Paper Talk
Barcelona's Dani Alves has agreed to join Manchester United in the summer when his current contract expires.
Stoke manager Mark Hughes thinks striker Peter Crouch can emulate Teddy Sheringham and play until he is 40.
Galatasary's Turkey international defender Semih Kaya will opt for Manchester United ahead of Atletico Madrid.
PSG midfielder Adrien Rabiot is set to join Roma rather than Arsenal.
Chelsea striker Diego Costa may need three weeks rest to recover from a hamstring problem.
Arsene Wenger wants Hull's Andy Roberston at Arsenal.
Alan Irvine has issued a hands-off warning over West Brom striker Saido Berahino.
New Bolton boss Neil Lennon has said he would love to be reunited with Celtic's Kris Commons next season.
Chelsea have signed teenage goal-keeper Frances Tie.
Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has been ruled out for three more weeks.
Theo Walcott played 45 minutes for Arsenal's U21s on his comeback from a knee injury.
Andere Herrera could make an earlier than expected return for Manchester United thanks to a special corset to protect his broken rib.
West Brom have dismissed rumours of being persuaded to sell £15m-rated striker Saido Berahino.
QPR boss Harry Redknapp has said that he does not fear for his job.
BBC
TRANSFER GOSSIP
Barcelona's Brazil right-back Dani Alves, 31, has agreed to join Manchester United on a free transfer when his contract expires next summer. (Daily Express)
West Brom head coach Alan Irvine has warned potential suitors, including Tottenham, that England Under-21 striker Saido Berahino, 21, is worth more than £15m. (Daily Mail)
Galatasary's Turkey international defender Semih Kaya, 23, will opt for a move to Manchester United over fellow suitors Atletico Madrid. The Spanish club have stepped up their attempts to complete an £8m deal. (Daily Mirror)
Manchester United's Belgian midfielder Adnan Januzaj, 19, is determined to establish himself at the heart of Louis van Gaal's side despite being marginalised under the new manager. (Daily Mail)
Stoke have warned Manchester United that their captain Ryan Shawcross, 27, a former United youth team player, is not for sale. (Manchester Evening News)
New Bolton Wanderers manager Neil Lennon has confirmed he would be interested in raiding old club Celtic to sign Kris Commons. (Daily Record)
OTHER GOSSIP
Ched Evans has been offered a two-year deal by Sheffield United following his release from prison after serving half of a five-year sentence for rape. (The Sun - subscription required)
England manager Roy Hodgson must fight to regain 19-year-old winger Raheem Sterling's trust, according to Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers. (Daily Star)
Rodgers believes Hodgson betrayed Sterling over the 'too tired to play' saga. (The Sun - subscription required)
Chelsea striker Diego Costa may need three weeks rest to recover from a hamstring problem. The 26-year-old Spain striker aggravated the injury in training this week. (Daily Telegraph)
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino claims watching fellow Argentine Sergio Aguero, 26, play for Manchester City is like hearing classical music in his head. "It's like Mozart. Seriously. It is positive. Not Beethoven. Beethoven is too crazy," Pochettino said. (Daily Mirror)
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who says he would like to sign a new six-year deal at Stamford Bridge, claims his team used the motivation of not being "clowns in the circus" when they picked up a 2-0 win at Anfield in April that went a long way to denying Liverpool the title. (Daily Telegraph)
Mourinho says he would have been given a stadium ban by the Football Association if he had shoved Arsene Wenger in the way the Arsenal manager pushed him during Chelsea's 2-0 win on 5 October. (Times - subscription required)
Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera, who has been out for three weeks with a cracked rib, could return against West Brom on Monday wearing a special protective corset. (Daily Express)
QPR boss Harry Redknapp says Les Ferdinand's appointment as director of football operations is "a stupid title" but insists he does not feel threatened by the former England striker's new role. (Independent)
Swansea are the first Premier League club to consider banning players from travelling to the African Nations Cup over fears of contracting Ebola. They may prevent striker Wilfried Bony playing in qualifiers for Ivory Coast in Zambia next week and against Sierra Leone in November. (Daily Express)
Hull City manager Steve Bruce admits he tried to sign Danny Welbeck on loan from Manchester United before the 23-year-old England striker joined Arsenal on transfer deadline day. (Hull Daily Mail)
Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos, 28, is likely to be held back for next Saturday's La Liga match against Barcelona, rather than face Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday, as he looks to return from a calf problem. (Marca - Spanish)
Former Tottenham midfielder Chris Waddle says the club have not had a successful centre-back pairing since Ledley King's retirement. (Evening Standard)
BEST OF SOCIAL MEDIA
Lazio's five Albanian and Serbian players were photographed together by the club's official television station in the wake of Tuesday's abandoned match between the two nations. Goalkeeper Etrit Berisha and former Sunderland midfielder Lorik Cana started for Albania, while Filip Djordjevic was on the bench for Serbia for the game in Belgrade that was called off after 41 minutes following a mass brawl. Albanian Thomas Strakosha and Serbian Dusan Basta were also in the photo.
AND FINALLY
Southampton's Italy striker Graziano Pelle, 29, turned his back on a career as a professional ballroom dancer in order to become a footballer. (Daily Mirror)
Derry City's pre-FAI Cup final team photo went wrong when a bench holding seven players and manager Peter Hutton snapped. (Derry Journal)
Mail
West Ham's Matt Jarvis on guitar, golf, Gone Girl... and why Tom Cruise is the perfect person to play him in a film of his life
West Ham's Matt Jarvis took part in Sportsmail's 'It's Top Secret' series
The winger revealed that he has moulded his career around emulating Ryan Giggs
Kings of Leon's Use Somebody and Robbie Williams' Angels are his go-to songs when he gets the karaoke mic
Jarvis said there was nothing higher in the game than playing for England
Tom Cruise's height makes him perfect to play Jarvis in a film of his life
By David Kent
West Ham's Matt Jarvis on guitar, golf and playing for England...
Who is your sporting hero?
Ryan Giggs. I play in the same position, so I watched him a lot and liked the way he played and as I was growing up I’ve looked to mould my game on him, what he does and how he plays in that position.
What would you be if you weren’t a sportsman?
I honestly don’t know but I have thought about property, being in that business. But I think it would still have to be something in sport or sport-related as I don’t know what else I would like to be in.
Which other sportsman would you like to be?
I would be a golfer I think. They travel to the most amazing places and a lot of the time the sun is shining when you watch it, so you are thinking it would be great to play on these courses in this weather. A great career and a good chance to travel the world at the same time.
Career highlight?
Playing for England. Don’t think there would be anything higher in the game than that. I am very proud to have achieved it and would love to again.
... AND the worst moment?
Getting relegated. It is a horrible thing and something I wouldn’t wish on my fellow professionals. It affects everyone at the club you are at when this happens.
If your house was burning down, what one possession would you save?
Other than my wife of course, it would have to be the dogs. We have three so I would make sure I got those out.
Favourite karaoke song?
I have a couple: Kings of Leon’s Use Somebody and Robbie Williams’s Angels. The second is a bit cringy, but you can really go for it as everyone sings it with you, so they can’t really hear your voice if it’s bad!
Three most-listened to songs on your ipod?
I have Ed Sheeran’s new album X, which I am really enjoying. I couldn’t pick out three songs, I am enjoying it all the way through. I’d recommend it, definitely.
Last book you read?
It was Sir Alex Ferguson’s autobiography. It was a very good read, very interesting.
Last film you saw?
Gone Girl — had heard it was very good, and it was worth seeing.
Can you cook? Best dish?
I can cook — my signature dish would have to be spaghetti bolognese. I am better at following instructions than making my own meals or recipe.
In a film of your life, who would YOU like to play you?
It’s an easy one this because everyone batters me for my height, so I would say Tom Cruise. But look at all the films he has done, so not a bad choice"!
Tell us a secret...
I used to play the guitar when I was really young. I haven’t played in years so think I would have lost the art by now, but it is something people wouldn’t have known about me.
Sportsmail spoke to Matt Jarvis at the launch of an exclusive Lycamobile charity SIM Card which will raise money for the West Ham Community Trust with £2.00 from every purchase and 10% of each online top up going to the charity
Sam Allardyce has got West Ham bubbling again... the Upton Park mood has changed
Sam Allarydce's West Ham sit seventh in the Premier League
It is the manager's biggest turnaround in 20 years of management
From being booed off the pitch too winning in style, things have changed
With players like Alex Song, Allardyce wants to get the ball down and play
Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia have added much-needed firepower
By Martin Keown
Sam Allardyce turns 60 on Sunday. This season he’s proving that you are never too old to learn new tricks.
From being booed off the pitch last season to winning in style this time around, things have changed dramatically at West Ham. The football has been transformed and with that, so has the mood at Upton Park.
For Big Sam, so often associated with pragmatic, long-ball football, it has been the biggest turnaround in 20 years of management. His team have been playing with style, pace and, most importantly, are getting the results to go with it.
West Ham bought well in the summer and while it’s always easier to play good football with better players, you can’t over-estimate how important the manager is.
Compared to this time last year, there were eight new starters in West Ham’s last fixture, so credit to the manager for bedding in those new faces so quickly.
With Neil McDonald — a colleague of mine at Everton, where passing football was always the mantra — and Teddy Sheringham on the staff, the balance has now been tipped.
Who would have thought that we would be talking about Sam using midfield diamonds and 4-3-3s? He has shown great tactical awareness and flexibility and the fans and the players are loving it.
Morgan Amalfitano celebrates after wrapping up a 3-1 victory against Liverpool last month
Allardyce must have been the only man in the country who thought Stewart Downing could play as a No 10 at the tip of a midfield diamond. It was a masterstroke and Downing is a player reborn. We talk about Brendan Rodgers’ tactical ability at Anfield but Downing will have loved wiping the smile off his face when West Ham beat Liverpool 3-1.
Downing has now almost become a barometer for how the team performs. He has created the most chances in the League — level with Cesc Fabregas on 22 — and has made almost twice as many passes per game as last season. He is playing with a smile on his face and giving everything for the cause — something West Ham fans demand as a bare minimum.
With players such as Alex Song, who has spent most of his career playing passing football, Allardyce has seen the way forward and it’s as if he now trusts his side to get the ball down and play.
The defence has been consistent and it’s good to see two young English full backs getting their chance.
Carl Jenkinson has the potential to be a top player and Aaron Cresswell is a shining example to any young English professional. Released by Liverpool at youth level, he kept going, worked his way up via Tranmere and Ipswich and is now carving out a career at the top level.
Of course it always helps when you have players who score goals. You almost expect West Ham to score whenever Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho are on the pitch. They are players who create a real buzz among the fans.
The atmosphere at Upton Park is in sharp contrast to last season when it became an ordeal to play at home. It’s a tough ground and the fans expect their side to play ‘the West Ham way’.
It was similar for Allardyce at Newcastle where he was almost driven out because of the fans’ expectations of style. That experience has helped him at West Ham and he has adapted.
It’s still early days and if improvements don’t continue things could take a turn for the worse. So let’s hope West Ham fans can enjoy the positive play for a long time to come.
OS
Preview - Burnley
BURNLEY v WEST HAM UNITED
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
TURF MOOR
SATURDAY 18 OCTOBER 2014
KICK-OFF: 3PM
REFEREE: KEVIN FRIEND
In brief
West Ham United travel to Turf Moor to play Burnley on Saturday as Sam Allardyce's men look to extend their good run of form. Last time out the Hammers secured a convincing 2-0 win over London rivals Queens Park Rangers.
The Hammers have started the season well with ten points from the opening seven games and a win on Saturday could take them to fourth, yet there is a feeling around the club that the level of performances deserve even more points.
Burnley, however, have had a tough start to life back in the Premier League after a four year absence. The Clarets are still looking for their first league win after seven attempts.
They have four points, having picked up draws against Leicester City, Sunderland, Crystal Palace and Manchester United.
Who are they?
Formed in 1882, newly promoted Burnley have been tipped by many pundits to go straight back down to the Championship. While they have struggled to get going so far, they are a much better side than people have given them credit for.
The Lancashire club have won the league title twice, in 1920/21 and 1959/60. Their single domestic cup win came way back in 1914 when they won the FA Cup, beating Liverpool 1-0.
Recently, Burnley have flourished under manager Sean Dyche, who took over almost exactly two years ago. Having been sacked by Watford, Dyche is proving to be one of the most talented young managers around.
In his first season, the Clarets finished eleventh, while they sealed promotion last term, coming second with an impressive 93 points.
Team news
West Ham United
Mark Noble is back after returning to full fitness over the international break. Also back in training are James Collins, Guy Demel and Joey O'Brien, who are returning from injury.
The Hammers could still be without midfield engine Cheikhou Kouyate who picked up a groin injury against Liverpool.
Also on the sidelines is Andy Carroll (ankle), who has started light training.
Burnley
A sextet of Burnley players could return to face the Hammers. Kieran Trippier (ankle), Danny Ings, Dean Marney (both hamstring) and David Jones (thigh) may return, while on-loan England U21 internationals Nathaniel Chalobah and Michael Keane have overcome throat and hamstring injuries respectively.
Ex-hammer Matty Taylor is out with an Achilles injury while last season's goal machine Sam Vokes, who scored 21 goals, is out until late November after surgery on a knee injury.
Referee
Kevin Friend will take charge of proceedings on Saturday. The referee has overseen four league matches this season including West Bromwich Albion's surprise 1-0 victory at Tottenham and Everton's 2-2 draw with Arsenal.
Last season, West Ham lost both matches Friend refereed. The Hammers lost 1-0 away to Hull City and 3-1 to Arsenal.
The assistant referees are Simon Beck and Adam Nunn, Lee Mason is the fourth official.
One to watch
West Ham United
Fans' favourite Mark Noble is back in contention after overcoming his calf injury. The midfielder started the season brightly with a goal against Southampton and a typically energetic performance in the 3-1 win over Liverpool as captain.
At 27 years old he is set to make his 200th league appearance, and it seems just a matter of games until he breaks Steve Potts' 204 Premier League appearance record.
Noble could partner Alex Song as a holding midfielder, or he could just as easily fit into a central midfield role as part of the successful diamond formation.
Burnley
Danny Ings is back after a hamstring injury. The striker was in deadly form last season netting 26 times in 45 appearances.
Still only 22 years old, the striker already has scored 40 goals however he is yet to find the net in the Premier League. Should he regain last season's form Burnley could climb the table.
The tenacious striker is a real threat, one that the Hammers' defence will have to deal with to ensure a successful afternoon.
Tickets
Tickets will be available from the Burnley Ticket Office on the day of the game, priced at £35 Adults, £24 Over-65s/Under-22s and £17 Under-18s
Travel
By Car: Exit M6 at Junction 29 onto the M65. Exit the M65 at junction 10 and follow signs for Towneley Hall. This road eventually goes past Turf Moor.
Train: The nearest station is Burnley Manchester Road. From here, exit the station and walk down Centenary Way, from where Turf Moor is clearly visible. When you reach the roundabout at the end of the road, turn right onto Yorkshire Street, which becomes Harry Potts Way. The ground is on your left hand side.
From Burnley Central, follow signs for the town centre and then head left towards the Gala Bingo Hall. From here, walk down Yorkshire Street and use instructions from above.
Bus Routes: The Bus Station is situated relatively close to the ground, just off Centenary Way. Leave the station and head towards the Gala Bingo Hall opposite. Use the
underground footpath and then head under the aqueduct onto Yorkshire Street and follow the instructions from above.
Weather
Forecasts predict an overcast day in Lancashire with temperatures reaching up to 17C
Last meeting
Burnley 0-2 West Ham United
Capital One Cup
29 October 2013
Two converted penalties gave the Hammers a 2-0 win over Burnley, then in the Championship.
West Ham progressed to the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup where they faced a strong Manchester City side.
Burnley: Heaton (Noble 90), Shackell, K. Long, Mee, Trippier, Edgar, Treacy, Stock, Stanislas (Kightly 84), Ings, Vokes
Subs not used: Hewitt, Lafferty, Howieson, Liversedge, Duff
Sent-off: Treacy
West Ham United: Adrian, Ruddock, Potts, Tomkins (Nolan 71), Chambers, O'Brien, J Cole, Diame (Collison 45), Taylor, C. Cole (Downing 60), Maiga.
Subs not used: D Tombides, Morrison, Fanimo, Spiegel
Goals: Taylor pen 76, Collison pen 90
