Daily WHUFC News - 6th August 2015

U21s set for Canvey test
WHUFC.com

West Ham United's Academy players conclude their preparations for the new
campaign with a pre-season match at Canvey Island on Wednesday night. With
the Under-18s beginning their Barclays U18 Premier League season at Fulham
on Saturday and the Under-21s at West Bromwich Albion a week on Monday,
Wednesday's trip to the south Essex coast gives Academy Manager and Head of
Coaching & Player Development Terry Westley another opportunity to run the
rule over his players. The Gulls, who will compete in the Ryman Premier
League this season, count former Hammers Academy goalkeeper Jake Larkins
amongst their number and are anticipating a healthy crowd for the game,
which kicks-off at 7.45pm. Westley is looking forward to the test. He told
whufc.com: "This game gives us another opportunity to play against a men's
team, which is invaluable experience for them. "It's the last game before
the start of the season for the U18s and it will allow the likes of Oscar
Borg, Marcus Browne, Matt Carter and Tunji Akinola to play in an U21s game.
"The players will always get something from it, and there will always be
someone making a judgement from it, so I'm looking forward to seeing how we
take the challenge as a group. "In terms of the Academy, we've had an
excellent pre-season with many of the players making an impact with the
first team. Martin Samuelsen has bedded in well as a new signing and Reece
Oxford has worked his way into a really good situation playing in the
European games and again last Sunday."

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Big Interview - Reece Oxford
WHUFC.com

Reece Oxford has burst onto the first-team scene in recent weeks and is
already showing what a major talent he could be for West Ham United. The
16-year-old became the youngest player in the Club's history when he made
his debut against FC Lusitans in the Europa League at the start of July,
breaking Billy Williams' 93-year record. Despite his young age, Oxford has
already shown he has the ability to compete at the highest level and is
hoping to cement his place in the first-team squad.

Reece, how pleased are you to have made your breakthrough into the
first-team?

"I was really happy to start the game against Werder Bremen. They were a
very strong side and probably the best team we played against during the
pre-season. "It was a good test for us and even though we lost we can learn
from it going into the Arsenal game on Sunday and the Europa League tie on
Thursday."

How much will you take from the experience of playing in the Europa League
and performing in front of sell-out crowds at the Boleyn Ground?

"I have had a lot of games and am just trying to take it step-by-step each
time I go out there. "I am trying to learn from every game but it is great
for me to get the experience.
It really helps me when I am playing at the Boleyn Ground because the fans
are always on your side and with experienced players like Noble and Kouyate
around me, they can only help me how to play."

The Club are back in Europa League action this week when we travel to
Romania. After drawing the first game 2-2 against AFC Astra Giurgiu, what
are your thoughts on the return leg?

"We are going to go there and have the mind-set to win the game. Hopefully
we can get through to the next round. "It is great for us to play against
different teams overseas and experience the different kind of atmospheres."

How ready are you for the start of the Premier League campaign and what have
been your early impressions of Slaven Bilic as the Club's new manager?

"The start of the new season has come around really quickly but I have
played in a lot of games and hopefully I will be fit and ready. "I think the
new manager is very good and likes to get things done properly.

"This is a big season for me for both club and country and hopefully I will
do well."

Finally, the first-team squad went for screening tests at the Spire Roding
Hospital this week. How important is it for the players to have a full
medical check going into the new season?

"I think it is very important for us to have these tests. We need to check
our blood levels, our eye sight and other important areas and make sure that
nothing shows up. "If we all have these checks now it can only be a good
thing. We all remember what happened to Fabrice Muamba and we don't want
that happening to any other player. It was a warning sign."

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Kids for a Quid Newcastle tickets on sale now
WHUFC.com

Tickets for our Kids for a Quid Barclays Premier League game against
Newcastle United on Monday 14 September are on sale to Academy Members now.
The Hammers welcome the Magpies to east London for their third home league
game of the campaign and you could be there! Tickets for Under-16s are
priced at just £1, with Adult tickets starting at £45 and are on sale from
whufcboxoffice.com Tickets are also available over the telephone on 0871 529
1966* or to personal callers to the Betway Stand Ticket Office. Secure your
seat now as the Hammers continue to bid a fitting farewell to the Boleyn
Ground throughout the 2015/16 season. *Calls are charged at 13p/min plus
your phone provider's access charge.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
How have the Hammers done in the transfer window so far?
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 5th August 2015
By: Graham C99

'Encouraging' would probably be the best word to use when summing up West
Ham United's summer transfer window so far, with a number of boxes ticked
and some still waiting to be filled.

A changing of the guard under Slaven Bilic, with European football back on
the agenda and a move to the Olympic Stadium looming large on the horizon,
was always going to require investment and a shift away from the Sam
Allardyce philosophies of the last four years. To his credit, he did start
to get things right in 2014, with a number of those recruited 12 months ago
now considered to be key men heading forward and cornerstones that can be
complemented by another fleet of fresh faces.

Aaron Cresswell, Cheikhou Kouyate, Diafra Sakho, Enner Valencia et al will
have important roles to play in the present and future, while some of the
deadwood has been shipped out – Carlton Cole, Nene etc. That aforementioned
duo have created a void up top which is yet to be filled, with Andy
Carroll's fitness issues suggesting that it would unwise to put too many
eggs in his particular basket, while Mauro Zarate is yet to be given the
opportunities or support required to show what he is truly capable of.

Another striker – proven at a Premier League level and with his best years
still ahead of him (Charlie Austin, Loic Remy?) – would be a shrewd
addition, but that is an issue for another day. For now, the Hammers can
reflect positively on the business they have done, with the five additions
made so far all bringing something different to the fold.

With Jussi Jaaskelainen gone, Darren Randolph offers seasoned back-up to
Adrian between the sticks, with Bilic having moved quickly to address the
need for two capable shot-stoppers in an ambitious squad looking to make its
mark in Premier League betting when it comes to top-six finishes – and one
with continental competition to add to the domestic workload. Randolph is a
full international with the Republic of Ireland, is still only 28 years of
age and must believe that he is capable of figuring on a regular basis for
Bilic having turned his back on a possible contract extension and guaranteed
first-team football at Birmingham City. He has bought into the project being
pieced together in East London.

The same can be said for Pedro Obiang and Angelo Ogbonna following their
respective moves from Serie A to the Premier League. Both, if you believe
what you read, had plenty of other options to consider, but they will bring
important steel to the spine of the West Ham side – with Ogbonna a
commanding, Italy international centre-half and Obiang a box-to-box
midfielder who likes to get stuck in and swarm around opponents. He is a
younger alternative to last season's loan star Alex Song.

Talking of loanees, the return of Carl Jenkinson on another season-long
agreement has been rightly heralded from all corners, with the only slight
disappointment being that his efforts in 2014/15 convinced parent club
Arsenal of his worth and led to them putting fresh terms in place rather
than agreeing to a permanent sale. He will, however, help with continuity at
the Boleyn Ground, while fellow new boy Dimitri Payet is expected to bring a
touch of the unexpected – an enigmatic sparkle that Hammers followers adore
having embraced similar characters such as Paolo Di Canio and Carlos Tevez
in the not too distant past.

All in all, West Ham are looking in pretty good shape, with there also the
arrival of promising Scotland U21 international left-back Stephen Hendrie to
be taken into account as competition and cover for Cresswell. There are
still issues to be addressed – goal-getting, sheer numbers ahead of what
will be a gruelling and testing campaign, and perhaps a few extra bodies in
the middle of the park with Stewart Downing gone and it possible that the
likes of Matt Jarvis and maybe even Kevin Nolan will follow him through the
exits.

A number of promising youngsters suggest the production line at the Academy
of Football is back in full swing, but they cannot, and should not, be
relied upon to fill anything more than support roles this season, with this
window the first of three vital ones that will carry the club away from
their historic old home and into a brave new world.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bilic looks like the right man for the job
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 5th August 2015
By: Staff Writer #3

Happy to forget and move on from last season, West Ham fans will be excited
about the prospect of things to come in the new campaign with Slaven Bilic
at the helm.

Though he is new to the Premier League he should breathe new life into the
team, and come at the new season with a fresh approach.

At the beginning of last year some of the players showed great potential and
helped the Hammers into top four as Christmas rolled around. Unfortunately,
this form soon dipped for a number of reasons, but the general consensus was
that the manager Sam Allardyce had to go. Some five months later and Hammers
fans finally got their wish, as it was revealed that the club would not be
offering 'Big Sam' a renewed deal.

Bilic is now looking to shake things up, and has already brought in a few
new additions that look improvements on their departing counterparts. If the
players who showed some promise last season can step up again, then West Ham
could be looking at a much higher finish this term. Betfair make the Irons a
whopping 100-1 to go the distance and reach the top four come the end of the
season, but they will need ample firepower to do so.

One of the big concerns from last season was that there wasn't enough depth
in the squad. This could have been why the team didn't manage to carry on
their blistering early season form all year. With European commitments now
as well, the need to bolster up the squad in every area is a great one.
Luckily new manager Bilic seems to be addressing this problem and word
around Upton Park is that the Croatian's transfer dealings are far from
over.

One of the best looking transfers so far is that of attacking midfielder
Dimitri Payet from Marseille. The French international is a great playmaker
with good vision and serious technical skills.. He racked up 17 assists and
7 goals in 36 league appearances last season and will be a fantastic
addition to West Ham's attacking options. Some are saying that this is
already one of the biggest transfer coups of the summer.

Bilic has also recently completed a loan deal for Manuel Lanzini, with a
view to making it permanent at a later date. The attacking midfielder is
only 22-years-old and seems to have a bright future ahead of him, and looks
certain to add even more depth to the Hammers attacking options.

With uncertainty over whether Andy Carroll will remain fit all season, it
seems certain that Bilic will be in the market for another striker. There
have been plenty of rumours so far about potential signings but as yet
nothing has come to fruition. A few weeks ago it looked as though Loic Remy
could be close to making a move to the Boleyn ground, but after recent
developments it seems fairly certain he will stay at Chelsea.

Charlie Austin is yet to join a club but he is well-favoured for a move away
from QPR and has been since the 2014/15 season ended. It appears to be a
matter of 'when' and not 'if' as to his impending departure, but seeing as
though Newcastle just confirmed the signing of Aleksander Mitrovic, it could
be that their hunt for forward reinforcements is over. This could improve
West Ham's chances of landing Austin.

Austin burst onto the Premier League scene last season and had a great
campaign despite QPR's relegation. The striker managed 18 goals and looked
sharp all season. Some are speculating that Aston Villa will make a move for
him now they have lost Christian Benteke, so if Bilic wants him he will have
to move fast.

Bilic has also managed to bolster up his defence with another loan deal
confirmed for Carl Jenkinson, not to mention the signing of Angelo Ogbonna
from Juventus for £7.9million. The latter made 41 appearances for Juve
across the last two seasons and won two Serie A titles. Jenkinson meanwhile
made 29 starts for West Ham last season and looks to be a promising talent.
Both are very good signings.

With a very long season ahead - and a new manager at the helm - it is fair
to say that the team will be subject to a lot of changes during the opening
weeks of the campaign, while the manager experiments to find a winning
formula. It is important that the team look to improve on last season and
gain a higher finish in the league, so fans will be hoping that their
involvement in the Europa league won't be a hindrance to achieving this goal
- as it has done to other Premier League teams in the past.

From what the public has seen of Bilic so far though, it looks as though he
is the right man to steer West Ham in the direction they need to be heading.
But a few years ago the same could have been said about Allardyce and look
what happened there. Only time will tell, but fans should be looking to the
season ahead with a lot of anticipation of things to come, rather than
scepticism.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bowyer: Austin better off on Tyneside!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 5, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

Former Hammer Lee Bowyer reckons Charlie Austin is better suited to life on
Tyneside than the east end. We revealed last night that the bookies odds on
the Queens Park Rangers striker joining the Hammers had tumbled, but Bowyer
has thrown a spoke in the wheel with his view on talkSPORT. The midfielder
played for the Magpies and Hammers and reckons the best way forward for
Austin is to move to the north east. He said: "I think he would be better
suited up in Newcastle. West Ham have got a couple of forwards already. They
have got big Andy Carroll, they have got Sakho who scored a few goals last
season. "Newcastle, I can't think of any of their strikers but Cisse, and he
wants to leave. He would be loved up at Newcastle if he starts scoring some
goals. They are great fans and he should hit the ground running if he
decides to go there."

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sheri on Austin for Irons "Yes, yes, yes"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 5, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

Teddy Sheringham hs given a wide ranging interview in which he gives some
straightforward views on all things Irons. Speaking exclusively to
888sport.com he kicks off by discussing Andy Carroll and says: "I was
surprised about his qualities when I went there. "I can remember doing the
first shooting session – and he'd already told me how good he was by the way
– but I was nicely surprised at how decent his technique and quality was. He
could definitely score a goal." He is proud of his role at the club as
attacking coach declaring: "It was a massive thing. I really liked Kouyate
at the start of the season then Sakho came in and what a combination they
could be. Then Valencia made an impact and it was very different again. With
Andy Carroll they had four strikers who could cover every scenario of
attacking play. They had a bit of everything." However, he belives the Irons
should make a move for Charlie Austin claiming he was terrific value saying:
"Without a shadow. Yes, yes, yes. He got 18 goals for QPR last year and
that's not easy to do. That boy scores goals and I love his ways and the way
he plays football. He would be a great signing." He also believes Javier
Hernandez would be a big plus adding: "He'll want to be playing first team
football and I don't know why he can't hold down a regular place for
whichever team he plays for. He could work well alongside Diafra Sakho."

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jimenez Update – Hammers Not Confident
Posted by whufc_news@hotmail.com on August 5, 2015 in News, Transfer Rumours
C AND H

West Ham United will find out later today if proposed loan signing Raul
Jimenez will be granted a work permit, according to Graeme Bailey. The 24
year-old Mexican international does not fit the usual regulations for a
visa, and as a result the Hammers have appealed to the FA in order to for
the deal to go through. It is believed that the East Londoners are not
entirely confident that they will be successful, because of the new home
office rules. A £1.4m season-long loan deal with NO view to a permanent
transfer has been agreed with Atletico Madrid.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bolton Nolan return emerges
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 5, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

Speculation that Kevin Nolan could be on his way to former club Bolton has
been dismissed "at this stage" by the Hammers. A story emerged this morning
claiming that a move back to the club was on the cards but an Upton Park
source told ClaretandHugh: "We've hard nothing from Bolton although we are
aware of the story being around. We know nothing at this stage" Nolan would
have to take a major cut on his personal terms to make the move into the
Championship although the player has made it clear that he doesn't intend to
sit on the Irons sidelines. He claimed recently: "If that's the case I will
have a conversation with the manager although that's for later." West Ham
are ready to let the captain move on if he gets the right offer, our source
saying: "He's been a great servant but everybody understands the position.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tottenham and West Ham target Hernandez asks Manchester United to cut asking
price - Wednesday's top transfer stories
Evening Standard
JAMES BENGE
Published: 05 August 2015 Updated: 13:20, 05 August 2015

The summer transfer window is fully up and running, and Standard Sport is on
hand to bring you all the latest talk, gossip and whispers from the Premier
League. The shutters are up, the doors are open, as clubs around the world
scramble, plot and scheme in the market. Petr Cech has left Chelsea and
arrived at Arsenal, while Radamel Falcao has made his way to Stamford Bridge
– while John Stones hopes Jose Mourinho gets his man. Liverpool (surprise,
surprise…) have been the most active, while Manchester City have made the
biggest signing with the £49 million deal for Raheem Sterling and the £32.5m
arrival of Christian Benteke. Manchester United have signed Memphis Depay,
Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin to name but a few, and Louis
van Gaal could be set to add a couple more. Javier Hernandez is willing to
forgo bonuses at Old Trafford to secure a move away from Manchester United
and Bakary Sako is having a medical ahead of a move to Crystal Palace.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Javier Hernandez to West Ham: Slavan Bilic ready to bid £12m for Manchester
United striker
SAMUEL STEVENS Wednesday 05 August 2015
The Independent

West Ham United manager Slavan Bilic has instructed club officials to make a
£12m bid for Manchester United forward Javier Hernandez, according to
reports. The 27-year-old spent last season on loan with Real Madrid and
remains likely to leave Old Trafford despite being one of just three
recognised strikers at Louis van Gaal's disposal. Enner Valencia, who picked
up an injury in the Europa League 2-2 draw with Astra Giurgiu, is expected
to be out for up to 10 weeks, forcing Bilic's hand in the transfer market.
According to the London Evening Standard, the East London side have already
failed with one £8.5m offer earlier in the summer but, with Diafra Sakho
being the only forward available, are likely to return with an improved
package.
Enner Valencia is likely to be out for 10 weeks Enner Valencia is likely to
be out for 10 weeks West Ham remain interested in luring Charlie Austin from
Championship side Queens Park Rangers but are not prepared to pay £15m to
sign the England striker. Meanwhile, the Hammers have agreed a season-long
loan deal for Atletico Madrid striker Raul Jimenez but now face a battle to
obtain a work permit for the Mexico striker. Teddy Sheringham, the former
United striker, has also urged his past employers to sign a new striker if
they are to seriously challenge for the Premier League title this season.
"They're making an awful lot of signings and there are still bits going on,"
he told 888Sport. "I would presume there is still a striker coming in for
Man United and I'd be very surprised if that doesn't happen. That could make
all the difference."

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham star proven to be one of the best in the Premier League
By James Jones - Aug 5, 2015 0
West Ham World

Ever since he became a first team regular at West Ham, Adrian has been
absolutely fantastic between the sticks. The Spaniard has made several match
winning/drawing performances for the Hammers over the last 18 months and his
passion for the club and everything it stands for has led to him to becoming
one of the fans' favourite players. It's not often you get a player who
isn't just brilliant on the pitch every week, but also has that special
relationship with the fans that is very rare in football these days,
particularly in the modern game. I'd argue that the last two players to have
that at the club were Paolo Di Canio and Carlos Tevez. And the shot-stopper
is also being recognised for his efforts on the pitch. A study by ESPN has
found that Adrian was the Premier League's fourth best goalkeeper last
season, with a saves-to-shot ratio of 74.13% from a minimum of 20
appearances over the course of the season. The only three keepers above him
were Costel Pantilimon, Lukasz Fabianski and Fraser Forster…

Boom. So how long before he gets that overdue call up for Spain?

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham make improved £11.9m bid for Manchester United star
WEST HAM have upped their bid for Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez
to £11.9million.
By TONY BANKS
PUBLISHED: 00:02, Wed, Aug 5, 2015 | UPDATED: 00:06, Wed, Aug 5, 2015
Express.co.uk

With Louis Van Gaal closing in on a deal for Barcelona striker Pedro, West
Ham were last night hoping that their offer would come close to United's
valuation for Hernandez. The striker, who is out of favour at United after
returning to the club following an unsuccessful loan spell at Real Madrid,
has been told about West Ham's offer but Portuguese giants Benfica are also
interested. West Ham, who originally bid £6m last week, are urgently in need
of another striker with Enner Valencia facing more than three months out
with knee and ankle ligament damage, and are also looking at Queens Park
Rangers star Charlie Austin, as well as Fenebahce's Senegalese forward
Moussa Sow. Meanwhile, Championship side Bolton want to take Kevin Nolan
back to the Reebok Stadium. Bolton boss Neil Lennon is after veteran West
Ham midfielder Nolan, 33, who has told new boss Slaven Bilic that he will
not be happy sitting on the bench this season.
Nolan made his name at Bolton, where he scored 40 goals in 296 games in a
decade at the club up to 2009 before moving to first Newcastle and then West
Ham. The midfielder is in the final year of his contract at Upton Park and
fancies the move back up north, but earns around £50,000 a week at West Ham,
and would have to take a massive pay cut for Bolton to be able to afford
him.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham transfers: Kevin Nolan a target for his first club Bolton
22:30, 4 AUGUST 2015
BY JOHN CROSS
The 33-year-old - who spent 12 years as a Trotter - wants to play more
regularly but his £50k-a-week wages could be a stumbling block
The Mirror

Bolton want to re-sign their former midfielder Kevin Nolan. Veteran West Ham
midfielder Nolan, 33, is in the final year of his contract at Upton Park and
wants to be playing regularly.
But Nolan's £50,000-a-week wages could be a stumbling block for the
Championship Trotters, and West Ham would have to subsidise the contract if
he will not take a pay-cut. Nolan spent 12 years at Bolton, scoring 40
league goals, before making a £4million move to Newcastle in January 2009.
The Lancashire club have recent form when it comes to re-signing their old
boys — Eidur Gudjohnsen, who initially played for Bolton in 1998-2000,
returned last season at age 36 and scored five goals in 21 league
appearances.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 'to complete Alen Halilovic transfer deal next week'
Jamie Sanderson for Metro.co.uk
Wednesday 5 Aug 2015 12:07 am

West Ham are set to complete the signing of Barcelona star Alen Halilovic
next week, according to reports. The Croatian international has been given
permission to leave Barca this summer as the club cut up their B team, and a
host of top clubs have got eyes on their top prospects. Brilliant midfielder
Halilovic is one of the best around, and now reports in Italy say West Ham
will seal the signing of the 19-year-old next week. The Hammers have offered
£5.2million for the player and it's thought Barca will have a buy-back
option set at £6.9m included in his contract.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


http://vyperz.blogspot.com



---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus