Daily WHUFC News - II 16th July 2015

Bilic wants a strong start
WHUFC.com

Slaven Bilic is hoping the Club's European adventure can give them a major
advantage when they start the Premier League campaign in August. The Hammers
continue their Europa League campaign when they face Maltese side Birkirkara
in the second qualifying round at the Boleyn Ground on Thursday night. Bilic
is no stranger to European football and knows the advantages it can bring to
a team when they are preparing to start a new season. The West Ham United
manager still has fond memories of how his Besiktas side almost caused a
major upset against Arsenal in the Champions League qualifier last summer as
they had played a number of competitive games heading into the fixture.
Despite the number of games that the Club could face in the next few weeks,
Bilic is hopeful it will work in their favour and give them a head-start as
they prepare for the big kick-off with a London derby against Arsenal on
August 9. Bilic said: "It's good for the start, definitely. The best
examples are from your own history, not from the books. "I only have to look
at last year when we played Arsenal in the Champions League play-off. We
were fitter than them. "We had already played Feyenoord in the previous
round and we were fitter. Arsenal had only played the Community Shield and
Crystal Palace and we were already in the season. It gives you a definite
advantage in the beginning of the season. "What about November, December or
Christmas time which is already so tough here. We are going to be aware of
all the situations."

Bilic has already received a warm reception from the West Ham United
supporters following his appointment as the Club's new manager and would
love to become a hero with the fans like he achieved at Besiktas last
season. The Croatian coach received a pop star's farewell when he was lifted
into the air by supporters at the airport when he left Turkey earlier this
summer and hopes he achieve even more success in east London. Bilic added:
"You have seen Robin van Persie's welcome and it's amazing. It's not very
common here! "In Turkey they say it doesn't matter how many people are there
when you are coming to the club, what matters is how you leave and if you
can leave feeling proud of what you have achieved. "I'm glad that I left
Besiktas in a good situation and a good atmosphere. I can only wish that I
can have the same kind of daily basis of work that I had in Turkey."

Bilic is set to name a stronger team for the game against Birkirkara on
Thursday night and says this is where the pre-season really gets going for
his team. "It will be a different team. The first round was great for the
young players to show themselves, especially at Upton Park, a full stadium.
It was a great for them, a night to remember and I'm sure they're going to
remember it. "This game is different and a different build-up. They beat a
team from Armenia quite easily (in the first round) and I know many of their
players who play in the Russian league. They are good team. "We are
expecting a tough game, we are clear favourites but we cannot afford any
surprises."

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Birkirkara? They're no mugs, says Nolan
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 16th July 2015
By: Staff Writer

Club captain Kevin Nolan returns for his first competitive appearance of the
season tonight when West Ham face Birkirkara at the Boleyn. The 31-year-old,
who is entering the final year of his five-year contract with West Ham will
lead the team out when they face the Maltese side in the first leg of the
Europa League second qualifying round clash. And despite the vast disparity
between the quality of the two sides, Nolan insists that West Ham will full
respect their opponents. "I'm thoroughly looking forward to playing against
what is going to be a very good Maltese side who have done really well in
the first qualifying round to get through," he told whufc.com. "It's a great
honour to be playing in European qualification for this club and to be
leading them out. It's a fantastic honour for me and I'm hoping to
thoroughly enjoy it. "They [Birkirkara] did really well in the first round
to get through. They aren't going to be mugs or a turnover. Hopefully we'll
get a couple of goals to take over there next week, but we know it's not
going to be easy. They'll not roll over so we've got to be very respectful
of the opposition. "We're going to be in front a packed crowd which is where
you want to play. Fair play to the fans for turning out in numbers again .
We thank them for that and hopefully we can give them a good spectacle."

And in terms of his own immediate future - and physical condition, for which
he was oft-criticised by some supporters last season - Nolan added:
"Contrary to what everyone else says, I'm feeling good and looking forward
to what will hopefully be a good season! "We'll see if I can get that 100th
league goal sooner rather than later but I'm looking to get my eye in in the
next three or four weeks before the season starts. It's a testing time for
us all but we've got to do our best to try and make sure we're in the
manager's plans for the rest of the season.
"The manager probably doesn't know his best eleven yet. He's brought in a
few players to try and add to his squad and he'll probably want to move a
couple on - we don't know as nobody's really spoken to him on that. "I'm
sure in the next three weeks things will start to unfold and he'll start to
look for a team that is going to be the one he'll start with in the Premier
League and one he'll build around for the season."

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West Ham's striker search continues
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 14th July 2015
By: Staff Writer

West Ham's interest in Roma striker Mattia Destro has cooled - with the
Irons turning their attention to targets rather closer to home. KUMB
revealed last week how the Hammers had investigated the possbility of
bringing the £10million-rated Italian international to England. However
West Ham are now understood to have turned their attention elsewhere - with
Queens Park Rangers' Charlie Austin once again in the picture. The
25-year-old striker, who was first linked with a move to West Ham here on
KUMB at the beginning of June is almost certain to leave Loftus Road this
summer, with a string of potential suitors lining up. Having scored 18 goals
in 36 appearances for the Rs last term, the £15million-rated Austin has been
the subject of enquiries from several Premier League clubs including
Chelsea, Newcastle, Leicester and Tottenham. And West Ham remain keen to
bring the Hungerford-born forward to the Boleyn Ground, although they are
keeping their options open with other irons in the fire. That includes
continued interest in Chelsea's Loic Remy - although Crystal Palace are the
current favourites to sign the French international - and Manchester United
outcast Javier Hernandez, who Liverpool have also been linked with in recent
days.

* Elsewhere today (London24) it has been claimed that 21-year-old Rubin
Kazan striker Marko Livaja is set to join West Ham on loan.

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Payet banned for Europa League clash
Posted by Sean Whetstone on July 16, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

New Hammers signing Dimitri Payet will play no part in tonight's Europa
League second round qualifier against Maltese opposition Birkirkara at the
Boleyn Ground. Despite being added to the confirmed UEFA 25 man squad for
the second qualfying round, the 28 year old play maker is serving a
suspension related to his time with French Ligue 1 side Olympique de
Marseille.
Payet picked up three yellow cards in the domestic league from 35 starts
last season. He also received a two-game ban after aiming expletives at the
closed door of the match officials' dressing room following a goalless draw
with Lyon, in which Lucas Ocampos' late strike was deemed not to have
crossed the goal-line. This was later reduced to a one match ban on appeal.

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CANDH EXCLUSIVE: Hammers OS rent revealed!
Posted by Sean Whetstone on July 16, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H EXCLUSIVE

West Ham's will pay £2.5 million in rent for the use of the Olympic Stadium
on just 25 match days a year. And should they need it on more occasions they
will have to fork out another £100,000 PER DAY! The terms of the deal
between West Ham and the LLDC/Newham Council for the use of the Olympic
Stadium has finally been revealed in an official press release. It confirms
the £2.5m per year in rent is to be the anchor concessionaire from 2016 on
top of the club's £15 million investment. The Irons appears to be paying
more than a fair rent given the spin-offs which will be received from the
stadium operator as a result of their tenancy. An insider at the LLDC told
ClaretandHugh exclusively: "West Ham get 25 days for their £2.5 million rent
with extra days – and they can have as many as they want – at £100k a time.
"It's also fair to say that having West Ham in the stadium there
dramatically increases the naming rights value of the stadium. "The
operators get between 85 per cent to 90 per cent of the profit of catering
rights at their games which is huge to be honest." The rent is index linked
over 99 years with a rent reduction should West Ham be relegated from the
Premier League The real value of the West Ham deal to the tax payer will be
the auctioning of the naming rights of the stadium after the Rugby World
Cup. Sponsors will want to be involved with the world brands of the Premier
League and West Ham United and this will help push up the price to give
London taxpayers a good deal over time to repay the £700m plus investment.

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OS retractible seating to be used for rugby
Posted by Sean Whetstone on July 16, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

The Olympic Stadium's brand new retractable seating will be used in the
Rugby World Cup this September it was confirmed yesterday.

London Legacy Chief executive David Goldstone told the Newham Recorder:
"We'll pull forward the retractable seats at the end of August for the
stadium's first ever rugby match, when the legendary Barbarians play Samoa.
The stadium then hosts five Rugby World Cup matches followed by
international Rugby League when England take on New Zealand. Finally, the
world's greatest motor-sports drivers will assemble for the Race of
Champions. After all this, the stadium will close as we finish our
transformation works, reopening fully in 2016, when West Ham move into their
new home"

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Hernandez to rejoin Manchester Utd
Posted by Sean Whetstone on July 16, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

Javier Hernandez will be given a chance to resurrect his Manchester United
career after Louis van Gaal said there is a place in the squad for the
striker this season.The Mexican has only made two competitive appearances
under the Dutchman, and was loaned out to Real Madrid last season before
entering the final year of his contract at Old Trafford. LVG told a news
conference in Seattle: "At the time, we have to decide which strikers we
could have at Manchester United. Then I have to make a decision that I let
go Chicharito and Welbeck because I have bought also Falcao. When you play a
system with two strikers or one striker then you [have to] make decisions
and I let Chicharito go but now he is coming back."

Van Gaal also revealed Wednesday that Hernandez will be joining United's
U.S. tour on July 25th. Robin van Persie completed a move to Fenerbahce this
week, Radamel Falcao was not signed after an unsuccessful loan spell and
Danny Welbeck was sold to Arsenal last summer, leaving Van Gaal without an
experienced striker as an alternative to Wayne Rooney. The news means
reduces the chances for West Ham to be successful in their £9m bid for the
experienced striker.

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No LIVE TV coverage this evening
Posted by Sean Whetstone on July 16, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

West Ham will NOT provide any LIVE TV coverage this evening as the Hammers
face Birkirkara in the Europa League second round qualifier at the Boleyn
Ground in front of 31,000 fans.
The club have confirmed that club Media Partner BBC London will be providing
live audio commentary from Phil Parry, who will be joined by former Hammer
John Moncur. West Ham TV will provide highlights after the match. Claret and
Hugh will be providing text updates later this evening during the match to
get Hammers fans who can't make the match up to date.

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Bilic Lifts Lid On Song
Posted by whufc_news@hotmail.com on July 16, 2015 in News, Transfer Rumours
C AND H

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has confirmed that the club are hopeful of
concluding a deal for Barcelona midfielder Alex Song. The 27 year-old is
currently injured, and may be sidelined for a total of FOUR months – amid
suggestions that the Hammers are trying to alter his deal to a loan until
January – and then attempt to make it permanent in the Winter transfer
window.
Speaking on the matter, Bilic said: 'Although I said I'm not going to
discuss players from other teams, he is somewhere in between. 'He played
here on loan last year and he's a little bit injured. I don't deny that he
was a great player who did really well last year and I would like him to
stay with us.'

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Reports: Two Medicals Due
Posted by whufc_news@hotmail.com on July 16, 2015 in News, Transfer Rumours
C AND H

According to the Daily Mail, Argentine playmaker Manuel Lanzini will undergo
a medical ahead of a move to West Ham later today. The 22 year-old, who
currently plays at UAE Pro League side Al Jazira is expected to join the
Hammers on a season-long loan deal.
Meanwhile, winger Stewart Downing is expected to leave the club by Friday –
and is due to undergo a medical ahead of a £6m move to Middlesbrough.

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LVG is suddenly talking up Hernandez!
Posted by Sean Whetstone on July 16, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

Irons target Javier Hernandez is apparently being handed a chance to
resurrect his Manchester United career…or maybe get a shop window which
allows the Reds to seek the best possible transfer fee! Amusingly, given the
Hammers interest, Louis van Gaal made a point of devoting more time to the
player's position than he has done since arriving at Old Trafford That
suggests that there's much going on and that LVG may be trying to push up
the asking price as talks go on between the clubs. A Hammers source close to
the talks explained again to ClaretandHugh: "United are expected to come
back with a price by weekend and with only a year left on his deal it can't
be too inflated. He is one of several targets on the club's list."
The player is now in his final Old Trafford season and was even offered to
Real at £7 million whilst serving his Real loan spell so it seems that smoke
and mirrors may now be very much in place as the United manager attempts to
wheel and deal. LVG told a Seattle news conference:: "At the time, we have
to decide which strikers we could have at Manchester United. Then I have to
make a decision that I let go Chicharito and Welbeck because I have bought
also Falcao. "When you play a system with two strikers or one striker then
you [have to] make decisions and I let Chicharito go but now he is coming
back."

Van Gaal also revealed that Hernandez will be joining United's U.S. tour on
July 25th but is known to be chasing Edinson Cavani and Robert Lewandowski.
However, it would be an amazing turn of events were the club not to buy one
or at least two front men before the season starts play They have allowed
Robin van Persie to join Fenerbahce this week, Radamel Falcao was not signed
after an unsuccessful loan spell and Danny Welbeck w whilst serving his loan
spell was sold to Arsenal last summer, leaving Van Gaal without an
experienced striker as an alternative to Wayne Rooney and he knows the
pressure is on to find replacements fast.

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Report: Lanzini taking Irons medical
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on July 16, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

West Ham are this afternoon being reported as having secured the loan
signing of Manuel Lanzini hom it is claimed is set to be arriving at Upton
Park to complete his medical. Lanzini, who has scored eight goals in 24
appearances for United Arab Emirates outfit Al Jazira and has been tracked
by the Irons for around a year. The 22-year-ol almost moved to the East End
last summer but instead joined the UAE club for around £5m. But now the
Daily Mail says West Ham have finally secured his services on a loan deal,
with the former Argentina U20 expected to arrive in London today to finalise
the details. Lanzini is seen as a possible replacement for Stewart Downing,
who is close to rejoining Middlesborough for £5m.

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Jack Sullivan explains main benefit Cresswell and Jenkinson create for West
Ham
HITC
Lewis Doe
@doelewis

The son of West Ham United co-owner David Sullivan has suggested the club
have a real strength in their full-back options. Jack Sullivan, son of West
Ham co-owner David Sullivan, has explained on the club's official website,
what he feels is the main benefit of the club possessing two high quality
full-backs. Slaven Bilic didn't hesitate when the opportunity to re-sign
Carl Jenkinson on loan came up, after the Arsenal owned player impressed
under Sam Allardyce last season. It leaves the Hammers with settled players
in two key positions across their back four, which should give the defence a
solid platform, which they can look to use to their advantage over the
coming weeks and months. "He had a very good season last year and I know
from speaking to dad that Slaven said he was a player that we had to keep
and felt he would be a great signing," he told whufc.com. "We now have two
fantastic full-backs and like Aaron Cresswell, he is very attacking and
gives us even more options going forward."

What happens when the full-backs get forward and stay forward?

Any club that has full-backs who are as skilled in the opponent's final
third as they are in their own, are worth their weight in gold. When
Jenkinson and Cresswell are able to press forward and maintain pressure over
the opposition, it gives the West Ham midfielder and attack more options. It
allows the midfield to narrow, which gives West Ham a greater chance of
controlling possession and allows Bilic to use more than one striker at the
very top of his team. The danger is that West Ham could be attacked in the
space that both players leave behind, but they are quick enough and fit
enough to be able to drop back into their defensive positions quickly.

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Karren Brady's minor miracle at West Ham has earned her a place alongside
Mother Teresa on inspirational list
HITC
Damien Lucas

West Ham United's vice chairman Karren Brady has been named as one of the 50
most inspirational people in the history of the world in a new poll.
Raconteur Media's poll of 2,000 readers to find the World's 50 most
inspirational people of all time saw some famous names from throughout
history feature. The likes of Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, Oscar Wilde,
Anne Frank, Alan Turing, Jesus Christ, Martin Luther King and Gandhi made it
into the top 50 ... alongside none other than Baroness Brady of
Knightsbridge. While many have scoffed at her somewhat surprise inclusion,
the work Brady has done in turning West Ham's fortunes around from their
perilous financial state when she was brought in by co-owners David Gold and
David Sullivan after their takeover in 2010. West Ham were staring into the
footballing abyss . Back then the Hammers were staring into the footballing
abyss. And they should forever be grateful to the Irons Lady.
Left in more than £110 million of debt following the disastrous Icelandic
regime of Eggert Magnusson and Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson in the wake of the
recession-causing banking collapse, administration was calling - as reported
by The Telegraph at the time. But Brady, known as 'the first lady of
football' after Sullivan and Gold appointed her as managing director of
former club Birmingham City aged just 23, had other ideas. Her ruthless,
pragmatic approach and expertise were just what West Ham needed. On being
appointed she vowed: "To West Ham fans I'll make a single pledge – while we
are on the board, we will hang in the Tower of London before your club again
goes through the financial turmoil which so nearly brought it down."

Brady's diligent work in the ensuing five years has not only driven down
debts to manageable levels but she has also improved the Hammers as a
business in virtually every aspect.
From how the club's media and retail arms operate to streamlining and
cutting costs where necessary. If there was a tough decision to be made at
West Ham over the last five years, she did not hesitate to make it in the
best interests of the club.

Irons Lady delivers an Olympic legacy

Sorting out the finances has not been her only achievement, though. She led
the club's successful bid to be anchor tenants at the London Olympic
Stadium, which will be converted to a 54,000 seater arena at very little
cost to the club ahead of their big move next summer. It also didn't hurt
that she saw off competition from the club's fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur
in the process. While some fans may be sad to say goodbye to their Boleyn
Ground home of 112 years this season, it is Brady's drive, determination and
efforts to make West Ham better than their rivals and compete with the
Premier League's elite that has seen them outgrow it. Brady's shock
inclusion on such a prestigious list is very much open for debate and her
work at an English football club are not going to qualify her to live in
such illustrious company. But it must not be forgotten the extent of the
trail the 46-year-old has blazed for women, football, business and more
recently politics in her career. Yes she is handsomely paid for the job she
does - although her six-figure salary is a drop in the ocean against the
backdrop of the Premier League gravy train. But if West Ham continue their
rise on and off the pitch thanks to the sound footings she has helped put
them over what promises to be an exciting few years, it will prove to be
money very well spent.

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West Ham have a good deal on stadium - so does taxpayer
10:03, 16 JULY 2015
BY GILES BROADBENT
London Legacy boss says he's confident transformation costs won't rise – and
doesn't think club have got away with underpaying
wharf.co.uk

The man in charge of the Olympic Park says he's confident that the bill for
transforming the stadium will not rise any further – but he's making no
guarantees. Chief executive of the London Legacy Development Corporation
David Goldstone said that there was still a year of work to go by
contractors Balfour Beatty but it was likely the total £701million bill
would stick.
Mostly there was just fitting out work to be completed and not the kind of
major engineering challenges that lifted transformation costs to £272million
from the original estimate of £154million. The cost including building the
largest cantilevered roof in the world. He was pressed on the bill by
members of the London Assembly in light of the rising costs – and the
undisclosed "peppercorn" rent to be paid by anchor tenant West Ham. Mr
Goldstone said: "There still a year's work to do and I'm not going to give
you a guarantee that absolutely nothing would happen that would cost more
but I am saying we are confident about the figures we've announced."

Mr Goldstone refused to give details of West Ham's 99-year lease for reasons
of commercial confidentiality and refused to confirm media reports that the
rent amounts to just £2.5million a year. Assembly member Andrew Boff said:
"Don't you think it's an enormously good deal for West Ham and not a
particularly good deal for us?" Mr Goldstone responded: "West Ham do have a
good deal but I think we have too. Having the stadium at the heart of that
park is a really big part of the legacy story. The stadium is absolutely
fundamental to all the activity and if it can do that and pay for itself
that's the a good deal for the taxpayer."

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Manuel Lanzini 'arrives in London to complete West Ham transfer deal'
Louis Sealey for Metro.co.uk
Thursday 16 Jul 2015 9:42 am

West Ham are reportedly set to secure the signing of Manuel Lanzini with the
Argentine arriving at Upton Park to complete his medical. The Hammers have
already agreed a loan deal for Lanzini, who has scored eight goals in 24
appearances for United Arab Emirates outfit Al Jazira. The 22-year-old has
been on the London club's radar for over a year, and almost moved to the
East End last summer but instead joined the UAE club for around £5m. But
now, according to the Daily Mail, West Ham have finally secured his services
on a loan deal, with the former Argentina U20 expected to arrive in London
today to finalise the details. Lanzini is seen as a possible replacement for
Stewart Downing, who is close to rejoining Middlesborough for £5m.

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Slaven Bilic has message for Sam Allardyce and hints at tactical tweaks to
Hammers side
07:00 16 July 2015 Brad Pinard
London 24

Slaven Bilic the new West Ham manager West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has
thanked former boss Sam Allardyce for the state he left the club in this
summer. Bilic spoke to the written press for the first time yesterday and
wanted to make his feelings clear about Allardyce. "I would like to thank
Sam Allardyce," Bilic said at his press conference. "He left me with a
really good team and good atmosphere. "He didn't leave me a mess, it is a
great base for me to try and improve on Bilic will be in the Upton Park
dugout for the first time tonight in the Europa League clash with Maltese
side Birkirkara after sitting in the stands two weeks ago against Lusitanos
of Andorra. Allardyce was known for his physical, long ball style, some
criticism extremely harsh, but Bilic wants the ball on the ground and to
make the team better as individuals and a unit. "What I want to achieve, I
want stability," he said. "I want to make us better in the long term, but we
will have ups and downs especially results-wise. "I want the individuals to
play better and where it will take us? I don't know. "We want to be better
in ball possession; we want to be killers in front of goal. "We want to
create more chances, we will lift up the table and I don't know where we
could go. "We have a good team, a good atmosphere. The atmosphere has not
changed since I was here in 1996 as a player, it is smiling and working
together."

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'I want him to stay with us' West Ham boss admits to Alex Song hope
London 24
06:30 16 July 2015 Brad Pinard

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic admits he wants to sign Alex Song this summer,
but doesn't know on what sort of deal. The Barcelona boy is injured and
could require surgery on a knee problem that will rule him out until at
least the start of the season. West Ham were hoping to sign the midfielder
permanently, after an impressive loan spell last term, but a loan may now be
the best bet for player and club. Bilic was coy on transfer talk on the
whole but admitted Song was different. "I am not going to discuss players
who are not part of our team, but he is sort of in between at the moment,"
Bilic said. "He is a little bit injured and I don't deny that he is a great
player who was really good last year and like Carl Jenkinson. "I want him to
stay with us." A number of first team players are set to start tonight in
the Europa League as the Hammers play their first of nine games in the next
21 days.

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