3-0 Barclays U18 Premier League defeat at Arsenal
on Saturday - but the result fails to tell the full story of the game.
Speaking post-match, U18s coach Nick Haycock pointed to the decision to
award a penalty that allowed the Gunners to go two goals up as pivotal to
the final outcome.
He did, however, draw on the positives and felt that despite losing the game
he and his players could hold their heads high. "Unfortunately we lost 3-0
but the scoreline doesn't tell the full story of the game," said Haycock.
"It sounds like an emphatic win for Arsenal but that was certainly not the
case. "We conceded early on and perhaps should have done better from a
defensive point of view. That said, we reacted well and controlled most of
the first half. "We created a lot of opportunities, particularly in the
first 20 minutes of the second half where we dominated the game, until we
were hit with a sucker punch."
After a 4-0 win against West Bromwich Albion last time out, the young
Hammers were hoping to extend their lead at the top of Group 1, but were
unable to do.
"They were awarded with a very soft penalty and, after watching the
highlights, is it very clear that the wrong decision was made. They were on
the back foot and for them it was the perfect time to score their second
goal. "After that we rightfully went for broke and they added a third from a
set-piece late on. On another day we could have won. I think one-one would
have been a fair result or maybe perhaps a narrow win for them."
Kieran Sadlier, who had scored three goals in two matches prior to Saturday,
continued to impress with Haycock praising the forward for another
outstanding performance. "Another positive was the performance of Kieran,
who was unable to continue his scoring run but did everything but."
No longer top of league, Haycock admitted the defeat was not cause for
concern and, despite going out to win every league game, he believes the
main focus is on the development of individual players for first-team
football further down the line. "Now we need to dust ourselves down and move
onto the Norwich City game next week where we will hopefully get back to
winning ways. "The main focus of the youth team is to prepare the players
for the Development Squad and the first team, we obviously want to win but
it is not the be all and end all. "We will go out to win the FA Youth Cup
because of its naturally competitive nature and the fact you play in large
stadia, but our job is to ensure they are ready to make the step up."
"That could be sooner rather than later, Dan Potts and Rob Hall both played
for Ian Hendon's side on Friday night and they have been in the first team
already this year. If they are promoted, one of the Under-18s will take
their place. Me and Ian speak every day about which players can make an
impact in what team."
West Ham United: Larkins, Siafa (Harney 70), Shaw, Cullen, Nasha (Homans
86), Onnariase, Boakye-Yiadom (Miles 67), Nana Boakye-Yiado, Bywater,
Mavila, Sadlier, E.Lee
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West Ham 1 Sunderland 1
FT 90
HT 0-1
22 September 2012
Last updated at 17:37
By Mandeep Sanghera
BBC Sport
Kevin Nolan dramatically rescued a draw for West Ham with an injury-time
goal against Sunderland. In-form striker Steven Fletcher had put the
visitors ahead when he angled home a powerful shot. West Ham piled on the
pressure but were denied when Nolan's volley was impressively saved by Simon
Mignolet. A header from Hammers defender James Collins struck the top of the
crossbar before Modibo Maiga headed on to Nolan, who hooked in a shot. The
draw leaves Sunderland without a win in 12 league games since March and
while the manner of the draw will leave them frustrated and deflated, they
will also be sick of the sight of Nolan. West Ham's skipper has scored six
goals against them in the top flight, including a hat-trick for former club
Newcastle in the Tyne-Wear derby against the Black Cats in October 2010. The
home side deserved at least a point as they finally broke the resistance of
a Sunderland side who spent most of the second period camped in their own
half trying to resolutely defend the 11th minute lead given to them by
Fletcher. There have been calls for the striker to resolve his differences
with Scotland manager Craig Levein in order to regain his place in the
national team.
"West Ham tried and tried for an equaliser but couldn't find a way though
until deep into stoppage time when the player who looked most likely to
score did as Kevin Nolan cancelled out Steven Fletcher's opener. You could
argue Sunderland deserved a point for their stoic efforts but equally you
can argue West Ham didn't deserve to lose."
His finishing prowess, including an impressive goal which put Martin
O'Neill's side ahead, added weight to the argument. Collins gave the ball
away and winger Sebastian Larsson steered a cross to the far post, where
Fletcher cushioned the ball to control with his first touch before driving
in a left-foot shot past keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen. It was a fourth goal in
three top-flight games for Fletcher this season and, shortly afterwards, he
showed there was more to his game when he held the ball up and released
James McClean. The Black Cats outnumbered the home defence but McClean's
ambitious 25-yard strike went horribly wide.
West Ham went close to an equaliser when Matt Taylor crossed for Ricardo Vaz
Te, whose far-post header went just wide. The Hammers had been kept at bay
by the visitors until they ended the first half in the ascendancy and Nolan
twice went close. He acrobatically put a shot wide before meeting a Vaz Te
cross with a sweetly struck volley. Mignolet flung himself to his right to
palm the ball away for a smart save. Sunderland had not won away in the
league since February and their goal was living a charmed life. But for all
of West Ham's pressure, they were let down by some poor finishing.
Hammers striker Carlton Cole climbed highest when he rose to meet a Mark
Noble free-kick, but his mistimed effort went wide off the top of his head.
Collins also had a good chance from a corner only to see his header graze
the top of the crossbar. It seemed West Ham would be punished for their
profligacy before their captain struck. Matt Jarvis did well to keep the
ball in play and Maiga headed the ball on to midfielder Nolan, who swivelled
and turned in a shot to preserve West Ham's unbeaten home league record this
season, while Sunderland have now drawn all of their four top-flight games.
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce: "In terms of play and chances we created enough
to get back into the game. "We had pinned them back and were waiting for the
quality of finish, which came in injury time. "Even in the dressing room the
lads are disappointed we didn't win considering the attempts on goal we
had."
Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill: "We are frustrated with the late
equaliser in terms of the way it was conceded and the timing. "We defended
manfully but I thought we could have won. We had some good chances on the
break. "Overall, it was a tough game. We knew it would be and so it proved."
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The graduates
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 22nd September 2012
By: Tom Kilbey
Historically, our academy graduates have formed the backbone of our squads.
Moore, Hurst, Peters, Lampard Sr, Brooking, Ince, Lampard Jr and Ferdinand
are just a handful of names that were products of our famous youth system.
In recent years however, we haven't been able to produce the calibre of
players that we are perhaps used to seeing. Despite this, we currently have
three graduates who have established themselves as key players for the
squad, and all three of them face a different prediciment. Here, we will
look at each of the players, and assess their options for the future.
Mark Noble
As an East Londoner himself, it's obvious that Mark Noble loves the club. He
has played a part in some of West Ham's most important games in the past few
years, and many of the iconic moments of those games involve him in some
way.
Many West Ham fans will remember the fateful match at Upton Park against
Spurs where Mark scored a fantastic first goal for the club, before being
reduced to tears at the final whistle as Tottenham scored two late goals,
eventually winning the game 4-3. He has constantly proved himself as a man
for the big occassions, none less from the penalty spot, where he has scored
many crucial goals with the conviction of a veteran.
Besides this, his all round play has to be commended. His work rate is
admirable, and his new role in a defensive midfield position has allowed him
to take over the role that had once been Scott Parker's. This being said,
it's an unjust criticism to shrug him off as a player who just 'works hard'.
He can tackle and he can pass and rarely loses the ball.
Need convincing? Mark Noble has already made 22 tackles this season - the
most in the Premier League. Against Fulham, he made 81 passes with 98%
completion, far more than the average passes made by, say, Joe Allen. He has
struck an effective partnership with Mo Diame in a short period, and has
been one of the stand out players in a pleasing start to the season.
Despite this, Mark is currently locked in contract negotiations with the new
club. After refusing a new deal earlier this month, little progress had been
made. Considering Noble is in the final year of his contract, this can not
go unnoticed. Despite not being a top earner at the club, West Ham are
apparently unwilling to meet his agent's wage demands - although thankfully
there now appears to be light at the end of the tunnel.
It's sometimes very easy to criticise a player for being too greedy, but
when Mark sees the like of Kevin Nolan earning twice as much as he is,
surely he is within his rights to ask for a similar contract. I think it
would be lunacy not to offer Mark a new deal and his dedication and input to
the club is surely worthy of a new, lucrative long term contract.
Jack Collison
Signed to the West Ham academy aged 16, Collison quickly moved through the
youth and reserve teams, and just three years later, made his league debut.
After scoring on his home debut, and making some excellent performances
under Gianfranco Zola, his efforts were rewarded by receiving the award of
Young Player of the Year.
Fans will remember the iconic images of Jack leaving the field in tears in
the infamous League Cup tie against Milwall, having agreed to play just days
after his father had died in a motorcycling accident, demonstrating his
dedication to the club and the strength of his character. There was real
optimism surrounding the youngster until his progress was cruelly halted by
a serious knee injury which kept him out for over a year.
By the time Collison returned to the squad, West Ham were plying their trade
in the Championship. Its safe to say that for the majority of the season, he
looked a different player from the one that looked so comfortable in the
Premier League. This was not helped by the fact that he was forced to spend
much of the season in a wide area. After returning to a more central
position at the end of the season, he enjoyed more success, scoring a
fantastic goal in the penultimate game of the season against Leicester,
before grabbing a brace in the play-off first leg against Cardiff.
Despite this promising end to the season, he has not featured this season
for the first team due to injury. Despite stating he is nearing a comeback -
and with Sam Allardyce expressing concerns that Jack's knee may never fully
recover, it is really difficult to see how he will fit into our first team.
With a plethora of central midfielders, and with Benayoun now challenging
Nolan to Jack's best position, it may take him some time to force his way
back into contention.
Many people who have worked with the Wales international, including Craig
Bellamy, Tony Carr and Gianfranco Zola, have praised him for his dilligent
attitude in training, and if he can keep fit, I think he still has a career
at West Ham. I just hope that he is utilised in a central role, as he does
not have the attributes to be a Premier League winger.
James Tomkins
At age 23, James Tomkins has been involved with the West Ham academy for 16
years. Unlike his two aforementioned team mates, he only really established
himself as a reliable first team regular last season. Early on in his
career, he was guilty of some costly errors, resulting in him playing
understudy to the likes of James Collins and Danny Gabbidon. He showed signs
of development in the fateful 2010/11 season, but the year he spent in the
Championship allowed him to build confidence and show his true class.
After an excellent first half of the season, he signed a new long term deal
stating that loyalty to the club was far more important to him than money.
He also showed his goal-scoring threat from set-pieces too. Allardyce
utilised his big man as a back-post threat who would head the ball back
across goal and as a result, Tomkins accumulated four goals and two assists.
His performances were recognised by his inclusion in the Championship Team
of the Year, and was also voted Runner up to Mark Noble as Hammer of the
Year.
However, after missing out on the opening game against Aston Villa, a match
which saw James Collins and Winston Reid strike a fantastic partnership, his
chances have been restricted to appearances from the bench. On top of this,
Allardyce seems keen to utilise him as a defensive midfielder, a decision
which I find with our abundance of midfielders.
I am sure his future lies as a Centre Back, and given our lack of depth in
this area, he will get his chance to re-establish himself. However with
Winston Reid who has risen to something of a fan's favourite, and the
resigning of James Collins, for now, JT will have to wait patiently for his
chance to forge his way back into the first team. My only concern is that he
must be frustrated with his place on the bench, and I just hope that limited
first team opportunities do not change his loyalties and love for the club.
All three of our academy graduates are facing a crossroad in their
professional career. I hope the management do the right thing and allow them
to flourish and succeed in a West Ham shirt during an exciting period for
the club. They have the potential to be top players, and to be able to
include academy players in these important next few years will send the
message that we still have a world class youth system capable of producing
top players. If we don't make this effort, we will be turning our backs on a
great tradition that our club was forged from the vision of the likes of Ted
Fenton and Ron Greenwood over fifty years ago.
Tom Kilbey may also be found on Twitter at twitter.com/tom29whu.
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West Ham Utd 1 Sunderland 1
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 22nd September 2012
By: Staff Writer
An injury time goal from captain Kevin Nolan earned West Ham a share of the
spoils against Sunderland at the Boleyn Ground today. A point was the very
least Sam Allardyce's side deserved as they threw everything at Sunderland
having gone behind to an early goal from Steven Fletcher. But they so nearly
went home with nothing having played 84 minutes a goal behind having
conceded after just nine minutes following a James Collins error. The Welsh
international, who gifted Swansea a goal in West Ham's only defeat this
season was equally at fault when his mishit pass was intercepted by Seb
Larsson. The Swede delivered an inch-perfect pass for Fletcher who fired
between a retreating Collins' legs into the far corner to give the away side
a ninth-minute lead. West Ham soon hit back and Kevin Nolan was denied twice
in the first half - firstly by firing inches wide and then by a wonder save
from Sunderland 'keeper Simon Mignolet - before grabbing the all-important
goal in the third of four minutes of injury time.
Substitute Matt Jarvis, who had been excellent since entering the fray 12
minutes into the second period hooked the ball back over his head to prevent
it from going out for a goal kick. Fellow sub Modibo Maiga provided the
knockdown and Nolan was on hand to volley home the equaliser to the delight
of the vast majority of the Boleyn crowd, who to their credit back the team
all afternoon. The point ensures that West Ham have remained unbeaten at the
Boleyn Ground since going down 4-2 at home to Reading on March 31st - some
nine home matches ago. Whilst for the last home defeat prior to that you
have to go back to December 2011 for a 2-1 reversal against Burnley. The
point keeps the Hammers in the upper half of the Premier League table, with
a total of eight points from five games - an excellent start to the
campaign.
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O'Neill on... West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 22nd September 2012
By: Staff Writer No.2
Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill shares his thoughts on this afternoon's
1-1 draw at the Boleyn...
Martin, was that frustrating for you having held on for so long?
It was. I'm obviously disappointed because we looked as if we had dealt with
just about everything they had thrown at us.We were never able to kill the
game off. We had some great opportunities, particularly in the second half
and with a little bit more care... I know they were on the break but they
were really good opportunities, 2v2s on a couple of occasions, a great ball
by McClean and I thought David (Vaughan) might have scored. Just when we
thought we'd seen it through, it was disappointing.
Nolan's a bit of a bogeyman for Sunderland. He scored a hat-trick against
you for Newcastle?
Yes he's been a very useful player for a long time.
Was it via their pressure or from your thought of hanging on to that? You
seemed to defend very deep in the last ten minutes and seemed to invite them
on either by accident or design?
That's a good point. That said, we still have had those opportunities, great
opportunities to have scored in that time. As West Ham were pressing forward
leaving the door open for us we ought to have taken advantage of that.
Having got to that stage of the game is it all the more disappointing?
Yes it is. I just mentioned in a previous interview both in the manner in
which the goal was scored and, obviously, the timing. It was disappointing -
I thought we should have won tthe game. The first game of the season against
Arsenal we were under pressure, possibly of a different kind and we saw it
through. Swansea were flying high at the time - it was a tough game for us.
Liverpool definitely had the better of the second half against us then. Here
today I thought we should have won the game.
On the positive side today another goal from Fletcher?
He's playing brilliantly for us. He's scored all our goals so far but it's
also the rest of his game. He's bringing other players into play and is
giving us a respite from time to time. He's proving himself an all-round top
quality centre-forward.
Not being flippant but you are unbeaten, so that's one positive thing from
today?
We've not won, I think it's in twelve matches. Obviously I'm not
over-concerned as it's over the two different seasons. We got a lot of
points early on in December, January and February. Maybe we escaped
relegation quicker than we thought. At the back end of the season we never
recovered from Losing to Everton in the FA Cup Quarter Final. Our next game
was against Manchester City at the Etihad where we drew 3-3 and we should
have won that. If we'd won today - it's always "ifs" - with three games away
from home and one at home it would have been a good start to the season.
That said, we have to carry on and try to win a game. Obviously I believe
that this side is capable of doing that.
How's Fraser Campbell?
I think he may be going for some kind of X-ray after he got a stamp on the
foot. It was particularly sore. I was hoping that he'd come off the pitch a
wee bit more quickly than he did because I felt the referee would probably
add on another half an hour. We didn't want to give him the opportunity.
Whatever he added on for the second half was fine.
Was it a stamp on the foot?
When he came off as much as he's my player that wasn't my main concern, how
he was at that particular second. I was more worried about the next ball
into the box. Of course I asked him how he was later on when he was on the
treatment table. We'll see how he is.
It sounds a bit sinister somebody stamping on his foot?
Oh, no,no listen it could have been an accident. Sorry - I didn't realise
the point you were making!
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Noble resolution close
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 22nd September 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady has revealed that midfielder Mark
Noble is close to agreeing terms on a new contract. The 25-year-old
midifelder is currently the club's longest-serving player but his current
deal, signed in 2009, is set to expire next summer. At one point during the
last transfer window it appeared as if he may be leaving the club after
earlier talks had reached a stalement. However Brady believes that the two
parties are on the verge of reaching a deal that will keep Noble at the club
for several more years. "Mark is a proper Hammer, practically born and
certainly bred by the club and I'm really pleased he's about to sign a new
contract," she said. "He's 25 and already played 190 games for us so there
has to be a chance of him hitting as many as 500 one day. "Mark's a fine
midfielder but much more because he's a giver as well as a taker, always
prepared to put himself out, happy to help with anything that connects to
the club and our fans. Old-fashioned, I suppose, and I can think of no
greater praise."
Brady, speaking in her column for a tabloid newspaper also revealed that
Wigan - who travel to West Ham next Tuesday for a third round Capital One
Cup clash - have sold just 69 tickets.
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Under 21s: West Ham Utd 4 Arsenal 1
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 22nd September 2012
By: Willis Jamieson
It was a great result on a wet night at Rush Green Stadium for Ian Hendon's
West Ham under 21 side as they managed a 4-1 win against Arsenal. And it was
a win that took the young Hammers to the top of the Premier League Group 1
with 10 points. The game opened up with an early goal from the visiting
team as Elton Monteiro headed from a cross past Raphael Spiegel in the West
Ham goal after just five minutes. But with West Ham passing the ball around
well it wasn't long before they equalised. Rob Hall ran at the Arsenal
defence having received a neat ball played through before slotting the ball
home beyond James Shea. The home side then took the lead thanks to Blair
Turgott who, after some good work down the right-hand side, put a great
cross in. Although Paul McCallum narrowly missed a spectacular overhead
kick, the ball fell perfectly for Matthias Fanimo who placed it in the back
of the net.
West Ham just about deserved to go in to half time with the lead, although
the teams were very close. Therefore it was encouraging to see Hendon's team
come out and control the second half. The third goal resulted from a corner
that Arsenal failed to clear; in the ensuing scramble the ball fell to Dan
Potts who swivelled his feet so that he could prod it over the line. There
were a number of other chances before the fourth goal arrived, with the home
side controlling possession. The best of these came from a superb run by Leo
Chambers who, after cutting inside, played in Blair Turgott. Turgott's shot
was heading for the top corner but Shea made a superb save.
Just a few minutes later Turgott - who will go on from here to meet up with
the England U19 squad for the Euro qualifiers - got the goal his performance
deserved. A great through ball from Paul McCallum - who had caused the
Arsenal defence problems all evening - sliced the Arsenal defence and left
Turgott one on one with goalkeeper; he skilfully slotted it into the back of
the net. Although the game had been won with a great team performance, the
biggest cheer from the 704 in attendance came with five minutes to go for
the appearance of Dylan Tombides, who played his first minutes of
competitive football since he was diagnosed with cancer.
It was a great end to an entertaining game.
West Ham Utd player ratings
Raphael Spiegel (7) He wasn't really troubled by the Arsenal attack but made
a couple of good saves.
Callum Driver (7) Did well at right back but struggled to get forward.
Dan Potts (7) Solid and strong at centre back and did well for the third
goal.
Jordan Spence (7) The back four all played well. Arsenal didn't have many
chances.
Leo Chambers (8) Played at left back which is not his best position but did
very well. Very good on the ball as usual and considering he was one of the
youngest players on the pitch he was excellent.
Sebastian Lletget (7) Protected the back four really well. Worked very hard.
George Moncur (7) The central midfield partner for Lletget, he worked hard
and always looked at getting the ball forward.
Matthias Fanimo (7) Played on the left for most of the game, always looked
dangerous going forward and took his goal well.
Blair Turgott (9) Excelled in everything he did. He worked hard winning the
ball back and was tricky and skilful going forward. Scored one and got one
assist.
Rob Hall (7) Like all the forwards and all the team he worked hard and was
always causing Arsenal problems. A cool finish for his goal.
Paul McCallum (9) An excellent game. He won most things in the air and
brought others into the game. A great assist for the last goal and he did
everything except score.
Subs
Pelly Ruddock (7) Brought on to keep us solid in defence.
Dylan Tombides (10) He hardly got a touch of the ball but I'll still give
him a 10 for getting through his illness and getting back to playing.
Subs not used: Larkins, Piquionne, Wearen.
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Collison career in the balance
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 22nd September 2012
By: Staff Writer
Jack Collison has been told that his injured knee will never fully recover.
The Welsh midfielder has been out of action since the end of last season and
according to Sam Allardyce, will have to manage the problem for the rest of
his career. Allardyce - whose West Ham team look to continue their winning
ways with a potential fourth straight victory at home this season - revealed
that the problem arose as a result of Collison's involvement in the final
few games of the 2011/12 campaign. "We thought it would be okay and he
thought it would be okay," he told reporters ahead of today's Premier League
clash. "At that particular time he had no real problems with his knee.
"Perhaps it was the excitement and the adrenalin of the games we were
playing and his strong mental state that it did not appear to be a problem.
"But once it is all over, the body relaxes and the mind relaxes you start to
feel those aches and pains. Then, the fluid got involved around the knee and
we have had a lot of trouble overcoming that. "It is a concern to us because
we would hope Jack would recover enough to start training and playing. If
that does not happen very soon our medical staff will have to seek somebody
else's advice on what we can do. "An operation would make it better but it
would never recover 100 per cent. I don't know how long that would put him
out for and I hope it doesn't get to that."
Collison, who played a major part in West Ham's return to the Premier League
having scored both goals in the play-off semi final first leg win at Cardiff
hasn't played since appearing at Wembley in May. The 23-year-old, who made
his debut for West Ham at Arsenal on New Years Day 2008 has made a total of
87 appearances for the Hammers.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nolan rescues Irons a point
Hammers skipper denies Sunderland first win
Last Updated: September 22, 2012 7:27pm
SSN
Kevin Nolan's injury-time strike secured West Ham a 1-1 draw and condemned
Sunderland to their fourth consecutive Premier League draw.
Man of the match : Mohamed Diame ran the show from the West Ham engine room.
Save of the match : Simon Mignolet brilliantly dived to his left to push
away Kevin Nolan's spectacular volley just before half-time.
Miss of the match : None stood out but the quantity of misses will worry
Allardyce. West Ham had 24 shots on goal but only four on target.
Steven Fletcher's fourth goal in three matches had put Sunderland ahead and
seemingly set them on the road to victory at Upton Park. West Ham had huffed
and puffed without reward until Matt Jarvis hooked the ball back to fellow
substitute Modibo Maiga and Nolan beat goalkeeper Simon Mignolet with a shot
on the turn.
In many ways it was nothing more than West Ham had deserved after dominating
possession, but they had been too direct and too predictable until Jarvis
and Yossi Benayoun were sent on after 57 minutes. Nolan had already brought
a magnificent save from Mignolet and missed an effort from close range
before volleying the equaliser for his third goal of the campaign. Hammers
boss Sam Allardyce had named an unchanged starting XI from the goalless draw
at Norwich, which meant Jarvis, Benayoun and Maiga were consigned to bench
duty. Sunderland were forced into one change from their draw with Liverpool,
with Titus Bramble replacing the injured Carlos Cuellar while Adam Johnson
was still absent with a thigh injury.
Route one
Allardyce and his coaching staff rail at suggestions they are a long-ball
team and they did have some craft in the side, with man of the match Mohamed
Diame looking a shrewd signing and Ricardo Vaz Te willing to run at
defenders. But more often than not their enterprise stretched no further
than playing it long to Carlton Cole in the hope of causing some confusion
in the Sunderland defence. This approach came as no surprise to the Black
Cats, who scrambled well at the back and almost preserved the lead gifted to
them after just nine minutes by a double mistake from James Collins.
Sebastian Larsson pounced on Collins' scuffed clearance and lofted the ball
back over his head for Fletcher, who had peeled away into space, to drill a
low shot that Jussi Jaaskelainen got a hand on but could not keep out. West
Ham came close to an equaliser after 23 minutes when Nolan's shot on the
turn was blocked and Matt Taylor turned the ball back in for Vaz Te, whose
far-post header was just wide. Diame worked some space for himself on the
edge of the box but shot wide before earning a free-kick, which Nolan struck
against the wall. Sunderland broke quickly and should have punished West
Ham. They had a three-on-two advantage but James McLean wasted the
opportunity with a tame shot from distance.
Too predictable
For all their possession, West Ham had so few ideas. Cole was not providing
the same kind of silver service as Andy Carroll but they were keeping
Sunderland busy. Diame's quick feet drew another free-kick and Cole's flick
on fell to Noble, who had his back to goal on the edge of the six-yard box
and turned his shot just wide. Vaz Te then combined with Guy Demel to reach
the byline and pick out Nolan, whose acrobatic volley was brilliantly saved
by Mignolet. Allardyce eventually sent on Jarvis and Benayoun after 57
minutes and West Ham immediately looked more varied and dangerous in attack.
Jarvis was a constant thorn in Sunderland's side. He immediately ran at
opponents down the left and Craig Gardner was booked for a cynical block,
but Cole headed wide from Noble's free-kick. Jarvis teed up Joey O'Brien for
a shot that was saved by Mignolet and he then caused more panic in the
Sunderland box with another teasing cross which earned a corner. From
Noble's delivery, Collins rose well but planted his header onto the bar and
over as Sunderland clung on. The visitors were still dangerous on the
counter-attack but Winston Reid was standing firm and Fletcher's left-foot
shot flew over the bar. In the fourth minute of added time, Sunderland's
rearguard effort finally cracked and it was no surprise that Jarvis played a
key role. Noble launched the ball forward and Jarvis threw himself at it to
just keep it from going out for a goal-kick. The England winger hooked it
back to Maiga, who headed down to Nolan and the West Ham captain volleyed on
the turn to beat Mignolet and earn a point.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce concedes relief
Hammers boss frustrated but happy to take a point in the end
Last Updated: September 22, 2012 6:49pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce was relieved that his side snatched a point
against Sunderland through Kevin Nolan's injury-time equaliser, but his
overriding emotion was one of frustration. Steven Fletcher's fourth goal in
three matches had put Sunderland ahead and West Ham dominated the game
without reward until Nolan beat goalkeeper Simon Mignolet with a shot on the
turn in the dying seconds. "Didn't we deserve more than that on the balance
of play? I thought from the start to finish we were the dominant side and
created far more chances," Allardyce said. "Because we didn't capitalise by
having enough players showing a clinical finish we have ended up having to
be satisfied with a draw. "We are relieved and happy to have a point
because, irrespective of who was the better side, we were still 1-0 down.
"But we will wake up tomorrow disappointed, knowing we should have won the
game on the chances we created.
Mixed emotions
"At that late stage the point is something we are happy with but overall we
are disappointed." Nolan had an acrobatic volley saved brilliantly by
Mignolet and missed another effort from close range while Carlton Cole,
Ricardo Vaz Te and James Collins all squandered good chances. "Sunderland
had four attempts at goal today. That shows the dominance we created but our
Achilles heel was our finishing," Allardyce added. "It wasn't good enough
and that made us struggle to the very end. From a manager's point of view I
have to be concerned about that."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
O'Neill rues late lapse
Black Cats boss praises record signing after another goalscoring performance
Last Updated: September 22, 2012 6:51pm
SSN
Martin O'Neill concedes he thought his Sunderland side had got the job done
at Upton Park prior to Kevin Nolan's goal in the final minute that rescued
West Ham a point. Steven Fletcher's fourth goal in three games since joining
Sunderland from Wolves had looked set to earn the Black Cats a first win of
the season when he capitalised on a misplaced James Collins pass in the
ninth minute. After that, the Black Cats were under siege but could still
have put the game to bed with chances on the counter-attack wasted by David
Vaughan and James McClean. In the end, Sunderland had to settle for a fourth
consecutive Premier League draw courtesy of Nolan's late intervention. "I am
obviously disappointed," manager Martin O'Neill said. "We looked as if we
had dealt with just about everything that had been thrown at us but we were
never able to kill the game off.
Missed chances
"We had some great opportunities in the second half. West Ham were pressing
forward and leaving the door open for us. "We should have taken advantage of
it. We should have won the game." O'Neill was again quick to praise the
performance of Fletcher, who many felt could struggle to justify the record
transfer fee Sunderland paid for him. "Fletcher is playing brilliantly for
us. He has scored all of our goals so far," add O'Neill. "He is bringing
players into play, he is proving himself an all-round high quality centre
forward."
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Match Report: West Ham 1 Sunderland 1
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
I've just driven from Upton Park to Brighton, as I have to spend three days
at the LibDem conference. No, really... So I have had a couple of hours to
mull over what happened. There's little doubt that the performance warranted
a point at the very least, but the more I think about it, the more I think
that with different team selection, we'd have had all three. Lack of fitness
can surely be the only reason that Matt Jarvis and Yossi Benayoun didn't
start. Jarvis was a revelation when he came on. Every time he crossed the
ball, you felt a goal was possible. Benayoun didn't have quite the same
impact, but he was better than the player he replaced. It was another
ineffective performance from Vaz Te, who stormed down the tunnel when he was
subbed. He's developing into a right little prima donna.
We can all agree that Fletcher's goal was a soft one, But apart from that
chance Sunderland threatened very little. But they were well organised, and
a typical Martin O'Neill side. Many of their players were new to me, but
they worked well together and always looked dangerous on the break. But the
more the game went on, the more West Ham dominated possession. In the second
half we spent large parts of it camped in their penalty area. But they
packed their defence and most of our shots ricocheted off a Sunderland
player. Their goalkeeper was in good form too and saved a dead cert Kevin
Nolan bicycle kick at the end of the first half.
I thought Winston Reid had a superb game today, eclipsing his defensive
colleagues. In midfield Diame was given Man of the Match by the sponsors and
you could see why. He improves with every game. I also thought Mark Noble
had an immense game, anchoring the midfield and spraying balls all over the
field. Carlton Cole didn't get much joy again and only had one header which
genuinely threatened the Sunderland goal. I didn't think Madiba did a lot
after he came on either.
We've got to be pleased that we're in 8th place, but I am sure we're all a
bit disappointed that we didn't win, because we could have gone second
today.
Jaaskelainen 6
Reid 8
Collins 6
O'Brien 6
Demel 6
Noble 7
Diame 8
Nolan 6
Vaz Te 4
Taylor 5
Cole 5
Madiba 5
Jarvis 8
Benayoun 6
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Relief for Allardyce after Nolan equaliser, but Hammers could have got more
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
PUBLISHED: 19:07, 22 September 2012 | UPDATED: 19:07, 22 September 2012
Daily Mail
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce was relieved that his side snatched a point
against Sunderland through Kevin Nolan's injury-time equaliser, but his
overriding emotion was one of frustration. Steven Fletcher's fourth goal in
three matches had put Sunderland ahead and West Ham dominated the game
without reward until Nolan beat goalkeeper Simon Mignolet with a shot on the
turn in the dying seconds. 'Didn't we deserve more than that on the balance
of play? I thought from the start to finish we were the dominant side and
created far more chances,' Allardyce said.
'Because we didn't capitalise by having enough players showing a clinical
finish we have ended up having to be satisfied with a draw. 'We are
relieved and happy to have a point because, irrespective of who was the
better side, we were still 1-0 down. 'But we will wake up tomorrow
disappointed, knowing we should have won the game on the chances we created.
'At that late stage the point is something we are happy with but overall we
are disappointed.'
Nolan had an acrobatic volley saved brilliantly by Mignolet and missed
another effort from close range while Carlton Cole, Ricardo Vaz Te and James
Collins all squandered good chances. 'Sunderland had four attempts at goal
today. That shows the dominance we created but our Achilles heel was our
finishing,' Allardyce added. 'It wasn't good enough and that made us
struggle to the very end. From a manager's point of view I have to be
concerned about that.' Fletcher had taken advantage of a mis-hit pass from
Collins to put Sunderland ahead after nine minutes. After that, the Black
Cats were under siege but could still have put the game to bed with chances
on the counter-attack wasted by David Vaughan and James McClean. In the end,
Sunderland had to settle for a fourth consecutive Premier League draw. 'I
am obviously disappointed,' manager Martin O'Neill said. 'We looked as if
we had dealt with just about everything that had been thrown at us but we
were never able to kill the game off. 'We had some great opportunities in
the second half. West Ham were pressing forward and leaving the door open
for us. We should have taken advantage of it. We should have won the game.
'Fletcher is playing brilliantly for us. He has scored all of our goals so
far. 'He is bringing players into play, he is proving himself an all-round
high quality centre forward.'
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Vinny's Sunderland Report
Vinny 2:59 Sun Sep 23
West Ham Online
West Ham United 1 Sunderland 1
Kevin Nolan struck deep in injury time to ensure West Ham went away with a
more than deserved point in a dramatic ending to a good game. With the way
we scored our equaliser I think many of us came away from the ground feeling
as if we had won give the injury time dramatics which saw us come away with
a point. As I walked to the train station my view became a little clearer
and frustration is certainly at the forefront of my mind as we controlled
the game and in the second half we battered Sunderland who sat so deep they
were almost camped in their area.
Our style was direct for the majority of the game and when Matt Jarvis was
introduced there was a lot more quality to our delivery into the area. A
draw was the least we deserved and it is disappointing that we could not
find the equaliser a few minutes earlier as I believe we would have gone on
to win the game.
The stats back up our dominance with 20 shots at goal and 11 on target
compared to that of Sunderland who had just 4 shots and 2 on target. For a
'long ball' side we certainly had a lot of the ball with 61% possession in
or favour and we also amassed 10 corners whereas Sunderland had just the
one. The Sunderland keeper made a wonderful save to deny Kevin Nolan in the
first half, and James Collins saw his header crash off the crossbar. There
is no doubt about it – we dominated the game and this is exactly how I want
us to be playing at Upton Park as we took the game to the opposition and
made them work.
Whilst we may not have been as effective as we were against Fulham we were
still dangerous and this is yet another indication that we are not out of
place at this level which was an accusation spouted by many before the
season kicked off. The strangest thing I witnessed was the streams of 'fans'
walking out before the final whistle and many of them were leaving before
the 90 minutes were even up. I could perhaps understand this if we were 4-0
down but we were really going for it and the game was quite exciting.
How disappointing for those 'fans' as they missed Kevin Nolan's goal in the
93rd minute which sent Upton Park mad. I cannot understand the mentality of
some but then when I am asked which football supporters annoy me the most I
tend to always say 'West Ham'.
The Team
I like many expected there to be changes to side who drew 0-0 at Norwich but
the team announced was exactly the same. O'Brien was at left back again
despite being right footed and George McCartney being fit and Matthew Taylor
kept his place with Matt Jarvis again having to settle for a place on the
bench which was probably the most surprising.
Many had expected Modibo Maiga to perhaps start but he was also on the bench
with Carlton Cole given another chance up front. On the bench Gary O'Neill
was named amongst the subs with Diarra not included in the 18 man squad. On
the bench for Sunderland was former Hammer Matthew Kilgallon who was at the
club on loan in 2003 from Leeds United. He made two league starts and two
substitute appearances before going back to Leeds.
The referee was 40 year old Lee Mason from Lancashire.
First Half
It was clear that we wanted to start the game at a high tempo similar to
that of the Fulham game and with Mohammed Diame we had a player who could
burst forward with speed and power which he attempted to do early on.
The early stages of the game were scrappy with both sides surrounding
possession easily and in our case we just looked a bit too eager and were
rushing the passes.
With little going on in the way of chances Sunderland scored the opener
after only 9 minutes in a goal which seemed to come out of nowhere.
Again it was largely down to James Collins who mishit his pass cross the
defence and straight into the path of Seb Larsson who picked out Steven
Fletcher in the area and the striker took a touch and smashed it past Jussi
Jaaskelainen who did get a hand to the ball but couldn't keep it out.
So 1-0 to Sunderland out of the blue and bit of a shock as we conceded our
first goal at home this season.
We attempted to get back on level terms straight from the restart as Noble
put a corner into the area which was cleared but only as far as Diame but
his cross was knocked behind for another corner.
We had begun to win a number of free kicks but Sunderland defended them well
although in fairness some of the balls played into the area by Noble were
not all that great.
Sunderland were starting to commit quite a few fouls with many of them being
obvious although any side with a player such as Lee Cattermole in the
midfield is not going to get much else.
Diame was doing all the running and he won a free kick just outside the
area. It looked as though Noble might have a go but he prodded the ball to
Kevin Nolan who saw his shot smash into the wall and it was cleared.
Nothing was really going for us and although we were comfortable at the back
(given that Sunderland didn't really want to attack us) we were struggling
to find any fluidity going forward.
A free kick was pumped into the area by Reid and the ball fell to Demel who
hit a shot which was deflected wide for a corner. The resulting corner
eventually found its way to Nolan who hit a sort of cross shot across goal
which no one could get on the end of.
With ten minutes to go until half time we were starting to knock on the door
and another free kick was put into the area, this time by Noble and Cole
nodded the ball down for Nolan with his back to goal to turn and shoot just
wide.
Two minutes remained of the half and we created our best chance so far when
Vaz Te received the ball on the right and did well to get a cross into the
area for Kevin Nolan to meet the ball with an acrobatic effort which was
superbly saved by the Sunderland keeper Mignolet. It had looked destined for
the back of the net but for a terrific save from the keeper.
We may have gone in at half time losing but I was not too despondent as we
had created chances and if we did more of the same in the second period we
would surely get the goal.
Second Half
If anyone tells you that we didn't batter Sunderland in the second half then
they are either a little simple or of course a Sunderland supporter. But
surely not even the most ardent Sunderland fan can deny that all they did in
the second half was hold on.
We started fast and the noise inside the ground was creeping up as we took
it to them and got the ball into the area quicker.
On the 56 minute mark we should have equalised when a ball forward saw Cole
flick the ball into the path of Vaz Te but he couldn't apply the finish
which he had looked poised to do.
Vaz Te and Matthew Taylor were replaced a minute later with Matt Jarvis and
Yossi Benayoun coming on in their place.
Jarvis was in the thick of things just moments after coming on as Gardener
cynically took him out and was shown the yellow card. This card had been
coming for Sunderland as they had begun to try and disrupt any flow to the
game but making a number of poor tackles.
Sunderland looked as though they may catch us on the counter attack but some
last ditch defending from Winston Reid made sure one of their moves broke
down.
Joey O'Brien collected a ball from Jarvis and the full back burst forward
and hit a decent effort at goal but Mignolet was right behind it.
Jarvis was making a real difference for us and was putting some quality
balls into the area but there were not enough players in the box attacking
the ball which was frustrating to watch.
Another corner was won and put into the area by Noble as it landed at the
feet of James Collins who smashed a shot at goal but it was charged down and
despite appeals for handball Sunderland survived again.
Sunderland had got deeper and deeper and were defending from their own area.
If this was a boxing match we would be winning on points by some way but we
needed that killer blow.
With 77 minutes on the clock Carlton Cole was taken off with Modibo Maiga
replacing him.
A lapse in concentration saw Noble caught in possession and he was saved by
a superb sliding tackle from Winston Reid who was really having an excellent
game.
We continued to push forward and another corner was won. Noble played it in
again and Collins met the ball with a thumping header which crashed off the
cross bar and went over.
It was at this point where I thought this just wasn't going to be our day. I
couldn't believe we hadn't scored because there had only been one team in
the game.
Sunderland were playing time wasting tactics which was infuriating the West
Ham players and support. Frazer Campbell had gone down with injury but the
Sunderland players had not put the ball out and we got possession back.
When the ball did go out Campbell was up on his feet but the referee then
allowed the physio to come on the pitch which saw Campbell go down again.
This really enraged Jussi Jaaskelainen who raced over to the referee in the
other half to protest. This saw the keeper booked.
So as Campbell was about to hobble off with the touchline about a foot away
Sunderland decided to take him off and he had to then hobble all the way
across the pitch which seemed to take forever. In fairness to Sunderland
Manager Martin O'Neill he was urging his player to hurry up.
As we went into four minutes of added on time it seemed as though we were
not going to get the deserved goal.
Noble (who was now almost a centre half) drove a long ball forward which
looked to be going out but Matt Jarvis kept going and hooked the ball back
into the area for Maiga to nod down and Kevin Nolan to turn and shoot past
Mignolet and send Upton Park absolutely fucking mental.
A last minute goal in football is amongst one of the most joyous feelings
one can have and the celebrations were fantastic.
Kevin Nolan had yet again come up with the goods and he scored his 3rd goal
of the season.
Unfortunately there was just not enough time to muster another attack and we
had to settle for the 1-1 draw.
An entertaining game and one which we never deserved to lose.
Player Reviews
Jussi Jaaskelainen
Having not seen a replay of the goal from Fletcher I did think at the time
he may have done better with the shot although it was probably hit with too
much power. Apart from that I don't think he had to make another save. 6
Guy Demel
With no Adam Johnson to trouble him he had a relatively easy afternoon. His
link up play with Vaz Te was not great and both players offered little going
forward on the right hand side. 6
James Collins
For the most part he was decent and won a lot of headers but the fact is yet
again he has had a major part to play is us conceding a goal and you almost
wince every time he has the ball at his feet. 5
Winston Reid
An excellent display from Reid who showed great recovery on a number of
occasions. Solid, and starting to become quite dependable. 7
Joey O'Brien
Reluctant to use his left foot which for a player playing at left back is
quite odd to see. In the first half when he was moving forward he would slow
the play down to adjust the ball to his better foot. He could have at least
attempted to use the left foot. I remember him using it away at Watford last
season. He needs to be replaced by McCartney now. 6
Mark Noble
There was a few complaints about his set pieces although the majority of
them did cause problems in the Sunderland area and we were unlucky that
nothing fell our way in and around the box. He sat deep, sprayed the balls
about and did what he does usually. Not a bad display from Noble. 6
Mohammed Diame
The beast of our midfield. Another display of his ability to be an
all-rounder. He can run with the ball, he can head, he tackle and soon we
will be seeing him score I suspect. He was given the man of the match award
by the sponsors and I cannot disagree. 8
Kevin Nolan
With little going on in the way of a 'strike force' Nolan was usually the
man who was getting on the end of the chances. If anyone was going to score
it was going to be him and he took his goal so very well. It has been a long
time since we had such a good goal scoring midfielder. 7
Ricardo Vaz Te
Poor for most of his time of the pitch although he did nearly get an assist
for the Nolan chance in the first half. His attitude didn't look great and
it wasn't a shock to see him taken off. I would also think he will be
sitting out the next league game. 5
Matthew Taylor
Just never really got into the game. He put in a few decent crosses but
there wasn't enough aggression in his game to make an impact. I would have
actually kept him on and put him at left back and took off O'Brien. 5
Carlton Cole
Much like against Norwich it is difficult to remember him doing much. He
never saw even of sniff of a shot at goal and never once was in a position
to have a go at goal. He was never given a ball over his shoulder or into
the channels and had no impact whatsoever. It's time for Maiga to have a go
now. 5
Subs Used
Matt Jarvis (on for Taylor 57 mins)
A really brilliant contribution from Jarvis who I am again extremely
impressed with. I look forward to watching him play and he will start
against QPR surely. 7
Yossi Benayoun (on for Vaz Te 57 mins)
Always comfortable on the ball and gave us something different on the right
but drifted inside too much which really saw us lose the right hand side as
a way to get the balls into the box. 6
Modibo Maiga (on for Cole 77 mins)
Like Cole he was given very little to work with but he did have a telling
contribution as his header made the goal for Kevin Nolan. He deserve a go
against QPR if Carroll is not fit.
Sub Not Used: Henderson, O'Neil, Tomkins, McCartney
Bookings: WH: Jaaskelainen, Reid SUN: Gardener
Goals: WH: Nolan (90+3) SUN: Fletcher (9)
Man Of The Match: Mohammed Diame
Sunderland: Mignolet, Gardner, Bramble, O'Shea, Rose, Cattermole, Larsson,
Colback, McClean, Sessegnon, Fletcher
Subs: Westwood, Kilgallon, Vaughan, Meyler, Campbell, Wickham, Saha
Referee: Lee Mason, 4
Attendance: 33,052
Overall
We know how tough this league is and we do not have a divine right to win
every game especially against a well organised unit such as Sunderland. But
if we are going to draw games then at least we can do it like this by which
I mean we dominated the game, were the better team and on another day we
would have won the game comfortably. The positives outweigh the negatives
for me and we clearly are not even playing our best side. By my reckoning
there are three and maybe even four players who will come into the team and
make it better. Jarvis, Benayoun, McCartney and of course Andy Carroll will
make the team even stronger and none of those players even started this
game. I firmly believe we are going to get better and we are still finding
out style and also bedding in the new signings.
Next Game – Wigan Athletic (h) Wednesday 25th September 7.45 Kick Off –
League Cup 3rd Round
Not exactly the most exciting tie but one which sees a chance to get into
the next round of the League Cup which I should point out is one of just two
things West Ham can realistically win this season and I hope we take it
seriously because I am never going to subscribe to the notion that you can't
have a good league season if you have a cup run. This is a media myth. I
would think a few of the players who were on the bench for this game against
Sunderland will make an appearance but that should still be strong enough to
be Wigan.
We may not have beaten Sunderland but we can still come away feeling
positive about the game and the manner in which we scored our goal.
The View From Sam
"Didn't we deserve more than that on the balance of play? I thought from the
start to finish we were the dominant side and created far more chances,"
Allardyce said. "Because we didn't capitalise by having enough players
showing a clinical finish we have ended up having to be satisfied with a
draw. "We are relieved and happy to have a point because, irrespective of
who was the better side, we were still 1-0 down. "But we will wake up
tomorrow disappointed, knowing we should have won the game on the chances we
created. "At that late stage the point is something we are happy with but
overall we are disappointed." "Sunderland had four attempts at goal today.
That shows the dominance we created but our Achilles heel was our
finishing," "It wasn't good enough and that made us struggle to the very
end. From a manager's point of view I have to be concerned about that."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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