#Westham January Transfer Window Week 2 Round up

Possible Transfers Inbound

West ham could make a move to sign Troyes defender Fabrice N'Sakala says Talk Sport today

The Daily Express  have linked Watford's on-loan striker Matej Vydra but Zola is keen to keep hold of  him says the Daily Express today

Big Sam says he is concentrating in filling the void that is our left-back position. He has also rubbished reports that Blackburn are asking for £7 million for Martin Olsson but has confirmed two failed bids believed to be £1M and £2M for Olsson have been turned down.

West Ham are interested in 24-year-old defender Gaëtan Bong.Apparently, Big Sam has sent out scouts to see the defender play on Sunday, where his team Valenciennes lost 5-0.  It believed Bong is back-up if Olsson deal doesn't come off.

TalkSPORT claimed last week that West Ham are interested in signing Toulouse midfielder Etienne Capoue. However, Capoue has spoken to the media regarding interest from West Ham and has said he wouldn't join 'A team like West Ham'.

Evening Standard claims West Ham have made an enquiry for Blackburn keeper Paul Robinson

Talksport also say we are ready to make a move for Everton's Sylvain Distin.

MLS star Graham Zusi had a trial at West Ham last week. Zusi is allegedly one of the best attacking midfielders in the american league and impressed Big Sam we are told. 

Possible Transfers Outbound

Sam Allardyce stated today that "We have never been in a position to sell anybody & we don't want to. We want to increase the size of the squad, not decrease"

However that doesn't stop the rumours!:

Newcastle are interested in James Tomkins but West Ham have slapped a £10m price tag on him say Daily Express. Sam said today "It was less likely James [Tomkins] was going to leave in the first place, even less likely now!”

QPR are interested in midfielder Alou Diarra. It is believed that the French international is unsettled at West Ham.

Daily Mirror say Carlton Cole has been told he can leave West Ham but Big Sam has denied this saying “I haven’t told him he can leave so I don’t know who has told him that he can” . Talksport have linked him to a move to the US MLS league today.

There are claims that Arsene Wenger has been keeping his eye on the situation with Mohamed Diame with no news of him signing a new contract as yet. Harry & QPR are rumoured to be considering a late bid to unsettle him.

West Ham Supporter Advisory Board Update

I attended last Monday's West Ham Supporter Advisory Board along with over 100 other members on the 124 strong advisory board.

The full power-point presentation from the evening can be found on the link below 

http://www.whufc.com/staticFiles/8b/b9/0,,12562~178571,00.pdf

Special Guest

Surprise guest of the night was Sam Allardyce who spent around one hour doing a private Q&A with SAB members. My question to Big Sam started with a statement. I said ' I am sure you are aware you weren't everyone's cup of tea when you were appointed but hopefully I speak for the majority of West Ham fans when I say you did a bloody good job last season and your start to this season is none too shabby either' The statement was received with a round applause for Sam's achievements. My following question was 'It is rumoured you entered into a two year contract, if this is true have you started re-negotiating with the board to extend your time as West ham manager'

Sam smiled and said 'It is a 2 year contract which expires at the end of this season but negotiations had not started yet' he then hinted that West ham needed to be sure they had secured premiership survival before a proper deal could be done.

SAB Myths

I know many think the SAB is full of hand picked supporters who agree with the club, or that it is some kind of secret society with funny hand shakes. Others think it is a marketing gimmick that gives lip service to fans views only and is a waste of time.

The club are very clear, it is not and was never intended to be a Supporters Trust. The club is not a democracy and not trying to be like AFC Wimbledon.

However the two Davids understand it is a very stupid business that doesn't listen to it's customers and the advisory board is there to do just that, feed back views of customers who will vote with their custom on match days, season tickets and purchases in the club shop.  

If you attended any of the SAB meetings you would instantly know the hand picked accusation is a complete myth as well. There are plenty of SAB members who don't see eye to eye with the club on a numbers of issues. The idea of the SAB as puppets with the two Davids pulling the strings is frankly laughable. Membership of the SAB includes two committee members of WHUSVIEW who are opposed to the move to the Olympic Stadium.

The Olympic Stadium was not discussed on Monday as the discussions are still at a delicate stage and the club are under strict confidentiality restrictions. However we were promised an emergency SAB meeting when the decision is made (which ever way it goes!)

As for the SAB having no teeth and just a marketing ploy to pay lip service to the fans here are twenty of the things SAB involvement helped changed last season.

1) The 20% discount  for STH promised by previous owners was bought to the attention of the West Ham board by the SAB. The SAB asked us the board to honour the promise.

2) The SAB were consulted on membership and benefits and the (0-6) year membership was launched earlier this season as a result

3) Request for a token gift for ST holders like members. West Ham Pin badges being sent out this season.

4) Viagogo deal came as a result of the SAB to allow STH to sell back tickets.

5) 2 for £20 T Shirt range extended after SAB feedback

6) By the Fans for the Fans extended from SAB feeback

7) Season Ticket holders ability to upgrade to Corporate without re-purchase 

8) Junior ST holders mascots and Christmas party. There will be another one this year.

9) SMS for poor behaviour to be on big screen and in programme

10) More Bubble machines

11) Season Ticket holders Bar (trialed  but unsuccessful) Looking at it again.

12) New Mascot Hammerhead (SAB ‘less scary’ comments effected final look)

13) Brand – ‘Forever United’ was too generic and didn't focus on heritage so it was dropped due to SAB feedback

14) Moore than a Football Club was chosen as new brand from SAB feedback

15) More focus on the crossed Hammers/Irons from SAB feedback

16) Armed Forces offer – this scheme is now up and running

17) More links with Bobby Moore Fund and family

18) Looking into West Ham Loyalty scheme 

19) Move from pints to bottles in bars to speed up serving times

20) Ability for STH to bring along friends at discounted rates and site next to them

New SAB Format in the coming year

Going forwards the SAB will concentrate on four areas with sub groups outside any OS decision which will would involve the whole SAB membership. 


Media Group (New website, fan blog writer, twitter, facebook and research)

Community/Charity (benchmarking, what more could be done, Bobby Moore Fund)

Season Ticket/Membership benefits (research other products, what would we like to add e.g. extra priority day, pack content)

Match day Experience


Names of The 2012/13 Supporter Advisory Board

Keith Alder-Barber
Stuart Allen
Graeme Archer
Satvir Atkar
Steven Barlow
Tony Barritt
Catherine Bayford
Rachel Beagles
Daniel Bloom
Jack Boteler
Tim Boughen
Peter Bruce
Steve Burton
Peter Caton
Will Cheeld
Neil Clack
Daniel Clement
Marcus Clement
David Clements
Andy Connacher
Tina Cowen
Lesley Craig
Colin Crowe
Michael Crowhurst
Stuart Dean
Jill Dower
Tom Dowsett
Neil Duggan
Kevin Dunckley
Gavin Dunstan
Dee England
Saul Ettridge
Michael Evans
Tricia Evans
John Farren
Rob Ford
Paul Fox
Richard Francis
Michelle Gabriel
Jonathan Gaffney
Paul Gibson
Sherrie Goldsmith
David Hall
David Halston
Tony Harries
Graham Hatt
Benjamin Hawkes
Ian Henderson
Jack Hess
Graham Howlett
Craig Hughes
Peter Hunt
Anthony Hyams
Deniz Jaffer
Steve Joyce
Nigel Kahn
Diane Keleghar
John Kemp
Warren Kober
Adrian Leahy
Victor Lindsell
John Llewellyn
Phil Llewellyn
Kevin Markham
Ryan Marsh
Steve Marsh
Neil Martin
Dan Mason
Suzanne Mason
Gerry McCarthy
Norman McGuire
Steve Medhurst
Antoni Miziolek
Darren Morgan
Colin Morris
John Norman
Michael Nuciford
Leigh O'Connor
Cecilia O'Herlihy
Wallace Onnie
John Parry
Jonathan Penfold
Eamon Quinn
Kevin Radley
Paul Reynolds
Paul Richardson
Pete Richardson
Jason Rose
James Rutherford
Steve Ryder
Nigel Salvage
Nick Scott
Barry Shelton
Stuart Slaney
Mark Steele
Terry Stokes
Ben Surdeau
John Sussex
Dave Tate
Mark Taylor
Kishan Teli
Simon Thomson
Eleanor Tilley
Mark Tilley
Stephen Todd
Stephen Trowers
Kathryn Upton
John Walker
Ian Wearne
Sean Whetstone
Anne-Marie White
Peter Whitelock
Nick Wood
Richard Wood
Ali Worth
Ian Wicks
Trevor Wisdom
Daniel Yallop
John Yewman
Jason Zammit

Who scored a hat-trick against 3 different goalkeepers?

On 21st April 1986 in the old Division 1 at Boleyn Ground West Ham beat Newcastle 8 goals to 1!

It is a pub quiz teaser that still baffles everyone except West Ham United fans.

Who scored a hat-trick against three different goalkeepers? 

Answers on a post card!

Of course the answer is Alvin Martin's amazing triple in the 8-1 victory over Newcastle United. 

"It's not often that a centre-half gets a hat-trick and that was probably the worst one anybody has ever scored," confessed the modest Alvin Martin. "But it's in the record books!"

Flying high in fifth spot at the time, John Lyall's soaring side may have gone into the game as favourites, but Willie McFaul's tenth-placed team had just left a massive dent in Chelsea's championship aspirations following their 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge two days earlier.

Some conspiracy theorists later alleged that the Tynesiders' capitulation had been caused by their over-zealous celebrations in the Blackmore pub owned by their London-born skipper - and future Hammers boss - Glenn Roeder.

 But it was obvious to the 24,735 inside Upton Park that their goalkeeper Martin Thomas, who had sat it out at Chelsea with a shoulder injury, was simply still not fit.

On-loan from Hibernian, his replacement David McKellar had damaged his hip at the Bridge and the reluctant Magpies' goalkeeper had no option but to take his place back between the sticks. Within five minutes, he was picking the ball out of the net after Martin volleyed home Alan Devonshire's free-kick into the six-yard box.

The hapless Thomas was then beaten by speculative long-rangers from Ray Stewart and Neil Orr before Roeder inexplicably flicked the ball into his own net. With both his shoulder and pride hurting profusely, Thomas failed to emerge for the second period.

Rookie midfielder Chris Hedworth pulled on the green jersey for the restart but he was soon in trouble, too, after falling awkwardly and cracking his collarbone.

Midway through the half, Martin headed in Tony Gale's flick-on following Mark Ward's corner and as the brave Hedworth returned outfield before subsequently retiring, Peter Beardsley donned the gloves. Although Billy Whitehurst pulled one back for the visitors, Paul Goddard and Frank McAvennie then made it 7-1.

"I only came out to buy a loaf of bread!" bewildered, beleaguered and battered defender John Bailey famously shouted to the South Bank as he guarded his third goalkeeper of the night in readiness for another Hammers' bombardment. Sure enough, with six minutes left, the handling Roeder gave Martin the chance to claim the match ball and make it 8-1 to the Hammers, who were destined to go on and finish their best-ever campaign in third spot.

Despite his later claims that his England team-mate was Beardsley was pulling funny faces at him, the Mexico 86-bound Scouser successfully stroked in from the spot.

"Our normal penalty man Ray Stewart had picked up the ball to take the kick but once the crowd started chanting my name, it became embarrassing not to have it," wrote Martin in Boys of '86. "Afterwards, John Lyall said that goal difference could have counted come the end of the season and that we should have been more professional and still let Ray take it. Everyone was saying: 'C'mon John, it was 7-1 and it was his first hat-trick' I think he went a bit too far that night!"

West Ham United Team on that Day: Parkes, Stewart, Parris, Gale, Martin, Devonshire, Ward, Orr, Dickens (Goddard 80) Cottee, McAvennie

Here is the Youtube video of that magic day

A week in the life of the Olympic Stadium Pantomime

What a week in the Olympic Stadium Pantomime and it is not even the Christmas season yet!

So first story of the week told the future of the Olympic Stadium retractable seating £200 million rebuild was reported to be thrown into doubt after Old Eton boy George Osbourne in the Treasury ruled out handing any of the £377 million London 2012 surplus over to Old Eton boy Boris Johnson for the project. This would leave a £120 Million hole in the current rebuild budget.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/9641726/Mayor-of-London-Boris-Johnsons-appeal-for-Games-surplus-fund-to-be-used-in-Olympic-Stadium-rejected-by-Treasury.html

Hot on the heels of that story was that NFL American Football franchise would gazump West Ham to be anchor tenants of the Olympic Stadium. Bizarre story as the bidding process is closed and I sure a third bidding process would be required to make this legal. 

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/west-hams-tenancy-of-the-olympic-stadium-1409807

Although the Daily Mail later claimed West Ham would share the OS with NFL.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-2226156/West-Ham-share-Olympic-Stadium-NFL-Americans.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Now today news has been reported in the Independent that West Ham have bid £8.08M per year for the 99 year lease committing us to £880M over 99 years.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/west-ham-committed-to-olympic-stadium-bid-despite-huge-financial-implications-8274380.html

To me this is the most concerning of all three stories if true. The richest club in the world Man City pay £3 Million per for their 50,000 capacity state owned stadium and make £8 Million per year profit from the naming rights. However if the Independent story is true we as one of the most debt laden clubs will pay £8M per year with no rights to the naming rights, catering rights or rental from other tenants.

Doesn't sound like a good deal to me (if true)

The result of the bidding process is expected on the 5th December.

Here is a link to my previous post on the Olympic Stadium Story So Far

http://westhamfootball.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/the-story-so-far-with-west-ham-olympic.html

Everything you wanted to know about Savio Nsereko

Savio Arrested, Deported and Charged

Former Hammer Savio was arrested last Friday on perjury charges over his kidnap claim,  Thai police have said in the Bangkok post.

Savio who now plays for Unterhaching in Germany's Bundesliga , was arrested in a rented room in Pattaya, Thailand.

Police said they were contacted by the German embassy which asked them to help Savio who had made a phone call to his relative in that country to transfer 3,000 euros  to his account claiming that he was abducted in Thailand.

Police said that after receiving the complaint they began their investigation and found that Savio, who arrived in Thailand on Oct 14th, had spent all one million baht he brought with him from Germany.

As a result, Savio then made up the story in the hope that his relative would transfer money to him. Police said Savio would be deported to face charges in Germany on Saturday.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/318384/german-footballer-arrested-in-pattaya

Interpol Search

Just last year it was reported that Interpol were looking for Savio after he went missing in Italy while on loan to Juve Stabia from Fiorentina. He texted his coach to say he would not make training for "personal reasons".

Juve Stabia sporting director Salvatore Di Somma said: 'The player's mother lodged a complaint with Interpol and the police have released a photo of him to try to find him soon. 

He later turned up in London unharmed.

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Interpol-searching-for-missing-ex-West-Ham-striker-Savio-of-Juve-Stabia-article799463.html

The £10 Million Deal that Never Was

Savio joined West Ham in January 2009 and reports in the Telegraph story below suggested that we paid £10 million for him. However many believe this was a smoke screen to deflect where the £14 million went after we sold Craig Bellamy to Manchester City. It is thought the exaggerated £9m to £10M package was mainly made up of add ons with West Ham needing to play Champions League football to get anywhere a £10M package. Many believe Savio cost West Ham a more modest £1M to £2M before the swap deal for Da Costa & some cash.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/west-ham/4356613/West-Ham-complete-signing-of-Savio-Nsereko-from-Brescia.html

Nani Sacked

There is possibly more murkiness with the deal  we shall never know with the then West ham Technical Director Gianluca Nani masterminding the deal with his brother in law who was the owner of Brescia who owned Savio. Surely a massive conflict of interest there in anyone's books?  It has been suggested by some online in forums there was something dodgy going on there. Gianluca Nani was dismissed by West Ham in February 2010

#ClungeWHU ITK Updates

Foxy Mrs Clunge

With the absence of  MooreThanJustAPodcast West Ham podcast we have no foxy clunge updates with her ITK weekly news http://www.moorethanjustapodcast.co.uk now it is closed season.

Luckily Adam Jackson @Adzman89 on twitter has been banging them out at a rate of knots that he is probably suffering from RSI.

There are an incredible 71 updates in the last 7 days. Here they all are!

Faye was going to be offered a new deal but other targets have emerged. With fayes injuries it was decided to let him go.

No chance drogba coming whu. Deal done to join Chinese club on 300k a week.

Piq has 1 yr left.  Won’t be in the premiership 25 man squad. He will either be loaned out or paid off. 34k a week he is on.

Almunia a free agent now. Sams a fan and is considering a deal.

No deal for lansbury

Whu trying to loan out sears and piq for the season

Barera a flop in spain. No plans to use him next season

Enquiries will be made for rodriguez and clyne and zaha.

Wigan want 15mil for moses. Whu wont pay that.

Rav morrison will feature heavily in pre season. That will make or break his hammers future. Sam a fan though

Have heard nothing about cavenaghi or seedorf.

Montenegro no future at whu.

Rob hall the big hope to break through next season. hot prospect. Will be involved pre season if over injury probs

Sam paid his £1m bonus for getting whu promoted. The guy has saved whu from meltdown.

Matt phillips not ready for the prem. Danny collins back at stoke now

Sam has 32 players on his target list. Whu will sign 4 & 3 loans likely thats the plan. Keiron richardson move gathering momentum

Colchester want sears back on loan.

Interest in defoe but player said a flat no. No interest in joining whu whatsoever but he probably will leave the lane.

The 80 million debt will be cleared in 4 seasons time if we keep prem status

Snodgrass would love to join whu fact. Last year of leeds contract and a deal is very possible. Whu will bid 3 mil tops

Scott Dann on the radar. Deal likely. Fayes replacement

No truth in the david bentley rumors. Player knackered with injury. Sam like jenas though

Vaz te not leaving unless we get bids of over 14 mil. Not gonna happen.

Barton could be sacked. We won't be in for him...even if he played for free and washed DG's car every week

I tweeted couple of days ago saying it will be 5% disc x 4 years so spot on.

I was told green deal decided in 2 weeks but DG said 5 weeks so in the next few weeks we will know what's happening

Del piero too old and injury prone. No go

Kalou has over 8 offers so far. Unlikely we get him unless he is desp to stay in london. his wages are 90k a week. Very unlikely.

Jordan rhodes was on our list if we stayed in the championship. not going for another unproven top level striker. No go

Like I said months ago Mccartney will sign in the next couple of weeks 2 year deal.

Richardson likely and i have heard nothing on el mohammedy and we are going for better players than him IMO.

Joey o'brien staying next year in the squad. Piq wont make the 25 man squad. Sam wants rid of him

If we didnt go up we would have given it 1 more season with our big players. We needed promotion though big time.

Owen wants to stay in the north.

Defoe wont come back to whu.

we have looked at akpala but sam not sure. Unlikely at the moment

Seedorf not on the list.

We need creativity in midfield. Yossi could be a deal as he would come back

Chamakh cant do it at arsenal with quality service. No go

Barera will be sold or loaned out again. He hates england too cold for him! Apart from this week!

Sam likes lansbury. Arsenal dont want to sell him. Just signed new 5 year deal.

Zaha and snodgrass are definate big targets for us.

We have spoken with defoes agent. Not gonna happen. Finished. Kaput.

We tried to loan lukaku in jan. Chelsea said no. We will try again in due course

Hoilett going arsenal. Olsen is a target though. Fast player

Baldock prob to be loaned out. Likeky to ipswich.

Berbatov has better offers than whu. Going to spain we believe.

WHU interested in steve fletcher. Wolves loathed to sell as he would get loads of goals in the championship. They want 9 mil as well.

Spence made no impact for bristol city. Not good enough for the premiership

Nicky Maynard staying no doubt. Ba no chance. Bent no chance.

Gamst pedersen, would get him but only on a cheap cheap deal.

No bids accepted yet. Loads gonna go in in the next 14 days. Sam wants early deals... Unlike last time

Robert green wants a 50 percent rise to 45k a week.

Quick line from heerenveen. Not a chance in hell will we get bas dost for 7mil. Club want min 12.5 mil for him

Bid going in for rodriguez of burnley next week.

No truth in crouch rumors whatsoever

No deal yet agreed for dos bost. Still negotiating with herenveen

Mccartney and richardson should be tied up in the next 3 weeks

Over 6k new applications for season tickets so far.

As I stated months ago gold and sullivan budget up to 30 mil of their own money for transfers this season.

Sheff utd chairman kevin mccabe has kept all the tevez compo from whu as he owed tens of millions

Jordan spence will be loaned out or sold for next season. Not in sams plans

Struggling to sell sears as nobody at his level can match his 14k a week wages. Thanks duxburry et al

OS announcement before the Games commence

No bid yet in for rodriguez. Waiting on zaha first.

No interest in fletcher of wolves. Wolves put 9 mil asking price on player.

No bid or talks yet with chelsea for lukaku. No deals till chelsea appoint new manager as he may play him anyway.

chelsea wont loan out lukaku when they dont have a manager with an opinion on him. New manager may like him and play him.

Said all along big sam does not belive in baldocks ability in the prem. Shame. He will be loaned or sold.

Spence has not been offered anywhere as bristol city have 1st option to buy him before 30th june

I can 100 percent assure you NO BID HAS BEEN PLACED for rodriguez. We may bid later in the window but zaha is the priority

ICF (I Chuck Fruit)

The West ham v Millwall match was mainly trouble free with just two arrests. One man was arrested for afray before the match and one for assaulting a police officer by throwing a missle after the match. There were no arrests inside the ground.

More people have been arrested over Tottenham's spy gate probe on the Olympic stadium bid.

All local pubs were shut and remained closed until 4pm in the afternoon.

Met Police Chief Supt Vickers said: “I would like to thank fans for their behaviour for what has been a largely succcesful operation

Police are investigating a large bang heard just after the final whistle when a Millwall fan is believed to have let off or fired a firework at West ham fans.

Since 2009 when Westham last played Millwall, West Ham has seen very, very little disorder. It has the lowest arrest rates of any London football club and the lowest ejection rates as well.

However there was one small almost comical stand off as the police escorted Millwall fans to Upton Park Underground station along Green St. Police forced West Ham fans into the fruit market.

This was captured by ESPN Brazil which can be seen below on Youtube.

You can see fruit being launched into the air which resulted in someone on twitter saying ICF should now stand for I Chuck Fruit ;-)

Anyway the video is quite humerous, Enjoy !

Early January Target Rumour List (Out & In)

Roundup of the early rumours of who is targeted and who we are targeting for the January transfer window.

Outbound:

Freddie Piquonne will leave if any sensible offers are received   

Freddie Sears will leave if anyone offers his vaulation of 2 million  

Frank Nouble will be released or sold for a modest fee                                                      

Carlton Cole is wanted by Sunderland.  He will only be sold if he hands in transfer request, offered a price significantily above his valuation or we buy someone better.                              

Rumoured that Mark Noble may go to Fulham  and swapped for Bobby Zamora. Sam does not want to swap. Mark Noble will commit his future to the club & in return be offered a new contract.               

Sam Baldock to Chelsea after rumours surfaced of being watched by Chelsea Scouts on three occasions. Don't see it myself.

James Tomkins  to Newcastle. Pardew is interested in Tomkins but the West Ham board say he is not for sale at any price.That said there is little we can do if he puts in a transfer request. West Ham will put a new deal on the table before January transer window opens. 

Inbound Targets:

Andy Johnson remains our top target from Fullham

 
Bobby Zamora from Fulham but not as part of a swap deal.
Liam Ridgewell from Birmingham remains a target. Birmingham are dire financial straights but. However a number of premiership clubs want him too. 

Kane Ferdinand  remains a target from Southend United

Wilfred Zaha from Crystal Palace is a target and said to be valued at £5 Million by Crystal Palace

 

Alex Rodrigo Dias da Costa from Chelsea was rumoured to be a target.  West Ham did look at him have decided his wage demands were too expensive.

Nicolas Anelka . Big Sam confirmed he did speak to Anelka but his wage demands were too high. We could not complete with Chinese team Shanghai Shenhua

Andy O'Brien from Leeds could still be a target.  He will be off loaded by Leeds in January.

Mervan Celik from Swedish clun GAIS is said to be a target

 

Ryoichi Maeda is a japense striker who plays for Júbilo Iwata is said to be a target

West Ham Record Breakers

Last night (Tuesday) we broke Middlesbrough unbeaten home record, in fact they were unbeaten for16 games at the Riverside since losing to last season's league leaders QPR in February this year.

Apparently it was also Big Sam's first management career win at the Riverside also which is surprising considering the teams he has managed.

It bought West Ham's consecutive wins to four but also a record of six wins and one draw out of seven totalling 29 points from a maximum 31 in our last 7 league games. Only the mighty Bristol City have held us  to a draw recently.

The last time we won four league games in a row was the great escape of 2007 when we won our last four games of the season with help of Carlos Tevez and a last gasp win at Manchester United away.

Before than it was the last time in we dropped to championship  in 2003 when we won 4 league games back to back early on in the season.

If we continue the winning streak to five games by beating Burnley this Saturday we will be heading to towards our 2006 run of 7 back to back wins between January & February.

Beyond that we enter boys of 1986 territory. They won 9 back to back games between October and December 1985. They also had another run of 6 back to back wins in the same season. 

It still it seems a strange feeling winning the majority of the time but a feeling I could get used to.

Come on you irons

Big Sam's use of SaberMetrics at West Ham

Using statistical analysis to recruit players rather than rely on the subjective judgement of coaches and scouts, sabermetrics was an idea developed by American baseball fan Bill James.

It was an idea put to the test with some success by the Oakland 'A's general manager Billy Beane and author Michael Lewis wrote the book "Moneyball" about the story, which has been made into a film released this month starring Brad Pitt.

Sam Alladyce has been a long fan of this and went to America to meet Billy Beane to be one of the first to pioneer a Football 'SaberMetrics' system at Bolton.

Sam using a company called Prozone to provide much of this data & statistics.

This what Sam said of Prozone http://www.prozonesports.com while manager of Blackburn

"I have been using and helping Prozone to develop over the last nine years. It is without doubt one of the most important pieces of information in modern day football. We simply can not do without Prozone to help us be the best we can be."

Big Sam has embraced the use of technology throughout his career and is one of the pioneers to integrate the use of sports science and specifically performance analysis into the coaching process. He first installed Prozone at Bolton Wanderers at the start of the 2000/01 season and shortly after achieved promotion to the Premiership after a three-year absence for the Lancashire club. Blackburn & Newcastle has since seen Sam Allardyce utilise Prozone there also.

"The system provides a vital source of information for our coaching staff to draw upon including a mass of statistics and the unique animation, which means nothing is missed during the game."

Although I can find no official confirmation it is a safe bet that Sam is using his old friends Prozone again at West Ham.

When I met Big Sam last week he spoke frequently about statistics and what he learnt in America. He also explained that West Ham players wear GPS vests in training. I assume these are sourced from GPSports http://www.gpsports.com 

These GPS vests have the capacity to measure distances, speeds, heart rates, bodyloads and impacts all in real time. Information is sent in real time to a laptop.

About Prozone

Hidden in the stands at most games in the Premiership and Championship are cameras belonging to  sports analysts Prozone. These cameras track every element of each player’s movement, distance covered, high-powered runs and defensive positioning. 

The overall mileage of players is no longer a key stat for the men looking to find the extra percentages between winning and finishing second. 

Clubs are increasingly enlisting the services of these analysts to create profiles of potential transfer targets

Analysts at football clubs are interested in a player’s ability to reach a threshold speed of 22ft per second. 

They also want to know the number of chances a player creates, his successful pass percentage in the final third of the field and his recovery rates from sprints. If they can put all this information into one equation, then pub arguments may well be over.

Clubs download data from Prozone the day after a game, in the form of Excel documents or in video format. Prozone provides the video evidence, and football data supplier Opta offers statistical analysis and breakdowns. 

Clubs are increasingly enlisting the services of these analysts to create profiles of potential transfer targets. 

English football clubs are using companies such as Opta and Prozone (as well as, Scout7, WYScout, Sportstec and Amisco) to supply information that should help them do for football what Sabermetrics has done for American baseball.

I did a Skype interview with Mike Parry on Sports Tonight TV LIVE on SaberMetrics & Big Sam which is available on YouTube here.