Could Rio Ferdinand make a romantic return to West Ham United when he parts company with Manchester United?

Should Rio Ferdinandand Manchester United decide to part ways at the end of the season with a year still to run on his contract, the defender will not be short of options.

There has been talk of mega-rich moves to the United States or the Middle East but one intriguing possibility is a romantic return to West Ham.

Ferdinand still retains a great affection for the club that he joined as a 14-year-old and spent eight years at before his £18 million move to Leeds United in 2000.

He rents a private box at Upton Park and is a regular visitor to his former club when he is in London. The centre-half also has a good relationship with West Ham co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold and has spoken to friends about the possibility of one day returning to the club that nurtured him.

A move to West Ham next summer would be dependent not only on Ferdinand falling further down the pecking order at Old Trafford but also the East Londoners returning to the Premier League at the first attempt.

Sam Allardyce’s team are second in the Championship and are strong favourites for a swift return to the top tier. West Ham are the biggest payers in the division but do not have a money-is-no-object budget. They expressed an interest in signing Carlos Tevez on loan last month but were only willing to pay £50,000-a-week towards the Argentine’s wages.

A Premier League return would put them in a better position to meet Ferdinand’s wage demands should Sir Alex Ferguson indicate his first-team chances will be limited next season.

Sources close to Ferdinand say he would take that as a cue to consider his future away from Old Trafford, even though his deal runs until 2013.

Ferguson recently admitted that Ferdinand is no longer a first-choice in his central defence, while England manager Fabio Capello has omitted the 33-year-old from his last three squads.

Although Ferdinand has started United’s last four matches, his longest consecutive run in 2011, the emergence of Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and Phil Jones has put his United future under greater scrutiny than at any other point during his nine years at the club.

 

Poll: Winst of verlies

 

Sam: Hammers support superb

Hammers fans: Home to Derby on Saturday evening

 

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has urged his side to reward their fans’ loyalty by continuing to improve their home form.

Allardyce’s team sit second in the Championship as they look to secure immediate promotion back to the Premier League. That strong position has been achieved despite their patchy form at Upton Park.

On Saturday night, they host Derby with another crowd of around 30,000 expected and Allardyce is keen to repay their loyalty.

“The support is superb,” he told West Ham’s official website. “It goes without saying that West Ham’s supporters are one of the big attractions of the football club.

“Throughout the year, it has a hardcore support, irrespective of what division they are in. They love the club so much they want to turn up and support it.

“The most important thing is to deliver what they want. They want winning football, they want to go home happy at the weekend, see the team win a game of football and try and win the right way as always.

“We are doing that at the moment. If I can label any criticism at the players regarding the fans is that at home we haven’t quite delivered for them as well as we have away from home.

“At home we have had good performances lately and we want to continue that against Derby on Saturday and give the supporters what they want. That is to go home at the weekend and wake up the next day delighted to have watched their team win.”

Matt Taylor returns to the Hammers squad after a calf problem. Joey O’Brien (hamstring) could also return at right-back while fellow defender Guy Demel (hamstring) is fit and pushing to be included in the squad.

Winston Reid (shoulder), Gary O’Neil (ankle), Henri Lansbury and David Bentley (both knee) are still out.

Derby could have James Bailey back after a long-term ankle problem.

Theo Robinson has joined fellow forwards Nathan Tyson (groin) and Steven Davies (fractured skull) on the casualty list with a hamstring injury.

“The good news for Theo is that it isn’t a fully-blown 6-8 week injury, but it is one that’ll keep him out for a fortnight or so,” Rams boss Nigel Clough told Derby’s official website.

“We’ve been delighted with his progress this season and he will be missed.

“The biggest compliment people are paying Theo at the moment is saying how much he has improved this season.

“He’s dealt with the competition for a place in the side, performed well and scored a few goals too.”

 

ALLARDYCE TARGETS IMPROVED HOME FORM

Allardyce: Wants home form to improve
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has urged his side to reward their fans’ loyalty by continuing to improve their home form.

Allardyce’s team sit second in the npower Championship as they look to secure immediate promotion back to the Premier League. That strong position has been achieved despite their patchy form at Upton Park.

Tonight they host Derby with another crowd of around 30,000 expected and Allardyce is keen to repay their loyalty.

“The support is superb,” he told whufc.com. “It goes without saying that West Ham’s supporters are one of the big attractions of the football club.

“Throughout the year, it has a hardcore support, irrespective of what division they are in. They love the club so much they want to turn up and support it.

“The most important thing is to deliver what they want. They want winning football, they want to go home happy at the weekend, see the team win a game of football and try and win the right way as always.

“We are doing that at the moment. If I can label any criticism at the players regarding the fans is that at home we haven’t quite delivered for them as well as we have away from home.

“At home we have had good performances lately and we want to continue that against Derby on Saturday and give the supporters what they want. That is to go home at the weekend and wake up the next day delighted to have watched their team win.”

Matt Taylor returns to the Hammers squad after a calf problem. Joey O’Brien (hamstring) could also return at right-back while fellow defender Guy Demel (hamstring) is fit and pushing to be included in the squad.

Winston Reid (shoulder), Gary O’Neil (ankle), Henri Lansbury and David Bentley (both knee) are still out.

Derby could have James Bailey back after a long-term ankle problem.

Theo Robinson has joined fellow forwards Nathan Tyson (groin) and Steven Davies (fractured skull) on the casualty list with a hamstring injury.

“The good news for Theo is that it isn’t a fully-blown 6-8 week injury, but it is one that’ll keep him out for a fortnight or so,” Rams boss Nigel Clough told dcfc.co.uk.

“We’ve been delighted with his progress this season and he will be missed.

“The biggest compliment people are paying Theo at the moment is saying how much he has improved this season.

“He’s dealt with the competition for a place in the side, performed well and scored a few goals too

 

Derby County match preview

WEST HAM UNITED v DERBY COUNTY                                npower CHAMPIONSHIP SATURDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2011 KICK-OFF: 5.20PM

Introduction

• West Ham United entertain Derby County in their 18th npower Championship fixture of 2011/12 seeking their fifth home league victory of the season in nine attempts. The Hammers have previously beaten Portsmouth (4-3), Peterborough United (1-0), Blackpool (4-0) and Leicester City (3-2), drawn with Leeds United (2-2) and Bristol City (0-0) and lost to Cardiff City and Ipswich Town (both 0-1).

• Saturday’s game has been designated as a Youth Academy match, meaning Youth Academy members can claim a FREE ticket for this fixture. For details of how to purchase tickets, click here.

• Saturday’s match sponsors are New Media Law – an entertainment and media law firm based in the West End of London.

• The Hammers are on an unbeaten run of five league matches, having won four and drawn one of those games. Sam Allardyce’s side sit second in the npower Championship table, five points behind leaders Southampton and three points ahead of Cardiff City and Middlesbrough. West Ham United go to the latter on Tuesday evening.

• Sam Allardyce’s side are looking for a third consecutive league victory for the first time since winning four in a row at the end of the 2006/07 Premier League campaign against Everton, Wigan Athletic, Bolton Wanderers and Manchester United.

• West Ham United’s 2-1 win at Coventry City on 19 November was the club’s tenth league victory of the season – three more than they managed in the whole of last season and two more than they achieved in 2009/10.

• West Ham United’s 26 league goals have been shared between 14 different players, with Frederic Piquionne becoming the latest name added to that list when he netted the winner at Coventry City last weekend. Ten different players have netted for Derby County this term.

• Both of West Ham United’s home defeats have come by way of goals in the 89th minute or later. Kenny Miller netted for Cardiff City on the opening weekend of the season, while Lee Bowyer scored for Ipswich Town last time out. Ross McCormack also secured a point for Leeds United with a last-minute strike on 21 August.

• Derby County go into Saturday’s fixture on a run of three straight npower Championship defeats at the hands of Hull City (0-2), Peterborough United (2-3) and Cardiff City (0-3). The Rams have won just one of their previous nine league games – a 3-1 home win over Portsmouth on 29 October.

• The Rams, who won their opening four npower Championship fixtures, sit eleventh in the table. Nigel Clough’s side have picked up 12 points from their previous 13 league matches, having achieved that tally after just four games.

• West Ham United will be appearing in a live televised match for the fifth time this season. Prior to Saturday’s match, the Hammers had lost at home to Cardiff City (0-1), drawn at home with Leeds United (2-2) and won away at Nottingham Forest (4-1) and Brighton & Hove Albion (1-0).

• The first-ever meeting between West Ham United and Derby County took place on 17 December 1921. The Hammers ran out 3-1 Division Two winners in front of 20,000 supporters at the Boleyn Ground, with Syd Puddefoot scoring twice and Bill James once.

• West Ham United and Derby County met on 26 November 1980 – exactly 31 years ago. The Hammers were top of Division Two when they headed to the Baseball Ground, only to suffer a 2-0 defeat at the hands of the Rams in front of 18,446 fans.

• West Ham United have lost just one of their previous 15 matches against Derby County in all competitions – a run dating back to December 1997. The Rams’ sole win during that span was a 2-1 Championship win at the Boleyn Ground on 23 January 2005.

• Sam Allardyce has not recorded a victory in four previous meetings with Derby County as a manager. Big Sam lost twice in the Premier League while with Bolton Wanderers during the 2001/02 season. In 2007/08, his Newcastle United side were the only side beaten by the Rams during the whole Premier League season, going down to a 1-0 defeat at Pride Park on 17 September 2007. Abdoulaye Faye also appeared as a substitute in the same game.
Team news

West Ham United

• Matt Taylor (calf) is hoping to return to first-team action after coming through 70 minutes of a development squad match at Ipswich Town on Tuesday. Taylor, who scored in the game, has missed the previous five npower Championship matches.

• Guy Demel is hoping to make his first-team debut after recovering from a hamstring injury and coming through his first 90 minutes in a claret and blue shirt at Ipswich Town.

• Winston Reid (dislocated shoulder), Gary O’Neil (knee), Henri Lansbury (knee), Ruud Boffin (finger) and David Bentley (knee) are definitely out.

• Pablo Barrera and Jordan Spence are on season-long loans at Real Zaragoza and Bristol City respectively. Ahmed Abdulla (Swindon Town), Cristian Montano (Dagenham & Redbridge), Rob Hall (Oxford United), Herita Ilunga (Doncaster Rovers), Callum McNaughton (AFC Wimbledon) and Frank Nouble (Gillingham) are all out on temporary loans.

Derby County

• Derby County hope to welcome club captain and defender Shaun Barker and Republic of Ireland midfielder Paul Green back to the starting XI after both returned from long-term knee injuries to appear off the bench against Hull City last weekend.

• The Rams have boosted their attacking options by signing Hungary international striker Tamas Priskin on loan from Ipswich Town this week.

• Nigel Clough has also snapped up Mansfield Town defender Tom Naylor on a six-week loan deal with a view to signing the player permanently in January.

• Striker Theo Robinson is likely to miss Saturday’s game after suffering hamstring injury against Hull City last Saturday.

• Striker Nathan Tyson (groin) and forward Steve Davies (head) are out of Saturday’s game.

• Scotland international Stephen Pearson (Bristol City) and former West Ham United goalkeeper Stephen Bywater (Sheffield Wednesday) are out on loan.
Last time out

Saturday 19 November October 2011
npower Championship
Coventry City 1-2 West Ham United
West Ham United: Green, Faubert, Faye, Tomkins, McCartney, Diop (Piquionne 62), Noble, Collison, Nolan, Baldock (O’Brien 80), Carew (Cole 46)
Subs not used: Stech, Sears
Goals: Cole 69, Piquionne 75

Saturday 19 November 2011
npower Championship
Derby County 0-2 Hull City
Derby County: Fielding, Shackell, Roberts, Brayford, O’Brien, Cywka (Barker 72), Davies, Bryson, Hendrick (Green 82), Ward, Robinson (Maguire 15)
Subs not used: Legzdins, Buxton

Last six meetings

19 April 2008 West Ham United 2-1 Derby County (Premier League)
10 November 2007 Derby County 0-5 West Ham United (Premier League)
23 January 2005 West Ham United 1-2 Derby County (Championship)
29 September 2004 Derby County 1-1 West Ham United (Championship)
10 April 2004 West Ham United 0-0 Derby County (Division One)
4 April 2003 Derby County 0-1 West Ham United (Division One)

Overall record v Derby County (all competitions) W 26 D 23 L 25
Ten-year records

West Ham United

2010/11 Premier League 20th (relegated to Championship)
2009/10 Premier League 17th
2008/09 Premier League 9th
2007/08 Premier League 10th
2006/07 Premier League 15th
2005/06 Premier League 9th
2004/05 Championship 6th (promoted to Premier League via Play-Offs)
2003/04 Division One 4th
2002/03 Premier League 18th (relegated to Championship)
2001/02 Premier League 7th

Derby County

2010/11 Championship 19th
2009/10 Championship 14th
2008/09 Championship 19th
2007/08 Premier League 20th (relegated to Championship)
2006/07 Championship 3rd (promoted to Premier League via Play-Offs)
2005/06 Championship 20th
2004/05 Championship 4th
2003/04 Division One 20th
2002/03 Division One 18th
2001/02 Division One 19th
Referee

• Saturday’s referee will be 45-year-old Colin Webster.

• Webster is in his 12^th season as a Football League referee, having made his bow in August 2000.

• A chartered surveyor by trade, Webster has now taken charge of more than 350 league matches in all three divisions.

• When asked what makes a good referee, Webster said he tries to be “approachable, communicative, treat players fairly and try to be as professional and consistent as you can”.

• In May 2010, Webster took charge of the League One Play-Off final between Millwall and Swindon Town at Wembley, which the Lions won 1-0 to gain promotion to the Championship.

• Webster has officiated in 12 Football League matches so far this season, showing 27 yellow cards and sending-off three players. Of those 12 fixtures, five have been in the Championship, including Derby County’s 3-0 home win over Millwall on 24 September.

• In all, Webster has taken charge of ten Derby fixtures, but this will be the first time he has refereed a match involving West Ham United.

• Webster will be assisted by Ian Rathbone and Mark Scholes, while the fourth official will be Steven Rushton.
Us and them

• The following players have worn the colours of both West Ham United and Derby County during their careers – Vic Blore, Stephen Bywater, Paul Goddard, Derek Hales, John Harkes, Robert Lee, Chris Powell, William Robson, Igor Stimac, Dave Swindlehurst, Paulo Wanchope.

• James Tomkins spent five weeks on loan at Derby County between November 2008 and January 2010, making seven Championship and one League Cup appearances.

• West Ham United beat Derby County 5-2 in an FA Cup semi-final played on 23 March 1923. The fixture between two Division Two sides was played at Stamford Bridge in front of a 50,795-strong crowd – the second-largest to witness a match between the Hammers and the Rams.

• West Ham United and Derby County met in the FA Charity Shield at Wembley on 9 August 1975. The League champions ran out 2-0 winners, with Kevin Hector and Kevin McFarland scoring the Rams’ goals in front of an attendance of 59,000.

• The largest crowd to watch West Ham United take on Derby County at the Boleyn Ground is the 35,000 who watched Jim Barrett and Jimmy Ruffell score in a 2-0 Division One victory for the Hammers on 21 September 1929.

• The smallest attendance for a West Ham United versus Derby County fixture at the Boleyn Ground is the 11,493 who saw the sides draw 1-1 in Division One on 20 September 1992.

• West Ham United’s largest home victory over Derby County is the 5-0 League Cup third-round success achieved on 1 November 1988. Alvin Martin scored twice, with a Ray Stewart penalty, Kevin Keen and Leroy Rosenior completing the scoring.

• The Hammers’ biggest home league win over the Rams took place on 17 April 1999, when Neil Ruddock, Trevor Sinclair, Eyal Berkovic, Paolo Di Canio and Ian Wright all netted in a 5-1 victory.

• Derby County’s biggest-ever win at the Boleyn Ground came in the shape of the 4-1 Division One victory achieved on 6 February 1971.

• Ten players have made their West Ham United debuts against Derby County – John Coshall (December 1928), Jim Wood (September 1929), Arthur Fryatt (March 1931), Leslie Bennett (25 December 1954), Alan Blackburn (27 December 1954), Stuart Slater (October 1987), Ralph Milne (January 1990), John Hartson and Paul Kitson (February 1997) and Ian Feuer (April 2000).

• Don Hutchison made his second ‘debut’ for West Ham United against Derby County in September 2001.
Up next

• West Ham United travel to Middlesbrough on Tuesday 29 November for a 7.45pm kick-off. Derby County host Brighton & Hove Albion on the same evening.
General information

• Saturday’s weather forecast is for sunny intervals with a maximum daytime temperature of 14C (58F).

From Whufc

 

West Ham move for Senegal international defender Sall

By Sportsmail Reporter

 

Interest: Sam Allardyce

West Ham are to rival Doncaster for St Etienne defender Moustapha Bayal Sall, 25, who is out of contract in the summer.

He was set for the Keepmoat but Sam Allardyce is also keen on the Senegal international.

 

 Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2066404/West-Ham-make-Senegal-international-defender-Sall.html#ixzz1enSIqTwW

 

West Ham United v Derby County prediction

West Ham United will try to keep up the pressure on leaders Southampton when they host Derby County tomorrow night at Upton Park.

The Hammers have won four of their last five matches and will be confident of extending this run in front of the TV cameras.

West Ham could be boosted by the return of Matt Taylor after the former Bolton midfielder made a goalscoring comeback for the development side on Tuesday.

Derby made an excellent start to the season but have been struggling lately with four defeats in their last five games.

With home advantage, I would expect the Hammers to keep up the pressure on the Saints and I’m tipping them to get a 3-1 victory.