Manager on Tuesday
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce was pleased to reach double figures for points in the seventh
game of the campaign
07.10.2014
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce praised his team's work rate as they
secured a deserved 2-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers on Sunday. An early
Nedum Onuoha own goal and a fifth goal of the season for striker Diafra
Sakho saw the Hammers claim all three points at the Boleyn Ground. The win
saw the Hammers rise to seventh in the Premier League table, above the likes
of Arsenal and Liverpool. Allardyce was full of praise saying: "Our second
goal came at a big moment for us. Even though we dominated the game, it came
at a time when QPR were coming back into it. "It's that man Sakho again, he
is in the right position. I think it killed their spirit. I'm happy because
it was a well deserved win and another good performance from the team."
New signing Sakho has been in superb form this season, notching his fifth
goal in as many games. The manager continued: "We knew he was a good player,
he scored 20 goals last year but we didn't know how well he would adjust to
the Premier League. "His work rate, desire and his runs are so good. He has
a great knack of being in the right place at the right time."
Alongside Sakho, the manager described how impressed he is with how quickly
his new recruits have gelled together. "If I'm honest they've settled in
quicker than I expected. Kouyate made a fantastic impact before he got
injured, obviously Valencia and Sakho have been brilliant as well. Mauro has
found it a little bit more difficult but overall has done very well. "Aaron
Cresswell looks like he's played in the Premier League all his career. We
all know about Alex Song, he's not even fit yet. When he is, we'll see even
more of him. Our strength in depth was tested today as we had seven players
out injured, but I thought we coped magnificently."
Allardyce believes the secret behind the new signings settling in so well
comes from the hard work of experienced players such as the captain, Kevin
Nolan. "As an experienced manager I know how important it is to help new
players, especially foreign ones, to settle in. We have a very welcoming
dressing room here. Our captain Kevin Nolan builds the bonds with the new
players. "Because of that it helps them to hit the ground running. If I'm
honest they've settled in quicker than I expected, especially as all the
players have done well so far."
While the new players have performed well above expectations, Allardyce is
just as delighted with the efforts of one of his most senior players,
Stewart Downing: "He's been fantastic, for me he was my man of the match.
"The amount of ball we got to him has done fantastic. He's spraying balls
well, opening up defences and scoring goals. With the experience he's got,
it's wonderful to see him show the quality we know he's got."
Another positive for the manager to take into the upcoming international
break was securing the first clean sheet of the season. The manager
continued: "I thought our focus and concentration was very good. We didn't
make the mistakes that we made against Manchester United last week. "We've
conceded too many goals through defensive errors so far. Hopefully we'll
keep [Sunday's performance] up for the rest of the season."
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Sakho celebrates home comforts
WHUFC.com
Diafra Sakho hopes that successive home wins are the start of a formidable
run at the Boleyn Ground
07.10.2014
Diafra Sakho is determined to make the Boleyn Ground a fortress this season,
after playing a significant part in successive home wins over Liverpool and
then Queens Park Rangers. The 24-year-old was lurking with intent when Nedum
Onuoha put through his own net on Sunday and then gleefully headed in James
Tomkins' effort to settle matters against Harry Redknapp's men. But far from
obsessing about his own goalscoring feats, Sakho is every bit the team
player and hopes West Ham United's new-found home form is a sign of things
to come. "Sunday's win was just as important as Liverpool, because we know
that the fans expect that and winning again at home will boost our
confidence. We'll look to continue with this momentum and hope that teams
dread coming here. "The most important thing on Sunday was always to win at
home. Away from home, we'll go with that same aim, namely to take points.
We've got a good group here, everyone's feeling good and that will show
itself on the pitch."
As for his part in Sunday goals, Sakho was pleading ignorance, reluctant to
say whether Onuoha's intervention had cost the Senegal man a goal. "I don't
know, it happened too quickly," he confirmed. "I couldn't see but I watched
the video afterwards to see whether I might have scored or not, but it's the
victory that matters. And West Ham's leading marksman was hardly about to
take the risk of standing and watching Tomkins' strike loop goalward, hoping
that his Hammers colleague won't hold it against him. "I might have nicked
his goal, perhaps, because I didn't know whether I had to leave it or not,
whether it was going in or not, or if there was a defender behind me.
"I just wanted to finish off the move and whether it's me or James who
scores, we'll happily take it. Then again, he's a defender, so he can leave
it to me. No bother. "I didn't want to take the risk of leaving it and I
reckon he'll understand that. He's a defender and if his attacker scores,
he'll be pleased."
Either way, it is all in the name of winning football matches and that
remains Sakho's one and only concern. "I try to score and that's thanks to
my teammates. On Sunday the most important thing wasn't scoring goals but
rather winning the game. I'm trying to help the team as much as I can, at
least so that we can hit our targets this season. "It's too early in the
season to see what will be, but for now we concentrate on winning games and
we'll take stock at the end of the season."
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International Hammers
WHUFC.com
Five West Ham United players have been called up for international duty this
week
07.10.2014
On loan right-back Carl Jenkinson has been called up to the England U21
squad for their two-legged UEFA U21 European Championship play-off with
Croatia. England U21 manager Gareth Southgate has named a strong squad
including established Premier League players such as Luke Shaw and Saido
Berahino. The right-back has made six U21 appearances previously as well as
winning one senior cap. The U21s face their Croatian counterparts on Friday
evening at Wolves' Molineux stadium before playing the return leg in Croatia
on Tuesday 14 October. The winners will progress to the 2015 UEFA European
Under 21 Championship hosted in the Czech Republic.
Elsewhere, Ecuadorian favourite Enner Valencia has been called up for his
country's friendly against the United States in Connecticut this Friday.
They then face El Salvador on 14 October in New Jersey. Valencia has an
impressive international goalscoring record, with seven goals in 13
appearances, including three at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Development Squad winger Kieran Sadlier has been called up to play for the
Republic of Ireland U21 squad as they face Norway in a friendly on 9
October. Sadlier made his U21 international debut earlier this year having
made the step up from the U19s.
Northern Ireland U19 international Jamie Harney has also been called up. The
U19s face a busy week as they host the Czech Republic, Russia and the Faroe
Islands between 9-14 October.
Reece Burke is the fifth Hammer to report for international duty this week.
The second year scholar is part of England's U19 squad for their UEFA U19
Championship qualifying round fixtures against Belarus on Friday 10 October,
Luxembourg on 12 October and Belgium on 15 October. All three games will be
played in Luxembourg, with the top two nations progressing to the Elite
Round next Spring.
Finally, James Collins has pulled out of Wales' squad for their Euro 2016
qualifiers against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Cyprus after suffering a groin
injury.
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Dev Squad triumph in Posh friendly
WHUFC.com
Nick Haycock's Dev Squad beat Peterborough United 4-2 in a friendly on
Tuesday
07.10.2014
Nick Haycock's Development Squad beat Peterborough United 4-2 in a friendly
match at Nene Park Academy on Tuesday afternoon. After a tough start to
their league campaign, the Dev Squad have been in good form recently taking
four points from their last two competitive games.
Haycock fielded a mix of U21 and U18 players, such as Josh Pask, Moses
Makasi and Amos Nasha, on Tuesday. U21 regulars Reece Burke and Kieran
Sadlier have been called up to international duty for the England U19 and
Ireland U21 squads respectively. Ex-Peterborough striker Jaanai Gordon was
in good form as he forced Posh goalkeeper Aidan Grant into a smart early
save. The Hammers continued to press for an opener and their efforts were
rewarded as Sebastian Lletget put the visitors ahead. It wasn't long before
Haycock's men doubled their lead as Gordon's hard work finally paid off as
he tapped in from close range. There was just enough time for West Ham
winger Matthias Fanimo, recently returned from a short loan spell at
Tranmere Rovers, to score a third goal. Fanimo's tap-in put the Hammers into
a commanding 3-0 lead at the break. The hosts rallied after the break as
Harry Anderson had a number of chances that went just over the bar. The
Posh's efforts were justly rewarded as Jack Friend curled a wonderful
left-foot strike into the top corner after a fine pass from Tobi
Adebayo-Rowling set him free. The goal gave the hosts renewed hope as they
looked for a way back into the game. Friend was on hand to score his second
of the game after a defence splitting pass from the highly rated ex-Dulwich
Hamlet midfielder Erhun Oztumer. The home side continued to press for an
equaliser but with time running out Fanimo scored again to wrap up the
victory, with a clinical one-on-one finish. The Dev Squad's next competitive
match is against Manchester United U21s at Rush Green, on Friday 24 October
2014.
West Ham United: Spiegel, Westley, Oxford, Pask, Nasha, Mavila, Makasi,
Marlow, Gordon, Fanimo, Lletget
Subs: Linley, Sheriff, Tombides
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Diafra Sakho delighted to be in England with West Ham
Last Updated: 07/10/14 10:09am
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Diafra Sakho: Has made an immediate impact at West Ham
Diafra Sakho is determined to prove himself at West Ham United having feared
that a dream move would pass him by.
SSN
The 24-year-old was snapped up by Sam Allardyce over the summer in a
£4.5million switch from French side Metz. He has hit the ground running at
Upton Park, netting five times in his first five starts. Sakho is delighted
to be offering an immediate return on the sizeable investment made in his
talent, with doubts having crept into his head once Premier League
discussions began to stall. He eventually got his wish, as West Ham co-owner
David Sullivan stepped in to push through a deal, and the Senegal
international is confident he can continue justifying that show of faith.
Sakho said: "I have always wanted to play in England and when West Ham came
in for me in the summer, I thought that was it. "But then the deal began to
fall through as I think the coach was having doubts and I was resigned to
returning to France. "Fortunately for me, Mr Sullivan stepped in and said he
would be signing me on a permanent deal. It was the chance I needed."
Sakho's agent, Mark McKay, revealed to Sky Sports on Monday that the in-form
striker had also been recommended to Queens Park Rangers, but they decided
against an approach. That snub made Sakho all the more determined to prove
himself and show that stepping up from the French second tier to the English
top flight was a jump he was capable of making. He added: "I heard QPR
didn't want me so I wanted to prove I could do it. "West Ham gave me the
chance and now the coach, Mr Allardyce, believes in me too. "I'm enjoying it
and scoring goals against Liverpool and Manchester United shows I can play
at this level. I'm just glad Mr Sullivan put his trust in me."
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MOORE FAMILY FOUNDATION AND DYLAN TOMBIDES TRUST LAUNCHED
By Sean Whetstone 7 Oct 2014 at 17:52
West Ham Till I Die
Those of you at the QPR match on Sunday will have seen a video at half time
by Roberta Moore officially launching the West Ham United Moore Family
Foundation
Bobby Moore's daughter, Roberta, approached the Club with the idea of
setting up a community scheme in honour of her father last summer and has
spent the last 12 months working to develop the new project with West Ham
United Community Sports Trust. David Sullivan has kicked off the fundraising
efforts by donating a five figure sum and the Club has pledged to commit
extensive time and resource to ensure the Foundation serves the legacy of
Bobby Moore, the player and the man.
The Moore Trust will provide dedicated community sports coaches to provide
life-changing opportunities for targeted young people and offer a West Ham
match day experience for the 18,000 Year 6 students in Newham, Tower
Hamlets, Barking & Dagenham, Thurrock, Brentwood and Basildon over the next
three years.
The programme will also seek to inspire 3,600 vulnerable young people
through the power of elite sport and there will be football and education
experiences at the new Stadium alongside opportunities to sample the West
Ham way via six roadshows and football festivals.
Roberta Moore said at launch: "My mother, Tina, and her three grandchildren
Freddie, Poppy and Ava, are incredibly excited about the creation of this
project, which we hope will make a real difference to lives of young people
in the area of the country Bobby loved more than any other. He had some key
attributes which we were keen for the programme to incorporate. They are
respect, hard work, determination, self-discipline, kindness and humility.
It's about promoting a way to live your life and to have a better life. I'm
also really pleased that the programme has a strong link to Diabetes UK,
because we're trying to promote healthy lifestyle choices. My brother, Dean,
very sadly suffered of diabetes and it was important for us to do this in
his memory. I know he would have loved to have been involved with this and
he would have been very proud to put his name to it."
The Club will also be supporting a new trust set up in the memory of Academy
striker Dylan Tombides, who passed away in April 2014 following a long
battle with cancer. The Club are working with Dylan's family on the project,
the details of which will be announced at the Crystal Palace fixture in
February 2015.
These two charities will be the two official principle charities for this
season.
David Sullivan and David Gold said: "We are pleased to be able to confirm
the details of our two new charity partnerships. They will both fit
perfectly with the Club's ethos of harnessing the power of sport to better
the lives of deserving people in our local community"We got to know Bobby
when we employed him as Sports Editor at our newspaper, so we know that
there is no better figurehead to offer inspiration to this new foundation.
Like us, he cared passionately about East London and was determined to
create chances for the young people growing up in the area.With our support
behind it, we are confident this project will have a hugely positive impact
on the lives of hundreds of youngsters."
The Club say they will continue to support last season's official principal
charities, the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK and Richard House
Children's Hospice, who will become second-tier partners. They say both
organisations will continue to benefit from awareness matches and editorial
support from the Club.
Last month the Daily Mail ran a story saying West Ham had snubbed the Bobby
Moore Fund claiming "There's no ongoing financial contribution to the Fund"
as a direct quote from Stephanie Moore in the new Bobby Moore book The Man
in full by Matt Dickinson.
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PERMANENT DEAL FOR ALEX SONG?
By Sean Whetstone 7 Oct 2014 at 13:03
West Ham Till I Die
David Gold has created fresh speculation on a permanent deal for Alex Song
saying "Alex Song is an outstanding player and a great character I would
love to sign him permanently" When one fan tweeted "Please sign Mr Song on a
permanent deal David – love his attitude and respect he's shown our club."
he replied on twitter "Yes I agree"
The Barcelona player is believed to be on a £80,000 per week loan deal until
the end of the season. He signed for Barcelona for £15m in 2012 on a five
year contract.
On joining the club Song said "West Ham, some people were saying that I am
crazy. For me it was a privilege to come here. It was a very big pleasure to
have two or three clubs who are playing in the Champions League wanted me to
sign. For me it was not easy decision but I did it because I want to come
back to England. I wanted to come back to where I started from. I think it
was very important for me to come back here and just try to play because
this league gives me a lot and I just want to give some back."
Song has been rewarded with the captains armband for the last two matches
through the injury absence of Mark Noble and this has raised a few eyebrows
with some fans questioning whether an on loan player should ever skipper the
Hammers.
There have also been questions on whether he gives away the ball too cheaply
with one slip at Old Trafford costing us a goal and another on Sunday which
gave away a needless corner which QPR failed to convert.
Eyebrows were raised again by some on Sunday when he was awarded man of the
West Ham match by the match sponsors when there more worthy candidates in
many other fans eyes.
He certainly brings quality and calmness on the ball under pressure to the
team but the question remains should we offer him a permanent contract at
the end of this season?
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HOW I LEARNED TO LOVE KEVIN NOLAN
By Brian Williams 7 Oct 2014 at 08:00
West Ham Till I DIe
In one of the most poignant endings of any novel ever written, Winston Smith
finally comes to love Big Brother.
No, we are not talking about low-rent reality television here. Big Brother,
as created by George Orwell in his fictional account of 1984, is a
totalitarian dictator who employs some highly dubious methods to get a
little TLC. Now, not for one moment am I suggesting our club captain has
anything in common with a twisted sociopath who is prepared to torture
opponents because he craves affection. But, just as Orwell's hero came to
appreciate Big Brother's finer points, I realise I now love Kevin Nolan.
Admittedly, the unfortunate Winston only changed his opinion after being
locked in Room 101 and eaten alive by rats until the horror of being made to
live out his worst nightmare broke him as a human being. Whereas my feelings
about Nolan changed after he had a perfectly good goal disallowed against
Man City in our first season back in the Prem. (I was reminded of this when,
10 days ago against the red Mancs, he had another goal disallowed because
his eyebrows were offside.)
I didn't take to Nolan when he first arrived from Tyneside. He seemed to go
missing for large periods of the game; when he did tackle back he gave away
too many needless free kicks; and some of his passing was woeful.
Admittedly, he showed a wonderful talent for scoring from the moment he
arrived – but for me he'd devalue the ecstasy that comes with every precious
West Ham goal by doing that bloody stupid chicken celebration.
Then came the game against Citeh. You will probably recall that with barely
four minutes gone we won an innocuous looking free kick just inside the City
half. Mark Noble clipped to the ball towards Nolan, who let it drop over his
shoulder, swiveled, and sent a beautiful volley past Joe Hart's outstretched
left hand. It was the best goal Nolan has scored for West Ham. Only it
didn't count.
A tight call admittedly, but the TV replays clearly showed he was onside
(why doesn't football use video technology at times like these?) Many
players would have gone ballistic at the linesman – sorry, "assistant
referee" – but Our Kev, as I now like to think of him, merely wagged and an
admonishing finger at the hapless official and chased back into midfield to
help out as City looked to counter-attack.
After the game he was outrageously gracious in the post-match interviews
considering we had been denied victory against the defending champions.
Nolan shrugged off the decision as one of those things, and never lost that
winning smile. Okay, technically, that day it was a "drawing" smile because
the game finished 0-0, but you know what I mean.
I'd like to include that grin in my identikit compilation of the ideal West
Ham captain. This is a simple exercise. We are going to take the best
characteristics of various skippers and build them into one superhuman
individual, who then gets the armband in perpetuity.
So, if the cheery look is going to be provided by Kevin Nolan, the hairstyle
has to come from someone who led the side 10 years ago, but is still honored
by the travelling faithful. Christian Dailly, you are the love of my life.
And, while I draw the line at you taking liberties with my missus, I do want
curly hair for my perfect captain.
He's going to need more than a toothpaste smile and an impressive barnet, of
course. There are other vital ingredients that go into this recipe, and
we've had the players who can provide them all. For passion it's Paolo di
Canio; for loyalty it's Steve Potts; and for sheer determination it has to
be Julian Dicks.
My favourite di Canio moment – and there are plenty of contenders for that
distinction – was the time he wrestled Frank Lampard (the junior one) for
the ball when we were awarded a penalty in the great comeback game against
Bradford City in 2000. Moments before he had been pleading with Harry
Redknapp to substitute him; now he wanted to take a crucial pen. Lampard
didn't want to hand over the penalty-taking duties, but PDC wasn't taking no
for an answer. As you no doubt remember, he ripped the ball from young
Frank's hands, put it on the spot, waited for an unseemly melee involving
players from both sides to sort itself out, and then converted the penalty
as if nothing had happened.
Steve Potts was club captain from 1993-96, having made his first team debut
in 1985. Pottsy, twice Hammer of the Year, spent 17 years at Upton Park
making a total of 506 appearances in all competitions. His one and only goal
came against Hull City. I'd like to tell you it was a 30-yard match-winning
screamer that left the keeper grasping thin air as the net bulged behind
him. Sadly, the truth is rather different: yes – the shot was from distance,
but my mum could have saved it. Instead the Hull shot-stopper failed to
fulfil the terms of his job description and let it slip under his body. The
ball trickled into the net and we went on to win 7-1. Even so, Steve "Mr
Reliable" Potts is a true West Ham hero who earned the respect of all who
saw him play.
Respect is certainly one word that springs to mind when you think of Julian
Dicks. Fear is another. When Julian went in for a tackle, even seriously
hard men with Crombies, dodgy jewellery and convictions for grievous bodily
harm would look away. Like Potts, he defended with distinction. But, unlike
Pottsy, he knew where the opponents' goal was as well. Excluding the
tuppenny-ha'penny Anglo Italian Cup and the Full Members Cup, the Terminator
scored 61 times in 315 appearances for West Ham, which came in two slices.
The unlikely filling in this particular sandwich was a spell at Anfield,
where he will always have the distinction of being the last Liverpool player
to score in front of a standing Kop before they installed seating and made
them all sit down. Dicksie is a Mickey Mouser! Yeah, sure. He is, however, a
magnificent tweeter. I can personally testify that if you contact him via
Twitter you are practically guaranteed a re-tweet, and there's every chance
Julian will reply with a direct message if you ask him a question. Top man.
What an honour to be captain of the greatest football club in the world. And
since Robert Stevenson first led out Thames Ironworks in 1895, most have
done the job with distinction. Alvin Martin, Ian Bishop, Steve Lomas, Joe
Cole et al – we salute you.
Nigel Reo-Coker, on the other hand, gets the two-fingered salute. Alan
Pardew's captain never truly won the hearts and minds of the claret and blue
army, but whatever chance he had of being remembered with anything other
than contempt disappeared in Alan Curbishley's first game in charge when he
celebrated the winning goal against Man U by cocking his ear in our
direction as if to say: "So, do you still think I'm a bell-end?" The simple
answer, mate, is yes.
To be honest I don't think Lucas Neill can bring much to this particular
party either, so perhaps we should let him host one of his own. Being
Australian it will probably involve a barbecue … he could light it using the
bundles of £50 notes he took home as part of his £60,000-a-week salary. Yep,
my eyes are watering too – and it's not the smoke from the barbie.
It says much about Matthew Upson that a large percentage of the nation's
sporting press regularly reported that Scott Parker was our club captain. As
journalists, they should have known better. But, in their defence, you can
see why they made that mistake. I'm afraid, Matt, that we don't require any
contributions from you here either. Quite frankly, the only thing I ever
wanted from you was your transfer request.
If we had to choose just one man to have been the greatest captain in West
Ham's history, it comes down to a toss up between Bobby Moore and Billy
Bonds.
There isn't really anything to say about Moore that hasn't been said before,
so I won't try. But nobody can stop me banging on about Bonzo – who is,
quite simply, my favourite Hammer of all time.
Billy Bonds came to West Ham in 1967. He was in the side the first time I
saw the Irons in the flesh that same year – at Stamford Bridge, four weeks
to the day after Tony Blackburn had opened Radio One with Flowers in the
Rain by the Move. When Bonds finally called it a day in 1988 he had made an
incredible 799 senior appearances for the club in all competitions. He was
captain for 10 years. He is the only West Ham skipper to lift the FA Cup
twice. He was Hammer of the Year four times – including his penultimate
season when he had turned 40. He was three months short of his 42nd birthday
when he played his final game at Southampton. It was an amazing career that
the club he served so loyally should have recognised long before they
finally gave him the Lifetime Achievement Award – 25 years after he had
retired as a player. But mere statistics don't even begin to tell the story
of William Arthur Bonds MBE. You kinda had to be there to understand exactly
why Bonzo will always be thought of as Captain Marvel at Upton Park.
Come to think of it, we already have our ideal candidate for the perfect
captain. Passion, enthusiasm, loyalty? Bonds had the lot, plus plenty more
besides. Still, I think we'll keep that Nolan smile – it really suits the
captain's armband at West Ham these days.
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The Apprentice's Karren Brady: women don't need short skirts to succeed
Government adviser says candidate who told team-mates to put on lots of
makeup and lipstick has an 'old-fashioned attitude'
Share 28
John Plunkett
theguardian.com, Tuesday 7 October 2014 14.08 BST
Karren Brady, the government business adviser and sidekick to Alan Sugar on
The Apprentice, has said it is "antiquated" to suggest women need to wear
short skirts and makeup to succeed in business.
The newly-ennobled Brady, who is also vice-chair of West Ham United football
club, spoke out after one of the contestants on the new series of the BBC1
show suggested her team-mates wear "short skirts and loads of makeup" to win
their challenge.
Brady, who used the launch of the 10th series of The Apprentice on Tuesday
to deny suggestions she wanted to be a Tory MP, said: "It's a very
old-fashioned attitude that you have to wear short skirts and a lot of
makeup to get on in life.
"I think most women look at that – I heard a lot of ladies in this room
gasping or laughing – these are antiquated views for a bygone age that
thankfully is no longer around any more."
The comments were made by The Apprentice contestant Sarah Dales, a former PA
and hypnotherapist in the opening episode of the new series which returns to
BBC1 on 14 October.
Dales, who told Sugar she could "sell ice to eskimos", said: "Most people
will buy from females because females are more attractive to look at."
She said her team had to "put on loads of makeup, lipstick and high heels.
We are going to wear short skirts." But her suggestion drew scorn from some
members of her team who were told unless they dressed up they would look
"semi-average".
Brady, who was appointed the government's small business adviser after
expressing an interest into moving into politics last year, said if she had
been following Dales's team: "She wouldn't have lasted very long."
On her own political future, Brady said: "I have said it 500 times I don't
actually have any aspirations to become an MP. I love doing the series, I am
interested in politics, yes I am interested in my country, yes I am the
small business ambassador, it's something I take very seriously. I love
doing the show and I hope to be able to combine all the things I love
doing."
The new series of The Apprentice, which began life on BBC2 in 2005, features
an expanded cast of 20 contestants in its 12-week run, with Sugar able to
fire more than one contestant at the end of each show.
The show will definitely return for one more series at least after the BBC
revealed that next year's programme was already in production with Sugar at
the helm.
Reflecting on the exploits of former contestants such as last year's
runner-up Luisa Zissman, who appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, Sugar said
some people had "demeaned themselves" after appearing on the show.
"There is always a fallout. Whilst the production people do a very good job
in trying to pick candidates who are there for the right reason you always
get a couple who believe it is their Andy Warhol moment, so to speak," said
Sugar, who has denied bullying Apprentice contestants.
"When they get on television it suddenly gets them, they have a withdrawal
symptom, it's like an anti-climax. I remember in the first series some of
the people who wanted to be on television put themselves forward for stupid
gameshows and things like that. They really demeaned themselves just to get
in front of a camera again. It happens."
The new series also features several candidates from abroad, including
Canada and Columbia. Sugar said: "As far as I'm concerned it's an open
process and we go through evaluating thousands of people. The fact that some
of them turned out to be from abroad is not a deliberate move, as it
happened they deserved their position in the contest."
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January Song deal ruled out
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 7, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
David Gold's hopes that Alex Song signs a permanent deal with the Irons
isn't set to happen any time soon! The co chairman tweeted: 'Alex Song is
an outstanding player and a great character I would love to sign him
permanently. Dg' A rumour was spreading through the club last night that a
deal could be sealed in January. ClaretandHuigh was told the Barcelona loan
player could be entering negotiations to make his deal permanent in the next
transfer window. That has turned out not to be true but it was significant
the co-chairman's tweet followed shortly afterwards. However, we were
assured earlier this morning by another senior insider: "That won't happen.
Whether he agrees to a permanent deal will depend on how the team does over
the rest of the season and what offers he receives. "The other issue of
course is how much Barcelona want for him – there is little chance of him
making his mind up until the end of the season.
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Gold: "Kouyate and the rest back for Burnley"
Posted by Sean Whetstone on October 7, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham injury list reached a season high toll of seven on Sunday as James
Collins suffered a groin strain. But David Gold insists all players should
be fit and available with the exception of Andy Carroll by our next game
when we face Burnley away on Saturday 18th October. Kouyate was listed for a
November 8th return date after recovering from a groin injury, Gold's tweet
suggests he has recovered quicker than expected saying I am hoping he will
be available for Burnley when questioned. Long term absentee Joey O'Brien
should also be fit with Gold confirming he should be available for selection
for Burnley. Gold also insists Andy Carroll has every chance of returning
in November with Physio room giving 29th November as a return date which is
the Newcastle at home match. This means we are likely to face December with
a fully fit squad unlike the winter of discontent last season.
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Lyall's former scout: 'Sam's ways are not my ways'
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 7, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Ian Salisbury was a West Ham scout for 20 years. He first went to Upton
Park in our FA Cup winning year of 1964, aged 12 . We played Aston Villa,
and won 3 – 1. From then on he says "I went whenever I could to see this
magic with the inevitable highs and lows."
He says: "I remember the Easter game when Brian Dear (right) scored five
gDearoals against West Bromwich Albion and the 7 – 0 victory against Leeds
United in the Cup. "These were the dream times, but they were built on one
thing – pure football. I used to come home after a game and imagine I was
Geoff Hurst, a great player, and there was the majestic Bobby Moore who
would knock the ball around with such ease and always be in the right place
at the right time."
In this article Ian takes a look at the football he has watched under Sam
Allardyce's management and gives his conclusions on the man and his
football!
By Ian Sailsbury
Am I looking back with rose tinted glasses? I think not! West Ham was built
on the ideology of great football brought about by Ron Greenwood and
latterly John Lyall, the academy was born.
But now those words which grace our ground no longer hold true. What we were
watching did not hold true to our traditions. The debate regarding Sam is
still raging some fans want him gone, but why?
It has been said that he was brought in to get us up and keep us in the
Premier, but in truth we were lucky against Blackpool, they were the better
team on the day.
We had the best squad in the Championship and should have been automatically
promoted, but as we got up everyone seems to have looked past this.
Until recently in the Premiership we had to witness the dull approach to our
play, where one goal up was defended at all cost, where the ball was lumped
forward and if not won or supported quickly comes back to put us under
pressure, and we as fans looked for BFS to change the plan to suit the
opposition.
But no it was the same old thing, week in week out. When we played Arsenal
in the FA Cup Final, John Lyall and Eddie Baily worked together and decided
to play a lone striker, it worked because Arsenal didn't expect it.
WHU have played that way all the time, teams knew what to expect, they
worked in the week before a match as to how they are going to cope with it.
I applaud the decision to play Downing through the middle because he has a
great awareness of play and his passing is spot on.
I think Cresswell is a great acquisition and gets forward well but I am not
happy that BFS has taken so long to play Carl Jenkinson because Guy Demel
is too ponderous on the ball and invariably passes the ball back when he
receives it.
I think we should be dominating the midfield a lot more. Yes it's difficult
with injuries but format on Saturday was down to BFS.In my opinion he should
have started Poyet and if it didn't work then change it.
I am very sorry that Nolan got booed as he came on, but I can understand the
frustration of the fans because they have had to 'put up with him' when his
all round play has been sadly lacking.
I am fearful that BFS, who sees him as his 'on field General' will gradually
reintroduce him. He will stick out 'like a sore thumb', I am not a
sentimentalist, the articles justifying his position because of what he's
done over the years do 'not hold water' with me – sorry.
We have two of the most exciting forwards in the league, but they need 'ball
to feet' not the long ball and chase, these things are foreign to them
because 'they've been brought up the right way'.
I am a football purist and have not enjoyed watching the way WHU have been
playing over the last couple of seasons. This is gradually changing, but
let's get things straight, the players we have signed were not signed by
BFS.
He has been given the task to get them to play in the WHU way – a style
completely foreign to him, which explains his lack of vision with regards to
substitutions.
To be brutally honest the only way we are going to improve sufficiently is
to get a manager who gets his teams to play the right way, hopefully it's
only a question of time.
I like all WHU supporters bleed Claret and Blue, I was a scout for the club
from 1977 until 1997, I travelled all over the country watching players like
Gary McAllister when he played for Leicester. Did we nearly sign him? Yes
we did.
I was the scout that gave the player report for the infamous match when we
lost away to Torquay in the FA Cup. Should we have lost? Definitely no, but
this was just a week after the Lou Macari betting scandal blew up, and I
think it had a large bearing on the team morale.
I went to John Lyall's house the day after he was sacked to offer my
condolences and like the gentleman he was he asked me in for a cup of tea. I
couldn't go in, no, why, because he was a man of great integrity and in
typical fashion was in his garden wearing a gardening hat.
I've heard it said that BFS is a similar character – what a load of rubbish.
He doesn't even come close. John had been schooled by Ron Greenwood, they
were football purists, who saw changes in the game and acted accordingly.
They were not stuck in one ideology which was how they could introduce our
young players. Now they aren't given a chance. What is the point in running
an academy!
Do I want BFS to go, still a resounding yes, in the recent interviews he
seems to suggest 'it's all down to us', but I don't think the supporters are
mugs they know who's really 'pulling the strings'.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sullivan 'director of football' in all but name
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 7, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Diafra Sakho's admission that his arrival at Upton Park was down to David
Sullivan has seen the co-chairman dubbed as the real "West Ham director of
football." It was suggested on a podcast last night the co chairman should
take on the role formally but that can't happen because ClaretandHugh has
learned that under the terms of manager Sam Allardyce's contract, the role
can never be filled. Sullivan though is clearly becoming very influential in
the signing of players and worked day and night to bring in Cheikhou
Kouyate, Diego Poyet Sakho and negotiated the deals on all the summer
imports.. It's interesting that the Allardyce contract contains the clause
and it has seen Sullivan take on the job in reality if not in name. After
the issue was mentioned on this week's www.MoorethanJustaPodcast.co.uk
Claretand Hugh learned of the clause. We were told by a highly placed
source: "Yes it's in there but it's clear to most people that David works
that role very effectively. Under the terms of Sam's contract we can't
appoint one as such."
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Wednesday, October 8
Tuesday, October 7
Daily WHUFC News - 7th October 2014
Loan round-up
WHUFC.com
All four of West Ham United's loanees were in action this weekend
06.10.2014
Sean Maguire completed a full 90 minutes as Accrington Stanley continued
their revival under new manager John Coleman. Stanley beat Mansfield Town
1-0 through a Luke Joyce penalty and they are now up to eleventh in League
Two.
Midfielder George Moncur continued his good form at Colchester United
despite their 4-2 away defeat by Preston North End. Moncur has been a
regular for the U's, scoring three goals in eleven league appearances this
season.
Ravel Morrison made his first start for new club Cardiff as they lost 1-0
away to Championship strugglers Blackpool. The midfielder was substituted in
the 69th minute as he was replaced by Adam Le Fondre.
Modibo Maiga came on as a 71st minute substitute in FC Metz's 3-0 defeat by
Evian TG in the French Ligue Un. The newly promoted side are currently ninth
after nine games, with 14 points.
West Ham United winger Matthias Fanimo has returned to the club after his
loan spell at Tranmere Rovers came to an end. Fanimo made one substitute
appearance in his time at the Sky Bet League Two club.
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Song delighted with Hammers form
WHUFC.com
Alex Song is delighted with his start to life at West Ham United following
Sunday's 2-0 win over QPR
06.10.2014
West Ham United midfielder Alex Song has made a huge impact in his short
time at the club so far, excelling in playing the anchor role in the newly
adopted diamond formation. The Hammers got off to another bright start in
Sunday's 2-0 win over QPR as they took the lead through Nedum Onuoha's own
goal, before Diafra Sakho scored his fifth goal of the season from close
range. With Kevin Nolan returning to full fitness and Mark Noble out
injured, the Barcelona loanee captained the team for the second consecutive
match. After another impressive performance, the 27-year-old said: "I have
been captain before at Arsenal but it was a privilege to wear the armband
against QPR. "I know Kevin Nolan and Mark Noble have been captains this
season but without them, the manager had to choose someone and it was good
he showed the trust in me. I just wanted to return that faith and thank him
for that responsibility."
Having become frustrated at the lack of game time at Barcelona, Song had
several options, including moves to other Champions League clubs, before
deciding to join the Hammers. Song revealed that a big deciding factor was
the advice he received from his cousin, former Cameroon international
Rigobert Song, who played for West Ham from 2000 to 2002. "I spoke to him
very recently," he said. "He has helped me a lot with my decision to come
here. He told me it was a good club and the fans were terrific. After I came
here I told him he was right about that."
Song is confident his performances can still improve once he is back to full
fitness "I'm in a good way because I played the full 90 minutes, following
on from a full match against Manchester United. I still feel I need more
games but at the moment I am very happy because everyone here at the club is
helping me achieve what I want to do."
The midfielder believes the international break has come at a good time as
it allows several players to come back from injury: "We have some players
injured and others who are coming back after being out for a long time. When
we have them all back we will be even stronger and you never know what might
happen."
"We are seventh at the moment but I am not going to put pressure on us by
saying we will end up there. If we finish in the top ten it will be
fantastic but we must stay focused and give everything in every game to do
that."
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December fixture changes
WHUFC.com
Two of West Ham United's fixtures have had their dates or kick-off time
changed
06.10.2014
Two of West Ham United's Barclays Premier League December fixtures have been
moved to new dates or kick-off times. The home meeting with Swansea City,
originally scheduled for Saturday 6 December, will now be played on Sunday 7
December, with kick-off at 1.30pm. Meanwhile, the away London derby at
Chelsea on Boxing Day was originally due to be played with a 3pm kick-off,
but will now kick-off at 12.45pm.
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Jenko back in the swing of things
WHUFC.com
Carl Jenkinson enjoyed a belated full debut on Sunday and is now planning to
kick on for the Hammers
06.10.2014
Carl Jenkinson has promised Hammers fans that they have seen nothing yet, as
the Arsenal loanee celebrated three points and a clean sheet in his full
West Ham United debut against Queens Park Rangers. Sunday's first start in
Claret and Blue had been some time coming for the 22-year-old, after a
pre-season hamstring injury consigned the England U21 international to the
sidelines for six weeks. But following encouraging cameos at both Hull City
and Manchester United in recent weeks, Jenkinson was delighted to stay the
course against Rangers and expects to be in full flight down the right wing
before long. "Sunday was a strange one for me, being my first 90 minutes,"
he explained. "There was a lot of space in front of me, but I just didn't
have it in my legs to bomb on as much as I'd have liked. But that's normal,
I've not played 90 minutes for a couple of months now, so it will improve on
that front. "I'm very glad we kept our first clean sheet of the season and I
got forward when I could, but the fans will see a lot more of me going
forward in the future."
While the injury was a bitter blow to the Harlow-born full-back, Jenkinson
insists that it was at least well timed, with pre-season and the first of
two international breaks partially coming to his aid. He continued: "It's
been a little bit frustrating, to be honest, coming here and getting an
injury, particularly as I've not really had one for a couple of years. But
fortunately I didn't miss too many games - it was a six-week injury and yet
I only missed three games. That was the upside. "With the team doing well,
it's been a bit of a waiting game for the last couple of games for me to get
in. But I've played two 30 minutes and I've taken my opportunities. I got my
chance on Sunday, we've come away with a 2-0 win and a clean sheet, so I'm
positive with the way things are going at the moment. It's just important
that we kick on."
Reflecting on a job well done on Sunday, Jenkinson felt that Nedum Onuoha's
early own goal made for an unusual affair, with the Hammers unsure of
whether to stick or twist. But far from being preoccupied with style on this
occasion, the former Charlton Athletic man was just glad of three
hard-earned points. "It was a difficult one, because when you go 1-0 up [so
early], you don't always know whether to push on," he confirmed. "They then
started leaving a couple more men up there and you have to manage the game a
little bit. So we didn't really get into our rhythm. But I think it was one
of those games where the three points were all that mattered.
"We've played games this season that we should have got more out of and
didn't get the points, so it was very important that we won on Sunday and
pushed ourselves up the table. We've played seven games now, we've got ten
points and I think we're seventh, so it's not a bad start to the season by
any means."
For all his efforts to claw his way back into West Ham's starting XI,
Jenkinson now has international football to focus the mind, having been
included in Gareth Southgate's England U21 squad. The Three Lions face a
two-legged tie against Croatia to book their spot at next year's UEFA
European Under-21 Championship finals in the Czech Republic and Jenkinson is
ready to do battle.
He concluded: "It'll be nice. I've not had too much game time, what with my
injury, so it'll be nice to get back into the swing of things. We've got two
incredibly important games if we want to goto the Euros in the summer.
That's everyone's aim and we're looking forward to that now."
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Allardyce on... Queens Park Rangers
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 6th October 2014
By: Staff Writer
Big Sam saw his team rise to seventh in the table before heaping praise on
his players for a thoroughly efficient performance. Here's his post-match
presser...
Sam: was Sakho's goal the decisive moment today?
I think you would see the second goal as a big moment for us. Even though we
dominated the game it was at a spell when QPR were trying to get back into
it when we scored the second. That man Sakho pops up again and gets in the
right position. 2-0 up at that stage killed QPR's spirit and we got a very
well deserved win and a very good performance by the team today.
All your signings just seem to have worked this season. They've all made a
contribution?
As an experienced manager in this field - who's brought many players in
during seasons past who knows what needs to be done and instructs all the
staff behind the scenes to get the right areas and the right environment -
we have a very welcoming dressing room with the players here.
Kevin Nolan as the captain always builds the bonds of the players in the
dressing room that we all feel together. Because of that togetherness and
because we try and do as much as we can as quick as we can for the players,
they've hit the ground running today.
I have to say they've surprised me. You would expect that if you've got one
or two [new players], particularly from abroad doing the business from the
start you're very satisfied. But all of them are!
Cheik Kouyate, he's injured now but he's made a fantastic impact. Enner
Valencia and Diafra Sakho have, particularly Sakho with his goals. Mauro's
played his part; he's found it a little bit more difficult in some of the
games but certainly today did a good job and certainly at Crystal Palace he
was really good.
Over here, Aaron Cresswell looks like he's never been anywhere else but the
Barclay's Premier League, he's gaining in confidence. We all know about Song
and he's not even fit yet. When he gets fit you can see even more from that.
So strength and depth of squad today was tested, we had seven players
injured. The lads have stepped up, given a very good performance in this
league - which is very difficult - and come out with a well-deserved result.
Another impressive performance from Stewart Downing?
Yes, outstanding for me. He was my man of the match. The amount of ball we
can get to him in that position in midfield, in the diamond, has been
fantastic for him and fantastic for us. He's spraying balls all over the
place, he's opening us defenders. He's creating opportunities for people to
score goals and that confidence is growing again in Stewart. With that
ability and that amount of experience it's fantastic to see the quality he
has given us.
Do you know why that goal from Valencia was ruled out?
It's got to come out of the box.
It was a free kick, wasn't it?
Well I thought the same but the referee assured me that it's the same for
both. If it's a free kick or a goal kick it has to come out of the box. So I
will check the rules! [laughs]
I always knew a goal kick had to come out of the box but I really wasn't
sure it had to be a free kick as well - but the fourth official assured me
it was.
You said it was a decent performance today. Were you surprised at how flat
they were?
There's two things. One is they've all found out how tough it is in this
league but they have some players who've played a lot in the Premier League
here. Like everything else for Harry - and like us all - how threatening are
you, can you make a goal threat?
If you struggle to do that the rest of the team comes under much more
pressure and it cracks. We've suffered that ourselves in the past, certainly
in the early stages of the Premier League.
What did they have - one [good] attempt today? I think Austin had the best
attempt when he did brilliantly getting past Tomkins. Adrian made a couple
of good saves, but it makes so much difference when you have a real
goalscorer in your team. Look at the difference Costa's made for Chelsea.
When you find one ... And we might have found two, hopefully. We've found
one in Sakho at the moment and I think Enner Valencia will be another one.
That's without Andy Carroll back, so our goal threat is greater and puts
more pressure on the opposition team whereas I think QPR are lacking nay
real goal threat at the moment and that makes life difficult for everybody
else.
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AN IRRATIONAL UPSURGE OF OPTIMISM - IS THIS THE REAL THING ?
By HamburgHammer 6 Oct 2014 at 14:41
West Ham Till I Die
There was a time when West Ham fans thought that Iceland was the best
country in the world, apart from England of course. West Ham had just been
bought by new Icelandic owners, fronted by a guy who looked a bit like the
main villain from "The Hills Have Eyes". With them they brought shedloads of
cash and the promise of a new era where West Ham would bring in top players
on a regular basis and challenge the big teams in the Premier League. No
talk of relegation then, but there was a five year plan that included taking
part in Champions League football.
The rest of course is history, players like Ljungberg couldn't repeat the
performances that had made them Premier League stars in West Ham's colours
and few countries suffered more from the Global Financial Crisis and the
Credit Crunch like Iceland. Plus our owner back then later was revealed as a
fraudster and West Ham didn't actually end up anywhere near the Champions
League places, but on the brink of financial collapse. We had just
experienced another false dawn and another case of what might have been.
Now it's 2014 and I can honestly say that I haven't felt more optimistic
about being a West Ham fan and about our future than right now. We seem to
have a perfect storm forming slowly, but steadily. Let's start with the
owners, often criticised by fans, sometimes harshly, they have put the club
in a position where the external debt to banks will be gone as soon as we
move into the OS in two years time. They may have loaned the money to West
Ham, true, but it surely is better to own money to West Ham fans than banks
that continue to fight for their own survival and may not be willing to keep
their faith in the fortunes of a football team.
They have secured the OS for us and struck what many financial and sports
experts call an extremly favourable deal.
We should be in a position to generate decent income regularly and be a
player in the transfer market for years to come.
Which brings me to our current team. WHAT A SQUAD! The owners brought in a
number of players and all of them have contributed and shown glimpses of
what they can do, Sakho of course has been downright sensational so far! A
proper striker doing what strikers do, scoring goals for fun. Sakho was
totally unknown before the start of the season due to him plying his trade
in the French Second Division for FC Metz, but for once we seem to have
struck gold here.
I read a comment on a forum recently from a Metz supporter who congratulated
us on signing Sakho. He had nothing but praise for the player who was not
only very skilled and ambitious, but also very level headed and down to
earth. In fact the Metz fan was so grateful that he could only wish him well
for continuing with his career at a bigger club. Long may his scoring spree
continue for West Ham.
We now have proper competition for places all over the pitch. And praise
must go to Sam Allardyce (and most of you know that I am not his biggest fan
to say the least) for acknowledging the impact of the new signings and
playing them. We no longer play as if Carroll was still on the pitch. We
name a team and play to the strengths of these respective players. Downing
may have found his perfect position on the pitch in the process. Song adds
vision and awareness. Amalfitano looks very useful on the ball, Valencia is
a beast who may need some more time to gel with the rest of the team and
Sakho I've already covered.
Cresswell looks like he has played LB for us for two or three seasons
already and Jenkinson has started to make an impression too while young
Poyet doesn't look out of place in this league at all. And surely we haven't
seen the best of Zarate yet. Kouyate already is a West Ham legend in the
making.
Team spirit plays a huge part in all of this and a massive kudos here must
go to Kevin Nolan. It must be hard for him sitting on the bench, but he made
sure that all our new faces have settled in quickly. It takes a brave and
good man to help players coming into the team who could very well take his
starting place away from him, but Nolan appears to have done just yet – he
deserves a lot of credit for that!
What I love the most about this team now is the energy and movement all over
the pitch. This team oozes desire. They are constantly in the faces of the
opposing players, hunting, chasing, breathing down their necks, trying to
win back balls all over the pitch. Valencia and Sakho are a living nightmare
already for opposing goalkeepers and defenders and the entire team seems to
enjoy our current brand of football as do the fans surely.
Allardyce will always love his clean sheets more than scoring three or four
goals, but I get the feeling he's slowly coming around to enjoying attacking
football a bit more.
As a West Ham fan you are always aware that the next train crash could be
just around the corner: Our best players and fan favourites leaving at the
first opportunity, individual players throwing their toys out of the pram
for some obscure reason and disrupting team spirit, some dodgy dealings in
our finance department being revealed by the media, the OS being not quite
so gobsmacking as the owners would have us believe, West Ham in the past
have always found ways to self destruct.
But we wouldn't be West Ham fans if we didn't continue to dream of better
times and the dawning of a new era.
Rarely has a dawning been brighter than this current one. I may be a fool
for thinking that this actually could be the real thing this time.
But it surely is a good thing to see what fans on here (me included) have
left moaning about. It's only little things, a tweak needed here and there,
but in general we can be nothing but happy with the general direction the
club is taking, on and off the pitch. It's a great time to be a Happy
Hammer!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
New West Ham hero Diafra Sakho reveals Sam Allardyce DIDN'T want him but got
overruled by David Sullivan
Oct 06, 2014 22:30 By Darren Lewis
Hammers striker scored his fifth goal in as many games on Sunday against QPR
- who also rejected the chance to sign him over the summer
The Mirror
West Ham goal machine Diafra Sakho has revealed owner David Sullivan stepped
in to sign him - because Sam Allardyce didn't want him.
At just £4.7million, the Senegal striker, 24, is fast becoming one of the
bargains of the summer. It is the second time Sullivan has overruled Big Sam
after capturing another striker, Argentinian Mauro Zarate in the summer.
Sakho netted his fifth goal in as many games in Sunday's 2-0 win over QPR.
The strike was also his fourth in as many consecutive league matches to lift
the Hammers to seventh in the table. He has revealed, however, that he was
rejected by the Hoops and that his move to Upton Park almost fell through
because Big Sam - who wanted Sunderland's Connor Wickham instead - didn't
fancy him. It was only Sullivan's late intervention that prevented the
striker - who scored 20 goals for Metz last season - hopping back onto the
Eurostar to France. Sakho, who has netted against Liverpool and Manchester
United during his run, said: "I have always wanted to play in England and
when West Ham came in for me in the summer, I thought that was it. "But then
the deal began to fall through as I think the coach was having doubts and I
was resigned to returning to France. "Fortunately for me, Mr Sullivan
stepped in and said he would be signing me and on a permanent deal. It was
the chance I needed.
"I had heard QPR didn't want me, so I wanted to prove I could do it. West
Ham gave me the chance and now the coach Mr Allardyce believes in me too.
"I'm enjoying it and scoring goals against Liverpool and Manchester United
shows I can play at this level. "I'm just glad Mr Sullivan put his trust in
me."
Sakho's agent, Mark McKay, has confirmed Sakho was almost the one that got
away for West Ham. He said: "A lot of people were also putting off Sam
Allardyce from signing him, saying his attitude was not right and that he
was not good enough for West Ham, and that was very unfair on the boy. "He
was actually recommended to QPR's chief scout and offered to them, but that
fell on deaf ears. However, David Sullivan was determined to sign him and he
went to great lengths to get the deal done. "I am glad he is playing well
for Sam Allardyce and scoring goals and the West Ham fans must be happy
David Sullivan worked so hard to bring Sakho to the club."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Rumours of Qatari family showing West Ham interest – The ExWHUemployee
Column
By ExWHUemployee on October 6, 2014 in ExWHUemployee column
Ironviews.com
What a comfortable performance that was against QPR. I thought every player
played well and earned their money. One thing that particularly stands out
for me is the work rate of Valencia and Sakho. I cannot remember a time when
we had a pair of forwards who have this work ethic and have the constant
movement that they do. They have settled in brilliantly to the club and even
Sam has been the first to admit he was surprised by how quickly they have. I
saw a fans site ask: "it is our best forward partnership since when?" I
would suggest since Di Canio and Kanoute (when he hadn't hit his lazy
spell).
What I find even more exciting about our future is the fact that Carroll,
Kouyate and Noble were absent from that game and all three would have been
pushing for a start. That said I find it hard to see how Carroll would fit
into the current team and style but of course I am looking forward to this
return for the extra options that it brings. Our bench could potentially be
the strongest I could ever remember it being since I have been going which
is over 25 years now. Things are looking good at the moment when you think
we should have beaten Spurs and got at least a draw at Manchester United.
One thing I was really disappointed about was the booing of Kevin Nolan. I,
for one, have questioned his selection on a number of occasions and
personally think he doesn't deserve to be in the starting eleven at the
moment. This does not mean that I would boo him, quite frankly I found that
quite disgusting. Whether you rate a player or not, booing them does nothing
but make the problem worse. What makes the treatment even more wrong is that
he has been a brilliant club captain. It is often said by people within the
establishment that he has been the best captain that we have had for many
seasons. When we first signed him, the club and been ripped apart by
relegation and moral was destroyed by Grant's reign. Kevin Nolan brought
everyone together and got them playing as a team and fighting for our
promotion. If you throw in the fact that he has scored many important goals
for us during his three years here then it shouldn't have happened. I
thought he played well against Spurs, should have had a goal against
Manchester United and was the right substitution for Zarate at the time
against QPR. I love being a fan of West Ham largely due to our supporters
and our history and we are better than booing our own players.
I have heard that the club have opened up the viewing of corporate boxes at
the Olympic Stadium to corporate members and that they have been very well
received. Another interesting bit of news, and I haven't been able to verify
it, is that there are a number of investors who are really keen to get on
board. Westfield are very keen still to be heavily involved (as has been
widely reported) and there has been rumours of a Qatari family showing an
interest as well, with a large financial force behind them. Of course this
is pure speculation but I really do believe there are exciting times ahead
of us.
The recent England squad has wound me up more than it usually does. Why Roy
will not look at Stewart Downing when all the stats show he is the
Englishman who has created the most amount of chances baffles me. Again, he
puy another very good display against QPR and another assist. I strongly
believe you should pick players for the national team who are on form and
since the last squad selection there cannot be many midfielders who have
played any better. I am proud to be English and I support the team but I
really do not like international weekends especially when we are playing the
nations that we are!
We should have a few players back for Burnley; most notably Kouyate, who I
believe is making great progress from his injury. I hope Mark Noble is also
in contention but his injury is a bit more of a worry as it isn't a standard
one that has a set recovery time.
One thing for certain is I haven't felt this positive about the team for a
long time and the league table is making pleasant reading at the moment. We
should go to Burnley looking to take all three points. COYI
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
James Collins withdraws from Wales squad to face Bosnia and Cyprus with a
groin injury
Oct 06, 2014 21:51 By Alex Bywater
WalesOnline
West Ham United defender James Collins has withdrawn from the Wales squad to
face Bosnia and Cyprus with a groin problem. The 31-year-old had been named
in Chris Coleman's initial squad but failed to feature for his club in their
2-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers on Sunday. Collins, who has won 44 caps
for his country, may not have been involved against Bosnia on Friday anyway
with Swansea City captain Ashley Williams and Hull's James Chester in the
squad. The pair were chosen by Coleman to start in last month's 2-1 win over
Andorra, but the absence of the experienced Collins is still a blow. Coleman
is already without injured duo Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen, the Premier
League pair leaving a gaping hole in the middle of the Welsh midfield.
With Collins absent, Cardiff City's player coach Danny Gabbidon will now be
the main centre-half in reserve behind Williams and Chester.
Real Madrid star Gareth Bale voted Wales player of the year for the fourth
time How Danny Gabbidon's Cardiff City caretaker manager experience can
benefit Wales - Chris Coleman reveals all Wales call for Gareth Bale
protection against Bosnia after Real Madrid star targeted in Andorra While
the news on Collins is another blow to Wales, Coleman has been boosted by
the availability of two other squad members. Midfielders Lee Evans and Emyr
Huws both joined up with the Welsh camp on Monday after shaking off injury
worries. Former Newport County man Evans, who has impressed in the
Championship with Wolves this season, has recovered from a hamstring problem
while Wigan midfielder Huws is in line to feature against Bosnia. Both
players could have important roles to play for their country in the next
week or so in the absence of the more experienced Ramsey and Allen.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big respect for Rob Green
Posted by Sean Whetstone on October 6, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
I give all the respect in the world to former Hammers stopper Robert Green.
I've always been a fan of Greeno and he didn't let my faith in him down on
Sunday. The minute he appeared from the tunnel he made a point of clapping
the Hammers fans – who were happy to return the applause. And he then made a
crossed Hammers sign with his arms to fans in the Bobby Moore stand before
the start of the game. He got a similar response in the Sir Trevor Brooking
Stand when swapping ends at half time. The fans sung 'Greeno, Greeno,
what's the score?' with the Irons two nil up. Greeno acknowledged the banter
by lifting up his hand then a thumb to show he saw the funny side of a song
we sung to him as a Hammer when we were beating another team comfortably. In
the past he would make a motion for us to calm down and don't tempt fate
when we were 3-0 up. Being honest he seemed the only member of the QPR team
to be bothered bothered they had conceded two goals . To be perfectly honest
his team were by far the worst I have seen play at the Boleyn in the last
five years. Towards the end of the game Hammers fans baited him with chances
of: 'You only went for the money, went for the money!"
At that point during a break in play he turned round to the fans and pointed
to himself saying are you talking about me? He then shoke his finger to them
as if to gesture: "No I didn't leave for the money, not me." He again showed
respect at the end of the match making the hammers crossed arms sign to
Hammers fans in the Sir Trevor Brooking lower before throwing his shirt into
the crowd for some young supporters. There were cries of 'Greeno, Greeno,
Greeno' as he left the pitch. Robert Green was thought to have earned
£40,000 per week at West Ham and was offered £45,000 per week to stay. He
eventually signed a deal with QPR said to be worth £50,000 per week.
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CandH exclusive: Sullivan on Royal Family 'investors'
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 6, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
David Sullivan has made it clear that despite fresh speculation there are no
serious financiers ready to invest in the Irons. Stories have emerged that a
Qatari Royal family is again showing an interest in the club. And we can
expect 'more of the same' on the Irons grapevine as the move to the Olympic
Stadium edges ever closer. But Sullivan – in his first major interview of
the season – told Claretandhugh exclusively: "There's no truth in that at
all and if they were to be they have not contacted us."
Sullivan and his co-chairman David Gold have never made any secret of the
fact they would welcome investors but DS insists there has been no contact
with anyone that could be taken seriously. He said: "As far as the Qatari
royal family is concerned we would welcome them with open arms as long as
they had the best for the claim as their aim. We've always said we'd like
other people to share the burden."
And he made it clear that he was constantly being approached 'Walter
Mitties' who claim to be interested in getting involved financially. He
said: "Yes, we do get three or four 'Walter Mitty' type people a month
approaching us. Bt none of them really have the huge sums needed to be
involved in a PL club these days. Most want publicity, free VIP tickets to
matches or try to buy shares at a ridiculously low price etc – they are
complete time wasters. "We have no desire to sell the club, but we would
sell part of it, with 100 per cent of any money going into the club not us,
to spread the load IF the right type pf person approached us. "We've always
said that, nothing has changed."
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WHUFC.com
All four of West Ham United's loanees were in action this weekend
06.10.2014
Sean Maguire completed a full 90 minutes as Accrington Stanley continued
their revival under new manager John Coleman. Stanley beat Mansfield Town
1-0 through a Luke Joyce penalty and they are now up to eleventh in League
Two.
Midfielder George Moncur continued his good form at Colchester United
despite their 4-2 away defeat by Preston North End. Moncur has been a
regular for the U's, scoring three goals in eleven league appearances this
season.
Ravel Morrison made his first start for new club Cardiff as they lost 1-0
away to Championship strugglers Blackpool. The midfielder was substituted in
the 69th minute as he was replaced by Adam Le Fondre.
Modibo Maiga came on as a 71st minute substitute in FC Metz's 3-0 defeat by
Evian TG in the French Ligue Un. The newly promoted side are currently ninth
after nine games, with 14 points.
West Ham United winger Matthias Fanimo has returned to the club after his
loan spell at Tranmere Rovers came to an end. Fanimo made one substitute
appearance in his time at the Sky Bet League Two club.
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Song delighted with Hammers form
WHUFC.com
Alex Song is delighted with his start to life at West Ham United following
Sunday's 2-0 win over QPR
06.10.2014
West Ham United midfielder Alex Song has made a huge impact in his short
time at the club so far, excelling in playing the anchor role in the newly
adopted diamond formation. The Hammers got off to another bright start in
Sunday's 2-0 win over QPR as they took the lead through Nedum Onuoha's own
goal, before Diafra Sakho scored his fifth goal of the season from close
range. With Kevin Nolan returning to full fitness and Mark Noble out
injured, the Barcelona loanee captained the team for the second consecutive
match. After another impressive performance, the 27-year-old said: "I have
been captain before at Arsenal but it was a privilege to wear the armband
against QPR. "I know Kevin Nolan and Mark Noble have been captains this
season but without them, the manager had to choose someone and it was good
he showed the trust in me. I just wanted to return that faith and thank him
for that responsibility."
Having become frustrated at the lack of game time at Barcelona, Song had
several options, including moves to other Champions League clubs, before
deciding to join the Hammers. Song revealed that a big deciding factor was
the advice he received from his cousin, former Cameroon international
Rigobert Song, who played for West Ham from 2000 to 2002. "I spoke to him
very recently," he said. "He has helped me a lot with my decision to come
here. He told me it was a good club and the fans were terrific. After I came
here I told him he was right about that."
Song is confident his performances can still improve once he is back to full
fitness "I'm in a good way because I played the full 90 minutes, following
on from a full match against Manchester United. I still feel I need more
games but at the moment I am very happy because everyone here at the club is
helping me achieve what I want to do."
The midfielder believes the international break has come at a good time as
it allows several players to come back from injury: "We have some players
injured and others who are coming back after being out for a long time. When
we have them all back we will be even stronger and you never know what might
happen."
"We are seventh at the moment but I am not going to put pressure on us by
saying we will end up there. If we finish in the top ten it will be
fantastic but we must stay focused and give everything in every game to do
that."
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December fixture changes
WHUFC.com
Two of West Ham United's fixtures have had their dates or kick-off time
changed
06.10.2014
Two of West Ham United's Barclays Premier League December fixtures have been
moved to new dates or kick-off times. The home meeting with Swansea City,
originally scheduled for Saturday 6 December, will now be played on Sunday 7
December, with kick-off at 1.30pm. Meanwhile, the away London derby at
Chelsea on Boxing Day was originally due to be played with a 3pm kick-off,
but will now kick-off at 12.45pm.
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Jenko back in the swing of things
WHUFC.com
Carl Jenkinson enjoyed a belated full debut on Sunday and is now planning to
kick on for the Hammers
06.10.2014
Carl Jenkinson has promised Hammers fans that they have seen nothing yet, as
the Arsenal loanee celebrated three points and a clean sheet in his full
West Ham United debut against Queens Park Rangers. Sunday's first start in
Claret and Blue had been some time coming for the 22-year-old, after a
pre-season hamstring injury consigned the England U21 international to the
sidelines for six weeks. But following encouraging cameos at both Hull City
and Manchester United in recent weeks, Jenkinson was delighted to stay the
course against Rangers and expects to be in full flight down the right wing
before long. "Sunday was a strange one for me, being my first 90 minutes,"
he explained. "There was a lot of space in front of me, but I just didn't
have it in my legs to bomb on as much as I'd have liked. But that's normal,
I've not played 90 minutes for a couple of months now, so it will improve on
that front. "I'm very glad we kept our first clean sheet of the season and I
got forward when I could, but the fans will see a lot more of me going
forward in the future."
While the injury was a bitter blow to the Harlow-born full-back, Jenkinson
insists that it was at least well timed, with pre-season and the first of
two international breaks partially coming to his aid. He continued: "It's
been a little bit frustrating, to be honest, coming here and getting an
injury, particularly as I've not really had one for a couple of years. But
fortunately I didn't miss too many games - it was a six-week injury and yet
I only missed three games. That was the upside. "With the team doing well,
it's been a bit of a waiting game for the last couple of games for me to get
in. But I've played two 30 minutes and I've taken my opportunities. I got my
chance on Sunday, we've come away with a 2-0 win and a clean sheet, so I'm
positive with the way things are going at the moment. It's just important
that we kick on."
Reflecting on a job well done on Sunday, Jenkinson felt that Nedum Onuoha's
early own goal made for an unusual affair, with the Hammers unsure of
whether to stick or twist. But far from being preoccupied with style on this
occasion, the former Charlton Athletic man was just glad of three
hard-earned points. "It was a difficult one, because when you go 1-0 up [so
early], you don't always know whether to push on," he confirmed. "They then
started leaving a couple more men up there and you have to manage the game a
little bit. So we didn't really get into our rhythm. But I think it was one
of those games where the three points were all that mattered.
"We've played games this season that we should have got more out of and
didn't get the points, so it was very important that we won on Sunday and
pushed ourselves up the table. We've played seven games now, we've got ten
points and I think we're seventh, so it's not a bad start to the season by
any means."
For all his efforts to claw his way back into West Ham's starting XI,
Jenkinson now has international football to focus the mind, having been
included in Gareth Southgate's England U21 squad. The Three Lions face a
two-legged tie against Croatia to book their spot at next year's UEFA
European Under-21 Championship finals in the Czech Republic and Jenkinson is
ready to do battle.
He concluded: "It'll be nice. I've not had too much game time, what with my
injury, so it'll be nice to get back into the swing of things. We've got two
incredibly important games if we want to goto the Euros in the summer.
That's everyone's aim and we're looking forward to that now."
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Allardyce on... Queens Park Rangers
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 6th October 2014
By: Staff Writer
Big Sam saw his team rise to seventh in the table before heaping praise on
his players for a thoroughly efficient performance. Here's his post-match
presser...
Sam: was Sakho's goal the decisive moment today?
I think you would see the second goal as a big moment for us. Even though we
dominated the game it was at a spell when QPR were trying to get back into
it when we scored the second. That man Sakho pops up again and gets in the
right position. 2-0 up at that stage killed QPR's spirit and we got a very
well deserved win and a very good performance by the team today.
All your signings just seem to have worked this season. They've all made a
contribution?
As an experienced manager in this field - who's brought many players in
during seasons past who knows what needs to be done and instructs all the
staff behind the scenes to get the right areas and the right environment -
we have a very welcoming dressing room with the players here.
Kevin Nolan as the captain always builds the bonds of the players in the
dressing room that we all feel together. Because of that togetherness and
because we try and do as much as we can as quick as we can for the players,
they've hit the ground running today.
I have to say they've surprised me. You would expect that if you've got one
or two [new players], particularly from abroad doing the business from the
start you're very satisfied. But all of them are!
Cheik Kouyate, he's injured now but he's made a fantastic impact. Enner
Valencia and Diafra Sakho have, particularly Sakho with his goals. Mauro's
played his part; he's found it a little bit more difficult in some of the
games but certainly today did a good job and certainly at Crystal Palace he
was really good.
Over here, Aaron Cresswell looks like he's never been anywhere else but the
Barclay's Premier League, he's gaining in confidence. We all know about Song
and he's not even fit yet. When he gets fit you can see even more from that.
So strength and depth of squad today was tested, we had seven players
injured. The lads have stepped up, given a very good performance in this
league - which is very difficult - and come out with a well-deserved result.
Another impressive performance from Stewart Downing?
Yes, outstanding for me. He was my man of the match. The amount of ball we
can get to him in that position in midfield, in the diamond, has been
fantastic for him and fantastic for us. He's spraying balls all over the
place, he's opening us defenders. He's creating opportunities for people to
score goals and that confidence is growing again in Stewart. With that
ability and that amount of experience it's fantastic to see the quality he
has given us.
Do you know why that goal from Valencia was ruled out?
It's got to come out of the box.
It was a free kick, wasn't it?
Well I thought the same but the referee assured me that it's the same for
both. If it's a free kick or a goal kick it has to come out of the box. So I
will check the rules! [laughs]
I always knew a goal kick had to come out of the box but I really wasn't
sure it had to be a free kick as well - but the fourth official assured me
it was.
You said it was a decent performance today. Were you surprised at how flat
they were?
There's two things. One is they've all found out how tough it is in this
league but they have some players who've played a lot in the Premier League
here. Like everything else for Harry - and like us all - how threatening are
you, can you make a goal threat?
If you struggle to do that the rest of the team comes under much more
pressure and it cracks. We've suffered that ourselves in the past, certainly
in the early stages of the Premier League.
What did they have - one [good] attempt today? I think Austin had the best
attempt when he did brilliantly getting past Tomkins. Adrian made a couple
of good saves, but it makes so much difference when you have a real
goalscorer in your team. Look at the difference Costa's made for Chelsea.
When you find one ... And we might have found two, hopefully. We've found
one in Sakho at the moment and I think Enner Valencia will be another one.
That's without Andy Carroll back, so our goal threat is greater and puts
more pressure on the opposition team whereas I think QPR are lacking nay
real goal threat at the moment and that makes life difficult for everybody
else.
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AN IRRATIONAL UPSURGE OF OPTIMISM - IS THIS THE REAL THING ?
By HamburgHammer 6 Oct 2014 at 14:41
West Ham Till I Die
There was a time when West Ham fans thought that Iceland was the best
country in the world, apart from England of course. West Ham had just been
bought by new Icelandic owners, fronted by a guy who looked a bit like the
main villain from "The Hills Have Eyes". With them they brought shedloads of
cash and the promise of a new era where West Ham would bring in top players
on a regular basis and challenge the big teams in the Premier League. No
talk of relegation then, but there was a five year plan that included taking
part in Champions League football.
The rest of course is history, players like Ljungberg couldn't repeat the
performances that had made them Premier League stars in West Ham's colours
and few countries suffered more from the Global Financial Crisis and the
Credit Crunch like Iceland. Plus our owner back then later was revealed as a
fraudster and West Ham didn't actually end up anywhere near the Champions
League places, but on the brink of financial collapse. We had just
experienced another false dawn and another case of what might have been.
Now it's 2014 and I can honestly say that I haven't felt more optimistic
about being a West Ham fan and about our future than right now. We seem to
have a perfect storm forming slowly, but steadily. Let's start with the
owners, often criticised by fans, sometimes harshly, they have put the club
in a position where the external debt to banks will be gone as soon as we
move into the OS in two years time. They may have loaned the money to West
Ham, true, but it surely is better to own money to West Ham fans than banks
that continue to fight for their own survival and may not be willing to keep
their faith in the fortunes of a football team.
They have secured the OS for us and struck what many financial and sports
experts call an extremly favourable deal.
We should be in a position to generate decent income regularly and be a
player in the transfer market for years to come.
Which brings me to our current team. WHAT A SQUAD! The owners brought in a
number of players and all of them have contributed and shown glimpses of
what they can do, Sakho of course has been downright sensational so far! A
proper striker doing what strikers do, scoring goals for fun. Sakho was
totally unknown before the start of the season due to him plying his trade
in the French Second Division for FC Metz, but for once we seem to have
struck gold here.
I read a comment on a forum recently from a Metz supporter who congratulated
us on signing Sakho. He had nothing but praise for the player who was not
only very skilled and ambitious, but also very level headed and down to
earth. In fact the Metz fan was so grateful that he could only wish him well
for continuing with his career at a bigger club. Long may his scoring spree
continue for West Ham.
We now have proper competition for places all over the pitch. And praise
must go to Sam Allardyce (and most of you know that I am not his biggest fan
to say the least) for acknowledging the impact of the new signings and
playing them. We no longer play as if Carroll was still on the pitch. We
name a team and play to the strengths of these respective players. Downing
may have found his perfect position on the pitch in the process. Song adds
vision and awareness. Amalfitano looks very useful on the ball, Valencia is
a beast who may need some more time to gel with the rest of the team and
Sakho I've already covered.
Cresswell looks like he has played LB for us for two or three seasons
already and Jenkinson has started to make an impression too while young
Poyet doesn't look out of place in this league at all. And surely we haven't
seen the best of Zarate yet. Kouyate already is a West Ham legend in the
making.
Team spirit plays a huge part in all of this and a massive kudos here must
go to Kevin Nolan. It must be hard for him sitting on the bench, but he made
sure that all our new faces have settled in quickly. It takes a brave and
good man to help players coming into the team who could very well take his
starting place away from him, but Nolan appears to have done just yet – he
deserves a lot of credit for that!
What I love the most about this team now is the energy and movement all over
the pitch. This team oozes desire. They are constantly in the faces of the
opposing players, hunting, chasing, breathing down their necks, trying to
win back balls all over the pitch. Valencia and Sakho are a living nightmare
already for opposing goalkeepers and defenders and the entire team seems to
enjoy our current brand of football as do the fans surely.
Allardyce will always love his clean sheets more than scoring three or four
goals, but I get the feeling he's slowly coming around to enjoying attacking
football a bit more.
As a West Ham fan you are always aware that the next train crash could be
just around the corner: Our best players and fan favourites leaving at the
first opportunity, individual players throwing their toys out of the pram
for some obscure reason and disrupting team spirit, some dodgy dealings in
our finance department being revealed by the media, the OS being not quite
so gobsmacking as the owners would have us believe, West Ham in the past
have always found ways to self destruct.
But we wouldn't be West Ham fans if we didn't continue to dream of better
times and the dawning of a new era.
Rarely has a dawning been brighter than this current one. I may be a fool
for thinking that this actually could be the real thing this time.
But it surely is a good thing to see what fans on here (me included) have
left moaning about. It's only little things, a tweak needed here and there,
but in general we can be nothing but happy with the general direction the
club is taking, on and off the pitch. It's a great time to be a Happy
Hammer!
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New West Ham hero Diafra Sakho reveals Sam Allardyce DIDN'T want him but got
overruled by David Sullivan
Oct 06, 2014 22:30 By Darren Lewis
Hammers striker scored his fifth goal in as many games on Sunday against QPR
- who also rejected the chance to sign him over the summer
The Mirror
West Ham goal machine Diafra Sakho has revealed owner David Sullivan stepped
in to sign him - because Sam Allardyce didn't want him.
At just £4.7million, the Senegal striker, 24, is fast becoming one of the
bargains of the summer. It is the second time Sullivan has overruled Big Sam
after capturing another striker, Argentinian Mauro Zarate in the summer.
Sakho netted his fifth goal in as many games in Sunday's 2-0 win over QPR.
The strike was also his fourth in as many consecutive league matches to lift
the Hammers to seventh in the table. He has revealed, however, that he was
rejected by the Hoops and that his move to Upton Park almost fell through
because Big Sam - who wanted Sunderland's Connor Wickham instead - didn't
fancy him. It was only Sullivan's late intervention that prevented the
striker - who scored 20 goals for Metz last season - hopping back onto the
Eurostar to France. Sakho, who has netted against Liverpool and Manchester
United during his run, said: "I have always wanted to play in England and
when West Ham came in for me in the summer, I thought that was it. "But then
the deal began to fall through as I think the coach was having doubts and I
was resigned to returning to France. "Fortunately for me, Mr Sullivan
stepped in and said he would be signing me and on a permanent deal. It was
the chance I needed.
"I had heard QPR didn't want me, so I wanted to prove I could do it. West
Ham gave me the chance and now the coach Mr Allardyce believes in me too.
"I'm enjoying it and scoring goals against Liverpool and Manchester United
shows I can play at this level. "I'm just glad Mr Sullivan put his trust in
me."
Sakho's agent, Mark McKay, has confirmed Sakho was almost the one that got
away for West Ham. He said: "A lot of people were also putting off Sam
Allardyce from signing him, saying his attitude was not right and that he
was not good enough for West Ham, and that was very unfair on the boy. "He
was actually recommended to QPR's chief scout and offered to them, but that
fell on deaf ears. However, David Sullivan was determined to sign him and he
went to great lengths to get the deal done. "I am glad he is playing well
for Sam Allardyce and scoring goals and the West Ham fans must be happy
David Sullivan worked so hard to bring Sakho to the club."
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Rumours of Qatari family showing West Ham interest – The ExWHUemployee
Column
By ExWHUemployee on October 6, 2014 in ExWHUemployee column
Ironviews.com
What a comfortable performance that was against QPR. I thought every player
played well and earned their money. One thing that particularly stands out
for me is the work rate of Valencia and Sakho. I cannot remember a time when
we had a pair of forwards who have this work ethic and have the constant
movement that they do. They have settled in brilliantly to the club and even
Sam has been the first to admit he was surprised by how quickly they have. I
saw a fans site ask: "it is our best forward partnership since when?" I
would suggest since Di Canio and Kanoute (when he hadn't hit his lazy
spell).
What I find even more exciting about our future is the fact that Carroll,
Kouyate and Noble were absent from that game and all three would have been
pushing for a start. That said I find it hard to see how Carroll would fit
into the current team and style but of course I am looking forward to this
return for the extra options that it brings. Our bench could potentially be
the strongest I could ever remember it being since I have been going which
is over 25 years now. Things are looking good at the moment when you think
we should have beaten Spurs and got at least a draw at Manchester United.
One thing I was really disappointed about was the booing of Kevin Nolan. I,
for one, have questioned his selection on a number of occasions and
personally think he doesn't deserve to be in the starting eleven at the
moment. This does not mean that I would boo him, quite frankly I found that
quite disgusting. Whether you rate a player or not, booing them does nothing
but make the problem worse. What makes the treatment even more wrong is that
he has been a brilliant club captain. It is often said by people within the
establishment that he has been the best captain that we have had for many
seasons. When we first signed him, the club and been ripped apart by
relegation and moral was destroyed by Grant's reign. Kevin Nolan brought
everyone together and got them playing as a team and fighting for our
promotion. If you throw in the fact that he has scored many important goals
for us during his three years here then it shouldn't have happened. I
thought he played well against Spurs, should have had a goal against
Manchester United and was the right substitution for Zarate at the time
against QPR. I love being a fan of West Ham largely due to our supporters
and our history and we are better than booing our own players.
I have heard that the club have opened up the viewing of corporate boxes at
the Olympic Stadium to corporate members and that they have been very well
received. Another interesting bit of news, and I haven't been able to verify
it, is that there are a number of investors who are really keen to get on
board. Westfield are very keen still to be heavily involved (as has been
widely reported) and there has been rumours of a Qatari family showing an
interest as well, with a large financial force behind them. Of course this
is pure speculation but I really do believe there are exciting times ahead
of us.
The recent England squad has wound me up more than it usually does. Why Roy
will not look at Stewart Downing when all the stats show he is the
Englishman who has created the most amount of chances baffles me. Again, he
puy another very good display against QPR and another assist. I strongly
believe you should pick players for the national team who are on form and
since the last squad selection there cannot be many midfielders who have
played any better. I am proud to be English and I support the team but I
really do not like international weekends especially when we are playing the
nations that we are!
We should have a few players back for Burnley; most notably Kouyate, who I
believe is making great progress from his injury. I hope Mark Noble is also
in contention but his injury is a bit more of a worry as it isn't a standard
one that has a set recovery time.
One thing for certain is I haven't felt this positive about the team for a
long time and the league table is making pleasant reading at the moment. We
should go to Burnley looking to take all three points. COYI
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James Collins withdraws from Wales squad to face Bosnia and Cyprus with a
groin injury
Oct 06, 2014 21:51 By Alex Bywater
WalesOnline
West Ham United defender James Collins has withdrawn from the Wales squad to
face Bosnia and Cyprus with a groin problem. The 31-year-old had been named
in Chris Coleman's initial squad but failed to feature for his club in their
2-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers on Sunday. Collins, who has won 44 caps
for his country, may not have been involved against Bosnia on Friday anyway
with Swansea City captain Ashley Williams and Hull's James Chester in the
squad. The pair were chosen by Coleman to start in last month's 2-1 win over
Andorra, but the absence of the experienced Collins is still a blow. Coleman
is already without injured duo Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen, the Premier
League pair leaving a gaping hole in the middle of the Welsh midfield.
With Collins absent, Cardiff City's player coach Danny Gabbidon will now be
the main centre-half in reserve behind Williams and Chester.
Real Madrid star Gareth Bale voted Wales player of the year for the fourth
time How Danny Gabbidon's Cardiff City caretaker manager experience can
benefit Wales - Chris Coleman reveals all Wales call for Gareth Bale
protection against Bosnia after Real Madrid star targeted in Andorra While
the news on Collins is another blow to Wales, Coleman has been boosted by
the availability of two other squad members. Midfielders Lee Evans and Emyr
Huws both joined up with the Welsh camp on Monday after shaking off injury
worries. Former Newport County man Evans, who has impressed in the
Championship with Wolves this season, has recovered from a hamstring problem
while Wigan midfielder Huws is in line to feature against Bosnia. Both
players could have important roles to play for their country in the next
week or so in the absence of the more experienced Ramsey and Allen.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big respect for Rob Green
Posted by Sean Whetstone on October 6, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
I give all the respect in the world to former Hammers stopper Robert Green.
I've always been a fan of Greeno and he didn't let my faith in him down on
Sunday. The minute he appeared from the tunnel he made a point of clapping
the Hammers fans – who were happy to return the applause. And he then made a
crossed Hammers sign with his arms to fans in the Bobby Moore stand before
the start of the game. He got a similar response in the Sir Trevor Brooking
Stand when swapping ends at half time. The fans sung 'Greeno, Greeno,
what's the score?' with the Irons two nil up. Greeno acknowledged the banter
by lifting up his hand then a thumb to show he saw the funny side of a song
we sung to him as a Hammer when we were beating another team comfortably. In
the past he would make a motion for us to calm down and don't tempt fate
when we were 3-0 up. Being honest he seemed the only member of the QPR team
to be bothered bothered they had conceded two goals . To be perfectly honest
his team were by far the worst I have seen play at the Boleyn in the last
five years. Towards the end of the game Hammers fans baited him with chances
of: 'You only went for the money, went for the money!"
At that point during a break in play he turned round to the fans and pointed
to himself saying are you talking about me? He then shoke his finger to them
as if to gesture: "No I didn't leave for the money, not me." He again showed
respect at the end of the match making the hammers crossed arms sign to
Hammers fans in the Sir Trevor Brooking lower before throwing his shirt into
the crowd for some young supporters. There were cries of 'Greeno, Greeno,
Greeno' as he left the pitch. Robert Green was thought to have earned
£40,000 per week at West Ham and was offered £45,000 per week to stay. He
eventually signed a deal with QPR said to be worth £50,000 per week.
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CandH exclusive: Sullivan on Royal Family 'investors'
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 6, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
David Sullivan has made it clear that despite fresh speculation there are no
serious financiers ready to invest in the Irons. Stories have emerged that a
Qatari Royal family is again showing an interest in the club. And we can
expect 'more of the same' on the Irons grapevine as the move to the Olympic
Stadium edges ever closer. But Sullivan – in his first major interview of
the season – told Claretandhugh exclusively: "There's no truth in that at
all and if they were to be they have not contacted us."
Sullivan and his co-chairman David Gold have never made any secret of the
fact they would welcome investors but DS insists there has been no contact
with anyone that could be taken seriously. He said: "As far as the Qatari
royal family is concerned we would welcome them with open arms as long as
they had the best for the claim as their aim. We've always said we'd like
other people to share the burden."
And he made it clear that he was constantly being approached 'Walter
Mitties' who claim to be interested in getting involved financially. He
said: "Yes, we do get three or four 'Walter Mitty' type people a month
approaching us. Bt none of them really have the huge sums needed to be
involved in a PL club these days. Most want publicity, free VIP tickets to
matches or try to buy shares at a ridiculously low price etc – they are
complete time wasters. "We have no desire to sell the club, but we would
sell part of it, with 100 per cent of any money going into the club not us,
to spread the load IF the right type pf person approached us. "We've always
said that, nothing has changed."
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Monday, October 6
Daily WHUFC News - 6th October 2014
Sakho helps Hammers past Hoops
WHUFC.com
A Nedum Onuoha own goal and Diafra Sakho's fifth for the Hammers fire West
Ham to a 2-0 win
05.10.2014
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United 2-0 Queens Park Rangers
West Ham United eased to a second successive Barclays Premier League victory
at the Boleyn Ground, as a goal in either half proved plenty to see off
newly-promoted Queens Park Rangers on Sunday afternoon. Just as they did
against Liverpool a fortnight ago, West Ham struck early here, when Nedum
Onuoha shinned Stewart Downing's fifth-minute corner into his own net.
Though Charlie Austin twice went close for the visitors, the in-form Diafra
Sakho effectively settled the contest shortly before the hour mark, applying
the final touch to James Tomkins' looping effort. Victory and a first clean
sheet of the campaign propels the Hammers up to seventh, ahead of a trip to
Turf Moor in a fortnight's time. West Ham showed two changes to the side
that so nearly snatched a point at Old Trafford, with Diego Poyet making way
for Mauro Zarate and Carl Jenkinson in for the sidelined Guy Demel. As for
the R's, former Hammers Robert Green and Rio Ferdinand, making his 500th
Premier League appearance, both started, while Bobby Zamora had to make do
with a spot on the bench.
This wasn't quite a fast start of Liverpool proportions, but Sam Allardyce's
men are getting into the very helpful habit of scoring early at the Boleyn
Ground. On this occasion, it took less than five minutes to break Rangers'
resistance. Downing's right-wing corner was allowed to travel all the way to
the far post, where a flat-footed Onuoha was helpless in preventing the ball
crash off his shins and past an unmoved Green. Though several in Claret and
Blue were quick to congratulate the lurking Sakho, he won't be claiming this
one.
By now, West Ham looked to be in the mood and Morgan Amalfitano volleyed an
eye-catching ball into the middle, forcing Green to come racing off his line
and smother. Sakho meanwhile, as West Ham have come to expect, was a
livewire once more and squared up Ferdinand on the left-hand side of the
box. His centre clipped the inside of the defender's legs, taking it just
behind the run of Enner Valencia, who could only divert wide of the near
post.
At the other end, the Hoops' best chance of the half fell to Austin and was
much of his own making. The visitors' No9 shrugged off Tomkins' challenge
and, in a bid to find the far post, was foiled by Adrian as he plunged low
to his left and did well to cling on.
Play-Off specialist Zamora replaced the anonymous Junior Hoilett at
half-time and almost provided the ammunition for a Rangers equaliser within
two minutes of his arrival. The once Brighton & Hove Albion man squared for
Austin, who, under considerable pressure from a scrambling Tomkins, stabbed
wide of Adrian's right-hand upright.
It was the first sign of a mini Rangers revival, with Harry Redknapp's men
enjoying rather more possession than they had done before the interval. But
thankfully it was short lived, Sakho made sure of that.
As the hour approached, Zarate's snap shot ballooned up off the boot of
Leroy Fer and into the path of Tomkins. The Basildon-born defender hooked it
goalward, over Green's head, and though it was likely sneaking in anyway,
Sakho buried the header from under the crossbar to double the Hammers'
advantage.
Seconds later and West Ham had the ball in the net for a third time, though
not to referee Anthony Taylor's liking. Green casually rolled a free-kick in
the direction of Ferdinand, one that Valencia all too easily intercepted.
The Ecuadorian gratefully slotted home, but had not been ten yards away,
said the officials, and 2-0 it remained.
Niko Kranjcar sought to respond for the Hoops and his free-kick bounced
awkwardly in front of Adrian, making the Spaniard's save a better one that
it perhaps appeared. Adel Taarabt was introduced late on and the enigmatic
Moroccan had Adrian worried as he blasted narrowly wide from 25 yards.
But the Hammers went close again themselves, with Downing teeing up Nolan,
whose side-footed strike from 12 yards was well fielded by Green. It was,
however, merely incidental, as West Ham saw out the final few moments to
record a third success of the campaign.
West Ham United: Adrian, Jenkinson, Tomkins, Reid, Cresswell, Song (c),
Amalfitano, Downing, Zarate (Nolan 76), Sakho, Valencia (84)
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Burke, Poyet, Lee, Cole
Goals: Onuoha (og) 5, Sakho 59
Booked: Tomkins, Song, Cresswell
Queens Park Rangers: Green, Onuoha, Ferdinand (c), Caulker, Traore, Sandro
(Taarabt 67), Henry, Fer, Hoilett (Zamora 46), Kranjcar (Mutch 78), Austin
Subs: McCarthy, Isla, Dunne, Vargas
Booked: Sandro, Henry
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Clean sheet cheers Sam
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce was a content man after West Ham United defeated QPR 2-0 at
the Boleyn Ground
05.10.2014
While a 2-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers was welcome, a first clean
sheet of West Ham United's season was arguably even more satisfying for
manager Sam Allardyce. Nedum Onuoha's own-goal sent the Hammers on their way
after just five minutes as the hosts made another fast start, but West Ham
could not turn their dominance into a second goal before half-time. QPR
enjoyed their best spell immediately after the break, but West Ham held firm
and doubled their lead when Diafra Sakho netted his fifth goal in five
starts from James Tomkins' assist. "We were successful, both out of
possession and in possession," Big Sam began. "I was looking at the injury
list on Saturday and our fear was that we had seven players out injured, so
I had to change the team around a little bit, but I wanted to keep that same
system. "I wanted to keep that diamond because I think it suits the players,
as we saw again with our performance. I was worried because if it didn't
work, we didn't have many players to bring in, so we might have to change
it. We didn't until the end when they threw caution to the wind. "We didn't
want to let them sneak back in it with a goal out of the blue, but finally
we got the second goal and that was exactly what we deserved. Across the
board, it was a very good performance from the players with very few
mistakes made by the defenders - unlike Manchester United. "Of course
goalscoring is very important and the first one, even though it was a little
bit of luck, got us on our way. The second one killed the opposition when
they were having a good spell, which was about ten minutes long and that was
the end of it."
The manager was forced to shuffle his pack slightly due to the absences of
Cheikhou Kouyate and Mark Noble through injury, with Alex Song dropping
deeper, Mauro Zarate coming in at the tip, Stewart Downing moving wide left
and Morgan Amalfitano to the right. Despite all the slight changes of
position, West Ham produced some fine passing football, at times, in what
was a largely comfortable victory capped by yet another goal for summer
signing Sakho - a revelation since his arrival from Ligue 2 champions FC
Metz. "It is a great little system, the diamond, because it allows the
players to rotate into any of the four positions," said the manager. "If one
goes out of position, another moves around and fills in and you get
opposition players then not marking the same player. "The front two were the
focus of our attack and they have been for us since they have started
playing for us. They make life extremely difficult for defenders. They never
give them a minute and that's what I like about them most, aside from their
quality. "Sakho did score 20 goals in the French Second Division so it is a
gamble that is paying off at the moment! I'm glad to say he feels like he is
going to score every time he goes out on the pitch at the minute. What we
want is Enner to chip in with a couple as well, which would make things even
better. "Two-nil with a very comfortable performance was very pleasing going
into this international break and even more pleasing because it gives us two
weeks to get back some of the injuries we have at the moment."
For Big Sam personally, the confidence and belief flowing through the Club
at present is a welcome change to the anxiety that surrounded the place just
a few months ago. "Yes, the tension comes when you don't achieve what is
expected of you. We all know expectation is very high in the Barclays
Premier League and we live in a world that's in a bubble and you have to
perform under the pressure when you're in that bubble. "When you deliver,
life becomes so much easier and as a manager you've got to keep an eye on
the fact that the confidence doesn't turn into complacency. "For me, this
win was more important than beating Liverpool because these are our bread
and butter performances and if we want to get into the top ten level, we
have got to win at home against a QPR who have struggled since the start of
the season."
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Family pride for Adrian
WHUFC.com
Adrian was delighted to keep his first clean sheet of the season in front of
his 89-year-old grandfather
05.10.2014
Adrian made his 89-year-old grandfather Juan the proudest man in the Boleyn
Ground as his clean sheet helped West Ham United to a 2-0 Barclays Premier
League win over Queens Park Rangers. Making his first-ever trip outside of
his native Spain, Juan joined Adrian's father Manolo and other members of
the San Miguel family in cheering the Hammers to a deserved victory. After
keeping West Ham's first clean sheet of 2014/15, Adrian took Juan and Manolo
to pitch-side to take photographs that will no doubt take pride of place in
the family album back in his home city of Seville. "It's an important
victory for so many reasons," the No13 began. "First, we put in another very
good performance and,second, we got our first clean sheet. My family also
came over from Spain, including my grandfather who is 89-years-old, so it
was unbelievable. He enjoyed it very much. "My grandfather watched me play
every time I played in Real Betis, but this is the first time he has come to
watch me play in England. He is a very old man and this is the first time he
has been out of Spain, but he has enjoyed it very much. "My grandfather gave
me congratulations for the victory and also for the clean sheet!"
Adrian enjoyed one of his quieter weekends between the sticks, but was ready
when called upon to make a smart save from Niko Kranjcar's second-half
free-kick. The stop came when QPR were enjoying their best period in the
game and with the score poised delicately at 1-0.
Earlier, he had also made a smart stop to deny Charlie Austin, ensuring West
Ham did not waste the lead given to them by Nedum Onuoha's fifth-minute
own-goal."I didn't have too much work to do, but I prefer this because this
is a good situation for the team," he continued. "In these games, you need
to concentrate for 90 minutes because they can score a goal with one chance.
For a goalkeeper, it is really important to concentrate on every ball."
West Ham have reached the October international break seventh in the table,
with ten points from seven matches. So, is Adrian pleased with how the
season has started? "Yes, it is really important for us. Now we have the
international break and we have a chance to rest and relax with our family
and friends - maybe I'll even get back to Spain for a few days! It's really
important because we can come back again after break at Burnley again and
this is a good game for us to get something." In the meantime, Adrian will
spend the evening toasting his clean sheet and success with Juan, but how
will he and his 89-year-old grandfather celebrate? "We will go for dinner
and after that, the night is young, isn't it!" he smiled.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 2 QPR 0
5 October 2014
Last updated at 21:37
By Neil Johnston
BBC Sport
West Ham climb nine places to seventh in the table
First clean sheet of the season for the Hammers
QPR two points from safety at the bottom
Hoops suffer fourth straight league away defeat
West Ham climbed to seventh in the table as an own goal by Nedum Onuoha and
Diafra Sakho's header left QPR two points from safety at the bottom. The
Hammers went ahead when Stewart Downing's corner struck the knee of Onuoha,
standing on the edge of the six-yard area, and rolled in. Charlie Austin
fired wide from QPR substitute Bobby Zamora's cross before Sakho headed the
second from a mis-hit cross by James Tomkins.Hoops boss Harry Redknapp has
plenty to ponder during the international break after defeat at the hands of
the club he managed between 1994-2001. Not only has his side lost all four
away Premier League games since winning promotion via the play-offs last
season, they have scored only once in seven-and-a-half hours of league and
cup action on their travels. That does not bode well with three of the next
four games against Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City. Hammers keeper
Adrian was forced into a full-stretch save to keep out Niko Kranjcar's
long-range 70th minute free-kick.
Former West Ham striker John Hartson on BBC Radio 5 live: "West Ham looked
very comfortable and Sam Allardyce will be delighted. They go above Arsenal
on goal difference. The strikers were fantastic, the defence looked assured,
and Alex Song covered every blade of grass. QPR manager Harry Redknapp tried
everything in terms of his substitutions, but West Ham were good value for
their 2-0 win."
But by then West Ham had the points in the bag with a performance that
offered evidence their season is starting to gather momentum under Sam
Allardyce. Their second successive home win lifted them nine places up the
Premier League table above Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa. It might not
have been a repeat of the sparkling display that saw off Liverpool two weeks
earlier, but the Hammers kept their first clean sheet of the campaign while
injured striker Andy Carroll is nearing a return to action.
QPR have not won a Premier League game away from home since 2 March, 2013
and they were behind after five minutes at Upton Park when former Manchester
City defender Onuoha put through his own net. Downing's corner appeared to
strike Enner Valencia on the hand as the Hammers striker appealed for a
penalty after being pushed by Austin, the ball landing on Onuoha's knee
before falling into the net.
Valencia wasted a good chance to double the lead five minutes later when he
fired wide after Rio Ferdinand, making his 500th Premier League appearance,
deflected the ball into the Ecuador forward's path. Austin, the scorer of
QPR's only away goal, wasted two chances before the unmarked Sakho doubled
the lead in the 59th minute with a close-range header when Tomkins's looped
the ball over Rob Green.
Redknapp's team were fortunate not to suffer a heavier defeat, Hammers
substitute Kevin Nolan firing straight at Green from 12-yards when unmarked.
QPR manager Harry Redknapp: "We're short - we're short of goals, we're short
up front. It's been difficult, we lost Loic Remy on the deadline and
couldn't get a replacement. We've had a tough start but there's an awful
long way to go. "There's a lot of teams down there - one win changes
everything. You have to keep going. It's early days. "We have to find a way
of playing that suits everybody and get the best out of what we've got."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Stewart Downing: West Ham boss Sam Allardyce praises midfielder
BBC.co.uk
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says Stewart Downing is the best midfielder
in the Premier League on current form. Downing, 30, had a key role in West
Ham's 2-0 win over QPR, and been an influential performer in the club's rise
to seventh after seven matches. "I don't think there is anybody playing in
midfield that is better than Stewart Downing," Allardyce said. "He was my
man of the match against QPR. The confidence is growing again in Stewart and
he's showing his quality." Allardyce signed Downing from Liverpool for £5m
in August 2011, and the Hammers boss thinks he could force his way back into
contention for England. "I think so but that is another choice for Roy
Hodgson," Allardyce added. "The quality of Stewart Downing was a major
factor why we beat QPR. "The amount of ball we can get to him in that
position in midfield, in a diamond, has been fantastic for him and for us."
Downing won the last of his 34 caps in England's 1-0 friendly win over
Norway in May 2012.
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Redknapp on.....West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 5th October 2014
By: Staff Writer No.2
QPR boss Harry Redknapp reflects on his team's 2-0 defeat at the Boleyn in
the post-match press conference brought to you, as ever, in full....
Harry it seemed a bit too comfortable for West Ham out there today
Yeah we got off to a bad start. When you haven't got a lot of belief you've
not been scoring and you've been shifting goals the last thing you want to
do is concede a sloppy goal from a corner like that. It certainly didn't
help any. We got to half time then second half we started ok. We had a great
opportunity with Charlie Austin from Bobby Zamora's cross and we were
probably having our best spell whe they scored a goal. It's difficult. It's
not easy. We're off the pace. The players aren't off to speed and aren't up
to fitness. A lot of them have been having treatment – people like Jordon
Mutch, Sandro whi I've brought in really haven't been able to put two games
together. It's been a problem for us
There was a suggestion that there might have been a handball for the first
goal....
I haven't seen it – I haven't seen a replay.
There wasn't much of a protest was there
I couldn't see from where I was but at the end of the day if the referee
doesnt blow for handball and the linesman doesn't flag for handball you can
protest all you want but he's not going to give a handball is he if he's
made his decision.
The Sky pundits were pretty harsh on your performance today – Gary Neville
described it as "diabolical". Did you think it was that bad? What's your
reaction to that?
Well it wasn't great that's for sure but, well it's his opinion isn't it.
I've seen some diabolical performances of late as well but we won't go into
that one.
They also suggested that the layers are letting YOU down. Is that the case?
I don't think so. We're short. We're short of goals. We're short up front of
goalscorers. It's been difficult. We lost Remy right on the deadline and
couldn't get a replacement. We've had a tough start but there's a long way
to go.
You've got a tough run of games coming up
Yeah – well there's no easy games we've just got to keep going.
Harry how do you go about rebuilding their confidence – is that something
you can do or does it have to come from within them?
We need to get them fitter. Sandro I've put a lot of faith into him but he's
picked up an injury. We need to get him fit because when he's fit he's a
fantastic player. I had him at Tottenham he was an excellent player but he's
short of fitness. The doc came to me at half time and it's "he can only do
another 15 minutes". I need to get them fit enough to play 90 minutes.
There's a little group of them struggling on the fitness front because
they've been injured and missed training
You took a phonecall and handed the handset to Kevin Bond. What was that all
about?
It was only Glenn Hoddle – he watches from upstairs.
With a tough three games coming up are you worried that you'll go into
November in even more trouble unless they find their feet?
No there's a lot of teams about. One win changes everything doesn't it? What
are you supposed to do? You've got to keep going. We're not going to give
up. It's early days. Weve gotto find a way of laying that'll suit everybody
and get the best out of what we've got.
Cheers
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West Ham Utd 2-0 Queens Park Rangers
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 5th October 2014
By: Staff Writer
In their last home game against Liverpool, it took West Ham less than 90
seconds to open the scoring. This time it took slightly longer - a whole
five minutes - but when Stewart Downing's corner was bundled into his own
net by the unfortunate Nedum Onuoha from the Irons' first set piece of the
day, the tone for the rest of the afternoon was set.
And when the prolific Diafra Sakho doubled West Ham's lead just ahead of the
hour mark to clinch all three points it was a case of damage limitation for
the Premier League's bottom club who, on today's evidence, face a long
struggle in their fight to retain their Premier League berth.
Although last week's trip to Old Trafford ultimately ended in defeat West
Ham's performance was lauded by the critics, many of whom have spoken
positively about the new-look West Ham.
This week the performance may not have been one that will live long in the
memory, but Sam Allardyce - for one - will be far happier having secured the
win and accompanying three points that keep West Ham in the upper half of
the table.
With Mark Noble, Andy Carroll and Chiekhou Kouyate all still sidelined -
plus Kevin Nolan and Matt Jarvis still feeling their way back from recent
injury - Allardyce's options were again limited ahead of today's game.
However the team selected were more than good enough to see off the
challenge of a disappointing Rangers side that featured three former Hammers
in Rio Ferdinand, Bobby Zamora and goalkeeper Rob Green (who handed his
gloves to a young West Ham fan as he left the field at the end of the game).
That much was evident inside five minutes when Sakho's shot was deflected
behind by Ferdinand for a corner. Downing's drifted centre evaded several
players inside the six-yard box - and Enner Valencia's raised hands, despite
protests from 'keeper Green - before cannoning off Onuoha's shins to give
West Ham the lead.
Charlie Austin wasted the visitors' best chance of the game when he shot
straight at Adrian having found his way behind a static West Ham defence
after 25 minutes. Winston Reid then headed an effort narrowly wide and Aaron
Cresswell saw a goal-bound effort blocked - and that summed up the notable
moments of a fairly quiet first half.
It was to prove a similar story after the break with West Ham largely
carving out the best openings. However the introduction of Zamora at the
break briefly lifted QPR and Austin was again guilty of spurning a great
chance to equalise just two minutes after the restart.
That was to prove a hugely costly miss for Rangers as just ten minutes
later, they found themselves two behind. Zarate's deflected effort fell
kindly for James Tomkins, stationed at the far post; his lofted cross cum
shot appeared to be looping over Green's head into the far corner but Sakho
was on hand to ensure the ball went over the line.
It was the former Metz striker's fourth league goal in as many starts and
the fifth consecutive game in which he had scored - a tremendous return from
a striker thought unlikely to be good enough to hold down a first team spot
just a few weeks ago.
The win leaves West Ham seventh in tonight's Premier League table with 10
points from their opening seven games - just one point behind fourth place
Manchester United, who beat Everton 2-1 this afternoon.
West Ham Utd 2-0 QPR: Match Facts
West Ham Utd: Adrian, Jenkinson, Tomkins, Reid, Cresswell, Song (c),
Amalfitano, Downing, Zarate, Sakho, Valencia.
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Burke, Poyet, Nolan, Jarvis, Lee, Cole.
Queens Park Rangers: Green, Onuoha, Ferdinand (c), Caulker, Traore, Sandro,
Henry, Fer, Hoilett, Kranjcar, Austin.
Subs: McCarthy, Isla, Mutch, Dunne, Vargas, Zamora, Taarabt.
Referee: Anthony Taylor.
Assistants: G Beswick, D Bryan.
Fourth Official: A Marriner.
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Rangers players let Harry Redknapp down, says Graeme Souness
'QPR threw in the towel'
By Graeme Souness | Last Updated: 05/10/14 8:47pm
SSN
The QPR players let down their manager, their club and their supporters in
their 2-0 defeat at West Ham, says Graeme Souness. A Nedum Onuoha own goal
after just five minutes set West Ham on their way before Diafra Sakho
doubled the hosts' advantage just before the hour.
Rangers never looked like getting back on level terms with Sam Allardyce's
side and the result leaves QPR rooted to the foot of the Premier League
table with just four points from their first seven games. After the match
Sky Sports pundit Souness slammed the work rate and desire of the QPR
players and said boss Harry Redknapp will be fuming at the lack of
commitment from his side. "If you haven't got players willing to work hard,
you've got nothing," he said. "If you've got really good players and they're
willing to work hard you're going to win more games than you lose – but if
you've got decent players not working hard you're not going to win any
games.
"With the best will in the world, these are goodish players and they have to
put a real stint in for their manager. "But Harry will go home tonight and
not sleep. He'll be tearing his hair out. As a manager you think 'I'm
guaranteed everyone will have a real go', especially if you're down near the
bottom. He's not getting that off these players. "Put a stint in for your
manager. That manager is going home to suffer, have a sleepless night, be
miserable around his family and he's going to wake up tomorrow feeling even
worse than he does tonight, thinking 'how am I going to put this right'.
"These players have a duty to their manager, a duty to the club and a duty
to the supporters to give them a bit more than they've given them today.
"After losing the first goal none of them showed any sparkle to get
themselves back into the game. They just threw the towel in as though
they're feeling sorry for themselves. "That's why management drives you mad.
That's so disappointing for Harry."
Diabolical
Rob Green says his QPR side didn't do enough to challenge West Ham in a
comfortable win for the Hammers. Gary Neville was equally appalled by the
performance from QPR. He had predicted Rangers, out of the three promoted
sides, would fare better this season, however, he has re-evaluated that
opinion after a number of lacklustre displays from the west London side.
"Two years ago I thought they were a shambles in the Premier League, all the
way through the season," he said. "But I thought after that, and getting
promotion the way they did last year, the very least we'd see would be a
very hard working team that would do well this season, relatively. "But what
we're watching is diabolical. "The basic premise of a football team is to
work hard. You think of Harry Redknapp teams down the years – at Portsmouth,
West Ham and Tottenham – and they were swashbuckling, attacking teams,
sometimes even reckless in attack. There's nothing there.
"I've watched them a few times this season and it's repeated. When you see
it three, four times that's a worry, a real worry. You saw Harry Redknapp at
the end on the bench and it's not even worth getting up, standing in your
technical zone trying to get your team back in it. "They were only 2-0 down,
if they got a goal with five minutes to go they're in the game. But he knows
it's not coming."
Stronger
Sam Allardyce said it was a 'perfect result' for his side as they scored
twice and kept a clean sheet in their win over QPR. As for West Ham, who now
sit seventh, Neville says they can go into the international break
encouraged by their start to the campaign – and the potential of their
forward pair Enner Valencia and Sakho. "Last year, when you looked at West
Ham, particularly with Andy Carroll out injured, they lacked firepower in
front of goal," he said. "But this season they look completely different.
"Stewart Downing has got a new lease of life and the two up front look a
real handful. Plus, they've still got Carroll to come back who will make
them even stronger. "So it's looking good for West Ham. The fans wanted more
expansive football and they're getting it. But I have to say, were West Ham
anywhere near their best today? I don't think they were because they were
playing against such a poor side."
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West Ham too strong for QPR after 2-0 win at Upton Park
Last Updated: 05/10/14 7:43pm
SSN
West Ham piled the misery on bottom of the table Queens Park Rangers with a
2-0 win in their London derby at Upton Park. Nedum Onuoha's unfortunate own
goal set West Ham on their way in the first half and the in-form Diafra
Sakho added a second goal just before the hour mark to secure the win for
West Ham. The defeat ensured Harry Redknapp did not enjoy his return to his
former club to leave them rooted to the bottom of the table, while the three
points lifts West Ham into seventh spot ahead of next week's international
break.
Best of the match
Man of the match: Diafra Sakho was a real handful for the QPR defence and
scored his fourth goal in four games.
Goal of the match: Sakho's goal was a simple finish from close-range, but
James Tomkins' clever hooked cross made it easy for the striker
Moment of the match: Enner Valencia thought he had scored a third goal when
Rob Green passed a free-kick straight to him and he scored, but the striker
was still inside the area when he collected the ball and the goal was
rightly disallowed.
Controversy of the match: QPR felt the first goal should not have stood
after Enner Valencia appeared to handle the ball in the build-up to the goal
Save of the match: Adrian did not have a lot to do for West Ham, but
produced a fine save to keep out Kranjcar's free-kick in the second half.
Talking point: Has Sam Allardyce made one of the signings of the season in
Sakho? Have QPR got enough in their squad to stay up?
West Ham got off to a flying start when they were gifted the opening goal
after just five minutes, but there was some controversy about it being
allowed to stand. Stewart Downing whipped in a corner, and under pressure
from Sakho, Onuoha poked the ball into his own net. But in the build-up it
appeared Enner Valencia had handled the ball before it was diverted in by
Onuoha.
QPR went close to an equaliser on 24 minutes when Charlie Austin fashioned a
chance for himself with a superb nutmeg on James Tomkins before curling in a
shot which Adrian pushed out - with the unmarked Niko Kranjcar unhappy that
the striker had not passed to him instead of shooting.
Sam Allardyce said it was a 'perfect result' for his side as they scored
twice and kept a clean sheet in their win over QPR.
Harry Redknapp threw on former West Ham favourite Bobby Zamora at the start
of the second half and he almost had an immediate impact two minutes after
the break.
Zamora picked up a pass from Leroy Fer wide on the left and picked out
Austin's run inside the box with a fine cross only to see his strike partner
fire wide from 12 yards.
West Ham, who struggled in the early stages of the second half, doubled
their lead through Sakho just before the hour mark to take the wind out of
QPR's sails.
The ball fell to James Tomkins inside the box and the defender hooked his
shot goalwards and Sakho was on hand to head home the ball from inside the
six-yard box for fourth goal in the last four Premier League games.
Harry Redknapp said his side made things difficult by conceding early on and
lacked the energy required to compete. QPR were lucky not to concede a third
goal seconds later when goalkeeper Rob Green passed a free-kick straight to
Valencia who slotted the ball into the net, but referee Anthony Taylor
disallowed the goal as the West Ham forward was not the required ten yards
away from the ball before Green kicked it.
QPR tried to find a way back into the game and Kranjcar forced Adrian into a
good save with a curling free-kick from 25 yards which the West Ham
goalkeeper did well to turn round the post.
West Ham substitute Kevin Nolan should have made it 3-0 four minutes from
time when Downing got down the left and pulled the back for Nolan inside the
box, but his shot was too close to Green who made the save.
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In-form Sakho surprises West Ham boss Sam Allardyce
Last Updated: 05/10/14 8:28pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce praised Diafra Sakho after the Senegalese
striker helped secure a 2-0 victory over QPR. Sakho, a summer signing from
French side Metz, now has five goals in as many games and Allardyce admits
he has been surprised how quickly the striker has found his feet in England.
"I would have seen Sakho as being a player, coming from the French second
division, playing maybe 10 to 15 games for us and finding out about the
Premier League," said Allardyce. "But he is so desperate to do well and his
runs are so good at the opposition's defences and he seems to have the knack
- and that's the hardest knack of all - of turning up in the right place at
the right time. "So that's fantastic for him and absolutely outstanding
business for us at West Ham." Sakho and Enner Valencia have added some
much-needed speed in the final third but the Hammers have also been spurred
on by the form of Stewart Downing. Playing in a more central role in the
midfield diamond, Downing continued his impressive start to the season with
another accomplished performance at Upton Park. "Stewart Downing was
outstanding for me - he was my man of the match," added Allardyce. "The
amount of ball we can get to him in that position in midfield, in a diamond,
has been fantastic for him and for us. "He is spraying balls all over the
place and that confidence is growing again - that quality is fantastic to
see."
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West Ham almost missed out on signing Diafra Sakho
Last Updated: 05/10/14 8:20pm
SSN
Diafra Sakho's agent has revealed West Ham almost missed out on signing the
striker only for the personal intervention of co-owner David Sullivan. Sakho
has scored in all four starts he has made for West Ham in the Premier
League, with his latest goal coming in Sunday's 2-0 win over Queens Park
Rangers. The Senegal forward joined West Ham in the summer on a four-year
deal from Metz, but the move almost fell through after the French club
claimed West Ham had tried to change the terms of the deal and bring him to
Upton Park on a season-long loan. However, Sullivan took it upon himself to
push through the deal and the Hammers surpremo has been rewarded with Sakho
proving to be one of the bargains of the transfer window. The player's
agent, Mark McKay claims QPR passed up the chance to sign Sakho and that
only for Sullivan's persistence the move to Upton Park may not have
happened. "Diafra Sakho has been a revelation for West Ham and a lot of the
credit must go to David Sullivan for signing him," McKay told Sky Sports.
"West Ham almost missed out on signing him as initially they wanted him on
loan and Metz were never going to agree to that. "A lot of people were also
putting off Sam Allardyce from signing him saying his attitude was not right
and that he was not good enough for West Ham and that was very unfair on the
boy. "He was actually recommened to QPR's chief scout and offered to them,
but that fell on deaf ears. "However, David Sullivan was determined to sign
him and he went to great lengths to get the deal done. "I am glad he is
playing well for Sam Allardyce and scoring goals and the West Ham fans must
be happy David Sullivan worked so hard to bring Sakho to the club."
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WEST HAM 2, QPR 0. EXACTLY WHAT WE NEEDED
By David Hautzig 5 Oct 2014 at 20:26
West Ham Till I Die
In 1996, Robert Banks wrote An Irrational Hatred Of Luton. If memory serves
me correctly, our fearless leader promoted the book here on this site. I
haven't read it. In fact, since our daughter was born in 2001 I don't think
I've read any book. I've become so IPad and E-Media centric I'd probably
stop reading any book after 140 characters and look for the reply button.
The book chronicles Banks' life as a West Ham supporter and how his
relationship with the club weaved itself into his life. Including,
presumably, his hatred of Luton. Well, I have an irrational hatred of QPR. I
didn't use to. I didn't pay any attention to them, to be fair. But in the
past few years that has all changed. Other than the teams around us in the
table, the result I look for is QPR. Did it the year they were in the
Championship, too. When Zamora scored the second most important goal of his
career you'd have thought I was a Derby supporter the way I was rolling
around on the floor cursing.
I guess it's a combination of many small things. Like their owner being a
longtime West Ham supporter. And his apparently insulting attempts to invest
in or buy out Gold and Sullivan before turning to his Plan B. The writer of
another blog site used to write as many QPR articles as he did West Ham
articles in what looked like an attempt to wind up the R's. It worked, based
on the number of QPR supporters who insulted him in the comments section.
Many of my Twitter mates seem to feel the same way, voicing unfettered joy
at every bad move QPR make.
Point is, today was a very big game in my book. I wanted to beat these guys.
And if our feelings of optimism over our performances, if not our current
point tally, were rooted in reality we needed three points today. News that
Kevin Nolan might step right back into the starting lineup made the
announcement of those eleven an event yet again. And while Nolan starting
would have been a unique combination of the absurd and the predictable, the
actual starting eleven as well as the subs was equally surprising. Mauro
Zarate was given the nod for a start, and Elliot Lee was named to the bench.
Did Sam see something from Zarate in training? Or was he making sure not to
alienate him by nailing him to the bench like the dead parrot in Monty
Python. "This…is an ex…Midfielder!"
It all raised questions, but not the kind of questions we are used to. It
was more in the realm of some kind of alternative universe. My Twitter mate
@BKhammer1 noted that we were starting off relatively imbalanced with
possibly too much emphasis on the attack, while QPR were doing the same by
starting three central midfielders. Another account simply wondered if it we
were starting out in too much of an attacking setup. Next thing you know
Republicans over here will be inviting Obama over to their homes to watch
the NFL over a few brewskies.
At least it's not boring from the start.
From the standpoint of writing, the game started off in the 4th minute.
Sakho got West Ham a corner from a Jenkinson throw in. Downing's corner flew
over pretty much everyone in the box. But it landed on the shin of Nedum
Onuoha and rolled into the back of the net. Sakho looked way too calm for
someone who had just scored, and Rob Green looked so flabbergasted I
hesitated in celebrating.
Wait for it….
1-0 West Ham.
Replays showed the ball may have glanced Valencia's hand. He may have been
pushed. And as my other non paying boss Graeme Howlett of KUMB pointed out
on his Twitter feed, the ball didn't change direction at all so the referee
made the right call by letting the goal stand. At least I think so. I
suspect Mr. Airplane Race Car guy saw it differently. Sorry, Tony. You're in
for a rough day.
Morgan Amalfitano showed the kind of ball control in the 8th minute on a
pass from Song that supporters of teams with skillful players have taken for
granted for ages. For us, it's still kind of the new toy. He put a cross in
that Green intercepted, and held onto, before it could land on Valencia. A
few minutes later Downing found Sakho, who then passed to Valencia but it
was just a bit behind our new favorite Ecuadorian and he couldn't turn on it
enough to get his shot on target.
Alex Song is usually so composed and so controlled with the ball at his feet
that when he made the first of quite a few mistakes today I wondered what
was going on. He gave up a corner with nobody in the same postal zone as
him. Later he gave up the ball along the sideline and was only saved when
Amalfitano sacrificed a possible boot in the face by going low to head the
ball out of danger. I thought he never does that? Maybe he thought you have
to make dramatic mistakes at West Ham to fit in?
In the 22nd minute Zarate did, at least in my opinion, what a number ten is
supposed to do. He dribbled the ball close to the top of the area, passed it
to Valencia cutting down the left, and then immediately ran into space to
offer himself as a target. Uhhh, Kevin. Maybe you didn't get the memo.
That's what you should do. It didn't lead to anything, but it caught my
attention because I actually have a semi decent understanding of this game
and if I'm aware of this I'm glad a guy in our shirt is aware of it as well.
Yet two minutes later I might have screamed at the TV for Zarate to go drink
some Malbec and get off the pitch when he lost the ball and allowed QPR to
break into a counter. Charlie Austin, possibly the only QPR player other
than our former players that I wish well of, nutmegged Tomkins and took a
shot right at Adrian. That should have cost us. That should have been the
equalizer. And in the past, it most certainly would have. But not today.
Could the football gods be changing their overall attitude towards us? Maybe
they think we've suffered enough?
Around the 30th minute I felt like I used to in school when the subject
matter just wasn't grabbing hold of me. I had to be there, pretty much, but
my mind was elsewhere. How's the pot of chili doing? Does it need more
cayenne? The game had no feel to it. Like a pre-season friendly. Cresswell
made runs, but didn't get the ball. Long passes were being attempted in a
way that looked more "why the hell not" than a real plan. Zarate seemed like
he sensed that and tried to wake everybody up with a good run that beat a
few flat footed QPR lackeys, but his cross was deflected out for a corner.
The corner was taken short, again to the feet of Zarate, and again nothing
was there at the finish. At least he tried.
When Niko Kranjcar scored on that free kick a few weeks ago to salvage a
point against Stoke, I was mightily impressed. Which is why every time he
got the ball I silently hoped for a pulled hamstring or something. He has
the ability to do stuff on his own, which he came close to doing in the 37th
minute when he floated a ball to Charlie Austin streaking in that caused me
to stand up in anxiety. Thankfully when I sat back down it was still 1-0.
Stuart Downing's brilliant renaissance as a midfield general was in perfect
view for all to see in the 39th minute when he picked Cresswell in full
stride down the right hand side. Caulker got in front of our left backs
cross, but if those kind of passes continue to come off Downing's feet all
of the worry over spending the last few coins in our piggy bank last year on
him will be put to rest.
West Ham had one last surge forward near the end of the first half when
Valencia went after a Zarate cross. Traore cleared, and Valencia landed
awkwardly and seemed to twist his knee. He looked to be limping when the
whistle blew. Turned out he was fine. Thank goodness for small favors.
Halftime. Nah, no more cayenne. Just lower the flame and let the beefy
goodness get to know the black and pinto beans and dinner will be well and
truly ready.
The second I saw Bobby Zamora start the second half for QPR in place of
Junior Hoilett I got worried. And don't lie, so did all of you. If you had a
choice of betting on "he will score" or "he won't score" I know which way
you'd go. Two minutes in that imaginary bet almost paid off when Mr. Playoff
passed to Austin cutting inside the box but Cresswell did just enough to
deflect Austin's shot wide. Then Tomkins got booked for yanking Zamora from
behind when the ball got past him. You could smell a goal coming. QPR owned
the first ten plus minutes of the second half, and this is precisely the
point we have always let a game slip through our grasp.
A goal did come. In the 59th minute. For us. A free kick by Cresswell from
left of the center circle led to a shot on goal by Zarate that was deflected
to Tomkins. His looping shot…or pass….or whatever the hell it was went over
Green and onto Sakho who guided it in. Harry paid one million quid for
Paolo, right? Sakho might turn out to be the second biggest bargain in my
West Ham life. He smells the goal the way a shark smells blood.
Then came one of the oddest things I have seen in a long time. The camera
wasn't on Green when he made a mess of his goal kick and handed it right to
Valencia, who promptly put it in the net. Green didn't move, and the referee
immediately pointed back at the spot for another goal kick. The linesman had
his flag up, but none of the announcers knew why. I sure as hell didn't.
@whufc_official said it was because Valencia wasn't ten yards away from the
ball when it was kicked. @WeLoveYouWHU posted later that "the ball is in
play when it is kicked directly out of the penalty area". While I'm still
not 100% sure why the goal was disallowed, what I am sure is that as much I
loved Green when he was between our posts, I'm glad he isn't anymore. To
even be in that position shows why Sam didn't act too upset to let him go,
and why Hughes got Cesar about ten minutes into that season.
The 66th minute saw Adel Taarabt come on for Sandro. The Moroccan
international is like QPR's own version of Ravel Morrison, without the
police activity. Can be brilliant one moment, and a petulant little jerk the
next. But he can play. And he can score. So more than a few West Ham
supporters took a few deep breaths and glanced at the clock. He made a few
runs, tried a few things, but QPR isn't Milan and he was pretty much on his
own.
I'm still confident that Enner Valencia will be an important player for us
for a long, long time. Today, however, he wasn't at his best. The one moment
that summed that up for me was in the 67th when Reid got the ball to Downing
after a nice tackle. Downing passed to Valencia who cut across the top of
the box, turned toward the defender….and shot about half a mile wide when
Sakho and Zarate were waiting for a pass. Selfish. But despite that, he
never stopped running, and working, and trying. Such a simple word,
"trying", and one we take for granted. But when it's evident, it's nice to
see.
Song gave QPR a bit of hope in the 69th minute when his attempt to get the
ball off Niko Kranjcar was ruled a foul. A bit harsh, and it would have been
significantly harsher had the Croatian bent it like an underwear model. His
free kick was deflected out for a corner, and QPR enjoyed a little spell of
pressure.
In the 76th minute, Kevin Nolan came on for Zarate. I tried to look on the
bright side. It wasn't the first minute. Still, I wasn't happy and I didn't
understand it. Zarate had a very fine game, completed 85% of his passes as
it turned out, and even tracked back on defense on more than a few
occasions. Any doubts he wouldn't be able to adapt to the physical play in
the Premier League should probably be flushed. As Nolan ran onto the pitch,
he said something to Cresswell, I think. My best mate Jon assumes he said
"remember the way it used to be, with balls flying in the box and me hoping
to get a garbage goal? We're going back to that". And he got his chance in
the 86th minute to show he could be an impact sub. Matt Jarvis, who came on
for Valencia in the 84th minute (nice to see him back, actually) passed to
Downing who threaded a perfect pass to Nolan in the box, but the not really
captain anymore shot it right at Green. Kev, if you can't score there,
against a team that has pretty much given up on the day, then I hope Mark
Curtis knows some people at Sky or BT.
I spent the final few minutes on the phone, blissfully watching the game get
killed off by our Happy Hammers. Final score, 2-0. Was it an amazing
performance? No. Not by a country mile. A few players stood out in my
opinion. Zarate, as I said earlier. Tomkins had his best game of the year so
far, no small feat considering the week he had. Cresswell was outstanding,
again. And Demel should only start when Jenkinson can't. The clean sheet
just added the whipped cream to this Sunday.
I'll try not to use such stupid puns again, but the hole was as gaping as
QPR's back line and I couldn't resist.
Today was something those of us that depend on West Ham for any feeling of
joy the rest of a weekend aren't used to. We played a game we should win,
against a team that should pose very few problems for us. And that's exactly
what happened. In many ways, it's as satisfying as the win against
Liverpool. That game was like a glass of my favorite Champagne, Billecart
Salmon. But today was like a glass of crystal clear water.
You can live without Champagne. You can't live without water.
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West Ham 2-0 Queens Park Rangers: Hammers cruise to victory over Premier
League new boys
Home
Sport Football Premier League
Oct 05, 2014 18:22 By Arash Hekmat
The Mirrpr
Sam Allardyce's side ran out comfortable victors at Upton Park against a
visiting QPR that looked devoid of confidence and struggled to find their
momentum West Ham just had too much for visitors QPR in the second London
derby of the day, emerging comfortable 2-0 victors.
Harry Redknapp's side got their afternoon off to the worst possible start,
with Nedum Onuoha heading into his own net after just five minutes from a
corner that was whipped in with pace by Stewart Downing. A quiet first half
unfolded with few chances at either end, but Charlie Austin will feel he
should have levelled the score after 25 minutes with a chance spurned when
he could have played in Nico Kranjcar for the easy finish. Morgan Amalfitano
controlled the tempo for this new-look Hammers side, with Alex Song
providing defensive stability in front of the back line. The team pressed
well and Downing was able to find pockets of space, always looking to
unleash his strikers with the forward ball. Rangers, who have managed to
outdo Manchester United in the poor defending stakes this season, made a
tactical change at half-time, introducing Bobby Zamora to add some thrust to
an attack that was too often penned in its own half during the first 45.
Once again, though, they struggled for solidity at the back and were at
sixes and sevens for West Ham's second, even if Sam Allardyce's side was
somewhat fortuitous in the nature of the goal. It came just as the visitors
were beginning to build up some momentum of their own and, once more, it was
borne from a set piece - with Tomkin's sliced shot falling into the path of
Diafra Sakho, who bundled it over the line.
However, QPR will feel it should have been disallowed for a handball by
Enner Valencia in the build-up. Things could have been even worse for the
visitors just a moment later, when Rob Green gifted the ball to Valencia
straight from the goal kick and the Ecuadorian finished with aplomb - but he
was adjudged to be too close to the keeper and it was chalked off by the
referee. As the clock counted down, Redknapp introduced Adel Taraabt into
the fray, but the Moroccan wild card was unable to influence the course of
the game. The result leaves QPR rooted to the bottom of the table, with West
Ham in 7th as we head into the October international break.
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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce lauds 'composed' Hammers after 'perfect result'
against sorry QPR
Oct 05, 2014 19:30 By Greg Johnson
The R's were brushed aside with minimal fuss at Upton Park leading the
former Bolton chief to look forward to building on their recent successes
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce has challenged his squad to push on after the international
break after responding to last weekend's defeat to Tottenham Hotspur with a
2-0 home win over Harry Redknapp's QPR. The Hammers looked in complete
control for most of the game with the score settled by an early own goal
from Nedum Onuoha, who put the ball past R's keeper Rob Green, under
pressure from Diafra Sakho, and a second half strike from the Senegalese
striker to put the result beyond doubt. A summer signing from Metz, Sakho
has wasted no time in making an impact on this side of the channel, and now
has five goals from six games for West Ham. Yet it was the overall
performance of his team that most impressed Allardyce, although he admitted
he would have liked a greater margin of victory. "If I had a criticism it
would be not pushing them enough in the final third. "But ultimately that
would be greedy on the basis that we won 2-0 and got our first clean sheet.
"That is what I have been striving for from the boys, so it's the perfect
result for us."
Injuries have been a problem for West Ham this season, but Kevin Nolan
continued his return to full fitness with a late cameo off the bench, and
the club captain almost scored following a promising bit of play from
Stewart Downing after Alex Song won the ball from QPR's midfielders.
West Ham players celebrate after Nedum Onuoha of QPR scored an own goal
during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and Queens
Park Rangers at Boleyn Ground on October 5, 2014 in LondonHammered: Nedum
Onuoha's own goal set the home side on their way against QPR Allardyce
praised the response from his team after last week's loss and looked forward
to the opportunity to progress once his full complement of players were back
fit and available for selection. "The result against Tottenham was a bitter
pill to swallow, and the strength in depth in my squad has shown through
today. "We had seven injured before we started the game. That tested the
capacity of our squad and we have come up trumps. "Everything is rosy and
looking nice. It's always good going into the international break in the top
half of the table, and we are in double figures after seven games.
"Can we now push on when we reconvene?" QPR hardly caused West Ham any
problems outside of a short window of opportunity following second half
restart, but Sakho's decisive finisher was key in making sure the hosts saw
out the game on top. "We were very composed apart from a period of 10
minutes in the second half where they changed their system," he added. "We
didn't come to terms with it because they were almost playing the same way
as we were, but the second goal settled us down."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Diafra Sakho reveals debt to David Sullivan after scoring for West Ham
against QPR... the club that turned down signing him
QPR's scouts said West Ham striker Diafra Sakho was not good enough
The Hammers also initially decided against signing the forward
But co-chairman David Sullivan insisted the deal went through
The 24-year-old frontman has thanked Sullivan for backing him
The Senegal striker scored in West Ham's 2-0 win against QPR on Sunday
Sakho has five goals in five starts since joining from Metz for £4.5million
By SIMON JONES FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 22:16, 5 October 2014 | UPDATED: 22:16, 5 October 2014
Daily Mail
Diafra Sakho has revealed his debt to West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan.
The 24-year-old has proved an instant hit in the Premier League after
joining from Metz for £4.5million in the summer and improved his reputation
further on Sunday when he scored in the 2-0 win against Queens Park Rangers
to make it five goals in five starts. However, his dream move to England
nearly didn't happen after initial rejection by QPR and then West Ham
pulling out of a loan deal as Sam Allardyce wrestled to find the right
striker. Yet co-chairman Sullivan took decisive action after being convinced
Sakho was worth the gamble and it is beginning to pay off. 'I have always
wanted to play in England and when West Ham came in for me in the summer, I
thought that was it,' said Sakho. 'But then the deal began to fall through
as I think the coach was having doubts and I was resigned to returning to
France. 'Fortunately for me, Mr Sullivan stepped in and said he would be
signing me and on a permanent deal. It was the chance I needed.' QPR's
scouts in France had said Sakho wasn't good enough but that only made him
more determined. 'I had heard QPR didn't want me so I wanted to prove I
could do it. West Ham gave me the chance and now the coach Mr Allardyce
believes in me too. I'm enjoying it and scoring goals against Liverpool and
Manchester United shows I can play at this level. I'm just glad Mr Sullivan
put his trust in me.'
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
DG: "We didn't expect things to change so quickly"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 5, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham co chairman David Gold tonight admitted the board couldn't have
expected so quick a response to their summer "request" for more attacking
football! Much was made of the board's "demands" for attacking football back
in the summer but Gold – in an exclusive ClaretandHugh interview – wanted to
clear things up. Delighted with the performance against QPR this afternoon
he said: "Let's put the record straight – you can't demand anything in this
world and to say we demanded attacking football would be wrong." "We made it
clear that's the way we wanted to go and then set about sanctioning the
arrival of players whom we knew would play in that way. "You hope that it
will happen quickly but watching us play in such an exciting style is
brilliant – no I didn't think it would happen this quickly. "It's amazing
after just a handful of games. It's hard to express in words but it's a
fantastic feeling. "The team are happy, the manager is happy, the board is
happy but chiefly, the fans are happy. "We are at last enjoying some good
times – we all deserve it especially the fans who pay their hard-earned
money to support the team. "We have bought the players who can deliver for
us and Sam Allardyce has put things together very quickly. But it is only
half a doz en games and there's a long season ahead. "To look at the league
table and see us a point behind Spurs and above Arsenal is fablous. Let's
all enjoy this moment."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam pleased with Zarate
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 5, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Sam Allardyce couldn't stop singing the praises of Stewart Downing in his
post match presser declaring that the converted winger is making everything
happen in the new diamond formation. He said: "His role in the diamond is
absolutely vital. He's doing so well."
He claimed however that Queens Park Rangers will struggle this season if
they can't find a real goal scoring striker. He said: " I think we may have
found two. Sakho is scoring and I hope Enner Valencia will do so as well."
The manager was also pleased with Mauro Zarate saying that he's a more
mature player now than in the past. He said: "He played very well and made
an impact."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam Poll result: Many remain uncertain
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 5, 2014 in Whispers
Calret & GHugh
West Ham fans remain uncertain whether Sam Allardyce should stay as the
club's manager. But the good news for the 59 year old boss is that things
are much brighter for him now than they were at the end of last season. A
poll put together by every independent Irons website showed at that time
over two thirds of voters wanting him gone. Now an exclusive ClaretandHugh
poll, which closed an hour ago, shows that although the tide may be turning
in his favour, he has a long way to go to win them over completely. A total
of 1,119 voted thus making it an acceptable yardstick to poll company Mori.
Those voting for him to stay permanently totaled 516 (46.02 per cent). A
total of 208 (18.59 per cent) voted for him to go now with 396 (35.39 per
cent) saying his position should be reviewed in January. ClaretandHugh
founding editor Hugh Southon said: "We wanted to run a poll at the best
moment of his recent time in charge rather than at the worst -as was the
case last year. "It's better news for Sam but the result certainly isn't
conclusive in his favour despite the team sitting in seventh place and
having won two of the last three games and playing really well in defeat at
Old Trafford."
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WHUFC.com
A Nedum Onuoha own goal and Diafra Sakho's fifth for the Hammers fire West
Ham to a 2-0 win
05.10.2014
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United 2-0 Queens Park Rangers
West Ham United eased to a second successive Barclays Premier League victory
at the Boleyn Ground, as a goal in either half proved plenty to see off
newly-promoted Queens Park Rangers on Sunday afternoon. Just as they did
against Liverpool a fortnight ago, West Ham struck early here, when Nedum
Onuoha shinned Stewart Downing's fifth-minute corner into his own net.
Though Charlie Austin twice went close for the visitors, the in-form Diafra
Sakho effectively settled the contest shortly before the hour mark, applying
the final touch to James Tomkins' looping effort. Victory and a first clean
sheet of the campaign propels the Hammers up to seventh, ahead of a trip to
Turf Moor in a fortnight's time. West Ham showed two changes to the side
that so nearly snatched a point at Old Trafford, with Diego Poyet making way
for Mauro Zarate and Carl Jenkinson in for the sidelined Guy Demel. As for
the R's, former Hammers Robert Green and Rio Ferdinand, making his 500th
Premier League appearance, both started, while Bobby Zamora had to make do
with a spot on the bench.
This wasn't quite a fast start of Liverpool proportions, but Sam Allardyce's
men are getting into the very helpful habit of scoring early at the Boleyn
Ground. On this occasion, it took less than five minutes to break Rangers'
resistance. Downing's right-wing corner was allowed to travel all the way to
the far post, where a flat-footed Onuoha was helpless in preventing the ball
crash off his shins and past an unmoved Green. Though several in Claret and
Blue were quick to congratulate the lurking Sakho, he won't be claiming this
one.
By now, West Ham looked to be in the mood and Morgan Amalfitano volleyed an
eye-catching ball into the middle, forcing Green to come racing off his line
and smother. Sakho meanwhile, as West Ham have come to expect, was a
livewire once more and squared up Ferdinand on the left-hand side of the
box. His centre clipped the inside of the defender's legs, taking it just
behind the run of Enner Valencia, who could only divert wide of the near
post.
At the other end, the Hoops' best chance of the half fell to Austin and was
much of his own making. The visitors' No9 shrugged off Tomkins' challenge
and, in a bid to find the far post, was foiled by Adrian as he plunged low
to his left and did well to cling on.
Play-Off specialist Zamora replaced the anonymous Junior Hoilett at
half-time and almost provided the ammunition for a Rangers equaliser within
two minutes of his arrival. The once Brighton & Hove Albion man squared for
Austin, who, under considerable pressure from a scrambling Tomkins, stabbed
wide of Adrian's right-hand upright.
It was the first sign of a mini Rangers revival, with Harry Redknapp's men
enjoying rather more possession than they had done before the interval. But
thankfully it was short lived, Sakho made sure of that.
As the hour approached, Zarate's snap shot ballooned up off the boot of
Leroy Fer and into the path of Tomkins. The Basildon-born defender hooked it
goalward, over Green's head, and though it was likely sneaking in anyway,
Sakho buried the header from under the crossbar to double the Hammers'
advantage.
Seconds later and West Ham had the ball in the net for a third time, though
not to referee Anthony Taylor's liking. Green casually rolled a free-kick in
the direction of Ferdinand, one that Valencia all too easily intercepted.
The Ecuadorian gratefully slotted home, but had not been ten yards away,
said the officials, and 2-0 it remained.
Niko Kranjcar sought to respond for the Hoops and his free-kick bounced
awkwardly in front of Adrian, making the Spaniard's save a better one that
it perhaps appeared. Adel Taarabt was introduced late on and the enigmatic
Moroccan had Adrian worried as he blasted narrowly wide from 25 yards.
But the Hammers went close again themselves, with Downing teeing up Nolan,
whose side-footed strike from 12 yards was well fielded by Green. It was,
however, merely incidental, as West Ham saw out the final few moments to
record a third success of the campaign.
West Ham United: Adrian, Jenkinson, Tomkins, Reid, Cresswell, Song (c),
Amalfitano, Downing, Zarate (Nolan 76), Sakho, Valencia (84)
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Burke, Poyet, Lee, Cole
Goals: Onuoha (og) 5, Sakho 59
Booked: Tomkins, Song, Cresswell
Queens Park Rangers: Green, Onuoha, Ferdinand (c), Caulker, Traore, Sandro
(Taarabt 67), Henry, Fer, Hoilett (Zamora 46), Kranjcar (Mutch 78), Austin
Subs: McCarthy, Isla, Dunne, Vargas
Booked: Sandro, Henry
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Clean sheet cheers Sam
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce was a content man after West Ham United defeated QPR 2-0 at
the Boleyn Ground
05.10.2014
While a 2-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers was welcome, a first clean
sheet of West Ham United's season was arguably even more satisfying for
manager Sam Allardyce. Nedum Onuoha's own-goal sent the Hammers on their way
after just five minutes as the hosts made another fast start, but West Ham
could not turn their dominance into a second goal before half-time. QPR
enjoyed their best spell immediately after the break, but West Ham held firm
and doubled their lead when Diafra Sakho netted his fifth goal in five
starts from James Tomkins' assist. "We were successful, both out of
possession and in possession," Big Sam began. "I was looking at the injury
list on Saturday and our fear was that we had seven players out injured, so
I had to change the team around a little bit, but I wanted to keep that same
system. "I wanted to keep that diamond because I think it suits the players,
as we saw again with our performance. I was worried because if it didn't
work, we didn't have many players to bring in, so we might have to change
it. We didn't until the end when they threw caution to the wind. "We didn't
want to let them sneak back in it with a goal out of the blue, but finally
we got the second goal and that was exactly what we deserved. Across the
board, it was a very good performance from the players with very few
mistakes made by the defenders - unlike Manchester United. "Of course
goalscoring is very important and the first one, even though it was a little
bit of luck, got us on our way. The second one killed the opposition when
they were having a good spell, which was about ten minutes long and that was
the end of it."
The manager was forced to shuffle his pack slightly due to the absences of
Cheikhou Kouyate and Mark Noble through injury, with Alex Song dropping
deeper, Mauro Zarate coming in at the tip, Stewart Downing moving wide left
and Morgan Amalfitano to the right. Despite all the slight changes of
position, West Ham produced some fine passing football, at times, in what
was a largely comfortable victory capped by yet another goal for summer
signing Sakho - a revelation since his arrival from Ligue 2 champions FC
Metz. "It is a great little system, the diamond, because it allows the
players to rotate into any of the four positions," said the manager. "If one
goes out of position, another moves around and fills in and you get
opposition players then not marking the same player. "The front two were the
focus of our attack and they have been for us since they have started
playing for us. They make life extremely difficult for defenders. They never
give them a minute and that's what I like about them most, aside from their
quality. "Sakho did score 20 goals in the French Second Division so it is a
gamble that is paying off at the moment! I'm glad to say he feels like he is
going to score every time he goes out on the pitch at the minute. What we
want is Enner to chip in with a couple as well, which would make things even
better. "Two-nil with a very comfortable performance was very pleasing going
into this international break and even more pleasing because it gives us two
weeks to get back some of the injuries we have at the moment."
For Big Sam personally, the confidence and belief flowing through the Club
at present is a welcome change to the anxiety that surrounded the place just
a few months ago. "Yes, the tension comes when you don't achieve what is
expected of you. We all know expectation is very high in the Barclays
Premier League and we live in a world that's in a bubble and you have to
perform under the pressure when you're in that bubble. "When you deliver,
life becomes so much easier and as a manager you've got to keep an eye on
the fact that the confidence doesn't turn into complacency. "For me, this
win was more important than beating Liverpool because these are our bread
and butter performances and if we want to get into the top ten level, we
have got to win at home against a QPR who have struggled since the start of
the season."
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Family pride for Adrian
WHUFC.com
Adrian was delighted to keep his first clean sheet of the season in front of
his 89-year-old grandfather
05.10.2014
Adrian made his 89-year-old grandfather Juan the proudest man in the Boleyn
Ground as his clean sheet helped West Ham United to a 2-0 Barclays Premier
League win over Queens Park Rangers. Making his first-ever trip outside of
his native Spain, Juan joined Adrian's father Manolo and other members of
the San Miguel family in cheering the Hammers to a deserved victory. After
keeping West Ham's first clean sheet of 2014/15, Adrian took Juan and Manolo
to pitch-side to take photographs that will no doubt take pride of place in
the family album back in his home city of Seville. "It's an important
victory for so many reasons," the No13 began. "First, we put in another very
good performance and,second, we got our first clean sheet. My family also
came over from Spain, including my grandfather who is 89-years-old, so it
was unbelievable. He enjoyed it very much. "My grandfather watched me play
every time I played in Real Betis, but this is the first time he has come to
watch me play in England. He is a very old man and this is the first time he
has been out of Spain, but he has enjoyed it very much. "My grandfather gave
me congratulations for the victory and also for the clean sheet!"
Adrian enjoyed one of his quieter weekends between the sticks, but was ready
when called upon to make a smart save from Niko Kranjcar's second-half
free-kick. The stop came when QPR were enjoying their best period in the
game and with the score poised delicately at 1-0.
Earlier, he had also made a smart stop to deny Charlie Austin, ensuring West
Ham did not waste the lead given to them by Nedum Onuoha's fifth-minute
own-goal."I didn't have too much work to do, but I prefer this because this
is a good situation for the team," he continued. "In these games, you need
to concentrate for 90 minutes because they can score a goal with one chance.
For a goalkeeper, it is really important to concentrate on every ball."
West Ham have reached the October international break seventh in the table,
with ten points from seven matches. So, is Adrian pleased with how the
season has started? "Yes, it is really important for us. Now we have the
international break and we have a chance to rest and relax with our family
and friends - maybe I'll even get back to Spain for a few days! It's really
important because we can come back again after break at Burnley again and
this is a good game for us to get something." In the meantime, Adrian will
spend the evening toasting his clean sheet and success with Juan, but how
will he and his 89-year-old grandfather celebrate? "We will go for dinner
and after that, the night is young, isn't it!" he smiled.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 2 QPR 0
5 October 2014
Last updated at 21:37
By Neil Johnston
BBC Sport
West Ham climb nine places to seventh in the table
First clean sheet of the season for the Hammers
QPR two points from safety at the bottom
Hoops suffer fourth straight league away defeat
West Ham climbed to seventh in the table as an own goal by Nedum Onuoha and
Diafra Sakho's header left QPR two points from safety at the bottom. The
Hammers went ahead when Stewart Downing's corner struck the knee of Onuoha,
standing on the edge of the six-yard area, and rolled in. Charlie Austin
fired wide from QPR substitute Bobby Zamora's cross before Sakho headed the
second from a mis-hit cross by James Tomkins.Hoops boss Harry Redknapp has
plenty to ponder during the international break after defeat at the hands of
the club he managed between 1994-2001. Not only has his side lost all four
away Premier League games since winning promotion via the play-offs last
season, they have scored only once in seven-and-a-half hours of league and
cup action on their travels. That does not bode well with three of the next
four games against Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City. Hammers keeper
Adrian was forced into a full-stretch save to keep out Niko Kranjcar's
long-range 70th minute free-kick.
Former West Ham striker John Hartson on BBC Radio 5 live: "West Ham looked
very comfortable and Sam Allardyce will be delighted. They go above Arsenal
on goal difference. The strikers were fantastic, the defence looked assured,
and Alex Song covered every blade of grass. QPR manager Harry Redknapp tried
everything in terms of his substitutions, but West Ham were good value for
their 2-0 win."
But by then West Ham had the points in the bag with a performance that
offered evidence their season is starting to gather momentum under Sam
Allardyce. Their second successive home win lifted them nine places up the
Premier League table above Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa. It might not
have been a repeat of the sparkling display that saw off Liverpool two weeks
earlier, but the Hammers kept their first clean sheet of the campaign while
injured striker Andy Carroll is nearing a return to action.
QPR have not won a Premier League game away from home since 2 March, 2013
and they were behind after five minutes at Upton Park when former Manchester
City defender Onuoha put through his own net. Downing's corner appeared to
strike Enner Valencia on the hand as the Hammers striker appealed for a
penalty after being pushed by Austin, the ball landing on Onuoha's knee
before falling into the net.
Valencia wasted a good chance to double the lead five minutes later when he
fired wide after Rio Ferdinand, making his 500th Premier League appearance,
deflected the ball into the Ecuador forward's path. Austin, the scorer of
QPR's only away goal, wasted two chances before the unmarked Sakho doubled
the lead in the 59th minute with a close-range header when Tomkins's looped
the ball over Rob Green.
Redknapp's team were fortunate not to suffer a heavier defeat, Hammers
substitute Kevin Nolan firing straight at Green from 12-yards when unmarked.
QPR manager Harry Redknapp: "We're short - we're short of goals, we're short
up front. It's been difficult, we lost Loic Remy on the deadline and
couldn't get a replacement. We've had a tough start but there's an awful
long way to go. "There's a lot of teams down there - one win changes
everything. You have to keep going. It's early days. "We have to find a way
of playing that suits everybody and get the best out of what we've got."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Stewart Downing: West Ham boss Sam Allardyce praises midfielder
BBC.co.uk
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says Stewart Downing is the best midfielder
in the Premier League on current form. Downing, 30, had a key role in West
Ham's 2-0 win over QPR, and been an influential performer in the club's rise
to seventh after seven matches. "I don't think there is anybody playing in
midfield that is better than Stewart Downing," Allardyce said. "He was my
man of the match against QPR. The confidence is growing again in Stewart and
he's showing his quality." Allardyce signed Downing from Liverpool for £5m
in August 2011, and the Hammers boss thinks he could force his way back into
contention for England. "I think so but that is another choice for Roy
Hodgson," Allardyce added. "The quality of Stewart Downing was a major
factor why we beat QPR. "The amount of ball we can get to him in that
position in midfield, in a diamond, has been fantastic for him and for us."
Downing won the last of his 34 caps in England's 1-0 friendly win over
Norway in May 2012.
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Redknapp on.....West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 5th October 2014
By: Staff Writer No.2
QPR boss Harry Redknapp reflects on his team's 2-0 defeat at the Boleyn in
the post-match press conference brought to you, as ever, in full....
Harry it seemed a bit too comfortable for West Ham out there today
Yeah we got off to a bad start. When you haven't got a lot of belief you've
not been scoring and you've been shifting goals the last thing you want to
do is concede a sloppy goal from a corner like that. It certainly didn't
help any. We got to half time then second half we started ok. We had a great
opportunity with Charlie Austin from Bobby Zamora's cross and we were
probably having our best spell whe they scored a goal. It's difficult. It's
not easy. We're off the pace. The players aren't off to speed and aren't up
to fitness. A lot of them have been having treatment – people like Jordon
Mutch, Sandro whi I've brought in really haven't been able to put two games
together. It's been a problem for us
There was a suggestion that there might have been a handball for the first
goal....
I haven't seen it – I haven't seen a replay.
There wasn't much of a protest was there
I couldn't see from where I was but at the end of the day if the referee
doesnt blow for handball and the linesman doesn't flag for handball you can
protest all you want but he's not going to give a handball is he if he's
made his decision.
The Sky pundits were pretty harsh on your performance today – Gary Neville
described it as "diabolical". Did you think it was that bad? What's your
reaction to that?
Well it wasn't great that's for sure but, well it's his opinion isn't it.
I've seen some diabolical performances of late as well but we won't go into
that one.
They also suggested that the layers are letting YOU down. Is that the case?
I don't think so. We're short. We're short of goals. We're short up front of
goalscorers. It's been difficult. We lost Remy right on the deadline and
couldn't get a replacement. We've had a tough start but there's a long way
to go.
You've got a tough run of games coming up
Yeah – well there's no easy games we've just got to keep going.
Harry how do you go about rebuilding their confidence – is that something
you can do or does it have to come from within them?
We need to get them fitter. Sandro I've put a lot of faith into him but he's
picked up an injury. We need to get him fit because when he's fit he's a
fantastic player. I had him at Tottenham he was an excellent player but he's
short of fitness. The doc came to me at half time and it's "he can only do
another 15 minutes". I need to get them fit enough to play 90 minutes.
There's a little group of them struggling on the fitness front because
they've been injured and missed training
You took a phonecall and handed the handset to Kevin Bond. What was that all
about?
It was only Glenn Hoddle – he watches from upstairs.
With a tough three games coming up are you worried that you'll go into
November in even more trouble unless they find their feet?
No there's a lot of teams about. One win changes everything doesn't it? What
are you supposed to do? You've got to keep going. We're not going to give
up. It's early days. Weve gotto find a way of laying that'll suit everybody
and get the best out of what we've got.
Cheers
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham Utd 2-0 Queens Park Rangers
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 5th October 2014
By: Staff Writer
In their last home game against Liverpool, it took West Ham less than 90
seconds to open the scoring. This time it took slightly longer - a whole
five minutes - but when Stewart Downing's corner was bundled into his own
net by the unfortunate Nedum Onuoha from the Irons' first set piece of the
day, the tone for the rest of the afternoon was set.
And when the prolific Diafra Sakho doubled West Ham's lead just ahead of the
hour mark to clinch all three points it was a case of damage limitation for
the Premier League's bottom club who, on today's evidence, face a long
struggle in their fight to retain their Premier League berth.
Although last week's trip to Old Trafford ultimately ended in defeat West
Ham's performance was lauded by the critics, many of whom have spoken
positively about the new-look West Ham.
This week the performance may not have been one that will live long in the
memory, but Sam Allardyce - for one - will be far happier having secured the
win and accompanying three points that keep West Ham in the upper half of
the table.
With Mark Noble, Andy Carroll and Chiekhou Kouyate all still sidelined -
plus Kevin Nolan and Matt Jarvis still feeling their way back from recent
injury - Allardyce's options were again limited ahead of today's game.
However the team selected were more than good enough to see off the
challenge of a disappointing Rangers side that featured three former Hammers
in Rio Ferdinand, Bobby Zamora and goalkeeper Rob Green (who handed his
gloves to a young West Ham fan as he left the field at the end of the game).
That much was evident inside five minutes when Sakho's shot was deflected
behind by Ferdinand for a corner. Downing's drifted centre evaded several
players inside the six-yard box - and Enner Valencia's raised hands, despite
protests from 'keeper Green - before cannoning off Onuoha's shins to give
West Ham the lead.
Charlie Austin wasted the visitors' best chance of the game when he shot
straight at Adrian having found his way behind a static West Ham defence
after 25 minutes. Winston Reid then headed an effort narrowly wide and Aaron
Cresswell saw a goal-bound effort blocked - and that summed up the notable
moments of a fairly quiet first half.
It was to prove a similar story after the break with West Ham largely
carving out the best openings. However the introduction of Zamora at the
break briefly lifted QPR and Austin was again guilty of spurning a great
chance to equalise just two minutes after the restart.
That was to prove a hugely costly miss for Rangers as just ten minutes
later, they found themselves two behind. Zarate's deflected effort fell
kindly for James Tomkins, stationed at the far post; his lofted cross cum
shot appeared to be looping over Green's head into the far corner but Sakho
was on hand to ensure the ball went over the line.
It was the former Metz striker's fourth league goal in as many starts and
the fifth consecutive game in which he had scored - a tremendous return from
a striker thought unlikely to be good enough to hold down a first team spot
just a few weeks ago.
The win leaves West Ham seventh in tonight's Premier League table with 10
points from their opening seven games - just one point behind fourth place
Manchester United, who beat Everton 2-1 this afternoon.
West Ham Utd 2-0 QPR: Match Facts
West Ham Utd: Adrian, Jenkinson, Tomkins, Reid, Cresswell, Song (c),
Amalfitano, Downing, Zarate, Sakho, Valencia.
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Burke, Poyet, Nolan, Jarvis, Lee, Cole.
Queens Park Rangers: Green, Onuoha, Ferdinand (c), Caulker, Traore, Sandro,
Henry, Fer, Hoilett, Kranjcar, Austin.
Subs: McCarthy, Isla, Mutch, Dunne, Vargas, Zamora, Taarabt.
Referee: Anthony Taylor.
Assistants: G Beswick, D Bryan.
Fourth Official: A Marriner.
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Rangers players let Harry Redknapp down, says Graeme Souness
'QPR threw in the towel'
By Graeme Souness | Last Updated: 05/10/14 8:47pm
SSN
The QPR players let down their manager, their club and their supporters in
their 2-0 defeat at West Ham, says Graeme Souness. A Nedum Onuoha own goal
after just five minutes set West Ham on their way before Diafra Sakho
doubled the hosts' advantage just before the hour.
Rangers never looked like getting back on level terms with Sam Allardyce's
side and the result leaves QPR rooted to the foot of the Premier League
table with just four points from their first seven games. After the match
Sky Sports pundit Souness slammed the work rate and desire of the QPR
players and said boss Harry Redknapp will be fuming at the lack of
commitment from his side. "If you haven't got players willing to work hard,
you've got nothing," he said. "If you've got really good players and they're
willing to work hard you're going to win more games than you lose – but if
you've got decent players not working hard you're not going to win any
games.
"With the best will in the world, these are goodish players and they have to
put a real stint in for their manager. "But Harry will go home tonight and
not sleep. He'll be tearing his hair out. As a manager you think 'I'm
guaranteed everyone will have a real go', especially if you're down near the
bottom. He's not getting that off these players. "Put a stint in for your
manager. That manager is going home to suffer, have a sleepless night, be
miserable around his family and he's going to wake up tomorrow feeling even
worse than he does tonight, thinking 'how am I going to put this right'.
"These players have a duty to their manager, a duty to the club and a duty
to the supporters to give them a bit more than they've given them today.
"After losing the first goal none of them showed any sparkle to get
themselves back into the game. They just threw the towel in as though
they're feeling sorry for themselves. "That's why management drives you mad.
That's so disappointing for Harry."
Diabolical
Rob Green says his QPR side didn't do enough to challenge West Ham in a
comfortable win for the Hammers. Gary Neville was equally appalled by the
performance from QPR. He had predicted Rangers, out of the three promoted
sides, would fare better this season, however, he has re-evaluated that
opinion after a number of lacklustre displays from the west London side.
"Two years ago I thought they were a shambles in the Premier League, all the
way through the season," he said. "But I thought after that, and getting
promotion the way they did last year, the very least we'd see would be a
very hard working team that would do well this season, relatively. "But what
we're watching is diabolical. "The basic premise of a football team is to
work hard. You think of Harry Redknapp teams down the years – at Portsmouth,
West Ham and Tottenham – and they were swashbuckling, attacking teams,
sometimes even reckless in attack. There's nothing there.
"I've watched them a few times this season and it's repeated. When you see
it three, four times that's a worry, a real worry. You saw Harry Redknapp at
the end on the bench and it's not even worth getting up, standing in your
technical zone trying to get your team back in it. "They were only 2-0 down,
if they got a goal with five minutes to go they're in the game. But he knows
it's not coming."
Stronger
Sam Allardyce said it was a 'perfect result' for his side as they scored
twice and kept a clean sheet in their win over QPR. As for West Ham, who now
sit seventh, Neville says they can go into the international break
encouraged by their start to the campaign – and the potential of their
forward pair Enner Valencia and Sakho. "Last year, when you looked at West
Ham, particularly with Andy Carroll out injured, they lacked firepower in
front of goal," he said. "But this season they look completely different.
"Stewart Downing has got a new lease of life and the two up front look a
real handful. Plus, they've still got Carroll to come back who will make
them even stronger. "So it's looking good for West Ham. The fans wanted more
expansive football and they're getting it. But I have to say, were West Ham
anywhere near their best today? I don't think they were because they were
playing against such a poor side."
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West Ham too strong for QPR after 2-0 win at Upton Park
Last Updated: 05/10/14 7:43pm
SSN
West Ham piled the misery on bottom of the table Queens Park Rangers with a
2-0 win in their London derby at Upton Park. Nedum Onuoha's unfortunate own
goal set West Ham on their way in the first half and the in-form Diafra
Sakho added a second goal just before the hour mark to secure the win for
West Ham. The defeat ensured Harry Redknapp did not enjoy his return to his
former club to leave them rooted to the bottom of the table, while the three
points lifts West Ham into seventh spot ahead of next week's international
break.
Best of the match
Man of the match: Diafra Sakho was a real handful for the QPR defence and
scored his fourth goal in four games.
Goal of the match: Sakho's goal was a simple finish from close-range, but
James Tomkins' clever hooked cross made it easy for the striker
Moment of the match: Enner Valencia thought he had scored a third goal when
Rob Green passed a free-kick straight to him and he scored, but the striker
was still inside the area when he collected the ball and the goal was
rightly disallowed.
Controversy of the match: QPR felt the first goal should not have stood
after Enner Valencia appeared to handle the ball in the build-up to the goal
Save of the match: Adrian did not have a lot to do for West Ham, but
produced a fine save to keep out Kranjcar's free-kick in the second half.
Talking point: Has Sam Allardyce made one of the signings of the season in
Sakho? Have QPR got enough in their squad to stay up?
West Ham got off to a flying start when they were gifted the opening goal
after just five minutes, but there was some controversy about it being
allowed to stand. Stewart Downing whipped in a corner, and under pressure
from Sakho, Onuoha poked the ball into his own net. But in the build-up it
appeared Enner Valencia had handled the ball before it was diverted in by
Onuoha.
QPR went close to an equaliser on 24 minutes when Charlie Austin fashioned a
chance for himself with a superb nutmeg on James Tomkins before curling in a
shot which Adrian pushed out - with the unmarked Niko Kranjcar unhappy that
the striker had not passed to him instead of shooting.
Sam Allardyce said it was a 'perfect result' for his side as they scored
twice and kept a clean sheet in their win over QPR.
Harry Redknapp threw on former West Ham favourite Bobby Zamora at the start
of the second half and he almost had an immediate impact two minutes after
the break.
Zamora picked up a pass from Leroy Fer wide on the left and picked out
Austin's run inside the box with a fine cross only to see his strike partner
fire wide from 12 yards.
West Ham, who struggled in the early stages of the second half, doubled
their lead through Sakho just before the hour mark to take the wind out of
QPR's sails.
The ball fell to James Tomkins inside the box and the defender hooked his
shot goalwards and Sakho was on hand to head home the ball from inside the
six-yard box for fourth goal in the last four Premier League games.
Harry Redknapp said his side made things difficult by conceding early on and
lacked the energy required to compete. QPR were lucky not to concede a third
goal seconds later when goalkeeper Rob Green passed a free-kick straight to
Valencia who slotted the ball into the net, but referee Anthony Taylor
disallowed the goal as the West Ham forward was not the required ten yards
away from the ball before Green kicked it.
QPR tried to find a way back into the game and Kranjcar forced Adrian into a
good save with a curling free-kick from 25 yards which the West Ham
goalkeeper did well to turn round the post.
West Ham substitute Kevin Nolan should have made it 3-0 four minutes from
time when Downing got down the left and pulled the back for Nolan inside the
box, but his shot was too close to Green who made the save.
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In-form Sakho surprises West Ham boss Sam Allardyce
Last Updated: 05/10/14 8:28pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce praised Diafra Sakho after the Senegalese
striker helped secure a 2-0 victory over QPR. Sakho, a summer signing from
French side Metz, now has five goals in as many games and Allardyce admits
he has been surprised how quickly the striker has found his feet in England.
"I would have seen Sakho as being a player, coming from the French second
division, playing maybe 10 to 15 games for us and finding out about the
Premier League," said Allardyce. "But he is so desperate to do well and his
runs are so good at the opposition's defences and he seems to have the knack
- and that's the hardest knack of all - of turning up in the right place at
the right time. "So that's fantastic for him and absolutely outstanding
business for us at West Ham." Sakho and Enner Valencia have added some
much-needed speed in the final third but the Hammers have also been spurred
on by the form of Stewart Downing. Playing in a more central role in the
midfield diamond, Downing continued his impressive start to the season with
another accomplished performance at Upton Park. "Stewart Downing was
outstanding for me - he was my man of the match," added Allardyce. "The
amount of ball we can get to him in that position in midfield, in a diamond,
has been fantastic for him and for us. "He is spraying balls all over the
place and that confidence is growing again - that quality is fantastic to
see."
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West Ham almost missed out on signing Diafra Sakho
Last Updated: 05/10/14 8:20pm
SSN
Diafra Sakho's agent has revealed West Ham almost missed out on signing the
striker only for the personal intervention of co-owner David Sullivan. Sakho
has scored in all four starts he has made for West Ham in the Premier
League, with his latest goal coming in Sunday's 2-0 win over Queens Park
Rangers. The Senegal forward joined West Ham in the summer on a four-year
deal from Metz, but the move almost fell through after the French club
claimed West Ham had tried to change the terms of the deal and bring him to
Upton Park on a season-long loan. However, Sullivan took it upon himself to
push through the deal and the Hammers surpremo has been rewarded with Sakho
proving to be one of the bargains of the transfer window. The player's
agent, Mark McKay claims QPR passed up the chance to sign Sakho and that
only for Sullivan's persistence the move to Upton Park may not have
happened. "Diafra Sakho has been a revelation for West Ham and a lot of the
credit must go to David Sullivan for signing him," McKay told Sky Sports.
"West Ham almost missed out on signing him as initially they wanted him on
loan and Metz were never going to agree to that. "A lot of people were also
putting off Sam Allardyce from signing him saying his attitude was not right
and that he was not good enough for West Ham and that was very unfair on the
boy. "He was actually recommened to QPR's chief scout and offered to them,
but that fell on deaf ears. "However, David Sullivan was determined to sign
him and he went to great lengths to get the deal done. "I am glad he is
playing well for Sam Allardyce and scoring goals and the West Ham fans must
be happy David Sullivan worked so hard to bring Sakho to the club."
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WEST HAM 2, QPR 0. EXACTLY WHAT WE NEEDED
By David Hautzig 5 Oct 2014 at 20:26
West Ham Till I Die
In 1996, Robert Banks wrote An Irrational Hatred Of Luton. If memory serves
me correctly, our fearless leader promoted the book here on this site. I
haven't read it. In fact, since our daughter was born in 2001 I don't think
I've read any book. I've become so IPad and E-Media centric I'd probably
stop reading any book after 140 characters and look for the reply button.
The book chronicles Banks' life as a West Ham supporter and how his
relationship with the club weaved itself into his life. Including,
presumably, his hatred of Luton. Well, I have an irrational hatred of QPR. I
didn't use to. I didn't pay any attention to them, to be fair. But in the
past few years that has all changed. Other than the teams around us in the
table, the result I look for is QPR. Did it the year they were in the
Championship, too. When Zamora scored the second most important goal of his
career you'd have thought I was a Derby supporter the way I was rolling
around on the floor cursing.
I guess it's a combination of many small things. Like their owner being a
longtime West Ham supporter. And his apparently insulting attempts to invest
in or buy out Gold and Sullivan before turning to his Plan B. The writer of
another blog site used to write as many QPR articles as he did West Ham
articles in what looked like an attempt to wind up the R's. It worked, based
on the number of QPR supporters who insulted him in the comments section.
Many of my Twitter mates seem to feel the same way, voicing unfettered joy
at every bad move QPR make.
Point is, today was a very big game in my book. I wanted to beat these guys.
And if our feelings of optimism over our performances, if not our current
point tally, were rooted in reality we needed three points today. News that
Kevin Nolan might step right back into the starting lineup made the
announcement of those eleven an event yet again. And while Nolan starting
would have been a unique combination of the absurd and the predictable, the
actual starting eleven as well as the subs was equally surprising. Mauro
Zarate was given the nod for a start, and Elliot Lee was named to the bench.
Did Sam see something from Zarate in training? Or was he making sure not to
alienate him by nailing him to the bench like the dead parrot in Monty
Python. "This…is an ex…Midfielder!"
It all raised questions, but not the kind of questions we are used to. It
was more in the realm of some kind of alternative universe. My Twitter mate
@BKhammer1 noted that we were starting off relatively imbalanced with
possibly too much emphasis on the attack, while QPR were doing the same by
starting three central midfielders. Another account simply wondered if it we
were starting out in too much of an attacking setup. Next thing you know
Republicans over here will be inviting Obama over to their homes to watch
the NFL over a few brewskies.
At least it's not boring from the start.
From the standpoint of writing, the game started off in the 4th minute.
Sakho got West Ham a corner from a Jenkinson throw in. Downing's corner flew
over pretty much everyone in the box. But it landed on the shin of Nedum
Onuoha and rolled into the back of the net. Sakho looked way too calm for
someone who had just scored, and Rob Green looked so flabbergasted I
hesitated in celebrating.
Wait for it….
1-0 West Ham.
Replays showed the ball may have glanced Valencia's hand. He may have been
pushed. And as my other non paying boss Graeme Howlett of KUMB pointed out
on his Twitter feed, the ball didn't change direction at all so the referee
made the right call by letting the goal stand. At least I think so. I
suspect Mr. Airplane Race Car guy saw it differently. Sorry, Tony. You're in
for a rough day.
Morgan Amalfitano showed the kind of ball control in the 8th minute on a
pass from Song that supporters of teams with skillful players have taken for
granted for ages. For us, it's still kind of the new toy. He put a cross in
that Green intercepted, and held onto, before it could land on Valencia. A
few minutes later Downing found Sakho, who then passed to Valencia but it
was just a bit behind our new favorite Ecuadorian and he couldn't turn on it
enough to get his shot on target.
Alex Song is usually so composed and so controlled with the ball at his feet
that when he made the first of quite a few mistakes today I wondered what
was going on. He gave up a corner with nobody in the same postal zone as
him. Later he gave up the ball along the sideline and was only saved when
Amalfitano sacrificed a possible boot in the face by going low to head the
ball out of danger. I thought he never does that? Maybe he thought you have
to make dramatic mistakes at West Ham to fit in?
In the 22nd minute Zarate did, at least in my opinion, what a number ten is
supposed to do. He dribbled the ball close to the top of the area, passed it
to Valencia cutting down the left, and then immediately ran into space to
offer himself as a target. Uhhh, Kevin. Maybe you didn't get the memo.
That's what you should do. It didn't lead to anything, but it caught my
attention because I actually have a semi decent understanding of this game
and if I'm aware of this I'm glad a guy in our shirt is aware of it as well.
Yet two minutes later I might have screamed at the TV for Zarate to go drink
some Malbec and get off the pitch when he lost the ball and allowed QPR to
break into a counter. Charlie Austin, possibly the only QPR player other
than our former players that I wish well of, nutmegged Tomkins and took a
shot right at Adrian. That should have cost us. That should have been the
equalizer. And in the past, it most certainly would have. But not today.
Could the football gods be changing their overall attitude towards us? Maybe
they think we've suffered enough?
Around the 30th minute I felt like I used to in school when the subject
matter just wasn't grabbing hold of me. I had to be there, pretty much, but
my mind was elsewhere. How's the pot of chili doing? Does it need more
cayenne? The game had no feel to it. Like a pre-season friendly. Cresswell
made runs, but didn't get the ball. Long passes were being attempted in a
way that looked more "why the hell not" than a real plan. Zarate seemed like
he sensed that and tried to wake everybody up with a good run that beat a
few flat footed QPR lackeys, but his cross was deflected out for a corner.
The corner was taken short, again to the feet of Zarate, and again nothing
was there at the finish. At least he tried.
When Niko Kranjcar scored on that free kick a few weeks ago to salvage a
point against Stoke, I was mightily impressed. Which is why every time he
got the ball I silently hoped for a pulled hamstring or something. He has
the ability to do stuff on his own, which he came close to doing in the 37th
minute when he floated a ball to Charlie Austin streaking in that caused me
to stand up in anxiety. Thankfully when I sat back down it was still 1-0.
Stuart Downing's brilliant renaissance as a midfield general was in perfect
view for all to see in the 39th minute when he picked Cresswell in full
stride down the right hand side. Caulker got in front of our left backs
cross, but if those kind of passes continue to come off Downing's feet all
of the worry over spending the last few coins in our piggy bank last year on
him will be put to rest.
West Ham had one last surge forward near the end of the first half when
Valencia went after a Zarate cross. Traore cleared, and Valencia landed
awkwardly and seemed to twist his knee. He looked to be limping when the
whistle blew. Turned out he was fine. Thank goodness for small favors.
Halftime. Nah, no more cayenne. Just lower the flame and let the beefy
goodness get to know the black and pinto beans and dinner will be well and
truly ready.
The second I saw Bobby Zamora start the second half for QPR in place of
Junior Hoilett I got worried. And don't lie, so did all of you. If you had a
choice of betting on "he will score" or "he won't score" I know which way
you'd go. Two minutes in that imaginary bet almost paid off when Mr. Playoff
passed to Austin cutting inside the box but Cresswell did just enough to
deflect Austin's shot wide. Then Tomkins got booked for yanking Zamora from
behind when the ball got past him. You could smell a goal coming. QPR owned
the first ten plus minutes of the second half, and this is precisely the
point we have always let a game slip through our grasp.
A goal did come. In the 59th minute. For us. A free kick by Cresswell from
left of the center circle led to a shot on goal by Zarate that was deflected
to Tomkins. His looping shot…or pass….or whatever the hell it was went over
Green and onto Sakho who guided it in. Harry paid one million quid for
Paolo, right? Sakho might turn out to be the second biggest bargain in my
West Ham life. He smells the goal the way a shark smells blood.
Then came one of the oddest things I have seen in a long time. The camera
wasn't on Green when he made a mess of his goal kick and handed it right to
Valencia, who promptly put it in the net. Green didn't move, and the referee
immediately pointed back at the spot for another goal kick. The linesman had
his flag up, but none of the announcers knew why. I sure as hell didn't.
@whufc_official said it was because Valencia wasn't ten yards away from the
ball when it was kicked. @WeLoveYouWHU posted later that "the ball is in
play when it is kicked directly out of the penalty area". While I'm still
not 100% sure why the goal was disallowed, what I am sure is that as much I
loved Green when he was between our posts, I'm glad he isn't anymore. To
even be in that position shows why Sam didn't act too upset to let him go,
and why Hughes got Cesar about ten minutes into that season.
The 66th minute saw Adel Taarabt come on for Sandro. The Moroccan
international is like QPR's own version of Ravel Morrison, without the
police activity. Can be brilliant one moment, and a petulant little jerk the
next. But he can play. And he can score. So more than a few West Ham
supporters took a few deep breaths and glanced at the clock. He made a few
runs, tried a few things, but QPR isn't Milan and he was pretty much on his
own.
I'm still confident that Enner Valencia will be an important player for us
for a long, long time. Today, however, he wasn't at his best. The one moment
that summed that up for me was in the 67th when Reid got the ball to Downing
after a nice tackle. Downing passed to Valencia who cut across the top of
the box, turned toward the defender….and shot about half a mile wide when
Sakho and Zarate were waiting for a pass. Selfish. But despite that, he
never stopped running, and working, and trying. Such a simple word,
"trying", and one we take for granted. But when it's evident, it's nice to
see.
Song gave QPR a bit of hope in the 69th minute when his attempt to get the
ball off Niko Kranjcar was ruled a foul. A bit harsh, and it would have been
significantly harsher had the Croatian bent it like an underwear model. His
free kick was deflected out for a corner, and QPR enjoyed a little spell of
pressure.
In the 76th minute, Kevin Nolan came on for Zarate. I tried to look on the
bright side. It wasn't the first minute. Still, I wasn't happy and I didn't
understand it. Zarate had a very fine game, completed 85% of his passes as
it turned out, and even tracked back on defense on more than a few
occasions. Any doubts he wouldn't be able to adapt to the physical play in
the Premier League should probably be flushed. As Nolan ran onto the pitch,
he said something to Cresswell, I think. My best mate Jon assumes he said
"remember the way it used to be, with balls flying in the box and me hoping
to get a garbage goal? We're going back to that". And he got his chance in
the 86th minute to show he could be an impact sub. Matt Jarvis, who came on
for Valencia in the 84th minute (nice to see him back, actually) passed to
Downing who threaded a perfect pass to Nolan in the box, but the not really
captain anymore shot it right at Green. Kev, if you can't score there,
against a team that has pretty much given up on the day, then I hope Mark
Curtis knows some people at Sky or BT.
I spent the final few minutes on the phone, blissfully watching the game get
killed off by our Happy Hammers. Final score, 2-0. Was it an amazing
performance? No. Not by a country mile. A few players stood out in my
opinion. Zarate, as I said earlier. Tomkins had his best game of the year so
far, no small feat considering the week he had. Cresswell was outstanding,
again. And Demel should only start when Jenkinson can't. The clean sheet
just added the whipped cream to this Sunday.
I'll try not to use such stupid puns again, but the hole was as gaping as
QPR's back line and I couldn't resist.
Today was something those of us that depend on West Ham for any feeling of
joy the rest of a weekend aren't used to. We played a game we should win,
against a team that should pose very few problems for us. And that's exactly
what happened. In many ways, it's as satisfying as the win against
Liverpool. That game was like a glass of my favorite Champagne, Billecart
Salmon. But today was like a glass of crystal clear water.
You can live without Champagne. You can't live without water.
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West Ham 2-0 Queens Park Rangers: Hammers cruise to victory over Premier
League new boys
Home
Sport Football Premier League
Oct 05, 2014 18:22 By Arash Hekmat
The Mirrpr
Sam Allardyce's side ran out comfortable victors at Upton Park against a
visiting QPR that looked devoid of confidence and struggled to find their
momentum West Ham just had too much for visitors QPR in the second London
derby of the day, emerging comfortable 2-0 victors.
Harry Redknapp's side got their afternoon off to the worst possible start,
with Nedum Onuoha heading into his own net after just five minutes from a
corner that was whipped in with pace by Stewart Downing. A quiet first half
unfolded with few chances at either end, but Charlie Austin will feel he
should have levelled the score after 25 minutes with a chance spurned when
he could have played in Nico Kranjcar for the easy finish. Morgan Amalfitano
controlled the tempo for this new-look Hammers side, with Alex Song
providing defensive stability in front of the back line. The team pressed
well and Downing was able to find pockets of space, always looking to
unleash his strikers with the forward ball. Rangers, who have managed to
outdo Manchester United in the poor defending stakes this season, made a
tactical change at half-time, introducing Bobby Zamora to add some thrust to
an attack that was too often penned in its own half during the first 45.
Once again, though, they struggled for solidity at the back and were at
sixes and sevens for West Ham's second, even if Sam Allardyce's side was
somewhat fortuitous in the nature of the goal. It came just as the visitors
were beginning to build up some momentum of their own and, once more, it was
borne from a set piece - with Tomkin's sliced shot falling into the path of
Diafra Sakho, who bundled it over the line.
However, QPR will feel it should have been disallowed for a handball by
Enner Valencia in the build-up. Things could have been even worse for the
visitors just a moment later, when Rob Green gifted the ball to Valencia
straight from the goal kick and the Ecuadorian finished with aplomb - but he
was adjudged to be too close to the keeper and it was chalked off by the
referee. As the clock counted down, Redknapp introduced Adel Taraabt into
the fray, but the Moroccan wild card was unable to influence the course of
the game. The result leaves QPR rooted to the bottom of the table, with West
Ham in 7th as we head into the October international break.
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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce lauds 'composed' Hammers after 'perfect result'
against sorry QPR
Oct 05, 2014 19:30 By Greg Johnson
The R's were brushed aside with minimal fuss at Upton Park leading the
former Bolton chief to look forward to building on their recent successes
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce has challenged his squad to push on after the international
break after responding to last weekend's defeat to Tottenham Hotspur with a
2-0 home win over Harry Redknapp's QPR. The Hammers looked in complete
control for most of the game with the score settled by an early own goal
from Nedum Onuoha, who put the ball past R's keeper Rob Green, under
pressure from Diafra Sakho, and a second half strike from the Senegalese
striker to put the result beyond doubt. A summer signing from Metz, Sakho
has wasted no time in making an impact on this side of the channel, and now
has five goals from six games for West Ham. Yet it was the overall
performance of his team that most impressed Allardyce, although he admitted
he would have liked a greater margin of victory. "If I had a criticism it
would be not pushing them enough in the final third. "But ultimately that
would be greedy on the basis that we won 2-0 and got our first clean sheet.
"That is what I have been striving for from the boys, so it's the perfect
result for us."
Injuries have been a problem for West Ham this season, but Kevin Nolan
continued his return to full fitness with a late cameo off the bench, and
the club captain almost scored following a promising bit of play from
Stewart Downing after Alex Song won the ball from QPR's midfielders.
West Ham players celebrate after Nedum Onuoha of QPR scored an own goal
during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and Queens
Park Rangers at Boleyn Ground on October 5, 2014 in LondonHammered: Nedum
Onuoha's own goal set the home side on their way against QPR Allardyce
praised the response from his team after last week's loss and looked forward
to the opportunity to progress once his full complement of players were back
fit and available for selection. "The result against Tottenham was a bitter
pill to swallow, and the strength in depth in my squad has shown through
today. "We had seven injured before we started the game. That tested the
capacity of our squad and we have come up trumps. "Everything is rosy and
looking nice. It's always good going into the international break in the top
half of the table, and we are in double figures after seven games.
"Can we now push on when we reconvene?" QPR hardly caused West Ham any
problems outside of a short window of opportunity following second half
restart, but Sakho's decisive finisher was key in making sure the hosts saw
out the game on top. "We were very composed apart from a period of 10
minutes in the second half where they changed their system," he added. "We
didn't come to terms with it because they were almost playing the same way
as we were, but the second goal settled us down."
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Diafra Sakho reveals debt to David Sullivan after scoring for West Ham
against QPR... the club that turned down signing him
QPR's scouts said West Ham striker Diafra Sakho was not good enough
The Hammers also initially decided against signing the forward
But co-chairman David Sullivan insisted the deal went through
The 24-year-old frontman has thanked Sullivan for backing him
The Senegal striker scored in West Ham's 2-0 win against QPR on Sunday
Sakho has five goals in five starts since joining from Metz for £4.5million
By SIMON JONES FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 22:16, 5 October 2014 | UPDATED: 22:16, 5 October 2014
Daily Mail
Diafra Sakho has revealed his debt to West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan.
The 24-year-old has proved an instant hit in the Premier League after
joining from Metz for £4.5million in the summer and improved his reputation
further on Sunday when he scored in the 2-0 win against Queens Park Rangers
to make it five goals in five starts. However, his dream move to England
nearly didn't happen after initial rejection by QPR and then West Ham
pulling out of a loan deal as Sam Allardyce wrestled to find the right
striker. Yet co-chairman Sullivan took decisive action after being convinced
Sakho was worth the gamble and it is beginning to pay off. 'I have always
wanted to play in England and when West Ham came in for me in the summer, I
thought that was it,' said Sakho. 'But then the deal began to fall through
as I think the coach was having doubts and I was resigned to returning to
France. 'Fortunately for me, Mr Sullivan stepped in and said he would be
signing me and on a permanent deal. It was the chance I needed.' QPR's
scouts in France had said Sakho wasn't good enough but that only made him
more determined. 'I had heard QPR didn't want me so I wanted to prove I
could do it. West Ham gave me the chance and now the coach Mr Allardyce
believes in me too. I'm enjoying it and scoring goals against Liverpool and
Manchester United shows I can play at this level. I'm just glad Mr Sullivan
put his trust in me.'
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DG: "We didn't expect things to change so quickly"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 5, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham co chairman David Gold tonight admitted the board couldn't have
expected so quick a response to their summer "request" for more attacking
football! Much was made of the board's "demands" for attacking football back
in the summer but Gold – in an exclusive ClaretandHugh interview – wanted to
clear things up. Delighted with the performance against QPR this afternoon
he said: "Let's put the record straight – you can't demand anything in this
world and to say we demanded attacking football would be wrong." "We made it
clear that's the way we wanted to go and then set about sanctioning the
arrival of players whom we knew would play in that way. "You hope that it
will happen quickly but watching us play in such an exciting style is
brilliant – no I didn't think it would happen this quickly. "It's amazing
after just a handful of games. It's hard to express in words but it's a
fantastic feeling. "The team are happy, the manager is happy, the board is
happy but chiefly, the fans are happy. "We are at last enjoying some good
times – we all deserve it especially the fans who pay their hard-earned
money to support the team. "We have bought the players who can deliver for
us and Sam Allardyce has put things together very quickly. But it is only
half a doz en games and there's a long season ahead. "To look at the league
table and see us a point behind Spurs and above Arsenal is fablous. Let's
all enjoy this moment."
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Sam pleased with Zarate
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 5, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Sam Allardyce couldn't stop singing the praises of Stewart Downing in his
post match presser declaring that the converted winger is making everything
happen in the new diamond formation. He said: "His role in the diamond is
absolutely vital. He's doing so well."
He claimed however that Queens Park Rangers will struggle this season if
they can't find a real goal scoring striker. He said: " I think we may have
found two. Sakho is scoring and I hope Enner Valencia will do so as well."
The manager was also pleased with Mauro Zarate saying that he's a more
mature player now than in the past. He said: "He played very well and made
an impact."
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Big Sam Poll result: Many remain uncertain
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 5, 2014 in Whispers
Calret & GHugh
West Ham fans remain uncertain whether Sam Allardyce should stay as the
club's manager. But the good news for the 59 year old boss is that things
are much brighter for him now than they were at the end of last season. A
poll put together by every independent Irons website showed at that time
over two thirds of voters wanting him gone. Now an exclusive ClaretandHugh
poll, which closed an hour ago, shows that although the tide may be turning
in his favour, he has a long way to go to win them over completely. A total
of 1,119 voted thus making it an acceptable yardstick to poll company Mori.
Those voting for him to stay permanently totaled 516 (46.02 per cent). A
total of 208 (18.59 per cent) voted for him to go now with 396 (35.39 per
cent) saying his position should be reviewed in January. ClaretandHugh
founding editor Hugh Southon said: "We wanted to run a poll at the best
moment of his recent time in charge rather than at the worst -as was the
case last year. "It's better news for Sam but the result certainly isn't
conclusive in his favour despite the team sitting in seventh place and
having won two of the last three games and playing really well in defeat at
Old Trafford."
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