Daily WHUFC News - 17th August 2015

From the Boardroom - David Gold
WHUFc.com

The Joint-Chairman pays tribute to the Hammers faithful on Claret and Blue Day...

I'm always fearful that I go on about this too much but, having been in football for nearly 25 years and supporting it for longer than I care to remember, I continue to be amazed by the West Ham fans. They are just superb. They are so spirited and as long as they see endeavour like they saw in the second half against Leicester City on Saturday, they will get right behind you. They drove us on in the second half and if we'd got anything from the game if would have been down to them. It would have made Claret and Blue Day all the more special.

Overall, like everyone else, I'm disappointed about the result as it was a game we felt we could get something from. It's true that we knew Leicester have been on a long run and have brought in good players and it would be tough, but we didn't think we would lose the game.

I remember speaking to Mark Noble just before kick-off and he said he thought it was a going to be a very tough game and that turned out to be the case. I think it's undeniable that they were the better team in the first half and they led 2-0 at half time and that's hard to come back from.

But Slaven made the change to bring on Pedro Obiang and I think that changed the whole dynamic of the game and for a moment you thought we were going to go on and win it 5-2. We looked positive and went on to score an early goal.

I thought Pedro made a huge impact and there was a lot of running in him and he wanted to get forward. Sadly, although we pressed and pressed, we didn't get that breakthrough and I think it was Diafra Sakho who had a wonderful chance and the goalkeeper made the save it could have been 2-2.

We could have gone on to win the game at that point as they were on the back foot and took off their striker and went more defensive but sadly we couldn't break them down.

What that result means now is that Saturday's game against Bournemouth is a big, big game. I know it is only the third game but having beaten all the odds by beating Arsenal we couldn't consolidate our position by beating Leicester. So now we must try to get three points against Bournemouth, particularly as we have Liverpool the following week.

I know it will be another capacity crowd and, with support like we saw on Saturday, I am confident we will have a better outcome.

David Gold

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Kouyate - A bad day at the office
WHUFC.com

Cheikhou Kouyate bemoaned a bad day at the office on Saturday, after West Ham United were undone by two first-half Leicester City goals at the Boleyn Ground. Though Dimitri Payet's first Barclays Premier League goal offered the Hammers hope in the second period, Kouyate admitted the damage had long since been done. And on the back of a stunning start at the Emirates Stadium a week earlier, West Ham's Senegalese midfielder could scarcely hide his disappointment. "It's no good," he confirmed. "You win your first game at Arsenal, a very big game, a very good game. You go to Arsenal in a derby, win 0-2, and then afterwards you come to a home game and lose. It's very hard to take. "We didn't play well on Saturday. Leicester played very well, they were very compact and very strong. It's obviously a bad day for West Ham."

Though West Ham's second-half revival was a spirited one, Kouyate felt the Hammers had already given themselves too much ground to claw back after a below-par first 45. That said, the hosts certainly had the wind in their sails after Payet's goal and, but for Kasper Schmeichel in the Leicester goal, might have rescued a point. He continued: "We paid the price for the first half, we weren't there. The 'keeper made some good saves but the fact we've lost the game on Saturday is down to us. "Leicester played on the counter attack, but the game was probably decided after the first half. It was a horrible first half for West Ham. "After we made it 2-1, we had confidence and had energy – but we didn't make the right decisions. "They're a team who came here to sit back and wait, so it was for us to find the answers. It was all blocked down the middle, so it was about trying to pass down the sides, but it wasn't to be on Saturday."

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Knoyle relishing Baggies test
WHUFC.com

After a busy and prosperous pre-season, the West Ham United's Development Squad start their competitive campaign with a trip to face West Bromwich Albion on Monday 17 August.

The Hammers, who will compete in the Barclays U21 Premier League Second Division, approach the new season full of confidence after a string of regulars pushed their way into first team reckoning in the UEFA Europa League.

In total, nine players made their senior debuts, alongside Reece Burke, who made the step up last term and has continued to impress. Josh Cullen, Amos Nasha, Lewis Page, Reece Oxford, Djair Parfitt-Williams, Kyle Knoyle, Alex Pike, Jordan Brown and Martin Samuelsen all participated in the Hammers' European adventure and several could be in contention to face the Baggies.

One of those debutants, who may feature on Monday night, is right-back Kyle Knoyle. The England U18 international made his full senior debut for the Hammers against FC Astra Giurgiu: "Making My first team debut is something I've dreamt of and strived towards since I first joined West Ham five years ago.

"It was a surreal experience that I'll never forget, once the referee blew the whistle my head was in the game and I felt comfortable. That is one of many positives I can take but there were also areas of my game which I need to improve on. In general I took a lot from my debut; the traveling supporters were also amazing.

"Before kick-off I was excited about the opportunity. I'd say when we had the team meeting a couple of hours before the game, when the gaffer wrote down the team, it hit me and the nerves started to creep in a little. After that I was fine, the nerves settled and I went out there with my main thought of enjoying the experience."

Having enjoyed a taste of first team football, Knoyle is eager for more. While he's been training with the first team on a regular basis for several months, the eighteen-year-old is confident he can make the step up from Europa League into the Premier League.

"My aspiration this season is to comfortably make the transition from U21 football to first team football. My dream will always be for an opportunity to arise where I can get games for the first team at West Ham.

"If it is felt best by the Club that I need to get some Football League experience first, then I will just do my best for the U21s until a suitable loan option becomes available.

"With regards to my international aspirations, I am firm believer if I get my Club football right, international opportunities will come and it is always an honour to play for your country."

Monday's hosts, West Bromwich Albion got their season off to a great start as they beat Swansea City 2-1 away with goals from brothers Samir and Adil Nadi in their opening fixture.

The Development Squad will play West Bromwich Albion on Monday 17 August. Kick off has been moved forward to 3pm, make sure you're following @whufc_official and www.whufc.com for live updates, match reports and exclusive reaction.

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Ladies defeated in opener
WHUFC.com

West Ham Ladies opened the 2015/16 FA Women's Premier League Southern Division season with a 5-0 defeat at Coventry United on Sunday.
Defender Nikki Miles headed the hosts into an early lead and the game remained in the balance at 1-0 for a long time, with debutants Georgia Miller and Aleah Headley missing chances for the Hammers straight after the break. After being let off my new manager Marc Nurse's West Ham, the home side rallied and extended their lead through Maz Gauntlett, Helen Dermody, Miles' second and a late lob from substitute Amanda Whalley.

The Hammers line-up contained several new faces from the side that beat Shanklin LFC in the club's final pre-season fixture. Indian international goalkeeper Aditi Chaucan replaced Jess Parlane in goal, with Latoya Bailey also making her debut in place of the injured Emma Sherwood in attack.

Headley came into the midfield alongside April Bowers to replace Grenada international Shirvae Edwards, while Kelley Blanchflower returned to action in place of the unavailable Lily Mellors.

After an extremely successful pre-season that saw the Hammers net 44 goals and concede just one, Nurse's side would have hoped for a better start. From a short corner, Dermody was given far too much time and space to cross and she found Miles at the back post, who headed home confidently past Chaucan. Although they were a goal down, the Hammers grew in confidence and started to gain more control and possession of the ball, but they could not fashion an equaliser. Just seconds after half-time, the visitors showed created their best chance of the game. However, Miller blazed her shot high over the crossbar. Moments later, West Ham were in again, but Headley rushed her shot from the edge of the area and sliced well wide.

Nurse's side remained just a goal down and repeatedly threaten to level until the final 21 minutes, when Coventry added four goals to make the final scoreline somewhat one-sided. One too many misplaced passes opened up a chance for Coventry to punish their guests. Chaucan made a fantastic save in a one on one situation, but the ball fell kindly to Gauntlett, who buried the ball into the far corner of the net.

If Coventry's second goal was not enough of a killer blow for Nurse's team, it got much worse in the following 12 minutes as the home side managed to net another three goals.

Firstly, Miles was well placed at the far post to head home her second of the game in very similar fashion to her first, followed by Dermody running clear through to slide the ball home. To complete a forgettable afternoon at Bedworth Villa FC, substitute Whalley's long range effort caught Chaucan slightly off her line.

West Ham will be determined to get this result out of their systems, but their opening home fixture against Portsmouth Ladies scheduled for 23 August has been postponed due to Pompey players' international commitments.

Nurse's side are therefore next in action in the FA Women's Premier League Cup Determining Round against Crystal Palace on Sunday 30 August. Kick-off at AFC Hornchurch's Bridge Avenue Stadium is at 2pm, with tickets already available here.

Ladies: Chaucan, Stimson, Revell, Little (c), Bottom, Xidhas, Bowers, Headley, Miller (Locke), Bailey (Adeyemo), Blanchflower
Subs not used: Parlane, Gullefer

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Hull City 'powerless' over Tom Huddlestone - Steve Bruce
BBC.co.uk

Steve Bruce says Hull City will be unable to prevent Tom Huddlestone leaving if any club matches the release clause in the midfielder's contract. Bruce said after his side's 1-1 draw at Wolves on Sunday that Hull had received no bids for any of their players. But he confirmed an interest from West Ham in ex-Tottenham man Huddlestone. The Hull manager said: "I am sure West Ham, like anybody, knows he has a buy-out in his contract and if they get to that figure I am powerless." Bruce added: "The agents will be touting him around everywhere, which I know they are. But there's nothing I can do." Huddlestone, 28, capped four times by England, joined Hull from Tottenham for around £5m in August 2013 and has made 78 appearances for the club.

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West Ham were unlucky to lose against Leicester, says Mark Noble
Last Updated: 16/08/15 2:03pm
SSN

West Ham captain Mark Noble believes his side were unlucky to come away with nothing after the 2-1 defeat to Leicester City at Upton Park.
Shinji Okazaki and Riyad Mahrez put the Foxes two goals up before Dimitri Payet pulled a goal back in the second half. Kasper Schmeichel denied Diafra Sakho late on with a fine save before Hammers keeper Adrian was sent off in stoppage time for a high boot. And Noble insists there were a lot of positives to take from the defeat. He said: "A lot of chances were created and we played a lot of good stuff. "We lost the game so no one is going to care about how we played but, to us, it matters. For sure we could have won the game. "We controlled the game and had a couple of chances early on and hit the crossbar. West Ham boss Slaven Bilic was disappointed with his side's 2-1 defeat to Leicester but accepts this can happen in the Premier League "I know we lost the game, but we played very well in the second half and should definitely have come away with a draw. "We controlled the game from start to finish and got caught cold by a couple of goals, but it could have been whole different story on another day."

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West Ham youngster Reece Oxford's granddad admits: "It was clear from the age of six he'd be a star"
0 COMMENTS13:26, 16 AUGUST 2015
BY HAMISH MACKAY
Oxford made his Premier League debut in front of 60,000 fans at the Emirates Stadium when West Ham beat Arsenal 2-0 on the opening day of the season
The Mirror

The grandfather of West Ham youngster Reece Oxford claims he knew the 16-year-old would make it as star as early as 10 years ago. Oxford made his Premier League debut in front of 60,000 fans at the Emirates Stadium when West Ham beat Arsenal 2-0 on the opening day of the season. For many of those watching both inside the ground and on television, Oxford was a revelation. Some were staggered by the talent and composure of such a young footballer. But not Jeffrey Renaud, 62, who happens to be Oxford's grandfather. "It was clear from the age of six Reece would be a star," Renaud told the Sun on Sunday. " He had a ball at his feet all the time and was always playing in the garden. "It feels like yesterday that he was dribbling around the corridor of our home. It pretty much was." His grandfather also revealed that football had helped keep him out of trouble during his childhood, even when friends may have led him astray. He said: "He never really got in really bad trouble but some of his friends could be naughty from time to time. For Reece, football was always the most important thing."

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Obiang set for Oxford position
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 16, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

Reece Oxford looks set for a spell on the bench after his impressive League debut at Arsenal. The 16 year old was substituted by Pedro Obiang at half time in yesterday's defeat against Leicester. And the summer signing immediately added bite to the Irons and looked set to nail down a place in midfield for the forseeable future. ClaretandHugh was told: "It was impossible to not play Reece after his performance last week but it's always going to be difficult at that age. "He's a tremendous prospect and is very much a part of the squad but Pedro showed that he's an exciting player during the second half."

ClaretandHugh was told exclusively: "Pedro looked the business and was involved in much of our good stuff. Reece is a fantastic young player but looks likely to be used more sparingly. He's very young after all."

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Double standards from Downing
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 16, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

Not much shocks me in football anymore – the people who play the game even less – but Stewart Downing has truly taken the biscuit today.
He decided to tell the Daily Star that he never wanted to leave Liverpool for West Ham and would have preferred to have played for his place under "Brendan" (Rodgers). However, that apparently proved impossible because he explained "Brendan said he wanted me to stay, but the club told me that there was an offer from West Ham. I didn't want to move."

Now hold on a minute mate, are you the same Stewart Downing who in another relatively recent interview with the slightly more upmarket Daily Telegraph had this to say about the Liverpool manager: ""He put a headline out, saying I needed to 'fight' more. It hurt. If you ask all the managers I've played for, I always try, always train hard. "If Brendan had a problem with me, if he'd pulled me and told me, then no problem. He didn't. It hurt the way he did it. "I went to see him, November time, and he just said to me: 'This isn't going to happen for you here, basically find a new club.'

There's more about how Rodgers came up with the idea of playing at left back, that even when he was back in the team he knew the writing was on the wall and that he knew he had to move concluding with the words: "I knew I had to move. I knew he wouldn't play me."

Downing of course – on leaving for Middlesbrough – insisted that had Slaven Bilic shown more enthusiasm to keep him he would still be at Upton Park. Yes of course Stewart!

OK, he's gone – not necessarily forgotten but gone – and maybe it's best to leave these issues where they belong – in the dustbin of history.

However, I think such things need pointing out. If you are going to make statements such as Downing has today you need a good memory.

Double standards Mr Downing and that's being kind!

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Irons on 'Greeno' return rumour!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 16, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

West Ham have revealed they have no plans to bring former favourite Robert Green back to Upton Park. Speculation that the club have been ready to move in on the 35 year old has been around for some time but the Irons ruled out the possibility exclusively to ClaretandHugh.
The former England keeper Green, 35 spent six years with us before moving across London in 2012 and has always been held in high affection by the fans at the Boleyn. It had been rumoured the £50k a week stopper was seen as perfect cover for Adrian and the Spaniard's sending sending off against Leicester has set to grapevine buzzing again today. However, when ClaretandHugh put the question to our highest placed insider we were told categorically: "There's absolutely no situation of that kind in our minds. The answer in one word is "no""

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DG reveals top priority transfer plans
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 16, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

David Gold has again confirmed the Hammers need a new striker as a top priority. We revealed earlier this afternoon that Slaven Bilic is stepping up the chase for a striker this week with the closing of the summer window two weeks ago. The co chairman – talking to ClaretandHugh exclusively – explained: "We are looking absolutely everywhere and are narrowing down the options. "The Enner Valencia situation has of course made things much more urgent. We are doing everything we can to get a forward in and the manager is very much on the case. " However, he remains hopeful that Andy Carroll will be back by September saying: "He's working really hard and not far away but we continue the hunt regardless of that." When we reminded him that perhaps we shouldn't go to bed too early – in a reference to his famous winter deadline day tweet – he declared: "Not sure I'll be using that line again!"

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Hammers repeat their Yilmaz position
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 16, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

A widely reported story that Turkish goal ace Burak Yilmaz is all but on his way to the Irons has been well over-cooked. The news first broke last week and was immediately knocked back by senior executives within the club to ClaretandHugh yet today the same story with a few twirls is doing the rounds again. Claims out of Turkey suggested initially the deal was all but done with a three year deal on the table worth £48k a week – a figure now denied. Since our story revealing this was well wide of the mark the player's agent has been reported on Lig Radio as saying: "We will not enter talks before the Galatasaray –Sivasspor game but rumours regarding a €10 million offer are false as we have not spoke about money."

He added that talk of a of a three-year, £48,000-a-week contract was also wrong as we had explained via our Irons sources. After checking the latest speculation today we were told exclusively: "We know about the player, but as was the case last week talks are no better than tentative."

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Exclusive: Hammers relaxed at Allardyce attack
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 16, 2015 in News, Whispers
EXCLUSIVE
C AND H

West Ham have shrugged off Sam Allardyce's remarks of "ingratitude" believing his outburst was "inevitable." The former manager's well publicised remarks last week drew a massive response against him from the fans after a double-barrelled attack which also claimed the squad wasn't good enough for Europe. But senior figures inside the club – who preferred to remain anonymous – were entirely relaxed about the former manager's intervention via comments to a foreign news service. One – speaking exclusively to ClaretandHugh – said: "He says on the one hand it was a mutual decision to leave but on the other says the board weren't grateful for what he'd done for the club. "Blimey, that really is a bit rich because the two Davids have regularly thanked him for his time at the club which was moderatel successful. "Their gratitude was also shown in a £3 million a year deal with various other bonus payments. It's all a bit odd to be reading this sort of stuff as a result! "It was almost inevitable that Sam would eventually say something about his last season at the club and the way things turned out. It wasn't unexpected. "But the reasons for him not receiving a new deal are pretty obvious. He had been with us for four years and that's a very long time in this job and industry. Managers don't have a very long life span do they. "He has every right to say what he likes but the simple fact is that his work here was done. The club decided to go in a different direction as is their right. It's a hard one to understand really because all that happened was a period in the club's managerial history simply came to a natural end.

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Slav steps up striker hunt
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 16, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

The Hammers remain in the market for a striker and midfielder. With just a fortnight left of the current window, co owner David Sullivan's youngest son Jack has assured fans the spending is not over. Supporters have become more an more vociferous on the social networks as the club has failed to add the long sought striker to their ranks. With Enner Valencia now facing possible surgery the need is becoming more and more pressing and ClaretandHugh was told the club is stepping up it's hunt for a top front man this week. A source told us: "Names such as Adebayor and Hernandez are on the list of targets and we need to get something sorted out before window closes. The manager continues to look at the options available to him." Meanwhile Sullivan jnr tweeted: "We are not done in the transfer window! We are hoping to sign a striker and a midfielder."

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Adrian red card: Irons may appeal
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 16, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

West Ham are waiting on referee Anthony Taylor's report before making a decision on whether to appeal Adrian's red card during yesterday's game against Leicester City. The Spaniard was adjudged to have been guilty of dangerous play when he went in with a high boot after joining the attack as the Hammers sought an equaliser at the end. It looked very harsh as there appeared no intention to injure anybody as he backtracked towards his own goal. However manager Slaven Bilic – whilst accepting that – appeared to accept the referee's decision. However, ClaretandHugh was told a few minutes ago that no decision has yet been made on what line the club will take. A source told us exclusively: "We might appeal. We will take a look at the referee's report and look at the incident from all available angles before we make that decision." Adrian tweeted last night that he had never in his career deliberately attempted to hurt anyone and the TV evidence suggested that he was unaware of any player in the vicinity as he attempted to clear the ball.

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