Monday, August 31

Daily WHUFC News - 31 August 2015

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Loan round up
Whufc.com

 
Reece Burke played the full game of Bradford City's crucial 1-0 win over Port Vale. The win, Bradford's first of the season, came on Burke's full home debut for the Bantams.

In front of more than 17,000 fans, substitute Devante Cole, who had a trial at West Ham during the summer, scored in the 90th minute much to the delight of the home fans.

The win lifts Bradford out of the relegation zone and into 16th place while Burke has been called up into the England U20 squad to play Czech Republic on Monday 7 September.

Diego Poyet also played the full 90 against Birmingham City as the MK Dons slipped to a 2-0 home defeat.

Despite dominating possession with 68%, it was City, who remain unbeaten this term who secured the three points with two second half goals from Stephen Gleeson and Jacques Maghoma.

Reflecting on the defeat, Dons' manager Karl Robinson said: "We huffed and puffed in the second half and we got into better positions than we have done all season but we don't want to shoot."

Now 11th, their next game is away at Middlesbrough on Saturday 12 September.

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On this day - 31 August
Whufc.com

West Ham United 4-0 West Bromwich Albion
31 August 1968
Division One

West Ham United wrapped up a third successive league win with an emphatic victory over West Bromwich Albion on this day 47 years ago.

Having put five past Burnley just five days earlier at the Boleyn Ground, the Hammers again romped home, with midfielder Martin Peters taking home the match ball.

For Peters, this hat-trick extended an exceptional goal-scoring streak, with some six goals in his last four outings. Fellow midfielder Harry Redknapp was also on target, as Ron Greenwood's side, now third in the standings, made it five league wins out of seven in the new campaign.

Incidentally, their fine form in front of goal continued four days later, when second-division Bolton Wanderers came a cropper at the Boleyn Ground in the League Cup. This time it was Geoff Hurst who did the damage, netting three times in a thumping 7-2 success.

Complete record - 31 August

1925 West Ham United 3-1 Cardiff City (Division One)
1929 Blackburn Rovers 3-3 West Ham United (Division One)
1931 West Ham United 3-1 Chelsea (Division One)
1935 Norwich City 4-3 West Ham United (Division Two)
1936 West Ham United 0-2 Newcastle United (Division Two)
1946 Plymouth Argyle 3-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1949 Leeds United 2-2 West Ham United (Division Two)
1953 West Ham United 3-0 Rotherham United (Division Two)
1957 Bristol Rovers 2-3 West Ham United (Division Two)
1959 West Ham United 2-1 Preston North End (Division One)
1968 West Ham United 4-0 West Bromwich Albion (Division One)
1970 West Ham United 1-1 Southampton (Division One)
1974 Newcastle United 2-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1982 Luton Town 0-2 West Ham United (Division One)
1985 West Ham United 2-2 Liverpool (Division One)
1987 Portsmouth 2-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1991 West Ham United 0-2 Notts County (Division One)
1994 West Ham United 1-3 Newcastle United (Premier League)
2002 West Ham United 0-2 Charlton Athletic (Premier League)
2013 West Ham United 0-1 Stoke City (Premier League)

Played 20, Won 7, Drawn 4, Lost 9, Scored 34, Conceded 34

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Boleyn Insider
Whufc.com

With the transfer window set to close on Tuesday I have exciting news regarding the arrival of more new signings.

Despite seeing the team come away with a memorable 3-0 win over Liverpool on Saturday, the Club's board are determined to make the squad even stronger and are hoping to bring in some exciting new players over the next two days.

My sources have told me that the Club expect between two and four new signings to arrive at the Boleyn Ground in the next 48 hours.

Keep visiting the West Ham United website where you will get the news first along with all the exclusive interviews with the new players.
 

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From the Terraces - Mark Carlaw
Whufc.com

A delighted Mark Carlaw blogs on Saturday's win at Liverpool...

When I was asked by the club on Friday to write a piece following our trip to Liverpool this weekend my response was: 'couldn't you give me a game we actually might win?!'

And even now, it still hasn't quite sunk in. West Ham have beaten Liverpool, at Anfield! 52 years in the making, and let's be honest - it was worth the wait!

Much like our showing at the Emirates on the opening day we got everything right on Merseyside - there was not one player who didn't put in 100 percent. Exactly the type of attitude and commitment we need from our players if we want to become a force in this league.

One player who deserves a special mention has to be Manuel Lanzini, who put in a mouth watering display showing just why Bilic added him to our ranks this summer. The upgrade in quality this season is evident - what we need now to to start delivering on consistency.

Although it's fair to say these opening four games haven't exactly all gone to plan, to have won both our away games so far, against sides who are competing for Champions League spots shows that something special is happening in east London.

Since the arrival of Slaven Bilic there is definitely a different feel about the club - we're all behind him, all United - and I believe once we can get that consistency addressed in our performances, we could be counting ourselves as a top six side in the Premier League in the very near future.

I like most will enjoy this Bank Holiday weekend all the more now, knowing three points were secured against a side most of us haven't seen us win away at in our lifetime before yesterday. It's capped off the week nicely!

This week however we did see the departure of Kevin Nolan, and I think our former captain deserves a mention. Kevin was a great leader for us, and one I'll forever be greatful for in helping us regain our Premier League status - and keep it.

Like all, I wish him all the very best.

Now - time to enjoy the long weekend and celebrate yesterday's result some more!

COYI

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Sakho thrilled with Liverpool goal
Whufc.com

Diafra Sakho was thrilled to open his Barclays Premier League account for the season on an unforgettable day for the Hammers at Liverpool.

Sakho's 90th minute goal set the seal on a stunning 3-0 victory for the Hammers – their first victory at the home of the Reds since 1963.

The Senegal man's strike followed first half goals from Manuel Lanzini and Mark Noble, leaving him delighted for all the team.

"It was very important for the team, and for me as well," he explained. "I'm very happy for the team as every player gave their all and winning 3-0 at Anfield after not winning here for a long time is a great feeling.

"It is very hard to play at Anfield, but we've come here, kept a clean sheet and won 3-0. The last two games at home were not brilliant, so we needed a result.

"We've had two away games and won them both, so now we need to win at home too."

Sakho may have ploughed a lone furrow up front, but he was ably assisted by the likes of Lanzini and Dimitri Payet, meaning the Hammers carried a constant threat.

 "Playing at a Liverpool or an Arsenal is very hard for a striker," Sakho continued. "You don't touch the ball as often as in other matches and I have to defend for the team.

"But I scored a goal at the end and that was important for me and the team. Now I want to score more goals."

Next for Sakho are a brace of international games for Senegal and he is looking forward to representing his country again for the first time in 2015.

He added: "I'm linking up with the Senegal squad now with Cheikhou for games in Namibia and South Africa.

"It's important for me, my comeback for Senegal after the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.

"It's important for me and my family and I'm happy to go and try for Senegal again."


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Ladies host home opener
Whufc.com

West Ham Ladies play their first home game of the season in the FA Women's Premier League Cup Determining Round on Sunday afternoon.

Kick-off is at 2pm at AFC Hornchurch and entry is £5 for Adults and £1 for Kids.

The Ladies have a number of things lined up for fans, alongside what the club hopes will be a winning start to life at their new home! Bubbles The Bear is set to be there, as are local Hornchurch-based all-girls marching band Haverettes, who have learnt I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles especially for the occasion!

The club have produced a smart new 16-page Programme to mark the kick-off to what they hope will be a successful 2015/16 campaign.

If you cannot make it to AFC Hornchurch, then live updates will be available on Twitter throughout the day, with post-match video interviews and match highlights set to appear on the Ladies' YouTube Channel.

So, rather than sit at home and watch football on television, head down to AFC Hornchurch and cheer the girls on!


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Nikica Jelavic: West Ham set to sign Hull City striker
BBC Sport

West Ham have had a bid worth up to £3m for striker Nikica Jelavic accepted by Championship side Hull City.

The Croatia international is in London for a medical with the Premier League club.

He scored 13 goals in 50 appearances for the Tigers, who were relegated from the top flight last season.

The move would see Jelavic, 30, reunited with Hammers boss Slaven Bilic, who was Croatia manager from 2006 until 2012.

Former Rangers striker Jelavic joined Hull City from Everton in January 2014.

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Moses to undergo medical ahead of West Ham switch
Kumb.com

Victor Moses is set to undergo a medical today ahead of a season-long loan move from Chelsea.


The Nigerian international is poised to join West Ham in what will be his third successive spell on loan, following time spent at Liverpool and last season, with Stoke City.

Moses, 24, moved to Stamford Bridge from Wigan Athletic in 2012 for a fee in the region of £9million. A winger by trade, he began his career at Crystal Palace before moving to the DW stadium in 2010.

Moses is one of at least two players West Ham will bring in ahead of tomorrow's UK transfer window deadline - the other being Nikica Jelavic, who KUMB exclusively revealed last week was on his way to the Boleyn Ground.

The Hammers are also keen on tying up a deal for FC Midtjylland's Pione Sisto ahead of tomorrow's deadline, whilst hopes of landing Alex Song have not completely expired.

Meanwhile United's bid for Javier Hernandez is dead in the water after the player opted to move instead to Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen.

West Ham opted against moving for the Mexican international after being told he wanted a £5million annual salary.

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West Ham agree deal to sign Nikica Jelavic from Hull City
Skysports.com

Nikica Jelavic will undergo a medical ahead of a switch to West Ham

West Ham have agreed a fee with Hull City for Croatian striker Nikica Jelavic, according to Sky sources.

The 30-year-old will undergo a medical with West Ham on Monday ahead of a move to Upton Park, where he will team-up with his former Croatia manager Slaven Bilic.  

Jelavic joined Hull in January 2014 and scored 13 goals in 50 appearances for the club, but was unable to prevent the Tigers from suffering relegation from the Premier League last season.


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Victor Moses to join West Ham on loan from Chelsea, according to Sky Sources
Skysports.com

Chelsea winger Victor Moses will join West Ham on loan before the transfer window closes on Tuesday, according to Sky Sources.

The Nigerian international arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2012 but has spent time on loan at Liverpool and Stoke since then.

The 24-year-old, who joined Chelsea from Wigan, did make an appearance for the Blues in their Community Shield loss to Arsenal at Wembley, replacing John Terry in the latter stages.

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West Ham pull plug on Javier Hernandez deal after striker demands £90,000 per GOAL
Mirror.co.uk

The Hammers are instead set to complete deals for Hull striker Nikica Jelavic and Chelsea winger Victor Moses

Demands: Hernandez wanted £90,000 per goal at West Ham

West Ham pulled the plug on a move for Javier Hernandez after the striker demanded a "ludicrous" contract including a bonus of £90,000 per goal.

The Hammers are instead set to complete deals for Hull striker Nikica Jelavic and Chelsea winger Victor Moses. They are also continuing to target wingers Michail Antonio at Nottingham Forest and Pione Sisto FC Midtjylland.

Hernandez was told he could quit Manchester United over the weekend. He is expected to join German club Bayer Leverkusen for £12million.

The 27-year-old Mexican held talks beforehand with the Hammers who had chased him for most of the summer.

But he left them stunned with his request for a contract worth £100,000-a-week basic - and that amount was a rise on figures discussed in preliminary talks.

A source said: "To say that it was unrealistic is an understatement. It was just a deal that could not be done."

Jelavic, 30 has emerged as a target as he used to play for West Ham boss Slaven Bilic with the Croatian national team.

Moses, 27, impressed at Chelsea during pre-season but has not figured in any of the club's Premier League squads so far.

Forest say they will not sell Antonio for less than £8million and a player on loan. West Ham - ready to offer £5million - are hoping to reach a compromise.

The Irons are also keen on Sisto, a dynamic winger who can play on either side and is keen on a move to the Premier League.


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Leroy: Straight red good news for Noble
claretandhugh

The discussion over Mark Noble's red card has been held and the outcome is unanimous – it has to be rescinded.

And the good news is that having received that, rather than two yellows, he has every chance of seeing referee Kevin Friend's horrendous decision turned round.

There's no appeal for two yellows but a straight red means the club has every right to do so and for the sake of football they have to win. It was a terrible decision.

It wasn't a foul…he didn't touch Danny Ings but the former Burnley man's reaction was awful and I wonder if retrospective action will taken against him for such awful play acting. It should be!

We had no real chance of seeing Adrian's red card overturned but for the good of the game, Mark Noble, West Ham and our fans this has to be overturned.

It was wrong and Danny Ings was the main offender.


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Moses loan: The massive financial details
Claretandhugh

West Ham are close to clinching a seriously pricey deal for Victor Moses.

As ClaretandHugh revealed last night via a top club insider, this is to be a "very very expensive" loan deal.

And just how expensive has been exclusively revealed to us this morning as the Hammers and Chelsea prepare to put the finishing touches to the package.

The same club insider told us: " The deal exceeds £5.5m for a year with wages, Chelsea turned down £9m from us to make it a permanent signing saying they wanted £15m.

"We are paying wages of £70k a week and a loan fee of £2.5k million

"Its gone mad because when we started the deal we offered £6 million but we were told the price was £10 million. The longer we have negotiated the steeper it has got."


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Expect between two to four new signings
claretandhugh

The Boleyn Insider has told his readers:

"With the transfer window set to close on Tuesday I have exciting news regarding the arrival of more new signings.

Despite seeing the team come away with a memorable 3-0 win over Liverpool on Saturday, the Club's board are determined to make the squad even stronger and are hoping to bring in some exciting new players over the next two days.

My sources have told me that the Club expect between two and four new signings to arrive at the Boleyn Ground in the next 48 hours."

Those most likely four names in the frame are believed to be Chelsea winger Victor Moses on loan, Croatian Striker Nikica Jelavić from Hull,  Alex Song from Barcelona subject a second medical and Pione Sisto from FC Midtjylland.

But who knows there may be some twists and turns and last minute surprises on transfer deadline day.


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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

 

Sunday, August 30

Daily WHUFC News - 30th August 2015

Ladies host home opener

West Ham Ladies play their first home game of the season in the FA Women's Premier League Cup Determining Round on Sunday afternoon.

Kick-off is at 2pm at AFC Hornchurch and entry is £5 for Adults and £1 for Kids. 

The Ladies have a number of things lined up for fans, alongside what the club hopes will be a winning start to life at their new home! Bubbles The Bear is set to be there, as are local Hornchurch-based all-girls marching band Haverettes, who have learnt I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles especially for the occasion!

The club have produced a smart new 16-page Programme to mark the kick-off to what they hope will be a successful 2015/16 campaign.

If you cannot make it to AFC Hornchurch, then live updates will be available on Twitter throughout the day, with post-match video interviews and match highlights set to appear on the Ladies' YouTube Channel.

So, rather than sit at home and watch football on television, head down to AFC Hornchurch and cheer the girls on!
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Liverpool 0-3 West Ham United

Liverpool 0-3 West Ham United

West Ham United secured their second historic win of the season with a dominant 3-0 win at Anfield.

In a terrific display from every Hammer out there, goals from Manuel Lanzini, Mark Noble and Diafra Sakho broke the 62 year barren run. Added to that a red card apiece and this game really had a bit of everything.

The players walked out to a terrific atmosphere which by kick off was reaching fever pitch and the game that unfolded more than lived up to the pre-match atmosphere.

Slaven Bilic made two changes to the side that lost to Bournemouth a week earlier, James Tomkins replaced the suspended Carl Jenkinson while Manuel Lanzini made his first Premier League start.

Bilic's decision to blood the young Argentinian paid dividends immediately as the winger latched onto Aaron Cresswell's cross-come-shot, rolling it past Simon Mignolet from close range after just three minutes. The already boisterous away support was sent into near delirium.

The hosts refused to be cowed and responded strongly. Roberto Firmino forced Darren Randolph into a smart save with a curling effort before Christian Benteke's appeal for a penalty was turned down.  

Buoyed by taking the lead the Hammers continued to press. Twice arrowed crosses toward Sakho were headed away just as the Senegalese was about to pounce.

Much like at Arsenal, Liverpool enjoyed the majority of possession, however the Hammers stood firm, staying compact, happy to soak up the pressure. Much like at Arsenal, West Ham won.

Bilic's tactics appeared to work as the Hammers almost caught the Reds out with a sucker-punch counter attack. Payet raced away with Kouyate offering support down the left wing. The ball eventually fell to Aaron Cresswell, on the edge of the box however his effort flew narrowly over the bar. 
   
The Claret and Blues doubled their lead just shy of the half hour mark as Lanzini robbed a backpedalling Dejan Lovren, he burst into the box and tried to lay off Sakho. A desperate block presented Mark Noble with a golden opportunity; the captain kept his composure to place in it the far corner, triggering scenes of pure pandemonium in the away end.   

A dogged and determined display by the boys in electric blue maintained their lead into the midway point.

The second half was just as high octane. Brendan Rodgers shuffled his pack by switching to 3-5-2. The Reds started with much more intent and purpose however their wings were somewhat clipped when Philippe Coutinho received a second booking for an ill-judged challenge on Payet. The Anfield crowd booed and brayed but the Brazilian's reaction told its own story.

Rodgers responded by bringing on Danny Ings yet Liverpool's never-say-die-attitude could do nothing to ware away at the Hammers' resolve. To a man they were simply superb.

Almost unrecognisable from the defeat to the Cherries a week ago, Reid and Ogbonna were titans at the back while Pedro Obiang the unsung hero.

Bilic's men pressed and harried, making good use of their extra man. Cresswell and Reid went close to putting the game to bed, the left-back's effort stung Mignolet's palms while the New Zealand international was inches away with a towering header.

With ten minutes remaining Noble was controversially given a straight red card for a fulsome tackle. Neither he nor his teammates could believe their eyes.   

Nevertheless, the Hammers carried on unperturbed. Reece Oxford and Josh Cullen, making his Premier League bow, reinforced tiring legs. Initially a doubt before the match, Sakho put the Hammers into dreamland by netting a third, slotting coolly past Mignolet.

3-0 away at Anfield. A day no one connected to West Ham will ever forget.

Liverpool: Mignolet, Clyne, Lovren, Milner ©, Benteke, Coutinho, Firmino (Ings 60), Gomez (Ibe 78), Lucas, Can (Moreno 46), Skrtel
Subs: Bogdan, Sakho, Origi, Rossiter

Bookings: Coutinho, Lucas

Sent Off: Coutinho
 
West Ham United: Randolph, Reid, Cresswell, Tomkins, Kouyate, Obiang, Sakho (Cullen 93), Noble ©, Ogbonna, Payet (Jarvis 88), Lanzini (Oxford 82)
Subs: Spiegel, Lee, Samuelsen, Knoyle

Bookings: Noble, Lanzini

Goals: Lanzini 3, Noble 29, Sakho 90+2

Sent Off: Noble

Referee: Kevin Friend

Attendance: 43,680
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Doctor Who, JFK & Beatlemania - West Ham's last win at Anfield

Before this weekend, the last time West Ham won at Liverpool in the league The Beatles were top of the charts, You'll Never Walk Alone was just a Broadway musical number and President John F Kennedy was drawing up plans for a fateful trip to Texas.

An impressive 3-0 win on Saturday finally broke the Hammers' 52-year hoodoo as they celebrated a first success at Anfield since 14 September 1963.
Martin Peters and Geoff Hurst - who three years later would become England's World Cup heroes by combining for all four goals in the final against West Germany - were on the scoresheet in a 2-1 win in the old First Division. 
It's safe to say it was a very different world back in 1963, and here's just a few reasons why:

It was before an iconic anthem became famous

A packed Anfield Kop booming out a rendition of club anthem You'll Never Walk Alone is one of football's most evocative sights
Yet when West Ham recorded that win back in 1963, Liverpool fans had yet to adopt the song, which at that point was famous only as a catchy tune in the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Carousel. 
It would take a reworking by Merseybeat group Gerry and the Pacemakers to elevate to the number to cult status at Anfield, the band releasing the single in October 1963 - just a matter of weeks after West Ham's victory.
Elsewhere in the 1963 music scene, Liverpool band The Beatles had only recently risen to prominence and were number one in the music charts at the time of the game with She Loves You - a song that would go on to be the Fab Four's biggest-selling single in the UK.
As an aside, just 24 hours after the Hammers condemned Liverpool to defeat, The Beatles played on the same bill as The Rolling Stones at 'The Great Pop Prom' at London's Royal Albert Hall  - the first of just two occasions when the giants of British music would play the same venue together.

Top five songs in the UK charts on 14 Sept 1963

1. She Loves You - The Beatles 
2. It's All In The Game - Cliff Richard
3. Bad To Me - Billy J Kramer & The Dakotas 
4. I'll Never Get Over You - Johnny Kidd & The Pirates 
5. I'm Telling You Now - Freddie and the Dreamers

It was before a time-travelling police box

In September 1963 the backs of sofas had yet to be fully explored by children as cult BBC series Doctor Who was still two months away from being broadcast for the first time. 
The Doctor, his Tardis and his myriad foes were unleashed on the world on 23 November with the transmission of the very first episode, 'An Unearthly Child'. William Hartnell portrayed the first Doctor in 1963The series remains a Saturday night staple 52 years on, with 12 actors having portrayed the Doctor and more that 800 episodes broadcast.

It was before a major moment in world history

On 13 September 1963 - one day before West Ham left the Anfield pitch to cheers from the travelling fans - the White House confirmed in a press release that US president John F. Kennedy would be making a trip to Dallas, Texas later in the year. 
It did not specify a date but sometime in late November seemed the most likely.
Two months later, on 22 November, Kennedy was assassinated while travelling in a presidential motorcade through Dealey Plaza in downtown Dallas, sending shockwaves around the world. 

It was before Liverpool ended a title drought

For those Liverpool fans who are a bit disappointed with Saturday's defeat, you might be able to console yourselves with this fact.
After that defeat by the Hammers in 1963, the then Liverpool manager Bill Shankly famously said to the club's directors: "Gentlemen, I assure you that before the end of the season we will win a game at home."They ultimately did much more than that as they went on to the win the league by four points from nearest challengers Manchester United.
The Reds famously celebrated their victory by parading a papier mache version of the league trophy around Anfield (above) after local rivals and erstwhile champions Everton refused to hand over the original directly, instead insisting on returning it to the Football League first.
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Filed: Sunday, 30th August 2015
By: Staff Writer


Hull City forward Nikica Jelavic is expected to complete a move to West Ham within the next 24 hours.

The 30-year-old striker has arrived in London for talks and a medical ahead of his proposed move to West Ham ahead of Tuesday night's transfer window, KUMB has learned.

Jelavic's arrival also means that West Ham's move for Tottenham's out-of-favour forward Emmanuel Adebayor may not now go ahead as planned.

West Ham and are Tottenham chiefs are currently wrangling over who will pay what percentage of Adebayor's extortionate £100,000-per-week wages.

Whilst the Hammers are willing to pay around half of that to secure the 31-year-old on loan for the season, Spurs are unwilling to do business unless a club takes on all - or most - of the Togo international's salary.


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Filed: Saturday, 29th August 2015
By: Staff Writer


James Collins missed today's 3-0 win at Liverpool not because he's on his way out of the club - but because his wife was giving birth to their second child.

Rumours that the 32-year-old was set to depart the Boleyn Ground spread like wildfire this afternoon when it was revealed that Collins had not been included in Slaven Bilic's 18-man match day squad.

However instead of rejoicing with the rest of his team mates on the day West Ham's Anfield hoodoo was finally laid to rest, the centre half was celebrating twice over at home.

The Welsh international had planned to dash from hospital to Liverpool in time to take his place in today's record-breaking match day squad, but unfortunately nature decreed that that particular opportunity was not available.

And that meant a mad dash up the motorway this morning for Academy full-back Kyle Knoyle - who featured for the Under 21s in last night's 5-0 thrashing by Arsenal at the Emirates - so that he could take Collins' place on the bench at Anfield.


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A GREAT VICTORY AT ANFIELD, NOW FOR UNFINISHED TRANSFER BUSINESS!

 By S J Chandos      30 Aug 2015 at 08:00      223 comments

Well, what a great feeling, the 52 year hoodoo has finally been laid to rest and West Ham fans are thoroughly enjoying the moment. It was a formidable display of defensive solidarity and counter-attacking play. The nature of the job that we did on Liverpool is reflected in the fact that although they had the lion's share of possession, they could only muster one decent goal scoring opportunity. Make no mistake. this was a thoroughly well deserved three points. But we can not rest on our laurels or allow this victory to make us in the slightest bit complacent in the transfer window.

There are outstanding issues with the strength in-depth of the squad and they need to be resolved before Tuesday's transfer deadline. It appears to me that, as a minimum, we need to sign two strikers (x1 permanent and x1 on loan), a wide player and probably another midfielder. If we could manage to sign Hernandez from Man Utd, Matri from AC Milan (on loan), Victor Moses from Chelsea and Alex Song (on a free) from Barca, I think that would probably see the squad sorted.

We do not need another keeper. Randolph has proven himself a perfectly adequate deputy. However, I would ideally like to see us sign additional cover at right-back, with Sam Byram of Leeds Utd being my preferred option. But if transfer monies are tight, I am sure that Jenkinson and O'Brien will suffice, with Hendrie, Chambers and Tomkins as additional cover. Augmenting the strike force is the single most pressing imperative. With Valencia, Carroll and Zarate not available, and Maiga sold on, our position precariously relies on Sakho's continuing form and fitness. Hernandez is definitely the type of quality striker that I would like to see join the club. Failing that, I would not turn my nose up at the acquisition of Jelavic from Hull City. Jelavic is a good striker and could excel with better players around him. However, I am also clear that we need an extra loan striker. And acquiring Matri from AC Milan would be a perfectly good one year loan option. Of course there is also talk of the impending loan signing of Adebayor, but in truth it is unclear whether that move is ever likely to happen, considering Spur's hostility and intransigence?

Arguably We also need to add another wide player to the squad. We will presumably retain Matt Jarvis, but we could do with another option There has been a lot of talk about a £6m bid for Chelsea's Victor Moses. Moses is a player with a lot of talent, but he needs stability and a club where he can settle and play his best football. West Ham and Moses are a good fit and I would accordingly welcome the move. Another wide player linked with West Ham is Aaron Lennon, but I think his final destination is more likely to be Goodison.

Finally, with Poyet placed out on loan, there is a need for another defensive midfielder. I think that the preferred option is to sign Alex Song from Barca on a three year deal. As we all know, the complicating factor is the fact that Song is currently recovering from knee surgery. This means that there are problems with him passing a medical and the club are waiting until 1 September 2015 before conducting the medical. Personally, I rate Song and would welcome us signing him permanently. He may not be fit to play until November 2015, but a player of his quality is well worth the wait.

So, the key questions to be posed are: do you agree with the stated transfer priorities and the preferred targets identified? Or are there other priorities/targets that you think should be pursued?

SJ Chandos.


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We are going to feast out on this for months and you know what …so we should.

A new manager, a new team, virtually untried teenagers on the bench after several injuries and players being forced out of position – notably the outstanding James Tomkins who had an astounding game at right back.

Darren Randolph looked as safe as houses, both Winston Reid and Angelo Ogbonna were superb and Aaron Cresswell was right back to his best.

Mark Noble had perhaps his best ever game for us until being so wronglyu sent off, Pedro Obiang was seriously competitive, Cheik Kouyate was an all action hero, Dimitri Payet is a total star and Diafra Sakho was excellent.

No praise is high enough for manager Slaven Bilic!

Randolph 10

Tomkins 10

Reid 10

Ogbonna 10

Cresswell 10

Noble 10

Kouyate 10

Lanzini 10

Payet 10

Obiang 10

Sakho 10

SLAVEN BILIC 11


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Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren has deleted his Instagram account after reportedly receiving death threats from own fans following the 3-0 defeat to West Ham yesterday.

One Liverpool Blog after yesterday's historic result wrote "Lovren's calamitous defending in Saturday's 3-0 home defeat to hot-and-cold West Ham United has put not only his first-team place in jeopardy, but could also derail his chance at salvaging a career in the red half of Merseyside"

The Croatian international has failed to make the impact at Liverpool following his £20m move from Southampton last summer.

It appears a small minority of Liverpool fans disappointed at Lovren's calamitous performance against the Hammers yesterday took to their keyboards to abuse the Croatian defender on Instagram.

One Liverpool fan, Martin Richmond, wrote on his  twitter  account "Those who sent Lovren and his wife death threats are no true fans of LFC fans, no matter how bad a player performs, that's just unacceptable"

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Bilic in nonsense tapping up row

Liverpool fans clearly upset at yesterday 3-0 defeat by West Ham at Anfield have accused Slaven Bilic of tapping up one of their players after the Hammers' historic win final whistle blew. Slaven Bilic is clearly seen on video footage (below) having a deep conversation with Belgian forward Divock Origi after full time.

Football blog 'The Thick Accent' have suggested it was a 'blatant case of player-tapping'

But transfer business in the glare of TV cameras beamed LIVE to millions of football fans worldwide. OH PLEASE!  

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Mark Lawrenson deserves every bit of abuse he receives from Hammers fans this morning after a new attack on the team.

He has followed up his patronising : " I worry a little about West Ham " with something far worse.

The deadly dull pundit had added in a BBC interview: "They are under pressure and, with the goals they conceded in their defeat by Bournemouth, they did not look like a team. 

"So the Hammers have got to sort themselves out – I just don't think Anfield is the place to do it."

Despite being proved conclusively wrong via a top class Irons performance yesterday the former Kop player has shown himself to be a graceless, charmless individual and  a very bad loser.

Here's a section of what he has to say for himself in today's Liverpool Echo!

"West Ham are going to finish down towards the bottom of the league, they're not a particularly good team.

This is the guy who has shown himself to be a 'no mark'manager and pundit.I probably pay him too much attention but this can't be allowed to pass without comment.

His managerial career extended to Oxford in 1988 when resigned following the sale of Dean Saunders before a brief playing comeback in the Conference with Barnet!

He then lasted from September 6, 1989 until November 1990 with Peterborough United where he experienced another unsuccessful spell.

He was as poor as a manager as he is as a pundit. Ok that's off my chest. Let's move on.


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West Ham have been alerted about the availability of 30 year old Newcastle striker, Papiss Cisse.

Cisse's agent Madou Diene has been quoted by The Newcastle Chronicle as saying "If the right offer comes I will ask Papiss to consider it. Nobody wants to be at a club where you don't feel wanted"

Recently, Cisse was linked with a move to Galatasaray, but Diene says there is no truth in these rumours.

"There has been no offer from Galatasaray yet, it is only talk in the media. But there has been nothing concrete. Perhaps if there was it would be considered because at Papiss' age he wants to play regular football. No matter which team he plays for he needs service because he will score goals."

"During his time at Newcastle, he's never had proper service which makes his goal tally even more remarkable."

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West Ham are claimed to have submitted an official for FC Midtjylland's Danish wonderkid Pione Sisto after Hammers scouts have written glowing reports on the rising star.

Reports suggest that Super League's most coveted player Sisto may be on the way out the door in FC Midtjylland in the next few days if the right deal can be struck.

According to Danish Newspaper Ekstra Bladet, West Ham overtaken other admirers of the player with a bid of just over 50 million Danish Krone which converts to around £4.9m. The offer includes certain sell on conditions and performance related bonuses to the increase the amount on offer to FC Midtylland.

The report also suggests another unnamed Premier League club has joined the race in the past days and could also be ready to put a bid for Sisto.

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NIGEL KAHN has been silent on this website for a long time!

Describing Nige as prickly is a bit like saying September will be here in a couple of days. Light the Olympic Stadium or Allardyce years fuse and stand well back.

But Nigel was at Anfield yesterday as a slice of Hammers history was written in the largest possible letters and we asked him: "So how exactly did that feel mate?"

Follow West Ham away Рparticularly to Anfield Рand your head is telling you the obvious so you utter the well worn clich̩: "I'll take the point" and fill in the fixed odds coupon putting the team you love with a passion down to lose!

Our 115 year history of three victories there and not a single win in 52 years insists there is no other course – it's the only sensible thing to do unless you enjoy waving money goodbye!.

The best result I can remember in my 45 years on this planet was a 2-2 draw back in 1999 but I watched that game on a live beam back to the Boleyn. In my four previous visits to Anfield I had seen us score one goal (Bobby Zamora, 2006).

For all that over 2,500 Hammers fans yesterday still made the pilgrimage back to Anfield hoping that this would be the year, hoping that they could say: "I was there."

In September 1963 West Ham had still to win a trophy; the Beatles were telling us "She Loves You." Moore, Hurst and Peters were no more than Hammers favourites – not World Beaters.

But on that great day Martin and Geoff scored the goals to give West Ham victory ending a nine year wait since the previous win with another 'soon to be' English World Cup hero, Roger Hunt scoring the Liverpool consolation goal. 

To put that victory in context, Liverpool had lost their two previous games provoking Bill Shankley to proclaim after his team collapsed to the claret and blue: "I can assure the board that Liverpool will win a home game this season" 

I doubt Brendan Rogers could ever match the wit of the Reds greatest manager in defeat.

The game yesterday is now totally etched in my mind's eye, to be replayed to myself at will; the sight of Lanzini scoring the first can be seen in an instant, Noble slotting home the second in front of the silenced Kop and Sakho hitting the 3rd in front of the mass-ranked Hammers fans to seal the win.

It was a victory I never really believed could be, not even during the game.

Even at 2-0 I expected some sort of Liverpool reaction! All I could think about was that we were two up in the Cup Final nine years ago and we all know that outcome. 

But this year there was no Stevan Gerrard to inspire a Reds fightback and in the end this was pure unbridled joy.

In the 4 years under Allardyce the arguments raged about the 'West Ham Way!' and what it was/is.

In just four games it is plainly evident in Billic's team, it is the ability to lose to those we think we should beat while triumphing over those we think we have no chance against. As Hugh wrote last night that in a nutshell is the West Ham way.

So a week after Liverpool buried their Queen Cilla, West Ham bury their 52 years of hurt in Liverpool.

Never has an away day been sweeter.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com


Saturday, August 29

Daily WHUFC News -

Friday 28 Aug  Updated Friday 28 Aug 20:00 
From the Boardroom - David Gold

There is no doubt that the last two results have been very disappointing for everyone at the Club but I am refusing to be despondent as we are only three games into the new season and Slaven is finding the best way to play.


We have still got work to do and it is clear to everyone that we are suffering from a lack of strikers.

But I am optimistic that Andy Carroll and Mauro Zarate will be back in action soon and I am still hopeful that one or two new faces will come into the squad before the transfer window closes.

I can assure all our supporters that we will go to the very last minute and we are out there trying to bring in new players. We will not give up.

All of our people including Slaven, David Sullivan and Karren Brady are working flat out to bring in new signings. I am optimistic that deals will still be done and we have got a few days.

We head to Anfield this weekend and I am aware of our record there over the years but I see no reason why we cannot break that on Saturday.

We will have a similar kind of side to the one that beat Arsenal and I am going to the game hopeful that we can come away with a victory.

No-one expected us to get the result that we did at Emirates Stadium and I'm sure the players and management will be drawing on that experience this weekend.

I know Slaven will be going to Liverpool believing he can win the game.

Anfield is steeped with history and they have had some great managers and players who have performed there throughout the years. They are one of the greatest clubs in the world.

But we go there believing we can win the game. We have confidence in our own ability.

We have players like Dimitri Payet who will relish the chance to perform on the big stage like Anfield and this is one of the reasons he wanted to come into the Premier League.

He wanted to play at these great arenas and we will have our own fantastic new Stadium next year.

I want to pay tribute to Kevin Nolan who left the Club this week. With all my dealings with Kevin, he was always professional and passionate about what he was doing.

He was one of the best captains we have had at West Ham for a number of years both on and off the field.

He was a great figure inside the dressing room and I saw both at the training ground and before games how he managed to motivate the other players and the youngsters around him.

He had an all-round quality as a captain and did a great job here. He played a major role in helping us get out of the Championship and then keeping us in the Premier League.

He scored some crucial goals for us and I would like to say a big thank-you to him for all his efforts during his four-year stay with the Club.

I wish everyone who is travelling to Liverpool a safe journey to Anfield and hope we can come away with a positive result.

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Friday 28 Aug  Updated Friday 28 Aug 20:56
FIRST TEAM
Maiga departs
West Ham United can confirm that Modibo Maiga has joined Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr on a permanent basis for an undisclosed fee. The Mali international forward leaves after three years in east London, during which he scored seven goals in 45 appearances in Claret and Blue.

Maiga's best moments for the Hammers both came late in London derbies – the first being the third in a 3-1 Premier League victory over European champions Chelsea at the Boleyn Ground in December 2012, and the second being a later League Cup quarter-final winner at Tottenham Hotspur in December 2013.Signed from Sochaux in July 2012, the 27-year-old had two loan spells away from the Boleyn Ground during his time with the Club, at Queens Park Rangers and French side Metz.West Ham United would like to wish Modibo all the best for his future career.

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Ogbonna ready for Anfield experience
Having visited Buckingham Palace and played at some of the world's best stadia, it should come as no surprise that Angelo Ogbonna cannot wait to perform at Anfield on Saturday.

Ogbonna has played at many of football's cathedrals, including the San Siro in Milan, Rome's Stadio Olimpico and Real Madrid's Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, during a successful career with Torino, Juventus and the Italian national team.

A keen tourist who visited the home of the Queen during one visit to London, the 27-year-old cannot wait to pull on a Claret and Blue shirt at the home of the five-time European champions.

"I have found a house in Canary Wharf and London is amazing," Ogbonna began. "I've been to London four or five times for holidays and everything is nice here. I visited some museums, I visited Buckingham Palace and watched some plays."

For Ogbonna, playing against Liverpool is an experience to be enjoyed rather than endured.

"It is my job so I am not scared or intimidated by playing at Anfield," he explained. "If I was scared of playing there, then I shouldn't be playing. It is a game. I wanted to come to England because it is a big opportunity for me. I talked with my manager and we chose West Ham.

"For me, it is better for my life and for my football. It is better for me because I like the Premier League and I like this game. I watched a lot of Premier League games before I came and I wanted the chance to play in it, so that's why I came.

"I'm very lucky and happy to introduce my Italian culture and temperament here and I want to do my best."

An anglophile, Ogbonna was born in the Lazio region of central Italy to Nigerian parents, appearing 160 times for Torino before winning back-to-back Serie A titles with Juventus and earning ten full caps for the Azzurri.

"I knew the Premier League before and I knew every game was very hard and you have to concentrate in every game. You might think it is easy, but it is not easy.

"Sometimes, maybe there is something wrong on the pitch. You can be unlucky in that situation like we did in the first half against Leicester and Bournemouth. Against Leicester, we could have scored four goals instead of only one.

"The basics we have got wrong were not about quality. Maybe we were unlucky because everybody knows who watched the game against Arsenal that we have a lot of quality. In the second and third games, maybe we were unlucky. We are working very quickly [to put it right]."

Should Ogbonna himself get it right at Anfield, he could be celebrating a call-up to the Italian national squad for the upcoming Euro 2016 qualifiers with Malta and Bulgaria.

When asked why he picked the Azzurri over Nigeria, the country of his parents' birth, the centre-back explained that he was never in any doubt about pulling on the Italian shirt.

"I was born in Italy and I have Nigerian parents. My father moved to Italy maybe 30 years ago to go to school, but I play for Italy because I was born there and I am an Italian guy. I know my culture and my origin but it is better to choose what I feel, and I feel that I'm Italian."


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On this day - 29 August

Classic match

Burnley 3-3 West Ham United
Division One
29 August 1967

Ron Greenwood's West Ham United played out an entertaining draw with Burnley on this day 48 years ago.

The Hammers had already taken on Burnley once that campaign - triumphing 4-2 at the Boleyn Ground - so with this match ending 3-3, the goals certainly flowed when these sides met.

All three of West Ham's World Cup heroes - Martin Peters, Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst - were on target at Turf Moor, just as Peters and Hurst were in the Boleyn Ground match a week earlier.

This was West Ham's fourth game of the season, during which they had scored ten and conceded 13!

Inconsistent form would remain a feature of the Hammers' play that campaign, as they finished in twelfth place.

Complete record - 29 August

1921 West Ham United 1-0 Bradford Park Avenue (Division Two)
1925 West Ham United 1-0 Manchester United (Division One)
1931 Bolton Wanderers 0-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1932 West Ham United 2-4 Bradford City (Division Two)
1936 West Ham United 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur (Division Two)
1938 West Ham United 1-2 Blackburn Rovers (Division Two)
1951 Bury 4-0 West Ham United (Division Two)
1953 Stoke City 1-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1955 West Ham United 0-2 Port Vale (Division Two)
1959 Burnley 1-3 West Ham United (Division One)
1960 Aston Villa 2-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1962 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1966 West Ham United 2-2 Arsenal (Division One)
1967 Burnley 3-3 West Ham United (Division One)
1970 Manchester United 1-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1972 Arsenal 1-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1981 West Ham United 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion (Division One)
1983 Everton 0-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1987 West Ham United 2-0 Norwich City (Division One)
1990 West Ham United 1-1 Portsmouth (Division Two)
1992 Newcastle United 2-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1998 Coventry City 0-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
2009 Blackburn Rovers 0-0 West Ham United (Premier League)

Played 23, Won 7, Drawn 9, Lost 7, 24, Conceded 28

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Busy Howes upbeat despite defeat

They say life as a goalkeeper can be a lonely one, yet at least for 17-year-old Sam Howes, it is certainly not quiet.

Having played and performed admirably against a dominant Arsenal side, the shotstopper faces a short turnaround before travelling to Liverpool this morning as the Hammers' third keeper as cover for Darren Randolph and Raphael Spiegel.

Speaking as he left the Emirates: "I'm going home for a few hours' sleep before getting up bright and early to go to Liverpool.

"Anfield would be an amazing play to make my debut, obviously I'm only there as back up to Darren and Rafa if they need it. I'm not expecting to be involved but it will still be an amazing experience.
As if that were not enough, Howes will then join up with the England U19 squad as they prepare to play Germany and Croatia.

Speaking after the defeat to the Gunners, Howes surmised: "Even though we lost 5-0 I still think we can take some positives out of it. From the first two games of the season also, particularly against West Brom we played really well.

"We had glimpses of that, we passed it and moved it around pretty well. But we had too many costly errors and we paid the price."

Despite shipping five goals, Howes was one of the standout performers for the Hammers, pulling off a string of impressive saves.

In fact, Howes' maturity on and off the pitch have long impressed coaches for club and country.  

"It's a fantastic stadium and a great place to play at. These are the places that you aspire to play at. Obviously Reece Oxford played here not long ago for the first team. We now want to do it here for ourselves. It's a great that the gaffer and all the coaches trust in young players. 

"As a team I'm sure we'll learn a lot from the defeat. As you go up the levels mistakes become more and more costly because you get punished more often. All the errors we made tonight were punished.

"Next week in training I'm sure everyone will be working that bit harder to iron the mistakes out and hopefully they won't happen ever again."

Despite the defeat, personally at least, Howes has continued to progress and development into one of the most promising goalkeepers of his generation.

Reflecting on his call up to the England U19's, he beamed: "It's always an honour to play for your country at every age level. I've played for U16, U17 and U18 but now to move up to the U19 is an absolute honour and privilege. It's a great feeling to wear the Three Lions badge.

"I've been working hard for this, on and off the pitch. I'd like to thank JJ (Jerome John) and all the other coaches who have helped me along the way. There's still a long way to go, I want to be the best goalkeeper I can possibly be."  
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TEAM NEWS

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson remains an injury doubt with a foot problem.

Adam Lallana has a thigh injury, joining Jon Flanagan and Joe Allen on the treatment table.

West Ham forward Diafro Sakho is expected to be available despite muscle stiffness and his recent police arrest.

Enner Valencia, Mauro Zarate and Andy Carroll are all sidelined because of injury, while Adrian and Carl Jenkinson are suspended.

MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES

Martin Fisher: "Just three games in to the new season and already there's a cautious optimism sweeping around Anfield and an anxious pessimism enveloping the east-end. 

"Yet to concede, Liverpool look hard to beat with a solid defence providing the platform for their flair players to prosper. Significantly, all the new signings have settled in quickly this time. 

"West Ham's opening weekend win at Arsenal already resembles a false dawn. Home defeats by Leicester and Bournemouth have brought them crashing back to earth. 

"There's not much depth to the squad and already there are signs of unrest. It could be a long season."

Twitter: @martfisher1

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers: "West Ham at home will be our toughest game of the four [so far]. They had an excellent result away at Arsenal.

"If you want to be fighting at the top end of the table your home form is vital.

"The hunger has returned back into the team - that freshness and ability to play with no fear. There are new players here with new ambition."

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic: "I'm expecting a tough game, of course. Liverpool have started well. They haven't conceded any goals and they've had good results.

"They have quality in every department and are dangerous up front. They also have their weaknesses which we want to exploit.

"It is not an easy week but with a defeat like we had last week, we were gutted after the game. We have got over that and we have to bounce back."

LAWRO'S PREDICTION

I just don't see West Ham causing Liverpool too many problems, and this should be quite a comfortable win for the home side.

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Kevin Nolan: Cardiff City boss Russell Slade plays down link

Manager Russell Slade says Cardiff City are not close to signing free agent Kevin Nolan.

The 33-year-old midfielder has left West Ham United by mutual consentafter four years at the Premier League club. 

Slade says any potential signings have to "fit in" with their philosophy.

"I think Kevin Nolan is a very good player," said Slade. "But there are lots of very good players that have been put our way as possibilities but they have to fit in."

"They have to fit in with what we're trying to do both financially and from a playing side."

When directly asked if the former Bolton Wanderers and Newcastle United midfielder was close to a move to the Bluebirds, Slade responded: "Not that I know of."


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Andy Carroll: West Ham striker close to return from injury

West Ham striker Andy Carroll could return from injury against former club Newcastle on 14 September after recommencing first-team training.

The 26-year-old has been out since February following knee surgery after suffering medial ligament damage.

"It's only a matter of fitness now to get him back," said Hammers boss Slaven Bilic.

"If everything goes well he should participate in the game against Newcastle."

Carroll is starting his fourth season at Upton Park, including a loan spell preceding his £15m switch, and has made 46 Premier League starts in that time.

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Filed: Friday, 28th August 2015
By: Staff Writer


Tottenham Hotspur striker Emmanuel Adebayor is expected to complete a move to West Ham this weekend.

It was exclusively revealed on the KUMB Forum last night that Adebayor was set to complete a season-long loan to West Ham before the transfer window deadline.

The deal is expected to be finalised within the next 48 hours, but too late for the striker to feature for West Ham at Liverpool in this weekend's Premier League clash.

Tottenham are understood to be subsidising the 31-year-old's near £100,000-per-week wages in order to complete his move from White Hart Lane to the Boleyn Ground.

The Togo international has been linked with a move to the Boleyn Ground on several occasions previously. 

Ten years ago Alan Pardew sent scouts to watch a young Adebayor when he was still at Monaco. Six months later, the then 21-year-old joined Arsenal instead.

And earlier this year he was denied the chance of moving from north to east London by a sudden u-turn from Spurs Chairman Daniel Levy that led Adebayor to speak out.

"When I finally chose the club I wanted to go to, unluckily Mr Levy was against it because they had become a rival," said Adebayor, talking back in February. "So I decided I should stay at the club, which I'm very happy to do.

"I was more than happy to play for West Ham. I wanted to stay in the Premier League and took the chance to stay in London so I had a choice of Queens Park Rangers or West Ham. 

"I decided to go to West Ham because of their position in the league. They are fighting well and doing everything [they can] to finish in the top four. I've played alongside a few of their players - like Alex Song - so I wanted to go there instead of QPR."

Fellow Premier League side Aston Villa have also been linked with a move for Adebayor, who spent time with Arsenal and Manchester City before joining Tottenham in 2012.


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Filed: Friday, 28th August 2015
By: Staff Writer


West Ham are set for talks with representatives of Italian striker Alessandro Matri after the two parties agreed personal terms over a season-long loan.

31-year-old Matri, who currently plays for Milan is understood to have agreed to join West Ham on loan for the duration of the 2015/16 season (Di Marzio). 

According to GDM, the striker was due to sign a contract at some point today (Friday) although that is now believed to be wide of the mark, according to KUMB sources.

However with West Ham also set to conclude a deal to sign Tottenham's Emmanuel Adebayor this weekend (KUMB), Matri could be retained as a back-up option - a policy West Ham have reverted to in recent transfer windows.

Matri, who has made seven appearances for Italy began his career with Milan before spending time with Cagliari (2007-11) and Juventus (2011-13) before returning to his first club in an €11 million switch two years ago this month.


Read more at http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=128947#sgdjHTdempra6Du7.99

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Filed: Friday, 28th August 2015
By: Staff Writer


West Ham United are hoping to conclude a deal to sign Hull City forward Nikica Jelavic ahead of the transfer window deadline.

The 30-year-old Croatian was relegated from the Premier League with Hull City last year just 12 months after joining the Tigers on a three-and-a-half year contract from Everton.

However West Ham, who have seen recent moves for Burak Yilmaz, Charlie Austin and Raul Jiminez come to nothing - whilst talk of Alessandro Matri arriving in east London imminently appear to be wide of the mark - are poised to bring him back to the top flight.

West Ham are understood to be trying to sign Jelavic on a permanent basis - as is the case with Chlsea's Victor Moses, who the club retain a strong interest in despite having seen previous advances rejected.

According to a KUMB source, West Ham have offered circa £6million for the 24-year-old wide man who is surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge. However Chelsea are reported to be holding out for around £10million for the Nigerian international.

* As an update to our earlier story, Emmanuel Adebayor is now scheduled to hold talks with Slaven Bilic on Sunday. 


Read more at http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=128948#tjaLCgYRIMrWH62y.99

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West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has revealed Diafra Sakho will be available for West Ham's trip to Liverpool this weekend, as long as he recovers from a slight groin injury.

The striker was arrested last weekend on suspicion of 'making threats to kill and witness intimidation'. He has since been questioned by police and bailed without charge.

Senegal international Sakho, who has denied any allegations against him, will continue to be selected by Bilic despite the incident and the only thing which may prevent him from turning out at Anfield is his fitness.

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Slaven Bilic admits he may have to "park the bus" at in-form Liverpool - and that he could need a double- or even triple-decker.

West Ham boss Bilic has seen his side beaten at home by Leicester and Bournemouth in their last two games, conceding six goals in the process.

Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool side, in contrast, are unbeaten so far, winning the first two and drawing away at Arsenal.

Bilic said before Saturday's trip to Anfield: "When we have the ball, we have a plan to keep it and get a breather or, if it's possible, to attack them and harm them with as many players as possible.

"It's a very demanding game that we are asking from the players. If you want to call it parking the bus, call it park the bus. But for me it's defending behind the ball. Or park the bus — a double-decker or triple-decker.


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Joey Barton spilt the beans today on how he nearly became a Hammer twice!

Co-hosting the Talksport Driveshow show, Barton explained:

"West Ham decided two weeks ago they were going to go down a different route and all of a sudden after they lost to Bournemouth and  they decided they wanted to revive it, or their owner did – but it was instantly uncomfortable for me."

"If they didn't want me at the club or certain players at the club didn't want me and they have been beaten twice and all of a sudden they need me… that is not me. I am an all or nothing person and if you want to get behind me, get behind me."

About Social media Barton said:

"When I was due to sign for West Ham, there was something David Gold had said about me which had got regurgitated which is the downfall of twitter sometimes, but equally it is a social media forum where you are very much reactive to what is going around and sometimes you say things that with hindsight look a little bit silly and you wish you hadn't said but you have to remember the context in which it was said, as I say if you have offended anybody then obviously you didn't set out to do that, far from it, you were just poking fun at the situation, as I say most people understand that"   

On nearly joining West Ham

"I think it well documented that I was keen on joining West Ham, it wasn't my end that it broke down, there was a lot of people who said it was the fans revolt, I honestly don't think it was that, there was a number of people who complained because I remember David Sullivan saying he had 50 emails with sometime negative and I said thats not bad actually, usually when I am linked with your club it would be a lot more than that.

"West Ham for me, the main reason I thought it was a perfect fit because I looked at the team, I looked at my situation, I looked at my strengths and weaknesses and I thought it would have complemented that group, obviously certain fans get very vocal and email the club, it's their football club, I am not going to complain about but that stuff they are complaining about is stuff that happened in 2006 and 2007, OK, I can't take away from the fact that they have happened but in the last three years, last year and the couple years before you try to change things and try to do things in a different light and some people won't let that go and I am disappointed at that. It is what it is and I not asking for anyone to feel sorry for me, it's my own doing and I not going to go on that I have changed and I have seen the light. All you can do is live your life and if people decide they like you, they like you and if they don't they don't" 


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The Hammers are to invest millions in state-of-the-art seating at the Olympic Stadium.

Hot on the heels of yesterday's unveiling of computer-generated images of what the Claret and Blue inspired seating designs will look like, Claret and Hugh has learned the club is to invest a significant seven-figure sum into replacing many of the current black seats with Claret and Blue coloured replacements.

An insider confirmed to ClaretandHugh: "West Ham are paying their own way when it comes down to club branding at the Stadium."

Claret and blue trianglular sail designs were also unveiled as part of a proposed solution to cover the gaps between the lower and upper stands.

But we have been told by our insider. "Nothing is set in stone yet. We will continue to look an innovative ways to cover the gap between the stands and nothing has been ruled out. We remain open-minded if a better solution can be found."

The club source also echoed what Karren Brady had said in her video about construction and cosmetic work continuing after the Rugby World Cup. He told those fans going to watch the Barbarians vs Samoa match tomorrow that they shouldn't automatically jump to the conclusion that the stadium in 'football mode' in 2016 will look the same – because it won't!


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West Ham have flatly denied suggestions that Kevin Nolan departed the club because he may have fallen out with boss Slaven Bilic.

Nolan exited the club yesterday and less than 24 hours later, former Arsenal defender, Martin Keown, has speculated that a disagreement with Bilic may have been the reason for Nolan leaving the Boleyn so abruptly!

And the Gooner added:  "He [Nolan] can still do a useful job for somebody, as long as his legs are still there.

"He is certainly a no nonsense person and I suspect he may not have seen eye to eye with Slaven Bilic. He may well have thought: 'I don't need this at this stage of my career' so he's off."

Keown's declaration appeared 0n the Tackle Keown section on The Daily Mail website, but the Irons claim there was "absolutely no animosity" between the former captain and Bilic – or anyone else for that matter.

A well placed source told ClaretandHugh exclusively: "Kevin was paid up  because it was felt this was best for him and the club.

"He got most, but not all, of what he was due between now and next Summer. It was all very civil and he has been a terrific servant to this club."

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