Southampton match preview
WHUFC.com
All the background information and team news ahead of Saturday's trip to
Southampton
12.04.2013
SOUTHAMPTON v WEST HAM UNITED
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
13 APRIL 2012
KICK-OFF: 3PM
REFEREE: MIKE DEAN
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
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Introduction
• West Ham United take to the road once more, this time to Southampton, as
the Hammers embark on a fourth away day in five Barclays Premier League
fixtures.
• Fresh from Sunday's goalless draw at Liverpool, West Ham are on the hunt
for a first away win against the Saints since a 3-2 success at The Dell back
in November 2000.
• This will only be the Hammers' fourth trip to St Mary's, with the last
ending in a 1-0 reverse, courtesy of Jos Hooiveld's headed winner on the
stroke of half time.
• Sam Allardyce's side are bidding to record their first double of the
campaign, after running out 4-1 winners at the Boleyn Ground in October.
• Southampton, meanwhile, go in search of a fourth successive league win,
following victories at home to Liverpool (3-1), Chelsea (2-1) and most
recently away at Reading (2-0).
• The two sides are currently level on 37 points, though the Saints sit
above the Hammers virtue of being two goals better off.
• Saturday's hosts have toppled Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool at St
Mary's in recent weeks, though relegation-threatened Queens Park Rangers
were 2-1 victors on the south coast on 2 March.
Last Time Out
Sunday 7 April 2012
Barclays Premier League
Liverpool 0-0 West Ham United
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Tomkins, (Pogatetz 83), O'Brien, Collins,
Demel, Nolan (Taylor 62), Jarvis, Diame, O'Neil, C.Cole, Vaz Te (Collison
62)
Subs not used: Henderson, Potts, Maiga, Chamakh
Saturday 6 April 2012
Barclays Premier League
Reading 0-2 Southampton
Southampton: Boruc, Clyne, Yoshida, Hooiveld, Shaw, Schneiderlin, S Davis
(Guly 88), Ramirez, (Lallana 63) ,Cork, Lambert, Rodriguez
Subs not used: K Davis, Fonte, Fox, Ward-Prowse, Puncheon
Goals: Rodriguez 34, Lallana 72
Previous meeting
Big Sam's side continued their fine start to the Barclays Premier League
season, with this thumping 4-1 home win against Southampton on 20 October
2012. After a goalless first half, the Hammers struck twice in the first
three minutes of the second period.
Just 58 seconds after the restart, Mark Noble's in-swinging free-kick
somehow found its way into the far corner, before skipper Kevin Nolan tapped
home Yossi Benayoun's centre. Adam Lallana's smart turn and finish briefly
gave the visitors hope, before a Noble penalty and Modibo Maiga's fine
individual goal propelled the Hammers to seventh.
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Reid, McCartney, Nolan, Tomkins, (Spence 88),
Collins, Jarvis, Benayoun, Noble, Diame, (O'Neil 68), Carroll, (Maiga 82)
Subs not used: Spiegel, Chambers, Cole, Hall
Southampton: Boruc, Clyne, Yoshida, Hooiveld, Fonte, Schneiderlin, S Davis
(Ward-Prowse 89), Lallana, Guly, Puncheon, (Mayuka 65), Rodriguez (Lambert
65)
Subs not used: K Davis, Seaborne, Reeves
Background
• West Ham United and Southampton have met 21 times in the Premier League.
The Hammers have won nine meetings, Southampton have come out on top in six
and six ended all square.
• The Hammers' most-recent league victory away to Southampton was a 3-2
success back in November 2000. On that occasion, Frederic Kanoute, Stuart
Pearce and Trevor Sinclair scored the goals to see the Hammers depart with
the points.
• In the intervening 12 seasons, the Hammers have only thrice visited
Southampton, losing two and drawing the other. Jermain Defoe is the last
West Ham player to score in this fixture, as he netted a late equaliser in a
1-1 draw in April 2003.
• Southampton full-back Frazer Richardson scored the only goal when Stoke
City won 1-0 against West Ham United on 9 December 2003. He was on loan from
Leeds United at the time.
• West Ham United have been drawn to meet Southampton three times in the FA
Cup - and have gone on to reach the final twice. The Hammers overcame the
Saints after two replays in 1922/23, when they were beaten by Bolton
Wanderers in the first-ever final at Wembley. In 1974/75, West Ham defeated
Southampton 2-1 at The Dell in the third round.
• The largest crowd to attend a West Ham United versus Southampton fixture
was the 35,000 who were at the Division Two fixture at the Boleyn Ground on
13 November 1948. The match finished in a 1-1 draw.
Last six meetings
(Barclays Premier League unless stated)
20 October 2012 - West Ham United 4-1 Southampton
14 February 2012 - West Ham United 1-1 Southampton (Championship)
18 October 2011 - Southampton 1-0 West Ham United (Championship)
5 April 2003 - Southampton 1-1 West Ham United
2 December 2002 - West Ham United 0-1 Southampton
30 January 2002 - Southampton 2-0 West Ham United
Overall record v Southampton (all competitions) W 37 D 27 L 30
Ten-year records
West Ham United
2011/12 Championship 3rd (promoted to Premier League via Play-Offs)
2010/11 Premier League 20th (relegated to Championship)
2009/10 Premier League 17th
2008/09 Premier League 9th
2007/08 Premier League 10th
2006/07 Premier League 15th
2005/06 Premier League 9th
2004/05 Championship 6th (promoted to Premier League via Play-Offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th
2002/03 Premier League 18th (relegated to Championship)
Southampton
2011/12 Championship 2nd (promoted to Premier League)
2010/11 League One 2nd (promoted to Championship)
2009/10 League One 7th
2008/09 Championship 23rd (relegated to League One)
2007/08 Championship 20th
2006/07 Championship 6th
2005/06 Championship 12th
2004/05 Premier League 20th (relegated to Championship)
2003/04 Premier League 12th
2002/03 Premier League 8th
Referee
• Saturday's referee is Mike Dean, who will be taking charge of West Ham in
the Barclays Premier League for the third time this season.
• Dean oversaw West Ham's 1-0 home win over Aston Villa on the opening day
of the season, while he was also the man in the middle for the Hammers' 1-0
success at Newcastle's St James Park.
• Dean began refereeing in 1985, starting out his career in senior football
in the Northern Premier League.
• In 2004, Dean took charge of his first international match, a friendly
between the Netherlands and Republic of Ireland at Amsterdam ArenA. That
same year, he took control of the FA Community Shield between Arsenal and
Manchester United.
• In May 2006, he refereed the Championship play-off final between Leeds
United and Watford at the Millennium Stadium. In 2008, he was the
man-in-the-middle for the FA Cup final between Portsmouth and Cardiff City
at Wembley Stadium.
• Dean will be accompanied by assistant referees Simon Long and Ceri
Richards, while Mick Russell is due to be the fourth official
Team News
• Sam Allardyce's attacking options are bolstered by the return of frontman
Andy Carroll. The Liverpool loanee was ineligible to face his parent club in
Sunday's goalless draw at Anfield and will likely battle it out with Carlton
Cole for the lone striker berth.
• Big Sam will have to make do without Winston Reid (thigh), George
McCartney (knee), Joe Cole (hamstring), Mark Noble (trapped nerve), all of
whom are set to miss out.
Old Boys
West Ham:
• West Ham United's all-time leading goalscorer Vic Watson moved to
Southampton after 15 seasons as a Hammer in 1935. Watson would spend the
1935/36 season at The Dell, scoring 14 goals in 36 appearances to finish as
the Saints' leading goalscorer in Division Two before retiring in summer
1936 at the age of 38.
• Among the other players to have played for both clubs are William Adams,
Eyal Berkovic, Wayne Bridge, Henri Camara, Alistair Campbell, Frank
Costello, Christian Dailly, Calum Davenport, Iain Dowie, Bob Fairman, Jack
Foster, Horace Glover, Richard Hall, Jimmy Harris, Fred Harrison, Joe
Kirkup, George Kitchen, Alex McDonald, Walter Pollard, Nigel Quashie, Albert
Roles, Robbie Slater, David Speedie, Vic Watson, Arthur Wilson, Richard
Wright.
Southampton:
• Saints trio Jay Rodriguez, Jason Puncheon and Luke Shaw are all said to be
doubtful for Saturday's clash, having been laid low with a virus. Otherwise,
Mauricio Pochettino has a full squad from which to choose.
General Information
• Tickets for Saturday's clash are now SOLD OUT. For all other ticket sales,
you can access the Box Office here.
• Saturday looks set to be a predominantly cloudy with heavy rain forecast
for the afternoon. Temperatures are unlikely to peak much in excess of 10°C
(50F).
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Six of the best - Southampton
WHUFC.com
A look back at six memorable trips to the south coast to take on Southampton
12.04.2013
West Ham United hit the road again this Saturday when they travel to the
south coast to take on Southampton. The Saints pipped the Hammers to the
second automatic promotion spot in the npower Championship last term, but
Sam Allardyce's men restored their pride with a 4-1 Barclays Premier League
victory over Saturday's opponents back in October. Now they will hope to
register their first St Mary's success on their fourth visit to
Southampton's new home - recording their first 'double' of the season in the
process. In this article, whufc.com takes a look at six Hammers victories at
Southampton's previous ground, The Dell.
Southampton 2-3 West Ham United
Premier League
25 November 2000
West Ham's most-recent victory at Southampton came on their final visit to
the Dell, in the 2000/01 season. The Hammers were hovering in mid-table,
occupying eleventh position in the Premier League going into this fixture,
and by prevailing by the odd goal in five, they moved up to ninth, It was a
real see-saw affair, with the Hammers overturning a 1-0 deficit to Matt
Oakley's early goal to lead 2-1 at the break thanks to Frederic Kanoute and
Stuart Pearce. James Beattie levelled again, but Trevor Sinclair's
69th-minute strike won it for the Hammers. Although the Hammers would go on
to complete a double over the Saints with a 3-0 Boleyn Ground success, they
ended the season in 15th place.
Southampton 0-2 West Ham United
Premier League
29 November 1993
Having won promotion to the Premier League the previous year, West Ham
climbed into the top ten with this 2-0 win on the south coast. Following a
2-0 victory over Oldham Athletic and a 0-0 draw at home to Arsenal, Ludek
Miklosko was celebrating a third clean sheet in a row when West Ham
triumphed at The Dell. Trevor Morley and Lee Chapman scored 27 goals between
them that season and they were both on the scoresheet on this occasion. By
the season's end, West Ham were a comfortable 12th, while Southampton
avoided relegation by just a point.
Southampton 2-3 West Ham United
Division One
1 September 1984
The Hammers travelled to a Southampton side who finished as top-flight
runners up the previous season, and handed them an early blow as they looked
to better that. It was a high-scoring affair, with the Hammers eventually
coming out on top thanks to two goals from Paul Goddard and one from Alan
Dickens, allowing them to celebrate their first victory of the campaign.
West Ham went on to enjoy a strong autumn, reaching as high as fifth in late
November, but a poor run of form after Christmas see them finish in 16th,
just a couple of points clear of the drop zone.
Southampton 1-2 West Ham United
FA Cup third round
4 January 1975
The road to the Hammers' second victorious FA Cup campaign began with a
third-round tie at Southampton. The Saints were a division below the
top-flight Hammers, but John Lyall's men nevertheless had to fight hard to
overcome their challenge. In the end, goals from Frank Lampard and Bobby
Gould were enough to see off Southampton and begin a run in which the
Hammers defeated Swindon, QPR, Arsenal and Ipswich before defeating Fulham
2-0 in the final. Southampton, of course, would win the FA Cup the following
year, 1976, as a Division Two side.
Southampton 1-2 West Ham United
Division Two
20 December 1952
West Ham completed a second consecutive 2-1 victory away at Southampton when
they journeyed down to Hampshire in December 1952. The sides were locked in
mid-table of Division Two when they met the previous year, but this time
Southampton were in a relegation battle and the Hammers showed them no mercy
to claim both points. Terry Woodgate and Fred Kearns were the men on the
scoresheet in front of a 12,184 Dell crowd, and the Saints were to go on to
lose their second-tier status by finishing second bottom.
Southampton 2-4 West Ham United
Division Two
26 December 1935
West Ham and Southampton fought out a Christmas double header in the 1935/36
season, and following a Boleyn Ground 0-0 draw on Christmas Day, the Hammers
claimed bragging rights by triumphing 4-2 at The Dell on Boxing Day. This
win represented West Ham's first-ever success away at Southampton and helped
them on the way to a strong Division Two season. Dave Magnall netted twice,
while Len Goulden was also on target and the visitors were helped on their
way by a Charlie Sillett own goal. The Hammers went on to finish fourth,
just three points behind Charlton Athletic in the second promotion slot.
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Marlow targets late charge
WHUFC.com
Ben Marlow reckons the Under-18s are in fine shape ahead of a crunch clash
with Sunderland
12.04.2013
First-year scholar Ben Marlow insists West Ham United are brimming with
confidence, as they plot to topple Barclays U18 Premier League Tier One
leaders Sunderland at Little Heath on Saturday. After six winless outings,
Steve Potts' side are now firmly back on the victory march, courtesy of
convincing 3-1 wins over both Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Bromwich
Albion. Back-to-back successes have propelled the Hammers to within just six
points of table-topping Sunderland and 17-year-old midfielder Marlow is
planning on closing the gap yet further come the weekend. "Everyone's sky
high with confidence, we've been training well over the last couple of weeks
and we're taking it into the games," he told West Ham TV. "We had a great
3-1 win at West Brom on Tuesday afternoon, against a strong side as well, so
it was good to get the three points and make it two on the bounce. "We
played them at the start of the year and lost 2-0 against that side. We've
got a young side because players are pushing up to the Development Squad, so
it was a good 3-1 win and we're all very pleased. "Hopefully we can make it
three against Sunderland on Saturday, because they are top of the league.
We're moving up the table at the moment and we're certainly looking to carry
that on. We're only six points off the top and hopefully we can push on and
maybe make the top two or top three. You never know."
As for the visit of Sunderland, Marlow's involvement with the Development
Squad means the young Mackems are something of an unknown quantity to the
teenager. That said, with them being top of the league, Marlow reckons he
hardly needs know any more. "I didn't play in the first game against
Sunderland because I was involved in one of the Development Squad games," he
added. "But they're top of the table, so they must be a decent outfit and it
should be a good game and certainly one that I'm looking forward to. "It's a
great challenge, because of course you want to be playing the best teams in
our league. Sunderland are clearly one of them, so everyone's up for it."
Such is Marlow's ability, the midfield man has been flitting between the
U21s and the U18s thus far this term. And while he was only too glad to get
a taste of life in the Hammers' second string, Marlow reckons that game time
is every bit as important at this level. "It has been a great experience
travelling with the Development Squad and being involved. But equally it's
nice to get 90 minutes under my belt with the 18s and hopefully I can keep
pushing on and be involved in the U21s even more. As a first-year scholar
playing against top players is great and I'm hoping to just can carry it on
and keep playing well. "I think I've been doing alright, I'm confident at
the moment and I just want to take that into my game and keep playing well
on a consistent basis and hopefully I can continue to do that."
Kick-off at Little Heath on Saturday is set for 11am, with admission and
parking both free of charge.
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Olympic Stadium update
WHUFC.com
Vice-Chairman Karren Brady updates supporters with the latest news on the
Olympic Stadium process
12.04.2013
It is now exactly three weeks since the monumental day that we were named
anchor concessionaire of the Olympic Stadium, set in the prestigious
surrounds of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. There has been a lot of work
going on behind the scenes to do everything we can to keep you, our
supporters, fully informed and updated regarding the next steps. Much of
that time has been spent finalising the plans for the detailed independent
supporter consultation we have always promised you. As we announced last
week, we have selected highly respected pollster YouGov to undertake this
work on our behalf. I know first-hand just how important this is to you and
as a result I have made sure that our work with YouGov moves along at an
accelerated rate so that we can gauge your opinions and act on them at the
earliest possible opportunity. They are currently programming data and
devising a poll that enables you to give your opinion on all aspects of the
move including, most crucially, your overall feelings towards it.
YouGov have indicated that they hope to launch the consultation within the
next 14 days. I will of course update you further when we are ready to
start.
This is the first opportunity to have your say since the plans and details
of the agreement were announced. That is why it is so vitally important that
you take this unique opportunity to engage in the process and give your
opinions, whatever they might be.
Remember, this will be YOUR Stadium so it is crucial that you tell us what
you think. Together we can create a stunning new home for West Ham United,
but it will only work if we work together to create it.
To ensure transparency, we will be publishing the key results of the
consultation on our website and in our programme after the poll closes. We
are also planning to release further images and video footage ahead of the
start of the consultation as they are supplied to us. I would like to thank
those of you that have taken the time to email the club with your comments
and questions relating to our proposed move. I have personally read hundreds
of them and it's great that so many of you are so excited about the move. We
will be answering another selection of the most common questions in the
third instalment of Olympic Stadium Q+As, which will be going live on
whufc.com soon.
I'm sure many of you still have questions to ask so please do keep your
emails coming in to yourosquestions@westhamunited.co.uk as we really do want
you to be able to make as much of an informed decision as possible . We are
grateful for your patience over the last few years and are delighted that it
is now being rewarded. Together we can take these exciting steps to make
sure we maximise this huge opportunity for our Club.
Karren Brady
Vice-Chairman
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Matt aims for positive finish
WHUFC.com
Matt Taylor has told West Ham TV he wants the club to end the season on a
high
12.04.2013
Matt Taylor has told West Ham TV he wants the Hammers to end the 2012/13
season the same way they began it. The midfielder was part of the squad that
took 14 points from their opening eight Barclays Premier League matches - a
start that paved the way for a campaign that has seen West Ham United sit
safely in mid-table throughout. With seven games to go and Sam Allardyce's
side just one win away from the magical 40-point mark, the No14 wants the
squad to collect as many points as possible - starting with victory over
Southampton at St Mary's on Saturday. "Southampton is not a place where I've
particularly excelled at personally in the past" Taylor admitted. "I gave a
penalty away there in the last couple of minutes in an FA Cup tie about six
or seven years ago [for Portsmouth] and got injured there last season so
hopefully it'll be a better game for all of us this time! "We want to pick
up points but they are in a great vein of form themselves. We're level on
points going into the game so it's going to be an exceptional encounter and,
if we take last Sunday's performance at Liverpool into Saturday's game, then
we can get a positive result."
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Monte's boot auction
WHUFC.com
Hammers coach Mathew Monte-Colombo is auctioning off signed boots in memory
of his late mother
12.04.2013
West Ham United strength and conditioning coach Mathew Monte-Colombo has
teamed up with the first-team squad to raise thousands of pounds in memory
of his late mother. Monte, as he is known to everyone at the club, lost his
mother to cancer in the spring of 2012 and he and brother Mark have paid
tribute to her by raising funds for Cancer Research UK. While Mark has
raised £5,000 by trekking to Everest Base Camp, Monte has enlisted the help
of the Hammers' players, each of whom have donated a pair of signed boots
for auction. The unique action began on 1 April and, since then, Monte has
raised more than £2,500 by auctioning off boots worn by the outfield players
and gloves worn by the goalkeepers. The charity sale will continue until the
end of the month, with boots worn by the likes of captain Kevin Nolan and
Hammer of the Year Mark Noble and gloves worn by Jussi Jaaskelainen still
waiting to go up for auction. "My mother passed away in March last year and
my brother and I wanted to do something to raise money for Cancer Research
UK," Monte confirmed. "Mark has taken on the Mount Everest Base Camp
challenge with 34 work colleagues from Tesco - hence his fundraising motto
'Everest Little Helps'. "To do his challenge, each person had to raise a
minimum of £3,500, so they have done brilliantly. "I decided to ask the lads
if they would be willing to donate something for auction to raise money,
which they were only too happy to do. I collected the boots and got
everybody to sign their pair and have been auctioning one pair every day
through my twitter feed. "It has gone very well so far, but there is still
time for supporters to bag themselves a unique pair of boots, with some of
the big-hitters being saved until the end of the month!"
Full details of how to bid for the remaining pairs of signed boots between
now and 30 April, start following Monte on twitter now @Monte_the_bear
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Southampton v West Ham
KO 15:00
12 April 2013
Last updated at 11:47
By John Roder
Match of the Day commentator
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: St Mary's Stadium Date: Saturday, 13 August
Continue reading the main story
West Ham have Andy Carroll back at their disposal after he was ineligible
for last week's goalless draw with parent club Liverpool. Joe Cole is still
unavailable with a thigh injury, and Mark Noble is out with a shoulder
problem.
Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino could be without three players who
have been struck by a virus. Luke Shaw, Jason Puncheon and in-form forward
Jay Rodriguez are all battling against illness.
MATCH PREVIEW
Both sides would surely take some satisfaction in this being considered an
end-of-season mid-table match. Remember that these two clubs were both
promoted last May, so the fact that they are not far from guaranteeing a
second season in the top division is a tribute to all concerned. Southampton
sit 11th, a place above West Ham, with both teams six points above the
relegation zone and within touching distance of another season of Premier
League football.
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
Mark Lawrenson
Football Analyst
"I'm tipping Southampton to beat West Ham, not to silence the Saints fans
who have given me stick on Twitter, but because I think they are playing
well enough to break down a Hammers team that will probably see a point as a
decent return as they edge towards safety." I have been fortunate enough to
commentate on both clubs recently for Match of the Day. I saw Saints beat
Liverpool at St Mary's a month ago, the first of three successive victories
for the club. I was also at Upton Park a fortnight ago to witness the
Hammers' victory over West Brom. Both matches featured some excellent goals,
with Andy Carroll's second for West Ham winning Match of the Day's Goal of
the Month award for March. Carroll will return for West Ham, having been
ineligible to play at parent club Liverpool last weekend, and it will be
interesting to compare him with 14-goal Rickie Lambert. West Ham won 4-1
when these sides met back in October in east London; it surely won't be
anything like as one-sided this Saturday. Despite West Ham's poor
goalscoring record away from home this season, I have a sneaking suspicion
it might end up as a draw - a point which would take both sides a touch
closer to safety. A point would also take Sam Allardyce to the target he has
set before he'll consider extending a contract that currently expires at the
end of this season.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
West Ham beat Southampton 4-1 in the corresponding fixture in October.
Defeat left Saints with just one win from their opening eight Premier League
games.
Southampton have only lost one of their last 10 home league clashes with
West Ham.
Southampton
Southampton are enjoying a three-match winning streak in the Premier League
for the first time since December 2003.
Jay Rodriguez has scored in all three of those wins, the first Saints player
to score in three successive Premier League games since James Beattie in
April 2004.
Across the last eight games, Saints sit fifth in the form table with four
wins, two draws and two defeats. They have only lost three times in 2013.
Victory at Reading last time out lifted Southampton to 11th, their highest
league placing all season.
Frazer Richardson is awaiting his 50th league start for Southampton.
West Ham
The Hammers have won only three league games away from home this season.
Aside from their 1-0 win at Stoke on 2 March their last victory on their
travels was at Newcastle on 11 November.
West Ham's away goals tally is just nine, the joint-worst record in the
league with Stoke.
The Hammers have only secured six points from losing positions in the league
this season. Only Sunderland and Fulham have a worse record.
Kevin Nolan scored in his last game against Southampton and he is the club's
top scorer in the league with six goals. However, he's only scored once in
his last 17 league outings.
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New deal for Jaaskelainen
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 12th April 2013
By: Staff Writer
Jussi Jaaskelainen has extended his stay at West Ham by a further year after
triggering an extention clause in his contract. The veteran Finn initially
signed a one-year deal upon joining United on a free transfer from Bolton
last summer, with an option for an extra 12 months depending upon certain
conditions being met. And according to Hammers boss Sam Allardyce, talking
ahead of this weekend's trip to Southampton, the extention has now been
triggered as a result of the 37-year-old having featured in a predetermined
number of league fixtures. "It's sorted," said Allardyce. "The option is
linked into this year and kicked in with him completing the games. There is
no doubt about the value of his signing."
Jaaskelainen has been in particularly good form of late, although some early
poor performances left much of the Boleyn faithful questioning whether or
not he was still up to the rigours and demands of Premier League football.
"He's been a very good shot-stopper this season, a few rickets maybe but
most goalkeepers are guilty of those," said KUMB member whitechapel h ammer
in response to news of Jaaskelainen's new deal. "I've been pleasantly
surprised by him. I fear that he is not the most agile of keepers any more,
but has done a good job."
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Southampton v West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 12th April 2013
By: Preview Percy
Next we return to the sacred and holy time of 3pm on a Saturday where we are
on the road once more down the M3 or, if you prefer, the London & South
Western Railway (they're still going right?) to visit Southampton at St
Mary's.
Strangely, I can't find any mention of engineering works on any of the
appropriate routes between East London/Essex to Waterloo and thence to
Southampton, which means that you'll have to be delayed by a broken down
train or something else for a change.
Our hosts for the weekend currently lie one place above us in 11th spot
having gained 37 points from their 32 matches played thus far. We are level
on points with us having a goal difference inferior to the tune of two
goals, though we do have a game in hand.
They're in a decent run of form at the moment having won their last three
(2-0 at Reading, 2-1 at home to Chelsea and 3-1 at home to Liverpool). Their
previous three gathered them a goalless draw at Norwich and defeats at home
to QPR (1-2) and away at Newcastle (4-2). The recent run has lifted them out
of the drop zone and, like us, they're just about safe barring something
daft occurring. Of course this good news to them has been tempered by the
news that Portsmouth now appear to have been saved by a Supporters
Trust-backed deal.
The big news of the last few months was the dismissal of the rather annoying
Nigel Adkins who found a marriage made in heaven when taking the job at the
even more annoying Reading. The timing of the move raised as few eyebrows,
coming as it did after a spell in which they had gotten themselves out of
the drop zone. Adkins' last game in charge was a creditable 2-2 draw at
Stamford Bridge, in which they had come back from 2-0 down.
In came former Espanyol boss Mauricio Pochettino, whose arrival had clearly
been pre-arranged by owner Nocola Cortese. Pochinetto had left Espanyol "by
mutual agreement" a couple of months previously during a spell that had seen
"Barcelona's other club" struggling in the basement areas of La Liga.
Despite gaining one point from their opening six matches, the Espanyol fans
directed their ire at the board for a perceived lack of investment, rather
than Ponchinetto, who benefitted from an added store of goodwill arising
from a decent playing career at the club. It'll be interesting to see if
Southampton sign anyone from Espanyol in the close season, especially with
them being short of dosh over there at the brilliantly-monikered Estadi
Cornella-El Prat. Adkins' fans would point out that the recent improvement
in form has been merely a continuation of the process started by the former
manager, though I don't suppose the locals will be all that bothered about
the fate of their former boss assuming they stay up.
Three players have played 'twixt the sticks this season. 20-year old
Argentinian Paulo Gazzaniga came in from, of all places, Gillingham in the
close season. The most interesting thing about Gazzaniga is possibly his
birthplace which was Murphy, Argentina.
At the other end of the age scale Kelvin Davis – who is nearly old enough to
join us here at the Avram Grant Rest Home For The Bewildered – has also had
spells in goal though his run as first choice ended after a 6-1 tonking at
the library. They also picked up ex-Celtic custodian of the onion bag Artur
Boruc on an unattached free after the window has shut and, it is Boruc who
has had the shirt since the turn of the year.
At the other end of the pitch much has been made of the front pairing of
Lambert and Rodriguez who have been at the forefront of their climb to
safety. There have even been calls for England selection for the pair,
though I suspect even the most ardent of Southampton fans will secretly
admit to that prospect being a tad optimistic. They'll both need watching
though. Lambert, as well as being a decent goalscorer, not least from dead
ball situations, has in the past displayed that rather depressing habit
amongst footballers of diving or, as referees call it in a bid to give a
fancy name to something they tend to ignore, "simulation". During last
season's match at the Boleyn his antics were a pretty poor show as were
those of his partner in crime Billy Sharp who is away on loan at Forest.
We'll need a decent ref to keep an eye on things but having just seen the
appointments for the weekend we haven't got one I'm afraid.
Rodriguez, who has scored in his last three, tends to play just behind
Lambert with additional midfield attacking support coming from skipper Adam
Lallana. Lallana has actually made it into an England squad, being called up
last Autumn for the World Cup qualifier against Ukraine but he didn't make
the pitch. It was he who hit what proved to be their consolation goal in the
return fixture at the Boleyn where we gave them a 4-1 revenge spanking. He's
just signed a deal to keep him at St Mary's for another five years.
On the right of that trio is usually last summer's big money signing Gaston
Ramirez. The Uruguayan from Fray Bentos (another place name that raises a
smile to those of us of a certain age) came in for a reported £12m from
Bologna at the close of the summer window, having played in the Olympic
tournament. He took a while to find his feet with injuries punctuating his
first few months with the club, missing the Boleyn match amongst others with
a dead leg but now he's had a run in the side is looking to be an important
part of their set up, to the extent that there has been reported interest
from Inter, Juventus and Fiorentina.
Their injury news is that there's a bit of a bug running through the camp
with the aforementioned Rodriguez, teenage defender Luke Shaw and midfielder
Jason Puncheon all having been laid low during the week. If it's anything
like the bug that's been running about the Rest Home this week it won't have
been pleasant.
Us? Well that was a good point up at the Merseyside Library. They've been
worried all week about the whereabouts of Luis Suarez and were about to file
a missing persons report with the local plod when they got a phonecall from
James Collins asking where to post the player that he found in his pocket
when he got home. It was disappointing to see Glen Johnson diving in the
first half though. I thought he'd been brought up better than that.
Funniest piece of commentary ever had to be the idiot on BBC 2's MOTD2 who,
presumably with a straight face, said something like "Steve Gerrard isn't
the sort of player to go to ground unnecessarily." Twelve of us spat out our
light and bitters when we heard that gem and we will be deducting the cost
of cleaning the Brian Moore Memorial TV Room here at the rest home from our
next tv licence, assuming that Matron ever bought one in the first place.
We still have some injury problems. Reid, Cole (J), McCartney and Noble are
all still hors de combat. James Tomkins, who also had a decent match at
Anfield, should be available after his calf injury turned out to be just
cramp. Andy Carroll should also be back from his loan-enforced absence,
though some sources say he's been "ill" this week. Mr Allardyce was being
coy as to whether Carroll would replace the "hard working in a thankless
role" Carlton Cole but assuming both are fit one would expect Carroll to get
the nod.
Prediction? Well confidence will be good in both camps after recent results.
Having said that, I probably rate Southampton as a better side than
Liverpool at the moment (despite the unbelievable BBC bias in favour of all
things scouse) so I think this will be a tougher match than last week. I'll
therefore plump for a draw and will be putting the Avram Grant Rest Home For
The Bewildered TV licence fund (£2.50) on a 1-1 draw leaving both sides two
points from the so-called magic 40 point mark.
Enjoy the game!
When Last We Met At St Mary's: Lost 0-1 October 2011. A Hooiveld header on
half-time gave them all three points though we had our chances to take what
would have been a deserved point from the match.
Referee: Mike Dean. Precisely the sort of person who oughtn't be allowed to
referee a football match. Dreadful. End of.
Danger Man:Jay Rodruiguez. The exotically-named Lancastrian is in the middle
of a good run at the moment. (Pun intentional if he has that bug!)
Daft Fact Of The Week:Possibly the strangest person ever to come out of
Southampton (apart from Ken Russell) was John Stonehouse, who was born in
the city and also died there. A Labour MP, he was accused of being a
communist spy, something that wasn't actually confirmed until after his
death. Facing financial ruin as a number of business interests started to
fail, he decided to leg it abroad with his mistress. This he did in 1974 by
faking his own death by leaving a pile of clothes on a beach, thus inspiring
the "Reggie Perrin" tv series. He ended up in Melbourne and was arrested by
Aussie police who were convinced they had picked up Lord Lucan. On his
arrest Stonehouse was allegedly asked to drop his trousers so that Ozplod
could check for certain scars that Lucan had. Bizarrely, on his return to
the UK he continued to act as an MP for nearly a year before his trial, the
Labour Party not sacking him after realising that they'd be the minority
party in a hung Parliament as soon as he went. He got seven years for a
variety of offences much of which he spent complaining that prison workshop
radio played pop music
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Southampton host West Ham at St Mary's
By Daniel Storey - Follow me @danielstorey85. Last Updated: April 12,
2013 10:55am
SSN
Southampton and West Ham meet at St Mary's on Saturday, with both sides
knowing that a win should secure their Premier League survival. The Saints
have won three games in a row to move up to 11th in the table, and have won
their last two home games against Chelsea and Liverpool. Mauricio Pochettino
will be hoping that his side can win four Premier League games in a row for
the first time since 2001, when Glenn Hoddle was in charge at the club.
Southampton's recent success has coincided with a goalscoring streak from
Jay Rodriguez, who has scored in three consecutive Premier League games for
the first time in his career.
West Ham have also taken a recent positive result against Liverpool, drawing
at Anfield last weekend. That result followed a home win against West Brom,
and has drawn the Hammers close to safety after a poor run of performances
had raised relegation concerns. It has been much publicised that manager Sam
Allardyce will not begin contract discussions until West Ham's safety has
been confirmed, but recent wins have made such a prospect more than likely.
Much of West Ham's troubles this season have come from inconsistency, and
the Hammers have failed to record consecutive Premier League victories since
March 2011. And West Ham have traditionally struggled against Southampton,
winning just one of their last ten away games against their weekend
opponents.
Southampton
Last 6
0-2
2-1
3-1
0-0
1-2
4-2
Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino could be without a trio of players
for the game. A virus has sidelined Luke Shaw, Jason Puncheon and Jay
Rodriguez and all are now doubts for the visit of the Hammers. Other than
the three players fighting illness, Pochettino has a clean bill of health as
his side look for the win that would move them on to 40 points for the
season.
West Ham
Last 6
0-0
3-1
2-0
0-1
2-3
2-1
West Ham will have on-loan striker Andy Carroll available for the trip to St
Mary's after he was ineligible for last weekend's goalless draw against
parent club Liverpool. Midfielder Joe Cole (hamstring) and Mark Noble
(shoulder) are still sidelined. Defenders Winston Reid (hip) and George
McCartney (knee) also remain out.
Opta Stats
West Ham are the only Premier League team to have lost every game they have
fallen behind in (10 matches) away from home in 2012-13.
Southampton have benefited from more goals from English players (32) than
any other team in the top-flight this term.
If only second-halves counted, West Ham would be second-bottom on 30 points,
four adrift of safety (Reading bottom on 27).
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Mauricio Pochettino expects physical battle for Southampton against West Ham
Last Updated: April 12, 2013 1:47pm
SSN
Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino has warned his side they will face a
physical contest when they lock horns with West Ham at St Mary's on
Saturday.
The Hammers battled their way to a goalless draw at Liverpool last weekend
when there were plenty of questions asked about the system and style of play
deployed by boss Sam Allardyce. However, Pochettino says his players must
respect West Ham's approach if they are to claim the three points. "There
are always different tastes and different points of view in football," he
said. "I think they got a result that was positive for them [against
Liverpool]. Many people are interested in how you win and how you get
positive results and there are some that don't care about that, both points
of view are respected. "I think West Ham are going to be very direct, very
aggressive and play the long ball to try and keep us in our half. "There
were many times during the game against Liverpool when this was effective
for them - we have to take into account that their players are very tall and
aggressive, very physical. "We have to try and impose our brand of football,
be dynamic and keep going forward. We also need to be aware that we will
suffer against them when we don't have the ball."
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Is Sam Allarydce About to Swap the Claret & Blue of West Ham For.....?
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
Now I don't want to overstate this, but I am hearing rumours that our
manager is of interest to a rival Premier League side which is rapidly
losing patience with its incumbent. Paul Lambert looks to be toast at Aston
Villa and their owner Randy Lerner is impressed with what Sam Allardyce has
achieved at West Ham and may try to tempt him away. So the longer contract
discussions between the club and Allardyce continue, the more one wonders
about whether his future might lay elsewhere.
Now in case anyone thinks this is a bit of stirring on my part and some
dastardly plan to edge Sam Allardyce out of Upton Park, that's way off beam.
I am an Allardyce convert. I have seen what he has achieved and I think we'd
be mad to let him go elsewhere. Quite why he would want to go to Villa would
be anyone's guess. In the past you could have made an argument for them
being a bigger club than us, but no longer. Why would any manager be tempted
away from Upton Park when in three years time he could be managing a team at
the Olympic Stadium?
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Karren Brady's football diary
The Sun
By KARREN BRADY
SunSport columnist
Published: 7 hrs ago
SATURDAY, APRIL 6
THE most feared experience in football is the freefall into the abyss that
they call the Football League. During the winter transfer window it fuels
the thoughts of every manager and board in mid-table and the victims this
year, Stoke and Sunderland, must be wondering what was missing in their
anti- relegation strategies. I'm certainly crossing my fingers here because
West Ham are not quite out of it — yet. My feeling is Stoke's admirable
chairman Peter Coates is not a man to panic. But this infamous race to the
bottom has already done for Martin O'Neill at what for the moment, anyway,
is the Stadium of Darkness. One of the two seem certain to stay up. But
which? Personally I hope both.
SUNDAY, APRIL 7
WHATEVER transformed good old Hammers boy Bobby Zamora momentarily into a
stupid and dangerous nitwit, we may never know. His scything kick at Wigan
ace Jordi Gomez's head warranted a fistful of red cards, possibly cost
struggling QPR two points and feasibly could have cost Gomez an eye. An East
End lad, Zamora was much liked at Upton Park and there is no back story of
this kind of assault. So why did he do it? I suspect even he couldn't say.
It is true, though, that pressure plays a part. And, to change the context a
little, West Ham's draw at Anfield today underlines how proud we are of the
way our manager and players have reacted to it.
MONDAY, APRIL 8
MY job in football is to get the best for West Ham but I would no more
advise the manager about players than I would the Pope about religion. So,
although my judgment may be flawed I am delighted to say that I thought the
three best players at Old Trafford tonight were all English — James Milner
and Gareth Barry for Manchester City and Phil Jones for United. City's win
makes the selling of United 'Champion20s' scarves a fraction risky. But
probably more to the point, the difference between the teams is not so much
United's acquisition of Robin van Persie as Roberto Mancini suggests, but in
the comparable ability of the managers.
TUESDAY, APRIL 9
THE cost of season-ticket seats for the disabled is a touchy subject and
when it was decided a review of them was needed at Upton Park, we knew we
were in a sensitive area. None of us has a problem with special prices or
with providing a free place for a carer with each wheelchair fan. But we
have had a big increase in the numbers of disabled, and we have not had a
price rise for 21 YEARS. It is on this basis that we are reviewing prices
and a 50 per cent rise would put us in the same region as London clubs of
similar standing. Some such as Spurs and Chelsea charge the full fee.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10
FOUL! Injustice! Racism! tweets Abdullah Bin Nasser Al Thani after Malaga
crash out of the Champions League quarter-final after a late goal in
Dortmund.
There's no doubt it was offside — as was one of Malaga's — but racism? The
charge could only have been aimed at the referee Craig Thomson. And while
the Scots may be prejudiced against many things — the English, non-battered
Mars Bars, spending — it would be perverse if he was anti-Malaga, unless he
had a bad holiday there. The Malaga club is owned by Qataris and if this is
the level of football criticism we can expect from the hosts of the 2022
World Cup, the sooner it is moved elsewhere the better.
THURSDAY, APRIL 11
THE barons of football have fiddled like old maids over allowing goal-line
technology. It is not before time I'm in London helping at a Premier League
meeting to decide that from next season onwards it will be a reality. So
where to now? I think we have already reached the limit and there is no
future in taking further power from our referees. The game has to be as
free-flowing as possible or fans will be forever having to wait while
experts scratch their heads over what a one-dimensional playback really adds
up to. That is not entertainment, it is dead boring. We all have to be big
boys and girls and accept refs very occasionally get it wrong.
FRIDAY, APRIL 12
WHEN I spotted the headline that Matt Le Tissier was returning to football,
I thought 'Heavens, that's a bit late at 44'. Then it became clear Le
Tissier would not be playing against West Ham tomorrow but for his home
island, Guernsey. You can see by his look of satisfaction when Saints are
mentioned that the only team he played for are improving by the match.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino was lucky to take over the side built by Nigel
Adkins and, credit to the Argentinian, he has given them a sweet style. And
by the way, how much would Le Tissier be worth now? £25million? More?
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Simply the best: West Ham's James Collins reckons he has NEVER played this
well
12 Apr 2013 22:30
The Mirror
James Collins believes he is now playing the best football of his career and
has vowed to help West Ham secure a top-10 finish. Collins rejoined the
Londoners in August after three seasons at Aston Villa and came under fire
in the first half of the season after blundering against Swansea and Reading
to cost them crucial points. The Welsh defender was determined to cut out
those mistakes and has since put in some superb displays at the heart of the
Hammers defence, including a man of the match performance in last week's 0-0
draw with Liverpool at Anfield. Collins, speaking at a West Ham Community
Sports Trust event, said: "I feel like I am producing the best form of my
career. I made a couple of mistakes, which I have not been happy with, and
need to get them out of my game. "I was delighted with how I played last
Sunday. It feels like I have never been away from West Ham and I'm happy
with my form. Hopefully it can continue until the end of the season."
Victory at Southampton on Saturday will see West Ham move into the top half
of the table and Collins feels it would be a superb achievement if they
could finish there. The 29-year-old added: "The aim at the start of the
season was to make the top 10. We were in the top half in the early part of
the season and to get back there would be great."
Meanwhile, Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino has refused to criticise
West Ham for their perceived negative approach in some games this season.
Following the draw with Liverpool, there were plenty of questions asked
about the system and style of play deployed by boss Sam Allardyce.
Pochettino, who has brought free-flowing and attacking football to St Mary's
since controversially replacing Nigel Adkins in January, has guided the
Saints into 11th spot in the table. But the former Argentina defender
accepted that there are different ways of picking up vital results in the
league and said he and his players must respect West Ham's approach if they
are to overcome Allardyce's side. "There are always different tastes and
different points of view in football," he said. "I think they got a result
that was positive for them [against Liverpool]. Many people are interested
in how you win and how you get positive results and there are some that
don't care about that, both points of view are respected. Asked how he
thought Allardyce would set his team up at St Mary's, Pochettino replied: "I
think West Ham are going to be very direct, very aggressive and play the
long ball to try and keep us in our half. "There were many times during the
game against Liverpool when this was effective for them - we have to take
into account that their players are very tall and aggressive, very physical.
"We have to try and impose our brand of football, be dynamic and keep going
forward. We also need to be aware that we will suffer against them when we
don't have the ball."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Saturday, April 13
Friday, April 12
Daily WHUFC News - 12th April 2013
Big Sam on: Southampton
WHUFC.com
Manager Sam Allardyce spoke to the press ahead of West Ham United's trip to
Southampton
11.04.2013
Sam Allardyce is plotting to spoil Southampton's party, as the Saints go in
search of a fourth successive Barclays Premier League win when West Ham
United visit St Mary's on Saturday. The Hammers are bolstered by the return
of Andy Carroll, but Big Sam is setting his sights on another sound
defensive display, after Sunday's shutout at Anfield. West Ham's boss is
still revelling in the weekend's resolute rearguard action and insists a
repeat performance would lay the foundations for a second positive away day
in as many weeks.
Firstly Sam, prospects for Saturday's game, is Andy Carroll fit?
SA: "Andy was always fit, it was only the loan system that doesn't allow him
to play against his parent club, so he's available. Winston Reid, George
McCartney, Mark Noble and Joe Cole are all still missing, which is obviously
something we have to overcome again. As we did against Liverpool. We were
missing those four and Andy Carroll, so I thought it was a tremendous
performance and unlike Brendan Rodgers says, I thought we did try and win
the game. We always tried to win the game and in the last throws of the game
we had several opportunities to maybe try and win it. In saying that, it was
a great performance from us and we've got to try and keep that up at a very
in-form Southampton on Saturday.
A good defensive display at Liverpool as well, that was the key wasn't it?
SA: "Every key-note performance comes from solid defending. The team that
generally defends the best in the league wins the league, not the one that
scores the most goals. So, it's always been an imperative part of everyone's
game as a manager, or as a coach. It doesn't get talked about as much as
attacking or trying to create chances, which is obviously very important
because you've got to score a goal to win it, but being solid defensively
gave us the basis to try and break out and create some chances and try to
score when we had the opportunity."
Andy Carroll at one end and Rickie Lambert at the other, how do you see that
shaping up?
SA: "Well I've got to pick Andy first. Whether I'm going to select him or
keep Carlton Cole in is a little dilemma because I thought Carlton did ever
so well last week. I suppose had Carlton scored, I'd have definitely kept
him but he didn't. "We just have to make sure that we perform as we did
against Liverpool. I think that's the key element for us. Southampton,
having won the last three on the trot has given them a tremendous boost and
virtually put them safe like ourselves. Nine points in three games, when
you're struggling at the bottom and have been for most of the season is a
pretty dramatic turnaround. So they will be full of confidence. The fans
will be expecting to beat us, there's no doubt about that, after they've
just beaten Liverpool and Chelsea at home. I think we'll just be the next
step on the ladder for them to beat. I thought the Liverpool fans probably
thought they were turning up and going to beat us last week, so we'll
hopefully spoil Southampton's party as well."
This is an opportunity for both sides to reach the magic 40 point mark,
would you call this the game that will definitely make you safe?
SA: "If we win it, I think so. I know mathematically people will say we can
still be caught and somebody could still overtake us but I find it difficult
to believe that anybody would. Over the 20 odd years there are only a few
cases of teams going down with 40 but it has been a long time since that was
actually the case."
Jay Rodriguez has had a great three games scoring in each, is he the
dangerman for you?
SA: "Lambert and Rodriguez without a doubt, and Lallana if he plays, all
three of them have mastered the challenge of the Premier League brilliantly.
Their skills and abilities have been shown in abundance. To be honest with
you, Lambert has been doing it right from the very start. He has scored
goals in every division he has played in now, which is a magnificent
achievement. "Rodriguez, of course, having had time to settle from Burnley,
has shown the sort of goalscoring form that he managed at Burnley before.
Lallana has always been a good player in my eyes, so that's a very dangerous
front three, if those three play. So we'll need to be as good defensively as
were against Liverpool."
A lot of people are talking about there being a more pressing game under
Pochettino?
SA: "At home, yes, I think so. I think that at home, we all want to use a
pressing game, because it creates a much more active and quicker game that
fans want to see at home. They don't want to see us playing with a slow
tempo and a slow build up in the Premier League. Certainly when you're the
home team, the emphasis is on you, so actually pressing high up the pitch is
a good way to get the players on a high tempo and then of course get the
fans cheering for the team. It's about coping with that and having the
ability to cope with that."
Finally, are you going to be watching the Masters?
SA: "Yes, I'll be watching. I like the early hours of the morning, sitting
watch the golf. It's a great time to watch it, when the rest of my family
are asleep. It's going to be really interesting as always. Everybody's
expecting Tiger this time. It has been a long time since he has been such a
big, big favourite and I suppose we'll find out after the first round,
whether he's there or thereabouts. For me personally, I hope it's Lee
Westwood, I really do. If he can just get the putting right, he never seems
to quite get it right, but if anyone deserves one it's him."
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'We're looking for one more win'
WHUFC.com
Gary O'Neil believes three points at Southampton will all but ensure West
Ham United's safety
11.04.2013
West Ham United midfielder Gary O'Neil is expecting a hot reception at
Southampton on Saturday. The in-form No32 began his professional career at
the Saints' biggest rivals Portsmouth, spending eight years at Fratton Park
and taking part in three keenly-contested south coast derbies. The stakes
will be just as high this weekend as both clubs seek a win that will take
them to the magical 40-point mark - a generally accepted benchmark for
safety in the Barclays Premier League. "I think we're looking for one more
win," O'Neil confirmed. "Hopefully it can come this week but Southampton are
in great form and they have had some fantastic results at home - I think
they have beaten Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool at home recently.
"It'll be a tough game because they've got some good players. We'll go there
and hopefully we'll have a couple more players fit and the gaffer will have
stronger squad to pick from. "I'm looking forward to it, even though I'll
get a bit of stick coming from Portsmouth. It's another chance to go and get
three points. Our away form has picked up with a win at Stoke and draw at
Anfield after five straight defeats on the road. Hopefully our improved form
can continue."
While West Ham have not been involved in the relegation battle all season
long, O'Neil says he and his team-mates are eager to get to the safety mark
as soon as possible so they can enjoy the final few weeks of the season. "I
don't think we're counting ourselves as safe yet, because we're only six
points above the bottom three. I don't think it's completely done dusted but
we're looking to hit as many points as we can anyway - we're not going to
get to 40 and stop.
"We're going to push on from there and try to get into the high 40s if we
can."
Once Saturday's game is out of the way, O'Neil will return home to his sofa
to enjoy the closing rounds of the Masters golf tournament. The scratch
handicapper, who tried unsuccessfully to qualify for last year's Open
Championship, would love to swing a club in a major one day, but concedes
that Augusta maybe a shot too far. Instead, he believes Tiger Woods will
instead challenge for his 15th major victory. "I'd love to play in the
Masters one day, but I don't think they'll let me!" he joked. "I think Tiger
Woods has got a good chance. I think he needs to hit it a little bit
straighter than he has done off the tee recently. He's been awesome this
year. I've watched most of it and he's been fantastic. "Obviously Rory
McIlroy playing well last week has made everyone fancy him a little bit as
well. It wouldn't surprise me if Rory, Tiger and Phil Mickelson are right up
there at the end."
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Sebby heeding Haycock's advice
WHUFC.com
Fit-again Sebastian Lletget insists he is reaping the rewards of Haycock's
management style
11.04.2013
Sebastian Lletget is thriving under the tutelage of Development Squad coach
Nick Haycock, even if it means getting a flea in his ear from time to time.
The American Under-23 international returned to the fold in Monday's
Barclays U21 Premier League 1-1 draw with Elite Group leaders Tottenham
Hotspur, after more than a month on the sidelines through injury. Despite
the unforgiving tempo of an end-to-end contest, the 20-year-old slotted
seamlessly back into his midfield role, as West Ham played out a third
successive draw. Lletget was happy enough with a job well done, but both he
and Haycock reckon there is plenty more still to come. He told West Ham TV:
"My fitness obviously needs to improve, but I think that will just come with
more games. I'm going to try to play every game until the end of the season.
My injury is long gone now, I feel 100 per cent and I'm just happy to be
back. "A lot of credit to Spurs, they had a really good side out, as they
always do and it's always a pleasure playing against them. You want to play
against good players and see how you match-up.
"I thought my performance was good, for my first game in a while, I thought
I put in the effort. There was a lot of running involved obviously, but I
could have had a goal or two and I'm happy that I made a couple of chances
for myself. "As soon as the 75th minute hit, I think a lot of us were
struggling but everybody worked extremely hard and that's why we came out
with a point."
U21s boss Haycock subsequently confessed to being somewhat harsher on
Lletget than anyone else, if only because he expects so much of the
American. The ever pragmatic Lletget insists he sees it as a compliment and
is grateful for all the guidance coming his way. "I really like playing
under Nick he gives me a lot of confidence," he added. "If he does give me a
bit of information in a high tone, so to speak, I take it well, I take it on
board and use it to my advantage.
"Maybe he is slightly harsh on me, but I like that, I like that he cares.
It's good to have that in a manager, he looks to you to do well in the team
and put the team on your back as well. Especially because I'm more
experienced than a lot of the kids that are coming through. "I view it as
every day's a step closer to the first team. Every time you train you want
to impress and all Nick wants is the best for me and for all of us."
For the time being, however, Lletget's focus is firmly on the final four
games of the U21 season, fixtures that could yet see the Hammers qualify for
the competition's semi-finals. First up, is Monday's trip to Eastleigh to
take on the Southampton, with West Ham bidding to make amends for a 1-0
defeat in the reverse fixture at Rush Green. "We've slipped up a bit earlier
in the Elite Group but our training and our whole setup has been very
professional. We're going to keep going right up until the last game and
hopefully we'll get a couple more wins. "We're definitely well motivated for
the Saints game. Nobody likes losing but especially us. Tactically and
mentally we need to be ready for that one and I'm pretty sure we will be."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Montpellier defender Henri Bedimo eyes summer move
By Valer Gourizro. Last Updated: April 11, 2013 5:28pm
SSN
Montpellier left-back Henri Bedimo insists he will make a decision regarding
his future at the end of the season. The £5million-rated Cameroon star has
been linked with a number of Premier League clubs, including Newcastle and
West Ham. However, PSG, Lyon and Marseille are also reportedly keen on
signing the player in the summer. And Bedimo, who enjoyed playing in the
UEFA Champions League group stage with his club, says he wants more of the
same. He said: "I have heard of the interest of clubs in the Premier League,
but when you hear there is interest from a Champions League club in France
then you have to think about it. "Newcastle and West Ham are both good clubs
in the best league in the world, but I will not decide my future until at
the end of the season.
"I want to be playing in the Champions League as well."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham co-chairman David Gold welcomes technology and Financial Fair Play
Last Updated: April 11, 2013 4:48pm
SSN
West Ham co-chairman David Gold has welcomed the introduction of goal-line
technology to the Premier League and the ratification of rules regarding
Financial Fair Play. Hawk-Eye has been chosen as the provider of goal-line
technology in the English top flight after a meeting of the 20 clubs on
Thursday, and Gold is only surprised that it has not been implemented
sooner. He feels this is a step in the right direction to getting rid of
wrong decisions, and is interested to see whether there will now be a
greater demand for technology to be used for other parts of the game. "I am
disappointed it has taken so long," Gold told Sky Sports News. "Even if we
didn't have actual goal-line technology, we do have television with instant
replays, and we could have had a fourth official getting in touch to tell a
referee if it was a goal. I think this will be fantastic. "This is a start.
Who knows where it will take us. Fans will have a big say in this, and also
TV will have a big say. We want the big, bad decisions taken out of
football, and this type of technology will do that." Gold also expressed
his satisfaction that Premier League clubs had voted, by the required
two-thirds majority, to approve proposals on financial regulation. He said:
"We are happy they have been ratified so they'll go into the rule book, and
it is a good day for the Premier League." Asked about the clubs with doubts,
Gold added: "They had their reservations, and still do, but we are a
democratic unit and they'll support us going forward. "It is hard to get
unanimity on these things, but we are all pleased that we are addressing
these issues."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham cool on Carroll with cut-price £10m offer for Liverpool striker
By SIMON JONES
PUBLISHED: 22:30, 11 April 2013 | UPDATED: 22:30, 11 April 2013
Daily Mail
West Ham will offer around £10million for Liverpool striker Andy Carroll in
the summer. The England striker joined West Ham on loan with a view to a
£17m permanent deal, which remains Liverpool's valuation. However, his
injuries and goals return have prompted West Ham to re-evaluate the deal and
they will reduce their offer. Liverpool are likely to rebuff that as they
try to negotiate a deal with Carroll and Newcastle for Hatem Ben Arfa. Yet
Newcastle's valuation of the France midfielder will also make that deal
difficult. West Ham also like Southampton's Rickie Lambert and Vitesse
Arnhem's Wilfried Bony. However, while they want to give Sam Allardyce a
budget that will convince him to extend his stay, they will not overstretch
themselves with their Olympic Stadium move on the horizon.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Manager Sam Allardyce spoke to the press ahead of West Ham United's trip to
Southampton
11.04.2013
Sam Allardyce is plotting to spoil Southampton's party, as the Saints go in
search of a fourth successive Barclays Premier League win when West Ham
United visit St Mary's on Saturday. The Hammers are bolstered by the return
of Andy Carroll, but Big Sam is setting his sights on another sound
defensive display, after Sunday's shutout at Anfield. West Ham's boss is
still revelling in the weekend's resolute rearguard action and insists a
repeat performance would lay the foundations for a second positive away day
in as many weeks.
Firstly Sam, prospects for Saturday's game, is Andy Carroll fit?
SA: "Andy was always fit, it was only the loan system that doesn't allow him
to play against his parent club, so he's available. Winston Reid, George
McCartney, Mark Noble and Joe Cole are all still missing, which is obviously
something we have to overcome again. As we did against Liverpool. We were
missing those four and Andy Carroll, so I thought it was a tremendous
performance and unlike Brendan Rodgers says, I thought we did try and win
the game. We always tried to win the game and in the last throws of the game
we had several opportunities to maybe try and win it. In saying that, it was
a great performance from us and we've got to try and keep that up at a very
in-form Southampton on Saturday.
A good defensive display at Liverpool as well, that was the key wasn't it?
SA: "Every key-note performance comes from solid defending. The team that
generally defends the best in the league wins the league, not the one that
scores the most goals. So, it's always been an imperative part of everyone's
game as a manager, or as a coach. It doesn't get talked about as much as
attacking or trying to create chances, which is obviously very important
because you've got to score a goal to win it, but being solid defensively
gave us the basis to try and break out and create some chances and try to
score when we had the opportunity."
Andy Carroll at one end and Rickie Lambert at the other, how do you see that
shaping up?
SA: "Well I've got to pick Andy first. Whether I'm going to select him or
keep Carlton Cole in is a little dilemma because I thought Carlton did ever
so well last week. I suppose had Carlton scored, I'd have definitely kept
him but he didn't. "We just have to make sure that we perform as we did
against Liverpool. I think that's the key element for us. Southampton,
having won the last three on the trot has given them a tremendous boost and
virtually put them safe like ourselves. Nine points in three games, when
you're struggling at the bottom and have been for most of the season is a
pretty dramatic turnaround. So they will be full of confidence. The fans
will be expecting to beat us, there's no doubt about that, after they've
just beaten Liverpool and Chelsea at home. I think we'll just be the next
step on the ladder for them to beat. I thought the Liverpool fans probably
thought they were turning up and going to beat us last week, so we'll
hopefully spoil Southampton's party as well."
This is an opportunity for both sides to reach the magic 40 point mark,
would you call this the game that will definitely make you safe?
SA: "If we win it, I think so. I know mathematically people will say we can
still be caught and somebody could still overtake us but I find it difficult
to believe that anybody would. Over the 20 odd years there are only a few
cases of teams going down with 40 but it has been a long time since that was
actually the case."
Jay Rodriguez has had a great three games scoring in each, is he the
dangerman for you?
SA: "Lambert and Rodriguez without a doubt, and Lallana if he plays, all
three of them have mastered the challenge of the Premier League brilliantly.
Their skills and abilities have been shown in abundance. To be honest with
you, Lambert has been doing it right from the very start. He has scored
goals in every division he has played in now, which is a magnificent
achievement. "Rodriguez, of course, having had time to settle from Burnley,
has shown the sort of goalscoring form that he managed at Burnley before.
Lallana has always been a good player in my eyes, so that's a very dangerous
front three, if those three play. So we'll need to be as good defensively as
were against Liverpool."
A lot of people are talking about there being a more pressing game under
Pochettino?
SA: "At home, yes, I think so. I think that at home, we all want to use a
pressing game, because it creates a much more active and quicker game that
fans want to see at home. They don't want to see us playing with a slow
tempo and a slow build up in the Premier League. Certainly when you're the
home team, the emphasis is on you, so actually pressing high up the pitch is
a good way to get the players on a high tempo and then of course get the
fans cheering for the team. It's about coping with that and having the
ability to cope with that."
Finally, are you going to be watching the Masters?
SA: "Yes, I'll be watching. I like the early hours of the morning, sitting
watch the golf. It's a great time to watch it, when the rest of my family
are asleep. It's going to be really interesting as always. Everybody's
expecting Tiger this time. It has been a long time since he has been such a
big, big favourite and I suppose we'll find out after the first round,
whether he's there or thereabouts. For me personally, I hope it's Lee
Westwood, I really do. If he can just get the putting right, he never seems
to quite get it right, but if anyone deserves one it's him."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
'We're looking for one more win'
WHUFC.com
Gary O'Neil believes three points at Southampton will all but ensure West
Ham United's safety
11.04.2013
West Ham United midfielder Gary O'Neil is expecting a hot reception at
Southampton on Saturday. The in-form No32 began his professional career at
the Saints' biggest rivals Portsmouth, spending eight years at Fratton Park
and taking part in three keenly-contested south coast derbies. The stakes
will be just as high this weekend as both clubs seek a win that will take
them to the magical 40-point mark - a generally accepted benchmark for
safety in the Barclays Premier League. "I think we're looking for one more
win," O'Neil confirmed. "Hopefully it can come this week but Southampton are
in great form and they have had some fantastic results at home - I think
they have beaten Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool at home recently.
"It'll be a tough game because they've got some good players. We'll go there
and hopefully we'll have a couple more players fit and the gaffer will have
stronger squad to pick from. "I'm looking forward to it, even though I'll
get a bit of stick coming from Portsmouth. It's another chance to go and get
three points. Our away form has picked up with a win at Stoke and draw at
Anfield after five straight defeats on the road. Hopefully our improved form
can continue."
While West Ham have not been involved in the relegation battle all season
long, O'Neil says he and his team-mates are eager to get to the safety mark
as soon as possible so they can enjoy the final few weeks of the season. "I
don't think we're counting ourselves as safe yet, because we're only six
points above the bottom three. I don't think it's completely done dusted but
we're looking to hit as many points as we can anyway - we're not going to
get to 40 and stop.
"We're going to push on from there and try to get into the high 40s if we
can."
Once Saturday's game is out of the way, O'Neil will return home to his sofa
to enjoy the closing rounds of the Masters golf tournament. The scratch
handicapper, who tried unsuccessfully to qualify for last year's Open
Championship, would love to swing a club in a major one day, but concedes
that Augusta maybe a shot too far. Instead, he believes Tiger Woods will
instead challenge for his 15th major victory. "I'd love to play in the
Masters one day, but I don't think they'll let me!" he joked. "I think Tiger
Woods has got a good chance. I think he needs to hit it a little bit
straighter than he has done off the tee recently. He's been awesome this
year. I've watched most of it and he's been fantastic. "Obviously Rory
McIlroy playing well last week has made everyone fancy him a little bit as
well. It wouldn't surprise me if Rory, Tiger and Phil Mickelson are right up
there at the end."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sebby heeding Haycock's advice
WHUFC.com
Fit-again Sebastian Lletget insists he is reaping the rewards of Haycock's
management style
11.04.2013
Sebastian Lletget is thriving under the tutelage of Development Squad coach
Nick Haycock, even if it means getting a flea in his ear from time to time.
The American Under-23 international returned to the fold in Monday's
Barclays U21 Premier League 1-1 draw with Elite Group leaders Tottenham
Hotspur, after more than a month on the sidelines through injury. Despite
the unforgiving tempo of an end-to-end contest, the 20-year-old slotted
seamlessly back into his midfield role, as West Ham played out a third
successive draw. Lletget was happy enough with a job well done, but both he
and Haycock reckon there is plenty more still to come. He told West Ham TV:
"My fitness obviously needs to improve, but I think that will just come with
more games. I'm going to try to play every game until the end of the season.
My injury is long gone now, I feel 100 per cent and I'm just happy to be
back. "A lot of credit to Spurs, they had a really good side out, as they
always do and it's always a pleasure playing against them. You want to play
against good players and see how you match-up.
"I thought my performance was good, for my first game in a while, I thought
I put in the effort. There was a lot of running involved obviously, but I
could have had a goal or two and I'm happy that I made a couple of chances
for myself. "As soon as the 75th minute hit, I think a lot of us were
struggling but everybody worked extremely hard and that's why we came out
with a point."
U21s boss Haycock subsequently confessed to being somewhat harsher on
Lletget than anyone else, if only because he expects so much of the
American. The ever pragmatic Lletget insists he sees it as a compliment and
is grateful for all the guidance coming his way. "I really like playing
under Nick he gives me a lot of confidence," he added. "If he does give me a
bit of information in a high tone, so to speak, I take it well, I take it on
board and use it to my advantage.
"Maybe he is slightly harsh on me, but I like that, I like that he cares.
It's good to have that in a manager, he looks to you to do well in the team
and put the team on your back as well. Especially because I'm more
experienced than a lot of the kids that are coming through. "I view it as
every day's a step closer to the first team. Every time you train you want
to impress and all Nick wants is the best for me and for all of us."
For the time being, however, Lletget's focus is firmly on the final four
games of the U21 season, fixtures that could yet see the Hammers qualify for
the competition's semi-finals. First up, is Monday's trip to Eastleigh to
take on the Southampton, with West Ham bidding to make amends for a 1-0
defeat in the reverse fixture at Rush Green. "We've slipped up a bit earlier
in the Elite Group but our training and our whole setup has been very
professional. We're going to keep going right up until the last game and
hopefully we'll get a couple more wins. "We're definitely well motivated for
the Saints game. Nobody likes losing but especially us. Tactically and
mentally we need to be ready for that one and I'm pretty sure we will be."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Montpellier defender Henri Bedimo eyes summer move
By Valer Gourizro. Last Updated: April 11, 2013 5:28pm
SSN
Montpellier left-back Henri Bedimo insists he will make a decision regarding
his future at the end of the season. The £5million-rated Cameroon star has
been linked with a number of Premier League clubs, including Newcastle and
West Ham. However, PSG, Lyon and Marseille are also reportedly keen on
signing the player in the summer. And Bedimo, who enjoyed playing in the
UEFA Champions League group stage with his club, says he wants more of the
same. He said: "I have heard of the interest of clubs in the Premier League,
but when you hear there is interest from a Champions League club in France
then you have to think about it. "Newcastle and West Ham are both good clubs
in the best league in the world, but I will not decide my future until at
the end of the season.
"I want to be playing in the Champions League as well."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham co-chairman David Gold welcomes technology and Financial Fair Play
Last Updated: April 11, 2013 4:48pm
SSN
West Ham co-chairman David Gold has welcomed the introduction of goal-line
technology to the Premier League and the ratification of rules regarding
Financial Fair Play. Hawk-Eye has been chosen as the provider of goal-line
technology in the English top flight after a meeting of the 20 clubs on
Thursday, and Gold is only surprised that it has not been implemented
sooner. He feels this is a step in the right direction to getting rid of
wrong decisions, and is interested to see whether there will now be a
greater demand for technology to be used for other parts of the game. "I am
disappointed it has taken so long," Gold told Sky Sports News. "Even if we
didn't have actual goal-line technology, we do have television with instant
replays, and we could have had a fourth official getting in touch to tell a
referee if it was a goal. I think this will be fantastic. "This is a start.
Who knows where it will take us. Fans will have a big say in this, and also
TV will have a big say. We want the big, bad decisions taken out of
football, and this type of technology will do that." Gold also expressed
his satisfaction that Premier League clubs had voted, by the required
two-thirds majority, to approve proposals on financial regulation. He said:
"We are happy they have been ratified so they'll go into the rule book, and
it is a good day for the Premier League." Asked about the clubs with doubts,
Gold added: "They had their reservations, and still do, but we are a
democratic unit and they'll support us going forward. "It is hard to get
unanimity on these things, but we are all pleased that we are addressing
these issues."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham cool on Carroll with cut-price £10m offer for Liverpool striker
By SIMON JONES
PUBLISHED: 22:30, 11 April 2013 | UPDATED: 22:30, 11 April 2013
Daily Mail
West Ham will offer around £10million for Liverpool striker Andy Carroll in
the summer. The England striker joined West Ham on loan with a view to a
£17m permanent deal, which remains Liverpool's valuation. However, his
injuries and goals return have prompted West Ham to re-evaluate the deal and
they will reduce their offer. Liverpool are likely to rebuff that as they
try to negotiate a deal with Carroll and Newcastle for Hatem Ben Arfa. Yet
Newcastle's valuation of the France midfielder will also make that deal
difficult. West Ham also like Southampton's Rickie Lambert and Vitesse
Arnhem's Wilfried Bony. However, while they want to give Sam Allardyce a
budget that will convince him to extend his stay, they will not overstretch
themselves with their Olympic Stadium move on the horizon.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Thursday, April 11
Daily WHUFC News - 11th April 2013
Wellington working hard
WHUFC.com
Wellington Paulista reflects upon an eventful first few months at the Boleyn
Ground
10.04.2013
January recruit Wellington Paulista has vowed to continue putting in the
hard yards for West Ham United's Development Squad, in the hope that a
first-team opportunity will eventually come his way. Since signing on a
six-month loan from Brazilian outfit Cruzeiro, the 28-year-old goalgetter
has netted five times in ten starts for the Hammers' Under-21 side. While
his goals might have caught the eye, Paulista's on-field enthusiasm is
similarly hard to ignore and the already-popular Brazilian is intent on
giving his all between now and the season's end. "I'm taking it day by day,
trying to get better every day and hoping to break into the first team," he
told West Ham TV, with the help of his Spanish-speaking colleague Sebastian
Lletget. "Whether I score or not, I'm confident either way. I'm always
trying to bring other players into the game and trying to be more versatile
in that sense. I'm doing a lot in training, just to get in the manager's eye
and hopefully to get into the team. "I'm very happy [to see the first-team
doing well] but I obviously want to be a part of it. I'll be working hard
right until the end of my six-month deal and I'd like to stay here if I
can."
Though Paulista is yet to make his first-team bow, he has made quite the
impact in the Hammers' second string, not least in front of goal. Welly, as
he is known to his teammates, has chalked up five of West Ham's 12 goals in
the Barclays Under-21 Premier League Elite Group, celebrating each and every
one with considerable gusto. "Ever since I was a kid, it was always just
natural to enjoy scoring, whether it's for the first team or for the
reserves, a goal's a goal and I enjoy it either way," he added. "It's good,
[being with the Development Squad], but obviously playing with younger
players is a different experience to what I'm used to. There's a lot of
talent at this club, but of course they have a lot to learn."
While Wellington will have to wait to run out in front of a packed Boleyn
Ground, he has already seen more than enough to convince him that it is an
experience he would enjoy. The six-foot' striker likened the Hammers
faithful to those of his native Brazil, insisting they are every bit as
fanatical as his adoring South-American public. "It's a bit like Brazil, in
that the fans are so passionate and are crazy about the football club. I
love that it's always full and so noisy and that's the sort of crowd I like
to play in front of."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Big Interview - Joey O'Brien
WHUFC.com
Joey O'Brien was proud of West Ham United's defensive effort at Liverpool
last weekend
10.04.2013
Joey O'Brien is looking to build on the solid base created in last weekend's
goalless draw at Liverpool when the Hammers head to Southampton for their
next Barclays Premier League fixture on Saturday. Sam Allardyce's men were
superb at the back to blunt the attacking threat posed by the Reds' Luis
Suarez, Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge, allowing them to take a
point home to east London. O'Brien, who took over the captain's armband when
Kevin Nolan was withdrawn in the second half, believes that bodes well for
the final seven games of the campaign.
First of all Joey, what was your reaction to the performance and result on
Sunday?
JOB: "It was a great performance and a great result. We went there with a
gameplan and it worked really well for us. From a defensive point of view,
the manager said beforehand he wanted the wingers tracking their full backs,
and keep the back four nice and compact.
"It worked a treat really. We went to a hard place and kept a clean sheet -
in the end we could have nicked a goal here and there, we had a few chances
so it was a great performance overall."
Sam said afterwards he thought we had perhaps the best chances - the penalty
appeal turned down, one cleared off the line. Do you think we could have won
it possibly?
JOB: "Of course - as you said we had one cleared off the line, Carlton
[Cole] had a good chance in the first half, which I think caught him by
surprise a little bit getting the ball there. We had as many good chances as
they did, but we would have taken a point before the game so we're
delighted."
Was that our best defensive performance of the season?
JOB: "It's up there. They have some smashing players, but we've gone to a
couple of hard places recently and got a result - Liverpool and Stoke - but
with the players they have it probably is."
Sam was there talking up the importance of the squad and we had a number of
players injured on Sunday, but we didn't miss them. The strength in depth
showed, didn't it?
JOB: "Yes, Tonks [James Tomkins] came back in and was unbelievable. Him and
Ginge [James Collins] at the back, you're not going to see a better
performance than that from anyone in the league. I'm delighted for Tonks
because he hasn't been playing a lot really and to go to Liverpool, which
was a hard game to come in for, and play like that was fantastic."
What about you personally. How you would rate your form at the moment? Fans
certainly seem to be saying how well you're playing and that you're a bit of
an unsung hero in the team.
JOB: "I'm just part of the team. The manager has asked me to do a job there
and I'm delighted to go out there and play. When you go out and get a clean
sheet, it's not just the back four, but Jussi Jaaskelainen's been brilliant
in the last six, seven games. As for the boys up front, Matt Jarvis worked
his socks off, as did Gaz O'Neil and Nobby [Kevin Nolan] in the middle too.
Coley too, has come in having not played much, and put in a great shift for
the team."
You were given the armband today when Kevin Nolan went off. Was that good
recognition of your recent form and your standing in the squad?
JOB: "Nobby gave it to me and I was delighted. It was a nice touch."
Looking ahead to Southampton, it's a game where we'll be looking to carry on
the away form...
JOB: "We're in decent form at the moment, with a win against West Brom and a
draw at Liverpool, so we'll be going there looking for the three points for
sure. The belief's there. If we can go to Liverpool and get a result, we can
go anywhere and get a result."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carroll scores awards double
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll has won the club's SBOBET Player of the Month and Goal of the
Month prizes for March
10.04.2013
Hot on the heels of his brace against West Bromwich Albion, Hammers striker
Andy Carroll has this week scooped another double - the club's SBOBET Player
of the Month and Goal of the Month awards. The big Geordie was a runaway
victor in both polls, scooping 42% of the whufc.com vote for the SBOBET
Player of the Month prize, and a whopping 75% on the club's Official
Facebook page vote for Goal of the Month. Carroll saw off competition from
second placed Jussi Jaaskelainen and Winston Reid in third to claim the
honour of top Hammer for March. Aside from his double strike against the
Baggies, over the course of the month Carroll was also involved in the move
for Jack Collison's winning goal at Stoke City, and caused problems for the
Chelsea defence. There could only be one winner for March's Goal of the
Month award - Carroll's stunning volley to give the Hammers a 3-0 lead over
West Brom on 30 March. The Liverpool loanee watched James Collins' clipped
free kick drift over his shoulder before unleashing an unstoppable shot
beyond Ben Foster in the visitors' goal. It was Carroll's second of the
game, in which West Ham triumphed by a 3-1 scoreline, and an overwhelming
75% of the Hammers supporters polled placed it as their number one goal for
the month.
Another strike from the same match, Gary O'Neil's curling effort, took
second with 15%, while Blair Turgott's hat-trick goal in the Boleyn Ground
friendly with a Queens Park Rangers XI took third.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jarvo looking forward
WHUFC.com
Winger Matt Jarvis says West Ham United will travel to Southampton on
Saturday in positive mood
10.04.2013
Barclays Premier League crossing king Matt Jarvis wants to play a leading
role as West Ham United seek to secure a top-ten finish. Jarvis has
delivered and completed more crosses from open play than any other
top-flight player this season and the No7 continued his good work in
Sunday's goalless draw at Liverpool. There, the winger came close to
chalking up another assist when both Carlton Cole and Kevin Nolan flashed
headers wide of the target, and Jarvis said he will keep firing the ball
into the penalty area as the 2012/13 season approaches its conclusion. "I
think in the first half at Liverpool it was hard for us to keep the ball and
get up the pitch, but in the second half we worked extremely hard and got in
behind them a few times and created quite a few chances," said Jarvis. "We
had one cleared off the line at the end or it could have been 1-0 to us.
"They are a fantastic passing side so you have to try to stop them doing
that and getting in behind. We did that. Obviously they are going to create
chances and they did that but we did really well to stop them playing and
got our passing going in the second half and created some great chances.
"I'm enjoying it. It's very tough, especially at places like Liverpool,
where you have to track the runners all the time. We managed to get some joy
in the second half and create some opportunities. Liverpool is a very tough
place to go so to get a point was a very good result for us. "I think we
have to take our home form with us and we've been doing that recently. You
have to get the results to go with your performances and hopefully we can
kick on now."
As well as his crossing, Jarvis is also aiming to get his name on the
scoresheet again during the final seven games of the season. The wideman has
netted just once in 28 appearances so far this term - in the 2-1 win at
Queens Park Rangers in September - and is determined to add to his tally. "I
just need a few more goals and a few more assists to go with them! I'm
putting the crosses in and I won't stop doing that so hopefully we can get a
few more goals from them and hopefully I can chip in myself."
Looking forward to Saturday's trip to Southampton, Jarvis believes West Ham
will travel to St Mary's full of confidence after scoring a home victory
over West Bromwich Albion and a goalless draw at Liverpool in their previous
two Barclays Premier League fixtures. "We are definitely looking up now.
It's one of those situations where you take it from game to game and
obviously we got a good result on Sunday and hopefully we can push on next
week."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce sets sights on 40 points
Last Updated: April 10, 2013 12:34pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce feels another three points would be enough to
secure his side's Premier League status for another year. Allardyce appears
to have steered the Hammers clear of relegation danger in recent games, with
the club sitting 12th in the table on 37 points after frustrating Liverpool
in a goalless draw at Anfield on Sunday. The manager has previously cited 38
points as the safety barrier but feels it might take 40 to ensure the
Hammers' survival this season, with only six points currently between
themselves and third-bottom Wigan. "I thought probably 38 but if you're
going to be absolutely (sure), we're going to still go to the golden 40
aren't we."
Sam Allardyce
He hopes West Ham can hit that target sooner rather than later as they
prepare to take on Southampton at St Mary's stadium this weekend. He told
Sky Sports: "We may (have to) sneak the points total up maybe one or two
more, but I certainly think 40 now is definitely going to be good enough.
"Wigan have put a run together, Southampton have put a run together, Aston
Villa have done it. "I thought probably 38 but if you're going to be
absolutely (sure), we're going to still go to the golden 40 aren't we."
Allardyce says he is delighted to see West Ham where they are in the table
after securing promotion from the Championship last season. Asked if he
would have taken their current position at the beginning of the season, he
added: "I'd have snatched their hands off. In fact I probably would have
gone further than that, I would have cut their hands off, if that's the
right terminology."
Talks
West Ham are in talks with Allardyce over a new contract, with his current
deal set to expire at the end of the season. The manager and the club's
owners have previously said an extension will only be agreed once Premier
League safety has been secured. West Ham defender James Collins, who
re-joined his old club last summer from Aston Villa, hopes Allardyce will
commit to the Hammers sooner rather than later. The Welshman said: "He's
been great. He's been one of the main reasons I came back, to work with the
gaffer. "Everyone obviously speaks very highly of him and he showed it
again, his tactics at Anfield were spot on and they have been all season. So
fingers crossed that he can get the contract sorted."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Will Wellington Get his Chance Against Southampton?
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
Andy Carroll played extremely well against WBA, giving his finest
performance to date in a West Ham shirt. In fact, he looked much more like
the fearsome young striker, who originally made his name at Newcastle Utd.
It was, therefore, unfortunate that he was not able to play against his
parent club, Liverpool, last Sunday. And it is now doubly disappointing that
it appears that Carroll may now also miss the away match at Southampton due
to an untimely virus infection. If so, the question is whether Sam Allardyce
will stick with his usual striker options or opt to bring Wellington
Paulista in to the first team frame?
Commenting on Paulista's first team chances in early February, Allardyce
stated that the loan signing had to go some considerable way to force his
way in to first team contention, but that the key was not only to improve
his fitness, but also score goals. Well, Paulista has done both, he has
improved his match fitness and currently has a 1 in 2 goal-to-match ratio,
having scored 5 goals in 10 Development Squad matches. So, it would seem
that the Brazilian has met the challenge laid down by his manager, will he
now reap the reward, with a place on the bench at Southampton? Personally, I
have championed Paulista's cause right from the time of his loan signing in
January. And I remain convinced that he could still prove to be a surprise
package. He certainly offers something different to our other striking
options. In fact, he could realistically be played either as a second
striker in a 4-4-2 or wide of the main striker in a 4-3-3.
My view is that commitment, hard work and achieving your set objectives
desires reward. Our other strikers are not exactly 'on fire' at the moment,
so why not bring Paulista in to the frame? Not necessarily starting, but
getting a 20-45 minute run out from the bench, if the opportunity presents
itself. Who knows, he might just come up trumps. One things is for sure, if
Paulista gets a chance, he will give it 100% and come on the pitch with the
right attitude and a determination to succeed. This is a player used to
playing at a higher level in Brazil, yet he approaches every single
Development Squad match in exactly the right way, applying himself and
giving his all to the team. Anyone who has seen him play in recent weeks can
testify to that fact. And if there is one thing that West Ham fans value
almost as highly as a gifted, creative player, a la Byrne, Brooking or Di
Canio, it is a warrior who applies himself and gives 100% to the Hammers
cause. I would suggest that Wellington Paulista is definitely in the latter
category, whether he can score goals in the PL we will only discover when
and if he gets a chance. But things look promising on that front as well.
So, go on Sam give him a go, the guy deserves it.
Elsewhere, Sam Allardyce has gone on record as stating that he thinks that
West Ham need three more points to secure their PL status this season. Is he
right? After all Wigan, Aston Villa and Newcastle Utd are all showing signs
of improvement and there are a number of teams in danger of falling in to
that dreaded 18th place. It is fair to say that Reading and QPR are
virtually relegated, its just a matter of who will join them in the
Championship. Personally, I think that the way that the final fixtures fall
means that 40 points will guarantee safety. But we should take no chances,
once we have reached 40 points, we must push on and accrue as many more as
possible. Not necessarily because of a fear of a late drive for points by
the teams between 13-18 position, but because we should look to 'push on' to
grab that coveted top ten finishing position. That really would be 'cherry
on the cake' for our season and provide a good benchmark for further
improvement next season.
The Liverpool draw was well deserved and hard fought. The team put in a good
performance and defended solidly as a unit. So, it was a good overall team
display, but if forced to pick out particular performances, it has to be
Collins and Tomkins in central defence. The pair barely put a foot wrong and
were rightly praised for their pivotal roles in earning a result. If only
that late Jack Collison effort had not been cleared off the line, we would
have celebrated our first win at Anfield since 1963-64 on Sunday evening. No
doubt that terrible record of not winning at Anfield, in 50 years, will end
one day. Perhaps last Sunday's battling draw was a sign post that the next
win away win over Liverpool may not be too far away, if we build upon recent
progress and keep improving.
Finally, I had a rare day off on Tuesday and took a wander down to Upton
Park to observe the open training day. Interestingly, the club had a
community event, after the first team training session, and there was
various multi-sports coaching sessions, with local youngsters involved in
football, athletics, cricket, boxing and handball. I stayed and watched the
community session and it was good to see the club's community coaches
working with local children; as well as first team players and Sam Allardyce
taking the time and effort to engage with the youngsters present. Its a side
of the game, and indeed the club, that deserves far wider recognition. And
it is something that I intend to investigate and share on WHTID.
SJ. Chandos.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Wellington Paulista reflects upon an eventful first few months at the Boleyn
Ground
10.04.2013
January recruit Wellington Paulista has vowed to continue putting in the
hard yards for West Ham United's Development Squad, in the hope that a
first-team opportunity will eventually come his way. Since signing on a
six-month loan from Brazilian outfit Cruzeiro, the 28-year-old goalgetter
has netted five times in ten starts for the Hammers' Under-21 side. While
his goals might have caught the eye, Paulista's on-field enthusiasm is
similarly hard to ignore and the already-popular Brazilian is intent on
giving his all between now and the season's end. "I'm taking it day by day,
trying to get better every day and hoping to break into the first team," he
told West Ham TV, with the help of his Spanish-speaking colleague Sebastian
Lletget. "Whether I score or not, I'm confident either way. I'm always
trying to bring other players into the game and trying to be more versatile
in that sense. I'm doing a lot in training, just to get in the manager's eye
and hopefully to get into the team. "I'm very happy [to see the first-team
doing well] but I obviously want to be a part of it. I'll be working hard
right until the end of my six-month deal and I'd like to stay here if I
can."
Though Paulista is yet to make his first-team bow, he has made quite the
impact in the Hammers' second string, not least in front of goal. Welly, as
he is known to his teammates, has chalked up five of West Ham's 12 goals in
the Barclays Under-21 Premier League Elite Group, celebrating each and every
one with considerable gusto. "Ever since I was a kid, it was always just
natural to enjoy scoring, whether it's for the first team or for the
reserves, a goal's a goal and I enjoy it either way," he added. "It's good,
[being with the Development Squad], but obviously playing with younger
players is a different experience to what I'm used to. There's a lot of
talent at this club, but of course they have a lot to learn."
While Wellington will have to wait to run out in front of a packed Boleyn
Ground, he has already seen more than enough to convince him that it is an
experience he would enjoy. The six-foot' striker likened the Hammers
faithful to those of his native Brazil, insisting they are every bit as
fanatical as his adoring South-American public. "It's a bit like Brazil, in
that the fans are so passionate and are crazy about the football club. I
love that it's always full and so noisy and that's the sort of crowd I like
to play in front of."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Big Interview - Joey O'Brien
WHUFC.com
Joey O'Brien was proud of West Ham United's defensive effort at Liverpool
last weekend
10.04.2013
Joey O'Brien is looking to build on the solid base created in last weekend's
goalless draw at Liverpool when the Hammers head to Southampton for their
next Barclays Premier League fixture on Saturday. Sam Allardyce's men were
superb at the back to blunt the attacking threat posed by the Reds' Luis
Suarez, Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge, allowing them to take a
point home to east London. O'Brien, who took over the captain's armband when
Kevin Nolan was withdrawn in the second half, believes that bodes well for
the final seven games of the campaign.
First of all Joey, what was your reaction to the performance and result on
Sunday?
JOB: "It was a great performance and a great result. We went there with a
gameplan and it worked really well for us. From a defensive point of view,
the manager said beforehand he wanted the wingers tracking their full backs,
and keep the back four nice and compact.
"It worked a treat really. We went to a hard place and kept a clean sheet -
in the end we could have nicked a goal here and there, we had a few chances
so it was a great performance overall."
Sam said afterwards he thought we had perhaps the best chances - the penalty
appeal turned down, one cleared off the line. Do you think we could have won
it possibly?
JOB: "Of course - as you said we had one cleared off the line, Carlton
[Cole] had a good chance in the first half, which I think caught him by
surprise a little bit getting the ball there. We had as many good chances as
they did, but we would have taken a point before the game so we're
delighted."
Was that our best defensive performance of the season?
JOB: "It's up there. They have some smashing players, but we've gone to a
couple of hard places recently and got a result - Liverpool and Stoke - but
with the players they have it probably is."
Sam was there talking up the importance of the squad and we had a number of
players injured on Sunday, but we didn't miss them. The strength in depth
showed, didn't it?
JOB: "Yes, Tonks [James Tomkins] came back in and was unbelievable. Him and
Ginge [James Collins] at the back, you're not going to see a better
performance than that from anyone in the league. I'm delighted for Tonks
because he hasn't been playing a lot really and to go to Liverpool, which
was a hard game to come in for, and play like that was fantastic."
What about you personally. How you would rate your form at the moment? Fans
certainly seem to be saying how well you're playing and that you're a bit of
an unsung hero in the team.
JOB: "I'm just part of the team. The manager has asked me to do a job there
and I'm delighted to go out there and play. When you go out and get a clean
sheet, it's not just the back four, but Jussi Jaaskelainen's been brilliant
in the last six, seven games. As for the boys up front, Matt Jarvis worked
his socks off, as did Gaz O'Neil and Nobby [Kevin Nolan] in the middle too.
Coley too, has come in having not played much, and put in a great shift for
the team."
You were given the armband today when Kevin Nolan went off. Was that good
recognition of your recent form and your standing in the squad?
JOB: "Nobby gave it to me and I was delighted. It was a nice touch."
Looking ahead to Southampton, it's a game where we'll be looking to carry on
the away form...
JOB: "We're in decent form at the moment, with a win against West Brom and a
draw at Liverpool, so we'll be going there looking for the three points for
sure. The belief's there. If we can go to Liverpool and get a result, we can
go anywhere and get a result."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carroll scores awards double
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll has won the club's SBOBET Player of the Month and Goal of the
Month prizes for March
10.04.2013
Hot on the heels of his brace against West Bromwich Albion, Hammers striker
Andy Carroll has this week scooped another double - the club's SBOBET Player
of the Month and Goal of the Month awards. The big Geordie was a runaway
victor in both polls, scooping 42% of the whufc.com vote for the SBOBET
Player of the Month prize, and a whopping 75% on the club's Official
Facebook page vote for Goal of the Month. Carroll saw off competition from
second placed Jussi Jaaskelainen and Winston Reid in third to claim the
honour of top Hammer for March. Aside from his double strike against the
Baggies, over the course of the month Carroll was also involved in the move
for Jack Collison's winning goal at Stoke City, and caused problems for the
Chelsea defence. There could only be one winner for March's Goal of the
Month award - Carroll's stunning volley to give the Hammers a 3-0 lead over
West Brom on 30 March. The Liverpool loanee watched James Collins' clipped
free kick drift over his shoulder before unleashing an unstoppable shot
beyond Ben Foster in the visitors' goal. It was Carroll's second of the
game, in which West Ham triumphed by a 3-1 scoreline, and an overwhelming
75% of the Hammers supporters polled placed it as their number one goal for
the month.
Another strike from the same match, Gary O'Neil's curling effort, took
second with 15%, while Blair Turgott's hat-trick goal in the Boleyn Ground
friendly with a Queens Park Rangers XI took third.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jarvo looking forward
WHUFC.com
Winger Matt Jarvis says West Ham United will travel to Southampton on
Saturday in positive mood
10.04.2013
Barclays Premier League crossing king Matt Jarvis wants to play a leading
role as West Ham United seek to secure a top-ten finish. Jarvis has
delivered and completed more crosses from open play than any other
top-flight player this season and the No7 continued his good work in
Sunday's goalless draw at Liverpool. There, the winger came close to
chalking up another assist when both Carlton Cole and Kevin Nolan flashed
headers wide of the target, and Jarvis said he will keep firing the ball
into the penalty area as the 2012/13 season approaches its conclusion. "I
think in the first half at Liverpool it was hard for us to keep the ball and
get up the pitch, but in the second half we worked extremely hard and got in
behind them a few times and created quite a few chances," said Jarvis. "We
had one cleared off the line at the end or it could have been 1-0 to us.
"They are a fantastic passing side so you have to try to stop them doing
that and getting in behind. We did that. Obviously they are going to create
chances and they did that but we did really well to stop them playing and
got our passing going in the second half and created some great chances.
"I'm enjoying it. It's very tough, especially at places like Liverpool,
where you have to track the runners all the time. We managed to get some joy
in the second half and create some opportunities. Liverpool is a very tough
place to go so to get a point was a very good result for us. "I think we
have to take our home form with us and we've been doing that recently. You
have to get the results to go with your performances and hopefully we can
kick on now."
As well as his crossing, Jarvis is also aiming to get his name on the
scoresheet again during the final seven games of the season. The wideman has
netted just once in 28 appearances so far this term - in the 2-1 win at
Queens Park Rangers in September - and is determined to add to his tally. "I
just need a few more goals and a few more assists to go with them! I'm
putting the crosses in and I won't stop doing that so hopefully we can get a
few more goals from them and hopefully I can chip in myself."
Looking forward to Saturday's trip to Southampton, Jarvis believes West Ham
will travel to St Mary's full of confidence after scoring a home victory
over West Bromwich Albion and a goalless draw at Liverpool in their previous
two Barclays Premier League fixtures. "We are definitely looking up now.
It's one of those situations where you take it from game to game and
obviously we got a good result on Sunday and hopefully we can push on next
week."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce sets sights on 40 points
Last Updated: April 10, 2013 12:34pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce feels another three points would be enough to
secure his side's Premier League status for another year. Allardyce appears
to have steered the Hammers clear of relegation danger in recent games, with
the club sitting 12th in the table on 37 points after frustrating Liverpool
in a goalless draw at Anfield on Sunday. The manager has previously cited 38
points as the safety barrier but feels it might take 40 to ensure the
Hammers' survival this season, with only six points currently between
themselves and third-bottom Wigan. "I thought probably 38 but if you're
going to be absolutely (sure), we're going to still go to the golden 40
aren't we."
Sam Allardyce
He hopes West Ham can hit that target sooner rather than later as they
prepare to take on Southampton at St Mary's stadium this weekend. He told
Sky Sports: "We may (have to) sneak the points total up maybe one or two
more, but I certainly think 40 now is definitely going to be good enough.
"Wigan have put a run together, Southampton have put a run together, Aston
Villa have done it. "I thought probably 38 but if you're going to be
absolutely (sure), we're going to still go to the golden 40 aren't we."
Allardyce says he is delighted to see West Ham where they are in the table
after securing promotion from the Championship last season. Asked if he
would have taken their current position at the beginning of the season, he
added: "I'd have snatched their hands off. In fact I probably would have
gone further than that, I would have cut their hands off, if that's the
right terminology."
Talks
West Ham are in talks with Allardyce over a new contract, with his current
deal set to expire at the end of the season. The manager and the club's
owners have previously said an extension will only be agreed once Premier
League safety has been secured. West Ham defender James Collins, who
re-joined his old club last summer from Aston Villa, hopes Allardyce will
commit to the Hammers sooner rather than later. The Welshman said: "He's
been great. He's been one of the main reasons I came back, to work with the
gaffer. "Everyone obviously speaks very highly of him and he showed it
again, his tactics at Anfield were spot on and they have been all season. So
fingers crossed that he can get the contract sorted."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Will Wellington Get his Chance Against Southampton?
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
Andy Carroll played extremely well against WBA, giving his finest
performance to date in a West Ham shirt. In fact, he looked much more like
the fearsome young striker, who originally made his name at Newcastle Utd.
It was, therefore, unfortunate that he was not able to play against his
parent club, Liverpool, last Sunday. And it is now doubly disappointing that
it appears that Carroll may now also miss the away match at Southampton due
to an untimely virus infection. If so, the question is whether Sam Allardyce
will stick with his usual striker options or opt to bring Wellington
Paulista in to the first team frame?
Commenting on Paulista's first team chances in early February, Allardyce
stated that the loan signing had to go some considerable way to force his
way in to first team contention, but that the key was not only to improve
his fitness, but also score goals. Well, Paulista has done both, he has
improved his match fitness and currently has a 1 in 2 goal-to-match ratio,
having scored 5 goals in 10 Development Squad matches. So, it would seem
that the Brazilian has met the challenge laid down by his manager, will he
now reap the reward, with a place on the bench at Southampton? Personally, I
have championed Paulista's cause right from the time of his loan signing in
January. And I remain convinced that he could still prove to be a surprise
package. He certainly offers something different to our other striking
options. In fact, he could realistically be played either as a second
striker in a 4-4-2 or wide of the main striker in a 4-3-3.
My view is that commitment, hard work and achieving your set objectives
desires reward. Our other strikers are not exactly 'on fire' at the moment,
so why not bring Paulista in to the frame? Not necessarily starting, but
getting a 20-45 minute run out from the bench, if the opportunity presents
itself. Who knows, he might just come up trumps. One things is for sure, if
Paulista gets a chance, he will give it 100% and come on the pitch with the
right attitude and a determination to succeed. This is a player used to
playing at a higher level in Brazil, yet he approaches every single
Development Squad match in exactly the right way, applying himself and
giving his all to the team. Anyone who has seen him play in recent weeks can
testify to that fact. And if there is one thing that West Ham fans value
almost as highly as a gifted, creative player, a la Byrne, Brooking or Di
Canio, it is a warrior who applies himself and gives 100% to the Hammers
cause. I would suggest that Wellington Paulista is definitely in the latter
category, whether he can score goals in the PL we will only discover when
and if he gets a chance. But things look promising on that front as well.
So, go on Sam give him a go, the guy deserves it.
Elsewhere, Sam Allardyce has gone on record as stating that he thinks that
West Ham need three more points to secure their PL status this season. Is he
right? After all Wigan, Aston Villa and Newcastle Utd are all showing signs
of improvement and there are a number of teams in danger of falling in to
that dreaded 18th place. It is fair to say that Reading and QPR are
virtually relegated, its just a matter of who will join them in the
Championship. Personally, I think that the way that the final fixtures fall
means that 40 points will guarantee safety. But we should take no chances,
once we have reached 40 points, we must push on and accrue as many more as
possible. Not necessarily because of a fear of a late drive for points by
the teams between 13-18 position, but because we should look to 'push on' to
grab that coveted top ten finishing position. That really would be 'cherry
on the cake' for our season and provide a good benchmark for further
improvement next season.
The Liverpool draw was well deserved and hard fought. The team put in a good
performance and defended solidly as a unit. So, it was a good overall team
display, but if forced to pick out particular performances, it has to be
Collins and Tomkins in central defence. The pair barely put a foot wrong and
were rightly praised for their pivotal roles in earning a result. If only
that late Jack Collison effort had not been cleared off the line, we would
have celebrated our first win at Anfield since 1963-64 on Sunday evening. No
doubt that terrible record of not winning at Anfield, in 50 years, will end
one day. Perhaps last Sunday's battling draw was a sign post that the next
win away win over Liverpool may not be too far away, if we build upon recent
progress and keep improving.
Finally, I had a rare day off on Tuesday and took a wander down to Upton
Park to observe the open training day. Interestingly, the club had a
community event, after the first team training session, and there was
various multi-sports coaching sessions, with local youngsters involved in
football, athletics, cricket, boxing and handball. I stayed and watched the
community session and it was good to see the club's community coaches
working with local children; as well as first team players and Sam Allardyce
taking the time and effort to engage with the youngsters present. Its a side
of the game, and indeed the club, that deserves far wider recognition. And
it is something that I intend to investigate and share on WHTID.
SJ. Chandos.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Wednesday, April 10
Daily WHUFC News - 10th April 2013
Collison praises defensive effort
WHUFC.com
Jack Collison felt West ham United deserved their point at Liverpool on
Sunday
09.04.2013
West Ham United were just a whisker away from grabbing their first win at
Liverpool in nearly 50 years on Sunday. After defending stoically and
restricting the influence of the Reds' key man Luis Suarez, the Hammers won
an 85th minute corner which Jack Collison met with a header that beat home
keeper Pepe Reina. However, Lucas was stationed by the post to block on the
line and extend the Londoners' long wait for victory at Anfield, although
they were happy to gain a valuable point from the 0-0 draw. Midfielder
Collison, who entered the fray as a 63rd minute substitute, was full of
praise for the Hammers' defensive effort. "The boys battled magnificently on
Sunday, right from Jussi all the way to Coley," he said. "They worked hard
and it would have been nice if my header had gone in, but at the end of the
day a point's a great result here. "I'm not normally in the box attacking
corners, but I found myself in there for that one. I caught it nicely and
beat the keeper, but Lucas on the line cleared it. It wasn't to be. "We
definitely deserved the point. The boys at the back were brilliant all day,
James Tomkins came in and was magnificent. He made a great block on the line
and was excellent throughout. "We knew they were a good team with good
players. Attacking is one of their strong points, but we nullified them well
today, worked hard and created a couple of chances as well. It was the
perfect gameplan you could say from us, so well done to the gaffer."
The point was the twelfth gained by the Hammers on their travels this season
and Collison believes their solid display sets them up nicely for a strong
finish to the campaign. He continued: "It's a massive boost with seven games
to go. We want to go on a little run now and try to stay unbeaten from now
until the end of the season. If we can't do that, we want to get as many
points as we can. We want a strong finish to really send out a statement to
everyone, prove that we're here and that we're going to be a force to be
reckoned with. "A top-half finish is very possible. If we concentrate on
ourselves, take each game as it comes and get some more points on the board
then we can do it. That's what we're aiming for as a team - we're not
looking behind us, we're looking to push on rather than stay still."
Next up for Sam Allardyce's men is a trip to Southampton, who pipped the
Hammers to the second automatic promotion spot from the Championship last
season. Collison was key to West Ham making it up through the play-offs and
now he wants to get one over the Saints at St Mary's. He added: "They've got
a new manager who has come in recently and they're on a good run at the
moment. They're playing well, but we feel as a team and as a club that we've
got a little point to prove there. "Maybe there's going to be a little more
on the game than people may think because we were disappointed not to go up
automatically last year. A lot of the boys are still here and that still
stays with them. We're going to go there and look to get the three points."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cole happy with rare Anfield point
WHUFC.com
West Ham United striker Carlton Cole was pleased to do his bit as the
Hammers drew 0-0 at Liverpool
09.04.2013
Carlton Cole was delighted to play his part as West Ham United gained a
valuable point at Liverpool on Sunday. The long-serving Hammers striker was
handed his first start in more than two months in the absence of Andy
Carroll, who was unavailable at Anfield due to the terms of his loan
agreement from the Reds.
Cole enjoyed being part of a fine team effort at Anfield and is hoping for
more opportunities during the final seven games of the 2012/13 campaign. He
told West Ham TV: "It was tiring to be honest! I hadn't played for quite a
while and normally you'd hope to be weaned little by little with a few sub
appearances, but I went straight in at the deep end and the result was the
reward. "I would love to have scored a goal, but this was the first result
I've got up there in a long while, so I'm very happy. "I was happy with my
performance, considering I hadn't played for quite a while and I'm not match
sharp. I'm a fit lad though and I can do a 90 [minutes] if called upon at
any time so hopefully I can get more 90s under my belt between now and the
end of the season. "At the end of the day if you come in and you haven't
been looking after yourself, you're only hurting yourself and your
teammates. I've done my utmost to keep myself in shape."
Cole was heavily involved in trying to hold the ball up for his team as they
looked to hit Liverpool on the counter attack and he felt his task got
easier as the hosts opened up in the second period. He explained: "In the
first half they were a bit more tentative to go forward and they had a lot
of players that covered me. Their wing-backs were going forward to support
Luis Suarez and everybody, so our wingers had to go and support our
full-backs. "So when the ball did come up to me I was a bit isolated, but
when Liverpool started going for the game a little bit, we had some time
going the other way to try to put them under pressure. "When that happened,
I got better support and we created a few chances. We were unlucky not to
nick it as well. All the players did their bit to try and score a goal. It
was a good game. "Liverpool are a great outfit, everyone knows that. So to
go up there, especially with our away form not being too great, and do the
job we did was good. "We stuck to the manager's tactics and what he asked us
to do, and I think he's very happy with what we achieved on Sunday."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
U18s score West Brom win
WHUFC.com
West Ham United scored a second straight Barclays U18 Premier League Tier
One victory on Tuesday
09.04.2013
West Ham United scored a second straight Barclays U18 Premier League Tier
One victory by overcoming West Bromwich Albion 3-1 on Tuesday. A young
Hammers side headed for the Midlands on the back of their first win in seven
matches - a 3-1 home success against Wolverhampton Wanderers on 30 March -
and produced another impressive performance at the Baggies' training ground.
With a number of scholars on Development Squad duty on Monday evening, U18s
manager Steve Potts called upon a number of schoolboys, including defender
Emanuel Onariase and forward Djair Parfitt-Williams. Both played well, with
Parfitt-Williams netting his first goal at U18 level to equaliser after West
Brom had taken a first-half lead. An attack down the right flank culminated
in Kieran Sadlier crossing to the far post, where Parfitt-Williams was
waiting to head home. After the break, the Hammers took charge, going ahead
when right-back Kyle Knoyle raced forward before finding Parfitt-Williams.
He cut inside and crossed for a trialist to shoot into the net from inside
the penalty area. West Ham's victory was completed by an own-goal. A
cross-field ball from left to right again found Knoyle in space. He ran down
the wing before playing the ball into Nathan Mavila, whose cross was headed
into his own net by a West Brom defender. Back-to-back victories have taken
the Hammers from bottom of the table two weeks ago to fourth, level on
points with third-place Liverpool. West Ham return to Barclays U18 Premier
League Tier One action on Saturday, when Sunderland visit Little Heath for
an 11am kick-off.
West Ham United U18s: Howes, Knoyle, Page, Makasi, Harney, Onariase, Miles
(Mavila 53), Marlow, Trialist (Boakye-Yiadom 88), Parfitt-Williams
(Girdlestone 88), Sadlier
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers praised for Hillsborough tribute
WHUFC.com
West Ham United were thanked by Liverpool for their part in remembering the
Hillsborough disaster
09.04.2013
West Ham United played a full part in Sunday's events at Anfield to mark the
anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster. The Hammers' match at Liverpool
was the Reds' last home fixture before the 24th anniversay of the tragedy,
which saw 96 Liverpool fans lose their lives at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final
against Nottingham Forest. The club laid a wreath at the Hillsborough
Memorial at Anfield on the morning of the game, and an impeccably-observed
minute's silence was held before the match, in which both sets of players
wore black armbands. Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers had praise for the
Hammers' mark of respect. "I'd like to say 'well done' and congratulations
to the West Ham fans because I thought it was a brilliant response.
"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."
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce added: "The Hillsborough disaster was a
tragedy which touched all football fans, no matter who your club is, and it
was important for us to show our respects for those who were so tragically
killed on that day in 1989. "As we'd expect, our fans were brilliant in
their observance of the minute's silence and were great ambassadors for the
club on what is an important day for Liverpool."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Haycock targets strong finish
WHUFC.com
Dev Squad manager Nick Haycock urged his side to kick on after holding
league leaders Spurs
09.04.2013
Nick Haycock is not about to give up on his pursuit of a top-three Barclays
Under-21 Premier League Elite Group finish after the Development Squad held
runaway leaders Tottenham Hotspur to a compelling 1-1 draw at the Boleyn
Ground. Brazilian frontman Wellington Paulista headed the Hammers in front
after just 16 minutes, before Republic of Ireland youth international
Kenneth McEvoy levelled matters seven minutes before the interval. Though
both sides spurned several opportunities thereafter, an entertaining affair
would end a point apiece, with Haycock rightly looking upwards as the Elite
Group heads into its latter stages. "There are four games to go and I've set
the challenge to the boys to have a real go at trying to get this third
place," Haycock told West Ham TV.
"Other teams will drop points and if we can amass as many points as we can
in those four games, it will give us a competitive total to challenge that
third place. That's in our hands and we've got to go about the games in the
same manner as we did at the start of the Elite Group and we'll see where
that takes us."
Haycock was understandably impressed with his side's showing against a Spurs
side scoring goals for fun in recent weeks and reckons it's further evidence
of his young charges' capacity to compete with the very best at this level.
"That was a pleasing performance, particularly as we'd not played for three
weeks," he added. "I always knew the start was important and I thought we
got about them well. Tottenham play a patient, passing style with good
technical players and it was about stopping them then obviously trying to
hurt them. "In the first 20-25 minutes, we were deservedly winning 1-0 and
at the minimum we should have come in at 2-0. But we've conceded on the
counter-attack and I felt we lost our way towards the end of the first-half.
"Half-time was about reorganising and looking at what we were doing well and
to keep doing that. We started the second half the better team and they
probably finished the game the stronger.
"But in terms of chances, I think it was pretty even. Jake Larkins has made
three great saves but equally so has their keeper. Overall, we feel slightly
disappointed that we haven't got three points. "It should give the lads lots
of confidence, looking at the last run of games we've had against the bigger
teams, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United. We've competed and we look
more at home at this level."
Meanwhile, the U21s boss was pleased with the contribution of his two senior
frontmen, with Paulista, in particular, desperately unfortunate not to add
to his first-half strike. "Wellington took his goal well and he was unlucky.
On another night he could have come away with a hat-trick. "To be fair to
Modibo, I explained to him before the game that these lads want you to run
around for them up there and show the potent threat he was in France. We
asked him to hold the ball up for us, threaten in the air, in behind and
cause the backline problems. In fairness to him, he did that for us."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Club halve disabled season ticket increase
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 9th April 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United have announced that the planned 107 per cent season ticket
price hike for disabled supporters has been halved. Following last week's
storm over the price rise, as first highlighted here on KUMB.com, the club
have written to disabled fans to confirm that next season's ticket will now
'only' cost an additional 50 per cent.
In a second letter to disabled season ticket holders (you may see the first
one here), West Ham vice chair Karren Brady said: "The club enjoys a good
relationship with its diabled supporters and we do not wish to jeapordise
this is any way and are sensitive to the prices we are considering and how
this may affect you.
"Also, I have taken on the feedback and have decided that the prices will
not increase by more than 50 per cent of this year's current rate, and we
will be creating a new Band 5 price range instead, which bearing mind there
has been no increase [apart from inflation] for 21 years. I hope yuo will
agree this is a good compromise."
The news was cautiously welcomed by KUMB members including Richard Vann, who
penned recent KUMB article 'So This Is Affordable Football?' in protest at
the club's decision to more than double the cost of disabled fans' season
tickets.
"Having taken on board the feedback, Karren Brady has decided to back track
on the original 'careful' review of the ticketing policy," he said.
"I'm sure all disabled fans will welcome that, but a 50 per cent rise would
still set a precedent for future rises and in the current climate, it's
still a disgraceful increase and doesn't go far enough in my view, to
appease the original debacle.
"It also has implications, I believe, for all ST holders; the club and Ms
Brady can use such a hike for disabled fans as a lever to justify big rises
across the board. All ST holders should be concerned and suspicious of this
move.
"I am of the view that our club have created this issue for disabled fans to
'test the waters' and to gauge reaction; after all, how could other season
ticket holders make a justifiable argument in the future, if the club can
then point to the precedent set for such a big rise made for disabled fans?"
Mr Vann also disputed Ms Brady's claims that there had been no increase in
season ticket costs even with inflation accounted for.
"This simply isn't true," he countered. "In 2011/12 the cost was £265; this
season it is £290. Even with my basic maths ability, that equates to a 9.4
per cent rise from last season - way above inflation at the time."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham midfielder Gary O'Neil convinced experience has been key this
season
Last Updated: April 9, 2013 11:03pm
SSN
West Ham midfielder Gary O'Neil believes the experience in the squad and
backroom staff has helped them as they bid to retain their Premier League
status.
Sam Allardyce's side were only promoted to the top-flight last season but
they lie 12th in the table, six points clear of the relegation zone. O'Neil
is convinced the experience in the camp has aided their cause following
their return to the Premier League via the play-offs last season after they
were relegated in 2010/11. "We maybe had the edge because we have got a lot
of players and the manager and staff who have played and worked in the
Premier League before," he said. We were only down for a season as well so
the lads are used to playing in the PL so we maybe took to it quicker than
they did. "We also we had a slightly easier run of fixtures at the start
that helped us build up some momentum."
Following a strong start to the season that saw that saw the Hammers settle
into the top half of the table they began to struggle after the turn of the
year.
But recent victories over Stoke and West Brom, as well as a battling point
at Liverpool on Sunday, have left Allardyce's side in a strong position to
play top-flight football next season. When asked if the team struggled to
rediscover their early season form, O'Neil added: "I think it took us a
little while, it does hit you confidence-wise as a squad. "Even if you are
losing to the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United, it does dent the
confidence. It was hard to get another run going. "But fortunately we've got
a little one going now and have picked up seven points from our last four
games which is good and can hopefully be added to this weekend. "We've
always said we want to finish as high as we can, we weren't just focusing on
avoiding relegation. "Our aim was always to finish as high up as possible,
we want to get to 40 (points) first to make well and truly sure we are safe
but then by no means will we stop there."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cole keen to Hammer deal
Published: 5 hrs ago
The Sun
CARLTON COLE is hoping Sam Allardyce will give him another chance to win a
new deal at West Ham. The Hammers striker, 29, will become a free agent this
summer after seven years at Upton Park. Cole has struggled to command a
first-team place this season under boss Allardyce. But he played the full 90
minutes in Sunday's 0-0 draw with Liverpool. And he said: "Hopefully I can
get more games under my belt before the end of the season."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Jack Collison felt West ham United deserved their point at Liverpool on
Sunday
09.04.2013
West Ham United were just a whisker away from grabbing their first win at
Liverpool in nearly 50 years on Sunday. After defending stoically and
restricting the influence of the Reds' key man Luis Suarez, the Hammers won
an 85th minute corner which Jack Collison met with a header that beat home
keeper Pepe Reina. However, Lucas was stationed by the post to block on the
line and extend the Londoners' long wait for victory at Anfield, although
they were happy to gain a valuable point from the 0-0 draw. Midfielder
Collison, who entered the fray as a 63rd minute substitute, was full of
praise for the Hammers' defensive effort. "The boys battled magnificently on
Sunday, right from Jussi all the way to Coley," he said. "They worked hard
and it would have been nice if my header had gone in, but at the end of the
day a point's a great result here. "I'm not normally in the box attacking
corners, but I found myself in there for that one. I caught it nicely and
beat the keeper, but Lucas on the line cleared it. It wasn't to be. "We
definitely deserved the point. The boys at the back were brilliant all day,
James Tomkins came in and was magnificent. He made a great block on the line
and was excellent throughout. "We knew they were a good team with good
players. Attacking is one of their strong points, but we nullified them well
today, worked hard and created a couple of chances as well. It was the
perfect gameplan you could say from us, so well done to the gaffer."
The point was the twelfth gained by the Hammers on their travels this season
and Collison believes their solid display sets them up nicely for a strong
finish to the campaign. He continued: "It's a massive boost with seven games
to go. We want to go on a little run now and try to stay unbeaten from now
until the end of the season. If we can't do that, we want to get as many
points as we can. We want a strong finish to really send out a statement to
everyone, prove that we're here and that we're going to be a force to be
reckoned with. "A top-half finish is very possible. If we concentrate on
ourselves, take each game as it comes and get some more points on the board
then we can do it. That's what we're aiming for as a team - we're not
looking behind us, we're looking to push on rather than stay still."
Next up for Sam Allardyce's men is a trip to Southampton, who pipped the
Hammers to the second automatic promotion spot from the Championship last
season. Collison was key to West Ham making it up through the play-offs and
now he wants to get one over the Saints at St Mary's. He added: "They've got
a new manager who has come in recently and they're on a good run at the
moment. They're playing well, but we feel as a team and as a club that we've
got a little point to prove there. "Maybe there's going to be a little more
on the game than people may think because we were disappointed not to go up
automatically last year. A lot of the boys are still here and that still
stays with them. We're going to go there and look to get the three points."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cole happy with rare Anfield point
WHUFC.com
West Ham United striker Carlton Cole was pleased to do his bit as the
Hammers drew 0-0 at Liverpool
09.04.2013
Carlton Cole was delighted to play his part as West Ham United gained a
valuable point at Liverpool on Sunday. The long-serving Hammers striker was
handed his first start in more than two months in the absence of Andy
Carroll, who was unavailable at Anfield due to the terms of his loan
agreement from the Reds.
Cole enjoyed being part of a fine team effort at Anfield and is hoping for
more opportunities during the final seven games of the 2012/13 campaign. He
told West Ham TV: "It was tiring to be honest! I hadn't played for quite a
while and normally you'd hope to be weaned little by little with a few sub
appearances, but I went straight in at the deep end and the result was the
reward. "I would love to have scored a goal, but this was the first result
I've got up there in a long while, so I'm very happy. "I was happy with my
performance, considering I hadn't played for quite a while and I'm not match
sharp. I'm a fit lad though and I can do a 90 [minutes] if called upon at
any time so hopefully I can get more 90s under my belt between now and the
end of the season. "At the end of the day if you come in and you haven't
been looking after yourself, you're only hurting yourself and your
teammates. I've done my utmost to keep myself in shape."
Cole was heavily involved in trying to hold the ball up for his team as they
looked to hit Liverpool on the counter attack and he felt his task got
easier as the hosts opened up in the second period. He explained: "In the
first half they were a bit more tentative to go forward and they had a lot
of players that covered me. Their wing-backs were going forward to support
Luis Suarez and everybody, so our wingers had to go and support our
full-backs. "So when the ball did come up to me I was a bit isolated, but
when Liverpool started going for the game a little bit, we had some time
going the other way to try to put them under pressure. "When that happened,
I got better support and we created a few chances. We were unlucky not to
nick it as well. All the players did their bit to try and score a goal. It
was a good game. "Liverpool are a great outfit, everyone knows that. So to
go up there, especially with our away form not being too great, and do the
job we did was good. "We stuck to the manager's tactics and what he asked us
to do, and I think he's very happy with what we achieved on Sunday."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
U18s score West Brom win
WHUFC.com
West Ham United scored a second straight Barclays U18 Premier League Tier
One victory on Tuesday
09.04.2013
West Ham United scored a second straight Barclays U18 Premier League Tier
One victory by overcoming West Bromwich Albion 3-1 on Tuesday. A young
Hammers side headed for the Midlands on the back of their first win in seven
matches - a 3-1 home success against Wolverhampton Wanderers on 30 March -
and produced another impressive performance at the Baggies' training ground.
With a number of scholars on Development Squad duty on Monday evening, U18s
manager Steve Potts called upon a number of schoolboys, including defender
Emanuel Onariase and forward Djair Parfitt-Williams. Both played well, with
Parfitt-Williams netting his first goal at U18 level to equaliser after West
Brom had taken a first-half lead. An attack down the right flank culminated
in Kieran Sadlier crossing to the far post, where Parfitt-Williams was
waiting to head home. After the break, the Hammers took charge, going ahead
when right-back Kyle Knoyle raced forward before finding Parfitt-Williams.
He cut inside and crossed for a trialist to shoot into the net from inside
the penalty area. West Ham's victory was completed by an own-goal. A
cross-field ball from left to right again found Knoyle in space. He ran down
the wing before playing the ball into Nathan Mavila, whose cross was headed
into his own net by a West Brom defender. Back-to-back victories have taken
the Hammers from bottom of the table two weeks ago to fourth, level on
points with third-place Liverpool. West Ham return to Barclays U18 Premier
League Tier One action on Saturday, when Sunderland visit Little Heath for
an 11am kick-off.
West Ham United U18s: Howes, Knoyle, Page, Makasi, Harney, Onariase, Miles
(Mavila 53), Marlow, Trialist (Boakye-Yiadom 88), Parfitt-Williams
(Girdlestone 88), Sadlier
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers praised for Hillsborough tribute
WHUFC.com
West Ham United were thanked by Liverpool for their part in remembering the
Hillsborough disaster
09.04.2013
West Ham United played a full part in Sunday's events at Anfield to mark the
anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster. The Hammers' match at Liverpool
was the Reds' last home fixture before the 24th anniversay of the tragedy,
which saw 96 Liverpool fans lose their lives at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final
against Nottingham Forest. The club laid a wreath at the Hillsborough
Memorial at Anfield on the morning of the game, and an impeccably-observed
minute's silence was held before the match, in which both sets of players
wore black armbands. Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers had praise for the
Hammers' mark of respect. "I'd like to say 'well done' and congratulations
to the West Ham fans because I thought it was a brilliant response.
"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."
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce added: "The Hillsborough disaster was a
tragedy which touched all football fans, no matter who your club is, and it
was important for us to show our respects for those who were so tragically
killed on that day in 1989. "As we'd expect, our fans were brilliant in
their observance of the minute's silence and were great ambassadors for the
club on what is an important day for Liverpool."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Haycock targets strong finish
WHUFC.com
Dev Squad manager Nick Haycock urged his side to kick on after holding
league leaders Spurs
09.04.2013
Nick Haycock is not about to give up on his pursuit of a top-three Barclays
Under-21 Premier League Elite Group finish after the Development Squad held
runaway leaders Tottenham Hotspur to a compelling 1-1 draw at the Boleyn
Ground. Brazilian frontman Wellington Paulista headed the Hammers in front
after just 16 minutes, before Republic of Ireland youth international
Kenneth McEvoy levelled matters seven minutes before the interval. Though
both sides spurned several opportunities thereafter, an entertaining affair
would end a point apiece, with Haycock rightly looking upwards as the Elite
Group heads into its latter stages. "There are four games to go and I've set
the challenge to the boys to have a real go at trying to get this third
place," Haycock told West Ham TV.
"Other teams will drop points and if we can amass as many points as we can
in those four games, it will give us a competitive total to challenge that
third place. That's in our hands and we've got to go about the games in the
same manner as we did at the start of the Elite Group and we'll see where
that takes us."
Haycock was understandably impressed with his side's showing against a Spurs
side scoring goals for fun in recent weeks and reckons it's further evidence
of his young charges' capacity to compete with the very best at this level.
"That was a pleasing performance, particularly as we'd not played for three
weeks," he added. "I always knew the start was important and I thought we
got about them well. Tottenham play a patient, passing style with good
technical players and it was about stopping them then obviously trying to
hurt them. "In the first 20-25 minutes, we were deservedly winning 1-0 and
at the minimum we should have come in at 2-0. But we've conceded on the
counter-attack and I felt we lost our way towards the end of the first-half.
"Half-time was about reorganising and looking at what we were doing well and
to keep doing that. We started the second half the better team and they
probably finished the game the stronger.
"But in terms of chances, I think it was pretty even. Jake Larkins has made
three great saves but equally so has their keeper. Overall, we feel slightly
disappointed that we haven't got three points. "It should give the lads lots
of confidence, looking at the last run of games we've had against the bigger
teams, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United. We've competed and we look
more at home at this level."
Meanwhile, the U21s boss was pleased with the contribution of his two senior
frontmen, with Paulista, in particular, desperately unfortunate not to add
to his first-half strike. "Wellington took his goal well and he was unlucky.
On another night he could have come away with a hat-trick. "To be fair to
Modibo, I explained to him before the game that these lads want you to run
around for them up there and show the potent threat he was in France. We
asked him to hold the ball up for us, threaten in the air, in behind and
cause the backline problems. In fairness to him, he did that for us."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Club halve disabled season ticket increase
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 9th April 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United have announced that the planned 107 per cent season ticket
price hike for disabled supporters has been halved. Following last week's
storm over the price rise, as first highlighted here on KUMB.com, the club
have written to disabled fans to confirm that next season's ticket will now
'only' cost an additional 50 per cent.
In a second letter to disabled season ticket holders (you may see the first
one here), West Ham vice chair Karren Brady said: "The club enjoys a good
relationship with its diabled supporters and we do not wish to jeapordise
this is any way and are sensitive to the prices we are considering and how
this may affect you.
"Also, I have taken on the feedback and have decided that the prices will
not increase by more than 50 per cent of this year's current rate, and we
will be creating a new Band 5 price range instead, which bearing mind there
has been no increase [apart from inflation] for 21 years. I hope yuo will
agree this is a good compromise."
The news was cautiously welcomed by KUMB members including Richard Vann, who
penned recent KUMB article 'So This Is Affordable Football?' in protest at
the club's decision to more than double the cost of disabled fans' season
tickets.
"Having taken on board the feedback, Karren Brady has decided to back track
on the original 'careful' review of the ticketing policy," he said.
"I'm sure all disabled fans will welcome that, but a 50 per cent rise would
still set a precedent for future rises and in the current climate, it's
still a disgraceful increase and doesn't go far enough in my view, to
appease the original debacle.
"It also has implications, I believe, for all ST holders; the club and Ms
Brady can use such a hike for disabled fans as a lever to justify big rises
across the board. All ST holders should be concerned and suspicious of this
move.
"I am of the view that our club have created this issue for disabled fans to
'test the waters' and to gauge reaction; after all, how could other season
ticket holders make a justifiable argument in the future, if the club can
then point to the precedent set for such a big rise made for disabled fans?"
Mr Vann also disputed Ms Brady's claims that there had been no increase in
season ticket costs even with inflation accounted for.
"This simply isn't true," he countered. "In 2011/12 the cost was £265; this
season it is £290. Even with my basic maths ability, that equates to a 9.4
per cent rise from last season - way above inflation at the time."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham midfielder Gary O'Neil convinced experience has been key this
season
Last Updated: April 9, 2013 11:03pm
SSN
West Ham midfielder Gary O'Neil believes the experience in the squad and
backroom staff has helped them as they bid to retain their Premier League
status.
Sam Allardyce's side were only promoted to the top-flight last season but
they lie 12th in the table, six points clear of the relegation zone. O'Neil
is convinced the experience in the camp has aided their cause following
their return to the Premier League via the play-offs last season after they
were relegated in 2010/11. "We maybe had the edge because we have got a lot
of players and the manager and staff who have played and worked in the
Premier League before," he said. We were only down for a season as well so
the lads are used to playing in the PL so we maybe took to it quicker than
they did. "We also we had a slightly easier run of fixtures at the start
that helped us build up some momentum."
Following a strong start to the season that saw that saw the Hammers settle
into the top half of the table they began to struggle after the turn of the
year.
But recent victories over Stoke and West Brom, as well as a battling point
at Liverpool on Sunday, have left Allardyce's side in a strong position to
play top-flight football next season. When asked if the team struggled to
rediscover their early season form, O'Neil added: "I think it took us a
little while, it does hit you confidence-wise as a squad. "Even if you are
losing to the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United, it does dent the
confidence. It was hard to get another run going. "But fortunately we've got
a little one going now and have picked up seven points from our last four
games which is good and can hopefully be added to this weekend. "We've
always said we want to finish as high as we can, we weren't just focusing on
avoiding relegation. "Our aim was always to finish as high up as possible,
we want to get to 40 (points) first to make well and truly sure we are safe
but then by no means will we stop there."
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Cole keen to Hammer deal
Published: 5 hrs ago
The Sun
CARLTON COLE is hoping Sam Allardyce will give him another chance to win a
new deal at West Ham. The Hammers striker, 29, will become a free agent this
summer after seven years at Upton Park. Cole has struggled to command a
first-team place this season under boss Allardyce. But he played the full 90
minutes in Sunday's 0-0 draw with Liverpool. And he said: "Hopefully I can
get more games under my belt before the end of the season."
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