Massadio Haidara looks set to sign for Newcastle United and West Ham to lose out on him after the North East club had a bid in the region of £3.5 million accepted by the player's club, Nancy. Haidara had a number of options open to him, including moving to the Boleyn Ground but is now poised to move to Tyneside, subject to agreeing personal terms with the Magpies.
By Alex Shilling
Tuesday, 22 January 2013
Hammers keen on Nancy boy
Both West Ham and Newcastle are battling to sign 20-year-old full back Massadio Haidara from Ligue 1 side Nancy.
The French defender of Senegalese descent has been hailed as one of the best youngsters in France and looks set to sign for fellow Premier League club Newcastle.
However, the Hammers have now shown interest with what could be a £3.5 million bid.
Sam Allardyce has already admitted that his side are struggling defensively, and with a growing injury list he may be ready to disrupt Newcastle’s plans to sign the young full back.
It is believed that Haidara was close to agreeing a deal to move to the North East of England with the fee being agreed by Nancy, but it is now the Irons who lead the chase.
The news will come as a relief to Hammers fans painfully aware that our team need to strengthen our defence. After a strong start to the season in terms of clean sheets, the defensive form has slipped with just one clean sheet in the last ten league games.
by Lucy Woolford
The French defender of Senegalese descent has been hailed as one of the best youngsters in France and looks set to sign for fellow Premier League club Newcastle.
However, the Hammers have now shown interest with what could be a £3.5 million bid.
Sam Allardyce has already admitted that his side are struggling defensively, and with a growing injury list he may be ready to disrupt Newcastle’s plans to sign the young full back.
It is believed that Haidara was close to agreeing a deal to move to the North East of England with the fee being agreed by Nancy, but it is now the Irons who lead the chase.
The news will come as a relief to Hammers fans painfully aware that our team need to strengthen our defence. After a strong start to the season in terms of clean sheets, the defensive form has slipped with just one clean sheet in the last ten league games.
by Lucy Woolford
West Ham United 1 Queens Park Rangers 1- match report
The first half display from the Irons was of the variety
that would induce even the most mild-mannered supporter to spit out his Bovril
and, in one swift ninja-esque movement, rip off his replica West Ham top and
tear up his season ticket (an especially difficult manoeuvre, given that all
Boleyn Ground season tickets are now in plastic card format.) It wasn’t just
that West Ham created a load of chances and didn’t put them away; it was that
even more so, our wingers seemed to be afraid to attack the chocolate fireguard
that is Clint Hill and the budding gaffer that is Ryan Nelson; instead
persisting in intricate build up play down by the flanks, where the visitors
have been, it has to be said, pretty solid of late.
As ever, the driving force behind all United’s attacks was
the man mountain Momo Diame; yet again proving that he is much more than just a
midfield heavyweight with a series of driving runs into the QPR penalty area.
Time after time, his progress continued unchallenged by the QPR rearguard and a
dangerous ball was swung across the visitors’ six yard box, but time after time
there was nobody on the end of it. Something had to give, and after 14 minutes,
it did- but not the way one would have expected it to, given the one sided
start to the game. From yet another Hammers’ near miss, QPR broke forward. A
pin point pass from ex Spurs man Adel Taarabt found one-time West Ham transfer
target Loic Remy, an £8 million signing for the R’s a few days previously. The
Irons back four were caught napping and the former Marseille hitman dispatched the
chance before Jussi Jaaskelainen could come out and narrow the angle. It would
not be entirely fair to say that the goal “galvanised” the Irons, as they
simply continued as they were before conceding; with the onslaught on the
visitors’ goal continuing, and skipper Kevin Nolan going close on more than one
occasion. For a side rooted to the bottom of the league however, QPR proved
remarkably difficult to break down and retained their slender lead as the half
time whistle blew.
If the first half had been one-sided, then the second half
was simply a massacre. Joe Cole, back at his old stomping ground and facing the
team who the Hammers beat to his signature, was everywhere. An ineffectual
first half display was soon forgotten as all West Ham’s attacks began to be
channelled through him and his mazy runs- much as we channelled our attacks
through Diame’s driving runs in the first half. However, as with the first
half, chance after chance went begging. Marouane Chamkah, enjoying a competent
home debut for the Irons and unlucky not to win a penalty in the first half
when he was felled by Shaun Wright-Phillips, was hooked for the original Cole- CC
was on the scene. From Matt Jarvis’ cross, the big number nine’s header was
well kept out by Julio Cesar but the former Inter Milan stopper could do
nothing about the striker’s namesake Joe’s follow up; 1-1. Now the Irons really
got going and through everything at QPR in the last 20 minutes. Winston Reid
saw a shot well blocked by Stephane Mbia and the goalscorer Cole almost won it
with 10 to go after rounding Cesar but had his shot cleared off the line by
Hill. The game finished somewhat prematurely after 4 minutes of added time;
given that QPR’s Mbia was down injured for a good couple of minutes halfway
through the second period and both sides used a combined five substitutes,
where QPR made the most of the opportunity to waste time. Not really good
enough for the Hammers, who, having created “enough chances to win three games”
as the late Brian Clough once put it, desperately need a fox-in- the-box type
finisher. What about that Loic Remy? He’s alright and he’s not happy at
Marsei.. oh, wait.
TEAMS
WEST HAM UNITED
Jaaskelainen; Demel, Tomkins, Reid, O’Brien; J Cole, Noble,
Nolan (Vaz Te ’88), Diame, Jarvis; Chamakh (C Cole ’62)
Substitutes: Spiegel, Potts, Collison, Taylor, Diarra, Cole,
Vaz Te
QUEENS PARK RANGERS
Cesar; Hill, Onuoha, Nelson, Fabio; Derry, Taarabt (Park ’82),
Wright-Phillips (Traore ’58), Mbia, Mackie (Boothroyd ’67); Remy
Substitutes: Green, Traore, Ferdinand, Park, Faurlin,
Hoilett, Boothroyd
Referee: Howard Webb
Report by Alex Shilling
Saturday, 19 January 2013
QPR match preview
FORM
The Hammers and The 'Rs come into this London derby at the Boleyn Ground with strongly contrasting form.
Big Sam's boys have struggled on the road of late, with Wednesday night's exit from the FA Cup at the hands of league leaders Manchester United coming on the back of arguably their worst performance of the season in the form of the previous Saturday's 3-0 defeat to Sunderland.
Rangers, on the other hand, have gradually started to pick up some form under new boss Harry Redknapp, and are unbeaten in their last four matches, with 1-0 wins away at West London rivals Chelsea in the league and in an FA Cup replay at West Brom sandwiching draws at home to Spurs in the league and in the original FA Cup tie against Albion. Nevertheless, QPR still find themselves rooted to the bottom of the league, five points adrift of safety, but of the two sides, it has to be said the visitors are the one in the ascendancy.
RECENT MEETINGS
Looking at the last six meetings between the Hammers and QPR, one would have to reflect that we're fairly evenly matched with our West London counterparts in terms of results. We, of course, triumphed 2-1 at Loftus Road earlier in the season courtesy of strikes from Matty Jarvis and Ricardo Vaz Te, but one has to travel back to the 2004/2005 season in the Coca-Cola Championship to find our last two meetings with the 'Rs, where we won 2-1 at Upton Park after a 1-0 victory for the West Londoners at Loftus Road. The previous three meetings resulted in a win apiece and a draw, so the tally from the last six meetings between the two of us stands at three wins for West Ham, two for QPR and one draw, so all to play for today.
TEAM NEWS
West Ham have no fresh injury woes, and full back Joey O'Brien is now available for selection having recovered from a hamstring injury. Industrious midfielder Mark Noble is also available having passed a fitness test, meaning that the Irons' only long term absentees are defenders James Collins and George McCartney. Andy Carroll's recovery from his injury sustained before Christmas is progressing well, but today will come too soon for him; as it will for fellow striker Mobido Maiga, still away with his national side Mali at the African Cup of Nations. Goalkeeper Stephen Henderson is back from his loan spell at Ipswich Town but has injured his ankle in a training session with the Championship side so is out of contention. New signings Wellington Paulista and Marouane Chamakh are also in contention to play, but club sources suggest Paulista is unlikely to, despite receiving international clearance.
As for QPR, the West Londoners have injury worries aplenty, with defenders Armand Traore (knee), Jose Bosingwa (back); holding midfielder Esteban Granero (hamstring); former Hammers favourite Bobby Zamora (hip) and fellow striker Andy Johnson (knee) all out of contention. former West Ham transfer target Loic Remy is available to make his Rangers debut however, followung his £8 million move from Marseille.
OLD BOYS
If selected, goalkeeper Robert Green and centre half Anton Ferdinand will be facing their old club. Stopper Green spent six seasons at West Ham and was an integral part of the side which won promotion from the NPower Championship last season; whilst Ferdinand is a product of the famous West Ham academy, and spent four seasons with the Irons after making his first team debut against Preston North End in August 2003, before leaving for Sunderland in a £7 million deal which also brought left back George McCartney to the Black Cats. Former West Ham top scorer and Hammers fan Bobby Zamora is struggling with a hip injury and out of contention.
Alex Shilling
The Hammers and The 'Rs come into this London derby at the Boleyn Ground with strongly contrasting form.
Big Sam's boys have struggled on the road of late, with Wednesday night's exit from the FA Cup at the hands of league leaders Manchester United coming on the back of arguably their worst performance of the season in the form of the previous Saturday's 3-0 defeat to Sunderland.
Rangers, on the other hand, have gradually started to pick up some form under new boss Harry Redknapp, and are unbeaten in their last four matches, with 1-0 wins away at West London rivals Chelsea in the league and in an FA Cup replay at West Brom sandwiching draws at home to Spurs in the league and in the original FA Cup tie against Albion. Nevertheless, QPR still find themselves rooted to the bottom of the league, five points adrift of safety, but of the two sides, it has to be said the visitors are the one in the ascendancy.
RECENT MEETINGS
Looking at the last six meetings between the Hammers and QPR, one would have to reflect that we're fairly evenly matched with our West London counterparts in terms of results. We, of course, triumphed 2-1 at Loftus Road earlier in the season courtesy of strikes from Matty Jarvis and Ricardo Vaz Te, but one has to travel back to the 2004/2005 season in the Coca-Cola Championship to find our last two meetings with the 'Rs, where we won 2-1 at Upton Park after a 1-0 victory for the West Londoners at Loftus Road. The previous three meetings resulted in a win apiece and a draw, so the tally from the last six meetings between the two of us stands at three wins for West Ham, two for QPR and one draw, so all to play for today.
TEAM NEWS
West Ham have no fresh injury woes, and full back Joey O'Brien is now available for selection having recovered from a hamstring injury. Industrious midfielder Mark Noble is also available having passed a fitness test, meaning that the Irons' only long term absentees are defenders James Collins and George McCartney. Andy Carroll's recovery from his injury sustained before Christmas is progressing well, but today will come too soon for him; as it will for fellow striker Mobido Maiga, still away with his national side Mali at the African Cup of Nations. Goalkeeper Stephen Henderson is back from his loan spell at Ipswich Town but has injured his ankle in a training session with the Championship side so is out of contention. New signings Wellington Paulista and Marouane Chamakh are also in contention to play, but club sources suggest Paulista is unlikely to, despite receiving international clearance.
As for QPR, the West Londoners have injury worries aplenty, with defenders Armand Traore (knee), Jose Bosingwa (back); holding midfielder Esteban Granero (hamstring); former Hammers favourite Bobby Zamora (hip) and fellow striker Andy Johnson (knee) all out of contention. former West Ham transfer target Loic Remy is available to make his Rangers debut however, followung his £8 million move from Marseille.
OLD BOYS
If selected, goalkeeper Robert Green and centre half Anton Ferdinand will be facing their old club. Stopper Green spent six seasons at West Ham and was an integral part of the side which won promotion from the NPower Championship last season; whilst Ferdinand is a product of the famous West Ham academy, and spent four seasons with the Irons after making his first team debut against Preston North End in August 2003, before leaving for Sunderland in a £7 million deal which also brought left back George McCartney to the Black Cats. Former West Ham top scorer and Hammers fan Bobby Zamora is struggling with a hip injury and out of contention.
Alex Shilling
Allardyce calls for winter break
Sam Allardyce thinks that the Barclays Premier League can
benefit from a winter break in the way that other European leagues do.
The West Ham boss was speaking ahead of tomorrow’s match at
Upton Park against Queens Park Rangers, and admitted that his side have
struggled to train in the current wintery weather conditions.
On winter breaks, Allardyce said: “We've always needed one, but I don't think we're
going to get one. I think that there's a lot of research out there to suggest a
winter break benefits football clubs in Europe from suffering less
injuries....But obviously with the fixture congestion, the Premier League and
all the other leagues find it very difficult to fit in.”
He went on to explain that he has taken teams on a break
throughout his managerial career and did so with West Ham last season. After
taking his side to Dubai, the Hammers went on to win the last six games of the season
including the all important play-offs.
Big Sam has over 20 years of managerial experience under his
belt and has watched the game evolve and, as such, realises that teams like
West Ham could really benefit with a break from a difficult and busy cold
spell.
Lucy Woolford
Televised fixtures for March confirmed
The Premier League has confirmed the Barclays Premier League
games that will be shown live on television in the month of March.
West Ham’s home clash against Manchester United will be
broadcast live on Sky Sports 1 on March 9th at 12.45.
This game was already scheduled for an early Saturday kick
off, so it’s not unexpected, but the match may have to be rescheduled to another
date, likely midweek, if Manchester United remain in the FA Cup.
The meeting between the two will be the fourth of the season
after West Ham faced the Red Devils in the FA Cup and forced a replay. So far
the Manchester club have come out on top in terms of results, so it will be
sure to be an intriguing encounter which will be important for both clubs as we
enter the final third the season.
Elsewhere in the Premier League, Sky Sports will also broadcast
the North London derby (Tottenham v
Arsenal, March 3rd) and West London derby (Fulham v Chelsea, March 10th) as
well as nine other matches across March.
Lucy Woolford
Friday, 18 January 2013
Free Blowing Bubbles Issue#12 NOW online
After a terrific win against Norwich and a thrilling draw against Manchester United at home in the FA Cup, I had high hopes for the month ahead.
But following a poor performance in the bitter cold away at Sunderland and a disappointing night at Old Trafford on Wednesday, I’m not feeling too optimistic about our chances against a QPR side which has beaten Chelsea and drawn against Spurs recently.
I do hope, however, a quick brace by Carlton Cole will help to settle my nerves at Upton Park at the weekend.
Looking at this week’s issue, there was no way we couldn’t feature the return of Joe Cole. In fact, four of our talented writers have outlined their feelings on the former Chelsea player’s return with all of them agreeing it is a great deal for West Ham.
We’ve also got an excellent piece by Lucy Woolford on the January transfer window and the panic that ensues as we head towards the end of the month and another by Loud and Proud writer Brian Williams on ‘Arry Redknapp and why he is just like marmite.
Joell Mayoh also explains why he thinks ‘Arry has gone from hero to villain for the Upton Park faithful.
Thomas Johnson, writer for WeLoveYouWestHam.com, has written a great piece on FIFA’s team of the year and how many past West Ham players would have made the starting line-up had it been around in their day and we’ve also got Opposition Views from QPR and Arsenal fans.
As always, I really hope you enjoy this issue. Thanks to all our fantastic writers for helping to produce another quality read.
Have a read of it here. Also could you please give it a plug on Twitter/Facebook with a link to our site?
Come On You Irons!
David Blackmore
Editor
Website: www.blowing-bubbles.co.uk
Twitter: @Bl0wingBubbles
E-mail: Editor@Blowing-Bubbles.co.uk
Find us on Facebook
But following a poor performance in the bitter cold away at Sunderland and a disappointing night at Old Trafford on Wednesday, I’m not feeling too optimistic about our chances against a QPR side which has beaten Chelsea and drawn against Spurs recently.
I do hope, however, a quick brace by Carlton Cole will help to settle my nerves at Upton Park at the weekend.
Looking at this week’s issue, there was no way we couldn’t feature the return of Joe Cole. In fact, four of our talented writers have outlined their feelings on the former Chelsea player’s return with all of them agreeing it is a great deal for West Ham.
We’ve also got an excellent piece by Lucy Woolford on the January transfer window and the panic that ensues as we head towards the end of the month and another by Loud and Proud writer Brian Williams on ‘Arry Redknapp and why he is just like marmite.
Joell Mayoh also explains why he thinks ‘Arry has gone from hero to villain for the Upton Park faithful.
Thomas Johnson, writer for WeLoveYouWestHam.com, has written a great piece on FIFA’s team of the year and how many past West Ham players would have made the starting line-up had it been around in their day and we’ve also got Opposition Views from QPR and Arsenal fans.
As always, I really hope you enjoy this issue. Thanks to all our fantastic writers for helping to produce another quality read.
Have a read of it here. Also could you please give it a plug on Twitter/Facebook with a link to our site?
Come On You Irons!
David Blackmore
Editor
Website: www.blowing-bubbles.co.uk
Twitter: @Bl0wingBubbles
E-mail: Editor@Blowing-Bubbles.co.uk
Find us on Facebook
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