West Ham United statement
WHUFC.com
West Ham United agree the sale of the Boleyn Ground to local developer
Galliard Group
10.02.2014
West Ham United can confirm that Award-Winning local London developer
Galliard Group has reached an agreement to purchase the Boleyn Ground
Football Stadium once the Club completes its move to the Olympic Stadium in
2016. Following a competitive bidding process, West Ham United selected
Galliard Group as the purchaser for the site ahead of a number of other
national and international companies. The Club was impressed with Galliard
Group's links to the local community and their commitment to honouring the
history of the Hammers at the Boleyn Ground as part of their proposed
development.
West Ham United Vice-Chairman Karren Brady said: "We opted to reach an
agreement with Galliard because they are a local London developer and
employer with origins in east London. We know they are committed to working
closely with the local community and Newham Council on proposals to
transform the site into a residential and retail village, which will benefit
the local community and east London's regional economy. The deal
demonstrates that we have been true to our word by securing the regeneration
of two areas of east London through our move to the Olympic Stadium in 2016.
"In addition, and most importantly for us, we can see that Galliard are
passionate about working with West Ham United to engage their supporters to
help deliver a fitting legacy that will honour the tradition of the famous
ground. We are confident that West Ham United fans will be excited about
their vision and the way they plan to respect more than 100 years of West
Ham history at Upton Park."
Stephen Conway, Chairman and Chief Executive of Galliard Group, said:
"Galliard is one of London's most successful regeneration specialists and
has a proven track record in stadium land regeneration. Working closely with
West Ham and Newham Council, Galliard now plan to undertake extensive
consultation with local residents and businesses and the West Ham United
Supporter Advisory Board in order to create a future for the site, which is
respectful of the cultural and economic diversity of the local area."
Galliard Group is committed to an open and wide ranging consultation on its
plans for the iconic site, including full engagement with Newham Council, as
the relevant planning authority, as well as with local residents and
businesses. Sir Robin Wales, Mayor of Newham, said: "We have always
maintained that West Ham United's relocation to Stratford had the potential
to deliver an Olympic Legacy beyond Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park as a key
part of the comprehensive regeneration of Green Street and Upton Park. The
prospect of much needed homes, jobs and community spaces for this area is an
exciting one."
Galliard's proposals seek to provide new homes and both complementary and
innovative ground floor retail and leisure facilities, complete with
underground parking. Galliard also plan to undertake discussions with the
family of Bobby Moore regarding the proposed development of a beautiful
central landscaped garden, which would be named the Bobby Moore Memorial
Garden, providing a fitting tribute to the legacy of West Ham United at the
iconic site. Under proposals also being considered, fans and local residents
would be invited to enter a poll to name each building after a legendary
player or an historic event at the Club.
In addition, Galliard have commissioned world-renowned sculptress, Frances
Siegelman, to create a statue of Bobby Moore and other artwork celebrating
the heritage of the Football Club, which would be located in the gardens and
grounds of the new village. Under the plans, the current West Ham memorial
garden by the front entrance to the grounds would also be retained,
protected and incorporated into the new development.
Bobby Moore's daughter, Roberta Moore, is pleased that there will be a
lasting tribute to West Ham United on Green Street. She said: "I have always
believed that there should be some form of permanent West Ham United
presence at the Boleyn Ground site after the team leave and I'm really
pleased that the centre point of the development is planned to be named in
honour of my father. Hopefully the new sculptures and buildings being
proposed will also help ensure that a lasting legacy to the Club, my father
and his team-mates is left at Upton Park."
The new village, which will have a construction programme of some 30 months,
has an anticipated completion date of late 2018.
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Roberta Moore hails Boleyn plans
WHUFC.com
Plans to protect West Ham United's legacy have been praised by the daughter
of Bobby Moore
10.02.2014
Roberta Moore, daughter of West Ham United and England's legendary captain,
Bobby, is pleased to see that the Club's presence at the Boleyn Ground is
being protected as part of the new development.
Galliard Group have plans to name the central area of the development after
Roberta's father and the site will have new sculptures and works of art
dedicated to West Ham's most famous players and games. "The move away from
the Boleyn Ground is always going to be a sensitive and emotive topic for
West Ham United and its fans and it is one with which I empathise and
totally understand," Roberta said. "That's why I was pleased to learn about
Galliard Homes' plans to recognise the Club's contribution to the history of
Upton Park. "I have always believed that there should be some form of
permanent West Ham United presence at the Boleyn Ground site after the team
leave and I'm really pleased that they plan to name the centre point of the
development in honour of my father."
Galliard Group's plans would see a central open space named 'The Bobby Moore
Memorial Gardens' become the focal point of the development. Roberta hopes
that it will serve as a permanent reminder of the Hammers' time at the
Boleyn Ground. "I would love to see the Bobby Moore Memorial Gardens become
a place that Hammers fans can visit to share their memories of watching the
team at the Boleyn Ground. "Hopefully the new sculptures and buildings being
proposed will also help ensure that a lasting legacy to the Club, my father
and his team-mates are left at the site."
Development on the new site will begin after West Ham United have made the
short trip to make the Olympic Stadium its new home in 2016. While Roberta
admits it will be an emotional time for everyone connected with the Club,
she is looking forward to what the move can do for West Ham. "The Upton Park
area will always have a special place in West Ham United fans' hearts but
time moves on and I am excited about the move to West Ham's new home in
2016. I know my father would have been very proud about calling such a venue
as the Olympic Stadium West Ham United's home."
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Boleyn Ground Q+A
WHUFC.com
Your questions answered about the sale of the Boleyn Ground to local
developer Galliard Group
10.02.2014
Why did West Ham United choose to partner with Galliard Group?
Galliard Group is a local company that understands and respects the Club's
history and tradition. There were better offers on the table from more
aggressive developers but these were rejected as the Club wanted to leave
the right legacy for fans and the local community. Galliard Group has proven
sports ground regeneration skills, having delivered a substantial part of
the residential housing at the new Emirates Stadium development. They are
also committed to servicing the needs of the local community and they plan
to liaise closely with West Ham and the London Borough of Newham to
undertake community and stakeholder consultation with fans, local residents
and local business. The London Borough of Newham have previously identified
the need for more homes, jobs and community spaces in that local area .
During the construction period, the new development will create hundreds of
jobs on site, with additional employment created in any on-site commercial
facilities agreed after consultation, which will mean that the new future
for the site will play a huge part in the regeneration of the Upton Park
area. The London Borough of Newham have previously expressed a desire for
more high-quality housing in the local area and Galliard's proposal matches
that criteria.
What will be at the site to commemorate West Ham's history?
We were impressed with Galliard Group's commitment to honouring the legacy
of West Ham United at the site. They have plans to name the key buildings at
the new site after West Ham United legends, decided through polls and
competitions with fans and the local community.
Subject to approval and consultation, they also plan to name the central
area of the development after West Ham legend Bobby Moore and will be
looking to create sculptures and works of art to remember famous players and
moments from West Ham's history. These will all be created in conjunction
with the players' families and fans.
What will happen to the remembrance garden?
One of the most important aspects for West Ham in the negotiations with
potential partners was the plans for the Memorial Gardens. We are pleased
that Galliard Group plan to leave the Memorial Garden as it is so relatives
and friends of loved ones can continue to come and pay their respects at the
site.
Will the commemorative bricks be coming?
Yes. All of the names and messages on the commemorative bricks currently in
place at the Boleyn Ground will be transferred to the Olympic Stadium. The
Club also have plans to offer fans the chance to place new bricks at West
Ham's new home
What else will be coming with West Ham to the Olympic Stadium?
The Club are in discussions with the Supporter Advisory Board about what
they want the Club to take to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Those
discussions are ongoing but the key parts of the Club's history are likely
to travel alongside items like the commemorative plaques for Club legends
and the West Ham Pals Battalion from the First World War.
Will local residents and traders be consulted?
Yes, Galliard Group are renowned for their consultation with local
residents. They pride themselves on their engagement with the local
community and will hold regular meetings and distribute a regular newsletter
to local residents and businesses
What if I'm interested in buying one of the properties?
No properties will be released for sale until consultation is undertaken and
planning is provided for properties to be built on the site. Only once this
is done will Galliard Group look at selling properties on the site. Galliard
Group are signatories to the House Builders Federation pledge that all of
their London properties are offered for sale to Londoners/UK buyers first,
before being marketed/sold overseas.
If you have any further questions that are not covered here, please email
yourosquestions@westhamunited.co.uk and we will endeavour to answer as many
as we can via whufc.com
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Monday, February 10
Daily WHUFC News - 10th February 2014
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RAVEL MORRISON CLOSE TO WEST HAM LOAN EXIT?
By Iain Dale 9 Feb 2014 at 17:56
West Ham Till I Die
I understand that Ravel Morrison is very likely to join a championship club
on loan for the rest of the season in the coming week. The promising
midfielder, who turned twenty-one this week, was missing from the squad this
weekend prompting speculation as to his whereabouts.
The loan window for the Football League clubs re-opened on 8th February. You
can be sure Harry Redknapp and QPR will be at the front of the queue to take
the youngster's services on loan along with a number of other top
championship clubs chasing Premier League promotion.
I wonder whether that will be the last we see of Ravel Morrison in a West
ham shirt or whether he will return in the summer. My instinct is that we
may have seen the last of him, which is a great pity. No one can say the
club haven't made every effort to tame him, but sometimes you just have to
cut your losses – or probable profits in this case.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Match-winner Kevin Nolan pleased to repay West Ham after 'stupid' red cards
Evening Standard
Published: 09 February 2014 Updated: 17:17, 09 February 2014
Kevin Nolan feels he has finally started to make amends to West Ham
following his recent red-card shame. After Nolan was sent off for the second
time in four matches for recklessly lashing out at Fulham's Fernando
Amorebieta in a 2-1 defeat on New Year's Day, furious boss Sam Allardyce
threatened to strip the 30-year-old of the captaincy. As well as serving a
four-match ban, in addition to the three that followed his dismissal for a
lunge at Jordan Henderson in a 4-1 humbling at Anfield on December 7, it is
understood Allardyce fined the midfielder a fortnight's wages, understood to
be £100,000. Whatever words were exchanged between Nolan and Allardyce after
the game at Craven Cottage, the latter must have been suitably placated as
he has continued as skipper, reverting from hot head to captain fantastic
again. After his match-winning brace defeated Swansea last weekend, Nolan
repeated the feat in a 2-0 win at Aston Villa on Saturday, bagging his
double in the first three minutes of the second half, to banish lingering
memories of his two moments of madness. "I've worked with the gaffer since I
was 17 years old and I can't thank him enough for everything he's done for
me, especially over the last month when it's been really tough," Nolan told
the club's official website. "I really knew when that happened on New Year's
Day that the lads and the gaffer had my back, and I was overwhelmed by it.
"The last couple of weeks, with the goals, that's my little way of trying to
give a bit back for the support they've given me. "If I can keep chipping
away and get a few more goals then hopefully that'll be a little way of
paying back the stupidity that I suffered over the last month."
Back-to-back wins have enabled the Hammers to climb out of the bottom three
of the Barclays Premier League ahead of another crunch relegation clash at
home to Norwich on Tuesday. Appreciating the importance of the latest
success as West Ham fight for top-flight survival, Nolan added: "The most
important goals for me are the ones that win you games. "I'm just delighted
I've been able to get a couple which have got us on the road to three points
with another fantastic clean sheet. "I have had chances over the season, but
it just hasn't been falling right for me but now I feel confident and I'm
really looking forward to games. "The camaraderie that's been shown over the
season to be able to stay in there has been brilliant. On Saturday again
you've seen the togetherness and everything we're about. "It's not over yet,
we know it's going to be a big battle to the end of the season, but it's one
we're all looking forward to."
There was a minor scare when Nolan limped off with a groin problem in the
68th minute, but he has insisted he will be "fine" to tackle the Canaries.
With Nolan back in form, his presence is vital as West Ham attempt to
further prove they can live without striker Andy Carroll. The England
forward will serve the second of a three-match ban after the Hammers twice
failed to overturn the red card he received in the game with Swansea. As
Allardyce noted, the brace from Nolan "showed we don't have to have an Andy
Carroll to score goals".
With a platform beneath them courtesy of the wins, Allardyce knows now is
the time to continue building. "It's back-to-back wins for us, which at this
stage of the season has taken a lot of pressure off us," said Allardyce. "We
got another clean sheet - 12 now for the season - and things are looking a
lot better with 10 points from the last five games. "Now we have to try and
improve, to make sure we finish with more points than games played. "We've
played 25 games with 25 points, so let's try and better that total on
Tuesday when we play Norwich."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham fighting relegation AND injustice claims Kevin Nolan after his
goals beat Aston Villa
Feb 09, 2014 22:30 By James Nursey
The Mirror
Kevin Nolan reckons West Ham's burning sense of "injustice" at Andy
Carroll's ban is galvanising their survival bid. Skipper Nolan, 31, was
again the hero with two more goals as the Londoners beat Aston Villa 2-0 to
make it back-to-back victories. The midfielder also scored twice in the
Hammers' win over Swansea last week, a match marred by Carroll's straight
red by referee Howard Webb for his infamous tangle with Chico Flores. West
Ham's legal bid to get the FA to take the case to arbitration failed as well
as their appeal, and Carroll will also miss Tuesday's home game with Norwich
and the visit of Southampton on February 22. But fired-up Nolan delivered in
the striker's absence at Villa Park with a quick-fire brace after the break.
Nolan, who expects to be fit to face the Canaries despite being subbed 20
minutes from time with a groin twinge, said: "We thought it was an injustice
and we were disappointed with the outcome. We have nothing against the FA.
They've just got to get it right. "When people get things wrong, we expect
them to hold up their hands and say, 'Yeah, I got it wrong' and move on.
Like we all have to do. "They had a chance to redeem themselves and they
haven't. Andy's frustrated because he feels it's an injustice and I felt
really sorry for him. But it was a case of sticking together. It's something
we have been doing all season long. We knew, as a group, that we were going
to get a bit of flak. "There's a togetherness in this team which is making
it much easier to keep clean sheets and win games. We have got to forget
about Andy for the next couple of weeks now. He has to work hard and get
himself ready because, if we keep winning games, it's going to be hard for
him to get back into the team."
Nolan struck after the restart with two clinical finishes in three minutes
for manager Sam Allardyce. But Villa rallied, hitting the woodwork twice,
and the visitors had to be resolute at the back to secure victory with their
latest shut-out. Nolan, who has six goals this term, added: "To have 12
clean sheets just shows that it's been goals we have been missing this
season. Now I've started to chip in with a couple. It's easy saying, 'Oh, he
gets 10 or 12 a season'. My goals that matter to me are the ones that ensure
we have got a point or three from matches. "I'm just crossing fingers we
don't get any more injuries or suspensions because I'm confident we can
start pushing on and getting back to where we feel we belong, in and about
that top 10."
Villa were poor as Paul Lambert's side badly missed injured centre-back and
skipper Ron Vlaar, who may return at Cardiff on Tuesday. But they were
boosted by the lively display of winger Marc Albrighton who came off the
bench to provide some quality crosses and also hit the post. Ex-England
Under-21 ace Albrighton, 24, is set to be out of contract and Lambert said:
"He was excellent. He was the bonus. He put some terrific balls into the box
and was unlucky not to score. "When he is like that, and in that type of
form, then he is certainly a good player. I thought he gave us a lift, he
took the game by the scruff of the neck."
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RAVEL MORRISON CLOSE TO WEST HAM LOAN EXIT?
By Iain Dale 9 Feb 2014 at 17:56
West Ham Till I Die
I understand that Ravel Morrison is very likely to join a championship club
on loan for the rest of the season in the coming week. The promising
midfielder, who turned twenty-one this week, was missing from the squad this
weekend prompting speculation as to his whereabouts.
The loan window for the Football League clubs re-opened on 8th February. You
can be sure Harry Redknapp and QPR will be at the front of the queue to take
the youngster's services on loan along with a number of other top
championship clubs chasing Premier League promotion.
I wonder whether that will be the last we see of Ravel Morrison in a West
ham shirt or whether he will return in the summer. My instinct is that we
may have seen the last of him, which is a great pity. No one can say the
club haven't made every effort to tame him, but sometimes you just have to
cut your losses – or probable profits in this case.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Match-winner Kevin Nolan pleased to repay West Ham after 'stupid' red cards
Evening Standard
Published: 09 February 2014 Updated: 17:17, 09 February 2014
Kevin Nolan feels he has finally started to make amends to West Ham
following his recent red-card shame. After Nolan was sent off for the second
time in four matches for recklessly lashing out at Fulham's Fernando
Amorebieta in a 2-1 defeat on New Year's Day, furious boss Sam Allardyce
threatened to strip the 30-year-old of the captaincy. As well as serving a
four-match ban, in addition to the three that followed his dismissal for a
lunge at Jordan Henderson in a 4-1 humbling at Anfield on December 7, it is
understood Allardyce fined the midfielder a fortnight's wages, understood to
be £100,000. Whatever words were exchanged between Nolan and Allardyce after
the game at Craven Cottage, the latter must have been suitably placated as
he has continued as skipper, reverting from hot head to captain fantastic
again. After his match-winning brace defeated Swansea last weekend, Nolan
repeated the feat in a 2-0 win at Aston Villa on Saturday, bagging his
double in the first three minutes of the second half, to banish lingering
memories of his two moments of madness. "I've worked with the gaffer since I
was 17 years old and I can't thank him enough for everything he's done for
me, especially over the last month when it's been really tough," Nolan told
the club's official website. "I really knew when that happened on New Year's
Day that the lads and the gaffer had my back, and I was overwhelmed by it.
"The last couple of weeks, with the goals, that's my little way of trying to
give a bit back for the support they've given me. "If I can keep chipping
away and get a few more goals then hopefully that'll be a little way of
paying back the stupidity that I suffered over the last month."
Back-to-back wins have enabled the Hammers to climb out of the bottom three
of the Barclays Premier League ahead of another crunch relegation clash at
home to Norwich on Tuesday. Appreciating the importance of the latest
success as West Ham fight for top-flight survival, Nolan added: "The most
important goals for me are the ones that win you games. "I'm just delighted
I've been able to get a couple which have got us on the road to three points
with another fantastic clean sheet. "I have had chances over the season, but
it just hasn't been falling right for me but now I feel confident and I'm
really looking forward to games. "The camaraderie that's been shown over the
season to be able to stay in there has been brilliant. On Saturday again
you've seen the togetherness and everything we're about. "It's not over yet,
we know it's going to be a big battle to the end of the season, but it's one
we're all looking forward to."
There was a minor scare when Nolan limped off with a groin problem in the
68th minute, but he has insisted he will be "fine" to tackle the Canaries.
With Nolan back in form, his presence is vital as West Ham attempt to
further prove they can live without striker Andy Carroll. The England
forward will serve the second of a three-match ban after the Hammers twice
failed to overturn the red card he received in the game with Swansea. As
Allardyce noted, the brace from Nolan "showed we don't have to have an Andy
Carroll to score goals".
With a platform beneath them courtesy of the wins, Allardyce knows now is
the time to continue building. "It's back-to-back wins for us, which at this
stage of the season has taken a lot of pressure off us," said Allardyce. "We
got another clean sheet - 12 now for the season - and things are looking a
lot better with 10 points from the last five games. "Now we have to try and
improve, to make sure we finish with more points than games played. "We've
played 25 games with 25 points, so let's try and better that total on
Tuesday when we play Norwich."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham fighting relegation AND injustice claims Kevin Nolan after his
goals beat Aston Villa
Feb 09, 2014 22:30 By James Nursey
The Mirror
Kevin Nolan reckons West Ham's burning sense of "injustice" at Andy
Carroll's ban is galvanising their survival bid. Skipper Nolan, 31, was
again the hero with two more goals as the Londoners beat Aston Villa 2-0 to
make it back-to-back victories. The midfielder also scored twice in the
Hammers' win over Swansea last week, a match marred by Carroll's straight
red by referee Howard Webb for his infamous tangle with Chico Flores. West
Ham's legal bid to get the FA to take the case to arbitration failed as well
as their appeal, and Carroll will also miss Tuesday's home game with Norwich
and the visit of Southampton on February 22. But fired-up Nolan delivered in
the striker's absence at Villa Park with a quick-fire brace after the break.
Nolan, who expects to be fit to face the Canaries despite being subbed 20
minutes from time with a groin twinge, said: "We thought it was an injustice
and we were disappointed with the outcome. We have nothing against the FA.
They've just got to get it right. "When people get things wrong, we expect
them to hold up their hands and say, 'Yeah, I got it wrong' and move on.
Like we all have to do. "They had a chance to redeem themselves and they
haven't. Andy's frustrated because he feels it's an injustice and I felt
really sorry for him. But it was a case of sticking together. It's something
we have been doing all season long. We knew, as a group, that we were going
to get a bit of flak. "There's a togetherness in this team which is making
it much easier to keep clean sheets and win games. We have got to forget
about Andy for the next couple of weeks now. He has to work hard and get
himself ready because, if we keep winning games, it's going to be hard for
him to get back into the team."
Nolan struck after the restart with two clinical finishes in three minutes
for manager Sam Allardyce. But Villa rallied, hitting the woodwork twice,
and the visitors had to be resolute at the back to secure victory with their
latest shut-out. Nolan, who has six goals this term, added: "To have 12
clean sheets just shows that it's been goals we have been missing this
season. Now I've started to chip in with a couple. It's easy saying, 'Oh, he
gets 10 or 12 a season'. My goals that matter to me are the ones that ensure
we have got a point or three from matches. "I'm just crossing fingers we
don't get any more injuries or suspensions because I'm confident we can
start pushing on and getting back to where we feel we belong, in and about
that top 10."
Villa were poor as Paul Lambert's side badly missed injured centre-back and
skipper Ron Vlaar, who may return at Cardiff on Tuesday. But they were
boosted by the lively display of winger Marc Albrighton who came off the
bench to provide some quality crosses and also hit the post. Ex-England
Under-21 ace Albrighton, 24, is set to be out of contract and Lambert said:
"He was excellent. He was the bonus. He put some terrific balls into the box
and was unlucky not to score. "When he is like that, and in that type of
form, then he is certainly a good player. I thought he gave us a lift, he
took the game by the scruff of the neck."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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Sunday, February 9
Daily WHUFC News - 9th February 2014
Quickfire Nolan double downs Villa
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan scored twice as the Hammers defeated Aston Villa 2-0 on Saturday
08.02.2014
Aston Villa 0-2 West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United moved out of the Barclays Premier League bottom three as two
goals inside the opening 177 seconds of the second half sent them to victory
at Aston Villa on Saturday. After notching twice in last week's victory over
Swansea City, captain Kevin Nolan was at it again with another brace in
double-quick time. He notched his first just 18 seconds into the second
period, then profited from a Fabian Delph error to make it two just a couple
of minutes later. A 12th clean sheet - the most in the top flight this
season - meant Villa could not find a way back despite building up the
pressure towards the end of the game.
Adrian was rarely called into action, although the woodwork did save the
visitors twice en route to a precious three points. Missing Andy Carroll
after an Independent Tribunal upheld his three-match ban following the No9's
dismissal against Swansea last week, Carlton Cole was given the nod up front
by manager Sam Allardyce. The blustery conditions did not make things easy
for either side with neither able to build up a head of steam in the early
exchanges.
With 14 minutes on the clock former Villa man Stewart Downing looked to
silence the home boo-boys as he cut inside from the right and went for goal,
but fired over the top. Villa's first real opportunity arrived six minutes
later when they broke from a Hammers corner and Andreas Weimann looked to
feed Gabby Agbonlahor, but his touch was heavy and the ball run away for a
goal kick. The Hammers then produced a spell of pressure, with Matt Jarvis
twice racing clear down the left, only to be denied by last ditch tackles
from Ciaran Clark and Nathan Baker. Downing also wasted a great chance when
Jarvis picked him out with a low ball across the box, but Ryan Bertrand
applied enough pressure to ensure the winger could not make contact. West
Ham were looking the more likely scorers, but Ashley Westwood slammed a
volley wide on 42 minutes after Leandro Bacuna's cross fell invitingly for
him. The scoresheet remained blank as the half-time whistle blew, but it
would not stay that way for long as the Hammers made a whirlwind start to
the second period.
Marco Borriello was introduced from the bench, and just 18 seconds after the
restart the Hammers were celebrating the opening goal. After establishing
possession high up the pitch from kick-off, Downing laid square for Nolan,
whose clever flick deflected off a defender and left Brad Guzan helpless. It
got even better for the away side just two minutes later when Delph was
guilty of dwelling on possession for too long on the edge of the box, and
Nolan pounced to rob him and slot past the exposed Guzan. Villa responded by
introducing Marc Albrighton from the bench on 56 minutes and he had an
instant impact, clipping a ball into the box which only just evaded
Benteke's run. The wideman was a whisker away from reducing the arrears
himself midway through the half when his thunderbolt from range thudded
against the post and hit Adrian's back before flying wide. Villa hit the
woodwork for a second time five minutes later when Albrighton crossed for
Benteke, whose looping header had Adrian scrambling across his goal and
struck the top of the bar. The home side were knocking at the door but were
unable to break through a Hammers defence which by now included three centre
halves with Winston Reid making an appearance from the bench, Benteke tried
his luck with an acrobatic overhead kick which whistled over the crossbar as
time ticked down and the Hammers stood firm to record a vital three points
and make it back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since
promotion in 2012.
Aston Villa: Guzan; Lowton (Albrighton 56), Baker, Clark, Bertrand (Bennett
73); Bacuna, Westwood, Delph; Weimann (Holt 71), Benteke, Agbonlahor
Subs: Steer, El Ahmadi, Helenius, Sylla
West Ham United: Adrian; Demel, Collins, Tomkins, McCartney; Nolan (Nocerino
68), Noble, Taylor; Downing, C.Cole (Borriello 46), Jarvis (Reid 74)
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Armero, Collison, Johnson
Goals: Nolan 46, Nolan 49
Booked: Collins, Taylor
Referee: Mike Dean
Attendance: 36,261 (3,030 away)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Adrian aims to keep it clean
WHUFC.com
Goalkeeper Adrian is not resting after keeping his fourth clean sheet in
five Barclays Premier League matches
08.02.2014
Adrian is in the mood for more clean sheets and more victories after
Saturday's 2-0 Barclays Premier League win at Aston Villa. The West Ham
United goalkeeper was in unbeatable form for the third away game in
succession as the Hammers made it four clean sheets in five matches. While
his defenders ensured he faced just one shot on target - after allowing none
against Swansea the previous weekend - Adrian was in commanding form
whenever called into action. The two times he was beaten, the woodwork came
to the Spaniard's deserved rescue from Marc Albrighton and Christian
Benteke, while Kevin Nolan's two smartly-taken second-half goals ensured
back to back Barclays Premier League wins for the first time in nearly three
years. "It's unbelievable!" said the No13, who is fast becoming a cult hero
among the Claret and Blue Army. "It's another three points and another clean
sheet. That's three away matches with a clean sheet now and that's the way
we have to go forward. "It was very important to win again and for us to
keep another clean sheet."
After a busy night at Chelsea, where West Ham drew 0-0 despite the Blues
unleashing an amazing 39 shots - eight on target - Adrian was protected well
by his outfield colleagues for the second away match in succession. "For me,
this is perfect! As a goalkeeper, you rely on the other players for help and
at Villa I didn't have to make too many saves. It's important because the
team defends very, very well. "The whole team is defending well. Every
player is doing his job and this is important. If you have a good defence,
then you can have chances to win the game, and we're doing that."
For Adrian, his patience has been rewarded. After waiting for his chance as
Jussi Jaaskelainen started the season in impressive form, the 27-year-old
has come into the side and made a starting place his own with a succession
of assured performances. "I am really happy. Every time I play and finish
the match, I hear my name being sung by the supporters, which is
unbelievable. "I've only been here for six months, so for this to happen and
for the West Ham fans to do this is spectacular. For me, the fans have been
amazing."
Now, Adrian is targeting a fifth clean sheet in six matches and another
important Barclays Premier League victory when Norwich City visit the Boleyn
Ground on Tuesday evening. Although he already knows no match in this
division will be easy, the former Real Betis Balompie favourite is adamant
West Ham can go into the game with confidence after picking up ten points
from a possible 15. "I am only thinking about the next match in my head. We
have another big game on Tuesday because now we have got out of the bottom
three and the West Ham fans are happy at the moment. "We have to keep them
happy by winning again."
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Big Sam hails match-winner Nolan
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce hailed Kevin Nolan after Saturday's 2-0 Barclays Premier
League win at Aston Villa
08.02.2014
Sam Allardyce hailed match-winner Kevin Nolan after West Ham United
continued their fine run with a 2-0 win at Aston Villa. After dominating a
goalless opening half, Nolan scored twice in the space of four minute at the
start of the second period to fire the Hammers to their first back-to-back
wins since their return to the Barclays Premier League. With the team
defending superbly throughout, the manager was also able to celebrate a
record-setting 12th clean sheet in 25 league games, and seventh in 13 on the
road. The victory lifted West Ham out of the relegation zone and, with
Norwich City to visit the Boleyn Ground on Tuesday evening, Big Sam is now
targeting three in a row. "It was absolutely brilliant from the players," he
confirmed. "Our first-half performance gave us a huge amount of
encouragement with the way that we started the game and the way we continued
to break down Aston Villa's defence. "The disappointing thing, which I said
to the players at half-time, was 'You can't keep going like this without
scoring, otherwise you might pay a heavy penalty. For all the good work you
have done, you haven't put the ball in the back of the net so make sure, if
you do get a chance, put it in the back of the net'. "On their first-half
performance, I think Villa were there for the taking and Kevin Nolan put it
away in the first few minutes of the second half with two superbly-taken
goals.
"I think the arrival of the two Italians helped. If you get the right
service to Marco Borriello, I think we've got a talented player on our
hands. Carlton Cole did a really good job and was constantly fouled by Aston
Villa's centre-halves, but didn't get a lot of protection from the referee.
He caused lots of problems.
"Our wide men got in behind Villa's defence on a consistent basis and it was
just the goals that were missing, then Kevin came up with the goods. That's
four goals in two games and that's pretty sweet for him and us all. "We got
another clean sheet, which was great for the defensive back line that coped
with all the long balls Villa pumped down the middle in the second half. We
defended superbly well."
The manager said Nolan yet again illustrated his talent for coolly finishing
chances when other players might panic and miss. The captain's first goal
was a neat flick from Stewart Downing's low cross just 18 seconds after the
break. The second, three minutes later, saw Nolan rob Fabian Delph before
rolling the ball past goalkeeper Brad Guzan. "He passes the ball into the
net. He is composed and is not up tight. I thought Matt Taylor was going to
get a third too, but his shot was cleared off the line at the far post.
"Kevin's ultimate strength has always been in the opposition penalty area.
He is a top-class Premier League player, always has been, and he has proved
that again."
While Nolan will take the headlines, West Ham as a whole showed they could
win without the suspended Andy Carroll. The striker started a three-match
ban following his controversial sending-off against Swansea City, but his
absence was not felt thanks to the form of Cole and strong debutant
Borriello in attack. "Kevin has scored without Andy, as well!" enthused the
manager. "I think we put in eleven or 12 crosses and on at least three
occasions, we had a player running at their goal to try and score. Even
without Andy we were a threat. "When Villa came on strong in the second half
and threw caution to the wind, we went five at the back. They put Grant Holt
on and we put Winston Reid on so we could handle all their big aerial power,
and we defended the last 20 or 25 minutes or so of all their long balls
pumped into the penalty area. "It was a thoroughly professional performance
in the last 25 minutes and a very good performance in the first 50."
For the manager, a run of ten points out of 15, three straight clean sheets
on the road and back to back league victories were all rewards for the
patience he has shown during an injury-ravaged season. "People kept saying
we weren't doing this and that and I kept telling them why and now I have
proved that I was right - that once the team came back from injuries, they
would get better in terms of performances and results. "Ten points out of
the last five games is a pretty good spell at the moment and Tuesday is on
its way against Norwich at home, and can we continue it as long as we can?
"While we are out of the bottom three, we are not satisfied because we have
only got 25 points from 25 games and we need more points than games on the
board as quick as we can."
Finally, when asked for his highlight of a memorable day at a stormy Villa
Park, the manager pinpointed the performance of his in-form skipper. "Kevin
has scored two critical goals at a period of time when we had similar
chances in the first half but missed them all. When we needed him most, he's
put the game to bed for us and that tops the lot for me. "The rest of the
lads did well and he did the hardest bit, the bit he is paid for, and he's
done his captain's bit too, to get us a very precious three points."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nolan thrilled to repay Hammers
WHUFC.com
West Ham skipper Kevin Nolan was delighted to help the team secure another
three points on Saturday
09.02.2014
Back-to-back Barclays Premier League wins and back-to-back two-goal hauls
gave West Ham United skipper Kevin Nolan double the reason for celebration
at Aston Villa on Saturday. His quickfire brace, scored within the opening
three minutes of the second period at Villa Park, secured the first
consecutive top flight league wins for the Hammers since March 2011 and
hauled them out of the bottom three. It also gave the No4 the opportunity to
repay the faith shown in him after a difficult winter, which has seen him
sent off on two occasions, and he was delighted with the positive impact he
made. He explained: "It's the first time we've got back to back wins since
we've been back in the Premier League and we're delighed because it's been a
tough old season with all the injuries and suspensions. You're seeing now
what we're all about. "When we've got everyone fit and when we've got
everyone playing we're going to get results everywhere. I think this is the
start of a good run between now and the end of the season and if I can keep
chipping away and get a few more goals then hopefully that'll be a little
way of paying back the stupidity that I suffered over the last month. "I'm
feeling really good. Eamon Swift [fitness coach] worked tirelessly with me
and Monte [Mathew Monte-Colombo, strength & conditioning coach] in the gym
too. I worked my socks off because I wanted to show that when I got back in
the team I was bang at it. I knew that I could give the team goals once I
was back in it. "I've worked with the gaffer since I was 17 years old and I
can't thank him enough for everything he's done for me, especially over the
last month when it's been really tough. "I really knew when that happened on
New Year's Day that the lads and the gaffer had my back and I was
overwhelmed by it. "The last couple of weeks, with the goals, that's my
little way of trying to give a bit back for the support they've given me."
Another clean sheet - the Hammers' twelfth of the campaign - meant Villa
could not find a route back into the contest once Nolan had given them a
mountain to climb and once more he had praise for the defensive effort. He
said: "It was a great start to the second half and it gives you something to
hang on to. We've been good away from home this season and with the clean
sheets it just needed someone to put the ball in the back of the net. "I
have had chances over the season, but it just hasn't been falling right for
me but now I feel confident and I'm really looking forward to games. "The
camaraderie that's been shown over the season to be able to stay in there
has been brilliant. On Saturday again you've seen the togetherness and
everything we're about. "It's not over yet, we know it's going to be a big
battle to the end of the season but it's one we're all looking forward to."
Nolan has a habit of notching important goals and the two at Villa Park were
no different. He continued: "The most important goals for me are the ones
that win you games, and I'm just delighted that I've been able to get a
copule which have got us on the road to three points with another fantastic
clean sheet.
"For the first I've got Stewie on the ball and then I made a couple of runs.
He's twisted and turned and found me fantastically well and I got a bit of
luck, which I think was well deserved after some of the chances which we had
in the first half. "The second one I just saw an opportunity to jump on him
[Fabian Delph] and knock it away, get it out of my feet early and I fancy
myself every time when I'm one-on-one with the keeper so I was delighted to
see it rattle the back of the net."
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On this day - 9 February
WHUFC.com
The Hammers ran riot with eight goals on this day in 1929
09.02.2014
Classic match
West Ham United 8-2 Leeds United
Division One
9 February 1929
There were goals galore at the Boleyn Ground on this day 85 years ago as the
Hammers ran riot against Leeds United. The visitors from Yorkshire netted
twice themselves, but it was to no avail as West Ham smashed eight past
their beleaguered goalkeeper. Vic Watson's personal tally ran to six, while
Tommy Yews and Vivian Gibbins also got in on the act. The win lifted the
Hammers to 16th in the Division One table, and they would go on to finish
one place lower in 17th.
Complete record - 9 February
2008 West Ham United 1-1 Birmingham City (Premier League)
2002 Bolton Wanderers 1-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
1994 West Ham United 1-0 Notts County (FA Cup)
1993 West Ham United 3-1 Peterborough United (Division One)
1987 West Ham United 4-0 Sheffield United (FA Cup)
1980 West Ham United 2-1 Queens Park Rangers (Division Two)
1974 Leicester City 0-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1957 West Ham United 3-2 Sheffield United (Division Two)
1952 Coventry City 1-2 West Ham United (Division Two)
1935 Plymouth Argyle 0-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1929 West Ham United 8-2 Leeds United (Division One)
1924 West Ham United 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur (Division One)
Played 12, Won 9, Drawn 2, Lost 1, Scored 25, Conceded 9
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Aston Villa 0 West Ham 2
8 February 2014
Last updated at 17:24
By Mandeep Sanghera
BBC Sport
West Ham moved out of the relegation zone as Kevin Nolan scored twice for
the second game on the trot to steer the Hammers to victory at Aston Villa.
Stewart Downing bamboozled Ryan Bertrand before crossing for Nolan to deftly
flick the visitors in front. Two minutes later Nolan dispossessed a hesitant
Fabian Delph before sliding a low shot past keeper Brad Guzan. In response,
Villa struck the woodwork through a long range Marc Albrighton shot and
Christian Benteke header. The home side improved after the introduction of
winger Albrighton but could not prevent an eighth home defeat of the season.
West Ham had failed in their determined efforts to overturn Andy Carroll's
red card from the win over Swansea last week, but they shrugged off the
striker's absence to register a third win from their past five Premier
League outings. The Hammers have improved as players have returned from
injury, while Nolan coming back into the side following a four-game ban has
also proved influential. The visitors were unfortunate not to be ahead by
half-time having had the better of the exchanges in the opening period.
"Kevin Nolan is the West Ham hero for the second game running. Villa created
a few chances in the second half but it came at a time when you knew they
would have more of the game. When it was 0-0 West Ham were the better side."
Former Villa winger Downing failed to connect with a low Matt Jarvis cross
to the far post, while Matt Taylor had an angled shot saved by Guzan. Jarvis
was then sent clean through on the Villa goal but, under pressure from
defender Nathan Baker, the West Ham winger sent his shot wide. Villa
struggled to muster a threat until late in the first half when Hammers
defender George McCartney's clearing header fell to Ashley Westwood and he
powered a strike just wide.
The visitors were undeterred after the break and finally earned a reward for
their efforts when Downing jinked his way past left-back Bertrand and
crossed for Nolan to produce a clever finish. Nolan, who scored twice
against Swansea, extended his side's lead as he robbed Delph just outside
the area before steering in a shot. West Ham then allowed Villa to dominate
possession and almost paid the price. Albrighton, an influential second-half
substitute, saw his 25-yard shot hit the post, while Villa forward Benteke
hit the bar with a header and went close with an acrobatic overhead kick.
West Ham held on for their 12th clean sheet of the league campaign, the most
in the top flight so far this season.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce: "It was a thoroughly professional
performance in the second half. In the first half in terms of attacking
play, we were excellent but couldn't find a goal. "Kevin came up with the
goods again. That is four in two games and he showed he doesn't need Andy
Carroll to score.
"It is a fantastic win at this stage of the season. For us to put
back-to-back wins together is very important and really does build your
confidence."
Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert: "Whether Andy Carroll was playing or not, we
knew it was going to be a difficult game. The two goals we lost were really
poor.
"There are a lot of teams in there [fighting for survival]. There is no
panic, you just need to try to win more games than not. "You cannot concede
two goals like that and expect to win a game."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Aston Villa 0-2 West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 8th February 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are up to a nosebleed-inducing 14th place in the Premier League
after securing a vital 2-0 win at Villa Park this afternoon.
And Kevin Nolan is the toast of the East End (and surrounding counties) for
the second successive weekend, after the captain grabbed another two-goal
haul as the Hammers secured a third clean sheet in 10 days.
West Ham's rock-solid defence was responsible for a string of clean sheets
at the beginning of the season but a succession of injuries left Sam
Allardyce having to field a different back four every week, which coincided
with a sharp increase in the 'goals conceded' column.
However that poor spell appears to have been the exception rather than the
rule since the likes of James Tomkins, James Collins and Winston Reid
returned to full fitness - from which the clean sheets have once again
emerged.
With Chelsea and Swansea having already been kept at bay West Ham were
looking to make it a hat-trick. That they did, whilst Nolan's two goals -
scored within the first four minutes of the second half - ensured
back-to-back wins for the first time this season (exclude the opening day
win against Cardiff which followed victory against Reading in the final game
of 2012/13, that is).
Although the win was comfortable enough in the end, West Ham really should
have won by a greater margin but failed to make the most of a number of
chances in the opening half, with Matt Jarvis and Stewart Downing enjoying
the freedom of Villa Park on the flanks.
James Tomkins threatened early on when he nodded a Downing corner narrowly
wide whilst under pressure whilst Carlton Cole wriggled though on goal just
four minutes later before wasting the opportunity.
But West Ham's best chance of the half fell to Downing midway through the
half; the winger somehow managed to completely miss a perfectly weighted
centre from Matt Jarvis, who had been set free by a clever defence-splitting
pass from Mark Noble, with the goal gaping in front of him.
Jarvis himself had a couple of chances as Villa's creaking defence was
opened up time and time again but Brad Guzan, in the Villa goal was equal to
anything the former Wolves wide man threw at him. At the other end Adrian
enjoyed a quiet half with only Ashley Westwood's volley in the closing
stages - which the midfielder fired inches wide of Adrian's post - causing
any concern.
No doubt urged to start making the most of any chances that befell them,
West Ham came out of the blocks on fire - and were in front with 90 seconds
of the restart.
Former Villa player Downing, wide right having been supplied by Matt Taylor
teased his marker before lifting the ball into the six-yard box where a
lurking Kevin Nolan produced the most impudent of back-flicks to divert the
ball into the net.
And Nolan, rejuvenated since his enforced Christmas break was on hand to
smash home his second goal of the afternoon a minute later. Indecision on
the edge of the penalty area by Villa's Fabian Delph allowed Nolan to steal
in and fire the ball beyond a shocked Brad Guzan in the Villa goal.
With a comfortable lead in the bag West Ham, unsurprisingly perhaps given
their predicament, shut up shop thereafter - something to which Villa,
bereft of invention and ideas, had no answer to.
Still, Christian Benteke, a shadow of the player who was attracting envious
glances from the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool last year managed to glance
a header on to the bar whilst the Hammers finally got some good luck when
Marc Albrighton's effort rebounded off the post, onto a diving Adrian's
trailing foot and over the bar.
The clean sheet was West Ham's 13th of the campaign - that's more than any
other Premier League club so far this season. Importantly, United have
managed to start scoring at the other end too and for as long as that
remains the case, relegation really shouldn't be an issue - with or without
Andy Carroll.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Chico's a cheat, says Brady
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 8th February 2014
By: Staff Writer
Karren Brady has added to a growing list of those condemning Swansea
defender Chico Flores. Since the Spanish centre half feigned injury in order
to earn West Ham's Andy Carroll a red card last weekend, a number of
pundits, journalists and other people within the game have hit out at both
Flores' cheating and the FA's inability to act accordingly. And Brady was
holding nothing back when, speaking via her tabloid column, she said: "Andy
Carroll is red-carded for what amounts to accidentally disturbing the
ponytail of an opponent. "Swansea's Chico Flores clutches his face and rolls
around body-popping on the floor like he's been shot. It's one of the worst
cases of bad sportsmanship I have seen in 20 years."
And in the wake of West Ham's failure to have Carroll's subsequent
three-match ban overturned, she added: "Swansea can pick Chico Flores who
pretended that he had suffered what appeared to be at least brain damage
when his ponytail got 'air' brushed by Andy's arm. "I had brain surgery in
2006 - and even then I didn't roll around four times."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Kevin Nolan scores two quick-fire goals in win at Aston Villa
Last Updated: 08/02/14 7:16pm
SSN
A quick-fire second-half brace from Kevin Nolan helped West Ham climb out of
the drop zone thanks to a 2-0 victory at Aston Villa. Some brilliant
improvisation from the midfielder helped the Hammers break the deadlock just
18 seconds into the second half. He then seized on a mistake from Fabian
Delph just two minutes and 43 seconds later to score his fourth goal in two
Premier League appearances as well as his seventh top flight goal against
Villa to seal all three points.
Best of the match:
Man of the match: Kevin Nolan - The West Ham skipper notched two quick-fire
goals before going off with a groin injury.
Goal of the match: A delightful flick from Nolan helped the Hammers break
the deadlock just 18 seconds into the second-half.
Moment of the match: Marc Albrighton's howitzer from 30 yards thumped
against the post.
Misses of the match: Stewart Downing missed his kick right in front of goal
and then Matt Jarvis drove his sliding right-footer wide of Brad Guzan's
near post.
Stat of the match: Nolan has now scored seven top flight goals against
Villa, more than against any other opponent.
Talking point: Have West Ham dragged Aston Villa into the relegation dog
fight?
Facing three key matches against relegation rivals without Andy Carroll's
imposing presence, West Ham boss Sam Allardyce feared the worst. Against
Villa, he need not have worried, not given the club's abysmal home record
this season, and in particular with the talismanic Nolan riding to his
rescue. In Villa's last home match they had come from 2-0 down inside nine
minutes to defeat local rivals West Brom 4-3, but looking bereft of ideas on
this occasion there was simply no way back. Certainly, it was too much for
the home fans to expect another feast of football, especially when you
consider, the West Brom game aside, Villa have mustered a miserable eight
goals in their other 12 league home games.
More enterprising
Instead, it was the visitors who were the more enterprising as Villa failed
again to sparkle in front of their own supporters and provide them with some
warmth on a bitter and windy afternoon. All bar one of the better chances in
the opening 45 minutes fell the way of West Ham, the best of which involved
Matt Jarvis.
It was his third-minute corner that was glanced wide by James Tomkins before
two chances followed just before the half-hour mark. The first saw Jarvis
strike one shot into the side-netting, although Ciaran Clark deserved credit
for getting a foot in that helped it on its way. The second saw Jarvis
seemingly clean through, but this time Nathan Baker nipped at his heels,
resulting in the attacker's effort ending up inches wide. As for Villa,
their first-half highlight involved Ashley Westwood firing in a 16-yard
volley that flashed just beyond the right-hand post. Following the break
Nolan then took centre stage, initially after a few seconds, albeit courtesy
of Stewart Downing's industry as he turned Ryan Bertrand inside out before
delivering a low ball into the heart of the area. Nolan, though, was still
artful enough to produce a cheeky flick with the inside of his right foot
that took a deflection off Clark, wrong-footing Brad Guzan.
For the second goal all the hard work was from Nolan as he robbed a
dithering Delph just outside the area before taking the ball on into the box
and stroking it crisply past Guzan. Two goals down, Villa finally woke up,
instigated by the 56th-minute arrival of Marc Albrighton for Matt Lowton.
With his first touch, a delightful cross in towards Christian Benteke, the
Belgian striker was inches away from steering it home. Albrighton then
rattled a post from 30 yards with a thunderous strike that clipped the
flying Adrian's right leg on the rebound. On another day it might have
ricocheted in, but this time it flew over the net. Benteke then hit the
crossbar with a header, conjured an overhead kick that flashed over and
produced another header that was wide, but it was all too little too late
for Villa as Carroll-less West Ham were left singing all the way back to
London.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce hails Kevin Nolan impact
Last Updated: 08/02/14 9:38pm
SSN
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce hailed the impact of Kevin Nolan after the
midfielder scored both goals in the 2-0 win at Aston Villa. A quick-fire
brace just after the break secured the points for the Hammers as Allardyce's
side made it back-to-back Premier League victories for the first time this
season. West Ham squandered a number of first-half opportunities but their
31-year-old captain flicked them ahead just 18 seconds into the second-half
before seizing upon a Fabian Delph error to double the lead. The win sees
Allardyce's men move two points clear of the bottom three and he says the
result was deserved due to the number of chances they created. "It was
really sweet for Kevin to score two goals just after half time because I was
bitterly disappointed we weren't winning at half time," he told Sky Sports.
"We could've really put the game out of sight of Aston Villa had we done
better in front of goal or in the final third the amount of times we got in
behind their defence and in wide positions, getting corners and crosses into
the box. "Not finding the net was something I was hoping we weren't going to
regret today and Kevin started the second half with two outstanding finishes
and he's the reason we're sat here with three points, a well-deserved three
points. "Then there was some outstanding defending after that when Villa
threw three up the middle and we put our three centre halves in there and we
just defended correctly. All the long balls into the box from Villa's
display were masterfully dealt with."
Nolan's double took his tally for the campaign up to six and subsequently
made him the Hammers' top scorer, much to the delight of Allardyce. "He's up
there again," he said. "He was leading goalscorer last season and he's
pulling away from Carlton (Cole) with five now which is nice to see. "Our
goalscorers have started scoring on a regular basis. It really has been a
missing link throughout the whole of the season never mind the injuries to
the defenders in December.
"Aston Villa have been going pretty well themselves just recently and been
scoring quite often so it's a terrific performance and a terrific result for
us."
Speaking of an injury picked up by Nolan, Allardyce said: "Kevin came off
with only a slight groin so I don't think it's going to be too much of a
problem and even more enjoyable, we kept 11 on the field today." The result
also meant that West Ham have now kept the most Premier League clean sheets
so far this season. Allardyce said: "Considering the position we are in the
league, we'd normally have 12 clean sheets and we'd be sitting in the
top-half generally.
"But our season has been not scoring chances created and if we'd have done
that better, we wouldn't have been in such a desperate position through
December into January but we're beginning to pull away from that position."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Victory over Villa 'massive' for West Ham, says James Collins
Last Updated: 08/02/14 8:31pm
SSN
West Ham defender James Collins said their 2-0 victory at Aston Villa is
"massive" for the club. Kevin Nolan scored both the goals as the Hammers
chalked up a rare away victory, and maintain his own fine goal-scoring form
- that's four goals in the last two games for the midfielder. Saturday's win
sees Sam Allardyce's men move two points clear of the Premier League's
bottom three. Centre-back Collins said: "We just came here to play our game
and get three points which is massive for West Ham. Villa tried to play
their football but unfortunately it didn't work for them today. "We were
confident, we got a good draw at Chelsea and then we played very well at
home last week. Losing Andy Carroll was a blow but Marco (Borriello) coming
on at half-time changed the game really so we are delighted. "We knew if we
could get Kev scoring - he got two again today after getting two last week -
he's massive for us and if he can carry on scoring between now and the end
of the season, then I'm sure we'll be fine. "We can (get ourselves out of
trouble). It sounds funny but we were always confident. You try not to make
excuses about injuries and decisions and stuff but they were going against
us and now we seem to have turned a corner. "We've had three massive results
on the bounce which has turned around our season."
Asked if his former club Villa can avoid the drop too, he added: "I'm sure
they can. They are a massive club and they've got some big players -
obviously the boys up front, if they can score the goals then there home
form is going to be big. "I'm sure they can turn it around and hopefully
they can stay up."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Guy Demel thrilled with West Ham's 2-0 victory at Aston Villa
Last Updated: 08/02/14 7:57pm
SSN
Guy Demel was delighted with West Ham's display after they stretched their
unbeaten run to four games with a 2-0 win at Aston Villa. Kevin Nolan scored
twice for the second game on the trot to secure the win and Demel believes
thay have hit form at just the right time. "We knew if we stuck to the
tactics that we had been working on during the week we may have the chance
to win," he told Sky Sports News. "Although it wasn't easy, the win was
expected "We had some chances first half but we didn't put the ball in the
back of the net so at half-time the manager said just keep doing the same
thing and you will score.
"He (Nolan) was really happy. It's really important to have him in that type
of form. He's really important for us and he played brilliantly today.
"Everybody is smiling now. We are in good form and we have to keep going.
"We're not out of trouble yet but we are going to try and keep up this form
and getting a result at home against Norwich (next game) of course will be
important."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham vice-chairman Karen Brady slams Swansea defender Chico Flores
following Andy Carroll incident
Feb 08, 2014 14:51 By Liam Prenderville
The Mirror
West Ham United's vice-chairman Karen Brady has blasted Chico Flores for his
behaviour in Andy Carroll's red card last weekend. The England international
was given his marching orders in his side's 2-0 win over Swansea for
striking Flores, although replays showed the Spaniard had over-reacted. The
Hammers appealed the decision but an arbitration hearing yesterday decided
Carroll would serve the three-match ban. And Brady has backed Sam
Allardyce's comments on Flores and berated the defender for his behaviour.
She told the Sun: "No offence strikes deeper at the heart of football than
feigning injury in a deliberate attempt to get someone sent off. "Chico
Flores clutches his face and rolls around bodypopping on the floor like he's
been shot. It's one of the worst cases of bad sportsmanship i have seen in
20 years. "Despite our efforts for justice, we will be without Andy for
three matches. "Yet Swansea can pick Chico Flores who pretended that he had
suffered brain damage when his ponytail got 'air' brushed by Andy's arm."
Such was Flores' role in the incident, the Football Association have been
told to crack down on players who simulate injury. The Independent
Commission that rejected Carroll's appeal have made the demand having
already expressed their disgust at the Swans' defender's behaviour.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham star Andy Carroll's World Cup dreams virtually over thanks to THAT
red-card ban
Feb 08, 2014 22:30 By Dean Jones
The Mirror
Andy Carroll's controversial three-match ban has wrecked his chances of
going to the World Cup, writes Dean Jones of the Sunday People. The West Ham
striker will not play again this month following his red card in the
Hammers' 2-0 win over Swansea on Saturday last week. That robs Carroll of
the chance to prove his fitness ahead of England's friendly against Denmark
on March 5, when Roy Hodgson will experiment for the last time ahead of the
finals in Brazil.
Carroll has not played for the Three Lions since October 2012, but boss
Hodgson and his backroom team have been keeping a close eye on the
25-year-old since he returned from injury. He had an outside chance of being
called up to the squad for the Wembley friendly, but there have already been
concerns over his match fitness and a lack of playing time in the build-up
to the fixture means he is almost certain to miss out. The Denmark encounter
is the last time Hodgson will look at fringe players before the finals in
the summer. And that means Carroll, already devastated by the fact his
dismissal by Howard Webb was upheld by an arbitration panel, will have to
come to terms with the fact he is unlikely to be considered for Brazil.
Carroll was a key figure for Hodgson at Euro 2012 but his last outing in an
England shirt was against San Marino 16 months ago. He will now have to rely
on other strikers ahead of him picking up injuries.
Southampton's Rickie Lambert has emerged as the main man in the mould of
Carroll since making his England debut against Scotland in August.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Dunn on West Ham: Andy Carroll red-card row saw Hammers' owners stay as
classy as ever
Feb 08, 2014 22:3012
OPINION BY ANDYDUNN
David Gold and David Sullivan's desperation to avoid having the striker who
can save their club from relegation banned was truly nauseating
Whether posing in front of a personalised helicopter or boasting about
earning 10 grand in a 20-second phone call, you can always rely on West
Ham's owners to stay classy. Whether it's David Gold and his trusty chopper
or David Sullivan on the phone to his stockbroker while showing a journalist
around his sprawling, ever-so-tasteful Essex mansion, you can always rely on
West Ham's owners to stay classy. And sure enough, after being on the
receiving end of a soft red card, they stayed classy. The bleating and
whining – thankfully culminating in an arbitration panel dismissing West
Ham's case – was almost as pathetic as Chico Flores' amateur-dramatics. A
club that should have been buoyed by a couple of decent results suddenly
looked desperate again, embarrassingly reliant on the big man up top. There
are times when that desperation to stay in the Premier League is truly
nauseating, when it leads to the fundamental erosion of principle. And the
principle in the Andy Carroll case was collectivity. Whether you think the
law is an ass or not, you all signed up to the law.
Collectivity is what the success of the Premier League is based on. Would
West Ham, Gold and Sullivan be banking £70million this season if Manchester
United decided to thumb a nose at collectivity and opt out of a general TV
deal?
Forget all the backtracking guff from Gold about the club being denied
'procedural fairness'. The same procedure was followed for Carroll as it
was for every other case of its kind: Man gets red card, club appeals,
review shows referee had not made an obvious error. Get on with it - just as
every other club before West Ham has done.
And the Hammers would have got on with it had the frequently-waved wallets
of Gold and Sullivan not been haunted by the spectre of relegation.And boy,
it is a spectre.
So desperate was this club to avoid it in 2006-07, they used an
'illegally-owned' player to help them stay up. Indeed, Carlos Tevez scored
the winner against a Manchester United team that took the afternoon off on
the final day of the season.
Getty ImagesWest Ham United v Swansea City - Premier LeagueOne-man banned:
Carroll suspension fight tells you what the club think of his team-mates
West Ham were fined £5.5m for breaching third party ownership rules, but no
points were deducted and Sheffield United – now facing relegation to the
fourth tier of English football – went down, having finished three points
adrift of the Upton Park club.
West Ham know a thing or two about fairness, then.
I'm sure they think it is fair that hundreds of millions of pounds worth of
taxpayers' money has been and is being spent on a state-of-the-art stadium
for the club owned by helicopter man and mansion man.
And you know what? The bottom line is that Howard Webb's decision to dismiss
Carroll was not unfair. Very harsh, maybe – the harshness exacerbated by the
shameful antics of Flores - but entirely justifiable by the laws of the
game.
Gold had a chance to fly his 'copter to the high moral ground, to use the
perceived injustice as motivation for the rest of an expensively-assembled
squad.
Instead, he sent in the suits to challenge a system all 20 Premier League
clubs consented to and sent a message to his players and manager that they
are pretty useless without the big man up top.
Classy.
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WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan scored twice as the Hammers defeated Aston Villa 2-0 on Saturday
08.02.2014
Aston Villa 0-2 West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United moved out of the Barclays Premier League bottom three as two
goals inside the opening 177 seconds of the second half sent them to victory
at Aston Villa on Saturday. After notching twice in last week's victory over
Swansea City, captain Kevin Nolan was at it again with another brace in
double-quick time. He notched his first just 18 seconds into the second
period, then profited from a Fabian Delph error to make it two just a couple
of minutes later. A 12th clean sheet - the most in the top flight this
season - meant Villa could not find a way back despite building up the
pressure towards the end of the game.
Adrian was rarely called into action, although the woodwork did save the
visitors twice en route to a precious three points. Missing Andy Carroll
after an Independent Tribunal upheld his three-match ban following the No9's
dismissal against Swansea last week, Carlton Cole was given the nod up front
by manager Sam Allardyce. The blustery conditions did not make things easy
for either side with neither able to build up a head of steam in the early
exchanges.
With 14 minutes on the clock former Villa man Stewart Downing looked to
silence the home boo-boys as he cut inside from the right and went for goal,
but fired over the top. Villa's first real opportunity arrived six minutes
later when they broke from a Hammers corner and Andreas Weimann looked to
feed Gabby Agbonlahor, but his touch was heavy and the ball run away for a
goal kick. The Hammers then produced a spell of pressure, with Matt Jarvis
twice racing clear down the left, only to be denied by last ditch tackles
from Ciaran Clark and Nathan Baker. Downing also wasted a great chance when
Jarvis picked him out with a low ball across the box, but Ryan Bertrand
applied enough pressure to ensure the winger could not make contact. West
Ham were looking the more likely scorers, but Ashley Westwood slammed a
volley wide on 42 minutes after Leandro Bacuna's cross fell invitingly for
him. The scoresheet remained blank as the half-time whistle blew, but it
would not stay that way for long as the Hammers made a whirlwind start to
the second period.
Marco Borriello was introduced from the bench, and just 18 seconds after the
restart the Hammers were celebrating the opening goal. After establishing
possession high up the pitch from kick-off, Downing laid square for Nolan,
whose clever flick deflected off a defender and left Brad Guzan helpless. It
got even better for the away side just two minutes later when Delph was
guilty of dwelling on possession for too long on the edge of the box, and
Nolan pounced to rob him and slot past the exposed Guzan. Villa responded by
introducing Marc Albrighton from the bench on 56 minutes and he had an
instant impact, clipping a ball into the box which only just evaded
Benteke's run. The wideman was a whisker away from reducing the arrears
himself midway through the half when his thunderbolt from range thudded
against the post and hit Adrian's back before flying wide. Villa hit the
woodwork for a second time five minutes later when Albrighton crossed for
Benteke, whose looping header had Adrian scrambling across his goal and
struck the top of the bar. The home side were knocking at the door but were
unable to break through a Hammers defence which by now included three centre
halves with Winston Reid making an appearance from the bench, Benteke tried
his luck with an acrobatic overhead kick which whistled over the crossbar as
time ticked down and the Hammers stood firm to record a vital three points
and make it back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since
promotion in 2012.
Aston Villa: Guzan; Lowton (Albrighton 56), Baker, Clark, Bertrand (Bennett
73); Bacuna, Westwood, Delph; Weimann (Holt 71), Benteke, Agbonlahor
Subs: Steer, El Ahmadi, Helenius, Sylla
West Ham United: Adrian; Demel, Collins, Tomkins, McCartney; Nolan (Nocerino
68), Noble, Taylor; Downing, C.Cole (Borriello 46), Jarvis (Reid 74)
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Armero, Collison, Johnson
Goals: Nolan 46, Nolan 49
Booked: Collins, Taylor
Referee: Mike Dean
Attendance: 36,261 (3,030 away)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Adrian aims to keep it clean
WHUFC.com
Goalkeeper Adrian is not resting after keeping his fourth clean sheet in
five Barclays Premier League matches
08.02.2014
Adrian is in the mood for more clean sheets and more victories after
Saturday's 2-0 Barclays Premier League win at Aston Villa. The West Ham
United goalkeeper was in unbeatable form for the third away game in
succession as the Hammers made it four clean sheets in five matches. While
his defenders ensured he faced just one shot on target - after allowing none
against Swansea the previous weekend - Adrian was in commanding form
whenever called into action. The two times he was beaten, the woodwork came
to the Spaniard's deserved rescue from Marc Albrighton and Christian
Benteke, while Kevin Nolan's two smartly-taken second-half goals ensured
back to back Barclays Premier League wins for the first time in nearly three
years. "It's unbelievable!" said the No13, who is fast becoming a cult hero
among the Claret and Blue Army. "It's another three points and another clean
sheet. That's three away matches with a clean sheet now and that's the way
we have to go forward. "It was very important to win again and for us to
keep another clean sheet."
After a busy night at Chelsea, where West Ham drew 0-0 despite the Blues
unleashing an amazing 39 shots - eight on target - Adrian was protected well
by his outfield colleagues for the second away match in succession. "For me,
this is perfect! As a goalkeeper, you rely on the other players for help and
at Villa I didn't have to make too many saves. It's important because the
team defends very, very well. "The whole team is defending well. Every
player is doing his job and this is important. If you have a good defence,
then you can have chances to win the game, and we're doing that."
For Adrian, his patience has been rewarded. After waiting for his chance as
Jussi Jaaskelainen started the season in impressive form, the 27-year-old
has come into the side and made a starting place his own with a succession
of assured performances. "I am really happy. Every time I play and finish
the match, I hear my name being sung by the supporters, which is
unbelievable. "I've only been here for six months, so for this to happen and
for the West Ham fans to do this is spectacular. For me, the fans have been
amazing."
Now, Adrian is targeting a fifth clean sheet in six matches and another
important Barclays Premier League victory when Norwich City visit the Boleyn
Ground on Tuesday evening. Although he already knows no match in this
division will be easy, the former Real Betis Balompie favourite is adamant
West Ham can go into the game with confidence after picking up ten points
from a possible 15. "I am only thinking about the next match in my head. We
have another big game on Tuesday because now we have got out of the bottom
three and the West Ham fans are happy at the moment. "We have to keep them
happy by winning again."
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Big Sam hails match-winner Nolan
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce hailed Kevin Nolan after Saturday's 2-0 Barclays Premier
League win at Aston Villa
08.02.2014
Sam Allardyce hailed match-winner Kevin Nolan after West Ham United
continued their fine run with a 2-0 win at Aston Villa. After dominating a
goalless opening half, Nolan scored twice in the space of four minute at the
start of the second period to fire the Hammers to their first back-to-back
wins since their return to the Barclays Premier League. With the team
defending superbly throughout, the manager was also able to celebrate a
record-setting 12th clean sheet in 25 league games, and seventh in 13 on the
road. The victory lifted West Ham out of the relegation zone and, with
Norwich City to visit the Boleyn Ground on Tuesday evening, Big Sam is now
targeting three in a row. "It was absolutely brilliant from the players," he
confirmed. "Our first-half performance gave us a huge amount of
encouragement with the way that we started the game and the way we continued
to break down Aston Villa's defence. "The disappointing thing, which I said
to the players at half-time, was 'You can't keep going like this without
scoring, otherwise you might pay a heavy penalty. For all the good work you
have done, you haven't put the ball in the back of the net so make sure, if
you do get a chance, put it in the back of the net'. "On their first-half
performance, I think Villa were there for the taking and Kevin Nolan put it
away in the first few minutes of the second half with two superbly-taken
goals.
"I think the arrival of the two Italians helped. If you get the right
service to Marco Borriello, I think we've got a talented player on our
hands. Carlton Cole did a really good job and was constantly fouled by Aston
Villa's centre-halves, but didn't get a lot of protection from the referee.
He caused lots of problems.
"Our wide men got in behind Villa's defence on a consistent basis and it was
just the goals that were missing, then Kevin came up with the goods. That's
four goals in two games and that's pretty sweet for him and us all. "We got
another clean sheet, which was great for the defensive back line that coped
with all the long balls Villa pumped down the middle in the second half. We
defended superbly well."
The manager said Nolan yet again illustrated his talent for coolly finishing
chances when other players might panic and miss. The captain's first goal
was a neat flick from Stewart Downing's low cross just 18 seconds after the
break. The second, three minutes later, saw Nolan rob Fabian Delph before
rolling the ball past goalkeeper Brad Guzan. "He passes the ball into the
net. He is composed and is not up tight. I thought Matt Taylor was going to
get a third too, but his shot was cleared off the line at the far post.
"Kevin's ultimate strength has always been in the opposition penalty area.
He is a top-class Premier League player, always has been, and he has proved
that again."
While Nolan will take the headlines, West Ham as a whole showed they could
win without the suspended Andy Carroll. The striker started a three-match
ban following his controversial sending-off against Swansea City, but his
absence was not felt thanks to the form of Cole and strong debutant
Borriello in attack. "Kevin has scored without Andy, as well!" enthused the
manager. "I think we put in eleven or 12 crosses and on at least three
occasions, we had a player running at their goal to try and score. Even
without Andy we were a threat. "When Villa came on strong in the second half
and threw caution to the wind, we went five at the back. They put Grant Holt
on and we put Winston Reid on so we could handle all their big aerial power,
and we defended the last 20 or 25 minutes or so of all their long balls
pumped into the penalty area. "It was a thoroughly professional performance
in the last 25 minutes and a very good performance in the first 50."
For the manager, a run of ten points out of 15, three straight clean sheets
on the road and back to back league victories were all rewards for the
patience he has shown during an injury-ravaged season. "People kept saying
we weren't doing this and that and I kept telling them why and now I have
proved that I was right - that once the team came back from injuries, they
would get better in terms of performances and results. "Ten points out of
the last five games is a pretty good spell at the moment and Tuesday is on
its way against Norwich at home, and can we continue it as long as we can?
"While we are out of the bottom three, we are not satisfied because we have
only got 25 points from 25 games and we need more points than games on the
board as quick as we can."
Finally, when asked for his highlight of a memorable day at a stormy Villa
Park, the manager pinpointed the performance of his in-form skipper. "Kevin
has scored two critical goals at a period of time when we had similar
chances in the first half but missed them all. When we needed him most, he's
put the game to bed for us and that tops the lot for me. "The rest of the
lads did well and he did the hardest bit, the bit he is paid for, and he's
done his captain's bit too, to get us a very precious three points."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nolan thrilled to repay Hammers
WHUFC.com
West Ham skipper Kevin Nolan was delighted to help the team secure another
three points on Saturday
09.02.2014
Back-to-back Barclays Premier League wins and back-to-back two-goal hauls
gave West Ham United skipper Kevin Nolan double the reason for celebration
at Aston Villa on Saturday. His quickfire brace, scored within the opening
three minutes of the second period at Villa Park, secured the first
consecutive top flight league wins for the Hammers since March 2011 and
hauled them out of the bottom three. It also gave the No4 the opportunity to
repay the faith shown in him after a difficult winter, which has seen him
sent off on two occasions, and he was delighted with the positive impact he
made. He explained: "It's the first time we've got back to back wins since
we've been back in the Premier League and we're delighed because it's been a
tough old season with all the injuries and suspensions. You're seeing now
what we're all about. "When we've got everyone fit and when we've got
everyone playing we're going to get results everywhere. I think this is the
start of a good run between now and the end of the season and if I can keep
chipping away and get a few more goals then hopefully that'll be a little
way of paying back the stupidity that I suffered over the last month. "I'm
feeling really good. Eamon Swift [fitness coach] worked tirelessly with me
and Monte [Mathew Monte-Colombo, strength & conditioning coach] in the gym
too. I worked my socks off because I wanted to show that when I got back in
the team I was bang at it. I knew that I could give the team goals once I
was back in it. "I've worked with the gaffer since I was 17 years old and I
can't thank him enough for everything he's done for me, especially over the
last month when it's been really tough. "I really knew when that happened on
New Year's Day that the lads and the gaffer had my back and I was
overwhelmed by it. "The last couple of weeks, with the goals, that's my
little way of trying to give a bit back for the support they've given me."
Another clean sheet - the Hammers' twelfth of the campaign - meant Villa
could not find a route back into the contest once Nolan had given them a
mountain to climb and once more he had praise for the defensive effort. He
said: "It was a great start to the second half and it gives you something to
hang on to. We've been good away from home this season and with the clean
sheets it just needed someone to put the ball in the back of the net. "I
have had chances over the season, but it just hasn't been falling right for
me but now I feel confident and I'm really looking forward to games. "The
camaraderie that's been shown over the season to be able to stay in there
has been brilliant. On Saturday again you've seen the togetherness and
everything we're about. "It's not over yet, we know it's going to be a big
battle to the end of the season but it's one we're all looking forward to."
Nolan has a habit of notching important goals and the two at Villa Park were
no different. He continued: "The most important goals for me are the ones
that win you games, and I'm just delighted that I've been able to get a
copule which have got us on the road to three points with another fantastic
clean sheet.
"For the first I've got Stewie on the ball and then I made a couple of runs.
He's twisted and turned and found me fantastically well and I got a bit of
luck, which I think was well deserved after some of the chances which we had
in the first half. "The second one I just saw an opportunity to jump on him
[Fabian Delph] and knock it away, get it out of my feet early and I fancy
myself every time when I'm one-on-one with the keeper so I was delighted to
see it rattle the back of the net."
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On this day - 9 February
WHUFC.com
The Hammers ran riot with eight goals on this day in 1929
09.02.2014
Classic match
West Ham United 8-2 Leeds United
Division One
9 February 1929
There were goals galore at the Boleyn Ground on this day 85 years ago as the
Hammers ran riot against Leeds United. The visitors from Yorkshire netted
twice themselves, but it was to no avail as West Ham smashed eight past
their beleaguered goalkeeper. Vic Watson's personal tally ran to six, while
Tommy Yews and Vivian Gibbins also got in on the act. The win lifted the
Hammers to 16th in the Division One table, and they would go on to finish
one place lower in 17th.
Complete record - 9 February
2008 West Ham United 1-1 Birmingham City (Premier League)
2002 Bolton Wanderers 1-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
1994 West Ham United 1-0 Notts County (FA Cup)
1993 West Ham United 3-1 Peterborough United (Division One)
1987 West Ham United 4-0 Sheffield United (FA Cup)
1980 West Ham United 2-1 Queens Park Rangers (Division Two)
1974 Leicester City 0-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1957 West Ham United 3-2 Sheffield United (Division Two)
1952 Coventry City 1-2 West Ham United (Division Two)
1935 Plymouth Argyle 0-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1929 West Ham United 8-2 Leeds United (Division One)
1924 West Ham United 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur (Division One)
Played 12, Won 9, Drawn 2, Lost 1, Scored 25, Conceded 9
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Aston Villa 0 West Ham 2
8 February 2014
Last updated at 17:24
By Mandeep Sanghera
BBC Sport
West Ham moved out of the relegation zone as Kevin Nolan scored twice for
the second game on the trot to steer the Hammers to victory at Aston Villa.
Stewart Downing bamboozled Ryan Bertrand before crossing for Nolan to deftly
flick the visitors in front. Two minutes later Nolan dispossessed a hesitant
Fabian Delph before sliding a low shot past keeper Brad Guzan. In response,
Villa struck the woodwork through a long range Marc Albrighton shot and
Christian Benteke header. The home side improved after the introduction of
winger Albrighton but could not prevent an eighth home defeat of the season.
West Ham had failed in their determined efforts to overturn Andy Carroll's
red card from the win over Swansea last week, but they shrugged off the
striker's absence to register a third win from their past five Premier
League outings. The Hammers have improved as players have returned from
injury, while Nolan coming back into the side following a four-game ban has
also proved influential. The visitors were unfortunate not to be ahead by
half-time having had the better of the exchanges in the opening period.
"Kevin Nolan is the West Ham hero for the second game running. Villa created
a few chances in the second half but it came at a time when you knew they
would have more of the game. When it was 0-0 West Ham were the better side."
Former Villa winger Downing failed to connect with a low Matt Jarvis cross
to the far post, while Matt Taylor had an angled shot saved by Guzan. Jarvis
was then sent clean through on the Villa goal but, under pressure from
defender Nathan Baker, the West Ham winger sent his shot wide. Villa
struggled to muster a threat until late in the first half when Hammers
defender George McCartney's clearing header fell to Ashley Westwood and he
powered a strike just wide.
The visitors were undeterred after the break and finally earned a reward for
their efforts when Downing jinked his way past left-back Bertrand and
crossed for Nolan to produce a clever finish. Nolan, who scored twice
against Swansea, extended his side's lead as he robbed Delph just outside
the area before steering in a shot. West Ham then allowed Villa to dominate
possession and almost paid the price. Albrighton, an influential second-half
substitute, saw his 25-yard shot hit the post, while Villa forward Benteke
hit the bar with a header and went close with an acrobatic overhead kick.
West Ham held on for their 12th clean sheet of the league campaign, the most
in the top flight so far this season.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce: "It was a thoroughly professional
performance in the second half. In the first half in terms of attacking
play, we were excellent but couldn't find a goal. "Kevin came up with the
goods again. That is four in two games and he showed he doesn't need Andy
Carroll to score.
"It is a fantastic win at this stage of the season. For us to put
back-to-back wins together is very important and really does build your
confidence."
Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert: "Whether Andy Carroll was playing or not, we
knew it was going to be a difficult game. The two goals we lost were really
poor.
"There are a lot of teams in there [fighting for survival]. There is no
panic, you just need to try to win more games than not. "You cannot concede
two goals like that and expect to win a game."
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Aston Villa 0-2 West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 8th February 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are up to a nosebleed-inducing 14th place in the Premier League
after securing a vital 2-0 win at Villa Park this afternoon.
And Kevin Nolan is the toast of the East End (and surrounding counties) for
the second successive weekend, after the captain grabbed another two-goal
haul as the Hammers secured a third clean sheet in 10 days.
West Ham's rock-solid defence was responsible for a string of clean sheets
at the beginning of the season but a succession of injuries left Sam
Allardyce having to field a different back four every week, which coincided
with a sharp increase in the 'goals conceded' column.
However that poor spell appears to have been the exception rather than the
rule since the likes of James Tomkins, James Collins and Winston Reid
returned to full fitness - from which the clean sheets have once again
emerged.
With Chelsea and Swansea having already been kept at bay West Ham were
looking to make it a hat-trick. That they did, whilst Nolan's two goals -
scored within the first four minutes of the second half - ensured
back-to-back wins for the first time this season (exclude the opening day
win against Cardiff which followed victory against Reading in the final game
of 2012/13, that is).
Although the win was comfortable enough in the end, West Ham really should
have won by a greater margin but failed to make the most of a number of
chances in the opening half, with Matt Jarvis and Stewart Downing enjoying
the freedom of Villa Park on the flanks.
James Tomkins threatened early on when he nodded a Downing corner narrowly
wide whilst under pressure whilst Carlton Cole wriggled though on goal just
four minutes later before wasting the opportunity.
But West Ham's best chance of the half fell to Downing midway through the
half; the winger somehow managed to completely miss a perfectly weighted
centre from Matt Jarvis, who had been set free by a clever defence-splitting
pass from Mark Noble, with the goal gaping in front of him.
Jarvis himself had a couple of chances as Villa's creaking defence was
opened up time and time again but Brad Guzan, in the Villa goal was equal to
anything the former Wolves wide man threw at him. At the other end Adrian
enjoyed a quiet half with only Ashley Westwood's volley in the closing
stages - which the midfielder fired inches wide of Adrian's post - causing
any concern.
No doubt urged to start making the most of any chances that befell them,
West Ham came out of the blocks on fire - and were in front with 90 seconds
of the restart.
Former Villa player Downing, wide right having been supplied by Matt Taylor
teased his marker before lifting the ball into the six-yard box where a
lurking Kevin Nolan produced the most impudent of back-flicks to divert the
ball into the net.
And Nolan, rejuvenated since his enforced Christmas break was on hand to
smash home his second goal of the afternoon a minute later. Indecision on
the edge of the penalty area by Villa's Fabian Delph allowed Nolan to steal
in and fire the ball beyond a shocked Brad Guzan in the Villa goal.
With a comfortable lead in the bag West Ham, unsurprisingly perhaps given
their predicament, shut up shop thereafter - something to which Villa,
bereft of invention and ideas, had no answer to.
Still, Christian Benteke, a shadow of the player who was attracting envious
glances from the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool last year managed to glance
a header on to the bar whilst the Hammers finally got some good luck when
Marc Albrighton's effort rebounded off the post, onto a diving Adrian's
trailing foot and over the bar.
The clean sheet was West Ham's 13th of the campaign - that's more than any
other Premier League club so far this season. Importantly, United have
managed to start scoring at the other end too and for as long as that
remains the case, relegation really shouldn't be an issue - with or without
Andy Carroll.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Chico's a cheat, says Brady
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 8th February 2014
By: Staff Writer
Karren Brady has added to a growing list of those condemning Swansea
defender Chico Flores. Since the Spanish centre half feigned injury in order
to earn West Ham's Andy Carroll a red card last weekend, a number of
pundits, journalists and other people within the game have hit out at both
Flores' cheating and the FA's inability to act accordingly. And Brady was
holding nothing back when, speaking via her tabloid column, she said: "Andy
Carroll is red-carded for what amounts to accidentally disturbing the
ponytail of an opponent. "Swansea's Chico Flores clutches his face and rolls
around body-popping on the floor like he's been shot. It's one of the worst
cases of bad sportsmanship I have seen in 20 years."
And in the wake of West Ham's failure to have Carroll's subsequent
three-match ban overturned, she added: "Swansea can pick Chico Flores who
pretended that he had suffered what appeared to be at least brain damage
when his ponytail got 'air' brushed by Andy's arm. "I had brain surgery in
2006 - and even then I didn't roll around four times."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Kevin Nolan scores two quick-fire goals in win at Aston Villa
Last Updated: 08/02/14 7:16pm
SSN
A quick-fire second-half brace from Kevin Nolan helped West Ham climb out of
the drop zone thanks to a 2-0 victory at Aston Villa. Some brilliant
improvisation from the midfielder helped the Hammers break the deadlock just
18 seconds into the second half. He then seized on a mistake from Fabian
Delph just two minutes and 43 seconds later to score his fourth goal in two
Premier League appearances as well as his seventh top flight goal against
Villa to seal all three points.
Best of the match:
Man of the match: Kevin Nolan - The West Ham skipper notched two quick-fire
goals before going off with a groin injury.
Goal of the match: A delightful flick from Nolan helped the Hammers break
the deadlock just 18 seconds into the second-half.
Moment of the match: Marc Albrighton's howitzer from 30 yards thumped
against the post.
Misses of the match: Stewart Downing missed his kick right in front of goal
and then Matt Jarvis drove his sliding right-footer wide of Brad Guzan's
near post.
Stat of the match: Nolan has now scored seven top flight goals against
Villa, more than against any other opponent.
Talking point: Have West Ham dragged Aston Villa into the relegation dog
fight?
Facing three key matches against relegation rivals without Andy Carroll's
imposing presence, West Ham boss Sam Allardyce feared the worst. Against
Villa, he need not have worried, not given the club's abysmal home record
this season, and in particular with the talismanic Nolan riding to his
rescue. In Villa's last home match they had come from 2-0 down inside nine
minutes to defeat local rivals West Brom 4-3, but looking bereft of ideas on
this occasion there was simply no way back. Certainly, it was too much for
the home fans to expect another feast of football, especially when you
consider, the West Brom game aside, Villa have mustered a miserable eight
goals in their other 12 league home games.
More enterprising
Instead, it was the visitors who were the more enterprising as Villa failed
again to sparkle in front of their own supporters and provide them with some
warmth on a bitter and windy afternoon. All bar one of the better chances in
the opening 45 minutes fell the way of West Ham, the best of which involved
Matt Jarvis.
It was his third-minute corner that was glanced wide by James Tomkins before
two chances followed just before the half-hour mark. The first saw Jarvis
strike one shot into the side-netting, although Ciaran Clark deserved credit
for getting a foot in that helped it on its way. The second saw Jarvis
seemingly clean through, but this time Nathan Baker nipped at his heels,
resulting in the attacker's effort ending up inches wide. As for Villa,
their first-half highlight involved Ashley Westwood firing in a 16-yard
volley that flashed just beyond the right-hand post. Following the break
Nolan then took centre stage, initially after a few seconds, albeit courtesy
of Stewart Downing's industry as he turned Ryan Bertrand inside out before
delivering a low ball into the heart of the area. Nolan, though, was still
artful enough to produce a cheeky flick with the inside of his right foot
that took a deflection off Clark, wrong-footing Brad Guzan.
For the second goal all the hard work was from Nolan as he robbed a
dithering Delph just outside the area before taking the ball on into the box
and stroking it crisply past Guzan. Two goals down, Villa finally woke up,
instigated by the 56th-minute arrival of Marc Albrighton for Matt Lowton.
With his first touch, a delightful cross in towards Christian Benteke, the
Belgian striker was inches away from steering it home. Albrighton then
rattled a post from 30 yards with a thunderous strike that clipped the
flying Adrian's right leg on the rebound. On another day it might have
ricocheted in, but this time it flew over the net. Benteke then hit the
crossbar with a header, conjured an overhead kick that flashed over and
produced another header that was wide, but it was all too little too late
for Villa as Carroll-less West Ham were left singing all the way back to
London.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce hails Kevin Nolan impact
Last Updated: 08/02/14 9:38pm
SSN
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce hailed the impact of Kevin Nolan after the
midfielder scored both goals in the 2-0 win at Aston Villa. A quick-fire
brace just after the break secured the points for the Hammers as Allardyce's
side made it back-to-back Premier League victories for the first time this
season. West Ham squandered a number of first-half opportunities but their
31-year-old captain flicked them ahead just 18 seconds into the second-half
before seizing upon a Fabian Delph error to double the lead. The win sees
Allardyce's men move two points clear of the bottom three and he says the
result was deserved due to the number of chances they created. "It was
really sweet for Kevin to score two goals just after half time because I was
bitterly disappointed we weren't winning at half time," he told Sky Sports.
"We could've really put the game out of sight of Aston Villa had we done
better in front of goal or in the final third the amount of times we got in
behind their defence and in wide positions, getting corners and crosses into
the box. "Not finding the net was something I was hoping we weren't going to
regret today and Kevin started the second half with two outstanding finishes
and he's the reason we're sat here with three points, a well-deserved three
points. "Then there was some outstanding defending after that when Villa
threw three up the middle and we put our three centre halves in there and we
just defended correctly. All the long balls into the box from Villa's
display were masterfully dealt with."
Nolan's double took his tally for the campaign up to six and subsequently
made him the Hammers' top scorer, much to the delight of Allardyce. "He's up
there again," he said. "He was leading goalscorer last season and he's
pulling away from Carlton (Cole) with five now which is nice to see. "Our
goalscorers have started scoring on a regular basis. It really has been a
missing link throughout the whole of the season never mind the injuries to
the defenders in December.
"Aston Villa have been going pretty well themselves just recently and been
scoring quite often so it's a terrific performance and a terrific result for
us."
Speaking of an injury picked up by Nolan, Allardyce said: "Kevin came off
with only a slight groin so I don't think it's going to be too much of a
problem and even more enjoyable, we kept 11 on the field today." The result
also meant that West Ham have now kept the most Premier League clean sheets
so far this season. Allardyce said: "Considering the position we are in the
league, we'd normally have 12 clean sheets and we'd be sitting in the
top-half generally.
"But our season has been not scoring chances created and if we'd have done
that better, we wouldn't have been in such a desperate position through
December into January but we're beginning to pull away from that position."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Victory over Villa 'massive' for West Ham, says James Collins
Last Updated: 08/02/14 8:31pm
SSN
West Ham defender James Collins said their 2-0 victory at Aston Villa is
"massive" for the club. Kevin Nolan scored both the goals as the Hammers
chalked up a rare away victory, and maintain his own fine goal-scoring form
- that's four goals in the last two games for the midfielder. Saturday's win
sees Sam Allardyce's men move two points clear of the Premier League's
bottom three. Centre-back Collins said: "We just came here to play our game
and get three points which is massive for West Ham. Villa tried to play
their football but unfortunately it didn't work for them today. "We were
confident, we got a good draw at Chelsea and then we played very well at
home last week. Losing Andy Carroll was a blow but Marco (Borriello) coming
on at half-time changed the game really so we are delighted. "We knew if we
could get Kev scoring - he got two again today after getting two last week -
he's massive for us and if he can carry on scoring between now and the end
of the season, then I'm sure we'll be fine. "We can (get ourselves out of
trouble). It sounds funny but we were always confident. You try not to make
excuses about injuries and decisions and stuff but they were going against
us and now we seem to have turned a corner. "We've had three massive results
on the bounce which has turned around our season."
Asked if his former club Villa can avoid the drop too, he added: "I'm sure
they can. They are a massive club and they've got some big players -
obviously the boys up front, if they can score the goals then there home
form is going to be big. "I'm sure they can turn it around and hopefully
they can stay up."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Guy Demel thrilled with West Ham's 2-0 victory at Aston Villa
Last Updated: 08/02/14 7:57pm
SSN
Guy Demel was delighted with West Ham's display after they stretched their
unbeaten run to four games with a 2-0 win at Aston Villa. Kevin Nolan scored
twice for the second game on the trot to secure the win and Demel believes
thay have hit form at just the right time. "We knew if we stuck to the
tactics that we had been working on during the week we may have the chance
to win," he told Sky Sports News. "Although it wasn't easy, the win was
expected "We had some chances first half but we didn't put the ball in the
back of the net so at half-time the manager said just keep doing the same
thing and you will score.
"He (Nolan) was really happy. It's really important to have him in that type
of form. He's really important for us and he played brilliantly today.
"Everybody is smiling now. We are in good form and we have to keep going.
"We're not out of trouble yet but we are going to try and keep up this form
and getting a result at home against Norwich (next game) of course will be
important."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham vice-chairman Karen Brady slams Swansea defender Chico Flores
following Andy Carroll incident
Feb 08, 2014 14:51 By Liam Prenderville
The Mirror
West Ham United's vice-chairman Karen Brady has blasted Chico Flores for his
behaviour in Andy Carroll's red card last weekend. The England international
was given his marching orders in his side's 2-0 win over Swansea for
striking Flores, although replays showed the Spaniard had over-reacted. The
Hammers appealed the decision but an arbitration hearing yesterday decided
Carroll would serve the three-match ban. And Brady has backed Sam
Allardyce's comments on Flores and berated the defender for his behaviour.
She told the Sun: "No offence strikes deeper at the heart of football than
feigning injury in a deliberate attempt to get someone sent off. "Chico
Flores clutches his face and rolls around bodypopping on the floor like he's
been shot. It's one of the worst cases of bad sportsmanship i have seen in
20 years. "Despite our efforts for justice, we will be without Andy for
three matches. "Yet Swansea can pick Chico Flores who pretended that he had
suffered brain damage when his ponytail got 'air' brushed by Andy's arm."
Such was Flores' role in the incident, the Football Association have been
told to crack down on players who simulate injury. The Independent
Commission that rejected Carroll's appeal have made the demand having
already expressed their disgust at the Swans' defender's behaviour.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham star Andy Carroll's World Cup dreams virtually over thanks to THAT
red-card ban
Feb 08, 2014 22:30 By Dean Jones
The Mirror
Andy Carroll's controversial three-match ban has wrecked his chances of
going to the World Cup, writes Dean Jones of the Sunday People. The West Ham
striker will not play again this month following his red card in the
Hammers' 2-0 win over Swansea on Saturday last week. That robs Carroll of
the chance to prove his fitness ahead of England's friendly against Denmark
on March 5, when Roy Hodgson will experiment for the last time ahead of the
finals in Brazil.
Carroll has not played for the Three Lions since October 2012, but boss
Hodgson and his backroom team have been keeping a close eye on the
25-year-old since he returned from injury. He had an outside chance of being
called up to the squad for the Wembley friendly, but there have already been
concerns over his match fitness and a lack of playing time in the build-up
to the fixture means he is almost certain to miss out. The Denmark encounter
is the last time Hodgson will look at fringe players before the finals in
the summer. And that means Carroll, already devastated by the fact his
dismissal by Howard Webb was upheld by an arbitration panel, will have to
come to terms with the fact he is unlikely to be considered for Brazil.
Carroll was a key figure for Hodgson at Euro 2012 but his last outing in an
England shirt was against San Marino 16 months ago. He will now have to rely
on other strikers ahead of him picking up injuries.
Southampton's Rickie Lambert has emerged as the main man in the mould of
Carroll since making his England debut against Scotland in August.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Dunn on West Ham: Andy Carroll red-card row saw Hammers' owners stay as
classy as ever
Feb 08, 2014 22:3012
OPINION BY ANDYDUNN
David Gold and David Sullivan's desperation to avoid having the striker who
can save their club from relegation banned was truly nauseating
Whether posing in front of a personalised helicopter or boasting about
earning 10 grand in a 20-second phone call, you can always rely on West
Ham's owners to stay classy. Whether it's David Gold and his trusty chopper
or David Sullivan on the phone to his stockbroker while showing a journalist
around his sprawling, ever-so-tasteful Essex mansion, you can always rely on
West Ham's owners to stay classy. And sure enough, after being on the
receiving end of a soft red card, they stayed classy. The bleating and
whining – thankfully culminating in an arbitration panel dismissing West
Ham's case – was almost as pathetic as Chico Flores' amateur-dramatics. A
club that should have been buoyed by a couple of decent results suddenly
looked desperate again, embarrassingly reliant on the big man up top. There
are times when that desperation to stay in the Premier League is truly
nauseating, when it leads to the fundamental erosion of principle. And the
principle in the Andy Carroll case was collectivity. Whether you think the
law is an ass or not, you all signed up to the law.
Collectivity is what the success of the Premier League is based on. Would
West Ham, Gold and Sullivan be banking £70million this season if Manchester
United decided to thumb a nose at collectivity and opt out of a general TV
deal?
Forget all the backtracking guff from Gold about the club being denied
'procedural fairness'. The same procedure was followed for Carroll as it
was for every other case of its kind: Man gets red card, club appeals,
review shows referee had not made an obvious error. Get on with it - just as
every other club before West Ham has done.
And the Hammers would have got on with it had the frequently-waved wallets
of Gold and Sullivan not been haunted by the spectre of relegation.And boy,
it is a spectre.
So desperate was this club to avoid it in 2006-07, they used an
'illegally-owned' player to help them stay up. Indeed, Carlos Tevez scored
the winner against a Manchester United team that took the afternoon off on
the final day of the season.
Getty ImagesWest Ham United v Swansea City - Premier LeagueOne-man banned:
Carroll suspension fight tells you what the club think of his team-mates
West Ham were fined £5.5m for breaching third party ownership rules, but no
points were deducted and Sheffield United – now facing relegation to the
fourth tier of English football – went down, having finished three points
adrift of the Upton Park club.
West Ham know a thing or two about fairness, then.
I'm sure they think it is fair that hundreds of millions of pounds worth of
taxpayers' money has been and is being spent on a state-of-the-art stadium
for the club owned by helicopter man and mansion man.
And you know what? The bottom line is that Howard Webb's decision to dismiss
Carroll was not unfair. Very harsh, maybe – the harshness exacerbated by the
shameful antics of Flores - but entirely justifiable by the laws of the
game.
Gold had a chance to fly his 'copter to the high moral ground, to use the
perceived injustice as motivation for the rest of an expensively-assembled
squad.
Instead, he sent in the suits to challenge a system all 20 Premier League
clubs consented to and sent a message to his players and manager that they
are pretty useless without the big man up top.
Classy.
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Saturday, February 8
Daily WHUFC News - 8th February 2014
Aston Villa match preview
WHUFC.com
All the need-to-know information ahead of West Ham United's match against
Aston Villa on Saturday
07.02.2014
ASTON VILLA v WEST HAM UNITED
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
VILLA PARK
SATURDAY 8 FEBRUARY 2014
KICK-OFF: 3PM
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 visit Villa Park on Saturday in the Barclays Premier
League looking to record an away win against Aston Villa for the first time
since a 2-1 success in January 2006.
• The Hammers head to the Midlands confident that they can get another
positive away result having drawn 0-0 with Chelsea and beaten Cardiff City
2-0 in their last two away league outings.
• Sam Allardyce will also be buoyed by a first home win of 2014 which
arrived in their last match, a 2-0 win over Swansea City at the Boleyn
Ground.
• Victory over the Swans left the Hammers eighteenth in the Premier League,
five points behind Saturday's opponents.
• Paul Lambert's side will be looking to improve a home record which has
seen them win just one of their last seven matches at Villa Park.
• That solitary success came in a 4-3 win against West Bromwich Albion in
the team's last outing in front of their own fans.
• Last time out the Villans succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against Everton at
Goodison Park with the Toffees netting a late winner.
• That defeat on Merseyside left Aston Villa tenth in the table with 27
points from their 24 league matches.
Team news
West Ham United
• Joey O'Brien is the Hammers' only long-term injury casualty with the
full-back having undergone an operation on the shoulder he dislocated
against Chelsea.
• Winger Joe Cole and midfielder Mohamed Diame will also miss out on the
trip to Villa Park with a calf injury and gashed leg respectively.
• The Hammers will also be without the services of Ricardo Vaz Te who is
continuing his recovery from injury.
• Striker Andy Carroll starts a three-match ban against the Villans after
his sending-off against Swansea City.
Aston Villa
• Gabriel Agbonlahor is expected to return to the Villa side following a
two-match absence with a foot injury.
• Skipper Ron Vlaar is likely to miss the game with a hamstring problem, but
fellow defenders Chris Herd and Joe Bennett are fit again.
Last time out
West Ham United 2-0 Swansea City
Barclays Premier League
1 February 2014
West Ham United: Adrian, McCartney, Tomkins, Collins, Demel, Noble, Nolan
(Nocerino 87), Taylor (Reid 79), Jarvis (C Cole 66), Downing, Carroll
Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, Johnson, Morrison, Boriello
Goals: Nolan 26, 45
Sent-off: Carroll
Everton 2-1 Aston Villa
Barclays Premier League
1 February 2014
Aston Villa: Guzan, Bacuna, Bertrand, Clark, Baker, Vlaar (Albrighton 80),
Westwood, Delph, Weimann (Tonev 87), Benteke, Holt (El Ahmadi 61)
Subs not used: Steer, Sylla, Lowton, Helenius
Goal: Bacuna 34
Previous meeting
A sixth clean sheet in ten Premier League matches arrived for the Hammers as
they were held by Aston Villa at the Boleyn Ground. Andreas Weimann was a
menace early on and but for a last-ditch tackle from Ravel Morrison might
have had a goal to celebrate. Kevin Nolan went close for the home side
before Christian Benteke rattled a header against the crossbar as the game
petered out for a draw.
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Tomkins, Reid, Rat (Diame 90),
Collison (C Cole 63), Noble, Nolan, Downing, Jarvis (J Cole 62), Morrison
Subs not used: Adrian, Maiga, O'Brien, Potts
Aston Villa: Guzan, Vlaar, Baker, Clark, Lowton, Sylla, Westwood, El Ahmadi,
Bacuna, Weimann (Kozak 57), Benteke
Subs not used: Steer, Herd, Helenius, Bowery, Tonev, Johnson
Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated)
2 November 2013 - West Ham United 0-0 Aston Villa
10 February 2013 - Aston Villa 2-1 West Ham United
18 August 2012 - West Ham United 1-0 Aston Villa
16 April 2011 - West Ham United 1-2 Aston Villa
14 August 2010 - Aston Villa 3-0 West Ham United
17 January 2010 - Aston Villa 0-0 West Ham United
Overall record v Aston Villa (all competitions) W 38 D 32 L 38
Ten-year record
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)
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)
Aston Villa
2012/13 Premier League 15th (41 points)
2011/12 Premier League 16th (38 points)
2010/11 Premier League 9th (48 points)
2009/10 Premier League 6th (64 points)
2008/09 Premier League 6th (62 points)
2007/08 Premier League 6th (60 points)
2006/07 Premier League 11th (50 points)
2005/06 Premier League 16th (42 points)
2004/05 Premier League 10th (47 points)
2003/04 Premier League 6th (56 points)
Old boys
• James Collins swapped east London for Birmingham on 1 September 2009 for
an undisclosed fee after making 65 appearances in all competitions for West
Ham United, scoring two goals. The Wales centre-back returned to West Ham on
1 August 2012 from the Villans, having scored six goals in 109 games for
Aston Villa.
• Carlton Cole would be playing against the team where he spent the 2004/05
season on loan if he makes an appearance on Saturday. Cole scored three
goals in 30 league and cup appearances for Aston Villa.
• Stewart Downing spent two years with Aston Villa between 2009 and 2011,
scoring eleven times in 82 matches
• Among the other players who have represented both clubs are Billy Askew,
John Carew, Alan Curbishley, Mervyn Day, Marlon Harewood, Thomas
Hitzlsperger, Ray Houghton, David James, Robbie Keane, Fred Norris, Nigel
Reo-Coker, Tony Scott, Les Sealey, Nolberto Solano, Tommy Southren, David
Unsworth and Phil Woosnam.
Background
• West Ham United and Aston Villa have met 108 times in total in competitive
fixtures. Each club has tasted victory on 38 occasions, with 32 draws.
• The first-ever meeting between the two clubs proved to be a forgettable
one for West Ham United, who were beaten 5-0 at Villa Park in the FA Cup
second round on 1 February 1913.
• West Ham United's largest victory over Aston Villa came in Division One on
30 August 1958, when the newly-promoted Hammers won 7-2 at the Boleyn
Ground. A 30,506-strong crowd saw John Dick, Vic Keeble and Malcolm Musgrove
scored twice apiece and Bill Lansdowne once.
• Sam Allardyce faced Aston Villa five times as a manager during the 2009/10
season, when his Blackburn Rovers side were eliminated from the FA Cup and
League Cup by the Villans.
• West Ham United's all-time record goalscorer Vic Watson netted 18 goals in
15 appearances against Aston Villa, including three hat-tricks in November
1926, December 1929 and April 1930.
• Marlon Harewood scored a hat-trick against Aston Villa when he bagged
three times in a 4-0 home win over Saturday's opponents on 12 September
2005. He later went on to play for Villa.
• A total of 13 West Ham United players have made their debuts against the
Villans - Alfred Earl, Ernest England, Alvin Martin, Carlos Tevez, Winston
Reid, Pablo Barrera, Frederic Piquionne, Archibald Macauley, Ian Crawford,
Bill Green, Craig Forrest, Paulo Alves and Matthew Upson.
Referee
• The man in the middle for Saturday's fixture is Mike Dean.
• Dean last refereed the Hammers in a 3-3 draw with West Bromwich Albion on
28 December 2013.
• In all, he has refereed West Ham 35 times, with the Hammers winning 12,
losing eleven and drawing twelve of those matches.
• 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.
• On Saturday Dean will be assisted by Jake Collin and John Brooks, while
the fourth official will be Roger East.
General information
• Tickets for the match are SOLD OUT.
• Rain showers are predicted for kick-off time at Villa Park, with
temperatures reaching 7C (45F)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United statement
WHUFC.com
West Ham United have issued a statement in response to the outcome of the
Independent Arbitration Tribunal
07.02.2014
Whilst West Ham United are obviously disappointed at the decision, as we
have made clear throughout, we respect the rules of football and shall abide
by them. Andy Carroll will now serve a three-match suspension, which will
rule him out of the Barclays Premier League fixtures at Aston Villa tomorrow
and at home to Norwich City and Southampton. He will be available for
selection again for the trip to Everton on Saturday 1 March.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Stew keen to down Villa
WHUFC.com
Stewart Downing is aiming to finally set the record straight with
back-to-back wins in the Premier League
08.02.2014
Stewart Downing is hoping that West Ham United can finally secure
back-to-back wins in the Barclays Premier League when he returns to face his
former employers Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon. The Hammers have not won
consecutive top-flight games since 2011, when home wins against Liverpool
and Stoke City arrived at the end of February and the beginning of March.
It's a fact that Downing and his teammates are well aware of, having
constantly been reminded about the unwanted statistic by Sam Allardyce. The
winger told West Ham TV: "We keep getting reminded of it as we haven't done
it as yet. "It's a great chance this weekend to put it right and not let the
manager keep banging on about it to us. It's a good chance for us, a good
game and we should have beaten them at home really. A couple of us will be
playing our old team and it would be nice to go there and get the three
points."
When the Hammers arrive at Villa Park to try and record the Club's first win
there since 2006, Downing will be returning to a ground where he spent two
seasons of his career. In the Claret and Blue of the Villans, whom he joined
in summer 2009, the 29-year-old helped the club to achieve a sixth-place
Premier League finish and was instrumental in them reaching the League Cup
final in his first season. The No23 spent a further season in the Midlands,
where he won the club's Player of the Year award, before leaving to join
Liverpool in 2011, and the winger believes some of his best football was
played during his spell with the Villans. "When Martin O'Neill was there we
had a good squad and that wasn't just the starting XI, he could pick two
teams, the squad was that good. The second season we lost Martin and things
changed. "I'm not sure if the owners had stopped investing a bit. We bought
Darren Bent because we were struggling but you could sense a bit of a
change, cut-backs being made and stuff. "It was a good time for me to move
and it's been a bit of a transitional few seasons for Villa but they're
still a decent team."
Since Paul Lambert took the hot seat at Villa Park in 2012, the Scot has
overseen an almost wholesale change in personnel, opting to place the
emphasis on signing young talent rather than stick with those players who
are tried and tested. Downing is not the only ex-Villan in the Hammers'
squad, with centre-back James Collins also having represented the Midlands
outfit from 2009 to 2012, but only a few familiar faces remain from their
time at the club. "Me and Ginge were talking about it the other day, how
many players were there that we knew. Obviously there's Gabby Agbonlahor and
Fabian Delph signed when I signed but apart from that Paul Lambert's had a
bit of a revamp and bought in a lot of young players. "Benteke's probably
his stand-out buy. That's the way they're going, they're building a young
team and it takes a couple of seasons to do that, it's not going to happen
overnight but that's what he's tried to do."
A win against Aston Villa would close the gap between the two sides to just
two points and Downing believes that the next few games will be crucial in
defining the Hammers' season. "Teams in and around us won last week so we
could have been cut adrift had we not won, they were big points. There's
three big games coming up, winnable games and we need to pick up points.
"We've still got to play some of the teams in and around us so it's going to
be quite fascinating for the neutral but we need to get points on the board
as quick as possible."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam on: Aston Villa
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce addressed the media ahead of Saturday's trip to Villa Park
07.02.2014
Sam Allardyce has spoken to the assembled media ahead of Saturday's trip to
Aston Villa in the Barclays Premier League. Big Sam fielded questions
surrounding Andy Carroll's red card against Swansea, his team's recent form
and the latest injury news ahead of the trip to Villa Park.
Morning Sam, two wins and a draw from three of your last four league games,
do you feel West Ham's season has turned a corner?
SA: "It's obviously been about recovering from the injury problems that we
had over a long period of time, the best part of two months. In the game
scenario over December and January, where it's at it's peak and when you've
lost so many players through injury, then you're always under pressure to
get the result. When you haven't got a full squad to select from and you're
playing so many players out of position, in defence in particular, when you
get them all back you see the difference it makes to results and
performances. We're proving that when we do get everybody fit then results
turn in our favour and that's what we were talking about all the way through
Christmas. "This is our best spell of the season at the moment, a four-game
run with seven points on the board, and we have to try and continue on from
there. We're looking forward to going to Aston Villa and trying to perform
like we did at Cardiff a few weeks ago. The only problem is we've had to
achieve our last two victories with ten men which has been a bit unjust on
both occasions. We've got to go to Aston Villa and hopefully keep eleven
players on the field and not get any more injuries. That is key to
continuing our successful results at the moment."
What was your reaction to Andy Carroll having his red card appeal rejected
by the FA?
SA: "I think that my reaction was anger and injustice. The whole procedure,
in terms of how we put our case together and what the vast swell of people
felt, was unjust but unfortunately for me the panel has not seen it as they
should have seen it. It's easy to hide behind the regulations or what the
law says but that's an easy way out for me. Referees often say it's
'Technically this or that' and it really does grind on you when they use the
technical term or to the letter of the law. "In this case we felt that they
were looking at it from one thing only, was it an obvious mistake. We based
the whole of our procedure on was it an obvious mistake and I'm 100% certain
it was an obvious mistake. Howard Webb should have given a free-kick for the
foul on Andy Carroll by Chico Flores. At that stage the whistle should blow
and there is no incident. That for me is an obvious mistake."
Could you tell us, in your own words, how much of a difference Andy Carroll
makes to West Ham?
SA: "Only time will tell. I have Carlton Cole who's our leading goalscorer
in the Premier League this season. He's done a really good job this season
since we got him back to match fitness. They've got to step-up to the plate.
Marco's got a really good track record in Italy, but of course is somewhat
untried in this league. He's going to have to go in there and hopefully show
us the sort of ability and form he showed in Italy. "We've got replacements
but at the end of the day we all know Andy Carroll is our major asset. He's
our major signing, our biggest investment and that makes him one of our
biggest players. We all have to overcome adversity and I hope the players
are angry, as I am, and I hope they take that anger out in a positive manner
against Aston Villa. I hope they prove that we can still win a game of
football without Andy."
What are your views on Aston Villa's season, do you share the view that they
have over-achieved?
SA: "I think that Paul Lambert had a massive learning curve last season with
the dramatic change around of players that he made at Aston Villa, buying a
lot of young players. I think that all those young players have grown in
stature based upon the experiences that they had last season. They are using
those experiences to put Aston Villa in a better light in terms of results.
They have the danger men as we know. "They've had some very good
performances recently, I'm sure he was very disappointed only drawing 2-2 at
Liverpool. Coming back against West Bromwich Albion to win and they're
scoring goals at the moment. It's a big game for us and they're a big threat
at the moment. They're in good form and they've done very well."
Is there any other team news or fitness updates which you can give us?
SA: "Everybody's fit from the squad we selected last week and we're
obviously hoping that they continue to stay fit. We can go into the game
with a lot of confidence but we must remember to maintain the level of
performance that we've shown recently and more importantly, try and better
it. That's the way to try and get ourselves further up the league. "We've
all seen what a quick run of results can do because of the way the table is.
In the next few days, after Tuesday night, we could put ourselves around
tenth or eleventh place if we do the job right. The short-term goal is to
make sure that in the next two games we come out with as many points as we
possibly can."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Adrian scoops Player of the Month
WHUFC.com
West Ham United goalkeeper Adrian has been named as the Hammers' top
perfomer for January
07.02.2014
West Ham United goalkeeper Adrian has won the whufc.com fan vote to be
named as Hammers Player of the Month for January. The 27-year-old stopper,
who is in his first season at the Club after arriving from Real Betis, kept
two clean sheets in the month to help his side record a valuable win at
Cardiff City, along with a 0-0 draw at title-chasing Chelsea. Adrian polled
a whopping 63% of the fan vote to land the award by a landslide, ahead of
Mark Noble (25%) in second. Matt Taylor rounded off the top three. January
amounted to Adrian's breakthrough month following his arrival in English
football. After featuring in two Barclays Premier League matches towards the
end of December, he wrestled the goalkeeper's position back off Jussi
Jaaskelainen to play in five of January's seven matches. His performance at
Chelsea was particularly noteworthy, as Chelsea unleashed 39 shots at the
Hammers goal, yet were unable to beat the No13.
Player of the month winners 2013/14
August James Collins
September Ravel Morrison
October Ravel Morrison
November Stewart Downing
December Carlton Cole
January Adrian
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Taylor backs Italians to shine
WHUFC.com
Hammers midfielder Matt Taylor is looking forward to lining-up alongside the
new recruits
07.02.2014
Matt Taylor is sure West Ham United's January Serie A recruits can help fire
the Londoners up the Barclays Premier League table over the final 14 games
of the season. Sam Allardyce added AC Milan midfielder Antonio Nocerino, AS
Roma striker Marco Borriello and SSC Napoli full-back Pablo Armero to his
squad towards the end of the winter transfer window, with Italy
international Nocerino already having made two appearances from the bench
for his new side.
Fellow Italian Borriello and Colombian Armero could make their Hammers bows
on Saturday when they travel to Aston Villa and Taylor is happy to have them
on board. He said: "The Italian lads, first and foremost, must be finding it
difficult to have moved to a new city, a new country and a new culture, but
they've taken the plunge and done that. "They have CVs that could have seen
them stay in Italy, in Serie A, but they have chosen to come to the Premier
League.
"From what I've seen, both of them look to be very capable footballers. I'm
hoping Marco can score some vital goals for us between now and the end of
the season. "Antonio is a very good footballer, a very good box-to-box
midfielder, from the training I've seen. I'm sure he'll get his chance from
the start soon to showcase his talents. "Ultimately, whoever is picked, we
need to make sure get behind them because that's the most important thing as
a Club - that whoever plays, plays well."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Armero's ready for Hammers fight
WHUFC.com
Deadline day arrival Pablo Armero is looking forward to testing himself in
English football
07.02.2014
Deadline day signing Pablo Armero trained with his new West Ham United team
mates for the first time on Friday and the Colombia international cannot
wait for his chance to impress in English football. The 27-year-old
left-back, who has joined the Club on loan for the rest of the season from
Serie A side SSC Napoli, is in Sam Allardyce's squad for the trip to Aston
Villa on Saturday after obtaining a visa to link up with the Londoners.
Having already secured a work permit for the new No8 prior to his signing,
the wait for a visa to be issued meant Armero only arrived in England late
this week, but he is ready to show what he can do.
Speaking in a West Ham TV exclusive, he said: "Thank you very much to West
Ham for this opportunity. I feel very good to be here and I see a group that
wants to improve and wants to win every game. I hope to do a good job at
West Ham United..
"For me this Is a great opportunity and will be a great experience. English
football is very attractive and I'm very glad to be here. I will give my
best, 100%, to the coach to improve the quality of the team." Armero already
has experience of playing against top flight English opposition, having
faced Arsenal home and away in this season's UEFA Champions League group
stages. He believes his game is well suited to the demands of English
football. He explained: "It was good to play against Arsenal because I like
English football. It's attacking and defending, it's quick football -
quicker than Italy - and I've always wanted to be here in the Premier
League. Again, I will give my best to help the team. "I am a left full-back,
who likes to work in defence. I am a good defender, strong and quick, but I
also like attacking. I like to go to the front and make good crosses. I will
give good defending to the team, and good attacking too and hopefully I will
help my team mates to win games."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Aston Villa v West Ham
KO 15:00
7 February 2014
Last updated at 11:26
By Simon Brotherton
Match of the Day commentator
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Villa Park Date: Saturday, 8 February
TEAM NEWS
Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor is expected to return to the side
after a two-match absence with a foot injury. Captain Ron Vlaar is likely to
miss the game with a hamstring problem but fellow defenders Chris Herd and
Joe Bennett are both fit again.
West Ham striker Andy Carroll begins a three-match ban after the club failed
to get it overturned on Friday. New signings Marco Borriello and Pablo
Armero could make their Hammers debuts at Villa Park.
MATCH PREVIEW
Preparation for any visit to Villa Park these days includes reading through
statistics telling you how awful Aston Villa's home record is and that goals
are at a premium.
Yet my most recent visit last week for the local derby against West Bromwich
Albion turned into a seven-goal thriller which saw the home side prevail 4-3
despite going 2-0 down after just eight minutes. It was some way short of a
defensive masterclass from both teams but gave the crowd a thrilling match
to get excited about - which is not something that's happened too often
lately.
Villa's job is to try and build on that as they aim to improve on the second
worst home record in the Premier League. Paul Lambert's team are 10th in the
table, seven points better off than this time a year ago, but it's so tight
this season they're only five points above third bottom West Ham. So as you
can see, there's plenty riding on this match. "West Ham will miss Andy
Carroll massively while he is suspended. The whole way they play is geared
to having him in the team, as we saw from the way he made both their goals
against the Swans." West Ham really needed their 2-0 home win over Swansea
last weekend, but have spent much of the week stewing over Andy Carroll's
red card and the FA's decision not to overturn it on appeal. His presence
will be missed as they look for a first league win at Villa Park since Alan
Pardew was in charge back in January 2006. West Ham's last away performance
produced an unexpected point as they frustrated Jose Mourinho and Chelsea at
Stamford Bridge. If they sit back and park the bus in this one it could be a
poor spectacle because Villa don't thrive when the onus is on them to break
another team down. The last meeting between the teams was a goalless
stalemate at Upton Park back in November and it's likely to be close again
this time.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Villa are on a six-match unbeaten run at home to West Ham, whose only
victory in the last 15 visits came in January 2006.
Aston Villa
They have lost half of their last 50 league matches at Villa Park and
averaged less than a point per game in that period (W12, D13, L25, Pts 49).
One third of the 12 goals scored by Paul Lambert's side at Villa Park this
season came in their last home fixture: the 4-3 win against West Brom.
Villa are looking to avoid successive league defeats. They are yet to earn
back-to-back wins this season.
The Villans have conceded 56% of their goals in the first half, the highest
proportion in the league this season.
They have scored in their last six league matches, their best scoring run
since an eight-match streak between September and November 2011.
West Ham
West Ham have won two of their last four league games. They are vying to go
three league games unbeaten for the first time this season.
The Hammers have kept three clean sheets in their last four games, and 11 in
total this season - the joint most with Arsenal and as many as they managed
in the whole of last season.
Sam Allardyce's side have taken four points from their last two away
matches, having lost the previous five in a row.
They have lost the most points (14) from winning positions this season, and
gained the joint-fewest (one) from losing positions.
Andy Carroll's first Premier League red card against Swansea last weekend
was West Ham's fifth sending off this season, the joint-most along with
Sunderland.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Carroll: West Ham striker's three-match ban upheld by tribunal
BBC.co.uk
An independent tribunal has upheld the Football Association's decision to
reject West Ham's appeal against Andy Carroll's three-match ban. The Premier
League side threatened legal action against the FA after their initial
attempt to overturn the ban was turned down. Carroll will now miss the
Hammers' matches against Aston Villa, Norwich and Southampton. In the 12
months from the start of March 2013 to the end of February 2014, Andy
Carroll will have played only 15 games, scoring four goals. He was sent off
during his side's 2-0 win against Swansea last Saturday. An FA statement
said: "An independent arbitration tribunal convened under FA Rule K has
dismissed a legal challenge brought by West Ham United and Andy Carroll in
relation to the red card received by Carroll in the match between West Ham
United FC and Swansea on 1 February 2014. "The independent tribunal resolved
that there was no serious issue to be tried and also awarded The FA its
costs."
West Ham released their own statement, which said: "Whilst West Ham United
are obviously disappointed at the decision, as we have made clear
throughout, we respect the rules of football and shall abide by them." The
Hammers, who lie 18th in the table, also suggested the FA-appointed panel
"did not apply the correct test" under its rules when making the original
decision. The move to reconsider the upholding of the initial suspension
with a further hearing is a highly unusual one, and is the last stage a
dispute can reach under FA rules. It is thought to be the first time in
Premier League history that a rejected red-card appeal has then been
referred to an independent arbitrator. Carroll, 25, was dismissed after
clashing with Swans defender Chico Flores at Upton Park. According to the
FA, West Ham failed to prove that referee Howard Webb had made "an obvious
error" in dismissing the forward, whose arm hit Flores on the top of his
head as he tried to untangle himself following an aerial challenge. Flores
went to ground clutching his face but West Ham felt he had over-reacted.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carroll appeal - REJECTED
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 7th February 2014
By: Staff Writer
Andy Carroll will serve a three-match ban after his second appeal against
last weekend's red card was dismissed. West Ham United went back to the
Football Association today in a second bid to have Howard Webb's original
decision to dismiss the England international for violent conduct
overturned. However it was announced shortly after 4pm this afternoon that
the three-man panel's original decision had been upheld. West Ham appointed
leading QC Lord David Pannick to lead their case against what the club
viewed as an unjust decision. However the decision made on Tuesday stands
regardless and Carroll will now miss the matches against Aston Villa,
Norwich and Southampton. Meanwhile, Chico Flores - whose cheating antics
caused the furore - is allowed to continue to play without sanction.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce: top-half by next weekend
KUMb.com
Filed: Friday, 7th February 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce says that West Ham could find themselves in the upper half of
the table this time next weekend. Allarydyce, speaking to the press at the
Boleyn Ground this morning ahead of the weekend trip to Aston Villa believes
that two good performances - at Villa Park this weekend and at home to
Norwich on Tuesday - could catapult the Hammers up the league. "We've all
seen what a quick run of results can do because of the way the table is," he
said. "In the next few days, after Tuesday night, we could put ourselves
around tenth or eleventh place if we do the job right. "This is our best
spell of the season at the moment. A four-game run with seven points on the
board, and we have to try and continue on from there. We're looking forward
to going to Villa and trying to perform like we did at Cardiff a few weeks
ago. The only problem is we've had to achieve our last two victories with
ten men, which has been a bit unjust on both occasions. We've got to go to
Aston Villa and hopefully keep eleven players on the field and not get any
more injuries. That is key to continuing our successful results at the
moment. "When you haven't got a full squad to select from and you're playing
so many players out of position, in defence in particular, when you get them
all back you see the difference it makes to results and performances. We're
proving that when we do get everybody fit then results turn in our favour -
and that's what we were talking about all the way through Christmas."
And on Andy Carroll, whose ssecond appeal is being heard this morning,
Allardyce added: "We based the whole of our procedure on [the question of]
was it an obvious mistake? I'm 100% certain it was. "Howard Webb should
have given a free-kick for the foul on Andy Carroll by Chico Flores. At that
stage the whistle should blow and there is no incident. That, for me, is an
obvious mistake."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Aston Villa host West Ham United at Villa Park
Last Updated: 07/02/14 11:33am
SSN
West Ham United's bid to climb out of the relegation zone continues on
Saturday as they take on Aston Villa at Villa Park. Heading into the game
there are just five points between the clubs; yet one appears to be a
relegation candidate, while the other sits 10th in the Premier League
standings. Paul Lambert's Villa currently boast 27 points, leaving them in
mid-table, but victory will not see them move any higher, with Southampton
eight points ahead in ninth. Villa's home form has been indifferent this
campaign, but the visit of West Ham should represent the ideal opportunity
to record back-to-back home wins for the first time this season, having
beaten West Brom 4-3 last time out. Despite claiming a 2-0 victory over
Swansea City at Upton Park last weekend, the Hammers remain caught in the
relegation scrap, yet victory could elevate them to 12th should results go
their way. Andy Carroll was the catalyst for Sam Allardyce's side on
Saturday, providing two headed assists as captain Kevin Nolan bagged a
brace, but West Ham may have to do battle without their leading striker.
Just a few games into his return from a long-term injury, Carroll was shown
a red card following a clash with Chico Flores and West Ham must wait on
Friday's independent tribunal to discover whether his three-match ban will
stand. November's reverse fixture between the sides in London resulted in a
goalless draw but Villa have won three and lost just one of their last six
meetings with the Hammers.
Paul Merson's prediction
West Ham had a big result against Swansea last week, while Aston Villa were
unlucky to lose to Everton and had a great result in their last home game
against West Brom. I fancy Villa to win on Saturday because of Andy
Carroll's suspension. West Ham are a different team when he plays; Kevin
Nolan is a good player, but he's 20 times better when Carroll is in the
team. I thought Carroll swiped out at Chico Flores last week, but the
Swansea lad won't be getting a Victoria Cross for his reaction. It was
pathetic!
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1
A Villa Badge A Villa
Last 6
Everton (a)2-1
West Brom (h)4-3
Liverpool (a)2-2
Arsenal (h)1-2
Sheff Utd (h)1-2
Sunderland (a)0-1
Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert is set to be handed a boost for Saturday's
visit of West Ham, with striker Gabriel Agbonlahor expected to return.
Agbonlahor has missed the last two games with a foot injury suffered after
tumbling over an advertising hoarding in last month's draw at Liverpool.
Lambert is without Ron Vlaar however, after the centre-back picked up a
hamstring problem in the closing stages of last week's 2-1 loss at Everton
last weekend.
West Ham Badge West Ham
Last 6
Swansea (h)2-0
Chelsea (a)0-0
Man City (h)0-3
Newcastle (h)1-3
Cardiff (a)0-2
Man City (a)6-0
West Ham United boss Allardyce is being made to sweat over the availability
of striker Carroll. Carroll was red carded in West Ham's victory over
Swansea City and faces an independent tribunal on Friday to learn whether
his three-match ban will remain. Fellow forward Ricardo Vaz Te faces a late
fitness test with his knee injury potentially subsiding in time for this
game. Full-back Joey O'Brien (shoulder), midfielders Joe Cole (groin) and
Mohamed Diame (knee) remain out. Italian duo Antonio Nocerino and Marco
Borriello could feature following their loan moves.
Opta Facts
Aston Villa have kept just one clean sheet in their last 11 Premier League
games, conceding at least two goals in eight games during this run.
West Ham have hit the target with just 36% of their shots this season, the
lowest accuracy in the top flight.
Only Fulham (10) have picked up fewer points at home than Aston Villa (11)
this season.
West Ham have kept the joint-most clean sheets in the Premier League along
with Arsenal (11).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
INDEPENDENT ARBITRATION TRIBUNAL DISMISS LEGAL CHALLENGE BY WEST HAM
By Sean Whetstone 7 Feb 2014 at 17:31
West Ham Till I Die
The FA have made a statement to confirm "An Independent Arbitration Tribunal
convened under FA Rule K has today dismissed a legal challenge brought by
West Ham United FC and Andy Carroll in relation to the red card received by
Carroll in the match between West Ham United FC and Swansea City FC on 1
February 2014."
The FA were awarded their costs of £13,092 which West ham must pay.
West Ham have made an official statement saying: "West Ham United have
issued a statement in response to the outcome of the Independent Arbitration
Tribunal.Whilst West Ham United are obviously disappointed at the decision,
as we have made clear throughout, we respect the rules of football and shall
abide by them.Andy Carroll will now serve a three-match suspension, which
will rule him out of the Barclays Premier League fixtures at Aston Villa
tomorrow and at home to Norwich City and Southampton. He will be available
for selection again for the trip to Everton on Saturday 1 March."
Earlier today the club confirmed they were appearing before an Independent
Arbitral Tribunal in a challenge to the FA Regulatory Commission's decision
relating to the three-match suspension of Andy Carroll. They said "the Club
is concerned that the Regulatory Commission did not apply the correct test
under the rule, and denied the Club procedural fairness.West Ham's complaint
is made under the FA Rules, and the Club shall accept and abide by the
decision of the Independent Arbitral Tribunal.The Club has no intention of
taking the issue to the courts, but simply seeks a fair determination of its
rights under the FA's Rules."
This appears to be the final chapter in this story.
The End
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
CLARET AND BLUE KIT WAS LOST IN A BET
By Sean Whetstone 7 Feb 2014 at 12:25
West Ham Till I Die
In 1899, there was a fayre was being held near to Villa Park in an area
known at the time as the 'Black Patch', where a gypsy community welcomed
travelling attractions and Charlie Chaplin was supposedly born in a caravan.
Anyway, one visitor apparently challenging all comers, was William Dove, a
London-born professional sprinter of national fame. Along came four Aston
Villa players to the fayre strutting their Victorian stuff through the side
shows and attractions.The Villa players were challenged to race by Dove
which they agreed and a money wager was set. Anyway the race against William
Dove was run and the Aston Villa players lost. The Villa players didn't have
any money, so, a compromise was reached. One of the Villa players had been
given the job of getting the first team's kit washed. To placate Dove, they
gave him the complete claret-and-blue kit and then reported it stolen to the
Aston Villa directors.
The London sprinter returned to the capital with the claret and blue kit of
the then league champions. William's son, Charlie Dove, was an apprentice
riveter who played right-half for his works team, Thames Ironworks. The then
amateur team had played in a number of different colours, including dark
blue, inspired by the firm's chairman, who had been at Oxford. When William
Dove, who also helped coach the team showed up one day with a complete set
of claret-and-blue Aston Villa kits, they adopted it. When Thames Ironworks
were disbanded and relaunched almost immediately as West Ham United they
kept the Claret and Blue strip.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
FA told to crack down on play-acting by commission that rejected West Ham's
Andy Carroll appeal
Feb 07, 2014 22:30 By Darren Lewis
The Mirror
The FA have been told to crack down on the fakers with Chico Flores set to
play today as Andy Carroll begins his three-match ban. The demand has come
from the original Independent Commission that rejected West Ham's appeal
against their star striker's red card on Tuesday. Mirror Sport can also
reveal that Premier League match delegate Paul Allen, who was at the game
against Swansea last week, condemned Flores's antics in his report and
labelled Carroll's dismissal "harsh". West Ham were finally defeated by the
FA yesterday at a five-hour arbitration hearing in London's West End to
determine whether Carroll's red card should have been blocked pending a
personal hearing. But despite throwing out the original appeal, Tuesday's
panel had already expressed their disgust at Flores's behaviour in their
written reasons and called on the FA to get tough with players who perform
similar histrionics. In their report they made clear: "the Commission's
dissatisfaction with the conduct of Mr Flores, for simulating injury and
unsporting conduct, and comment that the Commission look to The FA to find
ways of dealing with this type of conduct."
Referee Howard Webb showed Carroll a straight red card after Flores's
exaggerated reaction to being caught on the top of the head by Carroll's
arm. But, in a section of his report marked 'Key Match Incidents', Premier
League match delegate Allen reported to his bosses that Flores had behaved
"melodramatically". He wrote: "My initial reaction, at match tempo, was the
sanction was harsh as both players competed In an aerial challenge. "The
initial infringement was made by Flores as he impeded Carroll in an aerial
challenge leading up to the incident and it was the momentum of Carroll's
arm as he turned into the defender that made contact with the top of the
player's head as both players untangled after the challenge. "It didn't
appear that the arm was thrown towards Chico with any aggression or with a
clenched fist as Carroll was not looking at his opponent when the impact was
made. "It looked a case of the player not being able to control his movement
or momentum of his arm as both players separated from the challenge. "Flores
then fell to the ground melodramatically and held his face as opposed to the
part of the body where the contact was made. "Howard Webb deliberated over
his decision as he approached Carroll before brandishing the red card.
"After reviewing the incident several times on DVD, I am still of the
opinion that the decision was very harsh and I am not sure if Howard Webb
had a clear view of the incident from his vantage point to judge the
challenge on its merits or if he thought there was excessive force used due
to the over-reaction of the player."
Yesterday's decision by the single arbitrator was accepted by West Ham who
said: "We respect the rules of football and shall abide by them."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham without Andy Carroll, Mo Diame and Joe Cole for Aston Villa game
Feb 07, 2014 17:45 By Eliot Rothwell
The Mirror
West Ham are set to be without striker Andy Carroll against Aston Villa
after the failing to overturn his three-game ban. The Upton Park club had
hoped to overturn the decision, but the FA committee charged with
investigating the dismissal saw no reason to remove the suspension. Hammers
boss Sam Allardyce will also be without Joey O'Brien (shoulder), Joe Cole
(groin) and Mohamed Diame (knee) as his side look to move away from
relegation danger. Loan pair Antonio Nocerino and Marco Borriello could be
included in the starting line up following their moves from AC Milan and AS
Roma.
Provisional Squad: Adrian, Demel, Tomkins, McCartney, Collins, Downing,
Noble, Jarvis, Taylor, Nolan, Cole, Jaaskelainen, Borriello, Johnson,
Morrison, Nocerino, Reid, Vaz Te.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Andy Carroll accepts three-game ban but urges FA to punish
players who 'simulate injury'
By Jason Burt and Ben Rumsby 11:00PM GMT 07 Feb 2014
Telegraph.co.uk
The Football Association has been urged to introduce retrospective
punishment for players who "simulate injury" by the original commission it
appointed to investigate Andy Carroll's controversial red card. The West
Ham United striker's three-match ban was upheld, for a second time, on
Friday after his club took the case to arbitration, at the FA's suggestion
under rule K8 and before an independent QC, after failing in an initial bid
to get the dismissal overturned.
West Ham have dropped the threat of legal action and the matter is now
closed with Carroll missing the vital league matches against Aston Villa on
Saturday and then at home against Norwich City and Southampton as the club
battle against relegation. The Telegraph has learnt that not only was the
original independent three-man commission set up by the FA to hear the
appeal split on whether the card against Swansea City was correct but it
expressed serious misgivings about Chico Flores's behaviour during the
incident.
Furthermore it is understood that the FA shared those misgivings with a
source confirming the organisation took a "dim view" of Flores's theatrical
actions. The FA even considered charging Flores with "ungentlemanly conduct"
for his exaggerated response during the incident at Upton Park on Saturday
Feb 1 which led to referee Howard Webb dismissing Carroll.
However, it was eventually decided that the evidence was not strong enough
in this case and that Flores, who has protested his innocence and claimed
that he was struck on the head, should be given the benefit of the doubt. If
the FA wanted to go further and introduce retrospective punishment for the
behaviour of players such as Flores then it would need the consent of the
clubs and other 'stakeholders' – such as the Premier League – who have
opposed the measure in the past.
In the original appeal judgment the three-man panel was not only split 2:1 –
with one member arguing that Carroll was "doing no more than rotating his
arm from the tangle" – but unanimously condemned Flores. Paragraphs 22-25 of
the judgment "recorded the Commission's dissatisfaction with the conduct of
Mr Flores for simulating injury and unsporting conduct" with a "comment that
the Commission look to the FA to find ways of dealing with this type of
conduct".
West Ham submitted their case on Friday, after taking legal advice from
leading QC Lord Pannick and also the high-profile solicitor Henri Brandman,
with the arbitral tribunal meeting at 11am in central London before
delivering its verdict five hours later.
The red card could not have been overturned with West Ham arguing for a
"stay" on the decision while a new hearing was convened so that Carroll
could play in their forthcoming matches. The club were desperate for the
England international, who has been injured for most of the season, to be
available for today's match and the fixture against Norwich in particular
which they regard as relegation six-pointers.
West Ham's sense of grievance will have been added to by the report
submitted by Paul Allen, the Premier League's match delegate, who wrote that
he believed the red card was "harsh", adding: "After reviewing the incident
several times on DVD I am still of the opinion that the decision was very
harsh and I am not sure if Howard Webb had a clear view of the incident from
his vantage point to judge the challenge on its merits or if he thought
there was excessive force used due to the over-reaction of the player."
Allen added: "It did not appear that the arm was thrown towards Chico with
any aggression."
The FA argued that the card could only be overturned if Webb had made an
"obvious error" but West Ham challenged this claiming "the regulatory
commission has applied the wrong test" and that this fell into the remit of
guidance rather than a rule. The club said that under the FA rules (Section
5(c) of Section A of the Disciplinary Procedures) that the incident should
have been looked as to "whether any sanction of a suspension from play is
one which should be imposed in view of the facts of the case".
West Ham also argued that because the commission was split this made it even
more necessary for the club and Carroll to be granted "an oral hearing... in
which the player could have had a proper opportunity to respond to the
allegation that he had committed the act of violent misconduct". Carroll
maintained that he never attempted to "strike" Flores. The FA had countered
that there was no right to an oral hearing and their solicitors Charles
Russell said Webb's action could only be deemed "wrongful it if plainly
falls outside the range of decisions reasonably open to him".
The FA now argues that the process which was completed yesterday validated
its approach – and it is one of the few federations who do allow wrongful
dismissal appeals. Last month Sepp Blatter, the Fifa president, called on
referees to use the full extent of their powers to punish players guilty of
simulation. It also followed a string of incidents in the Premier League
this season with 13 bookings for diving dished out. In his Fifa Weekly
column Blatter wrote about the irritation he feels when the "[supposedly]
half-dead player comes back to life".
A number of Premier League managers – including Jose Mourinho and Tim
Sherwood – now want that to be taken further and agree with the demands for
retrospective punishment to be handed out to players who dive or feign
injury. The FA has put the issue of 'simulation' to the stakeholders before
but it was rejected with the Professional Footballers' Association, in
particular, opposing the move. This caused frustration at the FA, which is
not averse to reintroducing the debate although there is an acceptance that
it is hard to prove. The FA would welcome guidance from the PFA to its
members. The organisation is also relieved that the Carroll case is now
closed and is pleased with the statement from West Ham that "we respect the
rules of football and shall abide by them".
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Aston Villa's veteran striker Grant Holt: I've played against Chico Flores–
he does go down easily
John Percy By John Percy11:29PM GMT 07 Feb 2014
Telegraph.co.uk
Had West Ham United succeeded in their attempt to field Andy Carroll at
Villa Park on Saturday, it would have provoked uproar among Paul Lambert and
other managers competing to avoid relegation from the Premier League. But at
least one Aston Villa player believes Carroll has been the victim of a grave
injustice and, worse, that his case is a depressing example of the way
defenders such as Chico Flores are undermining the English game's proud
tradition of tough-but-fair battles between centreforwards and
centre-halves. Grant Holt's views on the row that has dominated this week's
build-up to the visit of West Ham are typically forthright and unflinching,
with the 32-year-old fearing the controversy could have far wider
implications for English football. Carroll and Holt are both cut from the
same granite, the archetypal traditional centreforward with the scars to
prove it, but Holt believes the pressures on referees and trial-by-TV is
threatening to cause irreparable damage. "The stakes are so high now that if
you've got a chance to gain an advantage, get someone a red card –
especially if you are struggling and getting beaten – then people are doing
it now. You don't want to see it and I think it's making referee's decisions
even harder," he said.
"Without going into too many things Chico Flores does tend to go down
slightly easily. I've played against him many times and it disappoints me.
"If Carroll hits him in the face and he goes down then fair enough. If I hit
someone in the face then I'd expect them to go down if I've caught them
because it will bloody hurt. "But when you're getting hit with elbows and
stuff I hate to see people rolling around and doing 15 tumbles on the floor
when you haven't touched them. If you've been hit on the face then fair
enough, but if you're hit on the top of your head – hold the top of your
head. You don't need to hold your face. I think the player could stay up.
"Years ago there was more respect. Certainly in League One, League Two you
expected to take it. I remember a guy called Jim Bentley at Morecambe and
the battles I had with him. At the end you shook his hand and had a laugh
about it. That's what we need to get back to."
Holt has never been afraid to air his opinions and is a refreshing antidote
to many of the pampered players seemingly unable to speak without guidance
from an agent or press officer. On his Twitter account he proudly claims
"Dad to 3 beautiful girls and batting well above my average". His grounded
attitude has undoubtedly been shaped by his formative years at the likes of
Workington, Halifax and Barrow. But it has sometimes landed him in trouble.
He famously described Roy Hodgson's decision to leave him out of England's
Euro 2012 squad as "ridiculous", after scoring 15 Premier League goals in a
season at Norwich. It could have been even more chastening when close friend
Rickie Lambert, his strike partner at Rochdale, completed his own remarkable
rise last year with a goal on his debut against Scotland. "When you're
watching it and Rickie made his debut you've got to think 'yeah that could
have been me'. But, honestly, I was delighted for him. "It was never about
me, I was always beating the drum for other people. There's a lot of players
get pigeonholed and it's been nice to see the likes of Rickie, Adam Lallana
and Jay Rodriguez get their chance. It needs to continue. "I was close [to a
call-up]. I know they looked at medical files. If somebody had told me when
I was playing at Barrow that I'd have just missed out on the Euros you'd
just have laughed. I scored 15 goals one season and then eight in the next,
still never got a sniff. "England didn't do that great in the Euros, it was
actually worse sitting there watching the thing."
Is he confident for this year's World Cup? "No. There are better teams than
England out there, I'm sure everybody thinks that. Hopefully I'll see them
lift something in my lifetime but we'll just wait and see. "It's a World Cup
where nobody is talking about them, usually everyone says we're going to win
it but they're not this year so fingers crossed it will go the other way."
Holt now has a chance to rampage on the big stage again after seizing an
offer from Lambert, his former manager at Norwich, to join Villa on loan
last month. The opportunity to work with Lambert again was impossible for
him to turn down, especially when you consider he had been a substitute at
Wigan Athletic.
He will be 33 in April which, whisper it quietly, comfortably makes him the
oldest member of a squad Lambert is building for the future. But he has
already proven hugely influential both on and off the field, hoping to score
his first goal in front of the Holte End on Saturday afternoon. "I think it
raised a few eyebrows because I'd come from not playing in the Championship
to a big Premier League club like Villa," he said. "The manager knows what
he gets from me. I'm under no illusions, if there had been a big transfer
fee involved it probably wouldn't have happened. He knows I'll work hard and
want to win. I hate losing. "I love walking into a ground and getting abuse.
I thrive on it. I like the banter I get on Twitter – the people give me this
and I give a little back. "I'm the world's worst. I'll go to Carlisle games
and I'll be on the terraces watching it and I shout stuff and then I think,
'Grant what are you doing'? "But that's football, everyone's got their
opinion. Wouldn't it be boring if everyone was the same and thought 'isn't
he a great player?'."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WEST HAM TRADE MARK 'UPTON PARK' AND 'BOLEYN GROUND' DESPITE MOVING
By Sean Whetstone 8 Feb 2014 at 07:52
West Ham Till I Die
West Ham United have trade marked the words 'Upton Park' despite planning to
move away from the area in 2016. The trade mark was granted and published in
the trade mark journal recently on 31st January.The Trade Mark forbids the
name being used in a wide list of goods and services including bizarre items
such as pot porri and whips. The Trade Mark 'The Boleyn Ground' was also
registered late last year until the year 2023 so no-one can use the name
Boleyn Ground . West Ham are also currently attempting to trade mark the
words 'Irons' and 'The Irons' which has not been granted as yet.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce claims 'simulation has won' after Andy Carroll's
ban is upheld
Daily Star
ANDY CARROLL was fuming last night after his second appeal to overturn a
three-match ban was rejected. The West Ham striker will now miss his side's
crunch Premier League showdowns with Aston Villa today, Norwich on Tuesday
and the game against Southampton on February 22. A six-hour arbitration
hearing yesterday ruled that an Independent Commission had been correct to
uphold Carroll's straight red and ban for violent conduct against Swansea
after he caught Chico Flores with a swinging arm and the Swansea defender
went down clutching his face. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce said: "I'm
frightened of going near him. He is hugely frustrated and angry and
disappointed in this situation. "It is best to leave him well alone and let
him get over it. Simulation has been allowed to win."
An FA statement said: "An Independent Arbitration Tribunal convened under FA
Rule K has dismissed a legal challenge brought by West Ham United FC and
Andy Carroll. "The Independent Tribunal resolved that there was no serious
issue to be tried and also awarded The FA its costs." A West Ham statement
read: "Whilst West Ham United are obviously disappointed at the decision, as
we have made clear throughout, we respect the rules of football and shall
abide by them."
Allardyce also slammed the quality of referees in the top-flight and claims
there has been a directive from the top to dish out more red cards since the
New Year. At his weekly press conference, he issued figures which stated
there were 21 sending offs until January 1 while there have already been 13
dismissals in just over a month. Allardyce added: "Why have we had a
dramatic increase in red cards? "All I am doing is throwing up where we are
at the minute and what is happening in the game of football. "You've got to
be good and tough enough and have the right amount of quality and character
to deal with refereeing at Premier League level. "It means if you have done
something wrong it should be said. But, unfortunately, it isn't often enough
for me and a lot of other managers. "That's the problem we have that we
don't seem to get any sort of reaction out of the group of referees who work
together or the bodies. "All we can hope is that would improve and get
better. From my eyes, it's always been a case of we haven't got enough
top-class professional referees. "We should have more to relieve the
pressure on them. "The fact is there is a small group that work together and
the group is not big enough. Of course, you have to have the quality. Not
just the quantity. You have to aspire to have both."
Allardyce reckons Flores' antics contributed to Michael Laudrup getting the
sack at Swansea adding: "He may feel like he's clever getting away with it,
but with some of his actions and performance, he has just got his manager
sacked."
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WHUFC.com
All the need-to-know information ahead of West Ham United's match against
Aston Villa on Saturday
07.02.2014
ASTON VILLA v WEST HAM UNITED
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
VILLA PARK
SATURDAY 8 FEBRUARY 2014
KICK-OFF: 3PM
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 visit Villa Park on Saturday in the Barclays Premier
League looking to record an away win against Aston Villa for the first time
since a 2-1 success in January 2006.
• The Hammers head to the Midlands confident that they can get another
positive away result having drawn 0-0 with Chelsea and beaten Cardiff City
2-0 in their last two away league outings.
• Sam Allardyce will also be buoyed by a first home win of 2014 which
arrived in their last match, a 2-0 win over Swansea City at the Boleyn
Ground.
• Victory over the Swans left the Hammers eighteenth in the Premier League,
five points behind Saturday's opponents.
• Paul Lambert's side will be looking to improve a home record which has
seen them win just one of their last seven matches at Villa Park.
• That solitary success came in a 4-3 win against West Bromwich Albion in
the team's last outing in front of their own fans.
• Last time out the Villans succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against Everton at
Goodison Park with the Toffees netting a late winner.
• That defeat on Merseyside left Aston Villa tenth in the table with 27
points from their 24 league matches.
Team news
West Ham United
• Joey O'Brien is the Hammers' only long-term injury casualty with the
full-back having undergone an operation on the shoulder he dislocated
against Chelsea.
• Winger Joe Cole and midfielder Mohamed Diame will also miss out on the
trip to Villa Park with a calf injury and gashed leg respectively.
• The Hammers will also be without the services of Ricardo Vaz Te who is
continuing his recovery from injury.
• Striker Andy Carroll starts a three-match ban against the Villans after
his sending-off against Swansea City.
Aston Villa
• Gabriel Agbonlahor is expected to return to the Villa side following a
two-match absence with a foot injury.
• Skipper Ron Vlaar is likely to miss the game with a hamstring problem, but
fellow defenders Chris Herd and Joe Bennett are fit again.
Last time out
West Ham United 2-0 Swansea City
Barclays Premier League
1 February 2014
West Ham United: Adrian, McCartney, Tomkins, Collins, Demel, Noble, Nolan
(Nocerino 87), Taylor (Reid 79), Jarvis (C Cole 66), Downing, Carroll
Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, Johnson, Morrison, Boriello
Goals: Nolan 26, 45
Sent-off: Carroll
Everton 2-1 Aston Villa
Barclays Premier League
1 February 2014
Aston Villa: Guzan, Bacuna, Bertrand, Clark, Baker, Vlaar (Albrighton 80),
Westwood, Delph, Weimann (Tonev 87), Benteke, Holt (El Ahmadi 61)
Subs not used: Steer, Sylla, Lowton, Helenius
Goal: Bacuna 34
Previous meeting
A sixth clean sheet in ten Premier League matches arrived for the Hammers as
they were held by Aston Villa at the Boleyn Ground. Andreas Weimann was a
menace early on and but for a last-ditch tackle from Ravel Morrison might
have had a goal to celebrate. Kevin Nolan went close for the home side
before Christian Benteke rattled a header against the crossbar as the game
petered out for a draw.
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Tomkins, Reid, Rat (Diame 90),
Collison (C Cole 63), Noble, Nolan, Downing, Jarvis (J Cole 62), Morrison
Subs not used: Adrian, Maiga, O'Brien, Potts
Aston Villa: Guzan, Vlaar, Baker, Clark, Lowton, Sylla, Westwood, El Ahmadi,
Bacuna, Weimann (Kozak 57), Benteke
Subs not used: Steer, Herd, Helenius, Bowery, Tonev, Johnson
Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated)
2 November 2013 - West Ham United 0-0 Aston Villa
10 February 2013 - Aston Villa 2-1 West Ham United
18 August 2012 - West Ham United 1-0 Aston Villa
16 April 2011 - West Ham United 1-2 Aston Villa
14 August 2010 - Aston Villa 3-0 West Ham United
17 January 2010 - Aston Villa 0-0 West Ham United
Overall record v Aston Villa (all competitions) W 38 D 32 L 38
Ten-year record
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)
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)
Aston Villa
2012/13 Premier League 15th (41 points)
2011/12 Premier League 16th (38 points)
2010/11 Premier League 9th (48 points)
2009/10 Premier League 6th (64 points)
2008/09 Premier League 6th (62 points)
2007/08 Premier League 6th (60 points)
2006/07 Premier League 11th (50 points)
2005/06 Premier League 16th (42 points)
2004/05 Premier League 10th (47 points)
2003/04 Premier League 6th (56 points)
Old boys
• James Collins swapped east London for Birmingham on 1 September 2009 for
an undisclosed fee after making 65 appearances in all competitions for West
Ham United, scoring two goals. The Wales centre-back returned to West Ham on
1 August 2012 from the Villans, having scored six goals in 109 games for
Aston Villa.
• Carlton Cole would be playing against the team where he spent the 2004/05
season on loan if he makes an appearance on Saturday. Cole scored three
goals in 30 league and cup appearances for Aston Villa.
• Stewart Downing spent two years with Aston Villa between 2009 and 2011,
scoring eleven times in 82 matches
• Among the other players who have represented both clubs are Billy Askew,
John Carew, Alan Curbishley, Mervyn Day, Marlon Harewood, Thomas
Hitzlsperger, Ray Houghton, David James, Robbie Keane, Fred Norris, Nigel
Reo-Coker, Tony Scott, Les Sealey, Nolberto Solano, Tommy Southren, David
Unsworth and Phil Woosnam.
Background
• West Ham United and Aston Villa have met 108 times in total in competitive
fixtures. Each club has tasted victory on 38 occasions, with 32 draws.
• The first-ever meeting between the two clubs proved to be a forgettable
one for West Ham United, who were beaten 5-0 at Villa Park in the FA Cup
second round on 1 February 1913.
• West Ham United's largest victory over Aston Villa came in Division One on
30 August 1958, when the newly-promoted Hammers won 7-2 at the Boleyn
Ground. A 30,506-strong crowd saw John Dick, Vic Keeble and Malcolm Musgrove
scored twice apiece and Bill Lansdowne once.
• Sam Allardyce faced Aston Villa five times as a manager during the 2009/10
season, when his Blackburn Rovers side were eliminated from the FA Cup and
League Cup by the Villans.
• West Ham United's all-time record goalscorer Vic Watson netted 18 goals in
15 appearances against Aston Villa, including three hat-tricks in November
1926, December 1929 and April 1930.
• Marlon Harewood scored a hat-trick against Aston Villa when he bagged
three times in a 4-0 home win over Saturday's opponents on 12 September
2005. He later went on to play for Villa.
• A total of 13 West Ham United players have made their debuts against the
Villans - Alfred Earl, Ernest England, Alvin Martin, Carlos Tevez, Winston
Reid, Pablo Barrera, Frederic Piquionne, Archibald Macauley, Ian Crawford,
Bill Green, Craig Forrest, Paulo Alves and Matthew Upson.
Referee
• The man in the middle for Saturday's fixture is Mike Dean.
• Dean last refereed the Hammers in a 3-3 draw with West Bromwich Albion on
28 December 2013.
• In all, he has refereed West Ham 35 times, with the Hammers winning 12,
losing eleven and drawing twelve of those matches.
• 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.
• On Saturday Dean will be assisted by Jake Collin and John Brooks, while
the fourth official will be Roger East.
General information
• Tickets for the match are SOLD OUT.
• Rain showers are predicted for kick-off time at Villa Park, with
temperatures reaching 7C (45F)
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West Ham United statement
WHUFC.com
West Ham United have issued a statement in response to the outcome of the
Independent Arbitration Tribunal
07.02.2014
Whilst West Ham United are obviously disappointed at the decision, as we
have made clear throughout, we respect the rules of football and shall abide
by them. Andy Carroll will now serve a three-match suspension, which will
rule him out of the Barclays Premier League fixtures at Aston Villa tomorrow
and at home to Norwich City and Southampton. He will be available for
selection again for the trip to Everton on Saturday 1 March.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Stew keen to down Villa
WHUFC.com
Stewart Downing is aiming to finally set the record straight with
back-to-back wins in the Premier League
08.02.2014
Stewart Downing is hoping that West Ham United can finally secure
back-to-back wins in the Barclays Premier League when he returns to face his
former employers Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon. The Hammers have not won
consecutive top-flight games since 2011, when home wins against Liverpool
and Stoke City arrived at the end of February and the beginning of March.
It's a fact that Downing and his teammates are well aware of, having
constantly been reminded about the unwanted statistic by Sam Allardyce. The
winger told West Ham TV: "We keep getting reminded of it as we haven't done
it as yet. "It's a great chance this weekend to put it right and not let the
manager keep banging on about it to us. It's a good chance for us, a good
game and we should have beaten them at home really. A couple of us will be
playing our old team and it would be nice to go there and get the three
points."
When the Hammers arrive at Villa Park to try and record the Club's first win
there since 2006, Downing will be returning to a ground where he spent two
seasons of his career. In the Claret and Blue of the Villans, whom he joined
in summer 2009, the 29-year-old helped the club to achieve a sixth-place
Premier League finish and was instrumental in them reaching the League Cup
final in his first season. The No23 spent a further season in the Midlands,
where he won the club's Player of the Year award, before leaving to join
Liverpool in 2011, and the winger believes some of his best football was
played during his spell with the Villans. "When Martin O'Neill was there we
had a good squad and that wasn't just the starting XI, he could pick two
teams, the squad was that good. The second season we lost Martin and things
changed. "I'm not sure if the owners had stopped investing a bit. We bought
Darren Bent because we were struggling but you could sense a bit of a
change, cut-backs being made and stuff. "It was a good time for me to move
and it's been a bit of a transitional few seasons for Villa but they're
still a decent team."
Since Paul Lambert took the hot seat at Villa Park in 2012, the Scot has
overseen an almost wholesale change in personnel, opting to place the
emphasis on signing young talent rather than stick with those players who
are tried and tested. Downing is not the only ex-Villan in the Hammers'
squad, with centre-back James Collins also having represented the Midlands
outfit from 2009 to 2012, but only a few familiar faces remain from their
time at the club. "Me and Ginge were talking about it the other day, how
many players were there that we knew. Obviously there's Gabby Agbonlahor and
Fabian Delph signed when I signed but apart from that Paul Lambert's had a
bit of a revamp and bought in a lot of young players. "Benteke's probably
his stand-out buy. That's the way they're going, they're building a young
team and it takes a couple of seasons to do that, it's not going to happen
overnight but that's what he's tried to do."
A win against Aston Villa would close the gap between the two sides to just
two points and Downing believes that the next few games will be crucial in
defining the Hammers' season. "Teams in and around us won last week so we
could have been cut adrift had we not won, they were big points. There's
three big games coming up, winnable games and we need to pick up points.
"We've still got to play some of the teams in and around us so it's going to
be quite fascinating for the neutral but we need to get points on the board
as quick as possible."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam on: Aston Villa
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce addressed the media ahead of Saturday's trip to Villa Park
07.02.2014
Sam Allardyce has spoken to the assembled media ahead of Saturday's trip to
Aston Villa in the Barclays Premier League. Big Sam fielded questions
surrounding Andy Carroll's red card against Swansea, his team's recent form
and the latest injury news ahead of the trip to Villa Park.
Morning Sam, two wins and a draw from three of your last four league games,
do you feel West Ham's season has turned a corner?
SA: "It's obviously been about recovering from the injury problems that we
had over a long period of time, the best part of two months. In the game
scenario over December and January, where it's at it's peak and when you've
lost so many players through injury, then you're always under pressure to
get the result. When you haven't got a full squad to select from and you're
playing so many players out of position, in defence in particular, when you
get them all back you see the difference it makes to results and
performances. We're proving that when we do get everybody fit then results
turn in our favour and that's what we were talking about all the way through
Christmas. "This is our best spell of the season at the moment, a four-game
run with seven points on the board, and we have to try and continue on from
there. We're looking forward to going to Aston Villa and trying to perform
like we did at Cardiff a few weeks ago. The only problem is we've had to
achieve our last two victories with ten men which has been a bit unjust on
both occasions. We've got to go to Aston Villa and hopefully keep eleven
players on the field and not get any more injuries. That is key to
continuing our successful results at the moment."
What was your reaction to Andy Carroll having his red card appeal rejected
by the FA?
SA: "I think that my reaction was anger and injustice. The whole procedure,
in terms of how we put our case together and what the vast swell of people
felt, was unjust but unfortunately for me the panel has not seen it as they
should have seen it. It's easy to hide behind the regulations or what the
law says but that's an easy way out for me. Referees often say it's
'Technically this or that' and it really does grind on you when they use the
technical term or to the letter of the law. "In this case we felt that they
were looking at it from one thing only, was it an obvious mistake. We based
the whole of our procedure on was it an obvious mistake and I'm 100% certain
it was an obvious mistake. Howard Webb should have given a free-kick for the
foul on Andy Carroll by Chico Flores. At that stage the whistle should blow
and there is no incident. That for me is an obvious mistake."
Could you tell us, in your own words, how much of a difference Andy Carroll
makes to West Ham?
SA: "Only time will tell. I have Carlton Cole who's our leading goalscorer
in the Premier League this season. He's done a really good job this season
since we got him back to match fitness. They've got to step-up to the plate.
Marco's got a really good track record in Italy, but of course is somewhat
untried in this league. He's going to have to go in there and hopefully show
us the sort of ability and form he showed in Italy. "We've got replacements
but at the end of the day we all know Andy Carroll is our major asset. He's
our major signing, our biggest investment and that makes him one of our
biggest players. We all have to overcome adversity and I hope the players
are angry, as I am, and I hope they take that anger out in a positive manner
against Aston Villa. I hope they prove that we can still win a game of
football without Andy."
What are your views on Aston Villa's season, do you share the view that they
have over-achieved?
SA: "I think that Paul Lambert had a massive learning curve last season with
the dramatic change around of players that he made at Aston Villa, buying a
lot of young players. I think that all those young players have grown in
stature based upon the experiences that they had last season. They are using
those experiences to put Aston Villa in a better light in terms of results.
They have the danger men as we know. "They've had some very good
performances recently, I'm sure he was very disappointed only drawing 2-2 at
Liverpool. Coming back against West Bromwich Albion to win and they're
scoring goals at the moment. It's a big game for us and they're a big threat
at the moment. They're in good form and they've done very well."
Is there any other team news or fitness updates which you can give us?
SA: "Everybody's fit from the squad we selected last week and we're
obviously hoping that they continue to stay fit. We can go into the game
with a lot of confidence but we must remember to maintain the level of
performance that we've shown recently and more importantly, try and better
it. That's the way to try and get ourselves further up the league. "We've
all seen what a quick run of results can do because of the way the table is.
In the next few days, after Tuesday night, we could put ourselves around
tenth or eleventh place if we do the job right. The short-term goal is to
make sure that in the next two games we come out with as many points as we
possibly can."
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Adrian scoops Player of the Month
WHUFC.com
West Ham United goalkeeper Adrian has been named as the Hammers' top
perfomer for January
07.02.2014
West Ham United goalkeeper Adrian has won the whufc.com fan vote to be
named as Hammers Player of the Month for January. The 27-year-old stopper,
who is in his first season at the Club after arriving from Real Betis, kept
two clean sheets in the month to help his side record a valuable win at
Cardiff City, along with a 0-0 draw at title-chasing Chelsea. Adrian polled
a whopping 63% of the fan vote to land the award by a landslide, ahead of
Mark Noble (25%) in second. Matt Taylor rounded off the top three. January
amounted to Adrian's breakthrough month following his arrival in English
football. After featuring in two Barclays Premier League matches towards the
end of December, he wrestled the goalkeeper's position back off Jussi
Jaaskelainen to play in five of January's seven matches. His performance at
Chelsea was particularly noteworthy, as Chelsea unleashed 39 shots at the
Hammers goal, yet were unable to beat the No13.
Player of the month winners 2013/14
August James Collins
September Ravel Morrison
October Ravel Morrison
November Stewart Downing
December Carlton Cole
January Adrian
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Taylor backs Italians to shine
WHUFC.com
Hammers midfielder Matt Taylor is looking forward to lining-up alongside the
new recruits
07.02.2014
Matt Taylor is sure West Ham United's January Serie A recruits can help fire
the Londoners up the Barclays Premier League table over the final 14 games
of the season. Sam Allardyce added AC Milan midfielder Antonio Nocerino, AS
Roma striker Marco Borriello and SSC Napoli full-back Pablo Armero to his
squad towards the end of the winter transfer window, with Italy
international Nocerino already having made two appearances from the bench
for his new side.
Fellow Italian Borriello and Colombian Armero could make their Hammers bows
on Saturday when they travel to Aston Villa and Taylor is happy to have them
on board. He said: "The Italian lads, first and foremost, must be finding it
difficult to have moved to a new city, a new country and a new culture, but
they've taken the plunge and done that. "They have CVs that could have seen
them stay in Italy, in Serie A, but they have chosen to come to the Premier
League.
"From what I've seen, both of them look to be very capable footballers. I'm
hoping Marco can score some vital goals for us between now and the end of
the season. "Antonio is a very good footballer, a very good box-to-box
midfielder, from the training I've seen. I'm sure he'll get his chance from
the start soon to showcase his talents. "Ultimately, whoever is picked, we
need to make sure get behind them because that's the most important thing as
a Club - that whoever plays, plays well."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Armero's ready for Hammers fight
WHUFC.com
Deadline day arrival Pablo Armero is looking forward to testing himself in
English football
07.02.2014
Deadline day signing Pablo Armero trained with his new West Ham United team
mates for the first time on Friday and the Colombia international cannot
wait for his chance to impress in English football. The 27-year-old
left-back, who has joined the Club on loan for the rest of the season from
Serie A side SSC Napoli, is in Sam Allardyce's squad for the trip to Aston
Villa on Saturday after obtaining a visa to link up with the Londoners.
Having already secured a work permit for the new No8 prior to his signing,
the wait for a visa to be issued meant Armero only arrived in England late
this week, but he is ready to show what he can do.
Speaking in a West Ham TV exclusive, he said: "Thank you very much to West
Ham for this opportunity. I feel very good to be here and I see a group that
wants to improve and wants to win every game. I hope to do a good job at
West Ham United..
"For me this Is a great opportunity and will be a great experience. English
football is very attractive and I'm very glad to be here. I will give my
best, 100%, to the coach to improve the quality of the team." Armero already
has experience of playing against top flight English opposition, having
faced Arsenal home and away in this season's UEFA Champions League group
stages. He believes his game is well suited to the demands of English
football. He explained: "It was good to play against Arsenal because I like
English football. It's attacking and defending, it's quick football -
quicker than Italy - and I've always wanted to be here in the Premier
League. Again, I will give my best to help the team. "I am a left full-back,
who likes to work in defence. I am a good defender, strong and quick, but I
also like attacking. I like to go to the front and make good crosses. I will
give good defending to the team, and good attacking too and hopefully I will
help my team mates to win games."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Aston Villa v West Ham
KO 15:00
7 February 2014
Last updated at 11:26
By Simon Brotherton
Match of the Day commentator
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Villa Park Date: Saturday, 8 February
TEAM NEWS
Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor is expected to return to the side
after a two-match absence with a foot injury. Captain Ron Vlaar is likely to
miss the game with a hamstring problem but fellow defenders Chris Herd and
Joe Bennett are both fit again.
West Ham striker Andy Carroll begins a three-match ban after the club failed
to get it overturned on Friday. New signings Marco Borriello and Pablo
Armero could make their Hammers debuts at Villa Park.
MATCH PREVIEW
Preparation for any visit to Villa Park these days includes reading through
statistics telling you how awful Aston Villa's home record is and that goals
are at a premium.
Yet my most recent visit last week for the local derby against West Bromwich
Albion turned into a seven-goal thriller which saw the home side prevail 4-3
despite going 2-0 down after just eight minutes. It was some way short of a
defensive masterclass from both teams but gave the crowd a thrilling match
to get excited about - which is not something that's happened too often
lately.
Villa's job is to try and build on that as they aim to improve on the second
worst home record in the Premier League. Paul Lambert's team are 10th in the
table, seven points better off than this time a year ago, but it's so tight
this season they're only five points above third bottom West Ham. So as you
can see, there's plenty riding on this match. "West Ham will miss Andy
Carroll massively while he is suspended. The whole way they play is geared
to having him in the team, as we saw from the way he made both their goals
against the Swans." West Ham really needed their 2-0 home win over Swansea
last weekend, but have spent much of the week stewing over Andy Carroll's
red card and the FA's decision not to overturn it on appeal. His presence
will be missed as they look for a first league win at Villa Park since Alan
Pardew was in charge back in January 2006. West Ham's last away performance
produced an unexpected point as they frustrated Jose Mourinho and Chelsea at
Stamford Bridge. If they sit back and park the bus in this one it could be a
poor spectacle because Villa don't thrive when the onus is on them to break
another team down. The last meeting between the teams was a goalless
stalemate at Upton Park back in November and it's likely to be close again
this time.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Villa are on a six-match unbeaten run at home to West Ham, whose only
victory in the last 15 visits came in January 2006.
Aston Villa
They have lost half of their last 50 league matches at Villa Park and
averaged less than a point per game in that period (W12, D13, L25, Pts 49).
One third of the 12 goals scored by Paul Lambert's side at Villa Park this
season came in their last home fixture: the 4-3 win against West Brom.
Villa are looking to avoid successive league defeats. They are yet to earn
back-to-back wins this season.
The Villans have conceded 56% of their goals in the first half, the highest
proportion in the league this season.
They have scored in their last six league matches, their best scoring run
since an eight-match streak between September and November 2011.
West Ham
West Ham have won two of their last four league games. They are vying to go
three league games unbeaten for the first time this season.
The Hammers have kept three clean sheets in their last four games, and 11 in
total this season - the joint most with Arsenal and as many as they managed
in the whole of last season.
Sam Allardyce's side have taken four points from their last two away
matches, having lost the previous five in a row.
They have lost the most points (14) from winning positions this season, and
gained the joint-fewest (one) from losing positions.
Andy Carroll's first Premier League red card against Swansea last weekend
was West Ham's fifth sending off this season, the joint-most along with
Sunderland.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Carroll: West Ham striker's three-match ban upheld by tribunal
BBC.co.uk
An independent tribunal has upheld the Football Association's decision to
reject West Ham's appeal against Andy Carroll's three-match ban. The Premier
League side threatened legal action against the FA after their initial
attempt to overturn the ban was turned down. Carroll will now miss the
Hammers' matches against Aston Villa, Norwich and Southampton. In the 12
months from the start of March 2013 to the end of February 2014, Andy
Carroll will have played only 15 games, scoring four goals. He was sent off
during his side's 2-0 win against Swansea last Saturday. An FA statement
said: "An independent arbitration tribunal convened under FA Rule K has
dismissed a legal challenge brought by West Ham United and Andy Carroll in
relation to the red card received by Carroll in the match between West Ham
United FC and Swansea on 1 February 2014. "The independent tribunal resolved
that there was no serious issue to be tried and also awarded The FA its
costs."
West Ham released their own statement, which said: "Whilst West Ham United
are obviously disappointed at the decision, as we have made clear
throughout, we respect the rules of football and shall abide by them." The
Hammers, who lie 18th in the table, also suggested the FA-appointed panel
"did not apply the correct test" under its rules when making the original
decision. The move to reconsider the upholding of the initial suspension
with a further hearing is a highly unusual one, and is the last stage a
dispute can reach under FA rules. It is thought to be the first time in
Premier League history that a rejected red-card appeal has then been
referred to an independent arbitrator. Carroll, 25, was dismissed after
clashing with Swans defender Chico Flores at Upton Park. According to the
FA, West Ham failed to prove that referee Howard Webb had made "an obvious
error" in dismissing the forward, whose arm hit Flores on the top of his
head as he tried to untangle himself following an aerial challenge. Flores
went to ground clutching his face but West Ham felt he had over-reacted.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carroll appeal - REJECTED
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 7th February 2014
By: Staff Writer
Andy Carroll will serve a three-match ban after his second appeal against
last weekend's red card was dismissed. West Ham United went back to the
Football Association today in a second bid to have Howard Webb's original
decision to dismiss the England international for violent conduct
overturned. However it was announced shortly after 4pm this afternoon that
the three-man panel's original decision had been upheld. West Ham appointed
leading QC Lord David Pannick to lead their case against what the club
viewed as an unjust decision. However the decision made on Tuesday stands
regardless and Carroll will now miss the matches against Aston Villa,
Norwich and Southampton. Meanwhile, Chico Flores - whose cheating antics
caused the furore - is allowed to continue to play without sanction.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce: top-half by next weekend
KUMb.com
Filed: Friday, 7th February 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce says that West Ham could find themselves in the upper half of
the table this time next weekend. Allarydyce, speaking to the press at the
Boleyn Ground this morning ahead of the weekend trip to Aston Villa believes
that two good performances - at Villa Park this weekend and at home to
Norwich on Tuesday - could catapult the Hammers up the league. "We've all
seen what a quick run of results can do because of the way the table is," he
said. "In the next few days, after Tuesday night, we could put ourselves
around tenth or eleventh place if we do the job right. "This is our best
spell of the season at the moment. A four-game run with seven points on the
board, and we have to try and continue on from there. We're looking forward
to going to Villa and trying to perform like we did at Cardiff a few weeks
ago. The only problem is we've had to achieve our last two victories with
ten men, which has been a bit unjust on both occasions. We've got to go to
Aston Villa and hopefully keep eleven players on the field and not get any
more injuries. That is key to continuing our successful results at the
moment. "When you haven't got a full squad to select from and you're playing
so many players out of position, in defence in particular, when you get them
all back you see the difference it makes to results and performances. We're
proving that when we do get everybody fit then results turn in our favour -
and that's what we were talking about all the way through Christmas."
And on Andy Carroll, whose ssecond appeal is being heard this morning,
Allardyce added: "We based the whole of our procedure on [the question of]
was it an obvious mistake? I'm 100% certain it was. "Howard Webb should
have given a free-kick for the foul on Andy Carroll by Chico Flores. At that
stage the whistle should blow and there is no incident. That, for me, is an
obvious mistake."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Aston Villa host West Ham United at Villa Park
Last Updated: 07/02/14 11:33am
SSN
West Ham United's bid to climb out of the relegation zone continues on
Saturday as they take on Aston Villa at Villa Park. Heading into the game
there are just five points between the clubs; yet one appears to be a
relegation candidate, while the other sits 10th in the Premier League
standings. Paul Lambert's Villa currently boast 27 points, leaving them in
mid-table, but victory will not see them move any higher, with Southampton
eight points ahead in ninth. Villa's home form has been indifferent this
campaign, but the visit of West Ham should represent the ideal opportunity
to record back-to-back home wins for the first time this season, having
beaten West Brom 4-3 last time out. Despite claiming a 2-0 victory over
Swansea City at Upton Park last weekend, the Hammers remain caught in the
relegation scrap, yet victory could elevate them to 12th should results go
their way. Andy Carroll was the catalyst for Sam Allardyce's side on
Saturday, providing two headed assists as captain Kevin Nolan bagged a
brace, but West Ham may have to do battle without their leading striker.
Just a few games into his return from a long-term injury, Carroll was shown
a red card following a clash with Chico Flores and West Ham must wait on
Friday's independent tribunal to discover whether his three-match ban will
stand. November's reverse fixture between the sides in London resulted in a
goalless draw but Villa have won three and lost just one of their last six
meetings with the Hammers.
Paul Merson's prediction
West Ham had a big result against Swansea last week, while Aston Villa were
unlucky to lose to Everton and had a great result in their last home game
against West Brom. I fancy Villa to win on Saturday because of Andy
Carroll's suspension. West Ham are a different team when he plays; Kevin
Nolan is a good player, but he's 20 times better when Carroll is in the
team. I thought Carroll swiped out at Chico Flores last week, but the
Swansea lad won't be getting a Victoria Cross for his reaction. It was
pathetic!
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1
A Villa Badge A Villa
Last 6
Everton (a)2-1
West Brom (h)4-3
Liverpool (a)2-2
Arsenal (h)1-2
Sheff Utd (h)1-2
Sunderland (a)0-1
Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert is set to be handed a boost for Saturday's
visit of West Ham, with striker Gabriel Agbonlahor expected to return.
Agbonlahor has missed the last two games with a foot injury suffered after
tumbling over an advertising hoarding in last month's draw at Liverpool.
Lambert is without Ron Vlaar however, after the centre-back picked up a
hamstring problem in the closing stages of last week's 2-1 loss at Everton
last weekend.
West Ham Badge West Ham
Last 6
Swansea (h)2-0
Chelsea (a)0-0
Man City (h)0-3
Newcastle (h)1-3
Cardiff (a)0-2
Man City (a)6-0
West Ham United boss Allardyce is being made to sweat over the availability
of striker Carroll. Carroll was red carded in West Ham's victory over
Swansea City and faces an independent tribunal on Friday to learn whether
his three-match ban will remain. Fellow forward Ricardo Vaz Te faces a late
fitness test with his knee injury potentially subsiding in time for this
game. Full-back Joey O'Brien (shoulder), midfielders Joe Cole (groin) and
Mohamed Diame (knee) remain out. Italian duo Antonio Nocerino and Marco
Borriello could feature following their loan moves.
Opta Facts
Aston Villa have kept just one clean sheet in their last 11 Premier League
games, conceding at least two goals in eight games during this run.
West Ham have hit the target with just 36% of their shots this season, the
lowest accuracy in the top flight.
Only Fulham (10) have picked up fewer points at home than Aston Villa (11)
this season.
West Ham have kept the joint-most clean sheets in the Premier League along
with Arsenal (11).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
INDEPENDENT ARBITRATION TRIBUNAL DISMISS LEGAL CHALLENGE BY WEST HAM
By Sean Whetstone 7 Feb 2014 at 17:31
West Ham Till I Die
The FA have made a statement to confirm "An Independent Arbitration Tribunal
convened under FA Rule K has today dismissed a legal challenge brought by
West Ham United FC and Andy Carroll in relation to the red card received by
Carroll in the match between West Ham United FC and Swansea City FC on 1
February 2014."
The FA were awarded their costs of £13,092 which West ham must pay.
West Ham have made an official statement saying: "West Ham United have
issued a statement in response to the outcome of the Independent Arbitration
Tribunal.Whilst West Ham United are obviously disappointed at the decision,
as we have made clear throughout, we respect the rules of football and shall
abide by them.Andy Carroll will now serve a three-match suspension, which
will rule him out of the Barclays Premier League fixtures at Aston Villa
tomorrow and at home to Norwich City and Southampton. He will be available
for selection again for the trip to Everton on Saturday 1 March."
Earlier today the club confirmed they were appearing before an Independent
Arbitral Tribunal in a challenge to the FA Regulatory Commission's decision
relating to the three-match suspension of Andy Carroll. They said "the Club
is concerned that the Regulatory Commission did not apply the correct test
under the rule, and denied the Club procedural fairness.West Ham's complaint
is made under the FA Rules, and the Club shall accept and abide by the
decision of the Independent Arbitral Tribunal.The Club has no intention of
taking the issue to the courts, but simply seeks a fair determination of its
rights under the FA's Rules."
This appears to be the final chapter in this story.
The End
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
CLARET AND BLUE KIT WAS LOST IN A BET
By Sean Whetstone 7 Feb 2014 at 12:25
West Ham Till I Die
In 1899, there was a fayre was being held near to Villa Park in an area
known at the time as the 'Black Patch', where a gypsy community welcomed
travelling attractions and Charlie Chaplin was supposedly born in a caravan.
Anyway, one visitor apparently challenging all comers, was William Dove, a
London-born professional sprinter of national fame. Along came four Aston
Villa players to the fayre strutting their Victorian stuff through the side
shows and attractions.The Villa players were challenged to race by Dove
which they agreed and a money wager was set. Anyway the race against William
Dove was run and the Aston Villa players lost. The Villa players didn't have
any money, so, a compromise was reached. One of the Villa players had been
given the job of getting the first team's kit washed. To placate Dove, they
gave him the complete claret-and-blue kit and then reported it stolen to the
Aston Villa directors.
The London sprinter returned to the capital with the claret and blue kit of
the then league champions. William's son, Charlie Dove, was an apprentice
riveter who played right-half for his works team, Thames Ironworks. The then
amateur team had played in a number of different colours, including dark
blue, inspired by the firm's chairman, who had been at Oxford. When William
Dove, who also helped coach the team showed up one day with a complete set
of claret-and-blue Aston Villa kits, they adopted it. When Thames Ironworks
were disbanded and relaunched almost immediately as West Ham United they
kept the Claret and Blue strip.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
FA told to crack down on play-acting by commission that rejected West Ham's
Andy Carroll appeal
Feb 07, 2014 22:30 By Darren Lewis
The Mirror
The FA have been told to crack down on the fakers with Chico Flores set to
play today as Andy Carroll begins his three-match ban. The demand has come
from the original Independent Commission that rejected West Ham's appeal
against their star striker's red card on Tuesday. Mirror Sport can also
reveal that Premier League match delegate Paul Allen, who was at the game
against Swansea last week, condemned Flores's antics in his report and
labelled Carroll's dismissal "harsh". West Ham were finally defeated by the
FA yesterday at a five-hour arbitration hearing in London's West End to
determine whether Carroll's red card should have been blocked pending a
personal hearing. But despite throwing out the original appeal, Tuesday's
panel had already expressed their disgust at Flores's behaviour in their
written reasons and called on the FA to get tough with players who perform
similar histrionics. In their report they made clear: "the Commission's
dissatisfaction with the conduct of Mr Flores, for simulating injury and
unsporting conduct, and comment that the Commission look to The FA to find
ways of dealing with this type of conduct."
Referee Howard Webb showed Carroll a straight red card after Flores's
exaggerated reaction to being caught on the top of the head by Carroll's
arm. But, in a section of his report marked 'Key Match Incidents', Premier
League match delegate Allen reported to his bosses that Flores had behaved
"melodramatically". He wrote: "My initial reaction, at match tempo, was the
sanction was harsh as both players competed In an aerial challenge. "The
initial infringement was made by Flores as he impeded Carroll in an aerial
challenge leading up to the incident and it was the momentum of Carroll's
arm as he turned into the defender that made contact with the top of the
player's head as both players untangled after the challenge. "It didn't
appear that the arm was thrown towards Chico with any aggression or with a
clenched fist as Carroll was not looking at his opponent when the impact was
made. "It looked a case of the player not being able to control his movement
or momentum of his arm as both players separated from the challenge. "Flores
then fell to the ground melodramatically and held his face as opposed to the
part of the body where the contact was made. "Howard Webb deliberated over
his decision as he approached Carroll before brandishing the red card.
"After reviewing the incident several times on DVD, I am still of the
opinion that the decision was very harsh and I am not sure if Howard Webb
had a clear view of the incident from his vantage point to judge the
challenge on its merits or if he thought there was excessive force used due
to the over-reaction of the player."
Yesterday's decision by the single arbitrator was accepted by West Ham who
said: "We respect the rules of football and shall abide by them."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham without Andy Carroll, Mo Diame and Joe Cole for Aston Villa game
Feb 07, 2014 17:45 By Eliot Rothwell
The Mirror
West Ham are set to be without striker Andy Carroll against Aston Villa
after the failing to overturn his three-game ban. The Upton Park club had
hoped to overturn the decision, but the FA committee charged with
investigating the dismissal saw no reason to remove the suspension. Hammers
boss Sam Allardyce will also be without Joey O'Brien (shoulder), Joe Cole
(groin) and Mohamed Diame (knee) as his side look to move away from
relegation danger. Loan pair Antonio Nocerino and Marco Borriello could be
included in the starting line up following their moves from AC Milan and AS
Roma.
Provisional Squad: Adrian, Demel, Tomkins, McCartney, Collins, Downing,
Noble, Jarvis, Taylor, Nolan, Cole, Jaaskelainen, Borriello, Johnson,
Morrison, Nocerino, Reid, Vaz Te.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Andy Carroll accepts three-game ban but urges FA to punish
players who 'simulate injury'
By Jason Burt and Ben Rumsby 11:00PM GMT 07 Feb 2014
Telegraph.co.uk
The Football Association has been urged to introduce retrospective
punishment for players who "simulate injury" by the original commission it
appointed to investigate Andy Carroll's controversial red card. The West
Ham United striker's three-match ban was upheld, for a second time, on
Friday after his club took the case to arbitration, at the FA's suggestion
under rule K8 and before an independent QC, after failing in an initial bid
to get the dismissal overturned.
West Ham have dropped the threat of legal action and the matter is now
closed with Carroll missing the vital league matches against Aston Villa on
Saturday and then at home against Norwich City and Southampton as the club
battle against relegation. The Telegraph has learnt that not only was the
original independent three-man commission set up by the FA to hear the
appeal split on whether the card against Swansea City was correct but it
expressed serious misgivings about Chico Flores's behaviour during the
incident.
Furthermore it is understood that the FA shared those misgivings with a
source confirming the organisation took a "dim view" of Flores's theatrical
actions. The FA even considered charging Flores with "ungentlemanly conduct"
for his exaggerated response during the incident at Upton Park on Saturday
Feb 1 which led to referee Howard Webb dismissing Carroll.
However, it was eventually decided that the evidence was not strong enough
in this case and that Flores, who has protested his innocence and claimed
that he was struck on the head, should be given the benefit of the doubt. If
the FA wanted to go further and introduce retrospective punishment for the
behaviour of players such as Flores then it would need the consent of the
clubs and other 'stakeholders' – such as the Premier League – who have
opposed the measure in the past.
In the original appeal judgment the three-man panel was not only split 2:1 –
with one member arguing that Carroll was "doing no more than rotating his
arm from the tangle" – but unanimously condemned Flores. Paragraphs 22-25 of
the judgment "recorded the Commission's dissatisfaction with the conduct of
Mr Flores for simulating injury and unsporting conduct" with a "comment that
the Commission look to the FA to find ways of dealing with this type of
conduct".
West Ham submitted their case on Friday, after taking legal advice from
leading QC Lord Pannick and also the high-profile solicitor Henri Brandman,
with the arbitral tribunal meeting at 11am in central London before
delivering its verdict five hours later.
The red card could not have been overturned with West Ham arguing for a
"stay" on the decision while a new hearing was convened so that Carroll
could play in their forthcoming matches. The club were desperate for the
England international, who has been injured for most of the season, to be
available for today's match and the fixture against Norwich in particular
which they regard as relegation six-pointers.
West Ham's sense of grievance will have been added to by the report
submitted by Paul Allen, the Premier League's match delegate, who wrote that
he believed the red card was "harsh", adding: "After reviewing the incident
several times on DVD I am still of the opinion that the decision was very
harsh and I am not sure if Howard Webb had a clear view of the incident from
his vantage point to judge the challenge on its merits or if he thought
there was excessive force used due to the over-reaction of the player."
Allen added: "It did not appear that the arm was thrown towards Chico with
any aggression."
The FA argued that the card could only be overturned if Webb had made an
"obvious error" but West Ham challenged this claiming "the regulatory
commission has applied the wrong test" and that this fell into the remit of
guidance rather than a rule. The club said that under the FA rules (Section
5(c) of Section A of the Disciplinary Procedures) that the incident should
have been looked as to "whether any sanction of a suspension from play is
one which should be imposed in view of the facts of the case".
West Ham also argued that because the commission was split this made it even
more necessary for the club and Carroll to be granted "an oral hearing... in
which the player could have had a proper opportunity to respond to the
allegation that he had committed the act of violent misconduct". Carroll
maintained that he never attempted to "strike" Flores. The FA had countered
that there was no right to an oral hearing and their solicitors Charles
Russell said Webb's action could only be deemed "wrongful it if plainly
falls outside the range of decisions reasonably open to him".
The FA now argues that the process which was completed yesterday validated
its approach – and it is one of the few federations who do allow wrongful
dismissal appeals. Last month Sepp Blatter, the Fifa president, called on
referees to use the full extent of their powers to punish players guilty of
simulation. It also followed a string of incidents in the Premier League
this season with 13 bookings for diving dished out. In his Fifa Weekly
column Blatter wrote about the irritation he feels when the "[supposedly]
half-dead player comes back to life".
A number of Premier League managers – including Jose Mourinho and Tim
Sherwood – now want that to be taken further and agree with the demands for
retrospective punishment to be handed out to players who dive or feign
injury. The FA has put the issue of 'simulation' to the stakeholders before
but it was rejected with the Professional Footballers' Association, in
particular, opposing the move. This caused frustration at the FA, which is
not averse to reintroducing the debate although there is an acceptance that
it is hard to prove. The FA would welcome guidance from the PFA to its
members. The organisation is also relieved that the Carroll case is now
closed and is pleased with the statement from West Ham that "we respect the
rules of football and shall abide by them".
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Aston Villa's veteran striker Grant Holt: I've played against Chico Flores–
he does go down easily
John Percy By John Percy11:29PM GMT 07 Feb 2014
Telegraph.co.uk
Had West Ham United succeeded in their attempt to field Andy Carroll at
Villa Park on Saturday, it would have provoked uproar among Paul Lambert and
other managers competing to avoid relegation from the Premier League. But at
least one Aston Villa player believes Carroll has been the victim of a grave
injustice and, worse, that his case is a depressing example of the way
defenders such as Chico Flores are undermining the English game's proud
tradition of tough-but-fair battles between centreforwards and
centre-halves. Grant Holt's views on the row that has dominated this week's
build-up to the visit of West Ham are typically forthright and unflinching,
with the 32-year-old fearing the controversy could have far wider
implications for English football. Carroll and Holt are both cut from the
same granite, the archetypal traditional centreforward with the scars to
prove it, but Holt believes the pressures on referees and trial-by-TV is
threatening to cause irreparable damage. "The stakes are so high now that if
you've got a chance to gain an advantage, get someone a red card –
especially if you are struggling and getting beaten – then people are doing
it now. You don't want to see it and I think it's making referee's decisions
even harder," he said.
"Without going into too many things Chico Flores does tend to go down
slightly easily. I've played against him many times and it disappoints me.
"If Carroll hits him in the face and he goes down then fair enough. If I hit
someone in the face then I'd expect them to go down if I've caught them
because it will bloody hurt. "But when you're getting hit with elbows and
stuff I hate to see people rolling around and doing 15 tumbles on the floor
when you haven't touched them. If you've been hit on the face then fair
enough, but if you're hit on the top of your head – hold the top of your
head. You don't need to hold your face. I think the player could stay up.
"Years ago there was more respect. Certainly in League One, League Two you
expected to take it. I remember a guy called Jim Bentley at Morecambe and
the battles I had with him. At the end you shook his hand and had a laugh
about it. That's what we need to get back to."
Holt has never been afraid to air his opinions and is a refreshing antidote
to many of the pampered players seemingly unable to speak without guidance
from an agent or press officer. On his Twitter account he proudly claims
"Dad to 3 beautiful girls and batting well above my average". His grounded
attitude has undoubtedly been shaped by his formative years at the likes of
Workington, Halifax and Barrow. But it has sometimes landed him in trouble.
He famously described Roy Hodgson's decision to leave him out of England's
Euro 2012 squad as "ridiculous", after scoring 15 Premier League goals in a
season at Norwich. It could have been even more chastening when close friend
Rickie Lambert, his strike partner at Rochdale, completed his own remarkable
rise last year with a goal on his debut against Scotland. "When you're
watching it and Rickie made his debut you've got to think 'yeah that could
have been me'. But, honestly, I was delighted for him. "It was never about
me, I was always beating the drum for other people. There's a lot of players
get pigeonholed and it's been nice to see the likes of Rickie, Adam Lallana
and Jay Rodriguez get their chance. It needs to continue. "I was close [to a
call-up]. I know they looked at medical files. If somebody had told me when
I was playing at Barrow that I'd have just missed out on the Euros you'd
just have laughed. I scored 15 goals one season and then eight in the next,
still never got a sniff. "England didn't do that great in the Euros, it was
actually worse sitting there watching the thing."
Is he confident for this year's World Cup? "No. There are better teams than
England out there, I'm sure everybody thinks that. Hopefully I'll see them
lift something in my lifetime but we'll just wait and see. "It's a World Cup
where nobody is talking about them, usually everyone says we're going to win
it but they're not this year so fingers crossed it will go the other way."
Holt now has a chance to rampage on the big stage again after seizing an
offer from Lambert, his former manager at Norwich, to join Villa on loan
last month. The opportunity to work with Lambert again was impossible for
him to turn down, especially when you consider he had been a substitute at
Wigan Athletic.
He will be 33 in April which, whisper it quietly, comfortably makes him the
oldest member of a squad Lambert is building for the future. But he has
already proven hugely influential both on and off the field, hoping to score
his first goal in front of the Holte End on Saturday afternoon. "I think it
raised a few eyebrows because I'd come from not playing in the Championship
to a big Premier League club like Villa," he said. "The manager knows what
he gets from me. I'm under no illusions, if there had been a big transfer
fee involved it probably wouldn't have happened. He knows I'll work hard and
want to win. I hate losing. "I love walking into a ground and getting abuse.
I thrive on it. I like the banter I get on Twitter – the people give me this
and I give a little back. "I'm the world's worst. I'll go to Carlisle games
and I'll be on the terraces watching it and I shout stuff and then I think,
'Grant what are you doing'? "But that's football, everyone's got their
opinion. Wouldn't it be boring if everyone was the same and thought 'isn't
he a great player?'."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WEST HAM TRADE MARK 'UPTON PARK' AND 'BOLEYN GROUND' DESPITE MOVING
By Sean Whetstone 8 Feb 2014 at 07:52
West Ham Till I Die
West Ham United have trade marked the words 'Upton Park' despite planning to
move away from the area in 2016. The trade mark was granted and published in
the trade mark journal recently on 31st January.The Trade Mark forbids the
name being used in a wide list of goods and services including bizarre items
such as pot porri and whips. The Trade Mark 'The Boleyn Ground' was also
registered late last year until the year 2023 so no-one can use the name
Boleyn Ground . West Ham are also currently attempting to trade mark the
words 'Irons' and 'The Irons' which has not been granted as yet.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce claims 'simulation has won' after Andy Carroll's
ban is upheld
Daily Star
ANDY CARROLL was fuming last night after his second appeal to overturn a
three-match ban was rejected. The West Ham striker will now miss his side's
crunch Premier League showdowns with Aston Villa today, Norwich on Tuesday
and the game against Southampton on February 22. A six-hour arbitration
hearing yesterday ruled that an Independent Commission had been correct to
uphold Carroll's straight red and ban for violent conduct against Swansea
after he caught Chico Flores with a swinging arm and the Swansea defender
went down clutching his face. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce said: "I'm
frightened of going near him. He is hugely frustrated and angry and
disappointed in this situation. "It is best to leave him well alone and let
him get over it. Simulation has been allowed to win."
An FA statement said: "An Independent Arbitration Tribunal convened under FA
Rule K has dismissed a legal challenge brought by West Ham United FC and
Andy Carroll. "The Independent Tribunal resolved that there was no serious
issue to be tried and also awarded The FA its costs." A West Ham statement
read: "Whilst West Ham United are obviously disappointed at the decision, as
we have made clear throughout, we respect the rules of football and shall
abide by them."
Allardyce also slammed the quality of referees in the top-flight and claims
there has been a directive from the top to dish out more red cards since the
New Year. At his weekly press conference, he issued figures which stated
there were 21 sending offs until January 1 while there have already been 13
dismissals in just over a month. Allardyce added: "Why have we had a
dramatic increase in red cards? "All I am doing is throwing up where we are
at the minute and what is happening in the game of football. "You've got to
be good and tough enough and have the right amount of quality and character
to deal with refereeing at Premier League level. "It means if you have done
something wrong it should be said. But, unfortunately, it isn't often enough
for me and a lot of other managers. "That's the problem we have that we
don't seem to get any sort of reaction out of the group of referees who work
together or the bodies. "All we can hope is that would improve and get
better. From my eyes, it's always been a case of we haven't got enough
top-class professional referees. "We should have more to relieve the
pressure on them. "The fact is there is a small group that work together and
the group is not big enough. Of course, you have to have the quality. Not
just the quantity. You have to aspire to have both."
Allardyce reckons Flores' antics contributed to Michael Laudrup getting the
sack at Swansea adding: "He may feel like he's clever getting away with it,
but with some of his actions and performance, he has just got his manager
sacked."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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