Daily WHUFC News - 8th April 2015

Onariase signs pro deal
WHUFC.com

West Ham United's newest professional footballer is Emmanuel Onariase. Known
as 'Manny' to everyone at the Club, the towering centre-half put pen to
paper earlier this week, climaxing an outstanding season of development for
the south London-born defender. The 18-year-old, who stands well over
six-feet tall and is blessed with impressive technical ability, is delighted
that the Hammers have invested in his future. "I'm grateful because it's
amazing," said Onariase, who was named on the substitutes' bench for the
recent Barclays Premier League fixture at Arsenal. "The Club has done so
much for me and I've improved so much here, so I just need to get to the
next level now and keep on excelling. "It's gone from almost zero to 100
this season, but that's football. People get injured and you're the next in,
so you have to stay on your game and always be ready."

For Onariase, signing a professional contract is all the more satisfying
when you hear that he was initially turned down by the club as a young
schoolboy before succeeding in a second trial at the age of 12. "I played
for my district in year seven and we played against West Ham and Jerome John
asked me to come over to the Club to train, but I was told I wasn't good
enough," he recalled. "I initially came as a midfielder, so I went back to
my school and then went training with Millwall. "West Ham asked me to come
back over again as a defender and they offered me a contract!"

The Club has done so much for me and I've improved so much here, so I just
need to get to the next level now and keep on excelling
Emmanuel Onariase Having been named on the bench already, Onariase is now
targeting further opportunities at the highest level, but he knows it will
not be easy. "To be involved was amazing and I want to thank all the
first-team players for making me feel welcome and creating a great
atmosphere," he smiled. "Being on the pitch to warm-up at the Emirates was
great and it was me in my element – it was an amazing feeling. It was an
inspirational experience and I want to feel it some more. "I never try to
second-guess things because you never know what is going to happen. I just
have to continue working hard, doing my bit and the rest will follow. "The
Club obviously has faith in me, so now it's about going out on loan and
getting first-team experience, then coming back and seeing how things go."

While is making great strides forward on the pitch, the one-time head boy at
St Thomas the Apostle College in Nunhead is also an outstanding academic
student off it, having achieved an A* grade in maths and five As in his GCSE
exams "I did my AS-Levels in maths and physics last year and I was working
towards my A-Levels, but I've gone full-time as a footballer now so I need
to make sure the numbers that matter are scoring more and conceding less!"
smiled West Ham's newest professional. Onariase made a point of thanking
those who have supported his fledgling career, including his school for
allowing him out on day-release to train with the Hammers, his former
teachers, Academy coach and scout Jerome John and his colleagues, his
parents, his three brothers and his closest friends. Writing in his regular
From the Academy blog, Academy Manager Terry Westley praised the
improvements made by Onariase this season and challenged him to work his way
into the first-team squad. "The fact that Manny was previously only on a
schoolboy contract, rather than a scholarship, just goes to show how hard
he's been working over the course of the season," said Westley. "It is a
fantastic achievement for him and a proud day for everyone who knows him. Of
course, it's a proud moment for everyone at the Academy and it is a sign
that we are going in the right direction. "Manny was on the bench for the
first team at Arsenal last month and now, like Reece Oxford and Reece Burke,
he needs to push on and try and get into the first-team squad on a regular
basis."

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Fans flock to Open Training day
WHUFC.com

West Ham United supporters turned out in force for the Club's Open Training
session at the Boleyn Ground on Tuesday morning. Fans young and old took
advantage of the glorious spring weather to watch their heroes train on the
hallowed turf, as Big Sam put his squad through their paces ahead of the
weekend's home meeting with Stoke City. After a warm-up, the first team
squad went through a shooting drill and game-based exercises before ending
with strength work. Several young competition winners then got the chance of
a lifetime to take a penalty against Adrian in front of a Boleyn Ground
crowd!

Following the training session, the players spent time signing autographs
and posing for photographs and Mark Noble was delighted to meet the
supporters. He said: "It's always nice to see the fans and with the sun like
this, it's great to see so many turn out to come and watch us. "It's the
Easter Holidays and that's what the kids want to do – to come along and meet
their heroes. It's a pleasure to walk along and sign the autographs. "A lot
of the kids don't get the chance to meet the players often, so coming down
here and having photos is a great day. "I remember when I was a kid, meeting
players was a fantastic occasion and that's why it's nice to stay out all
day and sign every autograph."

Hammers skipper Kevin Nolan and Joey O'Brien were also on hand to assist
with the Junior Hammers' Graduation ceremony, where young supporters were
presented with certificates to mark their support of the Club.

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From the Newsroom - Dave Evans
WHUFC.com

Recorder Series West Ham United correspondent Dave Evans assesses Saturday's
defeat to Leicester City...

I want to talk about flip flops. At this time of the season we hear a lot of
chatter about the hideous holiday footwear and how mid-table teams are
already metaphorically wearing them as they go out on the pitch for the last
few matches. Newcastle United were accused of it a couple of weeks ago and
the accusation was levelled at the West Ham players going into Saturday's
game with relegation-haunted Leicester City at the King Power Stadium. Close
to a million pounds is the difference in prize money for one place in the
Premier League, but do the players really care about that?

West Ham can realistically finish between eighth and tenth this season, so
do they really need to give 100 per cent when the prospect of going
snorkelling in the Maldives with their families is just around the corner? I
saw lots of comments on Twitter suggesting that losing at Leicester was a
'new low' for the Hammers. Once again the supporters calling for the head of
Sam Allardyce returned to social media as if this was the most humiliating
display they had ever seen from a West Ham team. We have seen one or two
disappointing and poor performances from the team this season, but they have
been few and far between compared to other campaigns and Saturday's was
certainly not one of them.

It was a bad result, but then so was Manchester City's defeat at Burnley not
so long ago; Chelsea's loss to Newcastle; Liverpool's defeat at Upton Park
and Manchester United's loss to, who was it? Yes, Leicester City. In this
Premier League, shocks happen, but perhaps Saturday at the King Power was
not such a shock. It could have gone either way. The Hammers created plenty
of chances in a thriller of a game and in the end it was a scrappy late goal
that beat them – again. We saw Sunderland beat Newcastle on Sunday and West
Ham's game was a similar story. Nigel Pearson's team simply wanted the
points more than the Hammers, they needed those points and it was like their
cup final.

So did West Ham really have the flip flops on? No chance.

The way the superb Cheikhou Kouyate marauded around the pitch, scored that
goal and hit the post could not have been done if he had opted for the same
footwear as George Clooney in that coffee commercial. James Collins knows no
other way than to give 100 per cent. Mark Noble could not run all over the
pitch without his boots and though Diafra Sakho controlled one Aaron
Cresswell cross like he was wearing flip flops, his endeavour suggested
otherwise. For those calling for Sam Allardyce to go, be careful what you
wish for – remember Avram Grant!
West Ham sit in the top half and if those unlucky draws against Man United
and Spurs had been deserved wins, then there would be a very different
reflection on the season. There is still another seven games to go in this
Premier League campaign and West Ham may suffer more disappointments. But
for me there is no question that these players still have the flip flops
locked away with the sun tan lotion until the end of May. It is a matter of
pride in trying to finish what they started back in August.

*Dave Evans is the only West Ham journalist to follow the team home and
away. You can follow him on twitter @Recorder_Hammer.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those
of West Ham United.

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From the Academy
WHUFC.com

Hello everyone,

It's been a little while since I last had the chance to update everyone on
the goings on at the Academy.

Over the international break a squad of U17s competed in an international
tournament out in Abu Dhabi and I'm pleased to report that they performed
admirably.

They returned safe and sound from an outstanding experience. From three
games, they won one, drew one, lost one against good opposition from all
over the world - one team from Japan, another from Spain and the third was
the host club Al Ain FC.

We sent a very young team because our duty at the Academy is to give them
new tests and experiences so they can learn and develop - particularly the
experience of travelling abroad, which for a lot of the players was new.

I was speaking to James Rowe, our Assistant Academy Manager who took the
boys out there. He was very impressed by the performances and also by the
way the players conducted themselves throughout.

A lot of the younger players really established themselves which is clearly
a big positive. As a result, participation in this tournament is something
we would very much like to do next year.

Another positive for everyone at the Academy is the new that our promising
central defender Manny Onariase has signed a professional contract with
club. The fact that he was previously only on a schoolboy contract, rather
than a scholarship, just goes to show how hard he's been working over the
course of the season.

It is a fantastic achievement for him and a proud day for everyone who knows
him. Of course, it's a proud moment for everyone at the Academy and it is a
sign that we are going in the right direction.

Manny was on the bench for the first team at Arsenal last month and now,
like Reece Oxford and Reece Burke, he needs to push on and try and get into
the first-team squad on a regular basis.

It's a hugely difficult task, because there are some very good players ahead
of him, but he has a chance and we'll continue to do everything we can to
help him become the player we know he can be. It's a real positive for him
personally, and he deserves it with the effort and hard work he puts in.

Finally, our U21s have entered the Hong Kong Soccer Sevens tournament which
kicks-off at the end of May. We were asked to participate which is nice.

I've been to the tournament before when I was at Birmingham City, so I know
a little bit about it. It's a very fast, physically demanding seven-a-side
tournament played in challenging conditions and presents a different type of
experience. It's a nice thing for us to be involved in at the end of the
season.

There are some good teams involved, Ajax, Newcastle United, Aston Villa and
Leicester City among others. It's a real challenge for them. As its
seven-a-side we'll be taking mainly attacking players. Just like the Abu
Dhabi trip, we're hoping for another positive experience.

In the shorter term, our U21s and U18s have fixtures this week, where we
hope our young players will continue their development by producing
impressive individual and collective performances.

Terry Westley
Academy Manager

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Fans flock to Boleyn Ground for open training session
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 7th April 2015
By: Staff Writer

It was a busy morning at the Boleyn Ground as the players met the fans
following today's open training session. Assistant manager Neil McDonald put
the players through their paces for 90 minutes before the staff and squad
spent the next hour signing autographs in the warm spring sun for the
half-term crowd. Striker Enner Valencia joined the rest of the first team
squad and showed no signs of his recent injury as he went through a series
of short tests in front of the crowd, who had packed in to the lower tier of
the West Stand for today's event.

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Rafael Benitez on West Ham manager shortlist with time running out for Sam
Allardyce
16:01, 7 April 2015 By John Cross
The Hammers have identified David Moyes as their No1 choice but face a
battle to convince the Scot to leave Real Sociedad, with other options on
their shortlist
The Mirror

Rafa Benitez has emerged as a contender for West Ham this summer. Former
Manchester United boss David Moyes is West Ham's No1 choice to replace Sam
Allardyce whose contract at Upton Park expires at the end of the season. But
they face a battle to convince Moyes to leave Real Sociedad after only
taking over in November and West Ham are looking at other options with
Benitez on their shortlist. Former Liverpool and Chelsea boss Benitez is
ready to quit Napoli at the end of the season and has made no secret of his
desire to return to English football. That has alerted West Ham who are also
looking at developments surrounding Besiktas boss Slaven Bilic who remains a
crowd favourite at Upton Park. But Benitez is now another option as the
Spaniard has also been linked with Manchester City and is renowned as a
brilliant tactician. Benitez enjoyed success at both Liverpool and Chelsea
and he would appeal. Allardyce appears to be running out of time at West Ham
after the club's poor second half of the season. That has only strengthened
the belief that West Ham will make a change this summer.

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West Ham eye Tottenham transfer target Kevin Mirallas with Everton
midfielder seeking a ''new challenge''
22:30, 6 April 2015 By Darren Lewis
The Hammers' momentum has died late in the season following Andy Carroll's
injury and they have vowed to recruit extra firepower in the summer
The Mirror

West Ham will join the chase for Everton winger Kevin Mirallas at the end of
the season. Tottenham had an enquiry knocked back for 27-year-old Belgium
international Mirallas back in January and are also set to return at the end
of the season. But West Ham are ready to challenge them as they are looking
to further invest heavily in their attack in the summer. Last year, they
signed £12million Ecuador World Cup forward Enner Valencia and £4.7million
Metz striker Diafra Sakho. Injury to £15million man Andy Carroll, however,
has robbed the Hammers of goals and momentum and they have vowed to recruit
more firepower so they do not end up in the same situation again. Mirallas
has a year left on his contract at Everton after this season, and indicated
earlier this year that he would be interested in "a new challenge".West Ham
lost 2-1 at struggling Leicester on Saturday after substitute Andy King
bagged a scruffy winner four minutes from time. Cheikhou Kouyate equalised
Esteban Cambiasso's stunning opener for the the Foxes, chesting down Alex
Song's lofted pass and finishing with aplomb in the far corner. But Hammers
boss Sam Allardyce was left ruing his team's defending in a fourth defeat in
five games. West Ham now sit ninth in the table after competing for the
European spots earlier in the season.

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Irons fans being fed false hope
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 7, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Even by West Ham's standards, the rumour factory is busier earlier than I
can remember for many years. And that's solely because here we are in early
April preparing for games against the likes of Stoke, Manchester City, QPR
and Villa with absolutely nothing to look forward to but cash for league
positioning. It could and should have been a lot better but instead we are
being forced to listen to recycled rumours ,which had whiskers on them a
couple of months ago, as a source of "excitement." It's called false hope.
There's is an incredible lack of imagination being attached to most of these
"stories"-notably the currently favoured one of Rafa Benitez as a possible
new manager. The story was first published here on ClaretandHugh as long ago
as May 14, 2014.

We again explained on February 22 of this year that although he was fancied,
the club had become aware that "he's not overly keen on coming and is a £6
million manager minimum anyway." The very latest situation is that with
Manuel Pellegrini and possibly Brendan Rodgers in danger at Manchester City
and Liverpool, our board have become aware that the Spanish boss is keeping
a very careful eye on developments in the north west. However, as the old
saying goes, don't let the facts ruin a good story and with people generally
believing what they want to hear, the story has again grown legs. Truth is:
It's highly unlikely. To assume that it may be on, we also have to assume
that a much bigger transfer budget would be made available than ever before.
Big managers usually require big budgets.

Glenn Hoddle was hoisted as a candidate but that won't happen and the club
are concerned about Slaven Bilic's pedigree which doesn't involve the
Premier League. Boring though it may be, this leads us back to David Moyes
and Marcelo Bielsa. However, in an unguarded moment today as ClaretandHugh
discussed the managerial position with a senior Upton Park 'face' we were
told: "We know who the board like but there's nobody in the know who would
be having a bet on anyone at this stage. The talking is still going on."

Beyond that we have heard that Kevin Miralles could be on his way – a story
immediately denied when we tried it on some people – plus a variety of
previously unheard of foreigners whose chances of arriving in the east end
are based solely on tabloid tittle tattle. It's such a shame! There could
and should have been real excitement on the pitch from a team that started
so well. Instead our terrific fans are being fed a diet of transfer fiction
to provide them with some interest in a season that went so wrong.

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Hammers on Everton front man link
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 7, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham continue to be linked with players – the latest being Everton's
Kevin Mirallas. His is the latest name presented in the nationals as a
target for the player although given the uncertainty surrounding our
managerial situation it's difficult to be OTT about such links. The report
claims the Irons are ready to challenge Spurs for the player after the north
Londoners had an enquiry knocked back last season.

Claiming we will join the chase at the end of the season, the report adds we
are ready to challenge for the 27 year old as we look to " invest heavily"
in our attack in the summer. Whilst it's true we will be looking for a back
up striker given that Carlton Cole will be on his way there is no suggestion
from inside the club of "heavy investment" in the front line. We were told:
"It's a little premature to be putting specific names in the frame anyway –
more pressing is where the club are going at the back with Alex Song and
Carl Jenkinson. "The managerial situation will also be decided before
players may or may not come onto the radar."

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Under-21s: United 3 West Ham 2
Manutd.com

Manchester United capitalised on Southampton and Liverpool's defeats in the
Barclays Under-21 Premier League with a nervy 3-2 triumph against bottom
side West Ham.

Josh Harrop struck twice and Joe Rothwell was also on the scoresheet during
a game riddled with errors but the victory is enough to take the hosts four
points clear at the top of the table ahead of the run-in.

The Reds were punished for a sloppy opening when Josh Cullen's free-kick
enticed Joel Castro Pereira off his line and, with the keeper way out of
position, Reece Oxford's header produced a straightforward goal. It was only
the fourth away strike of the term for the East Londoners and, remarkably,
their first on the road since September.

Two goals in the space of 200 seconds turned the game on its head but the
first was rather fortunate. Harrop collected an Andy Kellett pass and, after
some neat trickery, his hopeful shot crept past Sam Howes and rolled gently
over the line for the equaliser.

Paddy McNair led a breakaway from a Hammers corner moments later, cutting
inside from the left wing to deliver an outstanding through ball into the
path of Rothwell. The midfielder opened his body up to steer a calm finish
past the advancing Howes.

Warren Joyce's side appeared to be in control with skipper Adnan Januzaj
going close from a couple of free-kicks and Liam Grimshaw firing over the
bar following a corner by the Belgium international. After Kellett saw a
penalty claim ignored, West Ham launched a long ball forward and Donald
Love's backpass drifted past Pereira, who was not well placed to receive it,
to allow Jordan Brown to claim a farcical equaliser.

There was still time in the first half for Januzaj and Lewis Page to be
booked with the United man wrong to retaliate to a rugby tackle from his
marker but he kept his composure

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Emmanuel Adebayor commits his future to Tottenham despite Chelsea and West
Ham links
By BRUCE ARCHER
PUBLISHED: 20:33, Tue, Apr 7, 2015
Express.co.uk

Adebayor has been linked with a move away from White Hart Lane having failed
to feature regularly under Mauricio Pochettino. The former Arsenal and
Manchester City man came close to a January move to West Ham and, in recent
weeks, has been linked with a move to Chelsea.
However Adebayor says he intends to see out his contract in north London.
Earlier today he tweeted: "Contrary to reports, I am very happy at Tottenham
and will do everything to fight for my place. "I have a year to go on my
contract and love playing in the EPL, best league in world!" The Togo
international has featured 16 times in all competitions this season, scoring
twice. His last league start came on November 2 in the 2-1 win over Aston
Villa, he played 58 minutes before being replaced by Harry Kane. Kane's
emergence as the main striker at the club, coupled with Pochettino's system,
have worked against Adebayor - as has the fact he hasn't scored since
October 26.

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Jack Collison praises Teddy Sheringham's return to West Ham
HITC
Lewis Doe

Former West Ham United midfielder jack Collison has praised a decision by
the club to hire a former player. Former West Ham United midfielder Jack
Collison has praised the decision by his old club to hire Teddy Sheringham
on the Sports Bar for talkSPORT. Sheringham currently works for the Hammers
as an attacking coach and Collison has suggested he's a great character to
have in and around the club helping the first team. "His aura was superb –
what a character and to get him back in, in any capacity at West Ham's a
great move by whoever did it," said Collison. Sheringham is one of the most
experienced figures in the history of the Premier League. Collison
experienced playing with him towards the end of his career, he played for
just one more club after the Hammers, and it's clear that he left a positive
impression on the then West Ham youngster. In theory it was a good move, and
in practice it seems to have had an effect with West Ham boasting the best
attacking record in the Premier League below the top eight. West Ham have a
very talented midfield and attack and it's important that Sheringham,
manager Sam Allardyce and all of the other coaches at the club continue to
work hard, fine-tuning all areas of the first team. West Ham are facing a
very bright future with an imminent move to the Olympic Stadium and having
coaches around the club that can help them retain their identity is
important moving forward.

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West Ham United's Stewart Downing on how he deals with abuse from opposition
fans
HITC
Subhankar Mondal

West Ham United star Stewart Downing says that he is not bothered by the
opposition fans during a football game. West Ham United attacking midfielder
Stewart Downing has explained to FourFourTwo Magazine how he copes with
abuse from the opposition fans. "When you're getting abuse from the
opposition fans, it's because they see you as a threat," the 30-year-old
told FourFourTwo Magazine. "You have just got to take it as a bit of fun."
Downing is one of the best players in the current West Ham squad and has
been in very good form so far this season. The 30-year-old England
international has scored five goals and created 75 chances in 30 Premier
League appearances, while having a pass accuracy of 85% and a shot accuracy
of 46%. Being a very important player for West Ham, Downing understandably
gets abuse from the opposition fans, but it seems that he has a great way to
cope with it. One has often found players getting frustrated due to the
treatment by the opposition supporters, but it appears that the former
Liverpool man is intelligent enough not to be drawn into such a situation.
West Ham are currently ninth in the Premier League table with 42 points from
31 matches.

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