Sam has scary vision of the past
SAM ALLARDYCE forced his West Ham squad to sit through a video nasty of their 5-1 midweek hammering at Ipswich.
The Hammers boss said: "The players have seen the game, it wasn't very good watching.
"We do see every game we play but I went a bit longer on this one. It was a big shock for me, I just hope it is a one-off.
"They didn't watch it as a punishment, I am glad to say there was a bit of discussion on why it went wrong."
Police have warned players not to go over the top in any goal celebrations against Millwall today for fear of whipping up fans in a powderkeg derby.
But Allardyce warned: "For us, teams at the bottom become very dangerous because they lift their game and we can get caught out — as we saw with Ipswich."
the sun
CRAZY ... but David Forde can understand the rivalry between Millwall and West Ham fans
The most hateful fixture in football
DAVID FORDE lines up in goal for Millwall at West Ham this lunchtime in what he describes as: The most hateful fixture in football.
Hundreds of police will be on duty at today's powderkeg clash at Upton Park in a bid to avert the crowd trouble and violence that has blighted this London derby in the past.
And Republic of Ireland keeper Forde, who unusually had a spell with the East End Hammers before joining the South London Lions, said: "I've never known hatred like it over a football game.
"But I totally understand the rivalry. There's just so much passion on both sides.
"It's been there for a hundred years or more and you're never going to change that.
"It's ingrained into both sets of fans.
"There are very few games in the world like it."
The bloody rivalry between the two clubs dates back around 100 years when both sides were formed in the East End.
Not even Millwall's move 'sarf' of the Thames in 1910 managed to cool tensions.
The Lions return to Upton Park today for the first time since trouble marred the clubs' Carling Cup second-round clash in 2009.
Forde, whose team lost 3-1 in extra-time that night, recalled: "It was a phenomenal night because it was just so crazy.
"It was a good game of football until the pitch invasions.
"It wasn't nice. You're playing a game and then you get these people coming on the pitch and getting right in your face.
"Strangely enough, I didn't really feel threatened at the time, even after the third invasion.
"It was only after the game when I saw the TV pictures that I thought about what could have happened. There was no need for it.
"We're all hoping there'll be nothing like that again."
the sun
Karren Brady’s football diary
A FREE Saturday thanks to our third-round FA Cup defeat.
Time for us all to reflect on Dylan Tombides, our 17-year-old Academy striker who is being treated for cancer.
Dylan's strength of character is incredible, he's a lovely young man and everyone is willing him to make a full recovery. Being a parent myself makes you very much aware of what his family must be going through.
Sunday, January 29
I SPOKE to Everton's Bill Kenwright regarding Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic.
I've learned in football that getting into an auction with a friend is not a great idea.
It's far better to negotiate between you to decide who gets the player, rather than cost each other money.
Bill and I agreed they were more keen than us.
We weren't out-muscled but on this occasion Sam had his eye on someone else.
Monday, January 30
MOVING a player from one club to another used to be so relatively simple.
Often the only thing the agent wanted, if there was one, was petrol money for himself and a boot allowance for his player.
But there was one player recently who wanted a Mercedes for his wife and an agent asked for more money for himself than the player.
Just one more day to go!
Tuesday, January 31
TRANSFER deadline day brought all the usual shenanigans.
None more so than an agent ringing me 10 minutes before the transfer window shut declaring he could get one of our players a loan move.
Talk about leaving it to the last minute! Oh, and starting a conversation with me with the words "hello darling," did not exactly get things off on the right foot.
West Ham did sign three new players including Ravel Morrison from Manchester United.
I've had to deal with the whole spectrum when it comes to negotiations with other clubs, but United are always wonderfully professional.
We lost 5-1 at Ipswich. People often say that Sam's bark is worse than his bite but, let me tell you, his bark is pretty bad.
I would prefer to face the agents tonight than the bus ride home.
Wednesday, February 1
SO, Carlos Tevez is still a Manchester City player.
City have the financial clout to be able to stand firm and I admire then for that.
But he can still leave as an emergency loan — so I sent City a text asking about the possibility of us having him. Never gonna happen was their reply. Never say never, I say!
Tevez will probably think again before declining to warm up when asked to.
Thursday, February 2
SPENT the morning freezing my butt off at the Olympic Stadium.
We could not see the pitch, the potential ticket office, the potential shop, some office locations, the control room, nor the kitchen locations due to 'restrictions' of one sort or another.
Other than that it was a very worthwhile morning! do not go there then
Friday, February 3
UNBELIEVABLY some Arsenal fans have been having a go at Arsene Wenger.
Those supporters with a shred of common sense should tell the doubters to sling their collective hooks.
Managers are under a lot of pressure, none more so than the pressure they put on themselves.
Not only have I worked closely with eight of them for the past 19 years, I'm married to one. So I should know.
the mirror
West Ham vs Millwall goes into lockdown
Fortress Upton Park will go into lockdown as West Ham bid to prevent a repeat of the Carling Cup riot against Millwall.
Hundreds of police will be deployed for the Lions’ first excursion to the Boleyn Ground since the appalling scenes of August 25, 2009.
Amid the lunacy of pitch invasions, gates stormed by mobs without tickets and a stabbed ex-fireman left fighting for his life with a punctured lung, few remember West Ham’s 3-1 win after extra-time because it was secondary to the chaos.
Both clubs were fined by the FA, although Millwall’s penalty was revoked on appeal, and Lions manager Kenny Jackett privately confided the mayhem was the worst he had experienced after 32 years in football.
Although the reverse fixture, a goalless draw at the Den, passed off without major incident in September, police are taking no chances with their security blanket this time.
It includes...
* Banning alcohol at the ground and the closure of pubs around Upton Park itself
* Reducing Millwall’s allocation to 1,400 tickets in the upper tier of the Sir Trevor Brooking Stand, with no Hammers fans within a 30-yard exclusion zone
* The police warning players to curb their goal celebrations
* And the appointment of experienced Premier League referee Mike Jones to boss the game.
Police hope the combination of an early kick-off, cold weather, live coverage on Sky and a beam-back to Lions fans at the Den will draw the sting from the fixture.
Both sides are aiming to bounce back after dispiriting midweek defeats. Championship leaders West Ham are in shock after a 5-1 drubbing at Ipswich, while Millwall are only one place above the drop zone after losing 2-0 at Watford.
Hammers manager Sam Allardyce, who is likely to hand debuts to deadline-day signings Nicky Maynard and Ricardo Vaz Te, said: “I wasn’t aware of any incidents at the last game – it was superbly planned and policed by everybody, and everything went according to plan.
"I just hope it goes the same way [today]. People have to be responsible for their actions including me as a manager, the players on the pitch and the supporters who come to watch.
“It will be live on TV and we’ll be portraying our football to people around the globe. We want to put on a good spectacle.”
Of the thrashing by Ipswich, former Lions defender Allardyce added: “Until then, our defensive record had been the basis of our success this season – we need to get over it and show everybody why we’re top of the table in a big derby game.”
Jackett, who could unveil £500,000 striker Andy Keogh and new German defender Lennard Sowah, said: “At 25, Andy has his best years ahead of him and he will be a good partner up front for Darius Henderson.”
the mail
Flashpoint: West Ham and Millwall fans clashed at Upton Park in 2009
West Ham owners make peace plea as Millwall come calling at Upton Park
West Ham co-chairmen David Gold and David Sullivan have pleaded with fans not to cause trouble ahead of Saturday’s derby with Millwall.
Disgraceful scenes marred the last meeting between the sides at Upton Park during a Carling Cup clash in August 2009 and Gold and Sullivan warned of punishments should there be any repeat.
‘We would just like to remind any supporter with the intention of doing anything but enjoying the game they will face serious consequences and will be dealt with in accordance with our matchday policies in conjunction with the Metropolitan Police,’ they wrote.
‘Previous incidents have seen nine season-ticket holders having their season tickets cancelled without refund and also received life bans from the club.
‘Fifty known supporters received life bans and most of those either received a three- or four-year football banning order.
‘This is your club; please show it the respect it deserves on the day, show your world-famous support and make it a day to be remembered for all the right reasons.’
the star
David Forde has pleaded for calm after fearing for his safety on his last visit to West Ham
DAVID FORDE FOCUS ON KEEPING IT REAL CALM
DAVID FORDE has pleaded for calm after fearing for his safety on his last visit to West Ham.
The Millwall keeper, 32, was caught up in the 2009 Carling Cup night of shame featuring some of the worst scenes to blight English football for years.
One fan was stabbed, hundreds were involved in running battles outside Upton Park, and supporters invaded the pitch three times amid a backdrop of racist taunts.
The bad atmosphere between West Ham and Millwall often spills over and police will be on high alert again in east London today.
Forde said: “The last time I played there it was scary stuff. You do worry about your safety.
“I think everyone hopes it doesn’t happen again as there’s no place for trouble in football. It ruins the game.
“We anticipate it being hostile in the stands and we understand the fact that passions run high.
“But we hope the fans just come to watch the game and cheer on their own team.”
The Met had to call in reinforcements to quell the riots amid the carnage that marred the Hammers’ 3-1 second round win two-and-a-half years ago.
Now over 1,500 Millwall fans are heading back for a Championship game switched to lunchtime to cut down the risk of hooliganism.
The clubs have issued a joint statement warning troublemakers to stay away – or face the prospect of being handed life bans.
But, according to Forde, the fight for three points should be the only talking point with leaders West Ham chasing promotion and the Lions bidding to beat the drop.
He added: “It’s a massive game for the fans with all the bragging rights.
“But earning the right result for both teams is important enough in its own right.
“They are pushing at the top and need the points while we are desperate to put some daylight between us the bottom three.
“West Ham, with all their new signings, will be favourites. They will also be under a bit of pressure after losing 5-1 at Ipswich.
“We can’t afford another flat performance, like we produced in the defeat to Watford, and I’m sure you won’t see one from us.”
Forde almost conceded a hugely embarrassing goal when the sides drew 0-0 in October.
His blushes were spared when Henri Lansbury’s shot from kick-off drifted inches wide – with the Irish shot-stopper failing to realise the game had started.
He added: “We all know we must remain totally focused on our jobs.
“We have to put a shift in or it will be a tough afternoon.”
official site
big sam happy with squad
http://www.whufc.com/articles/20120203/ ... 84_2598189
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Tottenham's Gareth Bale
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the Sun
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the Sun
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babe of the day
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