FM12 - Come On You Irons!

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01/06/13 – May In Review
Board Confidence
To summarize, the board is very pleased with the overall leadership at the club. The team's excellent performance in the Premier League has been a particular highlight. However, the board are slightly disappointed with the team's performance in the FA Cup. The club is currently in a secure financial position overall and made a profit of £6.28m last month.

West Ham Player Stats


Premier League Player Stats


Final Premier League Table

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04/06/13 – News
New Sponsorship Deal
West Ham have announced a new main kit sponsor. The four year deal is estimated to be worth £2.4m per year. The previous deal was worth £1.72m per year.

Board Set Initial Budget
The board have set the initial payroll for the coming season at £675k per week and the transfer budget at £22.16m.

Carr To Retire
West Ham coach Tony Carr has announced he will retire at the end of the season. His intended date is 27th May, 2014.

Hammers Nab Two
West Ham United have agreed to free transfers for Scottish attacking midfielder John Fleck and Turkish goalkeeper Sinan Bolat.

These two signings bring the free transfer total for this coming season to three.

08/06/13 – News
Friedrich To Retire
West Ham central defender Arne Friedrich has announced that he will retire from professional football when his contract expires on 30th June.

09/06/13 – Signing
West Ham have completed the signing of Olympique Lyonnais' 22 year old French striker Yannis Tafer for a fee of £2.3m. Tafer had been on loan at The Boleyn Ground and clearly did enough to persuade West Ham management to make the deal permanent. Defender Ritchie De Laet has welcomed the forward's permanent move and said the player's signing will benefit the club.

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15/06/13 – Everton Sniffing
Everton have been sniffing around fullback Jordan Spence. We've issued a hands off warning and hope that will be the end of it.

Nolan Out?
We're offering Kevin Nolan to clubs for £1m, hoping to try and get his £58,000 per week salary off the books.

I am confident a midfield of Anakoglou (when healthy), Collison, Noble and Gibson can do a job for us.

18/06/13 – Spence Ups
Jordan Spence has put pen to paper on a new four year deal worth £3.5m

24/06/13 – Prem / Champo Review


25/06/13 – West Ham Review
Fans' Player of the Year
West Ham supporter spokesperson, Craig Hart has announced that Dimitris Anakoglou has been voted West Ham's Player of the Year by fans.

Best Eleven
GK: Stockdale, DL: Aldrete, DC: Tomkins, De Laet, DR: Spence, MC: Gibson, Collison, Anakoglou, ST: Cole, Acquafresca, Piquionne

TV Rights
West Ham will receive £45.99m for Premier League television rights over the upcoming season.

Board Expectations
The West Ham United board is expecting the club to finish within the top half this season.

I guess I overshot myself by finishing 13th. We'll see how this goes.

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01/07/13 – Player Signings
Stambouli Sad To Leave Fans
West Ham have completed the signing of enthusiastic centre-back Benajmin Stambouli from Montperllier Herault SC on a free transfer. The player has gone public with his appreciation for the supprt he received from Les Pailladins fans while he was at the club. He commented that the level of encouragement he received from the fans would be his lasting memory of his time at Stade de La Mosson.



Dream Come True For Fleck
West Ham have signed 21 year old attacking midfielder John Fleck from Rangers on a free transfer. The youngster has described his move from The Ibrox to The Boleynj Ground as a 'dream come true.' After completing his signing, the player told the press that when a club like West Ham shows interest in you and then make a bid it's a fantastic compliment for any player.



Bolat Relishes Challenge
West Ham have snapped up former Standard Liege goalkeeper Sinan Bolat on a free transfer. The Turkish player has told his new club that he can't wait to test himself on a bigger stage. Speaking after his recent move to London, he explained that it had long been his dream to play at a higher level and he now had the chance to prove himself.

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02/07/13 – Contracts
Anakoglou Signs
Dimitris Anakoglou has put pen to paper on a new three year deal. He stated that his love for the club was the main reason behind him signing the new deal.

08/07/13 – Signing
Fabio's United Hell At End
West Ham have completed the signing of Manchester United's 22 year old Brazilian left back Fabio for a fee of £2.2m. Fabio has spoken of his relief at ending his nightmare at Old trafford after completing a move to West Ham. He added that he hoped the move will give him the chance to play againa fter spending so long on the sidelines at United.



09/07/13 – Injury
De Laet Suffering
Ritchie De Laet broke down in training today and looks to be suffering from a double hernia. The defender will miss between 6 and 7 weeks while he is treated.

11/07/13 – Injury
Piquionne Out
Frederic Piquionne has sustained a slipped disc during a weight training session. The striker will see a specialist and miss 2-3 months while being treated.

Nolan To Wolves
Kevin Nolan has negotiated terms with Wolves and will join the club on a £500,000 transfer.

De Silvestri In
West Ham have signed Italian fullback Lorenzo De Silvestri on a free transfer.

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17/07/13 – Friendly
Burton 1 – 0 West Ham

19/07/13 – Friendly
Kilmarnock 1 – 1 West Ham

21/07/13 – Friendly
Watford 2 – 2 West Ham

Gosling Signs
Newcastle's Dan Gosling is delighted to have successfully negotiated terms with West Ham. Gosling has revealed that he was very eager to rise to the challenge of moving to such an illustrious club. The deal sees the player joining West Ham for £1m.



Popov Joins Hammers
Gaziantespor's Ivelin Popov is said to be pleased at having agreed terms with West Ham. Popov revealed that he was really relishing the prospect of improving the fortunes of such a popular club. The deal sees the Bulgarian international joining West Ham for £5m. Gaziantespor president Ibrahim Kizil decided that the offer was too good to refuse and confirmed the transfer on behalf of management.



23/07/13 – Friendly
GS Iraklis Salonika 0 – 10 West Ham

TEN!

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26/07/13 – Friendly
GS Ergotelis 2 – 1 West Ham

31/07/13 – Friendly
West Ham 3 – 0 CSKA Moscow

12/08/13 – Captain
Jack Collison has been named captain of West Ham in the wake of Kevin Nolan's departure. Mark Noble has been promoted to vice-captain.

13/08/13 – Injury
Collison Hurt
Jack Collison has been injured on Wales duty, pulling a hamstring. The midfielder and West Ham skipper is expected to miss around three weeks.

15/08/13 – Carling Cup Draw
West Ham will travel to Hillsborough to face Sheffield Wednesday in the Carling Cup second round. The match will take place on 27th August.

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17/08/13 – Premier League Match Day #1
West Ham United 3 – 1 Chelsea
Goals: West Ham: Gibson (43), Noble (pen 48), Popov (52) Chelsea: Stambouli (o.g. 80)
Shots/On Target: West Ham 17/6, Chelsea 6/2
Possession: West Ham 58/42
Cautions: Chelsea: Chygrynskyi (R 47)
Man of the Match: Mark Noble

Form: Bolat 6.7, De Silvestri 7.6, Stambouli 6.9, Tomkins 7.6, Fabio 6.9, Gosling 7.0, Gibson 7.6, Noble (off 72) 8.3, Popov 8.1, Tafer 6.9, Acquafresca (off 72) 6.2, Fleck (on 72) 6.8, Cole (on 72) 6.8

Notes:
- We are the very first match of the Premier League season. Lunch time kick-off on live television.
- Lots of new players and a new formation for the Hammers. Can we get off on the right foot against a strong Chelsea side?
- Darron Gibson takes a pass from Mark Noble and finds the right corner of goal from 25 yards.
- Dmytro Chygrynskyi was sent off for bringing down Popov in the box. Surprising way to start the second half.
- Popov took a pass from Mark Noble and blasted it into the bottom right corner of goal from 20 yards.
- A bit of a communication error as Lukaku rushed in on goal, leading Stambouli to bundle it into the back of our net.
- Brilliant win, our first against any of our London rivals in the Premier League.

18/08/13 – News
Season Ticket Sales
West Ham have announced the final sales figures for season tickets. The ticket office has confirmed the club has sold 23,912 season tickets, up from last year's total of 23,795.

24/08/13 – Injury News
De Laet Back
Ritchie De Laet has returned to training after recovering from his double hernia.

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25/08/13 – Premier League Match Day #2
Liverpool 2 – 3 West Ham United
Goals: Liverpool: Lucas (57), Kuyt (88) West Ham: Gibson (1), Acquafresca (55), Fleck (77)
Shots/On Target: Liverpool 19/11, West Ham 11/7
Possession: Liverpool 58/42
Cautions: Liverpool: Coates (Y 8), Gerrard (Y 45+2), West Ham: Noble (Y 9), Acquafresca (Y 13)
Man of the Match: Darron Gibson

Form: Bolat 6.5, De Silvestri 6.8, Stambouli 6.9, Tomkins 6.9, Fabio 6.9, Gosling 7.0, Gibson 8.2, Noble (off 68) 7.0, Popov 6.9, Tafer 6.9, Acquafresca 7.3, Fleck (on 68) 7.3

Notes:
- What a start. Tafer brings the ball in from the right side of the box, dribbles into the six and pushes a little layoff pass for Gibson who taps it home.
- Another great goal. Gibson finds Acquafresca making a run between defenders and gets a 30 yard pass right onto his feet in the box, Reina had no chance.
- Liverpool strike right back to keep it a one goal lead with Lucas getting free on the left and Suarez finding him with a neat pass.
- Fleck steals the ball from Isla and dribbles into the box, slotting it past Reina with ease.
- Kuyt's goal was the result of the counter attack, Yarmolenko switching the flank. Three Liverpool players against one defender and Bolat, the Dutchman finished nicely.
- Two wins in two matches against two of last year's top five.

Anakoglou Back
We keep getting healthier with Dimitris Anakoglou returning to training after missing the last three months with a torn calf muscle.

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27/08/13 – Carling Cup (second round)
Sheffield Wednesday 0 – 3 West Ham United
Goals: West Ham: Fleck (7, pen 44), Cole (60)
Shots/On Target: Weds 7/1, West Ham 7/5
Possession: Weds 51/49
Cautions: Weds: Whelan (Y 32), Douglas (Y 45+2)
Man of the Match: Carlton Cole

Form: Bolat 6.9, Spence 8.2, Stambouli 7.8, Tomkins 7.2, Aldrete 7.6, Gosling 7.1, Stacey 7.0, Holland 6.9, Fleck 8.8, Baldock 6.9, Cole 8.9

Notes:
- Giving two central midfielders from the U18s a chance to see what they can do in this one.
- Sheffield Wednesday have the wonderfully named Mark De Man playing defensive midfielder. They've also got former Hammer loanee Glenn Whelan.
- John Fleck opens the account, taking a pass from Carlton Cole, dribbling into the box and slotting it under the Weds keeper.
- Cole was pulled down in the box during a scrum, earning a penalty.
- Cole gets himself an easy goal when the Weds keeper tries to dive on the ball and mis-handles. Cole simply pokes it home.
- Stacey and Holland, making their full debuts were solid, if we can get a couple of more non-Premier League sides in the Carling Cup (and FA Cup) they will see more time.

29/08/13 – Player Signing
Marcq In For West Ham
West Ham United have signed former France U21 international Damien Marcq from Stade Brestois for £6.25m. Marcq will no doubt feel he has something to prove to his former club after not having enjoyed the best of seasons last term. The defensive midfielder has told his new club he cannot wait to test himself on a larger stage, telling reporters it was his dream to play at a higher level.



31/08/13 – News
Carling Cup Draw
West Ham United will travel to the Brittania Stadium to face Stoke City in the third round of the Carling Cup. The match will be played on 24th September.

Kafka Reaches Century
Media-shy manager Otto Kafka will celebrate his 100th match as manager of West Ham when his side face Manchester United tomorrow.

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01/09/13 – Premier League Match Day #3
West Ham United 2 – 0 Manchester United
Goals: West Ham: Fleck (78), Di Silvestri (89)
Shots/On Target: West Ham 15/5, United 9/2
Possession: West Ham 57/43
Cautions: United: Vidic (Y 61), Rooney (Y 69)
Man of the Match: James Tomkins

Form: Bolat 6.9, De Silvestri 7.9, Stambouli 7.6, Tomkins 8.1, Fabio 7.7, Gosling 6.9, Gibson 7.9, Noble (off 65) 6.8, Popov 6.8, Tafer 7.1, Acquafresca 6.9, Fleck (on 65) 8.1

Notes:
- Sunday afternoon televised kick-off.
- Hazard has a goal ruled offside (30).
- John Fleck is proving to be a super-sub. His goal was an absolute stunner. He took a pass, took three steps into the box from the far left and belted it off the underside of the crossbar.
- Popov set up De Silvestri, dribbling horizontal to the top of the box and putting in a diagonal through ball onto the fullback's foot.
- We are now 3-0-0 against 3 of the top five teams, including last year's champions. Unbelievable start.

Sponsorship Deal
West Ham have announced a new 2 year sponsorship deal with £220k per annum.

Training Report
Among the senior players, Benjamin Stambouli (attacking), John Fleck (attacking) and Frank Nouble (strength) have impressed on the training field, though there have been concerns about Dimitris Anakoglou (strength) and Ritchie De Laet (strength)

Board Confidence
To summarize, the board is pleased with the leading of the team. This has been underlined by the fans' delight with the 3-1 victory over Chelsea. However, they are slightly disappointed with the current situation concerning the signing of Fabio. The club recorded a loss of £6.33m last month.

Nine Called Up
Nine West Ham players have been recalled for international matches on 7th and 11th September.
Adrian Aldrete (MEX), Ritchie De Laet (BEL), Ivelin Popov (BUL), Dimitris Anakoglou (GRE), Darron Gibson (IRE), John Fleck (SCO), Sinan Bolat (TUR), Jack Collison (WAL) and Winston Reid (NZE)

Hammers Snap Up Youngster
West Ham United have completed the signing of U Cluj's 16 year old Romanian central midfielder Alberto Niculescu for a fee of £900k. The youngster has described his move to London as a 'dream come true.'



03/09/13 – News
Trio Honored
Fabio, Lorenzo De Silvestri and John Fleck were selected in the Premier League Team of the Week first eleven.

Collison Back
Jack Collison has begun full training after recovering from a pulled hamstring.

05/09/13 – News
Niculescu Knocked
New boy Alberto Niculescu sustained a twisted ankle while playing for the Romania U19s. The player will miss three weeks while he recovers.

12/09/13 – News
De Laet Knocked
Ritchie De Laet is having trouble staying healthy. The defender sustained a fractured arm while on duty with Belgium and is expected to miss around a month.

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14/09/13 – Premier League Match Day #4
Stoke City 1 – 1 West Ham United
Goals: Stoke: Huth (10) West Ham: Acquafresca (30)
Shots/On Target: Stoke 13/6, West Ham 11/2
Possession: Stoke 53/47
Cautions: West Ham: Noble (Y 63)
Man of the Match: Robert Huth

Form: Bolat 5.7, De Silvestri 6.8, Stambouli 6.8, Tomkins 6.8, Fabio 7.2, Gosling 6.8, Gibson 6.6, Noble 6.8, Popov 6.8, Tafer (off 49) 6.6, Acquafresca 7.2, Baldock (on 49) 6.2

Notes:
- A Pennant free kick finds Huth making a run into the box and he heads it home.
- Simple goal for Acquafresca, takes the pass from Popov and passes it into the back of goal.
- Tafer had to come off injured (49). Replaced by Baldock.
- A tough draw, but we'll take it. Stoke is always a hard place to go into and get three points.

Tafer Injured
Yannis Tafer is expected to miss 4-5 weeks with a sprained ankle.

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21/09/13 – Premier League Match Day #5
West Ham United 1 – 0 Wigan Athletic
Goals: West Ham: Tomkins (77)
Shots/On Target: West Ham 17/7, Wigan 8/2
Possession: West Ham 52/48
Cautions: West Ham: Marcq (Y 21), Gibson (Y 41), Noble (Y 62) Wigan: Gentsoglou (Y 79)
Man of the Match: James Tomkins

Form: Stockdale 7.4, De Silvestri 7.3, Stambouli 6.9, Tomkins 8.1, Fabio 7.0, Marcq 7.3, Gibson 6.9, Noble (off 69) 6.6, Popov 7.7, Acquafresca (off 66) 6.5, Cole 6.4, Fleck (on 66) 6.8, Baldock (on 66) 6.7

Notes:
- Our first match against one of the Premier League new boys.
- Drab first half, we struggled to get much going, Wigan had a number of corners.
- Popov corner goes long, Stambouli heads it to the far post, Tomkins heads it home.

[Grover]

24/09/13 – Carling Cup (third round)
Stoke City 1 – 0 West Ham United
Goals: Stoke: Walters (69)
Shots/On Target: Stoke 14/6, West Ham 6/1
Possession: 50/50
Cautions: Stoke: Woodgate (Y 41), Huth (Y 44), Palacios (Y 65)
Man of the Match: Jon Walters

Form: Stockdale 6.8, Spence 6.8, Stambouli 7.3, Tomkins 6.7, Aldrete 6.8, Gosling 6.8, Collison 6.7, Anakoglou 6.9, Fleck 6.8, Lansbury (off 60) 6.0, Cole 6.8, Baldock (on 60) 6.5

Notes:
- Collison and Anakoglou making their debuts for the club. Also giving a start to U18 forward George Lansbury
- Jordan Spence concedes a penalty, David Stockdale saves Ben Watson's attempt.
- Our Carling Cup run is rather short lived.

[Grover]

28/09/13 – Premier League Match Day #6
Newcastle United 1 – 5 West Ham United
Goals: Newcastle: Coloccini (32) West Ham: Acquafresca (4, 34), Cole (8), Stambouli (25), Fabio (54)
Shots/On Target: Newcastle: 8/4, West Ham: 14/12
Possession: Newcastle: 54/46
Man of the Match: Carlton Cole

Form: Bolat 7.5, De Silvestri 7.5, Stambouli 8.5, Tomkins 7.3, Fabio (off 75) 9.0, Marcq 7.7, Gibson 7.1, Noble (off 75) 8.2, Popov 8.6, Cole 9.1, Acquafresca 8.8, Aldrete (on 75) 6.6, Fleck (on 75) 6.6

Notes:
- Terrific start. Fabio whips a ball into the center of the box, Acquafresca runs onto it with his head.
- Fabio assisting again, sending another cross into the box, Cole's initial shot is saved by Krul, but he pounces on the rebound and taps it home.
- Stambouli gets his first goal on a far post header from Noble's corner.
- Acquafresca's second comes off a rebound when Krul failed to handle Popov's direct shot.
- Fabio is streaking down the left wing when Carlton Cole picks him out. Fabio has only Krul to beat and does.
- Fabio comes off injured (75).

Fabio Knock
Fabio will miss 9-11 days with a thigh strain.

[Grover]

01/10/13 – September In Review
Training Report
Among the senior players, Dimitris Anakoglou (aerobic), Dan Gosling (tactics) and Frank Nouble (tactics) have been impressing on the training pitch. However, there have been concerns about the progress of Winston Reid (strength), Darron Gibson (tactics) and Robert Acquafresca (tactics)

Board Confidence
The board is very pleased with the overall leadership at the club. The highlight is still the 3-1 victory over Chelsea. Despite the positives, the fans are upset at the 1-0 Carling Cup loss to Stoke City. The club recorded a loss of £1.86m last month.

West Ham Player Stats


Premier League Leaders


Premier League Table

[Grover]

06/10/13 – Premier League Match Day #7
West Ham United 1 – 1 Arsenal
Goals: West Ham: Cole (90+2) Arsenal: Chu-Young (90+3)
Shots/On Target: West Ham 18/6, Arsenal 13/5
Possession: 50/50
Man of the Match: Ivelin Popov

Form: Bolat 6.8, Stambouli 7.0, Tomkins 7.2, Aldrete 6.5, Marcq 6.9, Gibson 6.8, Noble (off 45) 6.7, Popov 7.7, Cole 7.2, Acquafresca 5.3, Spence (on 9) 6.8, Fleck (on 45) 6.6

Notes:
- Lorenzo De Silvestri had to come off injured (8).
- It took more than 90 minutes, but we finally broke through.
- And we give it away as late as humanly possible.

De Silvestri Blow
Lorenzo De Silvestri has suffered a damaged spine and will be out of action for up to two months.

Alberto Niculescu and Ritchie De Laet have returned to full training.

14/10/13 – News
Tafer Back
Yannis Tafer has begun full training following his recovery from a sprained ankle.

[Grover]

20/10/13 – Premier League Match Day #8
Birmingham City 2 – 5 West Ham United
Goals: Brum: Zigic (pen 35), Stambouli (o.g. 43) West Ham: Spence (4), Cole (45+2), Acquafresca (46, 75), Collison (83)
Shots/On Target: Brum 11/4, West Ham 19/9
Possession: Brum 57/43
Cautions: Brum: Ridgewell (Y 14), Finnbogason (Y 83) West Ham: Marcq (Y 26), Fabio (Y 27), Cole (Y 89)
Man of the Match: Jack Collison

Form: Bolat 7.1, Spence 9.1, Stambouli 7.0, Tomkins 7.0, Fabio 7.9, Marcq (off 45) 5.3, Collison 9.2, Noble 7.0, Popov 7.4, Cole 7.8, Acquafresca 8.8, Gosling (on 45) 6.9

Notes:
- Sunday lunch time kick-off, live on the telly.
- Another match, another quick start. Cole gets the ball to Spence, Hochstrasser tries to dispossess him the box, Spence gets around it and fires it home.
- Damien Marcq concedes a penalty.
- Stambouli gives away his second own goal of the season.
- Jack Collison sent in a neat pass to release Cole who applied the finish.
- Collison found Acquafresca splitting the defenders, one on one with Ben Foster, easy goal.
- Spence finds Collison lurking in the box, slides the ball over to him and Collison lets loose.

22/10/13 – Awards
Four Named
Fabio, Jordan Spence, Jack Collison and Robert Acquafresca were named to the Premier League Team of the Week first eleven.

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26/10/13 – Premier League Match Day #9
West Ham United 4 – 1 West Brom Albion
Goals: West Ham: Fabio (31), Acquafresca (46), Steele (o.g. 55), Noble (pen 69) WBA: Valbuena (59)
Shots/On Target: West Ham 21/9, WBA 9/4
Possession: West Ham 52/48
Cautions: WBA: Enevoldsen (Y 2), Stoor (Y 29), Valbuena (Y 75)
Man of the Match: Mark Noble

Form: Bolat 6.9, Spence 7.3, Stambouli 7.3, Tomkins 7.6, Fabio (off 64) 7.9, Gosling 7.1, Collison (off 64) 6.9, Noble 8.5, Popov 7.4, Cole (off 64) 6.9, Acquafresca 7.7, De Laet (on 64) 6.5, Tafer (on 64) 6.9, Gibson (on 64) 6.9

Notes:
- Mark Noble picks out Fabio making a run into the box as if he were a forward. Fabio with a neat finish to put us up.
- Second straight match that Acquafresca has scored a minute into the second half. Lots of bodies in the box, Robert is the only one who can get a foot onto it.
- West Brom's keeper gifts us our third from a Mark Noble corner.
- WBA's diminutive midfielder heads one home to pull one back for the visitors.
- Jonas Olsson fouls Yannis Tafer going for a header, Noble finishes off the penalty.

[Grover]

01/11/13 – October In Review
Board Confidence
To summarize, the board is very pleased with the overall leadership of the club. The capture of Benjamin Stambouli, who the fans believe to be an extremely good player, has been particularly pleasing. Despite the positives, the 1-0 Carling Cup defeat to Stoke City cannot be ignored and the fans have voiced their discontent as a result. The club recorded a loss of £741k last month.

West Ham Player Stats


Premier League Leaders


Premier League Table

[Grover]

04/11/13 – Premier League Match Day #10
Fulham 0 – 5 West Ham United
Goals: West Ham: Cole (6, 45), Tafer (54), Acquafresca (67, 80)
Shots/On Target: Fulham 14/4, West Ham 17/9
Possession: Fulham 55/45
Cautions: Fulham: Inkoom (Y 10)
Man of the Match: Ivelin Popov

Form: Bolat 7.2, Spence (off 60) 7.4, Stambouli 8.1, Tomkins 7.8, Fabio 8.7, Marcq 7.8, Collison 7.2, Noble (off 60) 7.9, Popov 9.0, Cole (off 45) 8.7, Acquafresca 8.9, De Laet (on 60) 6.9, Fleck (on 60) 6.9, Tafer (on 45) 7.5

Notes:
- Monday evening on prime time television.
- Another quick start. Popov finds Cole all alone heading toward the box and the forward finishes the move.
- Cole second is a true poacher's effort. Popov fed Acquafresca, his shot was parried into the feet of Cole for the goal.
- Cole had taken a couple of knocks through the half and was taken off for Yannis Tafer.
- Tafer's goal began when Acquafresca moved the ball outside to Fabio who then crossed in between three defenders for the young Frenchman.
- A 3 on none counter attack, Acquafresca didn't need any help to score this one.
- More brilliance in the final third. Popov took a long ball from Collison who centered it for Acquafresca, he volleyed it home.
- We have scored 20 goals in our last five matches since losing to Stoke in the Carling Cup. 19 of those goals in four wins.

06/11/13 – Awards
Fabio, Benjamin Stambouli and Ivelin Popov have been named to the Premier League Team of the Week first eleven.

[Grover]

09/11/13 – Premier League Match Day #11
West Ham United 0 – 1 Everton
Goals: Everton: Vela (89)
Shots/On Target: West Ham 17/3, Everton 13/5
Possession: 50/50
Cautions: Everton: Heitinga (Y 21)
Man of the Match: Leighton Baines

Form: Bolat 6.8, Spence 7.3, Stambouli 6.8, Tomkins 7.2, Fabio 6.9, Marcq 7.0, Collison (off 63) 6.7, Noble (off 63) 6.6, Popov 6.9, Acquafresca (off 63) 6.1, Cole 6.7, Fleck (on 63) 6.5, Tafer (on 63) 6.7, Gibson (on 63) 6.7

Notes:
- Acquafresca had a goal called offside right at the death of the first half. It was close, but replays showed he was just off.
- We made a trio of subs at 63' to try and break the deadlock.
- Leighton Baines played a terrific long ball to find Carlos Vela alone and heading toward the box. Easy finish for three points.

[Grover]

23/11/13 – Premier League Match Day #12
Manchester City 3 – 2 West Ham United
Goals: City: Ganso (26), Aguero (30), Dzeko (86) West Ham: Acquafresca (66), Tafer (80)
Shots/On Target: City 17/7, West Ham 7/2
Possession: City 58/42
Cautions: City: Bocchetti (Y 51), Clichy (R 83) West Ham: Marcq (Y 12), Stambouli (Y 90+2)
Man of the Match: Sergio Aguero

Form: Bolat 6.6, Spence 6.9, Stambouli 6.8, Tomkins 6.0, Fabio 6.7, Marcq 6.9, Collison (off 45) 6.0, Noble (off 45) 6.1, Popov 6.7, Cole (off 45) 6.0, Acquafresca 7.2, Fleck (on 45) 6.8, Tafer (on 45) 7.2, Gibson (on 45) 6.9

Notes:
- Ganso opens the scoring with a brilliant 35 yard shot.
- Aguero doubles the City lead shortly after. Nasri picks him out with a sublime pass and he beats Bolat near corner.
- We use all three subs at half time to try and find a way back into this mess.
- Acquafresca pulls one back with a neat finish after stealing the ball from Zabaleta.
- Yannis Tafer equalizes when a Spence cross hits a City player and bounces straight to his feet.
- Our lead is short lived as Aguero finds Dzeko and he doesn't miss from 25 yards.

[Grover]

30/11/13 – Premier League Match Day #13
West Ham United 1 – 0 Norwich City
Goals: West Ham: Collison (41)
Shots/On Target: West Ham 14/3, Norwich 8/2
Possession: West Ham 56/44
Cautions: West Ham: Marcq (Y 57), Fabio (Y 70)
Man of the Match: Mark Noble

Form: Bolat 6.7, Spence 7.4, Stambouli 6.9, Tomkins 7.4, Fabio 7.5, Marcq (off 64) 6.8, Collison 7.3, Noble 7.7, Popov (off 40) 6.5, Acquafresca (off 64) 6.8, Cole 7.0, Gosling (on 64) 6.5, Fleck (on 40) 6.8, Tafer (on 64) 6.7

Notes:
- Ivelin Popov suffered an injury (40) and was replaced by John Fleck.
- Mark Noble takes a free kick from 60 yards out, hits Collison wide open in the box, he slots it past the keeper with ease.

Popov Blow
Ivelin Popov is set to miss up to a month of action after having his ribs broken in a strong challenge from Norwich's Russell Martin.

[Grover]

01/12/13 – November In Review
West Ham Player Stats


Premier League Leaders


Premier League Table

[Alf]

You seem to like french players !

[Grover]

Originally Posted by Alf

You seem to like french players !

They always produce for me! I'm a big fan of Ligue 1 as well, so I'm kind of drawn to the French players a bit.

[Grover]

07/12/13 – Premier League Match Day #14
Blackburn Rovers 0 – 1 West Ham United
Goals: West Ham: Stambouli (24)
Shots/On Target: Rovers 16/5, West Ham 13/4
Possession: Rovers 54/46
Cautions: Rovers: Diane (Y 7), Rochina (Y 10) West Ham: Cole (Y 73)
Man of the Match: Benjamin Stambouli

Form: Bolat 7.2, Spence 7.2, Stambouli 8.0, Tomkins 6.9, Fabio 7.2, Marcq 7.2, Collison 6.9, Noble (off 45) 7.2, Fleck 6.8, Cole 6.9, Acquafresca 6.0, Anakoglou (on 45) 6.6

Notes:
- Stambouli connects on Noble's corner at the far post.
- Noble was subbed off at half time. He took a knock just before the whistle.

09/12/13 – FA Cup Draw
We will travel to either Yeovil or Preston for the third round of the FA Cup.

[Grover]

14/12/13 – Premier League Match Day #15
Sheffield United 1 – 2 West Ham United
Goals: Sheff: Evans (86) West Ham: Cole (26), Fleck (47)
Shots/On Target: Sheff 9/5, West Ham 16/4
Possession: West Ham 52/48
Cautions: Sheff: Concha (Y 65) West Ham: (Y 25), Gibson (Y 32), Cole (Y 53)
Man of the Match: Jordan Spence

Form: Bolat 6.9, Spence 8.1, Stambouli 6.8, Tomkins 7.6, Fabio (off 64) 6.9, Marcq 7.2, Collison (off 64) 6.9, Noble (off 14) 6.6, Fleck 7.3, Cole 7.3, Acquafresca 6.8, De Laet (on 64) 6.8, Gibson (on 14) 6.9, Anakoglou (on 64) 6.7

Notes:
- This match is televised, Sunday 13:30 kick-off.
- Mark Noble picked up an early knock and was replaced by Darron Gibson.
- Fleck scores a ridiculous 30 yard free kick from the right side of goal, the shot hits the underside of the crossbar and goes in.
- Ched Evans pulls one back when he lost his marker.

Noble Knocked
Mark Noble suffered a damaged elbow after falling heavily early in the match with Sheffield United. He will be out for 9-11 days while he recovers.

17/12/13 – Awards
Jordan Spence has been named to the Premier League Team of the Week first eleven.

18/12/13 – FA Cup Draw
West Ham United will face Yeovil Town at Huish Park on 4th January 2014 in the third round of the FA Cup.

[Grover]

23/12/13 – Premier League Match Day #16
Tottenham Hotspur 1 – 0 West Ham United
Goals: Spurs: Bale (22)
Shots/On Target: Spurs 12/3, West Ham 8/3
Possession: Spurs 56/44
Cautions: Spurs; Dawson (Y 56), West Ham: Stambouli (Y 13)
Man of the Match: Gareth Bale

Form: Bolat 6.8, Spence 7.3, Stambouli 6.7, Tomkins 7.3, Fabio 6.8, Marcq 6.7, Collison 6.8, Gibson 6.8, Fleck 6.9, Cole (off 45) 5.9, Acquafresca 6.7, Tafer (on 45) 6.1

Notes:
- Monday evening in prime time. Televised yet again, this time it's the London derby.
- Bale gets the first of the match, heading home a corner.
- Fabio brings down Niakhaichyk in the box, conceding a penalty, which Bolat saved low.
- We had a late flurry on goal, Gomes stopped everything in sight.

[Grover]

26/12/13 – Premier League Match Day #17
West Ham United 2 – 0 Leicester City
Goals: West Ham: Tafer (78, 85)
Shots/On Target: West Ham 10/3, Leicester 10/1
Possession: Leicester 51/49
Cautions: West Ham: Anakoglou (Y 55) Leicester: Rodallega (Y 56), Mills (Y 81)
Man of the Match: Yannis Tafer

Form: Bolat 6.9, De Silvestri 7.8, Stambouli 7.3, Tomkins 7.2, De Laet 7.2, Gosling 6.9, Collison 7.0, Anakoglou 8.2, Fleck 6.9, Cole (off 66) 6.5, Acquafresca (off 66) 6.1, Tafer (on 66) 8.6, Piquionne (on 66) 6.9

Notes:
- Those pesky Foxes. Can we finally beat them?
- The breakthrough finally comes when Anakoglou steals the ball from Pantsil, passing to Tafer who was in the spot vacated by the Leicester fullback.
- Oh the counter. Stambouli gets it to Piquionne, who slides it across for Tafer streaking into the box.
- This is the first time in five encounters that we have beaten Leicester City.

[Grover]

28/12/13 – Premier League Match Day #18
West Ham United 2 – 0 Aston Villa
Goals: West Ham: Gibson (19, 63)
Shots/On Target: West Ham 12/7, Villa 7/2
Possession: West Ham 51/49
Cautions: West Ham: Fabio (Y 3), Tomkins (Y 55), Noble (Y 67) Villa: Makoun (Y 69), Fer (Y 81)
Man of the Match: Darron Gibson

Form: Bolat 6.9, Stambouli 7.4, Tomkins 7.2, Spence 7.7, Marcq 7.0, Noble 6.9, Gibson 9.1, Fleck 7.3, Cole 6.8, Acquafresca 6.8, De Silvestri (on 4) 7.1

Notes:
- Fabio is taken off injured just three minutes in.
- Fleck dribbled around the outside of the box, made a pivot passed it to Gibson on the left who came in and blasted one into the back of the net.
- Gibson's second was a typical scintillating 30 yard rocket from the right side to the top left corner of goal.

Fabio Knocked
Fabio suffered a damaged neck after jumping for a ball during the match with Aston Villa. The fullback is expected to miss up to two weeks with the injury.

[Grover]

30/12/13 – Premier League Match Day #19
Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 – 0 West Ham United
Shots/On Target: Wolves 16/4, West Ham 11/4
Possession: Wolves 52/48
Cautions: Wolves: Muamba (Y 37), Zubar (Y 83)
Man of the Match: Benjamin Stambouli

Form: Bolat 6.8, Spence 7.2, Stambouli 7.7, Tomkins 7.1, De Laet 7.3, Marcq 7.0, Collison 6.7, Gibson 6.6, Popov 6.9, Tafer 6.4, Acquafresca 6.7

Notes:
- Yannis Tafer had a goal ruled offside (70).

Anakoglou Honored
Dimitris Anakoglou has been named to the Premier League Team of the Week first eleven.

[Grover]

01/01/14 – December In Review
West Ham Player Stats


Premier League Leaders


Premier League Table

[Grover]

01/01/14 – Premier League Match Day #20
Chelsea 2 – 3 West Ham United
Goals: Chelsea: Torres (8, 84) West Ham: Fleck (6), Tafer (39), Tomkins (45+1)
Shots/On Target: Chelsea 19/7, West Ham 10/4
Possession: 50/50
Cautions: Chelsea: Luiz (Y 50), Lukaku (Y 86) West Ham: De Silvestri (Y 4), Stambouli (Y 26)
Man of the Match: Fernando Torres

Form: Bolat 6.8, De Silvestri 7.0, Stambouli 6.3, Tomkins 8.3, Aldrete 7.1, Gosling 7.1, Noble 7.0, Anakoglou 6.9, Fleck 7.4, Tafer 8.3, Cole 6.8

Notes:
- Brilliant start on the counter. Tafer finds Fleck making a run through the defense and it's an easy finish.
- Luiz finds Torres on a long ball, the Spaniard beats the defense and Bolat to knot the game up at one.
- Tafer gives us the lead back with a fantastic left footed finish from the outside of the box.
- Tomkins gets one in stoppage on a header from Mark Noble's corner.
- Bolat makes a save but can't handle it and Torres nabs it and finishes.

[Grover]

04/01/14 – FA Cup (third round)
Yeovil Town 0 – 1 West Ham United
Goals: West Ham: De Laet (45)
Shots/On Target: Yeovil 4/0, West Ham 17/2
Possession: West Ham 68/32
Cautions: West Ham: Stambouli (Y 77)
Man of the Match: Ritchie De Laet

Form: Bolat 6.8, Spence 8.0, Stambouli 7.4, De Laet 8.7, Aldrete 7.5, Marcq 7.0, Collison 6.8, Gibson 6.9, Popov 6.9, Cole 6.9, Acquafresca 6.3

Notes:
- We completely dominated the first half, but it took until the closing minute for - De Laet to put us through with a thundering 25 yard shot.
- Yeovil Town can certainly be proud of the effort they put in against us today.
- We have been awarded £68,850 for the victory.

05/01/14 – Player News
Olympique Lyonnair have lodged a £4.9m bid for Fabio which we have quickly moved to reject.

06/01/14 – FA Cup Draw
West Ham will host Fulham in the fourth round of the FA Cup. The match will be played on 1st February at The Boleyn Ground

07/01/14 – Awards
James Tomkins has been named to the Premier League Team of the Week first eleven.

08/01/14 – Player News
Newcastle have had a £2.8m bid for Carlton Cole rejected.

AC Milan have had a £6m bid for Fabio rejected.

09/01/14 – Injury News
Wanted fullback Fabio has returned to training after missing 12 days with a damaged neck.

[Grover]

12/01/14 – Premier League Match Day #21
West Ham United 2 – 1 Liverpool
Goals: West Ham: Tafer (20), Tomkins (28) Liverpool: Suarez (76)
Shots/On Target: West Ham 17/9, Liverpool 15/6
Possession: Liverpool 54/46
Cautions: West Ham: Popov (Y 69), Suarez (Y 2), Astory (Y 59), Leiva (Y 72)
Man of the Match: James Tomkins

Form: Bolat 6.6, Spence 6.9, Stambouli 7.0, Tomkins 8.2, Fabio 7.2, Marcq 6.9, Collison 6.9, Noble 7.5, Popov 6.9, Tafer 7.5, Cole 6.8

Notes:
- Sunday evening we're on television again.
- Tafer's initial shot is saved by Reina, but bounces right back to the forward.
- Tomkins scores a header from Mark Noble's corner.
- Unlucky for us, Fabio tries to clear and the ball strikes a player, bouncing backwards right to Suarez in front of goal.

[Grover]

19/01/14 – Premier League Match Day #22
Manchester United 3 – 0 West Ham United
Goals: United: Hernandez (18), Bale (24), Hulk (34)
Shots/On Target: United 17/8 West Ham 11/7
Possession: United 51/49
Cautions: West Ham: Marcq (Y 11), Spence (Y 84)
Man of the Match: David De Gea

Form: Bolat 7.4, Spence 6.9, Stambouli 6.6, Tomkins 6.9, Fabio 6.0, Marcq 6.8, Collison (off 45) 5.8,. Noble 6.8, Popov (off 45) 5.8, Tafer 6.5, Cole (off 45) 6.2, Fleck (on 45) 6.7, Gibson (on 45) 6.6, Acquafresca (on 45) 6.1

Notes:
- Sunday afternoon television slot for the second match in a row.
- Poor defending on the counter leaves Rooney with his choice to cross to any of four players. He picks Hernandez who finishes with ease.
- United's shiny new signing Gareth Bale (£32m) gets the second off a corner.
- Hulk scores from the right edge of the box, blasting it top corner.
- Down three goals at the half, we use all of our subs to try and redeem something from the match.
- The effort was much better in the second half, but we never looked to be a threat to get back into the match.

[Grover]

25/01/14 – Premier League Match Day #23
West Ham United 0 – 1 Stoke City
Goals: Stoke: Wilson (38)
Shots/On Target: West Ham 14/3, Stoke 10/6
Possession: West Ham 58/42
Man of the Match: Wilson Palacios

Form: Bolat 7.2, Spence 7.3, Stambouli 7.5, Tomkins 7.1, Fabio 7.2, Marcq (off 66) 6.7, Collison 6.2, Noble 6.5, Fleck 6.7, Tafer 6.5, Acquafresca 6.6, Gibson (on 66) 6.5

Notes:
- Wilson beats us from a Pennant corner. Our struggles with Stoke are bizarre.

[Grover]

01/02/14 – January In Review
West Ham Player Stats


Premier League Leaders


Premier League Table

[Grover]

01/02/14 – FA Cup (fourth round)
West Ham United 4 – 2 Fulham
Goals: West Ham: Acquafresca (21, 37), Fleck (31), Tomkins (63) Fulham: Jorgensen (70, 86)
Shots/On Target: West Ham 22/11, Fulham 9/4
Possession: Fulham 52/48
Cautions: West Ham: Spence (Y 43), Marcq (Y 44) Fulham: Schilder (Y 55)
Man of the Match: Nicolai Jorgensen

Form: Bolat 6.9, Spence 7.2, Stambouli 6.9, Tomkins 7.7, Fabio 6.9, Marcq 7.6, Gibson 7.7, Noble 7.2, Fleck 7.9, Tafer 6.8, Acquafresca 8.8

Notes:
- Acquafresca latches onto a long ball and slots it home.
- Fleck takes the pass from Darron Gibson, skips past Riise and beats the keeper.
- Fulham's high defensive line is killing them, Gibson picks out another killed ball and Acquafresca has an easy goal.
- Tomkins gets his usual headed goal from a Mark Noble corner.
- Both of Jorgensen's goal came from Boerrigter assists, crossing from the left to the right side of goal.
- West Ham have been awarded £91,810 for their victory.

03/02/14 – FA Cup Draw
West Ham United will play npower Championship side Sunderland in the FA Cup's fifth round. The match will be played at The Boleyn Ground on 22nd February.

[Grover]

05/02/14 – Premier League Match Day #24
Wigan Athletic 1 – 2 West Ham United
Goals: Wigan: Wheater (74) West Ham: Popov (19), Acquafresca (33)
Shots/On Target: Wigan 6/2 West Ham 15/7
Possession: Wigan 51/49
Cautions: Wigan: McArthur (Y 50), Caldwell (Y 81), Wheater (Y 90+3) West Ham: Gibson (Y 52)
Man of the Match: Ivelin Popov

Form: Bolat 6.8, De Silvestri 6.9, Stambouli 7.1, Tomkins 7.2, Fabio 6.9, Marcq 6.9, Gibson 6.9, Noble 6.9, Popov 7.6, Tafer 7.4, Acquafresca 7.6

Notes:
- Ivelin Popov gets a goal after taking Fabio's pass and sliding it past the keeper.
- Tafer sprints down the left and centers for Acquafresca who is unmarked and has no trouble scoring.
- Wheater pulls one back for the hosts with a far post header through Henri Lansbury's corner.

[Grover]

08/02/14 – Premier League Match Day #25
West Ham United 1 – 1 Newcastle United
Goals: West Ham: Cole (78) Newcastle: Jonas (80)
Shots/On Target: West Ham 14/3, Newcastle 9/4
Possession: Newcastle 51/49
Cautions: West Ham: Fleck (Y 25), De Laet (Y 88) Newcastle: Krohn-Dehli (Y 35), Jara (Y 61), Coloccini (Y 66), Cabaye (Y 84)
Man of the Match: Jonas

Form: Stockdale 7.0, Spence 7.0, Stambouli 6.8, Tomkins 6.9, De Laet 6.9, Marcq 6.9, Collison (off 65) 6.5, Anakoglou 6.6, Fleck (off 65) 6.0, Tafer (off 65) 6.7, Acquafresca (off 65) 6.2, Gibson (on 65) 6.9, Popov (on 65) 6.8, Cole (on 65) 7.2

Notes:
- We use our subs at 65' to try and make a breakthrough.
- One of those subs does so, Carlton Cole hits the top corner of the net with a great shot.
- We can't hold the lead and it's Jonas taking a long cross from Jara and heading home.

[Grover]

15/02/14 – Premier League Match Day #26
Arsenal 1 – 0 West Ham United
Goals: Arsneal: Torres (60)
Shots/On Target: Arsenal 13/3 West Ham 9/3
Possession: Arsenal 51/49
Cautions: Arsenal: Sagna (Y 44), Torres (Y 48), van Persie (Y 62), Song (R 77) West Ham: Noble (Y 54), Gosling (Y 71)
Man of the Match: Erick Torres

Form: Stockdale 6.8, Spence 7.0, Stambouli 6.6, Tomkins 7.3, Fabio 6.4, Gosling 6.7, Gibson 6.8, Noble (off 61) 5.6, Popov 6.7, Tafer 6.9, Cole (off 61) 6.0, Fleck (on 61) 6.7, Acquafresca (on 61) 6.7

Notes:
- Saturday evening kick-off, televised.
- Arsenal's £10m January signing Erick Torres gives his side the lead.

19/02/14 – Injury
Jack Collison is set to miss 3 weeks with a twisted ankle.

[Grover]

23/02/14 – FA Cup (fifth round)
West Ham United 2 – 3 Sunderland
Goals: West Ham: Tafer (31), Popov (39) Sunderland: Cristofi (50), Wickham (61), N'Gog (64)
Shots/On Target: West Ham 17/10, Sunderland 14/5
Possession: West Ham 52/48
Cautions: West Ham: Tafer (Y 66)
Man of the Match: Craig Gordon

Form: Stockdale 6.4, Spence 6.2, Stambouli 6.6, Tomkins 6.5, Fabio 6.6, Marcq 6.9, Gibson 6.6, Niculescu 6.7, Popov 8.0, Tafer 7.1, Cole 6.9

Notes:
- This one is televised.
- Yannis Tafer ends his long goal drought, splitting two defenders and finishing neatly.
- Popov doubles our lead getting on the end of a Fabio header that cleared the defenders.
- We're beaten by a header on a long throw. What are we playing Stoke?
- Connor Wickham levels the game after taking a pass from David N'Gog.
- Wow. Total meltdown over the course of 15 minutes.

[Grover]

01/03/14 – February In Review
West Ham Player Stats


Premier League Leaders


Premier League Table

[Grover]

01/03/14 – Premier League Match Day #27
West Ham United 3 – 0 Birmingham City
Goals: West Ham: Acquafresca (9), Tafer (33), Tomkins (80)
Shots/On Target: West Ham 21/7, Brum 10/0
Possession: West Ham 53/47
Cautions: Brum: Rusescu (Y 64)
Man of the Match: Fabio

Form: Bolat 6.9, Spence 7.4, Stambouli 7.0, Tomkins 8.1, Fabio 8.7, Marcq 7.4, Noble 7.7, Niculescu 7.1, Fleck 6.3, Tafer 7.8, Acquafresca 8.3

Notes:
- Acquafresca steals the ball from the fullback and beats Ben Foster, all inside the six yard box.
- Always good when both our forwards are on the scoresheet. Tafer latches onto the end of a Fabio cross and slides it home.
- Tomkins get his goal from Mark Noble's corner. You would think teams would learn to mark him on corners.

02/03/14 – Carling Cup
Everton have won the Carling Cup by defeating Newcastle 3-2 in extra time.

07/03/14 – Awards
Fabio was named to the Premier League Team of the Week first eleven.

[Grover]

08/03/14 – Premier League Match Day #28
West Brom Albion 0 – 1 West Ham United
Goals: West Ham: Acquafresca (80)
Shots/On Target: WBA 12/6, West Ham 13/4
Possession: West Ham 51/49
Cautions: West Ham: Fabio (Y 42)
Man of the Match: Robert Acquafresca

Form: Bolat 6.9, Spence 7.0, Stambouli 6.9, Tomkins 7.2, Fabio 7.2, Marcq 7.2, Gibson 6.8, Noble (off 65) 6.9, Popov (off 65) 6.5, Tafer 6.9, Acquafresca 7.6, Fleck (on 65) 6.9, Niculescu (on 65) 6.9

Notes:
- We make a pair of subs 65' in to try and get the upper hand against a team we should be dominating.
- Acquafresca plays wide to Fleck, runs to the other side of the six yard box and heads home Fleck's cross. Brilliant work from the Italian forward.

10/03/14 – Injury
Jack Collison has returned to full training following 3 weeks out with a sprained ankle.

[Grover]

15/03/14 – Premier League Match Day #29
West Ham United 2 – 0 Fulham
Goals: West Ham: Fleck (86), Cole (90+3)
Shots/On Target: West Ham 16/9, Fulham 6/4
Possession: West Ham 51/49
Cautions: West Ham: Noble (Y 34) Fulham (Y 89)
Man of the Match: John Fleck

Form: Bolat 7.3, Spence 7.5, Stambouli 7.5, Tomkins 7.2, Fabio (off 55) 6.7, Marcq 7.5, Gibson 6.9, Noble (off 66) 6.7, Fleck 7.6, Tafer 6.9, Acquafresca (off 66) 6.0, De Laet (on 55) 7.0, Niculescu (on 66) 6.9, Cole (on 66) 7.3

Notes:
- Neat passing between De Laet and Niculescu sets up Fleck from the left side of the box. His goal is reminiscent of the one he scored against United at the start of the year. A sizzler that Oscar Ustari had no hope in stopping.
- Carlton Cole salts away the three points with a nice exchange with Tafer, blasting it in from 20 yards out.

[Grover]

22/03/14 – Premier League Match Day #30
Everton 1 – 2 West Ham United
Goals: Everton: Cisse (17) West Ham: Fleck (49, 80)
Shots/On Target: Everton 7/3, West Ham 18/7
Possession: Everton 54/46
Cautions: Everton: Vela (Y 83), Cahill (Y 90+2) West Ham: Spence (45+1)
Man of the Match: John Fleck

Form: Bolat 6.8, Spence 7.1, Stambouli 7.0, Tomkins 6.9, Fabio 7.0, Marcq 7.1, Noble (off 85) 6.9, Niculescu 7.1, Fleck 9.1, Tafer 7.7, Cole (off 76)

Notes:
- Papiss Cisse ends Bolat's shutout streak at 303 minutes.
- Fleck scores on a cross from Niculescu
- Fleck gives us the lead with another assist from Niculescu and a 25 yard blast into the top left corner of goal.
- Dan Gosling and Robert Acquafresca came on late and didn't record a rating.

Noble Blow
Mark Noble is set to miss 4-5 weeks after damaging knee cartilage.

25/03/14 – Awards
John Fleck has been named to the Premier League Team of the Week first eleven.