Daily WHUFC News - 14th June 2015

On this day - 13 June
WHUFC.com

Anniversary

Name: Frank McAvennie
Clubs: St Mirren, West Ham United, Celtic, West Ham United, Aston Villa, Cliftonville, South China, Celtic, Swindon Town (loan), Airdrieonians, Falkirk, St Mirren
International: Scotland - five caps, one goal

Frank McAvennie signed for the Hammers on this day in 1985 from St Mirren for a £340,000 fee. The Scottish striker started the first of two spells at the Boleyn Ground in style, helping the Boys of '86 secure the Club's highest ever finish of third in the top flight.
Originally signed as an attacking midfielder, an injury to Paul Goddard in the opening game pushed him up front and McAvennie formed a strong partnership with Tony Cottee. He notched 26 league goals - a tally only bettered by Everton's Gary Lineker in Division One that season - but following a less successful second season, he moved back north of the border to join Celtic in October 1987. Less than two years later he was back with the Hammers, and although he suffered a broken leg at the start of the 1989/90 campaign, he helped the Club win promotion back to the top flight the following year. In all he scored 60 goals for the Hammers in 190 games, and later turned out for Aston Villa, Cliftonville, South China, Swindon Town, Airdrieonians and Falkirk before ending his career where it all began - at St Mirren.

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Bilic makes Boleyn return
WHUFC.com

Slaven Bilic has expressed his pride and delight at returning to the Boleyn Ground as West Ham United's new manager. The Croatian flew into London on Friday and made straight for the stadium he called home as a Hammers player in the late 1990s. This time around, Bilic arrived as the Club's 15th full-time manager – a role he told West Ham TV he is hugely honoured to take on as West Ham enter their historic final season at their home of 110 years. "It feels great to be back," said the new boss. "I was expected this kind of feeling but when I entered the pitch, all the emotions started to come back. The Chairman asked me if it looked the same, but it has been nearly 20 years and it has changed a bit and is definitely bigger! "The atmosphere around the whole stadium came flooding back to me and it felt like it did 17 or 18 years back. I can still remember the roar and the atmosphere and the good feeling to be in this stadium. "Why have I come back to east London? Because it's a great club and is my club and it has never gone from me. It's one of the best, if not the best league in the world and it was always my ambition to one day come back and manage this club, my club, West Ham."

Bilic told how he always felt destined to return to the Club he played for 54 times between January 1996 and May 1997, explaining how he could have been back sooner had he not done such a fantastic job during six years in charge of his own Croatian national team. "Why now? Because I was free and also West Ham were looking for a new manager!" he explained. "I have been linked a couple of times in the past, but while it was never the case that I didn't want to come to West Ham, but in 2008 and 2010 I was national team manager. "That was more than a job and was totally personal, so it was impossible because I had committed myself to Croatia. West Ham was always good enough for me, but at that time I was not free and was in a special kind of job, as national team manager of my country."

So, ten days before his squad return for pre-season training ahead of a campaign that will include the welcome distraction of UEFA Europa League football, what can fans expect from Bilic's West Ham in 2015/16? Young Spanish midfielder Pedro Obiang and Ireland goalkeeper Darren Randolph have already signed up, with a number of other high-profile players being strongly linked with moves to E13. "The Board has been here for five years and they are very ambitious and they are doing a good job," the 46-year-old continued. "They are moving in the right way and the team is good, so we can expect to be better. "To be fair, we should not forget that only four years ago we were relegated, so we should get stability. I can't set the standard or the goals now that we want to finish fifth, seventh, eighth or whatever. "The fact is that we are going to work hard and I'm sure we are going to improve. Me and my players will try to get the best out of the players and the team individually, of course, so I'm expecting us, week by week, month by month to play better, to improve.
"That will get us in a position to create more chances in each game and get more points. With then, the position comes by itself. That's the aim. "Where it will take us in the first season, I don't know, but my personal ambition and that of the Board is very, very high. We're going to be good – that's my aim and that's why they brought me here and appointed me as a manager, to go a step up."

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Norwich City ticket information
Ticket information for West Ham United's pre-season fixture at Norwich City on Tuesday 28 July is as follows:
WHUFC.com


Norwich City
Tuesday 28 July 2015, 7.45pm kick-off
Allocation: 2,600

Standard Prices:
£10 Adults/Over-65s and £5 Under-17s and Under-12s

Wheelchair/Ambulant Accessibility Tickets:
£10 Adults/Over-65s and £5 Under-17s and Under-12s + Carer complimentary

Sale Dates:
Tickets are now on General Sale and can be purchased via the Box Office.

Coach Travel:
Coach travel is not available for this pre-season fixture.

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Sunderland to pip West Ham in Jenkinson race?
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 13th June 2015
By: Staff Writer

West Ham's chances of re-signing Carl Jenkinson for a second successive season appear to have subsided after it was revealed Sunderland have agreed to pay a £2million loan fee for the England right back.

The 23-year-old enjoyed a relatively successful campaign at the Boleyn Ground last season, where he made 36 appearances under Sam Allardyce, and looked set to return to east London - until the Black Cats moved to hijack the deal.

According to reports, Sunderland have agreed to meet the £2million fee Arsenal are said to be demanding to allow Jenkinson out on loan. West Ham have thus far refused to comply with Arsenal's demands.

Anthony Reveillere's recent departure has left new Mackems boss Dick Advocaat with just two specialist full-backs in Billy Jones and Patrick van Aanholt.

Jenkinson joined West Ham at the end of July 2014 after snubbing a move to Hull City, who had agreed a £4million fee with Arsenal. Sunderland are yet to comment on the latest reports.

West Ham's plans to bring Jenkinson back to the club have been on the table for some considerable time. However the Board postponed the decision to re-sign the former England Under 21 until a new manager had been hired.

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Mauro Zarate eyes first team return
KUMb.com
Filed: Saturday, 13th June 2015
By: Staff Writer

He wasn't good enough to get in last year's Hammers side, nor was he good enough to play for relegated QPR - but Mauro Zarate insists that he has a future at West Ham.

The 28-year-old forward, who was bombed out of the Boleyn by Big Sam last Christmas believes that Slaven Bilic's arrival gives him renewed hope of nailing down a first team place at the club.

"It is an exciting time for the club and I want to be part of that," he told a tabloid. "I know the new manager had a good relationship with his players at Besiktas and I want to work hard to become a part of his plans.

"West Ham is still a club that I love. I have been training hard and I am looking forward to showing that I can still be an important player for them."

Zarate was West Ham's first signing of last summer, having been signed on a free transfer from Velez Sarsfield. But after just six months he was shunted out to Queens Park Rangers on loan, having fallen out with then-manager Sam Allardyce.

That loan spell resulted in Zarate playing just four times for Rangers, as he failed to settle there either.. Only last month he was fined two weeks' wages for walking out of a pre-match session after discovering he had been dropped from the team to face Liverpool.

Rangers had previously tried to send the Argentine back to West Ham, due to his poor attitude and fitness levels.

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West Ham linked with €20million German international
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 13th June 2015
By: Staff Writer

Sources in Germany claim that West Ham United are about to make a huge offer for German international defender Antonio Rüdiger.

The 22-year-old VfB Stuttgart defender, whose father is German and whose mother hails from Sierra Leonne is, according to VFB1, being keenly sought by new Hammers boss Slaven Bilic.

And the website claims this morning that West Ham are set to test Stuttgart's resolve with a massive €20million bid for the 6'3", six-times-capped international.

Stuttgart have already began to look for alternatives should Rüdiger move on this summer, with fellow international Matthias Ginter (Borussia Dortmund) strongly linked to Die Schwaben.

In other transfer news, the Mirror claims this morning that West Ham are also eyeing Croatian international centre half Vedran Ćorluka.

Ćorluka, 29, a long-term friend of new Hammers boss Bilic currently plays for Lokomotiv Moscow. He moved to Russia in 2012, a £5.5million signing from Tottenham.

Finally Carl Jenkinson's on/off move from Arsenal appears to be off again at present, with West Ham currently unwilling to meet the Gunners' £2million loan fee.

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Dailly: top six or bust for West Ham
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 13th June 2015
By: Staff Writer

Former Hammer Christian Dailly believes West Ham can break into the Premier League's top six having appointed Slaven Bilic as manager.

The ex-Hammers captain, who was on West Ham's books for seven years between 2001 and 2008 called Bilic's appointment "exciting" - and believes the Irons are "more than capable" of challenging for a regular European spot.

"It's a new era at the club. It's definitely the type of appointment that excites me," Dailly, now 41, told SSN. "I've been to a few West Ham games since I've left a few years ago, but I think i'd be likely to go a bit more knowing that he is managing.

"I'm really interested to see what he does with the team and the players he brings in. He seems like a bright guy and he's got real character about him. If they start well and get a couple of good results it could take off, which would be really exciting.

"They'll want top ten, they'll try and push for that. West Ham is an incredible club with a huge fanbase and brilliant fans. But they're demanding too and they'll want big characters, a good team with big players.

"My frustration when I was there was that I just wanted someone to get hold of it and take them towards that top five or six teams. I think they're more than capable of doing that. That's where they want to be and with the sort of fanbase they've got I thin they can do it long-term."

Dailly, who once scored a vital play-off goal against Ipswich via his nether regions also believes Bilic is the man to restore harmony in the dressing room.

"I think he knows how to deal with the players from a personal perspective and I think his man management is very good," he added. "Croatian players are hugely passionate and he's the type of guy that when he goes into a new club, he completely throws himself in there.

"I've played against a few Croatians in my time and they're really passionate, bright guys who want to do well. Bilic did that when he was at West Ham previously and it never leaves you, that. I think that's why he's been tempted to come back.

"He's talked about them being a bit more consistent when they play. I think there'll be a completely new regime when they go in there in terms of the way they structure their week.

"They said they're going to spend some money but I think he'll improve the players they've already got there. Sometimes teams can play in a way that doesn't suit certain players. As soon as a new manager comes in he can use they in a slightly different way."

Despite his enthusiasm over Bilic's appointment, Dailly also felt that his predecessor had done a good job - despite having his issues with his employers played out in public.

"The way that the Board would say one thing and then Sam would say something else, it seemed like it was being played out in the public eye, the way that things ended up happening," he surmised. "I think Sam did a good job, he kept them in the league and consolidated."

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West Ham: Christian Dailly excited by Slaven Bilic appointment
Last Updated: 13/06/15 3:00pm
SSN

Former West Ham defender Christian Dailly thinks fans can be hugely excited about the type of football new manager Slaven Bilic will bring to the club.

Bilic, formerly in charge of the Croatian national side, was unveiled as Sam Allardyce's replacement going into what will be the Hammers' last season at Upton Park before moving to the Olympic Stadium next year.

Dailly, who spent seven years with the club, told Sky Sports News HQ that the appointment of another former player in Bilic will excite West Ham fans and players alike, and thinks the 46-year-old is capable of taking the side to the next level.
"It is the type of appointment that excited me," Dailly said. "I've been to a few West Ham games since I left, quite a number of years ago now, but I think I would probably be likely to go even more knowing that he was managing because I'm really interested to see what he does with the team and what players he brings in.

"I think it is exciting - it will certainly start a new era at the club and they are moving into the new stadium eventually.

"He seems like a bright guy, he's got real character about him and if that started to go well, they got a couple of good results, I think it could take off which would be really exciting."

While the two never played alongside each other, Dailly, who won 67 caps for Scotland, has appeared with some of Bilic's former Croatia team-mates and knows the passion he will bring to the role as a result.

Dailly said: "He's a young manager, Bilic, and I've played with a few Croatians in my time who were quite like him. Guys like Igor Stimac, Aljosa Asanovic, and Davor Suker and they are really passionate, bright guys who want to do well.

"I think he knows how to deal with players from a personal perspective and his man-management is apparently very good. They never suffer fools, the Croatian guys I've played with. Hugely passionate, probably close to matching the Scots in terms of when they play for their country, what it means to play for the team.

"He'd be the type of guy who, when he goes to a club, will completely throw himself in there. I know that when he played at West Ham before he threw himself in there and ended up with huge passion for the club - it never leaves you. I think that's why he's been tempted to come back."

Dailly appeared as a substitute the last time West Ham played in an FA Cup final in 2006, losing out to Liverpool.

With a move to the 80,000-seater Olympic Stadium on the horizon after next season, expectations are beginning to shift for the Hammers and Dailly thinks the club has the infrastructure and fan base to start to trouble the top reaches of the Premier League and compete for trophies.

"They'll want top 10, they'll try and push for that," he said. "In my own opinion of West Ham, having been there, it is an incredible club with a huge fan base, brilliant fans who are really demanding. They want big characters; they want a good team with good players and big players.

"My frustration, when I was there, was that I just wanted someone to get a hold of it and take them towards that top five or six teams and I think they are more than capable of doing that.

"That's the potential of where they want to be and with the sort of fan base that they have got and the owners that they've got there now, they can do that long term. That's where I think they are heading and that's going to be great to watch."

Bilic returned to West Ham after leaving Besiktas following the end of the Turkish season, replacing Sam Allardyce at Upton Park.

While Dailly appreciated the job Allardyce did for his former club, he reckons a parting of the ways may have suited everyone in the end.

He said: "In some ways you could see it being slightly harsh on Sam Allardyce but by the way the board would say one thing and Sam would say something else, it seemed like it was being played out slightly in the public eye, the way that things were going to end up happening.

"I think Sam did a good job. He kept them in the league, they consolidated and are looking to stay there because they are moving to the new stadium.

"It was just a case of maybe Sam wanting to do something different now as well, he can go somewhere else and do something else and they felt like it was time to bring someone in to move things on a little bit to see how that goes, a bit of a change and something exciting."

However, now that Bilic has taken up the Hammers' hotseat, Dailly can see changes being made to the way the players train, and doesn't necessarily see the club having to splash the cash as they have promised to do.

He said: "I think he (Bilic) has talked about them being a little more consistent in the way they play and he is probably more likely to change the way that they train.

"I think there will be a completely new regime that will go in there in terms of the way they structure their week and he'll try and improve the players that are there already.

"They have said they are going to spend some money. Where that money gets spent really depends on how he sees the players that he's got because sometimes teams can play a certain way and it doesn't really suit some players, but as soon as you have a new manager come in he can use them in a slightly different way.

"It's a little bit like what you see with Gordon Strachan and Scotland. You get similar players but get them to play slightly differently, in slightly different positions, and all of a sudden you look at bringing in a different type of player than you might have thought they would bring in.

"So I think he will weigh it up and look at it before they makes any decisions."

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New West Ham boss Slaven Bilic will bring spark - and some "balls", says ex-team mate Igor Stimac
22:30, 13 JUNE 2015
BY TOM HOPKINSON
Long-time pals Stimac and Bilic played for the Hammers in the 90's and the former insists his defensive colleague has all the traits to be a success
The Mirror

West Ham fans first fell in love with Slaven Bilic ... because of his big balls, writes Tom Hopkinson in the Sunday People.

And they hope the Hammers legend and new boss will be a world away from Sam Allardyce and his long balls.

Long-time pal and ex-team-mate Igor Stimac who, like Bilic, played for the club back in the '90s, said: "West Ham fans are very similar to ours in Croatia. They love players who can pass the ball well or the ones with big balls."

Former centre-halves Bilic and Stimac were both good on the ball but they loved to get stuck in, too, and it was that trait which really endeared them to the Upton Park faithful.

So much so that, when the fans decided they'd had enough of Allardyce, it was Bilic most of them called for.

Richard HeathcoteGone: Bilic has replaced Allardyce
Stimac said: "I hope Slaven and West Ham are a great fit. Slaven knows the club and the ­atmosphere around it. They used to love him while he was playing there.

"He is a wise guy. He needs to make good signings, some proper signings, players with passing quality, and he will be OK.

"Is he ready for the Premier League? He knows the league and the players so why not? The biggest problem for Slaven is that the Europa League starts so soon, so he has to be very careful this season.

"But I am pretty sure that in a few seasons he can turn things round there. I don't think it matters that he doesn't have any Premier League experience.

"All he needs in his first year there is to give some excitement to the crowd and finish in the top 10."

Mark ThompsonHammer: Bilic during his playing days at Upton Park
Stimac moved to West Ham in 1999, two years after Bilic had ­departed for Everton, but the pair go back to the late '80s when they came together as young stars of Yugoslav football at Hajduk Split.

Since then their lives have been intertwined, with Stimac spending six years in England – four at Derby before his move to West Ham – and Bilic four years (18 months of them in east London) before both returned to their homeland to end their playing days at Hajduk.

Stimac replaced Bilic as manager of Croatia in 2012 when the latter returned to club management with Lokomotiv Moscow in Russia and set out on a path that led him back to West Ham last week.

Stimac added: "Slaven and I go back together a long time. I was on the board of ­directors at Hajduk when he got his first coaching job, ­supporting him all the way down.

"As a person and friend he is fantastic. As a manager, he takes proper care of each player."
Stimac has fond ­memories of his own days at West Ham, playing under Harry Redknapp and alongside some famous old names as well as a number of rising stars including Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand.

He said: "Oh my God, what a team we used to have: Paolo Di Canio, Freddie Kanoute, Rio, Lamps, Stuart Pearce, Trevor Sinclair, the ­youngsters Michael Carrick, Joe Cole and Jermain Defoe coming in.

"We had the jokes from Harry and John Moncur and then there was Razor ­Ruddock always ready to make us smile."

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West Ham boss Slaven Bilic eyeing Europe's hottest prospects and top 10 finish
By JACK BRIDEN FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 11:55, 13 June 2015 | UPDATED: 12:02, 13 June 2015

West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady says new manager Slaven Bilic is already preparing to bring in some of Europe's future stars. As the Croatian sets himself to take charge of the Hammers' final season at Upton Park after 111 years of residency, he is already looking at the areas in which they can improve. And Brady is convinced the former Hammers centre back is exactly what the club needs as they embark on the next chapter of their history. 'The two chairmen worked night and day to whittle down to our preferred candidates and in the final interviews last weekend, Slaven Bilic convinced us he was the man to take on that challenge,' she said. Writing in her column for the Sun, Brady admitted that although the 46 year old is untested as a manager in England's top flight, his experience having played at the Boleyn Ground for 18 months, combined with his international pedigree and insatiable thirst for knowledge set him apart from the competition to land the job. 'Although he is yet manage in the Premier League, Slaven is very knowledgeable about it and watched hours and hours of West Ham games in preparation for his interview,' said Brady. Since their promotion back to the Premier League in 2012 West Ham have finished inside the top half just once but Brady is sure Bilic is the man to help make that become more of a habit. Following the departure of former boss Sam Allardyce at the end of last season the east London club welcomed their first signing of the summer transfer window in Sampdoria midfielder Pedro Obiang, and Brady insists Bilic has more tricks up his sleeve in the countdown to the start of next season.
'[Bilic] has a clear vision of how he wants to improve the team and I know he and [club chairman] David Sullivan have already agreed to lodge bids for a number of Europe's hottest prospects. 'He is also a realist and agreed that although our first priority is stability, with the right signings a top-ten finish and an extended run in one of the cup competitions is not unrealistic.'

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Gold sends Ravel advice
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 14, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

David Gold has sent a new cryptic message to Ravel Morrison.

The 22 year old midfielder is reportedly suffering from homs sickness ahead of his Lazio experience and angling for a return home.

We reported yesterday that a Boleyn return was described as a "big longshot" by sources inside the Boleyn but Gold's Twitter comments may fuel speculation.

Gold – commenting on a follower's comment that Ravel could have been one of the greats declared : "I urge Ravel to look in the mirror every day and say to him self "IF IT'S TO BE ITS UP TO ME"

The midfielder is being linked with possible moves to Queens Park Rangers, Newcastle and Swansea.

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Bilic to get a Hammers legend
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 13, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

West Ham United are planning to draft in a club legend to assist Slaven Bilic.

The Telegraph – which is developing a good track record for getting things right at the club – reports that names have been put forward as the club look to replicate Teddy Sheringham's success last season.

Among the candidates being mentioned are John Hartson, Tony Cottee, Don Hutchinson and Dean Ashton while another idea is to also employ someone such as Julian Dicks on the staff.

John-HartsonNo-one has yet been approached and it all depends on who wants to do it – and what coaching badges they have.

Bilic's immediate concern, however, is s to obtain work permits for two of his trusted backroom staff.

It is a formality for one of the Croatians, Edin Terzic, as he was born in Menden, Germany, and has an EU passport but for the other two, Nikola Jurcevic, the first-team coach, and Miljenko Rak, the fitness coach, there may be a hearing this week with West Ham hoping, given their vast experience, they will be backed by the Football Association.

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Gold: AC can have a big season
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 13, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

David Gold has made it clear that Andy Carroll will be going nowhere this summer as newly appointed Newcastle boss Steve McLaren casts his eyes towards Upton Park.

Carroll has long been linked with a move back to Tyneside but the co chairman talking to ClaretandHugh said: "We are not allowing Andy to go anywhere.

"There have been a lot of suggestions that he would like a move 'home' but Andy is now very happy and settled in London. He will be here next season."

McClaren – as reported by The Times – is apparently keen to hatch a loan deal which will see the Geordie striker return to St James' Park for a season.

But Gold said: "He's our record signing and the best is yet to come from him. It could be a very big season for him and us."

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Irons watch Morrison dilemma
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 13, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

West Ham are watching the situation surrounding Ravel Morrison who it is claimed has become homesick since joining Lazio.

And the club has learned that Queens Park Rangers have been joined by Newcastle United and Swansea in displaying an interest in the 22 year old.

But a source claimed that as far as the Irons were concerned a return to Upton Park was " a very big longshot."

New manager Slaven Bilic is known to be looking for creative midfielder and Ravel's name been mentioned in conversations between the board and new manager.

We were told: "Given the history it has to be hugely unlikely but the manager will decide where he goes and who he looks at.

"He has made it clear he wants a right back, central defender and a creative player in the middle of the park."

When we spoke to a well placed insider a week ago were told move for the player was possible it was firmly ruled out but with Bilic's arrival the landscape may have changed.

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Newcastle's crazy AC offer
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 13, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

Cheeky Newcastle want Andy Carroll on a season-long loan according to The Times and have been told to take a running jump by the Irons.

According to The Times, new Magpies manager Steve McClaren has offered to take AC on loan which has no appeal whatsoever to us.

With Carlton Cole gone and only Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia available, the Hammers board were gobsmacked by the Toon offer.

One insider told ClaretandHugh: "It may be an attempt to unsettle Andy but there's no chance of that with his new baby on the way when he is so settled in London. And why would we loan out the club's record signing."

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Three words for Keys: Shut your gob
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 13, 2015 in Hugh's Blogs, Whispers
C AND H

There have been times in my life when I really wish I could allow myself to let loose with a mouthful of bad language.

This morning I did as I read the the anti Hammers and Slaven Bilic comments from long forgotten Coventry supporter and one time TV presenter Richard Keys.

I didn't like him back then or now and his his comments about the Irons new boss were graceless, and entirely out of order.

In case you missed them Keys slagged off the Davids for not getting the likes of Rafa Benitez, Carlo Ancellotti, Jurgen Klopp or one of the world's top bosses and then put the boot into Slav.

He said: " I wish him well. He's a cunning operator, as Laurent Blanc will testify. Remember Bilic going down like a sack of spuds in that WC semi-final and costing Blanc a place in the final?

"I do actually fear for West Ham. Big Sam did a fantastic job for them. He delivered on every front they asked and walked with pride."

Keys – believing media reports without bothering to discover the facts – assumes Slav has a "no compensation for relegation" clause in his deal as reported by the Telegraph.

He says: "If next season starts as this season finished they'll be in big trouble. And maybe they'll be right about insisting Bilic walk with nothing if they go down. "

"THE SEASON FINISHED!" Wasn't that under the Allardyce Keys claims did such a wonderful job? No compensation – can you show us the clause?

His reasoning that the Davids cocked up the appointment is questionable at best. In fact the co chairmen were looking at every top boss around which is actually thoroughly good business practice.

He then lays into Slav over one possible negative in a career full of numerous plus points. A real balanced and fair operator old Keys eh?

This is the voice of the 'expert' we suffered on Sky Sports for all those years before he was sacked for sexism. Well done Sky we don't need these sort of big mouthed keyboard warriors in front of us too often.

Anybody who decides to take on a Premier League manager's job needs encouragement from those who are supposed to know what they are talking about especially before they start – not this sort of bad mouthing.

Slav is about to put his head into the Premier League lion's mouth whilst Keys looks for his next bitter turn of phrase as he tries to get over the sack and almost complete fall from grace.

Three words for a bitter man: SHUT YOUR MOUTH!

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Brady lifts lid on Slaven's interview
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 13, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

Karren Brady seems pleased with Slaven Bilic's appointment claiming that David Gold and David Sullivan worked night to make the correc t choic.

And writing in her Sun column she declared: "He convinced us he was the man to take on that challenge."

She added: "Although he is yet to manage in the Premier League, Slaven is very knowledgeable about it and watched hours and hours of West Ham games in preparation for his interview."

"He is also a realist and agreed that although our first priority is stability, with the right signings a top-ten finish and an extended run in one of the cup competitions is not unrealistic.

"Slaven was also clearly the people's choice after leading most of the online supporter polls and their initial reaction to his appointment has generally been one of delight.

"The feeling, it seems, is mutual as Slaven clearly has a deep affection for what he called a "special" club, he has a clear vision for how he wants to improve the team and I know he and David Sullivan have already agreed to lodge bids for a number of Europe's hottest prospects," added Brady

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Bilic's target looks spot on
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 13, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AN D H

Reports that Slaven Bilic wants Vedran Corluka at Upton Park look pretty accurate.

The Mirror's Darren Lewis has reported the central defender/right back as a Bilic target and given their history together, that makes perfect sense.

ClaretandHugh reported yesterday that sources close to Slav had explained he was looking, somewhat surprisingly, for a central defender despite having Winston Reid, James Tomkins, James Collins, Reece Burke, Doniel Henry and the up and coming Reece Oxford on the books.

We explained that the new manager believes he needs another top central defender and given 29 year old Corluka can double at right back and is out of contract, he looks ideal.

Slav signed Corluka for £5.5 million from Spurs when taking over at Lokomotiv Moscow in 2012 and the defender scored on his debut.

He won two monthly supporters polls on the social networks and was named the best club player of the month. In June 2015, after Ćorluka helped Lokomotiv to win Russian Cup, fans named him team's Player of the Year.

He was part of Croatia's 2008 Euro qualifying squad under the Hammers boss which finished first in Group E, ahead of Russia and England who eventually failed to qualify from the group.

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