Adrian aiming for Baggies success
WHUFC.com
West Ham United keeper Adrian will have no room for sentiment when he takes
on his ex-boss on Saturday
24.04.2014
Adrian is looking forward to a reunion with his former boss Pepe Mel at West
Bromwich Albion on Saturday - but he insists there will be no time for
sentiment once he steps onto the pitch. The Baggies are still in the thick
of the Barclays Premier League relegation battle, with four fewer points
than the Hammers.
Adrian wants to make sure the gap stays at least that big come the end of
Saturday's clash, with a first clean sheet since February the aim. He said:
"Here in the Premier League, every game is hard. At the moment, when the
season is nearly finished, the games are even tougher. West Brom are only
three points above the relegation [places], they really need these three
points. But we're going there to win the game. "Pepe Mel is my ex-coach and
he's a good person and, for me, he's a great coach. He has a personal style,
because he always wants [his team] to pass the ball, Spanish style. I think
he's a good match for West Brom. I'm sorry for him, but we need the three
points too. "He was sacked by Real Betis, but he needed to keep working and
had a good offer from West Brom. And to start here in the Premier League, I
think, for him, is really, really good."
The No13 has been beaten by three penalties in the last two home games,
against Liverpool and Crystal Palace and he is desperate to return to
winning ways at the Hawthorns. He added: "It was really disappointing [to
lose to Crystal Palace] because it was a bad result at home against a direct
rival. I think we maybe needed a point, a 0-0, but [because of] a penalty
again we've lost the match. "My job is to keep clean sheets, but it is a job
for all my teammates, not only mine. We need to work in defence, but [it's
for] all the eleven players who start to keep the clean sheet, because it's
really, really important for us.
"I don't think I had a chance [with any of the three penalties]. Maybe I
guess which side the striker's going, but if it's a good strike it's
difficult for me.
"It's going to be a hard game, because we're playing away. I think that they
need the points because they're in a worse position than us. We need one
more win, so that it's more relaxed for the last two games."
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Chadwell Chatter
WHUFC.com
Matt Jarvis blogs for the Official Site on the Hammers' need to return to
winning ways on Saturday
24.04.2014
Hello everyone,
We've had a good week on the training pitch following last Saturday's game
and we're all looking forward to putting that game behind us when we travel
to West Bromwich Albion this weekend. Getting to 40 points on Saturday is
very important for us. We want to get as many points as we possibly can, so
to get three against West Brom and get to the 40-point mark is big. We want
to finish as high as we can and that'll mean getting mathematically safe as
soon as possible too. If we can get three points on Saturday we will be and
we can also start moving back up the league as well. We're still in touch
with the two teams above us and a win on Saturday would hopefully bring us
closer to them. Even though we've lost the last three games, I think we have
played well in spells, but unfortunately we haven't turned performances into
points. Hopefully we'll be able to do that on Saturday and get the victory
which will get us out of the 30s and into the 40s.
West Brom are fighting as well to get as many points as they can in their
situation, so it will be a tough game. On the whole, we've played well
against the teams in and around us - we've beaten Sunderland, Hull and
Norwich recently - and we want to do that again on Saturday. It is a
different challenge at this time of year. More often that not there's always
something on it for the opposition, whether they are fighting to get into
the top places, or scrapping for points at the bottom - it is hard playing
against any team at this stage of the season. There may be more pressure on
them with West Brom being the home team and needing a result. They'll want
to go and dominate the game and try and win at their place. I think we've
done well on the road though, so we'll want to go there and put in a good
display and get the right result. From a personal point of view, I'm pleased
with my form at the moment, I'm enjoying a good spell and hopefully I can
get a few more goals between now and the end of the season and keep putting
the crosses in.
Come on you Irons
Matt Jarvis
Jarvo
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Howes earns England Euro call
WHUFC.com
Academy goalkeeper Sam Howes is in the England U17 squad for this summer's
European Championship
24.04.2014
West Ham United Academy goalkeeper Sam Howes has been named in the England
U17 squad for their UEFA U17 European Championship campaign, which gets
underway in Malta in early May. The young stopper, who has featured on 20
occasions for the Hammers' U18 side this season despite still being a
schoolboy, has been capped twice at U17 level and will now hope to add to
his tally in the eight-team finals tournament. England's campaign gets
underway on 9 May when they take on hosts Malta at the National Stadium in
Ta'Qali. Three days later Kenny Swain's side face Turkey at Gozo, before the
final group game pits them against the Netherlands in Paola on 15 May. The
Young Lions last triumphed at the Euro U17 Championships in 2010 when the
then Hammers' Rob Hall formed part of their squad.
England U17 squad for 2014 UEFA European U17 Championships
Goalkeepers:
Freddie Woodman (Newcastle United), Sam Howes (West Ham United)
Defenders:
Jonjoe Kenny (Everton), Mandela Egbo (Everton), Dael Fry (Middlesbrough),
Taylor Moore (RC Lens), Joe Gomez (Charlton Athletic), Tafari Moore
(Arsenal)
Midfielders:
Lewis Cook (Leeds United), Ryan Ledson (Everton), Joshua Onomah (Tottenham
Hotspur), Callum Cooke (Middlesbrough), Josh Sims (Southampton)
Forwards:
Demetri Mitchell (Manchester United), Patrick Roberts (Fulham), Dominic
Solanke (Chelsea), Adam Armstrong (Newcastle United), Isaiah Brown (Chelsea)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam on: West Brom
WHUFc.com
Sam Allardyce discusses this weekend's game against West Bromwich Albion
with the media at Chadwell Heath
24.04.2014
Members of the media gathered at Chadwell Heath on Thursday morning as Sam
Allardyce gave his pre-match press conference ahead of his side's game
against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. The Hammers boss answered
questions relating to his team selection, the challenge of facing the
Baggies and how many points he feels will be enough to keep West Ham in the
Barclays Premier League.
Morning Sam, what's your team news ahead of the weekend?
SA: "We're ok. The squad's all fully fit. Unfortunately Matt Taylor's
daughter is pretty ill at the moment so I don't think that he'll be
available. He needs to look after his daughter at the minute, so we hope
everything in that department is going to be ok. The rest of the squad,
apart from Marco Borriello, is ok and ready to go."
Is your current points tally enough to keep you up, or do you still need a
few more points?
SA: "Not really. We've always had the 40-point mark on our mind to be
absolutely certain and probably 38. You never know, after the weekend it
might be enough. The realistic fact for us is to go and get some points
against West Brom, like we've tried so hard to get points out of the last
three games but failed. In the last three games we haven't failed by
performance, but we have failed by individual errors at a certain time and
of course certain errors by the officials.
They've cost us pretty dear as well I think.
"At the moment the rub of the green hasn't gone for us but performances at
Liverpool particularly, and against Arsenal were good, but i think their
clinical finishing finished us off. There was a penalty that was our fault
against Crystal Palace, but not a penalty given on Andy Carroll which I
thought was a certain penalty. That happens at certain times of the game but
we have to keep the performance level high, be more resilient and determined
to put points on the board with a performance level that allows us to get
points."
I know you can't pick and choose when you get them, but would you
acknowledge there's a heightened importance on this game, bearing in mind
your final two opponents?
SA: "I think there's always a need for your team to gain points against
teams who've been below you or certainly not lose against them. That became
really apparent when we won at Sunderland a few weeks ago, that the distance
we put between us and them was critical for us at that time. That's always
been the case and it will certainly be the case against West Brom. The
points against the bigger clubs are just your bonus, the icing on your cake.
Competing against the teams around you to win and draw against them has
always been critical in where you finish the season."
When the season has finished, is there any plans with the owners and
yourself to review what you take from this season heading into next season?
SA: "That's the same every season. Last season was an over achievement and I
think this season has been an under achievement up to now. There are certain
circumstance as to why that's been the case, as we all know. They've all
been documented, not just us a business but also publicly. It's been a tough
one. The players and I are always learning and always know that we have to
try to develop the team and move onto the next level. To change, but not
change too much. You have to get value for money and quality players that
are better than you've already got. That's just the process of this business
if you want to improve and get better.
"The great difficulty today is that you're competing with everybody else in
the financial market that sometimes is unbalanced. If we all had the same
amount of money to start the season with, it would make it a much more even
playing field but it isn't like that now. The growth of the wealth of the
bigger clubs and what they can pay, certainly has a cascading effect going
down to the players that you want. Sometimes the bargaining power between
the end of the season and the start of the season is a very difficult game
that you have to negotiate in. Whether you stand up and be counted in terms
of what you want to pay, rather than what the player demands becomes a very
difficult job indeed."
David Gold described the signing of Andy Carroll as 'Putting all your eggs
in one basket'. If you took one thing from this season would you do that
differently with your next transfer budget?
SA: "I think that depending on what players are out in the market it may be
spread across the board a bit more, but that market may not allow you to do
that. When one particular player comes and makes a play to come to your club
with the size and talent of that particular player, then you go for him. You
have to wait at that particular time and negotiate to see if you can move
that player. I've said many times before that I think Andy's signing was one
of the few players that we've signed that would have been number one or two
on the list. Our list in each position is accumulated and then you try and
start to move forward on that list.
"Very often the difficulties are that you get this player, that club wants
this much, that's too much and then the players wants too much. It might be
ok, then another club makes a better offer and you lose that one. It's a
constant merry-go-round that we have to deal with in the difficult summer
months. The reality for us is this, we're not mathematically safe so we
can't put any of those plans into practice. We have the first draft if you
like, but we can't react on any of that at the moment because we're not
mathematically safe."
A point gained on Saturday will probably make you safe. With that in mind,
how will you approach the game against West Brom?
SA: "There's a game plan that you plan out and you evolve a game plan in
each particular match. In a lot of coaches minds' it's the same. When
Everton
played Manchester United at home they decided to employ defensive football
first and play counter-attacking football second. Everton got a huge amount
of praise for that, even though it wasn't the normal way that Everton play.
They didn't have as much possession as Manchester United had, United
completely dominated that. It's what the end result is, which is the
important thing. They win 2-0, so they get a huge amount of praise for the
tactics they employed because Roberto Martinez sat down and thought about
whether Manchester United were going to come onto them.
"Maybe he took a leaf out of Tony Pulis' book and thought this may be the
way forward after they struggled to break down Crystal Palace, as we did.
It's to do with whatever tactics you need to use on the day to get the
success that you desire. Real Madrid had less possession than Bayern Munich
had last night but they won 1-0 at their home ground. It's using your brain
and your experience on who you're playing against and how best to get a
result against them. When you play against a big club and get a result,
opposing managers have to find an excuse for being beaten by a team that's
got fewer resources than them."
What challenge do you think West Brom will present on the weekend?
SA: "Really tough. They've had a resurgence and at their home ground they've
been so close to so many victories and only slipped up in the dying seconds
of two particularly thrilling 3-3 draws. We don't want to be in that
position where we're trying to fight our way back from behind on Saturday.
We want to be keeping a level playing field for as long as possible and our
goal would be to do what we did at Sunderland, which was score the first
goal and then go from there. The pressure in that game will be pretty
intense because we all know what's at stake. We have to handle it better
than West Brom.
"We don't want any major decisions going against us, but more importantly I
don't want my players to start making the basic errors they've made in the
last three games which have cost us very dear. Like I said, we've been very
satisfied with overall performances, but at certain times mistakes have been
made which shouldn't have been made and we've been punished heavily for
them."
How difficult has it been to prepare the team with the events of the past
week?
SA: "It's been hugely difficult. It's a massive blow to everybody that knew
Dylan, because of how many times we've seen him fighting the intolerable
illness. We had so much hope so many times by the determination he showed to
recover from the treatment he had and recover from the disease he had. It
looked so many times like he'd recovered. He was fit and training, never
wanted to miss a day's training, but unfortunately in the end it's been a
sad day for all of us, especially for the family. We're all very sad for his
family and all very sad for them and sad ourselves, but we have to move on
in terms of being professional in football terms, but not forget the memory
of Dylan."
More to follow...
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Mel admits "it's our Cup Final"
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 24th April 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Brom manager Pepe Mel says that this weekend's clash with West Ham
United is his team's biggest match of the season so far. Albion's
51-year-old Spanish manager has been in charge at the Hawthorns since
January, since when they have failed to pull away from the relegation zone
having won just two out of 14 Premier League games. With 33 points, West
Brom are currently just three points above the drop zone with trips to
Arsenal and Sunderland to follow before their final game of the campaign at
home to Stoke. And that, says Mel, is why it is essential they get something
out of this weekend's game. "It really is the most important game; it's a
Cup Final," he said. "It can be the game that can spur us on and give us
that life. I hope the stadium will be full and the fans will be with us.
They can really help us in this game, which is an absolutely vital one."
Mel, whose own future is very much up in the air will have to do without key
defender and former Hammer Liam Ridgewell, who limped off during the defeat
at Manchester City earlier in the week with a knee problem, on Saturday.
That could leave winger Chris Brunt being employed as an emergency full back
- although Mel appeared to have few qualms about making such a change. "I'm
certain that Ridgewell will not be available for the West Ham game, so Brunt
is a good option," said Mel. "He can do a really good job in this role. I
select the best players for each particular game and therefore the best
option is Chris Brunt.
Meanwhile Albion's Jonas Olsson, who is set to play alongside Brunt in the
centre of defence described the game as 'massive'. "We need to get over that
line sooner rather than later," he said. "And why not on Saturday? "We will
focus totally on that and get ready for it. Of course it will be a different
game to Man City but we will have time to prepare and make sure we're ready.
We have to focus all our energy on Saturday because that's going to be
massive."
Key to the Baggies' chances, according to the Swedish international, will be
stopping West Ham's Andy Carroll. "He is a test," admitted the 31-year-old.
"He's a really good player and it always seems to be a physical battle
between us. "I like that and I'm sure he likes it as well; I am looking
forward to it."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham have underachieved, says Big Sam
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 24th April 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce admits that his team have fallen short of matching their
performance in the 2012/13 campaign. Big Sam, who was speaking to the press
this morning ahead of the visit to West Bromwich Albion this weekend called
upon his team to get back to winning ways at the Hawthorns following three
consecutive defeats that have left the Hammers not-yet-mathematically-safe
on 37 points. And the manager, whose team must win all three of their
remaining Premier League fixtures against Albion, Spurs and Manchester City
in order to emulate last season's 46-point haul is already looking forward
to a busy summer of recruitment. "Last season was an over-achievement and I
think this season has been an under-achievement up to now," he admitted.
"There are certain circumstance as to why that's been the case, as we all
know. It's been a tough one. "But we have to try to develop the team and
move onto the next level. To change, but not change too much. You have to
get value for money and quality players that are better than you've already
got. That's just the process of this business if you want to improve and get
better. "The great difficulty is that you're competing with everybody else.
If we all had the same amount of money to start the season with it would
make it a much more even playing field, but it isn't like that now. "The
wealth of the bigger clubs has a cascading effect going down to the players
that you want. Whether you stand up and be counted in terms of what you want
to pay rather than what the player demands becomes a very difficult job
indeed. "The reality for us is we're not mathematically safe so we can't put
any of those plans into practice. We have the first draft if you like, but
we can't react on any of that at the moment because we're not safe."
With only Marco Borriello (injured) and Matt Taylor (family concerns) likely
to be absent from this weekend's squad, the Hammers are in good stead as
they prepare to face a team with whom they played out an entertaining 3-3
draw at the Boleyn last December. "We're ok. The squad's all fully fit,"
confirmed Big Sam. "At the moment the rub of the green hasn't gone for us -
individual errors and of course errors by the officials have cost us pretty
dear - but we have to keep the performance level high, be more resilient and
determined to put points on the board. "We've always had the 40-point mark
on our mind to be absolutely certain. You never know, after the weekend it
[our current tally] might be enough. The task for us is to go and get some
points against West Brom, like we've tried so hard to get points out of the
last three games."
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Allardyce: Tombides loss "a massive blow"
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 24th April 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce believes the recent death of Dylan Tombides has affected
everyone at the club. The 20-year-old Academy forward died a week ago
following a three-year battle against testicular cancer. And Big Sam
admitted that his passing had cast a shadow over everything at West Ham this
week. "It's been hugely difficult," he admitted. "It's a massive blow to
everybody that knew Dylan, because of how many times we've seen him fighting
this intolerable illness. "We had so much hope [due to] the determination
he showed to recover from the treatment he had and recover from the disease
he had. It looked so many times like he'd recovered. "He was fit and never
wanted to miss a day's training, but unfortunately in the end it's been a
sad day for all of us, especially for the family. We're all very sad but we
have to move on in terms of being professional, but not forget the memory of
Dylan."
One of those most affected by Dylan's passing was best friend George Moncur,
currently on loan at Partick Thistle. "Dylan was my best mate in the whole
world," he said. "We were so close. When his brother, Taylor, texted me that
he'd passed away I burst into tears immediately. I couldn't believe what had
happened and that someone could be taken from us so young. "Dylan was so
funny, great to be around and everyone loved him. He was an inspiration. I
believed he had the ability to get to the first team and while it was going
to be hard coming back from cancer, he was strong enough to do it."
Moncur, whose father John was a guest on the KUMB Podcast last week
instinctively responded to his friend's passing by having Tombides' name
tattooed onto his lower arm. "He meant so much to me I decided to get a
tattoo in his memory so it's almost like we'll be together forever," added
Moncur. "The decision was instinctive. A tattoo is going to be there forever
and when I play now, Dylan will always be in my mind and it will be like I'm
playing for my mate. I know he'll be watching me from above."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce braced for 'difficult' summer transfer window
Last Updated: 24/04/14 1:39pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says he has already made plans for the next
transfer window but is braced for a difficult summer in the market. The
Hammers boss revealed he has made a preliminary list of targets but admitted
frustration that he cannot begin putting plans into action because his side
are not yet safe in the Premier League. West Ham sit 12th, seven points
above the drop zone with three games left, and host fellow
relegation-threatened West Brom on Saturday. And Allardyce said: "The
reality for us is this; we're not mathematically safe so we can't put any of
our plans into practice. We have the first draft, if you like, but we can't
react on any of that at the moment. "Our list in each position is
accumulated and then you try and start to move forward on that list. It's a
constant merry-go-round that we have to deal with in the difficult summer
months. "The great difficulty today is that you're competing with everybody
else in a financial market that is sometimes unbalanced. The growth of
wealth at the bigger clubs and what they can pay certainly has a cascading
effect going down to the players that you want. "If we all had the same
amount of money to start the season with then it would make it a much more
of an even playing field but it isn't like that now."
Allardyce also admitted that his troubled side have underachieved this
season but he insists the club will look to improve the squad as best they
can ahead of next season. "The players and I are always learning and always
know that we have to try to develop the team and move onto the next level -
to change, but not change too much," he said. "You have to get value for
money and quality players that are better than you've already got. That's
just the process of this business if you want to improve and get better."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Stewart Downing backs Andy Carroll to make England's squad
Last Updated: 24/04/14 10:21am
SSN
Stewart Downing has backed his West Ham United team-mate Andy Carroll to be
named in England's squad for this summer's World Cup finals Carroll has been
overlooked by England boss Roy Hodgson since returning to fitness in January
after a long injury lay-off. The former Liverpool and Newcastle man has not
played for England since October 2012 and Southampton's Rickie Lambert has
emerged on the international scene during Carroll's time on the sidelines.
Carroll has scored only two goals since returning to action, but Downing
believes his lack of goals will not harm of chances of making the trip to
Brazil as he is different to anyone else on the squad. "He knows that Roy
Hodgson is a big fan of his and I think if he stays fit, even if he didn't
score between now and the end of the season, I still think he is a big
threat for England and I think he will probably take him," said Downing.
"That is my own opinion. I just think he needs to keep playing well and take
his good form into the World Cup. "If you put it in that area, he gets on
the end of it. He is a target to hit. I think he is in with a hell of a
chance of going."
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WILL BORRIELLO, NOCERINO AND/OR ARMERO BE SIGNED IN THE SUMMER?
By S J Chandos 24 Apr 2014 at 07:00
West Ham Till I Die
In the January transfer window, the club completed the triple loan signings
of Serie A stars Marco Borriello (Roma), Antonio Nocerino (AC Milan) and
Pablo Armero (Napoli). It is fair to say that, to date, none of the three
loanees have been an unqualified success. The most disappointing signing is
undoubtedly Borriello, by virtue of his appearances being severely limited
by injury. While Armero has taken time to break in to the first team and is
only now starting to appear on a regular basis. Finally, we have Nocerino,
who has made the most first team of appearances of the three. However, the
majority of these have been from the substitutes bench and this has made it
difficult for the Italian international to both climatise to the English
Premier League and achieve a level of match fitness and form. The exception
being his recent start in the 3-1 away defeat to Arsenal, where he started
in midfield, was instrumental in creating the West Ham goal and put in a
good performance.
It is hard to assess Borriello due to his lack of first team appearances.
And with his continuing injury problems, it is looking increasingly likely
that Borriello will not be offered a West Ham contract at the end of the
season. Armero's initial time at the club was curious because, although we
heard good reports of his performance in training, he did not make an
immediate first team debut. More recently, he has achieved a breakthrough
and looked comfortable in the first team. In particular, Armero has looked
good going forward, down the left flank. There have, however, been question
marks whether he is equally as proficient at the defensive aspect of the
game. As demonstrated by the totally unnecessary penalty that he conceded
against Palace. There is a suspicion that he is more suited to a wing-back
role, as opposed to being deployed as a conventional full-back. Although
admittedly that proposition needs to be tested further.
Then we come to Antonio Nocerino. Many commentators felt that Nocerino was
West Ham's best player, in the Arsenal match, and that it boded well for
another start against Crystal Palace, the following Saturday. Yet, to the
surprise of many, Nocerino was omitted from the side and found himself back
on the substitutes bench. It is clear that Nocerino has ability,
demonstrated by his credentials as an established Italian international and
a player with notable Champions League experience. We saw a glimpse of his
ability against Arsenal, the question is can he bring something new to the
West Ham squad that might merit a deal?
With talk of West Ham making at least seven new signings in the summer, it
is likely to be a busy transfer window. The question is whether any of our
three Serie A loanees can earn themselves a permanent deal? At this
juncture, one can fairly safely predict that the club will not take up the
option of signing Borriello. So, its largely a question of whether deals
will be struck for either Armero or Nocerino? Of these, I feel that Armero
offers something different and could be an asset next season. Certainly, the
speculation is that the club are impressed with the Columbian international
and are intending to sign the player from Napoli. The situation with regard
to Nocerino is somewhat less clear. He has stated that he would like a move
to the club, but has he really had sufficient opportunity to stake a claim?
Probably not.
So, my assessment is that there is a greater possibility that Armero will
sign a permanent deal. However, Nocerino still has more to prove to clinch a
move. Hopefully, Sam Allardyce will give Nocerino an opportunity to show
just what he can do in the final three games of the season.
SJ. Chandos.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
David Moyes will return an 'even better manager' if he takes a break from
the game, claims Sam Allardyce
Apr 24, 2014 13:14 By Neil McLeman
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce insists David Moyes will return to football a better manager -
after taking a break from the game. The West Ham boss, an influential member
of the League Manager's Association, joined the criticism over how
Manchester United sacked the Scotsman this week. But Allardyce said Moyes
will eventually return older and wiser. "I wouldn't advise him to come back
into the game sooner - I would come back later if I were him," Big Sam said.
"He has done 15 years continuously - maybe even longer. Take some time with
the family and reflect and enjoy life a little bit more without the
pressures of particularly Premier League football will do him the world of
good and then when he emerges again, he will come back a better manager than
he already has been. And he has been one hell of a manager."
News of Moyes' sacking emerged on Monday afternoon before official
confirmation the following days. LMA chief executive Richard Bevan labelled
Moyes' treatment as "unprofessional". And Allardyce added: "On the outside,
and not knowing all the facts, Richard would know a lot more than me on the
process but from a distance, the leaking didn't look very good. "For
Manchester United as an institution and a football as large as they are, the
process looked like it was flawed which was a great shame for Manchester
United as a brand. "And of course David Moyes knowing his fate before he was
even told. That is how it looks from the outside. If that is the case, it is
a great shame for David and a great shame that Manchester United chose to
use that process."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Former West Ham Star Criticised Hypocritical Chelsea Boss Jose Mourinho
by Dan Kilpatrick April 24th, 2014
Former West Ham goalkeeper Shaka Hislop has issued a thinly-veiled criticism
of Jose Mourinho on social networking site twitter. The 45-year-old's tweet
referred to a comment made by Chelsea manager Mourinho in which he described
West Ham's football as '19th century' following a 0-0 draw with the Hammers
at Stamford Bridge in January. The visitors undoubtedly played for a draw in
West London but Mourinho's Chelsea have done the same on several times this
season, most recently in the 0-0 Champions League semi-final first leg at
Atletico Madrid. Like others, Hislop, who played for West Ham in two spells
between 1998 and 2006, has been left confused by the double standards, which
has seen pundits and the media praise Mourinho for his tactics yet small
smaller clubs like West Ham for being with happy with a point at the homes
of the big clubs.
Shaka Hislop @ShakaHislop
Follow
If a small club does it v a big club it's "19th century football". If a big
club does it v a smaller club it's "tactical genius". #confused
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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Friday, April 25
Thursday, April 24
Daily WHUFC News - 24th April 2014
Tomkins looks for greater solidity
WHUFC.com
James Tomkins says the Hammers have to get back to basics when it comes to
defending
23.04.2014
James Tomkins is focused on concentrating on the basics as West Ham United
look to bounce back at West Bromwich Albion next weekend. The defender said
the 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday was disappointing for everyone
as he thought, despite missed chances, the Hammers deserved to get something
from the game. "It was very disappointing for all of us. I think we deserved
something out of the match and a draw would have been the right result, so
we all came off very disappointed," the No5 explained. "Apart from their
penalty, there were a couple of other penalty decisions that might have
happened, one in the first half and one in the second for us, so could have
gone either way really. But at the end of it all, it just didn't happen for
us on the day and we need to just go again now and look to our next match,
at West Brom."
The Baggies are next up for the Hammers on Saturday in the last-but-one away
fixture of the season and Tomkins says it is the simple things that the team
just need to focus on. He continued: "Of course it will be a tough match at
West Brom next week, as they are fighting for points to stay up and we're
not quite there yet mathematically. We just have to concentrate on the
basics, keeping clean sheets and scoring goals, those are the main things.
"Penalties have been going against us more this season, so maybe we might
get one going for us in a game and little things that turn for you and give
you that boost. "We have got three games left but will be looking to get
points in our next match first of all and then look to get what we can to
end the season as strongly as possible."
The Hammers No5 also paid tribute to Dylan Tombides, whose sad passing was
marked by a number of tributes around the match at the Boleyn Ground against
Crystal Palace. The players wore black armbands in respect for Tombides but
the emotions around the match were very personal for all who knew the young
Australian striker. Tomkins' team-mate Mark Noble admitted the two of them
were talking after the match, saying the atmosphere and tributes made for an
emotional but significant tribute to his memory. "I think as a club, the
fans, everyone who knew Dylan, it has been great we could pay tribute to
Dylan as much as we can. I knew Dylan and his family well, they are a lovely
family and he was a great lad who battled really hard to overcome his
illness," Tomkins said. "I think everyone knows how much Dylan was held in
regards as a person and a player and he will never be forgotten here at the
club."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
POLL RESULT: THE ALLARDYCE SUCCESSION - LAUDRUP, BILIC & MOYES ARE THE FANS'
FAVOURITES
By Iain Dale 23 Apr 2014 at 19:25
West Ham Till I Die
These are the results of the poll I started yesterday, asking who you would
most (and least!) like to see Sam Allardyce. More than 2,200 of you voted,
which I think is a record. Ici les resultats…
Which of these potential successors to Sam Allardyce would you most like to
see manage West Ham, if Sam Allardyce is sacked at the end of the season?
Michael Laudrup 22%
Slaven Bilic 21%
David Moyes 19%
Harry Redknapp 7%
Glenn Hoddle 6%
Eddie Howe 5%
Alan Pardew 5%
Roberto Di Matteo 5%
Malky Mackay 4%
Paolo Di Canio 3%
Steve Clarke 1%
All the others, including Zola, scored below 1%. Alex McLeish failed to get
a single vote.
Which of these would you be quite happy with as West Ham manager? (tick all
that apply)
Slaven Bilic 62%
Michael Laudrup 61%
David Moyes 51%
Roberto Di Matteo 34%
Harry Redknapp 31%
Malky Mackay 30%
Alan Pardew 29%
Glenn Hoddle 26%
Gus Poyet 20%
Eddie Howe 20%
Paolo Di Canio 18%
Steve Clarke 16%
Gianfranco Zola 14%
Tony Pulis 11%
Alan Curbishley 7%
Chris Hughton 7%
All the others scored under 5%.
Which of these potential West Ham managers would you never want to see
managing the club? (tick as many as are relevant)
Alex McLeish 71%
Iain Dowie 66%
Tony Pulis 54%
Alan Curbishley 48%
Chris Hughton 42%
Lee Clark 29%
Harry Redknapp 36%
Paolo Di Canio 31%
Glenn Hoddle 28%
Alan Pardew 29%
Steve Clarke 28%
Gianfranco Zola 27%
Gus Poyet 24%
Eddie Howe 20%
Malky Mackay 20%
Roberto Di Matteo 15%
David Moyes 16%
Michael Laudrup 6%
Slaven Bilic 5%
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham flop Nsereko finally getting back on track in Kazakhstan
Here Is The City
Mathew Nash
11 hours ago
Savio Nsereko is now playing his football for FC Atyrau in Kazakhstan. West
Ham broke their transfer record last summer in order to bring Andy Carroll
to the club on a permanent deal from Liverpool - paying £15 million for the
pleasure. And while he has had his troubles with injury he is certainly not
struggling as much as a previous holder of the record as West Ham's most
expensive signing. Gianfranco Zola spent £9 million on 19-year-old German
youth international Savio Nsereko in January 2009. But after just ten games
for The Hammers he failed to score and left for Fiorentina. In that time he
was consistently AWOL, out on loan and generally misbehaving at La Viola. He
spent time on loan with Bologna, Juve Stabia and 1860 Munich whilst also
sampling football in Bulgaria and Romania with Chernomerets Burgas and FC
Vaslui respectively. He then moved back to Germany with SpVgg Unterhaching
and eventually found himself playing for Viktoria Koln in German football's
fourth tier. Midway through last year however, and it appeared he was
getting yet another second chance - as it was being reported the player had
agreed a free transfer move to Israeli side Hapoel Ironi Akko. But despite
what seemed likely to be a good deal all around it was soon announced that
Nsereko had failed to earn a contract with the club. It is not only on the
pitch where he has struggled - In 2012 he spent three weeks in a Thai jail
after faking a kidnapping to extort money from a family member. At the end
of last year he was dealt a lifeline from an unlikely location - Kazakhstan.
Nsereko signed for Kazakh Premier League side FC Atyrau in December 2013.
And it is proving to be a success. He got a full pre-season under his belt
and announced himself onto the Kazakh scene in some style - scoring this
sensational goal on his debut - his first goal in professional football
since he netted as a teenager for Brescia, against Pisa, in January 2009!
Playing from the left-wing he has shone as one of the best players in the
league and at only 24-years-old the former German under-20 international is
finally starting to win some fans over after 10 teams, six years and six
countries. It may only be Kazakhstan - but it might be the perfect place for
him to rebuild his career.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Moyes sacking means West Ham boss is fifth highest paid in Premier League
By matt_harris | Posted: April 23, 2014
BrentwoodGazette
DAVID MOYES' sacking at Manchester United means West Ham United's Sam
Allardyce is the fifth highest paid boss in the Premier League. The Hammers'
supremo earns £2.95m a year and sits behind Jose Mourinho (£8.37m), Arsene
Wenger (£6.89m), Manuel Pellegrini (£3.47m) and Brendan Rodgers (£3.25m) in
the wages table, despite West Ham sitting 12th. Allardyce is paid the same
wage as England manager Roy Hodgson and earns almost a million more than
Spain's World Cup and two-time European Championships winning manager
Vicente del Bosque (£1.96m.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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WHUFC.com
James Tomkins says the Hammers have to get back to basics when it comes to
defending
23.04.2014
James Tomkins is focused on concentrating on the basics as West Ham United
look to bounce back at West Bromwich Albion next weekend. The defender said
the 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday was disappointing for everyone
as he thought, despite missed chances, the Hammers deserved to get something
from the game. "It was very disappointing for all of us. I think we deserved
something out of the match and a draw would have been the right result, so
we all came off very disappointed," the No5 explained. "Apart from their
penalty, there were a couple of other penalty decisions that might have
happened, one in the first half and one in the second for us, so could have
gone either way really. But at the end of it all, it just didn't happen for
us on the day and we need to just go again now and look to our next match,
at West Brom."
The Baggies are next up for the Hammers on Saturday in the last-but-one away
fixture of the season and Tomkins says it is the simple things that the team
just need to focus on. He continued: "Of course it will be a tough match at
West Brom next week, as they are fighting for points to stay up and we're
not quite there yet mathematically. We just have to concentrate on the
basics, keeping clean sheets and scoring goals, those are the main things.
"Penalties have been going against us more this season, so maybe we might
get one going for us in a game and little things that turn for you and give
you that boost. "We have got three games left but will be looking to get
points in our next match first of all and then look to get what we can to
end the season as strongly as possible."
The Hammers No5 also paid tribute to Dylan Tombides, whose sad passing was
marked by a number of tributes around the match at the Boleyn Ground against
Crystal Palace. The players wore black armbands in respect for Tombides but
the emotions around the match were very personal for all who knew the young
Australian striker. Tomkins' team-mate Mark Noble admitted the two of them
were talking after the match, saying the atmosphere and tributes made for an
emotional but significant tribute to his memory. "I think as a club, the
fans, everyone who knew Dylan, it has been great we could pay tribute to
Dylan as much as we can. I knew Dylan and his family well, they are a lovely
family and he was a great lad who battled really hard to overcome his
illness," Tomkins said. "I think everyone knows how much Dylan was held in
regards as a person and a player and he will never be forgotten here at the
club."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
POLL RESULT: THE ALLARDYCE SUCCESSION - LAUDRUP, BILIC & MOYES ARE THE FANS'
FAVOURITES
By Iain Dale 23 Apr 2014 at 19:25
West Ham Till I Die
These are the results of the poll I started yesterday, asking who you would
most (and least!) like to see Sam Allardyce. More than 2,200 of you voted,
which I think is a record. Ici les resultats…
Which of these potential successors to Sam Allardyce would you most like to
see manage West Ham, if Sam Allardyce is sacked at the end of the season?
Michael Laudrup 22%
Slaven Bilic 21%
David Moyes 19%
Harry Redknapp 7%
Glenn Hoddle 6%
Eddie Howe 5%
Alan Pardew 5%
Roberto Di Matteo 5%
Malky Mackay 4%
Paolo Di Canio 3%
Steve Clarke 1%
All the others, including Zola, scored below 1%. Alex McLeish failed to get
a single vote.
Which of these would you be quite happy with as West Ham manager? (tick all
that apply)
Slaven Bilic 62%
Michael Laudrup 61%
David Moyes 51%
Roberto Di Matteo 34%
Harry Redknapp 31%
Malky Mackay 30%
Alan Pardew 29%
Glenn Hoddle 26%
Gus Poyet 20%
Eddie Howe 20%
Paolo Di Canio 18%
Steve Clarke 16%
Gianfranco Zola 14%
Tony Pulis 11%
Alan Curbishley 7%
Chris Hughton 7%
All the others scored under 5%.
Which of these potential West Ham managers would you never want to see
managing the club? (tick as many as are relevant)
Alex McLeish 71%
Iain Dowie 66%
Tony Pulis 54%
Alan Curbishley 48%
Chris Hughton 42%
Lee Clark 29%
Harry Redknapp 36%
Paolo Di Canio 31%
Glenn Hoddle 28%
Alan Pardew 29%
Steve Clarke 28%
Gianfranco Zola 27%
Gus Poyet 24%
Eddie Howe 20%
Malky Mackay 20%
Roberto Di Matteo 15%
David Moyes 16%
Michael Laudrup 6%
Slaven Bilic 5%
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham flop Nsereko finally getting back on track in Kazakhstan
Here Is The City
Mathew Nash
11 hours ago
Savio Nsereko is now playing his football for FC Atyrau in Kazakhstan. West
Ham broke their transfer record last summer in order to bring Andy Carroll
to the club on a permanent deal from Liverpool - paying £15 million for the
pleasure. And while he has had his troubles with injury he is certainly not
struggling as much as a previous holder of the record as West Ham's most
expensive signing. Gianfranco Zola spent £9 million on 19-year-old German
youth international Savio Nsereko in January 2009. But after just ten games
for The Hammers he failed to score and left for Fiorentina. In that time he
was consistently AWOL, out on loan and generally misbehaving at La Viola. He
spent time on loan with Bologna, Juve Stabia and 1860 Munich whilst also
sampling football in Bulgaria and Romania with Chernomerets Burgas and FC
Vaslui respectively. He then moved back to Germany with SpVgg Unterhaching
and eventually found himself playing for Viktoria Koln in German football's
fourth tier. Midway through last year however, and it appeared he was
getting yet another second chance - as it was being reported the player had
agreed a free transfer move to Israeli side Hapoel Ironi Akko. But despite
what seemed likely to be a good deal all around it was soon announced that
Nsereko had failed to earn a contract with the club. It is not only on the
pitch where he has struggled - In 2012 he spent three weeks in a Thai jail
after faking a kidnapping to extort money from a family member. At the end
of last year he was dealt a lifeline from an unlikely location - Kazakhstan.
Nsereko signed for Kazakh Premier League side FC Atyrau in December 2013.
And it is proving to be a success. He got a full pre-season under his belt
and announced himself onto the Kazakh scene in some style - scoring this
sensational goal on his debut - his first goal in professional football
since he netted as a teenager for Brescia, against Pisa, in January 2009!
Playing from the left-wing he has shone as one of the best players in the
league and at only 24-years-old the former German under-20 international is
finally starting to win some fans over after 10 teams, six years and six
countries. It may only be Kazakhstan - but it might be the perfect place for
him to rebuild his career.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Moyes sacking means West Ham boss is fifth highest paid in Premier League
By matt_harris | Posted: April 23, 2014
BrentwoodGazette
DAVID MOYES' sacking at Manchester United means West Ham United's Sam
Allardyce is the fifth highest paid boss in the Premier League. The Hammers'
supremo earns £2.95m a year and sits behind Jose Mourinho (£8.37m), Arsene
Wenger (£6.89m), Manuel Pellegrini (£3.47m) and Brendan Rodgers (£3.25m) in
the wages table, despite West Ham sitting 12th. Allardyce is paid the same
wage as England manager Roy Hodgson and earns almost a million more than
Spain's World Cup and two-time European Championships winning manager
Vicente del Bosque (£1.96m.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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Wednesday, April 23
Daily WHUFC News - 23rd April 2014
On this day - 23 April
WHUFC.com
A famous win in the FA Cup was secured on this day eight years ago
23.04.2014
Classic match
Middlesbrough 0-1 West Ham United
FA Cup semi-final
23 April 2006
It was on this day eight years ago that West Ham United sealed their place
in the FA Cup final. Villa Park was the venue for their last-four showdown
with fellow top-flight side Middlesbrough, following wins over Norwich,
Blackburn, Bolton and Manchester City in the previous rounds. The two teams
had met in the league just a week earlier at the Riverside Stadium, with
Boro coming out on top by a 2-0 scoreline, but Alan Pardew's men ensured
there would be no repeat when it mattered. Marlon Harewood struck in the
78th minute, holding off Gareth Southgate after gathering Dean Ashton's
knockdown and powering an angled drive into the roof of the net.
Middlesbrough were unable to respond as the Hammers made it to the final,
where Liverpool eventually prevailed on penalties following a dramatic 3-3
draw.
Complete record - 23 April
2012 Leicester City 1-2 West Ham United (Championship)
2011 Chelsea 3-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
2006 Middlesbrough 0-1 West Ham United (FA Cup semi-final)
2005 Brighton and Hove Albion 2-2 West Ham United (Championship)
1997 Leicester City 0-1 West Ham United (Premier League)
1994 West Ham United 1-2 Liverpool (Premier League)
1988 West Ham United 1-1 Coventry City (Division One)
1983 West Ham United 2-0 Aston Villa (Division One)
1973 Birmingham City 0-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1965 West Ham United 2-1 Blackpool (Division One)
1962 Cardiff City 3-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1960 Luton Town 3-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1955 Bury 4-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1949 Grimsby Town 3-0 West Ham United (Division Two)
1938 Sheffield United 3-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1932 Birmingham City 4-2 West Ham United (Division One)
1927 West Ham United 1-1 Newcastle United (Division One)
1921 West Ham United 1-1 Port Vale (Division Two)
Played 18, Won 5, Drawn 5, Lost 8, Scored 19, Conceded 32
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tombides front runner for Player of the Year
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 22nd April 2014
By: Staff Writer
Dylan Tombides has emerged as one of the favourites to win this year's KUMB
Player of the Year award. The young striker, who passed away last week
following a lengthy battle against testicular cancer is the number one
choice of many Hammers fans to win this year's Readers' Award, as voted for
by KUMB.com visitors/members. With no clear front runner materialising from
the current first team squad, Tombides has been hailed as the first choice
of a number of fans due to his determination and persistence in battling the
disease that ultimately cost him his life. Voting in this year's KUMB Awards
begins next Monday, following this weekend's trip to West Bromwich Albion.
Readers will once be asked to vote in a number of categories (12 this year),
the full list of which are as follows:
Player of the Year
Young Player of the Year
Goal of the Season
Best Signing
Most Memorable Match
Most Improved Player
Most Missed
KUMB Podcast Poster of the Year
Worst Player of the Year
Worst Signing
Greatest Disappointment
Hackett of the Year
The winners of all 12 categories will be revealed live at the KUMB Readers'
Awards evening, which takes place at East Ham Working Men's Club on Tuesday,
13th May in front of a live audience.
Tickets for the event are priced at just £10 each, with all profits going to
Cancer Research UK.
Star guests on the night are Hammers legends Frank McAvennie and Martin 'Mad
Dog' Allen plus former stadium announcer Jeremy Nicholas, all of whom will
be available for questions and autographs. You may purchase tickets for the
event here.
* The KUMB Awards began in 1997, when John Hartson was our very first Player
of the Year. A full list of last season's winners - and all previous winners
dating back to 1997 - may be found on the KUMB Awards home page.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
A real high, followed by a new low
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 21st April 2014
By: Gary Portugal
It was quite stirring to see the response of supporters in the 38th minute
of Saturday's game vs. Palace. The response of BOTH sets of supporters.
It's not often I have anything positive to say about opposition support at
Upton Park, but the acknowledgement of Tombides' passing by Palace
supporters was superb. The irony is that this joint show of support by home
and away fans was the highlight of our season at Upton Park for me.
I've gotten not an ounce of joy at Upton Park this season apart from the 3-0
win vs Fulham. That is how dire this season has been, especially at Upton
Park - an unmitigated disaster, even if we are likely to avoid relegation.
It is simply unacceptable to lose twice in a season to a newly-promoted side
- especially one that looked dead and buried last autumn. It shows how far
backwards we have moved this season.
This time, nobody can blame injuries. We have close to a fully-fit side.
Something most teams don't have at this stage of the season. What we DON'T
have is any creativity at all. We have become not only the most boring side
in the Premier League but the side with the most predictable "attack" and
the side that is easiest to defend against.
What we DON'T have is determination. I see few players giving 100 per cent,
such as Matt Jarvis, Mark Noble and Adrian. But I see too many loafing or
sulking, like Andy Carroll and Mo Diame. It is appalling to watch.
People will point to Palace's run of form and of them being hard to break
down. That is no excuse. It was OUR home game. And we needed something from
the game, even a point, to ensure our survival. Now, we are left dependent
on other teams' results , which is a horrible way to end a season. And no
platform to build on.
We face the very real prospect of ending the season with six straight
defeats, even if I'd like to think that we could scrape a point vs WBA and
Spurs. In truth, we were very fortunate to come away with three points
against Hull and Sunderland.
If you look at it player by player, it's depressing. Ravel Morrison, a
player of such promise languishing - though in truth Sam Allardyce probably
can't be blamed for that. Jack Collison is now a shadow of what he was
whilst James Tomkins looks bereft of confidence.
Pablo Almero is making schoolboy errors. Adrian is playing well but is
unwilling to come off his line for corners. Stewart Downing, having had a
good season overall, is now struggling. Ricardo Vaz Te, having been due back
months ago, is still seemingly not fit. Joe Cole looks utterly past it.
Diame looks as lazy as ever, whether he plays centrally or out wide. Kevin
Nolan, after a brief revival has reverted back to anonymity and,
diabolically, Carroll looks like he just couldn't give a funk. Sulking,
arguing with referees, moaning at a lack of service and playing the absolute
worst football of his career. This, in a World Cup year.
You couldn't make it up. We are being outfought week in and week out by
teams with worse squads and poorer finances than ours. It is embarrassing.
Some will say that it's too easy and too convenient to point the finger at
the manager; I disagree.
Some will say that Allardyce has performed a miracle in keeping us up,
especially with our long injury list. Again, I disagree. We are extremely
fortunate to be on 37 points. To me, the buck stops with the manager, and I
do not see how this club can move forward under the stewardship of
Allardyce.
Sam appears to have gotten away with it this season, just. But he has been
found out. If he remains manager after this season, we are going to be
continuously involved in a relegation scrap. For which there is no excuse,
given the amount of money invested in this club by the current owners.
Let's start with the issue of injuries. ALL clubs have them, no exceptions.
Yes, our injury list was worse than most. But that it was what you assemble
a SQUAD for. Allardyce did no such thing last summer. We were left absurdly
short of striker cover as has been repeatedly documented. And also short of
cover at centre back.
And, perhaps with the benefit of hindsight, short in central midfield as
well. All of which was Allardyce's choice. He chose how to spend our
transfer money and who to spend it on. And he did so very irresponsibly. So
I have limited sympathy regarding the injuries. You make your bed and lie in
it, especially if you are someone as arrogant as Allardyce who antagonises
his own fans.
Typically, critics of Allardyce will focus on his tactics and the boring
nature of our football. That actually doesn't tell the full story. I have no
issue with tactics that WORK. If the tactics WORK, and win us matches, or at
least avoid us LOSING matches , I will accept and even support such
tactics,no matter how dreary they are.
We are in a weak financial position and hence must focus on what gets us
points , not what looks pretty. But the problem is that Sam's tactics AREN'T
working. Which makes watching such dross intolerable. We have lost six of
the last eight matches ,including matches where we were in a position to get
something from the game at half time.
If you strip out the excellent February that we had, which included some
good fortune, the tactics clearly aren't working. Yet, in the wake of such
poor results, Allardyce has shown limited or no appetite to change either
personnel or tactics.
If Carroll is an isolated figure at the moment then Allardyce should be
willing to bench Nolan or to play two up front with Carlton Cole, or both.
Instead, Allardyce changes nothing and we remain incredibly easy to defend
against. Compounded by the fact that we do not have a single reliable
midfield goal scorer. Clearly something that the manager failed to consider
in the close season.
Which leads to the next issue - that being the inability of Allardyce to
attract good players. Why would any quality forward want to come here when
all you get is scraps unless Carroll is injured? Why would any small, quick
forward want to join us when Nolan, despite having no pace, occupies that
spot?
West Ham under Allardyce is a team that is perpetually papering over the
cracks, to basically just "survive" from one season to the next. Yes, that
is partly due to our finances. But it is also due to a manager with a very
limited, narrow, inflexible approach to the game.
Being hard to beat is important. And yes, we have kept 13 clean
sheets,though none recently. But to be hard to beat, you must offer
SOMETHING in attack. And we simply don't. Which again makes it hard to
attract players who can turn games or win matches. Allardyce's ethos simply
doesn't attract players with that sort of match-winning quality or
mentality.
How many of our players ever look like they really WANT the ball, apart from
Noble? The best players don't want to be perpetually having to win or draw
ugly. If you listen to his media chats, they're always about exposing the
opposition's weaknesses, rarely about maximising our strengths.
In other words, it's an approach based on capitalising on others' mistakes.
Not on creating our own opportunities through quality. The truth is that you
cannot survive too long with only the former.
In the end, West Ham fans deserve more than just Premier League football. We
deserve being able to attend matches without the constant fear of relegation
year in and year out. It's not too much to ask for, really, for a club of
this size and history.
No West Ham supporter expects European football or to win cups. But we do,
rightfully at this stage, expect to be well clear of relegation scraps. Do
we even realistically expect to ever finish above tenth in our current
financial state? No. But we do have a right to not be put through this
relegation scrap year in and year out . We do have a right to expect lessons
to be learned from mistakes.
Inevitably, the next question is who I would propose to replace Allardyce at
the end of the season? My answer is that there has got to be SOMEONE more
capable of moving this club forward than him. Is it McKay, Laudrup or
someone else? Who knows? But our owners need to give it a long, hard think
at the end of this season, assuming we stay up.
Limping our way to the Olympic Stadium is not a business plan. The owners
are doing all they can, in my view. But they need a manager who is up to the
task.
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The real West Ham way - if you can remember
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 22nd April 2014
By: Paul Walker
It's becoming something of a cliché now - the West Ham way - as if it
doesn't, or didn't exist. As if it is some dream from our past.
We have had big Sam being patronising and claiming he's asked around, and
nobody knows what it is. Now we have Alan Shearer slagging us off. And the
search and the polls continue. Just what is the West Ham way?
Well, I have tried to keep out of all this nonsense, as if we have set
ourselves up as something special, something that others cannot and have not
been.
Ok, so I can keep quite for only so long. Those of us, admittedly a
dwindling band of 50-somethings who were around at the time it all started
to evolve, know the score. And it's not rocket science.
It's the sort of passing , attacking football that Southampton use. It's the
way Arsenal play (when they feel like it). It's how Liverpool at their best
in the '60s and '80s played. Even Spurs managed it.
The key is defending well, attacking well and producing pace, understanding
and passing that opens up opponents. Like Liverpool are using and are about
to win the Premier League.
We didn't invent it. Ron Greenwood didn't conjure it up out of thin air like
Moses returning from the mountains with tablets of stone. Hungary played
that way in the '50s. They inspired the great Wolves teams, Spurs double
winners, Chelsea's great attacking sides with Peter Osgood and Charlie
Cooke.
The key is to pass the ball to a colleague on the ground, to attack and to
entertain. I will pause there for a second so big Sam can catch-up.
We were saddled with the 'West Ham way' tag way back in Ted Fenton's day
when journalists came up with the name to describe the way we were
introducing European-style tactics and a general approach that involved an
Academy-based production line of young talent.
Greenwood continued the inventive theme and John Lyall took it a stage
further, trying to add some steel while not losing the flair. It sometimes
worked. It worked also under Harry Redknapp, but not as effectively.
Now we have a manager who cannot even spell the word flair. Who has no
interest in entertainment, just an industrial approach to acquiring points
by not conceding goals. He is a deliberate anti-Christ to what West Ham fans
want.
But if you go back to the '60s when I started watching West Ham on a weekly
basis, the style and flair of the Bobby Moore side was the closest to what
we are now all craving for. It had it's drawbacks, I used to beg to see a
Hammers side who could attack, but also defend with the spitefulness of
Leeds and the power and resolve of Liverpool.
If Sam wants to have an idea of what we are talking about, I suggest he
takes a look back and find some archive stuff around the seasons between
62-63 and 66-67. That's the best years of our club's life, and the football
has left a indelible mark on my brain ever since.
I give you Johnny Byrne and Geoff Hurst. Eat your hearts out Kevin Nolan and
Andy Carroll. Budgie and Hurst were the best double act I have ever seen.
West Ham's best-ever striking partnership.
They were the ones who benefited from an attacking philosophy. In the five
seasons I have mentioned, between them they scored 227 goals. I will again
pause for big Sam to catch up and wonder just what Nolan and Carroll are
doing wrong.
Hurst twice topped 40 goals in all competitions for a season. Byrne, a
deep-lying forward we would not call, playing in the hole, once managed 33
goals from that role, likened by Greenwood to an English version of Alfredo
Di Stefano. Now, what you do now Sam is Google that name so you have some
idea what I am talking about.
Byrne scored 86 goal in those five seasons for West Ham and Hurst - no
shrinking violet who could mix it with the thugs in the game around that
time - scored 141 goals in that same spell. Yes, I mean you Norman Hunter,
Ron Harris and Tommy Smith.
Big Sam is now going to trot out all the stuff about the game being
different now, played by super-fit athletes who have to play his way to
survive in the top flight, because survival is all that matters in this
cash-crazy football world. And yes, I do understand the need to stay in the
to flight, relegation now is a financial disaster that has no comparison in
the days of the 60s.
But it doesn't mean you don't try. Swansea have tried this style and they
have been in danger of going down, which no doubt Sam would use as
ammunition for his argument.
But what I want now is not to hear my son and his mates, who work hard
during the week and want some excitement, entertainment and enjoyment from
their football, saying how little they are enjoying what they are watching.
That sort of attitude eventually leads to people not renewing their season
tickets. I am told that this is the earliest anyone can recall season
tickets being on sale for next season. As if they are desperate for the
money or want to test the water to see what the uptake is.
If people do stop renewing their season tickets, our owners will have a
problem. And that problem is an inflexible Sam. I am not looking for the
moon, I just want to see something I enjoy watching, something that stirs
the spirit.
In the research into the '60s that provides the core of this piece, I
happened upon a spell of matches in the 66-67 season that sums it up
perfectly. And I saw most of these matches.
In a couple of months, November and December of that season, West Ham scored
32 goals in nine league games, including an amazing 5-5 draw at Chelsea
(yes, we were leading 5-3 with ten minutes left, some things never change).
There was also a run of four matches in eight days that saw us beat Fulham
6-1, Spurs - away - 4-3, Leeds in the League Cup 7-0 and Newcastle 3-0.
The Leeds game was the pinnacle, one of the best games I ever saw. John
Sissons scored a hat-trick in the first half hour and Hurst got a treble
later. I can still recall Billy Bremner in front of the Chicken Run with a
couple of minutes left, still screaming and berating his colleagues to get a
grip.
Good for him, I thought, this really is hurting. Don Revie is supposed to
have told his team that such a result against us would never happen again. I
recall them kicking us to bits every time we played them after that.
And no, I am not expecting our players to run up such goal tallies. But I
want them to try, to look positive and interested and to show they care.
That team of the mid-'60s had its faults, bad ones, but that five-season
spell saw only one relegation fight and we always finished mid-table. So it
can be done. Pass the DVD, Sam. You know it makes sense.
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A summer of change
KUMb.com
Filed: Monday, 21st April 2014
By: Jack Coddyfriend
Hi, my name is Jack. I'm a 21st century kid, born in 2000.
One thing in my life has been consistent, West Ham United; not the form, the
club, the players, the manager or the league, my support. I've been watching
West Ham since the 2006 FA Cup final, West Ham vs Liverpool, we lost. Why do
I support West Ham then? 'West Ham needs me.'
That was six-year-old me, Liverpool didn't need my support, they won the
final without it. West Ham lost and they needed me behind them. That was the
thought process in my six-year-old brain, subconsciously or consciously.
Here I am, eight years later, writing my thoughts about the club I love, a
lot of thoughts.
Where to start? Let's start with the league; we are a Barclays Premier
League club, sitting in 12th place on 37 points after 35 games. We look
relatively safe, from relegation of course. Our manager is Sam Allardyce aka
'Allardici' and Davids Gold and Sullivan own the club.
We're moving in two season's time to the Olympic Stadium, leaving the Boleyn
Ground and all its history behind us. The owners want to move us forward,
take us from a mid-table side, just about avoiding relegation, to a side
that can challenge for places in European cups and competitions. A lot is
going to need to be done to take us there and it will be a quite an
achievement if we make it to that calibre.
If we want to get there we're going to have to look at many things, staff,
manager and squad. Let's start by looking at the squad. I'm going to analyse
each player, subs, starting XI and some others, and give my view, from the
stands, on them.
Goalkeepers
Adrian San Miguel – An outstanding purchase from Real Betis by Allardyce. He
has been a very good 'keeper since his arrival and has performed multiple
outstanding saves. He has good distribution and reflexes. A good shot
stopper, my only worries are sometimes his handling and command of the box.
On a side note, one of the things that is best about this goalkeeper is not
his performance on the pitch but his way of interacting with the crowd which
has quickly made him a fan favourite.
Jussi Jaaskelainen – Again a very good signing from Bolton by Allardyce.
Jaaskelainen is a fantastic 'keeper to have on the bench as he could make
the grade as a first team 'keeper at some other clubs in the league. Jussi
is a fantastic 'keeper but has arrived in the twilight of his career. Being
39 means that his level and performances are starting to worsen and his
handling has become a lot more of a problem this season.
Full backs
Guy Demel – Yet again, I must mention that this was another good purchase by
Allardyce. Brought in from Hamburger SV he has been a very good right back
for us since he overcame his injury problems. Demel is very good at
attacking and providing an overlap for the right winger. He has good skill
going forward and enough to get past some left backs to get crosses into the
box.
However, being a right back means he has to do a lot of defensive work as
well and he is not as solid in this area as I would like him to be. He has
good strength; no one in their right mind would doubt that. Although in my
opinion he doesn't stop crosses from the opposition's left winger coming
into the box enough. He doesn't shepherd players well enough and shield the
box from shots or crosses. He doesn't get tight enough to his man as well.
Demel is also 32 years old and for the reasons provided I think we need to
improve in this area.
Joey O'Brien – Brought in from Bolton by Allardyce, Joey has done well to
overcome his injury problems and feature multiple times in the starting line
up. For me, he is too inconsistent, when I see his name on the team sheet I
don't know what O'Brien I'm going to get. A solid full back that gets
forward well and shuts out wingers or a player who loses the ball and
doesn't deal well with attacking players. He doesn't cut it in the starting
XI but is good enough for the bench/reserves for now. Being 28 years old,
age is not too much of a worry just yet as well.
Pablo Armero – On loan from Napoli until the end of the season, Pablo has
only recently made a burst into the first team. From what I've seen so far,
I've been impressed other than his silly tackle on Cameron Jerome in Crystal
Palace's 1-0 win over us he has been good. Good enough, in fact, for me to
suggest that we should attempt to purchase him permanently. The 27-year-old
has shown he is good enough for the side and my only problem with him is
that he seems afraid to cross the ball when supporting the winger. Whip it
in Pablo!
George McCartney – Another buy from Allardyce, McCartney has been a solid
player and is ever the consistent. Being 32 years old he is also in the
twilight of his career but considering his form I am happy to have him as a
substitute left back. Side note: Not to be played at right back on evidence
from West Ham 0-1 Crystal Palace, poor performance.
Centre backs
Winston Reid – Probably the best player in our team. Brilliantly consistent,
barely every puts a foot wrong in defence and is only 25. Definitely not
someone we should look to replace and definitely not someone we should let
go to a bigger club. If we want to become one of those bigger clubs then we
can't let players like him go.
James Collins – 'The Ginger Pele'! What fantastic neck muscles this man has!
Brilliant in the air and uses this to his advantage in defence and attack.
Not always the same with his tackles. In some games he has been quite superb
and has put in a lot of great tackles however, in others he can be
inconsistent, applying pressure to far up the pitch and breaking the
defensive line, rushing into tackles and leaving gaps in behind. Good enough
to retain his place in the XI or to switch around with Tomkins although, I
really wouldn't mind another very solid, consistent centre back to partner
Reid. Furthermore, he is 30, meaning he will also come into the twilight of
his career fairly soon.
James Tomkins – Solid centre back and someone I'm happy to watch in the
side. Could give Collins a run for his money and make into the starting
line-up consistently. Further consider the fact that James is only 25
meaning he has quite a lot of time to grow and improve yet, only more reason
to keep hold of him and possibly play him more often. Despite all of this I
will say the same thing as I did with Collins; I wouldn't mind another
centre back to partner Reid who is better than both of the James'. Another
option to consider is bringing in another centre back simply for squad depth
because, as we have seen this season, we don't have enough depth in this
position and Roger Johnson is not good enough as a fourth centre back.
Roger Johnson – 'The Relegator'! On loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, Roger
is known as 'The Relegator' because he was involved in Wolves' double
relegation to League 1. He is not Premier League quality and needs to be
offloaded in my opinion as I am sure he will be. It was a panic loan from
Wolves due to our situation earlier in the season with injuries. He just
isn't of Premier League class in my opinion. He should be replaced with a
better centre back for stronger squad depth.
Central Midfielders
Mark Noble – Mark must have claret and blue blood! He grew up in Canning
Town and has come through the ranks to be a West Ham player and vice
captain. He is one of the most consistent players in the league and always
provides defensive solidity in front of the back four and is always ice cool
from the penalty spot. Mark is a shoo-in for next season's side.
The only area where Noble can be unconvincing is when it comes to going
forward. He can sometimes look lost once he gets near the oppositions box
and often looks afraid to shoot. Furthermore, he is simply not very good at
free kicks, I don't know why he takes our free kicks and if he is the best
we've got, we either need to practise free kicks on the training ground or
invest in someone who can take them.
Kevin Nolan – Either played in an attacking midfield role or in behind the
striker Kevin Nolan is incredibly good at feeding off scraps or knock downs.
Nolan is our top scorer this season with seven goals. He has virtually saved
us from relegation when he had his run of sparkling form in our four wins in
a row during February. Kevin is 31 and is entering the twilight of his
career, being the captain he can't exactly be dropped to easily but in my
opinion, his form has been too inconsistent this season. Furthermore, his
two red cards highlight is inconsistency and volatility I would like to see
Kevin played at the start of next season but if he doesn't start it well,
replaced in the starting XI.
Antonio Nocerino – On loan from AC Milan, Antonio is a player who can thrive
in behind a big striker as he did with Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Milan. He has
not quite reached those dizzy heights with us and Andy Carroll and I
wouldn't want him signed on a permanent basis at the end of the season from
what I've seen. He is too inconsistent, loses the ball too much and
Allardyce seems to agree with me considering the fact that Antonio is only
making appearances from the bench.
Mohamed Diame – Diame is the most inconsistent player at the club. You have
no clue what you're going to get from Mohamed! My problem with Diame is that
he is too much of a solo player and doesn't seem to hold the team in his
best interests. This shows in a lot of his laziness on the pitch. However,
Diame is a fantastic player when he wants to be and can make brilliant,
driving, skilful runs through the opposition on occasion. Personally, I
think Diame is too inconsistent to be in the starting XI and should be
dropped to the bench.
Ravel Morrison – Ravel is an attacking midfielder and is a very good one at
that. At the age of 21 there is a lot of time for Ravel to grow and improve.
My main issue with Ravel, as I am sure is everyone's, is that he is too full
of himself. His character and ego are a major problem and he needs to put
his past behind him and focus on the football.
If he focuses on the football and the team then he has a big chance of
becoming a wonderful player and an England international. He has the skill
but not the mindset, putting him out on loan at Championship clubs is the
right idea but I would like to see him back at the club and on the bench
next season. Side note: Very good at coming on as an impact substitute, not
sure if he is a 90 minute Premier League player quite yet.
Matthew Taylor – Another good player for squad depth, Matthew is useful
because he can play in the centre of midfield, on the left wing and at left
back. He is not the classiest player and does not really have the skills for
Premier League football however; I like Taylor because he always puts 100
per cent effort in and gives his absolute all every game. Being 32 means he
is in the twilight of his career and should be kept for squad depth.
Alou Diarra – What a terrible signing! Wrong attitude, wrong fitness, wrong
work rate and he's 33. Needs to be sold in summer because of the money we're
wasting on his wages. Doesn't seem to want to be at the club and should be
sent on his way.
Jack Collison – His name is Jack and he's Welsh, keep him! I think he still
needs time to grow and should be given further loan opportunities in the
Championship after his loan at Wigan ends; he's only 25 after all.
Wingers
Stewart Downing – Fantastic signing by Allardyce and he's blossomed well
under the system that Big Sam plays. Has a fantastic cross on him and he can
cut in and shoot. He's a very good winger and someone who should definitely
retain his place in the starting line-up. He is 29 so age isn't a problem
yet either.
Matt Jarvis – Jarvis has been rather inconsistent since his arrival and has
never really found himself among the goals like he did at Wolves. He doesn't
score enough for me or have consistent enough crossing. However, the
fantastic thing about Matt is his pace. He can outpace many of the Premier
League's full backs and then can crosses in from the by-line. He should
definitely be kept because he is only 27 but could possibly be replaced by a
summer signing.
Joe Cole – Joe is a good player but he's definitely lost the pace he needs
to play on the wing at the age of 32. His defensive work as a winger is not
good enough for me and I think he can either be kept for squad depth but I
would very much like to see him replaced in the summer.
Ricardo Vaz Te – Ricardo was an amazing player for us in the Championship
and scored that famous 88th minute goal at Wembley to see us promoted back
to the Premier League. He hasn't really shown the same class in the Premier
League but has been injured for most of this season. I would like to see Vaz
Te kept and trialled at the start of next season.
Forwards
Andy Carroll – Andy was brought in by Allardyce and the side has been built
around him. Some call him the most aerially-talented striker in the world. I
would have to say he is a fantastic striker in the air and is often dominant
against Premier League centre backs. However, I think that we can't always
play it up to Andy because it's too predictable and other teams are dealing
with it. We need a variation on our style, a 'plan B'.
Marco Borriello – Marco has been injured for the most part since his loan
from Roma. He's 31 and I would be happy to see him sent back to Roma and not
bought on a permanent basis. However, he would need to be replaced with
another striker who would have to be signed on a permanent basis as a backup
for Andy Carroll.
Carlton Cole – Carlton is a West Ham fans' favourite and has been with the
club a long time. He is not the most talented striker and is also 30, but
should be kept because of his ties to the club and because he isn't an easy
player to sell. He could however be replaced with a striker of better
calibre. He simply doesn't win enough in the air or put the ball in the back
of the net enough.
Modibo Maiga – Modibo should definitely be sold in the summer because he has
been somewhat of a flop in English football. Scoring only three goals in 31
appearances is certainly not good enough.
That's what I think of the squad! In summary, I think our goalkeepers are
good and we don't need any replacements in this department. I think our
defence is good but we need a new right back and a centre back to partner
Reid that is better than Collins or Tomkins or just another centre back for
squad depth.
I believe our midfield is good but needs some changes; we need a new
attacking midfielder, someone who can pass the ball with a bit of flair,
someone like Diame or Morrison but who isn't so full of themselves. We
either need a replacement for Jarvis or another winger for squad depth to
have on the bench, preferably someone like Downing.
Furthermore, I think Carroll is good but we need another striker to back him
up in case of injury or someone to bring off of the bench. This all is if we
keep the style, formation and plan the same. This is what the team would
look like:
Formation: 4-4-1-1
GK – Adrian; RB – New Player, CB – Reid, CB – Collins/New Player, LB –
Armero; RM – Downing, CM – Noble, CM – New Player, LM – Jarvis/New Player;
CAM – Nolan (Trial Run); ST – Carroll.
Subs: GK – Jaaskelainen, RB – Demel, CB – Tomkins/Collins, CM – Diame, CAM –
Morrison,
Winger – Jarvis/Vaz Te/New Player, ST – New Player.
According to these plans we need five new players and I think the bulk of
the money should be invested in an attacking midfielder, striker and a right
back. Some ideas being Micah Richards (RB), Samuel Inkoom (RB), Josip Drmic
(ST), Ross McCormack (ST), Jordan Rhodes (ST), Solomon Kalou (ST), Graziano
Pelle (ST), Loic Remy (Loan ST), Lewis Holtby (CAM), Jack Rodwell (CM),
Craig Bryson (CAM).
This is what I would do from Sam Allardyce's point of view but from my point
of view, I would change one thing. I would stick with the changes I
suggested we should make earlier and the replacements we should bring in.
However, I think we should devise a 'Plan B' for next season because we have
become too predictable.
We should stick with the 4-4-1-1 formation or 4-3-3/4-5-1 that we've been
playing this season for the starting line-up. However, I think we should
give ourselves a better option of going 4-4-2 from the bench. This would
mean that we would need to buy another striker and this striker should add a
dimension of pace and we can begin to use a flick on.
On occasions when we are chasing the game or struggling to break down the
opposition we would be able to take our CAM off, most likely Nolan, in the
4-4-1-1 and switch to a 4-4-2 by bringing a striker on. The striker we buy
should be similar in his style to Sam Baldock and this way, we would be able
to vary our style and make life more difficult for the oppositions defence
instead of only knowing one tactic.
We would therefore, be able to change the tactic from the knock down to the
flick on. I believe this would be very useful if we were struggling to break
the opposition down in games like the 0-1 against Crystal Palace. The bench
using this change would now look like this:
GK – Jaaskelainen, RB – Demel, CM – Diame, CAM – Morrison, Winger –
Jarvis/Vaz Te/New Player, ST – New Player (Backup for Andy Carroll), ST –
New Player (Quicker player to vary the tactic)
I think that if we did this, it would greatly improve our chances of picking
up more wins from losing positions and also make us much less one
dimensional. This would mean that Big Sam still gets to use his long ball
style and we will still have fans, who I respect, moaning about the style
and wanting the 'West Ham Way'. However, we would be able to change our
tactic in games and make it a lot harder for opposition managers to prepare
for and a lot harder for opposition players to defend against.
Currently, the way we play, teams can set up for the long ball and knock
down and know that that is all they'll have to defend against for 90
minutes. When you vary a tactic, that makes us more unpredictable, harder to
prepare for and I have evidence that varying a tactic can change the balance
of play.
For example, look at the 3-0 victory away at Spurs. Spurs would have
prepared for the long ball and knock down all week, training with their
defenders how to deal with this. We came onto the pitch playing 4-6-0 or a
false nine formation which nobody expected. This is exactly why we won the
game by three goals and Spurs' defenders looked lost and powerless to deal
with what we threw at them.
Another example this season would be Liverpool's success. One of the major
reasons as to why Liverpool have been so successful this season is down to
Brendan Rogers and the way he sets their team up. They're hard to prepare
for because you don't know what the tactic will be.
They could use the overlap constantly and use the width a lot, whipping low
balls into the box. They could flood the play through the middle of the
pitch and look to play through you using triangles e.g. Suarez – Sturridge –
Coutinho. They could mix it up and use a bit of both of these styles or look
to play from deep with a CDM in Gerrard pinging balls out to the wings or
through the middle. You simply don't know and that is why they might win the
title.
If we can bring this element of unpredictability to West Ham and become less
one dimensional, we could have more success next season.
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George McCartney wants new contract at West Ham
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo | Last Updated: 22/04/14
3:16pm
SSN
West Ham defender George McCartney is hoping to earn himself a new deal at
Upton Park. McCartney is out of contract this summer and talks over a new
deal have yet to take place. The 32-year-old, who has made 23 appearances
for the Hammers this term, is determined to prove he deserves a new deal to
extend his stay with Sam Allardyce's side. "Of course I want to stay here,"
McCartney told the Newham Recorder. "I am not getting any younger of course,
but it would be lovely to be here next season. "Talks haven't started yet.
The manager has already stated he will wait until we are mathematically safe
before he starts talking as I think there are a few players out of contract.
"We will wait until that day comes and see what happens."
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WHICH HAMMERS TEAM WILL TURN UP? - AS THEY FACE A 'CUP FINAL' AT THE
HAWTHORNS!
By S J Chandos 22 Apr 2014 at 08:00
West Ham Till I Die
Following Man City's 3-1 defeat of WBA, yesterday, the Albion Manager, Pepe
Mel, has been talking up the importance of Saturday's match with the
Hammers. And with some justification considering the tight situation at the
bottom of the PL. Sunderland, Fulham and Cardiff City are refusing to 'lay
down' and are fighting for every point. This has left WBA looking nervously
over their shoulders, with just a three point advantage over 18th placed
Cardiff City.
Mel has stated: 'Now we have to look forward to Saturday's game, which is an
absolutely vital match. It really is the most important game. It can be the
game that can spur us on and give us that life. I hope the stadium will be
full and the fans will be with us, they can really help us in this game. The
most important thing is to have a positive attitude. This game really is a
cup final for us.'
In contrast, West Ham's seven point advantage is more comfortable, but we
can take nothing for granted. We need to win on Saturday and, in all
probability, clinch our safety. Everyone will feel more comfortable once we
have reached 40 points and this is the game to do it. That will take any
pressure off the Spurs match and, hopefully, ensure that there is nothing
major riding on the Man City game. The West Ham players have expressed their
determination to take the three points on Saturday. Kevin Nolan has
confirmed the side's determination to put the Crystal Palace defeat right
against WBA and Stewart Downing has stated that the squad are 'itching to
win and get to 40 points' on Saturday.
So, it seems that everything is set up for a memorable clash at the
Hawthorns. This West Ham team are more than capable of winning the match. If
they can handle the partisan atmosphere at the Hawthorns and impose their
game on WBA. Its a question of which West Ham will turn up, the one that
pulled off disciplined away wins at Cardiff City and Sunderland or the one
that fell apart at Norwich City? Will Sam Allardyce go for the win or set up
to win a point? His rationale may be that it is more important not to lose
on Saturday. However, we all know that is a risky approach and a overly
cautious West Ham could be undone by a pumped up WBA.
My view is that we need to take the game to WBA. And it seems that WBA
currently have a injury crisis at left-back, with both Ridgewell and McAuley
struggling to be fit in time for Saturday. If neither make it, then it could
well be that midfielder, Chris Brunt, will play as an auxilliary left-back.
That could be good news for Jarvis and Downing, who will surely fancy
attacking Brunt down that flank. Yes, we may well need to defend for
sustained periods, but we need to get a grip on midfield, attack WBA down
the flanks and get good quality balls in to Carroll and/or Carlton Cole.
This may also be a match where Joe Cole or Nocerino can play a key role,
whether starting or from the bench. Probably the latter if Allardyce pumps
for the extra defensive cover provided by Matt Taylor playing in central
midfield.
The team owe the fans a winning performance after the abject display against
Crystal Palace. They say that they are determined to do it. Lets hope they
are as good as their word and the 'right West Ham' turn up at the Hawthorns!
SJ. Chandos.
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West Ham News: Allardyce facing crisis
Action Images/Reuters
Exclusive
by Hugh Southon22nd April 2014 5:45pm BST
Footballdirectnews.com
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce is living on the edge and could be
sacked at the end of the season whether the club is relegated or not.
[football] direct news has learned that were he to lose the club's last
three games, he would be history even if the club managed to retain its
Premier League status.
We were told exclusively by a well placed source that the club's decision
makers were saying a couple of weeks ago that his position would come under
critical review if the club went on a six game losing run. And the
likelihood was that he would be sacked should that turn out to be the case
given the increasing fan pressure. All of that was ahead of the defeats by
Liverpool, Arsenal and Crystal Palace - a performance which has caused a
near unanimous fan revolt against the manager. There has even been talk of a
season ticket-non renewal campaign on Twitter and several fans website. One
- on www.claretandhugh.info - is being spearheaded by Rob Robinson, sopn of
the club's former striker and assistant Bill who was a coach at the club
during it's golden era! Our source said: "Sam is very much on thin ice now.
Should he fail to get a win from the games against West Brom on Saturday,
Spurs and Manchester City, it looks all over for him."
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Cottee Column: West Ham need to have a Plan B
News 24
Tony Cottee , Hammers columnist
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
4:00 PM
I was at the Crystal Palace game on Saturday and I have to say that I was as
frustrated as many of the fans who vented their anger at the manager after
the game. We did have our chances in the first half with Andy Carroll and Mo
Diame both going close and if one of those had gone in it would have been a
very different game. But once we went behind there seemed little chance of
getting back into it and some of the decisions that Big Sam made were
questionable. I can't see the point in bringing on a second big centre
forward and then taking off the wingers who are likely to provide the
crosses for them. Matt Jarvis had been playing well, especially in the first
half and though Stewart Downing wasn't at his best, he may have put in a
centre that allowed one of them to score.
The problem as I can see it is that West Ham are just so one-dimensional. If
things don't go right then we tend to rely on lumping it up to Carroll when
he is completely isolated. You need to vary it up a bit, you can't just hoof
it and it is that which is frustrating the fans so much. That leaves us
looking over our shoulders again and though we should be okay, I want to see
us get at least a point from West Brom on Saturday to make sure.
I am confident we can do it and I'm going for a 1-1 draw. It has not been a
great season as we all know, and we all just want to see the back of it, but
we need one more effort to get us over the line before we can start to look
at what should be done next season. One of those things must be to look to
have a Plan B and to my mind that means bringing in a second striker to help
out Carroll.
Moyes sacking was a big surprise
West Ham stuck by Sam Allardyce when the going was getting tough for him at
the turn of the year and it has paid dividends with the team all but safe.
The same can't be said for Manchester United who have sacked David Moyes
just 11 months in the hot seat at Old Trafford. I have to say it was a big
surprise to me. I like David Moyes and I thought he was the right man for
the job, but money talks and as soon as they went out of the Champions
League, the writing seemed to be on the wall. I have seen United a few times
this season and I have to say they have been poor in just about all of them.
But all I can say is, be careful what you wish for. Louis van Gaal is
favourite to come in, but he may well want to bring in a host of new foreign
players, spend a lot more money and then try and ship out some of the
players already there. These things take time, new managers and new players
need time to gel and settle in, but it seems that was not afforded to David
Moyes.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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WHUFC.com
A famous win in the FA Cup was secured on this day eight years ago
23.04.2014
Classic match
Middlesbrough 0-1 West Ham United
FA Cup semi-final
23 April 2006
It was on this day eight years ago that West Ham United sealed their place
in the FA Cup final. Villa Park was the venue for their last-four showdown
with fellow top-flight side Middlesbrough, following wins over Norwich,
Blackburn, Bolton and Manchester City in the previous rounds. The two teams
had met in the league just a week earlier at the Riverside Stadium, with
Boro coming out on top by a 2-0 scoreline, but Alan Pardew's men ensured
there would be no repeat when it mattered. Marlon Harewood struck in the
78th minute, holding off Gareth Southgate after gathering Dean Ashton's
knockdown and powering an angled drive into the roof of the net.
Middlesbrough were unable to respond as the Hammers made it to the final,
where Liverpool eventually prevailed on penalties following a dramatic 3-3
draw.
Complete record - 23 April
2012 Leicester City 1-2 West Ham United (Championship)
2011 Chelsea 3-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
2006 Middlesbrough 0-1 West Ham United (FA Cup semi-final)
2005 Brighton and Hove Albion 2-2 West Ham United (Championship)
1997 Leicester City 0-1 West Ham United (Premier League)
1994 West Ham United 1-2 Liverpool (Premier League)
1988 West Ham United 1-1 Coventry City (Division One)
1983 West Ham United 2-0 Aston Villa (Division One)
1973 Birmingham City 0-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1965 West Ham United 2-1 Blackpool (Division One)
1962 Cardiff City 3-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1960 Luton Town 3-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1955 Bury 4-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1949 Grimsby Town 3-0 West Ham United (Division Two)
1938 Sheffield United 3-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1932 Birmingham City 4-2 West Ham United (Division One)
1927 West Ham United 1-1 Newcastle United (Division One)
1921 West Ham United 1-1 Port Vale (Division Two)
Played 18, Won 5, Drawn 5, Lost 8, Scored 19, Conceded 32
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Tombides front runner for Player of the Year
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 22nd April 2014
By: Staff Writer
Dylan Tombides has emerged as one of the favourites to win this year's KUMB
Player of the Year award. The young striker, who passed away last week
following a lengthy battle against testicular cancer is the number one
choice of many Hammers fans to win this year's Readers' Award, as voted for
by KUMB.com visitors/members. With no clear front runner materialising from
the current first team squad, Tombides has been hailed as the first choice
of a number of fans due to his determination and persistence in battling the
disease that ultimately cost him his life. Voting in this year's KUMB Awards
begins next Monday, following this weekend's trip to West Bromwich Albion.
Readers will once be asked to vote in a number of categories (12 this year),
the full list of which are as follows:
Player of the Year
Young Player of the Year
Goal of the Season
Best Signing
Most Memorable Match
Most Improved Player
Most Missed
KUMB Podcast Poster of the Year
Worst Player of the Year
Worst Signing
Greatest Disappointment
Hackett of the Year
The winners of all 12 categories will be revealed live at the KUMB Readers'
Awards evening, which takes place at East Ham Working Men's Club on Tuesday,
13th May in front of a live audience.
Tickets for the event are priced at just £10 each, with all profits going to
Cancer Research UK.
Star guests on the night are Hammers legends Frank McAvennie and Martin 'Mad
Dog' Allen plus former stadium announcer Jeremy Nicholas, all of whom will
be available for questions and autographs. You may purchase tickets for the
event here.
* The KUMB Awards began in 1997, when John Hartson was our very first Player
of the Year. A full list of last season's winners - and all previous winners
dating back to 1997 - may be found on the KUMB Awards home page.
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A real high, followed by a new low
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 21st April 2014
By: Gary Portugal
It was quite stirring to see the response of supporters in the 38th minute
of Saturday's game vs. Palace. The response of BOTH sets of supporters.
It's not often I have anything positive to say about opposition support at
Upton Park, but the acknowledgement of Tombides' passing by Palace
supporters was superb. The irony is that this joint show of support by home
and away fans was the highlight of our season at Upton Park for me.
I've gotten not an ounce of joy at Upton Park this season apart from the 3-0
win vs Fulham. That is how dire this season has been, especially at Upton
Park - an unmitigated disaster, even if we are likely to avoid relegation.
It is simply unacceptable to lose twice in a season to a newly-promoted side
- especially one that looked dead and buried last autumn. It shows how far
backwards we have moved this season.
This time, nobody can blame injuries. We have close to a fully-fit side.
Something most teams don't have at this stage of the season. What we DON'T
have is any creativity at all. We have become not only the most boring side
in the Premier League but the side with the most predictable "attack" and
the side that is easiest to defend against.
What we DON'T have is determination. I see few players giving 100 per cent,
such as Matt Jarvis, Mark Noble and Adrian. But I see too many loafing or
sulking, like Andy Carroll and Mo Diame. It is appalling to watch.
People will point to Palace's run of form and of them being hard to break
down. That is no excuse. It was OUR home game. And we needed something from
the game, even a point, to ensure our survival. Now, we are left dependent
on other teams' results , which is a horrible way to end a season. And no
platform to build on.
We face the very real prospect of ending the season with six straight
defeats, even if I'd like to think that we could scrape a point vs WBA and
Spurs. In truth, we were very fortunate to come away with three points
against Hull and Sunderland.
If you look at it player by player, it's depressing. Ravel Morrison, a
player of such promise languishing - though in truth Sam Allardyce probably
can't be blamed for that. Jack Collison is now a shadow of what he was
whilst James Tomkins looks bereft of confidence.
Pablo Almero is making schoolboy errors. Adrian is playing well but is
unwilling to come off his line for corners. Stewart Downing, having had a
good season overall, is now struggling. Ricardo Vaz Te, having been due back
months ago, is still seemingly not fit. Joe Cole looks utterly past it.
Diame looks as lazy as ever, whether he plays centrally or out wide. Kevin
Nolan, after a brief revival has reverted back to anonymity and,
diabolically, Carroll looks like he just couldn't give a funk. Sulking,
arguing with referees, moaning at a lack of service and playing the absolute
worst football of his career. This, in a World Cup year.
You couldn't make it up. We are being outfought week in and week out by
teams with worse squads and poorer finances than ours. It is embarrassing.
Some will say that it's too easy and too convenient to point the finger at
the manager; I disagree.
Some will say that Allardyce has performed a miracle in keeping us up,
especially with our long injury list. Again, I disagree. We are extremely
fortunate to be on 37 points. To me, the buck stops with the manager, and I
do not see how this club can move forward under the stewardship of
Allardyce.
Sam appears to have gotten away with it this season, just. But he has been
found out. If he remains manager after this season, we are going to be
continuously involved in a relegation scrap. For which there is no excuse,
given the amount of money invested in this club by the current owners.
Let's start with the issue of injuries. ALL clubs have them, no exceptions.
Yes, our injury list was worse than most. But that it was what you assemble
a SQUAD for. Allardyce did no such thing last summer. We were left absurdly
short of striker cover as has been repeatedly documented. And also short of
cover at centre back.
And, perhaps with the benefit of hindsight, short in central midfield as
well. All of which was Allardyce's choice. He chose how to spend our
transfer money and who to spend it on. And he did so very irresponsibly. So
I have limited sympathy regarding the injuries. You make your bed and lie in
it, especially if you are someone as arrogant as Allardyce who antagonises
his own fans.
Typically, critics of Allardyce will focus on his tactics and the boring
nature of our football. That actually doesn't tell the full story. I have no
issue with tactics that WORK. If the tactics WORK, and win us matches, or at
least avoid us LOSING matches , I will accept and even support such
tactics,no matter how dreary they are.
We are in a weak financial position and hence must focus on what gets us
points , not what looks pretty. But the problem is that Sam's tactics AREN'T
working. Which makes watching such dross intolerable. We have lost six of
the last eight matches ,including matches where we were in a position to get
something from the game at half time.
If you strip out the excellent February that we had, which included some
good fortune, the tactics clearly aren't working. Yet, in the wake of such
poor results, Allardyce has shown limited or no appetite to change either
personnel or tactics.
If Carroll is an isolated figure at the moment then Allardyce should be
willing to bench Nolan or to play two up front with Carlton Cole, or both.
Instead, Allardyce changes nothing and we remain incredibly easy to defend
against. Compounded by the fact that we do not have a single reliable
midfield goal scorer. Clearly something that the manager failed to consider
in the close season.
Which leads to the next issue - that being the inability of Allardyce to
attract good players. Why would any quality forward want to come here when
all you get is scraps unless Carroll is injured? Why would any small, quick
forward want to join us when Nolan, despite having no pace, occupies that
spot?
West Ham under Allardyce is a team that is perpetually papering over the
cracks, to basically just "survive" from one season to the next. Yes, that
is partly due to our finances. But it is also due to a manager with a very
limited, narrow, inflexible approach to the game.
Being hard to beat is important. And yes, we have kept 13 clean
sheets,though none recently. But to be hard to beat, you must offer
SOMETHING in attack. And we simply don't. Which again makes it hard to
attract players who can turn games or win matches. Allardyce's ethos simply
doesn't attract players with that sort of match-winning quality or
mentality.
How many of our players ever look like they really WANT the ball, apart from
Noble? The best players don't want to be perpetually having to win or draw
ugly. If you listen to his media chats, they're always about exposing the
opposition's weaknesses, rarely about maximising our strengths.
In other words, it's an approach based on capitalising on others' mistakes.
Not on creating our own opportunities through quality. The truth is that you
cannot survive too long with only the former.
In the end, West Ham fans deserve more than just Premier League football. We
deserve being able to attend matches without the constant fear of relegation
year in and year out. It's not too much to ask for, really, for a club of
this size and history.
No West Ham supporter expects European football or to win cups. But we do,
rightfully at this stage, expect to be well clear of relegation scraps. Do
we even realistically expect to ever finish above tenth in our current
financial state? No. But we do have a right to not be put through this
relegation scrap year in and year out . We do have a right to expect lessons
to be learned from mistakes.
Inevitably, the next question is who I would propose to replace Allardyce at
the end of the season? My answer is that there has got to be SOMEONE more
capable of moving this club forward than him. Is it McKay, Laudrup or
someone else? Who knows? But our owners need to give it a long, hard think
at the end of this season, assuming we stay up.
Limping our way to the Olympic Stadium is not a business plan. The owners
are doing all they can, in my view. But they need a manager who is up to the
task.
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The real West Ham way - if you can remember
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 22nd April 2014
By: Paul Walker
It's becoming something of a cliché now - the West Ham way - as if it
doesn't, or didn't exist. As if it is some dream from our past.
We have had big Sam being patronising and claiming he's asked around, and
nobody knows what it is. Now we have Alan Shearer slagging us off. And the
search and the polls continue. Just what is the West Ham way?
Well, I have tried to keep out of all this nonsense, as if we have set
ourselves up as something special, something that others cannot and have not
been.
Ok, so I can keep quite for only so long. Those of us, admittedly a
dwindling band of 50-somethings who were around at the time it all started
to evolve, know the score. And it's not rocket science.
It's the sort of passing , attacking football that Southampton use. It's the
way Arsenal play (when they feel like it). It's how Liverpool at their best
in the '60s and '80s played. Even Spurs managed it.
The key is defending well, attacking well and producing pace, understanding
and passing that opens up opponents. Like Liverpool are using and are about
to win the Premier League.
We didn't invent it. Ron Greenwood didn't conjure it up out of thin air like
Moses returning from the mountains with tablets of stone. Hungary played
that way in the '50s. They inspired the great Wolves teams, Spurs double
winners, Chelsea's great attacking sides with Peter Osgood and Charlie
Cooke.
The key is to pass the ball to a colleague on the ground, to attack and to
entertain. I will pause there for a second so big Sam can catch-up.
We were saddled with the 'West Ham way' tag way back in Ted Fenton's day
when journalists came up with the name to describe the way we were
introducing European-style tactics and a general approach that involved an
Academy-based production line of young talent.
Greenwood continued the inventive theme and John Lyall took it a stage
further, trying to add some steel while not losing the flair. It sometimes
worked. It worked also under Harry Redknapp, but not as effectively.
Now we have a manager who cannot even spell the word flair. Who has no
interest in entertainment, just an industrial approach to acquiring points
by not conceding goals. He is a deliberate anti-Christ to what West Ham fans
want.
But if you go back to the '60s when I started watching West Ham on a weekly
basis, the style and flair of the Bobby Moore side was the closest to what
we are now all craving for. It had it's drawbacks, I used to beg to see a
Hammers side who could attack, but also defend with the spitefulness of
Leeds and the power and resolve of Liverpool.
If Sam wants to have an idea of what we are talking about, I suggest he
takes a look back and find some archive stuff around the seasons between
62-63 and 66-67. That's the best years of our club's life, and the football
has left a indelible mark on my brain ever since.
I give you Johnny Byrne and Geoff Hurst. Eat your hearts out Kevin Nolan and
Andy Carroll. Budgie and Hurst were the best double act I have ever seen.
West Ham's best-ever striking partnership.
They were the ones who benefited from an attacking philosophy. In the five
seasons I have mentioned, between them they scored 227 goals. I will again
pause for big Sam to catch up and wonder just what Nolan and Carroll are
doing wrong.
Hurst twice topped 40 goals in all competitions for a season. Byrne, a
deep-lying forward we would not call, playing in the hole, once managed 33
goals from that role, likened by Greenwood to an English version of Alfredo
Di Stefano. Now, what you do now Sam is Google that name so you have some
idea what I am talking about.
Byrne scored 86 goal in those five seasons for West Ham and Hurst - no
shrinking violet who could mix it with the thugs in the game around that
time - scored 141 goals in that same spell. Yes, I mean you Norman Hunter,
Ron Harris and Tommy Smith.
Big Sam is now going to trot out all the stuff about the game being
different now, played by super-fit athletes who have to play his way to
survive in the top flight, because survival is all that matters in this
cash-crazy football world. And yes, I do understand the need to stay in the
to flight, relegation now is a financial disaster that has no comparison in
the days of the 60s.
But it doesn't mean you don't try. Swansea have tried this style and they
have been in danger of going down, which no doubt Sam would use as
ammunition for his argument.
But what I want now is not to hear my son and his mates, who work hard
during the week and want some excitement, entertainment and enjoyment from
their football, saying how little they are enjoying what they are watching.
That sort of attitude eventually leads to people not renewing their season
tickets. I am told that this is the earliest anyone can recall season
tickets being on sale for next season. As if they are desperate for the
money or want to test the water to see what the uptake is.
If people do stop renewing their season tickets, our owners will have a
problem. And that problem is an inflexible Sam. I am not looking for the
moon, I just want to see something I enjoy watching, something that stirs
the spirit.
In the research into the '60s that provides the core of this piece, I
happened upon a spell of matches in the 66-67 season that sums it up
perfectly. And I saw most of these matches.
In a couple of months, November and December of that season, West Ham scored
32 goals in nine league games, including an amazing 5-5 draw at Chelsea
(yes, we were leading 5-3 with ten minutes left, some things never change).
There was also a run of four matches in eight days that saw us beat Fulham
6-1, Spurs - away - 4-3, Leeds in the League Cup 7-0 and Newcastle 3-0.
The Leeds game was the pinnacle, one of the best games I ever saw. John
Sissons scored a hat-trick in the first half hour and Hurst got a treble
later. I can still recall Billy Bremner in front of the Chicken Run with a
couple of minutes left, still screaming and berating his colleagues to get a
grip.
Good for him, I thought, this really is hurting. Don Revie is supposed to
have told his team that such a result against us would never happen again. I
recall them kicking us to bits every time we played them after that.
And no, I am not expecting our players to run up such goal tallies. But I
want them to try, to look positive and interested and to show they care.
That team of the mid-'60s had its faults, bad ones, but that five-season
spell saw only one relegation fight and we always finished mid-table. So it
can be done. Pass the DVD, Sam. You know it makes sense.
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A summer of change
KUMb.com
Filed: Monday, 21st April 2014
By: Jack Coddyfriend
Hi, my name is Jack. I'm a 21st century kid, born in 2000.
One thing in my life has been consistent, West Ham United; not the form, the
club, the players, the manager or the league, my support. I've been watching
West Ham since the 2006 FA Cup final, West Ham vs Liverpool, we lost. Why do
I support West Ham then? 'West Ham needs me.'
That was six-year-old me, Liverpool didn't need my support, they won the
final without it. West Ham lost and they needed me behind them. That was the
thought process in my six-year-old brain, subconsciously or consciously.
Here I am, eight years later, writing my thoughts about the club I love, a
lot of thoughts.
Where to start? Let's start with the league; we are a Barclays Premier
League club, sitting in 12th place on 37 points after 35 games. We look
relatively safe, from relegation of course. Our manager is Sam Allardyce aka
'Allardici' and Davids Gold and Sullivan own the club.
We're moving in two season's time to the Olympic Stadium, leaving the Boleyn
Ground and all its history behind us. The owners want to move us forward,
take us from a mid-table side, just about avoiding relegation, to a side
that can challenge for places in European cups and competitions. A lot is
going to need to be done to take us there and it will be a quite an
achievement if we make it to that calibre.
If we want to get there we're going to have to look at many things, staff,
manager and squad. Let's start by looking at the squad. I'm going to analyse
each player, subs, starting XI and some others, and give my view, from the
stands, on them.
Goalkeepers
Adrian San Miguel – An outstanding purchase from Real Betis by Allardyce. He
has been a very good 'keeper since his arrival and has performed multiple
outstanding saves. He has good distribution and reflexes. A good shot
stopper, my only worries are sometimes his handling and command of the box.
On a side note, one of the things that is best about this goalkeeper is not
his performance on the pitch but his way of interacting with the crowd which
has quickly made him a fan favourite.
Jussi Jaaskelainen – Again a very good signing from Bolton by Allardyce.
Jaaskelainen is a fantastic 'keeper to have on the bench as he could make
the grade as a first team 'keeper at some other clubs in the league. Jussi
is a fantastic 'keeper but has arrived in the twilight of his career. Being
39 means that his level and performances are starting to worsen and his
handling has become a lot more of a problem this season.
Full backs
Guy Demel – Yet again, I must mention that this was another good purchase by
Allardyce. Brought in from Hamburger SV he has been a very good right back
for us since he overcame his injury problems. Demel is very good at
attacking and providing an overlap for the right winger. He has good skill
going forward and enough to get past some left backs to get crosses into the
box.
However, being a right back means he has to do a lot of defensive work as
well and he is not as solid in this area as I would like him to be. He has
good strength; no one in their right mind would doubt that. Although in my
opinion he doesn't stop crosses from the opposition's left winger coming
into the box enough. He doesn't shepherd players well enough and shield the
box from shots or crosses. He doesn't get tight enough to his man as well.
Demel is also 32 years old and for the reasons provided I think we need to
improve in this area.
Joey O'Brien – Brought in from Bolton by Allardyce, Joey has done well to
overcome his injury problems and feature multiple times in the starting line
up. For me, he is too inconsistent, when I see his name on the team sheet I
don't know what O'Brien I'm going to get. A solid full back that gets
forward well and shuts out wingers or a player who loses the ball and
doesn't deal well with attacking players. He doesn't cut it in the starting
XI but is good enough for the bench/reserves for now. Being 28 years old,
age is not too much of a worry just yet as well.
Pablo Armero – On loan from Napoli until the end of the season, Pablo has
only recently made a burst into the first team. From what I've seen so far,
I've been impressed other than his silly tackle on Cameron Jerome in Crystal
Palace's 1-0 win over us he has been good. Good enough, in fact, for me to
suggest that we should attempt to purchase him permanently. The 27-year-old
has shown he is good enough for the side and my only problem with him is
that he seems afraid to cross the ball when supporting the winger. Whip it
in Pablo!
George McCartney – Another buy from Allardyce, McCartney has been a solid
player and is ever the consistent. Being 32 years old he is also in the
twilight of his career but considering his form I am happy to have him as a
substitute left back. Side note: Not to be played at right back on evidence
from West Ham 0-1 Crystal Palace, poor performance.
Centre backs
Winston Reid – Probably the best player in our team. Brilliantly consistent,
barely every puts a foot wrong in defence and is only 25. Definitely not
someone we should look to replace and definitely not someone we should let
go to a bigger club. If we want to become one of those bigger clubs then we
can't let players like him go.
James Collins – 'The Ginger Pele'! What fantastic neck muscles this man has!
Brilliant in the air and uses this to his advantage in defence and attack.
Not always the same with his tackles. In some games he has been quite superb
and has put in a lot of great tackles however, in others he can be
inconsistent, applying pressure to far up the pitch and breaking the
defensive line, rushing into tackles and leaving gaps in behind. Good enough
to retain his place in the XI or to switch around with Tomkins although, I
really wouldn't mind another very solid, consistent centre back to partner
Reid. Furthermore, he is 30, meaning he will also come into the twilight of
his career fairly soon.
James Tomkins – Solid centre back and someone I'm happy to watch in the
side. Could give Collins a run for his money and make into the starting
line-up consistently. Further consider the fact that James is only 25
meaning he has quite a lot of time to grow and improve yet, only more reason
to keep hold of him and possibly play him more often. Despite all of this I
will say the same thing as I did with Collins; I wouldn't mind another
centre back to partner Reid who is better than both of the James'. Another
option to consider is bringing in another centre back simply for squad depth
because, as we have seen this season, we don't have enough depth in this
position and Roger Johnson is not good enough as a fourth centre back.
Roger Johnson – 'The Relegator'! On loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, Roger
is known as 'The Relegator' because he was involved in Wolves' double
relegation to League 1. He is not Premier League quality and needs to be
offloaded in my opinion as I am sure he will be. It was a panic loan from
Wolves due to our situation earlier in the season with injuries. He just
isn't of Premier League class in my opinion. He should be replaced with a
better centre back for stronger squad depth.
Central Midfielders
Mark Noble – Mark must have claret and blue blood! He grew up in Canning
Town and has come through the ranks to be a West Ham player and vice
captain. He is one of the most consistent players in the league and always
provides defensive solidity in front of the back four and is always ice cool
from the penalty spot. Mark is a shoo-in for next season's side.
The only area where Noble can be unconvincing is when it comes to going
forward. He can sometimes look lost once he gets near the oppositions box
and often looks afraid to shoot. Furthermore, he is simply not very good at
free kicks, I don't know why he takes our free kicks and if he is the best
we've got, we either need to practise free kicks on the training ground or
invest in someone who can take them.
Kevin Nolan – Either played in an attacking midfield role or in behind the
striker Kevin Nolan is incredibly good at feeding off scraps or knock downs.
Nolan is our top scorer this season with seven goals. He has virtually saved
us from relegation when he had his run of sparkling form in our four wins in
a row during February. Kevin is 31 and is entering the twilight of his
career, being the captain he can't exactly be dropped to easily but in my
opinion, his form has been too inconsistent this season. Furthermore, his
two red cards highlight is inconsistency and volatility I would like to see
Kevin played at the start of next season but if he doesn't start it well,
replaced in the starting XI.
Antonio Nocerino – On loan from AC Milan, Antonio is a player who can thrive
in behind a big striker as he did with Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Milan. He has
not quite reached those dizzy heights with us and Andy Carroll and I
wouldn't want him signed on a permanent basis at the end of the season from
what I've seen. He is too inconsistent, loses the ball too much and
Allardyce seems to agree with me considering the fact that Antonio is only
making appearances from the bench.
Mohamed Diame – Diame is the most inconsistent player at the club. You have
no clue what you're going to get from Mohamed! My problem with Diame is that
he is too much of a solo player and doesn't seem to hold the team in his
best interests. This shows in a lot of his laziness on the pitch. However,
Diame is a fantastic player when he wants to be and can make brilliant,
driving, skilful runs through the opposition on occasion. Personally, I
think Diame is too inconsistent to be in the starting XI and should be
dropped to the bench.
Ravel Morrison – Ravel is an attacking midfielder and is a very good one at
that. At the age of 21 there is a lot of time for Ravel to grow and improve.
My main issue with Ravel, as I am sure is everyone's, is that he is too full
of himself. His character and ego are a major problem and he needs to put
his past behind him and focus on the football.
If he focuses on the football and the team then he has a big chance of
becoming a wonderful player and an England international. He has the skill
but not the mindset, putting him out on loan at Championship clubs is the
right idea but I would like to see him back at the club and on the bench
next season. Side note: Very good at coming on as an impact substitute, not
sure if he is a 90 minute Premier League player quite yet.
Matthew Taylor – Another good player for squad depth, Matthew is useful
because he can play in the centre of midfield, on the left wing and at left
back. He is not the classiest player and does not really have the skills for
Premier League football however; I like Taylor because he always puts 100
per cent effort in and gives his absolute all every game. Being 32 means he
is in the twilight of his career and should be kept for squad depth.
Alou Diarra – What a terrible signing! Wrong attitude, wrong fitness, wrong
work rate and he's 33. Needs to be sold in summer because of the money we're
wasting on his wages. Doesn't seem to want to be at the club and should be
sent on his way.
Jack Collison – His name is Jack and he's Welsh, keep him! I think he still
needs time to grow and should be given further loan opportunities in the
Championship after his loan at Wigan ends; he's only 25 after all.
Wingers
Stewart Downing – Fantastic signing by Allardyce and he's blossomed well
under the system that Big Sam plays. Has a fantastic cross on him and he can
cut in and shoot. He's a very good winger and someone who should definitely
retain his place in the starting line-up. He is 29 so age isn't a problem
yet either.
Matt Jarvis – Jarvis has been rather inconsistent since his arrival and has
never really found himself among the goals like he did at Wolves. He doesn't
score enough for me or have consistent enough crossing. However, the
fantastic thing about Matt is his pace. He can outpace many of the Premier
League's full backs and then can crosses in from the by-line. He should
definitely be kept because he is only 27 but could possibly be replaced by a
summer signing.
Joe Cole – Joe is a good player but he's definitely lost the pace he needs
to play on the wing at the age of 32. His defensive work as a winger is not
good enough for me and I think he can either be kept for squad depth but I
would very much like to see him replaced in the summer.
Ricardo Vaz Te – Ricardo was an amazing player for us in the Championship
and scored that famous 88th minute goal at Wembley to see us promoted back
to the Premier League. He hasn't really shown the same class in the Premier
League but has been injured for most of this season. I would like to see Vaz
Te kept and trialled at the start of next season.
Forwards
Andy Carroll – Andy was brought in by Allardyce and the side has been built
around him. Some call him the most aerially-talented striker in the world. I
would have to say he is a fantastic striker in the air and is often dominant
against Premier League centre backs. However, I think that we can't always
play it up to Andy because it's too predictable and other teams are dealing
with it. We need a variation on our style, a 'plan B'.
Marco Borriello – Marco has been injured for the most part since his loan
from Roma. He's 31 and I would be happy to see him sent back to Roma and not
bought on a permanent basis. However, he would need to be replaced with
another striker who would have to be signed on a permanent basis as a backup
for Andy Carroll.
Carlton Cole – Carlton is a West Ham fans' favourite and has been with the
club a long time. He is not the most talented striker and is also 30, but
should be kept because of his ties to the club and because he isn't an easy
player to sell. He could however be replaced with a striker of better
calibre. He simply doesn't win enough in the air or put the ball in the back
of the net enough.
Modibo Maiga – Modibo should definitely be sold in the summer because he has
been somewhat of a flop in English football. Scoring only three goals in 31
appearances is certainly not good enough.
That's what I think of the squad! In summary, I think our goalkeepers are
good and we don't need any replacements in this department. I think our
defence is good but we need a new right back and a centre back to partner
Reid that is better than Collins or Tomkins or just another centre back for
squad depth.
I believe our midfield is good but needs some changes; we need a new
attacking midfielder, someone who can pass the ball with a bit of flair,
someone like Diame or Morrison but who isn't so full of themselves. We
either need a replacement for Jarvis or another winger for squad depth to
have on the bench, preferably someone like Downing.
Furthermore, I think Carroll is good but we need another striker to back him
up in case of injury or someone to bring off of the bench. This all is if we
keep the style, formation and plan the same. This is what the team would
look like:
Formation: 4-4-1-1
GK – Adrian; RB – New Player, CB – Reid, CB – Collins/New Player, LB –
Armero; RM – Downing, CM – Noble, CM – New Player, LM – Jarvis/New Player;
CAM – Nolan (Trial Run); ST – Carroll.
Subs: GK – Jaaskelainen, RB – Demel, CB – Tomkins/Collins, CM – Diame, CAM –
Morrison,
Winger – Jarvis/Vaz Te/New Player, ST – New Player.
According to these plans we need five new players and I think the bulk of
the money should be invested in an attacking midfielder, striker and a right
back. Some ideas being Micah Richards (RB), Samuel Inkoom (RB), Josip Drmic
(ST), Ross McCormack (ST), Jordan Rhodes (ST), Solomon Kalou (ST), Graziano
Pelle (ST), Loic Remy (Loan ST), Lewis Holtby (CAM), Jack Rodwell (CM),
Craig Bryson (CAM).
This is what I would do from Sam Allardyce's point of view but from my point
of view, I would change one thing. I would stick with the changes I
suggested we should make earlier and the replacements we should bring in.
However, I think we should devise a 'Plan B' for next season because we have
become too predictable.
We should stick with the 4-4-1-1 formation or 4-3-3/4-5-1 that we've been
playing this season for the starting line-up. However, I think we should
give ourselves a better option of going 4-4-2 from the bench. This would
mean that we would need to buy another striker and this striker should add a
dimension of pace and we can begin to use a flick on.
On occasions when we are chasing the game or struggling to break down the
opposition we would be able to take our CAM off, most likely Nolan, in the
4-4-1-1 and switch to a 4-4-2 by bringing a striker on. The striker we buy
should be similar in his style to Sam Baldock and this way, we would be able
to vary our style and make life more difficult for the oppositions defence
instead of only knowing one tactic.
We would therefore, be able to change the tactic from the knock down to the
flick on. I believe this would be very useful if we were struggling to break
the opposition down in games like the 0-1 against Crystal Palace. The bench
using this change would now look like this:
GK – Jaaskelainen, RB – Demel, CM – Diame, CAM – Morrison, Winger –
Jarvis/Vaz Te/New Player, ST – New Player (Backup for Andy Carroll), ST –
New Player (Quicker player to vary the tactic)
I think that if we did this, it would greatly improve our chances of picking
up more wins from losing positions and also make us much less one
dimensional. This would mean that Big Sam still gets to use his long ball
style and we will still have fans, who I respect, moaning about the style
and wanting the 'West Ham Way'. However, we would be able to change our
tactic in games and make it a lot harder for opposition managers to prepare
for and a lot harder for opposition players to defend against.
Currently, the way we play, teams can set up for the long ball and knock
down and know that that is all they'll have to defend against for 90
minutes. When you vary a tactic, that makes us more unpredictable, harder to
prepare for and I have evidence that varying a tactic can change the balance
of play.
For example, look at the 3-0 victory away at Spurs. Spurs would have
prepared for the long ball and knock down all week, training with their
defenders how to deal with this. We came onto the pitch playing 4-6-0 or a
false nine formation which nobody expected. This is exactly why we won the
game by three goals and Spurs' defenders looked lost and powerless to deal
with what we threw at them.
Another example this season would be Liverpool's success. One of the major
reasons as to why Liverpool have been so successful this season is down to
Brendan Rogers and the way he sets their team up. They're hard to prepare
for because you don't know what the tactic will be.
They could use the overlap constantly and use the width a lot, whipping low
balls into the box. They could flood the play through the middle of the
pitch and look to play through you using triangles e.g. Suarez – Sturridge –
Coutinho. They could mix it up and use a bit of both of these styles or look
to play from deep with a CDM in Gerrard pinging balls out to the wings or
through the middle. You simply don't know and that is why they might win the
title.
If we can bring this element of unpredictability to West Ham and become less
one dimensional, we could have more success next season.
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George McCartney wants new contract at West Ham
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo | Last Updated: 22/04/14
3:16pm
SSN
West Ham defender George McCartney is hoping to earn himself a new deal at
Upton Park. McCartney is out of contract this summer and talks over a new
deal have yet to take place. The 32-year-old, who has made 23 appearances
for the Hammers this term, is determined to prove he deserves a new deal to
extend his stay with Sam Allardyce's side. "Of course I want to stay here,"
McCartney told the Newham Recorder. "I am not getting any younger of course,
but it would be lovely to be here next season. "Talks haven't started yet.
The manager has already stated he will wait until we are mathematically safe
before he starts talking as I think there are a few players out of contract.
"We will wait until that day comes and see what happens."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WHICH HAMMERS TEAM WILL TURN UP? - AS THEY FACE A 'CUP FINAL' AT THE
HAWTHORNS!
By S J Chandos 22 Apr 2014 at 08:00
West Ham Till I Die
Following Man City's 3-1 defeat of WBA, yesterday, the Albion Manager, Pepe
Mel, has been talking up the importance of Saturday's match with the
Hammers. And with some justification considering the tight situation at the
bottom of the PL. Sunderland, Fulham and Cardiff City are refusing to 'lay
down' and are fighting for every point. This has left WBA looking nervously
over their shoulders, with just a three point advantage over 18th placed
Cardiff City.
Mel has stated: 'Now we have to look forward to Saturday's game, which is an
absolutely vital match. It really is the most important game. It can be the
game that can spur us on and give us that life. I hope the stadium will be
full and the fans will be with us, they can really help us in this game. The
most important thing is to have a positive attitude. This game really is a
cup final for us.'
In contrast, West Ham's seven point advantage is more comfortable, but we
can take nothing for granted. We need to win on Saturday and, in all
probability, clinch our safety. Everyone will feel more comfortable once we
have reached 40 points and this is the game to do it. That will take any
pressure off the Spurs match and, hopefully, ensure that there is nothing
major riding on the Man City game. The West Ham players have expressed their
determination to take the three points on Saturday. Kevin Nolan has
confirmed the side's determination to put the Crystal Palace defeat right
against WBA and Stewart Downing has stated that the squad are 'itching to
win and get to 40 points' on Saturday.
So, it seems that everything is set up for a memorable clash at the
Hawthorns. This West Ham team are more than capable of winning the match. If
they can handle the partisan atmosphere at the Hawthorns and impose their
game on WBA. Its a question of which West Ham will turn up, the one that
pulled off disciplined away wins at Cardiff City and Sunderland or the one
that fell apart at Norwich City? Will Sam Allardyce go for the win or set up
to win a point? His rationale may be that it is more important not to lose
on Saturday. However, we all know that is a risky approach and a overly
cautious West Ham could be undone by a pumped up WBA.
My view is that we need to take the game to WBA. And it seems that WBA
currently have a injury crisis at left-back, with both Ridgewell and McAuley
struggling to be fit in time for Saturday. If neither make it, then it could
well be that midfielder, Chris Brunt, will play as an auxilliary left-back.
That could be good news for Jarvis and Downing, who will surely fancy
attacking Brunt down that flank. Yes, we may well need to defend for
sustained periods, but we need to get a grip on midfield, attack WBA down
the flanks and get good quality balls in to Carroll and/or Carlton Cole.
This may also be a match where Joe Cole or Nocerino can play a key role,
whether starting or from the bench. Probably the latter if Allardyce pumps
for the extra defensive cover provided by Matt Taylor playing in central
midfield.
The team owe the fans a winning performance after the abject display against
Crystal Palace. They say that they are determined to do it. Lets hope they
are as good as their word and the 'right West Ham' turn up at the Hawthorns!
SJ. Chandos.
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West Ham News: Allardyce facing crisis
Action Images/Reuters
Exclusive
by Hugh Southon22nd April 2014 5:45pm BST
Footballdirectnews.com
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce is living on the edge and could be
sacked at the end of the season whether the club is relegated or not.
[football] direct news has learned that were he to lose the club's last
three games, he would be history even if the club managed to retain its
Premier League status.
We were told exclusively by a well placed source that the club's decision
makers were saying a couple of weeks ago that his position would come under
critical review if the club went on a six game losing run. And the
likelihood was that he would be sacked should that turn out to be the case
given the increasing fan pressure. All of that was ahead of the defeats by
Liverpool, Arsenal and Crystal Palace - a performance which has caused a
near unanimous fan revolt against the manager. There has even been talk of a
season ticket-non renewal campaign on Twitter and several fans website. One
- on www.claretandhugh.info - is being spearheaded by Rob Robinson, sopn of
the club's former striker and assistant Bill who was a coach at the club
during it's golden era! Our source said: "Sam is very much on thin ice now.
Should he fail to get a win from the games against West Brom on Saturday,
Spurs and Manchester City, it looks all over for him."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cottee Column: West Ham need to have a Plan B
News 24
Tony Cottee , Hammers columnist
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
4:00 PM
I was at the Crystal Palace game on Saturday and I have to say that I was as
frustrated as many of the fans who vented their anger at the manager after
the game. We did have our chances in the first half with Andy Carroll and Mo
Diame both going close and if one of those had gone in it would have been a
very different game. But once we went behind there seemed little chance of
getting back into it and some of the decisions that Big Sam made were
questionable. I can't see the point in bringing on a second big centre
forward and then taking off the wingers who are likely to provide the
crosses for them. Matt Jarvis had been playing well, especially in the first
half and though Stewart Downing wasn't at his best, he may have put in a
centre that allowed one of them to score.
The problem as I can see it is that West Ham are just so one-dimensional. If
things don't go right then we tend to rely on lumping it up to Carroll when
he is completely isolated. You need to vary it up a bit, you can't just hoof
it and it is that which is frustrating the fans so much. That leaves us
looking over our shoulders again and though we should be okay, I want to see
us get at least a point from West Brom on Saturday to make sure.
I am confident we can do it and I'm going for a 1-1 draw. It has not been a
great season as we all know, and we all just want to see the back of it, but
we need one more effort to get us over the line before we can start to look
at what should be done next season. One of those things must be to look to
have a Plan B and to my mind that means bringing in a second striker to help
out Carroll.
Moyes sacking was a big surprise
West Ham stuck by Sam Allardyce when the going was getting tough for him at
the turn of the year and it has paid dividends with the team all but safe.
The same can't be said for Manchester United who have sacked David Moyes
just 11 months in the hot seat at Old Trafford. I have to say it was a big
surprise to me. I like David Moyes and I thought he was the right man for
the job, but money talks and as soon as they went out of the Champions
League, the writing seemed to be on the wall. I have seen United a few times
this season and I have to say they have been poor in just about all of them.
But all I can say is, be careful what you wish for. Louis van Gaal is
favourite to come in, but he may well want to bring in a host of new foreign
players, spend a lot more money and then try and ship out some of the
players already there. These things take time, new managers and new players
need time to gel and settle in, but it seems that was not afforded to David
Moyes.
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Tuesday, April 22
Daily WHUFC News - 22nd April 2014
'We're itching to get to 40 points'
WHUFC.com
Downing targets win at West Brom on Saturday to guarantee safety
21.04.2014
Stewart Downing has his eyes on the points that would guarantee Barclays
Premier League safety when the Hammers travel to West Bromwich Albion on
Saturday. With 37 points on the board, West Ham are not quite over the line
yet, but would take a step closer with a positive result at the Hawthorns -
and Downing does not want to leave the West Midlands with anything less.
"We've been itching to get to the 40-point mark the last few weeks, and I
think we still need to get points on the board to be safe," he said. "West
Brom is a big game on Saturday and we'd love to get three points, but even
if we take a point i think it would be a big result. "They are in and around
us, so if we can keep them below us that would be important."
The Hammers fell to a disappointing 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace on Saturday,
when Mile Jedinak's second half penalty proved enough to earn the south
Londoners the points. Big Sam's men were made to pay for not making the most
of a bright opening period, as Palace stifled their hosts after the break.
Downing felt the first goal scored was always going to be crucial and was
frustrated that his side were not able to force the breakthrough. "It was a
frustrating afternoon for us, especially in the second half," he explained.
"First half I thought we played some decent stuff towards the end, created a
few chances and the keeper's really kept them in it. "They are a hard team
to break down. They make it difficult for you and I think it proved that way
on Saturday. "The first goal meant so much and we stressed during the week
that if we could ge the first goal the gaps might appear, then we could
create more space. "It wasn't to be and they've done that to many teams this
season. Credit to them, Tony Pulis has got them organised and they've got
results. "They got every man behind the ball [once they went in front]. We
had some good combinations and put some good crosses in during the first
half, but we didn't do that enough after half time."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nolan bemoans poor finishing
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 21st April 2014
By: Staff Writer
Kevin Nolan believes that West Ham need to improve in front of goal if they
are to win any of their remaining three matches this season.
West Ham, beaten 1-0 at home by newly-promoted Crystal Palace at the weekend
end a frustrating 2013/14 campaign with trips to West Bromwich Albion and
Manchester City and a home encounter with Tottenham.
Meanwhile the club captain, who has scored seven goals in his 32 appearances
this season insists that the Hammers need to sharpen up in front of goal if
they are to avoid extending their run of three successive defeats.
"We had six [shots against Palace] in the first half and six in the second,"
he told whufc.tv. "When you get a chance you have to get it on target,
because that's what the fans remember and that's what puts the opposition
under pressure. That's what we've got to be better at as a whole squad, not
just as individuals.
"When we get those chances, even if they're half chances, you've got to be
able to take them and put them on target. We'll go away, we'll study the
videos and we'll try to put it right next week at West Brom."
Nolan, whose inconsistent form since August has been reflected by the team
as a whole this season needs a further three goals to match his tally of ten
from 2012/13 - which in itself was three fewer than the 13 he scored during
the Championship season, his first at the club.
Yet he firmly believes that the team will be looking up next season - as
opposed to downwards, as has been the case for much of the current campaign.
"Building for next season is a massive priority," he added, "and I'm sure
this time next year we won't be talking about relegation, we'll be talking
about trying to push for Europe."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Downes blasts Neville for encouraging cheating
KUMb.com
Filed: Monday, 21st April 2014
By: Staff Writer
Former West Ham United coach Wally Downes has criticised England coach and
Sky TV pundit Gary Neville after the former Manchester United defender urged
players to dive in order to win penalties.
Downes, who now works alongside former West Ham manager Harry Redknapp at
Championship Quens Park Rangers hit out at Neville after the 39-year-old
insisted that Matt Jarvis should have gone to ground when fouled by
Arsenal's Bacary Sagna in the 3-1 derby defeat at the Emirates last week in
order to win a penalty.
"I've been mulling over the Matt Jarvis incident," said Downes, speaking via
Twitter. "The referee didn't give it and Jarvis played on as there was no
whistle. With visual aid the referee got It wrong. So what? live with it!
"It's a game strewn with mistakes by all concerned. Jarvis did what is
expected of a high-profile sportsman. Pundits/England coaches encouraging
players to dive or go down are doing the game a disservice and send out the
wrong message to youngsters watching the game."
Downes, who KUMB readers voted as winner of our Most Missed category in the
2012/13 KUMB Awards also called upon the game's governing body to take
Neville to task for the comments - comments that he believes condone
gamesmanship.
"The FA should make Gary Neville justify his comments, as a coach he is
encouraging cheating," added Downes. "As a pundit there is a conflict of
interest; he may think that as a Sky pundit but if these are the views of a
national coach, then it is the wrong message.
"Matt Jarvis has played the game in the manner it should be played. It's
funny that we are at the stage when this isn't taken for granted. In
closing, well done Matt and reconsider your comments/position, Gary."
Jarvis, speaking after the incident admitted that having been denied a
penalty for what was a clear infringement may leave him thinking twice about
being so honest next time a similar situation arises.
"I don't know if I had gone down whether it would have been a penalty or if
I had whether I'd have been booked," he mused. "Maybe I should learn from
that and be a bit more clever."
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Raising funds in memory of Dylan
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 21st April 2014
By: Staff Writer
A JustGiving page has been created in memory of young Hammer Dylan Tombides,
who died last week. KUMB member west ham 15, aka Jamie Seagrave, has created
the page in honour of the young Hammer with all funds raised to go to Cancer
Research UK. "I've been meaning to do something for Cancer Research for a
long time as I lost my granddad to this horrible disease," he told KUMB.
"Hearing the news on Dylan touched me as I met him a couple times at the
training ground [in Chadwell Heath] and he came across as such a lovely lad.
So, I decided to setup the page to hopefully raise money for Cancer Research
in memory of Dylan."
So far, more than 150 people have donated to the appeal. You may make a
donation by visiting the RIP Dylan Tombides page at
www.justgiving.com/DylanTombides.
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Samuel Inkoom claims interest from West Ham and others
By Fotis Voinikas | Last Updated: 21/04/14 7:51pm
SSN
Ghana international Samuel Inkoom has claimed that West Ham United are one
of five clubs looking to sign him. Sky Sports revealed in February that The
Hammers were keen on the 24-year-old, who is currently on-loan at Greek
outfit Platanias. Inkoom's deal with his parent club Dnipro expires at the
end of the calendar year, meaning he can pen a pre-contract this summer.
Speaking to Greek newspaper Chaniotika Nea, Inkoom revealed that a number of
clubs were showing an interest in his services - including West Ham. "I
don't know where I will play football next season," he stated. "I am focused
right now on my national team and the World Cup in Brazil, but I have five
offers so far. Olympiakos, West Ham and Lyon are among them. "I do not want
to talk more now, my mind is now looking at the World Cup, who knows in
football no one knows. "Anything can happen in football and I'm ready to go
anywhere."
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SHOULD THEY STAY OR SHOULD THEY GO?
By Iain Dale 21 Apr 2014 at 19:47
West Ham Till I Die
Guest Post by Jack
I posted my article in the comments on SJ Chandos' post about MoTD pundits
dismissing the 'West Ham Way'. Some suggested I send it to you saying, 'Jack
send articles to Iain so that he can use them as threads so they generate
proper debate'. I'm 14 years old and love writing about football and West
Ham! The article I've written is 3,600 words and describes what I think
about each player, the style of play and what we should do tactically, and
money wise, in the summer. I have no intention of stopping writing at this
and will continue to write about West Ham for a long time.
Thanks and here's the article.
Hi, my name is Jack. I'm a 21st century kid, born in 2000. One thing in my
life has been consistent, West Ham United; not the form, the club, the
players, the manager or the league, my support. I've been watching West Ham
since the 2006 FA Cup final, West Ham vs Liverpool, we lost. Why do I
support West Ham then? 'West Ham needs me.' That was 6 year old me,
Liverpool didn't need my support, they won the final without it. West Ham
lost and they needed me behind them. That was the thought process in my 6
year old brain, subconsciously, or consciously. Here I am, eight years
later, writing my thoughts about the club I love, a lot of thoughts.
Where to start? Let's start with the league; we are a Barclays Premier
League club, sitting in 12th place, on 37 points after 35 games. We look
relatively safe, from relegation of course. Our manager is Sam Allardyce,
'Allardici' and David Gold and Sullivan own the club. We're moving stadiums
in two season's time, to the Olympic Stadium, leaving the Boleyn Ground and
all its history behind us. The owners want to move us forward, take us from
a mid table side, just about avoiding relegation, to a side that can
challenge for places in European cups and competitions. A lot is going to
need to be done to take us there and it will be a quite an achievement if we
make it to that calibre.
If we want to get there we're going to have to look at many things, staff,
manager and squad. Let's start by looking at the squad. I'm going to analyse
each player, subs, starting XI and some others, and give my view, from the
stands, on them.
Goalkeepers:
Adrian San Miguel - An outstanding purchase from Real Betis by Allardyce. He
has been a very good keeper since his arrival and has performed multiple
outstanding saves. He has good distribution and reflexes. A good shot
stopper, my only worries are sometimes his handling and command of the box.
On a side note, one of the things that is best about this goalkeeper is not
his performance on the pitch but his way of interacting with the crowd which
has quickly made him a fan favourite.
Jussi Jaaskelainen - Again a very good signing from Bolton by Allardyce.
Jaaskelainen is a fantastic keeper to have on the bench as he could make the
grade as a first team keeper at some other clubs in the league. Jussi is a
fantastic keeper but has arrived in the twilight of his career. Being 39
means that his level and performances are starting to worsen and his
handling has become a lot more of a problem this season.
Full backs:
Guy Demel - Yet again, I must mention that this was another good purchase by
Allardyce. Brought in from Hamburger SV he has been a very good right back
for us since he overcame his injury problems. Demel is very good at
attacking and providing an overlap for the right winger. He has good skill
going forward and enough to get past some left backs to get crosses into the
box. However, being a right back means he has to do a lot of defensive work
as well and he is not as solid in this area as I would like him to be. He
has good strength; no one in their right mind would doubt that. Although in
my opinion he doesn't stop crosses from the oppositions left winger coming
into the box enough. He doesn't shepherd players well enough and shield the
box from shots or crosses. He doesn't get tight enough to his man as well.
Demel is also 32 years old and for the reasons provided I think we need to
improve in this area.
Joey O'Brien - Brought in from Bolton by Allardyce, Joey has done well to
overcome his injury problems and feature multiple times in the starting line
up. For me, he is too inconsistent, when I see his name on the team sheet I
don't know what O'Brien I'm going to get. A solid full back that gets
forward well and shuts out wingers or a player who loses the ball and
doesn't deal well with attacking players. He doesn't cut it in the starting
XI but is good enough for the bench/reserves for now. Being 28 years old,
age is not too much of a worry just yet as well.
Pablo Armero - On loan from Napoli until the end of the season, Pablo has
only recently made a burst into the first team. From what I've seen so far,
I've been impressed other than his silly tackle on Cameron Jerome in Crystal
Palace's 1-0 win over us he has been good. Good enough, in fact, for me to
suggest that we should attempt to purchase him permanently. The 27 year old
has shown he is good enough for the side and my only problem with him is
that he seems afraid to cross the ball when supporting the winger. Whip it
in Pablo!
George McCartney - Another buy from Allardyce, McCartney has been a solid
player and is ever the consistent. Being 32 years old he is also in the
twilight of his career but considering his form I am happy to have him as a
substitute left back. Side note: Not to be played at right back on evidence
from West Ham 0-1 Crystal Palace, poor performance.
Centre backs:
Winston Reid - Probably the best player in our team. Brilliantly consistent,
barely every puts a foot wrong in defence and is only 25. Definitely not
someone we should look to replace and definitely not someone we should let
go to a bigger club. If we want to become one of those bigger clubs then we
can't let players like him go.
James Collins - 'The Ginger Pele'! What fantastic neck muscles this man has!
Brilliant in the air and uses this to his advantage in defence and attack.
Not always the same with his tackles. In some games he has been quite superb
and has put in a lot of great tackles however, in others he can be
inconsistent, applying pressure to far up the pitch and breaking the
defensive line, rushing into tackles and leaving gaps in behind. Good enough
to retain his place in the XI or to switch around with Tomkins although, I
really wouldn't mind another very solid, consistent centre back to partner
Reid. Furthermore, he is 30, meaning he will also come into the twilight of
his career fairly soon.
James Tomkins - Solid centre back and someone I'm happy to watch in the
side. Could give Collins a run for his money and make into the starting
line-up consistently. Further consider the fact that James is only 25
meaning he has quite a lot of time to grow and improve yet, only more reason
to keep hold of him and possibly play him more often. Despite all of this I
will say the same thing as I did with Collins; I wouldn't mind another
centre back to partner Reid who is better than both of the James'. Another
option to consider is bringing in another centre back simply for squad depth
because, as we have seen this season, we don't have enough depth in this
position and Roger Johnson is not good enough as a fourth centre back.
Roger Johnson - 'The Relegator'! On loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, Roger
is known as 'The Relegator' because he was involved in Wolves' double
relegation to League 1. He is not Premier League quality and needs to be
offloaded in my opinion as I am sure he will be. It was a panic loan from
Wolves due to our situation earlier in the season with injuries. He just
isn't of Premier League class in my opinion. He should be replaced with a
better centre back for stronger squad depth.
Central Midfielders:
Mark Noble - Mark must have claret and blue blood! He grew up in Canning
Town and has come through the ranks to be a West Ham player and vice
captain. He is one of the most consistent players in the league and always
provides defensive solidity in front of the back four and is always ice cool
from the penalty spot. Mark is a shoe in for next season's side. The only
area where Noble can be unconvincing is when it comes to going forward. He
can sometimes look lost once he gets near the oppositions box and often
looks afraid to shoot. Furthermore, he is simply not very good at free
kicks, I don't know why he takes our free kicks and if he is the best we've
got, we either need to practice free kicks on the training ground or invest
in someone who can take them.
Kevin Nolan - Either played in an attacking midfield role or in behind the
striker Kevin Nolan is incredibly good at feeding off scraps or knock downs.
Nolan is our top scorer this season with seven goals. He has virtually saved
us from relegation when he had his run of sparkling form in our four wins in
a row. Kevin is 31 and is entering the twilight of his career, being the
captain he can't exactly be dropped to easily but in my opinion, his form
has been too inconsistent this season. Furthermore, his two red cards
highlight is inconsistency and volatility I would like to see Kevin played
at the start of next season but if he doesn't start it well, replaced in the
starting XI.
Antonio Nocerino - On loan from AC Milan, Antonio is a player who can thrive
in behind a big striker as he did with Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Milan. He has
not quite reached those dizzy heights with us and Andy Carroll and I
wouldn't want him signed on a permanent basis at the end of the season from
what I've seen. He is too inconsistent, loses the ball too much and
Allardyce seems to agree with me considering the fact that Antonio is only
making appearances from the bench.
Mohamed Diame - Diame is the most inconsistent player at the club. You have
no clue what you're going to get from Mohamed! My problem with Diame is that
he is too much of a solo player and doesn't seem to hold the team in his
best interests. This shows in a lot of his laziness on the pitch. However,
Diame is a fantastic player when he wants to be and can make brilliant,
driving, skilful runs through the opposition on occasion. Personally, I
think Diame is too inconsistent to be in the starting XI and should be
dropped to the bench.
Ravel Morrison - Ravel is an attacking midfielder and is a very good one at
that. At the age of 21 there is a lot of time for Ravel to grow and improve.
My main issue with Ravel, as I am sure is everyone's, is that he is too full
of himself. His character and ego are a major problem and he needs to put
his past behind him and focus on the football. If he focuses on the football
and the team then he has a big chance of becoming a wonderful player and
England international. He has the skill but not the mindset, putting him out
on loan at Championship clubs is the right idea but I would like to see him
back at the club and on the bench next season. Side note: Very good at
coming on as an impact substitute, not sure if he is a 90 minute Premier
League player quite yet.
Matthew Taylor - Another good player for squad depth, Matthew is useful
because he can play in the centre of midfield, on the left wing and at left
back. He is not the classiest player and does not really have the skills for
Premier League football however; I like Taylor because he always puts 100%
effort in and gives his absolute all every game. Being 32 years old means he
is in the twilight of his career and should be kept for squad depth.
Alou Diarra - What a terrible signing! Wrong attitude, wrong fitness, wrong
work rate and he's 33. Needs to be sold in summer because of the money we're
wasting on his wages. Doesn't seem to want to be at the club and should be
sent on his way.
Jack Collison - His name is Jack and he's Welsh, keep him! I think he still
needs time to grow and should be given further loan opportunities in the
Championship after his loan at Wigan ends; he's only 25 after all.
Wingers:
Stewart Downing - Fantastic signing by Allardyce and he's blossomed well
under the system that Big Sam plays. Has a fantastic cross on him and he can
cut in and shoot. He's a very good winger and someone who should definitely
retain his place in the starting line-up. He is 29 so age isn't a problem
yet either.
Matt Jarvis - Jarvis has been rather inconsistent since his arrival and has
never really found himself among the goals like he did at Wolves. He doesn't
score enough for me or have consistent enough crossing. However, the
fantastic thing about Matt is his pace. He can outpace many of the Premier
League's full backs and then can crosses in from the by-line. He should
definitely be kept because he is only 27 but could possibly be replaced by a
summer signing.
Joe Cole - Joe is a good player but he's definitely lost the pace he needs
to play on the wing at the age of 32. His defensive work as a winger is not
good enough for me and I think he can either be kept for squad depth but I
would very much like to see him replaced in the summer.
Ricardo Vaz Te - Ricardo was an amazing player for us in the Championship
and scored that famous 88th minute goal at Wembley to see us promoted back
to the Premier League. He hasn't really shown the same class in the Premier
League but has been injured for most of this season. I would like to see Vaz
Te kept and trialled at the start of next season.
Forwards:
Andy Carroll - Andy was brought in by Allardyce and the side has been built
around him. Some call him the most aerially talented striker in the world. I
would have to say he is a fantastic striker in the air and is often dominant
against Premier League centre backs. However, I think that we can't always
play it up to Andy because it's too predictable and other teams are dealing
with it. We need a variation on our style, a 'plan B'.
Marco Borriello - Marco has been injured for the most part since is loan
from Roma. He's 31 and I would be happy to see him sent back to Roma and not
bought on a permanent basis. However, he would need to be replaced with
another striker who would have to be signed on a permanent basis as a backup
for Andy Carroll.
Carlton Cole - Carlton is somewhat a West Ham fan favourite and has been
with the club a long time. He is not the most talented striker and is also
30. Should be kept because of his ties to the club and because he isn't an
easy player to sell. Could however, be replaced with a striker of better
calibre. He simply doesn't win enough in the air or put the ball in the back
of the net enough.
Modibo Maiga - Modibo should definitely be sold in the summer because he has
been somewhat of a flop in English football. Scoring only 3 goals in 31
appearances is certainly not good enough.
That's what I think of the squad! In summary, I think our goalkeepers are
good and we don't need any replacements in this department. I think our
defence is good but we need a new right back and a centre back to partner
Reid that is better than Collins or Tomkins or just another centre back for
squad depth. I think our midfield is good but needs some changes, we need a
new attacking midfielder, someone who can pass the ball with a bit of flair,
someone like Diame or Morrison but isn't so full of themselves. We either
need a replacement for Jarvis or another winger for squad depth to have on
the bench, preferably someone like Downing. Furthermore, I think Carroll is
good but we need another striker to back him up in case of injury or someone
to bring off of the bench. This all is if we keep the style, formation and
plan the same. This is what the team would look like:
Formation: 4-4-1-1
GK - Adrian
RB - New Player
CB - Reid
CB - Collins/New Player
LB - Armero
RM - Downing
CM - Noble
CM - New Player
LM - Jarvis/New Player
CAM - Nolan (Trial Run)
ST - Carroll
Subs:
GK - Jaaskelainen
RB - Demel
CB - Tomkins/Collins
CM - Diame
CAM - Morrison
Winger - Jarvis/Vaz Te/New Player
ST - New Player
According to these plans we need five new players and I think the bulk of
the money should be invested in an attacking midfielder, striker and a right
back. Some ideas being, Micah Richards (RB), Samuel Inkoom (RB), Josip Drmic
(ST), Ross McCormack (ST), Jordan Rhodes (ST), Solomon Kalou (ST), Graziano
Pelle (ST), Loic Remy (Loan ST), Lewis Holtby (CAM), Jack Rodwell (CM),
Craig Bryson (CAM).
This is what I would do from Sam Allardyce's point of view, from my point of
view, I would change one thing. I would stick with the changes I said we
should make earlier and the replacements we should bring in. However, I
think we should devise a 'Plan B' for next season because we have become too
predictable. We should stick with the 4-4-1-1 formation or 4-3-3/4-5-1 that
we've been playing this season for the starting line-up. However, I think we
should give ourselves a better option of going 4-4-2 from the bench. This
would mean that we would need to buy another striker and this striker should
add a dimension of pace and we can begin to use a flick on. In games where
we are chasing the game or struggling to break down the opposition we would
be able to take our CAM off, most likely Nolan, in the 4-4-1-1 and switch to
a 4-4-2 by bringing a striker on. The striker we buy should be similar in
his style to Sam Baldock and this way, we would be able to vary our style
and make life more difficult for the oppositions defence instead of only
knowing one tactic. We would therefore, be able to change the tactic from
the knock down to the flick on. I believe this would be very useful if we
were struggling to break the opposition down in games like the 0-1 against
Crystal Palace.
The bench using this change would now look like this:
GK - Jaaskelainen
RB - Demel
CM - Diame
CAM - Morrison
Winger - Jarvis/Vaz Te/New Player
ST - New Player (Backup for Andy Carroll) ST - New Player (Quicker player to
vary the tactic)
I think that if we did this, it would greatly improve our chances of picking
up more wins from losing positions and also make us much less one
dimensional. This would mean that Big Sam still gets to use his long ball
style and we will still have fans, who I respect, moaning about the style
and wanting the 'West Ham Way'. However, we would be able to change our
tactic in games and make it a lot harder for opposition managers to prepare
for and a lot harder for opposition players to defend against.
Currently, the way we play, teams can set up for the long ball and knock
down and know that that is all they'll have to defend against for 90
minutes. When you vary a tactic, that makes us more unpredictable, harder to
prepare for and I have evidence that varying a tactic can change the balance
of play. For example, look at the 0-3 victory away at Spurs. Spurs would
have prepared for the long ball and knock down all week, training with their
defenders how to deal with this. We came onto the pitch playing 4-6-0 or a
false nine formation which nobody expected. This is exactly why we won the
game by three goals and Spurs' defenders looked lost and powerless to deal
with what we threw at them. Another example this season would be Liverpool's
success. One of the major reasons as to why Liverpool have been so
successful this season is down to Brendan Rogers and the way he sets their
team up. They're hard to prepare for because you don't know what the tactic
will be. They could use the overlap constantly and use the width a lot,
whipping low balls into the box. They could flood the play through the
middle of the pitch and look to play through you using triangles e.g. Suarez
- Sturridge - Coutinho. They could mix it up and use a bit of both of these
styles or look to play from deep with a CDM in Gerrard pinging balls out to
the wings or through the middle. You simply don't know and that is why they
are going to win the title this season.
If we can bring this element of unpredictability to West Ham and become less
one dimensional we could have more success next season.
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CRYSTAL PALACE: A LESSON IN DOING THE WRONG THING
By ExWHUemployee 21 Apr 2014 at 14:00
West Ham Till I Die
I am going to comment purely on the Crystal Palace game and try to not get
into a debate of whether Big Sam should be sacked or not. This debate has
been something that has pretty much gone in all of Sam's seasons and one
where most people now appear to be sharing thoughts that are similar to our
own Iain Dale, amongst others, who expressed it this weekend.
I left the game, not for the first time this season, bored and completely
dejected about what I had seen. I just feel we are so one dimensional. We
continued to just hit the ball long to Carroll who, uncharacteristically,
barely won a header. On this occasion their centre-back clearly had the
better of him but rather than change our tactic to get round this we just
continued to pump the ball up to him.
The reliance of a target man in our system relies on the wingers getting
down the by line and putting in decent crosses. Continuously this season I
have stressed on my twitter account that I think we are much better off
having Jarvis on the right and Downing on the left. Both have pace but it is
rarely shown because even though they may beat their man they often have to
cut back on to their natural foot. This means that the defenders have time
to get back on the player with the ball and others get in the box. I
understand the reason for putting them on opposite wing, so that they can
cut in and get shots away but quite frankly they don't do this. Jarvis has
scored a couple in the league this season and Downing hasn't scored at all.
So clearly this doesn't happen, so to me, it is not rocket science to put
them on their natural wing. They seemed to switch over a lot during this
game (more than usual) but when they were on their natural side we played
better, so why don't they always play there?!
I thought Matt Jarvis was having a good game, one of his better ones this
season and then Sam took him off first. I personally thought that if you
were to take one of the wingers off it had to be Downing who has been off
the boil the last few games despite having a decent season. Taking Jarvis
off really baffled me and I am sure it did him. The best player to come on
from the bench to replace a winger, in my eyes, would be Vaz Te. Yet again
he wasn't on the bench and is clearly on his way out in the summer. Vaz Te,
before his injury, was one of our better performers and he offers more goal
threat than our current wingers.
I am a firm believer in the theory that you are as good as your last game.
This leads me on to the case of Antonio Nocerino. He was our best player in
the previous game against Arsenal and he should have remained in the team.
He had stated in the week he wanted to earn a permanent move to the club and
is clearly trying to prove this. Dropping him for Nolan who had missed the
previous game through a hamstring injury (one that he was clearly not
completely over) does not send out the right message to the squad.
Nocerino's energy would have been very useful against our opponents' box to
box running.
This week was a tragic one for all connected with the club after the very
sad passing of Dylan Tombides. I had met the man and shared the same
feelings of admiration of his positivity and courage. He was an extremely
popular member of the squad. I felt we would at least put a positive
performance in, in tribute to the player and his family. Of course it is
hard to predict how people respond to such sad events but I did really
expect the team at least to show passion, determination and fight in this
game like the fans had. Unfortunately it didn't come and this was a major
disappointment.
I hope we get a lot more from the last three games and if it is not points
at least some entertainment and fight but we shall see if this is possible
and then the board need to do some serious thinking.
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WHUFC.com
Downing targets win at West Brom on Saturday to guarantee safety
21.04.2014
Stewart Downing has his eyes on the points that would guarantee Barclays
Premier League safety when the Hammers travel to West Bromwich Albion on
Saturday. With 37 points on the board, West Ham are not quite over the line
yet, but would take a step closer with a positive result at the Hawthorns -
and Downing does not want to leave the West Midlands with anything less.
"We've been itching to get to the 40-point mark the last few weeks, and I
think we still need to get points on the board to be safe," he said. "West
Brom is a big game on Saturday and we'd love to get three points, but even
if we take a point i think it would be a big result. "They are in and around
us, so if we can keep them below us that would be important."
The Hammers fell to a disappointing 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace on Saturday,
when Mile Jedinak's second half penalty proved enough to earn the south
Londoners the points. Big Sam's men were made to pay for not making the most
of a bright opening period, as Palace stifled their hosts after the break.
Downing felt the first goal scored was always going to be crucial and was
frustrated that his side were not able to force the breakthrough. "It was a
frustrating afternoon for us, especially in the second half," he explained.
"First half I thought we played some decent stuff towards the end, created a
few chances and the keeper's really kept them in it. "They are a hard team
to break down. They make it difficult for you and I think it proved that way
on Saturday. "The first goal meant so much and we stressed during the week
that if we could ge the first goal the gaps might appear, then we could
create more space. "It wasn't to be and they've done that to many teams this
season. Credit to them, Tony Pulis has got them organised and they've got
results. "They got every man behind the ball [once they went in front]. We
had some good combinations and put some good crosses in during the first
half, but we didn't do that enough after half time."
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Nolan bemoans poor finishing
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 21st April 2014
By: Staff Writer
Kevin Nolan believes that West Ham need to improve in front of goal if they
are to win any of their remaining three matches this season.
West Ham, beaten 1-0 at home by newly-promoted Crystal Palace at the weekend
end a frustrating 2013/14 campaign with trips to West Bromwich Albion and
Manchester City and a home encounter with Tottenham.
Meanwhile the club captain, who has scored seven goals in his 32 appearances
this season insists that the Hammers need to sharpen up in front of goal if
they are to avoid extending their run of three successive defeats.
"We had six [shots against Palace] in the first half and six in the second,"
he told whufc.tv. "When you get a chance you have to get it on target,
because that's what the fans remember and that's what puts the opposition
under pressure. That's what we've got to be better at as a whole squad, not
just as individuals.
"When we get those chances, even if they're half chances, you've got to be
able to take them and put them on target. We'll go away, we'll study the
videos and we'll try to put it right next week at West Brom."
Nolan, whose inconsistent form since August has been reflected by the team
as a whole this season needs a further three goals to match his tally of ten
from 2012/13 - which in itself was three fewer than the 13 he scored during
the Championship season, his first at the club.
Yet he firmly believes that the team will be looking up next season - as
opposed to downwards, as has been the case for much of the current campaign.
"Building for next season is a massive priority," he added, "and I'm sure
this time next year we won't be talking about relegation, we'll be talking
about trying to push for Europe."
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Downes blasts Neville for encouraging cheating
KUMb.com
Filed: Monday, 21st April 2014
By: Staff Writer
Former West Ham United coach Wally Downes has criticised England coach and
Sky TV pundit Gary Neville after the former Manchester United defender urged
players to dive in order to win penalties.
Downes, who now works alongside former West Ham manager Harry Redknapp at
Championship Quens Park Rangers hit out at Neville after the 39-year-old
insisted that Matt Jarvis should have gone to ground when fouled by
Arsenal's Bacary Sagna in the 3-1 derby defeat at the Emirates last week in
order to win a penalty.
"I've been mulling over the Matt Jarvis incident," said Downes, speaking via
Twitter. "The referee didn't give it and Jarvis played on as there was no
whistle. With visual aid the referee got It wrong. So what? live with it!
"It's a game strewn with mistakes by all concerned. Jarvis did what is
expected of a high-profile sportsman. Pundits/England coaches encouraging
players to dive or go down are doing the game a disservice and send out the
wrong message to youngsters watching the game."
Downes, who KUMB readers voted as winner of our Most Missed category in the
2012/13 KUMB Awards also called upon the game's governing body to take
Neville to task for the comments - comments that he believes condone
gamesmanship.
"The FA should make Gary Neville justify his comments, as a coach he is
encouraging cheating," added Downes. "As a pundit there is a conflict of
interest; he may think that as a Sky pundit but if these are the views of a
national coach, then it is the wrong message.
"Matt Jarvis has played the game in the manner it should be played. It's
funny that we are at the stage when this isn't taken for granted. In
closing, well done Matt and reconsider your comments/position, Gary."
Jarvis, speaking after the incident admitted that having been denied a
penalty for what was a clear infringement may leave him thinking twice about
being so honest next time a similar situation arises.
"I don't know if I had gone down whether it would have been a penalty or if
I had whether I'd have been booked," he mused. "Maybe I should learn from
that and be a bit more clever."
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Raising funds in memory of Dylan
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 21st April 2014
By: Staff Writer
A JustGiving page has been created in memory of young Hammer Dylan Tombides,
who died last week. KUMB member west ham 15, aka Jamie Seagrave, has created
the page in honour of the young Hammer with all funds raised to go to Cancer
Research UK. "I've been meaning to do something for Cancer Research for a
long time as I lost my granddad to this horrible disease," he told KUMB.
"Hearing the news on Dylan touched me as I met him a couple times at the
training ground [in Chadwell Heath] and he came across as such a lovely lad.
So, I decided to setup the page to hopefully raise money for Cancer Research
in memory of Dylan."
So far, more than 150 people have donated to the appeal. You may make a
donation by visiting the RIP Dylan Tombides page at
www.justgiving.com/DylanTombides.
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Samuel Inkoom claims interest from West Ham and others
By Fotis Voinikas | Last Updated: 21/04/14 7:51pm
SSN
Ghana international Samuel Inkoom has claimed that West Ham United are one
of five clubs looking to sign him. Sky Sports revealed in February that The
Hammers were keen on the 24-year-old, who is currently on-loan at Greek
outfit Platanias. Inkoom's deal with his parent club Dnipro expires at the
end of the calendar year, meaning he can pen a pre-contract this summer.
Speaking to Greek newspaper Chaniotika Nea, Inkoom revealed that a number of
clubs were showing an interest in his services - including West Ham. "I
don't know where I will play football next season," he stated. "I am focused
right now on my national team and the World Cup in Brazil, but I have five
offers so far. Olympiakos, West Ham and Lyon are among them. "I do not want
to talk more now, my mind is now looking at the World Cup, who knows in
football no one knows. "Anything can happen in football and I'm ready to go
anywhere."
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SHOULD THEY STAY OR SHOULD THEY GO?
By Iain Dale 21 Apr 2014 at 19:47
West Ham Till I Die
Guest Post by Jack
I posted my article in the comments on SJ Chandos' post about MoTD pundits
dismissing the 'West Ham Way'. Some suggested I send it to you saying, 'Jack
send articles to Iain so that he can use them as threads so they generate
proper debate'. I'm 14 years old and love writing about football and West
Ham! The article I've written is 3,600 words and describes what I think
about each player, the style of play and what we should do tactically, and
money wise, in the summer. I have no intention of stopping writing at this
and will continue to write about West Ham for a long time.
Thanks and here's the article.
Hi, my name is Jack. I'm a 21st century kid, born in 2000. One thing in my
life has been consistent, West Ham United; not the form, the club, the
players, the manager or the league, my support. I've been watching West Ham
since the 2006 FA Cup final, West Ham vs Liverpool, we lost. Why do I
support West Ham then? 'West Ham needs me.' That was 6 year old me,
Liverpool didn't need my support, they won the final without it. West Ham
lost and they needed me behind them. That was the thought process in my 6
year old brain, subconsciously, or consciously. Here I am, eight years
later, writing my thoughts about the club I love, a lot of thoughts.
Where to start? Let's start with the league; we are a Barclays Premier
League club, sitting in 12th place, on 37 points after 35 games. We look
relatively safe, from relegation of course. Our manager is Sam Allardyce,
'Allardici' and David Gold and Sullivan own the club. We're moving stadiums
in two season's time, to the Olympic Stadium, leaving the Boleyn Ground and
all its history behind us. The owners want to move us forward, take us from
a mid table side, just about avoiding relegation, to a side that can
challenge for places in European cups and competitions. A lot is going to
need to be done to take us there and it will be a quite an achievement if we
make it to that calibre.
If we want to get there we're going to have to look at many things, staff,
manager and squad. Let's start by looking at the squad. I'm going to analyse
each player, subs, starting XI and some others, and give my view, from the
stands, on them.
Goalkeepers:
Adrian San Miguel - An outstanding purchase from Real Betis by Allardyce. He
has been a very good keeper since his arrival and has performed multiple
outstanding saves. He has good distribution and reflexes. A good shot
stopper, my only worries are sometimes his handling and command of the box.
On a side note, one of the things that is best about this goalkeeper is not
his performance on the pitch but his way of interacting with the crowd which
has quickly made him a fan favourite.
Jussi Jaaskelainen - Again a very good signing from Bolton by Allardyce.
Jaaskelainen is a fantastic keeper to have on the bench as he could make the
grade as a first team keeper at some other clubs in the league. Jussi is a
fantastic keeper but has arrived in the twilight of his career. Being 39
means that his level and performances are starting to worsen and his
handling has become a lot more of a problem this season.
Full backs:
Guy Demel - Yet again, I must mention that this was another good purchase by
Allardyce. Brought in from Hamburger SV he has been a very good right back
for us since he overcame his injury problems. Demel is very good at
attacking and providing an overlap for the right winger. He has good skill
going forward and enough to get past some left backs to get crosses into the
box. However, being a right back means he has to do a lot of defensive work
as well and he is not as solid in this area as I would like him to be. He
has good strength; no one in their right mind would doubt that. Although in
my opinion he doesn't stop crosses from the oppositions left winger coming
into the box enough. He doesn't shepherd players well enough and shield the
box from shots or crosses. He doesn't get tight enough to his man as well.
Demel is also 32 years old and for the reasons provided I think we need to
improve in this area.
Joey O'Brien - Brought in from Bolton by Allardyce, Joey has done well to
overcome his injury problems and feature multiple times in the starting line
up. For me, he is too inconsistent, when I see his name on the team sheet I
don't know what O'Brien I'm going to get. A solid full back that gets
forward well and shuts out wingers or a player who loses the ball and
doesn't deal well with attacking players. He doesn't cut it in the starting
XI but is good enough for the bench/reserves for now. Being 28 years old,
age is not too much of a worry just yet as well.
Pablo Armero - On loan from Napoli until the end of the season, Pablo has
only recently made a burst into the first team. From what I've seen so far,
I've been impressed other than his silly tackle on Cameron Jerome in Crystal
Palace's 1-0 win over us he has been good. Good enough, in fact, for me to
suggest that we should attempt to purchase him permanently. The 27 year old
has shown he is good enough for the side and my only problem with him is
that he seems afraid to cross the ball when supporting the winger. Whip it
in Pablo!
George McCartney - Another buy from Allardyce, McCartney has been a solid
player and is ever the consistent. Being 32 years old he is also in the
twilight of his career but considering his form I am happy to have him as a
substitute left back. Side note: Not to be played at right back on evidence
from West Ham 0-1 Crystal Palace, poor performance.
Centre backs:
Winston Reid - Probably the best player in our team. Brilliantly consistent,
barely every puts a foot wrong in defence and is only 25. Definitely not
someone we should look to replace and definitely not someone we should let
go to a bigger club. If we want to become one of those bigger clubs then we
can't let players like him go.
James Collins - 'The Ginger Pele'! What fantastic neck muscles this man has!
Brilliant in the air and uses this to his advantage in defence and attack.
Not always the same with his tackles. In some games he has been quite superb
and has put in a lot of great tackles however, in others he can be
inconsistent, applying pressure to far up the pitch and breaking the
defensive line, rushing into tackles and leaving gaps in behind. Good enough
to retain his place in the XI or to switch around with Tomkins although, I
really wouldn't mind another very solid, consistent centre back to partner
Reid. Furthermore, he is 30, meaning he will also come into the twilight of
his career fairly soon.
James Tomkins - Solid centre back and someone I'm happy to watch in the
side. Could give Collins a run for his money and make into the starting
line-up consistently. Further consider the fact that James is only 25
meaning he has quite a lot of time to grow and improve yet, only more reason
to keep hold of him and possibly play him more often. Despite all of this I
will say the same thing as I did with Collins; I wouldn't mind another
centre back to partner Reid who is better than both of the James'. Another
option to consider is bringing in another centre back simply for squad depth
because, as we have seen this season, we don't have enough depth in this
position and Roger Johnson is not good enough as a fourth centre back.
Roger Johnson - 'The Relegator'! On loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, Roger
is known as 'The Relegator' because he was involved in Wolves' double
relegation to League 1. He is not Premier League quality and needs to be
offloaded in my opinion as I am sure he will be. It was a panic loan from
Wolves due to our situation earlier in the season with injuries. He just
isn't of Premier League class in my opinion. He should be replaced with a
better centre back for stronger squad depth.
Central Midfielders:
Mark Noble - Mark must have claret and blue blood! He grew up in Canning
Town and has come through the ranks to be a West Ham player and vice
captain. He is one of the most consistent players in the league and always
provides defensive solidity in front of the back four and is always ice cool
from the penalty spot. Mark is a shoe in for next season's side. The only
area where Noble can be unconvincing is when it comes to going forward. He
can sometimes look lost once he gets near the oppositions box and often
looks afraid to shoot. Furthermore, he is simply not very good at free
kicks, I don't know why he takes our free kicks and if he is the best we've
got, we either need to practice free kicks on the training ground or invest
in someone who can take them.
Kevin Nolan - Either played in an attacking midfield role or in behind the
striker Kevin Nolan is incredibly good at feeding off scraps or knock downs.
Nolan is our top scorer this season with seven goals. He has virtually saved
us from relegation when he had his run of sparkling form in our four wins in
a row. Kevin is 31 and is entering the twilight of his career, being the
captain he can't exactly be dropped to easily but in my opinion, his form
has been too inconsistent this season. Furthermore, his two red cards
highlight is inconsistency and volatility I would like to see Kevin played
at the start of next season but if he doesn't start it well, replaced in the
starting XI.
Antonio Nocerino - On loan from AC Milan, Antonio is a player who can thrive
in behind a big striker as he did with Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Milan. He has
not quite reached those dizzy heights with us and Andy Carroll and I
wouldn't want him signed on a permanent basis at the end of the season from
what I've seen. He is too inconsistent, loses the ball too much and
Allardyce seems to agree with me considering the fact that Antonio is only
making appearances from the bench.
Mohamed Diame - Diame is the most inconsistent player at the club. You have
no clue what you're going to get from Mohamed! My problem with Diame is that
he is too much of a solo player and doesn't seem to hold the team in his
best interests. This shows in a lot of his laziness on the pitch. However,
Diame is a fantastic player when he wants to be and can make brilliant,
driving, skilful runs through the opposition on occasion. Personally, I
think Diame is too inconsistent to be in the starting XI and should be
dropped to the bench.
Ravel Morrison - Ravel is an attacking midfielder and is a very good one at
that. At the age of 21 there is a lot of time for Ravel to grow and improve.
My main issue with Ravel, as I am sure is everyone's, is that he is too full
of himself. His character and ego are a major problem and he needs to put
his past behind him and focus on the football. If he focuses on the football
and the team then he has a big chance of becoming a wonderful player and
England international. He has the skill but not the mindset, putting him out
on loan at Championship clubs is the right idea but I would like to see him
back at the club and on the bench next season. Side note: Very good at
coming on as an impact substitute, not sure if he is a 90 minute Premier
League player quite yet.
Matthew Taylor - Another good player for squad depth, Matthew is useful
because he can play in the centre of midfield, on the left wing and at left
back. He is not the classiest player and does not really have the skills for
Premier League football however; I like Taylor because he always puts 100%
effort in and gives his absolute all every game. Being 32 years old means he
is in the twilight of his career and should be kept for squad depth.
Alou Diarra - What a terrible signing! Wrong attitude, wrong fitness, wrong
work rate and he's 33. Needs to be sold in summer because of the money we're
wasting on his wages. Doesn't seem to want to be at the club and should be
sent on his way.
Jack Collison - His name is Jack and he's Welsh, keep him! I think he still
needs time to grow and should be given further loan opportunities in the
Championship after his loan at Wigan ends; he's only 25 after all.
Wingers:
Stewart Downing - Fantastic signing by Allardyce and he's blossomed well
under the system that Big Sam plays. Has a fantastic cross on him and he can
cut in and shoot. He's a very good winger and someone who should definitely
retain his place in the starting line-up. He is 29 so age isn't a problem
yet either.
Matt Jarvis - Jarvis has been rather inconsistent since his arrival and has
never really found himself among the goals like he did at Wolves. He doesn't
score enough for me or have consistent enough crossing. However, the
fantastic thing about Matt is his pace. He can outpace many of the Premier
League's full backs and then can crosses in from the by-line. He should
definitely be kept because he is only 27 but could possibly be replaced by a
summer signing.
Joe Cole - Joe is a good player but he's definitely lost the pace he needs
to play on the wing at the age of 32. His defensive work as a winger is not
good enough for me and I think he can either be kept for squad depth but I
would very much like to see him replaced in the summer.
Ricardo Vaz Te - Ricardo was an amazing player for us in the Championship
and scored that famous 88th minute goal at Wembley to see us promoted back
to the Premier League. He hasn't really shown the same class in the Premier
League but has been injured for most of this season. I would like to see Vaz
Te kept and trialled at the start of next season.
Forwards:
Andy Carroll - Andy was brought in by Allardyce and the side has been built
around him. Some call him the most aerially talented striker in the world. I
would have to say he is a fantastic striker in the air and is often dominant
against Premier League centre backs. However, I think that we can't always
play it up to Andy because it's too predictable and other teams are dealing
with it. We need a variation on our style, a 'plan B'.
Marco Borriello - Marco has been injured for the most part since is loan
from Roma. He's 31 and I would be happy to see him sent back to Roma and not
bought on a permanent basis. However, he would need to be replaced with
another striker who would have to be signed on a permanent basis as a backup
for Andy Carroll.
Carlton Cole - Carlton is somewhat a West Ham fan favourite and has been
with the club a long time. He is not the most talented striker and is also
30. Should be kept because of his ties to the club and because he isn't an
easy player to sell. Could however, be replaced with a striker of better
calibre. He simply doesn't win enough in the air or put the ball in the back
of the net enough.
Modibo Maiga - Modibo should definitely be sold in the summer because he has
been somewhat of a flop in English football. Scoring only 3 goals in 31
appearances is certainly not good enough.
That's what I think of the squad! In summary, I think our goalkeepers are
good and we don't need any replacements in this department. I think our
defence is good but we need a new right back and a centre back to partner
Reid that is better than Collins or Tomkins or just another centre back for
squad depth. I think our midfield is good but needs some changes, we need a
new attacking midfielder, someone who can pass the ball with a bit of flair,
someone like Diame or Morrison but isn't so full of themselves. We either
need a replacement for Jarvis or another winger for squad depth to have on
the bench, preferably someone like Downing. Furthermore, I think Carroll is
good but we need another striker to back him up in case of injury or someone
to bring off of the bench. This all is if we keep the style, formation and
plan the same. This is what the team would look like:
Formation: 4-4-1-1
GK - Adrian
RB - New Player
CB - Reid
CB - Collins/New Player
LB - Armero
RM - Downing
CM - Noble
CM - New Player
LM - Jarvis/New Player
CAM - Nolan (Trial Run)
ST - Carroll
Subs:
GK - Jaaskelainen
RB - Demel
CB - Tomkins/Collins
CM - Diame
CAM - Morrison
Winger - Jarvis/Vaz Te/New Player
ST - New Player
According to these plans we need five new players and I think the bulk of
the money should be invested in an attacking midfielder, striker and a right
back. Some ideas being, Micah Richards (RB), Samuel Inkoom (RB), Josip Drmic
(ST), Ross McCormack (ST), Jordan Rhodes (ST), Solomon Kalou (ST), Graziano
Pelle (ST), Loic Remy (Loan ST), Lewis Holtby (CAM), Jack Rodwell (CM),
Craig Bryson (CAM).
This is what I would do from Sam Allardyce's point of view, from my point of
view, I would change one thing. I would stick with the changes I said we
should make earlier and the replacements we should bring in. However, I
think we should devise a 'Plan B' for next season because we have become too
predictable. We should stick with the 4-4-1-1 formation or 4-3-3/4-5-1 that
we've been playing this season for the starting line-up. However, I think we
should give ourselves a better option of going 4-4-2 from the bench. This
would mean that we would need to buy another striker and this striker should
add a dimension of pace and we can begin to use a flick on. In games where
we are chasing the game or struggling to break down the opposition we would
be able to take our CAM off, most likely Nolan, in the 4-4-1-1 and switch to
a 4-4-2 by bringing a striker on. The striker we buy should be similar in
his style to Sam Baldock and this way, we would be able to vary our style
and make life more difficult for the oppositions defence instead of only
knowing one tactic. We would therefore, be able to change the tactic from
the knock down to the flick on. I believe this would be very useful if we
were struggling to break the opposition down in games like the 0-1 against
Crystal Palace.
The bench using this change would now look like this:
GK - Jaaskelainen
RB - Demel
CM - Diame
CAM - Morrison
Winger - Jarvis/Vaz Te/New Player
ST - New Player (Backup for Andy Carroll) ST - New Player (Quicker player to
vary the tactic)
I think that if we did this, it would greatly improve our chances of picking
up more wins from losing positions and also make us much less one
dimensional. This would mean that Big Sam still gets to use his long ball
style and we will still have fans, who I respect, moaning about the style
and wanting the 'West Ham Way'. However, we would be able to change our
tactic in games and make it a lot harder for opposition managers to prepare
for and a lot harder for opposition players to defend against.
Currently, the way we play, teams can set up for the long ball and knock
down and know that that is all they'll have to defend against for 90
minutes. When you vary a tactic, that makes us more unpredictable, harder to
prepare for and I have evidence that varying a tactic can change the balance
of play. For example, look at the 0-3 victory away at Spurs. Spurs would
have prepared for the long ball and knock down all week, training with their
defenders how to deal with this. We came onto the pitch playing 4-6-0 or a
false nine formation which nobody expected. This is exactly why we won the
game by three goals and Spurs' defenders looked lost and powerless to deal
with what we threw at them. Another example this season would be Liverpool's
success. One of the major reasons as to why Liverpool have been so
successful this season is down to Brendan Rogers and the way he sets their
team up. They're hard to prepare for because you don't know what the tactic
will be. They could use the overlap constantly and use the width a lot,
whipping low balls into the box. They could flood the play through the
middle of the pitch and look to play through you using triangles e.g. Suarez
- Sturridge - Coutinho. They could mix it up and use a bit of both of these
styles or look to play from deep with a CDM in Gerrard pinging balls out to
the wings or through the middle. You simply don't know and that is why they
are going to win the title this season.
If we can bring this element of unpredictability to West Ham and become less
one dimensional we could have more success next season.
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CRYSTAL PALACE: A LESSON IN DOING THE WRONG THING
By ExWHUemployee 21 Apr 2014 at 14:00
West Ham Till I Die
I am going to comment purely on the Crystal Palace game and try to not get
into a debate of whether Big Sam should be sacked or not. This debate has
been something that has pretty much gone in all of Sam's seasons and one
where most people now appear to be sharing thoughts that are similar to our
own Iain Dale, amongst others, who expressed it this weekend.
I left the game, not for the first time this season, bored and completely
dejected about what I had seen. I just feel we are so one dimensional. We
continued to just hit the ball long to Carroll who, uncharacteristically,
barely won a header. On this occasion their centre-back clearly had the
better of him but rather than change our tactic to get round this we just
continued to pump the ball up to him.
The reliance of a target man in our system relies on the wingers getting
down the by line and putting in decent crosses. Continuously this season I
have stressed on my twitter account that I think we are much better off
having Jarvis on the right and Downing on the left. Both have pace but it is
rarely shown because even though they may beat their man they often have to
cut back on to their natural foot. This means that the defenders have time
to get back on the player with the ball and others get in the box. I
understand the reason for putting them on opposite wing, so that they can
cut in and get shots away but quite frankly they don't do this. Jarvis has
scored a couple in the league this season and Downing hasn't scored at all.
So clearly this doesn't happen, so to me, it is not rocket science to put
them on their natural wing. They seemed to switch over a lot during this
game (more than usual) but when they were on their natural side we played
better, so why don't they always play there?!
I thought Matt Jarvis was having a good game, one of his better ones this
season and then Sam took him off first. I personally thought that if you
were to take one of the wingers off it had to be Downing who has been off
the boil the last few games despite having a decent season. Taking Jarvis
off really baffled me and I am sure it did him. The best player to come on
from the bench to replace a winger, in my eyes, would be Vaz Te. Yet again
he wasn't on the bench and is clearly on his way out in the summer. Vaz Te,
before his injury, was one of our better performers and he offers more goal
threat than our current wingers.
I am a firm believer in the theory that you are as good as your last game.
This leads me on to the case of Antonio Nocerino. He was our best player in
the previous game against Arsenal and he should have remained in the team.
He had stated in the week he wanted to earn a permanent move to the club and
is clearly trying to prove this. Dropping him for Nolan who had missed the
previous game through a hamstring injury (one that he was clearly not
completely over) does not send out the right message to the squad.
Nocerino's energy would have been very useful against our opponents' box to
box running.
This week was a tragic one for all connected with the club after the very
sad passing of Dylan Tombides. I had met the man and shared the same
feelings of admiration of his positivity and courage. He was an extremely
popular member of the squad. I felt we would at least put a positive
performance in, in tribute to the player and his family. Of course it is
hard to predict how people respond to such sad events but I did really
expect the team at least to show passion, determination and fight in this
game like the fans had. Unfortunately it didn't come and this was a major
disappointment.
I hope we get a lot more from the last three games and if it is not points
at least some entertainment and fight but we shall see if this is possible
and then the board need to do some serious thinking.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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