Daily WHUFC News - 19th August 2015

Chambers delighted to be back playing
WHUFC.com

They say a week is a long time in football, so spare a thought for West Ham United defender Leo Chambers, who made his long awaited return to action in a Claret and Blue shirt after more than 18 months out through injury. Having completed his first 90 minutes since January 2014, the 20-year-old south Londoner was arguably one of the Irons' better players as he marshalled the defence in the Hammers' opening game of the season, a 2-1 defeat away at West Bromwich Albion. While the defeat was a disappointment, Chambers was clearly delighted to be back among the thick of the action: "It was very good to be back playing, it's my first game in a while, I'm j ust grateful to be playing again really. "Today was my first full ninety in a year and half, since January two years ago; it's something I've been concentrating on for a long time. I'm delighted to have played the full ninety, I think I did well, but the main thing was just to be out there."

For any player, a sustained period out of the game is a serious blow, and Chambers was quick to admit that times during the layoff were tough. However, the highly rated defender now has every reason to be cheerful as he thanked those that have helped him return to match fitness. "It was a very tough period being out for so long. A lot of stuff went on off the pitch, away from the training ground but I managed to cope, the people around me helped a lot, the staff, my family but also my teammates. I'm just happy to be playing right now. "I haven't played with a lot of these players until now; a lot has changed in the time I've been out. But I thought we dominated, we passed them off the park really, and it's just a shame about the result."

Reflecting on a game that saw the Hammers create numerous chances before West Brom sealed the three points with an 88th minute goal. Not only did he impress in his defensive duties, Chambers went close to doubling the Hammers' tally with a powerful header from a corner: "As you know I'm not the tallest player out there so I had to get away from the tallest guy, I managed to get a yard on him, get my head on it but unfortunately hit it down the goalkeepers throat. "It's strange how we lost really, but that's football really. We have to take the positives away, I think there are a lot and hopefully we can get a better result in our next game. "My hopes like everyone else is to break into the first team, that's always been the goal. If that doesn't happen then we'll have to go back to the drawing board and hopefully get a loan somewhere."

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Cullen praises strong performance
WHUFC.com

Development Squad captain Josh Cullen remained upbeat despite the Hammers' 2-1 defeat away at West Bromwich Albion on Monday afternoon. For large parts of the game the Dev Squad were in the ascendency, Elliot Lee and Manuel Lanzini went close early on however the Baggies pegged them back through an Adil Nabi free-kick and Kyle Howkins' 88th minute winner. Reflecting on a positive performance, Cullen said: "It was a strange game to lose; everyone in the dressing room was sitting their thinking the same. We have to pick the positives, mainly that if we play like that every game, we know we'll win more often than not. "We dominated the game from the first minute to the last. We just needed to be a bit more clinical in both boxes, had we taken our chances when we were at 1-1 we could have been 3-1, 4-1 up and out of sight."

Nine of the starting eleven named by Academy Manager Terry Westley have been involved in the first team already this season. Alongside Cullen, recent debutants Kyle Knoyle, Martin Samuelsen and Djair Parfitt-Williams all put on impressive displays. The combative midfielder explained the confidence he and his teammates gathered from their role in the first team.
"I think a lot of the lads getting first team has helped a lot with confidence and self-belief. It's a shame we got knocked out because the more experience we could have got the better.
"The Europa League was a great experience; playing in a packed Upton Park was a fantastic experience I'll never forget. We've been to tough places like Andorra and Romania, in atmospheres and conditions we're not used to. That'll stand us in good stead for the U21 season. "We believe in ourselves, and everywhere we go we'll try and boss possession and dominate games. Whether you're home or away, at the end of the day it's a football pitch, eleven versus eleven and if we concentrate on that we won't lose too many games this season."

Up next for the young Hammers is a home game against Aston Villa on Monday 24 August before they make the short trip to the Emirates on Friday night. The nineteen-year-old finished by saying two games in five games is the ideal way to bounce back from the opening day defeat. "We've just got to kick on from here, take the positives from the performance and drive on. Personally, I thought I played well, alongside Diego I thought we dominated the midfield and had a lot of possession. It's just a shame we haven't come away with the result, I still think all the lads can come away pleased with their performances. "People who haven't watched the game might think we haven't dominated the game based on the score but it was as one-sided a game as I can remember for a long time. All the lads played well."

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Chauhan 'excited' by Hammers chance
WHUFC.com

India international goalkeeper Aditi Chauhan made her West Ham Ladies debut at Coventry United last weekend, attracting plenty of attention in her homeland. The former University of Delhi and Loughborough University student, 22, became the first player from her nation to appear in the FA Women's Premier League. Chauhan, who won the 2012 SAFF Women's Championship as an U19 international, has been featured in the Times of India, Hindustan Times and India Today this week. "I'm really excited though about this new journey in a new league because it's a higher and better league for me to be playing in," Chauhan explained. "Personally I am looking to improve as a player and help West Ham do well and hopefully not get this kind of result again."

For the young stopper, a 5-0 defeat on her debut was not the ideal start, but Chauhan is not about to let one difficult afternoon ruin her West Ham career before it has started. "I definitely didn't expect this scoreline," she added. "I think the first half we were very good and we even started the second half well but when their second goal went in, we lost our momentum. "It's quite frustrating because after a while, as a goalkeeper, you start to feel helpless. It's quite disappointing too especially on my first game because I really didn't expect this to happen. We'll take it though and move onto the next game."

Chauhan's next game will come on Sunday 30 August, when West Ham host Crystal Palace in the FA Women's Premier League Cup Determining Round at AFC Hornchurch, with kick-off at 2pm.
The Hammers were due to host Portsmouth in the FA Women's Premier League Southern Division this Sunday afternoon, but the match has been postponed due to Pompey players being called-up for international duty.

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The Boleyn Insider
WHUFC.com

With the transfer window drawing to a close, speculation in the media is understandably reaching a crescendo so I thought an update would be appreciated. The Board have been clear over the past few weeks that their priority is to recruit a new striker and I understand that remains the case.

I am told that no less than four bids have been lodged for forwards over the past 48 hours and, crucially, these are all for players currently based overseas. I understand some of the names have been in the press but others have not and they have been deliberately kept under the radar to avoid alerting rivals.

I am led to believe that the Club feel that the overseas market currently offers much better value for money than the UK, which is why the focus has switched to the continent.

My sources indicate there is hope one of those approaches will bear fruit this week and if that proves successful the Club will then turn its attention to recruiting a new midfielder, the other position that is still deemed to need strengthening. I understand that the club's interest in Alex Song continues and talks with the relevant representatives are progressing well so he provides a solid option if required.

There has also been a lot paper talk about a new goalkeeper joining the Club this week and I can reveal that any movement in that area would depend on the outcome of Tuesday's appeal against Adrian's red card against Leicester. Should that not be successful, the Club will reconsider its options in that area.

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Ogbonna vows to make fans happy
WHUFC.com

Summer arrival Angelo Ogbonna has vowed to make the West Ham United fans happy when they return to action against AFC Bournemouth on Saturday. The Hammers fell to a 2-1 defeat to Leicester City last Saturday, after first half goals from Shinji Okazaki and Riyad Mahrez left the east Londoners with too much to do after the break. Ogbonna was disappointed not to build on the previous week's victory at Arsenal but says his team will bounce back stonger. "We were very annoyed on Saturday because we know we have the quality. We need to think about the next match and make the fans happy again. "This is football because sometimes things do go wrong, but we have to fight and carry on and forget about this result and focus on the next game. We have one week now to cool down and prepare. "We were very solid against Arsenal. The whole team did very well. We did not do badly [against Leicester], everybody defended and attacked but it's just the result that was disappointing and we are annoyed at that."

Ogbonna may only have been in London for a matter of weeks but is already feeling at home in the capital. He added: "I like my team and the staff and I love how everybody is giving me good advice about the Premier League and about life in England. For me it's easy.
"I am grateful for the support the fans have given me so far and I will continue to do my best for the fans starting with the game at home on Saturday. I am very sorry for the result."

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Jenko backs Brain Tumour Research fundraiser
WHUFc.com

Most West Ham United fans will know one end of the District Line all too well. But few will have travelled the length of it and even fewer will have done so on two wheels. That is the challenge that awaits a group of plucky fundraisers on Sunday, in an inspiring show of solidarity and support for father-of-two and lifelong Hammers fan Steve Lloyd, who is living with a terminal brain tumour. Steve, who spent the entirety of his 22-year career working for London Underground, was latterly managing at Ealing Common depot, meaning his lengthy District Line commute would take him past his beloved Boleyn Ground each and every day. And so, fittingly, Sunday's District Line Cycle Challenge will see riders use London's self-service Santander Cycles to cover 74 miles overground, taking in all 61 stations. Each team will set off from a different terminus – Ealing Broadway, Richmond, Wimbledon, Edgware Road, and Upminster – finishing at Tower Hill. There, at the Minories pub, Hammers full-back Carl Jenkinson will be among the many well-wishers waiting to salute the cyclists.

Carl's father, Steve, worked alongside Steve Lloyd for many a year at London Underground and the Jenkinson family are as determined as any to do their bit for a valued friend. Sadly, Carl's parents lost a five-year-old son to cancer before Carl had even been born and so the 23-year-old is acutely aware of the disease's shattering might. "I could tell just from talking to my dad how much it meant it to him," Carl explained. "I've never seen him almost moved to tears and yet he was when he was speaking to me about this. "I've never had too much to do with my old man's work. He always keeps it to himself, but he's spoken about Steve in glowing terms and that's more than enough for me. It made me want to do my bit and help out as much as I possibly could. "Personally, my mum and dad lost a son, and I lost a brother, to cancer, so it's something that's always been close to the family. Cancer tears people's lives to pieces, it just comes out of the blue and it's such a devastating disease."Obviously people are trying to do their utmost for Steve. His family and friends just want to show their love and support and do everything to not only raise money for the charity but to find a breakthrough in a cure, treatment or whatever it may be. "I found it mind-blowing that brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer. So as much as anything, we want to raise awareness."

Among the chief organisers of the District Line Cycle Challenge is Leon Hall, Upgrade Delivery Manager with Transport for London, who has a longstanding association with the Jenkinson family. As the big day draws near, Leon paid a massive vote of thanks to Carl and his dad Steve for their backing and generosity, confident that together they can achieve something very special on Sunday in the name of Steve Lloyd. "I might be biased, as I have known the family for a while, but their support for our cause has been immense," Leon said. "Carl's father Steve is an absolute star."I can't say thank you enough for the boost that the personal donation and the interest in our cause has given our fundraisers and the charity Brain Tumour Research. "I'm sure that the effort we have gone to and the support we have received from everyone, especially all at West Ham United, truly does make a difference."

Each rider is collecting sponsorship and there will also be opportunities for the travelling public to donate at stations along the line in the run-up to the event. The money raised will help to fund vital research at four Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence including one at Queen Mary University of London. In the midst of such a tragedy, Carl is astonished by the will and courage of Steve Lloyd, together with his loved ones, and hopes that people will dig deep to support this most heart-wrenching of causes. Steve's wife, Angela, is set to ride the final leg of the event and Carl, understandably, is humbled and inspired to be lending his considerable backing. He continued: "I can't even begin to imagine what it must be like for Steve and his family. It's touching to think in such a dark time like this, they're thinking about other people and trying to help others not go through the same sort of thing. "To have that sort of mind-set in the most desperate time in your life is a very special thing. It says a lot about Steve and a lot about his family and I just want as many people as possible to contribute towards the charity and get behind it. "It's a unique thing they're doing and it's captured the imagination. I'm going to go up there and cheer them on, just to be there to support the fundraiser and be a part of it. It's such a tough time that's being turned into a beautiful thing, so it's important to be there to witness it."

To donate, text DLCC15 £3 to 70070 or visit their Virgin Money Giving page here and you can follow their progress on the day using the hashtag #DLCC15.

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Adrian: West Ham fail in bid to overturn goalkeeper's red card
BBC.co.uk

West Ham have failed in their bid to get the red card shown to goalkeeper Adrian in Saturday's 2-1 home defeat by Leicester overturned.
An appeal from the Hammers was rejected by the Football Association and Adrian will now serve a three-match ban.
The Spaniard, 28, was sent off for a challenge on Leicester forward Jamie Vardy after going upfield for an injury-time corner.
He will miss league games against Bournemouth, Liverpool and Newcastle.

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Roger released - to India
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 18th August 2015
By: Staff Writer

Former Hammer Roger Johnson has finally found a new club - in the Indian Super League. Johnson, who spend the latter half of the 2013/14 season on loan at West Ham from Wolves has been looking for a new club since falling out with Wanderers some considerable time ago.
And the 32-year-old has finally found himself a new home - with Indian Super League side side FC Pune City. Johnson, who has also featured for Cardiff said he is looking forward to his first taste of football outside of the British Isles. "This will be a completely new experience in my career," he said. "I am excited to be a part of FC Pune City's ambitious plans to bring home the Indian Super League title this season. Alongside head coach David Platt and other top signings I hope to share my experience with the boys in the side and make a difference."

Former England midfielder Platt added "Roger is a defender with great experience. He is solid in his defensive duties and exceptional vocal organiser which is a quality that will help the players around him." Johnson joins the likes of fellow ageing professionals Adrian Mutu, Didier Zokora, Tuncay Sanli, and Nicky Shorey in the Indian Super League. * In other news involving former Hammers, Freddie Sears - who scored the winning goal against Blackburn on his West Ham debut seven years ago - has signed a new three-year contract with Championship side Ipswich Town. Hornchurch-born Sears, now 25, arrived at Portman Road via League One Colchester in January 2015 since when he has scored ten times for the Tractor Boys.
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Now there's a surprise: FA reject Adrian appeal
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 18th August 2015
By: Staff Writer

Common sense has never been a trait commonly associated with the Football Association.

And yet again the game's ruling body revealed just how out of touch they are with the people who fund their organisation by failing to overturn West Ham United goalkeeper Adrian's dismissal by the inept Anthony Taylor in the 2-1 home defeat against Leicester last weekend.

"A claim of wrongful dismissal submitted by West Ham United in relation to Adrian has been unsuccessful following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing earlier today," read the FA's statement.

"Therefore, the player's three-match suspension, which is the standard penalty for this offence, remains with immediate effect."

According to the FA, "for a club to be successful with a claim of wrongful dismissal it must prove to an Independent Regulatory Commission via written and/or video evidence that the match referee made an obvious error."

Yet the FA decided that Taylor - who also yellow-carded Jamie Vardy for a similar challenge in the first half and failed to award a clear and obvious penalty to Diafra Sakho and subsequent caution to Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel - had not been at fault.

For the supporters, who saw yet another game spoiled by the antics of referee who is simply not fit for purpose, it is yet another kick in the teeth.

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West Ham appeal, Taylor demoted
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 18th August 2015
By: Staff Writer

The referee who failed to award Diafra Sakho a stonewall penalty against Leicester last weekend will not officiate this weekend. Anthony Taylor, who also dismissed goalkeeper Adrian in the third minute of added-on time has been named as fourth official for this weekend's Sunderland vs Swansea clash - a match that will be refereed by Neil Swarbrick. Taylor, who has a history of dreadful decisions in recent West Ham United fixtures was officiating his first Premier League fixture of the season last weekend at the Boleyn Ground. He was also fourth official on the opening weekend of the season for Watford's 2-2 draw at Everton. Meanwhile Jonathan Moss has been named as the match official for this weekend's clash between West Ham and newly-promoted Bournemouth, who were themselves victims of two dreadful referee's calls last night at Liverpool - decisions that swung in favour of the established Premier League side. Moss' last visit to the Boleyn was back in May, when West Ham beat Burnley 1-0 courtesy of Mark Noble's penalty. The spot kick had been awarded after Burnley's Michael Duff was harshly dismissed by the official.

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Adrian to serve three-match ban after West Ham lose appeal
Last Updated: 18/08/15 7:03pm
SSN

West Ham have lost their appeal over goalkeeper Adrian's red card in Saturday's 2-1 home defeat to Leicester City. The 28-year-old was sent off by referee Anthony Taylor in stoppage time at Upton Park for a high boot into the chest of Jamie Vardy, having come up for a corner with the Hammers chasing a late equaliser. West Ham manager Slaven Bilic said on Saturday night that he would consult with club officials before deciding whether to appeal the decision with the Football Association. An appeal was lodged on Monday, but the Hammers failed to overturn the decision and Adrian's three-match ban will start immediately. The Spaniard will now miss the upcoming matches with Bournemouth, Liverpool and Newcastle, with second-choice goalkeeper Darren Randolph likely to deputise in his absence. A statement from the FA read: "A claim of wrongful dismissal submitted by West Ham United in relation to Adrian has been unsuccessful following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing earlier today. "The goalkeeper was dismissed for serious foul play during the game against Leicester City on Saturday (August 15, 2015). "Therefore, the player's three-match suspension, which is the standard penalty for this offence, remains with immediate effect. "For a club to be successful with a claim of wrongful dismissal, it must prove to an Independent Regulatory Commission via written and/or video evidence that the match referee made an obvious error."

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Adrian hearing today
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 18, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

West Ham's appeal against Adrian's red card will be held later today. The club are "hopeful" rather than "optimistic" that they will see the Spanish keeper's punishment from ref Anthony Taylor's punishment overturned. There's huge irritation inside the Irons camp that Leicester striker Jame Vardy was guilty of a studs up challenge on Adrian in the first half but escaped with a yellow card. With Bournemouth looking very lively against Liverpool at Anfield last night the Irons are desperate for a reprieve as the former Birmingham stopper hasn't convinced in early season games. The hearing result is expected later on today or tomorrow.

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Bilic halts the rumours
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 18, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

West Ham have this morning confirmed the chances of bringing in Galatasary striker burare remote. Despite constant reports in the Turkish press and across the internet the prolific hitman is not seriously on the Irons radar. Even Slaven Bilic, however failed to stop the rumour mongering which reached frenetic levels over the last 48 hours when declaring he wasn't noticeably interested in Yilmaz. He explained that whilst he was an "important" Turkish striker he wasn't really interested in bringing him to West Ham. And this morning a club insider told ClaretandHugh exclusively: "Unless something totally dramatic happened it's not really a proposition but Slaven will obviously be linked with Turkish targets won't he?"

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Transfer News: Irons new striker target
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 18, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

West Ham are considering a £7 million move for Swansea striker Bafetimbi Gomis. The club have had the player on their radar for several months and with a £7 million release clause in his contract, he is becoming a priority target. The Irons have been keen on the 30 year old for some time but have been regularly been knocked back by Swans chairman Huw Jenkins. However, the Irons hope the arrival of Andrew Ayew has changed the club's attitude and the we are hoping that Gomis may now be available. The 30 year old scored 10 goals last season and has been on target in the Swans opening games against Chelsea and Newcastle. He has three years left on his Swansea deal and was keen to move on in January and the Hammers could now be ready to test the water with a bid. The player is contracted until 2018 but under the terms of the buy out clause they would need to allow Gomis and hsi advisers the opportunity of speaking to theHammer .
A top Irons source told ClaretandHugh exclusively:"With that sort of buy out figure he's a very interesting proposition."

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Three wise men to decide Adrian's fate
Posted by Hammers Newshound on August 18, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

A three-person independent regulatory commission will be convened today to assess written evidence from the match officials and West Ham, as well as video footage of the incident involving Adrian's sending off at the weekend. The so called 'FA three wise man' usually include a former football man often a former player/manager, a former member of a FA association sometimes a previous chairman and a person with a legal background who understands the rules of football. It is these men who will decide Adrian's fate behind closed doors.

Previously it has been reported that West Ham club officials believe the FA's appeals procedure is flawed under European law. In February 2014 they appointed barrister Lord David Pannick who threatened to take the FA to the high court to seek an injunction when Andy Carroll was sent off in the Chico Flores incident. The FA caved in to an arbitration panel in the eleventh hour who also refused to over turn Carroll's red card. Adrian's red card in February this year was successfully overturned by the Football Association appeal panel.

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Randolph lets in 16 goals against AFC Bournemouth
Posted by Hammers Newshound on August 18, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

Darren Randolph has conceded an incredible 16 goals against AFC Bournemouth in the last three games while in goal for Birmingham City including eight in one game. Randolph's awful record run started in March last year when he let in four goals between the Birmingham sticks in a game which finished 4-2 to AFC Bournemouth. On the 25th October last year he conceded a total of eight as the Cherries thumped Birmingham 8-0. Earlier this year Randolph conceded another 4 as the Blues lost 4-2 to Bournemouth again in April. If Adrian's red card appeal fails later this week, Randolph is almost guaranteed a start. If that is the case let's hope he can put a stop to this awful statistic.

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West Ham stewards have to re-apply for jobs
Posted by Hammers Newshound on August 18, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

The match day stewarding for the Olympic Stadium has been awarded to a specialist outsourcing company OCS by French stadium operator Vinci. OCS customers include Wembley and the Emirates where they are responsible for stewarding events. West Ham stewards have received a letter telling them they must submit an application form and attend an interview with OCS if they want to continue to steward for West Ham matches next season. We understand there is no automatic transfer of employment rights as they as on short contracts. Some West Ham stewards which Claret and Hugh have spoken to are unhappy with the change with some suggesting their terms and conditions will change significantly. They claim they will lose their free food and soft drink currently enjoyed at West Ham while another told us they will be no longer be paid an increased pay rate on Sunday and Bank Holiday games. Another twist is stewards say they understand they will no longer be able to have a preference which stand or section they work in and maybe asked to steward non-West Ham events at the Olympic Stadium. One steward who asked not to be named told Claret and Hugh "I am not happy but I will give it one season in the Olympic Stadium because I love West Ham, they are my family." Founded 115 year ago as a window cleaning company called New Century Window and General Cleaning Company, OCS later re-branded itself in 1930 as Office Cleaning Services (OCS) and although it has still uses the same initials they have re-branded again to mean 'Outsourced Client Solutions ' as they attempts to move away from their cleaning background. The company now has 60,000 employees over five continents.

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West Ham goalkeeper Adrian reacts on Twitter to ban appeal rejection, he's not happy
HITC
Dan Coombs

West Ham goalkeeper Adrian faces a three game ban. West Ham goalkeeper Adrian has reacted to news he faces a three game ban, and appears clearly unhappy. The Spaniard was sent off in the final stages of the Hammers' weekend loss to Leicester City, for a high challenge at the opposite end of the pitch, where he had been trying to rescue the game for his side. In reaching for the ball he took out Leicester's Jamie Vardy and was immediately dismissed. He and the club had attempted to get the ban overturned, but discovered via the FA today that their appeal had been unsuccessful, report The BBC. He took to Twitter to express his emotions, biting his tongue but conveying his thoughts via emojis.

Adrián San Miguel ✔@AdriSanMiguel
😡😡😡 No comment!!

That should be enough to save him from any further discipline from the FA, but the three game ban seems harsh, with matches against Bournemouth, Liverpool, and Newcastle upcoming. Darren Randolph is expected to deputise.

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Josh Cullen claims Europa League experience will aid West Ham's Under-21 side
HITC
Billy Hawkins

The West Ham youngster made his debut for the senior side this season. Speaking to the West Ham website, recent debutant Josh Cullen has claimed that playing in the Europa League will aid the Under-21 squad this campaign. He said: "I think a lot of the lads getting first team has helped a lot with confidence and self-belief. It's a shame we got knocked out because the more experience we could have got the better. "The Europa League was a great experience; playing in a packed Upton Park was a fantastic experience I'll never forget. That'll stand us in good stead for the U21 season." 19-year-old Cullen captained the Hammers' Under-21 side on Monday afternoon as they fell to a defeat to West Brom. He made his senior debut earlier this season in the Europa League, making three appearances in the midfield of Slaven Bilic's side. He is considered one of the best talents in the West Ham academy, and impressed in his first-team performances. Cullen is correct to suggest that the first-team experience will aid him in Under-21 action, with the opposition faced in Europe a tough proposition. He has come up against challenging sides in tough atmospheres, and did well enough to suggest he could play a domestic first-team role this term. Cullen will continue his development in the Hammers' academy side this season, but the real aim for him is to start featuring under Bilic as the campaign progresses. He certainly appears to possess all the talent required to feature at first-team level, and if he carries on playing well with the Under-21's, it should not be too long before he is playing for the senior team again.

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West Ham United: Midfielder Diego Poyet linked with MK Dons loan move
Son of former Sunderland manager Gus Poyet could be on his way to Dons
James Averill 18 Aug 2015 at 12:35By James Averill,Staff Reporter

Midfielder Diego Poyet is reportedly close to signing a loan deal with MK Dons. The rumour mill is whirring around West Ham United fan sites and on Twitter that the son of former Sunderland manager Gus Poyet will be joining Dons on a loan deal. Uruguayan Poyet featured in the Hammers' unsuccessful Europa League qualification campaign, playing against the likes of FC Lusitans, Birkirkara and Astra Giurgiu, who West Ham eventually were knocked out by. He also made seven appearances in the 2014-15 season, although two of those games took place when he was on loan at Huddersfield Town. The season before that he was on loan at Charlton Athletic and he had a much more regular run in their team, making 23 appearances for the East London club.
At just 20 years old, he could fit the bill in a Dons squad as the club have a great reputation for bringing young midfielders on.

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Losing West Ham target Charlie Austin late in the window could cost QPR, says Les Ferdinand
SIMON JOHNSON Tuesday 18 August 2015 13:19 BST0 comments
Evening Standard

Les Ferdinand fears QPR will suffer the same fate with Charlie Austin as they did with Loic Remy 12 months ago, wrecking their plans for the season. Standard Sport revealed yesterday West Ham will step up their interest in Austin, while Tottenham are watching the situation in case their move for Saido Berahino falls through. QPR have received two offers for the striker although both are well below their £15million valuation and the club are braced for new bids. The situation has all the hallmarks of the Remy saga a year ago when the striker only moved to Chelsea for £10.5m on the penultimate day of the transfer window. QPR failed to sign a replacement before the window closed and Ferdinand is worried about it happening again. QPR's director of football told BBC London: "In the Premier League, clubs assess their teams in the first few weeks of the season and then you see a lot of transfers done in the last week of the window. "I hope that doesn't happen but I'm gearing myself up for that. It's great for the team that's selling on the last day of the season if they have everything else in place because they can demand what they want as they know they have their squad. "But when you haven't got your squad and it happens in the last week, you're scrambling around."

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Does young striker Elliot Lee's demotion spell the beginning of the end for his West Ham career?
HITC
Damien Lucas

The future of promising West Ham United striker Elliot Lee could be in the balance after he was demoted back to the club's reserves. Lee scored in West Ham's development squad defeat to West Bromich Albion on Monday. While the game will have little significance to fans, it highlights that Slaven Bilic - like Sam Allardyce before him - doesn't feel Lee is good enough for the Premier League. West Ham fans love nothing more than seeing a homegrown Hammer progress from the Academy into the first team. There have long been calls from the terraces for Lee to be given his chance in the senior side. And when that chance came, for a Europa League qualifier against FC Lusitanos in Andorra last month, the 20-year-old didn't disappoint, marking his first start with a goal in a 1-0 win. Bilic was not officially in charge for that match and since he took over Lee has been used sparingly with the likes of outcast Modibo Maiga preferred instead. The highly rated son of former England star Rob showed his determination to make a real go of his Hammers career by returning to pre-season training early in a bid to feature for the club's first team. A regular scorer at both youth and reserve level, Lee found game time difficult to come by during Allardyce's four-year tenure, for which Big Sam was castigated by some supporters. Loan spells at Colchester United and Luton Town saw the burly and pacy striker net his first senior goals either side of an ill-fated stint at Southend United where he sustained a hamstring injury in his first training session. But crucially his latest demotion to the reserves comes despite West Ham desperately struggling in the striking department.
Andy Carroll is still out with his long-term injury and Enner Valencia has been ruled out for three months. It leaves Diafra Sakho as West Ham's only proven Premier League goalscorer. But the likes of Maiga, who has no future at the club, have been preferred over Lee so far this season in what looks a damning indictment of Bilic's opinion of the young Englishman. Age cannot be a factor because the former Croatia boss has already shown in the case of 16-year-old Reece Oxford, if he feels a player is good enough he will play them. Lee admitted earlier this summer he is desperate to finally kick-start his Premier League career. But his future at the club looks in doubt and now he may well be loaned out or sold, particularly if West Ham make good on speculation that they will bolster their squad with a major striker signing this month.

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QPR SIGN GOALKEEPER AS ROB GREEN'S WEST HAM RETURN DRAWS CLOSER
By Dean Ammi
readwestham.com

Queens Park Rangers look set to allow goalkeeper Robert Green to sign for West Ham United, as Huddersfield Town goalkeeper Alex Smithies is having a medical at the West London club. The former England international spent over six years at Upton Park, between 2006 and 2012.

According to HITC Sport, Chris Ramsey's side are set to announce the signing of 25-year-old Smithies, which would pave the way for Green to make the move to Upton Park.

Huddersfield and QPR are said to have agreed a fee of around £1.5million for the goalkeeper, who has not featured for the Terriers in their last two matches.

Smithies has made over 270 appearances for the Championship side, but will now look to help QPR bounce back into the Premier League, at his imminent new home of Loftus Road.

Recent signing Darren Randolph from Birmingham City has not been too convincing in between the sticks during pre-season, and with Adrian currently suspended for three games, manager Slaven Bilic will look to strengthen this department.

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Fenerbahce holding out for £9m fee for West Ham and Sunderland target
By talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) | Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Dynamo Moscow have had a £5.6m bid for West Ham and Sunderland target Moussa Sow rejected. According to reports in Turkey, the Russian club tested Fenerbahce's resolve to hold on to the striker with a cut-price bid. But Fenerbahce are holding firm on their insistence that Sow will not be sold for anything less than his £9.1m release clause and rejected Dinamo's offer.
West Ham and Sunderland are both working hard to add a new striker to their squad before the transfer window shuts and have been heavily linked with the prolific Senegalese. Sow has hit 52 goals in 107 outings since arriving from Lille in January 2012 but is currently in the final year of his contract. However, his Turkish employers insist they will not let him leave on the cheap this summer.

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Parlour explains what strikes him about watching Bilic's West Ham
HITC
Lewis Doe

Former Gunner Ray Parlour has noticed something about West Ham under Slaven Bilic. Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour told talkSPORT what he's noticed about West Ham having watched Slaven Bilic's side play. Parlour commented on the size of the team Bilic has created at Upton Park, which makes them both difficult and intimidating to play against. West Ham are searching for consistency after they were unable to back up a great performance on the opening day against Arsenal, with defeat at home against Leicester last weekend. "When I watch them, what strikes me about Bilic's team at the moment is their size, they are a very big team," he told talkSPORT.

How does Bilic get the most out of a big team?

It's important that Bilic resists the urge to play long ball and direct football on a consistent basis. There is space for the side to take advantage of their height, as they showed against Arsenal, but West Ham have some very good players when it comes to getting the ball on the deck and controlling games. West Ham also need to be a little wary that sides coming up against them may look to counter the size they possess with some overly aggressive tactics. That increases the chance of things such as injuries and knocks developing in the team, which can see key players become unavailable. West Ham will definitely benefit with fewer games to play this season after their Europa League exit and the size of the side should be seen as a positive and definitely not something, which will work against the team.

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West Ham and Chelsea free to pursue £15m Charlie Austin after shock Newcastle revelation
NEWCASTLE have withdrawn their interest in QPR striker Charlie Austin.
By JOE SHORT
PUBLISHED: 08:16, Tue, Aug 18, 2015 | UPDATED: 08:26, Tue, Aug 18, 2015

The Magpies had sought to bring Austin back to the Premier League after his relegation with Rangers last season. But manager Steve McClaren has backed away after learning of the London club's £15million asking price for their star man, claim the Newcastle Chronicle. Austin, 26, scored 18 goals in the Premier League last season but it wasn't enough to prevent QPR from going down. But Newcastle won't countenance spending £15m on a striker who is into the last year of his contract and who could agree a free transfer to St James' Park in January. Whether or not Austin will still be on QPR's books by then remains to be seen. He has been closely trailed this summer by a host of top-flight clubs, including West Ham and Chelsea.
New Hammers boss Slaven Bilic is yet to sign a striker this summer and Austin has been earmarked as a man to partner Diafra Sakho. But West Ham face the challenge of Chelsea, who are reportedly considering an offer for the Englishman as manager Jose Mourinho seeks additional recruits before deadline day.

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