Cover star Winston ready for Reds
WHUFC.com
Official Programme cover star Winston Reid is looking forward to the challenge of stopping Liverpool
05.04.2014
Hammer of the Year Winston Reid is the cover star for West Ham United's action-packed 84-page Official Programme for the Barclays Premier League visit of leaders Liverpool. Inside, Reid discusses his injury-affected season, his return to form and fitness, the challenge of stopping the Reds and his disappointment at missing out on the 2014 FIFA World Cup with New Zealand. Elsewhere, we catch up with Liverpool's Academy of Football graduate Glen Johnson and Ian 'Moose' Abrahams meets former Hammer and new Nottingham Forest manager Stuart Pearce. Roger Johnson reveals which manager gave him earache and there are exclusive columns from David Gold, Sam Allardyce and Kevin Nolan. Named runners-up in the Programme Monthly Programme of the Year awards, another packed issue has been put together for the visit of the Reds by the Club's editorial team and valued contributors. The perfect-bound Programme, which is also available in digital format featuring exclusive video content from 9am on matchday, will be available in and around the Boleyn Ground this evening and is crammed full of interviews, photographs and stories to keep you updated with exactly what is going on at your Club. Supporters can find all the latest information regarding the move to the Olympic Stadium in 2016, as well as all the news from behind the scenes at the Boleyn Ground. Memorabilia collectors Steve Marsh and Stuart Allen return with their popular Hammerabilia and Get With The Programme features, historian John Northcutt continues his run through of Hammers history from A to Z., while fans can also read the very latest from the Club's Development Squad, Under-18s, Ladies and Community department.
With all this and much, much more and priced at just £3.50, the 2013/14 Official Programme is a must-read for all Hammers supporters! The digital edition of the Official Programme will be available on your iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, and Android devices alongside PC and Mac. It will be on sale on matchday from 9am. The digital Official Programme comes with all the content you would expect from the print edition, as well as exclusive video footage, meaning fans from all over the globe can get ahead of the action and read their Programme and enjoy exclusive video interviews and highlights. If you live overseas, that means you can download your programme before kick-off, with the game being televised live in a large number of countries across the world. The print edition will be available to buy in and around the Boleyn Ground on matchday as usual, packed with all the usual exclusive content.
Available again for the 2013/14 season, the digital programme offers supporters a number of great additional features, including:
• Easy to use page-turning technology
• Simple content navigation and skip-to-page features
• Interactive content including exclusive video footage
• Our programmes remember the last page you were viewing
• Fans can order back-dated issues
• Apple users will have all their issues hosted in one place on Newsstand for easy access
Hammers supporters can subscribe for the whole season from just £24.99 (fans receive all back issues) or buy individual issues for only £1.99. The Programme is available on Apple iPad and iPhone, as well as Android and via the Pocketmags app on kindle fire and Blackberry Playbook.
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'It'll be a really tough game'
WHUFC.com
Matt Jarvis says nothing will come easy for West Ham United when they host Liverpool on Sunday
05.04.2014
Matt Jarvis says West Ham United will be raring to go when they welcome Barclays Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday. The Hammers' back-to-back wins over Hull City and Sunderland have lifted them onto 37 points and up to eleventh place with six matches still to play. For those reasons, and with a capacity Boleyn Ground roaring them on against the Reds, Jarvis is confident that West Ham can upset Brendan Rodgers' side this weekend. "We've had our ups and downs this season, but those two wins on the bounce have really given us the confidence to push on until the end of the season and hopefully getting us safe," said the No7. "We were playing two teams who were around us in the league so to beat both of them denies them points and pushes us further away from them. That's exactly what we needed to do. "I don't think we're able to relax yet as we've got a huge game on Sunday at home, so we're going to be concentrating on pushing ourselves as far as possible up the league table. "Liverpool have been flying recently and scoring lots of goals, so it's going to be a really tough game, but we're coming off the back of two great results and we're full of confidence."
While you might think Liverpool would be more wary of their potential title deciders at home to Manchester City and Chelsea than a trip to east London, some Reds fans have suggested that West Ham present a big potential banana skin to their ambition of finishing top of the pile for the first time since 1990. Jarvis says West Ham would be doing everything in their power to stop Luis Suarez and company. "We're never going to make it easy for them. We'll give them a really tough game and they'll have to be on top form to beat us."
Should he start on Sunday, the winger is likely to come face-to-face with former Hammer Glen Johnson, who has enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career. The England right-back, who was in the same England side when Jarvis made his senior debut against Ghana in March 2011, will pose a big threat to West Ham's chances of success on Sunday. "I've had a few battles with Glen and he's a fantastic player and has done really well this season. If I'm selected, it'll be a really tough game."
While Suarez, strike partner Daniel Sturridge and midfielder Steven Gerrard have taken most of the headlines this term, Jarvis admitted Liverpool can create and convert chances from all over the pitch. "They've been scoring goals all over the park and their two strikers have always got a goal in them, so it will be a battle, but it's one we're looking forward to."
While Liverpool have their match-winners, West Ham possess a number of potential game-changes too, including Scouser Kevin Nolan and former Reds Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing. Jarvis believes all three will need no extra motivation to get one over the men from Anfield. "There are a few connections and I'm sure they will be determined to get a good result. For them, there might be a little bit more on it!"
Looking further forward, Jarvis concluded by revealing that West Ham plan to pick up ten points from their remaining six fixtures to eclipse their haul of 46 and tenth place achieved last season. "That was the plan from the start - to match, if not better last season. If we can get the results between now and the end of the season, we will be pushing up the table and trying to beat tenth place."
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Potters down U18s
WHUFC.com
Stoke City played their way to a 4-1 victory against the Under-18s on Saturday afternoon
05.04.2014
West Ham United Under-18s went down to a shock 4-1 defeat against Stoke City at Little Heath in the Barclays Under-18 Premier League on Saturday afternoon. The visitors went ahead against the run of play during the first half through Tomi Adeloye's smart chipped finish, before Marcio Martins headed the Hammers level soon after half-time from Kieran Bywater's free kick. Just moments later, however, Stoke City moved back ahead when Edward Saunders bundled the ball over the line, before Adeloye and Derice Richards confirmed defeat for the Hammers. With the majority of Steve Potts' side moving up to the Development Squad in recent weeks, the Hammers' U18 boss was again forced into naming a young side, picking the best players from the U16 squad to fill the void. Tunji Akinola started in the heart of the defence alongside Emmanual Onariase, whilst England U16 striker Jahmal Hector-Ingram was again named on the bench. The Hammers started on the front foot and gained control of the game early on with central midfielders Amos Nasha and Moses Makasi enjoying plenty of possession in the middle of the park. Both Djair Parfitt-Williams and Bywater had chances to put the home side ahead in the opening 15 minutes, with the Hammers captain going closest when his stabbed effort was cleared off the line. Just over ten minutes later and Stoke made the home side pay for their missed chances when Adeloye broke through the defence and kept his composure to coolly chip the ball over the on-rushing Sam Howes. Into the second half and the Hammers again dictated a large percentage of possession, but again failed to turn their good spells into meaningful efforts on goal. Just past the hour mark and West Ham's persistence was rewarded when Martins met Bywater's right wing free-kick and directed the ball into the top right-hand corner of the goal. Parity on the score line didn't last for long, however, as Stoke were soon back in front following a goalmouth scramble. The visitors saw a free header from a corner bounce off the underside of the crossbar before several players bundled in on the ball with centre-half Saunders claiming to have made the decisive touch. Things got worse for the hosts just minutes later when Adeloye picked the ball up and found a route into the Hammers penalty area, before firing past Howes into the top corner of the net to secure the points for the visiting team. As the Hammers pushed for a response, the visitors took advantage of spaces at the back to add a fourth when Yusuf Coban was sent on his way down the left-hand touchline, before crossing low into the penalty area where Richards beat Howes to bundle home a fourth. Steve Potts' men will be looking to turn their fortunes around in their next league fixture when they travel to Manchester City U18 on Saturday 12th April at 11am.
West Ham United U18: Howes, Pike (Diangana), Onariase, Akinola, Mavila, Nasha, Makasi, Amoo, Martins, Bywater, Parfitt-Williams (Hector-Ingram)
Subs not used: Parsons, Borg, Bailey
Goal: Martins 61
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Winston Reid salutes Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge
Last Updated: 06/04/14 7:12am
SSN
West Ham defender Winston Reid says one of Liverpool strike duo Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge will be the PFA Player of the Year. Suarez and Sturridge - who Reid will try to stop on Sunday - are the leading scorers in the division this season with 29 and 20 goals respectively. You have to go back to December 29 to find the last time neither found the net in a league game for the Reds. And Reid says their fellow professionals will look no further when it comes to the PFA Player of the Year of the Award in the coming weeks. "I think it'll be one of those two," Reid said. "Suarez has had a fantastic season. He missed the first five or six games as well so it's amazing what he's done and I'm sure his name will be right up there. "And Daniel Sturridge has had an amazing season as well. "They're good at what they do, they've got good movement, I think they link up well and they're dangerous in the box. "You need to get tight to them and make sure they don't turn and run at you because if they run at you, you're in trouble."
West Ham's Andy Carroll will hope to gatecrash the striker party on Sunday. Carroll joined Liverpool for £35million in January 2011 but failed to impress and was shipped out on loan to the Hammers, before joining West Ham on a permanent deal last summer. After missing the first five months of the season with a foot injury, Carroll has given the Hammers a welcome boost in recent weeks, scoring twice in his last four matches. "He could make the difference on Sunday," Reid said. "He's our main striker and he's done well for the team since he's come back and he's scored a couple of goals so hopefully he can do that until the end of the season. "For him as well it will be nice personally to play against his old team which he came from to us. "Hopefully he can get a couple of goals and we can win the game."
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Liverpool's Daniel Agger insists it would be wrong to focus on Andy Carroll threat
Last Updated: 05/04/14 2:30pm
SSN
Liverpool defender Daniel Agger admits West Ham's Andy Carroll will pose a major threat on Sunday but insists the former Reds striker is not the only outlet for the Londoners. Carroll, who joined Liverpool in a £35million deal from Newcastle in January 2011, missed the Hammers' 4-1 defeat at Anfield in December but has scored two goals in his last four matches since returning to fitness. Sunday's Sky Live game gives him the chance to impress former boss Brendan Rodgers, who took a £20m hit on the club's record signing when off-loading him last season. Despite the obvious focus on Carroll, Agger has warned his team-mates to expect threats from other areas of the park as West Ham look to cement the Premier League status for another season. "West Ham is a tough place to go. They have a few more than Andy, it is a good strong team," he said. "You cannot underestimate anyone, we see that week in, week out. "I think their whole team will give us a hard time, but we have to focus on our game and the way we play. The most important thing is to win the next one."
Liverpool took over top spot last week with a 4-0 victory over Tottenham - their eighth successive league win - and Agger admits the club is looking no further than the 'next game'. "The most important thing is to be top of the league at the end of the season as the league is so tight," said the Dane. "I think we showed confidence against Tottenham, but the most important thing is to stay focused and know your job. "We wanted to win our last game and that was what was in our head and now we have prepared for the next one."
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GUEST POST: THE ALLARDYCE DILEMMA
By Iain Dale 5 Apr 2014 at 16:40
West Ham Till I Die
Guest Post by Rugby Irons
So we're nearly there, which just leaves the one important question:.What does Sam do from here on in? He has had 31 pretty awful games (sorry 30 plus spurs away) and has scraped together enough points to stay up.Most fans are pretty fed up with his style (sic) of play,his media excuses and his demeaning his own supporters. I won't mention Forest or City. I believe most supporters have had enough and want him out to save the clubs traditions. Another season like this and the Davids will be lucky to fill half the OS let alone fill it.
Like a lot of Hammers fans I am a football Manager and so have the experience of what its like to coach players, have to pick a team ,make substitutions and get results. As a manager I have to say that I don't understand a lot of what Sam is doing. He doesn't seem to coach the team and we have seen the same mistakes over again. Does he do any coaching or is this down to his first team coaching staff, none of which have set the world alight.He is roundly criticised for only having route one plan A. As we saw at Sunderland the players have more than just hoof, but are so used to not having to play on the ground its a shock when they do.
Sam's substitutions are poor,as was seen by Reid coming on at Everton and costing points again but this is hardly isolated.There seems little thought behind what he does and has a single substitution worked in a big way for us this season? As he is only prepared to use his limited squad (I will leave the Curtis connection out of this for now) you get no variation and if you are Kevin Nolan then you know you are playing regardless.
So what was the big question I started with? With seven games left is Allardyce good enough to change his style of play to influence enough supporters to side with him? Having got rid of Ravel and Jack, he has virtually no flair to work with just his hoof style players and largely ineffectual wingers to work with.We would love to see real football again and with the pressure off he could have made changes and brought in development players, if he can find any who want to play for him after Forest!
In this case I think a leopard won't change its spots and in truth I don't think he is either a good enough coach or manager to do it. On a personal note I don't think his ego would let him. He is primarily interested in a big wad and he will get it anyway and probably a bonus too so why do anything different, in his twenty five years of total lack of success, he hasn't shown any willingness to win anything so why bother now? It's also certainly not to please the supporters who he has belittled several times this season. The only thing of interest maybe another huge salary extension for a job he hardly looks, of late, as if he is actually enjoying .
So the next seven games, plan A drivel or a lifeline to extend his tenure? Will more booing of Sam make the Davids realise keeping him will empty Upton Park let alone the OS? Will they also realise if he stays what sorts of players will NOT come, the aging hoofers that will, and that Ravel ,flair and the Academy will be a thing of the past . The next seven games are not just about keeping a dinosaur but whether the club wants to go down the route of extinction with him.
Only you will decide, the best supporters of any club in the world. COYI
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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce tells friends he WON'T walk out on club this summer
Apr 06, 2014 03:00 By Neil Moxley
The Mirror
Julian Finney
Sam Allardyce will NOT walk out on West Ham this summer – and is already making plans for his summer transfer business, writes Neil Moxley in the Sunday People. Allardyce was booed by sections of the Upton Park crowd during a recent win over 10-man Hull. Some Hammers fans want to see more skill and flair from their team. But the 59-year-old boss has told friends he won't be quitting ahead of what will be the last year of his contract. And unless there is a huge change of heart from co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold, Allardyce will be staying. Sullivan and Gold conduct reviews at the end of every season with their managers in a practice they started at Birmingham City. And there is little motivation for a change at the top, despite the split among supporters.
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Adrian: West Ham keeper ready to stop Liverpool's SAS strike force
The Spaniard faces one of the hardest jobs in football today — up against Liverpool's fearsome forward line of Suarez and Sturridge. But he's unfazed, he tells Simon Hart
SIMON HART Sunday 06 April 2014
The Independent
Is there a footballer anywhere in the world today with a harder job on his hands than Adrian? The West Ham United goal-keeper – Adrian San Miguel del Castillo, to use his full name – is the man with the unenviable task of keeping out the most prolific strike pairing in English football, Liverpool's Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge. Between them Suarez and Sturridge have already accumulated 49 League goals this season – more than 13 top-flight teams and as many as neighbours Everton – and their scoring feats mean that Liverpool visit Upton Park this afternoon with a first League title in 24 years within tantalising reach.
A victory would restore them to the Premier League summit ahead of next week's showdown with Manchester City, and the form of their strikers gives real hope to the red half of Merseyside. After all, in the two previous seasons in which a couple of Liverpool players hit 20 goals or more – Roger Hunt and Ian St John in 1963-64, and Jack Balmer and Albert Stubbins in 1946-47 – they ended up as champions.
The statistics are almost as remarkable as the recollection of that £35 million fee which Liverpool paid not so long ago for Andy Carroll, who lines up against his old team for the first time today.
Partners in crime: Liverpool strikers Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge Partners in crime: Liverpool strikers Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge Consider this: with six games to play, Suarez has already surpassed Robbie Fowler's club record of 28 goals for a Premier League campaign; one more goal would make the Uruguayan their first 30-goals-in-a-season striker since Ian Rush in 1986-87; Liverpool last failed to score in a League match on the first weekend of November; and in their previous four away games they have scored 15 goals. It is enough to give a goalkeeper sleepless nights, but not Adrian. "Yes, of course I'll sleep," the Spaniard told The Independent on Sunday with a smile.
Adrian has the cheerful, outgoing nature of your typical sevillano, but speaking at West Ham's Chadwell Heath training ground on Friday he was fully aware of the challenge facing Sam Allardyce's men, who would reach the 40-point mark with victory. "I've seen a few of [Liverpool's] games on TV and they have real quality up front," he said. "They have really fast players and goalscorers like Suarez and Sturridge, and overall they have a great team and are in a great moment of form. They have some spectacular stats away from home, so we have to stay tight, the team have to defend well and build from there – we can't get too carried away, because if we switch off we can suffer."
Adrian's preparations for facing Liverpool's deadly duo have been no different from any other game. Yesterday he will have turned on his laptop at his home in Canary Wharf and watched a specially compiled DVD of Liverpool's attacking play.
"I watch it the day before the game so it's fresh in the mind," he explained. "It is dead-balls and things they do during a game – penalties, free-kicks, movements at corners. These are things we can study, but over the course of a game they do different things which are hard to analyse no matter how many games you watch."
Few do the different things better than the inspirational Suarez, whom Adrian likens to the great goalscorers he faced in Spanish football with his old club Real Betis – namely "[Cristiano] Ronaldo, [Lionel] Messi, [Radamel] Falcao – great forwards who can shoot with their right, with their left, dribble round you.
"They're not your normal strikers but the best in the world, and Suarez is like that – he can shoot from distance and with both feet, so we have to be completely focused and be aware of every movement they make."
Adrian certainly needs no warning about shots from distance: it was on his last outing in front of the TV cameras that Wayne Rooney sent the ball flying over his head and into the back of the net from 45 yards. It is a moment that has led to ribbing from friends back in Spain – "A few contacted me on WhatsApp, asking, 'How's Rooney?' – but he is happy to relive it from the stricken goalkeeper's perspective.
"I don't think I was too far forward, I was in a good position but the ball moved a bit strangely. He hit it with the outside of the foot so the ball moved towards my right first, and so I went to my right and started running but when I next looked it had changed direction. At that speed, running back, you don't have time to react. These are difficult things to prepare for as a goalkeeper, they don't happen normally – people aren't going to shoot at you from the halfway line. It's a goal that hurts because it was from so far out, but you have to credit the striker too, as it was a great strike."
The 27-year-old has been on the receiving end of worse in an eventful first season in England, notably a four-day period in early January when West Ham lost 5-0 at Nottingham Forest and 6-0 at Man City in successive cup defeats. "As a goalkeeper, to concede five and six was the worst thing," he says, but he showed the character to respond with five clean sheets in his next six games, including a confidence-boosting shut-out at Chelsea on a night the home team had 39 shots. That cemented his status as both Allardyce's first-choice keeper – ahead of Jussi Jaaskelainen – and an unlikely cult hero to West Ham's supporters.
"The relationship with the fans is great and something I am proud of – to hear the fans chanting 'Adrian, Adrian' makes me happy." Today, with Liverpool's SAS in town, he will need all the support he can get.
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Sunday, April 6
Saturday, April 5
Daily WHUFC News - 5th March 2014
Liverpool match preview
WHUFC.com
All the need-to-know information ahead of Sunday's game against Liverpool at
the Boleyn Ground
04.04.2014
WEST HAM UNITED v LIVERPOOL
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 6 APRIL 2014
KICK-OFF: 4PM
REFEREE: ANTHONY TAYLOR
FULL AUDIO COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
TWITTER I FACEBOOK I INSTAGRAM I YOUTUBE I PROGRAMME I iPHONE APP
Introduction
• West Ham United go in search of a third consecutive win in the Barclays
Premier League on Sunday afternoon, when they welcome Liverpool to the
Boleyn Ground.
• The Hammers head into the match on the back of a fine 2-1 away win against
Sunderland which came courtesy of goals from Andy Carroll and Mohamed Diame.
• Preceding that, Sam Allardyce's side won by the same score line against
Hull City on their last home outing, thanks to strikes from Mark Noble and a
James Chester own goal.
• Six points from their last two fixtures leaves the Hammers nearing the
40-point mark, lying eleventh in the table with 37 points.
• When the two sides met in the corresponding fixture last year, the Hammers
held a 2-1 lead until two goals in three minutes snatched the points for
Liverpool.
• The Reds arrive in east London as the Premier League's form team having
won their last eight league matches.
• The eighth win of that sequence arrived against Tottenham Hotspur at
Anfield last weekend, when Brendan Rodgers' side ran riot winning 4-0.
• Liverpool have enjoyed success on their travels this season and have won
five of their last six matches on the road, the latest being a 6-3 thrashing
of Cardiff City.
Team news
West Ham United
• George McCartney is a doubt for Sunday's clash after tweaking a hamstring
in the 2-1 win over his former club Sunderland.
• Long-term absentee Joey O'Brien is still some way from a return to the
fold following the dislocated shoulder he sustained against Chelsea in
January.
Liverpool
• Jose Enrique is Liverpool's only injury concern, with the left-back having
missed a large part of the season due to a knee injury.
Last time out
Sunderland 1-2 West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
1 April 2014
West Ham United: Adrian, Demel, Tomkins, Reid, McCartney (Armero 45), Noble,
Nolan (Nocerino 84), Taylor, Diame (Johnson 79), Downing, Carroll
Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, Jarvis, C Cole, J Cole
Goals: Carroll 9, Diame 50
Liverpool 4-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Barclays Premier League
30 March 2014
Liverpool: Mignolet, Flanagan, Skrtel, Agger, Johnson, Gerrard (Lucas 70),
Coutinho (Allen 64), Henderson, Sterling (Moses 83), Suarez, Sturridge
Subs not used: Jones, Aspas, Sakho, Cissokho
Goals: Kaboul (og) 2, Suarez 25, Coutinho 55, Henderson 75
Previous meeting
Luis Suarez scored twice late on as Liverpool broke down a stubborn first
half Hammers display to eventually run out 4-1 winners. It took 42 minutes
for the Reds to strike, with Guy Demel unfortunate to turn the ball into his
own net. Mamadou Sakho scored a second just after half-time, before the
Hammers pulled one back through a Martin Skrtel own goal. It didn't inspire
a comeback however as two late strikes from Suarez and Kevin Nolan's red
card compounded the Hammers woes.
Liverpool 4-1 West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
Saturday 7 December 2013
Liverpool: Mignolet, Johnson, Skrtel, Sakho, Flanagan (Kelly 79), Allen,
Gerrard (Lucas 56), Henderson Coutinho, Sterling (Moses 72), Suarez
Subs not used: Jones, Alberto, Aspas, Cissokho
Goals: Demel (og) 42, Sakho 47, Suarez 81, 84
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Tomkins (O'Brien 56), Collins,
McCartney, Noble, Nolan, Downing (J Cole 46), Diame, Jarvis (Taylor 85),
Maiga
Subs not used: Adrian, Collison, C Cole, Diarra
Goal: Skrtel (og) 66
Background
• West Ham United and Liverpool have met 126 times previously, with the Reds
enjoying 67 victories. The Hammers have tasted success on just 24 occasions
and there have been 35 draws. In the Premier League, Liverpool have won 20
of the 34 meetings, with West Ham winning six and there being eight draws.
• The first-ever meeting between the two clubs was an FA Cup intermediate
round tie played at the Memorial Grounds on 5 January 1901. Division One
Liverpool edged out Southern League West Ham United 1-0 in front of a crowd
of 6,000, with Sam Raybould scoring the winner.
• Vic Watson scored four times, Stan Earle twice and Wilf James once as West
Ham United went top of the Division One table after beating Liverpool 7-0 at
the Boleyn Ground on 1 September 1930 - the Hammers' biggest-ever home win
over the Reds.
• A three-minute hat-trick scored by Roger Hunt either side of half-time
inspired Liverpool to a 5-1 Division One victory at the Boleyn Ground on 6
September 1965 - the Reds' biggest win at the home of the Hammers. Martin
Peters scored West Ham United's consolation goal.
• The largest crowd to attend a Liverpool versus West Ham United fixture at
Anfield was the 55,675 who attended a goalless Division One draw on 14 May
1977. Liverpool would go on to defeat Borussia Moenchengladbach 3-1 in the
European Cup final in Rome eleven days later.
• The Hammers and the Reds met in the 1981 League Cup final at Wembley. The
match ended in a 1-1 draw after extra-time, with Ray Stewart's last-gasp
penalty wiping out Alan Kennedy's 118th-minute strike. The replay, held at
Villa Park, saw Paul Goddard put John Lyall's side in front, only for goals
from Kenny Dalglish and Alan Hansen to see the trophy head to Merseyside.
• West Ham United and Liverpool famously met in the 2006 FA Cup final at the
Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Jamie Carragher's own-goal and a Dean Ashton
strike put the Hammers 2-0 up before Djibril Cisse and Steven Gerrard
brought the Reds level. Paul Konchesky put West Ham back in front before
Gerrard's late 25-yarder forced extra-time. After a goalless 30 minutes,
Liverpool prevailed 3-1 on penalties.
• Billy Bonds has made more appearances against Liverpool, 33, than any
other West Ham United player. The Reds' Ian Callaghan made a record 33
appearances against the Hammers, scoring twice.
• Vic Watson scored a record nine goals in 14 appearances against Liverpool.
John Toshack has scored more goals for the Reds against the Hammers than
anyone else with ten.
• Kevin Nolan, Andy Carroll and Liverpool full-back Jose Enrique were all
part of the Newcastle United squad which won the Championship title in 2010.
• A number of other West Ham United and Liverpool players have lined-up
alongside one another at their former clubs and at international level -
Andy Carroll, Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson, Jordan Henderson, Stewart
Downing and Martin Kelly (England), Jack Collison, James Collins and Joe
Allen (Wales), James Tomkins and Allen (Team GB), Collins and Stewart
Downing (Aston Villa), George McCartney and Jordan Henderson (Sunderland),
Raheem Sterling, Matthias Fanimo and Blair Turgott (England age-group
sides).
• No fewer than 19 players have made their West Ham United debuts against
Liverpool - Alex Kane (January 1926), Walter Pollard (September 1929), Reg
Wade (January 1930), Bill Nelson (September 1954), Dave Bickles (September
1963), Eddie Presland (February 1965), Mick McGiven (December 1973), John
Radford (December 1976), George Parris and Keith McPherson (May 1985), Kevin
Keen (September 1986), Hugo Porfirio (September 1996), Andy Impey (September
1997), Marc Keller (September 1998), Gavin Holligan (February 1999),
Svetoslav Todorov (February 2001), Laurent Courtois (August 2001), Rufus
Brevett (February 2003) and Kepa Blanco (January 2007).
• Eddie Presland scored on his debut in a 2-1 Division One victory over
Liverpool at the Boleyn Ground on 27 February 1965. The left-back would make
just six first-team appearances for the Hammers before joining Crystal
Palace in 1967.
• Kepa Blanco netted just minutes after coming on as a substitute for his
West Ham United debut in a 2-1 home Premier League defeat by Liverpool on 30
January 2007.
• West Ham United player Stewart Downing played against his current
employers for Liverpool in both fixtures between the two clubs in the
2012/13 season.
Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated)
7 December 2013 - Liverpool 4-1 West Ham United
7 April 2013 - Liverpool 0-0 West Ham United
9 December 2012 - West Ham United 2-3 Liverpool
27 February 2011 - West Ham United 3-1 Liverpool
20 November 2010 - Liverpool 3-0 West Ham United
19 April 2010 - Liverpool 3-0 West Ham United
Overall record v Liverpool (all competitions) W 24 D 35 L 67
Ten-year records
West Ham United
2012/13 Premier League 10th (46 points)
2011/12 Championship 3rd (86 points - promoted via Play-Offs)
2010/11 Premier League 20th (33 points - relegated to Championship)
2009/10 Premier League 17th (35 points)
2008/09 Premier League 9th (51 points)
2007/08 Premier League 10th (49 points)
2006/07 Premier League 15th (41 points)
2005/06 Premier League 9th (55 points)
2004/05 Championship 6th (73 points - promoted via play-offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th (74 points)
Liverpool
2012/13 Premier League 7th (61 points)
2011/12 Premier League 8th (52 points)
2010/11 Premier League 6th (58 points)
2009/10 Premier League 7th (63 points)
2008/09 Premier League 2nd (86 points)
2007/08 Premier League 4th (76 points)
2006/07 Premier League 3rd (68 points)
2005/06 Premier League 3rd (82 points)
2004/05 Premier League 5th (58 points)
2003/04 Premier League 4th (60 points)
Old boys
• West Ham United midfielder Alou Diarra spent three seasons with Liverpool
between 2002 and 2005 after joining the club from Bayern Munich. However,
the 31-year-old failed to make a first-team appearance for the Reds, instead
being loaned to Le Havre, Bastia and Lens before joining the latter on a
permanent basis.
• Andy Carroll joined the Reds from Newcastle United for £35million in
January 2011. Carroll played 58 times for Liverpool, scoring eleven goals,
before joining the Hammers permanently in summer 2013 following a successful
loan at the Boleyn Ground.
• Glen Johnson came through the ranks at West Ham United, making 15 league
appearances in the 2002/03 season. He was transferred to Chelsea for
£6million in summer 2003 and subsequently moved on to Portsmouth before
Liverpool snapped him up in June 2009.
• Joe Cole played 149 games in all competitions for the Hammers, scoring 13
goals, before his switch to Chelsea in August 2003. Cole also won the FA
Youth Cup with West Ham United in 1999. Cole joined Liverpool in summer
2010, scoring five goals in 42 appearances - including one at the Boleyn
Ground in the reverse fixture this season in December - before moving back
to east London in January 2013.
• Stewart Downing spent two seasons with Liverpool between 2011 and 2013
before completing a move to the Boleyn Ground in August 2013.
• Among the other players who have represented both clubs are Craig Bellamy,
Yossi Benayoun, Tom Bradshaw, David Burrows, Titi Camara, Charles Cotton,
Julian Dicks, Ray Houghton, Don Hutchison, Paul Ince, David James, Rob
Jones, George Kay, Robbie Keane, Paul Konchesky, Mike Marsh, Javier
Mascherano, Neil Mellor, Neil Ruddock, Danny Shone, Rigobert Song and Thomas
Stanley.
Referee
• Sunday's referee will be Anthony Taylor.
• Taylor is in his fourth season on the Select Group of referees appointed
to control Barclays Premier League fixtures.
• The Greater Manchester-born official started refereeing in the Northern
Premier League in 2002 before being appointed to the Football League list at
the start of the 2006/07 season, refereeing his match between Wrexham and
Peterborough United in League Two on 12 August 2006.
• Taylor's first Premier League appointment was the 3 February 2010
encounter between today's visitors Fulham and former West Ham United manager
Avram Grant's Portsmouth, with the Cottagers winning 1-0.
• Taylor took charge of West Ham against Liverpool almost exactly a year ago
on Sunday, as the two sides played out a 0-0 draw at Anfield on 7 April
2013. That match was the last time he took charge of a Hammers fixture.
• Taylor will be assisted by Steve Child and Stuart Burt on Sunday, and the
fourth official will be Craig Pawson.
General information
• The weather forecast for Sunday's match is light cloud with temperatures
around 17C (62F).
• There are no tickets remaining for the match which is a sell-out.
• The District Line is running a good service this weekend with no planned
closures.
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Big Sam on: Liverpool
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce addressed the assembled media at his pre-match press
conference on Friday morning
04.04.2014
Sam Allardyce spoke to members of the local and national media at Chadwell
Heath on Friday morning ahead of his side's Barclays Premier League
encounter with Liverpool. The Hammers' boss answered questions regarding how
to stop the Reds' free-scoring attack, his side's fine recent form and the
latest team news ahead of the clash.
Sam, what's the team news ahead of the weekend?
SA: "Kevin Nolan is ok. George McCartney is the biggest doubt. He came off
with a hamstring problem on Monday night. It's probably caused by a bit of
fatigue and the fact he played three games in a short space of time, so it
looks as though he'll miss out on Sunday."
You've played against a lot of good sides down the years, how good is this
Liverpool side, and how good will you have to be to beat them?
SA: "At the moment I think that the Liverpool team, in terms of its form and
results, is operating at 100 per cent. Sometimes you can be playing really,
really well and not achieve the results that those performances deserve, but
certainly at the moment their results and performances make them the top
team in the league. Other teams have slipped up and they've taken full
advantage by producing the quality of football and the goals that they've
got over the last period.
"That's been very good for Brendan Rodgers and his team. When you have two
quality strikers of the ilk of Sturridge and Suarez then the rest of the
team know that somewhere along the line they're going to put the ball in the
back of the net if they provide the service for them. They haven't been too
concerned about conceding a goal here and there. They seem to know that
they'll score one more than the opposition if the opposition score against
them."
In world terms, how good is Luis Suarez?
SA: "At the moment he now finds himself in the top two or three in the
world. The commitment he showed to Liverpool and they showed to him, seems
to have given him that extra impetus this season to go out and be even
better than he was after the problems he had. The combination with Sturridge
has flourished where that looked a little concerning in the early stages as
neither wanted to play in a wide position. That seems to have all come
together now and the rest of the team is providing the service behind them
has grown in quality and confidence.
"People are emerging from an England point of view and it's very encouraging
to see Jordan Henderson and Raheem Sterling emerge more than ever this year.
We've got a big job on our hands, we know that, but after our performances
and our results we're really looking forward to it. We've eased the pressure
on ourselves and produced a great run of form and results at this period of
time with six wins out of nine. That's two points per game, that's top-six
form. We're in our best form of the season and hopefully that will make for
a competitive game on Sunday afternoon."
David Sullivan said that if you'd had Andy Carroll fit all season that you'd
be pushing for Europe. Is that a statement you agree with?
SA: "It's a possibility, yes. Since the turn of the year our change of form
and results has improved and it's got better and better and now we're in the
best run we've had since we've been back in the Premier League. We've got to
take that confidence into Sunday's game and hopefully we can produce one of
those performances that has happened many, many times in the Premier League
this year.
"Just the other week Crystal Palace beat Chelsea and Manchester City lost to
Sunderland, things like that can happen. We beat Tottenham away 3-0 when
they were right up near the top so we hope it can be one of those days, but
we certainly have to be on top, top form to get anything out of the game.
Now there's less pressure on us, we're not safe yet, but we are feeling a
lot more confident going into this game based on less fear from our league
position going into this game."
Do you think Liverpool were too quick to pass on Andy Carroll?
SA: "He (Brendan Rodgers) made a decision early on and we were the first to
try and resolve that situation. As disappointed as Andy was, that was the
decision made by Brendan and you have to move on, you have to put it behind
you. Stewart Downing also comes into the fray where he played a part in
Liverpool last season and then joined us. The rest of the team and those two
lads particularly will want to show how good they are on Sunday. Let's hope
they play very, very well on Sunday because we need them to."
For the clubs that are at the bottom of the table scrapping for survival,
how important are the fans in helping the team in that situation?
SA: "There becomes a fear factor in the players at this stage of the season
and as a manager you have to override that fear factor. The fear factor is
massive in trying to relax and make sure that your players are focussed on
the task at hand. The key is to not be too intense and try to relax them
because the whole club fears relegation and that spreads like a plague. You
have protect the players from that because if they go out with fear then
they can freeze and not produce what they're capable of. That's the biggest
managerial tool you have to have at this stage of the season if you're down
there. You have to promote the good things they do and remind them of what
they're capable of and the good results they've produced. You have to get
them ready to go out and fight for what they need to do to stay safely in
the Barclays Premier League."
Ravel Morrison has been voted Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month for
March, have you been keeping an eye on his progress?
SA: "We see Rav with our scouts and staff on a regular basis. He's right in
the think of a different experience to the one he had last season when he
was at Birmingham. He's got the real pressure on him now of staying in the
Play-Off places which is nearly guaranteed now. He's scored a few goals so
we're pleased to see him playing regularly and gaining more and more
experience."
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Spurs match moved
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's final home match of 2013/14 with Tottenham Hotspur will
now kick-off at 12.45pm
04.04.2014
West Ham United's final home match of 2013/14 with Tottenham Hotspur will
now kick-off at 12.45pm on Saturday 3 May. The Hammers complete their slate
of Barclays Premier League fixtures at the Boleyn Ground by welcoming their
north London rivals for what promises to be a mouth-watering lunch-time
derby.
Following the final whistle, the players and staff will conduct a lap of the
pitch to thank fans for their outstanding support this season. Sam
Allardyce's side will be seeking to complete a memorable hat-trick of
victories over Spurs, having won 3-0 in the reverse league fixture in
October and 2-1 at White Hart Lane in the Capital One Cup quarter-finals
just before Christmas. Last season's corresponding fixture was also a
thriller, with Spurs winning 3-2 courtesy of Gareth Bale's last-gasp goal.
Standard Tickets for the match are not currently on sale, but a limited
number of unused Bondholder tickets will be released at 9am on Saturday 19
April. Click here for more information.
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Chadwell Chatter
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan blogs for whufc.com on victory at Sunderland and his hopes for
the rest of the season
04.04.2014
Hi everyone,
Monday's victory at Sunderland was a massive one for us. It gave us another
set of back-to-back wins and took us to 37 points, eleven ahead of the
relegation zone and just three behind Stoke in tenth. It put a smile on
everyone's face and lets us think we've got another season in the Premier
League when we won't have as many major injuries as we had this season.
We'll have an interesting summer where hopefully we'll have a few new
additions, and quality additions, which will only make us better and start
pushing us up that league to get into that top ten more and build towards
the Olympic Park in two years. You have to admire the board for sticking
with Sam. We all said it - we had a very tough time earlier on in the season
with injuries. I didn't help with the suspensions after my sendings-off. I
hold my hands up to that but i don't think I've been through a season where
I've been hit with so many injuries to major players. At one point we had
all three of our centre halves out, and we were playing right backs and left
backs in the middle, but we all dug in and it's going to be so pleasing at
the end of this season knowing that we've scrapped away when we've needed to
and when we have had our full team, we've got back to where we feel we
belong. I'm sure that if we had our full squad for the season, we would have
had a better season and we would never have been talking about relegation.
It's nice to be sitting where we are now with six games to go and we're
looking forward to what hopefully is going to be a few more wins. Our aim is
to knock Stoke out of that tenth spot and finish where we did last year.
Then we can all go and have a good summer and let the gaffer and the Board
start worrying about who they are going to bring in for next season. We're
back at home on Sunday when we face Liverpool and it will be a good test to
take them on. We won last time out here and Hull was a tough game. The
gaffer knew it and he was delighted with the three points. There were a few
grumblings, but I must say in and around where we live all the supporters
have been fantastic with him and all the lads. They were three good points,
as were Monday's and now we're not far off being able to celebrate come the
end of the season at another successful campaign.
Come on you Irons!
Kev
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Potts eyes return to form
WHUFC.com
The Academy will look to bounce back when they host Stoke City on Saturday
04.04.2014
Academy boss Steve Potts is looking for a return to winning ways when his
side takes on Stoke City at Little Heath on Saturday. The young Hammers have
suffered a blip in recent weeks, losing tight games to Tottenham Hotspur and
Everton to dent their charge to the end of season Play-Offs. They remain
second in the Premier Academy League South table though and are well placed
to secure their position in the final tournament, so Potts is targeting
three points against the Potters. He explained: "We want to get back to
winning ways. I think we've performed pretty well in the last two games, but
we haven't got the results to go with the performances. That's been
unfortunate but hopefully we can turn that around on Saturday. "It's been a
case of small margins against both Tottenham and Everton, being a bit more
ruthless at the top end and restricting the chances at the other. I thought
at Tottenham we did that fairly well, but at Everton we gave two sloppy
goals away. "We've been pretty good this year at keeping it tight at the
back and that's given us a good platform over the season, so hopefully we'll
get back to being like that."
Potts has promoted players from the schoolboy ranks in recent weeks, due in
part to a number of his regulars stepping up to be involved with Nick
Haycock's Development Squad. He is delighted to see his young charges make
progress and says giving experience to the next batch of youth teamers can
only be beneficial at this stage. He added: "The progress of the players up
to the Under-21s has been really pleasing and a positive for the Club. Seven
of the youth team boys went up to the Under-21s last Friday and it was good
for them to get a good result as well - it proves that they're going in the
right direction. "Likewise, I've had younger players coming into the side.
16 year olds, and even a couple of 15 year olds came on last week. It's all
good experience for them for next year. "It would be nice for the boys to
reach the Play-Offs because I think they've done well over the season. I
can't fault the effort they've put in and obviously they've progressed as
footballers. What would be nice if they got to the Play-Offs, they would be
playing at a stadium, in front of a crowd, because they missed out on that
in the FA Youth Cup."
Kick-off at Little Heath on Saturday is at 12 noon, with both admission and
parking free of charge
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AC takes aim at rampant Reds
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll believes West Ham United can down his high-flying former club
Liverpool on Sunday
04.04.2014
Andy Carroll cannot wait for Sunday's game against Barclays Premier League
leaders Liverpool to kick-off. West Ham United's No9 spent two-and-a-half
years as a Liverpool player, winning the League Cup and scoring in the FA
Cup final in 2012, before joining West Ham United on loan and then
permanently in summer 2013. Having played alongside the likes of Luis Suarez
and Steven Gerrard, Carroll is acutely aware of the threat the Reds will
pose. However, he is confident that, having reached 37 points following wins
over Hull City and Sunderland, the Hammers can shock the world by defeating
Brendan Rodgers' side.
"I think all the lads are confident that we're safe after a great week for
us," said the 25-year-old frontman. "We've done well and we've been on a
great run and now we want to keep it going until the end of the season. "I'm
feeling very good now as I've got three full 90 minutes under my belt. It's
been a tough season for me, not being fit, but now I'm feeling good. I've
got a couple of goals and a couple of assists and am feeling great. "I felt
a bit rusty the first couple of games after coming back into it, but I think
you can see I'm getting into the stride of things again. "I'm looking
forward to the Liverpool game. It's going to be tough because they are on
fire at the moment and are the team to beat, so hopefully we're the team
that can do it. "It's my old team, but for me it's a normal game and I'll
just get on with it. I don't regret leaving at all. I moved to West Ham and
I'm loving it. I had my injury setback, but other than that everything has
been great."
While Carroll is West Ham's headline maker, his former strike partner Suarez
is also catching the eye on a regular basis, having scored 29 goals in just
27 league starts this term. Alongside him, Daniel Sturridge, Raheem
Sterling, Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson have also made names for
themselves during a campaign that could yet end in title glory for the men
from Anfield. Carroll, for one, has been impressed, but refutes suggestions
that he made a mistake by leaving Liverpool last summer. Instead, the
forward says the current Reds squad is making the most of the tactics and
formation employed by manager Rodgers. The No9 also revealed that he had
tipped his old club for success at the start of the 2013/14 campaign. "The
way they are playing, they have got the players to play that system - Suarez
and Sturridge up front are completely different players to me. The way they
play is incredible. "I said from the start of the season that Liverpool had
a great chance and all the lads were shocked. I knew what Suarez was like
and his connection with Sturridge has been great and they are unbelievable
at the minute. "Suarez is a great player. He has 29 goals this season and is
incredible, you can see that. I don't think anyone can doubt him. "After
games, he would want to train, even when he is supposed to be resting. He
never gives up or stops running. He is infectious and is why all the players
around him are performing like they are."
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Carlton Cole: West Ham striker aims to make further impact
BBC.co.uk
West Ham striker Carlton Cole aims to continue playing his part during the
remainder of what he describes as a "strange" season for him. The
30-year-old was released by the Hammers last summer, but re-signed in
October and has since scored six goals in 20 Premier League appearances. "I
never had a pre-season. I just came in and had to hit the ground running. "I
used all my experience I'd gathered over the years to deal with it," he told
BBC London. "I had positive thought processes. The manager [Sam Allardyce]
helped me through it to get back on track and catch up with the team
fitness-wise and mentally. "I repaid him with some goals. I am on the bench
at the moment, but any time I get my chance I'll try my best." After
re-joining the Hammers initially on a short-term deal, Cole's performances
earned him a new 18-month contract at Upton Park. Cole, who has seven
England caps, first joined West Ham from Chelsea in 2006 and has scored a
total of 65 goals in 261 appearances for the east London club. London's
Olympic Stadium is currently being converted for West Ham's move to the
ground for the 2016-17 season and Cole described it as "impressive" after
visiting the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park this week. "Although it is not
finished yet, it looks amazing. I'd like to play there one day and hopefully
I can get a long enough contract to do that," he said. "I understand some of
the fans wouldn't want to move, but the owners want to progress and want
more people to have an opportunity to watch the games. "When you get a place
like this you can't turn it down. I am just happy West Ham got it."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Early start for derby day
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 4th April 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's final home game of the season has been brought forward to
a lunchtime kick-off. The Hammers are hoping to secure a trio of wins
against neighbours Tottenham when the two teams clash at the Boleyn Ground
on Saturday, 3rd May, following our 3-0 and 2-1 wins at White Hart Lane
earlier this season. And the match - originally scheduled for a 3pm kick off
- will now kick off at 12.45pm for the benefit of a TV audience, with the
game almost certain to be broadcast live by BT Sports (who are yet to
confirm their schedule for May). West Ham beat Tottenham 3-0 at White Hart
Lane in the first meeting between the two clubs this season back in October
when goals from Winston Reid, Ricardo Vaz Te and a memorable effort from
Ravel Morrison - currently on loan at Queens Park Rangers - secured United's
first away win of the season. Rubbing salt in the wound, the Hammers went
back to what had been cheekily renamed the O3 Arena in honour of that win to
knock Spurs our of the Carling Cup when late efforts from Matt Jarvis and
Modibo Maiga - also currently on loan at QPR - sent the home side tumbling
out of the competition. Tottenham are currently sixth in the Premier League,
five places above West Ham in 11th - albeit with virtually the same goal
difference (Spurs -4, West Ham -6).
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Season ticket prices frozen
Kumb.COM
Filed: Friday, 4th April 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United have confirmed that season ticket prices have been frozen
for the 2014/15 campaign. Next season mark's the Club penultimate year at
the Boleyn Ground, with the move to Stratford looming ever closer. And the
good news for supporters is that prices for the current season will remain
in place for United's third season back in the top flight following
promotion in 2011/12. "We would like to say a special 'thank you' to our
loyal fans, who have supported the team throughout this season," read a
joint statement posted on behalf of owners David Sullivan and David Gold.
"Despite our injury crisis, once again we shared some amazing moments
together, most notably our two fantastic victories away at Tottenham
Hotspur. "We are delighted to announce, that as a reward for your loyal
support, your Season Ticket price for the 2014/15 season has been frozen. By
renewing for the next campaign, you will also be guaranteed the opportunity
to renew your seat to celebrate our final Boleyn Ground season and we are
already speaking with our Supporter Advisory Board about ideas to make every
game in the last season a memorable event. "We will be looking to strengthen
the squad over the summer by making at least three key signings, so we have
a squad ready to take us forward in the 2014/15 season. We invest every
pound from Season Ticket revenue back into the playing budget, so your
support really does make a difference."
Last season, prices rose between 3.5-4.8 per cent for existing season ticket
holders with the exception of disabled ST holders, who faced a whopping 50
per cent rise. Despite the good news, the Club have come under criticism
from some supporters for once again bringing the renewal deadline forward;
applicants must renew by June 2 in order to guarantee their seat for the
2014/15 campaign. Supporters may renew online, in person at the Ticket
Office or by calling 0871 529 1966 (calls cost 10p per minute + network
extras).
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Gong for Rav
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 4th April 2014
By: Staff Writer
Ravel Morrison has been named as the Sky Bet Championship Player of the
Month for March. The young Hammer, currently on loan at Queens Park Rangers
in order to gain valuable first team experience picked up the award having
scored five goals and contributed one assist to Rangers' promotion push
during the last month. "It's been really good and I've enjoyed every game
I've played in," Morrison told Sky Sports. "I've just tried to get game time
again and show them what I can do. "I've enjoyed it because we keep a lot of
the ball. You get a lot of time in the Championship, too, so you can do more
stuff on the ball."
Harry Redknapp, who has spent the past month eulogising over the England
Under 21's mercurial talents added: ""Ravel has been excellent for us. He's
been good on the pitch and good off the pitch as well. He's been great
around the place and not a minute's problem. "I am really pleased for him,
it's a well-deserved award and let's hope he can win it again this month!"
Morrison was also named as the AirAsia Player of the Month - a fans' poll
conducted by the west Londoners.
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Liverpool travel to West Ham hoping to maintain winning run
Last Updated: 04/04/14 5:49pm
SSN
Liverpool travel to West Ham on Sunday looking to maintain their winning
run, and remain top of the league with five games to go. After an incredible
eight successive wins, the Reds have gone from Champions League contenders
to title prospects, and victory over West Ham will see Brendan Rodgers' men
stay top of the league by at least two points after Sunday's encounter.
While their defence has been far from resolute, the Reds have been
unstoppable going forward, netting 88 goals already - a record for any team
after 32 matches of a Premier League season, and have scored in their last
22 games since losing 2-0 away to Arsenal. Luis Suarez continues to be
Liverpool's talisman. The Uruguayan hitman has scored six goals in his last
five Premier League matches and is just two away from the Premier League
record for a 38-game season. The Hammers will certainly be up against it as
they try and halt the rampant Reds, but victory over Sunderland last time
out will give them the confidence they need to give it their best shot. That
away win against the Black Cats saw the Hammers move 11 points clear of the
drop zone, leaving a top-half finish a distinct possibility. The clash with
Liverpool will have added significance for Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing,
who both struggled with the expectation after big-money moves to Anfield
before departing for Upton Park.
And, after netting his second goal since returning from injury, Carroll
especially would love nothing more than to further enhance his chances of
making England's World Cup squad by impressing against his former employers.
Paul Merson's prediction: Liverpool are not my favourites for the title, but
it would be a phenomenal feat if they do it. At the start of the season they
needed to pull up trees just to get into the top four, so they've done
brilliantly to get to this position, but I think the winning run could end
here because this is a very hard game. People think they've just got to turn
up to win games, but it won't be like that. West Ham will get the ball
forward quickly, Andy Carroll will cause problems and they will be very
disciplined; it won't be like Tottenham who just laid down and made it easy
for them! The longer this game goes on the more nervous they might get and I
think it will be a draw. I've seen this so many times - a team is rolling
along and it just takes one bad result. The pressure will be on them because
they are playing last of the three teams and that's not nice.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1
West Ham
Last 6
Sunderland (a)1-2
Hull City (h)2-1
Man Utd (h)0-2
Stoke City (a)3-1
Everton (a)1-0
Southampton (h)3-1
West Ham captain Kevin Nolan will be fit to face Liverpool when the Premier
League leaders visit Upton Park on Sunday. The 31-year-old was forced off
late on in Monday night's 2-1 win at Sunderland after feeling tightness in
his back but Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is confident his skipper will be
available.
Defender George McCartney (hamstring) is less fortunate and will miss out,
while Joey O'Brien (shoulder) and Marco Borriello (calf) are again likely to
be sidelined.
Liverpool
Last 6
Tottenham (h)4-0
Sunderland (h)2-1
Cardiff (a)3-6
Man Utd (a)0-3
Southampton (a)0-3
Swansea (h)4-3
Liverpool could welcome back Lucas Leiva to the starting line-up for their
clash with West Ham on Sunday. The Brazilian midfielder completed 20 minutes
as a substitute against Tottenham last weekend, and could be handed his
first start since mid-January. Jose Enrique (knee) remains Liverpool's only
absentee.
Opta facts
There have been three own goals in the last three Premier League meetings
between the Hammers and the Reds.
Liverpool have hit the woodwork more times than any other team this season
(24), while West Ham's uprights have been struck the most (20).
60% of Liverpool's goals have been scored in the first half, the highest
proportion of any team in the top flight this season.
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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce 'sickened' by lack of appreciation
Last Updated: 04/04/14 11:09pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says he is 'sickened' by the lack of praise
his team have received in recent weeks. The Hammers have won six out of nine
to pull out of the relegation mire, but they have won little or no plaudits
and were even jeered by their own fans despite beating Hull City 2-1 last
month.
Allardyce reacted to that by cupping his ear to the supporters and he admits
he is frustrated that their improved form has not been recognised, or it
seems, appreciated, because of a perception they are a dull, long-ball team.
"Well you see, it's all a load of bull," he said when asked about his side's
style. "I think that it's all about the perception and the reputation of Sam
Allardyce, not the West Ham players and how they play. It's all perceived to
be like this and nothing else. "It is a load of rubbish and I can't help
that. It's unfortunate for the players because this particular period of
time, when they've achieved six winsout of nine matches, they get little or
no praise for it and that's really sad. "We've had our best run of results
but nobody's talking about it. They're talking about a one-game scenario
when people are booing because we've won against 10 men. It's life I
suppose, but it's quite sickening to be honest."
Allardyce was retained as manager at Upton Park despite a desperate spell
during the winter, with co-chairmen David Gold and David Sullivan
continually backing their man rather than reacting to the poor form by
looking elsewhere. The main factor behind a winter of discontent was a
chronic injury list, and as those players have slowly made their way back
into the team, the Hammers have turned their fortunes around. "They got
slaughtered in December because they were losing football matches and now
they're performing some of the best results they've performed since we got
back in the Premier League," he said.
"It's top-six form and that's what we should be talking about, not talking
about the type of football that we play because we play a type of football
that suits the players, that's entertaining and it's winning. "The game is
about results - that's a fact. If you don't get results, you don't keep your
job. If you don't get results, you get transferred. It's a results business,
an entertaining business, and you try and put both together as often as you
possibly can."
Meanwhile, joint chairman David Gold told Sky Sports News: "The fans have
that right to boo - but all I'd say is I've not known a team play better
because the fans are booing."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Carroll feels Liverpool let him go too soon
Last Updated: 04/04/14 10:21pm
SSN
Andy Carroll feels he was denied an opportunity to prove his worth at
Liverpool and is now chasing a World Cup dream. The powerful frontman was
taken to Anfield in January 2011 for £35million, with the Merseyside outfit
wasting no time in dipping back into the transfer window after offloading
Fernando Torres to Chelsea for a British record fee. Carroll arrived from
Newcastle United with a blossoming reputation, but was unable to kick his
career forward with the Reds. Form and injury frustrations saw him struggle
for continuity and consistency and he was eventually allowed to head out on
loan in the summer of 2012.
Brendan Rodgers decided that Carroll was not for him, as he completed a
switch to West Ham United which would ultimately be made permanent, but the
25-year-old feels he was discarded too quickly by the Liverpool management
team. He told Sky Sports on his time at Anfield: "Obviously it wasn't what I
wanted. I went there and I wanted to kick on. "I had problems with injuries
and was playing one game out of three and never really got going. If I did
get going, my career at Liverpool, I would still be there now. It didn't,
now I'm here and I'm happy."
Pressed again on whether, after 18 minutes of football under Rodgers, he
deserved more time in which to impress a new manager, Carroll added: "I
think so. I was away with England at the time and I felt that I was good and
confident about coming back to Liverpool and showing what I'm about. "I
never really got the chance and was told to leave. That's why I 'm here."
Carroll admits he was also left confused by Rodgers' claims that he would be
unable to form a little-and-large partnership with this season's top Premier
League marksman Luis Suarez - a man signed in the same transfer window: "He
did tell me that it could work, and then when I was leaving he was telling
me other things. I was a bit disillusioned about that as well. But that's
another thing. I think it could have worked, and I was getting told it could
work from him."
Carroll is now looking to leave his Liverpool days behind him, as he
prepares for a reunion with his former employers at Upton Park on Sunday,
and hopes his end of season form - in what has been an injury-ravaged
campaign - will earn him a place in the England squad destined for Brazil
this summer. He added: "I'm feeling fresh. I've missed all of the season, so
if anyone is raring to go it's me. It's like the start of the season for me.
"I got injured and then suspended, so I've missed a lot of games. I just
need to work hard, score goals and put myself about. "When I was away, I
wasn't on the pitch, I wasn't at the training ground, I was away from it all
and I was so hungry to get back. "Now I'm back, it feels like I've done my
pre-season at Christmas. I'm just starting. I don't want the season to end."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
CARRICK COMING HOME?
By Sean Whetstone 4 Apr 2014 at 20:05
West Ham Till I Die
There are rumours circulating this evening that Michael Carrick maybe
considering a return to West Ham this summer just as his old Academy team
mate Joe Cole looks likely to depart. Carrick has just a year left to run on
his contract with Manchester United but it is understood agreement could be
reached between the two clubs without any significant money changing hands.
Carrick played 136 league games for West Ham before joining Spurs in 2005
for £3.5 million. He was later sold to Manchester United in a deal worth
£18.6m.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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WHUFC.com
All the need-to-know information ahead of Sunday's game against Liverpool at
the Boleyn Ground
04.04.2014
WEST HAM UNITED v LIVERPOOL
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 6 APRIL 2014
KICK-OFF: 4PM
REFEREE: ANTHONY TAYLOR
FULL AUDIO COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
TWITTER I FACEBOOK I INSTAGRAM I YOUTUBE I PROGRAMME I iPHONE APP
Introduction
• West Ham United go in search of a third consecutive win in the Barclays
Premier League on Sunday afternoon, when they welcome Liverpool to the
Boleyn Ground.
• The Hammers head into the match on the back of a fine 2-1 away win against
Sunderland which came courtesy of goals from Andy Carroll and Mohamed Diame.
• Preceding that, Sam Allardyce's side won by the same score line against
Hull City on their last home outing, thanks to strikes from Mark Noble and a
James Chester own goal.
• Six points from their last two fixtures leaves the Hammers nearing the
40-point mark, lying eleventh in the table with 37 points.
• When the two sides met in the corresponding fixture last year, the Hammers
held a 2-1 lead until two goals in three minutes snatched the points for
Liverpool.
• The Reds arrive in east London as the Premier League's form team having
won their last eight league matches.
• The eighth win of that sequence arrived against Tottenham Hotspur at
Anfield last weekend, when Brendan Rodgers' side ran riot winning 4-0.
• Liverpool have enjoyed success on their travels this season and have won
five of their last six matches on the road, the latest being a 6-3 thrashing
of Cardiff City.
Team news
West Ham United
• George McCartney is a doubt for Sunday's clash after tweaking a hamstring
in the 2-1 win over his former club Sunderland.
• Long-term absentee Joey O'Brien is still some way from a return to the
fold following the dislocated shoulder he sustained against Chelsea in
January.
Liverpool
• Jose Enrique is Liverpool's only injury concern, with the left-back having
missed a large part of the season due to a knee injury.
Last time out
Sunderland 1-2 West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
1 April 2014
West Ham United: Adrian, Demel, Tomkins, Reid, McCartney (Armero 45), Noble,
Nolan (Nocerino 84), Taylor, Diame (Johnson 79), Downing, Carroll
Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, Jarvis, C Cole, J Cole
Goals: Carroll 9, Diame 50
Liverpool 4-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Barclays Premier League
30 March 2014
Liverpool: Mignolet, Flanagan, Skrtel, Agger, Johnson, Gerrard (Lucas 70),
Coutinho (Allen 64), Henderson, Sterling (Moses 83), Suarez, Sturridge
Subs not used: Jones, Aspas, Sakho, Cissokho
Goals: Kaboul (og) 2, Suarez 25, Coutinho 55, Henderson 75
Previous meeting
Luis Suarez scored twice late on as Liverpool broke down a stubborn first
half Hammers display to eventually run out 4-1 winners. It took 42 minutes
for the Reds to strike, with Guy Demel unfortunate to turn the ball into his
own net. Mamadou Sakho scored a second just after half-time, before the
Hammers pulled one back through a Martin Skrtel own goal. It didn't inspire
a comeback however as two late strikes from Suarez and Kevin Nolan's red
card compounded the Hammers woes.
Liverpool 4-1 West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
Saturday 7 December 2013
Liverpool: Mignolet, Johnson, Skrtel, Sakho, Flanagan (Kelly 79), Allen,
Gerrard (Lucas 56), Henderson Coutinho, Sterling (Moses 72), Suarez
Subs not used: Jones, Alberto, Aspas, Cissokho
Goals: Demel (og) 42, Sakho 47, Suarez 81, 84
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Tomkins (O'Brien 56), Collins,
McCartney, Noble, Nolan, Downing (J Cole 46), Diame, Jarvis (Taylor 85),
Maiga
Subs not used: Adrian, Collison, C Cole, Diarra
Goal: Skrtel (og) 66
Background
• West Ham United and Liverpool have met 126 times previously, with the Reds
enjoying 67 victories. The Hammers have tasted success on just 24 occasions
and there have been 35 draws. In the Premier League, Liverpool have won 20
of the 34 meetings, with West Ham winning six and there being eight draws.
• The first-ever meeting between the two clubs was an FA Cup intermediate
round tie played at the Memorial Grounds on 5 January 1901. Division One
Liverpool edged out Southern League West Ham United 1-0 in front of a crowd
of 6,000, with Sam Raybould scoring the winner.
• Vic Watson scored four times, Stan Earle twice and Wilf James once as West
Ham United went top of the Division One table after beating Liverpool 7-0 at
the Boleyn Ground on 1 September 1930 - the Hammers' biggest-ever home win
over the Reds.
• A three-minute hat-trick scored by Roger Hunt either side of half-time
inspired Liverpool to a 5-1 Division One victory at the Boleyn Ground on 6
September 1965 - the Reds' biggest win at the home of the Hammers. Martin
Peters scored West Ham United's consolation goal.
• The largest crowd to attend a Liverpool versus West Ham United fixture at
Anfield was the 55,675 who attended a goalless Division One draw on 14 May
1977. Liverpool would go on to defeat Borussia Moenchengladbach 3-1 in the
European Cup final in Rome eleven days later.
• The Hammers and the Reds met in the 1981 League Cup final at Wembley. The
match ended in a 1-1 draw after extra-time, with Ray Stewart's last-gasp
penalty wiping out Alan Kennedy's 118th-minute strike. The replay, held at
Villa Park, saw Paul Goddard put John Lyall's side in front, only for goals
from Kenny Dalglish and Alan Hansen to see the trophy head to Merseyside.
• West Ham United and Liverpool famously met in the 2006 FA Cup final at the
Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Jamie Carragher's own-goal and a Dean Ashton
strike put the Hammers 2-0 up before Djibril Cisse and Steven Gerrard
brought the Reds level. Paul Konchesky put West Ham back in front before
Gerrard's late 25-yarder forced extra-time. After a goalless 30 minutes,
Liverpool prevailed 3-1 on penalties.
• Billy Bonds has made more appearances against Liverpool, 33, than any
other West Ham United player. The Reds' Ian Callaghan made a record 33
appearances against the Hammers, scoring twice.
• Vic Watson scored a record nine goals in 14 appearances against Liverpool.
John Toshack has scored more goals for the Reds against the Hammers than
anyone else with ten.
• Kevin Nolan, Andy Carroll and Liverpool full-back Jose Enrique were all
part of the Newcastle United squad which won the Championship title in 2010.
• A number of other West Ham United and Liverpool players have lined-up
alongside one another at their former clubs and at international level -
Andy Carroll, Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson, Jordan Henderson, Stewart
Downing and Martin Kelly (England), Jack Collison, James Collins and Joe
Allen (Wales), James Tomkins and Allen (Team GB), Collins and Stewart
Downing (Aston Villa), George McCartney and Jordan Henderson (Sunderland),
Raheem Sterling, Matthias Fanimo and Blair Turgott (England age-group
sides).
• No fewer than 19 players have made their West Ham United debuts against
Liverpool - Alex Kane (January 1926), Walter Pollard (September 1929), Reg
Wade (January 1930), Bill Nelson (September 1954), Dave Bickles (September
1963), Eddie Presland (February 1965), Mick McGiven (December 1973), John
Radford (December 1976), George Parris and Keith McPherson (May 1985), Kevin
Keen (September 1986), Hugo Porfirio (September 1996), Andy Impey (September
1997), Marc Keller (September 1998), Gavin Holligan (February 1999),
Svetoslav Todorov (February 2001), Laurent Courtois (August 2001), Rufus
Brevett (February 2003) and Kepa Blanco (January 2007).
• Eddie Presland scored on his debut in a 2-1 Division One victory over
Liverpool at the Boleyn Ground on 27 February 1965. The left-back would make
just six first-team appearances for the Hammers before joining Crystal
Palace in 1967.
• Kepa Blanco netted just minutes after coming on as a substitute for his
West Ham United debut in a 2-1 home Premier League defeat by Liverpool on 30
January 2007.
• West Ham United player Stewart Downing played against his current
employers for Liverpool in both fixtures between the two clubs in the
2012/13 season.
Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated)
7 December 2013 - Liverpool 4-1 West Ham United
7 April 2013 - Liverpool 0-0 West Ham United
9 December 2012 - West Ham United 2-3 Liverpool
27 February 2011 - West Ham United 3-1 Liverpool
20 November 2010 - Liverpool 3-0 West Ham United
19 April 2010 - Liverpool 3-0 West Ham United
Overall record v Liverpool (all competitions) W 24 D 35 L 67
Ten-year records
West Ham United
2012/13 Premier League 10th (46 points)
2011/12 Championship 3rd (86 points - promoted via Play-Offs)
2010/11 Premier League 20th (33 points - relegated to Championship)
2009/10 Premier League 17th (35 points)
2008/09 Premier League 9th (51 points)
2007/08 Premier League 10th (49 points)
2006/07 Premier League 15th (41 points)
2005/06 Premier League 9th (55 points)
2004/05 Championship 6th (73 points - promoted via play-offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th (74 points)
Liverpool
2012/13 Premier League 7th (61 points)
2011/12 Premier League 8th (52 points)
2010/11 Premier League 6th (58 points)
2009/10 Premier League 7th (63 points)
2008/09 Premier League 2nd (86 points)
2007/08 Premier League 4th (76 points)
2006/07 Premier League 3rd (68 points)
2005/06 Premier League 3rd (82 points)
2004/05 Premier League 5th (58 points)
2003/04 Premier League 4th (60 points)
Old boys
• West Ham United midfielder Alou Diarra spent three seasons with Liverpool
between 2002 and 2005 after joining the club from Bayern Munich. However,
the 31-year-old failed to make a first-team appearance for the Reds, instead
being loaned to Le Havre, Bastia and Lens before joining the latter on a
permanent basis.
• Andy Carroll joined the Reds from Newcastle United for £35million in
January 2011. Carroll played 58 times for Liverpool, scoring eleven goals,
before joining the Hammers permanently in summer 2013 following a successful
loan at the Boleyn Ground.
• Glen Johnson came through the ranks at West Ham United, making 15 league
appearances in the 2002/03 season. He was transferred to Chelsea for
£6million in summer 2003 and subsequently moved on to Portsmouth before
Liverpool snapped him up in June 2009.
• Joe Cole played 149 games in all competitions for the Hammers, scoring 13
goals, before his switch to Chelsea in August 2003. Cole also won the FA
Youth Cup with West Ham United in 1999. Cole joined Liverpool in summer
2010, scoring five goals in 42 appearances - including one at the Boleyn
Ground in the reverse fixture this season in December - before moving back
to east London in January 2013.
• Stewart Downing spent two seasons with Liverpool between 2011 and 2013
before completing a move to the Boleyn Ground in August 2013.
• Among the other players who have represented both clubs are Craig Bellamy,
Yossi Benayoun, Tom Bradshaw, David Burrows, Titi Camara, Charles Cotton,
Julian Dicks, Ray Houghton, Don Hutchison, Paul Ince, David James, Rob
Jones, George Kay, Robbie Keane, Paul Konchesky, Mike Marsh, Javier
Mascherano, Neil Mellor, Neil Ruddock, Danny Shone, Rigobert Song and Thomas
Stanley.
Referee
• Sunday's referee will be Anthony Taylor.
• Taylor is in his fourth season on the Select Group of referees appointed
to control Barclays Premier League fixtures.
• The Greater Manchester-born official started refereeing in the Northern
Premier League in 2002 before being appointed to the Football League list at
the start of the 2006/07 season, refereeing his match between Wrexham and
Peterborough United in League Two on 12 August 2006.
• Taylor's first Premier League appointment was the 3 February 2010
encounter between today's visitors Fulham and former West Ham United manager
Avram Grant's Portsmouth, with the Cottagers winning 1-0.
• Taylor took charge of West Ham against Liverpool almost exactly a year ago
on Sunday, as the two sides played out a 0-0 draw at Anfield on 7 April
2013. That match was the last time he took charge of a Hammers fixture.
• Taylor will be assisted by Steve Child and Stuart Burt on Sunday, and the
fourth official will be Craig Pawson.
General information
• The weather forecast for Sunday's match is light cloud with temperatures
around 17C (62F).
• There are no tickets remaining for the match which is a sell-out.
• The District Line is running a good service this weekend with no planned
closures.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam on: Liverpool
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce addressed the assembled media at his pre-match press
conference on Friday morning
04.04.2014
Sam Allardyce spoke to members of the local and national media at Chadwell
Heath on Friday morning ahead of his side's Barclays Premier League
encounter with Liverpool. The Hammers' boss answered questions regarding how
to stop the Reds' free-scoring attack, his side's fine recent form and the
latest team news ahead of the clash.
Sam, what's the team news ahead of the weekend?
SA: "Kevin Nolan is ok. George McCartney is the biggest doubt. He came off
with a hamstring problem on Monday night. It's probably caused by a bit of
fatigue and the fact he played three games in a short space of time, so it
looks as though he'll miss out on Sunday."
You've played against a lot of good sides down the years, how good is this
Liverpool side, and how good will you have to be to beat them?
SA: "At the moment I think that the Liverpool team, in terms of its form and
results, is operating at 100 per cent. Sometimes you can be playing really,
really well and not achieve the results that those performances deserve, but
certainly at the moment their results and performances make them the top
team in the league. Other teams have slipped up and they've taken full
advantage by producing the quality of football and the goals that they've
got over the last period.
"That's been very good for Brendan Rodgers and his team. When you have two
quality strikers of the ilk of Sturridge and Suarez then the rest of the
team know that somewhere along the line they're going to put the ball in the
back of the net if they provide the service for them. They haven't been too
concerned about conceding a goal here and there. They seem to know that
they'll score one more than the opposition if the opposition score against
them."
In world terms, how good is Luis Suarez?
SA: "At the moment he now finds himself in the top two or three in the
world. The commitment he showed to Liverpool and they showed to him, seems
to have given him that extra impetus this season to go out and be even
better than he was after the problems he had. The combination with Sturridge
has flourished where that looked a little concerning in the early stages as
neither wanted to play in a wide position. That seems to have all come
together now and the rest of the team is providing the service behind them
has grown in quality and confidence.
"People are emerging from an England point of view and it's very encouraging
to see Jordan Henderson and Raheem Sterling emerge more than ever this year.
We've got a big job on our hands, we know that, but after our performances
and our results we're really looking forward to it. We've eased the pressure
on ourselves and produced a great run of form and results at this period of
time with six wins out of nine. That's two points per game, that's top-six
form. We're in our best form of the season and hopefully that will make for
a competitive game on Sunday afternoon."
David Sullivan said that if you'd had Andy Carroll fit all season that you'd
be pushing for Europe. Is that a statement you agree with?
SA: "It's a possibility, yes. Since the turn of the year our change of form
and results has improved and it's got better and better and now we're in the
best run we've had since we've been back in the Premier League. We've got to
take that confidence into Sunday's game and hopefully we can produce one of
those performances that has happened many, many times in the Premier League
this year.
"Just the other week Crystal Palace beat Chelsea and Manchester City lost to
Sunderland, things like that can happen. We beat Tottenham away 3-0 when
they were right up near the top so we hope it can be one of those days, but
we certainly have to be on top, top form to get anything out of the game.
Now there's less pressure on us, we're not safe yet, but we are feeling a
lot more confident going into this game based on less fear from our league
position going into this game."
Do you think Liverpool were too quick to pass on Andy Carroll?
SA: "He (Brendan Rodgers) made a decision early on and we were the first to
try and resolve that situation. As disappointed as Andy was, that was the
decision made by Brendan and you have to move on, you have to put it behind
you. Stewart Downing also comes into the fray where he played a part in
Liverpool last season and then joined us. The rest of the team and those two
lads particularly will want to show how good they are on Sunday. Let's hope
they play very, very well on Sunday because we need them to."
For the clubs that are at the bottom of the table scrapping for survival,
how important are the fans in helping the team in that situation?
SA: "There becomes a fear factor in the players at this stage of the season
and as a manager you have to override that fear factor. The fear factor is
massive in trying to relax and make sure that your players are focussed on
the task at hand. The key is to not be too intense and try to relax them
because the whole club fears relegation and that spreads like a plague. You
have protect the players from that because if they go out with fear then
they can freeze and not produce what they're capable of. That's the biggest
managerial tool you have to have at this stage of the season if you're down
there. You have to promote the good things they do and remind them of what
they're capable of and the good results they've produced. You have to get
them ready to go out and fight for what they need to do to stay safely in
the Barclays Premier League."
Ravel Morrison has been voted Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month for
March, have you been keeping an eye on his progress?
SA: "We see Rav with our scouts and staff on a regular basis. He's right in
the think of a different experience to the one he had last season when he
was at Birmingham. He's got the real pressure on him now of staying in the
Play-Off places which is nearly guaranteed now. He's scored a few goals so
we're pleased to see him playing regularly and gaining more and more
experience."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Spurs match moved
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's final home match of 2013/14 with Tottenham Hotspur will
now kick-off at 12.45pm
04.04.2014
West Ham United's final home match of 2013/14 with Tottenham Hotspur will
now kick-off at 12.45pm on Saturday 3 May. The Hammers complete their slate
of Barclays Premier League fixtures at the Boleyn Ground by welcoming their
north London rivals for what promises to be a mouth-watering lunch-time
derby.
Following the final whistle, the players and staff will conduct a lap of the
pitch to thank fans for their outstanding support this season. Sam
Allardyce's side will be seeking to complete a memorable hat-trick of
victories over Spurs, having won 3-0 in the reverse league fixture in
October and 2-1 at White Hart Lane in the Capital One Cup quarter-finals
just before Christmas. Last season's corresponding fixture was also a
thriller, with Spurs winning 3-2 courtesy of Gareth Bale's last-gasp goal.
Standard Tickets for the match are not currently on sale, but a limited
number of unused Bondholder tickets will be released at 9am on Saturday 19
April. Click here for more information.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Chadwell Chatter
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan blogs for whufc.com on victory at Sunderland and his hopes for
the rest of the season
04.04.2014
Hi everyone,
Monday's victory at Sunderland was a massive one for us. It gave us another
set of back-to-back wins and took us to 37 points, eleven ahead of the
relegation zone and just three behind Stoke in tenth. It put a smile on
everyone's face and lets us think we've got another season in the Premier
League when we won't have as many major injuries as we had this season.
We'll have an interesting summer where hopefully we'll have a few new
additions, and quality additions, which will only make us better and start
pushing us up that league to get into that top ten more and build towards
the Olympic Park in two years. You have to admire the board for sticking
with Sam. We all said it - we had a very tough time earlier on in the season
with injuries. I didn't help with the suspensions after my sendings-off. I
hold my hands up to that but i don't think I've been through a season where
I've been hit with so many injuries to major players. At one point we had
all three of our centre halves out, and we were playing right backs and left
backs in the middle, but we all dug in and it's going to be so pleasing at
the end of this season knowing that we've scrapped away when we've needed to
and when we have had our full team, we've got back to where we feel we
belong. I'm sure that if we had our full squad for the season, we would have
had a better season and we would never have been talking about relegation.
It's nice to be sitting where we are now with six games to go and we're
looking forward to what hopefully is going to be a few more wins. Our aim is
to knock Stoke out of that tenth spot and finish where we did last year.
Then we can all go and have a good summer and let the gaffer and the Board
start worrying about who they are going to bring in for next season. We're
back at home on Sunday when we face Liverpool and it will be a good test to
take them on. We won last time out here and Hull was a tough game. The
gaffer knew it and he was delighted with the three points. There were a few
grumblings, but I must say in and around where we live all the supporters
have been fantastic with him and all the lads. They were three good points,
as were Monday's and now we're not far off being able to celebrate come the
end of the season at another successful campaign.
Come on you Irons!
Kev
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Potts eyes return to form
WHUFC.com
The Academy will look to bounce back when they host Stoke City on Saturday
04.04.2014
Academy boss Steve Potts is looking for a return to winning ways when his
side takes on Stoke City at Little Heath on Saturday. The young Hammers have
suffered a blip in recent weeks, losing tight games to Tottenham Hotspur and
Everton to dent their charge to the end of season Play-Offs. They remain
second in the Premier Academy League South table though and are well placed
to secure their position in the final tournament, so Potts is targeting
three points against the Potters. He explained: "We want to get back to
winning ways. I think we've performed pretty well in the last two games, but
we haven't got the results to go with the performances. That's been
unfortunate but hopefully we can turn that around on Saturday. "It's been a
case of small margins against both Tottenham and Everton, being a bit more
ruthless at the top end and restricting the chances at the other. I thought
at Tottenham we did that fairly well, but at Everton we gave two sloppy
goals away. "We've been pretty good this year at keeping it tight at the
back and that's given us a good platform over the season, so hopefully we'll
get back to being like that."
Potts has promoted players from the schoolboy ranks in recent weeks, due in
part to a number of his regulars stepping up to be involved with Nick
Haycock's Development Squad. He is delighted to see his young charges make
progress and says giving experience to the next batch of youth teamers can
only be beneficial at this stage. He added: "The progress of the players up
to the Under-21s has been really pleasing and a positive for the Club. Seven
of the youth team boys went up to the Under-21s last Friday and it was good
for them to get a good result as well - it proves that they're going in the
right direction. "Likewise, I've had younger players coming into the side.
16 year olds, and even a couple of 15 year olds came on last week. It's all
good experience for them for next year. "It would be nice for the boys to
reach the Play-Offs because I think they've done well over the season. I
can't fault the effort they've put in and obviously they've progressed as
footballers. What would be nice if they got to the Play-Offs, they would be
playing at a stadium, in front of a crowd, because they missed out on that
in the FA Youth Cup."
Kick-off at Little Heath on Saturday is at 12 noon, with both admission and
parking free of charge
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
AC takes aim at rampant Reds
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll believes West Ham United can down his high-flying former club
Liverpool on Sunday
04.04.2014
Andy Carroll cannot wait for Sunday's game against Barclays Premier League
leaders Liverpool to kick-off. West Ham United's No9 spent two-and-a-half
years as a Liverpool player, winning the League Cup and scoring in the FA
Cup final in 2012, before joining West Ham United on loan and then
permanently in summer 2013. Having played alongside the likes of Luis Suarez
and Steven Gerrard, Carroll is acutely aware of the threat the Reds will
pose. However, he is confident that, having reached 37 points following wins
over Hull City and Sunderland, the Hammers can shock the world by defeating
Brendan Rodgers' side.
"I think all the lads are confident that we're safe after a great week for
us," said the 25-year-old frontman. "We've done well and we've been on a
great run and now we want to keep it going until the end of the season. "I'm
feeling very good now as I've got three full 90 minutes under my belt. It's
been a tough season for me, not being fit, but now I'm feeling good. I've
got a couple of goals and a couple of assists and am feeling great. "I felt
a bit rusty the first couple of games after coming back into it, but I think
you can see I'm getting into the stride of things again. "I'm looking
forward to the Liverpool game. It's going to be tough because they are on
fire at the moment and are the team to beat, so hopefully we're the team
that can do it. "It's my old team, but for me it's a normal game and I'll
just get on with it. I don't regret leaving at all. I moved to West Ham and
I'm loving it. I had my injury setback, but other than that everything has
been great."
While Carroll is West Ham's headline maker, his former strike partner Suarez
is also catching the eye on a regular basis, having scored 29 goals in just
27 league starts this term. Alongside him, Daniel Sturridge, Raheem
Sterling, Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson have also made names for
themselves during a campaign that could yet end in title glory for the men
from Anfield. Carroll, for one, has been impressed, but refutes suggestions
that he made a mistake by leaving Liverpool last summer. Instead, the
forward says the current Reds squad is making the most of the tactics and
formation employed by manager Rodgers. The No9 also revealed that he had
tipped his old club for success at the start of the 2013/14 campaign. "The
way they are playing, they have got the players to play that system - Suarez
and Sturridge up front are completely different players to me. The way they
play is incredible. "I said from the start of the season that Liverpool had
a great chance and all the lads were shocked. I knew what Suarez was like
and his connection with Sturridge has been great and they are unbelievable
at the minute. "Suarez is a great player. He has 29 goals this season and is
incredible, you can see that. I don't think anyone can doubt him. "After
games, he would want to train, even when he is supposed to be resting. He
never gives up or stops running. He is infectious and is why all the players
around him are performing like they are."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carlton Cole: West Ham striker aims to make further impact
BBC.co.uk
West Ham striker Carlton Cole aims to continue playing his part during the
remainder of what he describes as a "strange" season for him. The
30-year-old was released by the Hammers last summer, but re-signed in
October and has since scored six goals in 20 Premier League appearances. "I
never had a pre-season. I just came in and had to hit the ground running. "I
used all my experience I'd gathered over the years to deal with it," he told
BBC London. "I had positive thought processes. The manager [Sam Allardyce]
helped me through it to get back on track and catch up with the team
fitness-wise and mentally. "I repaid him with some goals. I am on the bench
at the moment, but any time I get my chance I'll try my best." After
re-joining the Hammers initially on a short-term deal, Cole's performances
earned him a new 18-month contract at Upton Park. Cole, who has seven
England caps, first joined West Ham from Chelsea in 2006 and has scored a
total of 65 goals in 261 appearances for the east London club. London's
Olympic Stadium is currently being converted for West Ham's move to the
ground for the 2016-17 season and Cole described it as "impressive" after
visiting the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park this week. "Although it is not
finished yet, it looks amazing. I'd like to play there one day and hopefully
I can get a long enough contract to do that," he said. "I understand some of
the fans wouldn't want to move, but the owners want to progress and want
more people to have an opportunity to watch the games. "When you get a place
like this you can't turn it down. I am just happy West Ham got it."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Early start for derby day
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 4th April 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's final home game of the season has been brought forward to
a lunchtime kick-off. The Hammers are hoping to secure a trio of wins
against neighbours Tottenham when the two teams clash at the Boleyn Ground
on Saturday, 3rd May, following our 3-0 and 2-1 wins at White Hart Lane
earlier this season. And the match - originally scheduled for a 3pm kick off
- will now kick off at 12.45pm for the benefit of a TV audience, with the
game almost certain to be broadcast live by BT Sports (who are yet to
confirm their schedule for May). West Ham beat Tottenham 3-0 at White Hart
Lane in the first meeting between the two clubs this season back in October
when goals from Winston Reid, Ricardo Vaz Te and a memorable effort from
Ravel Morrison - currently on loan at Queens Park Rangers - secured United's
first away win of the season. Rubbing salt in the wound, the Hammers went
back to what had been cheekily renamed the O3 Arena in honour of that win to
knock Spurs our of the Carling Cup when late efforts from Matt Jarvis and
Modibo Maiga - also currently on loan at QPR - sent the home side tumbling
out of the competition. Tottenham are currently sixth in the Premier League,
five places above West Ham in 11th - albeit with virtually the same goal
difference (Spurs -4, West Ham -6).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Season ticket prices frozen
Kumb.COM
Filed: Friday, 4th April 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United have confirmed that season ticket prices have been frozen
for the 2014/15 campaign. Next season mark's the Club penultimate year at
the Boleyn Ground, with the move to Stratford looming ever closer. And the
good news for supporters is that prices for the current season will remain
in place for United's third season back in the top flight following
promotion in 2011/12. "We would like to say a special 'thank you' to our
loyal fans, who have supported the team throughout this season," read a
joint statement posted on behalf of owners David Sullivan and David Gold.
"Despite our injury crisis, once again we shared some amazing moments
together, most notably our two fantastic victories away at Tottenham
Hotspur. "We are delighted to announce, that as a reward for your loyal
support, your Season Ticket price for the 2014/15 season has been frozen. By
renewing for the next campaign, you will also be guaranteed the opportunity
to renew your seat to celebrate our final Boleyn Ground season and we are
already speaking with our Supporter Advisory Board about ideas to make every
game in the last season a memorable event. "We will be looking to strengthen
the squad over the summer by making at least three key signings, so we have
a squad ready to take us forward in the 2014/15 season. We invest every
pound from Season Ticket revenue back into the playing budget, so your
support really does make a difference."
Last season, prices rose between 3.5-4.8 per cent for existing season ticket
holders with the exception of disabled ST holders, who faced a whopping 50
per cent rise. Despite the good news, the Club have come under criticism
from some supporters for once again bringing the renewal deadline forward;
applicants must renew by June 2 in order to guarantee their seat for the
2014/15 campaign. Supporters may renew online, in person at the Ticket
Office or by calling 0871 529 1966 (calls cost 10p per minute + network
extras).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gong for Rav
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 4th April 2014
By: Staff Writer
Ravel Morrison has been named as the Sky Bet Championship Player of the
Month for March. The young Hammer, currently on loan at Queens Park Rangers
in order to gain valuable first team experience picked up the award having
scored five goals and contributed one assist to Rangers' promotion push
during the last month. "It's been really good and I've enjoyed every game
I've played in," Morrison told Sky Sports. "I've just tried to get game time
again and show them what I can do. "I've enjoyed it because we keep a lot of
the ball. You get a lot of time in the Championship, too, so you can do more
stuff on the ball."
Harry Redknapp, who has spent the past month eulogising over the England
Under 21's mercurial talents added: ""Ravel has been excellent for us. He's
been good on the pitch and good off the pitch as well. He's been great
around the place and not a minute's problem. "I am really pleased for him,
it's a well-deserved award and let's hope he can win it again this month!"
Morrison was also named as the AirAsia Player of the Month - a fans' poll
conducted by the west Londoners.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Liverpool travel to West Ham hoping to maintain winning run
Last Updated: 04/04/14 5:49pm
SSN
Liverpool travel to West Ham on Sunday looking to maintain their winning
run, and remain top of the league with five games to go. After an incredible
eight successive wins, the Reds have gone from Champions League contenders
to title prospects, and victory over West Ham will see Brendan Rodgers' men
stay top of the league by at least two points after Sunday's encounter.
While their defence has been far from resolute, the Reds have been
unstoppable going forward, netting 88 goals already - a record for any team
after 32 matches of a Premier League season, and have scored in their last
22 games since losing 2-0 away to Arsenal. Luis Suarez continues to be
Liverpool's talisman. The Uruguayan hitman has scored six goals in his last
five Premier League matches and is just two away from the Premier League
record for a 38-game season. The Hammers will certainly be up against it as
they try and halt the rampant Reds, but victory over Sunderland last time
out will give them the confidence they need to give it their best shot. That
away win against the Black Cats saw the Hammers move 11 points clear of the
drop zone, leaving a top-half finish a distinct possibility. The clash with
Liverpool will have added significance for Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing,
who both struggled with the expectation after big-money moves to Anfield
before departing for Upton Park.
And, after netting his second goal since returning from injury, Carroll
especially would love nothing more than to further enhance his chances of
making England's World Cup squad by impressing against his former employers.
Paul Merson's prediction: Liverpool are not my favourites for the title, but
it would be a phenomenal feat if they do it. At the start of the season they
needed to pull up trees just to get into the top four, so they've done
brilliantly to get to this position, but I think the winning run could end
here because this is a very hard game. People think they've just got to turn
up to win games, but it won't be like that. West Ham will get the ball
forward quickly, Andy Carroll will cause problems and they will be very
disciplined; it won't be like Tottenham who just laid down and made it easy
for them! The longer this game goes on the more nervous they might get and I
think it will be a draw. I've seen this so many times - a team is rolling
along and it just takes one bad result. The pressure will be on them because
they are playing last of the three teams and that's not nice.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1
West Ham
Last 6
Sunderland (a)1-2
Hull City (h)2-1
Man Utd (h)0-2
Stoke City (a)3-1
Everton (a)1-0
Southampton (h)3-1
West Ham captain Kevin Nolan will be fit to face Liverpool when the Premier
League leaders visit Upton Park on Sunday. The 31-year-old was forced off
late on in Monday night's 2-1 win at Sunderland after feeling tightness in
his back but Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is confident his skipper will be
available.
Defender George McCartney (hamstring) is less fortunate and will miss out,
while Joey O'Brien (shoulder) and Marco Borriello (calf) are again likely to
be sidelined.
Liverpool
Last 6
Tottenham (h)4-0
Sunderland (h)2-1
Cardiff (a)3-6
Man Utd (a)0-3
Southampton (a)0-3
Swansea (h)4-3
Liverpool could welcome back Lucas Leiva to the starting line-up for their
clash with West Ham on Sunday. The Brazilian midfielder completed 20 minutes
as a substitute against Tottenham last weekend, and could be handed his
first start since mid-January. Jose Enrique (knee) remains Liverpool's only
absentee.
Opta facts
There have been three own goals in the last three Premier League meetings
between the Hammers and the Reds.
Liverpool have hit the woodwork more times than any other team this season
(24), while West Ham's uprights have been struck the most (20).
60% of Liverpool's goals have been scored in the first half, the highest
proportion of any team in the top flight this season.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce 'sickened' by lack of appreciation
Last Updated: 04/04/14 11:09pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says he is 'sickened' by the lack of praise
his team have received in recent weeks. The Hammers have won six out of nine
to pull out of the relegation mire, but they have won little or no plaudits
and were even jeered by their own fans despite beating Hull City 2-1 last
month.
Allardyce reacted to that by cupping his ear to the supporters and he admits
he is frustrated that their improved form has not been recognised, or it
seems, appreciated, because of a perception they are a dull, long-ball team.
"Well you see, it's all a load of bull," he said when asked about his side's
style. "I think that it's all about the perception and the reputation of Sam
Allardyce, not the West Ham players and how they play. It's all perceived to
be like this and nothing else. "It is a load of rubbish and I can't help
that. It's unfortunate for the players because this particular period of
time, when they've achieved six winsout of nine matches, they get little or
no praise for it and that's really sad. "We've had our best run of results
but nobody's talking about it. They're talking about a one-game scenario
when people are booing because we've won against 10 men. It's life I
suppose, but it's quite sickening to be honest."
Allardyce was retained as manager at Upton Park despite a desperate spell
during the winter, with co-chairmen David Gold and David Sullivan
continually backing their man rather than reacting to the poor form by
looking elsewhere. The main factor behind a winter of discontent was a
chronic injury list, and as those players have slowly made their way back
into the team, the Hammers have turned their fortunes around. "They got
slaughtered in December because they were losing football matches and now
they're performing some of the best results they've performed since we got
back in the Premier League," he said.
"It's top-six form and that's what we should be talking about, not talking
about the type of football that we play because we play a type of football
that suits the players, that's entertaining and it's winning. "The game is
about results - that's a fact. If you don't get results, you don't keep your
job. If you don't get results, you get transferred. It's a results business,
an entertaining business, and you try and put both together as often as you
possibly can."
Meanwhile, joint chairman David Gold told Sky Sports News: "The fans have
that right to boo - but all I'd say is I've not known a team play better
because the fans are booing."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Carroll feels Liverpool let him go too soon
Last Updated: 04/04/14 10:21pm
SSN
Andy Carroll feels he was denied an opportunity to prove his worth at
Liverpool and is now chasing a World Cup dream. The powerful frontman was
taken to Anfield in January 2011 for £35million, with the Merseyside outfit
wasting no time in dipping back into the transfer window after offloading
Fernando Torres to Chelsea for a British record fee. Carroll arrived from
Newcastle United with a blossoming reputation, but was unable to kick his
career forward with the Reds. Form and injury frustrations saw him struggle
for continuity and consistency and he was eventually allowed to head out on
loan in the summer of 2012.
Brendan Rodgers decided that Carroll was not for him, as he completed a
switch to West Ham United which would ultimately be made permanent, but the
25-year-old feels he was discarded too quickly by the Liverpool management
team. He told Sky Sports on his time at Anfield: "Obviously it wasn't what I
wanted. I went there and I wanted to kick on. "I had problems with injuries
and was playing one game out of three and never really got going. If I did
get going, my career at Liverpool, I would still be there now. It didn't,
now I'm here and I'm happy."
Pressed again on whether, after 18 minutes of football under Rodgers, he
deserved more time in which to impress a new manager, Carroll added: "I
think so. I was away with England at the time and I felt that I was good and
confident about coming back to Liverpool and showing what I'm about. "I
never really got the chance and was told to leave. That's why I 'm here."
Carroll admits he was also left confused by Rodgers' claims that he would be
unable to form a little-and-large partnership with this season's top Premier
League marksman Luis Suarez - a man signed in the same transfer window: "He
did tell me that it could work, and then when I was leaving he was telling
me other things. I was a bit disillusioned about that as well. But that's
another thing. I think it could have worked, and I was getting told it could
work from him."
Carroll is now looking to leave his Liverpool days behind him, as he
prepares for a reunion with his former employers at Upton Park on Sunday,
and hopes his end of season form - in what has been an injury-ravaged
campaign - will earn him a place in the England squad destined for Brazil
this summer. He added: "I'm feeling fresh. I've missed all of the season, so
if anyone is raring to go it's me. It's like the start of the season for me.
"I got injured and then suspended, so I've missed a lot of games. I just
need to work hard, score goals and put myself about. "When I was away, I
wasn't on the pitch, I wasn't at the training ground, I was away from it all
and I was so hungry to get back. "Now I'm back, it feels like I've done my
pre-season at Christmas. I'm just starting. I don't want the season to end."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
CARRICK COMING HOME?
By Sean Whetstone 4 Apr 2014 at 20:05
West Ham Till I Die
There are rumours circulating this evening that Michael Carrick maybe
considering a return to West Ham this summer just as his old Academy team
mate Joe Cole looks likely to depart. Carrick has just a year left to run on
his contract with Manchester United but it is understood agreement could be
reached between the two clubs without any significant money changing hands.
Carrick played 136 league games for West Ham before joining Spurs in 2005
for £3.5 million. He was later sold to Manchester United in a deal worth
£18.6m.
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Thursday, April 3
Daily WHUFC News - 3rd April 2014
'Football can be part of a lovely day'
WHUFC.com
LLDC Executive Paul Brickell played host to Carlton Cole and Matt Jarvis at
the Olympic Park
02.04.2014
Lifelong West Ham United fan and London Legacy Development Corporation
executive Paul Brickell was on hand to show Hammers duo Carlton Cole and
Matt Jarvis the spectacular surrounds that await them come 2016. Ahead of
Saturday's grand opening of the newly-landscaped south section of Queen
Elizabeth Olympic Park, Mr Brickell, executive director of regeneration and
community partnerships, spoke of his excitement as legacy momentum continues
to gather pace. Mr Brickell, himself a Hammers Season Ticket Holder, expects
the Park to prove a huge hit with locals young and old, none more so than
when the West Ham family join the party two years down the line. He told
West Ham TV: "The whole south Park area is going to be a very fun place to
be. On the day that we open, next Saturday, acrobats will fly off the top of
the Orbit and that's the sense of what this place will be weekend in,
weekend out, day in, day out, but then with these other amazing
facilities."The London Aquatic Centre has only been open for three or four
weeks now and has been enormously popular. This is just an amazing place
that brings together fun for families, with serious sports. Whether it's
football, swimming, athletics or cycling, it will carry that Olympic thing
of come along and have fun, but also maybe get inspired and find something
that you can do for the rest of your life.
"You begin to see how you could have the family day out here. Not everybody
has to come to the football match, or you can come and spend the morning in
the Park, go to the game and then have something to eat and drink. I think
there are 70 restaurants in Westfield, for example. That's why it's not
difficult to see that the Stadium will be filled week in, week out, because
even if you haven't come just for the football, the football can be part of
a lovely day."
For Mr Brickell, however, his influence and ambition extends far beyond the
Park, with the plan having always been to use the Olympic legacy as a tool
to regenerate and boost east London and its many communities. He continued:
"The Park is fantastic, but we've always seen the Park as part of a new part
of London. Some of it came before the Park, Westfield shopping centre came
with tens of thousands of jobs and employment was one of the key reasons
that we wanted this here. We wanted to give local people, local young people
particularly, the chance to work here. "We've had a very large number of
people working during the construction phase and a lot of apprentices,
who've started their careers in construction here. Now as we move into the
venues being active and the Park's management, all of that work is local
jobs and apprenticeships making sure people get a good start in their
career. "So one of the things that I'm doing is making sure that we get
every ounce of benefit out of the Park for the communities in and around it,
which, in time, will lead onto the new homes that we've started to build."
Much of that benefit will hopefully come from the Olympic Stadium, which
will first open for the Rugby World Cup in 2015, prior to the Hammers taking
up residency the following summer. Mr Brickell, who has been watching his
beloved Hammers for some 46 years, is already eyeing up his seat in the
Club's new home. "We already have a sense of what it will be like from the
Olympic Games, an enormous cauldron of noise and it's going to be like that
only more intense," he added. "Many of us just can't wait to get in there.
"I'm a Season Ticket Holder in the Alpari Lower and I keep saying to the
guys who are designing the Stadium - I know it'll probably be in mid-air -
but show me the best seats so that I can get in there early!"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers welcome Park opening
WHUFc.com
The south of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is to open to the general
public on Saturday
02.04.2014
West Ham United are pleased to herald this week's complete re-opening of the
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the spectacular setting to house the Hammers
from 2016. West Ham are to take up occupancy of the Olympic Stadium in
little more than two years' time, in a Park that is now the dynamic
epicentre of east London's regeneration. As of 10am on Saturday 5 April, the
the newly-landscaped south of the Park will open its doors to the general
public for the first time since the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Designed
by James Corner Field Operations, the south of the Park features an
action-packed adventure playground, interactive water fountains and four
themed walking trails exploring the key sights of London 2012. The
ArcelorMittal Orbit, the United Kingdom's tallest sculpture at 114.5 metres,
is to open for business too, offering an entirely new perspective of London
and unrivalled views of the Park. Together with eight iconic Olympic venues,
the beautiful parklands and waterways amount to the perfect day-out
destination and one that Vice-Chairman Karren Brady CBE believes will
greatly enhance the Hammers' matchday experience when they take up residence
in the Olympic Stadium. The Vice-Chairman said: "The full re-opening of
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park marks another major milestone in the
regeneration of this part of east London following the hugely successful
Olympic Games in 2012. "Everyone at West Ham United is excited and proud
about playing their part in securing this lasting legacy from the Games as
we make the stunning new Park our home from 2016. We always knew that the
Park would provide a spectacular setting for West Ham supporters to enjoy as
part of their unique matchday experience. It will become an unrivalled
London and worldwide destination and an unforgettable day out for them and
their families. "In addition to the global appeal of Premier League
football, visitors to the park can walk in the footsteps of those who made
the summer of 2012 truly unforgettable, while admiring some of the most
iconic buildings in the world. "West Ham United's presence will help ensure
a long-term and viable future for the Park, as we bring over a million
visitors a year as well as creating at least 700 new jobs for local people.
We are now looking forward to working with the residents and businesses that
will also call the Park their home to make sure the Queen Elizabeth Olympic
Park is a destination people from all over the world will want to visit."
Club-record signing Andy Carroll - one of three players to visit the Park on
Wednesday afternoon - is excited by what the Park has to offer and is
certain that West Ham fans will fully embrace it. The Park's opening serves
as a timely reminder of all that the Hammers have to look forward to and
Carroll can hardly wait to make Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park home. He told
whufc.com: "I'm sure the public are thrilled that it's all open now and will
love going there. I could definitely imagine taking my family and when the
sun's out the Park will be absolutely buzzing! "We've basically got a brand
new fan park on our own doorstep and I think our fans will have a great time
there. There's loads to do, loads to see and it's just a great place all
round to hang out. Not many, if any Clubs can boast those sorts of
surroundings. "The scale of that fantastic Stadium and its surrounds are
inspiring and I'm looking forward to taking another look on Wednesday
afternoon."
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Noble's delight at Hammers form
WHUFC.com
West Ham United midfielder Mark Noble says the Hammers have come a long way
since Christmas
02.04.2014
Mark Noble believes the way West Ham United have turned their 2013/14
campaign around should be applauded. Following the 2-1 defeat at Fulham on
New Year's Day, the Hammers sat second bottom of the Barclays Premier League
table, with just 15 points from 20 games. Having now gained a further 22
points from their last twelve outings, Noble and his teammates now occupy a
much healthier eleventh position. Indeed, Monday's 2-1 victory at Sunderland
pushed them eleven points clear of the drop zone and Noble is thrilled with
the Londoners' run of form. He explained: "The win on Monday put us on 37
points and that's great for the Club. I thought we played well at Sunderland
- we defended really well and they had to make the substitutions to change
the game. "I think you have to look back at the position we were in around
Christmas time. We were second from bottom at one point and now we've shown
to everyone what we can do. We got ourselves together from what happened
against Hull, even though we won the game it was a disappointing from us,
and the fans were unbelievable on Monday. "To have that support all the way
up to Sunderland on a Monday night was unreal and we deserved the win. "It's
going to be tough to match last year's tally - we need to win three more
games. It's still possible, we know that, but after where we were at
Christmas when I would watch TV and people would say we're getting
relegated, to turn it around the way we have done has been fantastic. "We've
got six games to go, we want to give a good account of ourselves and our aim
is to come tenth."
The Hammers had to withstand a strong Sunderland fightback in the second
period after goals from Andy Carroll and Mohamed Diame put them 2-0 up and
the No16 was happy with the resolute display. He continued: "That's what's
going to happen at this stage of the season when teams are so desperate for
the win. We had chances to go three up, we didn't take them, and we held on
in the end. "That's what we've done a lot this season - gone ahead, defended
as a team and tried to break. We were over the moon to win - it was a long
way home and to have to do that without a win would have been disappointing.
We've put another cushion in and obviously we've got two tough games coming
up so to get those two wins was massive for us."
Noble supplied Carroll's opener with a pinpoint corner and he says having a
player like the big Geordie to aim for makes his job an easy one. He added:
"We had a debate in training on the morning of the game! We always have an
argument over where the ball's got to go but I did remind him that I've
given him two assists in four games now. "When you play with someone like
that you know you can put the ball in that area and he's going to attack it.
That's what he did and it was another good header."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Stewart Downing - The Big Interview
WHUFC.com
Stewart Downing was thrilled to win on his return to the north east on
Monday
02.04.2014
Stewart Downing was happy to play his part as the Hammers secured
back-to-back Barclays Premier League wins for the second time in as many
months.
Relegation-threatened Sunderland were beaten 2-1 by West Ham United on
Monday evening, with one-time Black Cats loanee Downing enjoying his return
his his native north east.
Stewart, how big a win was that on Monday?
SD: "Very big. Hull was maybe a bigger win but obviously going to
Sunderland, they had to come at us and I think we defended quite well at
times, especially towards the end. We could have made it more comfortable -
I had a chance and Andy had a volley - we could have been out of sight, so
we made it hard for ourselves but it was a good win."
It's actually two wins in a row, so you're really flying at the moment...
SD: "It's been the story of our season really. We got four wins in a row in
February, then we lost three before winning these two, so it was important
for us [to return to form]."
For that first goal, Andy Carroll did what Andy Carroll does. It was a great
header, wasn't it?
SD: "It was a tremendous header. We work on things like that to target Andy
at set pieces. It was a great leap and a great header. It's a good goal for
him and he wants to get as many goals as he can to get picked for the World
Cup."
When things are going well, they go well, and you got a bit of luck with the
penalty shout and for the deflection on the second goal, but they all count.
SD: "They all count and at the start of the season they were going in
against us. We were due a bit of luck, we've dug in there and stuck at it to
get our rewards. I know there was a big of a deflection on the goal but we
deserved it."
Your old mate Adam Johnson got one at the other end, how frustrated were you
as a team not to keep a clean sheet?
SD: "I think we were. Credit to Johnno, it was a great goal, but defensively
from us it was poor as we should have closed him down and not let him get in
that area. We made it difficult for ourselves because we let them back in
the game, but I had that chance just before when the keeper touched it
around the post. We could have been out of sight, but the game's never over
until the end,"
Are you safe from relegation now?
SD: "These were two massive wins for us, it gives us a little bit of
breathing space, but I wouldn't say we're out of sight. For us the target is
to finish as high as we can, we're not just sitting happily now because
we've got 37 points. We want to get as many more points as we can before the
end of the season. Liverpool is a big game at the weekend, we can do other
teams a favour and ourselves a favour by getting into that top ten
position."
A big game for you personally too next...
SD: "It's nice to play against your old teams and I'm sure Andy and Joe Cole
are looking forward to it. We're in for that top ten spot and it's tight, so
we want to do ourselves and the other teams a favour."
They're flying at the moment, so you'll have to be on your mettle.
SD: "Yes, their forward line is frightening at the minute. The goals are
coming from everywhere, but we'll make it hard for them at our place. When I
was playing for Liverpool it was always hard against West Ham at Upton Park.
It's going to be difficult, but a good win on Monday breeds confidence and
we fancy ourselves against anyone at home."
Tell us about your chance in the second half. Did you think it was in?
SD: "I should have scored if I'm honest. The keeper stood up until late, and
I think he's tipped it - I'm not sure whether it would have hit the post or
gone in. I should have scored and that would have put us out of sight. It
wasn't to be, but the main thing was we won the game.
It felt like you were in the thick of things. Did you enjoy it?
SD: "I very much enjoyed it. It was a good tussle with Alonso and it was a
quite high energy game, up and down. I was going one way and he was going
the other, but it was a big win. There was a lot of pressure on them to
attack us and we defended well.
We saw the defensive side of your game too, flying up and down that wing and
doing the hard yards.
SD: "You have to do that in this position, especially with the way they were
set up. Alonso was playing quite high and the manager said you have to track
him. They tried to expose us, but in a way it was a plus for us, because we
had acres of space out wide. We capitalised on it and it was a great win for
us.
The goal hasn't quite come for you this evening, but are you confident it
will eventually?
SD: "The goals will come. The main thing for me is playing well, that's why
I came here - to play regularly and do well. As long as the team's winning
the goals are a bonus, but hopefully I'll get a couple before the end of the
season."
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Levy hatches Boleyn bid
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 2nd April 2014
By: Staff Writer
It has been claimed that Tottenham tried to buy the Boleyn Ground from West
Ham earlier this year. Apparently it's not a late April Fools joke, but our
friends from north London attempted to buy the Upton Park-based stadium in
order that they may play there during the 2016/17 whilst their new ground is
being built.
The Daily Mail claim that Tottenham Chairman Daniel Levy's bid to buy the
stadium was immediately rejected - with the club's home of 109 years
eventually sold to Loughton-based property developer Galliard Group for
considerably less than Spurs offered to pay. Spurs Chairman Daniel Levy's
ludicrous bid would almost certainly have signalled the end of plans to turn
the area into a homage to former West Ham greats. Had been been allowed to
purchase the ground, it would almost certainly have been sold to the highest
bidder once Tottenham move back into their new stadium, rather than one keen
to work with West Ham in order to maintain a lasting legacy to the club in
the area. Speaking about the sale of the ground to the Galliard Group last
month, vice chair Karren Brady said: "Most importantly for us, 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."
West Ham are set to move to the 54,000-capacity Olympic Stadium in time for
the start of the 2016/17 season, less than three years from now. Tottenham
hope that their new 56,000-capacity stadium - which is yet to be ratified -
will be open for business a year later, in the summer of 2017.
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Kevin Nolan says Sam Allardyce is best man for West Ham
Last Updated: 02/04/14 8:46am
SSN
Kevin Nolan believes Sam Allardyce remains the best manager to take West Ham
United forward and push them into Europe. The Hammers have endured a testing
2013/14 campaign, with inconsistencies leaving them sweating on their
Premier League status at various stages. A 2-1 victory over Sunderland on
Monday would appear to have ended any lingering doubts regarding their
top-flight standing, with an 11-point gap opened up on the bottom three. The
Upton Park outfit now have their sights set on a top-half finish, with the
club determined to look upwards rather than over their shoulder. "If he's
given the armoury he wants, he can build a team that will be challenging for
Europe - and doing it the right way."
Kevin Nolan
Nolan is convinced that Allardyce, who was disappointed to see his side
jeered by their own supporters following a recent 2-1 victory over Hull
City, can guide the club into a brighter future, with there no reason why
they cannot be pushing the top six in the years to come. He said in the
Daily Star: "Of course he's had a difficult week. "With all the online stuff
that goes on, it can go really stupid. But Sam's got a good rapport with the
fans and I think they know that he knows what he's doing. "If he's given the
armoury he wants, he can build a team that will be challenging for Europe -
and doing it the right way. "You only have to look back at what we had at
Bolton, when he was given the ammunition to go on and the situation he got
us in. "We qualified for Europe twice and when he left, they struggled."
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SPURS TOLD 'HANDS OFF THE BOLEYN GROUND!'
By Sean Whetstone 2 Apr 2014 at 13:14
West Ham Till I Die
Yesterday Martin Samuel in the Daily Mail revealed Spurs failed with
ambitious bid to buy the Boleyn Ground Park from West Ham. I initially
dismissed this story as an April Fools joke but now I can confirm it is 100%
true. David Kent has published a follow up article in the Daily Mail today
which can be read HERE
Samuel says in his column: "Before agreeing the sale of Upton Park to the
Galliard Group, West Ham United had an interesting counter-offer. Tottenham
Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy was very keen on purchasing the ground for the
2016-17 season, when West Ham relocate to the Olympic Stadium. It appears
Tottenham's move to their new ground from White Hart Lane may not unfold as
smoothly as hoped. There are still compulsory purchase issues causing delays
and fears temporary accommodation may be required, for a season at least.
Levy believes Wembley is too costly and problematic to fill, and the notion
of ground-sharing the Emirates Stadium would probably cause a riot. Buying
the Boleyn Ground, getting the necessary use from it, and then selling it
on, seemed an ideal solution. With one problem: West Ham said no, and then
sold elsewhere. Tottenham's difficulties extend beyond the calls to be made
on the manager, team and structure."
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INTERVIEW WITH KENNY BROWN
By ExWHUemployee 2 Apr 2014 at 08:00
West Ham Till I Die
Kenny was a popular player in the 90s and is best remembered for his winning
goal against Manchester United which prevented them from becoming champions
that year. He was a reliable and versatile fullback who always gave his all
for the club. Following in his father's footsteps in playing for the club,
he never let us down when called upon.
You were signed by club legend Billy Bonds in 1991 whilst playing for
Plymouth Argyle, how did the transfer come about?
I was out of contract at Plymouth but it was before the Bosman ruling so I
started pre-season there. Dad had a chance meeting with Billy Bonds and he
asked how I was. Billy said West Ham had a lot of injuries and were looking
to bring someone in on loan. They made the call and obviously I was up the
M5/M4 like a shot!
Was it initially hard to follow in your father's footsteps at the club?
No not at all. After a week I felt I had been there for years. Everyone made
me feel at home and it was an honour to follow in Dad's footsteps.
You are best remembered for your goal against Manchester United to help stop
them winning the league, what are your memories from that game?
Under the lights, electric atmosphere and a full house. We were all but
relegated but the fans were behind us straight from kick off. Ludo was never
going to concede and we got the break with the goal - a great night after a
disappointing season.
You managed to notch 5 goals in 63 appearances for the club, which isn't a
bad record for a defender, how did this happen?
We played with wing-backs when I first came and I was given license to join
the attack whenever possible. I also filled in at left-back a few times
which encouraged me to come in on my right and shoot more.
Do you have any other games that stand out in your mind other than the
Manchester United match and why?
Aston Villa at home again under the lights when I scored my favourite goal
for West Ham in a 3-1 win, and for different reasons Notts County away in
92/93 season. I lost my mum on the Wednesday and Bill and the staff were the
only people who knew. Bill asked if I wanted to play on the Saturday, I did
and we drew 0-0 but it was an emotional experience.
There were many great characters at West Ham in the 90s. Who were you
particularly close to and do you keep in touch with any of the players now?
We were a really close group of players but there were a few of us that
knocked around together: Bish, Keith Rowland, Michael Hughes, Julian and
Hutch had some great times on and off the pitch. Both Hutch & Rowley lived
with me for quite a while. I'm still in touch with nearly all the players
from that era.
Are there any particular funny stories from the training ground that you can
share?
Really too many to pick one but they normally always involved Bish, Moncs or
Martin Allen.
You left the club to join Birmingham City. How did the move come about and
did you want to leave at this time?
I wanted to play more and Birmingham came in for me to go on loan. Mike
Newell had joined us from them and said it was a shambles. I went anyway and
enjoyed playing every week for the month. They then agreed a fee to sign me
permanently and I went. Within another month I knew I had made a mistake. I
lasted 4 months before Billy took me to Millwall!
After leaving West Ham, you played for a number of clubs, including
Millwall, was it hard to turn out for one of our greatest rivals?
I actually enjoyed my time at Millwall. It helped that Bill was the manager,
Patsy Holland was his assistant and Paul Allen was there as well. Also by
the time the abuse got to me it was a bit diluted!
Since retiring from playing you have had a few spells in management and
coaching. Have there been any particular highlights?
I have managed and played in the Champions League, played, managed, coached
and was director of football while in Spain and worked with Julian Dicks
again at Grays Athletic.
What do you currently do now?
I'm now u/16 manager at Dagenham & Redbridge and lead development coach for
the 12's to 16's
This is a very hard question to answer but could you pick the Best West Ham
11 that you played with?
Ludo, Potts, Bilic, Gale, Dicks, Keen, Moncur, Bishop, Hughes, Hutchison,
Mcavennie subs: Breaker, Allen, Cottee, Morley, Robson
Do you still follow West Ham and what do you make of our current team and
prospects?
Yes, it's the first result I look for. I think we will stay up but would
like to see a bit more imagination in our attacking play. We have always had
an iconic number 10 and would like to see one to go with the resilience
that's obviously instilled in the current team.
Is there any message you would like to leave for the West Ham fans reading
this?
It was a privilege and honour to play for West Ham United and I have my
fondest memories in football from my time there. The fans were, and still
are, great to me and that means a lot from a player who had limited talent
but always gave 100%. I think the fans could relate to that. COYI
I would agree with Kenny, he always gave 100% and wore the shirt with pride,
something that all us fans love to see. Thanks for the interview Kenny and
thanks for the memories
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West Ham begin planning summer transfers after Sunderland win that surely
keeps them up
Apr 01, 2014 22:30 By Darren Lewis
The Mirror
West Ham have started planning for next season following Monday night's win
at Sunderland. The east Londoners now have 37 points, which is anticipated
to be enough for them to avoid relegation, and are looking to make "at least
three and a maximum of five" summer signings, with the emphasis on quality.
They could revisit moves for former Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan -
currently playing for UAE club Al Ain - and Fenerbahce's ex-Liverpool
midfielder Raul Meireles. They will not, however, be in the market for
Manchester United winger Wilfried Zaha, who is currently on loan at Cardiff.
The Hammers were linked with Zaha last summer but Sam Allardyce is
understood to have been unimpressed with 21-year-old's contribution to
Cardiff's fight against relegation. West Ham are set to clear the decks,
with a string of players - including Joe Cole, Jussi Jaaskelainen and Matt
Taylor - approaching the end of their contracts,
Italy internationals Marco Borriello and Antonio Nocerino will return to
parent clubs Roma and AC Milan when their loans expire at the end of the
season. Fringe players such as Ricardo Vaz Te, Modibo Maiga (curently on
loan at QPR) and Alou Diarra will also be moved on. Joint-chairman David
Gold has defended Allardyce after disgruntled fans continued to criticise
the Hammers boss even after Monday's win at the Stadium of Light. Gold
insisted one supporter needed to see an optician if he could not see the
significance of the three points. He tweeted: "We are now safe." But one fan
hit back: "Got the result but so bad to watch!" Defiant Gold responded: "I
think it's time for you to see a doctor or may be Specsavers."
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WHUFC.com
LLDC Executive Paul Brickell played host to Carlton Cole and Matt Jarvis at
the Olympic Park
02.04.2014
Lifelong West Ham United fan and London Legacy Development Corporation
executive Paul Brickell was on hand to show Hammers duo Carlton Cole and
Matt Jarvis the spectacular surrounds that await them come 2016. Ahead of
Saturday's grand opening of the newly-landscaped south section of Queen
Elizabeth Olympic Park, Mr Brickell, executive director of regeneration and
community partnerships, spoke of his excitement as legacy momentum continues
to gather pace. Mr Brickell, himself a Hammers Season Ticket Holder, expects
the Park to prove a huge hit with locals young and old, none more so than
when the West Ham family join the party two years down the line. He told
West Ham TV: "The whole south Park area is going to be a very fun place to
be. On the day that we open, next Saturday, acrobats will fly off the top of
the Orbit and that's the sense of what this place will be weekend in,
weekend out, day in, day out, but then with these other amazing
facilities."The London Aquatic Centre has only been open for three or four
weeks now and has been enormously popular. This is just an amazing place
that brings together fun for families, with serious sports. Whether it's
football, swimming, athletics or cycling, it will carry that Olympic thing
of come along and have fun, but also maybe get inspired and find something
that you can do for the rest of your life.
"You begin to see how you could have the family day out here. Not everybody
has to come to the football match, or you can come and spend the morning in
the Park, go to the game and then have something to eat and drink. I think
there are 70 restaurants in Westfield, for example. That's why it's not
difficult to see that the Stadium will be filled week in, week out, because
even if you haven't come just for the football, the football can be part of
a lovely day."
For Mr Brickell, however, his influence and ambition extends far beyond the
Park, with the plan having always been to use the Olympic legacy as a tool
to regenerate and boost east London and its many communities. He continued:
"The Park is fantastic, but we've always seen the Park as part of a new part
of London. Some of it came before the Park, Westfield shopping centre came
with tens of thousands of jobs and employment was one of the key reasons
that we wanted this here. We wanted to give local people, local young people
particularly, the chance to work here. "We've had a very large number of
people working during the construction phase and a lot of apprentices,
who've started their careers in construction here. Now as we move into the
venues being active and the Park's management, all of that work is local
jobs and apprenticeships making sure people get a good start in their
career. "So one of the things that I'm doing is making sure that we get
every ounce of benefit out of the Park for the communities in and around it,
which, in time, will lead onto the new homes that we've started to build."
Much of that benefit will hopefully come from the Olympic Stadium, which
will first open for the Rugby World Cup in 2015, prior to the Hammers taking
up residency the following summer. Mr Brickell, who has been watching his
beloved Hammers for some 46 years, is already eyeing up his seat in the
Club's new home. "We already have a sense of what it will be like from the
Olympic Games, an enormous cauldron of noise and it's going to be like that
only more intense," he added. "Many of us just can't wait to get in there.
"I'm a Season Ticket Holder in the Alpari Lower and I keep saying to the
guys who are designing the Stadium - I know it'll probably be in mid-air -
but show me the best seats so that I can get in there early!"
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Hammers welcome Park opening
WHUFc.com
The south of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is to open to the general
public on Saturday
02.04.2014
West Ham United are pleased to herald this week's complete re-opening of the
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the spectacular setting to house the Hammers
from 2016. West Ham are to take up occupancy of the Olympic Stadium in
little more than two years' time, in a Park that is now the dynamic
epicentre of east London's regeneration. As of 10am on Saturday 5 April, the
the newly-landscaped south of the Park will open its doors to the general
public for the first time since the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Designed
by James Corner Field Operations, the south of the Park features an
action-packed adventure playground, interactive water fountains and four
themed walking trails exploring the key sights of London 2012. The
ArcelorMittal Orbit, the United Kingdom's tallest sculpture at 114.5 metres,
is to open for business too, offering an entirely new perspective of London
and unrivalled views of the Park. Together with eight iconic Olympic venues,
the beautiful parklands and waterways amount to the perfect day-out
destination and one that Vice-Chairman Karren Brady CBE believes will
greatly enhance the Hammers' matchday experience when they take up residence
in the Olympic Stadium. The Vice-Chairman said: "The full re-opening of
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park marks another major milestone in the
regeneration of this part of east London following the hugely successful
Olympic Games in 2012. "Everyone at West Ham United is excited and proud
about playing their part in securing this lasting legacy from the Games as
we make the stunning new Park our home from 2016. We always knew that the
Park would provide a spectacular setting for West Ham supporters to enjoy as
part of their unique matchday experience. It will become an unrivalled
London and worldwide destination and an unforgettable day out for them and
their families. "In addition to the global appeal of Premier League
football, visitors to the park can walk in the footsteps of those who made
the summer of 2012 truly unforgettable, while admiring some of the most
iconic buildings in the world. "West Ham United's presence will help ensure
a long-term and viable future for the Park, as we bring over a million
visitors a year as well as creating at least 700 new jobs for local people.
We are now looking forward to working with the residents and businesses that
will also call the Park their home to make sure the Queen Elizabeth Olympic
Park is a destination people from all over the world will want to visit."
Club-record signing Andy Carroll - one of three players to visit the Park on
Wednesday afternoon - is excited by what the Park has to offer and is
certain that West Ham fans will fully embrace it. The Park's opening serves
as a timely reminder of all that the Hammers have to look forward to and
Carroll can hardly wait to make Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park home. He told
whufc.com: "I'm sure the public are thrilled that it's all open now and will
love going there. I could definitely imagine taking my family and when the
sun's out the Park will be absolutely buzzing! "We've basically got a brand
new fan park on our own doorstep and I think our fans will have a great time
there. There's loads to do, loads to see and it's just a great place all
round to hang out. Not many, if any Clubs can boast those sorts of
surroundings. "The scale of that fantastic Stadium and its surrounds are
inspiring and I'm looking forward to taking another look on Wednesday
afternoon."
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Noble's delight at Hammers form
WHUFC.com
West Ham United midfielder Mark Noble says the Hammers have come a long way
since Christmas
02.04.2014
Mark Noble believes the way West Ham United have turned their 2013/14
campaign around should be applauded. Following the 2-1 defeat at Fulham on
New Year's Day, the Hammers sat second bottom of the Barclays Premier League
table, with just 15 points from 20 games. Having now gained a further 22
points from their last twelve outings, Noble and his teammates now occupy a
much healthier eleventh position. Indeed, Monday's 2-1 victory at Sunderland
pushed them eleven points clear of the drop zone and Noble is thrilled with
the Londoners' run of form. He explained: "The win on Monday put us on 37
points and that's great for the Club. I thought we played well at Sunderland
- we defended really well and they had to make the substitutions to change
the game. "I think you have to look back at the position we were in around
Christmas time. We were second from bottom at one point and now we've shown
to everyone what we can do. We got ourselves together from what happened
against Hull, even though we won the game it was a disappointing from us,
and the fans were unbelievable on Monday. "To have that support all the way
up to Sunderland on a Monday night was unreal and we deserved the win. "It's
going to be tough to match last year's tally - we need to win three more
games. It's still possible, we know that, but after where we were at
Christmas when I would watch TV and people would say we're getting
relegated, to turn it around the way we have done has been fantastic. "We've
got six games to go, we want to give a good account of ourselves and our aim
is to come tenth."
The Hammers had to withstand a strong Sunderland fightback in the second
period after goals from Andy Carroll and Mohamed Diame put them 2-0 up and
the No16 was happy with the resolute display. He continued: "That's what's
going to happen at this stage of the season when teams are so desperate for
the win. We had chances to go three up, we didn't take them, and we held on
in the end. "That's what we've done a lot this season - gone ahead, defended
as a team and tried to break. We were over the moon to win - it was a long
way home and to have to do that without a win would have been disappointing.
We've put another cushion in and obviously we've got two tough games coming
up so to get those two wins was massive for us."
Noble supplied Carroll's opener with a pinpoint corner and he says having a
player like the big Geordie to aim for makes his job an easy one. He added:
"We had a debate in training on the morning of the game! We always have an
argument over where the ball's got to go but I did remind him that I've
given him two assists in four games now. "When you play with someone like
that you know you can put the ball in that area and he's going to attack it.
That's what he did and it was another good header."
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Stewart Downing - The Big Interview
WHUFC.com
Stewart Downing was thrilled to win on his return to the north east on
Monday
02.04.2014
Stewart Downing was happy to play his part as the Hammers secured
back-to-back Barclays Premier League wins for the second time in as many
months.
Relegation-threatened Sunderland were beaten 2-1 by West Ham United on
Monday evening, with one-time Black Cats loanee Downing enjoying his return
his his native north east.
Stewart, how big a win was that on Monday?
SD: "Very big. Hull was maybe a bigger win but obviously going to
Sunderland, they had to come at us and I think we defended quite well at
times, especially towards the end. We could have made it more comfortable -
I had a chance and Andy had a volley - we could have been out of sight, so
we made it hard for ourselves but it was a good win."
It's actually two wins in a row, so you're really flying at the moment...
SD: "It's been the story of our season really. We got four wins in a row in
February, then we lost three before winning these two, so it was important
for us [to return to form]."
For that first goal, Andy Carroll did what Andy Carroll does. It was a great
header, wasn't it?
SD: "It was a tremendous header. We work on things like that to target Andy
at set pieces. It was a great leap and a great header. It's a good goal for
him and he wants to get as many goals as he can to get picked for the World
Cup."
When things are going well, they go well, and you got a bit of luck with the
penalty shout and for the deflection on the second goal, but they all count.
SD: "They all count and at the start of the season they were going in
against us. We were due a bit of luck, we've dug in there and stuck at it to
get our rewards. I know there was a big of a deflection on the goal but we
deserved it."
Your old mate Adam Johnson got one at the other end, how frustrated were you
as a team not to keep a clean sheet?
SD: "I think we were. Credit to Johnno, it was a great goal, but defensively
from us it was poor as we should have closed him down and not let him get in
that area. We made it difficult for ourselves because we let them back in
the game, but I had that chance just before when the keeper touched it
around the post. We could have been out of sight, but the game's never over
until the end,"
Are you safe from relegation now?
SD: "These were two massive wins for us, it gives us a little bit of
breathing space, but I wouldn't say we're out of sight. For us the target is
to finish as high as we can, we're not just sitting happily now because
we've got 37 points. We want to get as many more points as we can before the
end of the season. Liverpool is a big game at the weekend, we can do other
teams a favour and ourselves a favour by getting into that top ten
position."
A big game for you personally too next...
SD: "It's nice to play against your old teams and I'm sure Andy and Joe Cole
are looking forward to it. We're in for that top ten spot and it's tight, so
we want to do ourselves and the other teams a favour."
They're flying at the moment, so you'll have to be on your mettle.
SD: "Yes, their forward line is frightening at the minute. The goals are
coming from everywhere, but we'll make it hard for them at our place. When I
was playing for Liverpool it was always hard against West Ham at Upton Park.
It's going to be difficult, but a good win on Monday breeds confidence and
we fancy ourselves against anyone at home."
Tell us about your chance in the second half. Did you think it was in?
SD: "I should have scored if I'm honest. The keeper stood up until late, and
I think he's tipped it - I'm not sure whether it would have hit the post or
gone in. I should have scored and that would have put us out of sight. It
wasn't to be, but the main thing was we won the game.
It felt like you were in the thick of things. Did you enjoy it?
SD: "I very much enjoyed it. It was a good tussle with Alonso and it was a
quite high energy game, up and down. I was going one way and he was going
the other, but it was a big win. There was a lot of pressure on them to
attack us and we defended well.
We saw the defensive side of your game too, flying up and down that wing and
doing the hard yards.
SD: "You have to do that in this position, especially with the way they were
set up. Alonso was playing quite high and the manager said you have to track
him. They tried to expose us, but in a way it was a plus for us, because we
had acres of space out wide. We capitalised on it and it was a great win for
us.
The goal hasn't quite come for you this evening, but are you confident it
will eventually?
SD: "The goals will come. The main thing for me is playing well, that's why
I came here - to play regularly and do well. As long as the team's winning
the goals are a bonus, but hopefully I'll get a couple before the end of the
season."
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Levy hatches Boleyn bid
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 2nd April 2014
By: Staff Writer
It has been claimed that Tottenham tried to buy the Boleyn Ground from West
Ham earlier this year. Apparently it's not a late April Fools joke, but our
friends from north London attempted to buy the Upton Park-based stadium in
order that they may play there during the 2016/17 whilst their new ground is
being built.
The Daily Mail claim that Tottenham Chairman Daniel Levy's bid to buy the
stadium was immediately rejected - with the club's home of 109 years
eventually sold to Loughton-based property developer Galliard Group for
considerably less than Spurs offered to pay. Spurs Chairman Daniel Levy's
ludicrous bid would almost certainly have signalled the end of plans to turn
the area into a homage to former West Ham greats. Had been been allowed to
purchase the ground, it would almost certainly have been sold to the highest
bidder once Tottenham move back into their new stadium, rather than one keen
to work with West Ham in order to maintain a lasting legacy to the club in
the area. Speaking about the sale of the ground to the Galliard Group last
month, vice chair Karren Brady said: "Most importantly for us, 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."
West Ham are set to move to the 54,000-capacity Olympic Stadium in time for
the start of the 2016/17 season, less than three years from now. Tottenham
hope that their new 56,000-capacity stadium - which is yet to be ratified -
will be open for business a year later, in the summer of 2017.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Kevin Nolan says Sam Allardyce is best man for West Ham
Last Updated: 02/04/14 8:46am
SSN
Kevin Nolan believes Sam Allardyce remains the best manager to take West Ham
United forward and push them into Europe. The Hammers have endured a testing
2013/14 campaign, with inconsistencies leaving them sweating on their
Premier League status at various stages. A 2-1 victory over Sunderland on
Monday would appear to have ended any lingering doubts regarding their
top-flight standing, with an 11-point gap opened up on the bottom three. The
Upton Park outfit now have their sights set on a top-half finish, with the
club determined to look upwards rather than over their shoulder. "If he's
given the armoury he wants, he can build a team that will be challenging for
Europe - and doing it the right way."
Kevin Nolan
Nolan is convinced that Allardyce, who was disappointed to see his side
jeered by their own supporters following a recent 2-1 victory over Hull
City, can guide the club into a brighter future, with there no reason why
they cannot be pushing the top six in the years to come. He said in the
Daily Star: "Of course he's had a difficult week. "With all the online stuff
that goes on, it can go really stupid. But Sam's got a good rapport with the
fans and I think they know that he knows what he's doing. "If he's given the
armoury he wants, he can build a team that will be challenging for Europe -
and doing it the right way. "You only have to look back at what we had at
Bolton, when he was given the ammunition to go on and the situation he got
us in. "We qualified for Europe twice and when he left, they struggled."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
SPURS TOLD 'HANDS OFF THE BOLEYN GROUND!'
By Sean Whetstone 2 Apr 2014 at 13:14
West Ham Till I Die
Yesterday Martin Samuel in the Daily Mail revealed Spurs failed with
ambitious bid to buy the Boleyn Ground Park from West Ham. I initially
dismissed this story as an April Fools joke but now I can confirm it is 100%
true. David Kent has published a follow up article in the Daily Mail today
which can be read HERE
Samuel says in his column: "Before agreeing the sale of Upton Park to the
Galliard Group, West Ham United had an interesting counter-offer. Tottenham
Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy was very keen on purchasing the ground for the
2016-17 season, when West Ham relocate to the Olympic Stadium. It appears
Tottenham's move to their new ground from White Hart Lane may not unfold as
smoothly as hoped. There are still compulsory purchase issues causing delays
and fears temporary accommodation may be required, for a season at least.
Levy believes Wembley is too costly and problematic to fill, and the notion
of ground-sharing the Emirates Stadium would probably cause a riot. Buying
the Boleyn Ground, getting the necessary use from it, and then selling it
on, seemed an ideal solution. With one problem: West Ham said no, and then
sold elsewhere. Tottenham's difficulties extend beyond the calls to be made
on the manager, team and structure."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
INTERVIEW WITH KENNY BROWN
By ExWHUemployee 2 Apr 2014 at 08:00
West Ham Till I Die
Kenny was a popular player in the 90s and is best remembered for his winning
goal against Manchester United which prevented them from becoming champions
that year. He was a reliable and versatile fullback who always gave his all
for the club. Following in his father's footsteps in playing for the club,
he never let us down when called upon.
You were signed by club legend Billy Bonds in 1991 whilst playing for
Plymouth Argyle, how did the transfer come about?
I was out of contract at Plymouth but it was before the Bosman ruling so I
started pre-season there. Dad had a chance meeting with Billy Bonds and he
asked how I was. Billy said West Ham had a lot of injuries and were looking
to bring someone in on loan. They made the call and obviously I was up the
M5/M4 like a shot!
Was it initially hard to follow in your father's footsteps at the club?
No not at all. After a week I felt I had been there for years. Everyone made
me feel at home and it was an honour to follow in Dad's footsteps.
You are best remembered for your goal against Manchester United to help stop
them winning the league, what are your memories from that game?
Under the lights, electric atmosphere and a full house. We were all but
relegated but the fans were behind us straight from kick off. Ludo was never
going to concede and we got the break with the goal - a great night after a
disappointing season.
You managed to notch 5 goals in 63 appearances for the club, which isn't a
bad record for a defender, how did this happen?
We played with wing-backs when I first came and I was given license to join
the attack whenever possible. I also filled in at left-back a few times
which encouraged me to come in on my right and shoot more.
Do you have any other games that stand out in your mind other than the
Manchester United match and why?
Aston Villa at home again under the lights when I scored my favourite goal
for West Ham in a 3-1 win, and for different reasons Notts County away in
92/93 season. I lost my mum on the Wednesday and Bill and the staff were the
only people who knew. Bill asked if I wanted to play on the Saturday, I did
and we drew 0-0 but it was an emotional experience.
There were many great characters at West Ham in the 90s. Who were you
particularly close to and do you keep in touch with any of the players now?
We were a really close group of players but there were a few of us that
knocked around together: Bish, Keith Rowland, Michael Hughes, Julian and
Hutch had some great times on and off the pitch. Both Hutch & Rowley lived
with me for quite a while. I'm still in touch with nearly all the players
from that era.
Are there any particular funny stories from the training ground that you can
share?
Really too many to pick one but they normally always involved Bish, Moncs or
Martin Allen.
You left the club to join Birmingham City. How did the move come about and
did you want to leave at this time?
I wanted to play more and Birmingham came in for me to go on loan. Mike
Newell had joined us from them and said it was a shambles. I went anyway and
enjoyed playing every week for the month. They then agreed a fee to sign me
permanently and I went. Within another month I knew I had made a mistake. I
lasted 4 months before Billy took me to Millwall!
After leaving West Ham, you played for a number of clubs, including
Millwall, was it hard to turn out for one of our greatest rivals?
I actually enjoyed my time at Millwall. It helped that Bill was the manager,
Patsy Holland was his assistant and Paul Allen was there as well. Also by
the time the abuse got to me it was a bit diluted!
Since retiring from playing you have had a few spells in management and
coaching. Have there been any particular highlights?
I have managed and played in the Champions League, played, managed, coached
and was director of football while in Spain and worked with Julian Dicks
again at Grays Athletic.
What do you currently do now?
I'm now u/16 manager at Dagenham & Redbridge and lead development coach for
the 12's to 16's
This is a very hard question to answer but could you pick the Best West Ham
11 that you played with?
Ludo, Potts, Bilic, Gale, Dicks, Keen, Moncur, Bishop, Hughes, Hutchison,
Mcavennie subs: Breaker, Allen, Cottee, Morley, Robson
Do you still follow West Ham and what do you make of our current team and
prospects?
Yes, it's the first result I look for. I think we will stay up but would
like to see a bit more imagination in our attacking play. We have always had
an iconic number 10 and would like to see one to go with the resilience
that's obviously instilled in the current team.
Is there any message you would like to leave for the West Ham fans reading
this?
It was a privilege and honour to play for West Ham United and I have my
fondest memories in football from my time there. The fans were, and still
are, great to me and that means a lot from a player who had limited talent
but always gave 100%. I think the fans could relate to that. COYI
I would agree with Kenny, he always gave 100% and wore the shirt with pride,
something that all us fans love to see. Thanks for the interview Kenny and
thanks for the memories
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham begin planning summer transfers after Sunderland win that surely
keeps them up
Apr 01, 2014 22:30 By Darren Lewis
The Mirror
West Ham have started planning for next season following Monday night's win
at Sunderland. The east Londoners now have 37 points, which is anticipated
to be enough for them to avoid relegation, and are looking to make "at least
three and a maximum of five" summer signings, with the emphasis on quality.
They could revisit moves for former Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan -
currently playing for UAE club Al Ain - and Fenerbahce's ex-Liverpool
midfielder Raul Meireles. They will not, however, be in the market for
Manchester United winger Wilfried Zaha, who is currently on loan at Cardiff.
The Hammers were linked with Zaha last summer but Sam Allardyce is
understood to have been unimpressed with 21-year-old's contribution to
Cardiff's fight against relegation. West Ham are set to clear the decks,
with a string of players - including Joe Cole, Jussi Jaaskelainen and Matt
Taylor - approaching the end of their contracts,
Italy internationals Marco Borriello and Antonio Nocerino will return to
parent clubs Roma and AC Milan when their loans expire at the end of the
season. Fringe players such as Ricardo Vaz Te, Modibo Maiga (curently on
loan at QPR) and Alou Diarra will also be moved on. Joint-chairman David
Gold has defended Allardyce after disgruntled fans continued to criticise
the Hammers boss even after Monday's win at the Stadium of Light. Gold
insisted one supporter needed to see an optician if he could not see the
significance of the three points. He tweeted: "We are now safe." But one fan
hit back: "Got the result but so bad to watch!" Defiant Gold responded: "I
think it's time for you to see a doctor or may be Specsavers."
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