Daily WHUFC News - 13th August 2015

Adrian - This will be a season to remember
WHUFC.com

West Ham United keeper Adrian is hoping his team-mates can produce their best form to make it a memorable final year at the Boleyn Ground.
Adrian has many fond memories of his time playing in east London following his move back in 2013 and knows this is going to be an emotional period for everyone connected with the Club as we countdown to the final ever Premier League game against Swansea on May 8.
The Hammers could not have asked for a better start to the campaign as they recorded a thrilling 2-0 win over Arsenal on the opening day last Sunday. Slaven Bilic marked his first Premier League game in charge of the Club in style after seeing Cheikhou Kouyate and Mauro Zarate score the goals to record the first victory at Emirates Stadium since 2007. With nine new signings coming into the squad during the summer, Adrian has no doubts that the squad has the strength-in-depth to compete with the big teams and hopes the team can maintain their position in the top half of the table. Adrian said: "With all the new signings we are a stronger squad and we know this is going to be an emotional final season for everyone at the Club. "The mentality has changed. Slaven wants us to play more with the ball from the keeper and the defence and keep the possession. We are attacking a lot which is dangerous for the other teams. "It was a very good start for us against Arsenal but we now have another big match against Leicester on Saturday and we will be working hard towards that game. "We now play our first game at home in front of our own fans and you never have an easy game in the Premier League but we will be doing everything to get the three points."

Adrian had special praise for big summer signing Dimitri Payet who showed straight away why he is going to be such an influential player for the Club this season. Payet helped set up the first goal for Kouyate and was a constant threat to the Arsenal defence throughout the game. The West Ham keeper believes he will only grow stronger in the coming months and could be one of the star performers in the Premier League this season. Adrian added: "Dimitri is a top class player and showed straight away in the first game what he can do with a great debut. "He is adapting so well to the Premier League and is going to help us a lot."

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Wanchope hits target shocker
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 12th August 2015
By: Staff Writer

Former Hammer Paulo Wanchope bit off more than he could chew when he took on a plucky security guard during a Costa Rica Under 23s match last night. Now 39, national manager Wanchope was refused entry to the field of play by security officers after he attempted to quiz the referee over a controversial decision. This the former West Ham and Manchester City star took umbrage too and began swinging his fists - however he wasn't prepared for the security guard, who was half his size, to come back at him with arms flailing. The game continued unhindered as the two went toe-to-toe for a few seconds, whilst the mini-bout ended very much in the smaller man's favour. A spokesman for Wanchope said: "Security was bothering him. Authorities from UNCAF have to calm things. Authorities came in yelling and weren't calming thing things down." Wanchope spent one season at the Boleyn Ground in the 1999/2000 season, in which he scored 15 times in 47 appearances. He was sold to Manchester City in August 2000 for £3.65m - £150,000 more than Harry Redknapp paid for him a year earlier.

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RUMOUR ROUND-UP: NEW MIDFIELD ANCHORMAN SET TO SIGN?
By Reece Bateman 12 Aug 2015 at 15:45
West Ham Till I Die

Following the collapse of the Joey Barton deal it seems that West Ham are quickly moving to sign a different holding midfield player. The Express say that Liverpool midfielder Lucas could be on his way after a row with Brendan Rogers. Although I wouldn't mind bringing in a player like Lucas, I would still prefer Alex Song to return. I don't know if the constant links with other midfielders means the Song deal is off but I am glad the club had a change of heart regarding Barton. Although a capable player in the Prem, he isn't the right man for West Ham.

It would also appear that the clubs pursuit of Barcelona youngster Alen Halilovic is over. This article? says the playmaker is likely to move to Hamburg on a season long loan. West Ham were said to be interested in signing on a permanent deal but were put off by Barcelona's €10 million price tag and Hamburg have since stepped in with the offer of a loan. A shame if he doesn't come, he really could be destined for great things in the future.

Finally, David Gold has confirmed West Ham are looking for a striker to give them extra options but no new names have been mentioned over the past 24 hours. Javier Hernandez & Charlie Austin still seem to be the two options we are looking at but perhaps they will sign someone that will completely blind side everyone? Whoever we bring in, they will need to be ready to do battle with Zarate & Sakho to dislodge them from the staring 11.

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WE SUPPOSEDLY WON THE 'BIG SAM WAY' !
By S J Chandos 12 Aug 2015 at 08:00
West Ham Till I Die

It was with some amusement that I read reports of the comments by Richard Keys that the 0-2 victory at Arsenal was won the 'Big Sam Way.' What is it with the sports media and the way that they continually lionize Sam Allardyce? How many times recently have we had to endure football pundits pontificating about the need to 'be careful what we wish for.' What they all conveniently forget is that last season we won just three matches after Christmas. That is clearly relegation form, something that the Board could not ignore come the end of the season. What other PL club would retain a manager after such a long run of poor results? Indeed, not many clubs would have even allowed a manager with those results to see out his contract, let alone retain him the following season. To the credit of the board they stuck with Allardyce until the end of last season and then effected the transition. There may have been a financial aspect to it, but it was also the more civilised way to go about things.

Now, personally I prefer to give a nod to Allardyce's achievements whilst with the club (i.e. promotion and the retention of our PL status) and then just move on. This is a new era, with a new manager and vastly improved squad, but comments like those by Keys have to be challenged. With the best will in the world, how many times did a Allardyce managed West Ham side beat Arsenal? Would Allardyce have played 16 year old Reece Oxford in such a high profile match? Moreover, would goal scorer Zarate even have been at the club, let alone on the pitch, if Sam Allardyce had still been in charge? I think that we all know the answers to those three questions.

Yes, West Ham's victory was founded on a very solid defensive display. However, what distinguished it was the team's ability to defend as a unit, squeeze and narrow Arsenal's play and reduce their passing options. In that sense it was an intelligent and well executed game plan. Perhaps the opening goal by Kouyate, scored from a set piece, owed something specifically to Allardyce? Well, Not really. It was a very well taken free kick, with Payet providing the guile and Kouyate showing excellent timing/power to stay on-side, beat Cech to the ball and head it home. But in truth it was a world away from the speculative set peices that we become used to during Allardyce's reign. However, the biggest difference was our greatly improved ability to retain possession and launch dangerous counter-attacks. Throughout the match, we maintained an offensive threat and that is a welcome development. A typical Allardyce defensive away display would be desperate, 'backs to the wall,' type fayre, where we would invariably fail to threaten our opponent's goal. For instance, take the infamous '19th Century Football' 0-0 away draw with Chelsea. How many times in that match did we get in to the opposition half?

So, lets be clear, it was a defensively competent, well organised, counter-attacking display. It delivered three points and we will secure more away victories this season if we can replicate it. The credit for the tactics and implementation lies with Bilic and his staff and, ultimately, the current playing staff. It owed little to the legacy of the previous manager and that is the bottom line for me. So, lets all move on and leave Sam Allardyce where he belongs, firmly in the club's past. I personally wish him well and hope that after an appropriate period of rest and relaxation he will return to the game. As for West Ham, we have moved on, pity the sports media cannot do likewise!

Yesterday, Bobby Shovels speculated in his blog about the possibility of West Ham following up on the victory over Arsenal by slipping up against Leicester City and/or Bournemouth. It was an interesting observation and, as we all know, it is something that past West Ham sides might well have done. So, in that sense, our results in the next two fixtures are a litmus test of the degree to which we have progressed. The victory at Arsenal sets up the tantalising possibility of West Ham securing a maximum 9 points out of the first three matches. Have we ever done that before in a prior season? Not to my immediate recollection, not even in 1985-86. A haul of 7 points out of 9 would be an excellent start, let alone a maximum return. But lets just take one match at a time and see if we can do it.

Then there is the possible signing of Joey Barton! At the time of writing there are strong rumours that he might join the club on a Bosman deal. I really do not know about this one. He is undoubtedly a good player, but what all about the baggage that accompanies him? If he does sign, it will be as a stop gap acquisition, probably on a one year deal. And interestingly enough it will see the re-unification of the three former Toon team mates, Carroll, Nolan and Barton. Although admittedly Nolan's future at the club has yet to be determined one way or the other. The big obstacle to Nolan exiting the club is his reported £50,000 per week wages. If West Ham subsidized them for a year then other clubs might possibly show some interest. The best possible option for Nolan would probably be a wage subsidized loan this season, leading to a final big pay day via a Bosman move next summer. Or, alternatively, Nolan could confound us all and stay put this season and take a Bosman move next summer. At 33 years of age he will take the option that is best for him both financially and as a player. Regardless, Nolan was a good signing for the club and his captaincy and goals from midfield were key factors our resurgence in winning promotion and staying in the PL. We should not forget that.

Like most of you I viewed the recent BBC documentary on West Ham's tenancy of the Olympic Stadium with some considerable world weariness! It was unbalanced and fixated on proving that it is a 'sweet' deal for the club and to the detriment of tax payers. It came on the back of recent continuous agitation by the Charlton Supporters Trust on the issue (presumably taking over the lead role from Leyton Orient) and questions asked in the House of Commons by Chris Bryant. Personally, I do not buy the Charlton argument that the move to the OS will result in them losing supporters in South London and Kent. It totally misunderstands the nature of football affiliation and exhibits a distinct lack of faith in their club's ability to continue to attract local support. The debate in the Commons made me feel very uncomfortable because for the first time ever I found myself in agreement with Boris Johnson on an issue! I agree that the blame should be laid at the feet of those decision-makers who excluded the prospect of designing PL football in to the OS at the planning stage. All the subsequent extra costs of adapting the Stadium arise from that amazing lack of foresight. While, West Ham's tenancy does indeed dispel the danger of the OS becoming a giant 'white elephant' and affords it a real and viable future. One that also benefits the diverse local communities of East London and boosts local sports participation..

One of the things that is driving the criticism is the secrecy of many of the clauses in West Ham tenancy agreement; which is justified on the grounds of business interests. Unfortunately it has fuelled the rumours that West Ham are getting a better deal than originally thought and it is at the expense of the tax payer. Personally, I think that the club should have been far more proactive in their communications on this issue. They must have known that this opposition/criticism would be forthcoming. Why did the club not launch an early proactive communications offensive, conveying the facts/positives factors arising from West Ham's involvement in the OS? Particularly in respect of a forward projection of the income likely to be generated for the public purse over the duration of West Ham's 99 year lease. That would have anticipated and effectively disarmed much of the current criticism. Unfortunately, they approached it reactively and the myths and misconceptions have now taken hold at the very centre of public debate.

Politically, I am on the left, but I tend to find myself in strange company on the OS. Only last week I had a twitter exchange with a prominent Newham Green activist, who expressed the personal view that the Spurs bid for the OS should have been approved. The justification for this was mainly on the dubious grounds that Spurs fans would bring new money in to the area, regardless of the fact it would have meant the bulldozing of the OS and the loss of the 2012 sporting legacy. To me that outcome would have been madness.

Hopefully the current controversy around the OS will settle down. If not and Chris Bryant gets his public inquiry, lets hope the remit includes consideration of the decisions taken on the OS at the planning stage and their later financial consequences.

SJ. Chandos.

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Manchester United attempted to sign West Ham youngster Reece Oxford last season
15:05, 12 AUGUST 2015
BY SAMUEL LUCKHURST
The 16-year-old became the second-youngest starter in Premier League history when the Hammers defeated Arsenal 2-0 on Sunday
The Mirror

Manchester United tried to sign West Ham teenager Reece Oxford last season. Oxford became the second-youngest starter in the Premier League era at Arsenal on Sunday and earned nationwide praise for a performance that belied his inexperience, as West Ham won 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium. Teenager Oxford was a fixture in West Ham's Under-21s last year and United were one of a number of clubs that tried to lure him away from Upton Park, reports the Manchester Evening News. Oxford, who revealed he was rejected by Tottenham, instead signed his first professional deal with The Hammers on the Upton Park pitch in January. It is understood West Ham bought the Edmonton-born defender's family a London property in an attempt to fight off interest from not just United but Arsenal and Liverpool. Oxford is an Arsenal supporter but is grateful for West Ham's faith in academy products. "West Ham have been giving the young players who are coming through a chance," he said. "Last season I was on the bench a few times, so I expected to be around the team again this season, but not starting against Arsenal."

Hammers manager Slaven Bilic said of Oxford's debut: "If Messi was in front of me, I'd be more fazed than Reece. "People were asking: 'Are you sure he is 16?' "It was going to be a risk but he has got something. I am very proud of him. He is a part of this new generation."
West Ham academy manager Terry Westley credited Oxford's emergence his 'influence at home', adding his mum was 'very tough and strong with him'.

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Diafra Sakho arrested on suspicion of assault
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 12th August 2015
By: Staff Writer

It has been revealed that West Ham United striker Diafra Sakho was arrested by Police last week in connection with a domestic assault.
The 25-year-old striker was arrested in Hornchurch little more than 48 hours before West Ham's 2-0 win at Arsenal - in which Sakho featured - on suspicion of assault involving a female, according to several of today's tabloid newspapers. It is reported that he was taken to a Police station in east London where he was bailed and ordered to return next month. A spokesman told the Mail: "Officers from Tower Hamlets have arrested a man on suspicion of domestic assault. "The 25-year-old was arrested on Thursday, 6 August at an address in Emerson Park, Hornchurch. He was taken to an east London police station and has been bailed to a date in late September."

West Ham were asked to comment by the Mail, but refrained from doing so. The news comes hours after it was revealed that Joey Barton would not be joining the club following a fans' revolt.

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Amalfitano demoted in Slaven spat
KUMb.com
Filed: Wednesday, 12th August 2015
By: Staff Writer

Morgan Amalfitano is reported to have been ordered to train with the Under 21s by manager Slaven Bilic after he failed to attend a team meeting. According to a story by Adrian Kajumba (Mirror), the two clashed after Bilic questioned the French winger about his absence in the presence of the rest of the squad. Amalfitano is reported to have taken exception to being quizzed in front of his fellow professionals which led to the former French international "giving the manager attitude" - leading to his omission from the first team set up just one week into the new campaign. The 30-year-old has previous for becoming embroiled in internal disputes, for in August of last year - shortly before his move to east London - he was similarly ordered to train with the reserves by Marseille coach Marcelo Bielsa after he failed to follow the manager's orders.

Bilic has been beset by problems with his squad since arriving at the club; having lost Enner Valencia to injury he then failed to land Atletico striker Raul Jimenez on loan - despite appearing to believe the deal was all but done. A series of red cards were partly responsible for West Ham's unexpectedly early Europa League exit, whilst earlier today Bilic became embroiled in the row surrounding the possible signing of former Man City and QPR bad boy, Joey Barton - following which it was revealed that Diafra Sakho had been arrested on suspicion of assault.

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No hard feelings, says Joey Barton as move collapses
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 12th August 2015
By: Staff Writer

Joey Barton has admitted that he is disappointed at failing to secure a contract with West Ham - despite the negative publicity his potential signing generated. The former Manchester City and QPR midfielder sent an open message to Hammers fans via social media tonight in which he expressed his sadness at failing to land a contract at the Boleyn. It followed news earlier in the day that he would not be joining the club, despite having previously held talks with the Board. "I just wanted to thank the West Ham fans for sending me kind messages on social media. Obviously with a character like myself there's always one or two who are not so kind or complementary, but that's kind of par for the course with me these days. "West Ham would certainly have been a good fit for me. The Boleyn Ground is always one I've enjoyed playing at; a good crowd, passionate, who get behind their football team. "It's a place that, despite a few reservations, I felt I could do really well at and offer something to the squad - an exciting squad that you're building there now. I was delighted by the Arsenal result on Sunday. "But for this moment in time, it's not meant to be. I wish the football club all the best going forward. It's exciting times for the West Ham fans with the move to the Olympic Stadium and the side that you're building there and I just want to wish you all the best for the future - and no hard feelings."

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Gold: finding a new striker is our biggest priority
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 12, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

David Gold has allayed fan fears that we won't be signing a new centre forward by declaring: "We are looking for a striker, that is our key." Talking to Sky Sports News, the co chairman declared: "We have been very unfortunate in losing (Enner) Valencia disappointingly before the season kicked off. We already believed we needed a striker because of Andy Carroll not rejoining the squad until September.
"Now we really must find another centre forward before the transfer window closes." "We can't really go into the new season without at least bringing in one. Yes we would like two, but we have to be realistic."

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'Flexible' Slav explains what his system is all about
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 12, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

Slaven Bilic can't put a name on the way he likes to play but as Arsenal found it that makes no difference at all when you are on the wrong end of it!

Questioned at last night's Fans Forum on his style – and reported on www.whufc.com – the boss revealed: "I don't have a name for the way I like my teams to play, sometimes you have to flexible. But you can always have principles, some things that never change.

"We will always work hard, stick together as a team and look to play to our strengths. We want to be exciting, we want to play good football."

He was on top of the questioning all evening and revealed his love of the club by saying: "Even the bad days at Chadwell Heath were enjoyable, it was like a family there. That was one of the reasons why I came back. West Ham is my club. I am connected, my son was born in London.

"West Ham is a big club, but it can still grow. It'll take time, not just one season, but after several years, with the right decisions, who knows where we'll be."

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Transfer news: Hamburg 'hambush' Hammers deal
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 12, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

West Ham target Alen Halilovic is now being wooed by Hamburg – with both clubs ready to offer the Barcelona "wonderkid" a loan deal.
The young Croatian has been heavily linked to an Upton Park switch, although sources have revealed to us that a deal is not "close."
Despite being hailed as the 'New Messi', the 19-year-old is still yet to break into Barca's first team. talkSPORT claims Real Betis are also in the running – but it appears the Bundesliga outfit are now preparing what could be a decisive move for the youngster.

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Discipline issues see Bilic ban bad-boy Amalfitano
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 12, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

Slaven Bilic has shown his tough side by banning troubled Morgan Amalfitano from the training ground after breaches of discipline.

The Daily Mail reports the Hammers boss has told the midfielder to stay away from Chadwell Heath – and the Frenchman has now been exiled to training with the Under 21s at nearby Rush Green.

"The pair clashed when the midfielder missed a team meeting," claims the tabloid. "It is understood the 30-year-old was read his rap sheet when banned, throwing his future at Upton Park into serious doubt."

Sadly Amalfitano has 'previous'! Former boss, Sam Allardyce, promised he would be 'dealt with' after the player was sent off off barely 10 minutes after coming on as a substitute in an FA Cup defeat against West Brom in February.

He was booked for a nasty challenge on Chris Brunt before pushing the West Brom midfielder in the face – referee Martin Atkinson issuing two yellow cards for the same incident.

Bilic will not stand for ill-discipline and his actions will serve as a reminder to the rest of the squad of the high standards that are going to be expected from all the players during the course of the season.

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Exclusive: senior Irons players halted Barton deal
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 12, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

West Ham pulled the plug on a deal to take Joey Barton to the club because of a mini dressing room revolt against the player. The former Queens Park Rangers player has been conciliatory in a video message following the collapse of the deal – but several senior voices in the dressing room were strongly against the club signing him.

And, coupled with the fierce reaction from fans on social media against Barton, that was enough to convince Irons bosses to call a halt to talks.

Whilst Irons players had no problem with Barton's footballing abilities, they made it clear his outspoken attitude he could be a difficult force in a happy dressing room.

ClaretandHugh was exclusively told by a senior insider: "A few players weren't too happy with the idea of bring him into the club and that – along with the fans reaction – decided us."From a purely footballing point of view it made a lot of sense but if the danger exists of it lowering dressing room morale then it becomes a different issue."

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Fans Forum: Bilic at his best for Irons supporters
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 11, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

Big Slaven Bilic made his first appearance in front of the fans at Upton Park tonight, answering a range of questions at the first Fans Forum of the new season. Here's the best of some pretty memorable quotes from the manager. "I think we have a good chance of winning a cup. We have to believe we can. We are going to try and win it. We are ambitious." "We are trying add one player, one striker. We are close to finishing one deal." "West Ham is growing. With ambitious Chairmen, in a few years time we can think about qualifying for the Champions League" "To me, @JULIAN3DICKS is a gift from God." "The chairman has done a great job with transfers, but we lost someone like Downing who we didn't want to lose." "Sam did a great job here. The club is very stable. It was a good situation for me to build on."On THAT #Arsenal win: "To do it in style was really great and I'm really proud of the players.

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Barton update: fan concerns make Irons scrap deal!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 11, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

West Ham have pulled out of signing Joey Barton after the storm of protest from the club's fans, according to the digital version of The Mirror. The paper's latest online report about the negotiations between the Hammers and 32-year-old free agent, Barton, says the club has listened to its supporters – the majority of whom were against taking the player on a pay as you play deal, or any other form of contract. It reports a club insider as saying: "We've pulled out in the last hour because of the strength of feeling from the fans.
"He's a good player and based on football decisions we'd have signed him, but in the interests of team spirit we haven't."

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Manchester United transfers: Tottenham and West Ham target Javier Hernandez also being eyed by Torino
22:30, 11 AUGUST 2015
BY ADRIAN KAJUMBA
Italians who sold Matteo Darmian to the Reds last month want the Mexico international striker on loan with a view to a permanent deal
The Mirror

Torino have entered the race for Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez. The Italians, who sold right-back Matteo Darmian to the Old Trafford outfit this summer, want to sign Mexican Hernandez on loan. And they are ready to strike a deal that will see the 27-year-old join them permanently if he plays an agreed number of games. Tottenham and West Ham also want Hernandez — although Spurs are also reported to be be looking at West Brom's Saido Berahino, Charlie Austin of QPR and Lyon's Clinton N'Jie. Hernandez, known as Chicharito, joined United from Guadalajara in his homeland 2010 and was an instant success. However, he fell out of favour after Louis van Gaal took over as manager in summer 2014 and was loaned out to Real Madrid for last season. He hit seven goals for the Spanish giants, including one against city rivals Atletico which sent them into the semi-finals of the Champions League. However at the end of the season Real decided not to make the move permanent. Hernandez suffered a broken collarbone playing for his country this summer but remains in demand.

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West Ham's Slaven Bilic bombs out Morgan Amalfitano after Frenchman ''gave him attitude''
22:00, 11 AUGUST 2015
BY ADRIAN KAJUMBA
Midfielder has paid the price for challenging new manager's authority, being banished from the first team to train with the kids
The Mirror

Slaven Bilic has shown his West Ham squad who is boss by freezing out one of his players after a furious pre-season bust-up. New Hammers boss Bilic laid down the law after clashing with Morgan Amalfitano. And the French midfielder has paid the price for challenging Bilic's authority by being axed from the first team-fold and ordered to train with the kids, leaving his Upton Park future in doubt. Bilic and Amalfitano clashed after the Frenchman missed a team meeting. Amalfitano is understood to have "given the manager attitude" when he took exception to being confronted about his absence in front of his teammates. The fuming Hammers boss reacted by banning Amalfitano, 30, from the club's first-team training ground at Chadwell Heath in Essex. Amalfitano has now been ordered to train with the club's development squad at nearby Rush Green, where the Under-21s and Under-18s are based.

Having been involved in the Hammers first four games of the season, the 30-year-old has been left out of the squads for their last three matches. And Amalfitano was a notable absentee from West Ham's open day at Upton Park today. It is not the first time Amalfitano, who joined the club in September 2014 and has two years left on his current deal, has angered the Upton Park's manager. He was branded "unprofessional" and disciplined by then-boss Sam Allardyce after being booked and also shown a straight red card in just nine minutes on the pitch as a second-half sub in February's FA Cup defeat at West Brom. Amalfitano is understood to have had a list of his misdemeanours read to him before he was sent packing by Bilic after his latest breach of discipline. And the Croatian's no-nonsense approach has been noted by the rest the squad. Bilic has also impressed his players with his preparations for Sunday's Premier League opener at Arsenal and the style of football he wants to implement. And his methods paid off spectacularly when West Ham claimed their first away victory over the Gunners since 2007.

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