January Review
A new year, new expectations
After a fine end to 2010, West Ham look to push on to have an even better 2011 and challenge for a place in Europe...
Transfer Activity
24 year old Belgain international Vincent Kompany has signed for West Ham on a loan until the end of the season with a view to a permanent move with a future fee of £3.5 million agreed. Kompany had found himself falling down the pecking order at Eastlands and was placed on the transfer list and Dom Ascroft swooped to bring Kompany to Upton Park
Matchday 21
Tottenham 2-0 West Ham
An even game in turns of possession but Spurs were far more clinical than their London rivals, converting two of their chances with Niko Kranjcar and Robbie Keane netting before half time.
Matchday 22
West Ham 4-1 West Brom - Benitez (18), Parker (44,55), Boa Morte (70)
A comfortbale win for West Ham in a game they never looked like losing. The highlight of the game being captain Scott Parker grabbing a brace scoring in both halfs.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkjNakIQC84"]YouTube - West Ham 4 - 0 West Brom - Match Highlights[/ame]
Scott Parker was a real driving force behind West Ham's victory, making driving runs into West Brom's box and looking very dangerous
West Ham 3-0 Norwich - Barrera (12), Cole (35,53)
The Hammers successfully booked themselves a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup with a straight forward win over Championship Norwich. The result never seemed to be in doubt and rare double for Carlton Cole and a first West Ham goal for Pablo Barrera did the job.
Matchday 23
Wigan 1-1 West Ham - McCarthy pen (42)
West Ham have every right to feel angry about the result as they lead for more than half of the game from a spot kick from Benni McCarthy who came into the side to replace the injured Christian Benitez. However a 94th minute equaliser from Wigan's Franco Di Santo meant the points were shared at the DW Stadium.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lys4bGCcRc"]YouTube - Wigan 1 - 1 West Ham - Match Highlights[/ame]
Matchday 24
West Ham 3-0 Birmingham - Cole (18, 52), Piquionne (86)
Another three points in the bag and with Benitez still out injured it was down to Carlton Cole who duly delivered scoring his second brace of the month.
Carlton Cole played the target man role expertley, winning key headers across the pitch and holding the ball up to allow others to make run and his hard work was rewarded with two goals.
Stoke 0-3 West Ham - Benitez (8, 28) Obinna (31)
West Ham march on in the FA Cup and it was a clinical performance form the Hammers. The game was faily even but the pace of striker Christian Benitez and winger Victor Obinna was too much for the Stoke defence with Benitez netting a double to mark his return from injury.
Player of the Month
Carlton Cole
The striker had his finest month of the season thus far. His unselfish hard work for the team was rewarded with two braces in January.
Manager's View
"It's always very important to get off to good start in the new year to build momentum into the final half of the season, and that is what we did. Two resounding wins in the league and through to the FA Cup 5th round, a competition I feel will be very important for the team."
League Table
West Ham lie in 6th position and continue to defy the critics as they lie just six points behind fourth placed Manchester United.
What will February bring...