Ginge revels in Reds result
WHUFC.com
James Collins was proud of West Ham United's performance in Sunday's
goalless draw at Liverpool
08.04.2013
James Collins produced arguably his best performance in a West Ham United
shirt to inspire the Hammers to a goalless Barclays Premier League draw at
Liverpool. 'Ginge' cut an imperious figure at Anfield, making numerous
important interceptions and clearances and stifling the the considerable
threat of Reds striker Luis Suarez. Time and again the Uruguayan ran at
Collins, but the Welsh giant stood firm. Whenever a cross came into the
penalty area, he and partner James Tomkins headed or hacked it clear. In
short, it was an imperious display from the No19. Speaking to West Ham TV,
the defender was literally too tired to smile, but was naturally delighted
with his own and the team's resilient performance at a ground where the
Hammers have not won since September 1963.
"It was great and it's always nice to play well at places like Anfield," he
confirmed. "The whole team was spot-on in terms of our defensive performance
and, going the other way, we've had chances so it's a massive point,
especially with West Ham's performance at Anfield. "Suarez nutmegged me
twice, to be fair, but I thought about how I was going to defend against him
before the game. If you drop off he's turning and running at you, so I
thought if I could get as tight as possible and try to tackle him as high up
the pitch as possible, even if I fouled him there it is better than him
running into the box. That was the gameplan really and luckily it worked. "I
was wary of the fact he goes over as well and that's why you have to stay on
your feet as much as possible and to win the ball you've got to just go for
it sometimes. It was one of those games when it's come off for me."
After a difficult few months on the road, West Ham look a far more
formidable team away from home these days. A 1-0 win at Stoke City in March
was followed by a determined display at Chelsea and another clean sheet at
Liverpool. "We do look more confident away from home," Collins confirmed.
"Our away record hasn't been great but we have had some good clean sheets
away from home [at Norwich City, Newcastle United, West Bromwich Albion,
Stoke and Liverpool] and got some good wins. "The Gaffer [Sam Allardyce]
said before the game, if we can come here and play and defend how we did at
Stoke, we'd get a result and he has got his tactics spot-on again as usual
so all credit to him."
With Winston Reid sidelined with a leg muscle injury suffered in training,
Tomkins made his first start in two months, but the No5 looked like he had
never been away. "Tonks was superb," Collins confirmed. "He has been so
unlucky this year, especially after doing so well last year and even in the
games he has played he has been spot-on and played well. He has probably
been unfortunate not to play more. "His attitude has been great and in any
game he comes into he is spot-on, so fair play to him because he was great
at Liverpool."
Collins has recently become a father for the second time and has been
involved in some big games for club and country in recent weeks. For those
many reasons, he is enjoying his life and his football at present. "I am
enjoying it and I'm fit too. Since I came back the second time I've put the
stupid little injuries I used to get behind me, touch wood, and I'm playing
in a great team with great team spirit and a great bunch of lads. "I enjoy
going into training for the banter with the lads so I want to do well for
the boys because we're that close."
For a team that came up through the npower Championship Play-Offs last
season that has been in mid-table in the Barclays Premier League all this
term, some might say the Hammers are not getting the recognition they
deserve. However, that is a situation Collins is more than happy about.
"Sometimes it's nice to slip under the rader and not have people talking
about you too much. We've done great and we've set our sights on coming
tenth and we don't to slip-up now, especially with the start we had. "We
started off great and got loads of points and then had a dodgy middle of the
season and now we're playing well again. We just want to get as many points
as we can. We were looking at tenth and that's still a possibility."
After the challenge of shackling the diminutive Suarez at Anfield, Collins
will tackle the more physical threat of Rickie Lambert and Jay Rodriguez at
Southampton on Saturday - one he is relishing. "I watched them on Saturday
[winning 2-0 at Reading] and their front-two were superb. I'll be resting my
legs up for the week and I'll be ready to go for three points on Saturday.
"It's going to be a tough game. They beat us down there in the Championship
last season so there's going to be a score to settle, but we're playing well
are full of confidence so there is no reason we can't go there and get three
points."
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James Collins reveals secrets of eye-catching display against Liverpool's
Luis Suarez
Last Updated: April 8, 2013 2:03pm
SSN
James Collins says forward planning was the key to keeping Luis Suarez quiet
at Anfield on Sunday. The West Ham centre-half won rave reviews for
successfully shackling a Liverpool striker who has 29 goals this season, and
his performance helped secure a goalless draw for the visitors. "I thought
about how I was going to defend against him before the game," Collins said.
"Suarez nutmegged me twice to be fair but I knew if you drop off, he is
turning and running at you. "I thought if I could get as tight as possible
and tackle him as high up the pitch as possible, even if I fouled him there
it was better than him running into the box. "I was wary of the fact he goes
over as well. That is why you have to stay on your feet. To win the ball,
you just have to go for it sometimes. It was one of those games where it
came off for me."
West Ham are now within two points of 10th-placed Fulham with seven games
still to play. Collins said: "Sometimes it is nice to slip under the radar
and not have people talking about you too much. "We've set our sights on
coming 10th and we don't want to slip up now."
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An Open Letter to Andy Carroll
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
US based Hammers fan David Hautzig has asked me to publish this open letter
to Andy Carroll. It's a corker.
Dear Andy,
Kind of ironic that any time I see something titled "An Open Letter" to
whomever I smirk. Will President Obama, or the CEO of Mega Company ever see
this thing? What's the point? And here I am writing one. Not about gun
control, or the sorry state of schools in my country. No, I'm writing to
professional footballer who is just as unlikely to see it as any of the
other ones I make fun of. It's a funny world. I'm going to treat it like a
paper for school as a kid. Make a point, then defend it.
Here's my point. You should sign for West Ham. Yeah, yeah. I'm a supporter.
So it's fair for you to dismiss that advice as totally self serving. And it
may be. But it's also good advice. Basically, if what we read in the papers,
blogs, twitter, tea leaves, and what have you is true, you currently have
three options to think about. Others may pop up. Stuff like that happens.
But for now, it's Liverpool, Newcastle, and West Ham
1) Liverpool. Without regurgitating the history, it's pretty well understood
that the style they play is not what the manager thinks you are suited for.
You can disagree, and if wearing their shirt under any circumstance is the
be all end all to you, then I guess you should go back. But you went out on
loan for a reason, and that reason hasn't changed. If the manager thinks
that way, that's the reality of Liverpool for you.
2) Newcastle. I totally understand the desire to go home. To live and work
in a place you know inside out is a great feeling. And no matter where you
end up next season, I not only expect you to one day end up back at St.
James Park but I'd encourage you to. Like I said, I get the "going home"
thing. But the pressure of expectations that smacks you in the back of the
head every day at Liverpool would follow you there at this point in your
career. At Liverpool, it's that damned number 35 that pounds you. Not your
fault that it happened that way, but it did and you are forced to deal with
the consequences. If you go home now, the expectations would be that BECAUSE
you went home everything will magically turn out right. Like flipping a
light switch. And hell, it could. But if it doesn't, if you don't live up to
what the supporters and press expect of you, where do you go from there? And
I'm not suggesting you wouldn't play well there. I'm sure you would. But
with all of the players Pardew has brought in recently, where would you fit?
Are Newcastle playing a brand of football suited to your particular
strengths? I think short of becoming the 20 goal scoring returning hero,
what will they all say? You just lived through that. Not fair for sure, but
as you know it isn't always fair.
3) West Ham. I get a kick reading supporters who say they want you, but then
get into money figures as if they have the foggiest clue how all that really
works. Want to meet a real life Merlin The Magician? Go see a really good
accountant. They make stuff disappear, re-appear, and change identity every
day of their lives. So when you take transfer fees, wages, things like that
out of the equation, the vast majority of supporters want us to sign you up.
Not because you've scored baskets of goals. You haven't. But they see the
impact you have on every game you play. Even the Chelsea game.
No disrespect to Sam, but to say we were unlucky not to get something from
that game is pretty nutty. But every report said you were terrific. And you
were. So it certainly seems that people see what you can do and are doing
apart from scoring goals that makes you valuable. ET could land at Upton
Park and see that Sam and his methods are tailor made for you. So if you are
wanted by a club and its supporters on the basis of your performance this
year, imagine what they will think as you continue to settle in and others
are brought in to support you? The bar is set, and you're up to it. Of
course there will be some pressure, but not like the two teams above. Nice
way to live and work in my book. Look, if it weren't for good methods of
birth control I could have a 24 year old myself. I'm 48. And I may not be
the sharpest tool in the shed, but I consider myself pretty smart. At least
my kids think so. And if you were at my kitchen table, I'd tell you to stay
at West Ham. Three, maybe four years. Become a leader and focal point of a
team where the pressures are manageable. Lead us into the Olympic Stadium.
Play for England regularly. Then if you want to go home, with lots of
football left in you, go ahead. We may moan about it a bit, but at the end
of the day most understand the value of home. And your stock will be in the
upper atmosphere. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Yours Truly,
David
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Collins: Shackling Luis was key
The Sun
Published: 8 hrs ago
JAMES COLLINS says keeping Luis Suarez quiet was the key to securing a
goalless draw at Anfield on Sunday. The West Ham defender revealed he was
willing to foul the Uruguayan if it meant stopping him from running free
towards the Hammers' box. And his plan worked a treat as the Liverpool
striker was unable to find the net - helping to ease West Ham's relegation
fears. He said: "I thought about how I was going to defend against him
before the game. "Suarez nutmegged me twice to be fair but I knew if you
drop off, he is turning and running at you. "I thought if I could get as
tight as possible and tackle him as high up the pitch as possible, even if I
fouled him there it was better than him running into the box. "I was wary of
the fact he goes over as well. "That is why you have to stay on your feet.
To win the ball, you just have to go for it sometimes. "It was one of those
games where it came off for me." The result saw the Hammers continue their
improved away form and Collins was full of praise for boss Sam Allardyce. He
said: "The gaffer got his tactics spot-on again. "We do look more confident
away from home."
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Unlikable and authoritarian, Paolo Di Canio has much yet to prove
Personality and politics are all part of the Paolo Di Canio package and
Sunderland may yet regret appointing him
Guardian.co.uk
We've got a chequered past, Paolo Di Canio and I. Nothing to do with
fascism, he just had a habit of behaving a bit like a dictator. He was a
flamboyant "character", as they say, but he certainly was not very popular
in the West Ham dressing room. When I think back to those days, I remember a
loud and extrovert person who was - despite all he had to shout about - very
much on his own. He never seemed to gel with the team.
It seems the feeling was mutual - Paolo described me in his book as a
"moron" and a "cretin" after I refused to shake his hand following a League
Cup game at Upton Park when I was playing for Aston Villa. Actually I did
more: I called him a cheat. He had deliberately stepped into me and kicked
me before going down for a penalty. It was outrageous and I could not
believe it. I was livid. When I refused to shake his hand he went ballistic,
effing and blinding, and stabbing his fingers into the back of my neck.
That was the beginning of the bad blood. Admittedly there was a brief hiatus
when I signed for West Ham and he cheerily came over to wish me luck, the
first of my new team-mates to do so. But the friendly tone did not last long
and we were soon back to clashing on the training pitch.
I just could not believe the front he had. During training sessions, if he
was not happy, he would simply walk off. He would be swearing away in
Italian, trudging back to the dressing room, leaving us all slogging our
guts out. One time I snapped and yelled: "You are not effing walking off!"
To be fair, on that occasion he did come back.
Paolo could talk for Italy but I never remember him talking politics. I
never even knew that he had a Mussolini tattoo. Certainly if he had ever
said anything racist to anyone in the team, it would have caused a stir. We
had a number of black players at West Ham at the time and, while none of
them would go so far as to describe him as a friend, I don't recall anyone
having a problem with him because of his political views. The fascist
salutes happened after he left West Ham, of course, and on hearing the news
I must admit they confirmed my view of him as an unlikable person.
More recently I met him at the Leaders in Football conference last year. We
were on a panel together and beforehand we shared a revealing exchange on
coaching philosophies. I spoke about wanting to develop players, create a
dialogue and reach an understanding about what they need to perform - but I
soon realised I was talking to a brick wall. Paolo just said: "Yeah, yeah,
yeah, but ." and it became clear that he was not interested in any of that.
His approach was more, how shall I say, authoritarian.
Certainly if the stories spreading like wildfire through the footballing
world are anything to go by, the Sunderland players will have been in for a
shock this week. Paolo has a reputation for employing some harsh and intense
training methods.
During his time as manager at Swindon, I'm told, he used to punish players
for a poor performance by dragging them in at dawn after a game the day
before. Compare that with the Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe's approach - he
gave the players three days off last week after the team won five games in a
row to reward them for their hard work. Even Guy Whittingham's relegation
battlers, Portsmouth, will still be given days off for rest and recovery. I
can't imagine Paolo giving the Sunderland players much time off between now
and the end of the season.
Whatever his political views are - and despite the official Sunderland
statement denying that he is a fascist, without some explanation of his past
it seems impossible to understand what his exact position is - I am very
surprised that Sunderland gave him the job in the first place. I can't argue
with Paolo's management skills. He has proved himself with what he achieved
at Swindon.
But an important aspect of any appointment is what the fans' response will
be and the Sunderland board should have seen this furore coming. Did they
not do their research? Even a quick Google search would have brought up the
controversial fascist salutes at Lazio.
Sure, his managerial record is good but, if you know a manager's political
affiliations might upset a large portion of your fanbase, it seems a very
risky decision to make. And with the Durham Miners' Association demanding
their banner back from the Stadium of Light, citing the number of miners who
died fighting fascism in the war, it is a PR move that has the potential to
backfire in a big way. Should Paolo fail to keep Sunderland in the Premier
League, the club will surely lose even more goodwill from the supporters.
On the other hand, as the saying goes, all PR is good PR. After all, how
often does Sunderland AFC make headlines outside the sports pages? Paolo is
certainly box office. He gets his teams to play attractive football and, if
he can save the club from relegation, he may soon be hailed as a hero.
He says his past misdemeanours were misinterpreted and misrepresented, in
which case perhaps we should give him the opportunity to prove himself in
the present and not just harp on about the past.
No more Cherries, bring on the puffins
While it may have seemed that everyone in the world was talking about Paolo
Di Canio last week I can assure you his name did not come up in my newly
adopted home of Iceland. Yep, it is true, I have relocated to the land of
geysers and northern lights. Hermann Hreidarsson, my old Pompey team-mate,
recruited me as a player/coach to help develop the first team at top-flight
side IBV. I cannot deny that the invitation was bizarre. Hermann called me
out of the blue and said only, "You will come and join me in Iceland."
Intrigued, I went over to have a look.
I liked what I saw. An opportunity to keep playing first-team football, and
perhaps creep a little closer still to that elusive 1,000 games mark, but
above all a chance to expand my coaching CV in a meaningful environment
where the results actually count. With Eddie Howe having made it clear that
my future did not lie with Bournemouth - I could stay on and train but I
would not be playing - rather than hang around in the gym like a piece of
dead wood it made sense to take up Hermann's offer and begin a new chapter.
We'll be fighting for a place in the Europa League this season, as well as
trying to win the league - which runs May to September - and that's a level
of experience I'm not sure I would be offered in England at the moment.
I've yet to eat puffin (a local delicacy, apparently) but the country's
scenery is absolutely stunning and I'm looking forward to getting to know
the football, culture and people here. I'm excited about the challenge that
lies ahead. Play up IBV!
David James has donated his fee for this column to charity. Follow him on
Twitter @jamosfoundation
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Tuesday, April 9
Monday, April 8
Daily WHUFC News - 8th April 2013
'It's a great point!'
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce was proud to see his West Ham United side earn a deserved 0-0
draw at Liverpool on Sunday
07.04.2013
Sam Allardyce said his West Ham United side had been unfortunate not end the
club's 50-year winless run at Liverpool on Sunday. The Hammers produced a
resilient display to earn a deserved goalless draw at Anfield and, having
stifled Brendan Rodgers' team with their organisation, concentration and
tenacity, came within inches of stealing all three points. James Collins and
the returning James Tomkins led the way with outstanding displays in central
defence, but all eleven starters and three substitutes played their part.
Indeed, only a dramatic goal-line clearance from Reds midfielder Lucas
denied one of those Hammers substitutes, Jack Collison, a late headed
winner. "It should have been our first win at Anfield in 50 years ,
shouldn't it?" said manager Sam Allardyce. "As delighted as we are for the
West Ham fans travelling back home thinking 'What a great point that is' -
and it is a great point - the disappointing thing is that we know we should
have won it with the chances we had. "Because the chances were clear-cut
compared to Liverpool's chances, that's why I'm disappointed we didn't win.
That said, I'm delighted with our outstanding performance, particularly the
defenders keeping Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Steven Gerrard and all
those people quiet. "We didn't given them opportunities to score and that's
why it was a really good performance."
West Ham's point was built on a game-plan that saw them adopt a compact
formation that afforded Rodgers' pass-first team little space either in
front or behind the Hammers' back four. With Gary O'Neil and Mohamed Diame
providing a shield in front of the defence, wingers Matt Jarvis and Ricardo
Vaz Te providing an outlet and Kevin Nolan and Carlton Cole holding the ball
up whenever possible, the visitors frustrated Liverpool and their
supporters.
When the Reds did get in behind, it was largely through fortunate ricochets,
while Jarvis caused Glen Johnson and Jamie Carragher huge problems with his
pace and ability to cross with both feet. In the first half, both Cole and
Nolan headed deliveries from the Barclays Premier League's top crosser
narrowly off-target, while another direct run after the break saw a
goalbound Matt Taylor shot blocked. "I always said Liverpool will throw
players forward - even their full-backs who they almost use as wingers. So,
if you win the ball back and don't waste it and pass it correctly, you can
get from one end of the pitch to the other pretty quickly and be running at
Liverpool's back two defenders Carragher and [Daniel] Agger. "We did that
several times and we had two headers at goal in the first half and Carlton
Cole had the ball passed to him in their box and it ended up being blocked
by a defender. That was a great, great chance for us.
"We had the header at the end from Jack Collison, which was a great header
that was cleared off the line, and just before that James Tomkins was kicked
in the back of the leg by Jose Enrique but the ref didn't give us the
penalty. "Like I said, no matter how much possession Liverpool had, we
created better chances than them and I've got to be satisfied, which I am."
Big Sam was particularly delighted with the way his defenders dealt with the
threat of Uruguay forward Suarez, who has terrorised defenders with his
movement and skill all season long. "It was terrific defending against one
of the trickiest players in the Barclays Premier League and one of the
trickiest players in the world - and he has proven that with his goal record
this season. "They had a couple of shots that flashed wide of the post but I
thought the defending from James Collins and James Tomkins was outstanding
."
While his side are 12th in the table ahead of next Saturday's trip to
eleventh-place Southampton - a side they pulled level with on 37 points
following Sunday's draw - Big Sam says his team need to keep producing the
goods and picking up positive results over the closing six weeks of the
season. A win at St Mary's, of course, would take West Ham to 40 points -
the commonly-considered benchmark for Barclays Premier League safety. "It's
a big point. At the end of the day, the magic 40 points is what we are
looking for because some of the teams below us have put unusual winning runs
together - Wigan have been doing it for the last two or three years and they
have put three wins together in four games. "Southampton have put three wins
together, too, which is unusual this time of year, so this was a big point
for us."
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Resolute Hammers make their point
WHUFC.com
West Ham United secured a fine point at Liverpool in the Barclays Premier
League on Sunday
07.04.2013
West Ham United ground out a goalless draw at Liverpool on Sunday afternoon
to edge ever-closer to the 40 point mark. The Hammers travelled to
Merseyside looking for a first Anfield victory in half-a-century, and
although they were not able to achieve that, they would be satisfied with an
excellent draw.
Sam Allardyce's men defended admirably to frustrate their hosts, and they
may even have claimed maximum points late on when Jack Collison's header was
cleared off the line by Lucas. Whenever the Reds did manage to break through
an outstanding Hammers backline, Jussi Jaaskelainen was there to stand in
their way as the Hammers registered their first goalless draw of 2013.
Liverpool's Phillipe Coutinho made a lively start to the game, going close
with seven minutes on the clock when, fronted up by James Collins, he
shifted the ball onto his right foot and forced a smart low save from
Jaaskelainen with a shot from 25 yards. West Ham's first threat came from
Mohamed Diame, who collected possession in space on halfway with 19 minutes
on the clock, carried the ball forward 20 yards and let fly with a
left-footed drive that was always rising over the top. Diame went closer six
minutes later with an opportunity he created brilliantly by himself. There
did not appear to be much on when Gary O'Neil fed him the ball by the corner
flag, but he tricked his way past two defenders before proving too elusive
for Steven Gearrard and Stewart Downing inside the area, although his
eventual shot whistled inches over the crossbar. The Hammers were doing a
good job of keeping Luis Suarez's involvement to a minimum, although with 27
minutes on the clock he did combine neatly with Coutinho near the by-line to
get a shot away which Jaaskelainen needed to save with his legs. Liverpool
looked comfortable in possession and were seeing more of the ball, but West
Ham still carried a threat and they had a chance handed to them on a plate
five minutes later when Lucas was caught as the hosts tried to play out from
a goal kick. Carlton Cole had the opportunity, but Daniel Agger got across
to block. The hosts looked to up their intensity at the start of the second
period and Steven Gerrard was heavily involved in their attacking play,
bursting down the right flank on 53 minutes to deliver a dangerous low cross
which Diame touched behind with Sturridge lurking, then bringing a goalline
block from James Tomkins two minutes later. Suarez showed a glimpse of his
considerable talents when losing the attentions of Matt Jarvis and James
Tomkins with a deft drop of the shoulder before drilling a low cross-shot
that fizzed across the face of goal and only just missed the far post.
Coutinho was next to go close, with an angled shot which brushed Guy Demel
and flashed across Jaaskelainen's goal on 68 minutes. 12 minutes from time
Sturridge found space to try his luck from the edge of the box, but
Jaaskelainen held on as Gerrard looked to pounce on any scraps At the other
end the Hammers so nearly nicked it when Collison rose to meet Gary O'Neil's
left wing corner. The Welshman's header beat Jose Reina, but not Lucas who
was stationed on the line to block and the visitors had to be content with a
hard-fought point.
Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Enrique; Gerrard, Lucas,
Henderson (Assaidi 71); Downing (Sturridge 25), Suarez, Coutinho
Subs: Jones (GK), Coates, Suso, Shelvey, Skrtel
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen; Demel, Collins, Tomkins (Pogatetz 83),
O'Brien; Vaz Te (Collison 63), Diame, O'Neil, Nolan (Taylor 63), Jarvis;
C.Cole
Subs: Henderson (GK), Maiga, Chamakh, Potts
Booked: O'Brien
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Attendance: 45,007
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Liverpool 0 West Ham 0
7 April 2013
Last updated at 17:16
By Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Anfield
Liverpool and West Ham fought out a largely disappointing goalless draw
which damages the home team's European ambitions but eased relegation
concerns for their opponents. The Hammers were denied their first win at
Anfield for 50 years when Lucas Leiva cleared Jack Collison's late header
off the line.
Luis Suarez was marshalled expertly by West Ham defender James Collins,
although the Uruguay forward did force an injury-time save from Jussi
Jaaskelainen at the goalkeeper's near post with a low shot. The draw leaves
Liverpool in seventh, three points behind local rivals Everton having played
an extra match, while West Ham are now seven points clear of the relegation
zone. It also brings the east London side to within a point of the 38-point
target manager Sam Allardyce has set before he signs a new contract with the
Upton Park club. The central-defensive pairing of Collins and James Tomkins
were crucial to securing their side's clean sheet, as Allardyce earned a
first point in his last nine games against the Reds. The match had been
preceded by a minute's silence in the last game at Anfield before the 24th
anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster on 15 April. When the action got
under way, Liverpool had the majority of possession and looked the more
threatening going forward, without creating any clear-cut chances.
"West Ham have got a precious point in their bid to secure survival but
Liverpool have dropped points in their challenge for a European place. A
deserved draw for Hammers boss Sam Allardyce's side and a frustrating result
for Reds counterpart Brendan Rodgers." And it was the visitors who went
close to taking the lead when midfielder Mohamed Diame, showing sparks of
his quality, beat four Liverpool defenders inside the box before hammering a
strike over the bar.
Liverpool's frustrations increased when Daniel Sturridge, who replaced
Stewart Downing midway through the first half, saw his shot on the turn
saved at the far post on the stroke of half-time. After the break, the
Merseysiders increased the pressure but the visitors held firm, Tomkins
blocking a goal-bound Steven Gerrard effort just in front of the line. The
home side did have the ball in the net when Sturridge turned in Jordan
Henderson's shot only for the goal to be disallowed for offside. West Ham
thought they should have had a penalty for a Jose Enrique tackle on Tomkins,
who then might have conceded a spot-kick himself for a challenge on Gerrard.
As Liverpool continued to struggle to find a way through the visitors, West
Ham almost stole the three points late on but Lucas cleared Collison's
header off the goal-line.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers: "The effort the players put in was very
good. We just needed a bit of luck to go our way. I'm disappointed Daniel
Sturridge's goal was disallowed for offside as I thought it was onside. "You
have to give West Ham credit as they defended very well. I never for one
moment thought they were going to win it. They got in some great blocks and
are an honest group of players that put their bodies on the line but only
one team tried to win it and that was us, but we couldn't put the ball in
the back of the net."
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce: "I am content, even though we should have
won the game. We nullified Liverpool's strengths and created the better
chances to score. I'm delighted. It's only our finishing that has cost us
the three points. "Jose Enrique kicked James Tomkins when we should have had
a penalty but I am satisfied with the performance and result. We know we've
created better chances than Liverpool, even though they had more possession.
"James Collins and James Tomkins were outstanding. It's a big point. We are
ever closer to the magic 40."
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Liverpool's Rodgers thanks travelling fans
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 7th April 2013
By: Staff Writer
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has hailed West Ham's supporters for the
manner in which they observed today's minute's silence for the 96 Liverpool
supporters who died at Hillsborough. 24 years ago this week, Liverpool's FA
Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest ended in tragedy after 96 football
fans lost their lives. The travelling Hammers fans were tonight praised by
the Liverpool boss, who admitted that "you could have heard a pin drop"
during the silence. "I'd like to say 'well done' and congratulations to the
West Ham fans because I thought it was a brilliant response, " he said.
"Sometimes in this modern world and society you get a lot of ignorance and
that was a real mark of respect. "You know what you'll get from the
Liverpool supporters, but big applause to West Ham supporters because it was
a great show of respect."
However Rodgers, whose side were held to a 0-0 draw by Sam Allardyce's side
at Anfield this afternoon was far less happy about dropping points in a game
which one suspects he viewed as a home banker. And he insisted that Daniel
Sturridge's second half effort which was ruled out should have stood -
whilst Steven Gerrard was unlucky not to have been given a penalty. "We're
disappointed with the goal that was given offside because it was clearly
onside, " he moaned - whilst on Gerrard's claim for a spot kick, he added:
"It looked it [at the time], but I've looked at it again and it's one of
those where young James is fortunate to get a touch on the ball. "He's got
contact on the ball and brought Steven down at the same time. Sometimes you
get them and sometimes you don't. "But you've got to give credit to West Ham
- they defended very well. Obviously they came here and put numbers behind
the ball and it's up to you to break that down. We just couldn't quite
manage that."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Liverpool 0-0 West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 7th April 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham came within the width of a goal line from recording their first
victory at Anfield since 1963. Jack Collison's 86th-minute header had beaten
Liverpool 'keeper Pepe Reina and was about to end one of football's most
unwanted records, until a desperate swing by Liverpool defender Lucas
cleared the ball from underneath the crossbar. With that went United's hopes
of cementing their first win on the red side of Stanley Park in 50 years -
although Sam Allardyce and his team were at least able to enjoy a share of
the spoils at a ground where both points and goals have been hard to come by
over the years.
Allardyce, whose team held a high line defensively for much of the match and
showed a modicum of attacking intent - unlike in some away games this season
- more than matched a Liverpool team who were a mere shadow of some of the
wonderful sides to have graced Anfield over the years.
Only Player of the Year-contender Luis Suarez and recent arrival Coutinho
proved any real threat to West Ham, who have now played 40 times at Anfield
since last tasting success.
But the Liverpool duo were more than matched by United's central defender
James Collins, who was once again imperious in defence and limited the
dangerous Uruguayan to a couple of half chances.
West Ham, playing with a freedom afforded them by last week's win against
West Brom which all but killed off the spectre of relegation - but missing
key players like Winston Reid, Joe Cole and Andy Carroll - started today's
game positively and continued in a similar frame of mind throughout.
It was Allardyce's side who created the best opportunity of the opening half
when Mo Diame - playing with the same verve and tenacity that won him the
Man of the Match award in the corresponding fixture earlier in the season -
weaved his way through four Liverpool players before firing wildly over from
just eight yards, with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Liverpool's response was a well-crafted move on the right between Coutinho
and Suarez which left the latter odds-on to score but Jussi Jaaskelainen,
continuing his recent good form, saved smartly at his near post.
After the break, clear goalscoring opportunities continued to be a rarity
although Liverpool will perhaps feel they had the upper edge. Steven
Gerrard, the bane of West Ham for many a year burst into the box minutes
after the restart but his low cross was thumped clear.
James Tomkins, stationed underneath the crossbar was called into action on
55 minutes when he was on hand to avert Gerrard's goalbound effort. And on
the hour mark, Suarez's low delivery was just asking for the finishing touch
to be applied but agonisingly - for the home fans, anyway - it trickled away
to safety.
West Ham were then denied what appeared to be a fairly obvious penalty on 63
minutes when James Tomkins was kicked in the thigh from behind. Referee
Anthony Taylor - who was responsible for Carlton Cole's ludicrous red card
against Everton in December - was well positioned and waved play on, but it
was one of those that would have almost certainly been given anywhere else
on the pitch.
The home side did eventually find the back of the net on 66 minutes but
substitute Daniel Sturridge - who was otherwise anonymous - saw his effort
(rightly) chalked off, as he was standing in an offside position when
receiving the ball.
Four minutes later Steven Gerrard reverted to type by going down inside the
box following a challenge from Tomkins, but referee Taylor was having none
of it. He may also have noticed that Tomkins touched the ball before
connecting with Gerrard.
That was about it as far as the home side were concerned as an attacking
force, but West Ham were not content to sit back and take a point. Sub Matt
Taylor saw a shot blocked following an excellent move - before being booked
for time-wasting - but the final chance of glory, the opportunity to finally
end 50 years of hurt was left to fellow sub, Jack Collison.
With just four minutes of normal time remaining, Matt Jarvis' corner was
floated towards the far post. Collison emerged from amongst a group of
players to connect firmly with Jarvis' cross and send it goalbound. Reina
was well beaten - but Brazilian defender Lucas wasn't, and he hooked the
ball away from danger.
The Welsh midfielder now joins an exclusive club of Hammers who have spurned
glorious chances to end West Ham's miserable run at Anfield. Gavin Holligan,
Craig Bellamy and Luis Boa Morte have all been there before - but 50 years
since Martin Peters and Geoff Hurst set up a 2-1 win, West Ham still remain
winless at Anfield.
The points keeps West Ham in 12th spot in the Premier League, level on
points with 11th-placed Southampton but with a game in hand.
Liverpool 0-0 West Ham United: match facts
West Ham Utd: Jaaskelainen, Demel, O'Brien, Tomkins (Pogatetz 83), Collins,
Diame, O'Neil, Nolan (Taylor 62), Jarvis, Vaz Te (Collison 63), C.Cole.
Subs not Used: S Henderson, Potts, Maiga, Chamakh.
Booked: Taylor (85).
Shots On/Off Target: 4/6.
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Enrique, Carragher, Agger, J Henderson (Assaidi
75), Lucas, Gerrard (c), Coutinho, Downing (Sturridge 25), Suarez.
Subs not Used: Jones, Coates, Shelvey, Skrtel, Suso
Shots On/Off Target: 12/7.
Possession (%): Liverpool 57-43 West Ham Utd
Corners: Liverpool 12-2 West Ham Utd
Fouls: Liverpool 8-4 West Ham Utd
Referee: Anthony Taylor.
Attendance: 45,007.
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Tomkins fears allayed
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 7th April 2013
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce has revealed that James Tomkins is not an injury concern
despite being taken off towards the end of today's goalless draw with
Liverpool.
The centre-half was back in the starting XI as a replacement for the crocked
Winston Reid and had performed ably before pulling up in the 83rd minute.
However any fears over Tomkins' situation were dismissed by Allardyce
tonight. "It was a touch of cramp. He couldn't relieve the tightness in the
calf," he told the BBC. "We felt that if we'd put him back on he might have
damaged the calf muscle which we didn't want, because we've already lost
Winston Reid with a thigh strain. We don't particularly want any more
injuries to our defenders."
Both Tomkins and defensive partner James Collins were Man of the Match
contenders in today's match, as West Ham held Liverpool to a 0-0 draw.
Allardyce was understandably effusive in his praise of both. "[James
Collins] and James Tomkins were outstanding today. If you look at how many
time's Jussi had to save the ball - which was very few today - it measures
what they've done in front of him," he said. "They nullified Liverpool's
front three - and Sturridge who came on - which was a big ask for us today
but everybody - and particularly the defence - defended very well indeed."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce wants to know budget before signing new deal
Last Updated: April 7, 2013 10:58am
SSN
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce wants to know how much he can spend in
the summer before signing a new contract. Allardyce has been in talks over a
new deal at Upton Park and has been happy to wait until the Hammers' Premier
League survival has been confirmed before finalising the deal. He is willing
to commit to the club for the next three years, but also wants to be certain
of his transfer budget before putting pen to paper. "I'm not going to sign a
contract and then find out what my budget is," Allardyce told the Sunday
People. "I'm going to see what my budget looks like first. "To be fair to
co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan, they have never let me down yet.
They have always stumped up exactly what they could and I think we have
spent wisely this season."
"To be fair to co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan, they have never let
me down yet. They have always stumped up exactly what they could and I think
we have spent wisely this season." He added: "I won't sign until we are
totally safe and we aren't there yet. "There's no point signing now and then
finding you don't get those points you need and the worst comes to the
worst. "So the finer detail is something that still needs to be agreed, but
overall I don't envisage any problems cropping up. I'm happy to commit to
2016 and, who knows, hopefully I'll be around to take the club into the new
Olympic Stadium at Stratford."
Allardyce is keen to conclude a permanent deal for on-loan Liverpool striker
Andy Carroll, but he is not planning a major overhaul of his West Ham squad.
"Hopefully we won't be too busy in the transfer market," he continued . "We
won't be having the kind of player changes that we had in the first year or
so.
"I'm going to do a full inventory of what the ins and outs have been over
the last two years. I think I will be touching about 40 out and about 30 odd
in and you can't keep doing that. "I'm hoping only three or four out and
maybe five in before next season, and that will make it a fantastic summer
for me."
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West Ham manager Sam Allardyce delighted by draw at Liverpool
Last Updated: April 7, 2013 8:03pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce was "absolutely delighted" with a hard-fought
0-0 draw at Liverpool on Sunday. The Hammers defended resolutely at Anfield
and restricted Liverpool's opportunities, even going close to snatching all
three points late on when Jack Collison saw a header cleared off the line.
Allardyce was pleased with the gutsy performance of his players and even
felt they might have done enough to nick all three points. "It was very,
very good indeed," he told Sky Sports. "I think when you frustrate the
opposition and you keep the Anfield crowd quiet then you know your team is
doing something right.
"And then when you take your possession, which is obviously going to be
limited against Liverpool, and create as much as we did today too. "I am
absolutely delighted with the point but also a little disappointed we didn't
win this game today given the clear-cut chances that fell to us and not to
Liverpool."
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Liverpool 0 West Ham 0
The Sun
By PHIL THOMAS
Last Updated: 08th April 2013
PERHAPS we should have realised from events 24 hours earlier there is no
such thing as a certainty on Merseyside. After a day ripping betting slips
at Aintree on Saturday, another red-hot favourite failed to deliver at
Anfield. West Ham heading home with a point may not rank alongside 66-1 shot
Auroras Encore winning Grand National glory. But given the Hammers' woeful
record here, in footballing terms it was not far short. After all, they had
not won here since 1963, not even scored on their last four visits - and
only six in the previous 27. No team in any of the four divisions had scored
fewer than the Hammers' nine on the road this term while Liverpool had
blasted 20 in their previous six at home. So all in all it should have been
straight forward, surely. Just like it should have been for all those
hotly-fancied nags at Aintree over the past three days. Well we all know
what happened there, don't we? And although both Brendan Rodgers and Sam
Allardyce reckoned their respective sides should have left with all three,
neither did enough to merit it. If it came down to clear-cut chances you
would have to give it to the Hammers. If it went on possession and pressing,
Reds shaded it. But the fact neither keeper had to perform heroics says
everything. Yes, the Reds could have a case for claiming Daniel Sturridge's
point-blank shot should have stood, as the England ace was just onside.
Yet then again, Luis Suarez used a hand in the build-up to that 65th-minute
effort - so ref Anthony Taylor did get it right, albeit unwittingly. On
another day, West Ham could well have been given a spot kick when James
Tomkins went tumbling as he reached a bouncing ball before Jose Enrique
caught him with a lunging leg. Liverpool had a claim of their own when
Steven Gerrard went over Tomkins' raised leg. Yet the West Ham centre-back
had nicked the ball first, so the official got that one correct, too.
In all honesty it would have been harsh on Tomkins, as well, after an
outstanding defensive display from both him and partner James Collins, who
kept Suarez as quiet as anyone has all season. Not that there was a great
deal to get too excited about from the rest of them in Red either.
Admittedly, Jussi Jaaskelainen had to go full stretch a couple of times to
deny the lively Philippe Coutinho and block Sturridge. But they were both
saves the West Ham keeper would have expected to make, while Collins threw
himself in front of everything else to make sure the ball never even reached
the target the rest of the time. And on the one occasion when Liverpool did
find a way past Jaaskelainen - Gerrard's side-footed strike 10 minutes after
the break - Tomkins blocked. That was as close as it got for the Reds.
West Ham could point to more clear-cut chances - even if the finishes were
hardly the best examples of how to keep a cool head in front of goal.
Mohamed Diame had no right to shimmy and steamroller his way from the right
wing to in front of Pepe Reina's goal. But after doing all the hard work,
his thunderbolt strike flew well over. At least Carlton Cole's drive was on
target. Yet his rocket struck Daniel Agger in the midriff and flew past
Kevin Nolan too quickly.
Lucas was the Reds' hero four minutes from time, as Jack Collison's header
beat Reina only for the Brazilian to save the day on the line.
STAR MAN - JAMES COLLINS (West Ham)
LIVERPOOL: Reina 6, Johnson 6, Carragher 6, Agger 7, Enrique 6, Henderson 5
(Assaidi 5), Lucas 6, Gerrard 7, Downing 5 (Sturridge 6), Coutinho 6, Suarez
6. Subs not used: Jones, Coates, Suso, Shelvey, Skrtel.
WEST HAM: Jaaskelainen 7, Demel 7, Tomkins 8 (Pogatez 5), Collins 8, O'Brien
6, O'Neil 6, Vaz Te 5 (Collinson 6), Diame 7, Nolan 6 (Taylor 6), Jarvis 6,
Cole 5. Subs not used: Henderson, Maiga, Chamakh, Potts. Booked: O'Brien.
REF: A Taylor 7
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam left gutted by draw at Anfield
By STEVE LILLIS
Last Updated: 08th April 2013
The Sun
SAM ALLARDYCE left Anfield frustrated despite a priceless point that leaves
West Ham on the brink of safety. After the goalless draw West Ham's boss
taunted Liverpool, claiming: "We should've won." Jack Collison's header was
cleared off the line and should have been awarded a penalty after Jose
Enrique kicked him. Allardyce said: "Liverpool had the most possession but
we had better chances and are disappointed not to have won. "When you
frustrate Liverpool like we did and keep Anfield quiet, you know you're
doing your job right. "Most of the fans expected Liverpool to walk away with
it but we made it difficult for them and never succumbed to the pressure."
ALLARDYCE says he is happy with clean sheet and point, but wanted to take
all three after creating chances West Ham's back four were outstanding and
Big Sam said: "James Collins and James Tomkins were good. "That was the best
we have defended all season away.." Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said:
"You have to give credit to West Ham. They defended very well. "It was one
of those games where you need to score early to open it up or need that wee
bit of luck to get the goal."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce was proud to see his West Ham United side earn a deserved 0-0
draw at Liverpool on Sunday
07.04.2013
Sam Allardyce said his West Ham United side had been unfortunate not end the
club's 50-year winless run at Liverpool on Sunday. The Hammers produced a
resilient display to earn a deserved goalless draw at Anfield and, having
stifled Brendan Rodgers' team with their organisation, concentration and
tenacity, came within inches of stealing all three points. James Collins and
the returning James Tomkins led the way with outstanding displays in central
defence, but all eleven starters and three substitutes played their part.
Indeed, only a dramatic goal-line clearance from Reds midfielder Lucas
denied one of those Hammers substitutes, Jack Collison, a late headed
winner. "It should have been our first win at Anfield in 50 years ,
shouldn't it?" said manager Sam Allardyce. "As delighted as we are for the
West Ham fans travelling back home thinking 'What a great point that is' -
and it is a great point - the disappointing thing is that we know we should
have won it with the chances we had. "Because the chances were clear-cut
compared to Liverpool's chances, that's why I'm disappointed we didn't win.
That said, I'm delighted with our outstanding performance, particularly the
defenders keeping Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Steven Gerrard and all
those people quiet. "We didn't given them opportunities to score and that's
why it was a really good performance."
West Ham's point was built on a game-plan that saw them adopt a compact
formation that afforded Rodgers' pass-first team little space either in
front or behind the Hammers' back four. With Gary O'Neil and Mohamed Diame
providing a shield in front of the defence, wingers Matt Jarvis and Ricardo
Vaz Te providing an outlet and Kevin Nolan and Carlton Cole holding the ball
up whenever possible, the visitors frustrated Liverpool and their
supporters.
When the Reds did get in behind, it was largely through fortunate ricochets,
while Jarvis caused Glen Johnson and Jamie Carragher huge problems with his
pace and ability to cross with both feet. In the first half, both Cole and
Nolan headed deliveries from the Barclays Premier League's top crosser
narrowly off-target, while another direct run after the break saw a
goalbound Matt Taylor shot blocked. "I always said Liverpool will throw
players forward - even their full-backs who they almost use as wingers. So,
if you win the ball back and don't waste it and pass it correctly, you can
get from one end of the pitch to the other pretty quickly and be running at
Liverpool's back two defenders Carragher and [Daniel] Agger. "We did that
several times and we had two headers at goal in the first half and Carlton
Cole had the ball passed to him in their box and it ended up being blocked
by a defender. That was a great, great chance for us.
"We had the header at the end from Jack Collison, which was a great header
that was cleared off the line, and just before that James Tomkins was kicked
in the back of the leg by Jose Enrique but the ref didn't give us the
penalty. "Like I said, no matter how much possession Liverpool had, we
created better chances than them and I've got to be satisfied, which I am."
Big Sam was particularly delighted with the way his defenders dealt with the
threat of Uruguay forward Suarez, who has terrorised defenders with his
movement and skill all season long. "It was terrific defending against one
of the trickiest players in the Barclays Premier League and one of the
trickiest players in the world - and he has proven that with his goal record
this season. "They had a couple of shots that flashed wide of the post but I
thought the defending from James Collins and James Tomkins was outstanding
."
While his side are 12th in the table ahead of next Saturday's trip to
eleventh-place Southampton - a side they pulled level with on 37 points
following Sunday's draw - Big Sam says his team need to keep producing the
goods and picking up positive results over the closing six weeks of the
season. A win at St Mary's, of course, would take West Ham to 40 points -
the commonly-considered benchmark for Barclays Premier League safety. "It's
a big point. At the end of the day, the magic 40 points is what we are
looking for because some of the teams below us have put unusual winning runs
together - Wigan have been doing it for the last two or three years and they
have put three wins together in four games. "Southampton have put three wins
together, too, which is unusual this time of year, so this was a big point
for us."
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Resolute Hammers make their point
WHUFC.com
West Ham United secured a fine point at Liverpool in the Barclays Premier
League on Sunday
07.04.2013
West Ham United ground out a goalless draw at Liverpool on Sunday afternoon
to edge ever-closer to the 40 point mark. The Hammers travelled to
Merseyside looking for a first Anfield victory in half-a-century, and
although they were not able to achieve that, they would be satisfied with an
excellent draw.
Sam Allardyce's men defended admirably to frustrate their hosts, and they
may even have claimed maximum points late on when Jack Collison's header was
cleared off the line by Lucas. Whenever the Reds did manage to break through
an outstanding Hammers backline, Jussi Jaaskelainen was there to stand in
their way as the Hammers registered their first goalless draw of 2013.
Liverpool's Phillipe Coutinho made a lively start to the game, going close
with seven minutes on the clock when, fronted up by James Collins, he
shifted the ball onto his right foot and forced a smart low save from
Jaaskelainen with a shot from 25 yards. West Ham's first threat came from
Mohamed Diame, who collected possession in space on halfway with 19 minutes
on the clock, carried the ball forward 20 yards and let fly with a
left-footed drive that was always rising over the top. Diame went closer six
minutes later with an opportunity he created brilliantly by himself. There
did not appear to be much on when Gary O'Neil fed him the ball by the corner
flag, but he tricked his way past two defenders before proving too elusive
for Steven Gearrard and Stewart Downing inside the area, although his
eventual shot whistled inches over the crossbar. The Hammers were doing a
good job of keeping Luis Suarez's involvement to a minimum, although with 27
minutes on the clock he did combine neatly with Coutinho near the by-line to
get a shot away which Jaaskelainen needed to save with his legs. Liverpool
looked comfortable in possession and were seeing more of the ball, but West
Ham still carried a threat and they had a chance handed to them on a plate
five minutes later when Lucas was caught as the hosts tried to play out from
a goal kick. Carlton Cole had the opportunity, but Daniel Agger got across
to block. The hosts looked to up their intensity at the start of the second
period and Steven Gerrard was heavily involved in their attacking play,
bursting down the right flank on 53 minutes to deliver a dangerous low cross
which Diame touched behind with Sturridge lurking, then bringing a goalline
block from James Tomkins two minutes later. Suarez showed a glimpse of his
considerable talents when losing the attentions of Matt Jarvis and James
Tomkins with a deft drop of the shoulder before drilling a low cross-shot
that fizzed across the face of goal and only just missed the far post.
Coutinho was next to go close, with an angled shot which brushed Guy Demel
and flashed across Jaaskelainen's goal on 68 minutes. 12 minutes from time
Sturridge found space to try his luck from the edge of the box, but
Jaaskelainen held on as Gerrard looked to pounce on any scraps At the other
end the Hammers so nearly nicked it when Collison rose to meet Gary O'Neil's
left wing corner. The Welshman's header beat Jose Reina, but not Lucas who
was stationed on the line to block and the visitors had to be content with a
hard-fought point.
Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Enrique; Gerrard, Lucas,
Henderson (Assaidi 71); Downing (Sturridge 25), Suarez, Coutinho
Subs: Jones (GK), Coates, Suso, Shelvey, Skrtel
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen; Demel, Collins, Tomkins (Pogatetz 83),
O'Brien; Vaz Te (Collison 63), Diame, O'Neil, Nolan (Taylor 63), Jarvis;
C.Cole
Subs: Henderson (GK), Maiga, Chamakh, Potts
Booked: O'Brien
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Attendance: 45,007
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Liverpool 0 West Ham 0
7 April 2013
Last updated at 17:16
By Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Anfield
Liverpool and West Ham fought out a largely disappointing goalless draw
which damages the home team's European ambitions but eased relegation
concerns for their opponents. The Hammers were denied their first win at
Anfield for 50 years when Lucas Leiva cleared Jack Collison's late header
off the line.
Luis Suarez was marshalled expertly by West Ham defender James Collins,
although the Uruguay forward did force an injury-time save from Jussi
Jaaskelainen at the goalkeeper's near post with a low shot. The draw leaves
Liverpool in seventh, three points behind local rivals Everton having played
an extra match, while West Ham are now seven points clear of the relegation
zone. It also brings the east London side to within a point of the 38-point
target manager Sam Allardyce has set before he signs a new contract with the
Upton Park club. The central-defensive pairing of Collins and James Tomkins
were crucial to securing their side's clean sheet, as Allardyce earned a
first point in his last nine games against the Reds. The match had been
preceded by a minute's silence in the last game at Anfield before the 24th
anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster on 15 April. When the action got
under way, Liverpool had the majority of possession and looked the more
threatening going forward, without creating any clear-cut chances.
"West Ham have got a precious point in their bid to secure survival but
Liverpool have dropped points in their challenge for a European place. A
deserved draw for Hammers boss Sam Allardyce's side and a frustrating result
for Reds counterpart Brendan Rodgers." And it was the visitors who went
close to taking the lead when midfielder Mohamed Diame, showing sparks of
his quality, beat four Liverpool defenders inside the box before hammering a
strike over the bar.
Liverpool's frustrations increased when Daniel Sturridge, who replaced
Stewart Downing midway through the first half, saw his shot on the turn
saved at the far post on the stroke of half-time. After the break, the
Merseysiders increased the pressure but the visitors held firm, Tomkins
blocking a goal-bound Steven Gerrard effort just in front of the line. The
home side did have the ball in the net when Sturridge turned in Jordan
Henderson's shot only for the goal to be disallowed for offside. West Ham
thought they should have had a penalty for a Jose Enrique tackle on Tomkins,
who then might have conceded a spot-kick himself for a challenge on Gerrard.
As Liverpool continued to struggle to find a way through the visitors, West
Ham almost stole the three points late on but Lucas cleared Collison's
header off the goal-line.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers: "The effort the players put in was very
good. We just needed a bit of luck to go our way. I'm disappointed Daniel
Sturridge's goal was disallowed for offside as I thought it was onside. "You
have to give West Ham credit as they defended very well. I never for one
moment thought they were going to win it. They got in some great blocks and
are an honest group of players that put their bodies on the line but only
one team tried to win it and that was us, but we couldn't put the ball in
the back of the net."
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce: "I am content, even though we should have
won the game. We nullified Liverpool's strengths and created the better
chances to score. I'm delighted. It's only our finishing that has cost us
the three points. "Jose Enrique kicked James Tomkins when we should have had
a penalty but I am satisfied with the performance and result. We know we've
created better chances than Liverpool, even though they had more possession.
"James Collins and James Tomkins were outstanding. It's a big point. We are
ever closer to the magic 40."
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Liverpool's Rodgers thanks travelling fans
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 7th April 2013
By: Staff Writer
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has hailed West Ham's supporters for the
manner in which they observed today's minute's silence for the 96 Liverpool
supporters who died at Hillsborough. 24 years ago this week, Liverpool's FA
Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest ended in tragedy after 96 football
fans lost their lives. The travelling Hammers fans were tonight praised by
the Liverpool boss, who admitted that "you could have heard a pin drop"
during the silence. "I'd like to say 'well done' and congratulations to the
West Ham fans because I thought it was a brilliant response, " he said.
"Sometimes in this modern world and society you get a lot of ignorance and
that was a real mark of respect. "You know what you'll get from the
Liverpool supporters, but big applause to West Ham supporters because it was
a great show of respect."
However Rodgers, whose side were held to a 0-0 draw by Sam Allardyce's side
at Anfield this afternoon was far less happy about dropping points in a game
which one suspects he viewed as a home banker. And he insisted that Daniel
Sturridge's second half effort which was ruled out should have stood -
whilst Steven Gerrard was unlucky not to have been given a penalty. "We're
disappointed with the goal that was given offside because it was clearly
onside, " he moaned - whilst on Gerrard's claim for a spot kick, he added:
"It looked it [at the time], but I've looked at it again and it's one of
those where young James is fortunate to get a touch on the ball. "He's got
contact on the ball and brought Steven down at the same time. Sometimes you
get them and sometimes you don't. "But you've got to give credit to West Ham
- they defended very well. Obviously they came here and put numbers behind
the ball and it's up to you to break that down. We just couldn't quite
manage that."
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Liverpool 0-0 West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 7th April 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham came within the width of a goal line from recording their first
victory at Anfield since 1963. Jack Collison's 86th-minute header had beaten
Liverpool 'keeper Pepe Reina and was about to end one of football's most
unwanted records, until a desperate swing by Liverpool defender Lucas
cleared the ball from underneath the crossbar. With that went United's hopes
of cementing their first win on the red side of Stanley Park in 50 years -
although Sam Allardyce and his team were at least able to enjoy a share of
the spoils at a ground where both points and goals have been hard to come by
over the years.
Allardyce, whose team held a high line defensively for much of the match and
showed a modicum of attacking intent - unlike in some away games this season
- more than matched a Liverpool team who were a mere shadow of some of the
wonderful sides to have graced Anfield over the years.
Only Player of the Year-contender Luis Suarez and recent arrival Coutinho
proved any real threat to West Ham, who have now played 40 times at Anfield
since last tasting success.
But the Liverpool duo were more than matched by United's central defender
James Collins, who was once again imperious in defence and limited the
dangerous Uruguayan to a couple of half chances.
West Ham, playing with a freedom afforded them by last week's win against
West Brom which all but killed off the spectre of relegation - but missing
key players like Winston Reid, Joe Cole and Andy Carroll - started today's
game positively and continued in a similar frame of mind throughout.
It was Allardyce's side who created the best opportunity of the opening half
when Mo Diame - playing with the same verve and tenacity that won him the
Man of the Match award in the corresponding fixture earlier in the season -
weaved his way through four Liverpool players before firing wildly over from
just eight yards, with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Liverpool's response was a well-crafted move on the right between Coutinho
and Suarez which left the latter odds-on to score but Jussi Jaaskelainen,
continuing his recent good form, saved smartly at his near post.
After the break, clear goalscoring opportunities continued to be a rarity
although Liverpool will perhaps feel they had the upper edge. Steven
Gerrard, the bane of West Ham for many a year burst into the box minutes
after the restart but his low cross was thumped clear.
James Tomkins, stationed underneath the crossbar was called into action on
55 minutes when he was on hand to avert Gerrard's goalbound effort. And on
the hour mark, Suarez's low delivery was just asking for the finishing touch
to be applied but agonisingly - for the home fans, anyway - it trickled away
to safety.
West Ham were then denied what appeared to be a fairly obvious penalty on 63
minutes when James Tomkins was kicked in the thigh from behind. Referee
Anthony Taylor - who was responsible for Carlton Cole's ludicrous red card
against Everton in December - was well positioned and waved play on, but it
was one of those that would have almost certainly been given anywhere else
on the pitch.
The home side did eventually find the back of the net on 66 minutes but
substitute Daniel Sturridge - who was otherwise anonymous - saw his effort
(rightly) chalked off, as he was standing in an offside position when
receiving the ball.
Four minutes later Steven Gerrard reverted to type by going down inside the
box following a challenge from Tomkins, but referee Taylor was having none
of it. He may also have noticed that Tomkins touched the ball before
connecting with Gerrard.
That was about it as far as the home side were concerned as an attacking
force, but West Ham were not content to sit back and take a point. Sub Matt
Taylor saw a shot blocked following an excellent move - before being booked
for time-wasting - but the final chance of glory, the opportunity to finally
end 50 years of hurt was left to fellow sub, Jack Collison.
With just four minutes of normal time remaining, Matt Jarvis' corner was
floated towards the far post. Collison emerged from amongst a group of
players to connect firmly with Jarvis' cross and send it goalbound. Reina
was well beaten - but Brazilian defender Lucas wasn't, and he hooked the
ball away from danger.
The Welsh midfielder now joins an exclusive club of Hammers who have spurned
glorious chances to end West Ham's miserable run at Anfield. Gavin Holligan,
Craig Bellamy and Luis Boa Morte have all been there before - but 50 years
since Martin Peters and Geoff Hurst set up a 2-1 win, West Ham still remain
winless at Anfield.
The points keeps West Ham in 12th spot in the Premier League, level on
points with 11th-placed Southampton but with a game in hand.
Liverpool 0-0 West Ham United: match facts
West Ham Utd: Jaaskelainen, Demel, O'Brien, Tomkins (Pogatetz 83), Collins,
Diame, O'Neil, Nolan (Taylor 62), Jarvis, Vaz Te (Collison 63), C.Cole.
Subs not Used: S Henderson, Potts, Maiga, Chamakh.
Booked: Taylor (85).
Shots On/Off Target: 4/6.
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Enrique, Carragher, Agger, J Henderson (Assaidi
75), Lucas, Gerrard (c), Coutinho, Downing (Sturridge 25), Suarez.
Subs not Used: Jones, Coates, Shelvey, Skrtel, Suso
Shots On/Off Target: 12/7.
Possession (%): Liverpool 57-43 West Ham Utd
Corners: Liverpool 12-2 West Ham Utd
Fouls: Liverpool 8-4 West Ham Utd
Referee: Anthony Taylor.
Attendance: 45,007.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tomkins fears allayed
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 7th April 2013
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce has revealed that James Tomkins is not an injury concern
despite being taken off towards the end of today's goalless draw with
Liverpool.
The centre-half was back in the starting XI as a replacement for the crocked
Winston Reid and had performed ably before pulling up in the 83rd minute.
However any fears over Tomkins' situation were dismissed by Allardyce
tonight. "It was a touch of cramp. He couldn't relieve the tightness in the
calf," he told the BBC. "We felt that if we'd put him back on he might have
damaged the calf muscle which we didn't want, because we've already lost
Winston Reid with a thigh strain. We don't particularly want any more
injuries to our defenders."
Both Tomkins and defensive partner James Collins were Man of the Match
contenders in today's match, as West Ham held Liverpool to a 0-0 draw.
Allardyce was understandably effusive in his praise of both. "[James
Collins] and James Tomkins were outstanding today. If you look at how many
time's Jussi had to save the ball - which was very few today - it measures
what they've done in front of him," he said. "They nullified Liverpool's
front three - and Sturridge who came on - which was a big ask for us today
but everybody - and particularly the defence - defended very well indeed."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce wants to know budget before signing new deal
Last Updated: April 7, 2013 10:58am
SSN
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce wants to know how much he can spend in
the summer before signing a new contract. Allardyce has been in talks over a
new deal at Upton Park and has been happy to wait until the Hammers' Premier
League survival has been confirmed before finalising the deal. He is willing
to commit to the club for the next three years, but also wants to be certain
of his transfer budget before putting pen to paper. "I'm not going to sign a
contract and then find out what my budget is," Allardyce told the Sunday
People. "I'm going to see what my budget looks like first. "To be fair to
co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan, they have never let me down yet.
They have always stumped up exactly what they could and I think we have
spent wisely this season."
"To be fair to co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan, they have never let
me down yet. They have always stumped up exactly what they could and I think
we have spent wisely this season." He added: "I won't sign until we are
totally safe and we aren't there yet. "There's no point signing now and then
finding you don't get those points you need and the worst comes to the
worst. "So the finer detail is something that still needs to be agreed, but
overall I don't envisage any problems cropping up. I'm happy to commit to
2016 and, who knows, hopefully I'll be around to take the club into the new
Olympic Stadium at Stratford."
Allardyce is keen to conclude a permanent deal for on-loan Liverpool striker
Andy Carroll, but he is not planning a major overhaul of his West Ham squad.
"Hopefully we won't be too busy in the transfer market," he continued . "We
won't be having the kind of player changes that we had in the first year or
so.
"I'm going to do a full inventory of what the ins and outs have been over
the last two years. I think I will be touching about 40 out and about 30 odd
in and you can't keep doing that. "I'm hoping only three or four out and
maybe five in before next season, and that will make it a fantastic summer
for me."
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West Ham manager Sam Allardyce delighted by draw at Liverpool
Last Updated: April 7, 2013 8:03pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce was "absolutely delighted" with a hard-fought
0-0 draw at Liverpool on Sunday. The Hammers defended resolutely at Anfield
and restricted Liverpool's opportunities, even going close to snatching all
three points late on when Jack Collison saw a header cleared off the line.
Allardyce was pleased with the gutsy performance of his players and even
felt they might have done enough to nick all three points. "It was very,
very good indeed," he told Sky Sports. "I think when you frustrate the
opposition and you keep the Anfield crowd quiet then you know your team is
doing something right.
"And then when you take your possession, which is obviously going to be
limited against Liverpool, and create as much as we did today too. "I am
absolutely delighted with the point but also a little disappointed we didn't
win this game today given the clear-cut chances that fell to us and not to
Liverpool."
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Liverpool 0 West Ham 0
The Sun
By PHIL THOMAS
Last Updated: 08th April 2013
PERHAPS we should have realised from events 24 hours earlier there is no
such thing as a certainty on Merseyside. After a day ripping betting slips
at Aintree on Saturday, another red-hot favourite failed to deliver at
Anfield. West Ham heading home with a point may not rank alongside 66-1 shot
Auroras Encore winning Grand National glory. But given the Hammers' woeful
record here, in footballing terms it was not far short. After all, they had
not won here since 1963, not even scored on their last four visits - and
only six in the previous 27. No team in any of the four divisions had scored
fewer than the Hammers' nine on the road this term while Liverpool had
blasted 20 in their previous six at home. So all in all it should have been
straight forward, surely. Just like it should have been for all those
hotly-fancied nags at Aintree over the past three days. Well we all know
what happened there, don't we? And although both Brendan Rodgers and Sam
Allardyce reckoned their respective sides should have left with all three,
neither did enough to merit it. If it came down to clear-cut chances you
would have to give it to the Hammers. If it went on possession and pressing,
Reds shaded it. But the fact neither keeper had to perform heroics says
everything. Yes, the Reds could have a case for claiming Daniel Sturridge's
point-blank shot should have stood, as the England ace was just onside.
Yet then again, Luis Suarez used a hand in the build-up to that 65th-minute
effort - so ref Anthony Taylor did get it right, albeit unwittingly. On
another day, West Ham could well have been given a spot kick when James
Tomkins went tumbling as he reached a bouncing ball before Jose Enrique
caught him with a lunging leg. Liverpool had a claim of their own when
Steven Gerrard went over Tomkins' raised leg. Yet the West Ham centre-back
had nicked the ball first, so the official got that one correct, too.
In all honesty it would have been harsh on Tomkins, as well, after an
outstanding defensive display from both him and partner James Collins, who
kept Suarez as quiet as anyone has all season. Not that there was a great
deal to get too excited about from the rest of them in Red either.
Admittedly, Jussi Jaaskelainen had to go full stretch a couple of times to
deny the lively Philippe Coutinho and block Sturridge. But they were both
saves the West Ham keeper would have expected to make, while Collins threw
himself in front of everything else to make sure the ball never even reached
the target the rest of the time. And on the one occasion when Liverpool did
find a way past Jaaskelainen - Gerrard's side-footed strike 10 minutes after
the break - Tomkins blocked. That was as close as it got for the Reds.
West Ham could point to more clear-cut chances - even if the finishes were
hardly the best examples of how to keep a cool head in front of goal.
Mohamed Diame had no right to shimmy and steamroller his way from the right
wing to in front of Pepe Reina's goal. But after doing all the hard work,
his thunderbolt strike flew well over. At least Carlton Cole's drive was on
target. Yet his rocket struck Daniel Agger in the midriff and flew past
Kevin Nolan too quickly.
Lucas was the Reds' hero four minutes from time, as Jack Collison's header
beat Reina only for the Brazilian to save the day on the line.
STAR MAN - JAMES COLLINS (West Ham)
LIVERPOOL: Reina 6, Johnson 6, Carragher 6, Agger 7, Enrique 6, Henderson 5
(Assaidi 5), Lucas 6, Gerrard 7, Downing 5 (Sturridge 6), Coutinho 6, Suarez
6. Subs not used: Jones, Coates, Suso, Shelvey, Skrtel.
WEST HAM: Jaaskelainen 7, Demel 7, Tomkins 8 (Pogatez 5), Collins 8, O'Brien
6, O'Neil 6, Vaz Te 5 (Collinson 6), Diame 7, Nolan 6 (Taylor 6), Jarvis 6,
Cole 5. Subs not used: Henderson, Maiga, Chamakh, Potts. Booked: O'Brien.
REF: A Taylor 7
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Big Sam left gutted by draw at Anfield
By STEVE LILLIS
Last Updated: 08th April 2013
The Sun
SAM ALLARDYCE left Anfield frustrated despite a priceless point that leaves
West Ham on the brink of safety. After the goalless draw West Ham's boss
taunted Liverpool, claiming: "We should've won." Jack Collison's header was
cleared off the line and should have been awarded a penalty after Jose
Enrique kicked him. Allardyce said: "Liverpool had the most possession but
we had better chances and are disappointed not to have won. "When you
frustrate Liverpool like we did and keep Anfield quiet, you know you're
doing your job right. "Most of the fans expected Liverpool to walk away with
it but we made it difficult for them and never succumbed to the pressure."
ALLARDYCE says he is happy with clean sheet and point, but wanted to take
all three after creating chances West Ham's back four were outstanding and
Big Sam said: "James Collins and James Tomkins were good. "That was the best
we have defended all season away.." Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said:
"You have to give credit to West Ham. They defended very well. "It was one
of those games where you need to score early to open it up or need that wee
bit of luck to get the goal."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Sunday, April 7
Daily WHUFC News - 7th April 2013
Captain's Blog
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan looks forward to what will be an emotional return to his home
city of Liverpool
06.04.2013
Hello everyone,
It was fantastic to be back against West Bromwich Albion last Saturday and I
really enjoyed it. I had that nervous excitement on Friday night knowing
that I was back involved amongst it all. I am really looking forward to
being injury-free for the rest of the season and getting back among the
goals and finishing as high as we possibly can. It was the longest injury
lay-off I have ever had as a professional footballer. Looking back, touch
wood, I have been very lucky not to have had too many injuries and I've been
able to manage them until we got to an international break or the end of the
season before having an operation.
I was disappointed in the tackle that I received, but it was just football
and it was a bit late and it was one of those things. I normally try to
shake these things off and I did so for a good 20 or 30 minutes but it just
wasn't going away and the pain was getting sharper. The staff have worked
brilliantly with me in the gym to keep up my conditioning, but I did find it
difficult going back out and twisting and turning because you're not allowed
to do that sort of thing with a broken toe - just straight-line stuff.
Before the Tottenham game, I had never gone off injured in my career before
- not that I can remember, but you might get one when I was 14 and playing
for my school or something! It was quite hard to take, especially knowing
that the result could have been bad when I went for my X-ray a couple of
days later. I sort of knew right away that it was serious because I'd never
previously not been able to shake an injury off or manage it for the next
game.
I was disappointed to miss the two games, but we managed to get a
magnificent win at Stoke and we were very unlucky at Chelsea. If Andy
Carroll's goal had counted it could have been a different story, but that's
life in the Barclays Premier League. I was really glad to be back against
West Brom and I thought we responded really well at home with another good
performance. We got what we deserved on Saturday.
I've been away from Liverpool for nearly five years and this is my home now,
but it was the city where I was brought up and Liverpool were my team when I
was younger. At the end of the day, it's about us and going there and trying
to make it difficult for them. Teams have done it this year and been
successful and we're going there full of confidence. They will also be full
of confidence and have been playing well, knocking it about and getting the
results that they have needed, to be honest, because they have spent a lot
of money over the last few seasons.
No matter what anyone says, they should be in the top four in my eyes and
they'll be disappointed because I don't think they will make it this year.
They have been knocked out of the UEFA Europa League so they need to finish
as high as possible and make sure they are there. It will be even tougher
because they only have the Premier League to play for at the moment, but
we're certainly looking forward to it. Anfield is a fantastic stadium to
play at and it's always nice being called all kinds of names by my fellow
Scouse people instead of everyone else!
On a serious note, we will honour the memory of the 96 innocent supporters
lost at Hillsborough on Sunday. I have friends who were there that day so
it's going to be a really emotional day because they have got the justice
that they deserved and that, in hindsight, they should have got right
afterwards.
What was reported after Hillsborough was disgusting. The families have
fought all the way and got their just rewards but this is only the
beginning. Now it's about making sure they get justice right through. I'm
pleased because it's now proven to the world and it's shocking that it's
taken nearly 25 years for them to get justice - that's the most disgusting
thing about it.
It'll be an emotional day for the whole of Liverpool - not just Liverpool
Football Club - because everyone was affected, as was everyone around the
footballing world. Hopefully, we can commemorate it in a nice way and the
people who have worked so tirelessly to ensure justice was brought can look
at it a good light on a momentous day for them.
As a city, the people of Liverpool are one, no matter where we are in the
world. It's a great family-oriented city and I'm very proud of my roots and
to be from Liverpool. It's always nice going back but I'm sure there will be
a lot of banter and stick flying around for me from my fellow Scousers!
This weekend is also Grand National weekend at Aintree, but I'm afraid I
cannot pick a winner because it's a lucky dip and anyone could win it - just
like our game on Sunday.
We've not won back-to-back games so far this season, so that's what we're
looking for. We can do it this weekend, no matter what the bookmakers say,
because we go into matches believing we can beat anyone - and on our day, we
can. We will need to work hard, but we will do that and we have quality in
abundance to make sure we can come away from Anfield with three points on
Sunday afternoon. I firmly believe we can do that and I'll make sure all the
other lads believe it too.
I'd like to wish everyone making the journey to Liverpool a safe trip.
Come on you Irons!
Kevin Nolan
Captain
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On this day - 7 April
WHUFC.com
We take a look back at a classic West Ham United victory over Arsenal from
this day in 2007
07.04.2013
Classic match
Arsenal 0-1 West Ham United
Premier League
7 April 2007
Having been the last team to win at Arsenal's Highbury stadium the previous
season, the Hammers continued their great escape in 2006/07 by becoinge the
first side to triumph at their new Emirates home. Bobby Zamora scored the
only goal of the game, just seconds before the interval, but the visitors'
success owed much to Robert Green and the frame of the goal. Cesc Fabregas
was denied when one-on-one with the Hammers keeper after just two minutes,
while Emmanuel Adebayor and Freddie Ljungberg also went close early on. The
Hammers were playing on the break and they scored against the run of play on
the stroke of half time when Kolo Toure allowed Zamora too much space to run
onto a lofted pass and lob Jens Lehmann. After the break Green made a superb
save to prevent Adebayor's close range header from levelling the scores.
When Green was beaten, the woodwork saved West Ham as both Fabregas and
Gilberto struck the post as the visitors held out for a vital win.
Complete record - 7 April
2007 Arsenal 0-1 West Ham United (Premier League)
2001 Aston Villa 2-2 West Ham United (Premier League)
1993 Southend United 1-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1990 Oxford United 0-2 West Ham United (Division Two)
1984 Liverpool 6-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1980 Birmingham City 0-0 West Ham United (Division Two)
1979 Cambridge United 0-0 West Ham United (Division Two)
1973 Newcastle United 1-2 West Ham United (Division One)
1956 West Ham United 3-3 Sheffield Wednesday (Division Two)
1951 Preston North End 0-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1948 Chesterfield 6-0 West Ham United (Division Two)
1947 West Ham United 3-3 Bury (Division Two)
1939 West Ham United 0-2 Bradford Park Avenue (Division Two)
1934 Southampton 3-2 West Ham United (Division Two)
1928 Middlesbrough 2-2 West Ham United (Division One)
1923 West Ham United 1-1 Crystal Palace (Division Two)
Played 16, Won 4, Drawn 7, Lost 5, Scored 19, Conceded 30
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tony Cottee Interview Part 4: 'I Was Stitched Up the Ego That Was Eggert
Magnusson'
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
If you look at the team we had 2001-2003 you could complete a full England
team from those players. How could that team get relegated? Was it down to
the manager?
I did in my book! It wasn't Harry who got them relegated. The problems that
we have had in the 21st century stem back to when Harry Redknapp left the
football club. He left in 2001, but twelve years later we are still
floundering a bit from the legacy of what happened then. Glenn Roeder was
the wrong appointment for the club without a shadow of a doubt and for them
to get relegated with the team they had was a complete nonsense really. You
have to question Glenn Roeder's management because ultimately he wasn't good
enough and you also have to question the attitude of the players because
there was unbelievable talent in that dressing room. They should never have
got relegated but there seemed to be a lot going on off the field. To not
win a home game until the end of January was ridiculous, then there was the
amount of injuries. I blame Glen but I also blame the players as well.
He had his clashes with Di Canio and didn't play him for the final games of
the season. Have you seen that often in your career when a manager falls out
with a star player?
The only manager who always wins in a situation like that is Alex Ferguson
just because he is who he is. Ruud Gullit tried to take on Alan Shearer at
Newcastle. It was Gullit who left. Roeder and Di Canio, who left? Glen
Roeder. In the main the player will always be the most powerful one because
he is on the pitch. Most fans will back the player nine times out of ten. In
Ferguson's case there's only ever one winner. He has taken on Beckham, Jaap
Stam, van Nistelroy and many others and he has always won. I admire him for
that style of management.
Half of the book is about your attempt to by West Ham. I like to think I
know quite a lot about what has gone on at the club over the years, but I
had no idea how serious you were and how close you came. When did you first
have the idea?
It was born out of frustration. We just spoke about the shambolic relegation
in 2003, by which time I was back working at the club doing corporate stuff.
I could see how frustrated all the fans were getting very frustrated at how
desperate the situation became. First and foremost I am a fan. I am not a
player who became a fan. I am a fan who became a player and now I am back as
a fan, like yourself. I could see and sense the frustration that was going
on. We got to the Play-off final in 2004 against Crystal Palace – you were
probably there. Words fail me about that game and what went on that day. It
was a really drab performance. The manager was making bizarre decisions, the
football was awful. It wasn't the West Ham I had gone to Cardiff to see. I
know your memories are clouded and we think of fantastic West Ham teams –
the Brookings, the Bonds and he Devonshires playing wonderful football and
winning 17-0 every week.. You know in reality that didn't really happen, but
it felt like it did. I got frustrated and decided I had to do something. I
was frustrated with how the club was being run by Terry Brown. It was like a
dictatorship. It was all about how much he could take out rather than
putting things back in. There was no leadership, it was just a rudderless
ship floating around in the middle of the ocean. I thought about what I
could do. I had spoken to a couple of people who had offered help and to
invest if the chance arose, so that was what sparked it off, the 2004
Play-off final. But I had no idea how to do it. I wasn't a multi-millionaire
footballer who had lots of money in the bank. I couldn't put my own money in
because I didn't have any so I had to start from scratch. I learnt so much
so quickly. I went into so many situations with a great deal of naivety but
you sink or swim. You go into meetings, you take things on board, you forget
the crap they've said but you retain the good thing. Things snowballed over
18 months and by that time we had a proper, polished, well organised team.
You were having to deal with people at quite a high level in the City. Did
you feel out of your depth? You trusted some people you shouldn't have,
didn't you?
I am a very honest, trusting person. That's just how I am as an individual,
which means I try to view people in the same way. I've undertaken this
interview
with you today in good faith. You seem a really nice guy and I am going to
trust you…
Nah, I'm going to stitch you up!
The point is, you could. You could easily write down a lot of stuff I
haven't said and it could get me in a lot of trouble – but that's how I
operate in business. Unfortunately in the business world you get a lot of
people who talk a good game and promise a lot. Ultimately a lot of people
are jut out there for number one. I put so much work in. A guy called Gary
White was with me right from the beginning – a clever guy, an accountant. I
felt sorry for him because he would have been a great person to have had at
the club, a mad West Ham fan. In the end we got stitched up and a lot of it
was because we were too trusting. We were in a Catch 22. We needed a major
investor. I had three main groups of investors, but even when you put them
together we were still lacking half of what we needed. We still needed a big
investor. But you can't go into a meeting saying: "We want £40 million", you
have to explain why. We had to open the books, give a presentation, give
them all the detailed analysis and background information. We had a massive
thick dossier and we had to give it to them. They signed Non-Disclosure
Agreements but they don't mean anything.
One thing which I hadn't realised was that it was you who introduced the
Icelanders to West Ham and then they stitched you up!
Yes, I did. For anyone who hasn't seen the book, if you read the
introduction you will see that I firstly wanted to update my autobiography –
it was 16 years ago – but the most important thing for me was to explain the
bid. Wherever I go people say "Oh, weren't you involved in a consortium?" I
the try to explain what happened but I can see their eyes glazing over. You
can see they have no belief in what I am saying. They think I spoke to a
couple of people and that was it. That was the main reason for doing the
book, to put on record the full story. In 100 years time some West Ham fans
will look back and ask why a group of Icelandic bankers would buy a British
football club. It hadn't been put on the record, the real inside story,
because it was my story, and what I tried to do. I wanted to explain exactly
what went on.
In a sense, in this conversation we can't do justice to it because it is an
incredibly complex story. When I was reading the book I was constantly
thinking about how much you had to have read for libel.
Not at all.
Well there's some quite strong stuff in it. You don't hesitate to point
fingers.
It was me speaking from the heart. One of the guys I talk about is Russell
Bartlett. Who went on to own Hull City. He was my chief investor and put his
money where his mouth was. When the book came out I hadn't spoken to Russell
for two years. About six weeks ago the phone rang and it was Russell asking
me to call him back, but it was quite a stern voice on the message. "Here we
go," I thought. I thought he had seen the book and I was going to get the
biggest bollocking I have ever had in my life, or he's going to sue me, or
something like that. So I rang him back. He still sounded a bit stern but
then he said "I have just come back from Barbados and I have read your book,
at which point my stomach and many other things started to drop out of me.
And the he said: I'm just ringing to say to you that I really, really
enjoyed it. I have just put it down and started laughing. I was only
laughing because it was exactly what happened.' It is not a fabricated book,
I've not dreamt up things or exaggerated anything I can assure you. When you
say there are a few things near to the mark, it's all factual, it's not
bullshit, it's not made up.
When we started talking I said I would have loved to have published the book
myself, but if I am honest if I had done I would have insisted it be red for
libel, and that might have knocked the guts out of it.
There are three people I was very critical of. Terry Brown, Eggert Magnusson
and Kia Joorabchian. I've given my opinion on those three guys. Terry Brown
did everything he could to stop me buying the club, Eggert Magnusson cut me
out of the deal when the deal was on the table and I will never forgive him
for that, and Kia Joorabchian was someone who only had his own interests at
heart. If he had taken over at West Ham there would have been absolute
chaos.
Just explain why Terry Brown had it in for you. If it hadn't been for him,
all other things being equal, you would now be the chairman of West Ham
United.
Yes. I don't know, Iain. Terry got the hump because the way he saw it, he
employed me to do the corporate hospitality but he felt instead of working
for the club and entertaining the fans, I was walking round every table
whispering to people 'do you want to put a few quid in?' It was so far from
the truth it was ridiculous. I tried to explain what happened when I got
collared by the News of the World and they were going to print the story – I
went on Sky. I had to because they employed me. I think Terry thought I was
on a publicity kick, which I wasn't. Perhaps I should have played the
publicity card more than I did. I might have got the fans backing me. Every
step of the way Terry tried to shut the door in my face. What he should do
is take me out for dinner, shake my hand and thank me for the thirty five
million pounds that he made out of West Ham United Football Club! Without
me, that money would never have come to the table.
It'll never happen.
No, it's wishful thinking. He should have been very pro me, and as a West
Ham fan he should hve had the best interests of the club at heart.
How did you get on with Scott Duxbury?
I got on alright with Scott. He was obviously involved in some of the things
that went on, including the Tevez/Masherano scandal. When I got shafted by
the Icelandics, Scott was instrumental in trying to get me back at the club,
so I have no problem with him.
I did an interview with him similar to this, but I couldn't get past staring
at his manicured eyebrows. Never trust a man with manicured eyebrows…
[laughs]
You're OK with my eyebrows, Iain. Completely natural.
First thing I looked for! What kind of chairman would you have been? How
would West Ham be different now?
It's all hypothetical. Even with the money we raised, if I had been
chairman, that money would have run out so the financial crisis that
happened – not just with the Icelandics – around the world was going to
happen anyway. The main difference is that I would not have been on the ego
trip that Eggert Magnusson as on. He grew up as a Tottenham fan and there he
is on the pitch with a West Ham scarf around his neck. 'I'm the Messiah,
look at what I have done'. It was all about Eggert. I went to see him in his
office and it was all 'look at my office' and I said to him he wouldn't be
sitting in that office if it hadn't been for me. He was just on an ego trip.
He was a typical bureaucratic type, UEFA, FIFA type of guy. It was all about
him. It was the Eggert Magnusson roadshow from the moment he took over. I
would have been very different. You've got to be somewhere between Eggert
and Terry. Terry was very quiet, no one knew what he looked like. At least I
would have given a football input. When it was suggested we signed Freddie
Ljungberg from Arsenal for £3 million and £85,000 a week, bearing in mind
Arsene Wenger doesn't want him anymore, we wouldn't have signed Freddie
Ljungberg. Thre would have been questions asked about the signings of Matt
Upson, Kieron Dyer and, to a degree, Scotty Parker as well. All those
players had been injury prone to one degree or another. Listen, in the end
Scott was a fantastic signing, but Kieron Dyer didn't work out. There was a
lot of examples of money being spent which was a disaster. We tried to sign
Darren Bent, Shaun Wright-Phillips, and the amount of money being bandied
around was absolutely ridiculous. It could certainly have been spent better.
The wages that were being paid were crippling.
You clearly weren't a fan of Alan Pardew. Who would you have wanted to bring
in?
No, I wasn't. At the time Iain Dowie was very successful.
Have you read Simon Jordan's book? It's brilliant.
I've heard that. I will. The crucial turning point was the 2005 Play-Off
final against Preston. If we had lost that then Alan would have been sacked
anyway. He'd have had two years to get us back up. The football wasn't
particularly good and we were lucky to make the Play-off final. I couldn't
bring myself to go to the game because I knew that if West Ham won, although
it was great for the club, it wasn't the right thing for the club. I could
see that and I couldn't put myself through it. It's the only major final I
have missed in thirty odd years. Pardew wasn't my favourite and we would
have looked to replace him, but it is very hard to say who we would have
gone for because until you sack someone you don't know exactly who would be
available.
Tony Cottee's new book WEST HAM: THE INSIDE STORY is available now in
paperback at £14.99
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Thanks a mill! West Ham will have to pay Liverpool £1m for Andy Carroll if
they avoid relegation
6 Apr 2013 23:00
The M irror
West Ham will have to pay Liverpool £1million if they beat the drop as part
of Andy Carroll's loan deal, writes the Sunday People. A clause in the
contract which took the 24-year-old striker to Upton Park will be triggered
as soon as the Hammers retain their Premier League status. The seven-figure
sum was inserted because the undisclosed loan fee was believed to be small –
and a drop in the ocean compared to the £25m the Hammers will receive for
being part of the Premier League next season when the new TV rights deal
kicks in. Sam Allardyce's side, who take on Liverpool at Anfield this
afternoon, are 12th in the table, six points above the relegation zone with
eight games left.
Carroll has scored five goals in 21 appearances for West Ham, including a
double in the vital 3-1 victory over West Brom last weekend. Publicly, Reds
boss Brendan Rodgers says Carroll can still play a part at the Merseyside
club. However, the most likely scenario remains a return to hometown side
Newcastle, who sold him to Liverpool for £35m, with Rodgers keen to take
Hatem Ben Arfa the other way. Meanwhile, Newcastle will have to come up with
£17million in cash if they want to take striker Andy Carroll back to
Tyneside.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan looks forward to what will be an emotional return to his home
city of Liverpool
06.04.2013
Hello everyone,
It was fantastic to be back against West Bromwich Albion last Saturday and I
really enjoyed it. I had that nervous excitement on Friday night knowing
that I was back involved amongst it all. I am really looking forward to
being injury-free for the rest of the season and getting back among the
goals and finishing as high as we possibly can. It was the longest injury
lay-off I have ever had as a professional footballer. Looking back, touch
wood, I have been very lucky not to have had too many injuries and I've been
able to manage them until we got to an international break or the end of the
season before having an operation.
I was disappointed in the tackle that I received, but it was just football
and it was a bit late and it was one of those things. I normally try to
shake these things off and I did so for a good 20 or 30 minutes but it just
wasn't going away and the pain was getting sharper. The staff have worked
brilliantly with me in the gym to keep up my conditioning, but I did find it
difficult going back out and twisting and turning because you're not allowed
to do that sort of thing with a broken toe - just straight-line stuff.
Before the Tottenham game, I had never gone off injured in my career before
- not that I can remember, but you might get one when I was 14 and playing
for my school or something! It was quite hard to take, especially knowing
that the result could have been bad when I went for my X-ray a couple of
days later. I sort of knew right away that it was serious because I'd never
previously not been able to shake an injury off or manage it for the next
game.
I was disappointed to miss the two games, but we managed to get a
magnificent win at Stoke and we were very unlucky at Chelsea. If Andy
Carroll's goal had counted it could have been a different story, but that's
life in the Barclays Premier League. I was really glad to be back against
West Brom and I thought we responded really well at home with another good
performance. We got what we deserved on Saturday.
I've been away from Liverpool for nearly five years and this is my home now,
but it was the city where I was brought up and Liverpool were my team when I
was younger. At the end of the day, it's about us and going there and trying
to make it difficult for them. Teams have done it this year and been
successful and we're going there full of confidence. They will also be full
of confidence and have been playing well, knocking it about and getting the
results that they have needed, to be honest, because they have spent a lot
of money over the last few seasons.
No matter what anyone says, they should be in the top four in my eyes and
they'll be disappointed because I don't think they will make it this year.
They have been knocked out of the UEFA Europa League so they need to finish
as high as possible and make sure they are there. It will be even tougher
because they only have the Premier League to play for at the moment, but
we're certainly looking forward to it. Anfield is a fantastic stadium to
play at and it's always nice being called all kinds of names by my fellow
Scouse people instead of everyone else!
On a serious note, we will honour the memory of the 96 innocent supporters
lost at Hillsborough on Sunday. I have friends who were there that day so
it's going to be a really emotional day because they have got the justice
that they deserved and that, in hindsight, they should have got right
afterwards.
What was reported after Hillsborough was disgusting. The families have
fought all the way and got their just rewards but this is only the
beginning. Now it's about making sure they get justice right through. I'm
pleased because it's now proven to the world and it's shocking that it's
taken nearly 25 years for them to get justice - that's the most disgusting
thing about it.
It'll be an emotional day for the whole of Liverpool - not just Liverpool
Football Club - because everyone was affected, as was everyone around the
footballing world. Hopefully, we can commemorate it in a nice way and the
people who have worked so tirelessly to ensure justice was brought can look
at it a good light on a momentous day for them.
As a city, the people of Liverpool are one, no matter where we are in the
world. It's a great family-oriented city and I'm very proud of my roots and
to be from Liverpool. It's always nice going back but I'm sure there will be
a lot of banter and stick flying around for me from my fellow Scousers!
This weekend is also Grand National weekend at Aintree, but I'm afraid I
cannot pick a winner because it's a lucky dip and anyone could win it - just
like our game on Sunday.
We've not won back-to-back games so far this season, so that's what we're
looking for. We can do it this weekend, no matter what the bookmakers say,
because we go into matches believing we can beat anyone - and on our day, we
can. We will need to work hard, but we will do that and we have quality in
abundance to make sure we can come away from Anfield with three points on
Sunday afternoon. I firmly believe we can do that and I'll make sure all the
other lads believe it too.
I'd like to wish everyone making the journey to Liverpool a safe trip.
Come on you Irons!
Kevin Nolan
Captain
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On this day - 7 April
WHUFC.com
We take a look back at a classic West Ham United victory over Arsenal from
this day in 2007
07.04.2013
Classic match
Arsenal 0-1 West Ham United
Premier League
7 April 2007
Having been the last team to win at Arsenal's Highbury stadium the previous
season, the Hammers continued their great escape in 2006/07 by becoinge the
first side to triumph at their new Emirates home. Bobby Zamora scored the
only goal of the game, just seconds before the interval, but the visitors'
success owed much to Robert Green and the frame of the goal. Cesc Fabregas
was denied when one-on-one with the Hammers keeper after just two minutes,
while Emmanuel Adebayor and Freddie Ljungberg also went close early on. The
Hammers were playing on the break and they scored against the run of play on
the stroke of half time when Kolo Toure allowed Zamora too much space to run
onto a lofted pass and lob Jens Lehmann. After the break Green made a superb
save to prevent Adebayor's close range header from levelling the scores.
When Green was beaten, the woodwork saved West Ham as both Fabregas and
Gilberto struck the post as the visitors held out for a vital win.
Complete record - 7 April
2007 Arsenal 0-1 West Ham United (Premier League)
2001 Aston Villa 2-2 West Ham United (Premier League)
1993 Southend United 1-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1990 Oxford United 0-2 West Ham United (Division Two)
1984 Liverpool 6-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1980 Birmingham City 0-0 West Ham United (Division Two)
1979 Cambridge United 0-0 West Ham United (Division Two)
1973 Newcastle United 1-2 West Ham United (Division One)
1956 West Ham United 3-3 Sheffield Wednesday (Division Two)
1951 Preston North End 0-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1948 Chesterfield 6-0 West Ham United (Division Two)
1947 West Ham United 3-3 Bury (Division Two)
1939 West Ham United 0-2 Bradford Park Avenue (Division Two)
1934 Southampton 3-2 West Ham United (Division Two)
1928 Middlesbrough 2-2 West Ham United (Division One)
1923 West Ham United 1-1 Crystal Palace (Division Two)
Played 16, Won 4, Drawn 7, Lost 5, Scored 19, Conceded 30
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Tony Cottee Interview Part 4: 'I Was Stitched Up the Ego That Was Eggert
Magnusson'
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
If you look at the team we had 2001-2003 you could complete a full England
team from those players. How could that team get relegated? Was it down to
the manager?
I did in my book! It wasn't Harry who got them relegated. The problems that
we have had in the 21st century stem back to when Harry Redknapp left the
football club. He left in 2001, but twelve years later we are still
floundering a bit from the legacy of what happened then. Glenn Roeder was
the wrong appointment for the club without a shadow of a doubt and for them
to get relegated with the team they had was a complete nonsense really. You
have to question Glenn Roeder's management because ultimately he wasn't good
enough and you also have to question the attitude of the players because
there was unbelievable talent in that dressing room. They should never have
got relegated but there seemed to be a lot going on off the field. To not
win a home game until the end of January was ridiculous, then there was the
amount of injuries. I blame Glen but I also blame the players as well.
He had his clashes with Di Canio and didn't play him for the final games of
the season. Have you seen that often in your career when a manager falls out
with a star player?
The only manager who always wins in a situation like that is Alex Ferguson
just because he is who he is. Ruud Gullit tried to take on Alan Shearer at
Newcastle. It was Gullit who left. Roeder and Di Canio, who left? Glen
Roeder. In the main the player will always be the most powerful one because
he is on the pitch. Most fans will back the player nine times out of ten. In
Ferguson's case there's only ever one winner. He has taken on Beckham, Jaap
Stam, van Nistelroy and many others and he has always won. I admire him for
that style of management.
Half of the book is about your attempt to by West Ham. I like to think I
know quite a lot about what has gone on at the club over the years, but I
had no idea how serious you were and how close you came. When did you first
have the idea?
It was born out of frustration. We just spoke about the shambolic relegation
in 2003, by which time I was back working at the club doing corporate stuff.
I could see how frustrated all the fans were getting very frustrated at how
desperate the situation became. First and foremost I am a fan. I am not a
player who became a fan. I am a fan who became a player and now I am back as
a fan, like yourself. I could see and sense the frustration that was going
on. We got to the Play-off final in 2004 against Crystal Palace – you were
probably there. Words fail me about that game and what went on that day. It
was a really drab performance. The manager was making bizarre decisions, the
football was awful. It wasn't the West Ham I had gone to Cardiff to see. I
know your memories are clouded and we think of fantastic West Ham teams –
the Brookings, the Bonds and he Devonshires playing wonderful football and
winning 17-0 every week.. You know in reality that didn't really happen, but
it felt like it did. I got frustrated and decided I had to do something. I
was frustrated with how the club was being run by Terry Brown. It was like a
dictatorship. It was all about how much he could take out rather than
putting things back in. There was no leadership, it was just a rudderless
ship floating around in the middle of the ocean. I thought about what I
could do. I had spoken to a couple of people who had offered help and to
invest if the chance arose, so that was what sparked it off, the 2004
Play-off final. But I had no idea how to do it. I wasn't a multi-millionaire
footballer who had lots of money in the bank. I couldn't put my own money in
because I didn't have any so I had to start from scratch. I learnt so much
so quickly. I went into so many situations with a great deal of naivety but
you sink or swim. You go into meetings, you take things on board, you forget
the crap they've said but you retain the good thing. Things snowballed over
18 months and by that time we had a proper, polished, well organised team.
You were having to deal with people at quite a high level in the City. Did
you feel out of your depth? You trusted some people you shouldn't have,
didn't you?
I am a very honest, trusting person. That's just how I am as an individual,
which means I try to view people in the same way. I've undertaken this
interview
with you today in good faith. You seem a really nice guy and I am going to
trust you…
Nah, I'm going to stitch you up!
The point is, you could. You could easily write down a lot of stuff I
haven't said and it could get me in a lot of trouble – but that's how I
operate in business. Unfortunately in the business world you get a lot of
people who talk a good game and promise a lot. Ultimately a lot of people
are jut out there for number one. I put so much work in. A guy called Gary
White was with me right from the beginning – a clever guy, an accountant. I
felt sorry for him because he would have been a great person to have had at
the club, a mad West Ham fan. In the end we got stitched up and a lot of it
was because we were too trusting. We were in a Catch 22. We needed a major
investor. I had three main groups of investors, but even when you put them
together we were still lacking half of what we needed. We still needed a big
investor. But you can't go into a meeting saying: "We want £40 million", you
have to explain why. We had to open the books, give a presentation, give
them all the detailed analysis and background information. We had a massive
thick dossier and we had to give it to them. They signed Non-Disclosure
Agreements but they don't mean anything.
One thing which I hadn't realised was that it was you who introduced the
Icelanders to West Ham and then they stitched you up!
Yes, I did. For anyone who hasn't seen the book, if you read the
introduction you will see that I firstly wanted to update my autobiography –
it was 16 years ago – but the most important thing for me was to explain the
bid. Wherever I go people say "Oh, weren't you involved in a consortium?" I
the try to explain what happened but I can see their eyes glazing over. You
can see they have no belief in what I am saying. They think I spoke to a
couple of people and that was it. That was the main reason for doing the
book, to put on record the full story. In 100 years time some West Ham fans
will look back and ask why a group of Icelandic bankers would buy a British
football club. It hadn't been put on the record, the real inside story,
because it was my story, and what I tried to do. I wanted to explain exactly
what went on.
In a sense, in this conversation we can't do justice to it because it is an
incredibly complex story. When I was reading the book I was constantly
thinking about how much you had to have read for libel.
Not at all.
Well there's some quite strong stuff in it. You don't hesitate to point
fingers.
It was me speaking from the heart. One of the guys I talk about is Russell
Bartlett. Who went on to own Hull City. He was my chief investor and put his
money where his mouth was. When the book came out I hadn't spoken to Russell
for two years. About six weeks ago the phone rang and it was Russell asking
me to call him back, but it was quite a stern voice on the message. "Here we
go," I thought. I thought he had seen the book and I was going to get the
biggest bollocking I have ever had in my life, or he's going to sue me, or
something like that. So I rang him back. He still sounded a bit stern but
then he said "I have just come back from Barbados and I have read your book,
at which point my stomach and many other things started to drop out of me.
And the he said: I'm just ringing to say to you that I really, really
enjoyed it. I have just put it down and started laughing. I was only
laughing because it was exactly what happened.' It is not a fabricated book,
I've not dreamt up things or exaggerated anything I can assure you. When you
say there are a few things near to the mark, it's all factual, it's not
bullshit, it's not made up.
When we started talking I said I would have loved to have published the book
myself, but if I am honest if I had done I would have insisted it be red for
libel, and that might have knocked the guts out of it.
There are three people I was very critical of. Terry Brown, Eggert Magnusson
and Kia Joorabchian. I've given my opinion on those three guys. Terry Brown
did everything he could to stop me buying the club, Eggert Magnusson cut me
out of the deal when the deal was on the table and I will never forgive him
for that, and Kia Joorabchian was someone who only had his own interests at
heart. If he had taken over at West Ham there would have been absolute
chaos.
Just explain why Terry Brown had it in for you. If it hadn't been for him,
all other things being equal, you would now be the chairman of West Ham
United.
Yes. I don't know, Iain. Terry got the hump because the way he saw it, he
employed me to do the corporate hospitality but he felt instead of working
for the club and entertaining the fans, I was walking round every table
whispering to people 'do you want to put a few quid in?' It was so far from
the truth it was ridiculous. I tried to explain what happened when I got
collared by the News of the World and they were going to print the story – I
went on Sky. I had to because they employed me. I think Terry thought I was
on a publicity kick, which I wasn't. Perhaps I should have played the
publicity card more than I did. I might have got the fans backing me. Every
step of the way Terry tried to shut the door in my face. What he should do
is take me out for dinner, shake my hand and thank me for the thirty five
million pounds that he made out of West Ham United Football Club! Without
me, that money would never have come to the table.
It'll never happen.
No, it's wishful thinking. He should have been very pro me, and as a West
Ham fan he should hve had the best interests of the club at heart.
How did you get on with Scott Duxbury?
I got on alright with Scott. He was obviously involved in some of the things
that went on, including the Tevez/Masherano scandal. When I got shafted by
the Icelandics, Scott was instrumental in trying to get me back at the club,
so I have no problem with him.
I did an interview with him similar to this, but I couldn't get past staring
at his manicured eyebrows. Never trust a man with manicured eyebrows…
[laughs]
You're OK with my eyebrows, Iain. Completely natural.
First thing I looked for! What kind of chairman would you have been? How
would West Ham be different now?
It's all hypothetical. Even with the money we raised, if I had been
chairman, that money would have run out so the financial crisis that
happened – not just with the Icelandics – around the world was going to
happen anyway. The main difference is that I would not have been on the ego
trip that Eggert Magnusson as on. He grew up as a Tottenham fan and there he
is on the pitch with a West Ham scarf around his neck. 'I'm the Messiah,
look at what I have done'. It was all about Eggert. I went to see him in his
office and it was all 'look at my office' and I said to him he wouldn't be
sitting in that office if it hadn't been for me. He was just on an ego trip.
He was a typical bureaucratic type, UEFA, FIFA type of guy. It was all about
him. It was the Eggert Magnusson roadshow from the moment he took over. I
would have been very different. You've got to be somewhere between Eggert
and Terry. Terry was very quiet, no one knew what he looked like. At least I
would have given a football input. When it was suggested we signed Freddie
Ljungberg from Arsenal for £3 million and £85,000 a week, bearing in mind
Arsene Wenger doesn't want him anymore, we wouldn't have signed Freddie
Ljungberg. Thre would have been questions asked about the signings of Matt
Upson, Kieron Dyer and, to a degree, Scotty Parker as well. All those
players had been injury prone to one degree or another. Listen, in the end
Scott was a fantastic signing, but Kieron Dyer didn't work out. There was a
lot of examples of money being spent which was a disaster. We tried to sign
Darren Bent, Shaun Wright-Phillips, and the amount of money being bandied
around was absolutely ridiculous. It could certainly have been spent better.
The wages that were being paid were crippling.
You clearly weren't a fan of Alan Pardew. Who would you have wanted to bring
in?
No, I wasn't. At the time Iain Dowie was very successful.
Have you read Simon Jordan's book? It's brilliant.
I've heard that. I will. The crucial turning point was the 2005 Play-Off
final against Preston. If we had lost that then Alan would have been sacked
anyway. He'd have had two years to get us back up. The football wasn't
particularly good and we were lucky to make the Play-off final. I couldn't
bring myself to go to the game because I knew that if West Ham won, although
it was great for the club, it wasn't the right thing for the club. I could
see that and I couldn't put myself through it. It's the only major final I
have missed in thirty odd years. Pardew wasn't my favourite and we would
have looked to replace him, but it is very hard to say who we would have
gone for because until you sack someone you don't know exactly who would be
available.
Tony Cottee's new book WEST HAM: THE INSIDE STORY is available now in
paperback at £14.99
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Thanks a mill! West Ham will have to pay Liverpool £1m for Andy Carroll if
they avoid relegation
6 Apr 2013 23:00
The M irror
West Ham will have to pay Liverpool £1million if they beat the drop as part
of Andy Carroll's loan deal, writes the Sunday People. A clause in the
contract which took the 24-year-old striker to Upton Park will be triggered
as soon as the Hammers retain their Premier League status. The seven-figure
sum was inserted because the undisclosed loan fee was believed to be small –
and a drop in the ocean compared to the £25m the Hammers will receive for
being part of the Premier League next season when the new TV rights deal
kicks in. Sam Allardyce's side, who take on Liverpool at Anfield this
afternoon, are 12th in the table, six points above the relegation zone with
eight games left.
Carroll has scored five goals in 21 appearances for West Ham, including a
double in the vital 3-1 victory over West Brom last weekend. Publicly, Reds
boss Brendan Rodgers says Carroll can still play a part at the Merseyside
club. However, the most likely scenario remains a return to hometown side
Newcastle, who sold him to Liverpool for £35m, with Rodgers keen to take
Hatem Ben Arfa the other way. Meanwhile, Newcastle will have to come up with
£17million in cash if they want to take striker Andy Carroll back to
Tyneside.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Saturday, April 6
Daily WHUFC News - 6th April 2013
Liverpool match preview
WHUFC.com
All the background information and team news ahead of Sunday's Barclays
Premier League fixture
05.04.2013
LIVERPOOL v WEST HAM UNITED
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
SUNDAY 7 APRIL 2013
KICK-OFF: 1.30PM
REFEREE: ANTHONY TAYLOR
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
iPHONE APP I TWITTER I FACEBOOK I PODCAST
Introduction
• West Ham United travel to Liverpool on Sunday for their 16th Barclays
Premier League away fixture of the season.
• A minute's silence will be held before kick-off in memory of the 96
Liverpool fans who lost their lives at the FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough
on 15 April 1989. Both teams will wear black armbands and West Ham officials
will also lay a wreath at the Hillsborough memorial outside Anfield ahead of
the game.
• The Hammers will need to end an unenviable run if they are to win at
Anfield, having not won there in 41 meetings in all competitions dating back
to 14 September 1963! That day, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters scored in a
2-1 Division One victory, with Ian St John replying for Liverpool and Jim
Standen saving Ronnie Moran's second-half penalty.
• West Ham start the weekend eleventh in the Barclays Premier League table,
having collected 36 points from 30 matches. However, the Hammers have
collected just eleven of those points on their travels, winning three and
drawing two of their previous 15 away matches.
• Sam Allardyce's side have won at Queens Park Rangers (2-1), Newcastle
United (1-0) and Stoke City (1-0) and drawn at Norwich City (0-0) and West
Bromwich Albion (0-0), but have lost their other ten away fixtures.
• Liverpool start the weekend seventh in the standings, having collected 48
points from 31 matches played. The Reds have collected 27 of those points at
Anfield, winning eight and drawing three of their 15 previous home games.
However, Brendan Rodgers' team have been beaten on home turf by Arsenal
(0-2), Manchester United (1-2), Aston Villa (1-3) and West Bromwich Albion
(0-2).
• Both clubs will go into the game on the back of important victories. West
Ham beat West Bromwich Albion 3-1 at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday, with
Reds loanee Andy Carroll scoring twice, while Liverpool recovered from a
goal down to win 2-1 at Aston Villa the following day.
Team news
West Ham United
• England striker Andy Carroll is unavailable due to the terms of his
season-long loan from Liverpool.
• Left-back George McCartney is out with a recurrence of the medial knee
ligament injury that previously ruled him out for three months. The Northern
Irishman was hurt in the victory over West Brom last weekend.
• Midfielder Mark Noble is unavailable after undergoing surgery to release a
trapped nerve in his arm.
• Former Liverpool attacking midfielder Joe Cole will be hoping to feature
against his old club after missing the previous two matches with a hamstring
injury suffered at Stoke City on 2 March.
• Ravel Morrison (Birmingham City), Rob Hall (Bolton Wanderers), Paul
McCallum (Aldershot Town) and Alou Diarra (Stade Rennais) are all out on
loan.
Liverpool
• Liverpool will definitely be without Wales midfielder Joe Allen
(shoulder), Italian striker Fabio Borini (shoulder) and full-back Martin
Kelly (knee).
• Danny Wilson (Heart of Midlothian), Jack Robinson (Wolverhampton
Wanderers), Jay Spearing (Bolton Wanderers), Adam Morgan (Rotherham United),
Michael Ngoo (Heart of Midlothian), Dani Pacheco (Huesca) and Henoc Mukendi
(Northampton Town) are all out loan.
Background
• West Ham United and Liverpool have met 124 times previously, with the Reds
enjoying 66 victories. The Hammers have tasted success on just 24 occasions
and there have been 34 draws. In the Premier League, Liverpool have won 20
of the 33 meetings, with West Ham winning six and there being seven draws.
• The first-ever meeting between the two clubs was an FA Cup intermediate
round tie played at the Memorial Grounds on 5 January 1901. Division One
Liverpool edged out Southern League West Ham United 1-0 in front of a crowd
of 6,000, with Sam Raybould scoring the winner.
• Vic Watson scored four times, Stan Earle twice and Wilf James once as West
Ham United went top of the Division One table after beating Liverpool 7-0
here on 1 September 1930 - the Hammers' biggest-ever home win over the Reds.
• A three-minute hat-trick scored by Roger Hunt either side of half-time
inspired Liverpool to a 5-1 Division One victory at the Boleyn Ground on 6
September 1965 - the Reds' biggest win at the home of the Hammers. Martin
Peters scored West Ham United's consolation goal.
• The largest crowd to attend a Liverpool versus West Ham United fixture at
Anfield was the 55,675 who attended a goalless Division One draw on 14 May
1977. Liverpool would go on to defeat Borussia Moenchengladbach 3-1 in the
European Cup final in Rome eleven days later.
• The Hammers and the Reds met in the 1981 League Cup final at Wembley. The
match ended in a 1-1 draw after extra-time, with Ray Stewart's last-gasp
penalty wiping out Alan Kennedy's 118th-minute strike. The replay, held at
Villa Park, saw Paul Goddard put John Lyall's side in front, only for goals
from Kenny Dalglish and Alan Hansen to see the trophy head to Merseyside.
• West Ham United and Liverpool famously met in the 2006 FA Cup final at the
Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Jamie Carragher's own-goal and a Dean Ashton
strike put the Hammers 2-0 up before Djibril Cisse and Steven Gerrard
brought the Reds level. Paul Konchesky put West Ham back in front before
Gerrard's late 25-yarder forced extra-time. After a goalless 30 minutes,
Liverpool prevailed 3-1 on penalties.
• Billy Bonds has made more appearances against Liverpool, 33, than any
other West Ham United player. The Reds' Ian Callaghan made a record 33
appearances against the Hammers, scoring twice.
• Vic Watson scored a record nine goals in 14 appearances against Liverpool.
John Toshack has scored more goals for the Reds against the Hammers than
anyone else with ten.
• Kevin Nolan, Andy Carroll and Liverpool full-back Jose Enrique were all
part of the Newcastle United squad which won the Championship title in 2010.
• A number of other West Ham United and Liverpool players have lined-up
alongside one another at their former clubs and at international level -
Andy Carroll, Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson, Jordan Henderson, Stewart
Downing and Martin Kelly (England), Jack Collison, James Collins and Joe
Allen (Wales), James Tomkins and Allen (Team GB), Collins and Stewart
Downing (Aston Villa), George McCartney and Jordan Henderson (Sunderland),
Raheem Sterling, Matthias Fanimo and Blair Turgott (England age-group
sides).
• No fewer than 19 players have made their West Ham United debuts against
Liverpool - Alex Kane (January 1926), Walter Pollard (September 1929), Reg
Wade (January 1930), Bill Nelson (September 1954), Dave Bickles (September
1963), Eddie Presland (February 1965), Mick McGiven (December 1973), John
Radford (December 1976), George Parris and Keith McPherson (May 1985), Kevin
Keen (September 1986), Hugo Porfirio (September 1996), Andy Impey (September
1997), Marc Keller (September 1998), Gavin Holligan (February 1999),
Svetoslav Todorov (February 2001), Laurent Courtois (August 2001), Rufus
Brevett (February 2003) and Kepa Blanco (January 2007).
• Centre-back Dave Bickles made his debut in West Ham United's 2-1 Division
One victory at Anfield on 14 September 1963 - the last time the Hammers won
at Anfield!
• Eddie Presland scored on his debut in a 2-1 Division One victory over
Liverpool at the Boleyn Ground on 27 February 1965. The left-back would make
just six first-team appearances for the Hammers before joining Crystal
Palace in 1967.
• Tony Cottee was sent-off on his second 'debut' for West Ham United in a
goalless Premier League draw at Liverpool on 10 September 1994.
• Kepa Blanco netted just minutes after coming on as a substitute for his
West Ham United debut in a 2-1 home Premier League defeat by Liverpool on 30
January 2007
Last time out
West Ham United
Saturday 30 March 2013
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United 3-1 West Bromwich Albion
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Reid, O'Brien, Collins, Demel (McCartney 78),
Nolan (Taylor 69), Jarvis, Diame (Collison 82), O'Neil, Carroll, Vaz Te
Subs not used: Henderson, Tomkins, C.Cole, Chamakh
Goals: Carroll 16, 80,O'Neil 28
Sunday 1 April 2013
Barclays Premier League
Aston Villa 1-2 Liverpool
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Jose Enrique, Agger, Carragher, Gerrard, Coutinho
(Sterling 77), Henderson, Downing, Lucas, Suarez
Subs not used: Jones, Coates, Skrtel, Shelvey, Sturridge, Suso
Goal: Henderson 47, Gerrard 60 (pen)
Previous meeting
Liverpool took the lead, lost it and then came from behind to win 3-2 at the
Boleyn Ground in the reverse Barclays Premier League fixture on 9 December
2012. Former Hammer Glen Johnson put the Reds in front on eleven minutes,
only for Mark Noble's penalty and a Steven Gerrard own-goal to give West Ham
United the advantage at half-time. Unfortunately, Sam Allardyce's side could
not hold on as former West Ham players Joe Cole and Jonjo Shelvey scored
within four second-half minutes late on to secure three points for Brendan
Rodgers' team.
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Reid, O'Brien, Collins, Demel (McCartney 46),
Nolan, Jarvis, Taylor (Maiga 86), Noble, Diame (Tomkins 73), C.Cole
Subs not used: Spiegel, Spence, O'Neil, Moncur
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Jose Enrique (J.Cole 27), Agger, Skrtel, Gerrard,
Downing, Lucas (Henderson 71), Allen (Coates 86), Sterling, Shelvey
Subs not used: Jones, Carragher, Suso, Morgan
Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated)
9 December 2012 - West Ham United 2-3 Liverpool
27 February 2011 - West Ham United 3-1 Liverpool
20 November 2010 - Liverpool 3-0 West Ham United
19 April 2010 - Liverpool 3-0 West Ham United
19 September 2009 West Ham United 2-3 Liverpool
9 May 2009 West Ham United 0-3 Liverpool
Overall record v Liverpool (all competitions) W 24 D 65 L 35
Ten-year records
West Ham United
2011/12 Championship 3rd (86 points - promoted via Play-Offs)
2010/11 Premier League 20th (33 points - relegated to Championship)
2009/10 Premier League 17th (35 points)
2008/09 Premier League 9th (51 points)
2007/08 Premier League 10th (49 points)
2006/07 Premier League 15th (41 points)
2005/06 Premier League 9th (55 points)
2004/05 Championship 6th (73 points - promoted via play-offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th (74 points)
2002/03 Premier League 18th (42 points - relegated to Championship)
Liverpool
2011/12 Premier League 8th (52 points)
2010/11 Premier League 6th (58 points)
2009/10 Premier League 7th (63 points)
2008/09 Premier League 2nd (86 points)
2007/08 Premier League 4th (76 points)
2006/07 Premier League 3rd (68 points)
2005/06 Premier League 3rd (82 points)
2004/05 Premier League 5th (58 points)
2003/04 Premier League 4th (60 points)
2002/03 Premier League 5th (64 points)
Referee
• Sunday's referee will be Anthony Taylor.
• Taylor is in his third season on the Select Group of referees appointed to
control Barclays Premier League fixtures.
• The Greater Manchester-born official started refereeing in the Northern
Premier League in 2002 before being appointed to the Football League list at
the start of the 2006/07 season, refereeing his match between Wrexham and
Peterborough United in League Two on 12 August 2006.
• Taylor's first Premier League appointment was the 3 February 2010
encounter between today's visitors Fulham and former West Ham United manager
Avram Grant's Portsmouth, with the Cottagers winning 1-0.
• Taylor has taken charge of two West Ham United games this season, the
first being the 3-0 home win over Fulham in September. He then sent-off
Carlton Cole and Darron Gibson in Everton's 2-1 victory at the Boleyn Ground
in December, but both red cards were later rescinded by an FA Regulatory
Panel.
• The 34-year-old took charge of the Hammers' final Barclays Premier League
fixture before they were relegated to the npower Championship in May 2011
when Sunderland secured a 3-0 win at the Boleyn Ground.
• When asked in an interview what his favourite match that he has refereed
was, he named British Gas Business Southern League Midland Division side
Chasetown's victory over Port Vale in the FA Cup second round in December
2007.
• Taylor will be assisted by Gary Beswick and Mike Mullarkey, while Mark
Clattenburg will be the fourth official.
Old boys
• On-loan West Ham United midfielder Alou Diarra spent three seasons with
Liverpool between 2002 and 2005 after joining the club from Bayern Munich.
However, the 31-year-old failed to make a first-team appearance for the
Reds, instead being loaned to Le Havre, Bastia and Lens before joining the
latter on a permanent basis.
• Andy Carroll, who is ineligible for Saturday's game under the terms of his
loan agreement from Liverpool, joined the Reds from Newcastle United for
£35million in January 2011. Carroll has played 58 times for Liverpool,
scoring eleven goals, including one in last season's FA Cup final defeat by
Chelsea.
• Glen Johnson came through the ranks at West Ham United, making 15 league
appearances in the 2002/03 season. He was transferred to Chelsea for
£6million in summer 2003 and subsequently moved on to Portsmouth before
Liverpool snapped him up in June 2009.
• Joe Cole played 149 games in all competitions for the Hammers, scoring 13
goals, before his switch to Chelsea in August 2003. Cole also won the FA
Youth Cup with West Ham United in 1999. Cole joined Liverpool in summer
2010, scoring five goals in 42 appearances - including one at the Boleyn
Ground in the reverse fixture this season in December - before moving back
to east London in January 2013.
• Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey spent a period of time as a schoolboy
within the West Ham United Academy before joining Charlton Athletic.
• Among the other players who have represented both clubs are Craig Bellamy,
Yossi Benayoun, Tom Bradshaw, David Burrows, Titi Camara, Charles Cotton,
Julian Dicks, Ray Houghton, Don Hutchison, Paul Ince, David James, Rob
Jones, George Kay, Robbie Keane, Paul Konchesky, Mike Marsh, Javier
Mascherano, Neil Mellor, Neil Ruddock, Danny Shone, Rigobert Song and Thomas
Stanley.
General information
• All standard match tickets for this fixture have SOLD OUT. Three pairs of
Wheelchair/Carer tickets are still available for this fixture, for more
information click here.
• Sunday's forecast in Liverpool is for a cloudy afternoon with maximum
temperatures of 8C (47F).
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Diame driven by Liverpool defeat
WHUFC.com
Mohamed Diame is keen to make up for a 3-2 reverse against Liverpool in
December
06.04.2013
Mohamed Diame has a score to settle come Sunday's Barclays Premier League
fixture at Liverpool. When the sides met at the Boleyn Ground in December,
the 25-year-old departed the scene in the 76th minute owing to a torn
hamstring, with the Hammers 2-1 up at the time. In his absence, Liverpool
struck twice in the following four minutes to leave West Ham empty-handed
and Diame is keen on vanquishing those memories this weekend. "The home
game against Liverpool holds bad memories for me, because it's when I got an
injury," he told West Ham TV. "But now I'm back and I hope I'm going to do
well on Sunday. It's not a case of revenge, but we always go on the pitch
trying to win and we're going to give it our best and see what happens."
Meanwhile, the all-action midfielder believes Anfield is the perfect setting
for West Ham to pull off an historic win. "Anfield's a great stadium, and a
nice place to play well and show the fans we can win this game against
Liverpool. We just have to take the three points, it's important for us, and
make sure we stay in the Premier League."
Diame expects the Hammers to continue where they left off against West
Bromwich Albion, buoyed by three important points in their quest for a
top-half finish. The Senegal international received a huge ovation as he was
substituted late on, support that never goes unnoticed. "The support is
important, the fans are always behind the team and we feel this support ,"
he added. "I think we did well on Saturday. It was important for us to win
the game, get the three points and now it's good for our confidence for the
next games. "We know that at home we always have opportunities to score
goals and on Saturday the forwards did their jobs and Carroll scored his two
goals. His second one was very good quality, it was the goal of a top player
and it's very good for us. "The top ten is still our target, we're on the
way to doing that and we're going to keep working for that and make sure
that at the end of the season we'll be there."
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YouGov reveal details of fan survey
WHUFC.com
Further details announced for West Ham United supporter consultation on the
move to the Olympic Stadium
05.04.2013
Following last week's appointment of independent research organisation
YouGov, their sports division have now exclusively revealed details of West
Ham United's supporter survey that will offer fans the opportunity to have
their say on the move to the world-class Olympic Stadium in Stratford.
SMG-YouGov Managing Director Frank Saez said: "We relish the opportunity to
be involved in this exciting and ground breaking research and consultation
project. As experts in this field we will conduct an independent
consultation on behalf of West Ham United Football Club that will offer
supporters the chance to share their attitudes towards the move to the
iconic Olympic Stadium."
Cited as the most consistently accurate pollster, YouGov is an independent
full service market research company with global reach which delivers
support and services to sports governing bodies, sponsors and sports
investors and has conducted more than 25 major sports venue projects in 15
countries across six continents, covering national stadia, UEFA Champions
League clubs and Premier League teams, including Wembley, the Maracana,
Galatasaray, Inter Milan, and QPR.
YouGov's research programme will provide a comprehensive assessment of the
spectrum of opinion related to the stadium relocation across the West Ham
United fan base, covering the core groups that will drive the club's future
attendances at the 2012 Olympic Stadium. YouGov are currently in the process
of gathering the required data and developing a comprehensive electronic
survey. Due to the vast numbers of supporters who qualify to take part, the
survey will be distributed via email later this month. If you are a
supporter who is registered on the club's database but has not provided the
club with an email address, you will be given the opportunity to update your
details ahead of the survey's release to ensure you can offer your feedback
on the move to the Olympic Stadium.
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On this day - 6 April
WHUFC.com
Sir Trevor Brooking scores his one and only hat-trick in a 5-0 win over
Newcastle on this day
06.04.2013
Classic match
West Ham United 5-0 Newcastle United
6 April 1968
Division One
Sir Trevor Brooking bagged the match ball for the first and only time in his
illustrious career as Newcastle United were put to the sword at the Boleyn
Ground on this day in 1968. A then 19-year-old Brooking, in his first senior
campaign, netted for a second successive Division One outing, after scoring
in a 1-1 home draw with Arsenal a week earlier. The Barking-born Hammer's
triple was added to by forward John Sissons, who completed the 5-0 rout with
two goals of his own. It was the beginning of a woeful end to the season for
the Magpies, as they proceeded to lose five of their final seven outings,
including a 6-0 reverse at Old Trafford. That said, they would still finish
three points and two places above the Hammers, as the clubs stood tenth and
12th in the top tier respectively.
Complete record - 6 April
2012 Barnsley 0-4 West Ham United (Championship)
2002 West Ham United 2-0 Charlton Athletic (Premier League)
1996 West Ham United 1-1 Wimbledon (Premier League)
1991 Port Vale 0-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1985 West Ham United 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur (Division One)
1982 West Ham United 3-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers (Division One)
1974 Arsenal 0-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1968 West Ham United 5-0 Newcastle United (Division One)
1963 Fulham 2-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1962 West Ham United 2-2 Birmingham City (Division One)
1957 Leicester City 5-3 West Ham United (Division Two)
1953 Fulham 2-3 West Ham United (Division Two)
1935 West Ham United 1-0 Bradford City (Division Two)
1931 Bolton Wanderers 4-2 West Ham United (Division One)
1929 West Ham United 3-0 Bolton Wanderers (Division One)
1928 West Ham United 0-0 Aston Villa (Division One)
Played 16, Won 8, Drawn 5, Lost 3, Scored 31, Conceded 18
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Open Training Day time changed
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's Open Training Day will now take place at 2pm on Tuesday 9
April
20.03.2013
Young Hammers fans will have the chance to get up close to their heroes when
West Ham United hold a special Open Training Day for Academy members, Season
Ticket holders and corporate members at the Boleyn Ground on Tuesday 9
April. Supporters should note that the Open Training Day will now commence
at 2pm - later than the previously scheduled start time of 10.30am. The
event, which is free to all the above members, will see the first-team squad
get put through their paces on the Boleyn Ground pitch by manager Sam
Allardyce and his coaching staff. The session will come as the players begin
to prepare for the trip to Southampton in the Barclays Premier League four
days later. There will be full coverage on the giant screens with regular
stadium PA Jeremy Nicholas giving some running commentary and the
ever-popular Hammerhead and Bubbles mascots will be on hand to greet young
supporters enjoying the Easter School holidays.
The stadium superstore will also be open from 9am to 5pm for fans to grab
Hammers goodies and take advantage of the in-store sale on the remaining
2012/2013 Macron replica kits - with away kit now at a 70 per cent discount
- and the fantastic savings on trainingwear. Supporters will be seated in
the Alpari West Stand Lower to watch all the action on the pitch with access
via Gate 3 from 1.30pm. Parking will be on a strictly first-come-first
served basis. Stay in touch with whufc.com for any further details on the
open day as they are available. Timings are subject to change.
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Big Sam on: Liverpool
WHUFC.com
Big Sam spoke to the press ahead of West Ham's Barclays Premier League clash
with Liverpool
05.04.2013
Sam Allardyce urged his players to take their chances against Liverpool on
Sunday, as West Ham United bid for a first win at Anfield in almost 50
years.
The Hammers were at their ruthless best in Saturday's 3-1 win over West
Bromwich Albion, and though Andy Carroll is ineligible to face his parent
club, Big Sam is confident West Ham still have plenty of firepower to call
upon. Carlton Cole and Marouane Chamakh are the men vying for a recall, with
West Ham gunning for their first back-to-back Barclays Premier League wins
of the campaign. Sam, 36 points, eight game to go, you've looked comfortable
all year.
Do you continue to look up rather than behind you at this stage of the
season?
SA: "Well recently we have had a couple of concerning moments, where we've
been looking down. I think we can reflect that all season our performances,
certainly at home, have been very, very good. "We need to just focus on
securing on as many points as we can between now and the end of the season.
I think that certainly with the points total we've got, we know we're not
too far away now. That should give us confidence, relax us that little bit
more and ensure we're not too tense, too uptight and hopefully we deliver
the sort of performances to finish the season off that have served us so
well. We shouldn't be too concerned and yet we've got that little way to
go."
You're on a run of win one, lose one and if that continues you'll end the
season with 48 points...
SA: "Yes, we are a win-lose team. We can't seem to draw in between that. At
the end of the day, lots of people talk about the fact you can go on an
undefeated run and a lot of it is about too many draws perhaps, rather than
the wins. I always think an undefeated run is a better way of securing more
wins rather than win, lose, win, lose but our real problem has been goals
away from home. "I think Sunday's going to be a big test for us because we
go away, we create chances and yet we don't score. And when we don't score,
instead of getting those draws we might have got, we've ended up losing most
of the games we've played away from home. So we've got to show the finishing
quality that we did last Saturday against West Brom."
Forty is often talked about as the safety margin that you need, what do you
think it will take this year?
SA: "I think it will be a bit less, but we always have the magic 40.
Historically, the last team to go down with 40 was a long, long time ago -
that might have been West Ham with 42, which was a first, ever. But I do
think 40 will definitely be enough this season. For us it's about getting 40
and more if we possibly can."
By the terms of the loan agreement, you knew you'd be without Andy Carroll
for this weekend, is it frustrating given how well he played last Saturday?
SA: "It is and it's frustrating for him as well but that's the way the
fixtures have fallen and we've got Carlton Cole and Marouane Chamakh who can
step in to the team and hopefully they can deliver the sort of performance
Andy can deliver. That's what we'll need at Anfield on Sunday. "Andy looks
to be in full flow at the moment and in good goalscoring form, which is what
we've been waiting for, for a long time. Our position in the league is
strong again, so we want to continue that. Like I say our weakness has been
scoring goals, so we have to get the chances first and we have to show the
sort of quality we showed against West Brom to try and get anything against
Liverpool."
Historically Anfield hasn't been a particularly happy hunting ground for the
club. Why do you think that is?
SA: "I think it's always a difficult place for anyone to go and play, but if
on any given day you hit your best form, then anybody can win any football
match that is in front of them. It happens less often at certain places like
Anfield than it does at others. I think you're talking about 50 years and
for most of that time Liverpool were so much better than anyone else that
you wouldn't have expected it. Other teams have won there, recently West
Brom, so they have slipped up now and again. "You just hope that when you
go, it's your turn to catch a big boy who slips on the day. If we're able to
capitalise on a downside to their performance, we're capable of doing that,
but we need to be on top form and need to take our chances when they arrive.
If we don't, life will be really difficult.
"It's nice to see one stat coming out of our attacking play, that Matt
Jarvis is the best and most successful crosser in the Barclays Premier
League. It shows that the service is there, as I've been saying all season.
What we haven't done is capitalise on that service, particularly from Matt,
and we should have scored more goals."
What's the team news ahead of Sunday?
SA: "The bad news is obviously George McCartney coming off last weekend,
which is something we were really sick about. The good news is that while
the injury is quite serious, it doesn't need an operation, which we're glad
to hear. The specialist thinks that when we rehab him this time he'll be ok,
so there's an outside chance that he gets fit for a couple of games at the
back end of this season. "Mark Noble is still recovering from his trapped
nerve problem in his shoulder. So he won't be quite ready and Joe Cole's
still got his hamstring injury."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Demel pumped for Anfield clash
WHUFC.com
Guy Demel has high hopes for Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash with
Liverpool
05.04.2013
Guy Demel is relishing the prospect of pitting himself against Liverpool's
talented personnel, as West Ham United get set for Sunday's Barclays Premier
League trip to Anfield. The Hammers full-back is not planning to
underestimate the threat posed by the much-vaunted Luis Suarez, Philippe
Coutinho and co, but is every bit up for the challenge. Indeed, the 3-2
defeat in December's reverse fixture still rankles with the Ivorian and he
has every intention of making amends come the weekend. "I came to the
Premier League to face big players, to play the best players in the world,
because it's the best league in the world," Demel told West Ham TV. "To play
against Suarez or Coutinho is a challenge, but you want to compete against
the best to see how good you are. "At home, I think we were much better than
them, yet they went back with the three points. So we have to keep that in
the back of our minds and try to punish them. "It's going to be a different
game. We're playing away, we all know that we've had problems away from home
and going to Anfield is never easy, especially right now. I think they are
playing good football and getting results. "If we could win there it would
be really nice because I'd be writing history for West Ham. To be fair a
draw would be fantastic, but it's not impossible to beat Liverpool.
Reflecting on Saturday's convincing 3-1 win over West Bromwich Albion, Demel
was impressed with West Ham's showing in both penalty areas. Though he
expects a somewhat sterner test on Sunday, the 31-year-old reckons
confidence is king when it comes to fixtures of this import. "It was really
nice to see Andy score twice and it was really important to score three
goals because it gives us confidence up front, which will help us for the
next couple of games," he added. "We may not have as many chances at
Liverpool as we did against West Brom, but if you've got the confidence and
the killer mentality to put the ball in the back of the net, then it will be
really helpful. "It's always pleasing to be good and solid defensively, but
we've proved throughout the season that we can be good as a team
defensively. Because it's always as a team, we defend as a team and we
attack as a team."
Meanwhile, Demel has high hopes for the remainder of the campaign,
maintaining that he and his teammates are worthy of a top-half Premier
League finish.
"I think our season could have been even better if we had a bit of luck, but
we still have eight games to go. I think at the end of the season we can be
proud and finish the season in the top ten, because I think that's where we
belong."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Essex want Twenty20 cricket at Olympic Stadium
BBC.co.uk
Essex chief executive Derek Bowden has said the club are keen to play
Twenty20 fixtures at the Olympic Stadium. West Ham will be the main tenants
of the venue from 2016. But the Chelmsford-based club are eager to discuss
the possibility of hosting T20 games at the Stratford arena. "We regularly
sell out at Chelmsford. We'll sell 7,000 for a Twenty20 game on a Friday
night. There's an opportunity to take cricket down to East London," Bowden
told BBC Look East.
Multi-purpose cricket stadiums
Melbourne Cricket Ground: The Australian 100,000-capacity venue has hosted
football as well as cricket
Moses Mabhida Stadium: Located in Durban, South Africa, the 54,00-seater
stadium was a World Cup venue that also hosts cricket
Eden Park: Auckland's 50,000-capacity stadium hosts rugby union and rugby
league and has a removable cricket pitch
Westpac Stadium: Capable of holding 36,000, the Wellington venue hosts
football, rugby union, rugby league and cricket
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium: Football and cricket are played at the
70,000-capacity stadium in Kochi, India
"East London is actually part of the region Essex County Cricket Board is
responsible for in terms of grassroots cricket. "We'll hopefully speak to
West Ham, in the next few weeks. I would think towards the end of April,
early May we could meet with the West Ham management to see if there is any
viability." Bowden's predecessor David East suggested in 2010 that the
Olympic Stadium could become a Twenty20 venue for the county. While the
Hammers have been named as the anchor tenant for the Olympic Stadium, the
decision over whether to allow cricket to be played at the venue is likely
to lie with the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), the
organisation overseeing the transformation of the arena. There are also
plans to host rugby matches at the London 2012 site, with the Rugby World
Cup in 2015 an aim. A spokesperson for the London Legacy Development
Corporation said: "The Stadium will become a multi-use venue so we are open
to additional uses including cricket provided they can fit alongside other
concessionaires such as West Ham United and UK Athletics. "We will be
creating a process for interested parties to submit proposals for one-off
events such as Twenty20 cricket matches."
Mayor of London Boris Johnson, the chairman of the LLDC, is keen to
encourage a diversity of sports at the Olympic Stadium and has welcomed
Essex's interest. "I've said repeatedly that the stadium is something for
everybody in London and everybody in the country," he told BBC London 94.9.
"It is a national asset. We are going to make sure it doesn't just have
association football, although that is going to be a glorious part of it
with West Ham. "We are going to have other events as well. We are still
trying to make it fit for the rugby, but we can't be confident that will
work for 2015. If we can get some cricket in that would be fantastic as
well."
England captain and Essex batsman Alastair Cook has also backed the
proposal. "It would be fantastic for Essex to be able to play at the Olympic
Stadium," Cook said. "East London has a huge amount of participation in
cricket and taking the game there would benefit Essex as well. "As a player,
it would be fantastic. It would have to be a Twenty20 game. County
Championship matches should be played at Chelmsford or at the festival at
Colchester. "You want to play in front of good crowds befitting of the
stadium. With Twenty20 you have got a chance of getting 10,000 or 15,000
there which would make it a good atmosphere."
West Ham intend to reduce the stadium's capacity from 80,000 to 60,000, but
Bowden believes crowds of at least 20,000 could be accommodated for cricket.
"We would need to look at the financials as well as the logistics, but
20,000 people watching Twenty20 cricket on a Friday night would make for
fantastic entertainment," he said. "It can work for cricket. There is
obviously a cost attached and that is something we would need to look into
very clearly. "Technologically it can be done."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Liverpool v West Ham
KO 13:30
5 April 2013
By Ian Dennis
BBC Match of the Day commentator
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Anfield Date: Sunday, 7 April
Continue reading the main story
Liverpool have no fresh injuries so Brendan Rodgers may stick with the side
that beat Aston Villa last weekend. Joe Allen and Fabio Borini (both
shoulder) and Martin Kelly (knee) are all out for the rest of the season.
West Ham striker Andy Carroll is ineligible to face his parent club under
the terms of his loan, so Carlton Cole or Marouane Chamakh will deputise.
Joe Cole (hamstring) also misses out on an Anfield return, with Mark Noble
(shoulder) another absentee.
MATCH PREVIEW
There are no such things as a certainty on Grand National weekend in
Liverpool but the visit of West Ham United to Anfield must be the closest
you will get to one. If you look at the form then The Hammers will be
classed as outsiders on a ground where they have found the going
particularly tough. The last time West Ham won at Anfield was in 1963; a
year better remembered as when Liverpool's "Fab Four" caused hysteria as
Beatlemania hit the UK. Since then, West Ham have made 39 league visits to
Anfield and failed to score in 28 of them. Their anaemic away goal tally of
nine from 15 matches this season suggests they might not be about to improve
that statistic. "West Ham were very impressive against West Brom last week
and they are going to stay up, no problem.
After their defeat at Southampton last month, Liverpool are now playing for
fifth or sixth place, because any higher looks impossible."
What won't help their cause is the absence of Andy Carroll, who is unable to
play against his parent club. Carroll will be sorely missed after scoring
five goals in his last nine league outings. His future remains uncertain and
even though he's not playing there has been no shortage of speculation about
him this week. West Ham are reportedly keen to take him on a permanent basis
but are also said to be looking at strikers all across Europe for next
season, while Brendan Rodgers says there is nothing to discuss now,
preferring to wait until the end of the campaign. The Liverpool boss must be
very content with how things are progressing, especially with the way his
side bounced back against Aston Villa after the slip up at Southampton. It's
unlikely Liverpool will finish in the top four but after four league wins
from their last five they are mounting a challenge for fifth spot, which
would secure Europa League qualification. I was at Anfield when Philippe
Coutinho made his debut in the last 12 minutes against West Brom in February
and I'm looking forward to witness in person the partnership he has built
with Luis Suarez. The Brazilian provides another dimension to Liverpool's
creativity and, along with a resurgent Stewart Downing, the home side will
not lack confidence going forward - which doesn't augur well for West Ham.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
West Ham have never beaten Liverpool at Anfield in 16 previous Premier
League attempts.
Liverpool are looking to complete a sixth Premier League double over The
Hammers.
West Ham's only post-war top-flight win at Liverpool was a 2-1 victory in
September 1963.
The Hammers have failed to score in their last four league visits to
Anfield.
Liverpool
Liverpool have scored 15 goals in their last five Premier League matches,
winning four of those matches.
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, on 98 Premier League goals for the club,
has scored four Premier League penalties this season - level with Mikel
Arteta, Chelsea's Frank Lampard and Sunderland's Craig Gardner.
Philippe Coutinho has been involved in a Premier League goal every 74
minutes on average since he joined the club, scoring two and assisting three
in 369
minutes.
Liverpool have had 242 shots off target in the league this season; 35 more
than any other side.
West Ham
The Hammers have won just one of their last 10 away games in the Premier
League (W1, D1, L8).
Sides managed by Sam Allardyce have lost on each of their last eight Premier
League visits to Liverpool since his Bolton side drew on his first trip to
Anfield in January 2002.
Jussi Jaaskelainen has made 127 saves in the Premier League this season,
nine more than any other goalkeeper (Sunderland's Simon Mignolet).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
50 years of hurt
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 5th April 2013
By: Staff Writer
This year marks an incredible 50 years since West Ham last beat Liverpool at
Anfield. This weekend, Sam Allardyce becomes the tenth West Ham manager to
take a United team to Merseyside looking to end the club's longest-running
hoodoo against an established Premier League club. You have to go back to
September 1963 to find West Ham's last win at the home of the former
European champions; that being a 2-1 victory courtesy of goals from
youngsters Martin Peters and Geoff Hurst (fellow England international Roger
Hunt grabbed a second half consolation for the Reds).
Since then, the very best subsequent Hammers sides have managed is a draw -
and even that has only happened on 10 occasions during the 39 visits to
Anfield since 1963. Statistically speaking, Harry Redknapp holds the best
managerial record on Merseyside since that day 50 years ago; his seven
visits there between 1994 and 2001 yielded three draws and four defeats -
even though his team failed to score in six of the seven games!
And with only TEN West Ham players having scored at Anfield in that period,
'Pop' Robson and Geoff Hurst - with three goals apiece - remain United's
most prolific goalscorers of the period. The last West Ham player to score
an Anfield was Bobby Zamora in a 2-1 reversal back in August 2006. The
current QPR-striker's 12th minute goal gave Alan Pardew's team an early lead
before strikes from Daniel Agger and Peter Crouch won the home side their
customary three points.
John Moncur and Paolo Di Canio remonstrate with referee Jeff Winter during a
2-1 defeat at Anfield in August 2001
50 Years of Hurt: West Ham at Anfield since 1963
Ron Greenwood: Pld10 W0 D2 L8 F6 A18 GD-12
1964/65: Liverpool 2-2 West Ham Utd (Hurst 2)
1965/66: Liverpool 1-1 West Ham Utd (Hurst)
1966/67: Liverpool 2-0 West Ham Utd
1967/68: Liverpool 3-1 West Ham Utd (Peters)
1968/69: Liverpool 2-0 West Ham Utd
1969/70: Liverpool 2-0 West Ham Utd
1970/71: Liverpool 1-0 West Ham Utd
1971/72: Liverpool 1-0 West Ham Utd
1972/73: Liverpool 3-2 West Ham Utd (Robson 2)
1973/74: Liverpool 1-0 West Ham Utd
John Lyall: Pld12 W0 D4 L8 F5 A27 GD-22
1974/75: Liverpool 1-1 West Ham Utd (Robson)
1975/76: Liverpool 2-2 West Ham Utd (A.Taylor 2)
1976/77: Liverpool 0-0 West Ham Utd
1977/78: Liverpool 2-0 West Ham Utd
1981/82: Liverpool 3-0 West Ham Utd
1982/83: Liverpool 3-0 West Ham Utd
1983/84: Liverpool 6-0 West Ham Utd
1984/85: Liverpool 1-0 West Ham Utd
1985/86: Liverpool 3-1 West Ham Utd (Dickens)
1986/87: Liverpool 1-0 West Ham Utd
1987/88: Liverpool 0-0 West Ham Utd
1988/89: Liverpool 5-1 West Ham Utd (Rosenior)
Billy Bonds: Pld2 W0 D0 L2 F0 A3 GD-3
1991/92: Liverpool 1-0 West Ham Utd
1993/94: Liverpool 2-0 West Ham Utd
Harry Redknapp: Pld7 W0 D3 L4 F2 A13 GD-11
1994/95: Liverpool 0-0 West Ham Utd
1995/96: Liverpool 2-0 West Ham Utd
1996/97: Liverpool 0-0 West Ham Utd
1997/98: Liverpool 5-0 West Ham Utd
1998/99: Liverpool 2-2 West Ham Utd (Lampard, Keller)
1999/00: Liverpool 1-0 West Ham Utd
2000/01: Liverpool 3-0 West Ham Utd
Glenn Roeder: Pld2 W0 D0 L2 F1 A4 GD-3
2001/02: Liverpool 2-1 West Ham Utd (pen, Di Canio)
2002/03: Liverpool 2-0 West Ham Utd
Alan Pardew: Pld2 W0 D0 L2 F1 A4 GD-3
2005/06: Liverpool 2-0 West Ham Utd
2006/07: Liverpool 2-1 West Ham Utd (Zamora)
Alan Curbishley: Pld1 W0 D0 L1 F0 A4 GD-4
2007/08: Liverpool 4-0 West Ham Utd
Gianfranco Zola: Pld2 W0 D1 L1 F0 A3 GD-3
2008/09: Liverpool 0-0 West Ham Utd
2009/10: Liverpool 3-0 West Ham Utd
Avram Grant: Pld1 W0 D0 L1 F0 A3 GD-3
2010/11: Liverpool 3-0 West Ham Utd
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Liverpool v West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 5th April 2013
By: Preview Percy
Next up we pay a visit to Anfield where Liverpool will be our hosts.
Kick-off is 1.30pm on Sunday which means we'll be playing our second match
in little over a week. Blimey. What will they think of next?
There's engineering works on the line between Liverpool Street & Shenfield
first thing on Sunday so if you're trying to get to Euston for an early
train you may need to take that into account.
The home side sit in 7th place with 48 points from their 31 matches played
so far. They've won four and lost two of their last six in the league. The
wins came at Villa last weekend (2-1), at home to Bale (3-2), away at Wigan
(4-0) and at home to a Wembley-preoccupied Swansea (5-0).
They won't be qualifying for the so-called Champions League this season,
and, with even the Happy Shopper version in the shape of the Europa League
looking a long shot, the recent news about the club has been all about
top-scorer Luis Suarez who has expressed an interest in moving on to someone
who can promise European football. The quote ran something along the lines
of: "if another team comes around with more prospects of competing in
international club competition games, which is willing to have [me], they
are welcome. We would talk to the club, and we would see if I want to go
[or] if I don't want to go." Rather predictably the club were keen to play
the "probably misquoted in translation" card they like to use so much. The
official statement said that they were "100% certain" that he would stay.
It's not something I'd be too keen on testing out at the bookies myself.
The problem with Suarez, and make no mistake he is undoubtedly one of the
most gifted players you are likely to see, is that far too many on
Merseyside are happy to defend the indefensible as far as he is concerned –
something that reached its nadir with the t-shirts worn by players after the
Evra affair. Since then boss Brendan Rodgers was eager to broadcast how
unfair the press treatment Suarez was getting over his diving was. Rodgers
may have had a point with his comments that British players get an easier
ride over the diving thing – Gerrard has won countless free-kicks over the
years with that clever trick of tripping himself up after all. Admirable
though it was to see Suarez disciplined by the club over his antics, I might
have been more impressed had Rodgers read the riot act on any of the dozens
of times Suarez had dived before actually admitting to it in the press. The
message was clear – "don't admit anything and don't get caught".
Their captain is, of course, the inexplicably fireproof Steven Gerrard. One
could be forgiven for the misapprehension that the player is the greatest
player the world has seen if one based one's opinions on match commentaries.
For example, watching England in midweek the ITV gentlemen marvelled over
the three occasions he got a three foot pass right, strangely choosing to
talk about the weather on the multiple – and boy were they multiple -
occasions he gave the ball away. Like Suarez he knows when and how to fall
over, though, as mentioned earlier, he benefits from the dispensation given
to English players whenever the subject is raised. He'll score against us of
course – he usually does – but I'd still like to know what secrets he holds
over those responsible for providing tv commentary on matches to have them
fawn over him so much.
The earlier part of their season was notable for a lack of resources up
front. Having sent Andy Carroll on to better things they had hoped to bring
in Clint Dempsey from Fulham. The Cottagers took exception to Liverpool's
illegal efforts to sign the player and flogged the Septic to Spurs. This
left them relying on Suarez and the youngster Raheem Sterling. At that time
Sterling was also the subject of a rather unseemly struggle between the club
and his "advisors". As he was about to turn 18 Liverpool needed to secure
him on a new deal or face seeing him depart on the cheap at the end of term.
Meanwhile the player's advisors were keen to see the player on top wages, in
reflection, I am sure, of his then first XI regular status rather than from
any desire to increase the value of their 10%. The contract got sorted in
the end but one was left with the distinct feeling that nobody really gave a
monkeys' about the kid's welfare as long as they didn't lose out
financially.
The striker situation was sorted out during the January window with the
arrival of Daniel Sturridge from Chelsea for a rumoured £12m. I guess being
behind Torres in the pecking order would make anyone seek a move. It was
also rumoured that he had an aversion to being stuck out on the wing all the
time rather than in his preferred central role.
The other arrival in the window was Brazilian Phillipe Coutinho who came in
from Internazionale. Although technically an Inter player since 2008,
Coutinho spent the first two years of his Italian career with his original
Brazilian club Vasco Da Gama as a result of the Italian rule prohibiting the
playing of foreigners under the age of 18. When he finally got to the San
Siro there were noises from the then head coach Rafael Benitez along the
lines of "this player is our future". Those words proved to be about as
sensible as any of the rubbish Benitez has ever spoken and, failing to
impress in Italy, he was eventually shipped off to Espanyol on loan. His
form improved to the extent that he started appearing on people's radar and
Inter will have made a tidy profit with the £6.5-£8.5m (amount depending on
from which paper you source your transfer fee info) received from Liverpool.
The main absentee for the home side for this one will be midfielder Joe
Allen. Allen followed Rodgers from Swansea in the summer. However, his form
over the season hasn't over-impressed with things not being helped by
problems with his shoulder. Strangely for Liverpool, this wasn't caused by
an over-abundance of chips balanced thereon. Whatever the issue the player
went under the knife and will now miss the remainder of the season.
And what of us? Good win that one last weekend. We rode our luck a bit early
on with the save from Jaaskalainen that came back nicely off the post but
once we'd gone ahead there was no looking back. Apart from his goals – and
the second was a bit special wasn't it? - Carroll had a superb match and
West Brom found him unplayable. Shame then that the rules relating to his
loan spell will prevent him from appearing in this one. Carlton Cole this is
your moment to shine.
One has got to feel a little bit for George McCartney. Having done his
ligaments in it was rotten luck to get the same injury again only minutes
into his return. That looks to be his season done then. Mark Noble is also
likely to miss out with some reports suggesting we won't see him again this
season. Although Joe Cole was said to be close to a return last weekend in
the end his hamstring hadn't recovered enough to see him make the squad and
he's unlikely to be ready for this week either, which is a bit of a shame
given that he a) owes us having scored against us in the reverse fixture;
and b) owes them for stagnating his career. Noble's absence will mean
another start for Gary O'Neil who had a fine game last weekend – even
without the goal which was a deceptively fine finish.
History dictates that this will be a toughy. The last time we won here was
so long ago they were still doing legal transfer deals in that part of the
world. Even when we do play well at this venue the refereeing from officials
who have contributed to their trophy count so much over the years usually
kicks in to get them off the hook. Dives, dubious offsides, ignored fouls,
I've seen us stitched up by them all over the years. The choice of official
for this one (see below) doesn't inspire too much in the way of confidence
either, especially with Gerrard and Suarez ever ready to collapse at the
merest glance in the wrong direction.
Prediction? Well I'm loath to actually go to the bookies and actually bet
against us on the grounds of superstition. However, if I were to raid the
Avram Grant Rest Home For The Bewildered's Unseasonably Cold Weather Fuel
Contingency Fund (£2.50) and place it on a result I'm afraid I'd have to be
putting it on a 3-1 defeat this time, thus ensuring that new contract for
the manager is put on hold for another week or two.
Enjoy the game!
When Last We Met At Anfield: Lost 0-3 November 2010. A totally spineless
performance from us saw Johnson, Kuyt (statutory dubious pen) and Rodriguez
put the home side into a 3-0 lead at half time. That was about it.
Referee: Anthony Taylor. We last saw this clown in our home match against
Everton when he had an unbelievably poor game. The baffling sendings-off of
Carlton Cole and Darron Gibson ruined the match. Thankfully the decisions
were reversed on the grounds that no sane person would have made them in the
first place. Taylor received no punishment of course.
Danger Man:Luis Suarez. They can moan all they like about how referees
"misunderstand" him but, like Bale at Spurs, his undoubted talent is spoilt
by his blatant cheating. He and Gerrard must be licking their lips at the
prospect of having as dumb a ref as Taylor in charge for this one.
Daft Fact Of The Week: A few years ago when The Beatles finally settled
their long-running dispute with Apple over the use of Beatles songs on
iTunes, the good people at Fox News referred to the group as "Manchester's
favourite mopheads". This, of course was factually incorrect. As everyone
knows it was to London that the "Fab Four" escaped as soon as they had more
than tuppence to rub together.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Premier League: Liverpool welcome West Ham to Anfield on Sunday
Last Updated: April 5, 2013 11:13am
SSN
Liverpool will be looking to remain in the hunt for Europe when they welcome
West Ham United to Anfield on Sunday. The Reds sit seventh heading into the
latest round of fixtures, three points adrift of arch-rivals Everton and
five short of fifth-placed Arsenal. Overhauling the Toffees will be a top
priority for Brendan Rodgers and his players, with it important for them to
end the campaign as the top team on Merseyside. Should they succeed in that
quest, they may find themselves back in the Europa League for 2013/14. Four
wins in their last five have helped to keep Liverpool in contention and they
will be determined to end a campaign which started slowly with a flourish.
West Ham are, however, looking to end any lingering doubts regarding their
top-flight status. Two victories in their last three Premier League outings
have helped to lift them six points clear of the drop zone and one more win
should be enough to see them safe. Sam Allardyce will, however, be setting
his sights higher than that, with a top-half finish still very much on the
cards at Upton Park. They may find the going tough this weekend, though,
with the Hammers yet to secure a Premier League victory at Anfield - taking
just four points from 16 previous visits.
Liverpool
Last 6
1-2
3-1
3-2
0-4
3-1
5-0
Liverpool have no fresh injury or suspension concerns to contend with
heading into the weekend. Long-term absentees Martin Kelly (knee), Joe Allen
and Fabio Borini (both shoulder) remain the only men on the sidelines. It is
possible that Rodgers will keep faith with the starting XI that came from
behind to beat Aston Villa 2-1 last time out, meaning Daniel Sturridge and
Martin Skrtel will once again have to make do places on the bench.
West Ham
Last 6
3-1
2-0
0-1
2-3
2-1
1-0
West Ham will be unable to call upon the services of in-form Andy Carroll,
as the terms of his loan agreement prevent him from playing against his
parent club.
Joe Cole may, however, line up against former employers, with the midfielder
expected to shake off a hamstring complaint in time to put himself in
contention.
Mark Noble (shoulder) and George McCartney (knee) are unlikely to figure for
the Hammers again this season.
Opta stats
Liverpool have fired 242 shots off target in the league this season; 35 more
than any other side (Man City).
After masterminding a draw on his first Premier League trip to Anfield (Jan
2002), Sam Allardyce has seen his teams lose on each of his last eight trips
there.
Luis Suarez has created 77 chances from open play this season; more than any
other player in Europe's top five leagues.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce says West Ham will miss Andy Carroll against Liverpool
Last Updated: April 5, 2013 3:52pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce says Andy Carroll's enforced absence this weekend has come at
a frustrating time for the striker and West Ham. Injuries have meant a
stop-start season on loan in east London for Carroll, who is ineligible for
Sunday's trip to Liverpool under the terms of his deal. That means another
90 minutes on the sidelines a week after the 24-year-old - a summer transfer
target for the Hammers - showed a glimpse of his best form with two goals
against West Brom.
Allardyce said: "Andy looks to be in full flow and good goalscoring touch,
which is what we've been waiting for a long time. "It's frustrating to be
without Andy for Sunday and it is for him as well but that's the way the
fixtures have fallen."
Allardyce has never made a secret of his wish to make Carroll's loan
permanent - as long as the terms suit West Ham. He said "I think there'd be
a lot to be discussed between ourselves, Liverpool and Andy before that
could be the case, but once we're secure then we'll move on with that
business as quick as we possibly can. "I wouldn't have spent as much time as
I did trying to get him here if I didn't want him here on a permanent basis.
"We would have hoped he'd score a few more goals, but the circumstances
around why he hasn't are ones we can put right. In other words, keeping him
match-fit would mean more goals."
West Ham have not won at Liverpool for almost 50 years, but Allardyce said:
"On any given day on your best form you can win anywhere. "For most of those
50 years Liverpool have been so much better than everyone else that you
wouldn't expect to win there, but we're capable of winning there and if
we're on top form and take our chances we can."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam: We can't splash the cash
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: 8 hrs ago
The Sun
SAM ALLARDYCE has warned West Ham fans there will be no bank-busting
spending spree to go with their Olympic Stadium move. The Hammers boss
admits he must start constructing a team fit to grace the grand opening of
their new 54,000-capacity home in 2016. But West Ham are still £60million in
debt and incoming FIFA rules on balancing the books mean teams can no longer
live in permanent overdraft. Allardyce said: "There is a big motivation for
everybody to try and get West Ham to become the biggest club it's ever been.
"But the days of huge money being thrown at transfers look like they might
be restricted, so the growth of West Ham might not be as quick as we would
all like. "We are telling the fans now that it might be a problem and we
can't spend it because we are not allowed to. The fans will probably take a
while to understand that and I know the players and agents will. "So when we
turn round to an agent and say, 'We would like to pay you that but under the
new regime we can't', we'll go off somewhere else and hopefully find
everybody will say the same and it will bring a bit more financial stability
to the game. "But from my point of view it doesn't help that I want to build
a team as quick as I can and promote an exceptionally good Premier League
side in that stadium."
Putting a squad together to lift West Ham out of mid-table and to a place
reflecting the status of its proposed new home requires an investment
upwards of £300m. Winger Matt Jarvis is the club's current record signing at
just £10.75m. Allardyce revealed that work has already started on
recruitment for next season. But with Premier League safety still not
mathematically guaranteed, there remains an uncertainty about the financial
future. Co-chairman David Sullivan insists debt is being reduced and this
summer the Hammers will hand over the last instalment of an £18m payout to
Sheffield United over the Carlos Tevez affair. Big Sam added: "We are
gathering information on players' availability. There will be hundreds of
thousands of conversations and emails and, as everybody knows, David
Sullivan is highly active in that area. "He loves a conversation on what
players might become available, wherever they might be from."
On-loan Liverpool striker Andy Carroll is ineligible to play at Anfield
tomorrow under the terms of the deal. Former Reds midfielder Joe Cole is
also out with a hamstring injury. Allardyce said: "Our real problem has been
scoring goals away from home. "We've got to use the sort of finishing
qualities we did last Saturday against West Brom."
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Karren Brady's football diary
The Sun
By KARREN BRADY
SunSport columnist
Published: 7 hrs ago
SATURDAY, MARCH 30
TWO goals from Andy Carroll and three points closer to the shoreline. By any
reckoning, our man Sam was right to insist that we bought winger Matt Jarvis
from Wolves last summer. Stats shown to me today reveal Jarvis as the
Premier League's leading open-play crosser of the ball with easily the most
successful attempts at 42 from 171. Analysts suggest this is because Sam
Allardyce prefers traditional wingers aiming the ball for big strikers.
Perhaps, but that's a gross under-estimation of Jarvis, who can be quietly
devastating. It worked today as Andy scored twice but we have to be without
our loan player at Liverpool this Sunday and someone else will have the
pleasure of meeting Jarvis' crosses.
SUNDAY, MARCH 31
WHEN David Miliband decided to ditch the Houses of Parliament for Manhattan,
I did wonder how he expected to earn £125,000 as vice-chairman of
Sunderland. We do not have to worry about that now as the one-time favourite
to lead the Labour party has resigned from the board because Paolo Di Canio
has been appointed Sunderland manager. Many times since we took over the
club Paolo has approached owners David Sullivan and David Gold about being
the manager of West Ham. I think they considered him briefly — something I
never did — but dismissed him on the basis that football and fascism do not
mix.
MONDAY, APRIL 1
WHEN a football was thrown to Barack Obama at a ceremony in Hawaii, the US
President set about juggling it on his head. Admittedly, balancing the
Middle East isn't quite so easy but it's still some feat for a guy who was
force-fed American football and basketball. The real news though is that the
President of the United States of America has joined our Family. Yes he's
declared himself a Hammer and a very proud one at that. And he's coming to a
game the next time he's here! Another man of taste and power who joins our
growing number of A-list celebrity supporters.
TUESDAY, APRIL 2
I'M finding it really hard to believe that Neil Warnock will no longer be
snarling on the touchlines of Football League grounds up and down the
country. Once managers move deeper into their sixties most of them either
lose their drive or lose touch with their players. But I know there is a
serious exception to this — and I do seriously believe that Neil will be
back before very long. I already know of one Championship club in London
whose chairman is considering having Warnock as his director of football.
He's seen it all and rescued so many teams, maybe we should call him the
Fireman. And I also know he does possess a good eye for a decent player —
because he once signed my husband!
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3
SCORES of coaches laden with United fans from all over the country roll into
the Old Trafford car parks on match days. But in their home-town clubs,
people who choose to back United or another big name are about as popular as
ants in your underpants. It's a free country but being true to your roots
says something about loyalty. So let's hear it for Stuart Astill, a Forest
supporter who had been home and away for 1,786 matches until he injured his
foot last weekend. This is great and I'd love to hear from any Hammers
follower who can match that record.
THURSDAY, APRIL 4
WHAT is it about Manchester City players? Carlos Tevez has been given 250
hours of community service for driving without insurance and Sami Nasri a
six-month driving ban. Nasri, likely to be earning about £100,000 a week,
won an appeal against a £1,900 fine but had no answer when the police came
back with a different charge for his speeding offences. It appears he didn't
know he was driving at the time. Roberto Mancini recently confirmed he's
been missing on the field, too. If I was City, I'd make my next signing a
chauffeur.
FRIDAY, APRIL 5
MYSELF and a host of friends from inside and outside football watch my
appearance on Piers Morgan's Life Stories from behind the sofa. Piers, a
massive Arsenal fan, spent most of the night talking to one of my guests who
attended the filming, David Dein. It's clear he'd love to be back in
football and I couldn't think of a better ambassador than David. I think the
funniest moment was when Piers asked me if I think I am sexy. Not as sexy as
you think you are I replied. And trust me, that's true!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy won't leave on the cheap
The Sun
By PHIL THOMAS
Published: 8 hrs ago
BRENDAN RODGERS has told Andy Carroll's would-be suitors: You can forget
about getting him on the cheap. Geordie striker Carroll, who will watch from
the stands as West Ham play at Liverpool tomorrow, has spent the season on
loan at the Hammers. But Kop boss Rodgers has refused to slam the door on an
Anfield return — even though Carroll would be even further down the pecking
order now following the arrivals of Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho.
The likeliest option still remains a permanent departure, with a return to
Newcastle in part-exchange for Hatem Ben Arfa a strong possibility. Yet that
does not mean the Reds will let the striker go for peanuts, even though Kop
top brass know they will take a hit on the £35million he cost from the Toon
in 2011. Rodgers warned: "It's absolutely the case that IF the player does
leave then it won't be for nothing. "It is no fault of his own but he came
here for an astronomical fee.
"There is no doubt Andy has real qualities — some of his goals from set-
plays with West Ham have proven that. And the financial aspect to it means
he won't be leaving on the cheap if he does."
The best Carroll could hope for back at Anfield is being used as an impact
player. But wages of around £90,000 a week on top of that huge price tag
mean it is unlikely the Reds would want him kicking his heels. Rodgers
added: "With every player it is about the style and how they fit into that.
If you look at Luis Suarez we are a team that is set up to exploit his
qualities. "It's not that Andy hasn't got qualities because, if we set up in
a different way, we'd get the best out of him. But we are happy with playing
around Luis."
When Rodgers missed out on landing Clint Dempsey from Fulham on last
summer's deadline day, it left Suarez as the only senior striker on the
books. Yet the Northern Irish manager still cannot understand those who
slammed his decision to let Carroll go on loan. He added: "I find it funny
when I hear people saying we shouldn't have let Andy go out. It was the
right thing because it is not just about the football, there is a financial
implication here too. "At this moment the club isn't one which can have that
money sitting on the bench, in terms of what he cost and his wages."
The Hammers come to Anfield for a game Liverpool MUST win if they want any
chance of European football next season. Yet Carroll — as was so often the
norm before he went on loan — will be no more than an onlooker, as the terms
of his Upton Park loan mean he cannot play.
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Claret 'n bruised
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: 8 hrs ago
WEST HAM boss Sam Allardyce is claret, black and blue through and through.
Big Sam, 58, is nursing four stitches in his nut and will be sporting a
black eye when he leads out the Hammers at Liverpool tomorrow. He arrived
for a Press conference yesterday with a plaster over his right eye after
slipping over in a 'kitchen accident'. The former Bolton defender hopes the
bruises will help put the frighteners on Liverpool. But he admitted: "I
recommend not having a marble worktop. I'd say it won hands down."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carroll stinger: Liverpool's Rodgers drops huge hint that £35m Andy has no
future at Anfield
5 Apr 2013 22:31
The Mirror
Steve Bardens
Brendan Rodgers will refuse to let Andy Carroll leave Liverpool on the
cheap, but admits his Anfield blueprint is designed around Luis Suarez.
On-loan Carroll can't play for West Ham against his parent club on Sunday,
but the £35million man is still the centre of attention going into the
match. Reds manager Rodgers said: "It's absolutely the case that, just the
same as last season, if the player does leave, then it won't be for nothing.
"It's no fault of his own, but he came here for an astronomical fee. "There
is no doubt Andy has real qualities – some of his goals from set plays with
West Ham have proven that. There is the financial aspect to it. He won't be
leaving on the cheap."
Some-time England centre-forward Carroll is the Merseysiders' all-time
record signing and is on £80,000 a week but doesn't seem to fit into a
game-plan that focuses on Suarez's talents. "With every player it is about
the style, and how they fit into that," added Rodgers. "We are a team that
is set up to exploit Suarez's qualities, and he has flourished in the
roaming role we have given him "We are the second-highest goal-scorers in
the league, so we have been able to score goals all season – and we are
happy with playing around a talent like Luis. "The club can't have that
money sat on the bench, in terms of what Andy cost and his wages. "The big
boy's gone out and he's scored five goals, probably not played as often as
he and West Ham would have liked, but there was a massive price tag on him
and we have to consider that."
Hammers manager Sam Allardyce has an agreement to pay £17m for Carroll if he
chooses to make the move permanent. Allardyce said: "There'd be a lot to be
discussed between ourselves, Liverpool and Andy before that could be the
case. But at the end of the season, we'll move on with that business as
quickly as we possibly can. "I wouldn't have spent as much time as I did
trying to get him here last year if I wouldn't have wanted him on a
permanent basis. "We'd hoped that he would've scored a few more goals, but I
think the circumstances are ones we could put right – keeping him match fit
and clear of injuries."
Carroll, 24, has been hampered by injury this season and a return to
Newcastle in an exchange deal for the Geordies' Hatem Ben Arfa is believed
to appeal to the player. Allardyce added: "He has got to go and play in
someone's first team and score goals and continue his development at his
age. "The number of goal-scoring players in the England squad is very
limited. I would be surprised if Andy doesn't get back in there. "But he
needs to be playing in someone's first team on a regular basis."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
All the background information and team news ahead of Sunday's Barclays
Premier League fixture
05.04.2013
LIVERPOOL v WEST HAM UNITED
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
SUNDAY 7 APRIL 2013
KICK-OFF: 1.30PM
REFEREE: ANTHONY TAYLOR
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
iPHONE APP I TWITTER I FACEBOOK I PODCAST
Introduction
• West Ham United travel to Liverpool on Sunday for their 16th Barclays
Premier League away fixture of the season.
• A minute's silence will be held before kick-off in memory of the 96
Liverpool fans who lost their lives at the FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough
on 15 April 1989. Both teams will wear black armbands and West Ham officials
will also lay a wreath at the Hillsborough memorial outside Anfield ahead of
the game.
• The Hammers will need to end an unenviable run if they are to win at
Anfield, having not won there in 41 meetings in all competitions dating back
to 14 September 1963! That day, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters scored in a
2-1 Division One victory, with Ian St John replying for Liverpool and Jim
Standen saving Ronnie Moran's second-half penalty.
• West Ham start the weekend eleventh in the Barclays Premier League table,
having collected 36 points from 30 matches. However, the Hammers have
collected just eleven of those points on their travels, winning three and
drawing two of their previous 15 away matches.
• Sam Allardyce's side have won at Queens Park Rangers (2-1), Newcastle
United (1-0) and Stoke City (1-0) and drawn at Norwich City (0-0) and West
Bromwich Albion (0-0), but have lost their other ten away fixtures.
• Liverpool start the weekend seventh in the standings, having collected 48
points from 31 matches played. The Reds have collected 27 of those points at
Anfield, winning eight and drawing three of their 15 previous home games.
However, Brendan Rodgers' team have been beaten on home turf by Arsenal
(0-2), Manchester United (1-2), Aston Villa (1-3) and West Bromwich Albion
(0-2).
• Both clubs will go into the game on the back of important victories. West
Ham beat West Bromwich Albion 3-1 at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday, with
Reds loanee Andy Carroll scoring twice, while Liverpool recovered from a
goal down to win 2-1 at Aston Villa the following day.
Team news
West Ham United
• England striker Andy Carroll is unavailable due to the terms of his
season-long loan from Liverpool.
• Left-back George McCartney is out with a recurrence of the medial knee
ligament injury that previously ruled him out for three months. The Northern
Irishman was hurt in the victory over West Brom last weekend.
• Midfielder Mark Noble is unavailable after undergoing surgery to release a
trapped nerve in his arm.
• Former Liverpool attacking midfielder Joe Cole will be hoping to feature
against his old club after missing the previous two matches with a hamstring
injury suffered at Stoke City on 2 March.
• Ravel Morrison (Birmingham City), Rob Hall (Bolton Wanderers), Paul
McCallum (Aldershot Town) and Alou Diarra (Stade Rennais) are all out on
loan.
Liverpool
• Liverpool will definitely be without Wales midfielder Joe Allen
(shoulder), Italian striker Fabio Borini (shoulder) and full-back Martin
Kelly (knee).
• Danny Wilson (Heart of Midlothian), Jack Robinson (Wolverhampton
Wanderers), Jay Spearing (Bolton Wanderers), Adam Morgan (Rotherham United),
Michael Ngoo (Heart of Midlothian), Dani Pacheco (Huesca) and Henoc Mukendi
(Northampton Town) are all out loan.
Background
• West Ham United and Liverpool have met 124 times previously, with the Reds
enjoying 66 victories. The Hammers have tasted success on just 24 occasions
and there have been 34 draws. In the Premier League, Liverpool have won 20
of the 33 meetings, with West Ham winning six and there being seven draws.
• The first-ever meeting between the two clubs was an FA Cup intermediate
round tie played at the Memorial Grounds on 5 January 1901. Division One
Liverpool edged out Southern League West Ham United 1-0 in front of a crowd
of 6,000, with Sam Raybould scoring the winner.
• Vic Watson scored four times, Stan Earle twice and Wilf James once as West
Ham United went top of the Division One table after beating Liverpool 7-0
here on 1 September 1930 - the Hammers' biggest-ever home win over the Reds.
• A three-minute hat-trick scored by Roger Hunt either side of half-time
inspired Liverpool to a 5-1 Division One victory at the Boleyn Ground on 6
September 1965 - the Reds' biggest win at the home of the Hammers. Martin
Peters scored West Ham United's consolation goal.
• The largest crowd to attend a Liverpool versus West Ham United fixture at
Anfield was the 55,675 who attended a goalless Division One draw on 14 May
1977. Liverpool would go on to defeat Borussia Moenchengladbach 3-1 in the
European Cup final in Rome eleven days later.
• The Hammers and the Reds met in the 1981 League Cup final at Wembley. The
match ended in a 1-1 draw after extra-time, with Ray Stewart's last-gasp
penalty wiping out Alan Kennedy's 118th-minute strike. The replay, held at
Villa Park, saw Paul Goddard put John Lyall's side in front, only for goals
from Kenny Dalglish and Alan Hansen to see the trophy head to Merseyside.
• West Ham United and Liverpool famously met in the 2006 FA Cup final at the
Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Jamie Carragher's own-goal and a Dean Ashton
strike put the Hammers 2-0 up before Djibril Cisse and Steven Gerrard
brought the Reds level. Paul Konchesky put West Ham back in front before
Gerrard's late 25-yarder forced extra-time. After a goalless 30 minutes,
Liverpool prevailed 3-1 on penalties.
• Billy Bonds has made more appearances against Liverpool, 33, than any
other West Ham United player. The Reds' Ian Callaghan made a record 33
appearances against the Hammers, scoring twice.
• Vic Watson scored a record nine goals in 14 appearances against Liverpool.
John Toshack has scored more goals for the Reds against the Hammers than
anyone else with ten.
• Kevin Nolan, Andy Carroll and Liverpool full-back Jose Enrique were all
part of the Newcastle United squad which won the Championship title in 2010.
• A number of other West Ham United and Liverpool players have lined-up
alongside one another at their former clubs and at international level -
Andy Carroll, Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson, Jordan Henderson, Stewart
Downing and Martin Kelly (England), Jack Collison, James Collins and Joe
Allen (Wales), James Tomkins and Allen (Team GB), Collins and Stewart
Downing (Aston Villa), George McCartney and Jordan Henderson (Sunderland),
Raheem Sterling, Matthias Fanimo and Blair Turgott (England age-group
sides).
• No fewer than 19 players have made their West Ham United debuts against
Liverpool - Alex Kane (January 1926), Walter Pollard (September 1929), Reg
Wade (January 1930), Bill Nelson (September 1954), Dave Bickles (September
1963), Eddie Presland (February 1965), Mick McGiven (December 1973), John
Radford (December 1976), George Parris and Keith McPherson (May 1985), Kevin
Keen (September 1986), Hugo Porfirio (September 1996), Andy Impey (September
1997), Marc Keller (September 1998), Gavin Holligan (February 1999),
Svetoslav Todorov (February 2001), Laurent Courtois (August 2001), Rufus
Brevett (February 2003) and Kepa Blanco (January 2007).
• Centre-back Dave Bickles made his debut in West Ham United's 2-1 Division
One victory at Anfield on 14 September 1963 - the last time the Hammers won
at Anfield!
• Eddie Presland scored on his debut in a 2-1 Division One victory over
Liverpool at the Boleyn Ground on 27 February 1965. The left-back would make
just six first-team appearances for the Hammers before joining Crystal
Palace in 1967.
• Tony Cottee was sent-off on his second 'debut' for West Ham United in a
goalless Premier League draw at Liverpool on 10 September 1994.
• Kepa Blanco netted just minutes after coming on as a substitute for his
West Ham United debut in a 2-1 home Premier League defeat by Liverpool on 30
January 2007
Last time out
West Ham United
Saturday 30 March 2013
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United 3-1 West Bromwich Albion
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Reid, O'Brien, Collins, Demel (McCartney 78),
Nolan (Taylor 69), Jarvis, Diame (Collison 82), O'Neil, Carroll, Vaz Te
Subs not used: Henderson, Tomkins, C.Cole, Chamakh
Goals: Carroll 16, 80,O'Neil 28
Sunday 1 April 2013
Barclays Premier League
Aston Villa 1-2 Liverpool
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Jose Enrique, Agger, Carragher, Gerrard, Coutinho
(Sterling 77), Henderson, Downing, Lucas, Suarez
Subs not used: Jones, Coates, Skrtel, Shelvey, Sturridge, Suso
Goal: Henderson 47, Gerrard 60 (pen)
Previous meeting
Liverpool took the lead, lost it and then came from behind to win 3-2 at the
Boleyn Ground in the reverse Barclays Premier League fixture on 9 December
2012. Former Hammer Glen Johnson put the Reds in front on eleven minutes,
only for Mark Noble's penalty and a Steven Gerrard own-goal to give West Ham
United the advantage at half-time. Unfortunately, Sam Allardyce's side could
not hold on as former West Ham players Joe Cole and Jonjo Shelvey scored
within four second-half minutes late on to secure three points for Brendan
Rodgers' team.
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Reid, O'Brien, Collins, Demel (McCartney 46),
Nolan, Jarvis, Taylor (Maiga 86), Noble, Diame (Tomkins 73), C.Cole
Subs not used: Spiegel, Spence, O'Neil, Moncur
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Jose Enrique (J.Cole 27), Agger, Skrtel, Gerrard,
Downing, Lucas (Henderson 71), Allen (Coates 86), Sterling, Shelvey
Subs not used: Jones, Carragher, Suso, Morgan
Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated)
9 December 2012 - West Ham United 2-3 Liverpool
27 February 2011 - West Ham United 3-1 Liverpool
20 November 2010 - Liverpool 3-0 West Ham United
19 April 2010 - Liverpool 3-0 West Ham United
19 September 2009 West Ham United 2-3 Liverpool
9 May 2009 West Ham United 0-3 Liverpool
Overall record v Liverpool (all competitions) W 24 D 65 L 35
Ten-year records
West Ham United
2011/12 Championship 3rd (86 points - promoted via Play-Offs)
2010/11 Premier League 20th (33 points - relegated to Championship)
2009/10 Premier League 17th (35 points)
2008/09 Premier League 9th (51 points)
2007/08 Premier League 10th (49 points)
2006/07 Premier League 15th (41 points)
2005/06 Premier League 9th (55 points)
2004/05 Championship 6th (73 points - promoted via play-offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th (74 points)
2002/03 Premier League 18th (42 points - relegated to Championship)
Liverpool
2011/12 Premier League 8th (52 points)
2010/11 Premier League 6th (58 points)
2009/10 Premier League 7th (63 points)
2008/09 Premier League 2nd (86 points)
2007/08 Premier League 4th (76 points)
2006/07 Premier League 3rd (68 points)
2005/06 Premier League 3rd (82 points)
2004/05 Premier League 5th (58 points)
2003/04 Premier League 4th (60 points)
2002/03 Premier League 5th (64 points)
Referee
• Sunday's referee will be Anthony Taylor.
• Taylor is in his third season on the Select Group of referees appointed to
control Barclays Premier League fixtures.
• The Greater Manchester-born official started refereeing in the Northern
Premier League in 2002 before being appointed to the Football League list at
the start of the 2006/07 season, refereeing his match between Wrexham and
Peterborough United in League Two on 12 August 2006.
• Taylor's first Premier League appointment was the 3 February 2010
encounter between today's visitors Fulham and former West Ham United manager
Avram Grant's Portsmouth, with the Cottagers winning 1-0.
• Taylor has taken charge of two West Ham United games this season, the
first being the 3-0 home win over Fulham in September. He then sent-off
Carlton Cole and Darron Gibson in Everton's 2-1 victory at the Boleyn Ground
in December, but both red cards were later rescinded by an FA Regulatory
Panel.
• The 34-year-old took charge of the Hammers' final Barclays Premier League
fixture before they were relegated to the npower Championship in May 2011
when Sunderland secured a 3-0 win at the Boleyn Ground.
• When asked in an interview what his favourite match that he has refereed
was, he named British Gas Business Southern League Midland Division side
Chasetown's victory over Port Vale in the FA Cup second round in December
2007.
• Taylor will be assisted by Gary Beswick and Mike Mullarkey, while Mark
Clattenburg will be the fourth official.
Old boys
• On-loan West Ham United midfielder Alou Diarra spent three seasons with
Liverpool between 2002 and 2005 after joining the club from Bayern Munich.
However, the 31-year-old failed to make a first-team appearance for the
Reds, instead being loaned to Le Havre, Bastia and Lens before joining the
latter on a permanent basis.
• Andy Carroll, who is ineligible for Saturday's game under the terms of his
loan agreement from Liverpool, joined the Reds from Newcastle United for
£35million in January 2011. Carroll has played 58 times for Liverpool,
scoring eleven goals, including one in last season's FA Cup final defeat by
Chelsea.
• Glen Johnson came through the ranks at West Ham United, making 15 league
appearances in the 2002/03 season. He was transferred to Chelsea for
£6million in summer 2003 and subsequently moved on to Portsmouth before
Liverpool snapped him up in June 2009.
• Joe Cole played 149 games in all competitions for the Hammers, scoring 13
goals, before his switch to Chelsea in August 2003. Cole also won the FA
Youth Cup with West Ham United in 1999. Cole joined Liverpool in summer
2010, scoring five goals in 42 appearances - including one at the Boleyn
Ground in the reverse fixture this season in December - before moving back
to east London in January 2013.
• Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey spent a period of time as a schoolboy
within the West Ham United Academy before joining Charlton Athletic.
• Among the other players who have represented both clubs are Craig Bellamy,
Yossi Benayoun, Tom Bradshaw, David Burrows, Titi Camara, Charles Cotton,
Julian Dicks, Ray Houghton, Don Hutchison, Paul Ince, David James, Rob
Jones, George Kay, Robbie Keane, Paul Konchesky, Mike Marsh, Javier
Mascherano, Neil Mellor, Neil Ruddock, Danny Shone, Rigobert Song and Thomas
Stanley.
General information
• All standard match tickets for this fixture have SOLD OUT. Three pairs of
Wheelchair/Carer tickets are still available for this fixture, for more
information click here.
• Sunday's forecast in Liverpool is for a cloudy afternoon with maximum
temperatures of 8C (47F).
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Diame driven by Liverpool defeat
WHUFC.com
Mohamed Diame is keen to make up for a 3-2 reverse against Liverpool in
December
06.04.2013
Mohamed Diame has a score to settle come Sunday's Barclays Premier League
fixture at Liverpool. When the sides met at the Boleyn Ground in December,
the 25-year-old departed the scene in the 76th minute owing to a torn
hamstring, with the Hammers 2-1 up at the time. In his absence, Liverpool
struck twice in the following four minutes to leave West Ham empty-handed
and Diame is keen on vanquishing those memories this weekend. "The home
game against Liverpool holds bad memories for me, because it's when I got an
injury," he told West Ham TV. "But now I'm back and I hope I'm going to do
well on Sunday. It's not a case of revenge, but we always go on the pitch
trying to win and we're going to give it our best and see what happens."
Meanwhile, the all-action midfielder believes Anfield is the perfect setting
for West Ham to pull off an historic win. "Anfield's a great stadium, and a
nice place to play well and show the fans we can win this game against
Liverpool. We just have to take the three points, it's important for us, and
make sure we stay in the Premier League."
Diame expects the Hammers to continue where they left off against West
Bromwich Albion, buoyed by three important points in their quest for a
top-half finish. The Senegal international received a huge ovation as he was
substituted late on, support that never goes unnoticed. "The support is
important, the fans are always behind the team and we feel this support ,"
he added. "I think we did well on Saturday. It was important for us to win
the game, get the three points and now it's good for our confidence for the
next games. "We know that at home we always have opportunities to score
goals and on Saturday the forwards did their jobs and Carroll scored his two
goals. His second one was very good quality, it was the goal of a top player
and it's very good for us. "The top ten is still our target, we're on the
way to doing that and we're going to keep working for that and make sure
that at the end of the season we'll be there."
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YouGov reveal details of fan survey
WHUFC.com
Further details announced for West Ham United supporter consultation on the
move to the Olympic Stadium
05.04.2013
Following last week's appointment of independent research organisation
YouGov, their sports division have now exclusively revealed details of West
Ham United's supporter survey that will offer fans the opportunity to have
their say on the move to the world-class Olympic Stadium in Stratford.
SMG-YouGov Managing Director Frank Saez said: "We relish the opportunity to
be involved in this exciting and ground breaking research and consultation
project. As experts in this field we will conduct an independent
consultation on behalf of West Ham United Football Club that will offer
supporters the chance to share their attitudes towards the move to the
iconic Olympic Stadium."
Cited as the most consistently accurate pollster, YouGov is an independent
full service market research company with global reach which delivers
support and services to sports governing bodies, sponsors and sports
investors and has conducted more than 25 major sports venue projects in 15
countries across six continents, covering national stadia, UEFA Champions
League clubs and Premier League teams, including Wembley, the Maracana,
Galatasaray, Inter Milan, and QPR.
YouGov's research programme will provide a comprehensive assessment of the
spectrum of opinion related to the stadium relocation across the West Ham
United fan base, covering the core groups that will drive the club's future
attendances at the 2012 Olympic Stadium. YouGov are currently in the process
of gathering the required data and developing a comprehensive electronic
survey. Due to the vast numbers of supporters who qualify to take part, the
survey will be distributed via email later this month. If you are a
supporter who is registered on the club's database but has not provided the
club with an email address, you will be given the opportunity to update your
details ahead of the survey's release to ensure you can offer your feedback
on the move to the Olympic Stadium.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
On this day - 6 April
WHUFC.com
Sir Trevor Brooking scores his one and only hat-trick in a 5-0 win over
Newcastle on this day
06.04.2013
Classic match
West Ham United 5-0 Newcastle United
6 April 1968
Division One
Sir Trevor Brooking bagged the match ball for the first and only time in his
illustrious career as Newcastle United were put to the sword at the Boleyn
Ground on this day in 1968. A then 19-year-old Brooking, in his first senior
campaign, netted for a second successive Division One outing, after scoring
in a 1-1 home draw with Arsenal a week earlier. The Barking-born Hammer's
triple was added to by forward John Sissons, who completed the 5-0 rout with
two goals of his own. It was the beginning of a woeful end to the season for
the Magpies, as they proceeded to lose five of their final seven outings,
including a 6-0 reverse at Old Trafford. That said, they would still finish
three points and two places above the Hammers, as the clubs stood tenth and
12th in the top tier respectively.
Complete record - 6 April
2012 Barnsley 0-4 West Ham United (Championship)
2002 West Ham United 2-0 Charlton Athletic (Premier League)
1996 West Ham United 1-1 Wimbledon (Premier League)
1991 Port Vale 0-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1985 West Ham United 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur (Division One)
1982 West Ham United 3-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers (Division One)
1974 Arsenal 0-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1968 West Ham United 5-0 Newcastle United (Division One)
1963 Fulham 2-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1962 West Ham United 2-2 Birmingham City (Division One)
1957 Leicester City 5-3 West Ham United (Division Two)
1953 Fulham 2-3 West Ham United (Division Two)
1935 West Ham United 1-0 Bradford City (Division Two)
1931 Bolton Wanderers 4-2 West Ham United (Division One)
1929 West Ham United 3-0 Bolton Wanderers (Division One)
1928 West Ham United 0-0 Aston Villa (Division One)
Played 16, Won 8, Drawn 5, Lost 3, Scored 31, Conceded 18
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Open Training Day time changed
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's Open Training Day will now take place at 2pm on Tuesday 9
April
20.03.2013
Young Hammers fans will have the chance to get up close to their heroes when
West Ham United hold a special Open Training Day for Academy members, Season
Ticket holders and corporate members at the Boleyn Ground on Tuesday 9
April. Supporters should note that the Open Training Day will now commence
at 2pm - later than the previously scheduled start time of 10.30am. The
event, which is free to all the above members, will see the first-team squad
get put through their paces on the Boleyn Ground pitch by manager Sam
Allardyce and his coaching staff. The session will come as the players begin
to prepare for the trip to Southampton in the Barclays Premier League four
days later. There will be full coverage on the giant screens with regular
stadium PA Jeremy Nicholas giving some running commentary and the
ever-popular Hammerhead and Bubbles mascots will be on hand to greet young
supporters enjoying the Easter School holidays.
The stadium superstore will also be open from 9am to 5pm for fans to grab
Hammers goodies and take advantage of the in-store sale on the remaining
2012/2013 Macron replica kits - with away kit now at a 70 per cent discount
- and the fantastic savings on trainingwear. Supporters will be seated in
the Alpari West Stand Lower to watch all the action on the pitch with access
via Gate 3 from 1.30pm. Parking will be on a strictly first-come-first
served basis. Stay in touch with whufc.com for any further details on the
open day as they are available. Timings are subject to change.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam on: Liverpool
WHUFC.com
Big Sam spoke to the press ahead of West Ham's Barclays Premier League clash
with Liverpool
05.04.2013
Sam Allardyce urged his players to take their chances against Liverpool on
Sunday, as West Ham United bid for a first win at Anfield in almost 50
years.
The Hammers were at their ruthless best in Saturday's 3-1 win over West
Bromwich Albion, and though Andy Carroll is ineligible to face his parent
club, Big Sam is confident West Ham still have plenty of firepower to call
upon. Carlton Cole and Marouane Chamakh are the men vying for a recall, with
West Ham gunning for their first back-to-back Barclays Premier League wins
of the campaign. Sam, 36 points, eight game to go, you've looked comfortable
all year.
Do you continue to look up rather than behind you at this stage of the
season?
SA: "Well recently we have had a couple of concerning moments, where we've
been looking down. I think we can reflect that all season our performances,
certainly at home, have been very, very good. "We need to just focus on
securing on as many points as we can between now and the end of the season.
I think that certainly with the points total we've got, we know we're not
too far away now. That should give us confidence, relax us that little bit
more and ensure we're not too tense, too uptight and hopefully we deliver
the sort of performances to finish the season off that have served us so
well. We shouldn't be too concerned and yet we've got that little way to
go."
You're on a run of win one, lose one and if that continues you'll end the
season with 48 points...
SA: "Yes, we are a win-lose team. We can't seem to draw in between that. At
the end of the day, lots of people talk about the fact you can go on an
undefeated run and a lot of it is about too many draws perhaps, rather than
the wins. I always think an undefeated run is a better way of securing more
wins rather than win, lose, win, lose but our real problem has been goals
away from home. "I think Sunday's going to be a big test for us because we
go away, we create chances and yet we don't score. And when we don't score,
instead of getting those draws we might have got, we've ended up losing most
of the games we've played away from home. So we've got to show the finishing
quality that we did last Saturday against West Brom."
Forty is often talked about as the safety margin that you need, what do you
think it will take this year?
SA: "I think it will be a bit less, but we always have the magic 40.
Historically, the last team to go down with 40 was a long, long time ago -
that might have been West Ham with 42, which was a first, ever. But I do
think 40 will definitely be enough this season. For us it's about getting 40
and more if we possibly can."
By the terms of the loan agreement, you knew you'd be without Andy Carroll
for this weekend, is it frustrating given how well he played last Saturday?
SA: "It is and it's frustrating for him as well but that's the way the
fixtures have fallen and we've got Carlton Cole and Marouane Chamakh who can
step in to the team and hopefully they can deliver the sort of performance
Andy can deliver. That's what we'll need at Anfield on Sunday. "Andy looks
to be in full flow at the moment and in good goalscoring form, which is what
we've been waiting for, for a long time. Our position in the league is
strong again, so we want to continue that. Like I say our weakness has been
scoring goals, so we have to get the chances first and we have to show the
sort of quality we showed against West Brom to try and get anything against
Liverpool."
Historically Anfield hasn't been a particularly happy hunting ground for the
club. Why do you think that is?
SA: "I think it's always a difficult place for anyone to go and play, but if
on any given day you hit your best form, then anybody can win any football
match that is in front of them. It happens less often at certain places like
Anfield than it does at others. I think you're talking about 50 years and
for most of that time Liverpool were so much better than anyone else that
you wouldn't have expected it. Other teams have won there, recently West
Brom, so they have slipped up now and again. "You just hope that when you
go, it's your turn to catch a big boy who slips on the day. If we're able to
capitalise on a downside to their performance, we're capable of doing that,
but we need to be on top form and need to take our chances when they arrive.
If we don't, life will be really difficult.
"It's nice to see one stat coming out of our attacking play, that Matt
Jarvis is the best and most successful crosser in the Barclays Premier
League. It shows that the service is there, as I've been saying all season.
What we haven't done is capitalise on that service, particularly from Matt,
and we should have scored more goals."
What's the team news ahead of Sunday?
SA: "The bad news is obviously George McCartney coming off last weekend,
which is something we were really sick about. The good news is that while
the injury is quite serious, it doesn't need an operation, which we're glad
to hear. The specialist thinks that when we rehab him this time he'll be ok,
so there's an outside chance that he gets fit for a couple of games at the
back end of this season. "Mark Noble is still recovering from his trapped
nerve problem in his shoulder. So he won't be quite ready and Joe Cole's
still got his hamstring injury."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Demel pumped for Anfield clash
WHUFC.com
Guy Demel has high hopes for Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash with
Liverpool
05.04.2013
Guy Demel is relishing the prospect of pitting himself against Liverpool's
talented personnel, as West Ham United get set for Sunday's Barclays Premier
League trip to Anfield. The Hammers full-back is not planning to
underestimate the threat posed by the much-vaunted Luis Suarez, Philippe
Coutinho and co, but is every bit up for the challenge. Indeed, the 3-2
defeat in December's reverse fixture still rankles with the Ivorian and he
has every intention of making amends come the weekend. "I came to the
Premier League to face big players, to play the best players in the world,
because it's the best league in the world," Demel told West Ham TV. "To play
against Suarez or Coutinho is a challenge, but you want to compete against
the best to see how good you are. "At home, I think we were much better than
them, yet they went back with the three points. So we have to keep that in
the back of our minds and try to punish them. "It's going to be a different
game. We're playing away, we all know that we've had problems away from home
and going to Anfield is never easy, especially right now. I think they are
playing good football and getting results. "If we could win there it would
be really nice because I'd be writing history for West Ham. To be fair a
draw would be fantastic, but it's not impossible to beat Liverpool.
Reflecting on Saturday's convincing 3-1 win over West Bromwich Albion, Demel
was impressed with West Ham's showing in both penalty areas. Though he
expects a somewhat sterner test on Sunday, the 31-year-old reckons
confidence is king when it comes to fixtures of this import. "It was really
nice to see Andy score twice and it was really important to score three
goals because it gives us confidence up front, which will help us for the
next couple of games," he added. "We may not have as many chances at
Liverpool as we did against West Brom, but if you've got the confidence and
the killer mentality to put the ball in the back of the net, then it will be
really helpful. "It's always pleasing to be good and solid defensively, but
we've proved throughout the season that we can be good as a team
defensively. Because it's always as a team, we defend as a team and we
attack as a team."
Meanwhile, Demel has high hopes for the remainder of the campaign,
maintaining that he and his teammates are worthy of a top-half Premier
League finish.
"I think our season could have been even better if we had a bit of luck, but
we still have eight games to go. I think at the end of the season we can be
proud and finish the season in the top ten, because I think that's where we
belong."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Essex want Twenty20 cricket at Olympic Stadium
BBC.co.uk
Essex chief executive Derek Bowden has said the club are keen to play
Twenty20 fixtures at the Olympic Stadium. West Ham will be the main tenants
of the venue from 2016. But the Chelmsford-based club are eager to discuss
the possibility of hosting T20 games at the Stratford arena. "We regularly
sell out at Chelmsford. We'll sell 7,000 for a Twenty20 game on a Friday
night. There's an opportunity to take cricket down to East London," Bowden
told BBC Look East.
Multi-purpose cricket stadiums
Melbourne Cricket Ground: The Australian 100,000-capacity venue has hosted
football as well as cricket
Moses Mabhida Stadium: Located in Durban, South Africa, the 54,00-seater
stadium was a World Cup venue that also hosts cricket
Eden Park: Auckland's 50,000-capacity stadium hosts rugby union and rugby
league and has a removable cricket pitch
Westpac Stadium: Capable of holding 36,000, the Wellington venue hosts
football, rugby union, rugby league and cricket
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium: Football and cricket are played at the
70,000-capacity stadium in Kochi, India
"East London is actually part of the region Essex County Cricket Board is
responsible for in terms of grassroots cricket. "We'll hopefully speak to
West Ham, in the next few weeks. I would think towards the end of April,
early May we could meet with the West Ham management to see if there is any
viability." Bowden's predecessor David East suggested in 2010 that the
Olympic Stadium could become a Twenty20 venue for the county. While the
Hammers have been named as the anchor tenant for the Olympic Stadium, the
decision over whether to allow cricket to be played at the venue is likely
to lie with the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), the
organisation overseeing the transformation of the arena. There are also
plans to host rugby matches at the London 2012 site, with the Rugby World
Cup in 2015 an aim. A spokesperson for the London Legacy Development
Corporation said: "The Stadium will become a multi-use venue so we are open
to additional uses including cricket provided they can fit alongside other
concessionaires such as West Ham United and UK Athletics. "We will be
creating a process for interested parties to submit proposals for one-off
events such as Twenty20 cricket matches."
Mayor of London Boris Johnson, the chairman of the LLDC, is keen to
encourage a diversity of sports at the Olympic Stadium and has welcomed
Essex's interest. "I've said repeatedly that the stadium is something for
everybody in London and everybody in the country," he told BBC London 94.9.
"It is a national asset. We are going to make sure it doesn't just have
association football, although that is going to be a glorious part of it
with West Ham. "We are going to have other events as well. We are still
trying to make it fit for the rugby, but we can't be confident that will
work for 2015. If we can get some cricket in that would be fantastic as
well."
England captain and Essex batsman Alastair Cook has also backed the
proposal. "It would be fantastic for Essex to be able to play at the Olympic
Stadium," Cook said. "East London has a huge amount of participation in
cricket and taking the game there would benefit Essex as well. "As a player,
it would be fantastic. It would have to be a Twenty20 game. County
Championship matches should be played at Chelmsford or at the festival at
Colchester. "You want to play in front of good crowds befitting of the
stadium. With Twenty20 you have got a chance of getting 10,000 or 15,000
there which would make it a good atmosphere."
West Ham intend to reduce the stadium's capacity from 80,000 to 60,000, but
Bowden believes crowds of at least 20,000 could be accommodated for cricket.
"We would need to look at the financials as well as the logistics, but
20,000 people watching Twenty20 cricket on a Friday night would make for
fantastic entertainment," he said. "It can work for cricket. There is
obviously a cost attached and that is something we would need to look into
very clearly. "Technologically it can be done."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Liverpool v West Ham
KO 13:30
5 April 2013
By Ian Dennis
BBC Match of the Day commentator
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Anfield Date: Sunday, 7 April
Continue reading the main story
Liverpool have no fresh injuries so Brendan Rodgers may stick with the side
that beat Aston Villa last weekend. Joe Allen and Fabio Borini (both
shoulder) and Martin Kelly (knee) are all out for the rest of the season.
West Ham striker Andy Carroll is ineligible to face his parent club under
the terms of his loan, so Carlton Cole or Marouane Chamakh will deputise.
Joe Cole (hamstring) also misses out on an Anfield return, with Mark Noble
(shoulder) another absentee.
MATCH PREVIEW
There are no such things as a certainty on Grand National weekend in
Liverpool but the visit of West Ham United to Anfield must be the closest
you will get to one. If you look at the form then The Hammers will be
classed as outsiders on a ground where they have found the going
particularly tough. The last time West Ham won at Anfield was in 1963; a
year better remembered as when Liverpool's "Fab Four" caused hysteria as
Beatlemania hit the UK. Since then, West Ham have made 39 league visits to
Anfield and failed to score in 28 of them. Their anaemic away goal tally of
nine from 15 matches this season suggests they might not be about to improve
that statistic. "West Ham were very impressive against West Brom last week
and they are going to stay up, no problem.
After their defeat at Southampton last month, Liverpool are now playing for
fifth or sixth place, because any higher looks impossible."
What won't help their cause is the absence of Andy Carroll, who is unable to
play against his parent club. Carroll will be sorely missed after scoring
five goals in his last nine league outings. His future remains uncertain and
even though he's not playing there has been no shortage of speculation about
him this week. West Ham are reportedly keen to take him on a permanent basis
but are also said to be looking at strikers all across Europe for next
season, while Brendan Rodgers says there is nothing to discuss now,
preferring to wait until the end of the campaign. The Liverpool boss must be
very content with how things are progressing, especially with the way his
side bounced back against Aston Villa after the slip up at Southampton. It's
unlikely Liverpool will finish in the top four but after four league wins
from their last five they are mounting a challenge for fifth spot, which
would secure Europa League qualification. I was at Anfield when Philippe
Coutinho made his debut in the last 12 minutes against West Brom in February
and I'm looking forward to witness in person the partnership he has built
with Luis Suarez. The Brazilian provides another dimension to Liverpool's
creativity and, along with a resurgent Stewart Downing, the home side will
not lack confidence going forward - which doesn't augur well for West Ham.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
West Ham have never beaten Liverpool at Anfield in 16 previous Premier
League attempts.
Liverpool are looking to complete a sixth Premier League double over The
Hammers.
West Ham's only post-war top-flight win at Liverpool was a 2-1 victory in
September 1963.
The Hammers have failed to score in their last four league visits to
Anfield.
Liverpool
Liverpool have scored 15 goals in their last five Premier League matches,
winning four of those matches.
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, on 98 Premier League goals for the club,
has scored four Premier League penalties this season - level with Mikel
Arteta, Chelsea's Frank Lampard and Sunderland's Craig Gardner.
Philippe Coutinho has been involved in a Premier League goal every 74
minutes on average since he joined the club, scoring two and assisting three
in 369
minutes.
Liverpool have had 242 shots off target in the league this season; 35 more
than any other side.
West Ham
The Hammers have won just one of their last 10 away games in the Premier
League (W1, D1, L8).
Sides managed by Sam Allardyce have lost on each of their last eight Premier
League visits to Liverpool since his Bolton side drew on his first trip to
Anfield in January 2002.
Jussi Jaaskelainen has made 127 saves in the Premier League this season,
nine more than any other goalkeeper (Sunderland's Simon Mignolet).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
50 years of hurt
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 5th April 2013
By: Staff Writer
This year marks an incredible 50 years since West Ham last beat Liverpool at
Anfield. This weekend, Sam Allardyce becomes the tenth West Ham manager to
take a United team to Merseyside looking to end the club's longest-running
hoodoo against an established Premier League club. You have to go back to
September 1963 to find West Ham's last win at the home of the former
European champions; that being a 2-1 victory courtesy of goals from
youngsters Martin Peters and Geoff Hurst (fellow England international Roger
Hunt grabbed a second half consolation for the Reds).
Since then, the very best subsequent Hammers sides have managed is a draw -
and even that has only happened on 10 occasions during the 39 visits to
Anfield since 1963. Statistically speaking, Harry Redknapp holds the best
managerial record on Merseyside since that day 50 years ago; his seven
visits there between 1994 and 2001 yielded three draws and four defeats -
even though his team failed to score in six of the seven games!
And with only TEN West Ham players having scored at Anfield in that period,
'Pop' Robson and Geoff Hurst - with three goals apiece - remain United's
most prolific goalscorers of the period. The last West Ham player to score
an Anfield was Bobby Zamora in a 2-1 reversal back in August 2006. The
current QPR-striker's 12th minute goal gave Alan Pardew's team an early lead
before strikes from Daniel Agger and Peter Crouch won the home side their
customary three points.
John Moncur and Paolo Di Canio remonstrate with referee Jeff Winter during a
2-1 defeat at Anfield in August 2001
50 Years of Hurt: West Ham at Anfield since 1963
Ron Greenwood: Pld10 W0 D2 L8 F6 A18 GD-12
1964/65: Liverpool 2-2 West Ham Utd (Hurst 2)
1965/66: Liverpool 1-1 West Ham Utd (Hurst)
1966/67: Liverpool 2-0 West Ham Utd
1967/68: Liverpool 3-1 West Ham Utd (Peters)
1968/69: Liverpool 2-0 West Ham Utd
1969/70: Liverpool 2-0 West Ham Utd
1970/71: Liverpool 1-0 West Ham Utd
1971/72: Liverpool 1-0 West Ham Utd
1972/73: Liverpool 3-2 West Ham Utd (Robson 2)
1973/74: Liverpool 1-0 West Ham Utd
John Lyall: Pld12 W0 D4 L8 F5 A27 GD-22
1974/75: Liverpool 1-1 West Ham Utd (Robson)
1975/76: Liverpool 2-2 West Ham Utd (A.Taylor 2)
1976/77: Liverpool 0-0 West Ham Utd
1977/78: Liverpool 2-0 West Ham Utd
1981/82: Liverpool 3-0 West Ham Utd
1982/83: Liverpool 3-0 West Ham Utd
1983/84: Liverpool 6-0 West Ham Utd
1984/85: Liverpool 1-0 West Ham Utd
1985/86: Liverpool 3-1 West Ham Utd (Dickens)
1986/87: Liverpool 1-0 West Ham Utd
1987/88: Liverpool 0-0 West Ham Utd
1988/89: Liverpool 5-1 West Ham Utd (Rosenior)
Billy Bonds: Pld2 W0 D0 L2 F0 A3 GD-3
1991/92: Liverpool 1-0 West Ham Utd
1993/94: Liverpool 2-0 West Ham Utd
Harry Redknapp: Pld7 W0 D3 L4 F2 A13 GD-11
1994/95: Liverpool 0-0 West Ham Utd
1995/96: Liverpool 2-0 West Ham Utd
1996/97: Liverpool 0-0 West Ham Utd
1997/98: Liverpool 5-0 West Ham Utd
1998/99: Liverpool 2-2 West Ham Utd (Lampard, Keller)
1999/00: Liverpool 1-0 West Ham Utd
2000/01: Liverpool 3-0 West Ham Utd
Glenn Roeder: Pld2 W0 D0 L2 F1 A4 GD-3
2001/02: Liverpool 2-1 West Ham Utd (pen, Di Canio)
2002/03: Liverpool 2-0 West Ham Utd
Alan Pardew: Pld2 W0 D0 L2 F1 A4 GD-3
2005/06: Liverpool 2-0 West Ham Utd
2006/07: Liverpool 2-1 West Ham Utd (Zamora)
Alan Curbishley: Pld1 W0 D0 L1 F0 A4 GD-4
2007/08: Liverpool 4-0 West Ham Utd
Gianfranco Zola: Pld2 W0 D1 L1 F0 A3 GD-3
2008/09: Liverpool 0-0 West Ham Utd
2009/10: Liverpool 3-0 West Ham Utd
Avram Grant: Pld1 W0 D0 L1 F0 A3 GD-3
2010/11: Liverpool 3-0 West Ham Utd
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Liverpool v West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 5th April 2013
By: Preview Percy
Next up we pay a visit to Anfield where Liverpool will be our hosts.
Kick-off is 1.30pm on Sunday which means we'll be playing our second match
in little over a week. Blimey. What will they think of next?
There's engineering works on the line between Liverpool Street & Shenfield
first thing on Sunday so if you're trying to get to Euston for an early
train you may need to take that into account.
The home side sit in 7th place with 48 points from their 31 matches played
so far. They've won four and lost two of their last six in the league. The
wins came at Villa last weekend (2-1), at home to Bale (3-2), away at Wigan
(4-0) and at home to a Wembley-preoccupied Swansea (5-0).
They won't be qualifying for the so-called Champions League this season,
and, with even the Happy Shopper version in the shape of the Europa League
looking a long shot, the recent news about the club has been all about
top-scorer Luis Suarez who has expressed an interest in moving on to someone
who can promise European football. The quote ran something along the lines
of: "if another team comes around with more prospects of competing in
international club competition games, which is willing to have [me], they
are welcome. We would talk to the club, and we would see if I want to go
[or] if I don't want to go." Rather predictably the club were keen to play
the "probably misquoted in translation" card they like to use so much. The
official statement said that they were "100% certain" that he would stay.
It's not something I'd be too keen on testing out at the bookies myself.
The problem with Suarez, and make no mistake he is undoubtedly one of the
most gifted players you are likely to see, is that far too many on
Merseyside are happy to defend the indefensible as far as he is concerned –
something that reached its nadir with the t-shirts worn by players after the
Evra affair. Since then boss Brendan Rodgers was eager to broadcast how
unfair the press treatment Suarez was getting over his diving was. Rodgers
may have had a point with his comments that British players get an easier
ride over the diving thing – Gerrard has won countless free-kicks over the
years with that clever trick of tripping himself up after all. Admirable
though it was to see Suarez disciplined by the club over his antics, I might
have been more impressed had Rodgers read the riot act on any of the dozens
of times Suarez had dived before actually admitting to it in the press. The
message was clear – "don't admit anything and don't get caught".
Their captain is, of course, the inexplicably fireproof Steven Gerrard. One
could be forgiven for the misapprehension that the player is the greatest
player the world has seen if one based one's opinions on match commentaries.
For example, watching England in midweek the ITV gentlemen marvelled over
the three occasions he got a three foot pass right, strangely choosing to
talk about the weather on the multiple – and boy were they multiple -
occasions he gave the ball away. Like Suarez he knows when and how to fall
over, though, as mentioned earlier, he benefits from the dispensation given
to English players whenever the subject is raised. He'll score against us of
course – he usually does – but I'd still like to know what secrets he holds
over those responsible for providing tv commentary on matches to have them
fawn over him so much.
The earlier part of their season was notable for a lack of resources up
front. Having sent Andy Carroll on to better things they had hoped to bring
in Clint Dempsey from Fulham. The Cottagers took exception to Liverpool's
illegal efforts to sign the player and flogged the Septic to Spurs. This
left them relying on Suarez and the youngster Raheem Sterling. At that time
Sterling was also the subject of a rather unseemly struggle between the club
and his "advisors". As he was about to turn 18 Liverpool needed to secure
him on a new deal or face seeing him depart on the cheap at the end of term.
Meanwhile the player's advisors were keen to see the player on top wages, in
reflection, I am sure, of his then first XI regular status rather than from
any desire to increase the value of their 10%. The contract got sorted in
the end but one was left with the distinct feeling that nobody really gave a
monkeys' about the kid's welfare as long as they didn't lose out
financially.
The striker situation was sorted out during the January window with the
arrival of Daniel Sturridge from Chelsea for a rumoured £12m. I guess being
behind Torres in the pecking order would make anyone seek a move. It was
also rumoured that he had an aversion to being stuck out on the wing all the
time rather than in his preferred central role.
The other arrival in the window was Brazilian Phillipe Coutinho who came in
from Internazionale. Although technically an Inter player since 2008,
Coutinho spent the first two years of his Italian career with his original
Brazilian club Vasco Da Gama as a result of the Italian rule prohibiting the
playing of foreigners under the age of 18. When he finally got to the San
Siro there were noises from the then head coach Rafael Benitez along the
lines of "this player is our future". Those words proved to be about as
sensible as any of the rubbish Benitez has ever spoken and, failing to
impress in Italy, he was eventually shipped off to Espanyol on loan. His
form improved to the extent that he started appearing on people's radar and
Inter will have made a tidy profit with the £6.5-£8.5m (amount depending on
from which paper you source your transfer fee info) received from Liverpool.
The main absentee for the home side for this one will be midfielder Joe
Allen. Allen followed Rodgers from Swansea in the summer. However, his form
over the season hasn't over-impressed with things not being helped by
problems with his shoulder. Strangely for Liverpool, this wasn't caused by
an over-abundance of chips balanced thereon. Whatever the issue the player
went under the knife and will now miss the remainder of the season.
And what of us? Good win that one last weekend. We rode our luck a bit early
on with the save from Jaaskalainen that came back nicely off the post but
once we'd gone ahead there was no looking back. Apart from his goals – and
the second was a bit special wasn't it? - Carroll had a superb match and
West Brom found him unplayable. Shame then that the rules relating to his
loan spell will prevent him from appearing in this one. Carlton Cole this is
your moment to shine.
One has got to feel a little bit for George McCartney. Having done his
ligaments in it was rotten luck to get the same injury again only minutes
into his return. That looks to be his season done then. Mark Noble is also
likely to miss out with some reports suggesting we won't see him again this
season. Although Joe Cole was said to be close to a return last weekend in
the end his hamstring hadn't recovered enough to see him make the squad and
he's unlikely to be ready for this week either, which is a bit of a shame
given that he a) owes us having scored against us in the reverse fixture;
and b) owes them for stagnating his career. Noble's absence will mean
another start for Gary O'Neil who had a fine game last weekend – even
without the goal which was a deceptively fine finish.
History dictates that this will be a toughy. The last time we won here was
so long ago they were still doing legal transfer deals in that part of the
world. Even when we do play well at this venue the refereeing from officials
who have contributed to their trophy count so much over the years usually
kicks in to get them off the hook. Dives, dubious offsides, ignored fouls,
I've seen us stitched up by them all over the years. The choice of official
for this one (see below) doesn't inspire too much in the way of confidence
either, especially with Gerrard and Suarez ever ready to collapse at the
merest glance in the wrong direction.
Prediction? Well I'm loath to actually go to the bookies and actually bet
against us on the grounds of superstition. However, if I were to raid the
Avram Grant Rest Home For The Bewildered's Unseasonably Cold Weather Fuel
Contingency Fund (£2.50) and place it on a result I'm afraid I'd have to be
putting it on a 3-1 defeat this time, thus ensuring that new contract for
the manager is put on hold for another week or two.
Enjoy the game!
When Last We Met At Anfield: Lost 0-3 November 2010. A totally spineless
performance from us saw Johnson, Kuyt (statutory dubious pen) and Rodriguez
put the home side into a 3-0 lead at half time. That was about it.
Referee: Anthony Taylor. We last saw this clown in our home match against
Everton when he had an unbelievably poor game. The baffling sendings-off of
Carlton Cole and Darron Gibson ruined the match. Thankfully the decisions
were reversed on the grounds that no sane person would have made them in the
first place. Taylor received no punishment of course.
Danger Man:Luis Suarez. They can moan all they like about how referees
"misunderstand" him but, like Bale at Spurs, his undoubted talent is spoilt
by his blatant cheating. He and Gerrard must be licking their lips at the
prospect of having as dumb a ref as Taylor in charge for this one.
Daft Fact Of The Week: A few years ago when The Beatles finally settled
their long-running dispute with Apple over the use of Beatles songs on
iTunes, the good people at Fox News referred to the group as "Manchester's
favourite mopheads". This, of course was factually incorrect. As everyone
knows it was to London that the "Fab Four" escaped as soon as they had more
than tuppence to rub together.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Premier League: Liverpool welcome West Ham to Anfield on Sunday
Last Updated: April 5, 2013 11:13am
SSN
Liverpool will be looking to remain in the hunt for Europe when they welcome
West Ham United to Anfield on Sunday. The Reds sit seventh heading into the
latest round of fixtures, three points adrift of arch-rivals Everton and
five short of fifth-placed Arsenal. Overhauling the Toffees will be a top
priority for Brendan Rodgers and his players, with it important for them to
end the campaign as the top team on Merseyside. Should they succeed in that
quest, they may find themselves back in the Europa League for 2013/14. Four
wins in their last five have helped to keep Liverpool in contention and they
will be determined to end a campaign which started slowly with a flourish.
West Ham are, however, looking to end any lingering doubts regarding their
top-flight status. Two victories in their last three Premier League outings
have helped to lift them six points clear of the drop zone and one more win
should be enough to see them safe. Sam Allardyce will, however, be setting
his sights higher than that, with a top-half finish still very much on the
cards at Upton Park. They may find the going tough this weekend, though,
with the Hammers yet to secure a Premier League victory at Anfield - taking
just four points from 16 previous visits.
Liverpool
Last 6
1-2
3-1
3-2
0-4
3-1
5-0
Liverpool have no fresh injury or suspension concerns to contend with
heading into the weekend. Long-term absentees Martin Kelly (knee), Joe Allen
and Fabio Borini (both shoulder) remain the only men on the sidelines. It is
possible that Rodgers will keep faith with the starting XI that came from
behind to beat Aston Villa 2-1 last time out, meaning Daniel Sturridge and
Martin Skrtel will once again have to make do places on the bench.
West Ham
Last 6
3-1
2-0
0-1
2-3
2-1
1-0
West Ham will be unable to call upon the services of in-form Andy Carroll,
as the terms of his loan agreement prevent him from playing against his
parent club.
Joe Cole may, however, line up against former employers, with the midfielder
expected to shake off a hamstring complaint in time to put himself in
contention.
Mark Noble (shoulder) and George McCartney (knee) are unlikely to figure for
the Hammers again this season.
Opta stats
Liverpool have fired 242 shots off target in the league this season; 35 more
than any other side (Man City).
After masterminding a draw on his first Premier League trip to Anfield (Jan
2002), Sam Allardyce has seen his teams lose on each of his last eight trips
there.
Luis Suarez has created 77 chances from open play this season; more than any
other player in Europe's top five leagues.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce says West Ham will miss Andy Carroll against Liverpool
Last Updated: April 5, 2013 3:52pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce says Andy Carroll's enforced absence this weekend has come at
a frustrating time for the striker and West Ham. Injuries have meant a
stop-start season on loan in east London for Carroll, who is ineligible for
Sunday's trip to Liverpool under the terms of his deal. That means another
90 minutes on the sidelines a week after the 24-year-old - a summer transfer
target for the Hammers - showed a glimpse of his best form with two goals
against West Brom.
Allardyce said: "Andy looks to be in full flow and good goalscoring touch,
which is what we've been waiting for a long time. "It's frustrating to be
without Andy for Sunday and it is for him as well but that's the way the
fixtures have fallen."
Allardyce has never made a secret of his wish to make Carroll's loan
permanent - as long as the terms suit West Ham. He said "I think there'd be
a lot to be discussed between ourselves, Liverpool and Andy before that
could be the case, but once we're secure then we'll move on with that
business as quick as we possibly can. "I wouldn't have spent as much time as
I did trying to get him here if I didn't want him here on a permanent basis.
"We would have hoped he'd score a few more goals, but the circumstances
around why he hasn't are ones we can put right. In other words, keeping him
match-fit would mean more goals."
West Ham have not won at Liverpool for almost 50 years, but Allardyce said:
"On any given day on your best form you can win anywhere. "For most of those
50 years Liverpool have been so much better than everyone else that you
wouldn't expect to win there, but we're capable of winning there and if
we're on top form and take our chances we can."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam: We can't splash the cash
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: 8 hrs ago
The Sun
SAM ALLARDYCE has warned West Ham fans there will be no bank-busting
spending spree to go with their Olympic Stadium move. The Hammers boss
admits he must start constructing a team fit to grace the grand opening of
their new 54,000-capacity home in 2016. But West Ham are still £60million in
debt and incoming FIFA rules on balancing the books mean teams can no longer
live in permanent overdraft. Allardyce said: "There is a big motivation for
everybody to try and get West Ham to become the biggest club it's ever been.
"But the days of huge money being thrown at transfers look like they might
be restricted, so the growth of West Ham might not be as quick as we would
all like. "We are telling the fans now that it might be a problem and we
can't spend it because we are not allowed to. The fans will probably take a
while to understand that and I know the players and agents will. "So when we
turn round to an agent and say, 'We would like to pay you that but under the
new regime we can't', we'll go off somewhere else and hopefully find
everybody will say the same and it will bring a bit more financial stability
to the game. "But from my point of view it doesn't help that I want to build
a team as quick as I can and promote an exceptionally good Premier League
side in that stadium."
Putting a squad together to lift West Ham out of mid-table and to a place
reflecting the status of its proposed new home requires an investment
upwards of £300m. Winger Matt Jarvis is the club's current record signing at
just £10.75m. Allardyce revealed that work has already started on
recruitment for next season. But with Premier League safety still not
mathematically guaranteed, there remains an uncertainty about the financial
future. Co-chairman David Sullivan insists debt is being reduced and this
summer the Hammers will hand over the last instalment of an £18m payout to
Sheffield United over the Carlos Tevez affair. Big Sam added: "We are
gathering information on players' availability. There will be hundreds of
thousands of conversations and emails and, as everybody knows, David
Sullivan is highly active in that area. "He loves a conversation on what
players might become available, wherever they might be from."
On-loan Liverpool striker Andy Carroll is ineligible to play at Anfield
tomorrow under the terms of the deal. Former Reds midfielder Joe Cole is
also out with a hamstring injury. Allardyce said: "Our real problem has been
scoring goals away from home. "We've got to use the sort of finishing
qualities we did last Saturday against West Brom."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Karren Brady's football diary
The Sun
By KARREN BRADY
SunSport columnist
Published: 7 hrs ago
SATURDAY, MARCH 30
TWO goals from Andy Carroll and three points closer to the shoreline. By any
reckoning, our man Sam was right to insist that we bought winger Matt Jarvis
from Wolves last summer. Stats shown to me today reveal Jarvis as the
Premier League's leading open-play crosser of the ball with easily the most
successful attempts at 42 from 171. Analysts suggest this is because Sam
Allardyce prefers traditional wingers aiming the ball for big strikers.
Perhaps, but that's a gross under-estimation of Jarvis, who can be quietly
devastating. It worked today as Andy scored twice but we have to be without
our loan player at Liverpool this Sunday and someone else will have the
pleasure of meeting Jarvis' crosses.
SUNDAY, MARCH 31
WHEN David Miliband decided to ditch the Houses of Parliament for Manhattan,
I did wonder how he expected to earn £125,000 as vice-chairman of
Sunderland. We do not have to worry about that now as the one-time favourite
to lead the Labour party has resigned from the board because Paolo Di Canio
has been appointed Sunderland manager. Many times since we took over the
club Paolo has approached owners David Sullivan and David Gold about being
the manager of West Ham. I think they considered him briefly — something I
never did — but dismissed him on the basis that football and fascism do not
mix.
MONDAY, APRIL 1
WHEN a football was thrown to Barack Obama at a ceremony in Hawaii, the US
President set about juggling it on his head. Admittedly, balancing the
Middle East isn't quite so easy but it's still some feat for a guy who was
force-fed American football and basketball. The real news though is that the
President of the United States of America has joined our Family. Yes he's
declared himself a Hammer and a very proud one at that. And he's coming to a
game the next time he's here! Another man of taste and power who joins our
growing number of A-list celebrity supporters.
TUESDAY, APRIL 2
I'M finding it really hard to believe that Neil Warnock will no longer be
snarling on the touchlines of Football League grounds up and down the
country. Once managers move deeper into their sixties most of them either
lose their drive or lose touch with their players. But I know there is a
serious exception to this — and I do seriously believe that Neil will be
back before very long. I already know of one Championship club in London
whose chairman is considering having Warnock as his director of football.
He's seen it all and rescued so many teams, maybe we should call him the
Fireman. And I also know he does possess a good eye for a decent player —
because he once signed my husband!
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3
SCORES of coaches laden with United fans from all over the country roll into
the Old Trafford car parks on match days. But in their home-town clubs,
people who choose to back United or another big name are about as popular as
ants in your underpants. It's a free country but being true to your roots
says something about loyalty. So let's hear it for Stuart Astill, a Forest
supporter who had been home and away for 1,786 matches until he injured his
foot last weekend. This is great and I'd love to hear from any Hammers
follower who can match that record.
THURSDAY, APRIL 4
WHAT is it about Manchester City players? Carlos Tevez has been given 250
hours of community service for driving without insurance and Sami Nasri a
six-month driving ban. Nasri, likely to be earning about £100,000 a week,
won an appeal against a £1,900 fine but had no answer when the police came
back with a different charge for his speeding offences. It appears he didn't
know he was driving at the time. Roberto Mancini recently confirmed he's
been missing on the field, too. If I was City, I'd make my next signing a
chauffeur.
FRIDAY, APRIL 5
MYSELF and a host of friends from inside and outside football watch my
appearance on Piers Morgan's Life Stories from behind the sofa. Piers, a
massive Arsenal fan, spent most of the night talking to one of my guests who
attended the filming, David Dein. It's clear he'd love to be back in
football and I couldn't think of a better ambassador than David. I think the
funniest moment was when Piers asked me if I think I am sexy. Not as sexy as
you think you are I replied. And trust me, that's true!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy won't leave on the cheap
The Sun
By PHIL THOMAS
Published: 8 hrs ago
BRENDAN RODGERS has told Andy Carroll's would-be suitors: You can forget
about getting him on the cheap. Geordie striker Carroll, who will watch from
the stands as West Ham play at Liverpool tomorrow, has spent the season on
loan at the Hammers. But Kop boss Rodgers has refused to slam the door on an
Anfield return — even though Carroll would be even further down the pecking
order now following the arrivals of Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho.
The likeliest option still remains a permanent departure, with a return to
Newcastle in part-exchange for Hatem Ben Arfa a strong possibility. Yet that
does not mean the Reds will let the striker go for peanuts, even though Kop
top brass know they will take a hit on the £35million he cost from the Toon
in 2011. Rodgers warned: "It's absolutely the case that IF the player does
leave then it won't be for nothing. "It is no fault of his own but he came
here for an astronomical fee.
"There is no doubt Andy has real qualities — some of his goals from set-
plays with West Ham have proven that. And the financial aspect to it means
he won't be leaving on the cheap if he does."
The best Carroll could hope for back at Anfield is being used as an impact
player. But wages of around £90,000 a week on top of that huge price tag
mean it is unlikely the Reds would want him kicking his heels. Rodgers
added: "With every player it is about the style and how they fit into that.
If you look at Luis Suarez we are a team that is set up to exploit his
qualities. "It's not that Andy hasn't got qualities because, if we set up in
a different way, we'd get the best out of him. But we are happy with playing
around Luis."
When Rodgers missed out on landing Clint Dempsey from Fulham on last
summer's deadline day, it left Suarez as the only senior striker on the
books. Yet the Northern Irish manager still cannot understand those who
slammed his decision to let Carroll go on loan. He added: "I find it funny
when I hear people saying we shouldn't have let Andy go out. It was the
right thing because it is not just about the football, there is a financial
implication here too. "At this moment the club isn't one which can have that
money sitting on the bench, in terms of what he cost and his wages."
The Hammers come to Anfield for a game Liverpool MUST win if they want any
chance of European football next season. Yet Carroll — as was so often the
norm before he went on loan — will be no more than an onlooker, as the terms
of his Upton Park loan mean he cannot play.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Claret 'n bruised
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: 8 hrs ago
WEST HAM boss Sam Allardyce is claret, black and blue through and through.
Big Sam, 58, is nursing four stitches in his nut and will be sporting a
black eye when he leads out the Hammers at Liverpool tomorrow. He arrived
for a Press conference yesterday with a plaster over his right eye after
slipping over in a 'kitchen accident'. The former Bolton defender hopes the
bruises will help put the frighteners on Liverpool. But he admitted: "I
recommend not having a marble worktop. I'd say it won hands down."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carroll stinger: Liverpool's Rodgers drops huge hint that £35m Andy has no
future at Anfield
5 Apr 2013 22:31
The Mirror
Steve Bardens
Brendan Rodgers will refuse to let Andy Carroll leave Liverpool on the
cheap, but admits his Anfield blueprint is designed around Luis Suarez.
On-loan Carroll can't play for West Ham against his parent club on Sunday,
but the £35million man is still the centre of attention going into the
match. Reds manager Rodgers said: "It's absolutely the case that, just the
same as last season, if the player does leave, then it won't be for nothing.
"It's no fault of his own, but he came here for an astronomical fee. "There
is no doubt Andy has real qualities – some of his goals from set plays with
West Ham have proven that. There is the financial aspect to it. He won't be
leaving on the cheap."
Some-time England centre-forward Carroll is the Merseysiders' all-time
record signing and is on £80,000 a week but doesn't seem to fit into a
game-plan that focuses on Suarez's talents. "With every player it is about
the style, and how they fit into that," added Rodgers. "We are a team that
is set up to exploit Suarez's qualities, and he has flourished in the
roaming role we have given him "We are the second-highest goal-scorers in
the league, so we have been able to score goals all season – and we are
happy with playing around a talent like Luis. "The club can't have that
money sat on the bench, in terms of what Andy cost and his wages. "The big
boy's gone out and he's scored five goals, probably not played as often as
he and West Ham would have liked, but there was a massive price tag on him
and we have to consider that."
Hammers manager Sam Allardyce has an agreement to pay £17m for Carroll if he
chooses to make the move permanent. Allardyce said: "There'd be a lot to be
discussed between ourselves, Liverpool and Andy before that could be the
case. But at the end of the season, we'll move on with that business as
quickly as we possibly can. "I wouldn't have spent as much time as I did
trying to get him here last year if I wouldn't have wanted him on a
permanent basis. "We'd hoped that he would've scored a few more goals, but I
think the circumstances are ones we could put right – keeping him match fit
and clear of injuries."
Carroll, 24, has been hampered by injury this season and a return to
Newcastle in an exchange deal for the Geordies' Hatem Ben Arfa is believed
to appeal to the player. Allardyce added: "He has got to go and play in
someone's first team and score goals and continue his development at his
age. "The number of goal-scoring players in the England squad is very
limited. I would be surprised if Andy doesn't get back in there. "But he
needs to be playing in someone's first team on a regular basis."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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