From the Newsroom - David Croft
WHUFC.com
Sky Sports F1 commentator and Hammers fan David Croft pens his latest blog for the Official Site...
I'd like to declare that the General Election, for me at least, is now over ladies and gentlemen. Any would be MPs reading this column please take note that my vote is now cast and anything you say to try and entice my vote will make absolutely no difference whatsoever. With the Spanish Grand Prix taking place in the second week of May, I've been forced once again to apply for a postal vote and that vote was cast last week with my son Daniel acting as witness.
Daniel's nearly eight years old and I'm trying to get him a little bit interested in what the election is all about. Not the easiest of tasks of course until David Cameron let it slip that he was a West Ham fan.
"What? The Prime Minister supports West Ham?" he asked with more than a hint of surprise in his voice.
"Seems so", I replied "Apparently he was a Villa fan but he hasn't watched them in years and he's getting a bit confused, what with all the pressure of running the country and all that".
"Maybe Barack Obama told him to support West Ham?"
"Sorry?"
"Well they're mates, so maybe Barack Obama thought he should support a decent team, not Villa, and that's why he's now one of us?"
Which is a brilliant theory and the fact is that my boy, amidst a fair amount of pressure from his Chelsea and Arsenal supporting friends at school, can now claim that for all their Eden Hazards and Aaron Ramseys, West Ham have got the two most powerful men in the free world on their side. I have to admit, that does put a smile on my face.
So as a reward for his political patience and putting up with my attempts to get him to take an interest in the election - we even watched a repeat of the leaders debate, before I lost interest and switched back to SpongeBob Square Pants - I booked a couple of tickets for the Burnley game, which sadly will be my last live match of the season.
By the way, and a complete aside this, have you watched the latest SpongeBob movie? Loved it, always love SpongeBob. But if you have of course, you'll know that at one stage in the film the absorbent, yellow and porous superhero if seen flying through the air catching cannonballs and as he does so 'I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles' is playing in the background.
Which other club can claim to have had their song in a Hollywood movie? Even cooler than having the President of the United States as a celebrity fan, we're in a SpongeBob film now and what made it even better is that Daniel and I watched the film en route to the Sunderland match, so we were wearing our West Ham shirts at the time. And as you'd expect, we were both singing along. Two West Ham fans at the back of the cinema, belting out 'Bubbles', much to the bemusement of those unfortunate kids whose parents haven't introduced them to The Hammers just yet.
But I digress, back to the tickets for the Burnley game. Kids For A Quid once more, a brilliant initiative from the club for those who want to bring their family to Upton Park and the reason I brought Daniel and his younger brother James to a match at the tender age of just three years old. What have you got to lose? They might not appreciate the significance of their first match at such a young age, but you've only spent a quid on the ticket so all is not lost.
All of us football supporting parents want to bring our kids as much as possible I'm sure, which is why 'Kids For A Quid' is a real help. But of course it's expensive to go week in week out, especially as a family, which is why I've now put my name down on the season ticket waiting list for the season after next.
The club announced, to a decent fanfare and well deserved approval, last week, that season tickets for the new stadium for Under 16s would be capped at £99. Brilliant news, just £99 to bring along the fans of the future. Meanwhile, the Mums and Dads bringing them along, can take advantage of reduced season ticket prices too. £289 for the cheapest Adult season ticket, £776 for a family of four to come along for the whole season. For me personally, it means that even if I can only make it to say ten games a year because of my work commitments it still makes total sense to buy a season ticket, and I'm sure that I can persuade Daniel's Grandads to take him if I can't.
If I'm being honest, there's a massive part of me that hates the fact that we're moving away from Upton Park. So many memories from the first time I handed over my £5 to stand on the North Bank. But the move to the new Stadium has so many benefits for all West Ham fans, and for the families, well this week, the club have given maximum encouragement, to bring along the fans of the future, week in, week out.
That gets my vote, without a doubt. Maybe the Obamas and the Camerons have put their names on the waiting list too. In this age of austerity, it's one luxury they can still afford.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of West Ham United FC.
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Brown signs new contract
WHUFC.com
West Ham United are delighted to announce that 18-year-old striker Jordan Brown has signed a new contract with the Club. The powerful forward, who has scored three goals in seven starts for the Development Squad this season has put pen paper on a new deal, keeping him at the Club until June 2016. Speaking to www.whufc.com after signing his contract, the England U16 international who arrived from Arsenal in 2013 said: "I'm delighted to have signed a new contract. I'm happy the club has faith in me to give me another year to push on and try and prove myself. "I heard I was going to get a new contract in about January or February and I was very happy. I've known about it for a while but it's good to actually sign it."
This season, Brown has been in impressive goal scoring form, first for the U18s netting seven goals in 15 appearances before forging his way into the Development Squad. The highly rated striker has been in a rich vein of form recently, netting in two of his last three games, including a 25-yard effort against Norwich City. My last goal against Norwich City is definitely my best this season, I picked it up from outside the area and caught it nicely. Hopefully I'll add a few more goals to my tally before the end of the season. "The contract is another opportunity to prove myself. I got a look in for the U21s last season with five games in total. Then I started this season in the U18s. Since the turn of the year I've pushed up more regularly for the U21s and I'm just happy to be starting. "For those fans that haven't seen me play, I would describe myself as a strong, powerful striker. I like to run in behind strikers and finish the chances I get."
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Hartson's Blowing Bubbles
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 28th April 2015
By: Staff Writer
John Hartson believes he played the best football of his career at West Ham but still feels guilty about his training ground spat with Eyal Berkovic that led to his departure from the Hammers.
In an honest interview with West Ham magazine Blowing Bubbles Monthly, the striker said he was "absolutely unplayable" in the 1997-98 season, in which he scored 24 goals.
"I've got friends from back home who've been at every single match of my career, from my debut for Luton to playing for Celtic at Barcelona – these guys have known me since I was a kid, so I can trust them more than anyone else, and they say that without a doubt, the 1997-98 season at West Ham was the best football I've ever played," said Hartson.
But it was the following season that saw Hartson's footwork gain international attention after he kicked his Israeli teammate and the Welsh strikers' descent from such giddy heights to rock bottom and the exit door was as shocking as it was unpredictable.
"What I did [to Berkovic] was terrible – it's undoubtedly the biggest regret of my career, and it soured everything that I'd been building up at West Ham. Why I reacted as I did, I really don't know – it wasn't anything personal, we got on perfectly well, he set up loads of my goals and he certainly didn't deserve anything like that."
Elsewhere in the April issue of the magazine, Julian Dicks hits out at the West Ham players who, he believes, are playing as if they are already on the beach enjoying their summer holidays but urges fans to remember that overall the season has been a success.
Sky Sports' Bianca Westwood writes in her column that the intense speculation surrounding Sam Allardyce's future is not helping the club at the moment and has urged the owners to either back or sack Sam now so the players and fans know what the future holds.
There is also an update on the magazine's Blowing Bubbles for Bobby campaign, which has attracted the support of internationally acclaimed writer Irvine Welsh, new Hollyoaks actress Danniella Westbrook and TV presenter Matthew Wright.
Meanwhile Blowing Bubbles also asks whether time has run out of Jarvis' West Ham career and whether Song is worth £15m. Other features include one on Robert Green ahead of QPR's game against West Ham and another on how West Ham can have a big say in who stays in the Premier League this season.
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Howe an Irons target …..BUT!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 28, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Eddie Howe's brilliant Bournemouth are on the edge of the Premier League after thrilling their own fans and the neutrals with a scintillating display of football against Bolton. The televised match showed just why the Hammers board have installed the 37 year old among their targets when they change the manager in the summer. The thirty-seven year old is now the hottest managerial prospect around and a Hammers top source has made it clear to ClaretandHugh that he is very much in their minds. He said: "We have two lists of candidates – and he is top of List Two. It may just be too early but he is among the runners for certain." When we asked whether there was the remotest chance of the guy leaving Bournemouth at this magical moment in their history we were met with silence other than a tentative: "Wait and see!"
But that his team beat Bolton with an on-the-floor brand of football we are screaming out for escaped nobody and our forums were inundated with congratulations whilst pointing that out very loudly. What was equally impressive was that – unlike ourselves on important occasions this season – the team, under Howe's guidance, rose to their biggest moment in superb fashion with a thumping 3-0 win. For the Hammers purists who would love to see Howe installed NOW, the big worry is that neither he or will be ready to move this summer. And should he be in say a year's time, the big boys may well be circling!
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Adrian voted best keeper in Europe
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 28, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Adrian has been named in the European team of the Year after a great performance against Queens Park Rangers at the weekend. The Spanish tabloid, Sport, names a team every week which excludes all La Liga players and with that exception, our top stopper has become the best in Europe. Adrian was joined by fellow Premier League stars Hector Bellerin of Arsenal and Chelsea's John Terry in the selected eleven. Both defenders had stand-out performances during the draw between Arsenal and Chelsea on Sunday. And it won't go unnoticed that Bellerin's form is such that Arsene Wenger will be certain to want to allow Carl Jenkinson the opportunity of moving on with the Irons favourites for his signature.
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Valencia locked down!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 28, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham are not considering making an immediate new contract offer to Enner Valencia despite increasing speculation over his future.
The player is locked into his deal with no escape clauses anyway and despite alleged interest from Chelsea. Website Here Is the City claims it has learned from club sources that a new deal is in the pipeline although ClaretandHugh was told there has been no inquiry or offer. We were told: "Enner is locked down and there are no escape clauses so this isn't a major worry. We will be sorting out a new deal for Diafra Sakho as a reward for excellence and also Aaron Cresswell. "Enner is on a very good deal and we'll assess things as they may or may not develop. Anything is possible in the summer."
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Allardyce may be getting contract "message"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 28, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
There's some interesting observations from West Ham correspondent and Sam Allardyce watcher, Dave Evans in today's London24.com.
He has devoted his piece to the manager's possible change of mood as a new contract persistently fails to materialise. He claims that after the goalless draw at Queens Park Rangers, which saw the team fall out of the top 10, the guy appeared more animated than usual.
And when asked what he needed in the summer, Allardyce laughed: "A contract!." The manager added: "There's only one thing that needs to be sorted out and that's me to sit down with the owners when they're ready and talk about me being at West Ham and nowhere else. "Until that is resolved we won't know which way we're both going forward."
As Evans points out that's a "leap" from the usual "wait until the end of the season" routine and as a result he believes the boss "is getting nervous about his own future."
Evans declares: "Before, Allardyce seemed laid back and even amused by the constant
questioning, but the never-ending links in the media to other managers and words from the chairmen as well as vice-chair Karren Brady about bad displays may have got him thinking that a new deal is not as assured as he once thought."
The 60-year-old was also asked about his health, especially following angry tirades against officials that he has exhibited over the last few weeks. Allardyce insists that he is well aware of the situation, adding: "The first thing I said to the specialist after I had a stent put in was 'Is it time to pack this job in?' "He said 'no, but make sure you don't stress yourself out as much as you do. I see you on the touchline jumping up and down like a lunatic. Stop that, control yourself more and you won't have a problem'. "You can't always do that, but I try and do it as much as I possibly can."
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Dicks' Ladies in Cup Final
Posted by Sean Whetstone on April 28, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Julian Dicks' Ladies have reached the Final of the London FA Capital Women's Cup, where they will face FA Women's Premier League South rivals Charlton Athletic in a tough game at Harrow Borough.
The two sides have met three times already this season with both league fixtures ending in a draw and the Ryman Women's Cup early stages saw the Addicks knock West Ham out 3-1.
In the run up to the finals, West Ham Ladies beat Spurs Ladies away in the first round by winning on penalties after the scoreline being 4-4 after extra time, before the Hammers went away to Haringey and won 7-0 in the quarter final and beat Queens Park Rangers 2-0 away in the semi finals.
Kick-off at Harrow Borough FC is Wednesday 6th May at 7:30pm with admission priced at £6 for adults or £3 for children. Alternatively, West Ham Ladies official twitter channel @westhamladies will have live content and coverage throughout the day, including interviews with Julian Dicks and some of the players LIVE on Periscope. Address of stadium:
Earlsmead Stadium,Earlsmead, Harrow, Middlesex, HA2 8SS
katie2Prior to kick-off, both clubs have agreed to remember former player Katie Sheppard once again with a minute's silence, with both captains laying down a shirt with Katie's name on it in the middle so she can still be a part of this big night.
The Hammers currently sit in sixth place in the FA Women's Premier League South with just one more league fixture left to play. After picking up two wins (Cardiff) and a draw (Brighton) against title-chasing Cardiff and Brighton, the Hammers could have another say in the title race when they travel to new league favourites Portsmouth on the final day of the season (10th May).
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Hammers talk on Gignac
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 28, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Claims that West Ham are close to signing Marseilles striker Andre-Pierre Gignac are wide of the mark although the club admit "he's a nice player." It's no coincidence that at a time when Marcelo Bielsa is one of those that are on the managerial wanted list that the 29 year old should be linked with the club. He is a regular on the rumour grapevine but this morning although this morning a source opened up to some extent on the player. He has hit 20 goals in 35 appearances in all competitions this term and has also attracted the attention of some of Europe's top clubs. Our source told us: "We've had no contact with him, but hes a nice player. As we understand it there is a big chance he will stay there. We understand too that West Bromwich Albion are keen on him."
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Adrian's Burke hopes
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 28, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Adrian has revealed how impressed he is with the irons' newest first team recruit – teneager Reece Burke. And the Spanish stopper explained how he encouraged his throughout the game against Queens Park Rangers. He said: "I kept on telling him he needed to concentrate for 90 minutes and also have confidence in himself. "He is a very quiet lad, but that is normal when you are young and go into the first team. He needs to keep going and fighting to stay in the team." Burke insists that the youngsters at the club are made to feel a part of things at first team level. He said: "It is not just the likes of me or Josh Cullen and Reece Oxford. There are a number of under-18s who train with the first team too. "We are altogether so I don't think they look at is in a different way at all." He admits wanting the youngster to get another chance but quickly added: "It would be nice, but that is not down to me."
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Wednesday, April 29
Tuesday, April 28
Daily WHUFC News - 28th April 2015
Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce believes a bright future awaits West Ham United as the latest
crop of Academy graduates edge their way closer to the first team.
18-year-old Reece Burke looked assured on his first Premier League start as
he helped the Hammers to a clean sheet in Saturday's 0-0 draw at Queens Park
Rangers. Josh Cullen and Reece Oxford were also with the travelling party in
West London, with the latter joining 20-year-old Diego Poyet on the bench
for the game.
"It is really encouraging to see young players coming through," Big Sam
said. "When everyone says no one plays a young player any more the bottom
line is if you are safe and you say 'We are going to play a lot of the young
players now and we are going to play a lot of players who are on the fringe
and whose contracts are up'. "We want to put them into games at this level
and see if they can stand up and get experience. "Burke has come through
because of injuries to Winston Reid and James Tomkins and to be fair he
would have been more involved if he had not been injured earlier in the
season. "We also had Doneil Henry, who you would have seen before now. He
did a fantastic job on loan at Blackburn and showed he has the capabilities
before he ripped his hamstring. "Burke has a great opportunity but I'm sure
on Sunday he wouldn't have been able to walk because he would have been that
tired. But he will know the level of performances that he will need from
this great experience. Can they cope with the pressure? Against QPR he did
that."
With talented youngsters coming through to supplement the already
established internationals, Big Sam believes West Ham just need to add more
squad depth during the summer transfer period. Joint Chairmen David Sullivan
and David Gold have indicated further funds will be available for at least
four new faces, as the Hammers target at least another top-half finish in
their final campaign at the Boleyn Ground. "I think there is a certain push
forward in younger players and I think probably if I look back, as well as
injuries, perhaps a little bit of inexperience across this time has shown
why we have been in so many positions to win a game and ended up drawing it
or losing from a draw. "There are young lads with lots of energy and also
quality players with experience. Matching the two up and having a bit more
strength and depth in that area where bigger challenges are made on a daily
basis to play in the team."
The draw was the Hammers' first point on the road since the 2-2 draw at
Tottenham Hotspur on 22 February as the team heeded their manager's desire
to stop giving soft goals away. A home game with Burnley on Saturday is up
next and Big Sam will be expecting the same kind of resilience against
another team that will be fighting for their lives. "I was happy that they
did the first thing they needed to do – stop giving stupid goals away," Big
Sam said of his team. "I looked at the two stupid goals we gave away at
Manchester City last weekend. Man City hit the target three times only. "You
look at the performance – we got criticised for the performance. But we had
more possession at Man City than we had we had when we beat then at West Ham
and yet we were 'brilliant' because we won. It is all about winning but
really it is about how you do."
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Controversial equaliser denies Hammers
WHUFC.com
A controversial equaliser from Brighton's Amy Taylor denied West Ham Ladies
all three points at Rush Green on Sunday 26 April.
The Hammers went ahead in the first half through Vicky Kinsman's audacious
volley from 20 yards, before Kirsty Barton levelled for the Seagulls.
Shortly after the half time break, Brighton gave away possession outside
their box and Emma Sherwood punished them, before Taylor's controversial
goal secured a point for the travelling side.
Ladies boss Julian Dicks was forced into two changes ahead of kick-off as
Ruby Baxter replaced injured full-back Kerry Stimson who is expected to be
out for the rest of the season.
Kat Clifton made the bench, while April Bowers returned from illness to
partner captain Stacey Little in the middle of the pitch.
The Hammers struggled in the early stages to forget their disappointing
defeat to Lewes a week earlier while Brighton started strongly, aiming to
take a step closer to the FA Women's Premier League South title.
After Nikki Duncan had kept the Hammers level with a fantastic save from
Fliss Gibbons, the Hammers almost took the lead when Little rose highest
from a corner to head off the left hand upright.
With 22 minutes on the clock, the hosts shocked their South coast visitors
by taking the lead when Kinsman's volley caught Brighton keeper Faye Baker
off her line and the ball ended up in the back of the net.
Brighton responded well by quickly looking for an equaliser. They got it
when Gibbons' low cross fell perfectly for Barton inside the penalty area
who stroked home past Duncan.
In the second half, the visitors handed the lead back to the Hammers when
Sherwood intercepted a loose pass outside the penalty area and curled an
effort over Baker into the top corner.
The controversial moment came around eight minutes later when Taylor prodded
home from close range after Duncan had been clattered to the floor.
The assistant referee flagged for a foul and told the Hammers' players he
wanted to speak to the referee, however referee Chris Clarke totally ignored
his assistant and awarded the goal.
After that, Brighton desperately looked for that vital winner that they
needed to keep their title dreams alive, but Dicks' side stood strong and
secured themselves a point.
Up next for the Hammers is the London FA Capital Women's Cup Final against
Charlton Athletic at Harrow Borough FC on Wednesday 6 May. Kick-off is at
7:30pm with admission priced at £6 for adults and £3 for children.
West Ham United and Charlton Athletic will both be paying tribute to former
player Katie Sheppard at the final, who passed away at the age of 20 last
summer. Both captains will lay down respective shirts with 'Shepps' on the
back during a minute of silence prior to kick-off.
The Hammers close their season with a trip South to Portsmouth where they
could again make an impact on who wins the title. West Ham travel to Fareham
Town FC on Sunday 10 May, kick off 2pm.
Ladies: Duncan, King, Revell, Baxter, Bottom, Bowers, Little (c),
Blanchflower, Mellors (Smith), Kinsman, Sherwood.
Subs not used: Sale, Clifton, Xidhas.
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Stat's a Fact - Adrian's penalty saves
WHUFC.com
West Ham United goalkeeper Adrian possesses a burgeoning reputation as an
expert penalty saver in the Barclays Premier League – and that was given a
further boost on Saturday when he dived to his right to block Charlie
Austin's effort from twelve yards.
It was the third spot kick the Spaniard had stopped in succession, following
his saves from Harry Kane at Tottenham Hotspur in February and David Nugent
at Leicester City earlier this month.
In doing so, Adrian became just the ninth keeper in Premier League history
to save three penalties in a row – and his stop at Loftus Road capped a fine
performance between the sticks.
Seven saves, two crosses claimed and a punched clearance made the No13
WhoScored.com's statistically-calculated Player of the Week in the top
flight, with a match rating of 9.20.
Four of those saves came in the final 19 minutes at Loftus Road, as the R's
gave everything to secure what would have been a vital three points for his
side, including a wonderfully-athletic effort to deny Matt Phillips as the
clock ticked over 90.
Adrian told the press afterwards that he has a special method when it comes
to facing penalties, with the psychology of the twelve yard duel key in his
mind.
Having studied the penalty taker's preferred side and mannerisms in the
build-up to the fixture, Adrian tells the striker where he believes he is
going to put the penalty in a bid to knock him off his stride.
It appears to have had an impact, with Kane (although he did score the
rebound), Nugent and Austin all failing to find a way to defeat 'the master
of penalty saves' as he was described post match by his manager Sam
Allardyce.
The saves have come to both sides of the goal too, as Adrian flung himself
to his right to stop Kane's effort, before going the other way to get his
hands to Nugent's.
Austin's effort was more central, but Adrian hadn't dived too far over to
his right to not be able to block with his legs.
What is for certain, wherever they shoot in the goal, the next striker to
come head-to-head with Adrian over twelve yards will not be taking the goal
for granted.
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Spiegel delighted with victory over City
WHUFC.com
Development Squad goalkeeper Raphael Spiegel said he was delighted with the
Hammers' deserved 2-1 win over Manchester City at the Boleyn Ground on
Friday 24 April. The Hammers stormed to a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute after
Dan Potts headed home Djair Parfitt-Williams' cross from close range after
superb quick feet from the young striker. The hosts doubled their lead soon
after half time when Adam Drury stabbed Jordan Brown's driven cross into his
own net. Spiegel, the towering Swiss U21 international, made a string of
excellent saves to deny City a late equaliser after Olivier Ntcham's 76th
goal gave the visitors hope. Speaking after the match, a clearly delighted
Spiegel said: "It was a good game and a great victory. We're all very happy
in the dressing room and we thoroughly deserved the win. We worked very hard
for it. "Everyone did their jobs, in every position. I think we could have
scored even more goals at the end."
After Ntcham's powerful strike, his second against the Irons this season,
Patrick Veira's Elite Development Squad piled on the pressure as they sought
to salvage a point. However, the Dev Squad stood resolute and held out for
the three points through a combination of good defending and a number of
excellent saves from the 22-year-old. "The save towards the end was quite
important. He came from the side and hit it well, I had to wait to see what
side he put it and then make the save. It was an important save so I'm happy
with it. "I think the team needed a win, it's going to be a great boost for
the last three games and hopefully we can get some more good results.
"Manchester City are always a good team but to be fair I think we were the
better side, we're all happy with the performance and we deserved to win.
They may have come here thinking it was going to be an easy game, but it
never is. We gave our best and we got the victory. "For me it is always
special to play at Upton Park, I'm sure it is for all our players and I
think it did make a difference. Everyone wants to play in the stadium for
the first team so it's good."
Up next for the young Hammers is a difficult encounter against Everton at
Rush Green, their last home game of the season, on Friday 8 May.
Earlier in the season, the Toffees ran out 2-0 winners on a blustery night
in Southport. Four months on, Spiegel is confident his side can reverse the
defeat if they put in a similar level of performance that overcame
Manchester City. "Everton is going to be a good game, we can take a lot of
confidence from Friday. Of course we want another win and if we play like we
did against Manchester City I'm sure we get something."
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Loan round up
WHUFC.com
Tim Brown played the full game for Canvey Island in their 3-2 win over
Wingate & Finchley. The visitors Wingate took a 2-0 lead however Canvey
recovered with goals from Steven Smith, Jack Simmons and Harrison Chatting
completing the comeback.
Modibo Maiga played 82 minutes of FC Metz' 1-1 draw away at Bordeaux.
Fergani Sassi gave Metz the lead, finishing Florent Malouda's pass however
the hosts equalised a minute after Maiga was taken off. Wahbi Kharzi netting
the goal.
Jaanai Gordon played the full game for already relegated Nuneaton Town as
they lost 5-3 away at Chester. The visitors had been 2-0 up yet four second
half goals for Chester secured the win.
Paul McCallum came on in the 88th minute as Portsmouth beat Mansfield Town
2-1 away. Matt Tubbs' second minute penalty gave the visitors the lead
before Jed Wallace doubled their advantage.
Jack Thomas scored in the 68th minute to half the arrears yet Pompey held
out for the win. McCallum replaced goalscorer Matt Tubbs.
Elliot Lee played 65 minutes in Luton Town's 1-0 defeat away at Southend
United. Michael Timlin's 25-yard strike was fumbled by goalkeeper Elliot
Justham to give the Shrimpers the three points.
Lee was replaced by Luke Guttridge shortly after the hour mark.
Sean Maguire played 84 minutes of Accrington Stanley's 4-0 defeat away at
Dagenham & Redbridge. Matt Partridge opened the scoring before goals from
Jamie Cureton, Frankie Raymond and Jodi Jones completed the rout.
Maguire was replaced by Matt Crooks with six minutes to go.
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Adrian - 'I have a positive mentality to save penalties'
WHUFC.com
West Ham United goalkeeper Adrian added to his reputation as the penalty
king on Saturday when he denied Charlie Austin the opportunity to give
Queens Park Rangers all three points from 12 yards. Adrian blocked the R's
striker's effort with his legs in the first half at Loftus Road as he kept a
first clean sheet for a month in helping the Hammers to a point from their
0-0 draw. The Spaniard's penalty stop was his third in succession following
on from saves from Tottenham's Harry Kane and Leicester's David Nugent in
2015 and he says the key to outwitting the striker lies in the preparation.
He said: "I study the penalties, because it is my job. I am a goalkeeper and
I try to save all the shots. The penalty is one shot you can study because
the best striker shoots on his strong side most often. This time Austin shot
to my right side and I saved it. "Every time I have the positive mentality
to save the penalty and this time it's good because I saved it. "I don't
know if I put Austin off by having a word beforehand, but I try to make the
striker nervous because if they are happy and relaxed to score the penalty,
it's easy for them. "In that scenario the goal is big, and I try to say some
words to make them nervous – on this occasion it worked for me."
Adrian played behind 18-year-old debutant Reece Burke, who partnered James
Collins at centre back. The former Real Betis keeper was impressed with the
Academy product's performance and says there is more to come from him. He
added: "Reece was not nervous – he was happy because all his teammates were
congratulating him after the game because he played well against a couple of
good strikers in Zamora and Austin. "I was saying that he needs to
concentrate for the 90 minutes and have confidence in himself. He's a good
central defender and he just needs to concentrate on his position. The more
experienced players tried to keep him calm. "It's a good experience for him
and he'll try to keep going from here."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
A FOREIGNER'S VIEW
By Iain Dale 27 Apr 2015 at 09:52
West Ham Till I Die
Guest Post by RoHammer
A Foreigner's View…
by RoHammer
I've been considering submitting an article on here for a while now but
somehow the usual "topics of the day" never seemed good enough. The Big Sam
discussion has been done to death, transfer speculation is…well, just that,
speculation… and while I love me a bit of tactical debate, that will always
be difficult to pull off what with all the internet managers around these
days (myself included). We all know we could do a better job than Sam though
am I right?! wink
On a more serious note though, there was a wonderful debate on here in the
last couple of days with some great contribution from our senior members
(who have seen it all). Now, I always enjoy reading Dan's articles with all
the historic info and such partly (but not solely) because I didn't get to
see it myself. Truth be told, most of what I know about WHU I have learned
on here which in itself is a credit to the site and its contributors. But it
all makes me wonder, what do West Ham fans really want going forward? Do we
cling to the trappings of our past which, despite the odd cup win, has been
decidedly mediocre…or do we strive for more? Are we content with being the
perennial "also-rans"?
People go on about how we use to be everyone's "second team" but personally
I struggle to take that as a compliment…more like a veiled insult at times.
I can see how our historic "style" could make us popular but I wonder if the
fact that we were very generous with giving away points wasn't part of it as
well. How important is "style" exactly and does it supersede getting the 3
points? In a hypothetical scenario, would we prefer winning most of our
games with 1-0 or losing them 3-4 (let's take relegation off the table for
this exercise and assume it wouldn't be a danger as we'd still get enough
points to survive)? Is entertainment the be all end all for West Ham fans…
and if so, when do we stop putting our individual desire for entertainment
ahead of what is best for our club? And isn't that rather selfish and short
sighted?
I have noticed people going so far as to say they would accept relegation if
only they would see the team play a certain "west ham way"… but how many
stop to think what that would mean for the club? The fans will be there
whatever division we play in of that I have no doubt…but do we not deserve
our day in the sun? Do we not want our team to be successful and fight it
out with the best (both domestically and in Europe as well)?
Don't get me wrong, I am not advocating "long ball" football here…far from
it in fact. I am advocating successful football whatever that may mean…if
"tiki-taka" works in a given game then great, but if we need to grind out a
result and defend a 1-0 lead then I can accept that too. I am advocating
adaptability and doing what you have to in order to succeed. As a side note,
since it's an ever so popular debate… who will be our next manager will have
a great bearing to where we are headed… with 4 games to go, we will find out
soon enough.
…I'll wrap it up here…this piece has become longer than expected which
shouldn't be a surprise to those who know me on WHTID but still…enough
questions for one day. Who knows, maybe I'll turn this into a series about
the identity of WHU and its fans past and present…im sure many of our older
members will have a lot to contribute. Being relatively new to this esteemed
group and supporting West Ham from abroad, there are certainly many things I
have yet to learn or understand. It might even benefit some of our younger
readers who knows?!
Thanks for reading folks…
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West Ham target Bournemouth hotshot Callum Wilson as new striker tops summer
priority list
15:46, 27 April 2015 By Darren Lewis
The Cherries striker has bagged 23 goals this term to take his side to the
brink of the Premier League but he is on West Ham's radar - along with
Javier Hernandez
The Mirror
West Ham are monitoring Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson. The Cherries
marksman has hit 23 goals to spearhead the south coast club's chase for
promotion to the Premier League. West Ham, meanwhile, have made a new
striker a priority this summer after seeing injuries and their lack of
firepower shatter their bid for European football. The east Londoners
already have Marseille striker Andre-Pierre Gignac - available on a free
this summer - on their shortlist. They are also keen on £7million-rated
Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez , on loan at Real Madrid but keen
to leave in search of regular first-team football.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce rubbishes reports linking him with Sunderland
job
22:30, 26 April 2015 By Darren Lewis
The Hammer is being targeted to take over from Dick Advocaat in the summer
but Allardyce has no plans to leave Upton Park
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce has dismissed suggestions he is welcoming interest from
Sunderland. The West Ham boss is set to be axed at the end of the season
after the east Londoners' slump in form over the second half of the season.
Sunderland, themselves fighting the drop, are targeting Big Sam to succeed
interim boss Dick Advocaat at the end of the season. But Allardyce said:
"There is only one thing that needs to be sorted out here and that is me
sitting down with the owners when they are ready to talk about me being at
West Ham and nowhere else.
"Until that is resolved we won't know which way we are both going forward.
That is the only thing that is to be sorted, to sit down and sort it out."
Allardyce has also insisted he will not stress himself out worrying about
his fate at Upton Park. The Irons board will hold talks with him at the end
of the season but they have also sounded out a number of rival bosses in
case they are unable - or unwilling - to agree a new deal. Allardyce had an
angioplasty, a procedure which involves inserting a stent to widen a
narrowed coronary artery, in 2009. He maintains the heart surgery saved his
life - and put the trivia of football into perspective. He said: "I made the
decision to look after myself in general in 2009 after my stent. "I think
after my stent the first thing I said to the specialist is 'is it time for
me to pack this job in?' he said no, but it is time to make sure you do not
stress yourself out as much as you do. "I see you jumping up and down on the
touchline like a lunatic – stop that. Control yourself and you won't have a
problem."
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Irons chase Cherries ace
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 27, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham are this afternoon be reported as tracking Bournemouth's 22-goal
striker striker Callum Wilson. The Cherries frontman has spearheaded The
Cherries s chase for promotion to the Premier League. David Sullivan
admitted recently the Irons have made a new striker a priority this summer
and the Mirror believe he is ready to raid the south coast club. We are also
claimed to have Marseille striker Andre-Pierre Gignac – available on a free
this summer – on their shortlist along with Jabier Hernandez. The Cherries
can more or less cenent their place in the Premier League tonight with
victory over Bolton in a game which may give Hammers fans the chance of
checking out Wilson.
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Reece lets Sam have his cake and eat it!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 27, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Sam Allardyce presumably kept a straight face as he discussed the emergence
of Reece Burke on the official website today. Last week he was telling us
how tough it was for him to play the youngsters but what a difference today
after the 18 year performed so well against Queens Park Rangers. Here's a
reminder of what Allardyce told London 24.com before the game: "If you put a
youngster in and lose, you get criticised, the youngster might get
criticised, so it is difficult. "Or play all your youngsters in the FA Cup
and get slaughtered for it. You say 'we don't give youngsters a chance' but
you give them a chance, lose, and get slaughtered for it. "You can't have
your cake and eat it."
Today, however, that is exactly what he appears to be trying to do as he
declares: "When everyone says no one plays a young player any more the
bottom line is if you are safe and you say 'We are going to play a lot of
the young players now and we are going to play a lot of players who are on
the fringe and whose contracts are up'. "We want to put them into games at
this level and see if they can stand up and get experience. "It is really
encouraging to see young players coming through. We want to put them into
games at this level and see if they can stand up and get experience." "Burke
has come through because of injuries to Winston Reid and James Tomkins and
to be fair he would have been more involved if he had not been injured
earlier in the season." REALLY – that doesn't quite compute Sam!
Back to last week and some more thoughts from the manager as he moaned: "It
is always difficult for me. If we were in a better position with our results
it would have been a good thing to look at the odd player. "But the pressure
with us at the moment to get results means it would be difficult for me to
do." Difficult? Maybe! WRONG? Most definitely! In the meantime giv e me some
more of that cake and let me eat it.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam player support becomes embarrassing!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 27, 2015 in Whispers
Claret 7 Hugh
West Ham players appearing regularly in the media singing the praises of
their manager and "hoping he stays " is predictable and embarrassing" in
equal parts. Stewart Downing is the latest declaring: ""Hopefully he stays.
We want him here. The players love playing for him. He's a really good
manager to play for. "The manager has said it will be sorted at the end of
the season so we have to get on with it and win games. "The only way to put
the uncertainty to bed is to win games because that puts him in a better
position. owningNice words Stewart – shame about the actions! This followed
quotes from Andy Carroll declaring how much the manager was loved by the
squad in which he said: "Everyone loves him, everyone loves the training and
the routine we are in. I am sure all the lads want him to stay next season.
"The manager is strong enough to deal with that (run) and I think so are all
the players. It is just unlucky the way the games have been going."
Downing reckons the team needs to win to help him keep his job…Carroll
appears to believe we are merely unlucky after another four games without a
win. All the proclamations of love and undying loyalty to the manager thus
become almost entirely meaningless as the shocking run of results continues.
Sam no doubt needs someone to love him but the truth is we are showing
relegation form and relegated managers generally get the sack. Just felt a
little reality check was needed!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Record maker Adrian psyches out Austin
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 27, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Adrian's third successive record setting Premier League penalty save against
Queens Park Rangers was a quite brilliant achievement at Loftus Road and
once the stopper may have psyched out the spot kick taker. The Spaniard –
speaking to the official site – said: "I don't know if I put Austin off by
having a word beforehand, but I try to make the striker nervous."
He of course did exactly the same to David Nugent before stopping his effort
at Leicester City in the defeat suffered at the hands of Leicester City.
Adrian said: "I study the penalties, because it is my job. I am a goalkeeper
and I try to save all the shots. "The penalty is one shot you can study
because the best striker shoots on his strong side most often. This time
Austin shot to my right side and I saved it. "Every time I have the positive
mentality to save the penalty and this time it's good because I saved it. "I
don't know if I put Austin off by having a word beforehand, but I try to
make the striker nervous because if they are happy and relaxed to score the
penalty, it's easy for them. "In that scenario the goal is big, and I try to
say some words to make them nervous – on this occasion it worked for me."
Adrian also commented on the impressive performance by Academy product
18-year-old debutant Reece Burke. He said: "Reece was not nervous – he was
happy because all his teammates were congratulating him after the game
because he played well against a couple of good strikers in Zamora and
Austin. "I was saying that he needs to concentrate for the 90 minutes and
have confidence in himself. He's a good central defender and he just needs
to concentrate on his position. The more experienced players tried to keep
him calm. "It's a good experience for him and he'll try to keep going from
here."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Three players West Ham need to move on in the summer, including Kevin Nolan
HITC
John Verrall
42 minutes ago
We take a look at the players West Ham United should let go this summer.
West Ham United's thoughts appear to have been on next season for some time,
with their current campaign petering out. The Hammers have won just two of
their last 17 Premier League matches, and it means that adding quality to
their squad next season will be key to ensure that they do not run out of
steam again. Expectations at West Ham are increasing and the standard of
players needed to be recruited is rising. It means that the London side
will need to be ruthless in the summer transfer window, and in this piece we
take a look at three players who should be let go as they don't make the
grade anymore.
Carlton Cole
The target-man has been a loyal servant of the club, but it is time for the
Hammers to let Cole leave. The experienced forward's contract is expiring,
and he should not be offered the chance to stay on as he isn't good enough
to play a part any more. West Ham have better options up front than Cole
nowadays, and he needs to be let go if the club are to progress.
Matt Jarvis
The winger has had some chances to impress of late, but he has never really
taken his opportunity and doesn't seem to be up to standard anymore.
Jarvis's West Ham career has never really taken off and the club should look
at moving him on in the summer. The former Wolverhampton Wanderers man may
be a decent outlet, but he doesn't have enough end product to represent a
team who will be chasing a European place.
Kevin Nolan
Nolan's presence in the dressing room is important for West Ham, but his
showings on the pitch have suggested that he lacks the quality to play a
regular role for the side. Nolan doesn't have the technical ability to push
the club on to the next level, and he should be allowed to leave in the
summer. The experienced midfielder is reaching the twilight of his career,
and West Ham need to start thinking about the future without him.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce believes a bright future awaits West Ham United as the latest
crop of Academy graduates edge their way closer to the first team.
18-year-old Reece Burke looked assured on his first Premier League start as
he helped the Hammers to a clean sheet in Saturday's 0-0 draw at Queens Park
Rangers. Josh Cullen and Reece Oxford were also with the travelling party in
West London, with the latter joining 20-year-old Diego Poyet on the bench
for the game.
"It is really encouraging to see young players coming through," Big Sam
said. "When everyone says no one plays a young player any more the bottom
line is if you are safe and you say 'We are going to play a lot of the young
players now and we are going to play a lot of players who are on the fringe
and whose contracts are up'. "We want to put them into games at this level
and see if they can stand up and get experience. "Burke has come through
because of injuries to Winston Reid and James Tomkins and to be fair he
would have been more involved if he had not been injured earlier in the
season. "We also had Doneil Henry, who you would have seen before now. He
did a fantastic job on loan at Blackburn and showed he has the capabilities
before he ripped his hamstring. "Burke has a great opportunity but I'm sure
on Sunday he wouldn't have been able to walk because he would have been that
tired. But he will know the level of performances that he will need from
this great experience. Can they cope with the pressure? Against QPR he did
that."
With talented youngsters coming through to supplement the already
established internationals, Big Sam believes West Ham just need to add more
squad depth during the summer transfer period. Joint Chairmen David Sullivan
and David Gold have indicated further funds will be available for at least
four new faces, as the Hammers target at least another top-half finish in
their final campaign at the Boleyn Ground. "I think there is a certain push
forward in younger players and I think probably if I look back, as well as
injuries, perhaps a little bit of inexperience across this time has shown
why we have been in so many positions to win a game and ended up drawing it
or losing from a draw. "There are young lads with lots of energy and also
quality players with experience. Matching the two up and having a bit more
strength and depth in that area where bigger challenges are made on a daily
basis to play in the team."
The draw was the Hammers' first point on the road since the 2-2 draw at
Tottenham Hotspur on 22 February as the team heeded their manager's desire
to stop giving soft goals away. A home game with Burnley on Saturday is up
next and Big Sam will be expecting the same kind of resilience against
another team that will be fighting for their lives. "I was happy that they
did the first thing they needed to do – stop giving stupid goals away," Big
Sam said of his team. "I looked at the two stupid goals we gave away at
Manchester City last weekend. Man City hit the target three times only. "You
look at the performance – we got criticised for the performance. But we had
more possession at Man City than we had we had when we beat then at West Ham
and yet we were 'brilliant' because we won. It is all about winning but
really it is about how you do."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Controversial equaliser denies Hammers
WHUFC.com
A controversial equaliser from Brighton's Amy Taylor denied West Ham Ladies
all three points at Rush Green on Sunday 26 April.
The Hammers went ahead in the first half through Vicky Kinsman's audacious
volley from 20 yards, before Kirsty Barton levelled for the Seagulls.
Shortly after the half time break, Brighton gave away possession outside
their box and Emma Sherwood punished them, before Taylor's controversial
goal secured a point for the travelling side.
Ladies boss Julian Dicks was forced into two changes ahead of kick-off as
Ruby Baxter replaced injured full-back Kerry Stimson who is expected to be
out for the rest of the season.
Kat Clifton made the bench, while April Bowers returned from illness to
partner captain Stacey Little in the middle of the pitch.
The Hammers struggled in the early stages to forget their disappointing
defeat to Lewes a week earlier while Brighton started strongly, aiming to
take a step closer to the FA Women's Premier League South title.
After Nikki Duncan had kept the Hammers level with a fantastic save from
Fliss Gibbons, the Hammers almost took the lead when Little rose highest
from a corner to head off the left hand upright.
With 22 minutes on the clock, the hosts shocked their South coast visitors
by taking the lead when Kinsman's volley caught Brighton keeper Faye Baker
off her line and the ball ended up in the back of the net.
Brighton responded well by quickly looking for an equaliser. They got it
when Gibbons' low cross fell perfectly for Barton inside the penalty area
who stroked home past Duncan.
In the second half, the visitors handed the lead back to the Hammers when
Sherwood intercepted a loose pass outside the penalty area and curled an
effort over Baker into the top corner.
The controversial moment came around eight minutes later when Taylor prodded
home from close range after Duncan had been clattered to the floor.
The assistant referee flagged for a foul and told the Hammers' players he
wanted to speak to the referee, however referee Chris Clarke totally ignored
his assistant and awarded the goal.
After that, Brighton desperately looked for that vital winner that they
needed to keep their title dreams alive, but Dicks' side stood strong and
secured themselves a point.
Up next for the Hammers is the London FA Capital Women's Cup Final against
Charlton Athletic at Harrow Borough FC on Wednesday 6 May. Kick-off is at
7:30pm with admission priced at £6 for adults and £3 for children.
West Ham United and Charlton Athletic will both be paying tribute to former
player Katie Sheppard at the final, who passed away at the age of 20 last
summer. Both captains will lay down respective shirts with 'Shepps' on the
back during a minute of silence prior to kick-off.
The Hammers close their season with a trip South to Portsmouth where they
could again make an impact on who wins the title. West Ham travel to Fareham
Town FC on Sunday 10 May, kick off 2pm.
Ladies: Duncan, King, Revell, Baxter, Bottom, Bowers, Little (c),
Blanchflower, Mellors (Smith), Kinsman, Sherwood.
Subs not used: Sale, Clifton, Xidhas.
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Stat's a Fact - Adrian's penalty saves
WHUFC.com
West Ham United goalkeeper Adrian possesses a burgeoning reputation as an
expert penalty saver in the Barclays Premier League – and that was given a
further boost on Saturday when he dived to his right to block Charlie
Austin's effort from twelve yards.
It was the third spot kick the Spaniard had stopped in succession, following
his saves from Harry Kane at Tottenham Hotspur in February and David Nugent
at Leicester City earlier this month.
In doing so, Adrian became just the ninth keeper in Premier League history
to save three penalties in a row – and his stop at Loftus Road capped a fine
performance between the sticks.
Seven saves, two crosses claimed and a punched clearance made the No13
WhoScored.com's statistically-calculated Player of the Week in the top
flight, with a match rating of 9.20.
Four of those saves came in the final 19 minutes at Loftus Road, as the R's
gave everything to secure what would have been a vital three points for his
side, including a wonderfully-athletic effort to deny Matt Phillips as the
clock ticked over 90.
Adrian told the press afterwards that he has a special method when it comes
to facing penalties, with the psychology of the twelve yard duel key in his
mind.
Having studied the penalty taker's preferred side and mannerisms in the
build-up to the fixture, Adrian tells the striker where he believes he is
going to put the penalty in a bid to knock him off his stride.
It appears to have had an impact, with Kane (although he did score the
rebound), Nugent and Austin all failing to find a way to defeat 'the master
of penalty saves' as he was described post match by his manager Sam
Allardyce.
The saves have come to both sides of the goal too, as Adrian flung himself
to his right to stop Kane's effort, before going the other way to get his
hands to Nugent's.
Austin's effort was more central, but Adrian hadn't dived too far over to
his right to not be able to block with his legs.
What is for certain, wherever they shoot in the goal, the next striker to
come head-to-head with Adrian over twelve yards will not be taking the goal
for granted.
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Spiegel delighted with victory over City
WHUFC.com
Development Squad goalkeeper Raphael Spiegel said he was delighted with the
Hammers' deserved 2-1 win over Manchester City at the Boleyn Ground on
Friday 24 April. The Hammers stormed to a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute after
Dan Potts headed home Djair Parfitt-Williams' cross from close range after
superb quick feet from the young striker. The hosts doubled their lead soon
after half time when Adam Drury stabbed Jordan Brown's driven cross into his
own net. Spiegel, the towering Swiss U21 international, made a string of
excellent saves to deny City a late equaliser after Olivier Ntcham's 76th
goal gave the visitors hope. Speaking after the match, a clearly delighted
Spiegel said: "It was a good game and a great victory. We're all very happy
in the dressing room and we thoroughly deserved the win. We worked very hard
for it. "Everyone did their jobs, in every position. I think we could have
scored even more goals at the end."
After Ntcham's powerful strike, his second against the Irons this season,
Patrick Veira's Elite Development Squad piled on the pressure as they sought
to salvage a point. However, the Dev Squad stood resolute and held out for
the three points through a combination of good defending and a number of
excellent saves from the 22-year-old. "The save towards the end was quite
important. He came from the side and hit it well, I had to wait to see what
side he put it and then make the save. It was an important save so I'm happy
with it. "I think the team needed a win, it's going to be a great boost for
the last three games and hopefully we can get some more good results.
"Manchester City are always a good team but to be fair I think we were the
better side, we're all happy with the performance and we deserved to win.
They may have come here thinking it was going to be an easy game, but it
never is. We gave our best and we got the victory. "For me it is always
special to play at Upton Park, I'm sure it is for all our players and I
think it did make a difference. Everyone wants to play in the stadium for
the first team so it's good."
Up next for the young Hammers is a difficult encounter against Everton at
Rush Green, their last home game of the season, on Friday 8 May.
Earlier in the season, the Toffees ran out 2-0 winners on a blustery night
in Southport. Four months on, Spiegel is confident his side can reverse the
defeat if they put in a similar level of performance that overcame
Manchester City. "Everton is going to be a good game, we can take a lot of
confidence from Friday. Of course we want another win and if we play like we
did against Manchester City I'm sure we get something."
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Loan round up
WHUFC.com
Tim Brown played the full game for Canvey Island in their 3-2 win over
Wingate & Finchley. The visitors Wingate took a 2-0 lead however Canvey
recovered with goals from Steven Smith, Jack Simmons and Harrison Chatting
completing the comeback.
Modibo Maiga played 82 minutes of FC Metz' 1-1 draw away at Bordeaux.
Fergani Sassi gave Metz the lead, finishing Florent Malouda's pass however
the hosts equalised a minute after Maiga was taken off. Wahbi Kharzi netting
the goal.
Jaanai Gordon played the full game for already relegated Nuneaton Town as
they lost 5-3 away at Chester. The visitors had been 2-0 up yet four second
half goals for Chester secured the win.
Paul McCallum came on in the 88th minute as Portsmouth beat Mansfield Town
2-1 away. Matt Tubbs' second minute penalty gave the visitors the lead
before Jed Wallace doubled their advantage.
Jack Thomas scored in the 68th minute to half the arrears yet Pompey held
out for the win. McCallum replaced goalscorer Matt Tubbs.
Elliot Lee played 65 minutes in Luton Town's 1-0 defeat away at Southend
United. Michael Timlin's 25-yard strike was fumbled by goalkeeper Elliot
Justham to give the Shrimpers the three points.
Lee was replaced by Luke Guttridge shortly after the hour mark.
Sean Maguire played 84 minutes of Accrington Stanley's 4-0 defeat away at
Dagenham & Redbridge. Matt Partridge opened the scoring before goals from
Jamie Cureton, Frankie Raymond and Jodi Jones completed the rout.
Maguire was replaced by Matt Crooks with six minutes to go.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Adrian - 'I have a positive mentality to save penalties'
WHUFC.com
West Ham United goalkeeper Adrian added to his reputation as the penalty
king on Saturday when he denied Charlie Austin the opportunity to give
Queens Park Rangers all three points from 12 yards. Adrian blocked the R's
striker's effort with his legs in the first half at Loftus Road as he kept a
first clean sheet for a month in helping the Hammers to a point from their
0-0 draw. The Spaniard's penalty stop was his third in succession following
on from saves from Tottenham's Harry Kane and Leicester's David Nugent in
2015 and he says the key to outwitting the striker lies in the preparation.
He said: "I study the penalties, because it is my job. I am a goalkeeper and
I try to save all the shots. The penalty is one shot you can study because
the best striker shoots on his strong side most often. This time Austin shot
to my right side and I saved it. "Every time I have the positive mentality
to save the penalty and this time it's good because I saved it. "I don't
know if I put Austin off by having a word beforehand, but I try to make the
striker nervous because if they are happy and relaxed to score the penalty,
it's easy for them. "In that scenario the goal is big, and I try to say some
words to make them nervous – on this occasion it worked for me."
Adrian played behind 18-year-old debutant Reece Burke, who partnered James
Collins at centre back. The former Real Betis keeper was impressed with the
Academy product's performance and says there is more to come from him. He
added: "Reece was not nervous – he was happy because all his teammates were
congratulating him after the game because he played well against a couple of
good strikers in Zamora and Austin. "I was saying that he needs to
concentrate for the 90 minutes and have confidence in himself. He's a good
central defender and he just needs to concentrate on his position. The more
experienced players tried to keep him calm. "It's a good experience for him
and he'll try to keep going from here."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
A FOREIGNER'S VIEW
By Iain Dale 27 Apr 2015 at 09:52
West Ham Till I Die
Guest Post by RoHammer
A Foreigner's View…
by RoHammer
I've been considering submitting an article on here for a while now but
somehow the usual "topics of the day" never seemed good enough. The Big Sam
discussion has been done to death, transfer speculation is…well, just that,
speculation… and while I love me a bit of tactical debate, that will always
be difficult to pull off what with all the internet managers around these
days (myself included). We all know we could do a better job than Sam though
am I right?! wink
On a more serious note though, there was a wonderful debate on here in the
last couple of days with some great contribution from our senior members
(who have seen it all). Now, I always enjoy reading Dan's articles with all
the historic info and such partly (but not solely) because I didn't get to
see it myself. Truth be told, most of what I know about WHU I have learned
on here which in itself is a credit to the site and its contributors. But it
all makes me wonder, what do West Ham fans really want going forward? Do we
cling to the trappings of our past which, despite the odd cup win, has been
decidedly mediocre…or do we strive for more? Are we content with being the
perennial "also-rans"?
People go on about how we use to be everyone's "second team" but personally
I struggle to take that as a compliment…more like a veiled insult at times.
I can see how our historic "style" could make us popular but I wonder if the
fact that we were very generous with giving away points wasn't part of it as
well. How important is "style" exactly and does it supersede getting the 3
points? In a hypothetical scenario, would we prefer winning most of our
games with 1-0 or losing them 3-4 (let's take relegation off the table for
this exercise and assume it wouldn't be a danger as we'd still get enough
points to survive)? Is entertainment the be all end all for West Ham fans…
and if so, when do we stop putting our individual desire for entertainment
ahead of what is best for our club? And isn't that rather selfish and short
sighted?
I have noticed people going so far as to say they would accept relegation if
only they would see the team play a certain "west ham way"… but how many
stop to think what that would mean for the club? The fans will be there
whatever division we play in of that I have no doubt…but do we not deserve
our day in the sun? Do we not want our team to be successful and fight it
out with the best (both domestically and in Europe as well)?
Don't get me wrong, I am not advocating "long ball" football here…far from
it in fact. I am advocating successful football whatever that may mean…if
"tiki-taka" works in a given game then great, but if we need to grind out a
result and defend a 1-0 lead then I can accept that too. I am advocating
adaptability and doing what you have to in order to succeed. As a side note,
since it's an ever so popular debate… who will be our next manager will have
a great bearing to where we are headed… with 4 games to go, we will find out
soon enough.
…I'll wrap it up here…this piece has become longer than expected which
shouldn't be a surprise to those who know me on WHTID but still…enough
questions for one day. Who knows, maybe I'll turn this into a series about
the identity of WHU and its fans past and present…im sure many of our older
members will have a lot to contribute. Being relatively new to this esteemed
group and supporting West Ham from abroad, there are certainly many things I
have yet to learn or understand. It might even benefit some of our younger
readers who knows?!
Thanks for reading folks…
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West Ham target Bournemouth hotshot Callum Wilson as new striker tops summer
priority list
15:46, 27 April 2015 By Darren Lewis
The Cherries striker has bagged 23 goals this term to take his side to the
brink of the Premier League but he is on West Ham's radar - along with
Javier Hernandez
The Mirror
West Ham are monitoring Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson. The Cherries
marksman has hit 23 goals to spearhead the south coast club's chase for
promotion to the Premier League. West Ham, meanwhile, have made a new
striker a priority this summer after seeing injuries and their lack of
firepower shatter their bid for European football. The east Londoners
already have Marseille striker Andre-Pierre Gignac - available on a free
this summer - on their shortlist. They are also keen on £7million-rated
Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez , on loan at Real Madrid but keen
to leave in search of regular first-team football.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce rubbishes reports linking him with Sunderland
job
22:30, 26 April 2015 By Darren Lewis
The Hammer is being targeted to take over from Dick Advocaat in the summer
but Allardyce has no plans to leave Upton Park
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce has dismissed suggestions he is welcoming interest from
Sunderland. The West Ham boss is set to be axed at the end of the season
after the east Londoners' slump in form over the second half of the season.
Sunderland, themselves fighting the drop, are targeting Big Sam to succeed
interim boss Dick Advocaat at the end of the season. But Allardyce said:
"There is only one thing that needs to be sorted out here and that is me
sitting down with the owners when they are ready to talk about me being at
West Ham and nowhere else.
"Until that is resolved we won't know which way we are both going forward.
That is the only thing that is to be sorted, to sit down and sort it out."
Allardyce has also insisted he will not stress himself out worrying about
his fate at Upton Park. The Irons board will hold talks with him at the end
of the season but they have also sounded out a number of rival bosses in
case they are unable - or unwilling - to agree a new deal. Allardyce had an
angioplasty, a procedure which involves inserting a stent to widen a
narrowed coronary artery, in 2009. He maintains the heart surgery saved his
life - and put the trivia of football into perspective. He said: "I made the
decision to look after myself in general in 2009 after my stent. "I think
after my stent the first thing I said to the specialist is 'is it time for
me to pack this job in?' he said no, but it is time to make sure you do not
stress yourself out as much as you do. "I see you jumping up and down on the
touchline like a lunatic – stop that. Control yourself and you won't have a
problem."
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Irons chase Cherries ace
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 27, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham are this afternoon be reported as tracking Bournemouth's 22-goal
striker striker Callum Wilson. The Cherries frontman has spearheaded The
Cherries s chase for promotion to the Premier League. David Sullivan
admitted recently the Irons have made a new striker a priority this summer
and the Mirror believe he is ready to raid the south coast club. We are also
claimed to have Marseille striker Andre-Pierre Gignac – available on a free
this summer – on their shortlist along with Jabier Hernandez. The Cherries
can more or less cenent their place in the Premier League tonight with
victory over Bolton in a game which may give Hammers fans the chance of
checking out Wilson.
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Reece lets Sam have his cake and eat it!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 27, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Sam Allardyce presumably kept a straight face as he discussed the emergence
of Reece Burke on the official website today. Last week he was telling us
how tough it was for him to play the youngsters but what a difference today
after the 18 year performed so well against Queens Park Rangers. Here's a
reminder of what Allardyce told London 24.com before the game: "If you put a
youngster in and lose, you get criticised, the youngster might get
criticised, so it is difficult. "Or play all your youngsters in the FA Cup
and get slaughtered for it. You say 'we don't give youngsters a chance' but
you give them a chance, lose, and get slaughtered for it. "You can't have
your cake and eat it."
Today, however, that is exactly what he appears to be trying to do as he
declares: "When everyone says no one plays a young player any more the
bottom line is if you are safe and you say 'We are going to play a lot of
the young players now and we are going to play a lot of players who are on
the fringe and whose contracts are up'. "We want to put them into games at
this level and see if they can stand up and get experience. "It is really
encouraging to see young players coming through. We want to put them into
games at this level and see if they can stand up and get experience." "Burke
has come through because of injuries to Winston Reid and James Tomkins and
to be fair he would have been more involved if he had not been injured
earlier in the season." REALLY – that doesn't quite compute Sam!
Back to last week and some more thoughts from the manager as he moaned: "It
is always difficult for me. If we were in a better position with our results
it would have been a good thing to look at the odd player. "But the pressure
with us at the moment to get results means it would be difficult for me to
do." Difficult? Maybe! WRONG? Most definitely! In the meantime giv e me some
more of that cake and let me eat it.
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Sam player support becomes embarrassing!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 27, 2015 in Whispers
Claret 7 Hugh
West Ham players appearing regularly in the media singing the praises of
their manager and "hoping he stays " is predictable and embarrassing" in
equal parts. Stewart Downing is the latest declaring: ""Hopefully he stays.
We want him here. The players love playing for him. He's a really good
manager to play for. "The manager has said it will be sorted at the end of
the season so we have to get on with it and win games. "The only way to put
the uncertainty to bed is to win games because that puts him in a better
position. owningNice words Stewart – shame about the actions! This followed
quotes from Andy Carroll declaring how much the manager was loved by the
squad in which he said: "Everyone loves him, everyone loves the training and
the routine we are in. I am sure all the lads want him to stay next season.
"The manager is strong enough to deal with that (run) and I think so are all
the players. It is just unlucky the way the games have been going."
Downing reckons the team needs to win to help him keep his job…Carroll
appears to believe we are merely unlucky after another four games without a
win. All the proclamations of love and undying loyalty to the manager thus
become almost entirely meaningless as the shocking run of results continues.
Sam no doubt needs someone to love him but the truth is we are showing
relegation form and relegated managers generally get the sack. Just felt a
little reality check was needed!
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Record maker Adrian psyches out Austin
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 27, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Adrian's third successive record setting Premier League penalty save against
Queens Park Rangers was a quite brilliant achievement at Loftus Road and
once the stopper may have psyched out the spot kick taker. The Spaniard –
speaking to the official site – said: "I don't know if I put Austin off by
having a word beforehand, but I try to make the striker nervous."
He of course did exactly the same to David Nugent before stopping his effort
at Leicester City in the defeat suffered at the hands of Leicester City.
Adrian said: "I study the penalties, because it is my job. I am a goalkeeper
and I try to save all the shots. "The penalty is one shot you can study
because the best striker shoots on his strong side most often. This time
Austin shot to my right side and I saved it. "Every time I have the positive
mentality to save the penalty and this time it's good because I saved it. "I
don't know if I put Austin off by having a word beforehand, but I try to
make the striker nervous because if they are happy and relaxed to score the
penalty, it's easy for them. "In that scenario the goal is big, and I try to
say some words to make them nervous – on this occasion it worked for me."
Adrian also commented on the impressive performance by Academy product
18-year-old debutant Reece Burke. He said: "Reece was not nervous – he was
happy because all his teammates were congratulating him after the game
because he played well against a couple of good strikers in Zamora and
Austin. "I was saying that he needs to concentrate for the 90 minutes and
have confidence in himself. He's a good central defender and he just needs
to concentrate on his position. The more experienced players tried to keep
him calm. "It's a good experience for him and he'll try to keep going from
here."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Three players West Ham need to move on in the summer, including Kevin Nolan
HITC
John Verrall
42 minutes ago
We take a look at the players West Ham United should let go this summer.
West Ham United's thoughts appear to have been on next season for some time,
with their current campaign petering out. The Hammers have won just two of
their last 17 Premier League matches, and it means that adding quality to
their squad next season will be key to ensure that they do not run out of
steam again. Expectations at West Ham are increasing and the standard of
players needed to be recruited is rising. It means that the London side
will need to be ruthless in the summer transfer window, and in this piece we
take a look at three players who should be let go as they don't make the
grade anymore.
Carlton Cole
The target-man has been a loyal servant of the club, but it is time for the
Hammers to let Cole leave. The experienced forward's contract is expiring,
and he should not be offered the chance to stay on as he isn't good enough
to play a part any more. West Ham have better options up front than Cole
nowadays, and he needs to be let go if the club are to progress.
Matt Jarvis
The winger has had some chances to impress of late, but he has never really
taken his opportunity and doesn't seem to be up to standard anymore.
Jarvis's West Ham career has never really taken off and the club should look
at moving him on in the summer. The former Wolverhampton Wanderers man may
be a decent outlet, but he doesn't have enough end product to represent a
team who will be chasing a European place.
Kevin Nolan
Nolan's presence in the dressing room is important for West Ham, but his
showings on the pitch have suggested that he lacks the quality to play a
regular role for the side. Nolan doesn't have the technical ability to push
the club on to the next level, and he should be allowed to leave in the
summer. The experienced midfielder is reaching the twilight of his career,
and West Ham need to start thinking about the future without him.
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Monday, April 27
Daily WHUFC News - 27th April 2015
Stewie salutes 'brilliant' Burke
WHUFC.com
Stewart Downing heaped plaudits on young Reece Burke, after the 18-year-old
gave a mature display in his Barclays Premier League debut against Queens
Park Rangers on Saturday. The Newham-born defender was thrown into the mix
following injury to Winston Reid and Downing felt he had seen plenty to
suggest the youngster has a big future in the game. Up against Charlie
Austin and Bobby Zamora, Burke battled gamely alongside fellow centre-half
James Collins and looked right at home at the heart of the Hammers' rear
guard. "He's waited a long time for his chance," Downing explained. He's
done well for the youth team, he's travelled a lot of times and not been
involved.
"But Reidy [Winston Reid] goes down injured late on and he's thrown in,
sometimes that's the best way to be. He has proven himself with his
performance. I thought he was absolutely brilliant against Bobby Zamora,
who's had a really good season, and Charlie Austin's scored nearly every
other game, so I thought he played really, really, well."
That said, Downing reckons he may need to rethink his hairstyle if he wants
to become a seasoned centre-half a la Collins. "He'll have to go skinhead
with Ginge! He's done really well, a young boy up against really experienced
strikers, strong lads as well. I thought he handled them very, very well.
He's probably man of the match for me."
As for the future, West Ham's No11 believes that Burke has shown enough to
earn the confidence of manager Sam Allardyce and so can expect to be in the
reckoning for the coming weeks and beyond. "I'm not sure whether he'll be in
from the start next season, Reidy, Ginge and Tonks [James Tomkins] might
have something to say about that. But he's certainly in that mix, we know we
can depend on him now, the manager can put him in there any time, home or
away and he'll do the job. "That was a big performance from him and he'll be
a big player for the future. You need people like that coming through."
Reflecting on Saturday's goalless draw, Downing said the Hammers were
indebted to 'keeper Adrian for his latest spot-kick heroics. It may be that
the Spaniard's form has gone under the radar somewhat, but the
Middlesbrough-born midfielder said West Ham know exactly how important he
is. He continued: "Adrian certainly gets the credit he deserves from us.
You can see that the fans love him and the lads obviously appreciate him. He
has made some big saves this season. He got my vote for player of the year,
so that shows you. "It was a great save, Charlie Austin's had an
unbelievable season and nine time out of ten he'd bury that penalty. But
Adrian's really good at penalties, it was a good save and it kept us in the
game."
Overall, however, Downing deemed that the point was probably about fair.
Though the 30-year-old had no complaints about the spot-kick, he thought the
Hammers were good value for their clean sheet and was just sorry that the
visitors failed to carve out a late winner. "They've missed a good chance
with the penalty and we had a couple late on, so overall I think it was
probably a fair result. We get a point back on the board, a clean sheet, so
there's a positive there, but we'd like to have won on Saturday. "There
wasn't too much fuss with the referee so I'm guessing it was a penalty. It
was probably a bit unlucky but Adrian's got us out of trouble again with a
great save. "Overall, at the end, if we'd got a goal, it would have been
nice to nick a 1-0 away win, because I thought we defended very well."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Downing wants under-fire Allardyce to stay at West Ham
Last Updated: 26/04/15 2:46pm
SSN
Stewart Downing says West Ham's players will be fighting for Sam Allardyce's
future in their last four games of the season. Allardyce is widely tipped to
leave the club in the summer as his contract expires at the end of the
season and he is yet to be offered a new deal.
A poor run of form, which has seen the Hammers win only two league games in
2015 and slip out of contention for the European places, has also added to
the uncertainty surrounding Allardyce's future. The Hammers were held to a
goalless draw at QPR on Saturday and sit 10th in the table, but Downing
insisted the players were all behind their manager and love playing under
Allardyce. "Even before I came here, Sam signed a new deal at the end of the
season," Downing said. "The manager has said it will be sorted at the end of
the season so we have to get on with it and win games. "The only way to put
the uncertainty to bed is to win games because that puts him in a better
position. "Hopefully he stays. We want him here. The players love playing
for him. He's a really good manager to play for. "He's been really good to
me, I like him, but I don't make the decisions, it's up to the chairmen and
how they see it going forward."
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QPR 0, WEST HAM 0. SLIGHTLY BETTER THAN WATCHING PAINT DRY.
By David Hautzig 25 Apr 2015 at 17:55
West Ham till I Die
You couldn't have scripted this better if you were able to manipulate the
space-time continuum. As we all know, Sam Allardyce made some pretty odd
comments about using (or not using) youth in the first team. I was pretty
dismayed by those comments, and went so far as to Tweet that it was one of
the most awe inspiringly dumb things I'd ever heard him say. So when the
rumours started creeping in that Reid had picked up a new hamstring injury
in training and Reece Burke might be handed a surprise start in his place, I
took to Twitter to predict Kouyate would start at CB, weakening our
midfield. I was sooooo ready to slam Sam for the decision.
And then he went and did what nobody thought he would do and completely
ruined my rant. Thanks Sam.
The opening minutes of the game were frenetic and exciting for both sides.
In the first minute Noble lost the ball to Matty Phillips near the top of
the QPR penalty area. Phillips played Sandro in on the left side but his low
shot was saved by Adrian. Minutes later it was the Hammers turn to attack
when Valencia did well to win a corner off a long ball that was headed
nowhere. Jarvis sent the corner into the box and onto the head of none other
than Reece Burke, who won the header and came inches from a dream start but
Onuoha cleared the ball off the line.
And just as quickly as the game began, it slowed down. For the next 18
minutes, very little happened. And then something big happened. QPR enjoyed
some possession and worked the ball into Zamora in the box. The former
Hammer hero tried to lob the ball over Collins and Adrian, but Collins
raised his right arm way over his head for a clear hand ball. When Charlie
Austin stepped up to take the penalty, I started to write about being down
1-0. Then I remembered Adrian doesn't give up goals from the spot, and for
the third time in a row our newest cult hero saved a penalty kick.
I am still very much in the pro Enner Valencia camp. I believe he has been
played out of position for much of the season, which has hampered both his
performances and his confidence. But there are times when I say to the TV,
"Enner, what the hell are you thinking"? The 32nd minute was one of those
times, when Valencia beat Hill on the byline and moved in on Rob Green. But
with Jarvis sprinting into the box, and Nolan trailing at the top of the
area, Valencia chose to take a bad shot from an impossible angle.
Minutes later West Ham had another chance….kind of….when Joey Barton gave
the ball away to Nolan at the top of the box. But with plenty of time and
plenty of space he attempted a quick shot that rolled harmlessly into the
waiting hands of Rob Green.
For the majority of the first half, one had to wonder if every player out
there had simply forgotten how to play the game. Passes were way off target,
the ball flew through the air sometimes for what looked liked minutes
without ever touching the ground. One could easily have mistaken it for a
game played in a field by a bunch of amateurs. It was that bad. The second
half was better, but not by much.
In the opening moments of the second forty five minutes, Clint Hill headed
the ball to Bobby Zamora in the West Ham penalty area. Zamora seemed to rush
his shot, likely unaware that he had a second to compose himself. Instead
his quick side footed effort went right into Adrian's arms.
In the 50th minute, West Ham had their best chance of the game to that
point. Nolan got on the end of a long ball from Collins and knocked it down
to Valencia, who was then fouled by Sandro to set up a free kick from a very
dangerous area. Cresswell curled his effort over the wall, and if not for a
superb save from Green he would have repeated his heroics against Stoke. If
I were king of Hammerland, I'd have Cresswell take the vast majority of free
kicks from here on.
QPR then enjoyed a period of possession that put West Ham on the back foot,
with both Sandro and Zamora taking shots that went either wide of high. West
Ham tried to change the tone of the game by removing Jarvis and inserting
Cole. And only because I love Cole for his loyalty and professionalism, I'm
going to credit his entry into the game for West Ham's next half chance.
Let's call it artistic license, shall we?
In the 57th minute, Cole won a header and Nolan got on the end of the
knockdown. Nolan threaded a long pass that both Downing and Green raced
after. In real time, it looked like Green got their first and cleared the
ball from danger. The replay showed that Downing might have gotten their
first and missed his attempt on the ball.
While Austin's missed penalty may still be the number one talking point of a
rather listless match, another one happened in the 72nd minute. After
Jenkinson put the ball out for a corner, Adrian and Caulker both went up for
the ball. They collided, the ball fell to Dunne, and he put it into the West
Ham net. But Mike Jones blew his whistle as Dunne was shooting, calling a
foul on Caulker for his collision with Adrian. If such a play was available
to be reviewed by video, that goal could have been allowed because it looked
like Caulker simply went for the ball and Adrian mishandled it. If I'm
wrong, I have no doubt I will be informed below.
QPR kept up the pressure, with Fer having a good look at goal only to
misfire, and then Dunne winning a header in the box but his attempt went
right to Adrian. Burke then fouled Austin, giving QPR a free kick which came
to Fer but his header went over the bar.
West Ham countered in the 80th minute when Valencia used his pace to beat
Dunne down the right hand side. With both Cole and Kouyate running into the
box, Valencia slid a low cross to the latter. If this can be a game of
inches, Valencia's pass was one of millimeters. The pass was just slightly
behind Kouyate, and his shot sailed high over the bar. Nine times out of
ten, Kouyate handles that and it's a goal. But like so many things in the
second half of the season, this was the tenth out of ten.
The Hammers created one more chance in the 89th when Jenkinson ran the
length of the field at full speed to get on the end of a pass from Downing
down the right. Jenkinson sent a low cross through the goalmouth but neither
Cole nor Valencia could reach it for an easy tap in.
The final chance of the game came in the final minute of the ninety when
Phillips ran onto the ball in the West Ham box and fired a volley that
looked headed for the roof of the net. But Adrian got his fingertips on the
ball and saved the point for West Ham.
Final Score: QPR 0, West Ham 0.
If either team could see this as two points dropped, it's Rangers. From the
missed penalty to the disallowed goal, with other chances mixed in, Chris
Ramsey's side played more like a team going for three points than West Ham.
Valencia had the kind of game that one could look at and say in a different
system, he could be lethal. And despite a few mistakes that made Burke look
like he's 18, the boy had a decent game. So I can hang on to those two
things as small positives. But overall it was yet another performance that
hammers home the point…pun intended…that West Ham need improvement in many
areas. Our midfield was dreadful today. They looked incapable of keeping
possession against a team that often handed them the ball. And with two
substitutions available, for Sam to ignore both Amalfitano and Nene was
absurd. I'm cynical enough wonder about his motives.
On the bright side, at least we didn't give up a late goal again. Thank
heavens for small favors.
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Howe's miracle journey nears climax
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 26, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Eddie Howe rarely gets prolonged mentions when it comes to considering a new
Hammers manager – perhaps he should! For tomorrow night he could all but
complete a miraculous journey in management which only those who have stayed
close to his reign at Bournemouth will be aware. The Cherries meet Bolton in
a match which if won will see them all but promoted but it's the history
which needs to be studied to see the magnitude of such an achievement. Six
years ago this weekend the then 31 year old manager was in charge of a side
which beat Grimsby Town to avoid relegation from the Football League in a
year when they had started with a League Two 17 point deduction! Now he sits
a heartbeat from a place in the Premier League and whilst most Hammers fans
are looking at big time bosses, one highly important Boleyn insider told us:
"This young man could become an absolutely fantastic manager …but can the
club take the chance at this stage?"
Former striker Frank McAvennie has no doubts about it telling ClaretandHugh:
"Everything he does is class and the football his team plays is pure West
Ham. He'd get it down and really play. "To deal with the pressures he has
had along the way, shows me he is a man of character who can deal with the
Premier League – I hope the club goes for him."
Howe heads into the match against Sam Allardyce's former club saying: " I
feel a lot older than 37 in terms on management. The 'Great Escape' aged me
about 10 years." And of the match against Bolton he declared: "Look at the
legacy the players could leave this club. We have never been in the top
division – never been in the Premier League. "They can become famous around
the town of Bournemouth and that should be their motivation."
Bournemouth v Bolton
Sky Sports
Kick Off 7.45 pm
Monday
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Richards deal and the Irons
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 26, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Reports that West Ham will "battle" for the signature of Manchester City
defender Micah Richards this summer are wide of the mark.
Currently on loan at Fiorentina, he is expected to return to England this
summer with allegedly Inter Milan and Fiorentina, ourselves, Southampton,
Stoke City, Everton and Aston Villa all chasing him. West Ham were claimed
to interested in Richards last summer but in the end the club became
disinterested at wages understood to be in the area of £70,000 and City
unwilling to share the burden. And ClaretandHugh was told today: "His injury
record isn't great and the wages are likely to be of an order that would see
us look elsewhere."
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Song on his Irons future
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 26, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
It may have come a little late to make much difference but Alex Song has
finally made his position clear: He wants to stay! In an interview with Sky
Sports he revealed: "Yeah, I definitely want to stay here. I don't know (if
I can sign a permanent deal at West Ham).
"I can't say anything now because I want to focus on the rest of the season
and then we will see." He added: "I think we have to target an eighth-placed
finish this season. The problem with West Ham is that we don't have a very
big squad. I was saying to people it was too early to say that we will
finish fourth or fifth. "I always said if we finish tenth it would be
perfect because we don't have a squad like an Arsenal or Chelsea. When we
have one or two players injured, we don't have a big player to come on."
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So disappointing but let's count the positives
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 26, 2015 in Whispers
BY Nick Hardinge
Claret & Hugh
Our latest blogger is a tender 21 years old – short on Hammers glory but BIG
on love for a club that's "been in his blood since Day One" Here in his
first article how – as just a young man – he's getting used to that feeling
of "fortune always hiding." Nick's views are his own and do not necessarily
reflect those of ClaretandHugh Adrian_3164087bWhen writing a report on our
beloved West Ham's current plight, it's difficult not to go over the same
old ground. How many times have we heard calls for "BFS Out!!"? How many
times have we despaired that the 'West Ham Way' is dying? How many times
have we hoped that our youth would be given greater opportunities? They're
more regular than an Adrian penalty save! I, like many others on here it
seems, cannot wait for this season to be over. It's petering out all too
familiarly. I'm only 21 and already I'm all too well acquainted with the
overwhelming sense of disappointment in a West Ham season. But in the past,
that disappointment was something that made me proud to be a West Ham fan. I
think that part of it defines who we are.
Perhaps surprisingly, I do remember the relegation of 2003. The abysmal 2011
is definitely still very fresh in the mind. However, despite these tragedies
I have always held my head up high as a Hammer, even in the face of taunts
from my glory supporting Man U friends and a fool of a Gooner (who needs
enemies when you have friends like that hey?).
I've always been confident that the good times would shortly be round the
corner. We had fighters in those squads who would give their all for the
shirt (2003: Di Canio, Repka, Sinclair; 2011: Parker, Green, Cole
[disagreement here is welcome, but in their own separate ways they were each
a hero in the claret and blue at some point]). It pains me to say, but today
I do not see those fighters.
There is always Mark Noble, and James Collins always puts everything on the
line for the club, but rarely do these two change a game. As much as I love
the fishing fanatic, Noble rarely makes that incisive pass that splits open
a defence and Collins too often delivers a (sometimes spectacular, i.e. City
away) gaffe which leads to trouble.
For a while, I thought Song, Downing and a few others might earn a heroic
status for us this season. But like Kevin Nolan in every game this season,
their fight has all but disappeared. I think we can hold our hands up and
admit that we were in dreamland in December when we were hoping for Europe.
In true West Ham fashion, the fortune has hidden once again.
Today, the disappointment feels different. I feel no pride in our current
displays. And I firmly believe that the buck stops at the man at the helm.
Players are prima donnas these days and they need inspiring. If Allardyce
can't inspire us (sometimes fickle) fans who pay good money to watch, then
how can he inspire players guaranteed to be earning up to £80,000 a week?
So where does this leave us? Well I'd like to finish on a few high notes. We
have a manager who, as many of us hope and believe, is seemingly on his way
out.
We have a proven PL goal scorer for next season in Sakho. We have a keeper
who is number one in all but his shirt number.
There is a relatively youthful core in the side (Sakho, Valencia, Kouyate,
Tomkins, Reid, Cresswell), plus we have promises of additions from the
owners.
A new stadium is on the horizon, along with cheaper tickets (eventually).
And finally, we are still a Premier League club – for what it's worth (a LOT
of money actually).
Oh, and apparently we have David Cameron's backing. Well that is us damned
then!!
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Burke's Mum and Dad make it "emotional"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 26, 2015 in Whispers
Claret 7 Hugh
Reece Burke was the major talking point before and after yesterday's 0-0
draw at Loftus Road and the lad himself declared: "After Winston Reid picked
up a little injury I thought he might chuck me in and I found out on Friday
I'd be playing, so I had to prepare well." The Newham born 18 year old
reckons he "did alright" and added "Hopefully there's many more games to
come." He told the official site: ""I'm just really happy we kept a clean
sheet. There's always room for improvement and that's for me to go away,
watch the game back and work on what I need to work on. "It was a case of
keeping it simple and not over-complicating things. That's what the lads
were telling me, make sure my first pass and first header were good and go
from there. That's the way it went so I'm pleased.
He continued: "My parents came to watch the game and I saw them at the end,
which was a bit emotional. I'm happy and they're happy as well. Saturday was
a very emotional day for me – I've been at the Club since the age of nine so
playing at QPR is looking back at a long journey. I just want to keep
going." Burke also paid tribute to James Collins, whose experienced head
helped him through his league debut. "Ginge helped me throughout the game,
talking to me and telling me not to get too tight to Bobby Zamora as he's a
strong lad.
"He spoke to me a lot during the game and helped me to do well."
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West Ham Talent Commits To Nigeria Ahead Of England
West Ham's New Kid On The Block Emmanuel Onariase Chooses To Play For
Nigeria
By SL10 - Apr 26, 2015 12:18 PM
West Ham's new kid on the block, Emmanuel Onariase, has elected to play for
Nigeria at senior level though he is eligible to don the jersey of England,
the country of his birth. The Anglo-Nigerian is regarded as one of the
brightest prospects at The Boleyn Ground so much so that manager Sam
Allardyce named the central defender in his 18 - man squad for the Premier
League clash against Arsenal last month.
''I've always wanted to play for my country ever since I was a kid,''
Emmanuel Onariase confided to SL10.ng. ''My future lies with God, he is my
sense of direction, he has plans for me, which ever country I end up playing
for I know it's God that chose it for me! He will give me a sign when the
time comes. ''Of course I would honour a call up from my home country! I
would love to play for my country with a passion!'' The 18 - year - old has
revealed that former Super Eagles skipper Joseph Yobo has always been his
role model, and did not spare praise for the ex Everton and Norwich City
stopper. ''I look up to Joesph Yobo who was a centre back for the Super
Eagles but retired last year. ''Yobo is a solid defender! Being the team
captain, he led the team by example, he also played in the Premier league
for Everton. ''He is composed on the ball and he reads the game well making
vital tackles! What a great player!'' Emmanuel Onariase added. West Ham
believe Onariase will be key for the club in future and they moved quickly
to offer him a professional deal earlier this month.
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WHUFC.com
Stewart Downing heaped plaudits on young Reece Burke, after the 18-year-old
gave a mature display in his Barclays Premier League debut against Queens
Park Rangers on Saturday. The Newham-born defender was thrown into the mix
following injury to Winston Reid and Downing felt he had seen plenty to
suggest the youngster has a big future in the game. Up against Charlie
Austin and Bobby Zamora, Burke battled gamely alongside fellow centre-half
James Collins and looked right at home at the heart of the Hammers' rear
guard. "He's waited a long time for his chance," Downing explained. He's
done well for the youth team, he's travelled a lot of times and not been
involved.
"But Reidy [Winston Reid] goes down injured late on and he's thrown in,
sometimes that's the best way to be. He has proven himself with his
performance. I thought he was absolutely brilliant against Bobby Zamora,
who's had a really good season, and Charlie Austin's scored nearly every
other game, so I thought he played really, really, well."
That said, Downing reckons he may need to rethink his hairstyle if he wants
to become a seasoned centre-half a la Collins. "He'll have to go skinhead
with Ginge! He's done really well, a young boy up against really experienced
strikers, strong lads as well. I thought he handled them very, very well.
He's probably man of the match for me."
As for the future, West Ham's No11 believes that Burke has shown enough to
earn the confidence of manager Sam Allardyce and so can expect to be in the
reckoning for the coming weeks and beyond. "I'm not sure whether he'll be in
from the start next season, Reidy, Ginge and Tonks [James Tomkins] might
have something to say about that. But he's certainly in that mix, we know we
can depend on him now, the manager can put him in there any time, home or
away and he'll do the job. "That was a big performance from him and he'll be
a big player for the future. You need people like that coming through."
Reflecting on Saturday's goalless draw, Downing said the Hammers were
indebted to 'keeper Adrian for his latest spot-kick heroics. It may be that
the Spaniard's form has gone under the radar somewhat, but the
Middlesbrough-born midfielder said West Ham know exactly how important he
is. He continued: "Adrian certainly gets the credit he deserves from us.
You can see that the fans love him and the lads obviously appreciate him. He
has made some big saves this season. He got my vote for player of the year,
so that shows you. "It was a great save, Charlie Austin's had an
unbelievable season and nine time out of ten he'd bury that penalty. But
Adrian's really good at penalties, it was a good save and it kept us in the
game."
Overall, however, Downing deemed that the point was probably about fair.
Though the 30-year-old had no complaints about the spot-kick, he thought the
Hammers were good value for their clean sheet and was just sorry that the
visitors failed to carve out a late winner. "They've missed a good chance
with the penalty and we had a couple late on, so overall I think it was
probably a fair result. We get a point back on the board, a clean sheet, so
there's a positive there, but we'd like to have won on Saturday. "There
wasn't too much fuss with the referee so I'm guessing it was a penalty. It
was probably a bit unlucky but Adrian's got us out of trouble again with a
great save. "Overall, at the end, if we'd got a goal, it would have been
nice to nick a 1-0 away win, because I thought we defended very well."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Downing wants under-fire Allardyce to stay at West Ham
Last Updated: 26/04/15 2:46pm
SSN
Stewart Downing says West Ham's players will be fighting for Sam Allardyce's
future in their last four games of the season. Allardyce is widely tipped to
leave the club in the summer as his contract expires at the end of the
season and he is yet to be offered a new deal.
A poor run of form, which has seen the Hammers win only two league games in
2015 and slip out of contention for the European places, has also added to
the uncertainty surrounding Allardyce's future. The Hammers were held to a
goalless draw at QPR on Saturday and sit 10th in the table, but Downing
insisted the players were all behind their manager and love playing under
Allardyce. "Even before I came here, Sam signed a new deal at the end of the
season," Downing said. "The manager has said it will be sorted at the end of
the season so we have to get on with it and win games. "The only way to put
the uncertainty to bed is to win games because that puts him in a better
position. "Hopefully he stays. We want him here. The players love playing
for him. He's a really good manager to play for. "He's been really good to
me, I like him, but I don't make the decisions, it's up to the chairmen and
how they see it going forward."
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QPR 0, WEST HAM 0. SLIGHTLY BETTER THAN WATCHING PAINT DRY.
By David Hautzig 25 Apr 2015 at 17:55
West Ham till I Die
You couldn't have scripted this better if you were able to manipulate the
space-time continuum. As we all know, Sam Allardyce made some pretty odd
comments about using (or not using) youth in the first team. I was pretty
dismayed by those comments, and went so far as to Tweet that it was one of
the most awe inspiringly dumb things I'd ever heard him say. So when the
rumours started creeping in that Reid had picked up a new hamstring injury
in training and Reece Burke might be handed a surprise start in his place, I
took to Twitter to predict Kouyate would start at CB, weakening our
midfield. I was sooooo ready to slam Sam for the decision.
And then he went and did what nobody thought he would do and completely
ruined my rant. Thanks Sam.
The opening minutes of the game were frenetic and exciting for both sides.
In the first minute Noble lost the ball to Matty Phillips near the top of
the QPR penalty area. Phillips played Sandro in on the left side but his low
shot was saved by Adrian. Minutes later it was the Hammers turn to attack
when Valencia did well to win a corner off a long ball that was headed
nowhere. Jarvis sent the corner into the box and onto the head of none other
than Reece Burke, who won the header and came inches from a dream start but
Onuoha cleared the ball off the line.
And just as quickly as the game began, it slowed down. For the next 18
minutes, very little happened. And then something big happened. QPR enjoyed
some possession and worked the ball into Zamora in the box. The former
Hammer hero tried to lob the ball over Collins and Adrian, but Collins
raised his right arm way over his head for a clear hand ball. When Charlie
Austin stepped up to take the penalty, I started to write about being down
1-0. Then I remembered Adrian doesn't give up goals from the spot, and for
the third time in a row our newest cult hero saved a penalty kick.
I am still very much in the pro Enner Valencia camp. I believe he has been
played out of position for much of the season, which has hampered both his
performances and his confidence. But there are times when I say to the TV,
"Enner, what the hell are you thinking"? The 32nd minute was one of those
times, when Valencia beat Hill on the byline and moved in on Rob Green. But
with Jarvis sprinting into the box, and Nolan trailing at the top of the
area, Valencia chose to take a bad shot from an impossible angle.
Minutes later West Ham had another chance….kind of….when Joey Barton gave
the ball away to Nolan at the top of the box. But with plenty of time and
plenty of space he attempted a quick shot that rolled harmlessly into the
waiting hands of Rob Green.
For the majority of the first half, one had to wonder if every player out
there had simply forgotten how to play the game. Passes were way off target,
the ball flew through the air sometimes for what looked liked minutes
without ever touching the ground. One could easily have mistaken it for a
game played in a field by a bunch of amateurs. It was that bad. The second
half was better, but not by much.
In the opening moments of the second forty five minutes, Clint Hill headed
the ball to Bobby Zamora in the West Ham penalty area. Zamora seemed to rush
his shot, likely unaware that he had a second to compose himself. Instead
his quick side footed effort went right into Adrian's arms.
In the 50th minute, West Ham had their best chance of the game to that
point. Nolan got on the end of a long ball from Collins and knocked it down
to Valencia, who was then fouled by Sandro to set up a free kick from a very
dangerous area. Cresswell curled his effort over the wall, and if not for a
superb save from Green he would have repeated his heroics against Stoke. If
I were king of Hammerland, I'd have Cresswell take the vast majority of free
kicks from here on.
QPR then enjoyed a period of possession that put West Ham on the back foot,
with both Sandro and Zamora taking shots that went either wide of high. West
Ham tried to change the tone of the game by removing Jarvis and inserting
Cole. And only because I love Cole for his loyalty and professionalism, I'm
going to credit his entry into the game for West Ham's next half chance.
Let's call it artistic license, shall we?
In the 57th minute, Cole won a header and Nolan got on the end of the
knockdown. Nolan threaded a long pass that both Downing and Green raced
after. In real time, it looked like Green got their first and cleared the
ball from danger. The replay showed that Downing might have gotten their
first and missed his attempt on the ball.
While Austin's missed penalty may still be the number one talking point of a
rather listless match, another one happened in the 72nd minute. After
Jenkinson put the ball out for a corner, Adrian and Caulker both went up for
the ball. They collided, the ball fell to Dunne, and he put it into the West
Ham net. But Mike Jones blew his whistle as Dunne was shooting, calling a
foul on Caulker for his collision with Adrian. If such a play was available
to be reviewed by video, that goal could have been allowed because it looked
like Caulker simply went for the ball and Adrian mishandled it. If I'm
wrong, I have no doubt I will be informed below.
QPR kept up the pressure, with Fer having a good look at goal only to
misfire, and then Dunne winning a header in the box but his attempt went
right to Adrian. Burke then fouled Austin, giving QPR a free kick which came
to Fer but his header went over the bar.
West Ham countered in the 80th minute when Valencia used his pace to beat
Dunne down the right hand side. With both Cole and Kouyate running into the
box, Valencia slid a low cross to the latter. If this can be a game of
inches, Valencia's pass was one of millimeters. The pass was just slightly
behind Kouyate, and his shot sailed high over the bar. Nine times out of
ten, Kouyate handles that and it's a goal. But like so many things in the
second half of the season, this was the tenth out of ten.
The Hammers created one more chance in the 89th when Jenkinson ran the
length of the field at full speed to get on the end of a pass from Downing
down the right. Jenkinson sent a low cross through the goalmouth but neither
Cole nor Valencia could reach it for an easy tap in.
The final chance of the game came in the final minute of the ninety when
Phillips ran onto the ball in the West Ham box and fired a volley that
looked headed for the roof of the net. But Adrian got his fingertips on the
ball and saved the point for West Ham.
Final Score: QPR 0, West Ham 0.
If either team could see this as two points dropped, it's Rangers. From the
missed penalty to the disallowed goal, with other chances mixed in, Chris
Ramsey's side played more like a team going for three points than West Ham.
Valencia had the kind of game that one could look at and say in a different
system, he could be lethal. And despite a few mistakes that made Burke look
like he's 18, the boy had a decent game. So I can hang on to those two
things as small positives. But overall it was yet another performance that
hammers home the point…pun intended…that West Ham need improvement in many
areas. Our midfield was dreadful today. They looked incapable of keeping
possession against a team that often handed them the ball. And with two
substitutions available, for Sam to ignore both Amalfitano and Nene was
absurd. I'm cynical enough wonder about his motives.
On the bright side, at least we didn't give up a late goal again. Thank
heavens for small favors.
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Howe's miracle journey nears climax
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 26, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Eddie Howe rarely gets prolonged mentions when it comes to considering a new
Hammers manager – perhaps he should! For tomorrow night he could all but
complete a miraculous journey in management which only those who have stayed
close to his reign at Bournemouth will be aware. The Cherries meet Bolton in
a match which if won will see them all but promoted but it's the history
which needs to be studied to see the magnitude of such an achievement. Six
years ago this weekend the then 31 year old manager was in charge of a side
which beat Grimsby Town to avoid relegation from the Football League in a
year when they had started with a League Two 17 point deduction! Now he sits
a heartbeat from a place in the Premier League and whilst most Hammers fans
are looking at big time bosses, one highly important Boleyn insider told us:
"This young man could become an absolutely fantastic manager …but can the
club take the chance at this stage?"
Former striker Frank McAvennie has no doubts about it telling ClaretandHugh:
"Everything he does is class and the football his team plays is pure West
Ham. He'd get it down and really play. "To deal with the pressures he has
had along the way, shows me he is a man of character who can deal with the
Premier League – I hope the club goes for him."
Howe heads into the match against Sam Allardyce's former club saying: " I
feel a lot older than 37 in terms on management. The 'Great Escape' aged me
about 10 years." And of the match against Bolton he declared: "Look at the
legacy the players could leave this club. We have never been in the top
division – never been in the Premier League. "They can become famous around
the town of Bournemouth and that should be their motivation."
Bournemouth v Bolton
Sky Sports
Kick Off 7.45 pm
Monday
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Richards deal and the Irons
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 26, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Reports that West Ham will "battle" for the signature of Manchester City
defender Micah Richards this summer are wide of the mark.
Currently on loan at Fiorentina, he is expected to return to England this
summer with allegedly Inter Milan and Fiorentina, ourselves, Southampton,
Stoke City, Everton and Aston Villa all chasing him. West Ham were claimed
to interested in Richards last summer but in the end the club became
disinterested at wages understood to be in the area of £70,000 and City
unwilling to share the burden. And ClaretandHugh was told today: "His injury
record isn't great and the wages are likely to be of an order that would see
us look elsewhere."
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Song on his Irons future
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 26, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
It may have come a little late to make much difference but Alex Song has
finally made his position clear: He wants to stay! In an interview with Sky
Sports he revealed: "Yeah, I definitely want to stay here. I don't know (if
I can sign a permanent deal at West Ham).
"I can't say anything now because I want to focus on the rest of the season
and then we will see." He added: "I think we have to target an eighth-placed
finish this season. The problem with West Ham is that we don't have a very
big squad. I was saying to people it was too early to say that we will
finish fourth or fifth. "I always said if we finish tenth it would be
perfect because we don't have a squad like an Arsenal or Chelsea. When we
have one or two players injured, we don't have a big player to come on."
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So disappointing but let's count the positives
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 26, 2015 in Whispers
BY Nick Hardinge
Claret & Hugh
Our latest blogger is a tender 21 years old – short on Hammers glory but BIG
on love for a club that's "been in his blood since Day One" Here in his
first article how – as just a young man – he's getting used to that feeling
of "fortune always hiding." Nick's views are his own and do not necessarily
reflect those of ClaretandHugh Adrian_3164087bWhen writing a report on our
beloved West Ham's current plight, it's difficult not to go over the same
old ground. How many times have we heard calls for "BFS Out!!"? How many
times have we despaired that the 'West Ham Way' is dying? How many times
have we hoped that our youth would be given greater opportunities? They're
more regular than an Adrian penalty save! I, like many others on here it
seems, cannot wait for this season to be over. It's petering out all too
familiarly. I'm only 21 and already I'm all too well acquainted with the
overwhelming sense of disappointment in a West Ham season. But in the past,
that disappointment was something that made me proud to be a West Ham fan. I
think that part of it defines who we are.
Perhaps surprisingly, I do remember the relegation of 2003. The abysmal 2011
is definitely still very fresh in the mind. However, despite these tragedies
I have always held my head up high as a Hammer, even in the face of taunts
from my glory supporting Man U friends and a fool of a Gooner (who needs
enemies when you have friends like that hey?).
I've always been confident that the good times would shortly be round the
corner. We had fighters in those squads who would give their all for the
shirt (2003: Di Canio, Repka, Sinclair; 2011: Parker, Green, Cole
[disagreement here is welcome, but in their own separate ways they were each
a hero in the claret and blue at some point]). It pains me to say, but today
I do not see those fighters.
There is always Mark Noble, and James Collins always puts everything on the
line for the club, but rarely do these two change a game. As much as I love
the fishing fanatic, Noble rarely makes that incisive pass that splits open
a defence and Collins too often delivers a (sometimes spectacular, i.e. City
away) gaffe which leads to trouble.
For a while, I thought Song, Downing and a few others might earn a heroic
status for us this season. But like Kevin Nolan in every game this season,
their fight has all but disappeared. I think we can hold our hands up and
admit that we were in dreamland in December when we were hoping for Europe.
In true West Ham fashion, the fortune has hidden once again.
Today, the disappointment feels different. I feel no pride in our current
displays. And I firmly believe that the buck stops at the man at the helm.
Players are prima donnas these days and they need inspiring. If Allardyce
can't inspire us (sometimes fickle) fans who pay good money to watch, then
how can he inspire players guaranteed to be earning up to £80,000 a week?
So where does this leave us? Well I'd like to finish on a few high notes. We
have a manager who, as many of us hope and believe, is seemingly on his way
out.
We have a proven PL goal scorer for next season in Sakho. We have a keeper
who is number one in all but his shirt number.
There is a relatively youthful core in the side (Sakho, Valencia, Kouyate,
Tomkins, Reid, Cresswell), plus we have promises of additions from the
owners.
A new stadium is on the horizon, along with cheaper tickets (eventually).
And finally, we are still a Premier League club – for what it's worth (a LOT
of money actually).
Oh, and apparently we have David Cameron's backing. Well that is us damned
then!!
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Burke's Mum and Dad make it "emotional"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 26, 2015 in Whispers
Claret 7 Hugh
Reece Burke was the major talking point before and after yesterday's 0-0
draw at Loftus Road and the lad himself declared: "After Winston Reid picked
up a little injury I thought he might chuck me in and I found out on Friday
I'd be playing, so I had to prepare well." The Newham born 18 year old
reckons he "did alright" and added "Hopefully there's many more games to
come." He told the official site: ""I'm just really happy we kept a clean
sheet. There's always room for improvement and that's for me to go away,
watch the game back and work on what I need to work on. "It was a case of
keeping it simple and not over-complicating things. That's what the lads
were telling me, make sure my first pass and first header were good and go
from there. That's the way it went so I'm pleased.
He continued: "My parents came to watch the game and I saw them at the end,
which was a bit emotional. I'm happy and they're happy as well. Saturday was
a very emotional day for me – I've been at the Club since the age of nine so
playing at QPR is looking back at a long journey. I just want to keep
going." Burke also paid tribute to James Collins, whose experienced head
helped him through his league debut. "Ginge helped me throughout the game,
talking to me and telling me not to get too tight to Bobby Zamora as he's a
strong lad.
"He spoke to me a lot during the game and helped me to do well."
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West Ham Talent Commits To Nigeria Ahead Of England
West Ham's New Kid On The Block Emmanuel Onariase Chooses To Play For
Nigeria
By SL10 - Apr 26, 2015 12:18 PM
West Ham's new kid on the block, Emmanuel Onariase, has elected to play for
Nigeria at senior level though he is eligible to don the jersey of England,
the country of his birth. The Anglo-Nigerian is regarded as one of the
brightest prospects at The Boleyn Ground so much so that manager Sam
Allardyce named the central defender in his 18 - man squad for the Premier
League clash against Arsenal last month.
''I've always wanted to play for my country ever since I was a kid,''
Emmanuel Onariase confided to SL10.ng. ''My future lies with God, he is my
sense of direction, he has plans for me, which ever country I end up playing
for I know it's God that chose it for me! He will give me a sign when the
time comes. ''Of course I would honour a call up from my home country! I
would love to play for my country with a passion!'' The 18 - year - old has
revealed that former Super Eagles skipper Joseph Yobo has always been his
role model, and did not spare praise for the ex Everton and Norwich City
stopper. ''I look up to Joesph Yobo who was a centre back for the Super
Eagles but retired last year. ''Yobo is a solid defender! Being the team
captain, he led the team by example, he also played in the Premier league
for Everton. ''He is composed on the ball and he reads the game well making
vital tackles! What a great player!'' Emmanuel Onariase added. West Ham
believe Onariase will be key for the club in future and they moved quickly
to offer him a professional deal earlier this month.
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Sunday, April 26
Daily WHUFC News - 26th April 2015
Queens Park Rangers 0-0 West Ham United
WHUFC.com
Barclays Premier League
Queens Park Rangers 0-0 West Ham United
Adrian's first-half penalty save from Charlie Austin saw West Ham United battle their way to a goalless Barclays Premier League draw at Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.
After James Collins had been adjudged to have handled from Bobby Zamora, the Spaniard sprung to his right to repel Austin's spot-kick and preserve the Hammers' clean sheet.
Robert Green tipped a fabulous Aaron Cresswell free-kick onto the bar in the second half, while Richard Dunne had a scrappy effort chalked off for a Steven Caulker foul on Adrian. The Hoops finished the stronger, but could find no way past an inspired Adrian in the West Ham goal.
Sam Allardyce had earlier handed 18-year-old Academy graduate Reece Burke a first Premier League start, with Winston Reid sidelined with a hamstring problem. Elsewhere, Alex Song and Carlton Cole made way for Kevin Nolan and Matt Jarvis.
There had been plenty of talk this week about the importance of a fast start and yet there was a scare for the visitors within 60 seconds. Mark Noble was dispossessed on the edge of the Hoops box and, on the counter, Sandro forced Adrian into a sharp stop at his near post.
At the other end, West Ham were racking up the corner count. From the second of five first-half corners, debutant Burke saw a header cleared off the line.
From a frenetic start it all went rather quiet, in the two goalmouths at least. Midway through the half, however, Rangers and, more specifically Austin, fluffed their lines from the spot.
Nedum Onuoha had surged down the right and clipped into the feet of Bobby Zamora. The former Hammers man controlled and flicked it up, with a James Collins arm inadvertently getting in the way. Referee Mike Jones had no hesitation whatever.
Over to Adrian, who flung himself to his right to stop a third league penalty in succession and duly lapped up the adulation from the Hammers fans behind the goal.
There were half chances at either end as the half ticked down. Matt Phillips' drive ricocheted off Zamora and skipped wide, while Nolan found himself a yard or two on the edge of box, but rather scuffed an effort into the arms of Green.
With five minutes of the second half gone, Rangers had a combination of Green and the crossbar to thank for keeping it goalless. After Valencia had been unceremoniously upended by Sandro, Cresswell took charge of the set piece. He whipped it towards the top left-hand corner and there was the England stopper, at full stretch, to tip it one handed onto the woodwork and over.
But the Hoops continued to pose a threat of their own. Sandro slashed over the top from the edge of the D, while Zamora bullied Burke out of it, but, under pressure from Collins, cleared the crossbar as well.
Big Sam brought Cole on for Jarvis and the striker was immediately into the action. The No24 flicked into the path of Noble, who in turn set Downing away, but Green was quicker to it and swept up.
The hosts, meanwhile, had the ball in the net from a corner after 74 mintues, but not fairly thought referee Jones. Caulker was penalised for a foul on Adrian and so though Dunne gleefully bundled it home, it mattered not.
As the game entered its final minutes, West Ham created arguably their best opening of the 90. Valencia skipped past Dunne and squared for Kouyate, but the No8 was off balance and ballooned over the bar from eight yards.
Adrian came to the Hammers' rescue in the dying minutes too, palming Phillips' rasping drive wide of his left-hand upright as the visitors clung on for a hard-earned point away from home.
Queens Park Rangers: Green, Onuoha, Dunne, Caulker, Hill (Yun 63), Barton (c), Henry, Sandro, Phillips, Austin, Zamora (Fer 67)
Subs: McCarthy, Isla, Kranjcar, Taarabt, Wright-Phillips
Booked: Austin
West Ham United: Adrian, Jenkinson, Collins, Burke, Cresswell, Noble, Kouyate, Nolan (c), Downing, Jarvis (Cole 55), Valencia
Subs: Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, Oxford, Poyet, Amalfitano, Nene
Referee: Mike Jones
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Sam hails 'Master of penalty saves'
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce paid tribute to West Ham United's 'Master of penalty saves' after Adrian's third spot-kick stop in a row earned a goalless draw at Queens Park Rangers. The Spaniard followed up saves from Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane and Leicester City's David Nugent by denying Charlie Austin on 23 minutes and dent the Hoops' Barclays Premier League survival hopes. With a host of players out injured, including Winston Reid, James Tomkins, Alex Song, top scorer Diafra Sakho and Andy Carroll, teenager Reece Burke was handed a top-flight debut at centre-back, but the depleted Hammers stood resolute to take a share of the spoils back across London. "I think we had to match the fact that when a team is at the bottom of the league and the games remaining are in single figures, the desire and anxiety of the opposition is so much greater than it is at the start of the season," the manager told West Ham TV. "When there are only three, four or five games left and a team is in the bottom three and three or four points adrift, the opposition get more and more desperate. "Of course we had many positions to have scored but failed to do so. The best in the first half came before the penalty when Enner Valencia should have rolled the ball to an unmarked Kevin Nolan in the middle of the goal. I understand his frustration because he wanted to score and we want him to score more, but not when there is someone else in a better position, because you must give them the ball. "It was obviously a penalty, but there was a clear foul just before on Cheikhou Kouyate, who was just cleaned out by Karl Henry as he headed the ball, which meant the ball went to a QPR player instead of one of ours. I don't think you could blame the referee because Ginge's hand was in the air above his head. "Then, though, we had the master of penalty saves there for us again – that's his third one on the trot and it was the major reason we got a point. It was not fortunate, but fantastic goalkeeping because he has proved it in the past. "There was also no doubt about the foul on Adrian for the goal they have had disallowed, so we got the defensive side right."
One major reason for that was the assured performance of 18-year-old Burke on his Barclays Premier League debut – and just his third first-team appearance. The Newham-born youngster was cheered on by his parents and 1,200 Hammers fans, responding with a confident and unflustered display alongside James Collins. "We had a young man in Reece Burke making his debut and he stood up to Austin and Bobby Zamora and came away with a clean sheet," said Big Sam. "It was a magnificent feeling for him and his family. I could imagine the nerves and excitement they felt about him playing, and he played so well and looked calm and commanding at times. "There is a future for him if he works harder than he has ever worked. If you never stop working and practising then you will forge yourself a career in the game.
"He has given us an insight into the fact he can cope with this level on a one-off basis, so now he has to prove he can play regularly at this level." Having kept QPR at bay before half-time, West Ham created a succession of chances after the break. Aaron Cresswell's free-kick was tipped over by Robert Green, Mark Noble's scooped free-kick eluded an unmarked Nolan, before Kouyate blazed Valencia's cut-back high over the crossbar. "Greeny showed why he is back in the England squad because that was one outstanding save from Aaron Cresswell," the gaffer observed. "Towards the end of the game, we had so many opportunities to score in the final few minutes, which have haunted us so often recently, so it was disappointing to have missed those chances. "One nearly paid off, and it was unusual because Mark Noble normally plays that ball perfectly for Kevin all the time, and QPR hadn't got a clue what was going on, but he played it wrong and it went out."
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Burke's pride at top flight debut
WHUFC.com
While Saturday's 0-0 draw at Queens Park Rangers was one that will not catch too many headlines in the morning papers, it will nevertheless be a game remembered forever by Reece Burke. The 18-year-old Academy graduate made his Barclays Premier League bow at Loftus Road, having previously featured in FA and Capital One Cup fixtures in the last two seasons. Burke slotted in seamlessly alongside James Collins as the Hammers kept their first clean sheet for a month and he was understandably beaming with pride after the landmark occasion.
He said: "I've played a few games for the first team before, but Saturday was at a different level in the Premier League. "I'm glad I've made my Premier League debut - I thought I did alright and hopefully there's many more games to come. "In training this week, I just thought I'd be travelling with the squad like I did at Man City last week, and maybe make the bench. After Winston Reid picked up a little injury I thought he might chuck me in and I found out on Friday I'd be playing, so I had to prepare well. "I'm just really happy we kept a clean sheet. There's always room for improvement and that's for me to go away, watch the game back and work on what I need to work on.
"It was a case of keeping it simple and not over-complicating things. That's what the lads were telling me, make sure my first pass and first header were good and go from there. That's the way it went so I'm pleased." Hailing from Newham and from a family of staunch West Ham fans, Burke's pride was shared by his parents. He continued: "My parents came to watch the game and I saw them at the end, which was a bit emotional. "I'm happy and they're happy as well. Saturday was a very emotional day for me - I've been at the Club since the age of nine so playing at QPR is looking back at a long journey. I just want to keep going." Burke also paid tribute to James Collins, whose experienced head helped him through his league debut. "Ginge helped me throughout the game, talking to me and telling me not to get too tight to Bobby Zamora as he's a strong lad. "He spoke to me a lot during the game and helped me to do well."
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Ex-Hammer in Dylan tribute
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 25th April 2015
By: Staff Writer
Former Hammer Kieran Sadlier has dedicated his first ever goal as a professional to former team mate Dylan Tombides. 20-year-old Sadlier, who left West Ham in February after a decade at the club scored the second goal in new club St Mirren's 4-1 win over Kilmarnock this afternoon. And immediately after the game, the Irish midfielder took to Twitter to dedicate the goal to his former friend and colleague Tombides, who died last year following a long battle with cancer.
Kieran Sadlier @KieranSadlier
Always said to myself i'd dedicate my first goal to @Dylantombides there you go mate! 🙌❤️
Sadlier, who has also featured for Ireland at Under 17, Under 19 and Under 21 level joined his current club on a short-term contract upon leaving West Ham. He will remain at St. Mirren Park until the end of the season.
* Visit dt38.co.uk to see how the Dylan Tombides foundation are raising awareness and providing support for those suffering from testicular cancer.
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'I'm just doing my job', says penalty hero Adrian
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 25th April 2015
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United goalkeeper Adrian refused to take the credit for West Ham taking a point away from this afternoon's clash with relegation favourites Queens Park Rangers. Despite offering little in attack the Hammers escaped Loftus Road with a point - thanks in no small part to the goalkeeper's heroics, once again. Adrian - who was the star of the show in January's third round FA Cup penalty shootout win over Everton - saved Charlie Austin's 23rd minute penalty to preserve a point for Sam Allardyce's out-of-form side. And he revealed after the game that he felt he had 'psyched' out Austin as the two exchanged words seconds before the spot kick was taken. "Every time I face a penalty I try to put doubt in the other player's mind," he said. "Luckily for me, I saved the penalty! "But this is my job, to makes the save, to try every game to help my team mates. It was a hard game here today as they are fighting relegation which makes it more difficult. But we've kept the clean sheet away from home and gained one more point. "We started the season very well but now, in the second part of the season, we've not been playing so well. But we'll fight for the best position until the end."
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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce praises goalkeeper Adrian
Last Updated: 25/04/15 11:14pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce singled out goalkeeper Adrian for praise after West Ham held on to secure a 0-0 draw against relegation-battling QPR.
West Ham extended a poor run of form that has seen them win only twice in the league in 2015 but it could have been worse for Allardyce's side had Adrian not saved Charlie Austin's first-half penalty. Adrian has now saved his last three consecutive spot-kicks and Allardyce was full of praise for his goalkeeper. "He's proving to be one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League on a consistent basis," Allardyce said. "That's three penalty saves on the trot now. He's been an outstanding find from our point of view." "It will spread fear across the league because everyone will know he's saved three on the trot so people will be even more nervous. "Your goalkeeper is the second most important member of your team after your goalscorer and he's shown that today by winning us a point." West Ham's disappointing second half of the season has seen them slip to 10th in the table and increased the uncertainty surrounding Allardyce, whose contract expires at the end of the season. "A man of my age and my experience doesn't lose sleep over things like this anymore," Allardyce said.
"It's not worth it. My health is worth more than worrying about things like that. "You stay awake at night worrying about your team, that's the priority. That's what you concentrate on."
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Allardyce praise for "commanding" Burke
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 25, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Sam Allardyce explained after today's game that QPR's desire and anxiety was a key issue in today's clash. He told West Ham TV "I think we had to match the fact that when a team is at the bottom of the league and the games remaining are in single figures, the desire and anxiety of the opposition is so much greater than it is at the start of the season," the manager told West Ham TV. "When there are only three, four or five games left and a team is in the bottom three and three or four points adrift, the opposition get more and more desperate. "Of course we had many positions to have scored but failed to do so. The best in the first half came before the penalty when Enner Valencia should have rolled the ball to an unmarked Kevin Nolan in the middle of the goal. "I understand his frustration because he wanted to score and we want him to score more, but not when there is someone else in a better position, because you must give them the ball."Of the missed CharlAustin spot kick he said: "It was obviously a penalty, but there was a clear foul just before on Cheikhou Kouyate, who was just cleaned out by Karl Henry as he headed the ball, which meant the ball went to a QPR player instead of one of ours. I don't think you could blame the referee because Ginge's hand was in the air above his head. "Then, though, we had the master of penalty saves there for us again – that's his third one on the trot and it was the major reason we got a point. It was not fortunate, but fantastic goalkeeping because he has proved it in the past. "There was also no doubt about the foul on Adrian for the goal they have had disallowed, so we got the defensive side right."
He was pleased with the assured performance of 18-year-old Reece Burke on his Barclays Premier League debut – and just his third first-team appearance. He said: "We had a young man in Reece Burke making his debut and he stood up to Austin and Bobby Zamora and came away with a clean sheet "It was a magnificent feeling for him and his family. I could imagine the nerves and excitement they felt about him playing, and he played so well and looked calm and commanding at times."There is a future for him if he works harder than he has ever worked. If you never stop working and practising then you will forge yourself a career in the game. "He has given us an insight into the fact he can cope with this level on a one-off basis, so now he has to prove he can play regularly at this level."
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Irons return to "hoof and hope" rubbish
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 25, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Match verdict
QPR 0 Irons 0
Let's start with the positives – their names are Adrian and Reece Burke! The Spanish stopper ensured we didn't suffer a defeat when saving Charlie Austin's first half spot kick after James Collins had handled. And young Burke proved the old saying as true as ever – if you're good enough you're old enough…and he was! What a joy to see an Academy product in the team and looking as composed and steady as those around him…if not more so at times.
Beyond that I can barely be bothered to report a game where a Hammers team which early season showed great attacking enterprise has returned to a "hit 'em high and hope like hell they fall to someone" outfit under this manager. If ever a team needed a fresh approach…different tactics and to be rid of some real dead wood it's this one. The definition of insanity is doing the same old thing over and over again while expecting a different result and that's what the Hammers are doing. It's as hard to watch as it gets even for us absolute stalwarts This was a nothing game against a nothing team and proved only we are no better, and perhaps a little worse, than the khazi relegation-threatened Loftus Road lumps.
It's all so predictable…so thoroughly boring with Carlton Cole coming on week in week out and making absolutely no difference to anything. Highly skilled Nene meanwhile doesn't get a shout whilst Amalfitano must be wondering why the hell he signed a new deal…hopefully a new manager will show him. Frankly, we have become a joke team under a joke manager who at 80 minutes sent out a shocking message when laughing and smiling at his opposite manager Chris Ramsey on the touchline.
Kevin Nolan produced his now well known piece of finger pointing vaudeville and panto dame arguing with ref routine as the rest of us either disappeared to the bar or fell asleep. Writing about the game is as boring as it was watching and I'm gonna wrap this up with the 'highlights or should it be lowlights.
22 mins: Collins handles in the box but Adrian clings on to Austin's spot kick which is directed straight at him. It's Adrian's third penalty save of the season.
37: Matt Phillips from 20 yards – a decent shot which is deflected wide by a colleague.
39: Rob Green saves from Noble.
47: Downing drags shot wide
50: Magnificent Cresswell shot brilliantly turned over by a former keeper
57: Downing in on goal but Green out to thwart him.
82: Kouyate fires high over the top after great run and ball in from Valencia.
91: Adrian has to fly to his left to push a rasping effort from Phillips behind.
Team Ratings (out of 10)
QPR 5
Irons 4
Entertainment Value: 4
Irons man of Match: Adrian
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Potts delighted with the kids
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 25, 2015 in Whispers
Clart & Hugh
Under 21 boss Steve Potts couldn't have been more pleased with his team's 2-1 over Manchester City last night. His son Dan opened the scoring heading in Djair Parfitt-Williams' cross..The Hammers doubled their lead early in the second half when Adam Drury stabbed Jordan Brown's cross into his own net. Olivier Ntcham scored late on to halvethe Irons' advantage but it proved too little too late.
Speaking to the official site after the game, Potts said: "I'm delighted. I thought the lads did very well. The effort they put in was fantastic, they got what we deserved really after a couple of games where I thought we did some good stuff but lost by the odd goal.
"Last week against Norwich City we were 1-0 up with a few minutes to go but then we threw it away. But tonight we did the job.
"I've been happy with the last two games and tonight, in most aspects, we saw the game through. I think that's the stage that the players are at, at the moment.
They're young boys but they need to manage games and get over the line as much as they can. We need to build on this toughness about them."
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WHUFC.com
Barclays Premier League
Queens Park Rangers 0-0 West Ham United
Adrian's first-half penalty save from Charlie Austin saw West Ham United battle their way to a goalless Barclays Premier League draw at Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.
After James Collins had been adjudged to have handled from Bobby Zamora, the Spaniard sprung to his right to repel Austin's spot-kick and preserve the Hammers' clean sheet.
Robert Green tipped a fabulous Aaron Cresswell free-kick onto the bar in the second half, while Richard Dunne had a scrappy effort chalked off for a Steven Caulker foul on Adrian. The Hoops finished the stronger, but could find no way past an inspired Adrian in the West Ham goal.
Sam Allardyce had earlier handed 18-year-old Academy graduate Reece Burke a first Premier League start, with Winston Reid sidelined with a hamstring problem. Elsewhere, Alex Song and Carlton Cole made way for Kevin Nolan and Matt Jarvis.
There had been plenty of talk this week about the importance of a fast start and yet there was a scare for the visitors within 60 seconds. Mark Noble was dispossessed on the edge of the Hoops box and, on the counter, Sandro forced Adrian into a sharp stop at his near post.
At the other end, West Ham were racking up the corner count. From the second of five first-half corners, debutant Burke saw a header cleared off the line.
From a frenetic start it all went rather quiet, in the two goalmouths at least. Midway through the half, however, Rangers and, more specifically Austin, fluffed their lines from the spot.
Nedum Onuoha had surged down the right and clipped into the feet of Bobby Zamora. The former Hammers man controlled and flicked it up, with a James Collins arm inadvertently getting in the way. Referee Mike Jones had no hesitation whatever.
Over to Adrian, who flung himself to his right to stop a third league penalty in succession and duly lapped up the adulation from the Hammers fans behind the goal.
There were half chances at either end as the half ticked down. Matt Phillips' drive ricocheted off Zamora and skipped wide, while Nolan found himself a yard or two on the edge of box, but rather scuffed an effort into the arms of Green.
With five minutes of the second half gone, Rangers had a combination of Green and the crossbar to thank for keeping it goalless. After Valencia had been unceremoniously upended by Sandro, Cresswell took charge of the set piece. He whipped it towards the top left-hand corner and there was the England stopper, at full stretch, to tip it one handed onto the woodwork and over.
But the Hoops continued to pose a threat of their own. Sandro slashed over the top from the edge of the D, while Zamora bullied Burke out of it, but, under pressure from Collins, cleared the crossbar as well.
Big Sam brought Cole on for Jarvis and the striker was immediately into the action. The No24 flicked into the path of Noble, who in turn set Downing away, but Green was quicker to it and swept up.
The hosts, meanwhile, had the ball in the net from a corner after 74 mintues, but not fairly thought referee Jones. Caulker was penalised for a foul on Adrian and so though Dunne gleefully bundled it home, it mattered not.
As the game entered its final minutes, West Ham created arguably their best opening of the 90. Valencia skipped past Dunne and squared for Kouyate, but the No8 was off balance and ballooned over the bar from eight yards.
Adrian came to the Hammers' rescue in the dying minutes too, palming Phillips' rasping drive wide of his left-hand upright as the visitors clung on for a hard-earned point away from home.
Queens Park Rangers: Green, Onuoha, Dunne, Caulker, Hill (Yun 63), Barton (c), Henry, Sandro, Phillips, Austin, Zamora (Fer 67)
Subs: McCarthy, Isla, Kranjcar, Taarabt, Wright-Phillips
Booked: Austin
West Ham United: Adrian, Jenkinson, Collins, Burke, Cresswell, Noble, Kouyate, Nolan (c), Downing, Jarvis (Cole 55), Valencia
Subs: Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, Oxford, Poyet, Amalfitano, Nene
Referee: Mike Jones
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Sam hails 'Master of penalty saves'
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce paid tribute to West Ham United's 'Master of penalty saves' after Adrian's third spot-kick stop in a row earned a goalless draw at Queens Park Rangers. The Spaniard followed up saves from Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane and Leicester City's David Nugent by denying Charlie Austin on 23 minutes and dent the Hoops' Barclays Premier League survival hopes. With a host of players out injured, including Winston Reid, James Tomkins, Alex Song, top scorer Diafra Sakho and Andy Carroll, teenager Reece Burke was handed a top-flight debut at centre-back, but the depleted Hammers stood resolute to take a share of the spoils back across London. "I think we had to match the fact that when a team is at the bottom of the league and the games remaining are in single figures, the desire and anxiety of the opposition is so much greater than it is at the start of the season," the manager told West Ham TV. "When there are only three, four or five games left and a team is in the bottom three and three or four points adrift, the opposition get more and more desperate. "Of course we had many positions to have scored but failed to do so. The best in the first half came before the penalty when Enner Valencia should have rolled the ball to an unmarked Kevin Nolan in the middle of the goal. I understand his frustration because he wanted to score and we want him to score more, but not when there is someone else in a better position, because you must give them the ball. "It was obviously a penalty, but there was a clear foul just before on Cheikhou Kouyate, who was just cleaned out by Karl Henry as he headed the ball, which meant the ball went to a QPR player instead of one of ours. I don't think you could blame the referee because Ginge's hand was in the air above his head. "Then, though, we had the master of penalty saves there for us again – that's his third one on the trot and it was the major reason we got a point. It was not fortunate, but fantastic goalkeeping because he has proved it in the past. "There was also no doubt about the foul on Adrian for the goal they have had disallowed, so we got the defensive side right."
One major reason for that was the assured performance of 18-year-old Burke on his Barclays Premier League debut – and just his third first-team appearance. The Newham-born youngster was cheered on by his parents and 1,200 Hammers fans, responding with a confident and unflustered display alongside James Collins. "We had a young man in Reece Burke making his debut and he stood up to Austin and Bobby Zamora and came away with a clean sheet," said Big Sam. "It was a magnificent feeling for him and his family. I could imagine the nerves and excitement they felt about him playing, and he played so well and looked calm and commanding at times. "There is a future for him if he works harder than he has ever worked. If you never stop working and practising then you will forge yourself a career in the game.
"He has given us an insight into the fact he can cope with this level on a one-off basis, so now he has to prove he can play regularly at this level." Having kept QPR at bay before half-time, West Ham created a succession of chances after the break. Aaron Cresswell's free-kick was tipped over by Robert Green, Mark Noble's scooped free-kick eluded an unmarked Nolan, before Kouyate blazed Valencia's cut-back high over the crossbar. "Greeny showed why he is back in the England squad because that was one outstanding save from Aaron Cresswell," the gaffer observed. "Towards the end of the game, we had so many opportunities to score in the final few minutes, which have haunted us so often recently, so it was disappointing to have missed those chances. "One nearly paid off, and it was unusual because Mark Noble normally plays that ball perfectly for Kevin all the time, and QPR hadn't got a clue what was going on, but he played it wrong and it went out."
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Burke's pride at top flight debut
WHUFC.com
While Saturday's 0-0 draw at Queens Park Rangers was one that will not catch too many headlines in the morning papers, it will nevertheless be a game remembered forever by Reece Burke. The 18-year-old Academy graduate made his Barclays Premier League bow at Loftus Road, having previously featured in FA and Capital One Cup fixtures in the last two seasons. Burke slotted in seamlessly alongside James Collins as the Hammers kept their first clean sheet for a month and he was understandably beaming with pride after the landmark occasion.
He said: "I've played a few games for the first team before, but Saturday was at a different level in the Premier League. "I'm glad I've made my Premier League debut - I thought I did alright and hopefully there's many more games to come. "In training this week, I just thought I'd be travelling with the squad like I did at Man City last week, and maybe make the bench. After Winston Reid picked up a little injury I thought he might chuck me in and I found out on Friday I'd be playing, so I had to prepare well. "I'm just really happy we kept a clean sheet. There's always room for improvement and that's for me to go away, watch the game back and work on what I need to work on.
"It was a case of keeping it simple and not over-complicating things. That's what the lads were telling me, make sure my first pass and first header were good and go from there. That's the way it went so I'm pleased." Hailing from Newham and from a family of staunch West Ham fans, Burke's pride was shared by his parents. He continued: "My parents came to watch the game and I saw them at the end, which was a bit emotional. "I'm happy and they're happy as well. Saturday was a very emotional day for me - I've been at the Club since the age of nine so playing at QPR is looking back at a long journey. I just want to keep going." Burke also paid tribute to James Collins, whose experienced head helped him through his league debut. "Ginge helped me throughout the game, talking to me and telling me not to get too tight to Bobby Zamora as he's a strong lad. "He spoke to me a lot during the game and helped me to do well."
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Ex-Hammer in Dylan tribute
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 25th April 2015
By: Staff Writer
Former Hammer Kieran Sadlier has dedicated his first ever goal as a professional to former team mate Dylan Tombides. 20-year-old Sadlier, who left West Ham in February after a decade at the club scored the second goal in new club St Mirren's 4-1 win over Kilmarnock this afternoon. And immediately after the game, the Irish midfielder took to Twitter to dedicate the goal to his former friend and colleague Tombides, who died last year following a long battle with cancer.
Kieran Sadlier @KieranSadlier
Always said to myself i'd dedicate my first goal to @Dylantombides there you go mate! 🙌❤️
Sadlier, who has also featured for Ireland at Under 17, Under 19 and Under 21 level joined his current club on a short-term contract upon leaving West Ham. He will remain at St. Mirren Park until the end of the season.
* Visit dt38.co.uk to see how the Dylan Tombides foundation are raising awareness and providing support for those suffering from testicular cancer.
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'I'm just doing my job', says penalty hero Adrian
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 25th April 2015
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United goalkeeper Adrian refused to take the credit for West Ham taking a point away from this afternoon's clash with relegation favourites Queens Park Rangers. Despite offering little in attack the Hammers escaped Loftus Road with a point - thanks in no small part to the goalkeeper's heroics, once again. Adrian - who was the star of the show in January's third round FA Cup penalty shootout win over Everton - saved Charlie Austin's 23rd minute penalty to preserve a point for Sam Allardyce's out-of-form side. And he revealed after the game that he felt he had 'psyched' out Austin as the two exchanged words seconds before the spot kick was taken. "Every time I face a penalty I try to put doubt in the other player's mind," he said. "Luckily for me, I saved the penalty! "But this is my job, to makes the save, to try every game to help my team mates. It was a hard game here today as they are fighting relegation which makes it more difficult. But we've kept the clean sheet away from home and gained one more point. "We started the season very well but now, in the second part of the season, we've not been playing so well. But we'll fight for the best position until the end."
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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce praises goalkeeper Adrian
Last Updated: 25/04/15 11:14pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce singled out goalkeeper Adrian for praise after West Ham held on to secure a 0-0 draw against relegation-battling QPR.
West Ham extended a poor run of form that has seen them win only twice in the league in 2015 but it could have been worse for Allardyce's side had Adrian not saved Charlie Austin's first-half penalty. Adrian has now saved his last three consecutive spot-kicks and Allardyce was full of praise for his goalkeeper. "He's proving to be one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League on a consistent basis," Allardyce said. "That's three penalty saves on the trot now. He's been an outstanding find from our point of view." "It will spread fear across the league because everyone will know he's saved three on the trot so people will be even more nervous. "Your goalkeeper is the second most important member of your team after your goalscorer and he's shown that today by winning us a point." West Ham's disappointing second half of the season has seen them slip to 10th in the table and increased the uncertainty surrounding Allardyce, whose contract expires at the end of the season. "A man of my age and my experience doesn't lose sleep over things like this anymore," Allardyce said.
"It's not worth it. My health is worth more than worrying about things like that. "You stay awake at night worrying about your team, that's the priority. That's what you concentrate on."
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Allardyce praise for "commanding" Burke
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 25, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Sam Allardyce explained after today's game that QPR's desire and anxiety was a key issue in today's clash. He told West Ham TV "I think we had to match the fact that when a team is at the bottom of the league and the games remaining are in single figures, the desire and anxiety of the opposition is so much greater than it is at the start of the season," the manager told West Ham TV. "When there are only three, four or five games left and a team is in the bottom three and three or four points adrift, the opposition get more and more desperate. "Of course we had many positions to have scored but failed to do so. The best in the first half came before the penalty when Enner Valencia should have rolled the ball to an unmarked Kevin Nolan in the middle of the goal. "I understand his frustration because he wanted to score and we want him to score more, but not when there is someone else in a better position, because you must give them the ball."Of the missed CharlAustin spot kick he said: "It was obviously a penalty, but there was a clear foul just before on Cheikhou Kouyate, who was just cleaned out by Karl Henry as he headed the ball, which meant the ball went to a QPR player instead of one of ours. I don't think you could blame the referee because Ginge's hand was in the air above his head. "Then, though, we had the master of penalty saves there for us again – that's his third one on the trot and it was the major reason we got a point. It was not fortunate, but fantastic goalkeeping because he has proved it in the past. "There was also no doubt about the foul on Adrian for the goal they have had disallowed, so we got the defensive side right."
He was pleased with the assured performance of 18-year-old Reece Burke on his Barclays Premier League debut – and just his third first-team appearance. He said: "We had a young man in Reece Burke making his debut and he stood up to Austin and Bobby Zamora and came away with a clean sheet "It was a magnificent feeling for him and his family. I could imagine the nerves and excitement they felt about him playing, and he played so well and looked calm and commanding at times."There is a future for him if he works harder than he has ever worked. If you never stop working and practising then you will forge yourself a career in the game. "He has given us an insight into the fact he can cope with this level on a one-off basis, so now he has to prove he can play regularly at this level."
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Irons return to "hoof and hope" rubbish
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 25, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Match verdict
QPR 0 Irons 0
Let's start with the positives – their names are Adrian and Reece Burke! The Spanish stopper ensured we didn't suffer a defeat when saving Charlie Austin's first half spot kick after James Collins had handled. And young Burke proved the old saying as true as ever – if you're good enough you're old enough…and he was! What a joy to see an Academy product in the team and looking as composed and steady as those around him…if not more so at times.
Beyond that I can barely be bothered to report a game where a Hammers team which early season showed great attacking enterprise has returned to a "hit 'em high and hope like hell they fall to someone" outfit under this manager. If ever a team needed a fresh approach…different tactics and to be rid of some real dead wood it's this one. The definition of insanity is doing the same old thing over and over again while expecting a different result and that's what the Hammers are doing. It's as hard to watch as it gets even for us absolute stalwarts This was a nothing game against a nothing team and proved only we are no better, and perhaps a little worse, than the khazi relegation-threatened Loftus Road lumps.
It's all so predictable…so thoroughly boring with Carlton Cole coming on week in week out and making absolutely no difference to anything. Highly skilled Nene meanwhile doesn't get a shout whilst Amalfitano must be wondering why the hell he signed a new deal…hopefully a new manager will show him. Frankly, we have become a joke team under a joke manager who at 80 minutes sent out a shocking message when laughing and smiling at his opposite manager Chris Ramsey on the touchline.
Kevin Nolan produced his now well known piece of finger pointing vaudeville and panto dame arguing with ref routine as the rest of us either disappeared to the bar or fell asleep. Writing about the game is as boring as it was watching and I'm gonna wrap this up with the 'highlights or should it be lowlights.
22 mins: Collins handles in the box but Adrian clings on to Austin's spot kick which is directed straight at him. It's Adrian's third penalty save of the season.
37: Matt Phillips from 20 yards – a decent shot which is deflected wide by a colleague.
39: Rob Green saves from Noble.
47: Downing drags shot wide
50: Magnificent Cresswell shot brilliantly turned over by a former keeper
57: Downing in on goal but Green out to thwart him.
82: Kouyate fires high over the top after great run and ball in from Valencia.
91: Adrian has to fly to his left to push a rasping effort from Phillips behind.
Team Ratings (out of 10)
QPR 5
Irons 4
Entertainment Value: 4
Irons man of Match: Adrian
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Potts delighted with the kids
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 25, 2015 in Whispers
Clart & Hugh
Under 21 boss Steve Potts couldn't have been more pleased with his team's 2-1 over Manchester City last night. His son Dan opened the scoring heading in Djair Parfitt-Williams' cross..The Hammers doubled their lead early in the second half when Adam Drury stabbed Jordan Brown's cross into his own net. Olivier Ntcham scored late on to halvethe Irons' advantage but it proved too little too late.
Speaking to the official site after the game, Potts said: "I'm delighted. I thought the lads did very well. The effort they put in was fantastic, they got what we deserved really after a couple of games where I thought we did some good stuff but lost by the odd goal.
"Last week against Norwich City we were 1-0 up with a few minutes to go but then we threw it away. But tonight we did the job.
"I've been happy with the last two games and tonight, in most aspects, we saw the game through. I think that's the stage that the players are at, at the moment.
They're young boys but they need to manage games and get over the line as much as they can. We need to build on this toughness about them."
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