Potts disappointed with Black Cats performance
WHUFC.com
Development Squad coach Steve Potts said he was very disappointed with his
team's performance in their 3-0 defeat away at Sunderland.
The Black Cats started the game the stronger and they were rewarded when
they won a penalty which Martin Smith slotted home. The second half was more
even with the Hammers having several half-chances to equalise. However it
was the hosts who wrapped up the victory late on when Rees Greenwood ran
onto Mikael Madron's incisive through-ball before Duncan Watmore scored in
the 90th minute. Speaking after the game, Potts said: "I was disappointed
all round really. We huffed and puffed but we didn't do enough with the ball
or without the ball.
"I think they had the better chances, whether the score line reflected the
game I'm not so sure. At 1-0 with ten or so minutes to go you think you're
still in the game, bu we gave three goals away from our own making."
With the Dev Squad's game with Manchester City rescheduled for later in the
season, the Hammers' next game is another tough away trip to Liverpool on
Friday 20th March. When asked what he thought his team needed to improve on,
if they are to compete with the Reds, Potts replied: "We need to use the
ball better and maintain possession better. When we don't have the ball we
need to be more resilient then what we showed tonight. "It is a very young
team and hopefully they'll learn from this quickly. They've been put in the
spotlight and it was a harsh lesson. "I thought Sunderland mixed their game
up. They tried to vary their play and stretch us, which they did. We didn't
deal with a fourty yard ball and that's how they won the penalty. They
weren't just one dimensional.'
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The Big Interview - Alex Song
WHUFC.com
Alex and Nene trained with the Development Squad for four days to improve
their fitness
Alex Song says his peak fitness and form are returning ahead of his return
to former club Arsenal on Saturday. The midfielder was given permission by
manager Sam Allardyce to remain at Chadwell Heath to train with West Ham
United's Development Squad while the first team were away in Dubai. Having
worked hard alongside young professionals and scholars for four days, the
No30 is feeling back to his best and is ready to tackle the club he
represented for six seasons between 2006 and 2012. West Ham TV caught up
with the 27-year-old ahead of his return to the Emirates.
Alex, you stayed behind to work on your fitness, so can you please talk us
through your last few days?
AS: "Yes, I think it was really good for me to work on my fitness and stay
here to work. I feel I needed to work because I didn't have a proper
pre-season. "When I was playing, I was feeling a little tightness in my
muscles and that's why I asked the Gaffer if I could stay here and work a
little bit harder before they come back. "I need to come back at the top of
my form. I have trained hard, so I'm very happy because the way we have
trained here with the Under-21s, they are doing very well. I have worked
very hard to come back to my level.
"It's good news that my fitness statistics are improving. That's why I said
to the Gaffer to stay here to work hard. Now I'm in the good way and I've
improved a lot over the last few days. "I want to come back to my fitness,
because the gap was a little bit longer between matches. I was very happy
when the staff said I am coming back in a good way, because that's the way I
want to be. That's very good news for me and for the Club as well."
Presumably, with your best fitness comes your best form?
AS: "Of course, of course. I know what I can do when I am 100 per cent, but
sometimes in football it is like this. I know I didn't do the pre-season, so
that's why it's a little bit hard today, because I didn't do it properly
last summer. "That's why I need to work extra hard and do some extra work to
come back at the top level. With the way I'm going now, I'm very happy. I
want to show the team what I can do."
You and Nene both trained with the Development Squad and your presence
seemed to lift the intensity of the session.
AS: "Yes, he is a great player. We know Nene and he has played at a high
level. For him to come here and train with the Under-21s is good for them to
learn from as well. "It is very important, because when I was this age I was
listening every time to the players with experience, because at Arsenal I
had people like Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Robert Pires and I
learned a lot. "Today, they have the opportunity to have senior players with
them and they can learn from us and it's good. It was a very good training
session, very hard and with very good intensity. "We tried to show them that
to play at the top level is not easy and they have to work very hard. I'm
very happy with the way they are working."
Talking of Arsenal, you must be relishing Saturday's return to the Emirates?
AS: "Yes, it is very important because I know Arsenal. They are one part of
my life and, because I went there when I was 17, I always say it is my
family. "Today, though, I am focused on West Ham and I want to make the fans
happy. I want to play this game and give my best to help the team to win and
come back to winning. "I know this is a special game for me, but that's
football and I have to take all the emotion out and just try to play my game
and play the best football I can to help the team to win."
Arsenal are in superb form, aside from their UEFA Champions League Round of
16 first-leg defeat at home to Monaco.
AS: "I think Monaco how you want to play when you play in the Emirates. I
know this stadium very well and I know when you play with Arsenal it's very
hard. "The best thing to do is to try to be together, defend together very
well and when you have the opportunity to go on the counter attack, you have
to do it very well like Monaco did it. "If you want to go to Emirates and
try to play you will not have any chance to win the game there because this
stadium is very hard to play in. You have to stay together very compact and
not give them any room, then take the opportunity on the counter attack. "If
we do this very well like Monaco did, then we can get a good result there."
We have performed well against the best teams this season, so there is no
reason why we cannot do so again at Arsenal?
AS: "We have shown a lot of things this season as a team, especially when we
play against teams at the highest level like Manchester City and Liverpool
or Tottenham. We've done very well and we need to continue to improve in
this way. "We can play better and hopefully this game on Saturday will be a
very good test for us. It's been a long time since we won a game in the
league, so we must try to come back and try to win or get one point there.
"It will not be easy, but if we're all together as one and have the fans
behind us, we can get a good result there. Everything is possible in
football and we just need to keep believing and trying hard on the pitch."
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Pike says Dev Squad must bounce back
WHUFC.com
Development Squad right-back Alex Pike said his side deserved to lose
against Sunderland following a disappointing away performance on Monday
evening. The hosts started the game the stronger as they had several early
chances, however goalkeeper Sam Howes was on hand to deny the Black Cats.
However, they were eventually rewarded when they won a penalty which Martin
Smith slotted home. The second half was more even with the Hammers having
several half-chances to equalise, the best of which fell to Jaanai Gordon,
whose shot fell agonizingly wide. The hosts wrapped up the victory late on
when Rees Greenwood ran onto Mikael Madron's incisive through-ball before
Duncan Watmore slotted home in the 90th minute.
Speaking after the match, the 18-year-old defender said: "I'm very
disappointed, everyone is really. It was a poor performance all-in-all and
we know we can do a lot better. The score line may have been a bit harsh but
they did deserve to win. We did throw it away in the last five, ten minutes.
You get punished at this level if you do that." This season, Pike has been
in impressive form for both the U18s and the Development Squad, totalling 22
appearances in all competitions. The defeat sees the Dev Squad stay at the
foot of the Barclays U21 Premier League table, while Sunderland remain in
tenth with 19 points from 15 games. "I thought Sunderland played pretty
well to be fair. Their No7 Duncan Watmore is a good player, I thought he did
well."
Next up for the Development Squad is another tough away fixture against
Liverpool on Friday 20 March and despite Monday night's defeat, Pike is
confident that the Dev Squad can bounce back quickly. "We just need to
bounce back from this, come back stronger and have a look at the things that
went wrong and where we need to improve. "It's just the start, we're a new
team mainly and hopefully we'll learn from tonight and improve quickly."
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Former Player Blog - Julian Dicks
WHUFC.com
Aaron Cresswell has impressed me with his willingness to join the attack
Hello everyone,
I was asked recently for my thoughts on how the men's first team has
performed this season and the word that sprung to mind was 'progression'.
Everything is about progression and for me and they've played well this
season, but then they've got some good players.
It's not about half a season or three-quarters of a season, though, it's
about the whole season. So, at the end of it, if we are eighth then we've
had a good season. Then, it's about the season after it and making more
progression. I think the fans are happy with the majority of the season.
Obviously the FA Cup defeat at West Brom was a bit of a sour point, but if
you had said to them we'd be in the top half at this time of the season, I
think they'd be happy. When things are going well, things become easy, but
it's about how you respond when things aren't going so well.
West Ham fans demand players who give everything they have got and they
deserve that, because they travel a long way and spend a lot of money to
support their team. Every team cannot win every game, which we all accept,
but the minimum we expect is that the players give everything they have got.
I say to the Ladies team that you win more games by hard work than you do
through ability, but if you've got both that's a bonus. There is plenty of
ability in the side, so now hopefully the hard work is coming through. One
player who I have been impressed with is the lad who is filling my old
position at left-back, Aaron Cresswell. He is a good player. When he first
came along, I watched him at Ipswich Town and he likes to get forward on the
overlap and join the attack and that's what we had been missing. No
disrespect to the left-backs we've had before, but you need your left-backs
to go on the overlap and help your strikers and your wide players and
midfield players.
Hopefully he will keep improving and be here for a while, despite what some
newspapers might be suggesting.
Let's got to Arsenal on Saturday and give our all and see where it gets us.
I remember going there in the League Cup and the Premier League and winning
as a player, so while they are in good form there is nothing that says we
can't win there again. The Ladies have a home game against Queens Park
Rangers in the FA Women's Premier League Southern Division this Sunday
afternoon. The girls have already reached one cup final this season and the
commitment they are showing is being rewarded with improved results. We were
We won at QPR in the London FA Capital Cup semi-finals recently, so please
come down to AFC Hornchurch's Bridge Avenue stadium for a 2pm kick-off and
give the girls some support as they try to repeat the trick. We have
recently appointed two new Joint-Chairmen of the Ladies section in John and
Stephen Hunt and I had my first meeting with them recently to discuss our
plans for the future.
It is definitely an exciting time to be part of the Club.
Come on you Irons!
Julian Dicks
Manager, West Ham United Ladies
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Diarra trains with Song and Nene
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 10th March 2015
By: Staff Writer
Out-of-contract midfielder Lassana Diarra continues to train with West Ham
despite there being no developments in his protracted contract wrangle with
former club Lokomotiv Moscow. The former Real Madrid and Arsenal midfielder
has been training with West Ham since January with view to sealing a
contract, after a planned move to Inter fell through. However all attempts
to resolve the outstanding legal issues between Diarra and his former club,
Lokomotiv Moscow, have proved fruitless. The 29-year-old was fired by Moscow
in 2014 after refusing to attend training last summer, having fallen out
with head coach Leonid Kuchuk. The two parties have been involved in a
long-running legal battle since, one that has prevented the 29-year-old from
joining another club.
Speaking last month, Sam Allardyce conceded that it was unlikely he'd be
able to sign Diarra before the end of the season. "It's not going to happen
due to administration reasons, which is a real shame," he said. "To get a
player of his quality, with a lot to prove, would have been a huge bonus for
us."
Despite there being no light at the end of this particular tunnel, Diarra
remains with West Ham at Chadwell Heath. He has been in good company this
week, having been accompanied by new arrival Nene - who is working on his
fitness - and Alex Song, who isn't. KUMB reported recently how West Ham had
baulked at Song's demands during preliminary contract negotiations - since
when the on-loan Barca midfielder has been dropped and left at home, whilst
the rest of the squad flew to Dubai.
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ROME WASN'T BUILT IN A DAY
By Brian Williams 10 Mar 2015 at 08:00
West Ham Till I Die
The soothsayer who warned Julius Caesar to beware the Ides of March in
William Shakespeare's account of the story was clearly no slouch - because
that is precisely when the man who wanted to replace the Roman republic with
a dictatorship got his comeuppance.
The Ides of March, it turns out, is actually the 15th. That is this coming
Sunday, by which time our own emperor may be on very shaky ground indeed. If
we lose to Arsenal at the Emirates we will have acquired just nine points in
the 11 league games since we played the Gooners at Upton Park at the end of
2014 and the last lingering hope of achieving anything more than mid-table
obscurity this season will be gone.
Not for one moment do I expect Messrs Gold and Sullivan to don their togas
and become Brutus and Cassius this Sunday. Caesar Sam will not get a knife
between his shoulder blades if we get beaten - but his hopes of being
offered a new contract will be about as slim as Cleopatra's waistline if we
do.
We all know that BFS has both his admirers and his detractors, and I'm
really not looking to start that slanging match again. You boys can take
that one out of the Colosseum and into the chariot park if you like. What
interests me is how history will judge Allardyce's tenure when it finally
comes to an end.
The first year of his reign was tough going: we all hoped to secure
automatic promotion from the Championship and to be denied one of those
crucial places by Southampton and Reading took some swallowing. The pill was
sugar-coated by the play-off final victory at Wembley, of course, but in
truth it wasn't a great season.
On returning to the Prem, any supporter's initial ambitions have to be
modest these days. No team is ever going to repeat Nottingham Forest's
remarkable achievement of winning the league the year after securing
promotion (let alone go on to win and then retain the most prestigious club
competition in Europe over the next two seasons). Security and stability are
the watchwords, and no one can deny Allardyce provided those.
Last year was when the frustration really began to boil over, culminating
for many of us in the anger that was directed at the manager after the home
game against Hull. I hardly need remind you, that was in March.
Allardyce, you will no doubt recall, had been named manager of the month for
February in 2014. Then the wheels fell off. First we lost at Everton. Then,
two weeks later, we got beaten at Stoke. Next up was Man U at home - and a
2-0 defeat. Which brings us to the Hull game, four days later.
When you find yourself 1-0 up and playing against 10 men at home, supporters
can be forgiven for expecting something better than what we got that night.
It was shocking, and the reception that Allardyce got at the end really
shouldn't have surprised him quite the way it did. And he most certainly
should not have cupped his ear in our direction when we expressed our
dissatisfaction.
'I did it because I was hearing booing and I couldn't quite believe it,' he
said afterwards. "I've never been to a place where I won and got booed. I
started at 16, got into the first team at 18 and I'm 59 now and I have never
been in a place where we have won and got booed." Well, you have now.
Fast forward 12 months to another night game at Upton Park. This time we
lost, but rather than boo the team off we saluted them for a performance
which merited a point at the very least. I was as surprised as I was
delighted by the crowd's reaction after the Chelsea game last week, mainly
because we had been so lame against Palace at the weekend.
In both games the officiating was lamentable, and it wouldn't have taken
much for Wednesday evening's crowd to have shown their displeasure at
referee Andre Marriner and his two short-sighted linos rather than salute
the heroics of the boys in claret and blue. The fact that the pitch emptied
to the sound of cheers rather than jeers made me wonder if many of the
anti-Allardyce brigade (of which I was one before this season) are finally
changing their minds.
The football we play when Andy Carroll isn't in the side can be a joy to
behold at times. ("Injuries force us to play our best team," was the way one
wag put it on Twitter.) How we didn't take a total of six points off Man U
and Spurs still baffles me - and they would have been a totally deserved six
points as well.
As it is, we still haven't quite notched up the magic 40 that supposedly
signifies a club is safe - but no one is talking about West Ham and
relegation in the same breath this season. The fact they aren't is something
of a triumph in itself given our recent history. And while being fourth was
nice for a week or so, we all knew that wasn't going to last. Barcelona -
we're coming for you . but maybe not for a season or two yet.
Under Allardyce we have undoubtedly come a long way in a relatively short
space of time. Even against Palace, those few of us who were still in the
ground allowed ourselves to believe we might salvage a miraculous point when
Enner Valencia pulled a goal back with quarter of an hour to go. None of us
would have done that 12 months ago. We are now a decent side with every
chance of getting better, and if the present manager doesn't get the
opportunity to be the one to take us forward he will always have the
satisfaction of knowing he handed the club on to his successor in better
shape than he found it.
This time last year I'd have taken just about anyone other than Sam
Allardyce as manager. But friends, Irons, countrymen, lend me your ears.
Unlike Mark Antony, it turns out I have come here to praise Caesar, not to
bury him.
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West Ham eye David Moyes as manager if Sam Allardyce departs Upton Park this
summer
22:30, 10 March 2015 By Adrian Kajumba
Former Man United boss has edged ahead of Hammers hero Slaven Bilic in the
thoughts of the club's hierarchy - but can they convince him to quit Spain?
The Mirror
West Ham United will face a battle to land their number one target David
Moyes - if they part with Sam Allardyce in the summer. Real Sociedad coach
Moyes has edged ahead of former Hammers defender Slaven Bilic, currently in
charge of Turkish side Besiktas, in the thoughts of the Upton Park
hierarchy. They will hold end of season talks with current boss Allardyce to
determine his future. If he leaves, the club would prefer to appoint a boss
with previous Premier League managerial experience. However, the Hammers
will have an uphill task to tempt former Everton and Manchester United boss
Moyes back to the Premier League. The Scot, who worked with Hammers'
influential chief scout Tony Henry at Goodison Park, is keen to stay in
Spain and continue developing his Real Sociedad side. Moyes took over in
November with Sociedad deep in trouble but has steered them up to mid-table,
notching a famous win over Barcelona along the way.
The 51-year-old is hoping to build on the work he has done in recent months
next season, having signed a contract until June 2016. And that would leave
the Hammers having to go back to the drawing board if they find themselves
searching for a successor to Allardyce.
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Results to count more than Brady's Sam words
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 10, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
The only thing certain about events around Upton Park at their moment is
their uncertainty.both on and off the pitch. Topsy turvy games which should
be won are drawn, the manager claims they will have to "torture" Winston
Reid to get him to sign - he immediately agreed a new deal.
The big issue - Sam Allardyce's future - seemed settled, then enter stage
right comes Ms Brady - whoops sorry Lady something of somewhere.
But that's West Ham for you - always a drama.always a soap opera. The fact
that we've had one league win in ten games and the team is on the slide
appears to matter not one jot - Lady Brady reckons Sam's the bizzo and the
dramas start again.
This would all be jolly good fun were it not for the fact that this is all
being written and acted out in a newspaper column and I'm pretty certain
that this is not a commission which is authorised or vetted by the club.
It's not the first time such a situation has arisen and some will recall she
suggested that Steve Gerrard could be a good signing - very publicly and
rather crazily - although talk of an illegal approach was a bit over the
top.
Quite how her outburst on the Sam thing will affect the old boy's position
at the end of the season remains to be seen but the knee jerk reaction was
that this was all a bit off the wall and not required.
Personally despite it throwing a few spokes in the wheel temporarily I
reckon the last ten results will be a lot more important to Sam's future
than anything Ms Brady may have had to say.
But it was very West Ham wasn't it?
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Brady's bombshell muddies the water!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 10, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Vice chairman Karren Brady's intervention in the thorny Sam Allardyce debate
is concentrating minds in the Hammers boardroom. The outspoken Lady Brady of
Knightsbridge made in clear in her Sun column last week that she was a big
Sam supporter and would be fighting his corner at the end of the season
review meeting. And with the board still compiling a list of possible
replacements nobody is in the mood to have a massive punch up!
The final ten games, however, remain utterly crucial and although there has
been no slowing in the drawing up of a managerial shortlist, the vice
chairman's remarks have resonated in the Boleyn corridors of power. Brady
had written: ""Dinner with a bookmaker, he would hate that term, probably
prefer statistic entrepreneur! "Anyway, he tells me he is currently working
out odds on the end-of-season managerial roundabout. His lowest odds are
Steve Bruce moving to Fulham (or slightly longer to Wigan), Steve McClaren
to Newcastle and another high-profile manager to Sunderland. I have no idea
at all about all this. Except I suspect the boss moving to Sunderland won't
happen, especially if I have something to do with it!"
We were told exclusively this morning: "Her column raised some eyebrows
among important players particularly as it was so public.
"The club do fancy Marcelo Bielsa but there are risks attached and the
owners aren't normally seen as risk takers. "A huge amount rests on the last
ten games and as has always been the case, finding a suitable replacement.
The big variable in the situation is whether Sam Allardyce decides he's had
enough. That os more than possible"
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Creswell deal on ice as Man City circle
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 10, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham - despite reports that Manchester City are on the prowl - will
discuss a new contract with Aaron Cresswell at CHRISTMAS!
Morning newspaper reports suggest the club are ready to offer him an
improved five-year deal at the end of this season despite him still having
four years to run on his present deal. With reports that Manchester City see
him as the natural replacement for Gael Clichy who looks to be on his way
from the Etihad, there is a suggested urgency that the new Cresswell deal
will be done as quickly as possible.
But the club responded to ClaretandHugh's check call on the position by
declaring: "We'll look at Aarons deal around Christmas time.
"He's on a very long deal and we see no urgency. We know about the
Manchester City speculation but they are looking at people all over the
world and we are relaxed about things. "He won't be leaving in the summer.
He has been an absolute revelation and we are delighted with him. Were we
ever to sell, which we are now remotely considering, it would have to be an
enormous fee as there is a large sell on fee to Ipswich involved."
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Wednesday, March 11
Tuesday, March 10
Daily WHUFC News - 10th March 2015
Cresswell eyes strong finish
WHUFC.com
Aaron Cresswell says the Hammers still have plenty to play for over the
final ten games of the campaign, despite slipping to tenth place in the
Barclays Premier League table following back-to-back defeats. A
disappointing showing against Crystal Palace was followed by a fine
performance against Chelsea, which did not get the reward it deserved, and
Cresswell says that response against the league leaders shows his team can
rise up inside the top ten again. With only Arsenal and Manchester City of
the division's top eight left to play this term, the No3 believes the
Hammers have a great chance of ending the campaign strongly. He said: "We
don't want the season to fizzle out. We want to get as high as we can. At
the start of the campaign if someone had said you are going to finish top
nine or top 10, we would have most probably taken it. "We are in a great
position now so why can't we have a nice push for the last 10 games of the
season?"
On a personal level, Cresswell has shone in his first season at the top
level. Many pundits are speculating that he could be in line for a first
England call or Hammer of the Year honours, but the left back is determined
to just get on with his game. He added: "There are 10 games to go, so I am
just going to keep my head down and keep working hard. "I started in the
lower leagues and haven't changed my game since. I just keep progressing and
coming up against two of the best players in the world for Chelsea –
especially Hazard – helps me learn. "Everyone wants to play for their
country and it would be a major honour for me and my family. I'm
concentrating on playing for West Ham and though last Saturday was not my
best of games I am sure the coach looks at games throughout the season."
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Backroom Blog - Ian Hendon
WHUFC.com
The Spanish Soccer School welcomed us to Dubai Sports City
Hello everyone,
As he has done throughout his managerial career, the Gaffer has brought the
squad away for a short warm-weather training camp. This is something the
manager has done since I played under him at Notts County back in the 1990s.
He took us away from the training ground for a few days and, as much as
anything, the change of environment gave us a boost. Nowadays, we are
fortunate enough to have the resources here at West Ham United to take the
squad away to Dubai, where they not only benefit from the change in
surroundings, but also from having a bit of sun on their backs.
We have done this in each of the previous three seasons and the statistics
collated by our analysis staff have shown that these trips give the players
a welcome boost. As the manager has explained, there are well-documented
physical and psychological benefits to giving the players a break from the
training ground and everything that goes along with being Barclays Premier
League footballers. Therefore, it has been good for the lads to get away
after such a hectic period over the last few months.
We all know that our recent results have not been what he had hoped for and
expected, but our performances have generally been very good during a
challenging set of fixtures, so it was important for us to take stock,
refocus and recharge bodies and minds for our final ten important league
matches. We are confident this break will give the players a chance to
recharge their batteries and push back up the table in the remaining
fixtures
The facilities at the Dubai Sports City are some of the best you will find
anywhere in the world, too, meaning the players and staff could work
efficiently and effectively. We have also enjoyed visits from two familiar
faces – former West Ham striker Frederic Kanoute and the ex-Spain full-back
Michel Salgado, who each run soccer schools for young players in Dubai. The
main purpose of the first few days out here was for them to rest and recover
from the match against Chelsea. They have been doing work on the beach, in
the gym and in the pool.
On Sunday we were back on the training pitch, getting a feel of the ball
again with a bit of passing and head tennis. The Monday morning session was
a fairly normal start to the week, similar to what we would do back home.
This was a harder session that included more ball work, as well as 8v8
matches and strength work to finish off. We are confident this break will
give the players a chance to recharge their batteries and push back up the
table in the remaining fixtures. You can be rest assured that the lads will
be firing on all cylinders when we travel to Arsenal on Saturday.
Come on you Irons!
Ian Hendon
First-team coach
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Downing - 'It will help us to end strongly'
WHUFC.com
Stewart Downing says West Ham United will return to action rested and
recharged following their warm-weather training trip to Dubai.
The Hammers spent a long weekend in the United Arab Emirates, recovering
from a packed fixture list that saw them play 15 matches since Boxing Day.
With ten Barclays Premier League games remaining, starting with a trip to
Arsenal on Saturday afternoon, the England midfielder says a change in
environment, temperature and surroundings was just what the squad needed. "I
think it's good for us to get away at this time of year," said the No11, who
has scored eight goals and registered eight assists this term. "A lot of
countries do have a winter break, so a couple of days rest means we can
rest, recover and get ready for the next game. "I think we needed a break.
We had a lot of games with the FA Cup games and obviously the Barclays
Premier League, so it's nice to get a couple of days rest and recover for
the next one.
After recovering from Wednesday's hard-fought 1-0 home defeat by Chelsea,
the Hammers returned to the training pitch at Dubai Sports City (DSC), where
the coaching staff led a series of ball-based drills. The modern facilities
attract leading clubs from all over the world, and also serve as a base for
the Spanish Soccer Schools run by former Real Madrid and Spain full-back
Michel Salgado – who played under Sam Allardyce and assistant Neil McDonald
at Blackburn Rovers. There, they also received a visit from former West Ham
striker Frederic Kanoute, who now lives and runs his own Kafo Academy for
young footballers in Dubai. I hope it will help us to end strongly and do
better than we did last year and finish in the top ten if we can
Downing said the players enjoyed the use of the grass and artificial pitches
at DSC, adding that he hopes the trip will serve as a catalyst for the
Hammers to finish the season strongly after a challenging start to 2015. "We
did a bit of head tennis and a bit of passing – it was a light training
session so it was decent," he confirmed. "I hope it will help us to end
strongly and do better than we did last year and finish in the top ten if we
can. "The team bonding part of it is good for the lads and it's nice for the
new boys to get involved with the lads too."
Looking ahead to Saturday's trip to north London, Downing says West Ham are
determined to get one over the Gunners after being edged out 2-1 at the
Boleyn Ground on 28 December. That game saw Arsenal go two goals up before
the Hammers launched a furious second-half comeback, but could not add to
Cheikhou Kouyate's 54th-minute header. Arsene Wenger's team are in good
domestic form, having won their last four league matches, but may have one
eye on next Tuesday's UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg tie in
Monaco, where they have to overcome a 3-1 deficit. "We owe them one, as I
think we should have beaten them at home," Downing confirmed. "It'll be a
tough game, but we can go there with confidence because on our day we're a
decent team."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Loan round up
WHUFC.com
Modibo Maiga played the full 90 minutes in FC Metz' 1-0 defeat away to
Rennes. The loss sees FC Metz stay at the foot of Ligue Un.
Elliot Lee came on the 68th minute for Luton Town as they slipped to a 3-2
home defeat to Morecombe. The visitors took an early lead when Jack Redshaw
broke the deadlock before Laurence Wilson doubled their lead.
Luton rallied when Cameron McGeehan pulled a goal back before Alex Lawless
equalised in the 76th minute. The Shrimps took all three points when Luke
Wilkinson scored an own goal.
Tim Brown played the full game as Canvey Island slipped to a 1-0 away defeat
to Leatherhead, substitute Carl Rook's second half goal was enough to seal
the victory.
Nathan Mavila played the full game for Wealdstone as they lost 4-1 to
Bishops Stortford.
Doneil Henry was an unused substitute in Blackburn's 0-0 draw away at
Liverpool in the quarter-final of the FA Cup.
Raphael Spiegel was an unused substitute in Carlisle United's 3-1 defeat to
Exeter City.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Controversial end to Ladies' clash
WHUFC.com
West Ham Ladies marked International Ladies Day with a 0-0 draw away to
Plymouth Argyle on Sunday afternoon. During the opening half, the Hammers
caused Plymouth plenty of problems with the attacking threat of Vicky
Kinsman, Emma Sherwood and Kelley Blanchflower, however it was midfielder
Adele Sale who had one of the best chances for West Ham after drawing a
strong save out of the home goalkeeper.
After the half time break, the Hammers continued to pressure their Devon
hosts as they looked for the opening goal of the game, where the Hammers saw
two shots cleared off the line and substitute Gemma Abela was also denied by
an acrobatic save.
However, after dominating throughout the match and having the better chances
in front of goal, the Hammers were denied all three points when Danica
Revell's headed goal was disallowed in injury time after the full time
whistle was blown as the ball headed towards goal.
Hammers boss Julian Dicks made three changes to the side that suffered semi
final heartbreak away to Preston a week earlier. Goalkeeper Nikki Duncan
returned to the starting line up in place of Nikita Runnacles, whilst
Blanchflower also made a comeback to the Hammers' starting XI to replace
Jade Smith and Katie Bottom was the preferred choice at full back instead of
Vicki King.
With the FA Women's Premier League Plate defeat still fresh in the players
memory, the visitors were hoping to return to winning ways against a side
they defeated 5-2 at home back in late September. The opening stages didn't
indicate that a similar result was on the cards, as both teams were
struggling to keep the ball on the surface and play on a rough pitch. West
Ham did have the better of the chances during the first period though, with
Sale's low shot that was saved by Plymouth keeper Michaela Phillips being
the most noticeable chance for either side.
In the early stages of the second half, Dicks made his only change of the
game as he introduced Development Squad midfielder Abela to the game, who
instantly made an impact when the ball fell to her feet from a corner, but
Phillips was again on form to deny the visitors.
Still the Hammers pushed and they went close on two more occasions, but
Plymouth stood strong and managed to clear both efforts off the line.
In the final seconds of the game, the Hammers thought they had scored the
winning goal of the game. As a corner was taken, centre back Revell rose
well to head home, only to realise that the referee had already blown the
full time whistle as the ball entered the Plymouth penalty area.
The Hammers will look to pick up their first FA Women's Premier League South
victory since early January when they host Queens Park Rangers on Sunday 15
March. The match has been moved to AFC Hornchurch's stadium on Bridge
Avenue, with kick off scheduled for 2pm.
West Ham United Ladies: Duncan, Bottom, Baxter, Revell, Stimson, Bowers,
Little (c), Sale (Abela), Blanchflower, Kinsman, Sherwood.
Subs not used: Mellors, Runnacles, King.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dubai done, next stop the Emirates
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 9th March 2015
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's first team squad are coming to the end of their short warm
weather training break in Dubai.
The Hammers flew out to the United Arab Emirates last Thursday - a journey
of some 3,400 miles - and are expected back in the UK within the next 48
hours, ahead of this weekend's rather shorter trip to Arsenal.
Spirits in the camp appear to be high, with the players looking happy and
relaxed as they are put through their paces by Sam Allarydce's back room
staff.
And whilst the players have been working hard on the training ground, one or
two have also taken advantage of the opportunity to do a little sightseeing,
as you can see from the pictures below.
Meanwhile manager Allardyce was seen sporting a fetching yellow and green
outfit this morning as he greeted former Real Madrid star Míchel Salgado.
The 39-year-old previously worked alongside Big Sam at Blackburn and popped
along to see how his former boss was getting on.
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Gianfranco Zola sacked - again
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 9th March 2015
By: Staff Writer
Former Hammers boss Franco Zola has been dismissed as head coach of Italian
club Cagliari. The 48-year-old, who was manager of West Ham between 2008 and
2010 had been in charge of Gli Isolani for just three months when he was
fired having failed to turn around the club's ailing fortunes. Cagliari
opted to pull the trigger this weekend after Zola's side has managed to take
just one point from their last six games - a sequence that left the
Sardinians firmly rooted in the bottom three with just 20 points from their
opening 26 games.
Zola's final game in charge came at the weekend when Cagliari were beaten
2-0 at high-flying Sampdoria, courtesy of strikes from Lorenzo De Silvestri
and former Chelsea striker Samuel Eto'o.
A club statement confirmed Zola's departure this morning. "Cagliari Calcio
announces that it has dismissed Gianfranco Zola and his staff from the
technical guidance of the first team," it read.
"This decision was made reluctantly, in respect of a great man who wrote
unforgettable pages in the history of Cagliari, bringing lustre and prestige
to Sardinia.
"He and his staff depart with thanks for the work done in recent months,
carried out with dedication, professionalism and passion. We wish him
heartfelt good luck for the rest of his career."
Zola became West Ham United's 12th full-time manager and the club's first
foreign appointment when he replaced the outgoing Alan Curbishley in
September 2008.
His first season at the Boleyn proved to be a huge success, with the Hammers
finishing ninth in the Premier League despite having lost key personnel such
as Matthew Etherington (sold to Stoke for £3m), Hayden Mullins (Portsmouth,
£1m) and Craig Bellamy (to Man City for approximately £9.5m) during the
season.
And although necessary at the time, that string of departures was to cost
the club dear. The following season, Zola's second, West Ham ended the
campaign with just 35 points - but still managed to finish five points clear
of relegation.
However that finish wasn't good enough for the club's new incoming owners
who replaced Zola with Avram Grant - the reward for which was relegation to
the Championship the following year.
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No-one likes us, says new poll
KUMb,com
Filed: Monday, 9th March 2015
By: Staff Writer
Recent images of a small group of West Ham fans confronting co-chairman
David Sullivan in a car park at West Brom may have negatively impacted upon
the general perception of the club's fan base.
A new YouGov poll reveals than one in four encounters with West Ham
supporters have left a negative impression upon Londoners, more than 1,000
of whom were polled for the survey.
That's a figure which is only marginally better than that of Millwall and
Chelsea, whose supporters have the worst public perception amongst people
living in the capital.
When asked whether they had a generally positive or negative impression of
West Ham United supporters, 25 of those polled said the latter applied
whilst just one in five, or 20 per cent admitted their experience/s of Irons
fans had been largely positive.
Topping the poll for positive impressions with 33 per cent were Arsenal,
followed by Fulham (28 per cent). Only Chelsea (13 per cent) and Millwall
(seven per cent) recorded a lower score than West Ham.
Unsurprisingly given the above, Milwall (45 per cent) and Chelsea (43 per
cent) topped the poll for negative impressions, with West Ham narrowly
beating Tottenham to third place (25 per cent to Spurs' 21).
The poll comes in stark contrast to a survey conducted in October 2013, when
West Ham supporters were voted the most well-behaved in the Premier League.
YouGov Survery on London Football Fans
Leaving a Positive Impression
1. Arsenal 33%
2. Fulham 28%
3. Tottenham 24%
4. Crystal Palace 23%
5. Brentford; QPR 22%
7. Charlton 21%
8. West Ham Utd; Orient 20%
10. Chelsea 13%
11. Millwall 7%
Leaving a Negative Impression
1. Millwall 45%
2. Chelsea 43%
3. West Ham Utd 25%
4. Tottenham 21%
5. Arsenal 18%
6. Crystal Palace 15%
7. Charlton; QPR 11%
9. Fulham, Orient 10%
11. Brentford 8%
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Stewart Downing says Dubai trip can help West Ham in Premier League
Last Updated: 09/03/15 11:49am
SSN
Stewart Downing expects a warm-weather training trip to Dubai to pay off for
West Ham in the closing stages of the Premier League season.
Sam Allardyce and his West Ham squad have spent a long weekend in the United
Arab Emirates, recovering from 15 matches in all competitions since the
league defeat at Chelsea on Boxing Day. West Ham face the first of their
remaining 10 league games at Arsenal on Saturday, and England winger Downing
says the Dubai experience was a much-needed addition to their schedule. "I
think it's good for us to get away at this time of year," said Downing. "A
lot of countries do have a winter break, so a couple of days' rest means we
can recover and get ready for the next game. "I think we needed a break. We
had a lot of games with the FA Cup and obviously the Premier League. I hope
it will help us to end strongly and do better than we did last year and
finish in the top 10 if we can. "The team bonding part of it is good for the
lads and it's nice for the new boys to get involved with the lads too."
Downing says that West Ham are determined to achieve a positive result
against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium after a 2-1 defeat to Arsene
Wenger's team at Upton Park on December 28. "We owe them one, as I think we
should have beaten them at home," he said. "It'll be a tough game, but we
can go there with confidence because on our day we're a decent team."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
IS CHICHARITO THE ANSWER?
By Iain Dale 9 Mar 2015 at 08:55
West Ham Till I Die
Rumours abound on various sites this morning that Javier Hernandez,
Chicharito, will be a West Ham target in the summer. He's currently on loan
at Real Madrid and has no long term future at Old Trafford and according to
speculation would cost around £8 million.
I have always liked watching him play and he certainly knows where the goal
is, scoring 37 times in 102 appearances at Old Trafford. He's also bagged 38
goals in 70 appearances for Mexico, although he's only appeared 12 times at
the Bernabeu, scoring three times. At 26 he's coming into his prime, or at
least ought to be.
I said over the weekend I thought we needed to buy a Defoe like striker who
could play alongside Carroll or Sakho. Is Chicharito the answer?
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham want Man City transfer target Aaron Cresswell to sign a new
contract already
22:30, 9 March 2015 By Adrian Kajumba
Left-back bought from Ipswich last summer still has 4 years to run on his
current deal but Hammers plan to reward him for an impressive debut campaign
The Mirror
West Ham want to hand Aaron Cresswell a new contract to keep him out of the
clutches of Manchester City. Left-back Cresswell is the next star in line
for a new deal as the Hammers continue their attempts to secure the
long-term futures of their main men. Champions City are hoping to ship out
Gael Clichy and eyeing Cresswell as his replacement, but West Ham are
desperate to hold on to the 25 year-old. At the end of the season, Cresswell
will still have four years left on the contract he signed when joining the
Londoners from Ipswich for around £4m last July. However, the Hammers want
to reward him for an impressive first season with an improved five-year deal
that will run until 2020. Cresswell has started 32 of West Ham's 33 games
this season, and been an ever-present in the league. Though manager Sam
Allardyce's own future won't be resolved until the summer, the club's
planning for next season and beyond is well underway. Centre-backs James
Tomkins and Winston Reid and midfielder Mark Noble have all signed long-term
deals recently. And the East Londoners are hoping to bring in a new
right-back, another centre-back, a central midfielder and a striker in the
summer. Co-owner David Gold has hinted that Carl Jenkinson's loan from
Arsenal will be made permanent, solving their search for a right-back.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Leroy: My Hammer of the Year
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 9, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
I have no doubt in my mind at all who should be voted Hammer of the Year –
AARON CRESSWELL! He's been an ever-present in the team since the first game
of the season and has performed brilliantly in the main ever since. He's had
a couple of iffy performances in recent weeks but in a first season out of
the Championship he has performed incredibly well and I have total
admiration for the way he's handled things.
To arrive from Ipswich for £3.5 million and take to the Premier League like
a duck to water is a fantastic achievement. He has been consistently good
going forward and has no doubt benefited from being given such an extended
run. Whilst most of the other teams towards the top have been switching
their back four players, Aaron has matured to the point where he is already
being discussed as England material. There have been other great performers
this season notably Diafra Sakho and it's a tough choice but when asked,
Aaron's name was the first to pop into my head. He's going to the top and
his switch to Upton Park was a tremendous piece of business!
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Sunderland still tracking Allardyce
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 9, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Karren Brady's revelation that her bookmaker friends have Sam Allardyce's
card marked for Sunderland are confirmation of a ClaretandHugh story as far
back as February 19. We revealed that he was "among the runners" to take
over at the Stadium of Light next season and that a former player would be
well received by the fans. The Hammers boss is still the favourite to be the
next Premier league managerial departure at around 11/4 and our Mackem
sources continue to insist he is the man 'most wanted' at the club. There
has been some talk that Gus Poyet could be 'next in' at West Ham but he
remains behind the likes of Slaven Bilic and Marcelo Bielsa. The Hammers
are reported to be "aggressively" addressing the issue of finding a suitable
replacement over the next few weeks. Slaven Bilic's odds have been cut quite
dramartically from 14/1 four weeks ago to 8/1 today in many places
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers on Hernandez case
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 9, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Javier Hernandez remains on West Ham's target as a possible transfer target.
Reports have bee circulating for some weeks that the on loan Manchester
United star is fancied by the club. Currently on an unhappy loan spell to
Real Madrid, the Hammers have him as one of several options for a summer
swoop. Tottenham are also watching the 26 year old along with Everton and
the Hammers are refusing to rule out their own interest. ClaretandHugh was
told: "We're aware of his availability and no final decisions have been made
on any targets. We have been busy tying down players to longer deals.
Anything else on the transfer front is possible in the summer." The often
reliable @ExWHUemployee has also mentioned there is substance to the story
in his www.ironviews.com column.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
---
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http://www.avast.com
WHUFC.com
Aaron Cresswell says the Hammers still have plenty to play for over the
final ten games of the campaign, despite slipping to tenth place in the
Barclays Premier League table following back-to-back defeats. A
disappointing showing against Crystal Palace was followed by a fine
performance against Chelsea, which did not get the reward it deserved, and
Cresswell says that response against the league leaders shows his team can
rise up inside the top ten again. With only Arsenal and Manchester City of
the division's top eight left to play this term, the No3 believes the
Hammers have a great chance of ending the campaign strongly. He said: "We
don't want the season to fizzle out. We want to get as high as we can. At
the start of the campaign if someone had said you are going to finish top
nine or top 10, we would have most probably taken it. "We are in a great
position now so why can't we have a nice push for the last 10 games of the
season?"
On a personal level, Cresswell has shone in his first season at the top
level. Many pundits are speculating that he could be in line for a first
England call or Hammer of the Year honours, but the left back is determined
to just get on with his game. He added: "There are 10 games to go, so I am
just going to keep my head down and keep working hard. "I started in the
lower leagues and haven't changed my game since. I just keep progressing and
coming up against two of the best players in the world for Chelsea –
especially Hazard – helps me learn. "Everyone wants to play for their
country and it would be a major honour for me and my family. I'm
concentrating on playing for West Ham and though last Saturday was not my
best of games I am sure the coach looks at games throughout the season."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Backroom Blog - Ian Hendon
WHUFC.com
The Spanish Soccer School welcomed us to Dubai Sports City
Hello everyone,
As he has done throughout his managerial career, the Gaffer has brought the
squad away for a short warm-weather training camp. This is something the
manager has done since I played under him at Notts County back in the 1990s.
He took us away from the training ground for a few days and, as much as
anything, the change of environment gave us a boost. Nowadays, we are
fortunate enough to have the resources here at West Ham United to take the
squad away to Dubai, where they not only benefit from the change in
surroundings, but also from having a bit of sun on their backs.
We have done this in each of the previous three seasons and the statistics
collated by our analysis staff have shown that these trips give the players
a welcome boost. As the manager has explained, there are well-documented
physical and psychological benefits to giving the players a break from the
training ground and everything that goes along with being Barclays Premier
League footballers. Therefore, it has been good for the lads to get away
after such a hectic period over the last few months.
We all know that our recent results have not been what he had hoped for and
expected, but our performances have generally been very good during a
challenging set of fixtures, so it was important for us to take stock,
refocus and recharge bodies and minds for our final ten important league
matches. We are confident this break will give the players a chance to
recharge their batteries and push back up the table in the remaining
fixtures
The facilities at the Dubai Sports City are some of the best you will find
anywhere in the world, too, meaning the players and staff could work
efficiently and effectively. We have also enjoyed visits from two familiar
faces – former West Ham striker Frederic Kanoute and the ex-Spain full-back
Michel Salgado, who each run soccer schools for young players in Dubai. The
main purpose of the first few days out here was for them to rest and recover
from the match against Chelsea. They have been doing work on the beach, in
the gym and in the pool.
On Sunday we were back on the training pitch, getting a feel of the ball
again with a bit of passing and head tennis. The Monday morning session was
a fairly normal start to the week, similar to what we would do back home.
This was a harder session that included more ball work, as well as 8v8
matches and strength work to finish off. We are confident this break will
give the players a chance to recharge their batteries and push back up the
table in the remaining fixtures. You can be rest assured that the lads will
be firing on all cylinders when we travel to Arsenal on Saturday.
Come on you Irons!
Ian Hendon
First-team coach
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Downing - 'It will help us to end strongly'
WHUFC.com
Stewart Downing says West Ham United will return to action rested and
recharged following their warm-weather training trip to Dubai.
The Hammers spent a long weekend in the United Arab Emirates, recovering
from a packed fixture list that saw them play 15 matches since Boxing Day.
With ten Barclays Premier League games remaining, starting with a trip to
Arsenal on Saturday afternoon, the England midfielder says a change in
environment, temperature and surroundings was just what the squad needed. "I
think it's good for us to get away at this time of year," said the No11, who
has scored eight goals and registered eight assists this term. "A lot of
countries do have a winter break, so a couple of days rest means we can
rest, recover and get ready for the next game. "I think we needed a break.
We had a lot of games with the FA Cup games and obviously the Barclays
Premier League, so it's nice to get a couple of days rest and recover for
the next one.
After recovering from Wednesday's hard-fought 1-0 home defeat by Chelsea,
the Hammers returned to the training pitch at Dubai Sports City (DSC), where
the coaching staff led a series of ball-based drills. The modern facilities
attract leading clubs from all over the world, and also serve as a base for
the Spanish Soccer Schools run by former Real Madrid and Spain full-back
Michel Salgado – who played under Sam Allardyce and assistant Neil McDonald
at Blackburn Rovers. There, they also received a visit from former West Ham
striker Frederic Kanoute, who now lives and runs his own Kafo Academy for
young footballers in Dubai. I hope it will help us to end strongly and do
better than we did last year and finish in the top ten if we can
Downing said the players enjoyed the use of the grass and artificial pitches
at DSC, adding that he hopes the trip will serve as a catalyst for the
Hammers to finish the season strongly after a challenging start to 2015. "We
did a bit of head tennis and a bit of passing – it was a light training
session so it was decent," he confirmed. "I hope it will help us to end
strongly and do better than we did last year and finish in the top ten if we
can. "The team bonding part of it is good for the lads and it's nice for the
new boys to get involved with the lads too."
Looking ahead to Saturday's trip to north London, Downing says West Ham are
determined to get one over the Gunners after being edged out 2-1 at the
Boleyn Ground on 28 December. That game saw Arsenal go two goals up before
the Hammers launched a furious second-half comeback, but could not add to
Cheikhou Kouyate's 54th-minute header. Arsene Wenger's team are in good
domestic form, having won their last four league matches, but may have one
eye on next Tuesday's UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg tie in
Monaco, where they have to overcome a 3-1 deficit. "We owe them one, as I
think we should have beaten them at home," Downing confirmed. "It'll be a
tough game, but we can go there with confidence because on our day we're a
decent team."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Loan round up
WHUFC.com
Modibo Maiga played the full 90 minutes in FC Metz' 1-0 defeat away to
Rennes. The loss sees FC Metz stay at the foot of Ligue Un.
Elliot Lee came on the 68th minute for Luton Town as they slipped to a 3-2
home defeat to Morecombe. The visitors took an early lead when Jack Redshaw
broke the deadlock before Laurence Wilson doubled their lead.
Luton rallied when Cameron McGeehan pulled a goal back before Alex Lawless
equalised in the 76th minute. The Shrimps took all three points when Luke
Wilkinson scored an own goal.
Tim Brown played the full game as Canvey Island slipped to a 1-0 away defeat
to Leatherhead, substitute Carl Rook's second half goal was enough to seal
the victory.
Nathan Mavila played the full game for Wealdstone as they lost 4-1 to
Bishops Stortford.
Doneil Henry was an unused substitute in Blackburn's 0-0 draw away at
Liverpool in the quarter-final of the FA Cup.
Raphael Spiegel was an unused substitute in Carlisle United's 3-1 defeat to
Exeter City.
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Controversial end to Ladies' clash
WHUFC.com
West Ham Ladies marked International Ladies Day with a 0-0 draw away to
Plymouth Argyle on Sunday afternoon. During the opening half, the Hammers
caused Plymouth plenty of problems with the attacking threat of Vicky
Kinsman, Emma Sherwood and Kelley Blanchflower, however it was midfielder
Adele Sale who had one of the best chances for West Ham after drawing a
strong save out of the home goalkeeper.
After the half time break, the Hammers continued to pressure their Devon
hosts as they looked for the opening goal of the game, where the Hammers saw
two shots cleared off the line and substitute Gemma Abela was also denied by
an acrobatic save.
However, after dominating throughout the match and having the better chances
in front of goal, the Hammers were denied all three points when Danica
Revell's headed goal was disallowed in injury time after the full time
whistle was blown as the ball headed towards goal.
Hammers boss Julian Dicks made three changes to the side that suffered semi
final heartbreak away to Preston a week earlier. Goalkeeper Nikki Duncan
returned to the starting line up in place of Nikita Runnacles, whilst
Blanchflower also made a comeback to the Hammers' starting XI to replace
Jade Smith and Katie Bottom was the preferred choice at full back instead of
Vicki King.
With the FA Women's Premier League Plate defeat still fresh in the players
memory, the visitors were hoping to return to winning ways against a side
they defeated 5-2 at home back in late September. The opening stages didn't
indicate that a similar result was on the cards, as both teams were
struggling to keep the ball on the surface and play on a rough pitch. West
Ham did have the better of the chances during the first period though, with
Sale's low shot that was saved by Plymouth keeper Michaela Phillips being
the most noticeable chance for either side.
In the early stages of the second half, Dicks made his only change of the
game as he introduced Development Squad midfielder Abela to the game, who
instantly made an impact when the ball fell to her feet from a corner, but
Phillips was again on form to deny the visitors.
Still the Hammers pushed and they went close on two more occasions, but
Plymouth stood strong and managed to clear both efforts off the line.
In the final seconds of the game, the Hammers thought they had scored the
winning goal of the game. As a corner was taken, centre back Revell rose
well to head home, only to realise that the referee had already blown the
full time whistle as the ball entered the Plymouth penalty area.
The Hammers will look to pick up their first FA Women's Premier League South
victory since early January when they host Queens Park Rangers on Sunday 15
March. The match has been moved to AFC Hornchurch's stadium on Bridge
Avenue, with kick off scheduled for 2pm.
West Ham United Ladies: Duncan, Bottom, Baxter, Revell, Stimson, Bowers,
Little (c), Sale (Abela), Blanchflower, Kinsman, Sherwood.
Subs not used: Mellors, Runnacles, King.
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Dubai done, next stop the Emirates
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 9th March 2015
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's first team squad are coming to the end of their short warm
weather training break in Dubai.
The Hammers flew out to the United Arab Emirates last Thursday - a journey
of some 3,400 miles - and are expected back in the UK within the next 48
hours, ahead of this weekend's rather shorter trip to Arsenal.
Spirits in the camp appear to be high, with the players looking happy and
relaxed as they are put through their paces by Sam Allarydce's back room
staff.
And whilst the players have been working hard on the training ground, one or
two have also taken advantage of the opportunity to do a little sightseeing,
as you can see from the pictures below.
Meanwhile manager Allardyce was seen sporting a fetching yellow and green
outfit this morning as he greeted former Real Madrid star Míchel Salgado.
The 39-year-old previously worked alongside Big Sam at Blackburn and popped
along to see how his former boss was getting on.
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Gianfranco Zola sacked - again
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 9th March 2015
By: Staff Writer
Former Hammers boss Franco Zola has been dismissed as head coach of Italian
club Cagliari. The 48-year-old, who was manager of West Ham between 2008 and
2010 had been in charge of Gli Isolani for just three months when he was
fired having failed to turn around the club's ailing fortunes. Cagliari
opted to pull the trigger this weekend after Zola's side has managed to take
just one point from their last six games - a sequence that left the
Sardinians firmly rooted in the bottom three with just 20 points from their
opening 26 games.
Zola's final game in charge came at the weekend when Cagliari were beaten
2-0 at high-flying Sampdoria, courtesy of strikes from Lorenzo De Silvestri
and former Chelsea striker Samuel Eto'o.
A club statement confirmed Zola's departure this morning. "Cagliari Calcio
announces that it has dismissed Gianfranco Zola and his staff from the
technical guidance of the first team," it read.
"This decision was made reluctantly, in respect of a great man who wrote
unforgettable pages in the history of Cagliari, bringing lustre and prestige
to Sardinia.
"He and his staff depart with thanks for the work done in recent months,
carried out with dedication, professionalism and passion. We wish him
heartfelt good luck for the rest of his career."
Zola became West Ham United's 12th full-time manager and the club's first
foreign appointment when he replaced the outgoing Alan Curbishley in
September 2008.
His first season at the Boleyn proved to be a huge success, with the Hammers
finishing ninth in the Premier League despite having lost key personnel such
as Matthew Etherington (sold to Stoke for £3m), Hayden Mullins (Portsmouth,
£1m) and Craig Bellamy (to Man City for approximately £9.5m) during the
season.
And although necessary at the time, that string of departures was to cost
the club dear. The following season, Zola's second, West Ham ended the
campaign with just 35 points - but still managed to finish five points clear
of relegation.
However that finish wasn't good enough for the club's new incoming owners
who replaced Zola with Avram Grant - the reward for which was relegation to
the Championship the following year.
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No-one likes us, says new poll
KUMb,com
Filed: Monday, 9th March 2015
By: Staff Writer
Recent images of a small group of West Ham fans confronting co-chairman
David Sullivan in a car park at West Brom may have negatively impacted upon
the general perception of the club's fan base.
A new YouGov poll reveals than one in four encounters with West Ham
supporters have left a negative impression upon Londoners, more than 1,000
of whom were polled for the survey.
That's a figure which is only marginally better than that of Millwall and
Chelsea, whose supporters have the worst public perception amongst people
living in the capital.
When asked whether they had a generally positive or negative impression of
West Ham United supporters, 25 of those polled said the latter applied
whilst just one in five, or 20 per cent admitted their experience/s of Irons
fans had been largely positive.
Topping the poll for positive impressions with 33 per cent were Arsenal,
followed by Fulham (28 per cent). Only Chelsea (13 per cent) and Millwall
(seven per cent) recorded a lower score than West Ham.
Unsurprisingly given the above, Milwall (45 per cent) and Chelsea (43 per
cent) topped the poll for negative impressions, with West Ham narrowly
beating Tottenham to third place (25 per cent to Spurs' 21).
The poll comes in stark contrast to a survey conducted in October 2013, when
West Ham supporters were voted the most well-behaved in the Premier League.
YouGov Survery on London Football Fans
Leaving a Positive Impression
1. Arsenal 33%
2. Fulham 28%
3. Tottenham 24%
4. Crystal Palace 23%
5. Brentford; QPR 22%
7. Charlton 21%
8. West Ham Utd; Orient 20%
10. Chelsea 13%
11. Millwall 7%
Leaving a Negative Impression
1. Millwall 45%
2. Chelsea 43%
3. West Ham Utd 25%
4. Tottenham 21%
5. Arsenal 18%
6. Crystal Palace 15%
7. Charlton; QPR 11%
9. Fulham, Orient 10%
11. Brentford 8%
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Stewart Downing says Dubai trip can help West Ham in Premier League
Last Updated: 09/03/15 11:49am
SSN
Stewart Downing expects a warm-weather training trip to Dubai to pay off for
West Ham in the closing stages of the Premier League season.
Sam Allardyce and his West Ham squad have spent a long weekend in the United
Arab Emirates, recovering from 15 matches in all competitions since the
league defeat at Chelsea on Boxing Day. West Ham face the first of their
remaining 10 league games at Arsenal on Saturday, and England winger Downing
says the Dubai experience was a much-needed addition to their schedule. "I
think it's good for us to get away at this time of year," said Downing. "A
lot of countries do have a winter break, so a couple of days' rest means we
can recover and get ready for the next game. "I think we needed a break. We
had a lot of games with the FA Cup and obviously the Premier League. I hope
it will help us to end strongly and do better than we did last year and
finish in the top 10 if we can. "The team bonding part of it is good for the
lads and it's nice for the new boys to get involved with the lads too."
Downing says that West Ham are determined to achieve a positive result
against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium after a 2-1 defeat to Arsene
Wenger's team at Upton Park on December 28. "We owe them one, as I think we
should have beaten them at home," he said. "It'll be a tough game, but we
can go there with confidence because on our day we're a decent team."
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IS CHICHARITO THE ANSWER?
By Iain Dale 9 Mar 2015 at 08:55
West Ham Till I Die
Rumours abound on various sites this morning that Javier Hernandez,
Chicharito, will be a West Ham target in the summer. He's currently on loan
at Real Madrid and has no long term future at Old Trafford and according to
speculation would cost around £8 million.
I have always liked watching him play and he certainly knows where the goal
is, scoring 37 times in 102 appearances at Old Trafford. He's also bagged 38
goals in 70 appearances for Mexico, although he's only appeared 12 times at
the Bernabeu, scoring three times. At 26 he's coming into his prime, or at
least ought to be.
I said over the weekend I thought we needed to buy a Defoe like striker who
could play alongside Carroll or Sakho. Is Chicharito the answer?
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West Ham want Man City transfer target Aaron Cresswell to sign a new
contract already
22:30, 9 March 2015 By Adrian Kajumba
Left-back bought from Ipswich last summer still has 4 years to run on his
current deal but Hammers plan to reward him for an impressive debut campaign
The Mirror
West Ham want to hand Aaron Cresswell a new contract to keep him out of the
clutches of Manchester City. Left-back Cresswell is the next star in line
for a new deal as the Hammers continue their attempts to secure the
long-term futures of their main men. Champions City are hoping to ship out
Gael Clichy and eyeing Cresswell as his replacement, but West Ham are
desperate to hold on to the 25 year-old. At the end of the season, Cresswell
will still have four years left on the contract he signed when joining the
Londoners from Ipswich for around £4m last July. However, the Hammers want
to reward him for an impressive first season with an improved five-year deal
that will run until 2020. Cresswell has started 32 of West Ham's 33 games
this season, and been an ever-present in the league. Though manager Sam
Allardyce's own future won't be resolved until the summer, the club's
planning for next season and beyond is well underway. Centre-backs James
Tomkins and Winston Reid and midfielder Mark Noble have all signed long-term
deals recently. And the East Londoners are hoping to bring in a new
right-back, another centre-back, a central midfielder and a striker in the
summer. Co-owner David Gold has hinted that Carl Jenkinson's loan from
Arsenal will be made permanent, solving their search for a right-back.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Leroy: My Hammer of the Year
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 9, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
I have no doubt in my mind at all who should be voted Hammer of the Year –
AARON CRESSWELL! He's been an ever-present in the team since the first game
of the season and has performed brilliantly in the main ever since. He's had
a couple of iffy performances in recent weeks but in a first season out of
the Championship he has performed incredibly well and I have total
admiration for the way he's handled things.
To arrive from Ipswich for £3.5 million and take to the Premier League like
a duck to water is a fantastic achievement. He has been consistently good
going forward and has no doubt benefited from being given such an extended
run. Whilst most of the other teams towards the top have been switching
their back four players, Aaron has matured to the point where he is already
being discussed as England material. There have been other great performers
this season notably Diafra Sakho and it's a tough choice but when asked,
Aaron's name was the first to pop into my head. He's going to the top and
his switch to Upton Park was a tremendous piece of business!
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Sunderland still tracking Allardyce
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 9, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Karren Brady's revelation that her bookmaker friends have Sam Allardyce's
card marked for Sunderland are confirmation of a ClaretandHugh story as far
back as February 19. We revealed that he was "among the runners" to take
over at the Stadium of Light next season and that a former player would be
well received by the fans. The Hammers boss is still the favourite to be the
next Premier league managerial departure at around 11/4 and our Mackem
sources continue to insist he is the man 'most wanted' at the club. There
has been some talk that Gus Poyet could be 'next in' at West Ham but he
remains behind the likes of Slaven Bilic and Marcelo Bielsa. The Hammers
are reported to be "aggressively" addressing the issue of finding a suitable
replacement over the next few weeks. Slaven Bilic's odds have been cut quite
dramartically from 14/1 four weeks ago to 8/1 today in many places
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers on Hernandez case
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 9, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Javier Hernandez remains on West Ham's target as a possible transfer target.
Reports have bee circulating for some weeks that the on loan Manchester
United star is fancied by the club. Currently on an unhappy loan spell to
Real Madrid, the Hammers have him as one of several options for a summer
swoop. Tottenham are also watching the 26 year old along with Everton and
the Hammers are refusing to rule out their own interest. ClaretandHugh was
told: "We're aware of his availability and no final decisions have been made
on any targets. We have been busy tying down players to longer deals.
Anything else on the transfer front is possible in the summer." The often
reliable @ExWHUemployee has also mentioned there is substance to the story
in his www.ironviews.com column.
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Monday, March 9
Daily WHUFC News - 9th March 2015
Brown targets victory over Black Cats
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Development Squad striker Jordan Brown is relishing Monday night's crucial match with Sunderland at the Black Cat's Eppleton training ground. The Dev Squad last played over a month ago when they recorded an impressive 2-1 win over London rivals Fulham, with Brown netting the winner with a header at the back post, his first goal for the U21s this season. Speaking ahead of the Hammers crunch game with the Black Cats, the in-form striker Jordan Brown said: "It's been a while since our last U21 game, about a month and I'm really looking forward to getting back playing. "It was very important to win our last game before the break. I think we've got the foundation of the team sorted now, we just need to carry on playing from where we left off." In the reverse fixture at the start of the season, the Dev Squad triumphed 2-0 courtesy of two late goals from Elliot Lee. Now that the Dev Squad top goal scorer on five goals has gone out on loan at Luton Town, Brown knows he has an opportunity to fill Lee's shoes."We beat Sunderland at Upton Park, the good thing in that game was that we kept it tight at the back. Even though we had first team experience, everyone did well and we deserved to win.
"I know Sunderland are a hardworking team, they have several players who likes to get on the ball and Duncan Watmore, a winger who can play upfront who is really quick, he likes to get in behind the defence so we need to wary of that."
Having scored seven goals in 14 games for the U18s this season, Brown boasts an impressive scoring ratio of a goal every other game and the Hammers will need the striker to be at his prolific best come Monday evening. Following the Sunderland game, the Hammers face a difficult run of games as they face Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United in their next three games. "A win is probably a must at this point of the season. If we keep playing well then you never know what might happen. "We just need to focus what's ahead of us and not what's behind us. We just need to concentrate, work hard as a team and get those wins."
Having impressed for the U18s and U21s, Brown has caught the attentions of the first team coaches and he now regularly trains with the senior team. Speaking about his experiences of training alongside fellow striker such as Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia, Brown continued: "It's been good training with the first team, it's not as scary as I thought it would be. They're nice people to work with and obviously it's great to train with Premier League players, it can only help my development. "All of the players have impressed me at different points, as a striker I've come up against James Tomkins quite a few times. "Playing against him, I've realised how clever he is, and how clever you need to be to play in the Premiership. I'll make a run and he'll read it even before the ball has been played. He'll get to it before I've even seen him coming so he's impressed me a lot."
West Ham United Development Squad play Sunderland U21s on Monday 9 March, kick off is 7PM.
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WILL OUR SEASON FADE AND DIE?
By Tony Hanna 8 Mar 2015 at 09:46
West Ham Till I Die
For those of you on blood pressure medication and that have to take your BP readings on a regular basis, this season may have seen some relief for your ailment. Unlike many recent seasons we are not continually looking at the fixture list wondering where the next points are coming from to stave off relegation. Isn't it nice? It is just as well too, as we have not been getting any rub of the green of late. Poor refereeing decisions have cost us many points and the rescinding of red cards and subsequent bans enforced by video evidence is nice to see, but has not really helped us one iota! Our own deficiencies have also seen four points float down the proverbial river against teams we love to beat. Late goals from Spurs and Manchester United were hard to take.
When we hit the dizzy heights of third this season, expectations amongst some fans were of Europe and a top six finish. However, with just one league win this year the Hammers have slumped to tenth and the season now looks as though it may fade away into obscurity. Safe from relegation, albeit not mathematically, and seemingly now adrift from the top echelon, we have little to play for but pride and some extra prize money. So, will the team respond to having the pressure off or will our season just die an early death? Whilst we have ten games left only four of those are at home. We still have to play Arsenal and City away but we also go to QPR and Leicester. All the home games are very winnable with Sunderland, Stoke, Burnley and Everton still to visit Upton Park.
An age old question raises it head again, especially for the games later in the season. Who will come out on top? The team with not much to play for that can play without any pressure on them, or the team that has the pressure on to obtain a certain goal such as a top four position or to stave off relegation. The bookies normally price up the latter much shorter so I am not going to argue their point. The most likely outcome is that we will take the foot off the pedal to some degree. Perhaps that is why we have raised our game for the big matches recently, where there is some sense of greater achievement derived from winning? That is not to say I am suggesting we are not trying against the lesser likes, just that in this league you will normally get beat if you are not 100% on your game.
Off the field and the signing of Winston Reid to a long term contract is great news. Not only have we secured a very decent centre half but it has saved us from having to spend a great deal of money to find a replacement. Those funds can now be used to sign Carl Jenkinson or add strength to other parts of the squad. Unless there is a real change in the form of Alex Song I can not imagine the club will want to go anywhere near the suggested transfer fee or his wage demands? Perhaps we dodged a very expensive bullet there because there would be little left in the transfer pot if we did put all our eggs in the one basket. Now, where have I heard that saying before?
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Jenks price talks on end of season agenda
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 8, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham will make their first move for Carl Jenkinson as soon as the season ends. The club have not yet spoken to Arsenal about making the loan deal permanent but ClaretandHugh has learned that it is high on the agenda as one of the first things the club wants done in the summer. A well placed source insisted that no talks had yet been held and that "at this stage" the club was unsure what Arsenal are looking for in terms of a fee. But he added: "We will be talking to them as soon as the season comes to an end and find out whrere we are with things. " The price could be affected by a hip issue which has to be carefully maintained by the club medics but we were told: "The lad has done really well and we will be getting into talks."
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Ex Hamburg midfielder in Hammers Dubai link
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 8, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Diafra Sakho posted an Instagram photo of himself in Dubai with Carlton Cole, Guy Demel and a mystery bearded man having lunch at the luxury Blue Marlin Ibiza in the United Arab Emirates on Friday. The mystery man appears to be the former Hamburg midfielder Josef Shirdel who is now a free agent and has been training with West Ham since February with some suggesting he has been given a trial by Sam Allardyce. Andy Carroll, Alex Song, Nene and Winston Reid didn't travel with the first team for warm weather training in Dubai Sports City. Winston Reid appears to have been given time off after he posted a photo of himself in Paris yesterday.
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West Ham players train in Dubai ahead of vital matches
HITC
Vincent Ralph
2 hours ago
West Ham United's players have been taking part in training in new surroundings. West Ham United's players have been photographed taking part in their warm weather training in Dubai. The pictures were published by the Hammers' official Twitter account and they showed the likes of Cheikhou Kouyate, Guy Demel, Mark Noble and Matt Jarvis being put through their paces. West Ham have taken the opportunity of a free weekend to travel to Dubai, with the FA Cup quarter-finals allowing a number of clubs to take stock before the business-end of the season. Along with the usual faces, there was also a surprise in the guise of former West Ham striker Freddie Kanoute but it is up to the current crop of Hammers stars to ensure they end the campaign in the best possible vein. Sam Allardyce's side have impressed for much of the season, but a poor run of form has seen them drop to 10th in the Premier League after defeats against Liverpool, Crystal Palace and Chelsea and some disappointing draws. West Ham's next match is away to Arsenal and Allardyce will surely be hoping the change of scene has allowed his side to refocus and get back to winning ways.
West Ham United FC ✔ @whufc_official
PICS: @FredericKanoute was a welcome visitor to the Hammers' warm-weather training camp in Dubai #COYI
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West Ham chief David Gold hints at permanent move for Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson
Evening Standar
Published: 08 March 2015 Updated: 16:47, 08 March 2015
West Ham chief David Gold has seemingly hinted at a permanent move for Arsenal's Carl Jenkinson in the summer. The right-back is spending the season on loan at Upton Park and has made 24 appearances under Sam Allardyce this term. The Hammers are due to play Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Saturday and asked if Jenkinson will be eligible to feature against his parent club, Gold told a fan on social media: "He will not play against Arsenal. This year." "@juliansheasport: Is Carl Jenkinson available to play v Arsenal or does loan forbid it? He will not play against Arsenal. This year. Dg — David Gold (@davidgold) March 7, 2015
Jenkinson arrived at West Ham in the summer after Arsene Wenger signed Mathieu Debuchy and Calum Chambers in the wake of Bacary Sagna's depature to Manchester City last summer. Both additions immediately leapfrogged the former Charlton man in the full-back pecking order at Emirates Stadium and he eventually joined West Ham in July. The 23-year-old right-back has made 57 appearances for the Gunners in three season since arriving from The Valley in 2011.
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Connolly hangs up his boots
Sunday 8th March 2015 9:12
TeamTalk
AFC Wimbledon striker David Connolly has announced his retirement from football with immediate effect. The 37-year-old made over 400 senior club appearances during his career that saw him turn out for Watford, Feyenoord, Wolves, Excelsior, Wimbledon, West Ham, Leicester, Wigan, Sunderland, Southampton, Portsmouth and Oxford. He also appeared 41 times for Republic of Ireland and featured at the 2002 World Cup as a substitute during the second-round defeat to Spain. Connolly joined AFC Wimbledon in January after his contract with Portsmouth was cancelled by mutual consent. It was his second spell with the club, having played for the old Wimbledon between 2001 and 2003, when he scored 42 goals in 68 appearances. He managed just one goal in eight games this time around, but that strike was a stoppage-time winner during a 3-2 victory over Luton. The veteran called it a day following discussions with his manager and former team-mate Neal Ardley.
He told the Dons' official website: "I pulled Neal aside for a heart-to-heart chat and I felt that now was the time to call it a day.
"As time has gone on I felt that starting games was difficult and so too was travelling up and down the country to come off the bench for 10 minutes or so. Neal needed a striker that could play off (Adebayo) Akinfenwa and start games and that wasn't me. "I have always had fond memories of this club and my winning goal against Luton will live long in the memory. It was great to bring that joy to everyone at the club."
Ardley had warm praise for his departing player. He told Dons Player: "David was the best striker I ever played with. I played with some good ones when I was with England Under-21s. "David's movement and understanding of space was first class. He is a good friend of mine and a good friend of the club. I have invited David to come back and do coaching at the club whenever he is ready. "I have total respect for David. He feels that the money we are paying him would be better spent on someone who can start games. He does not feel he is that person.
"That is a rare quality to accept that. I cannot speak highly enough of him. I tried to talk him around, but his mind was made up. "He is a great guy and it would have been sad if he had not had that great moment against Luton. That felt really special and more than us just getting three points."
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WHUFC.com
West Ham United Development Squad striker Jordan Brown is relishing Monday night's crucial match with Sunderland at the Black Cat's Eppleton training ground. The Dev Squad last played over a month ago when they recorded an impressive 2-1 win over London rivals Fulham, with Brown netting the winner with a header at the back post, his first goal for the U21s this season. Speaking ahead of the Hammers crunch game with the Black Cats, the in-form striker Jordan Brown said: "It's been a while since our last U21 game, about a month and I'm really looking forward to getting back playing. "It was very important to win our last game before the break. I think we've got the foundation of the team sorted now, we just need to carry on playing from where we left off." In the reverse fixture at the start of the season, the Dev Squad triumphed 2-0 courtesy of two late goals from Elliot Lee. Now that the Dev Squad top goal scorer on five goals has gone out on loan at Luton Town, Brown knows he has an opportunity to fill Lee's shoes."We beat Sunderland at Upton Park, the good thing in that game was that we kept it tight at the back. Even though we had first team experience, everyone did well and we deserved to win.
"I know Sunderland are a hardworking team, they have several players who likes to get on the ball and Duncan Watmore, a winger who can play upfront who is really quick, he likes to get in behind the defence so we need to wary of that."
Having scored seven goals in 14 games for the U18s this season, Brown boasts an impressive scoring ratio of a goal every other game and the Hammers will need the striker to be at his prolific best come Monday evening. Following the Sunderland game, the Hammers face a difficult run of games as they face Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United in their next three games. "A win is probably a must at this point of the season. If we keep playing well then you never know what might happen. "We just need to focus what's ahead of us and not what's behind us. We just need to concentrate, work hard as a team and get those wins."
Having impressed for the U18s and U21s, Brown has caught the attentions of the first team coaches and he now regularly trains with the senior team. Speaking about his experiences of training alongside fellow striker such as Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia, Brown continued: "It's been good training with the first team, it's not as scary as I thought it would be. They're nice people to work with and obviously it's great to train with Premier League players, it can only help my development. "All of the players have impressed me at different points, as a striker I've come up against James Tomkins quite a few times. "Playing against him, I've realised how clever he is, and how clever you need to be to play in the Premiership. I'll make a run and he'll read it even before the ball has been played. He'll get to it before I've even seen him coming so he's impressed me a lot."
West Ham United Development Squad play Sunderland U21s on Monday 9 March, kick off is 7PM.
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WILL OUR SEASON FADE AND DIE?
By Tony Hanna 8 Mar 2015 at 09:46
West Ham Till I Die
For those of you on blood pressure medication and that have to take your BP readings on a regular basis, this season may have seen some relief for your ailment. Unlike many recent seasons we are not continually looking at the fixture list wondering where the next points are coming from to stave off relegation. Isn't it nice? It is just as well too, as we have not been getting any rub of the green of late. Poor refereeing decisions have cost us many points and the rescinding of red cards and subsequent bans enforced by video evidence is nice to see, but has not really helped us one iota! Our own deficiencies have also seen four points float down the proverbial river against teams we love to beat. Late goals from Spurs and Manchester United were hard to take.
When we hit the dizzy heights of third this season, expectations amongst some fans were of Europe and a top six finish. However, with just one league win this year the Hammers have slumped to tenth and the season now looks as though it may fade away into obscurity. Safe from relegation, albeit not mathematically, and seemingly now adrift from the top echelon, we have little to play for but pride and some extra prize money. So, will the team respond to having the pressure off or will our season just die an early death? Whilst we have ten games left only four of those are at home. We still have to play Arsenal and City away but we also go to QPR and Leicester. All the home games are very winnable with Sunderland, Stoke, Burnley and Everton still to visit Upton Park.
An age old question raises it head again, especially for the games later in the season. Who will come out on top? The team with not much to play for that can play without any pressure on them, or the team that has the pressure on to obtain a certain goal such as a top four position or to stave off relegation. The bookies normally price up the latter much shorter so I am not going to argue their point. The most likely outcome is that we will take the foot off the pedal to some degree. Perhaps that is why we have raised our game for the big matches recently, where there is some sense of greater achievement derived from winning? That is not to say I am suggesting we are not trying against the lesser likes, just that in this league you will normally get beat if you are not 100% on your game.
Off the field and the signing of Winston Reid to a long term contract is great news. Not only have we secured a very decent centre half but it has saved us from having to spend a great deal of money to find a replacement. Those funds can now be used to sign Carl Jenkinson or add strength to other parts of the squad. Unless there is a real change in the form of Alex Song I can not imagine the club will want to go anywhere near the suggested transfer fee or his wage demands? Perhaps we dodged a very expensive bullet there because there would be little left in the transfer pot if we did put all our eggs in the one basket. Now, where have I heard that saying before?
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Jenks price talks on end of season agenda
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 8, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham will make their first move for Carl Jenkinson as soon as the season ends. The club have not yet spoken to Arsenal about making the loan deal permanent but ClaretandHugh has learned that it is high on the agenda as one of the first things the club wants done in the summer. A well placed source insisted that no talks had yet been held and that "at this stage" the club was unsure what Arsenal are looking for in terms of a fee. But he added: "We will be talking to them as soon as the season comes to an end and find out whrere we are with things. " The price could be affected by a hip issue which has to be carefully maintained by the club medics but we were told: "The lad has done really well and we will be getting into talks."
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Ex Hamburg midfielder in Hammers Dubai link
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 8, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Diafra Sakho posted an Instagram photo of himself in Dubai with Carlton Cole, Guy Demel and a mystery bearded man having lunch at the luxury Blue Marlin Ibiza in the United Arab Emirates on Friday. The mystery man appears to be the former Hamburg midfielder Josef Shirdel who is now a free agent and has been training with West Ham since February with some suggesting he has been given a trial by Sam Allardyce. Andy Carroll, Alex Song, Nene and Winston Reid didn't travel with the first team for warm weather training in Dubai Sports City. Winston Reid appears to have been given time off after he posted a photo of himself in Paris yesterday.
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West Ham players train in Dubai ahead of vital matches
HITC
Vincent Ralph
2 hours ago
West Ham United's players have been taking part in training in new surroundings. West Ham United's players have been photographed taking part in their warm weather training in Dubai. The pictures were published by the Hammers' official Twitter account and they showed the likes of Cheikhou Kouyate, Guy Demel, Mark Noble and Matt Jarvis being put through their paces. West Ham have taken the opportunity of a free weekend to travel to Dubai, with the FA Cup quarter-finals allowing a number of clubs to take stock before the business-end of the season. Along with the usual faces, there was also a surprise in the guise of former West Ham striker Freddie Kanoute but it is up to the current crop of Hammers stars to ensure they end the campaign in the best possible vein. Sam Allardyce's side have impressed for much of the season, but a poor run of form has seen them drop to 10th in the Premier League after defeats against Liverpool, Crystal Palace and Chelsea and some disappointing draws. West Ham's next match is away to Arsenal and Allardyce will surely be hoping the change of scene has allowed his side to refocus and get back to winning ways.
West Ham United FC ✔ @whufc_official
PICS: @FredericKanoute was a welcome visitor to the Hammers' warm-weather training camp in Dubai #COYI
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West Ham chief David Gold hints at permanent move for Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson
Evening Standar
Published: 08 March 2015 Updated: 16:47, 08 March 2015
West Ham chief David Gold has seemingly hinted at a permanent move for Arsenal's Carl Jenkinson in the summer. The right-back is spending the season on loan at Upton Park and has made 24 appearances under Sam Allardyce this term. The Hammers are due to play Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Saturday and asked if Jenkinson will be eligible to feature against his parent club, Gold told a fan on social media: "He will not play against Arsenal. This year." "@juliansheasport: Is Carl Jenkinson available to play v Arsenal or does loan forbid it? He will not play against Arsenal. This year. Dg — David Gold (@davidgold) March 7, 2015
Jenkinson arrived at West Ham in the summer after Arsene Wenger signed Mathieu Debuchy and Calum Chambers in the wake of Bacary Sagna's depature to Manchester City last summer. Both additions immediately leapfrogged the former Charlton man in the full-back pecking order at Emirates Stadium and he eventually joined West Ham in July. The 23-year-old right-back has made 57 appearances for the Gunners in three season since arriving from The Valley in 2011.
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Connolly hangs up his boots
Sunday 8th March 2015 9:12
TeamTalk
AFC Wimbledon striker David Connolly has announced his retirement from football with immediate effect. The 37-year-old made over 400 senior club appearances during his career that saw him turn out for Watford, Feyenoord, Wolves, Excelsior, Wimbledon, West Ham, Leicester, Wigan, Sunderland, Southampton, Portsmouth and Oxford. He also appeared 41 times for Republic of Ireland and featured at the 2002 World Cup as a substitute during the second-round defeat to Spain. Connolly joined AFC Wimbledon in January after his contract with Portsmouth was cancelled by mutual consent. It was his second spell with the club, having played for the old Wimbledon between 2001 and 2003, when he scored 42 goals in 68 appearances. He managed just one goal in eight games this time around, but that strike was a stoppage-time winner during a 3-2 victory over Luton. The veteran called it a day following discussions with his manager and former team-mate Neal Ardley.
He told the Dons' official website: "I pulled Neal aside for a heart-to-heart chat and I felt that now was the time to call it a day.
"As time has gone on I felt that starting games was difficult and so too was travelling up and down the country to come off the bench for 10 minutes or so. Neal needed a striker that could play off (Adebayo) Akinfenwa and start games and that wasn't me. "I have always had fond memories of this club and my winning goal against Luton will live long in the memory. It was great to bring that joy to everyone at the club."
Ardley had warm praise for his departing player. He told Dons Player: "David was the best striker I ever played with. I played with some good ones when I was with England Under-21s. "David's movement and understanding of space was first class. He is a good friend of mine and a good friend of the club. I have invited David to come back and do coaching at the club whenever he is ready. "I have total respect for David. He feels that the money we are paying him would be better spent on someone who can start games. He does not feel he is that person.
"That is a rare quality to accept that. I cannot speak highly enough of him. I tried to talk him around, but his mind was made up. "He is a great guy and it would have been sad if he had not had that great moment against Luton. That felt really special and more than us just getting three points."
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Sunday, March 8
Daily WHUFC News - 8th March 2015
Westley expecting tough Black Cats test
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Academy manager and head of coaching and player development Terry Westley is expecting a tough away trip to the North East as the Hammers face Sunderland on Monday. The Development Squad are looking to continue to extent their good run of results after they beat Fulham 2-1 in their last game, a little over a month ago. The vital win over the Cottagers at Rush Green came courtesy of early goals from Josh Cullen and Jordan Brown, both headers at the back post. Speaking ahead of the Hammers' journey to Wearside, Westley said: "We're all looking forward to the game. It's an overnight game, travelling up on Sunday and then give it a right good go on Monday."
Back in September, the Hammers secured their first win of the season with a 2-0 win over the Black Cats, thanks to a brace from top goal scorer Elliot Lee. Come Monday evening, Westley will be hoping for a similar result as they Hammers aim to avoid relegation. "Having beaten them once before this season, that gives us confidence as does the win against Fulham in our last game. "The way we played against Reading should also give us confidence. If we play to our attributes I'm sure we will give Sunderland a game. "As their first team aren't doing so well, you'd think their U21s would be doing all they can to catch the manager's attention and get involved in first team football. I expect them to be very competitive, and to try and impress Gus Poyet to try and get positions in their first team."
The break in games follows a hectic schedule for some of the players who have been also been heavily involved in the U18s, most recently in an impressive 4-0 win over Reading last weekend. "I was really pleased with the U18s' performance against Reading, I thought they played particularly well. We held a great team shape, individually and collectively the team did very well. "Now the focus is on the U21s for Monday, making sure our players, who are all relatively young are able to compete to their best at this level. "The break in fixtures has given us the chance to nail down some individual work and some double sessions. As we're using such young players that brings its own restrictions, particularly some muscle injuries."
Those players who are unlikely to feature include Reece Oxford and Djair Parfitt-Williams, while Elliot Lee and Raphael Spiegel have gone out on loan to Luton Town and Carlisle United respectively. However, while they are missing a few players, the Dev Squad can welcome full-backs Lewis Page and Kyle Knoyle who are both back from injury. "Kyle is back fit and raring to go and we welcome him back. Lewis has done particularly well this season and he's been rewarded with an extension to his current contract. He's been injured for a while, so we're looking forward to having him back."
While Lewis Page's impressive displays have earned him a new contract, Academy prospects Reece Oxford and Joe Powell have also put pen to paper. Westley continued to praise the board's support in producing home grown players. "Reece Oxford has decided to stay with us, when every man and his dog was after him but he decided to sign here, as has Joe Powell. It shows the intent of the board and the club as a whole. "We're delighted to have kept Lewis Page, Reece Oxford and Joe Powell. I've said from the day I got here, we have some talented players here. It's now about finding a pathway into the team for them."
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Ladies look for Devon delight
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Ladies are determined to mark International Women's Day with victory at Plymouth Argyle on Sunday. The Ladies will hope to bounce back from the disappointment of their FA Women's Premier League Plate semi-final defeat at Preston North End by pulling off a win in Devon. This time around, the game is for FA Women's Premier League Southern Division points, with Julian Dicks' side sitting fifth in the table, but with matches in hand on those above them. "The girls have done well and just got through to the final of the London FA County Cup by beating QPR 2-0 in the semi-finals, but unfortunately we lost out at Preston last weekend," the manager began.
"We haven't got a big squad, but the girls have worked incredibly hard, especially considering how things went last season. When I went in there, the girls found it like a holiday camp until I strolled up and let them know what it is all about! They have responded well.
"I have had a few players leave because they can't get in the side but, as I've said to them, if the team are winning then they aren't going to get in until someone is injured. They just have to wait their turn and prove to me what they have got, but some left before getting that opportunity. "It has been hard, but I've got 14 players, including two goalkeepers, so it's like the old days! You just have to get on with what you have got."
One player who has impressed Dicks since the very start was the one whose approach on Twitter led to his appointment – captain Stacey Little. The skipper broke her hand in the semi-final win at QPR, ruling her out of the defeat at Preston, but the manager is hoping to welcome her back before the season is out. "She was closing down the 'keeper and put her hand across her stomach, the ball has hit her and it has bust her hand in two places," Dicks explained. "She has a little cast on, but I'm sure she'll be OK! "Stacey typifies what I want from my players – she works hard, puts a tackle in and gets onto the players when they're not doing their jobs. "She dragged me into this place and it's been good. When you have people like Stacey and one or two others, it makes it an enjoyable place to work."
Little herself may be unable to play at present, but she remains upbeat about how the Ladies have been performing this season. "We're enjoying a really good season compared to the last one," she agreed. "It could only get better, and Julian has come on board and changed the way we play and the way we work. "It has been a good season and we're through to a final already and came close to making a second one. "Julian treats us as he would a men's team. All he wants from us is hard work. If we play for 90 minutes and make it tough for the other team, we've always got a chance of getting a result, and I think the girls needed a shake-up, me included. "I think the girls respect him and know what he wants from us. We also know he will give us a right ticking off if we don't work hard."
Having been denied the chance to defend the Essex FA County Cup for administrative reasons, the London FA Capital Cup offers the Hammers their best chance of silverware, with Charlton Athletic providing the opposition at Haringey Borough FC on 6 May. "We wanted to defend the Essex Cup, but these things happen," Little continued. "We can go for the London Cup, even though it won't be an easy game against Charlton because they're a decent side. "If you want to win cups, you've got to beat the best teams around and that's what we'll be trying to do."
Before then, the Ladies head to Devon to face Plymouth at Elburton Villa FC on Sunday, with kick-off at 2pm.
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WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR KEVIN NOLAN?
By Sean Whetstone 7 Mar 2015 at 17:18
West Ham Till I Die
Kevin Nolan has revealed that he is considering his Hammers future after giving an interview to Dave Evans on London 24 after Wednesday's match.
"I have been considering my future, without a shadow of a doubt, I am not one who wants to sit here on the bench, I won't continue to do it, just for the fact that if you are not good enough for one club you move on and you prove to someone else you are. I am not thinking about anything else except West Ham at the minute. I have had a fantastic time here; I love the club and the place. I have got such a great affiliation with everyone at the club and I want it to continue." Said Nolan
"All I have got to do is get the chance to play and I will be happy and we can go on from there. Sometimes you can't make everyone happy and you have to take that on the chin. It has been hard I am not going to deny it, but at the end of the day the only thing I have ever known is playing football, week in week out, so it has been difficult so when I get my chance I am going to try and take it, that is the only thing I can do now.
"I have got nothing to prove to anyone. I have done a lot in my career and a lot of what has been said has been unfair, but that is life. I have come to the stage in my career with all the negativity surrounding me, I have just gone and take it on the chin. It is water off a duck's back for me. Sometimes it hurts of course, but I have got a fantastic family, fantastic support system and not just with family and friends but also within the club. I have just got to keep working hard on the training ground and hopefully I will get a chance"
Maybe he has a point Claret and Hugh have quoted a West Ham source this morning as saying
""It's hardly the most surprising interview in the world.Obviously everything is up for review at the end of the season and all things come to an end. Kevin is a magnificent captain and has been brilliant for us. He's clearly being entirely realistic over everything ahead of the summer which will be a very big one for the club."
Previously Claret and Hugh have quoted a source saying:
"We are looking to the future and will be looking to sign young energetic players. Kevin has been a great player for the club but the summer will be a critical time for various members of the squad – nothing is for ever!"
Nolan turns 33 in June at which point he will have just one year remaining on his contract. Nolan was signed from Newcastle on a five year deal worth a reported £50,000 a week which over five years would have grossed him £12 million. The transfer fee involved was £4 million.
Is it time for Kevin Nolan to move on this summer or has he still got a role to play at West Ham for the final season at the Boleyn ground?
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IT WILL BE AN INTERESTING SUMMER
By Iain Dale 7 Mar 2015 at 11:28
West Ham Till I Die
It seems that the higher echelons of the club are turning their minds to next season already. An 8-10th finish will be seen as a slight disappointment bearing in mind how we started the season and the quality of signings we made, but in the end, it gives us a good springboard for next season. The fact that we have now signed Noble, Tomkins and Reid on very long term contracts is a real positive. If we go from the premise that a good side has to be built from the back, I reckon we need another top class central defender and a goalkeeper to compete with Adrian, who I am still not convinced by. I can't think Jussi will last another season. It may well be that Guy Demel moves on as he's reached a bit of a ripe old age, so it's very important that we make it a priority to sign Carl Jenkinson who would be in my top three for Hammer of the Year so far. And having signed Winston Reid for another six years we should have the money to do it.
In midfield I think it will be curtains for Kevin Nolan and he will move on, and he seems to recognise that himself. The big question is whether we sign Alex Song. His form in the first half of the season was superb but lately he's been a liability. The fact that he was dropped last Saturday said it all. His head seems to be elsewhere. I understand he turned down an offr of £85k a week to sign and since then has deleted all West Ham mentions from his Instagram account. Make of that what you will.Can Diego Poyet step up to the plate? Maybe, but it's in midfield that we need to sign two top class players, I feel.
Up front, Sakho has done well, Carroll looked good when he came back, but he's clearly never going to last a full season. Valencia has shown flashes of brilliance, but sometimes fades from games. I still think he will come good but I wonder whether he could be sacrificed if Chelsea really do want to pay completely over the odds for him. I would seriously consider some sort of swap deal for Loic Remy. We still need a goalscorer in the Remy or Defoe mode.
So, one central defender, one right back, a goalkeeper, two midfielders and a striker. And all for £20 million :).
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West Ham considering Marcelo Bielsa if Sam Allardyce leaves the club this summer
22:30, 7 March 2015 By Dean Jones
The eccentric Argentine has been called "the best coach in the world" by Pep Guardiola, and plays the attractive brand of football desired by the Hammers owners
The Mirror
Marcelo Bielsa is on West Ham's radar - if the club do not agree a new contract with manager Sam Allardyce. The Upton Park board plan talks over Allardyce's future at the end of the season. But West Ham have won just one league game since Christmas and Marseille boss Bielsa will be of the names seriously considered for the job if Big Sam leaves the club. Co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan are keen that whoever is in charge next season will encourage an exciting brand of football. And 59-year-old Bielsa, who lit up the World Cup with Chile in 2010, fits the bill. He has been labelled "the best coach on the planet" by Pep Guardiola and his attacking philosophy would bring a new edge to the Premier League. Bielsa is has been doing well in charge of Marseille this season, but his contract situation in France beyond this season remains unclear. Real Sociedad boss David Moyes has been touted as the top target for the East Londoners if they search for a successor to Allardyce but Sunday Mirror Sport understands he would not be interested in moving to West Ham. Slaven Bilic, Michael Laudrup and Gus Poyet have also been linked with the Hammers.
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West Ham striker Diafra Sakho should probably stick to football - because he's awful at tennis
15:04, 7 March 2015 By Liam Corless
The Hammers hitman has found the net 11 times for West Ham this season but we're not sure whether he knows that the rules are different in tennis
The Mirror
It should probably come as no surprise but we can quite confidently inform you that Diafra Sakho is not as good at tennis as he is at football. The West Ham striker posted a video onto his Instagram page of him donning a questionable vest and a pair of ridiculously short shorts while floundering around the court with a racket in hand. Despite his obvious enthusiasm for tennis, the 25-year-old clearly lacks the technical skill to, erm... simply hit the ball over the net. The footage of Sakho was shot in Dubai where West Ham are currently taking a mid-season break in a bid to refresh themselves ahead of the end-of-season run-in. The Hammers are in woeful form having won just one of their last 11 Premier League games. West Ham assistant boss Neil McDonald spoke of the importance of giving the players a chance to recuperate. He told the club's official website: "Since the start of December it's been full on and we're only just coming up for air at the start of March. "It's been a tough couple of months but what we normally do is go away so the lads can get a bit of sun on their backs. "We do a bit of training in the gym and along the beach, as well as having a couple of football sessions. It's more important that they have a bit of relaxation time and get the sun on their backs. "In the last two or three months everyone's had their tracksuit tops, gloves and hats on and it'll be great to go across there and we'll still be working, but special for the boys that it's in the heat."
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Reid to sponsor grass roots football
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 7, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Wellington Phoenix Football Academy in New Zealand have announced that Hammer Winston Reid will sponsor two scholarships a year to the Phoenix' Academy beginning in 2015. One scholarship is for a full football and residential scholarship at Scots College in Wellington and the other is for school and football tuition at any of the three schools in the Academy programme.
Wellington Phoenix General Manager David Dome said the partnership had its genesis in the Hammers Football United New Zealand Tour. "When Winston was here with West Ham in July last year he expressed an interest in giving something back and helping promising New Zealand football talent. At that time, we made contact with Aotearoa Football Charitable Trust that he and Leo Bertos have an association with. We started a relationship then and have an on-going association with them and will continue to support them and the excellent work they do in Maori football. These scholarships will draw on that programme and will look at any other promising players from around the country who may need some financial assistance to be part of our Academy. If we find the next Winston Reid out of all this then we'd all be very happy!"
Winston Reid said : "I am very proud of my heritage and country of birth. I've worked hard to get where I am, but I've also been blessed in my career and this is in a small way is my chance to give something back. I want to encourage and give a bit of a hand to those football players who don't have too much and need a little bit of assistance along the way.We talked about this with the Phoenix when I was in New Zealand last July and I'm really pleased to be able to announce this now."
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"Bizarre" Bielsa still on Hammers list
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 8, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Marcelo Bielsa remains high on the list of candidates to replace Sam Allardyce as Hammers boss at the end of the season. The Sunday Mirror has this morning confirmed what ClaretandHugh reported in the middle of February – that the Marseille boss is very much in the frame for the Upton Park job. With just one win since Christmas Sam Allardyce, despite watching the team play some fine football at times, remains on the edge. Bielsa has a reputation for producing great footballing teams and has led Marseilles into thrird position behind PSG and Lyon this season. However, he is very much a hands on boss who broaches no interference from above and is considered whacky and a "bit off the wall." A source told ClaretandHugh: "He has had a very strong case made on his behalf and is one we are looking at but he is a guy with a reputation for the bizarre."
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Has Song found the West Ham love again?
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 7, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
There was much speculation when Alex Song deleted all West Ham related posts from his Instagram account ahead of him being dropped to the bench against Chelsea last week about his future. There were rumours he had a big fall out with Sam after he learned he was to dropped after a poor run of form. And it was also doing the rounds that the club were not keen to offer him a permanent deal in the summer with one report claiming he was asking for as much as £100,000 per week to stay.
Whatever the reason, the Barcelona on loan midfielder seems to have found his love for West Ham again by posting a photo of his West Ham shirt on Instagram today to his 635,000 followers. However he is not thought to have travelled with the first team to Dubai for warm weather training.
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Hammers talk on Derby defender
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 7, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham have knocked down speculation that they are poised to make a bid for highly impressive Derby County full back Cyrus Christie.
The 22 year old has been a real hit for the Rams since his move from Coventry and although the Irons have watched the player he's unlikely to become a realistic target for the club. The 6ft 2in Republic of Ireland international defender has had rave reviews all season as County have risen to third place in the Championship one point behind joint leaders Bournemouth and Middlesborough. A Hammers source told ClaretandHugh this morning (Sat): "He will cost a small fortune anyway but were Derby to go up he wouldn't be for for sale anyway. He's one we like but then we are monitoring up to 50 players at a time."
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Irons respond as Nolan muses future
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 7, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Kevin Nolan – having brought his West Ham future under the spotlight in a nationally reported interview – will be allowed to move on in the summer should the club get the right offer. With Sam Allardyce's future looking very much on the line anyway, the captain is certain to move on should the manager complete his expected departure. Thirty three years old in June, both Nolan and Guy Demel's future are very much on the line with the captain admitting: "I have been considering my future without a shadow of a doubt. if you are not good enough for one club you move on and you prove to someone else you are."
And that brought an immediate response from a very well placed Hammers insider who told ClaretandHugh this morning (Sat): "It's hardly the most surprising interview in the world. "Obviously everything is up for review at the end of the season and all things come to an end. Kevin is a magnificent captain and has been brilliant for us. "He's clearly being entirely realistic over everything ahead of the summer which will be a very big one for the club."
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Jenks making all the right noises
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 7, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Carl Jenkinson's attitude towards all things West Ham suggest he WILL become a permanent fixture at the club next season. All season his enthusiasm and readiness to hold a view on the possibilities for next season appear to show a deepening attachment to the club. And with Arsenal – as reported previously on this site – well placed for right backs it will be a surprise if he doesn't become a full time Hammer next season. Sources inside the club have made it clear that Guy Demel can leave and a £6 million deal seems well on the cards for Jenkinson. The Arsenal loanee's latest pronouncement on the teams position remains relentlessly upbeat despite the disappointing run of results. "It's time to regroup and we've still got a very important run-in until the end of the season. A European place is what we've targeted up all season and that's still the case. I think that's realistic. "Our luck will change and things will start going for us, hopefully. And when they do, we'll get some points on the board."
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Roman Abramovich barred himself from West Ham's boardroom - for wearing jeans
Chelsea owner chose not to join fellow directors at Upton Park as he was worried about breaking rules on dress code
By Telegraph Sport
11:01AM GMT 07 Mar 2015
Roman Abramovich refused to go into West Ham's boardroom for Chelsea's Premier League game at Upton Park last week - because he was worried about breaking the dress code. The Russian billionaire's dress sense - or lack of it - has been a talking point ever since he first arrived in English football in 2003. The millions he has in the bank would presumably allow him the pick of designer suits, but the Chelsea owner's preferred look remains steadfast: stone-washed denim, baggy coats and unkempt facial hair.
And his lack of sartorial airs and graces meant he decided to stay outside the Upton Park boardoom, as he did not want the embarrassment of being turned away for not being smarter. It took a personal invitation from West Ham vice-chairwoman Karren Brady to persuade Abramovich to change his mind. Writing in her column in The Sun, Brady said: "He'd arrived at Upton Park and it turned out he was sitting in the cold as he had not wished to enter our boardroom because his flight had been delayed and he was wearing jeans, which is against etiquette. "'I do it often,' I tell one of his security team and Abramovich joins us."
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Karren Brady on Winston Reid signing a new contract at West Ham United
HITC
Subhankar Mondal
Winston Reid signed a new contract with West Ham United earlier this week. West Ham United vice-chairman Karren Brady has admitted her relief in The Sun at Winston Reid signing a new contract earlier week. The New Zealand international defender signed a six-and-a-half-year deal with the Hammers, as confirmed on the club's official website. Reid's original contract was due to run out at the end of the season, and Premier League duo Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur were both interested in the centre-back, according to The Sun. Brady has conceded her relief at Reid finally put pen to paper on a new contract, and credits club co-chairman David Sullivan for making the deal happen. "Winston Reid helps lift the mood around the Boleyn Ground by signing a new 6½-year contract," Brady wrote in her football diary in The Sun. "It feels as though negotiations have been going on for nearly that long, so I must credit my chairman David Sullivan who has played a leading role in seeing the Kiwi captain put pen to paper despite interest from other top teams. "It is a good deal for Winston and a great deal for West Ham as we continue building a side fit to grace our stunning new home next year in the Olympic Stadium."
Good move for both club and player
Reid is rated as one of the better centre-backs in the Premier League, and him remaining at West Ham for the foreseeable future is certainly a boost to the club. SEE ALSO: SkySports pundit explains how West Ham's £19.5m decision has saved them money The London outfit are having a good season in the English top-flight and have ambition of playing European football in the coming years. Keeping hold of a key player is a statement of intent from West Ham, and Reid gets to represent an ambitious club where he is guaranteed playing time
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Karren Brady hints she wants Sam Allardyce to stay as West Ham United manager
HITC
Subhankar Mondal
West Ham United vice-chairman Karren Brady suggests that she does not want manager Sam Allardyce to leave in the summer. West Ham United vice-chairman Karren Brady has suggested in The Sun that she will not allow Sam Allardyce to leave the club in the summer. Allardyce's current contract with West Ham runs out at the end of the season, and there have been no talks over a new deal. In fact, all negations over a new contract will happen only at the end of the season, and this has sparked speculation that the Englishman could leave the Boleyn Ground at the end of the season. The Express reported last month that Sunderland manager Gus Poyet would love to succeed Allardyce at West Ham. However, Brady has now suggested that Allardyce will remain as the West Ham boss beyond the summer. "Dinner with a bookmaker," the 45-year-old wrote in her football diary in The Sun. "He would hate that term, probably prefer statistic entrepreneur! "Anyway, he tells me he is currently working out odds on the end-of-season managerial roundabout. His lowest odds are Steve Bruce moving to Fulham (or sightly longer to Wigan), Steve McClaren to Newcastle and another high-profile manager to Sunderland. "I have no idea at all about all this. Except I suspect the boss moving to Sunderland won't happen, especially if I have something to do with it!" Brady does not explicitly say if the 'boss' in question is Allardyce, but she certainly gives a strong hint that it is. If so, then it seems that the West Ham official wants the 60-year-old to remain at the Hammers for the foreseeable future. Allardyce has done a truly brilliant job at West Ham, bringing the club from the Championship and making them competitive in the Premier League. The problem is that the Englishman has not proven himself to be a manager who can take clubs to Europe. West Ham have ambitions to feature in continental competition, and the question is whether Allardyce can take them there.
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David Gold drops hint over permanent West Ham deal for Carl Jenkinson
HITC
Olly Dawes
David Gold's tweets often catch the attention of West Ham fans, and tonight's are no exception. West Ham United co-chairman David Gold is often active on Twitter, responding to questions from Hammers fans on a regular basis. Tonight, he received a question about whether right back Carl Jenkinson could play against Arsenal next weekend, given that the right back is on loan from the Gunners - and his response has caught the eye of West Ham supporters.
David Gold ✔ @davidgold
"@juliansheasport: Is Carl Jenkinson available to play v Arsenal or does loan forbid it?
He will not play against Arsenal. This year. dg
As per the Premier League rules, Jenkinson can't face his parent club whilst he is on loan from them, meaning West Ham will need to find an alternative for that game at the Emirates Stadium. However, the interest part is where Gold says he can't face Arsenal this year - with the obvious implication that he would be able to next year. That comments hints that Jenkinson could be set for a permanent stay at Upton Park this summer - even though the Daily Mail recently reported that Arsenal wanted £12m to part with the 23-year-old right back. The tweet naturally set West Ham fans into a frenzy, all picking up Gold's not-so subtle hint that Jenkinson could be staying in East London for good. The performances of Hector Bellerin for Arsenal this season could tempt Arsene Wenger's men into selling Jenkinson this summer - and whilst Gold's tweet is far from confirmation that he'll be staying, it does appear to be a very big hint that a deal could be struck.
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WHUFC.com
West Ham United Academy manager and head of coaching and player development Terry Westley is expecting a tough away trip to the North East as the Hammers face Sunderland on Monday. The Development Squad are looking to continue to extent their good run of results after they beat Fulham 2-1 in their last game, a little over a month ago. The vital win over the Cottagers at Rush Green came courtesy of early goals from Josh Cullen and Jordan Brown, both headers at the back post. Speaking ahead of the Hammers' journey to Wearside, Westley said: "We're all looking forward to the game. It's an overnight game, travelling up on Sunday and then give it a right good go on Monday."
Back in September, the Hammers secured their first win of the season with a 2-0 win over the Black Cats, thanks to a brace from top goal scorer Elliot Lee. Come Monday evening, Westley will be hoping for a similar result as they Hammers aim to avoid relegation. "Having beaten them once before this season, that gives us confidence as does the win against Fulham in our last game. "The way we played against Reading should also give us confidence. If we play to our attributes I'm sure we will give Sunderland a game. "As their first team aren't doing so well, you'd think their U21s would be doing all they can to catch the manager's attention and get involved in first team football. I expect them to be very competitive, and to try and impress Gus Poyet to try and get positions in their first team."
The break in games follows a hectic schedule for some of the players who have been also been heavily involved in the U18s, most recently in an impressive 4-0 win over Reading last weekend. "I was really pleased with the U18s' performance against Reading, I thought they played particularly well. We held a great team shape, individually and collectively the team did very well. "Now the focus is on the U21s for Monday, making sure our players, who are all relatively young are able to compete to their best at this level. "The break in fixtures has given us the chance to nail down some individual work and some double sessions. As we're using such young players that brings its own restrictions, particularly some muscle injuries."
Those players who are unlikely to feature include Reece Oxford and Djair Parfitt-Williams, while Elliot Lee and Raphael Spiegel have gone out on loan to Luton Town and Carlisle United respectively. However, while they are missing a few players, the Dev Squad can welcome full-backs Lewis Page and Kyle Knoyle who are both back from injury. "Kyle is back fit and raring to go and we welcome him back. Lewis has done particularly well this season and he's been rewarded with an extension to his current contract. He's been injured for a while, so we're looking forward to having him back."
While Lewis Page's impressive displays have earned him a new contract, Academy prospects Reece Oxford and Joe Powell have also put pen to paper. Westley continued to praise the board's support in producing home grown players. "Reece Oxford has decided to stay with us, when every man and his dog was after him but he decided to sign here, as has Joe Powell. It shows the intent of the board and the club as a whole. "We're delighted to have kept Lewis Page, Reece Oxford and Joe Powell. I've said from the day I got here, we have some talented players here. It's now about finding a pathway into the team for them."
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Ladies look for Devon delight
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Ladies are determined to mark International Women's Day with victory at Plymouth Argyle on Sunday. The Ladies will hope to bounce back from the disappointment of their FA Women's Premier League Plate semi-final defeat at Preston North End by pulling off a win in Devon. This time around, the game is for FA Women's Premier League Southern Division points, with Julian Dicks' side sitting fifth in the table, but with matches in hand on those above them. "The girls have done well and just got through to the final of the London FA County Cup by beating QPR 2-0 in the semi-finals, but unfortunately we lost out at Preston last weekend," the manager began.
"We haven't got a big squad, but the girls have worked incredibly hard, especially considering how things went last season. When I went in there, the girls found it like a holiday camp until I strolled up and let them know what it is all about! They have responded well.
"I have had a few players leave because they can't get in the side but, as I've said to them, if the team are winning then they aren't going to get in until someone is injured. They just have to wait their turn and prove to me what they have got, but some left before getting that opportunity. "It has been hard, but I've got 14 players, including two goalkeepers, so it's like the old days! You just have to get on with what you have got."
One player who has impressed Dicks since the very start was the one whose approach on Twitter led to his appointment – captain Stacey Little. The skipper broke her hand in the semi-final win at QPR, ruling her out of the defeat at Preston, but the manager is hoping to welcome her back before the season is out. "She was closing down the 'keeper and put her hand across her stomach, the ball has hit her and it has bust her hand in two places," Dicks explained. "She has a little cast on, but I'm sure she'll be OK! "Stacey typifies what I want from my players – she works hard, puts a tackle in and gets onto the players when they're not doing their jobs. "She dragged me into this place and it's been good. When you have people like Stacey and one or two others, it makes it an enjoyable place to work."
Little herself may be unable to play at present, but she remains upbeat about how the Ladies have been performing this season. "We're enjoying a really good season compared to the last one," she agreed. "It could only get better, and Julian has come on board and changed the way we play and the way we work. "It has been a good season and we're through to a final already and came close to making a second one. "Julian treats us as he would a men's team. All he wants from us is hard work. If we play for 90 minutes and make it tough for the other team, we've always got a chance of getting a result, and I think the girls needed a shake-up, me included. "I think the girls respect him and know what he wants from us. We also know he will give us a right ticking off if we don't work hard."
Having been denied the chance to defend the Essex FA County Cup for administrative reasons, the London FA Capital Cup offers the Hammers their best chance of silverware, with Charlton Athletic providing the opposition at Haringey Borough FC on 6 May. "We wanted to defend the Essex Cup, but these things happen," Little continued. "We can go for the London Cup, even though it won't be an easy game against Charlton because they're a decent side. "If you want to win cups, you've got to beat the best teams around and that's what we'll be trying to do."
Before then, the Ladies head to Devon to face Plymouth at Elburton Villa FC on Sunday, with kick-off at 2pm.
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WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR KEVIN NOLAN?
By Sean Whetstone 7 Mar 2015 at 17:18
West Ham Till I Die
Kevin Nolan has revealed that he is considering his Hammers future after giving an interview to Dave Evans on London 24 after Wednesday's match.
"I have been considering my future, without a shadow of a doubt, I am not one who wants to sit here on the bench, I won't continue to do it, just for the fact that if you are not good enough for one club you move on and you prove to someone else you are. I am not thinking about anything else except West Ham at the minute. I have had a fantastic time here; I love the club and the place. I have got such a great affiliation with everyone at the club and I want it to continue." Said Nolan
"All I have got to do is get the chance to play and I will be happy and we can go on from there. Sometimes you can't make everyone happy and you have to take that on the chin. It has been hard I am not going to deny it, but at the end of the day the only thing I have ever known is playing football, week in week out, so it has been difficult so when I get my chance I am going to try and take it, that is the only thing I can do now.
"I have got nothing to prove to anyone. I have done a lot in my career and a lot of what has been said has been unfair, but that is life. I have come to the stage in my career with all the negativity surrounding me, I have just gone and take it on the chin. It is water off a duck's back for me. Sometimes it hurts of course, but I have got a fantastic family, fantastic support system and not just with family and friends but also within the club. I have just got to keep working hard on the training ground and hopefully I will get a chance"
Maybe he has a point Claret and Hugh have quoted a West Ham source this morning as saying
""It's hardly the most surprising interview in the world.Obviously everything is up for review at the end of the season and all things come to an end. Kevin is a magnificent captain and has been brilliant for us. He's clearly being entirely realistic over everything ahead of the summer which will be a very big one for the club."
Previously Claret and Hugh have quoted a source saying:
"We are looking to the future and will be looking to sign young energetic players. Kevin has been a great player for the club but the summer will be a critical time for various members of the squad – nothing is for ever!"
Nolan turns 33 in June at which point he will have just one year remaining on his contract. Nolan was signed from Newcastle on a five year deal worth a reported £50,000 a week which over five years would have grossed him £12 million. The transfer fee involved was £4 million.
Is it time for Kevin Nolan to move on this summer or has he still got a role to play at West Ham for the final season at the Boleyn ground?
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IT WILL BE AN INTERESTING SUMMER
By Iain Dale 7 Mar 2015 at 11:28
West Ham Till I Die
It seems that the higher echelons of the club are turning their minds to next season already. An 8-10th finish will be seen as a slight disappointment bearing in mind how we started the season and the quality of signings we made, but in the end, it gives us a good springboard for next season. The fact that we have now signed Noble, Tomkins and Reid on very long term contracts is a real positive. If we go from the premise that a good side has to be built from the back, I reckon we need another top class central defender and a goalkeeper to compete with Adrian, who I am still not convinced by. I can't think Jussi will last another season. It may well be that Guy Demel moves on as he's reached a bit of a ripe old age, so it's very important that we make it a priority to sign Carl Jenkinson who would be in my top three for Hammer of the Year so far. And having signed Winston Reid for another six years we should have the money to do it.
In midfield I think it will be curtains for Kevin Nolan and he will move on, and he seems to recognise that himself. The big question is whether we sign Alex Song. His form in the first half of the season was superb but lately he's been a liability. The fact that he was dropped last Saturday said it all. His head seems to be elsewhere. I understand he turned down an offr of £85k a week to sign and since then has deleted all West Ham mentions from his Instagram account. Make of that what you will.Can Diego Poyet step up to the plate? Maybe, but it's in midfield that we need to sign two top class players, I feel.
Up front, Sakho has done well, Carroll looked good when he came back, but he's clearly never going to last a full season. Valencia has shown flashes of brilliance, but sometimes fades from games. I still think he will come good but I wonder whether he could be sacrificed if Chelsea really do want to pay completely over the odds for him. I would seriously consider some sort of swap deal for Loic Remy. We still need a goalscorer in the Remy or Defoe mode.
So, one central defender, one right back, a goalkeeper, two midfielders and a striker. And all for £20 million :).
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West Ham considering Marcelo Bielsa if Sam Allardyce leaves the club this summer
22:30, 7 March 2015 By Dean Jones
The eccentric Argentine has been called "the best coach in the world" by Pep Guardiola, and plays the attractive brand of football desired by the Hammers owners
The Mirror
Marcelo Bielsa is on West Ham's radar - if the club do not agree a new contract with manager Sam Allardyce. The Upton Park board plan talks over Allardyce's future at the end of the season. But West Ham have won just one league game since Christmas and Marseille boss Bielsa will be of the names seriously considered for the job if Big Sam leaves the club. Co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan are keen that whoever is in charge next season will encourage an exciting brand of football. And 59-year-old Bielsa, who lit up the World Cup with Chile in 2010, fits the bill. He has been labelled "the best coach on the planet" by Pep Guardiola and his attacking philosophy would bring a new edge to the Premier League. Bielsa is has been doing well in charge of Marseille this season, but his contract situation in France beyond this season remains unclear. Real Sociedad boss David Moyes has been touted as the top target for the East Londoners if they search for a successor to Allardyce but Sunday Mirror Sport understands he would not be interested in moving to West Ham. Slaven Bilic, Michael Laudrup and Gus Poyet have also been linked with the Hammers.
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West Ham striker Diafra Sakho should probably stick to football - because he's awful at tennis
15:04, 7 March 2015 By Liam Corless
The Hammers hitman has found the net 11 times for West Ham this season but we're not sure whether he knows that the rules are different in tennis
The Mirror
It should probably come as no surprise but we can quite confidently inform you that Diafra Sakho is not as good at tennis as he is at football. The West Ham striker posted a video onto his Instagram page of him donning a questionable vest and a pair of ridiculously short shorts while floundering around the court with a racket in hand. Despite his obvious enthusiasm for tennis, the 25-year-old clearly lacks the technical skill to, erm... simply hit the ball over the net. The footage of Sakho was shot in Dubai where West Ham are currently taking a mid-season break in a bid to refresh themselves ahead of the end-of-season run-in. The Hammers are in woeful form having won just one of their last 11 Premier League games. West Ham assistant boss Neil McDonald spoke of the importance of giving the players a chance to recuperate. He told the club's official website: "Since the start of December it's been full on and we're only just coming up for air at the start of March. "It's been a tough couple of months but what we normally do is go away so the lads can get a bit of sun on their backs. "We do a bit of training in the gym and along the beach, as well as having a couple of football sessions. It's more important that they have a bit of relaxation time and get the sun on their backs. "In the last two or three months everyone's had their tracksuit tops, gloves and hats on and it'll be great to go across there and we'll still be working, but special for the boys that it's in the heat."
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Reid to sponsor grass roots football
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 7, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Wellington Phoenix Football Academy in New Zealand have announced that Hammer Winston Reid will sponsor two scholarships a year to the Phoenix' Academy beginning in 2015. One scholarship is for a full football and residential scholarship at Scots College in Wellington and the other is for school and football tuition at any of the three schools in the Academy programme.
Wellington Phoenix General Manager David Dome said the partnership had its genesis in the Hammers Football United New Zealand Tour. "When Winston was here with West Ham in July last year he expressed an interest in giving something back and helping promising New Zealand football talent. At that time, we made contact with Aotearoa Football Charitable Trust that he and Leo Bertos have an association with. We started a relationship then and have an on-going association with them and will continue to support them and the excellent work they do in Maori football. These scholarships will draw on that programme and will look at any other promising players from around the country who may need some financial assistance to be part of our Academy. If we find the next Winston Reid out of all this then we'd all be very happy!"
Winston Reid said : "I am very proud of my heritage and country of birth. I've worked hard to get where I am, but I've also been blessed in my career and this is in a small way is my chance to give something back. I want to encourage and give a bit of a hand to those football players who don't have too much and need a little bit of assistance along the way.We talked about this with the Phoenix when I was in New Zealand last July and I'm really pleased to be able to announce this now."
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"Bizarre" Bielsa still on Hammers list
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 8, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Marcelo Bielsa remains high on the list of candidates to replace Sam Allardyce as Hammers boss at the end of the season. The Sunday Mirror has this morning confirmed what ClaretandHugh reported in the middle of February – that the Marseille boss is very much in the frame for the Upton Park job. With just one win since Christmas Sam Allardyce, despite watching the team play some fine football at times, remains on the edge. Bielsa has a reputation for producing great footballing teams and has led Marseilles into thrird position behind PSG and Lyon this season. However, he is very much a hands on boss who broaches no interference from above and is considered whacky and a "bit off the wall." A source told ClaretandHugh: "He has had a very strong case made on his behalf and is one we are looking at but he is a guy with a reputation for the bizarre."
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Has Song found the West Ham love again?
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 7, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
There was much speculation when Alex Song deleted all West Ham related posts from his Instagram account ahead of him being dropped to the bench against Chelsea last week about his future. There were rumours he had a big fall out with Sam after he learned he was to dropped after a poor run of form. And it was also doing the rounds that the club were not keen to offer him a permanent deal in the summer with one report claiming he was asking for as much as £100,000 per week to stay.
Whatever the reason, the Barcelona on loan midfielder seems to have found his love for West Ham again by posting a photo of his West Ham shirt on Instagram today to his 635,000 followers. However he is not thought to have travelled with the first team to Dubai for warm weather training.
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Hammers talk on Derby defender
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 7, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham have knocked down speculation that they are poised to make a bid for highly impressive Derby County full back Cyrus Christie.
The 22 year old has been a real hit for the Rams since his move from Coventry and although the Irons have watched the player he's unlikely to become a realistic target for the club. The 6ft 2in Republic of Ireland international defender has had rave reviews all season as County have risen to third place in the Championship one point behind joint leaders Bournemouth and Middlesborough. A Hammers source told ClaretandHugh this morning (Sat): "He will cost a small fortune anyway but were Derby to go up he wouldn't be for for sale anyway. He's one we like but then we are monitoring up to 50 players at a time."
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Irons respond as Nolan muses future
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 7, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Kevin Nolan – having brought his West Ham future under the spotlight in a nationally reported interview – will be allowed to move on in the summer should the club get the right offer. With Sam Allardyce's future looking very much on the line anyway, the captain is certain to move on should the manager complete his expected departure. Thirty three years old in June, both Nolan and Guy Demel's future are very much on the line with the captain admitting: "I have been considering my future without a shadow of a doubt. if you are not good enough for one club you move on and you prove to someone else you are."
And that brought an immediate response from a very well placed Hammers insider who told ClaretandHugh this morning (Sat): "It's hardly the most surprising interview in the world. "Obviously everything is up for review at the end of the season and all things come to an end. Kevin is a magnificent captain and has been brilliant for us. "He's clearly being entirely realistic over everything ahead of the summer which will be a very big one for the club."
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Jenks making all the right noises
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 7, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Carl Jenkinson's attitude towards all things West Ham suggest he WILL become a permanent fixture at the club next season. All season his enthusiasm and readiness to hold a view on the possibilities for next season appear to show a deepening attachment to the club. And with Arsenal – as reported previously on this site – well placed for right backs it will be a surprise if he doesn't become a full time Hammer next season. Sources inside the club have made it clear that Guy Demel can leave and a £6 million deal seems well on the cards for Jenkinson. The Arsenal loanee's latest pronouncement on the teams position remains relentlessly upbeat despite the disappointing run of results. "It's time to regroup and we've still got a very important run-in until the end of the season. A European place is what we've targeted up all season and that's still the case. I think that's realistic. "Our luck will change and things will start going for us, hopefully. And when they do, we'll get some points on the board."
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Roman Abramovich barred himself from West Ham's boardroom - for wearing jeans
Chelsea owner chose not to join fellow directors at Upton Park as he was worried about breaking rules on dress code
By Telegraph Sport
11:01AM GMT 07 Mar 2015
Roman Abramovich refused to go into West Ham's boardroom for Chelsea's Premier League game at Upton Park last week - because he was worried about breaking the dress code. The Russian billionaire's dress sense - or lack of it - has been a talking point ever since he first arrived in English football in 2003. The millions he has in the bank would presumably allow him the pick of designer suits, but the Chelsea owner's preferred look remains steadfast: stone-washed denim, baggy coats and unkempt facial hair.
And his lack of sartorial airs and graces meant he decided to stay outside the Upton Park boardoom, as he did not want the embarrassment of being turned away for not being smarter. It took a personal invitation from West Ham vice-chairwoman Karren Brady to persuade Abramovich to change his mind. Writing in her column in The Sun, Brady said: "He'd arrived at Upton Park and it turned out he was sitting in the cold as he had not wished to enter our boardroom because his flight had been delayed and he was wearing jeans, which is against etiquette. "'I do it often,' I tell one of his security team and Abramovich joins us."
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Karren Brady on Winston Reid signing a new contract at West Ham United
HITC
Subhankar Mondal
Winston Reid signed a new contract with West Ham United earlier this week. West Ham United vice-chairman Karren Brady has admitted her relief in The Sun at Winston Reid signing a new contract earlier week. The New Zealand international defender signed a six-and-a-half-year deal with the Hammers, as confirmed on the club's official website. Reid's original contract was due to run out at the end of the season, and Premier League duo Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur were both interested in the centre-back, according to The Sun. Brady has conceded her relief at Reid finally put pen to paper on a new contract, and credits club co-chairman David Sullivan for making the deal happen. "Winston Reid helps lift the mood around the Boleyn Ground by signing a new 6½-year contract," Brady wrote in her football diary in The Sun. "It feels as though negotiations have been going on for nearly that long, so I must credit my chairman David Sullivan who has played a leading role in seeing the Kiwi captain put pen to paper despite interest from other top teams. "It is a good deal for Winston and a great deal for West Ham as we continue building a side fit to grace our stunning new home next year in the Olympic Stadium."
Good move for both club and player
Reid is rated as one of the better centre-backs in the Premier League, and him remaining at West Ham for the foreseeable future is certainly a boost to the club. SEE ALSO: SkySports pundit explains how West Ham's £19.5m decision has saved them money The London outfit are having a good season in the English top-flight and have ambition of playing European football in the coming years. Keeping hold of a key player is a statement of intent from West Ham, and Reid gets to represent an ambitious club where he is guaranteed playing time
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Karren Brady hints she wants Sam Allardyce to stay as West Ham United manager
HITC
Subhankar Mondal
West Ham United vice-chairman Karren Brady suggests that she does not want manager Sam Allardyce to leave in the summer. West Ham United vice-chairman Karren Brady has suggested in The Sun that she will not allow Sam Allardyce to leave the club in the summer. Allardyce's current contract with West Ham runs out at the end of the season, and there have been no talks over a new deal. In fact, all negations over a new contract will happen only at the end of the season, and this has sparked speculation that the Englishman could leave the Boleyn Ground at the end of the season. The Express reported last month that Sunderland manager Gus Poyet would love to succeed Allardyce at West Ham. However, Brady has now suggested that Allardyce will remain as the West Ham boss beyond the summer. "Dinner with a bookmaker," the 45-year-old wrote in her football diary in The Sun. "He would hate that term, probably prefer statistic entrepreneur! "Anyway, he tells me he is currently working out odds on the end-of-season managerial roundabout. His lowest odds are Steve Bruce moving to Fulham (or sightly longer to Wigan), Steve McClaren to Newcastle and another high-profile manager to Sunderland. "I have no idea at all about all this. Except I suspect the boss moving to Sunderland won't happen, especially if I have something to do with it!" Brady does not explicitly say if the 'boss' in question is Allardyce, but she certainly gives a strong hint that it is. If so, then it seems that the West Ham official wants the 60-year-old to remain at the Hammers for the foreseeable future. Allardyce has done a truly brilliant job at West Ham, bringing the club from the Championship and making them competitive in the Premier League. The problem is that the Englishman has not proven himself to be a manager who can take clubs to Europe. West Ham have ambitions to feature in continental competition, and the question is whether Allardyce can take them there.
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David Gold drops hint over permanent West Ham deal for Carl Jenkinson
HITC
Olly Dawes
David Gold's tweets often catch the attention of West Ham fans, and tonight's are no exception. West Ham United co-chairman David Gold is often active on Twitter, responding to questions from Hammers fans on a regular basis. Tonight, he received a question about whether right back Carl Jenkinson could play against Arsenal next weekend, given that the right back is on loan from the Gunners - and his response has caught the eye of West Ham supporters.
David Gold ✔ @davidgold
"@juliansheasport: Is Carl Jenkinson available to play v Arsenal or does loan forbid it?
He will not play against Arsenal. This year. dg
As per the Premier League rules, Jenkinson can't face his parent club whilst he is on loan from them, meaning West Ham will need to find an alternative for that game at the Emirates Stadium. However, the interest part is where Gold says he can't face Arsenal this year - with the obvious implication that he would be able to next year. That comments hints that Jenkinson could be set for a permanent stay at Upton Park this summer - even though the Daily Mail recently reported that Arsenal wanted £12m to part with the 23-year-old right back. The tweet naturally set West Ham fans into a frenzy, all picking up Gold's not-so subtle hint that Jenkinson could be staying in East London for good. The performances of Hector Bellerin for Arsenal this season could tempt Arsene Wenger's men into selling Jenkinson this summer - and whilst Gold's tweet is far from confirmation that he'll be staying, it does appear to be a very big hint that a deal could be struck.
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