Hammers beaten by Berahino goal
WHUFC.com
West Bromwich Albion defeated West Ham United 1-0 on Saturday
26.04.2014
West Bromwich Albion 1-0 West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United are still yet to secure their Barclays Premier League safety
after falling to a 1-0 defeat at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. Saido
Berahino's eleventh minute goal was enough to settle the match in West
Brom's favour as the Baggies claimed the points they so desperately needed.
The Hammers made a bright start, but faded as the game went on and could not
find a way past Ben Foster in the home goal. The Hammers welcomed Guy Demel
back into the starting line-up after he missed out last week with
illness,and the Londoners started brightly as they looked to put the Baggies
under early pressure. With six minutes on the clock Stewart Downing
delivered a corner from the right which dropped for Kevin Nolan at the far
post. He held the ball up with his back to goal and Andy Carroll rammed the
ball goalwards but Ben Foster stood up to block. It looked as though West
Ham were settling the quicker, but they fell behind with eleven minutes on
the clock as Stephane Sessegnon made his way through the midfield too easily
and slipped the ball through to Morgan Amalfitano. He spotted Berahino in
the box and picked him out for a simple tap-in. West Ham tried to respond
through Carroll, who came so close with a 19th minute header following
Downing's cross, but Foster got across brilliantly to parry the ball to
safety. At the other end Albion were a whisker away from a second on 26
minutes when Amalfitano delivered another dangerous cross from the right and
Billy Jones headed a couple of feet wide. Both teams had good chances in a
frantic 30th minute as first Guy Demel was denied by Foster, then West Brom
broke and Graham Dorrans should really have done better than drag his shot
wide when he made space for himself on the edge of the box. 1-0 was how it
stood at the break, but it should really have been two on the hour when an
Albion break left West Ham exposed. The Hammers escaped when Berahino first
could not get his feet sorted, then when the ball came back to him, he fired
straight at Adrian.
The Baggies were really forcing the issue by now and Berahino was in the
thick of the action again moments later when Mulumbu's off target fell to
his feet. It was a sharp chance, but he couldn't bring the ball under his
spell and Adrian pounced. West Ham were being frustrated in their attacking
efforts, but they were within the width of the crossbar of equalising on 71
minutes when Carroll rose unchallenged to meet Matt Jarvis' corner but sent
his header crashing against the woodwork. Adrian had to dive down to his
right to turn Sessegnon's low volley to safety, and the Hammers introduced
Carlton Cole from the bench, but there was to be no response from the
Hammers as they slipped to a fourth straight loss.
West Bromwich Albion: Foster; Reid (Morrison 45), Dawson, Olsson, Jones;
Mulumbu, Dorrans; Amalfitano, Sessegnon (Anichebe 81), Brunt; Berahino
(Yacob 90)
Subs: Myhill, Lugano, Vydra, Thievy
Goal: Berahino 11
West Ham United: Adrian; Demel, Tomkins (Collins 33), Reid, McCartney;
Nolan, Noble, Diame; Downing (J.Cole 67), Carroll, Jarvis (C.Cole 79)
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Armero, Vaz Te, Nocerino
Booked: Collins
Referee: Mike Dean
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'We have to do more for the fans'
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce said he could empathise with supporters' frustrations after a
1-0 defeat at West Bromwich Albion
26.04.2014
Sam Allardyce said he understands West Ham United supporters' frustrations
following Saturday's 1-0 Barclays Premier League defeat at West Bromwich
Albion. The manager could not conceal his own feelings following a
disappointing away day at The Hawthorns, where the Hammers were edged out
despite producing a hugely encouraging first-half performance. In a game
that mirrored the home defeat by Crystal Palace, West Ham played the better
football before the break, but a succession of missed chances ultimately
cost them dear. Ben Foster saved well from Andy Carroll and Mohamed Diame
before half-time, while the former also rattled the crossbar with a thumping
header with 20 minutes remaining. While Palace won the game with a
second-half penalty, on this occasion the opponents' goal came before
half-time, with Saido Berahino netting at the end of a move that literally
cut through the middle of the visitors' defence. A fourth defeat on the trot
produced some understandable anxiety among some members of the travelling
2,600-strong Claret and Blue Army - anxiety Big Sam said he could fully
empathise with. "I understand that the supporters want to see us play well
and they want to see us win," said the manager. "I understand that they have
travelled all this way and they don't want to go home disappointed again.
"We have to do more for them and more for ourselves in the last two games,
particularly at home against Tottenham, and try and repeat the thrilling
results we have achieved at White Hart Lane this season. We won there in the
league and in the Capital One Cup, so can we do it again and make it a
hat-trick against Tottenham this season? "They are our old enemy who our
fans would love to see us beat, so that's the challenge. As hard and as
difficult as it will be, as they are a very good side, it will send the fans
home happy if we can beat our local rivals and get three points on the
board. "In terms of my job, it's my job to worry about it and my job to get
it right. It's my position to take the burden of criticism and uneasiness
that there is at the moment because we're not winning games of football.
It's my job to do that and I'll do that to the best of my ability. "I've
been doing this job an awful long time and I will work as hard as I can
every single day of the week to make everybody happy."
Concentrating on Saturday's defeat at The Hawthorns, the manager was left to
lament another game that slipped away from his team, despite their
encouraging first-half performance. "I'm hugely disappointed because we're
heaping so much pressure on ourselves," said Big Sam. "It's stupid that
we've let ourselves get into this position. It's four defeats on the trot
now. "We can look at the game and say that we've created this chance and
that chance and we should have scored here or there, but the bottom line is
that we still haven't sorted both ends of the pitch out in the last four
games. We've given silly goals away and this was a silly goal. The back four
just opened up and let them run through the middle and score. I couldn't
understand it. "In the opening half an hour we were the best team and
created the best chances and, while you might criticise the defence for
letting a goal in, you've got to criticise the attack for not scoring. We're
not taking our chances at the minute and we've got to get better - it's as
simple as that. "We should have scored at least two goals on the chances we
have created but, in the end, we didn't score one and we lost the game 1-0.
It leaves us frustrated because there is no point sitting on the coach home
saying 'We played well' because we've got to win. That's what we're here for
and what we're paid to do. "It disappointed me a great deal that we didn't
play with the same fluency in the second half because that's all I wanted
the players to do at half-time. I said 'If you carry on like that and create
the same number of chances you did in the first half, you will get a goal
and you've got to believe that. "Obviously we couldn't afford to let them
get 2-0 up, but we needed to keep getting the ball through the midfield and
out wide to Matt Jarvis and Stewart Downing, who were causing their
full-backs all kinds of problems. We were arriving into the box onto some
quality balls, and we did make their 'keeper make some very good saves, but
in the end you have got to say we should have converted the good chances we
created."
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West Bromwich Albion 1-0 West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 26th April 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce faced fresh calls for his resignation this afternoon as West
Ham slipped to a fourth consecutive defeat at The Hawthorns. Allardyce - who
watched from the dugout as his team fell to a defeat that still leaves them
uncertain of Premier League football next season - also faced further
derogatory chants from groups of Hammers fans, plus banners demanding his
immediate replacement. Once again there was little on the field for the
travelling supporters to get excited about after a bright opening in which
Albion's shaky defence was put to the test. West Ham created a number of
chances in the opening half but Albion's Ben Foster was in superb form,
twice denying Andy Carroll and making good stops from Matt Jarvis and Guy
Demel to prevent the Hammers registering. However the Hammers had been up
against it from as early as the 11th minute when Saido Berahino turned home
a low Morgan Amalfitano cross from what was Albion's first attack of the
game.
Current KUMB.com Player of the Year Winston Reid, who had looked out of
sorts since returning from injury in February failed to close down the
rapidly-approaching French midfielder as he burst into the box, giving
Amalfitano all the time in the world to pick out his team mate. The half
ended with fighting in the stands when some Hammers fans took exception to
what was reportedly to be excessively heavy-handed stewarding. The furore
began moments after some fans unfurled a banner proclaiming "Fat Sam Out",
which was followed by obscene chants aimed at Allardyce. Sadly it wasn't to
improve much for the Hammers after the break, despite Andy Carroll enjoying
three headers at goal - the last of which crashed against the woodwork when
he was criminally left unmarked at a corner with just 19 minutes left to
play.
In the end it was the home side who looked more likely to score next and but
for some hapless finishing, they would surely have been enjoying a more
comfortable victory. However Albion were more than happy with the one-goal
winning margin - their first victory at the Hawthorns under current manager
Pepe Mel.
* Elsewhere today fans of Blackpool FC - who West Ham narrowly beat in the
play-off Final at Wembley two years ago - joyously chanted "we are staying
up" following their 2-0 win at Wigan, a victory that lifts them out of the
Championship relegation zone.
West Bromwich Albion 1-0 West Ham Utd: Match Facts
West Ham Utd: Adrian, Demel, Tomkins (Collins 33), Reid, McCartney, Nolan,
Noble, Diame, Jarvis (C Cole 79), Carroll, Downing (J Cole 67).
Subs not Used: Armero, Vaz Te, Jaaskelainen, Nocerino.
Booked: James Collins (90+2).
Possession: 57%.
WBA: Foster, Reid (Morrison 45+1), Dawson, Olsson, Jones, Amalfitano,
Mulumbu, Dorrans, Brunt, Sessegnon (Anichebe 81), Berahino (Yacob 90+1).
Subs not Used: Myhill, Thievy, Vydra, Lugano.
Goals: Saido Berahino (11).
Possession: 43%.
Referee: Mike Dean.
Assistants: J Collin, J Brooks.
Fourth Official: M Jones.
Attendance: 26,541.
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Saido Berahino's goal gives West Brom a valuable 1-0 win over West Ham
By David Bowers @davidalexbowers. Last Updated: 26/04/14 6:47pm
SSN
A first-half Saido Berahino goal gave West Brom a hugely significant 1-0 win
over West Ham at The Hawthorns. West Ham started the brighter of the two
teams with Andy Carroll firing in on goal after just five minutes - but his
powerful effort was well stopped by Ben Foster.
Best of the Match
Man of the Match: Ben Foster commanded his box with supreme conviction and
nullified numerous West Ham attacks.
Goal of the match: Saido Berahino's close-range strike could be one of the
biggest goals in Albion history.
Save of the match: Ben Foster produced a fantastic save early in the first
half to deny Andy Carroll's downwards header.
Moment of the match: Matt Jarvis was a real threat throughout, and Sam
Allardyce's decision to withdraw his winger in favour of Carlton Cole
backfired.
Talking point: How many points do the Baggies need to ensure Premier League
survival? Is 36 enough?
After early pressure from the Hammers, the Baggies broke on the
counter-attack in devastating style and after being fed through by Stephane
Sessegnon, winger Morgan Amalfitano fired into the path of Berahino - who
hit it high into the Irons goal to make it 1-0. Sam Allardyce's side has
chances to level the scores in the first half, but Foster kept out attempts
from Guy Demel and Carroll - the latter being a superb save from just six
yards out. In the second half, the Baggies keeper watched on in hope as
Carroll clattered the bar with a strong header whilst at the other end,
Albion scuppered numerous opportunities to double the lead - with both sides
guilty of poor finishing. However, West Brom managed to hold on for a hugely
valuable three points that takes them above local rivals Aston Villa and
into 15th place on 36 points, just one point off the Hammers. The visitors
looked likely to open the scoring and Carroll - the threat of whom Pepe Mel
had made particular reference to in the build-up to the contest - cracked a
shot goalwards from Kevin Nolan's lay-off in the sixth minute which Foster
saved. There was a further warning from West Ham moments later when Matt
Jarvis put a delivery into the dangerzone and the West Brom defence did just
about enough to clear the ball away.
Against the run of play, Sessegnon burst forward and slid the ball to
Amalfitano, who had plenty of time and space on the right of the box to
tee-up Berahino's finish. Pepe Mel has praised the performance of the
recalled Saido Berahino in West Brom's 1-0 win against West Ham. The England
Under-21 international was just inches from the line as he prodded the ball
over it for his ninth West Brom goal of the season, on what was his first
start for the club in eight games.
West Ham continued to push forward, with Carroll seeing a volley take a
deflection and get cleared behind, before bringing a great diving save out
of Foster with a firm header from Mohamed Diame's cross. West Brom's
response was a headed effort from Billy Jones, who threw himself at
Amalfitano's cross but could only send the ball wide. There were further
nervy moments for the hosts as Foster got away with a risky-looking sliding
tackle on Jarvis outside the box before the England goalkeeper made another
reaction save during a scramble inside it. Almost immediately, Albion were
back on the attack as Sessegnon and Graham Dorrans broke forward, but the
latter could only fire wide from the edge of the area. West Brom had to make
a reshuffle themselves due to injury as Steven Reid limped off for James
Morrison just before the break. They enjoyed a spell of pressure after the
interval, with Sessegnon twisting and turning before striking into the side
netting, Adrian getting down to save Jones' low shot and Dorrans dragging an
attempt wide.
Sam Allardyce has claimed results have not been good enough recently and
blames West Ham's inability to take chances. Sessegnon, who was appearing as
much in the mood for the game as the vociferous Albion fans, tried to feed
Berahino twice in quick succession, with the 20-year-old striker
miscontrolling first time around and then on the second occasion producing a
shot that rebounded off Adrian's legs. Soon after, Berahino lost control in
front of goal once more as Youssouf Mulumbu's ball came through to him. West
Brom were almost ruing those missed opportunities when Carroll met a corner
and powered a header against the crossbar. Adrian was then in action again,
saving well from a drilled Sessegnon effort. Baggies fans were taking
nothing for granted in the closing stages following recent results. But they
were celebrating come the final whistle, just like Mel as he savoured the
winning feeling on home turf for the first time since his appointment in
January.
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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce admits he has to shoulder the responsibility
Last Updated: 26/04/14 7:37pm
SSN
Manager Sam Allardyce admits he has to take responsibility for West Ham's
dismal form in the Premier League. Saturday saw the Irons slump to a 1-0
defeat at West Bromwich Albion, with Saido Berahino's goal condemning the
East London side to their fourth successive defeat in the league. A number
of West Ham fans voiced their frustrations throughout the game, and
Allardyce admits that their recent results have not been good enough. "It's
normal for West Ham fans to show their disapproval when they're not happy
with what's going on, so I accept it because I'm the manager at this moment
in time - just like all the other managers have accepted it before me," he
told Sky Sports. "You have to accept it and move on. I've got to get my team
playing and winning, when they do that, it dies down and we all look forward
to another Premier League season next year. But we still have a lot of work
to do, no doubt about that. "I'm focused on the fact that at this moment in
time, my results are not good enough. That is a pressure on me, a pressure I
have to accept and a criticism I have to accept," he added. Following the
1-0 defeat at West Brom, Sam Allardyce has claimed results have not been
good enough recently. "It's my responsibility to get the team picking up
points and they've let themselves down, not on the poor performances, but
certainly on the finishing and the way that they've given some silly goals
away."
The Hammers boss believes their performance at The Hawthorns warranted a
goal, but admits that poor defending cost them dearly - leaving them just
one point ahead of the Baggies in 14th place. "We had a similar problem
against Crystal Palace, but this time we gave a silly goal away when we're
on top of our game, creating havoc in the opposition's box but not
converting the chances. Last week (against Palace) it was a silly penalty we
gave away, this week it was a silly goal," he said. "We gave ourselves an
uphill climb. By the way we were playing and the chances created I'd have
expected us to score at least one today.
"Our finishing has let us down, not the creating but the finishing sadly.
We've ended up with a very disappointing defeat again - on the back of three
performances that were pretty good but no results," he added. "It's of great
concern to me because we still need the points on board. The players still
need to play and perform for the fans that pay and watch them, and get
results for them. It's OK playing well but it's no good if you lose and the
fans showed their disapproval about that today."
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ALLARDYCE ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR FOUR DEFEATS IN A ROW
By Iain Dale 26 Apr 2014 at 19:03
West Ham Till I Die
Some very interesting rumours emanting from West Ham tonight. We'll see if
any of them are true. Meanwhile, here's what Sam Allardyce told Sky Sports
folloiwng West Ham's fourth consecutive loss. And the second consecutive
game in which he throws Carlton Cole on and then plays with no wingers.
"It's normal for West Ham fans to show their disapproval when they're not
happy with what's going on, so I accept it because I'm the manager at this
moment in time - just like all the other managers have accepted it before
me. "You have to accept it and move on. I've got to get my team playing and
winning, when they do that, it dies down and we all look forward to another
Premier League season next year. But we still have a lot of work to do, no
doubt about that.
I'm focused on the fact that at this moment in time, my results are not good
enough. That is a pressure on me, a pressure I have to accept and a
criticism I have to accept. It's my responsibility to get the team picking
up points and they've let themselves down, not on the poor performances, but
certainly on the finishing and the way that they've given some silly goals
away. We had a similar problem against Crystal Palace, but this time we gave
a silly goal away when we're on top of our game, creating havoc in the
opposition's box but not converting the chances. Last week (against Palace)
it was a silly penalty we gave away, this week it was a silly goal. We gave
ourselves an uphill climb. By the way we were playing and the chances
created I'd have expected us to score at least one today. Our finishing has
let us down, not the creating but the finishing sadly. We've ended up with a
very disappointing defeat again - on the back of three performances that
were pretty good but no results.
It's of great concern to me because we still need the points on board. The
players still need to play and perform for the fans that pay and watch them,
and get results for them. It's OK playing well but it's no good if you lose
and the fans showed their disapproval about that today.
Discuss.
UPDATE 7.10pm: Meanwhile a very interesting blogpost on Claret & Hugh. Hugh
Southon is very close to senior people in the club and he believes that
Allardyce may be sacked this evening if a board meeting can be convened.
Amid intense speculation that Allardyce could be sacked tonight or tomorrow,
ClaretandHugh has learned exclusively that David Sullivan, David Gold,
Karren Brady, club solicitor Henry Brandman and Andrew Bernhardt MUST meet
first. However, it has also emerged that should David Sullivan, as main
shareholder, not agree with the majority view he has the power to make such
a decision himself. ClaretandHugh was told immediately following the defeat
at the Hawthorns - the seventh in nine games - that Allardyce could be
sacked this evening. But a source close to the board told us that it was
unlikely a board meeting could be called in sufficient time for that to
happen. Our source insisted also that ahead of today's game a view had been
taken at boardroom level that four points, and a minimum of three, were
expected from the last three games.
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Mohamed Diame rubbishes rumours he is unhappy at West Ham
By SAMI MOKBEL
PUBLISHED: 00:29, 27 April 2014 | UPDATED: 00:29, 27 April 2014
Daily Mail
Mohamed Diame has distanced himself from rumours that he is unhappy at West
Ham United. The midfielder has been a key figure for the Hammers since
arriving from Wigan in 2009. It has been suggested in recent weeks that
Diame is unsettled at Upton Park, alerting rival clubs. But Diame has
privately sought to clarify that he is fully behind manager Sam Allardyce
and is ready and willing to fight for the team in whatever position he is
asked to play. The Senegal international has played an integral role for the
Hammers in their fight to avoid relegation. Diame has attracted interest
from Arsenal and Tottenham in the past and said earlier this month that he
has ambitions to play for a top six English club. But the Hammers will be
keen to keep hold of Diame, whose contract expires at the end of next
season.
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Allardyce responds to angry West Ham fans after 'Fat Sam out' banner
unfurled at West Brom
Saturday, April 26, 2014
7:53 PM
London 24
Sam Allardyce has taken responsibility for West Ham's dismal form after fans
turned on the Hammers boss in their 1-0 defeat at West Brom. Saido
Berahino's close-range 11th-minute strike at the Hawthorns consigned West
Ham to a fourth straight defeat. While the West Brom faithful roared their
team on enthusiastically throughout the game, there was more disgruntlement
among West Ham supporters as they witnessed the London outfit's fourth
straight defeat.
Not for the first time, Hammers manager Sam Allardyce found himself the
target of abuse from some of the club's fans, with boos and chants being
hurled at him from the away section and a banner being unfurled within it
which displayed the message "Fat Sam out, killing WHU".
Allardyce, whose side are one spot above 15th-placed West Brom and a point
better off but have only two games left, said afterwards: "I have been
pleased with the performances overall of the players - with the creativity.
"But at the end of the day, that is no good to anybody whatsoever without
results and again we haven't got one, so you are bound to get criticised -
me more than anyone else, because I am the manager and I'm responsible for
it. "You don't want it (the abuse), do you? You don't want to stand there
and get abused in any way, shape or form. "But it is something you are aware
of, and you know what changes it around - the players going out on the pitch
and winning. "So until the players go and do that for themselves, me and
then the fans, the criticism is going to continue being thrown at me, and I
accept that criticism because it is my responsibility. "Fans show their
disapproval and they are quite entitled to. I don't have a problem with that
at all - well, I do have a problem with it, but I understand why they show
their frustration."
Asked if he wanted to stay at the club and win the fans over, Allardyce
said: "I'm contracted to West Ham United - until such time that the owners
tell me something different, that is exactly what I am. "I wake up every
day, come into work and do the very best I possibly can for West Ham, for
the players, for myself, for the owners, and for my family."
Allardyce also lamented the way his side had failed to make the most of
their goalscoring chances, the closest of which saw Andy Carroll head
against the bar.
The manager said: "When opportunities arise and when you create them, you
must take them in this very demanding league, which will not allow you to
miss as many as we did today. "Until we start converting these chances we
are creating, we are going to struggle to win a game."
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Could West Ham United really still be relegated?
Saturday 26 Apr 2014 7:36 pm
Metro.co.uk
If West Ham didn't know what squeaky bum time was before, Saturday's defeat
at West Brom - a seventh in their last nine games - means they certainly do
now, and with the two remaining games being against Tottenham and Manchester
City, there is every chance that statistic may not improve before the season
is out.
When fixtures for the new campaign are published, one of the first things
many fans do is check the run-in, for a worst case scenario survival guide.
In West Ham's case, this season it was definitely a fixture list of two
halves, with the last eight games containing four likely European contenders
and four basement dwellers.
On March 31, after the win over Sunderland, with six matches remaining, club
owner David Gold tweeted 'we are safe now'. Almost, but not quite. Sadly too
many players seem to have taken him at his word as since then the record is
played four, lost four, as West Ham have stood still like confused tourists
in Piccadilly Circus, watching the hurly burly of the Premier League going
on around them.
A quick scan of social media, however, makes it clear how aware fans are of
the team's plight, a situation hardly improved by a steady stream of
comments from the club along the lines of 'so and so says he thinks the team
can turn things around this weekend' and 'the last few games have been
disappointing'. Oh really? Well it's nice to know we weren't the only ones
who noticed.
Could West Ham United really still be relegated?Some West Ham fans have
turned on manager Sam Allardyce (Picture: Getty Images)
Victory in April's final game would have been a giant leap towards the
survival supposedly assured by March's final game. This was a West Brom team
without a home victory under manager Pepe Mel, who had conceded three goals
in three of their last four games, and with a generous habit of throwing
away leads. Surely, with survival in sight, we could get the job done and
ensure survival, couldn't we?
Er, no. Aside from one Andy Carroll header (stop me if you've heard that one
before) against the woodwork, once the Baggies were in front, that lead was
rarely threatened. Cue home fan celebration at the final whistle, and a
ratcheting up of tension among the visitors - and there's only so long that
you can keep a lid on things before they blow.
As it is against Tottenham, next Saturday's final home game of the season
was always bound to be a feisty affair, but the fact West Ham go into it
with their survival still not guaranteed is appalling. The home finale is
supposed to be a celebratory affair, but recent form means the atmosphere
next Saturday could be precisely the opposite.
It would still take something pretty seismic for West Ham to be relegated,
but given the likelihood of them failing to get anything from their last two
games, they may well be reliant on the kindness of other teams messing up to
finish off the job they have failed to complete themselves. That is
shameful.
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Sunday, April 27
Saturday, April 26
Daily WHUFC News - 26th April 2014
Memorial service for Dylan
WHUFC.com
A memorial service for Dylan Tombides is to be held on Monday afternoon at St Paul's Church
25.04.2014
West Ham United can confirm that a memorial service for the late Dylan Tombides is to be held on Monday 28 April at St Paul's Church, Woodford Bridge.
The service is due to commence at 3pm and will be led by Club chaplain Reverend Alan Bolding. With Dylan's family and friends and the extended West Ham United family in attendance, it is not possible to accommodate supporters inside the church. However, there will be speakers outside relaying the service to the public so any Hammers fans or members of the public seeking to pay their respects are welcome to attend. For those wishing to do so, the full address is St Paul's Church, Woodford Bridge, Cross Road, Woodford Green, Essex IG8 8BT. Dylan's family would like to thank the Club and the fans for their continued support at this difficult time.
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West Brom match preview
WHUFC.com
All the need to know information ahead of Saturday's trip to West Bromwich Albion
25.04.2014
WEST BROMWICH ALBION v WEST HAM UNITED
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 26 APRIL 2014
KICK-OFF: 3PM
REFEREE: MIKE DEAN
iPHONE APP I TWITTER I FACEBOOK I PODCAST I INSTAGRAM I YOUTUBE
Introduction
• West Ham United travel to the Hawthorns on Saturday hoping to avoid a fourth straight defeat when they take on West Bromwich Albion in the Barclays Premier League.
• Liverpool, Arsenal and Crystal Palace have all proved just too strong for the Hammers in their recent weeks, with a Mile Jedinak penalty condemning Sam Allardyce's team to a narrow loss against the Eagles last time out.
• A Matt Jarvis header gave the Hammers the lead in their last away trip against Arsenal, before the Gunners surged ahead to win the match 3-1.
• With two games left to play after this fixture, West Ham will be looking to make absolutely certain of their Premier League safety with three points against the Baggies.
• The Hammers are currently 12th in the table with 37 points, four places and four points better off than Pepe Mel's team.
• West Brom return to home turf following a 3-1 loss against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Monday night.
• The Baggies' last two matches at the Hawthorns have both ended 3-3 against Cardiff City and Tottenham respectively, with the draw against Spurs seeing the hosts let slip a three-goal lead.
• Mel's team are the division's draw specialists this season with 15 of their 34 games ending all square so far.
• The Midlands outfit are also without a win in their last seven outings in front of their home crowd, with six draws and a defeat from those matches.
Team news
West Ham United
• James Collins is back in full training and is in contention to make a return from the calf injury which has sidelined him recently.
• Fellow defender Guy Demel missed the home defeat against Crystal Palace through illness but should be fit to face the Baggies.
• Striker Marco Borriello has been absent with a calf injury and will miss out again against West Brom.
West Bromwich Albion
• Liam Ridgewell was forced off in the defeat against City on Monday with a knee injury and Pepe Mel has already indicated that Chris Brunt will fill in at left-back.
• Centre-back Gareth McAuley missed the game at the Etihad with a calf injury but could be back in time to face the Hammers.
• Zoltan Gera is also likely to be absent for the hosts with a hamstring injury.
Last time out
West Ham United 0-1 Crystal Palace
Barclays Premier League
19 April 2014
West Ham United: Adrian; McCartney, Tomkins, Reid, Armero; Nolan (Nocerino 85), Noble, Diame; Downing (J.Cole 78), Carroll, Jarvis (C.Cole 70)
Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, Taylor, O'Brien, Johnson
Manchester City 3-1 West Bromwich Albion
Barclays Premier League
21 April 2014
West Bromwich Albion: Foster, Ridgewell, Olsson, Jones, Dawson, Brunt, Amalfitano, Mulumbu (Morrison 84), Dorrans, Sessegnon (Berahino 76), Vydra (Anichebe 60)
Subs not used: Myhill, Yacob, Reid, Lugano
Goals: Dorrans 16
Previous meeting
West Ham and West Brom met back in December for the final game of 2013, and what a game it turned out to be. There was six goals and controversy aplenty at the Boleyn Ground as the points were shared. Joe Cole gave the Hammers an early lead before two goals in five minutes from Nicolas Anelka - who was later banned for eight matches by the FA for his quenelle celebration - sent the Baggies in ahead at the break. Modibo Maiga and Kevin Nolan put the home side back in front, but they couldn't hold on as Saido Berahino struck an equaliser.
West Ham United 3-3 West Bromwich Albion
Barclays Premier League
28 December 2013
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, Tomkins (Demel 10), McCartney, Rat, J Cole (Collison 83), Noble, C Cole (Maiga 45), Nolan, Jarvis
Subs not used: Adrian, Taylor, Diarra, Chambers
Goals: J Cole 4, Maiga 65, Nolan 67
West Bromwich Albion: Foster, Jones, Ridgewell, Lugano (Amalfitano 68), Olsson, McAuley, Morrison (Yacob 78), Brunt, Anelka, Berahino (Sessegnon 85), Mulumbu
Subs not used: Myhill, Sinclair, Vydra, Dawson
Goals: Anelka 40, 45; Berahino 69
Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated)
28 December 2013 West Ham United 3-3 West Bromwich Albion
30 March 2013 West Ham United 3-1 West Bromwich Albion
16 December 2012 West Bromwich Albion 0-0 West Ham United
12 February 2011 West Bromwich Albion 3-3 West Ham United
10 November 2010 West Ham 2-2 West Bromwich Albion
16 March 2009 West Ham United 0-0 West Bromwich Albion
Overall record v West Bromwich Albion
P94 W 36 D 21 L 37
Ten-year records
West Ham United
2012/13 Premier League 10th (46 points)
2011/12 Championship 3rd (86 points - promoted via Play-Offs)
2010/11 Premier League 20th (33 points - relegated to Championship)
2009/10 Premier League 17th (35 points)
2008/09 Premier League 9th (51 points)
2007/08 Premier League 10th (49 points)
2006/07 Premier League 15th (41 points)
2005/06 Premier League 9th (55 points)
2004/05 Championship 6th (73 points - promoted via play-offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th (74 points)
West Bromwich Albion
2012/13 Premier League 8th (49 points)
2011/12 Premier League 10th (47 points)
2010/11 Premier League 11th (47 points)
2009/10 Championship 2nd (91 points, promoted to Premier League)
2008/09 Premier League 20th (32 points, relegated to Championship)
2007/08 Championship 1st (81 points, promoted to Premier League)
2006/07 Championship 4th (76 points)
2005/06 Premier League 19th (30 points, relegated to Championship)
2004/05 Premier League17th (34 points)
2003/04 Championship 2nd (86 points, promoted to Premier League)
Background
• Today's fixture marks the 95th competitive meeting between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion. The Hammers have won 36, the Baggies have tasted victory on 37 occasions and there have been 21 draws. It will also be the twelfth time the two clubs have met in the Premier League.
• The two clubs met for the first time on 13 January 1913 in an FA Cup first round tie at the Hawthorns. Fred Harrison scored for the Southern League First Division Hammers as they earned a 1-1 draw against the Baggies. The game was replayed three days later with that tie ending in a 2-2 draw at the Boleyn Ground, before a 3-0 win back at the Hawthorns finally settled matters in West Ham's favour.
• The Hammers recorded their biggest-ever win over the Baggies on 16 April 1965. Striker Brian Dear had a day to remember as he netted five goals within the space of 20 minutes either side of half-time in a 6-1 home Division One victory. Martin Peters had earlier opened the scoring.
• West Brom recorded their biggest win over West Ham back on 24 October 1925, romping to a 7-1 Division One victory at The Hawthorns. Jimmy Ruffell netted West Ham's consolation goal.
• West Ham and West Brom met in the 1966 Football League Cup final. The sixth and last League Cup final to be played over two legs, the Hammers won the first game 2-1 at the Boleyn Ground, with Geoff Hurst and Johnny Byrne cancelling out Jeff Astle's opener. The second leg was a different story, however, as the Baggies clinched a 4-1 win to secure a 5-3 aggregate success.
• West Ham have a good recent record at the Hawthorns and have suffered only one defeat in their last ten visits at the home of the Baggies. Five of those visits have ended in West Ham wins, the latest of which coming in May 2006 when a Nigel Reo-Coker goal won the match.
Referee
• The man in the middle for Saturday's fixture is Mike Dean.
• Dean last refereed the Hammers in a 2-1 home win against Hull City on 26 March 2014. He also took charge of the corresponding fixture earlier in the season when the sides played out a 3-3 draw at the Boleyn Ground.
• In all, he has refereed West Ham 37 times, with the Hammers winning 14, losing eleven and drawing twelve of those matches.
• The 45-year-old began refereeing in 1985, starting out his career in senior football in the Northern Premier League.
• In 2004, Dean took charge of his first international match, a friendly between the Netherlands and Republic of Ireland at Amsterdam ArenA. That same year, he took control of the FA Community Shield between Arsenal and Manchester United.
• In May 2006, he refereed the Championship play-off final between Leeds United and Watford at the Millennium Stadium. In 2008, he was the man-in-the-middle for the FA Cup final between Portsmouth and Cardiff City at Wembley Stadium.
• On Saturday, Dean will be assisted by Jake Collin and John Brooks, while the fourth official at the Hawthorns will be Mike Jones.
General information
• The forecast for Saturday's match is light rain with temperatures around 12C (53F).
• West Ham United's allocation of tickets for Saturday's match are now SOLD OUT. If you're travelling to the game via coach you will need to be on board by the time they leave the Boleyn Ground at 10am.
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Nolan gearing up for strong finish
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan wants the Hammers to finish 2013/14 with a bang
25.04.2014
Kevin Nolan is keen to kickstart a strong end to the campaign with three points at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. The Hammers have been stuck on 37 points for the last three games after losing to Liverpool, Arsenal and Crystal Palace. Nolan wants to end that losing run at the Hawthorns and, in doing so, secure mathematical safety for the Hammers. He said: "It's been three games too long for us getting to 40 points. We've been disappointed with those results, especially as we were doing so well beforehand. "You get punished at this level if you don't finish teams off and that's one of the factors why we are where we are going into the last three games. "Hopefully we can go to West Brom, get the win and pull further away from the relegation zone, which will allow us to look up again for the last two. "It's important for us to go out with a bang. We've got three major games coming up. "After West Brom we've got the local derby next weekend, and that's going to be a great send off so hopefully we can send all our home fans home happy. "Then after that we've got a lovely trip to Manchester where we could be playing against a team going for the title. That would be another fantastic fixture to be involved with. "We're hoping that by the time we go there we'll be safe and go there with no real pressure and hopefully give them a good game. Who knows, with the quality we've got on our day we can beat anyone."
Nolan notched when the Hammers drew 3-3 with West Brom at the Boleyn Ground in December and he is targeting another goal this weekend - along with keeping the hosts quiet. He explained: "We know they're fast starters, in the last few games they've gone up early doors and we can't afford to let that happen to us on Saturday because it's always hard to get back into it in the Premier League. "They've had a couple of defeats in their last couple of games, but it's never easy in the Premier League, whoever you're playing. Every loose ball, everything is competed for, so we've got to make sure we match that on Saturday and if we do I'm sure our quality will shine through in the end. "We need to silence them and then the anxiety levels go up. We sort of owe them one, because I thought we deserved to beat them at our place just after Christmas. "I scored that day and they've dried up of late, but it's not through the lack of trying. The chances have not been there, so I'm hoping that me and the big man can get back into our routine, I get a couple of chances on Saturday and I stick them in the back of the net. "Then we can all go home happy looking forward to another season in the Premier League."
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Cole looking to pastures new
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 25th April 2014
By: Staff Writer
Joe Cole believes he is unlikely to be offered a contract extension by West Ham at the end of the current campaign. The 31-year-old midfielder returned to the Boleyn Ground for a second spell with the club in January 2013 and signed a contract to take him until the end of the current season. However Paddington-born Cole believes he'll be playing his football elsewhere next season having failed to secure a first team place under Sam Allardyce. "If I could stay and play then that would be ideal, but it doesn't look like I'm the manager's first choice," he told Sky Sports. "I'm being used here and there and sparingly but at my age and where I am in my career I want to enjoy my football. I love competing and just I want to play. "If you look at the small amount of time I've played on the pitch I think I've performed reasonably well. But I still want more. The fire still burns; I still want to play and play at the highest level I can play."
Cole also revealed that he felt his best position is in the centre of midfield - unlike the wide role he was first given by Glenn Roeder more than a decade ago and where he has played much of his football since. "I'll be looking next year to play more centrally," he said. "Being a winger for the past 11 or 12 years you lose a bit of patience, you want to come inside. Playing central will be something I will be looking for in my next club or if I stay at West Ham. "People will tell you I'm a good professional, I work hard. If you look at the curves on my career, it was going up, up and up and then I got my injury. That has taken a little bit out of my game. "A lot of football is people's perception of what you could have done, what you should have done. But I'm happy with what I've done."
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West Brom host West Ham at The Hawthorns
By Subhankar Mondal - Follow me on Twitter @subhankarjourno. Last Updated: 25/04/14 10:44am
SSN
West Bromwich Albion will be looking to return to winning ways on Saturday when they host West Ham United at The Hawthorns in the Premier League.
A 3-3 home draw against Tottenham Hotspur and a 3-1 defeat at Manchester City in their last two games have left the Baggies just three points above the relegation zone. Pepe Mel's side will head into the encounter against the Hammers with 33 points from 34 matches and having won just three games at home.
Visitors West Ham aren't entirely safe at the moment either. Sam Allardyce's team are seven points above the drop zone, but have played a game more than some of the sides below them in the league table. The Hammers have lost their last three matches in the Premier League, the latest coming last weekend when they went down 1-0 to Crystal Palace at Upton Park. West Ham have won just four league matches on the road and have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last nine.
Paul Merson's prediction
West Ham at home is a nice game for West Brom and they need to get a result and not rely on the teams below them losing. The problem for Pepe Mel is they have got a couple of injuries and Chris Brunt might have to play at full-back - and the likes of Matt Jarvis or Stewart Downing should be able to get some success out of that. If the wingers get crosses in to Andy Carroll then anything can happen and I think it could be a draw. That will leave West Brom in a bit of trouble, but I think they have got enough in midfield and defence to survive. They are not too good going forward, but in the other positions they are decent.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2
West Brom
Last 6
Man City (a)3-1
Tottenham (h)3-3
Norwich (a)0-1
Cardiff (h)3-3
Hull City (a)2-0
Swansea (a)1-2
West Brom centre-back Gareth McAuley will undergo a late fitness test ahead of the match. McAuley sat out the defeat to City at the Etihad Stadium on Monday due to a calf problem that Albion are hoping he will have recovered from in time to face West Ham. Fellow defender Liam Ridgewell will definitely miss out because of the knee injury he sustained in the City encounter, while on-loan winger Scott Sinclair is available again after being ineligible for that meeting with his parent club.
West Ham
Last 6
C Palace (h)0-1
Arsenal (a)3-1
Liverpool (h)1-2
Sunderland (a)1-2
Hull City (h)2-1
Man Utd (h)0-2
West Ham midfielder Matt Taylor has been given compassionate leave to be with his ill daughter ahead of Saturday's encounter. Italian striker Marco Borriello, who joined the London club on loan from Roma in January for the rest of the season, is sidelined with a calf injury. Defender Guy Demel could return to the team having been laid low by a virus.
Opta Stats
West Ham have lost six of their last eight Premier League games.
Andy Carroll has hit only 10 shots on target in 12 league appearances this season.
West Brom have won fewer games than any other Premier League side this season.
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Joe Cole expects to leave West Ham at the end of the season
Last Updated: 25/04/14 8:05pm
SSN
West Ham midfielder Joe Cole says it is unlikely he will stay at the club beyond this season. The 32-year-old rejoined the Hammers - with whom he started his career - from Liverpool in January 2013 on an 18-month deal, which runs out at the end of this season. He has started just six matches this season and rarely in his favoured position of central midfield. And the former Chelsea player accepts it is likely he will have to move elsewhere in search of first-team football.
When asked on Sky Sports' Weekend Warm-up if he would be staying at Upton Park, he replied: "At the moment it's probably looking unlikely. "If I could stay and play then that would be ideal but that doesn't look like I'm the manager's first choice. "I'm being used here and there and sparingly. But at my age and where I am in my career I want to enjoy my football. I love competing and just I want to play. "If you look at the small amount of time I've played on the pitch I think I've performed reasonably well. "I'll be looking next year to play in a more central role. Being a winger in the past 10-11-12 years you lose a bit of patience, you want to come inside. "Playing central will be something I will be looking for in my next club or if I stay at West Ham. "So we will sit down in a few weeks, I imagine, and get a plan for next year."
During his time at Chelsea, who he joined from West Ham in 2003 and remained at until 2010, Cole won the Premier League three times, the FA Cup on three occasions and the League Cup twice.
Player Profile
Appearances 11 (8)
Goals 4
Assists 0
Yellows 2
Reds 0
Current Season
He has also amassed 56 England caps and was included in the national squad for four major tournaments.
Expectation
Cole admits that had to combat high expectations when he broke into the West Ham first team as a teenager and also saw his progress curtailed somewhat by a cruciate ligament injury in 2009 but he still believes he has fulfilled his potential. "It's perception in football and there was a lot of pressure put on me as a youngster but I think I've achieved what I'm capable of achieving," he said. "People will tell you I'm a good professional, I work hard. If you look at the curves on my career, it was going up, up and up and then I got my injury. That has taken a little bit out of my game. "A lot of it in football is people's perception of what you could have done, what you should have done. "To be able to play at Chelsea for such long time at a top club it's an amazing achievement. I'm happy with what I've done." I still want more. The fire still burns. I still want to play and play at the highest level I can play." This weekend, two of Cole's former teams - Chelsea and Liverpool - face each other in a game that could go a long way to deciding the outcome of this season's title race. Having worked with both Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho and Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, who was a coach under the Portuguese during Cole's time at Stamford Bridge, the player can see a lot of similarities between the two. "You can see how studious they are with their approach and the fact that they are at the training ground every day and every session," added Cole. "That's what they have in common and I think Brendan takes a lot of that from Jose." "They are very similar."
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Sam Allardyce warns West Ham players to stay focused ahead of trip to West Brom
Last Updated: 25/04/14 3:00pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has warned his players any minor lapse in concentration at West Brom on Saturday could prove very costly. He feels his side's efforts in recent weeks should have yielded more rewards but for a lack of focus from his players at key moments. "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 have made in the last three games which have cost us very dear," said Allardyce. "We have been very satisfied with overall performances, but at certain times mistakes have been made which shouldn't have been made and we have been punished heavily for them."
West Ham won four successive league matches in February to put daylight between themselves and the battle for Premier League survival but only managed two wins from five in March and since then have followed defeat to Liverpool and Arsenal with a 1-0 home loss against rejuvenated Crystal Palace. With his side seeking a single win to reach the fabled 'safety' of the 40 point mark, Allardyce knows the trip to the Hawthorns will not be easy with West Brom fighting to move more than three points clear of the relegation zone. Since February, Albion's results have included home draws against Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham, Fulham and Cardiff plus wins at Swansea and Norwich. "The points against the bigger clubs are just your bonus, the icing on your cake, but competing against the teams around you to win and draw against them has always been critical in where you finish the season."
Sam Allardyce
Allardyce knows all too well the importance for his side to retain composure against West Brom, with their final two matches against Tottenham and Manchester City. "The pressure will be pretty intense because we all know what is at stake. We have to handle it better than West Brom," said Allardyce.
"They have had a resurgence and at their home ground have 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 are 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." He added: "There is always a need for your team to gain points against teams who have 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 has 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, but competing against the teams around you to win and draw against them has always been critical in where you finish the season."
Hammers goalkeeper Adrian - who played under Baggies boss Pepe Mel when the Spaniard was at Real Betis - is confident West Ham can produce the required performance. "Here in the Premier League, every game is hard. At the moment, when the season is nearly finished, the games are even tougher," he told the club's official website. "West Brom are only three points above the relegation places, they really need these three points, but we are going there to win the game."
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Chelsea blew title chances against Prem's smaller teams taunts West Ham boss Allardyce
Apr 25, 2014 22:30 By Neil McLeman
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce has taunted Jose Mourinho by claiming Chelsea blew the title against teams in the bottom half of the Premier League. The Blues boss accused West Ham of playing "19th century football" after their goalless draw at Stamford Bridge in January. Now the Irons boss has re-ignited the feud after Chelsea's defensive midweek performance in the Champions League. Speaking about their spat, Big Sam said: "He was just a frustrated man who we were able to get a point against in the end. Since then he has lost his own home record to Sunderland which he will bevery disappoited about. "Really, Chelsea in terms of winning the League would have nearly already clinched it had they not drawn with us and lost to Sunderland, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa. "I don't know Jose that well but I know what he is like. Jose will be kicking himself that he has not won it on those results."
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West Ham's Andy Carroll is an English Diego Costa claims West Brom boss Pepe Mel
Apr 25, 2014 22:30 By John Wardle
The Mirror
West Brom boss Pepe Mel reckons Andy Carroll could terrorise La Liga after likening him to Atletico Madrid ace Diego Costa. The 16th-placed Baggies must try to stop Carroll on Saturday in a game Mel has called a cup final for his team. They sit just three points above the drop zone, yet anything but a victory could see that worsen, with bottom-three sides Sunderland and Cardiff facing off on Sunday. Mel hopes defender Gareth McAuley (calf) will be passed fit for an aerial battle with Carroll, a player who reminds him of Atletico's £32m-rated Chelsea target Costa. The Spaniard said : "Carroll really is a player of exceptional quality and I think he is a good option for the English national team at the World Cup. "What Carroll needs is to have good wingers who can put in crosses for him to finish, and in Italy and Spain there are some very good attacking sides. "He could be successful outside of England. Look at Diego Costa, of Atletico, who plays in a very aggressive way, he has been very successful in Spain. "In Spain, Andy Carroll could have some really great seasons and he could be a really important player in a big Spanish side."
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Sam Allardyce tells West Ham fans: Forget flair and entertainment, it's all about winning
Apr 25, 2014 22:29 By Neil McLeman
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce has told unhappy Hammers fans he will not change his style because football is only about results. Big Sam has previously dismissed the "West Ham way" as "not winning" and a "delusion". After the Irons were booed off Upton Park on Saturday following a third consecutive defeat , Allardyce now insists he uses "the team in the right way" and claims he always ignores criticism of his side's playing style. "If I allow that to affect me, I might as well pack my bags and walk away," he said. Allardyce has led West Ham back into the Premier League and is one win away from keeping them there with the move to the Olympic Stadium fast approaching in 2016. And in the week David Moyes was sacked at Manchester United , he stated: "It all boils down to one thing in the end. "Whatever anyone says, results are, in the end, the only thing that matters. The bosses have just proven that by doing what they have done to David Moyes. "Is it different at West Ham? No. I can't understand why people can't understand we're a results-driven business based on what happens. "All the money you earn is based on results. It's a results-driven formula." Allardyce is the third-longest serving boss in the Premier League after Arsene Wenger and Alan Pardew, despite being back in the top flight for under two seasons. All his career, the former Bolton, Blackburn and Newcastle manager has attracted flak for his football philosophy. Asked if he would address fans' concerns in the summer transfer market, he responded: "Style of play is just a label everyone uses against me, no matter what style I play. "I am never going to get rid of it because the style of play I have is not like that, just like the style I had at Bolton is not like that when they said it was. "When the tag is laid down, you just can't get rid of it, so you just ignore it and get on with it. "I use the team in the right way, to win as many matches as we can. We try to entertain, particularly at home by playing attacking football and winning. "There are many clubs where their fans are expressing their disapproval. That is the way of the game now. "If I allow that to affect me, I might as well pack my bags and walk away because you can't let that sort of thing affect what you are responsible for – the players, what the club is responsible for and what the club needs in order to move on and get better."
Allardyce admitted this season has been "an under-achievement up to now" after the "over-achievement" of last season. West Ham, seven points clear of the bottom three on 37 points, viait relegation-threatened West Brom on Saturday. Allardyce said: "The pressure will be pretty intense because we all know what's at stake."
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WHUFC.com
A memorial service for Dylan Tombides is to be held on Monday afternoon at St Paul's Church
25.04.2014
West Ham United can confirm that a memorial service for the late Dylan Tombides is to be held on Monday 28 April at St Paul's Church, Woodford Bridge.
The service is due to commence at 3pm and will be led by Club chaplain Reverend Alan Bolding. With Dylan's family and friends and the extended West Ham United family in attendance, it is not possible to accommodate supporters inside the church. However, there will be speakers outside relaying the service to the public so any Hammers fans or members of the public seeking to pay their respects are welcome to attend. For those wishing to do so, the full address is St Paul's Church, Woodford Bridge, Cross Road, Woodford Green, Essex IG8 8BT. Dylan's family would like to thank the Club and the fans for their continued support at this difficult time.
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West Brom match preview
WHUFC.com
All the need to know information ahead of Saturday's trip to West Bromwich Albion
25.04.2014
WEST BROMWICH ALBION v WEST HAM UNITED
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 26 APRIL 2014
KICK-OFF: 3PM
REFEREE: MIKE DEAN
iPHONE APP I TWITTER I FACEBOOK I PODCAST I INSTAGRAM I YOUTUBE
Introduction
• West Ham United travel to the Hawthorns on Saturday hoping to avoid a fourth straight defeat when they take on West Bromwich Albion in the Barclays Premier League.
• Liverpool, Arsenal and Crystal Palace have all proved just too strong for the Hammers in their recent weeks, with a Mile Jedinak penalty condemning Sam Allardyce's team to a narrow loss against the Eagles last time out.
• A Matt Jarvis header gave the Hammers the lead in their last away trip against Arsenal, before the Gunners surged ahead to win the match 3-1.
• With two games left to play after this fixture, West Ham will be looking to make absolutely certain of their Premier League safety with three points against the Baggies.
• The Hammers are currently 12th in the table with 37 points, four places and four points better off than Pepe Mel's team.
• West Brom return to home turf following a 3-1 loss against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Monday night.
• The Baggies' last two matches at the Hawthorns have both ended 3-3 against Cardiff City and Tottenham respectively, with the draw against Spurs seeing the hosts let slip a three-goal lead.
• Mel's team are the division's draw specialists this season with 15 of their 34 games ending all square so far.
• The Midlands outfit are also without a win in their last seven outings in front of their home crowd, with six draws and a defeat from those matches.
Team news
West Ham United
• James Collins is back in full training and is in contention to make a return from the calf injury which has sidelined him recently.
• Fellow defender Guy Demel missed the home defeat against Crystal Palace through illness but should be fit to face the Baggies.
• Striker Marco Borriello has been absent with a calf injury and will miss out again against West Brom.
West Bromwich Albion
• Liam Ridgewell was forced off in the defeat against City on Monday with a knee injury and Pepe Mel has already indicated that Chris Brunt will fill in at left-back.
• Centre-back Gareth McAuley missed the game at the Etihad with a calf injury but could be back in time to face the Hammers.
• Zoltan Gera is also likely to be absent for the hosts with a hamstring injury.
Last time out
West Ham United 0-1 Crystal Palace
Barclays Premier League
19 April 2014
West Ham United: Adrian; McCartney, Tomkins, Reid, Armero; Nolan (Nocerino 85), Noble, Diame; Downing (J.Cole 78), Carroll, Jarvis (C.Cole 70)
Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, Taylor, O'Brien, Johnson
Manchester City 3-1 West Bromwich Albion
Barclays Premier League
21 April 2014
West Bromwich Albion: Foster, Ridgewell, Olsson, Jones, Dawson, Brunt, Amalfitano, Mulumbu (Morrison 84), Dorrans, Sessegnon (Berahino 76), Vydra (Anichebe 60)
Subs not used: Myhill, Yacob, Reid, Lugano
Goals: Dorrans 16
Previous meeting
West Ham and West Brom met back in December for the final game of 2013, and what a game it turned out to be. There was six goals and controversy aplenty at the Boleyn Ground as the points were shared. Joe Cole gave the Hammers an early lead before two goals in five minutes from Nicolas Anelka - who was later banned for eight matches by the FA for his quenelle celebration - sent the Baggies in ahead at the break. Modibo Maiga and Kevin Nolan put the home side back in front, but they couldn't hold on as Saido Berahino struck an equaliser.
West Ham United 3-3 West Bromwich Albion
Barclays Premier League
28 December 2013
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, Tomkins (Demel 10), McCartney, Rat, J Cole (Collison 83), Noble, C Cole (Maiga 45), Nolan, Jarvis
Subs not used: Adrian, Taylor, Diarra, Chambers
Goals: J Cole 4, Maiga 65, Nolan 67
West Bromwich Albion: Foster, Jones, Ridgewell, Lugano (Amalfitano 68), Olsson, McAuley, Morrison (Yacob 78), Brunt, Anelka, Berahino (Sessegnon 85), Mulumbu
Subs not used: Myhill, Sinclair, Vydra, Dawson
Goals: Anelka 40, 45; Berahino 69
Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated)
28 December 2013 West Ham United 3-3 West Bromwich Albion
30 March 2013 West Ham United 3-1 West Bromwich Albion
16 December 2012 West Bromwich Albion 0-0 West Ham United
12 February 2011 West Bromwich Albion 3-3 West Ham United
10 November 2010 West Ham 2-2 West Bromwich Albion
16 March 2009 West Ham United 0-0 West Bromwich Albion
Overall record v West Bromwich Albion
P94 W 36 D 21 L 37
Ten-year records
West Ham United
2012/13 Premier League 10th (46 points)
2011/12 Championship 3rd (86 points - promoted via Play-Offs)
2010/11 Premier League 20th (33 points - relegated to Championship)
2009/10 Premier League 17th (35 points)
2008/09 Premier League 9th (51 points)
2007/08 Premier League 10th (49 points)
2006/07 Premier League 15th (41 points)
2005/06 Premier League 9th (55 points)
2004/05 Championship 6th (73 points - promoted via play-offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th (74 points)
West Bromwich Albion
2012/13 Premier League 8th (49 points)
2011/12 Premier League 10th (47 points)
2010/11 Premier League 11th (47 points)
2009/10 Championship 2nd (91 points, promoted to Premier League)
2008/09 Premier League 20th (32 points, relegated to Championship)
2007/08 Championship 1st (81 points, promoted to Premier League)
2006/07 Championship 4th (76 points)
2005/06 Premier League 19th (30 points, relegated to Championship)
2004/05 Premier League17th (34 points)
2003/04 Championship 2nd (86 points, promoted to Premier League)
Background
• Today's fixture marks the 95th competitive meeting between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion. The Hammers have won 36, the Baggies have tasted victory on 37 occasions and there have been 21 draws. It will also be the twelfth time the two clubs have met in the Premier League.
• The two clubs met for the first time on 13 January 1913 in an FA Cup first round tie at the Hawthorns. Fred Harrison scored for the Southern League First Division Hammers as they earned a 1-1 draw against the Baggies. The game was replayed three days later with that tie ending in a 2-2 draw at the Boleyn Ground, before a 3-0 win back at the Hawthorns finally settled matters in West Ham's favour.
• The Hammers recorded their biggest-ever win over the Baggies on 16 April 1965. Striker Brian Dear had a day to remember as he netted five goals within the space of 20 minutes either side of half-time in a 6-1 home Division One victory. Martin Peters had earlier opened the scoring.
• West Brom recorded their biggest win over West Ham back on 24 October 1925, romping to a 7-1 Division One victory at The Hawthorns. Jimmy Ruffell netted West Ham's consolation goal.
• West Ham and West Brom met in the 1966 Football League Cup final. The sixth and last League Cup final to be played over two legs, the Hammers won the first game 2-1 at the Boleyn Ground, with Geoff Hurst and Johnny Byrne cancelling out Jeff Astle's opener. The second leg was a different story, however, as the Baggies clinched a 4-1 win to secure a 5-3 aggregate success.
• West Ham have a good recent record at the Hawthorns and have suffered only one defeat in their last ten visits at the home of the Baggies. Five of those visits have ended in West Ham wins, the latest of which coming in May 2006 when a Nigel Reo-Coker goal won the match.
Referee
• The man in the middle for Saturday's fixture is Mike Dean.
• Dean last refereed the Hammers in a 2-1 home win against Hull City on 26 March 2014. He also took charge of the corresponding fixture earlier in the season when the sides played out a 3-3 draw at the Boleyn Ground.
• In all, he has refereed West Ham 37 times, with the Hammers winning 14, losing eleven and drawing twelve of those matches.
• The 45-year-old began refereeing in 1985, starting out his career in senior football in the Northern Premier League.
• In 2004, Dean took charge of his first international match, a friendly between the Netherlands and Republic of Ireland at Amsterdam ArenA. That same year, he took control of the FA Community Shield between Arsenal and Manchester United.
• In May 2006, he refereed the Championship play-off final between Leeds United and Watford at the Millennium Stadium. In 2008, he was the man-in-the-middle for the FA Cup final between Portsmouth and Cardiff City at Wembley Stadium.
• On Saturday, Dean will be assisted by Jake Collin and John Brooks, while the fourth official at the Hawthorns will be Mike Jones.
General information
• The forecast for Saturday's match is light rain with temperatures around 12C (53F).
• West Ham United's allocation of tickets for Saturday's match are now SOLD OUT. If you're travelling to the game via coach you will need to be on board by the time they leave the Boleyn Ground at 10am.
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Nolan gearing up for strong finish
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan wants the Hammers to finish 2013/14 with a bang
25.04.2014
Kevin Nolan is keen to kickstart a strong end to the campaign with three points at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. The Hammers have been stuck on 37 points for the last three games after losing to Liverpool, Arsenal and Crystal Palace. Nolan wants to end that losing run at the Hawthorns and, in doing so, secure mathematical safety for the Hammers. He said: "It's been three games too long for us getting to 40 points. We've been disappointed with those results, especially as we were doing so well beforehand. "You get punished at this level if you don't finish teams off and that's one of the factors why we are where we are going into the last three games. "Hopefully we can go to West Brom, get the win and pull further away from the relegation zone, which will allow us to look up again for the last two. "It's important for us to go out with a bang. We've got three major games coming up. "After West Brom we've got the local derby next weekend, and that's going to be a great send off so hopefully we can send all our home fans home happy. "Then after that we've got a lovely trip to Manchester where we could be playing against a team going for the title. That would be another fantastic fixture to be involved with. "We're hoping that by the time we go there we'll be safe and go there with no real pressure and hopefully give them a good game. Who knows, with the quality we've got on our day we can beat anyone."
Nolan notched when the Hammers drew 3-3 with West Brom at the Boleyn Ground in December and he is targeting another goal this weekend - along with keeping the hosts quiet. He explained: "We know they're fast starters, in the last few games they've gone up early doors and we can't afford to let that happen to us on Saturday because it's always hard to get back into it in the Premier League. "They've had a couple of defeats in their last couple of games, but it's never easy in the Premier League, whoever you're playing. Every loose ball, everything is competed for, so we've got to make sure we match that on Saturday and if we do I'm sure our quality will shine through in the end. "We need to silence them and then the anxiety levels go up. We sort of owe them one, because I thought we deserved to beat them at our place just after Christmas. "I scored that day and they've dried up of late, but it's not through the lack of trying. The chances have not been there, so I'm hoping that me and the big man can get back into our routine, I get a couple of chances on Saturday and I stick them in the back of the net. "Then we can all go home happy looking forward to another season in the Premier League."
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Cole looking to pastures new
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 25th April 2014
By: Staff Writer
Joe Cole believes he is unlikely to be offered a contract extension by West Ham at the end of the current campaign. The 31-year-old midfielder returned to the Boleyn Ground for a second spell with the club in January 2013 and signed a contract to take him until the end of the current season. However Paddington-born Cole believes he'll be playing his football elsewhere next season having failed to secure a first team place under Sam Allardyce. "If I could stay and play then that would be ideal, but it doesn't look like I'm the manager's first choice," he told Sky Sports. "I'm being used here and there and sparingly but at my age and where I am in my career I want to enjoy my football. I love competing and just I want to play. "If you look at the small amount of time I've played on the pitch I think I've performed reasonably well. But I still want more. The fire still burns; I still want to play and play at the highest level I can play."
Cole also revealed that he felt his best position is in the centre of midfield - unlike the wide role he was first given by Glenn Roeder more than a decade ago and where he has played much of his football since. "I'll be looking next year to play more centrally," he said. "Being a winger for the past 11 or 12 years you lose a bit of patience, you want to come inside. Playing central will be something I will be looking for in my next club or if I stay at West Ham. "People will tell you I'm a good professional, I work hard. If you look at the curves on my career, it was going up, up and up and then I got my injury. That has taken a little bit out of my game. "A lot of football is people's perception of what you could have done, what you should have done. But I'm happy with what I've done."
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West Brom host West Ham at The Hawthorns
By Subhankar Mondal - Follow me on Twitter @subhankarjourno. Last Updated: 25/04/14 10:44am
SSN
West Bromwich Albion will be looking to return to winning ways on Saturday when they host West Ham United at The Hawthorns in the Premier League.
A 3-3 home draw against Tottenham Hotspur and a 3-1 defeat at Manchester City in their last two games have left the Baggies just three points above the relegation zone. Pepe Mel's side will head into the encounter against the Hammers with 33 points from 34 matches and having won just three games at home.
Visitors West Ham aren't entirely safe at the moment either. Sam Allardyce's team are seven points above the drop zone, but have played a game more than some of the sides below them in the league table. The Hammers have lost their last three matches in the Premier League, the latest coming last weekend when they went down 1-0 to Crystal Palace at Upton Park. West Ham have won just four league matches on the road and have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last nine.
Paul Merson's prediction
West Ham at home is a nice game for West Brom and they need to get a result and not rely on the teams below them losing. The problem for Pepe Mel is they have got a couple of injuries and Chris Brunt might have to play at full-back - and the likes of Matt Jarvis or Stewart Downing should be able to get some success out of that. If the wingers get crosses in to Andy Carroll then anything can happen and I think it could be a draw. That will leave West Brom in a bit of trouble, but I think they have got enough in midfield and defence to survive. They are not too good going forward, but in the other positions they are decent.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2
West Brom
Last 6
Man City (a)3-1
Tottenham (h)3-3
Norwich (a)0-1
Cardiff (h)3-3
Hull City (a)2-0
Swansea (a)1-2
West Brom centre-back Gareth McAuley will undergo a late fitness test ahead of the match. McAuley sat out the defeat to City at the Etihad Stadium on Monday due to a calf problem that Albion are hoping he will have recovered from in time to face West Ham. Fellow defender Liam Ridgewell will definitely miss out because of the knee injury he sustained in the City encounter, while on-loan winger Scott Sinclair is available again after being ineligible for that meeting with his parent club.
West Ham
Last 6
C Palace (h)0-1
Arsenal (a)3-1
Liverpool (h)1-2
Sunderland (a)1-2
Hull City (h)2-1
Man Utd (h)0-2
West Ham midfielder Matt Taylor has been given compassionate leave to be with his ill daughter ahead of Saturday's encounter. Italian striker Marco Borriello, who joined the London club on loan from Roma in January for the rest of the season, is sidelined with a calf injury. Defender Guy Demel could return to the team having been laid low by a virus.
Opta Stats
West Ham have lost six of their last eight Premier League games.
Andy Carroll has hit only 10 shots on target in 12 league appearances this season.
West Brom have won fewer games than any other Premier League side this season.
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Joe Cole expects to leave West Ham at the end of the season
Last Updated: 25/04/14 8:05pm
SSN
West Ham midfielder Joe Cole says it is unlikely he will stay at the club beyond this season. The 32-year-old rejoined the Hammers - with whom he started his career - from Liverpool in January 2013 on an 18-month deal, which runs out at the end of this season. He has started just six matches this season and rarely in his favoured position of central midfield. And the former Chelsea player accepts it is likely he will have to move elsewhere in search of first-team football.
When asked on Sky Sports' Weekend Warm-up if he would be staying at Upton Park, he replied: "At the moment it's probably looking unlikely. "If I could stay and play then that would be ideal but that doesn't look like I'm the manager's first choice. "I'm being used here and there and sparingly. But at my age and where I am in my career I want to enjoy my football. I love competing and just I want to play. "If you look at the small amount of time I've played on the pitch I think I've performed reasonably well. "I'll be looking next year to play in a more central role. Being a winger in the past 10-11-12 years you lose a bit of patience, you want to come inside. "Playing central will be something I will be looking for in my next club or if I stay at West Ham. "So we will sit down in a few weeks, I imagine, and get a plan for next year."
During his time at Chelsea, who he joined from West Ham in 2003 and remained at until 2010, Cole won the Premier League three times, the FA Cup on three occasions and the League Cup twice.
Player Profile
Appearances 11 (8)
Goals 4
Assists 0
Yellows 2
Reds 0
Current Season
He has also amassed 56 England caps and was included in the national squad for four major tournaments.
Expectation
Cole admits that had to combat high expectations when he broke into the West Ham first team as a teenager and also saw his progress curtailed somewhat by a cruciate ligament injury in 2009 but he still believes he has fulfilled his potential. "It's perception in football and there was a lot of pressure put on me as a youngster but I think I've achieved what I'm capable of achieving," he said. "People will tell you I'm a good professional, I work hard. If you look at the curves on my career, it was going up, up and up and then I got my injury. That has taken a little bit out of my game. "A lot of it in football is people's perception of what you could have done, what you should have done. "To be able to play at Chelsea for such long time at a top club it's an amazing achievement. I'm happy with what I've done." I still want more. The fire still burns. I still want to play and play at the highest level I can play." This weekend, two of Cole's former teams - Chelsea and Liverpool - face each other in a game that could go a long way to deciding the outcome of this season's title race. Having worked with both Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho and Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, who was a coach under the Portuguese during Cole's time at Stamford Bridge, the player can see a lot of similarities between the two. "You can see how studious they are with their approach and the fact that they are at the training ground every day and every session," added Cole. "That's what they have in common and I think Brendan takes a lot of that from Jose." "They are very similar."
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Sam Allardyce warns West Ham players to stay focused ahead of trip to West Brom
Last Updated: 25/04/14 3:00pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has warned his players any minor lapse in concentration at West Brom on Saturday could prove very costly. He feels his side's efforts in recent weeks should have yielded more rewards but for a lack of focus from his players at key moments. "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 have made in the last three games which have cost us very dear," said Allardyce. "We have been very satisfied with overall performances, but at certain times mistakes have been made which shouldn't have been made and we have been punished heavily for them."
West Ham won four successive league matches in February to put daylight between themselves and the battle for Premier League survival but only managed two wins from five in March and since then have followed defeat to Liverpool and Arsenal with a 1-0 home loss against rejuvenated Crystal Palace. With his side seeking a single win to reach the fabled 'safety' of the 40 point mark, Allardyce knows the trip to the Hawthorns will not be easy with West Brom fighting to move more than three points clear of the relegation zone. Since February, Albion's results have included home draws against Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham, Fulham and Cardiff plus wins at Swansea and Norwich. "The points against the bigger clubs are just your bonus, the icing on your cake, but competing against the teams around you to win and draw against them has always been critical in where you finish the season."
Sam Allardyce
Allardyce knows all too well the importance for his side to retain composure against West Brom, with their final two matches against Tottenham and Manchester City. "The pressure will be pretty intense because we all know what is at stake. We have to handle it better than West Brom," said Allardyce.
"They have had a resurgence and at their home ground have 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 are 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." He added: "There is always a need for your team to gain points against teams who have 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 has 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, but competing against the teams around you to win and draw against them has always been critical in where you finish the season."
Hammers goalkeeper Adrian - who played under Baggies boss Pepe Mel when the Spaniard was at Real Betis - is confident West Ham can produce the required performance. "Here in the Premier League, every game is hard. At the moment, when the season is nearly finished, the games are even tougher," he told the club's official website. "West Brom are only three points above the relegation places, they really need these three points, but we are going there to win the game."
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Chelsea blew title chances against Prem's smaller teams taunts West Ham boss Allardyce
Apr 25, 2014 22:30 By Neil McLeman
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce has taunted Jose Mourinho by claiming Chelsea blew the title against teams in the bottom half of the Premier League. The Blues boss accused West Ham of playing "19th century football" after their goalless draw at Stamford Bridge in January. Now the Irons boss has re-ignited the feud after Chelsea's defensive midweek performance in the Champions League. Speaking about their spat, Big Sam said: "He was just a frustrated man who we were able to get a point against in the end. Since then he has lost his own home record to Sunderland which he will bevery disappoited about. "Really, Chelsea in terms of winning the League would have nearly already clinched it had they not drawn with us and lost to Sunderland, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa. "I don't know Jose that well but I know what he is like. Jose will be kicking himself that he has not won it on those results."
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West Ham's Andy Carroll is an English Diego Costa claims West Brom boss Pepe Mel
Apr 25, 2014 22:30 By John Wardle
The Mirror
West Brom boss Pepe Mel reckons Andy Carroll could terrorise La Liga after likening him to Atletico Madrid ace Diego Costa. The 16th-placed Baggies must try to stop Carroll on Saturday in a game Mel has called a cup final for his team. They sit just three points above the drop zone, yet anything but a victory could see that worsen, with bottom-three sides Sunderland and Cardiff facing off on Sunday. Mel hopes defender Gareth McAuley (calf) will be passed fit for an aerial battle with Carroll, a player who reminds him of Atletico's £32m-rated Chelsea target Costa. The Spaniard said : "Carroll really is a player of exceptional quality and I think he is a good option for the English national team at the World Cup. "What Carroll needs is to have good wingers who can put in crosses for him to finish, and in Italy and Spain there are some very good attacking sides. "He could be successful outside of England. Look at Diego Costa, of Atletico, who plays in a very aggressive way, he has been very successful in Spain. "In Spain, Andy Carroll could have some really great seasons and he could be a really important player in a big Spanish side."
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Sam Allardyce tells West Ham fans: Forget flair and entertainment, it's all about winning
Apr 25, 2014 22:29 By Neil McLeman
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce has told unhappy Hammers fans he will not change his style because football is only about results. Big Sam has previously dismissed the "West Ham way" as "not winning" and a "delusion". After the Irons were booed off Upton Park on Saturday following a third consecutive defeat , Allardyce now insists he uses "the team in the right way" and claims he always ignores criticism of his side's playing style. "If I allow that to affect me, I might as well pack my bags and walk away," he said. Allardyce has led West Ham back into the Premier League and is one win away from keeping them there with the move to the Olympic Stadium fast approaching in 2016. And in the week David Moyes was sacked at Manchester United , he stated: "It all boils down to one thing in the end. "Whatever anyone says, results are, in the end, the only thing that matters. The bosses have just proven that by doing what they have done to David Moyes. "Is it different at West Ham? No. I can't understand why people can't understand we're a results-driven business based on what happens. "All the money you earn is based on results. It's a results-driven formula." Allardyce is the third-longest serving boss in the Premier League after Arsene Wenger and Alan Pardew, despite being back in the top flight for under two seasons. All his career, the former Bolton, Blackburn and Newcastle manager has attracted flak for his football philosophy. Asked if he would address fans' concerns in the summer transfer market, he responded: "Style of play is just a label everyone uses against me, no matter what style I play. "I am never going to get rid of it because the style of play I have is not like that, just like the style I had at Bolton is not like that when they said it was. "When the tag is laid down, you just can't get rid of it, so you just ignore it and get on with it. "I use the team in the right way, to win as many matches as we can. We try to entertain, particularly at home by playing attacking football and winning. "There are many clubs where their fans are expressing their disapproval. That is the way of the game now. "If I allow that to affect me, I might as well pack my bags and walk away because you can't let that sort of thing affect what you are responsible for – the players, what the club is responsible for and what the club needs in order to move on and get better."
Allardyce admitted this season has been "an under-achievement up to now" after the "over-achievement" of last season. West Ham, seven points clear of the bottom three on 37 points, viait relegation-threatened West Brom on Saturday. Allardyce said: "The pressure will be pretty intense because we all know what's at stake."
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Friday, April 25
Daily WHUFC News - 25th April 2014
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."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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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."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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