Match preview - FC Lusitans
WHUFC.com
The background
West Ham United take their first steps into European competition for nine
years on Thursday when they welcome Andorran side FC Lusitans to the Boleyn
Ground for a UEFA Europa League first qualifying round first leg tie.
The Hammers last featured at continental level in a short-lived UEFA Cup
campaign in 2006/07, when Italian side Palermo triumphed 4-0 on aggregate
against the east Londoners at the first round stage.
On that occasion West Ham qualified for the competition by finishing as FA
Cup runners-up, while this time around their position at the head of the
Barclays Premier League's Fair Play League was enough to gain entry to the
Europa League at this early stage.
Slaven Bilic's men are among 102 sides who debut in this round, with West
Ham the top seeds. Their opponents qualified by virtue of finishing second
in the Andorra Primera Divisao and are searching for their first win in
Europe.
They were defeated 7-3 on aggregate by Faroese side EB/Streymur in their
last European tie – a 2013/14 UEFA Champions League first qualifying round
match – while eight European fixtures have brought them seven defeats and a
draw.
The history
West Ham are emarking on their seventh European campaign this year, having
competed four times in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and twice in the UEFA Cup
previously.
Their glory days in Europe have come in the Cup Winners' Cup, with a title
to the Club's name in 1964/65, as well as an appearance in the 1975/76 final
and 1965/66 semi-finals.
More recently, the battled through three rounds of the UEFA Intertoto Cup to
earn a spot in the UEFA Cup, where they defeated Croatian outfit Osijek
before the run was ended by Steaua Bucharest.
Lusitans' European pedigree is more limited. Founded in 1999, they soon
progressed to the top of Andorran football and won the title in both 2011/12
and 2012/13, They have appeared in the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA
Champions League twice before, exiting in the first qualifying round on all
four occasions.
Team news
West Ham United
Academy Manager Terry Westley, who will be in the dugout for this fixture,
has already named his team, with Darren Randolph debuting in goal. Joey
O'Brien, James Tomkins, Reece Burke and Lewis Page will play across the
back, with Matt Jarvis, Diego Poyet, Reece Oxford and Morgan Amalfitano in
front of them. Diafra Sakho and Mauro Zarate will lead the line up front.
That means first team debuts for Page and Oxford, who at 16 years and 198
days old will become the Club's youngest ever players. There is also a
return for Mauro Zarate following his loan at Queens Park Rangers, while
James Tomkins captains the team.
FC Lusitans
The Andorrans' squad contains their country's most experienced international
in Oscar Sonejee, who possesses 101 caps. Other notable players include
defender Edu Moya, who played in the Spanish top flight for Recreativo de
Huelva between 2006-08, and Sierra Leone international Alfi Conteh-Lacalle,
who came through the Barcelona academy. His manager Xavi Roura was also a
product of Barca.
Match facts
The match officials for Thursday's game are all from Latvia. Vadims
Direktorenko, 34, is the man with the whistle.
Three West Ham United players will make their debuts for the Club on
Thursday – Darren Randolph, Lewis Page and Reece Oxford.
Lusitans have conceded 33 goals in their eight matches in European
competition, hitting the net four times themselves.
Three of those four goals came in their last tie, a 7-3 aggregate defeat to
EB/Streymur in which they held a 2-0 lead at one point.
They won twelve of their 20 league games last season, scoring an impressive
53 goals in the process.
Betting
The Club's Principal Partner Betway have over 100 markets on the game. Check
out their betting preview here.
Tickets, Travel, Weather & TV Coverage
Standard tickets for this game have SOLD OUT. However, a limited number of
hospitality packages remain. Click here for full details.
whufc.com will be streaming the game exclusively live and free! Full details
can be found here.
No closures are planned on the Underground lines serving Upton Park. At
present, a good service is also anticipated on Greater Anglia and c2c
services.
Sunny intervals are expected around time of kick-off, with temperatures of
23C/73F
Please be aware that alcohol will not be sold at the concourse concessions
in accordance with UEFA regulations.
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Westley to play key role in Europa League opener
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Academy Manager & Head of Coaching and Player Development
Terry Westley is set to play a key role in Thursday's UEFA Europa League
first qualifying round first leg against FC Lusitans of Andorra. Westley
took training as a mixture of senior professionals and Development Squad
players prepared for the season opener on a week-long training camp in
Ireland, with new manager Slaven Bilic linking up with the squad last
Friday. The squad of players for Thursday's game returned to Chadwell Heath
on Monday while Bilic has remained in Cork as the remaining senior players
arrive for their own start to pre-season.
Westley will be in the dugout on Thursday but Bilic will fly back to London
to watch on as his team begin their European adventure at the Boleyn Ground.
Westley explained: "First of all I'd like to welcome the new manager and his
staff to the Club. When there was a change in management at the end of last
season and we knew that we had qualified for Europe, we couldn't just sit
back and not do anything. We had to put plans in place. "With the other
senior staff, we've done that looking towards the European fixture so early,
and great credit to those staff. It will be a privilege and an honour to
play a role on Thursday, and when you think the game will be a sell-out it
shows that it has caught the imagination of everyone. "I see my role as
helping Slaven integrate with the group and the team, making that
transition as smooth as possible and he will come back for the game on
Thursday. He's the manager. "He's very interested in seeing some of the
younger players and he's also got some senior players in this team, who will
be part of his squad that he'll want to keep a close eye on. He will be
with the team and in the dressing room and a big part of what we're trying
to do on Thursday. "We're doing all we can to support him and our job is to
get over the first qualifying round. With the manager integrating his staff
and senior players who are in Ireland, that's a win-win. We need to make the
integration as seamless as possible."
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Tomkins hails Boleyn sell-out
WHUFC.com
James Tomkins cannot wait to lead West Ham United out into a sold-out Boleyn
Ground on Thursday evening. The Academy graduate has been granted the honour
of captaining the side in their UEFA Europa League first qualifying round
first leg clash with FC Lusitans. With not a seat to be had, the centre-back
says the Hammers' return to continental competition at the start of the
historic Farewell Boleyn season will be a memorable occasion. "I'm hugely
excited, as playing in Europe is massive," the No5 confirmed. "We all want
to play on the top stage, playing against teams from different countries,
different cultures, it can only improve you as a player and develop you, so
we are all really excited, for the youngster it's an opportunity. "There are
35,000 people coming to the match. Not many other teams would sell that many
tickets for a Europa League game. "It's a cliché but we are taking each game
as it comes. This is the Europa League and is a competition we want to do
well in. We are looking forward to Thursday, to starting the season well
"This is the last season at Upton Park, so we want to send it off in the
best way possible and the Europa League is the start of it."
Tomkins dismissed any suggestion that returning to action just 39 days after
the end of the 2014/15 season will place added pressure on the West Ham
squad. Instead, the Essex-born player says he and his teammates are
relishing competition football at a time of year when they would normally be
flying to far-flung destinations for pre-season training camps and friendly
matches. The defender will lead a team that includes a smattering of senior
stars, including Diafra Sakho and Mauro Zarate, alongside a number of the
Club's outstanding young professionals. "It's definitely a bonus to be
getting that competitiveness so early in year," he confirmed. "To have a
team which is a mix between seniors and youngsters is brilliant for the
lads. "For the youngsters to play in such a big game is massive for their
development. Us seniors will try to help them along, as it's brilliant to
play in these kind of matches."
New manager Slaven Bilic will be observing from the stand as Tomkins and the
Europa League first qualifying round squad concentrate on beating the
Andorran Primera Divisio runners-up. The Croatian has asked Academy Manager
Terry Westley to take the team on Thursday, but the defender knows the new
boss will be watching proceedings carefully. "At the minute, the Gaffer is
training with the other group in Cork and the lads are saying how good
training is," Tomkins confirmed. "All good managers have that presence. As
soon as they come into the room you can hear a pin drop at times and that is
the kind of presence he has got. "I have met him myself briefly and he's
really excited to be involved with us this year, he has stated that in the
press. I'm looking forward to working with him. "The manager is someone who
has made a great name for himself here. The fans loved him and he will be
warmly introduced to everyone on Thursday. "We are all looking forward to
working with him."
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Europa League live on whufc.com!
WHUFC.com
West Ham United are delighted to confirm that Thursday's UEFA Europa League
clash with FC Lusitans will be streamed live on whufc.com!
Supporters all over the world will be able to enjoy exclusive coverage of
the Hammers' first European match in nine years, completely FREE of charge
on the Official Website, brought to you by the Club's principal partners
Betway. The broadcast of the first qualifying round first leg meeting with
the Andorran club will begin at 7.30pm, enabling fans everywhere to enjoy
the build-up at a sold-out Boleyn Ground. With new manager Slaven Bilic also
set to be introduced to the crowd shortly before kick-off, the worldwide
Claret and Blue Army will be able to be part of the start of the historic
Farewell Boleyn season. Commentary will be provided by experienced UEFA
commentator Rob Daly, with expert analysis from former Hammers winger Stuart
Slater.
West Ham United Managing Director Angus Kinnear said he was delighted that
the Club's wider fanbase would be able to join 35,000 fans inside the
stadium in embarking on what will be a memorable 2015/16 campaign. "Everyone
at the Club has been bowled over by the amazing interest and enthusiasm
shown by supporters for what promises to be an emotional, unforgettable
season, starting with our UEFA Europa League visit of FC Lusitans" said
Kinnear. "Ever since the draw was made, we have been inundated with
enquiries about tickets from fans all over the world, and to completely sell
out the Boleyn Ground just shows what a special group our supporters are.
"For those unable to attend in person, we were determined to make sure our
fans were able to enjoy the game and, thanks to the backing of our principal
partner Betway, they will be able to do so on whufc.com, completely free of
charge. "A year from now we will be moving to our new Stadium and the
support for this fixture only reconfirms our confidence that we will be
roared on by 54,000 fans when we get there."
The Club's new digital platform was re-launched in February 2015, providing
users with a modern, fully-responsive website fit for a leading Barclays
Premier League club. By visiting whufc.com regularly, fans can enjoy
breaking news, views and the very latest exclusive behind-the-scenes
content, including free West Ham TV for all.
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Westley reveals Europa League line-up
WHUFC.com
The past, present and future will all be evident as West Ham United return
to European football at a sold-out Boleyn Ground on Thursday evening. The
Hammers kick-off the final season at their historic home by hosting Andorran
side FC Lusitans in the UEFA Europa League first qualifying round – the
Club's first European tie in nine years. Westley – taking the team on the
night at the request of new manager Slaven Bilic, who will watch from the
stands – revealed that 16-year-old Reece Oxford, 18-year-old Lewis Page and
summer signing Darren Randolph will be handed first-team debuts alongside
captain James Tomkins and fellow first-team stars Diafra Sakho, Morgan
Amalfitano, Matt Jarvis, Joey O'Brien and Mauro Zarate. Centre-back Reece
Burke and midfielder Diego Poyet will also be involved as West Ham embark on
an eleven-month Farewell Boleyn season in front of 35,000 fans, and Westley
says his players are relishing the experience. "This match is a vital
ingredient for their progression and that's all they crave – an opportunity
to play in this sort of match," Westley explained. "The team will be Darren
Randolph in goal, Joey O'Brien, James Tomkins as captain, Reece Burke who
has played the last five games in the Premier League, and a young Under-21
left-back Lewis Page, who we like. "In front of them will be Morgan
Amalfitano, Matt Jarvis, Diego Poyet and Reece Oxford at 16 years of age,
and up front Mauro Zarate and Diafra Sakho.
West Ham return to action just 39 days after the 2014/15 season ended at
Newcastle United, but Westley insists the Hammers are fresh, fit and
prepared for the challenge of facing a virtually unknown opponent in the
Andorran Primera Divisio runners-up. "The Club has been very pro-active and
the senior management team and myself as a coach have put the plans in place
for Europe and decided which players came back earlier and which ones
didn't," he explained. "We looked at players who have had injuries and
hadn't taken part in the latter part of last season and those who hadn't
played 15 first-team games and put a group together to report back on 22
June. "We had ten days to prepare for the game, while the work they were
sent home with for the summer was meant to keep them fit, so it was all put
in place to make it an easier transition when a new manager was put in
place. "We had a training camp and pre-season organised and it's worked
well. A group went over to Cork to prepare for this game and has flown back,
while the rest of the senior players have gone away with Slaven to prepare
for the start of the Premier League season."
While Westley will sit in the dugout, Bilic has been involved in the
planning for the Europa League opener since his return to east London three
weeks ago, and the Academy Manager expects the new boss to receive a
terrific welcome when he is introduced to the crowd on Thursday. "We've got
a match in front of 35,000 people who cannot wait to see the team, have not
seen European football for nearly ten years and cannot wait to see Slaven,"
he confirmed. "Slaven will be here, he has been with the team in Cork so he
knows the players and we have spoken about the team, so it's very much his
first game too. "There will be a full house and I think the reception Slaven
will get will be huge, even bigger than the one he or anyone else expects.
There is a really good atmosphere around the Club at the moment and I think
the place will be jumping."
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West Ham: Slaven Bilic to watch Lusitans Europa tie from stand
BBC.co.uk
Europa League first qualifying round: West Ham v Lusitans
Venue: Upton Park Date: Thursday, 2 July
Kick-off: 19:45 BST Coverage: Live radio commentary (UK only) on BBC London
94.9 and report on BBC Sport website
New West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic will not be in charge of the team
for Thursday's Europa League qualifier, with academy boss Terry Westley
naming the team to face Andorra's Lusitans. Bilic replaced Sam Allardyce
last month but will only be in the stands for the sell-out game at Upton
Park. The 46-year-old Croat will be introduced to the crowd on the pitch.
Westley has already named his team for the first leg, 40 days after the end
of the 2014-15 Premier League season. Several first-team regulars including
defender James Tomkins, midfielders Morgan Amalfitano and Matt Jarvis and
striker Diafra Sakho will start. West Ham, who finished 12th in the Premier
League under Allardyce last season, reached Europe through the Fair Play
League. They were awarded a place in the first qualifying round before
former Hammers defender Bilic was appointed. Former Luton and Derby manager
Westley said plans were put in place for the first qualifying round tie
before Bilic's arrival. "You find you're in Europe so someone has to put a
plan together," Westley, 55, added. "We've had to be proactive to put a plan
together very quickly as we didn't know whether we would be in Europe until
after the last game. 'We knew what the group would consist of. "It was to
make a smooth transition for when the manager was put in place."
Westley has been working with the squad available for Thursday's game for
the past 10 days. Highly-rated youngsters Reece Burke, Reece Oxford and
Lewis Page joined up with some senior players who missed the end of the
campaign through injury. The return leg against Lusitans, who finished
second in Andorra's top flight last season, takes place on 9 July. Lusitans,
founded in 1999, have competed in qualifying for the Champions League and
Europa League but have yet to win a European game.
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West Ham v Lusitanos preview: Hammers begin Europa League qualifying
campaign
Last Updated: 01/07/15 7:16pm
SSN
West Ham begin their 2015/16 campaign on Thursday evening when they host FC
Lusitanos in the first leg of their Europa League qualifier.
The Hammers enter in the first qualifying round by virtue of topping the
Fair Play League, and host the Andorran side in their first European tie in
nine years. New boss Slaven Bilic will not be taking the reins for the first
time, but will watch from the stands as academy manager Terry Westley takes
charge on Thursday. West Ham face a long road to reach the group stage of
the competition – if they see off Lusitanos over two legs they'll face two
more qualifying rounds before a final play-off to enter the competition
proper.
Team news
Westley has already revealed his team for Thursday evening's encounter, and
the Hammers have a mixture of youth and experience in their starting XI. New
signing Darren Randolph makes his debut in goal for the hosts, with
youngsters Lewis Page and Reece Oxford also handed first-team debuts. Diafra
Sakho and Mauro Zarate lead a strong attack, while James Tomkins will
captain the side from the centre of defence.
Opta facts
This will be the first-ever competitive meeting between an English and an
Andorran side.
West Ham are making their first foray in to Europe since 2006-07, when they
got knocked out of the UEFA Cup at the first round stage against Palermo.
West Ham have failed to find the net in each of their last four European
matches.
FC Lusitanos' previous record in European qualifiers is W0 D1 L7; scoring
just four goals and conceding 33.
Lusitanos have conceded at least five goals in all four of their previous
European qualifiers away from home.
Just one of the 46 European qualifying matches played by an Andorran side
since 2008/09 has seen them pick up a victory.
Betting
West Ham are just 1/100 to kick off their Europa League campaign with a
victory over rank outsiders FC Lusitanos. 4-0 and 5-0 are consider the most
likely scorelines in favour of the Hammers, who are considered 50/1 chances
to win the competition, the same price as their Andorran visitors are just
to win on the night. Diafra Sakho is the 9/4 favourite in the first
goalscorer market followed by Mauro Zarate at 5/2, while Alfi Conteh is
rated the visitors' biggest threat at 18/1 to net first.
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Tonks to lead young West Ham side into Europe
KUMb.com
Filed: Wednesday, 1st July 2015
By: Staff Writer
James Tomkins will lead West Ham United as captain for the first time when
FC Lusitanos visit Upton Park on Thursday evening. The 25-year-old central
defender has been handed the role ahead of West Ham's first sojourn into
European competition for the first time in eight years. Tomkins will lead an
extremely young team against the Andorran side, in front of a capacity crowd
at the Boleyn Ground. Howver a number of established first first team
players - including Diafra Sakho, Matt Jarvis and Joey O'Brien - will also
be involved.
Although Slaven Bilic will be present at the ground the team will be led by
new Academy director Terry Westley, who recently ousted club legend Tony
Carr from the post. Speaking this morning, Westley admitted that his team
had been put together fairly hastily. "We've had to be proactive to put a
plan together very quickly as we didn't know whether we would be in Europe
until after the last game," he said. "Our preparations in Cork have gone
very well. We've got some very exciting young players coming through. Lewis
Page and Reece Oxford will get their opportunities tomorrow. "Blooding young
players is crucial. Lewis and Reece haven't played for the first team yet.
We've got other players on the bench too."
The confirmed starting XI for tomorrow night's game is as follows: Darren
Randolph; Joey O'Brien, James Tomkins, Reece Burke, Reece Oxford, Lewis
Page; Morgan Amalfitano, Diego Poyet, Matt Jarvis; Diafra Sakho, Mauro
Zarate.
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James Tomkins hails 'huge honour'
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 1st July 2015
By: Staff Writer
James Tomkins says that to captain West Ham for the first time against FC
Lusitanos tomorrow night will be "a huge honour". The 26-year-old defender
has been named skipper for the first leg of the Europa League first round
qualifying tie against FC Lusitanos of Andorra. And despite giving up his
annual holiday to do so, Tomkins admits that captaining the club in front of
a packed Boleyn crowd makes it all worthwhile. "I'm very excited to play in
Europe. It's my first time, and to be captain is obviously a huge honour,"
he told the media this morning. "Not many teams can sell out a Europa League
fixture, but we have and that's excellent. It shows the passion our fans
have for Europe. Normally I'd be on holiday, but I'd much rather be playing.
"I can't wait to get going again. As this is the last season at Upton Park
we want to make it as special as possible and the Europa League is a great
way of doing that."
Tomkins - who has been with West Ham since being spotted at the age of seven
- also revealed that he was pleased by the new managerial appointment - even
if Slaven Bilic will merely be an interested onlooker tomorrow night. "He's
obviously a very popular figure here at West Ham," said Tomkins, "and I'm
looking forward to working with him."
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Hammers to stream tomorrow's game on WHTV
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on July 1, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H
UEFA LEagueThe club has confirmed that tomorrow night's game against FC
Lusitans will be streamed live on whufc.com!
The broadcast of the first qualifying round first leg meeting with the
Andorran club will begin at 7.30pm, enabling fans everywhere to enjoy the
build-up.
Commentary will be provided by experienced UEFA commentator Rob Daly, with
expert analysis from former Hammers winger Stuart Slater.
West Ham United Managing Director Angus Kinnear said he was delighted that
the Club's wider fanbase would be able to join 35,000 fans inside the
stadium in embarking on what will be a memorable 2015/16 campaign.
"Everyone at the Club has been bowled over by the amazing interest and
enthusiasm shown by supporters for what promises to be an emotional,
unforgettable season, starting with our UEFA Europa League visit of FC
Lusitans" said Kinnear.
"Ever since the draw was made, we have been inundated with enquiries about
tickets from fans all over the world, and to completely sell out the Boleyn
Ground just shows what a special group our supporters are.
"For those unable to attend in person, we were determined to make sure our
fans were able to enjoy the game and, thanks to the backing of our principal
partner Betway, they will be able to do so on whufc.com, completely free of
charge.
"A year from now we will be moving to our new Stadium and the support for
this fixture only reconfirms our confidence that we will be roared on by
54,000 fans when we get there."
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Europa league game could yet be screened live
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 30, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H
Negotiations are said to ongoing whether Thursday night's Europa League game
against will be televised LIVE on TV. West Ham Media officer Rob Pritchard
was asked on social media on Tuesday night whether Thursday's game will be
broadcast LIVE on TV he replied: "Discussions are ongoing. We will announce
as soon as confirmed on official platforms" BT Sport won the UK TV rights
for both UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League football, following a
tender process in which BT won the exclusive live broadcast rights after
paying £897 million to televise all 351 matches from both tournaments. The
rights run for three seasons from 2015/16. The match sold out today to
35,000 West Ham fans but many more are desperate to watch the Hammers first
game in Europe for nine years.
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Slaven in stands for Lusitans!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on July 1, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H
Academy manager Terry Westley (right) will take charge of the team for
tomorrow night's Europa Cup clash against Lusitans. Slave Bilic was expected
to take the team against the Andorran league runners-up in the first leg of
the first qualifying round but he is currently in Ireland, where he is
overseeing a training camp with some of the club's first-team players.
But according to national reports he will return for the tie at Upton Park
but it will be Westley who is in charge in the dugout. The lineup will be
made up of a mixture of first-team players and under-21s. Bilic is expected
to watch from the stands. Westley said: "When there was a change in
management at the end of last season and we knew that we had qualified for
Europe [via the Fair Play League], we couldn't just sit back and not do
anything. We had to put plans in place. " It will be a privilege and an
honour to play a role on Thursday and when you think the game will be a
sellout, it shows that it has caught the imagination of everyone. "I see my
role as helping Slaven integrate with the group and the team, making that
transition as smooth as possible and he will come back for the game on
Thursday. He's the manager. "He's very interested in seeing some of the
younger players and he's also got some senior players in this team, who will
be part of his squad that he'll want to keep a close eye on. He will be with
the team and in the dressing room and a big part of what we're trying to do
on Thursday. "We're doing all we can to support him and our job is to get
over the first qualifying round. With the manager integrating his staff
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DG: "This is a fantastic moment for everybody"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on July 1, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H
David Gold has hailed tomorrow evening (Thurs) as a massive moment for the
co owners and fans – particularly those who have never enjoyed a European
night under the Boleyn lights.
And although Lusiantos are hardly the strongest opposition in the world he
believes a sell-out crowd is a triumph of hope and optimism for the West Ham
faithful. He said:"It's a fantastic moment particularly for all of those
youngsters and other fans who have never been here before. It's a special
moment for David and myself as we have never been involved in European
football. It will be a special night for us both. "The fans have clearly
made this an even by snapping up every ticket. There really is a new air
around the club and we are looking to get a big result."Although Lusiantos
are hardly a world power we will treat them with respect as they will want
to make an impression on what they will see as very big opposition." Looking
ahead to the Premier League campaign he said:"I believe West Ham are at the
start of something very big – we want the big five looking over their
shoulders and saying: "Watch it West Ham are coming for us."
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Oxford to break Hammers 93 year old record
Posted by Sean Whetstone on July 1, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H
Young Hammer Reece Oxford will enter the West Ham record books as the
youngest ever first team player at 16 years and 198 days when he takes to
the field tomorrow in the Europa League first leg tie. Oxford will beat the
previously record set 93 years ago when Billy Williams debuted against
Blackpool on 6th May 1922. Oxford signed his first professional contract
earlier this season, snubbing interest from many of the Premier League's big
names. The central defender has been likened to Rio Ferdinand and has been
tipped to be a future England international.
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Slaven Bilic's decision to watch West Ham's Europa League opener from stands
defended by academy boss
Evening STandard
VAISHALI BHARDWAJ
Published: 01 July 2015 Updated: 14:14, 01 July 2015
New West Ham coach Slaven Bilic will watch the club's opening Europa League
game against Andorran side FC Lusitans from the stands, a decision that has
been defended by academy manager Terry Westley. The Hammers will play
Lusitans in the first-leg of their first qualifying round tie at the Boleyn
Ground on Thursday after being awarded a place in the Europa League for
topping the Premier League Fair Play table last season. Bilic - who was
confirmed as the east London side's new manager in early June - has spent
the past week in Ireland overseeing a training camp with the squad. Players
involved in the game against Lusitans returned to London on Tuesday while
Bilic stayed behind to continue working with senior members of the squad,
although he is expected to fly back to watch the team's Europa League
opener. With Westley filling in on Bilic's behalf, the academy manager has
defended the former Croatia coach's decision to delay taking charge of his
first game at Upton Park despite a sell-out crowd expected on Thursday. "You
find you're in Europe so someone has to put a plan together," he said.
"We've had to be proactive to put a plan together very quickly as we didn't
know whether we would be in Europe until after the last game "We knew what
the group would consist of. It was to make a smooth transition for when the
manager was put in place." Although he will not be in the dugout for the
game against Lusitans, Bilic revealed he wanted the team to do well in the
Europa League. However, the 46-year-old admitted he would not risk the club
having a poor start to the Premier League season as a result of their
European commitments.
The Hammers will play Arsenal in their opening match of the new domestic
campaign at the Emirates Stadium on August 8
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West Ham boss Slaven Bilic: We are hungry for Europa League despite early
start
Evening Standard
KEN DYER
Published: 01 July 2015 Updated: 11:40, 01 July 2015
Shirley Austin has seen 10 managers come and go at West Ham during 35 years
working in the players' restaurant. So what does she think about manager
No11 — Slaven Bilic "I liked him when he was a player here," says Shirley.
"He was popular, considerate. He even gave me one of his Croatia shirts — I
still have it somewhere." Time will tell if Bilic, a West Ham centre-half
from 1996-97, will be as popular this time. The 46-year-old has little time
to make sure his feet are comfortably under the table. Bilic's first match
in charge is tomorrow, when West Ham host Andorran side FC Lusitans in the
first qualifying round of the Europa League — and he is excited about the
challenges ahead. "We will treat the Europa League with respect," says
Bilic. "It's great for the club, great for the fans, great for the players —
everybody. "We have to start very early, though, and we won't jeopardise our
preparation for the start of the Premier League on August 8. We have to be
careful. We are favourites against Lusitans and it will be a good chance for
some who do not play regularly — and some youngsters. "We are hungry for
European nights, especially at Upton Park, but we must be very careful not
to call upon players who played so many games last season. It would maybe be
good at the start of the season but by the end it would be totally negative.
We are going to find the balance."
Bilic spent the weekend assessing part of his squad during a camp in Ireland
which involved a mixture of development and senior players. Most of the rest
of the squad resumed training this week and Bilic expects all to be at peak
fitness in time for the opening match in the Premier League, at Arsenal.
The FA Cup holders strengthened this week by signing goalkeeper Petr Cech
from Chelsea and more arrivals will follow before the season kicks off.
"It's a very difficult start but, on the other hand, it is good," says
Bilic. "This League is well known for the fact that there are no easy games
here. "Our first three away games are Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester
City. Our first three home games are Leicester, Bournemouth and Newcastle
which are also difficult — but perhaps promising. "I'm happy. We have a
great game with which to start — Arsenal away — and history says it is
better to play them now than November. "It is not extremely difficult, it is
not extremely light. It could be better but this is the Premier League and
sooner or later we have to play all the teams twice." Since retiring as a
player, Bilic is best known for leading Croatia to the quarter-finals of
Euro 2008 and he has also managed three clubs, Besiktas in Turkey being his
last.
Bilic is a manager who embraces the modern game yet you sense it is
tradition and history which really matter to him. "It brought back good
memories, coming back to Chadwell Heath after all that time," says Bilic
(right). "Shirley is still here — unbelievable! It is a lot different to 20
years ago. It is good — very traditional, it's got something and I like
that.
"You have to find the balance between the stuff you need in modern football
like sports science but also it is important not to lose touch with football
— the smell of the pitch, even the canteen. "My over-riding emotion now is
excitement. This is a great League and this is my club, a great club. Don't
get me wrong. I enjoyed my two years in Turkey immensely — I can only
imagine that this will be like it was there. "After Besiktas, though, this
is the place I wanted to be and I'm so glad, so proud — I can't wait."
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TV / Live stream update - West Ham vs FC Lusitans
by WHUFCTV.com on July 1st, 2015
West Ham may only be playing little known Andorran side FC Lusitans on
Thursday night, but the match at Upton Park is already a sell-out The
impressive ticket sales along with thousands of fans asking the club (and
us) if the game is being show live, has caused some late panic at Upton Park
as the club attempt to get the game shown live to fans who can't make it to
Upton Park on Thursday evening. Reports emerged late last night that claim
talks are ongoing between the club and a television broadcaster and
television broadcaster BT Sport, to try and get the game shown live on tele.
But WHUFCTV.com understands that although BT Sport now own the rights to
televise all 351 matches from both the Europa League and Champions League
competitions ?from 2015/16, the rights to the first qualifying round belong
to the home side.
Also, the ever reliable @ExWHUemployee has revealed to us that the club are
attempting to have Thursday's game against ?FC Lusitans broadcast live on
the club's official website. Ex confirmed that there has been discussions at
the club to have the game show on TV, but this is now believed to be
unlikely unless a TV broadcaster realises that the demand for the game is
extremely high.
An announcement either way is expected from the club today (Wednesday) to
let fans who can't make it to The Boleyn Ground on Thursday night know if
they will be able to watch the game.
If all else fails, you can listen to the game live on BBC London 94.9.
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