Daily WHUFC News - 29th December 2013

Hammers held in see-saw draw
WHUFC.com
West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion shared six goals in a thrilling
draw on Saturday
28.12.2013

West Ham United 3-3 West Bromwich Albion
Barclays Premier League

West Ham United led twice and had to come from behind once as they played
out a thrilling 3-3 draw with West Bromwich Albion at the Boleyn Ground on
Saturday. Both sides had control of a pulsating contest for periods and both
would ultimately have felt unsatisfied with the conclusion. Joe Cole fired
the Hammers in front early on, but a quickfire Nicolas Anelka double just
before the interval turned the contest on its head. Modibo Maiga's
introduction breathed new life into the home side's efforts and he scored
one and set up another, for Kevin Nolan, as they enjoyed a fruitful two
minute spell of their own midway through the second period. But West Brom
were not done yet, and Saido Berahino soon levelled to keep West Ham in the
bottom three. Joe Cole was making his 150th Premier League appearance and he
helped the Hammers get off to the perfect start, slotting home by the near
post after bursting on to Kevin Nolan's through ball and bearing down on
goal. If the Hammers were jubilant, their mood was checked on ten minutes
when James Tomkins went down with a groin injury. With both James Collins
and Winston Reid already out with injury problems of their own, Sam
Allardyce was forced to field two makeshift centre-backs in the shape of
George McCartney and Joey O'Brien. Even with the re-shuffle, West Ham still
went close to doubling their advantage on the half hour when Joe Cole dinked
a cross to the far post, where Carlton Cole nodded back. Guy Demel collected
the ball as it ran across him and tried to force goalwards, but hit the
outside of the post with his effort. West Brom had threatened to get in
behind the new-look West Ham defence, but hadn't managed it until the 40th
minute, when Anelka rolled back the years to bring his side level. Chris
Brunt was the man to prod it through to the former French international, who
timed his run to perfection and guided past the recalled Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Then, five minutes later, the Baggies left the Boleyn Ground crowd stunned
when they won a corner down the left, which perhaps should have been a
goal-kick, and Anelka reacted first to poke home after Carlton Cole blocked
the initial effort on the line.
The swift turnaround seemed to have flattened the Hammers and Anelka went
close to sealing his hat-trick two minutes after the restart when he got on
the end of Billy Jones' pull back, but Jaaskelainen was well-placed to save
at the near post.

West Ham introduced Maiga from the bench at the interval, and he sparked the
second half revival with a left-footed bolt from the blue on 63 minutes that
Ben Foster did well to tip over the bar. Two minutes later however, the
Baggies stopper could only watch as the ball flew past his right hand as
Maiga this time got the better of him with a bouncing shot from inside the
area. West Ham now had the momentum and they cashed in with another goal
just two minutes later. Maiga was again involved, rising highest to nod Mark
Noble's stood-up cross back for Nolan to hook home for his second of the
season. Back came West Brom though, and a third goal in a crazy four-minute
spell brought them level once more. It came from a finish of the highest
quality from England U21 international Berahino, who squared up Guy Demel
before shifting the ball on to his left foot and cracking a shot beyond
Jaaskelainen and in via the far post. Both sides pushed for a winner in a
breathless conclusion to an entralling match, and the Baggies came closest
to it when Berahino's free-kick rattled a post. The Hammers survived that
scare to ensure they ended 2013 with a point.

West Ham United: Jaaskelainen; O'Brien, Tomkins (Demel 10), McCartney, Rat;
Nolan, Noble, Diame; J.Cole (Collison 83), C.Cole (Maiga 46), Jarvis
Subs: Adrian, Taylor, Diarra, Chambers
Goals: J.Cole 4, Maiga 65, Nolan 67
Booked: C.Cole, Nolan, Diame

West Bromwich Albion: Foster; Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Lugano (Amalfitano
68), Ridgewell; Morrison (Yacob 78), Mulumbu, Brunt; Berahino (Sessegnon
85), Anelka
Subs: Myhill, Sinclair, Vydra, Dawson
Goals: Anelka 40, Anelka 45+1, Berahino 69
Booked: Mulumbu, Ridgewell

Referee: Mike Dean
Attendance: 34,946

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Big Sam on West Brom draw
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce spoke to West Ham TV following the 3-3 Barclays Premier League
draw with West Brom
28.12.2013

Sam Allardyce admitted to feeling 'drained' after Saturday's rollercoaster
3-3 Barclays Premier League draw with West Bromwich Albion. The Hammers led
twice and trailed once in a thrilling contest at the Boleyn Ground, only to
be denied a valuable victory by Saido Berahino's fine finish. Earlier, Joe
Cole had given West Ham a third-minute lead before Nicolas Anelka returned
to haunt his former Bolton Wanderers boss with two goals in six minutes
before half-time.
After a difficult start to the second half, the Hammers scored twice in
three minutes through substitute Modibo Maiga and captain Kevin Nolan before
Berahino silenced the cheers with a pinpoint strike in off the base of the
upright. All that, added to losing James Tomkins with a groin injury when
West Ham were leading 1-0, left Big Sam feeling a whole host of emotions
when he spoke to West Ham TV. "Drained is probably an understatement of how
I feel after that game," said Big Sam. "We went through the full range of
emotions during the game. We made a fantastic start, had a comfortable 30-35
minutes and suffered the massive blow of James Tomkins having to come off
the field. "That normally wouldn't be a cost if we'd had our other central
defenders fit. The only place we couldn't stand an injury was at centre-half
and the only place we suffered an injury was to a centre-half. Everything
seems to be going against us at the moment, but that means we have to keep
fighting hard and against this until things start going for us a little bit
more. "We had to play four full-backs in a back four and, not that I am
criticising George or Joey really, that's probably where their first two
goals came from. The first one, Nicolas got through the middle and from a
central defender's point of view, you have to stay goalside or else the
striker is right in the middle of the goal. When you're a full-back, it's
not as big a problem as they're only going to be crossing, but when it
happens down the middle they're going to be shooting at goal. "For the
second goal, I don't think they were particularly at fault for anything but
we didn't have the height to deal with the opposition. With all of our
centre-backs being out injured, we're playing six foot full-backs marking
players who are six foot three or six foot four. That was the problem with
the second goal, plus we didn't think it was a corner in the first place,
but we thought it was a goal kick. "We changed our centre forward because I
thought Coley was fatigued after doing a great job against Arsenal. He got a
little tired at the end of the first half and Modibo is a lot fresher than
him, so he came on and did the business. That's what you want from your
centre forward, to get you back in the game, and that's what he has done
brilliantly. "Kevin got a goal when we needed it and every goal he seems to
score is an important one. It didn't go on and win us the game but we didn't
lose it. I thought we'd go on to win it and the only criticism is that we
didn't do what we practice every week after we have scored. They did it OK
after we scored our first two, but they didn't do it right when they scored
our third and that was to allow them straight into our box and score without
us getting a toe, tackle or block on anything. That's not us on how we
practice week-in, week-out."

After keeping eight clean sheets in their opening 16 games, West Ham
conceded three goals for the third league game in succession. The manager
pointed to the injuries suffered by Winston Reid, James Collins and Tomkins
as the major reason for his side's recent defensive woes. "Because of our
injury problems we've started to concede goals and we will continue to
concede goals if we have to play people out of position in defence. It is
just a necessity at the moment because we are coping with six or seven
injured and it's a massive problem for us. "We have to reduce that number of
injured players as quickly as possible because we've had it for far too long
and it's why we are in the bottom three of the league - it's as simple as
that."

After conceding to Berahino with 20 minutes remaining, both teams continued
to attack and either one could have nicked a victory in the closing stages.
"Both teams decided that they wanted to try and win," continued Big Sam. "We
went to try and win and so did they and it could have gone either way. The
disappointing thing was that we couldn't hold onto our 3-2 advantage for ten
minutes because I think that would have perhaps won us the game.
"Like I said, I can't be too critical of the back four because I have a back
four that shouldn't be playing as a back four with full-backs at
centre-half. It has to be like that for this moment in time."
With the 2013 fixture list now complete, the New Year begins with a trip to
Fulham and the opening of the transfer window on 1 January. With defenders
and forwards injured, Big Sam admitted he is desperate to sign
reinforcements, but that clinching deals early in the window may prove
difficult. "I have to say that disappointingly from our point of view, most
of the targets we hoped to sign by 2 January are now not available, having
either decided not to join us or ventured on a new negotiation elsewhere.
"We've been at it for six weeks now and my need is ever more desperate than
the position we're in for new players in January, but our desire to get new
players in has fallen because most clubs don't want to loan players or let
them go. "We hope we will get new recruits but they have to be good enough.
If I pick a player who is not good enough then everybody will destroy him
before he starts, so I need to pick a player who can hit the ground running
from the start and do the business from the beginning. That's the issue. "We
didn't want to have to sign any players in January but it looks like we
might have to. More important than recruiting new players is getting our
injured players fit as soon as possible."

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Turgott on target for U's
WHUFC.com
Hammers loanee Blair Turgott scored his first league goal in a 4-0 win for
Colchester United
27.12.2013

Blair Turgott registered his first senior career goal on Thursday as West
Ham United's trio of loanees each enjoyed a successful Boxing Day. The
19-year-old winger opened the scoring for Colchester United after ten
minutes, helping the U's put four without reply past struggling Stevenage at
the Weston Homes Community Stadium. Turgott took full advantage of a
goalkeeping mishap, as Stevenage stopper Chris Day spilled Brian Wilson's
cross, allowing the teenager to bag the opener. A Jabo Ibehre volley, prior
to a Craig Eastmond double, completed the scoring, while Turgott was
latterly replaced by Sanchez Watt. The U's sit 13th in Sky Bet League One
and play host to Crewe Alexandra on Sunday. Also in League One, Jordan
Spence played his part in another Milton Keynes Dons victory, as they won
2-0 at ten-man Crawley Town.

While the Hammers centre-half completed the contest, Stephen Gleeson and
Chelsea loanee Patrick Bamford scored in either half, before the hosts had
Billy Clarke sent off in the 85th minute. Thursday's success is the Dons'
fourth on the spin in all competitions, with four clean sheets to boot. Karl
Robinson's men are now well placed in tenth, with a trip to Brentford on
Sunday in store. Elsewhere, Pelly Ruddock's Luton Town extended their
unbeaten run in the Skrill Conference Premier to 16 games, with a 2-1 win at
Barnet. With Ruddock playing the full 90 in the heart of midfield, Paul
Benson and Alex Lawless put the visitors two goals to the good, before Jon
Nurse was dismissed in first-half stoppage time. Though Jake Hyde halved the
deficit after the interval, the Hatters held on to claim all three points
and stay just a point behind leaders Cambridge United. Ruddock will likely
be back in action on Saturday, as Luton host Kidderminster Harriers.

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West Ham 3 West Brom 3
28 December 2013
Last updated at 15:19
By Nabil Hassan
BBC Sport

West Ham remain in the Premier League's bottom three after an entertaining
draw with fellow strugglers West Brom. Joe Cole put the Hammers ahead with a
low shot but Nicolas Anelka equalised before poking in two minutes later to
give the Baggies a 2-1 half-time lead. West Ham levelled through Modibo
Maiga's 20-yard shot and Kevin Nolan prodded home from close range to put
the home side back in front. But Saido Berahino equalised again for West
Brom with a fine low strike. It was the third goal in five breathless
minutes at Upton Park in a game both sides needed to win to help in their
respective relegation battles.
West Ham are without a win in six Premier League matches as the pressure
continues to mount on manager Sam Allardyce, who went into this game
describing it as a "must-win" encounter. His side, who have recorded only
two league victories all season, now have key games coming up against fellow
strugglers Fulham and Cardiff. They are attempting to turn around their
season against a backdrop of mounting injury problems in defence. Already
without James Collins and Winston Reid, they lost James Tomkins midway
through the first half against the Baggies. West Brom's search for a new
boss continues but whoever takes the helm at The Hawthorns will do so with
the club scrapping at the wrong end of the table, just two points above the
relegation zone, having not won in their last nine. They should have taken
an early lead at Upton Park when Chris Brunt volleyed James Morrison's
whipped cross into the side netting.
West Brom were made to pay just a minute later when they fell behind through
Joe Cole's strike. Carlton Cole flicked on Jussi Jaaskelainen's goal-kick
and neat interplay between Nolan and Joe Cole released the former Chelsea
and Liverpool man who fired a fierce shot past the onrushing Ben Foster.
Half chances for Carlton Cole and Guy Demel followed before Mark Noble
curled a 20-yard free kick just wide of the angle. "There were boos from the
home crowd on the final whistle as another home game slips away without a
victory. "West Brom may be happy with a point away from home but West Ham
head into 2014 deep in trouble and in the relegation zone with two crucial
games coming up against Fulham and Cardiff City."

West Brom had been guilty of producing neat midfield passing without any end
product but in the final five minutes of the half they not only equalised
but took the lead. Both goals came from Anelka, who was making a return from
a two-month absence. His double resulted in him becoming only the ninth man
in Premier League history to score for six different clubs. The first came
in typical Anelka fashion. Latching onto Brunt's through ball he outmuscled
and outpaced Joey O'Brien before shooting past Jaaskelainen. Moments later
West Brom were in front after a header from a disputed corner was cleared
off the line by Carlton Cole and into the path of Anelka, who prodded home
from close range. The Hammers left the field to a chorus of boos and things
could have got worse for the home side immediately after the break but
Anelka side-footed straight at Jaaskelainen from close range while Berahino
sent a drive just wide. West Ham finally began to impose themselves on the
second half and Joe Cole went close with a fierce free-kick that flew just
past Foster's post. Nicolas Anelka became only the ninth man in Premier
League history to score for six different clubs joining Craig Bellamy,
Marcus Bent, Darren Bent, Robbie Keane, Nick Barmby, Andy Cole, Les
Ferdinand, and Peter Crouch. The West Brom keeper was again called into
action soon after, pulling off a wonderful full-stretch save to keep out
substitute Maiga's curling effort from 20 yards that was heading for the top
corner. But Foster was at fault moments later as he allowed Maiga's low
strike from a similar position to go under his sprawling dive. Nolan then
put the Hammers in front from close range following Maiga's nod down from
Noble's cross. But Albion were not finished and Berahino levelled with a
wonderful low strike across Jaaskelainen that cannoned in off the post. The
England Under-21 striker then crashed a curling free kick from the edge of
the area against the post while Nolan sent a header over the bar as both
sides searched in vain for a winner.

West Brom caretaker manager Keith Downing: "Everyone else enjoyed it apart
from me, it was end-to-end, not one for defensive purists. I have mixed
emotions because we edged ahead but credit to West Ham, they came back
strongly. "We've come back twice from behind in two days. Nicolas is a top
quality player. He's waited patiently for an opportunity. His two goals is
what he's all about, a lot of class. "A lot of credit goes to the academy
staff with Saido. He has a lot of ability, he has to keep his feet on the
ground, he's got Nico looking after him, always advising him. It's a good
combination. "After the initial shock of what happened with Steve Clarke,
the players have galvanised themselves, got together as a group. I'm very
proud of them. "I'll let the chairman and board go on hunting for the right
man, I'll carry on as long as they want me to."

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Sam Allardyce: West Ham boss says injuries will decide fate
BBC.co.uk

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce says his side's chances of staying the Premier
League depend on how quickly their injured players return to action.
Centre-back James Tomkins became the latest player to join a casualty list
half a dozen strong when he was injured in Saturday's 3-3 draw with West
Brom. West Ham are second from bottom midway though the season. "The
deciding factor will not be what signings we make, but how quickly our
injured players come back," he said. Following James Tomkins' departure
after 10 minutes, West Ham's back four were left-backs George McCartney and
Razvan Rat and right-backs Joey O'Brien and Guy Demel "If the players
missing were fit, we'd have won the game." Tomkins joins fellow centre-back
James Collins on the sidelines after his colleague's injury against Arsenal
on Boxing Day. The Hammers are also without record signing Andy Carroll,
midfielders Ravel Morrison and Stewart Downing, defender Winston Reid and
striker Ricardo Vaz Te, as well as forward Mladen Petric, who has reportedly
been released by the club. "When you have six or seven players injured it's
too much to cope with," Allardyce told BBC Sport. West Ham led twice on
Saturday, the second time coming when Kevin Nolan put them 3-2 up in the
67th minute, but Saido Berahino's equaliser two minutes later ensured the
points were shared. "It's very frustrating," Allardyce said. "There is a
reason why, no centre-backs are fit - losing James Tomkins was a big blow
for us. Our coping mechanism was playing four full-backs across the back
four and that has cost us three points. "They did their very best but got
caught out. We didn't have enough aerial threat defending corners. "We
practice on the training ground how to hold onto leads, but the players
forgot how to deal with West Brom's kick-off and stop them scoring. You can
blame anxiety or fatigue, but you can't forget how to deal with them. "That
switch-off for the few seconds has made life difficult for us, West Brom
looked down and out."

Two of West Ham's next three games are cup matches, at Nottingham Forest in
the FA Cup third round and at Manchester City in the League Cup semi-final
first leg, but Allardyce is focusing purely on the New Year's Day Premier
League clash with fellow strugglers Fulham. "Cups don't mean anything any
more," the former Bolton manager said. "We've worked our way to the League
Cup semi-finals. It doesn't matter, what does is our Premier League status
and getting points. The cups are secondary in our plight, especially with
our injuries."

Allardyce was not impressed by the attitude of some of the Hammers
supporters towards the players. "The fans have to understand, the players
are trying their best. We have had two games in less than 48 hours - and the
injury problems," he said. "They pay their money, they can do what they
want. You have to give them something to cheer about, we did. When there's a
lull [the fans have to] help us get back into it, rather than wait for us to
get you on the edge of your seat."

Allardyce's job is rumoured to be in doubt but midfielder Kevin Nolan, who
also played under the manager at Bolton, said: "It's all about us sticking
together as a club. We need to the fans to stick with us as well. I am sure
we will be OK at the end of the season. "Any of the six teams in trouble, if
Sam was out of a job, they would hire him to keep them up. The chairmen have
been brilliant with him and we'll be all right."

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Downing on....West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 28th December 2013
By: Staff Writer No.2

West Bromwich Albion caretaker boss Keith Downing shares his view on today's
3-3 draw, when not being asked about Anelka's "gesture" and his job
prospects.....

Both defences went to sleep today..

It wasn't the purest for defences was it? I think that in fairness we set up
a system like we did against Tottenham with three at the back. West Ham
tried to exploit that. I thought that in the first half we had control of
the possession and we got ourselves in front. Credit to West Ham they got
the momentum, put us under pressure. As they scored the third we changed our
system nd gave them a problem. Good game to watch but I can't say I'm
satisfied with the way the team defended. You can't concede three goals too
many times.

Are you aware Nicolas [Anelka] seems to have been caught in some sort of a
storm with his goal celebrations?

I'm aware of it. It's got nothing to do with what's been said. He's
dedicated it to a French comedian who he knows very well. It's a gesture he
uses in his act. So we can stop that speculation now. It's absolute rubbish
really.

Jack Wilshire was punished for a gesture recently. Do you expect there to be
any problem with Nicolas?

No. Not at all. It was dedicated to a friend of his who happens to be a
comedian. The speculation being thrown around, he is totally surprised by
it.

It was an anti-semetic gesture....

(At this point West Brom's press manager intervenes): I think Keith's
answered that question. Nicko's explained it

So the club won't be taking any action?

Press manager again He has nothing else to say. Move on to the game please.

What did you make of his performance?

I thought he had a good game. He combined well with Berahino. He has that
quality to drop in there and link the play. It's been a while since he
figured and played but his attitude and dedication have been spot on.

He's happy at the club?

Yes – he wants to play and is prepared to play.

You said it was ridiculous having to play so soon after Boxing day. West Ham
were presumably in the same boat. Do you think that that had an effect on
the game??

Yes there were a few tired legs out there. There were six new faces out
there in an attempt to freshen things up. It's good for entertainment of
course – there's a lot of goals going in. But it's a tough shift for the
players.

Are you aware of where the club is regarding a new manager?

No I'm not aware. All I've been told is to carry on and I'll do that until
the new year. If anything happens before that I'll step down and help the
new guy whoever comes in. They put a press statement out yesterday that
thanked myself and Dean [Kiely] for supporting the players so that's what
I'm going t continue to do.

You've come from behind twice in the last three games and twice today. How
much credit do you take as manager for getting the players to rally?

I think that comes from the players to be honest. They take a lot of credit
for the fact that they grow when we concede. You can say I made
substitutions I could sit here and take all the adulation – but I won't.
It's the eleven on the field that make it happen.

Have you been given any indication that you might be required to stay on in
the seat a little longer?

No I've not been told that at all. I know you guys picked up on the Spanish
chap [ex Real Betis manager Pepe Mel], He was interviewed but he wasn't for
the club. It's unwise of me to get involved in that. I could get distracted
and I don't want that to transfer to the players. The players know I'm fully
focussed. I've got great support staff – Dean and the rest of the guys.,
Dave Oldfield, they've all been very supportive and I'm just concentrating
on that.

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West Ham Utd 3-3 West Brom
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 28th December 2013
By: Staff Writer

There were goals-a-plenty at the Boleyn this afternoon as two teams
struggling to score in the Premier League defied the bookies' odds to
produce a six-goal thriller.

Prior to kick-off you could have got anywhere between 50 and 80-1 for a 3-3
draw, with few expecting a deluge of goals from an encounter between two
teams that had managed just 34 between them in the 36 Premier League
fixtures they had played prior to today's meeting.

West Ham, bereft of half a team through injury and hampered further by the
withdrawal of their only fit central defender James Tomkins after just eight
minutes took to the field featuring no less than nine free transfers, with
only Matt Jarvis and Kevin Nolan having troubled the co-owners' bank
accounts.

Yet this merry band of graduates, cast-offs and last chance saloon-dwellers
had a nervous home crowd on their feet after just four minutes when Joe Cole
combined with captain Nolan, back in the team following his recent
three-match suspension before firing across Albion's Ben Foster to give
United an early, critical lead. Guy Demel almost doubled United's advantage
on the half-hour mark but the woodwork proved an unwelcome obstacle.

It was a lead that was to last until five minutes before the interval when
Nicolas Anelka eluded West Ham's makeshift central defensive pairing of Joey
O'Brien and George McCartney before squeezing the ball past Jussi
Jasskelainen. The Frenchman's subsequent goal celebration, a nod to
controversial comedian Dieudonne M'bala M'bala was later revealed to have
anti-Semitic overtones which the FA, in their infinite wisdom, have already
confirmed they will be investigating.

That semi-comedic episode of defending was usurped moments later when West
Ham somehow contrived to turn a promising lead into a half time deficit.
With Albion having been incorrectly awarded a corner when Joe Cole's tackle
on James Morrison was given the way of the visitors by the
regularly-incompetent Mike Dean, Anelka poked the Baggies into the lead when
he was first to react after Carlton Cole had prevented a certain goal from a
downward header.

Cole himself proved to be the fall guy for that deficit and Modibo Maiga
took his place in the team as the players returned for the second half.
Whether it was a tactical decision or merely one prompted by a horrible
challenge on Jonas Olsson that left the giant Swede with two new stripes in
his thigh (that he took great pleasure in exhibiting to a
less-than-sympathetic Lower West Stand) remains unknown outside of the
confines of the dressing room, but it had a pivotal effect on the match.

Maiga, previously likened to seasoned failures such as John Radford and Iain
Dowie having gone an entire calender year without a goal produced just about
the best 45 minutes of his short West Ham career as he turned the game in
the Hammers' favour within the space of three minutes.

With 65 on the clock and a petulant Boleyn crowd baying for blood, he
levelled the scores with a trademark curling, left-footed strike that
(somehow) evaded Foster before nestling inside the 'keeper's right-hand
post. Just two minutes later his far post header from Mark Noble's cross
allowed a rejuvenated Nolan to twist his body goalwards before diverting
Maiga's knockdown into the roof of Albion's net.

Celebrating Irons supporters were afforded mere seconds in which to enjoy
their team's unexpected advantage as within two minutes Albion's exciting
youngster Saido Berahino - a team mate of West Ham's (unavailable) Ravel
Morrison in England's Under 21s camp - fired across Jaaskelainen from an
acute angle to make it 3-3, much to the delight of the less-than-capacity -
yet lively, as ever - Baggies contingent behind the goal.

Disappointment at losing the lead was tempered somewhat when Mo Diame
conceded a second successive free kick on the perimeter of the penalty box
with just ten minutes remaining and Berahino's resulting effort smashed
against the post before bouncing to safety. West Ham have cursed their luck
all season but the good Lady was certainly smiling on those of a claret and
blue persuasion at that precise moment.

Sam Allardyce had billed today's encounter as a six-pointer yet on
reflection it's unlikely he will be too dissatisfied with his team's overall
performance. Up against it for most of the match with no recognised central
defenders and missing key personnel such as Carroll, Reid, Downing, Collins
and Morrison, West Ham's second half recovery and general willingness to
fight should at least give hope to both Allardyce and those seriously
concerned by the team's current position in the Premier League.


West Ham United 3-3 West Bromwich Albion: Match Facts

West Ham Utd: Jaaskelainen, McCartney, Nolan, Tomkins (Demel 8), Jarvis,
Rat, Noble, O'Brien, Diame, C Cole (Maiga 46), J Cole (Collison 83).

Subs not used: Adrian, Chambers, Diarra.

Goals: Cole (4), Maiga (65), Nolan (67).

Booked: C Cole (43), Nolan (57), Diame (81).

Shots on/off target: 16 (6/10).

Possession: 47%.

West Brom: Foster, Olsson, Ridgewell, Morrison (Yacob 78), Brunt, Lugano,
Mulumbu, McAuley, Jones, Berahino (Sessegnon 85), Anelka.

Subs not used: Myhill, Amalfitano, Sinclair, Vydra, Dawson.

Goals: Anelka (40, 45), Berahino (69).

Booked: Mulumbu (48), Ridgewell (90).

Shots on/off target: 22 (7/15).

Possession: 53%.

Referee: Mike Dean (5).

Attendance: 34,946.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tomkins arrest: video surfaces
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 27th December 2013
By: Staff Writer

A brief video of the moment West Ham United's James Tomkins was arrested has
been unveiled on the internet.

Earlier tonight YouTube user SuperJebanks posted a 32 second-long video,
recorded via mobile phone, showing the moment Tomkins was led away by Police
following an altercation outside the Sugar Hut nightspot in Brentwood in the
early hours of Sunday, December 22.

The video begins at the point Tomkins was wrestled to the ground by three
Policeman, whilst a fourth stands close by monitoring the situation. A young
woman with blonde hair is seen being pulled away from the felled defender by
a dark-haired male associate.

At no point does Tomkins, who was later charged with assaulting a police
officer, appear to offer any resistance. Dressed casually in jeans and
t-shirt, the 24-year-old - who was part of the team beaten 3-1 by Arsenal at
the Boleyn Ground yesterday - is due to appear at Basildon Magistrates'
Court on January 9.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Everton striker Nikica Jelavic subject of enquiries from two clubs
Last Updated: 28/12/13 7:32pm
SSN

Roberto Martinez is weighing up whether to let Nikica Jelavic leave Everton
in the January transfer window after confirming two clubs have enquired
about the striker. Jelavic moved to Goodison Park from Rangers during the
2012 January transfer window and enjoyed a blistering start to his Everton
career by scoring nine goals in 13 appearances. However, he mustered just
seven goals in 37 Premier League games last season and has yet to open his
account from eight outings this term. The Croatia international has not
started a game since mid-September and has been forced to provide the
back-up to summer signing Romelu Lukaku in recent months. West Ham United
have been linked with a loan approach for Jelavic in the New Year and
Martinez acknowledged there has been interest in the 28-year-old. With
Jelavic keen for playing time ahead of the World Cup finals, Martinez is now
considering what would be best for both the player and Everton. Speaking
ahead of Sunday's game against Southampton, he told evertontv: "We've had a
couple of enquiries from two different clubs for one of our players. "Nikica
Jelavic is someone who we have made it very clear to - we've had a
conversation and he has the World Cup around the corner. "He needs to be
playing minutes and we understand that. We'll always try to give it a good
assessment of the situation but that's not affecting anyone at the club.
"All we are focusing on is being as good as we can on Sunday. "Whatever
happens in January will be for the good of the football club and that's
where the work is."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce admits lack of fit defenders was key in draw with WBA
Last Updated: 28/12/13 5:45pm
SSN

Sam Allardyce admitted West Ham's defensive woes played a key role in their
3-3 draw with West Brom on Saturday. The Hammers started the game with three
full-backs playing in the back four, then lost James Tomkins to injury,
meaning they were robbed of their only fit centre-back, with Guy Demel
coming on for him. Both teams are struggling in the bottom half of the
table, but West Ham took an early lead through Joe Cole, only to see two
quick-fire goals from Nicolas Anelka before the break earn West Brom a 2-1
half-time lead. The hosts launched a fightback of their own after the break,
with sub Modibo Maiga and skipper Kevin Nolan scoring to put them 3-2 ahead.
But Saido Berahino's angled finish secured a point for the visitors,
ensuring caretaker coach Keith Downing has overseen three draws in three
games. Allardyce admitted he was disappointed to only pocket a point from a
game he described as 'must win' before kick-off, and he told Sky Sports:
"Leading twice at home and not winning is disappointing from my point of
view. "The fact of the matter is that we haven't got the defenders on the
field that we need - and that, for me, is the key to why we've not won the
game. "Playing four full-backs across the back four because every
centre-back is now injured is a massive blow to us. "In fairness to the lads
they showed magnificent coping skills today. The crowd were on their back,
not giving them the support they need - and they turned it around to get the
crowd back on their side. "Maybe there was a little bit of fatigue after
having to play two games in 48 hours. People say that's the way it is - but
it's not right really, and we cope as best as we can. But that's why we
probably saw so many mistakes from both teams - there were some tired legs
in the end. "Neither team were showing the sort of energy they normally can
in a game like this, so it left some more open spaces - but also left some
room for extra errors. "To lose James Tomkins and those two goals knocked us
back a bit - but it was fantastic fighting spirit from the boys."

Allardyce urged the fans to get behind his troops in coming games, saying:
"They've got to understand the players are trying their best - they've had
to play two games in 48 hours and we've got our injury problems, with
Tomkins going off. "Booing them is not going to help them or give them
encouragement to get back into the game. "But at the end of the day, they
pay their money and they can do what they want - we all understand that.
"I'm just saying that sometimes, when there's a lull in the game, get behind
us instead of asking us to get you on the edge of your seats, to help us
back in the game and try to win it. "We did a great job today - every player
gave 100 per cent. We nearly got a very important victory, but in the end we
got a draw."

Allardyce admits he is trying to bolster his beleaguered backline with the
winter window fast approaching, and added: "You've got to find the players
and get them in - but it's hard and we've been trying for six weeks now.
"We're still trying to clinch a deal we haven't clinched yet. Life is very
difficult and the loss of James Tomkins following the loss of James Collins
is a massive blow to us, because with Winston Reid we don't have a
centre-half. "It's a big problem for us that we'll have to cope with until
we get the players who are here fit. "We can bring new players in but that
can't happen until January the 2nd or 3rd. "Fulham is a massive game for us
on New Year's Day and these players have got to go out and show that they've
got the commitment and energy to get the result we need."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham and West Brom serve up 3-3 draw
Last Updated: 28/12/13 6:17pm
SSN

West Ham and West Brom served up a thrilling 3-3 draw in Saturday's early
Premier League game at Upton Park. Joe Cole scored the opening goal of an
action-packed game on four minutes, drilling a right-footed shot past Ben
Foster.

Best of the match

Man of the match: Saido Berahino (West Brom). Scored a superb goal and
overall his pace and movement made him difficult to contain.
Moment of the match: Referee Mike Dean awarded West Brom a corner which led
to their second goal when replays suggest it should have been a goalkick.
Attempt of the match: Nicolas Anelka tried an audacious shot on the turn
from the halfway line and it was narrowly wide.
Save of the match: Ben Foster made a one-handed stop to keep out a curling
effort from Modibo Maiga that was heading for the top corner.
Talking point: The boos from the West Ham fans that greeted the final
whistle only further intensified the growing pressure on manager Sam
Allardyce.
Goal of the game: Anelka was played in by a superb throughball from Chris
Brunt and he deftly flicked the ball over Jaaskelainen.

But a clinical double from Nicolas Anelka, scoring his first Albion goals on
40 and 45 minutes, turned the game on its head before the interval. Sam
Allardyce sent on Modibo Maiga for Carlton Cole at half-time, and the sub
made it 2-2 on 65 minutes with a left-footed strike before setting up Kevin
Nolan to make it 3-2 two minutes later. Saido Berahino drew the scores level
once again on 69 with an angled finish - and hit the upright with a late
free-kick. But both teams had to settle for a point apiece, ensuring both
are firmly locked in a fight for top-flight survival. Sam Allardyce feels
his West Ham side were struggling with fatigue towards the end of their game
with West Brom. The managerless Baggies made the brighter start with Chris
Brunt steering an early shot into the side-netting.
But they fell behind on four minutes when Carlton Cole flicked on a long
punt from Jussi Jaaskelainen to Joe Cole, who played a neat one-two with
Nolan before firing a low right-footed shot past Foster.

James Tomkins went off injured with a groin strain and was replaced by Guy
Demel before Nolan had a penalty claim turned down after his shot struck
Liam Ridgewell's chest in the 18-yard box. Carlton Cole headed a corner over
the crossbar under pressure from Jonas Olsson on 24 minutes, then set up a
chance on 31 for Demel, who swivelled well but struck the upright with a
fierce right-footed effort. Brunt wasted a good chance to equalise on 38
minutes when he declined to shoot with his right foot - but the winger
played a sublime through ball to Nicolas Anelka on 40 and saw the Frenchman
take full advantage, dinking the ball over Jaaskelainen to make it 1-1.

Albion then took the lead in controversial circumstances on 45 after winning
a dubious corner from a Joe Cole challenge with James Morrison. Brunt's
corner was headed goalbound by Olsson, and after Demel blocked tamely on the
goalline, Anelka reacted first to poke the ball into the back of the net.
West Brom caretaker boss Keith Downing says he was incredibly proud of the
effort and commitment shown by his players today. Allardyce sent on Maiga
for Carlton Cole at the break, and after Foster pulled off a stunning save
to tip the striker's left-footed drive over the crossbar, the sub netted an
equaliser on 65 minutes. Once again Maiga let fly with his left foot from 20
yards, and the ball skipped over the diving Foster's right hand to spark
celebrations in the home crowd. Hammers fans were in full voice again two
minutes later as Maiga's knock-down from a Mark Noble cross found Nolan, who
volleyed home from close range to make it 3-2 to the struggling hosts.

But it was 3-3 on 69 minutes, when Berahino cut onto his left foot in the
18-yard box and steered an angled drive into the bottom corner. Both teams
went for the win in the closing stages, with Jaaskalainen saving Brunt's
half-volley and Berahino smacking the upright with a superb free-kick. But
they had to settle for a point each, with Albion now having drawn their last
three league games to remain in a survival scrap with the Hammers, who stay
in the drop zone.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
MESSAGE TO GOLD & SULLIVAN: ALLARDYCE'S FUTURE MUST BE DECIDED NOW
By Iain Dale 28 Dec 2013 at 15:00
West Ham Till I Die

Back in January 2011 West Ham were in a downward spiral. Avram Grant had
lost the dressing room. Martin O'Neill was lined up to take over but then
changed his mind., West Ham then unexpectedly won a match towards the end of
the month and the owners decided to stick with him. Bad mistake. We ended up
being relegated. Those of us who couldn't understand Grant's appointment in
the first place weren't exactly surprised.

We now find ourselves at the end of the year firmly rooted in the bottom
three, having played a series of matches where our performances have been
less than inspiring. Luck hasn't gone our way, to be sure, but throughout
December we haven't deserved to get much out of any of the games. Today's
was another where we were lucky to get a point, even though we led twice.

I'll come on to today's performance in a moment, but the main point of this
blog post is to make an appeal to the joint-chairmen. Make a decision and
stick with it. If you're going to fire Allardyce, do it now. This evening.
But if you are not going to fire him, stick with him. You're in the best
position to judge whether he can make it and turn things around. Use your
experience from the Grant era to inform your decision, but it is your
decision and you need to be accountable for it. And if you are going to give
Allardyce your confidence, you need to buy two central defenders and two
strikers in January. Nothing less will be good enough. If you fire
Allardyce, you'll still need to do this, FFP or no FFP.

It was a pulsating game and it was a game we put ourselves in a great
position to win. Bizarrely, I had fallen asleep on the sofa and only woke up
when I heard the roar of the crowd as Joe Cole put us one up after only
three minutes. [In case you are wondering why I wasn't actually at the
match, I'm on a ten day break in Norfolk]. So I missed the fact that Kevin
Nolan played an assist. So when I later tweeted "Just realised Kevin Nolan
is actually on the pitch" I got some well deserved abuse. We had two more
chances to increase our lead, but as usual didn't put them away. So it came
as little surprise when WBA scored and then put in a second on the stroke of
half time. We weren't exactly helped by having James Tomkins injured,
resulting in four full backs playing across defence. You do have to question
why we had no central defender from the Development Squad on the bench. I
think Pelly Ruddock is on loan at Luton Town. Perhaps he should have been
recalled.

At 2-1 down you always fancied West Brom to add to their lead. Anelka,
Berhani and Brunt were on fire. Enter Modibo Maiga. He came on for Carlton
Cole at half time and quickly put in a brilliant long range shot which
Foster parried wide. A few minutes later he hit another one from outside the
area which Foster let under his body. Maiga sunk to his knees and I am
pretty sure I saw him wiping tears away. A few minutes later up he jumped to
head the ball down for Nolan to smash into the net. So Nolan had two assists
and a goal, with Maiga grabbing a goal and an assist.

I have to say I thought it was a very jittery performance from Jussi. Not
what we have come to expect. He was certainly at fault for their third goal.
Defensively I suppose we did about as well as could have been expected with
no recognised central defender for more than three quarters of the game.
Noble put in his usual committed performance but Diame was again a
disappointment. Nolan will rest of the fact that he got two assists and a
goal, but for large parts of the game he just disappears and it appears we
are a man down. i thought both Cole and Maiga did well, which is at least
some consolation.

So, as we all struggle to come to terms with the fact that we are in a
serious relegation battle, the next 30 days are certainly going to be very
interesting for our club. Let's try and be as calm as we can.

Jussi 5, Demel 6, O'Brien 6, McCartney 6, Rat 6, Noble 7, Diame 5, Nolan 6,
Cole J 6, Cole C 6, Maiga 7, Jarvis 7

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Kevin Nolan backs boss Sam Allardyce as beleaguered Hammers stay
second bottom
Dec 28, 2013 16:03 By Anthony Clavane 0 Comments
The Mirror

The returning midfield man's goal wasn't enough to see off West Brom as the
home side's poor run continued

Sam Allardyce set his ­struggling Hammers a six-points target for December –
but they have ended up with only two. Perhaps nobody expected West Ham to
beat Arsenal or Manchester United. But draws against ­Sunderland and now
managerless West Brom have seen the Upton Park club slide into the
relegation zone. In fact, West Ham are the only club in the bottom six to
stand by their original manager for this campaign. Such has been their
belief in the experienced Allardyce. Big Sam had described the clash with
fellow relegation strugglers West Brom as a "must-win" but the 3-3 draw at
Upton Park means the Londoners end the year in deep trouble. Kevin Nolan,
West Ham's goal-scoring skipper, is adamant Allardyce must stay. He said:
"If Sam was out of a job any of the clubs in the bottom six would hire Sam
to keep them up. The co-chairmen here have been brilliant with him. They
understand we've had injuries. "We're all in it together. We feel we'll be
in the Premier League come the end of the season."

Hammers co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan have remained low-key and
supportive during recent troubles. Apart from one public complaint from
Sullivan about the wisdom in paying £15 million for the long-term injured
Andy Carroll, they have been a model of restraint - so far. Despite the boos
from the home crowd on the final whistle Allardyce insisted: "It was a
remarkable performance given our defensive injuries. "It was going well
until (James) Tomkins was injured. His injury meant everybody getting
depressed. We had two full-backs playing centre-half. You try and defend
that. We scored three very good goals and the lads are disappointed they did
not win."

Allardyce went on: "The game was very frustrating. We showed great fighting
spirit in the second half." Joe Cole put the Hammers ahead but Nicolas
Anelka levelled before poking in two minutes later to give the Baggies a 2-1
half-time lead. The home side equalised through Modibo Maiga's 20-yard shot
and Kevin Nolan prodded home from close range to put them back in front. But
Saido Berahino equalised again for West Brom with a fine low strike.
Allardyce knew all about Anelka's goal-poaching menace having signed him for
Bolton in 2006. He added: "Maiga's goal was quality. Which is what you need
in our situation. Sadly we didn't protect ourselves which is a bitter pill
for me tos wallow. "We must have mentally switched off and we got heavily
punished. Fatigue kicked in but I thought it was a very good goal given our
defensive injuries."

Baggies caretaker boss Keith Downing has now overseen three draws since
Steve Clarke was sacked. But he is refusing to take the credit for
stabilising the club. "I could take all the adulation," said Downing. "But
of course it's down to the players. I don't know who is taking over or when
but I'm fully focused. I will gladly support the new guy, whoever it is."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Carlton Cole a transfer target in winter window for QPR boss
Harry Redknapp
Dec 28, 2013 22:29 By Bill Mills 0 Comments
SSN

Harry Redknapp is ready to prise Carlton Cole out of West Ham in the January
transfer window. The 30-year-old striker re-signed for the Hammers in
October after being released last summer. An injury crisis and dearth of
attacking options prompted Cole's shock return. But the former England
­international was only offered an initial three month deal. With the window
opening this week QPR boss Redknapp, desperate to keep his team on course
for promotion, wants to boost his side's attacking powers. It will be a
controversial raid by 'Arry on the club he managed for seven years. The
Loftus Road boss has grown increasingly frustrated by the form of Bobby
Zamora and Andy Johnson. As a free agent, Cole could prove a useful addition
to Rangers' attack. Relegation-threatened West Ham are keen to add to their
squad in the next month. Manager Sam Allardyce ­recognises the need for more
goal-scoring options and has also enquired about Everton defender John
Heitinga. They will face competition from Fulham and Norwich for the Holland
international. Asamoah Gyan has also cast doubts on a January move to West
Ham - insisting he is happy with UAE club Al Ain. "My heart and soul are
attached to Al Ain," striker Gyan, 28, said. "I can confirm West Ham have
made an offer for me. But it is up to Al Ain to make a decision " A new
contract for young midfielder Ravel Morrison is also being discussed. Under
a clause in his contract, if West Ham receive a bid of £10million they must
quadruple his current £15,000-a-week wage. The alternative will be to sell
the England Under-21 international. Given West Ham's precarious position,
owners David Sullivan and David Gold won't want to ­over-stretch the club.
Morrison's deal has 18 months left and one ­alternative would be to
negotiate a new one, including a big pay rise, but without the punishing
clauses.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham target John Heitinga as Big Sam plots January move for
out-of-favour Everton defender
Dec 27, 2013 22:30 By John Cross 0 Comments
The Mirror

Sam Allardyce is trying to set up a January deal for Everton's out-of-favour
Dutch defender John Heitinga. The West Ham boss is desperate to bring in a
centre-half with Winston Reid and James Collins both injured. Dutchman
Heitinga, 30, has been told he can leave Goodison Park in January and has
also attracted interest from Fiorentina, Real Betis and Napoli. However, it
is believed he would prefer to stay in the Premier League. The Hammers are
also trying to bolster their attacking options with Andy Carroll still
injured. Allardyce says he wants a ready-made Premier League striker and has
hinted at a big name. He said: "It would help if they had Premier League
experience, but you have to take a player's CV if they're from abroad."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce: Most of my January targets have snubbed West Ham
FourFourTwo.com

Sam Allardyce concedes "most" of West Ham's initial January transfer targets
will not be heading to Upton Park. Allardyce's squad has been ravaged by
injuries this season, with defender James Tomkins the latest to join the
growing casualty list after being withdrawn after 11 minutes of the 3-3 draw
with West Brom on Saturday with a groin problem. The West Ham manager has
spoken openly of his desire to strengthen next month, but has now revealed
that some players he is keen on have either snubbed a move to the Premier
League strugglers or are in talks with other clubs. "I have to say that
disappointingly from our point of view, most of the targets we hoped to sign
by January 2 are now not available, having either decided not to join us or
ventured on a new negotiation elsewhere," Allardyce told the club's official
website. "We've been at it for six weeks now and my need is ever more
desperate than the position we're in for new players in January, but our
desire to get new players in has fallen because most clubs don't want to
loan players or let them go. "We hope we will get new recruits but they have
to be good enough. "If I pick a player who is not good enough then everybody
will destroy him before he starts, so I need to pick a player who can hit
the ground running from the start and do the business from the beginning.
That's the issue. "We didn't want to have to sign any players in January but
it looks like we might have to. "More important than recruiting new players
is getting our injured players fit as soon as possible."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bizarre clause revealed in West Ham ace's contract
Date: 29th December 2013 at 4:35 am
Written by: Irons Maiden | Forever WestHam

In a world dominated by agents, nothing tends to surprise me in football, as
those guys will do absolutely anything to squeeze every penny possible out
of a deal. However, the latest clause to emerge in Ravel Morrison's contract
is, not only a bizarre one, but also a worrying one. The Telegraph is
reporting that, should West Ham receive a £10 million plus bid for the
England U-21 international, then the Hammers are forced to quadruple
Morrison's wage. The former Manchester United is believed to earn nearly
£15,000-a-week which means – if my mathematics are correct – he will stand
to pocket almost £60,000-a-week.
This latest news comes just a month or so after his £18 million release fee
clause was reported. You have to wonder, especially with the possibility of
relegation growing, how much longer the Irons can hold onto their rising
star?

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sullivan and Gold Sleepwalk towards the Championship
ClaretandBlues.com

After failing in the self-proclaimed and latest of the 'must win' games,
Allardyce can rest easy tonight and for the foreseeable future. You see,
whilst all of our major competitors' owners have seen fit to relinquish
their managers of their responsibilities, with the resultant improvement in
virtually all of them, Gold and Sullivan pride themselves on their loyalty
and conviction and will, like their manager does with his captain, stick
with their man through thin and thinner.

Saturday's match was a game between two very poor teams, let's be clear
about that. Having gained an early advantage through a well worked goal
between Nolan and Joe Cole, West Ham failed to create another meaningful
chance in a first half of insipid and uninspired tippy-tappy. The result was
that West Bromwich Albion grew in confidence as the half progressed and,
Nikolas Anelka found himself in the currently unusual position of helping
himself to two goals inside 4 minutes as half time approached.

In truth, Allardyce does at least have a point in terms of our current
injury crisis. Losing Tomkins half way through the first half left us with 4
full backs marshaling the central and wide defensive positions and we looked
consequently vulnerable to just about any attack, even by an outfit as poor
as WBA.

It was pleasing to see Maiga grab a goal after the break, particularly since
he had clearly made a considerable impact once on for the hapless Carlton
Cole at half time. The sponsors' decision to award him man of the match was
typically Champagne-quaffing-induced but nonetheless he was a considerable
improvement on the player that some are still advocates for in the forward
position.

I cannot pretend that I was pleased to see Nolan score. He remains a
passenger in this team but, as we know, is considered to be the jewel in the
crown by our deluded manager.

This is a Championship side, make no mistake. Of the players on display on
Saturday, only Jarvis and Noble looked in any way premiership standard.

It's January soon. Failure to buy effectively will see us relegated in May.
Reliance on the other teams around us, of which granted there is some equal
dross, is a dodgy game to play. Nonetheless, it's the game that Sullivan and
Gold seem resolved to play.

How's ya luck?

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

http://vyperz.blogspot.com



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Daily WHUFC News - 28th December 2013

West Brom match preview
WHUFC.com
All the essential information ahead of Saturday's home match against West Bromwich Albion
27.12.2013

WEST HAM UNITED v WEST BROMWICH ALBION
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 28 DECEMBER 2013
KICK-OFF: 12.45PM
REFEREE: MIKE DEAN
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV

iPHONE APP I TWITTER I FACEBOOK I PODCAST I INSTAGRAM I YOUTUBE

Introduction
• West Ham United face their second home game in the space of three days when they welcome West Bromwich Albion to the Boleyn Ground for a Saturday lunchtime kick-off..
• The Hammers had Barclays Premier League leaders Arsenal on the back foot when they led 1-0 on Boxing Day thanks to Carlton Cole's goal, but Arsenal came fighting back in the final 22 minutes to secure the points with a Theo Walcott double and a Lukas Podolski strike.
• That made it back-to-back 3-1 league defeats for Sam Allardyce's men, following the loss by that scoreline at Manchester United on 21 December.
• West Ham slipped into the Premier League's bottom three on Boxing Day, but will move level on points with 15th-spot West Brom should they triumph on Saturday.
• The Baggies are currently managerless after dispensing with the services of Steve Clarke earlier this month.
• They are without a win since November 2 and have headed down the table to 15th place, although an improvement in the last two games has yielded 1-1 draws against Hull City and Tottenham Hotspur.
• West Brom's visit to the Boleyn Ground is one of six Barclays Premier League matches taking place on Saturday. Aston Villa host Swansea City, Hull City take on Fulham, Crystal Palace travel to Manchester City and Norwich City play Manchester United in the 3pm kick-offs. Cardiff City will welcome Sunderland for the 5.30pm game.

Team news

West Ham United
• James Collins is a doubt for the Hammers after limping out of the 3-1 defeat to Arsenal with a calf injury.
• Ravel Morrison (groin) is also likely to be missing and Andy Carroll (foot), Ricardo Vaz Te (shoulder), Stewart Downing (ankle) and Winston Reid (ankle) are all out.

West Bromwich Albion
• Baggies striker Shane Long faces a fitness test on the calf injury that forced him out of the Boxing Day draw at Tottenham.
• Fellow frontman Victor Anichebe is also doubtful with a groin problem.

Background
• Today's fixture marks the 94th competitive meeting between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion. The Hammers have won 36, the Baggies have tasted victory on 37 occasions and there have been 20 draws. It will also be the eleventh time the two clubs have met in the Premier League.
• West Ham's 3-1 victory at the Boleyn Ground ended a run of four draws between the sides, two of which ended goalless, while the other stalemates saw a total of ten goals.
• The Hammers recorded their biggest-ever win over the Baggies on 16 April 1965. Striker Brian Dear had a day to remember as he netted five goals within the space of 20 minutes either side of half-time in a 6-1 home Division One victory. Martin Peters had earlier opened the scoring.
• West Brom recorded their biggest win over West Ham back on 24 October 1925, romping to a 7-1 Division One victory at The Hawthorns. Jimmy Ruffell netted West Ham's consolation goal.
• West Ham and West Brom met in the 1966 Football League Cup final. The sixth and last League Cup final to be played over two legs, the Hammers won the first game 2-1 at the Boleyn Ground, with Geoff Hurst and Johnny Byrne cancelling out Jeff Astle's opener. The second leg was a different story, however, as the Baggies clinched a 4-1 win to secure a 5-3 aggregate success.

Last time out
West Ham United
Thursday 26 December 2013
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United 1-3 Arsenal
West Ham United: Adrian; O'Brien (Demel 64), Collins (Rat 37), Tomkins, McCartney; Noble, Diame; J Cole, Nolan (Taylor 75), Jarvis; C Cole
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Collison, Maiga, Diarra
Goal: C Cole 46

West Bromwich Albion
Thursday 26 December 2013
Barclays Premier League
Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion: Foster, Dawson, Ridgewell, Olsson, Reid, Lugano, Gera (Sessegnon 77), Yacob, Vydra (Berahino 85), Morrison, Amalfitano (Mulumbu 71)
Subs: Sinclair, Brunt, Myhill, McAuley

Previous meeting
The Hammers recorded a comfortable 3-1 victory over the Baggies on 30 March 2013. Andy Carroll notches a brace which showcased the range of his abilities - the first goal a towering header, the second a stunning volley, while Gary O'Neil also found the net. It all meant that Graham Dorrans' 88th minute penalty counted for little, while Youssouf Mulumbu was sent-off late on after bizarrely choosing to pick the ball up while in play and smash it at the bemused O'Neil.
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen; Demel (McCartney 79), Collins, Reid, O'Brien; Nolan (Taylor 69), O'Neil, Diame (Collison 82); Vaz Te, Carroll, Jarvis
Subs: Henderson (GK), Tomkins, C.Cole, Chamakh
Goals: Carroll 16, O'Neil 28, Carroll 80
West Bromwich Albion: Foster; Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell; Dorrans (Fortune 88), Mulumbu, Yacob (Odemwingie 71), Brunt; Lukaku, Long (Rosenberg 71)
Subs: Myhill (GK), Popov, Thomas, Tamas
Goal: Dorrans pen 88

Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated)

30 March 2013 West Ham United 3-1 West Bromwich Albion
16 December 2012 West Bromwich Albion 0-0 West Ham United
12 February 2011 West Bromwich Albion 3-3 West Ham United
10 November 2010 West Ham 2-2 West Bromwich Albion
16 March 2009 West Ham United 0-0 West Bromwich Albion

13 September 2008 West Bromwich Albion 3-2 West Ham United

Overall record v West Bromwich Albion
P93 W 36 D 20 L 37

Ten-year records
West Ham United
2012/13 Premier League 10th (46 points)
2011/12 Championship 3rd (86 points - promoted via Play-Offs)
2010/11 Premier League 20th (33 points - relegated to Championship)
2009/10 Premier League 17th (35 points)
2008/09 Premier League 9th (51 points)
2007/08 Premier League 10th (49 points)
2006/07 Premier League 15th (41 points)
2005/06 Premier League 9th (55 points)
2004/05 Championship 6th (73 points - promoted via play-offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th (74 points)
West Bromwich Albion
2012/13 Premier League 8th (49 points)
2011/12 Premier League 10th (47 points)
2010/11 Premier League 11th (47 points)
2009/10 Championship 2nd (91 points, promoted to Premier League)

2008/09 Premier League 20th (32 points, relegated to Championship)

2007/08 Championship 1st (81 points, promoted to Premier League)

2006/07 Championship 4th (76 points)

2005/06 Premier League 19th (30 points, relegated to Championship)

2004/05 Premier League17th (34 points)

2003/04 Championship 2nd (86 points, promoted to Premier League)


Referee
• The man in the middle for Saturday's fixture is Mike Dean.
• Dean last refereed the Hammers on the final day of last season, when Big Sam's men triumphed 4-2 over Reading..
• In all, he has refereed West Ham 34 times, with the Hammers winning 12, and losing and drawing eleven of those matches each.
• The 45-year-old 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.
• This season, Dean has taken charge of 16 games, issuing 51 yellow and three red cards.
• Dean will be assisted by Jake Collin and John Brooks, while the fourth official will be Kevin Friend.
General information
• There will be tickets available on the day of the game for this Kids for a Quid game. Click here for full details.
• The forecast for Saturday is for a cloudy but dry day, with temperatures creeping up to 7C (45F) by kick-off.
• No engineering works are planned on the eastern sections of the District and Hammersmith & City Lines. Click here for information on c2c rail services, and here for information on Greater Anglia services.

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'We'll have a right go!'
WHUFC.com
Joe Cole is eyeing the visit of West Bromwich Albion as the perfect time to return to winning ways
28.12.2013

Joe Cole is urging West Ham United players and staff to stick together ahead of Saturday's crucial Barclays Premier League clash with West Bromwich Albion.
Following Thursday's 3-1 reverse at home to Arsenal, the visit of managerless West Brom has taken on even greater significance, with Cole admitting it is a game the Hammers simply have to win. But Cole saw plenty in defeat to the Gunners to suggest the Hammers are right up for the fight, confident that he and his colleagues can find it within themselves to produce a winning display on Saturday. He told West Ham TV: "We're out there giving it our all, trying our best and obviously results breed confidence. So when we're not getting the right results, we've got to dig deep as players and as people. "We're working on the confidence. When you're winning. it's easy. Everyone goes out there, plays and everyone's happy. But when the results aren't going your way, you've got to dig in and do the ugly things. "Something will happen, we'll nick a 1-0 win and then we'll build from there. I think it's important that we're all together and have a real go, that's the only way."We know what points tally we have to get to and West Brom at home is a game we have to win. We need to get the rub of the green, a scrappy win, if need be."

As Cole sees it, that unity extends far beyond the first-team squad and well into the stands, with the midfielder keen to stress the value of the supporters' backing. "They're going to play a big role for us," he continued. "I think the punters can get right behind us, like they always do, and we can have a right go [against West Brom]. We need to give them a lift and they need to give us one too. "I hope they realise how important they can be, we're all part of it and we're all in it together. From the owners, to the players, we win together and we lose together."

Reflecting, meanwhile, on a disappointing Boxing Day, Cole refused to be disheartened, adamant that Arsenal had simply proved too good on the day. But with plenty a positive to take, the 32-year-old is looking forward to making amends against the Baggies at the weekend. "We knew we were playing against a top side and we're not expected to get anything out of it. But we battled hard and in the end it just wasn't enough. We've got to take the positives out of the performance, move on and try to get something on Saturday. "I think the lads worked hard and it was a lot better than last week up at Manchester United. We had a right go, but I just think we ran into a good side there. West Brom's massive for us and we need to win. "You have to take what you can out of the game and move on. We're going to need to stick together, the punters are going to be massive for us at the weekend. We're working hard, we're trying to do the right things, we're trying to do the basics well. We'll prepare right and we'll go from there."

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'I just want to win games'
WHUFC.com
Carlton Cole was in no mood to celebrate his Boxing Day goal after defeat to Arsenal
27.12.2013

Carlton Cole was in no mood to celebrate his Boxing Day goal after West Ham United lost out to Arsenal 3-1 at the Boleyn Ground. The big striker scored less than a minute after the teams emerged for the second half, pouncing on the rebound from Kevin Nolan's shot, to put the Hammers in front. The visitors upped their game after falling behind and scored three times in a devastating eleven minute spell to sink the home side. Cole, whose goal was his fourth in his last four Boxing Day games, told West Ham TV he would rather put personal gain aside for the good of the team. "All I care about is winning," he said. "I don't look at those sort of stats I just want to win games. "Whether I score or not it doesn't matter, I just want to win games. Today wasn't the day but the next time we go out on that field if I'm starting, I just want to win that game. "Whether I'm starting or not I just want to contribute to us winning the game."

After a goalless first half, Cole's strike lifted the Hammers and they had chances to extend their lead before Arsene Wenger's team came roaring back. Matt Jarvis, Joey O'Brien and Cole himself all went close to doubling the advantage and the forward believes the failure to score a second was their undoing against the Gunners. "At this level you need to put away the chances you get, even if it's a half chance. If you get the rub of the green and get that second goal that puts them to bed. "It would have been game over if we'd got that vital second goal and made it 2-0. We didn't get it but all in all I thought the boys performed really well and there's a lot of positives we can take out of it. "If we play like that against West Brom on Saturday then I think we've got a chance of coming away with a better result than that."

Results elsewhere in the Barclays Premier League meant the Hammers slid into the relegation zone ahead of Saturday's home match against West Bromwich Albion. That game against the Baggies is a huge one for both teams with West Brom themselves only one point clear of the drop zone. The team's performance against Arsenal did however offer hope ahead of Saturday's match and Cole believes there were plenty of positives to take from their display. "We did the best we could with our resources but we just have to take the positives out of the game. "Arsenal are top of the league and are flying but we need to get the points on the table and like I said if we play like that against West Brom then we should be alright. "We're playing good football, we split their defence open a couple of times and we're playing well. The players are going to take a lot of positives out of the game, obviously we lost but there's a lot of positives we can look at."

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Big Sam on: West Bromwich Albion
WHUFC.com
Hammers manager Sam Allardyce hails the importance of Saturday's clash with the Baggies
27.12.2013

Sam Allardyce knows full well how important Saturday's visit of West Bromwich Albion is to the Hammers. West Ham United slipped into the Barclays Premier League relegation zone following the Boxing Day defeat to Arsenal and will hope to draw level on points with the managerless Baggies by getting the better of them at the Boleyn Ground. Big Sam told West Ham TV: "Every game is important to us, and it will be the same for West Brom. We have played 18 games and taken 14 points, so we have to get out of the position we are in and not let that gap between games played and points get any bigger. "To try and get in the changing room at full-time on Saturday with 17 points after 19 games still won't be good enough but it will be a start because we need to get more points than games as quickly as we can."

The Hammers lost James Collins to a calf injury on Thursday and Allardyce described that as a blow with an already-stretched squad. He added: "Our biggest efforts are on recruiting new players in January and on getting our injured players fit as quickly as possible. "James Collins came off against Arsenal with a calf injury, which will make him unlikely to be fit for Saturday and Ravel Morrison reported injured to our physio on Christmas Eve with a groin injury. I don't think that will be too bad but we will have to wait and see. "Joey O'Brien was taken off because I feared him being sent-off after a booking early on and then committing two or three more fouls. He will be okay for Saturday "We haven't got the capability to make lots of changes to the team, because of how few players we have available at the moment and the injury list that we have. We will play the players who played really well against Arsenal again on Saturday.
"I felt that they played as well as they possibly could on Thursday and the only one thing that let them down was missing the chance to score that second goal. Matt Jarvis will be disappointed that he didn't score, Carlton will be disappointed because he scored a good goal and should have hit the target again, and Joey will be too with his header. "That's life, that's why we are where we are, but we have to continue to make those chances and sooner or later they'll go in."

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On this day - 28 December
WHUFC.com
A late goal gave West Ham more reason to celebrate over the festive period five years ago today
28.12.2013

Classic match
West Ham United 2-1 Stoke City
Premier League
28 December 2008
Fresh from a 4-1 win over Portsmouth on Boxing Day, the Hammers struck late to see off Stoke City at the Boleyn Ground. Despite trailing at the interval after Abdoulaye Faye's free header put the visitors ahead, the home side hit back in the second half and were level on 55 minutes when Carlton Cole scored for the second game running. Ricardo Fuller then saw red for an extraordinary slap to the face of his own captain, Andy Griffin. After the striker's moment of madness the Hammers pushed home their numerical advantage with just two minutes left. Spaniard Diego Tristan got the final touch to Cole's goalbound shot, sending Thomas Sorenson the wrong way in the process as the ball rolled in for the winner.

Complete record - 28 December
1926 Derby County 3-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1929 West Ham United 2-3 Blackburn Rovers (Division One)
1935 West Ham United 3-2 Norwich City (Division Two)
1936 West Ham United 1-0 Bradford Park Avenue (Division Two)
1937 West Ham United 3-3 Norwich City (Division Two)
1946 West Ham United 4-1 Plymouth Argyle (Division Two)
1957 West Ham United 6-1 Bristol Rovers (Division Two)
1959 West Ham United 3-1 Birmingham City (Division One)
1963 Blackburn Rovers 1-3 West Ham United (Division One)
1964 West Ham United 2-1 Birmingham City (Division One)
1974 Stoke City 2-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1987 Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1991 Notts County 3-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1992 West Ham United 2-2 Luton Town (Division One)
1993 West Ham United 1-3 Tottenham Hotspur (Premier League)
1994 Wimbledon 1-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
1996 West Ham United 2-0 Sunderland (Premier League)
1997 Wimbledon 1-2 West Ham United (Premier League)
1998 West Ham United 2-0 Coventry City (Premier League)
1999 West Ham United 1-1 Derby County (Premier League)
2002 Blackburn Rovers 2-2 West Ham United (Premier League)
2003 Nottingham Forest 0-2 West Ham United (Championship)
2004 Rotherham United 2-2 West Ham United (Championship)
2005 West Ham United 0-2 Wigan Athletic (Premier League)
2008 West Ham United 2-1 Stoke City (Premier League)
2009 Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
2010 West Ham United 1-1 Everton (Premier League)
Played 27, Won 12, Drawn 6, Lost 9, Scored 48, Conceded 41

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West Ham v WBA
KO 12:45
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce
27 December 2013
By Nigel Adderley
Match of the Day commentator

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday, 28 December

TEAM NEWS

West Ham defender James Collins is unlikely to feature after being forced off with a calf injury in the Boxing Day defeat by Arsenal. Ravel Morrison is also set to miss out again with a groin injury, while manager Sam Allardyce may recall goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.

West Brom's Shane Long faces a fitness test on the calf injury that caused him to miss the match with Tottenham. Fellow striker Victor Anichebe is also a doubt with a groin problem.

MATCH PREVIEW

Claiming that the injury to Andy Carroll has blighted West Ham's season is nothing new but the significance of his absence becomes greater with every defeat.
"If they were not on such a poor run of results - they have managed just one win in 11 league games - you would look at that performance and say the Hammers do not have too much to worry about, but their current predicament means the pressure is on their manager Sam Allardyce." The year 2013 was supposed to be when the Hammers established themselves back at the highest level as they look forward to becoming tenants at the Olympic Stadium. However, the grim reality is that they kick-off their final match of the year the wrong side of the relegation line and hoping a financial splurge in January might help them out of trouble. But, as recent history has shown, such a tactic doesn't always work. Arsenal were there for the taking after West Ham took the lead on Boxing Day and for a fleeting 15 minutes or so Sam Allardyce's men seemed to have regained the flair and passion backed by a raucous crowd which has caused the big clubs so many problems in recent years. But the moment passed and they appe ar to be in big trouble. In fairness, any club in the bottom half of the table may be nervously looking over their shoulders at the moment. West Brom have won at Manchester United and drawn with Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham but didn't do well enough against the rest to keep Steve Clarke in a job. Former Real Betis coach Pepe Mel is one of the names being linked with a post which has seen a high turnover of decent managers in recent years. Tony Mowbray and Gary Megson are the only men to have completed two full seasons at The Hawthorns since Ron Atkinson made his name there in the 1970s. Both of these clubs might consider their squads to be too good to go down but that's a dangerous assumption to make this season.

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
West Brom have only won one of the last nine Premier League meetings (W1, D4, L4).
West Ham and West Brom have had a different manager in charge for each of their five previous Premier League meetings at Upton Park. Sam Allardyce will be the first manager to break that run.
Four of the last five matches in the league have been drawn.

West Ham
West Ham have won just one of their last 11 league matches.
They have scored nine goals in nine home matches this season and just 15 in 18 league games.
Carlton Cole has scored three league goals, one more than in 27 games last season.
They kept six clean sheets in their opening 10 league matches of the season but have conceded three or more goals in five of their last eight games.

West Brom
West Brom are without a win in eight matches.
They have now gone eight Premier League games without a clean sheet, the longest current such run in the division, along with Tottenham.
The Baggies have won only one of their last 11 Premier League away games (D5, L5).

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More injury woes for Allardyce
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 28th December 2013
By: Staff Writer

West Ham could be without several key players when manager-less West Brom visit the Boleyn for this lunchtime's early kick-off.

The two struggling clubs are first out of the traps tomorrow when they contest the 12:45pm slot. And whilst the Baggies are still looking for a replacement for Steve Clarke - who has now been fired by both clubs - the Hammers are struggling with one or two fresh injury concerns, according to Sam Allardyce.

"James Collins came off against Arsenal with a calf injury which makes him unlikely for Saturday," he revealed at Friday morning's press call. "Ravel Morrison reported injured to our physio on Christmas Eve with a groin injury so we will have to wait and see. Joey O'Brien was taken off [against Arsenal] because I feared him being sent-off, he will be okay for Saturday.

"We haven't got the capability to make lots of changes to the team because of how few players we have available at the moment. We'll play the players who played really well against Arsenal again on Saturday."

Andy Carroll's pre-New Year comeback that was been hinted at previously seems unlikely to happen whilst Winston Reid is out for some weeks yet. On the bright side, Stewart Downing's recovery is going well and he should be back in contention soon.

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West Ham manager Sam Allardyce sets sights on West Brom
Last Updated: 27/12/13 2:57pm
SSN

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce believes the next two fixtures may prove pivotal to the club's chances of staving off relegation. The Hammers slipped to a 3-1 defeat to Arsenal on Boxing Day despite taking the lead, and Allardyce has urged his men to move on quickly ahead of clashes with fellow strugglers West Brom and Fulham. "Our big games are the West Broms and Fulhams in the next two games," Allardyce said. "It is about performing like that against those clubs, which give you a better chance to win the game. "We have to believe, at the end of the day, that we will convert the chances as we did, certainly the home game a few weeks ago against Fulham. "West Brom is becoming a must-win, so we have to go all out without being over anxious or over adventurous because if we start leaving back doors open and start conceding too many goals. "The chance to catch up is getting a little wider and wider each game when you don't pick up points. "But we have to take a lot of positives out of the way we played against Arsenal and make sure we played like that, like we did at Tottenham in the cup against West Brom. "When we've had that opportunity recently, we haven't done that. We haven't played as well as that, apart from when we beat Fulham 3-0 here. "We played Sunderland here and never got to this level so ended with a draw. We played against Aston Villa at a high level but didn't score. We played at Crystal Palace and lost and lost after going 1-0 up against Norwich. "They are key let-downs. You can always lose to Arsenal even if you play your best. It is disappointing for the lads when they have put such a big effort in and made so many chances against this team and not finished the game off."

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West Ham and West Brom look to improve recent form
Last Updated: 27/12/13 3:05pm
SSN

West Ham welcome managerless West Brom to Upton Park on Saturday (kick-off 12.45pm), with both sides looking to get back to winning ways. The Hammers have tasted victory just once in their previous 11 league games, with the pressure mounting on boss Sam Allardyce to turn things around.
However despite only finding the net three times in their last five games, a vastly improved performance, especially in attack, against Arsenal on Boxing Day has lightened the mood on the Upton Park terraces ahead of the visit of the Baggies. Despite impressing at White Hart Lane against Tottenham on Boxing Day, the Baggies haven't tasted victory in the last eight league clashes - the longest run in the Premier League. However, a very respectable draw against Spurs has steadied the ship somewhat, but their record against the Hammers will hardly inspire much confidence. The Baggies have won only one of the previous nine Premier League clashes with the Hammers, and could be dragged further into a relegation battle should that run continue.

Paul Merson's prediction

This is a big game for West Ham. They were always going to struggle this season because of the injury to Andy Carroll. It's very difficult if you lose your key man and it would be hard for Liverpool if they lost Luis Suarez or Man United if they lost Wayne Rooney. But West Ham, in their position, can't afford for that to happen. They've slipped into the relegation zone after losing at home to Arsenal on Boxing Day and with Fulham away after this one, followed by a trip to Man City, before they know it, they could be stuck in the bottom three. You need to get out of there as soon as possible - even if it's just up to fourth from bottom - and they need a win here to do that. However, managerless West Brom got a good result against Tottenham and I think they'll pick up another point in this one.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1

West Ham
Last 6
Arsenal (h)1-3
Man Utd (a)3-1
Tottenham (a)1-2
Sunderland (h)0-0
Liverpool (a)4-1
1-0

James Collins will have a calf complaint assessed on Friday and looks unlikely to feature in West Ham's clash with West Brom. The injury resulted in the Welsh centre-back being forced off in the first half of the Hammers' 3-1 Boxing Day defeat to Arsenal - a match Ravel Morrison missed through a groin issue. Andy Carroll, Ricardo Vaz Te, Stewart Downing and Winston Reid remain sidelined, while Adrian will hope to remain in goal despite an unconvincing display against the Gunners.

West Brom
Last 6
1-1
Hull City (h)1-1
Cardiff (a)1-0
Norwich (h)0-2
Man City (h)2-3
Newcastle (a)2-1

West Brom will give a fitness test to striker Shane Long, who is doubtful for Saturday's game at West Ham because of a calf injury. Fellow striker Victor Anichebe (groin) is also a doubt for the match at Upton Park. Caretaker manager Keith Downing will make changes to his line-up as the lunchtime kick-off comes less than 48 hours after the Baggies drew 1-1 at Tottenham.

Opta facts

These two sides have won the fewest points in the Premier League in December 2013 - West Brom (1), West Ham (2).
West Ham have scored just 20% (3 of 15) of their goals in the first half of matches this season; a league-low.
West Ham have met West Brom five times at Upton Park in the Barclays Premier League, and 10 different managers have taken charge.

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West Ham striker Carlton Cole not concerned with personal gain
Last Updated: 27/12/13 10:21am
SSN

West Ham striker Carlton Cole insists scoring goals means nothing unless his side gets back to winning ways. Cole gave the Hammers the lead against high-flying Arsenal early in the second half on Boxing Day, only for the Gunners to turn things around, and earn the three points they needed to return to the Premier League summit. Cole, who had a glorious chance to double his side's lead soon after breaking the deadlock, is not concerned with personal gain however, highlighting the importance of getting the victories the team need. "All I care about is winning," he told the club's official website. "I don't look at those sort of stats I just want to win games. "Next time we go out on that field if I'm starting, I just want to win that game." The defeat at Upton Park meant the Hammers slipped into the relegation zone, and after a return of just one point in their last league five outings, the pressure is mounting on boss Sam Allardyce. However, after a vastly improved attacking performance against Arsene Wenger's men, Cole believes there are positives to take into their clash with West Brom on Saturday. "If we play like that against West Brom then I think we've got a chance of coming away with a better result than that," he added.
"We did the best we could with our resources but we just have to take the positives out of the game."

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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce admits relegation would be a disaster for the club
Dec 28, 2013 00:51 By John Cross
The Mirror

Big Sam said: "From a financial point of view, we all know what a disaster it is not to be in the Premier League. It means we've got to stay in this league."

Sam Allardyce has banned the "R-word" after ­admitting going down would be a disaster for West Ham. Hammers boss Allardyce confesses he is feeling the ­pressure more than ever because of the club's upcoming move to the Olympic Stadium in 2016. Struggling Hammers have slipped into the relegation zone and face West Brom at Upton Park today, knowing defeat would be a hammer blow. The heat is on, after just one win from 11 games, and Allardyce says the stakes have never been higher. Allardyce said: "I think the outside world delivers that pressure about relegation threat, relegation zones, relegation teams, relegation this, relegation that. "The R-word never stops when you're in the bottom three. "You have to ignore it and keep focused on your own game, your own beliefs and keep doing the right thing by getting the basics right and giving everything you've got. "We think about the new stadium as a business plan and as a basis of taking the club forward. "I said that when we got back here, it is about trying to establish West Ham as a team that sustains its position in the Premier League when it gets to that stadium. "From a financial point of view, we all know what a disaster it is not to be in the Premier League and it is a bigger disaster than ever before because the money has gone through the roof again, so that makes the pressure even greater. "It means we've got to stay in this league."

West Ham are struggling for goals and their clash with West Brom is a "six- pointer", which Allardyce sees as a must-win game. He added: "We've had a few six pointers already, so we have to make sure we get a result. "It is critical for us to secure three points because, even with three points, that would be 17 points after 19 games, which is still not enough, but at least it is a start."

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West Ham release Croatian striker Mladen Petric after just three months
Dec 28, 2013 03:36 By Chris Richards
The Mirror

The ex-Fulham striker, 32, made only three substitute appearances for the club after arriving on a free transfer in the summer

West Ham have released striker Mladen Petric. The Croatian international, 32, made just three substitute appearances for the Hammers after signing on a free transfer in September. The former Fulham player had agreed a one year deal at Upton Park but found it difficult to break into Sam Allardyce's starting XI. In October, Petric had said: "I'm a striker. "I want to play and I'm sure I'll get my time on the pitch."

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West Ham unlikely to have James Collins fit for West Brom clash as calf problem lingers
Dec 27, 2013 12:45 By Paul Gorst 0 Comments
The Mirror

The Wales defender has a calf complaint and is not expected to feature for the visit of the Baggies on Sunday

James Collins is expected to miss West Ham United's visit of West Bromwich Albion on Sunday. The Wales defender picked up a calf injury in the 3-1 defeat to Arsenal on Boxing Day, and is unlikely to feature against the Baggies at Upton Park. Stewart Downing, Ricardo Vaz Te and Winston Reid are all still sidelined for the Hammers, while Ravel Morrison is struggling with a groin issue. Andy Carroll is nearing fitness as he continues his recovery from a heel injury but the England striker won't play against Keith Downing's side.

Provisional squad: Adrian, Jaaskelainen, McCartney, O'Brien, Chambers, Rat, Tomkins, Demel, Collison, Diarra, Taylor, Nolan, Noble, Diame, Jarvis, J Cole, C Cole, Maiga

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